They don't all turn out like the halfwit Tim Tebow

Should Sikhs wear Kirpan daggers in public? ... NO!

I must admit a degree of ignorance towards Sikhism as unlike Islam and fundamentalist Christianity it seems (from the little I have seen) to be a peaceful religion - at least in the UK it is. I haven’t felt the need to speak out against Sikhism until now. You can learn more about Sikhism here, I will endeavour to improve my knowledge on the subject.

My response to this story on the BBC website is not informed by the irrational belief that leads to a Sikh wanting to wear a dagger but is about what is fair and in the interests of the public.

It’s as simple as this really; the law on carrying a knife in public is in place because it can be dangerous; if non-Sikhs are not allowed to do it then I don’t see why Sikhs should be entitled to; in the interests of safety and equality it shouldn’t be allowed. From looking at the comments on this page many Sikhs agree with me.

I don’t understand this thing that some religions have about inanimate objects signifying and embodying their religion. Surely the beliefs and values that they get from their holy books are a spiritual thing that (if they are so important) they shouldn’t need reminding of!?!

Think Week in Oxford

Thanks to Simon Myerson for this, it's a shame I won't be able to attend:-

‘Think Week’ is going to be a series of free events from 22nd-28th February aimed at the whole Oxford community – Oxford city, Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. We don’t want to convert people, just to make people aware of non-religious perspectives, promote mutual understanding, and have a rational debate about the secular life. We’ll have talks on philosophy, education, and current affairs by religious and non-religious speakers, as well as music and poetry. The week will finish with the AHS Conference, which will see student societies from across the country convening in Oxford.

There will be speakers including Andrew Copson, CEO of the BHA, Evan Harris MP, philosopher Dr Stephen Law (author of "The Philosophy Gym") and scientist and writer Peter Atkins. The week is being organised by several Oxford City-based groups as well as two student societies. A full list of events and organisers is at www.thinkweek.co.uk.

Pat Condell on the Geert Wilders Trial

I agree with Pat - "this man is a hero and not a criminal, and it's time that the rest of us stood up and said so, loud and clear".

See: http://www.wildersontrial.com/

Stephen Fry joins the British Humanist Association

Read the full story here and join the BHA here.

A quote from Mr Fry:

"For me, that is not a turning away from mystery or a cold rational dispute with the numinous and spiritual in life, it is an acceptance of the awesome and splendid responsibility we each have for our own destinies, ethics and morals. I repudiate the authority of churches, revealed texts and vain unsubstantiated assertions and embrace the shared glories of humanity's intellectual and spiritual struggle to understand the universe into which we are born with honesty, openness and faith in our own natures."

Petition against funding the Pope's visit

The National Secular Society has announced a large-scale campaign of protest against the state visit of the Pope to Britain in September.

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: “The taxpayer in this country is going to be faced with a bill of some £20 million for the visit of the Pope. A visit in which he has already indicated he will attack equal rights and promote discrimination.”

Read more here, sign the petition here.

So the Pope wants to come to the UK and spread his nonsense and vile values, why should the UK taxpayer fund this?

Please get behind the campaign!

Radio Reminder - Great Lives with Richard Dawkins

BBC Radio 4 - Tuesday 2 February 2010 @ 16:30, repeated Friday 5 February 2010 @ 23:00.

Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Professor Richard Dawkins explains why he believes Bill Hamilton to have been one of the greatest evolutionary theorists of the 20th century. Dr Mary Bliss offers expert advice.

Hirsi Ali criticises western 'appeasement' of Islam

JAIPUR, India — Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the Somali-born former Dutch lawmaker threatened with death for her outspoken criticism of Islam, on Sunday accused the world's liberal democracies of appeasing radical Muslims.

Hirsi Ali, who since 2004 has lived under constant guard against death threats from Islamic extremists, made her accusation during an unannounced appearance at the Jaipur Literary Festival in India.

Speaking to a packed audience, Hirsi Ali said fear of offending Muslims and the wider Islamic world meant Islam had been largely exempted in Europe and the United States from the critical scrutiny applied to other religions.

Continue reading here.

Geert Wilders' opening speech

Thanks to Gavin Orland:

Non-Believers Giving Aid

Spurred by the horrific suffering in Haiti, the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS) has joined forces with 13 other freethought groups or associates, to collect donations to non-religious relief organizations. Those participating are Atheist Alliance International, Atheists Helping the Homeless, Atheists United, The British Humanist Association, James Randi Educational Foundation, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, New Humanist magazine, Pharyngula, Rationalist Association, Reasonable New York, The Reason Project, The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, The Skeptics Society and Unreasonable Faith.

Read more and donate here

Storm Movie - Tim Minchin

If you're a regular visitor to my blog or your a fan of Tim Minchin then you may have seen him perform his beat poem 'Storm' that's about his encounter with an irrational hippy type who believes in alternative medicine amongst other nonsense (if you haven't seen it then do a search on youtube). Anyway, great news, someone has decided to make an animated film based on the poem. Visit the blog here, you can follow @storm_movie on twitter and watch a trailer below:

NonStampCollector - Special Investigation - Evolution