by Ken Greatorex This is a collection of odds, ends and newsy bits that have taken our attention in the last month. The Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne was as big an event as predicted. There was even an appearance by both militant Christians and Muslims. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UVqaSTScNI&feature=related. For Dick Gross’s review, see here: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/blogs/godless-gross/the-atheist-jamboree-20120416-1x2lw.html. The [...]

From Victorian Skeptics
http://vicskeptics.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/happenings/
5/18/2012 5:25:43 PM

It’s technically already Day 3 and the final day of my trip to Beijing today, before I leave this 22-million moloch for the 7-million city of Shenyang tomorrow. But after walking another 20km yesterday, around Kunming Lake where the Summer … Continue reading →

From Furious Purpose
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/furiouspurpose/LTUt/~3/pCZor9JN9XU/
5/18/2012 4:26:32 PM

It’s been over 25 years since Ivar Lovaas

From Left Brain/Right Brain
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LeftBrain/rightBrain/~3/Vkf7zyYGQug/
5/18/2012 4:00:56 PM

I am a member of a club in which every member either always lies or always tells the truth. Yesterday I had a telephone call from a member who always tells the truth and he said ‘Some members have just had dinner around a circular table, and each member said ‘I declare that the man [...]

From Richard Wiseman's Blog
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RichardWisemansBlog/~3/nNXYXT19E2k/
5/18/2012 4:00:06 PM

Abbie Smith, who is as smart and funny as any of the science bloggers (if not always as understandable to resolutely old people ... like me), has some farcical/tragic

From Thoughts in a Haystack
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThoughtsInAHaystack/~3/T6y1rfcdGW8/now-were-onto-something.html
5/18/2012 3:26:00 PM

via Friendly Atheist. Prayer at Greece Town Board meetings could be construed as an endorsement of a particular religion, a federal appellate court ruled Thursday. I wonder how they could think that.  Why has it taken this long for a court to step up and admit the truth.  When you start a meeting with a [...]

From Skeptic Money
http://www.skepticmoney.com/americans-united-for-separation-of-church-and-state-win-big-in-greece-new-york/
5/18/2012 3:11:23 PM

Suncoast Skeptics

Location TBD

RSVP if you want to join us for dinner and discussion.

6:00 - Arrive and mingle

6:20 - Discussion begins

7:50 - Wrap up

If anyone is interested, we can find a place to have a drink or coffee and chat afterwards

This event will continue on the second Wednesday of each month.

Sarasota, FL 34239 - USA

Wednesday, November 14 at 6:00 PM

Attending: 1

Details: http://www.suncoastskeptics.com/events/dbkvmcyqpbsb/

From Events - Suncoast Skeptics
http://www.suncoastskeptics.com/events/dbkvmcyqpbsb/
5/18/2012 2:56:55 PM

A few months ago, I had no idea who Cara Santa Maria was, but I’m quickly becoming a huge fan. I first discovered her when she was announced as a leading contributor to the Huffington Post’s Science section. And if ever a publication was in more need of one since in the past, the Huff [...]

From Skepacabra
http://skepacabra.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/cara-santa-maria-talks-science-and-religion-on-the-nerdist-podcast/
5/18/2012 2:54:38 PM

via JamesRandiFoundation Filed under: Psych/Brain stuffs Tagged: Carol Tavris, Psychology, Talk, TAM, Video

From The Call of Troythulu
http://kestalusrealm.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/carol-tavris-at-tam-2011/
5/18/2012 2:31:57 PM

This action alert is from ASAN:

Urge For the Ban on Aversives in Massachusetts!

Tomorrow, May 18th, 2012, Massachusetts State Senator Brian Joyce will be filing two amendments to the Senate Way

From Left Brain/Right Brain
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LeftBrain/rightBrain/~3/-TFJxtFs0XY/
5/18/2012 2:13:19 PM

ASAN: Urge For the Ban on Aversives in Massachusetts!
generating short url

This is just… stupid. Football-loving ‘psychic’ llama predicts Chelsea Champions League glory | Metro.co.uk. Move aside Paul the Octopus, a football mad llama has been tipped to become the next match-predicting global phenomenon after correctly guessing the result of the FA Cup final. But will his Champions League prediction also come true? The South American… more

From Skeptic.com
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Skepticcom/~3/kVvjdqBmiaQ/
5/18/2012 1:30:22 PM

Americans United for Separation of Church and State just scored a big victory. The town of Greece, New York has been opening board meetings with prayers since 1999 thanks to Town Supervisor John Auberger. Sure, they’ve allowed different members of the clergy to deliver the prayers… but virtually all of those clergy members were Christians. [...]

From Friendly Atheist by @hemantsblog
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/05/17/we-win-federal-court-says-town-boards-prayers-endorsed-christianity/
5/18/2012 1:22:41 PM

I feel like I’ve written this article several times before. But since it’s been awhile, since I got into a lengthy exchange with a commenter on the topic of morality, and since reading a recent piece on the moderate Christian site, Think Christian, I’ve decided to return to this subject of morality and hopefully go [...]

From Skepacabra
http://skepacabra.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/the-basis-of-all-morality/
5/18/2012 12:51:39 PM

submitted by thexavier
[link] [comment]

From Skeptic's Subreddit
http://www.reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/tspbd/will_the_lhc_destroy_the_world/
5/18/2012 12:50:05 PM

Cord Jefferson, the senior editor at GOOD magazine, has a wonderful piece at Gawker about the struggles of being a black atheist: Several years ago, I pitched a freelance piece about black atheism to a prominent magazine geared toward African-Americans. The pitch was denied, but not for any real reason. “That one might be a [...]

From Friendly Atheist by @hemantsblog
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/05/17/the-struggles-of-being-a-black-atheist/
5/18/2012 12:25:04 PM

Psychic, investigator to join search for Hailey Dunn » Abilene Reporter-News. A psychic who has appeared on television programs and an investigator with decades of experience will join the search for missing Colorado City teen Hailey Dunn. On June 1, psychic Gale St. John and investigator Gary Peterson will arrive in Mitchell County and spend… more

From Skeptic.com
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Skepticcom/~3/TENHukXkUQU/
5/18/2012 12:17:41 PM

submitted by RandiFoundation
[link] [1 comment]

From Skeptic's Subreddit
http://www.reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/tsmgp/james_randi_skeptical_brow_call_me_skeptical/
5/18/2012 11:50:30 AM

Carlos DeLuna

Texas

From Preliator pro Causa
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Preliator/~3/bbNdHHlJ-YE/daily-blend-thursday-may-17-2012.html
5/18/2012 11:40:00 AM

Daily Blend: Thursday, May 17, 2012
generating short url

Jack Mollner (7), Belle (l.) & Flicka Report identity theft to the police, have them show up to

From Preliator pro Causa
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Preliator/~3/zI0vF59zh7s/doggycide-in-vallejo-california.html
5/18/2012 11:25:00 AM

Steve Cuno has a new post up on his personal blog that's worth a look: The Value of Dissent. And while welcoming informed alternative points of view is useful for everyone, it is essential for skeptics.

From Skepticism and Ethics
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SkepticismAndEthics/~3/m-4bhoG9SSI/noteworthy-17-may-2012.html
5/18/2012 11:15:00 AM