Atheists Who Go to Church: Doing It for the Children

"A new study out of Rice University has found that 17 percent -- about one out of five scientists who describe themselves as either atheists or agnostics -- actually go to church, although not too often, and not because they feel a spiritual yearning to join the faithful. More likely, it's because of the kids."

Steve Jobs: The Secular Prophet

"Steve Jobs was extraordinary in countless ways—as a designer, an innovator, a (demanding and occasionally ruthless) leader. But his most singular quality was his ability to articulate a perfectly secular form of hope."

What Happens when a Leftist Philosopher Discovers God?

"As of the late 1990s Habermas’ view of religion is more benign. Religion is now seen as having a useful public function, quite apart from its private consolations."

Higher IQ Linked to Liberalism, Atheism

"More intelligent children may be more likely to grow up to be liberals, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science suggests."

Physicist Stephen Hawking Rejects Heaven or Afterlife as a 'Fairy Story'

"British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking says he rejects the idea of heaven or an afterlife, calling the belief a 'fairy story' for people afraid of dying."

Leading Atheist Publishes Secular Bible

"The question arose early in British academic A.C. Grayling’s career: What if those ancient compilers who’d made Bibles, the collected religious texts that were translated, edited, arranged and published en masse, had focused instead on assembling the non-religious teachings of civilization’s greatest thinkers?"

Study: Unbelievers Also Angry at God

"The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, finds Protestants, African-Americans and older people tend to report less anger at God. People who do not believe in God may still harbor anger and anger toward God is most distressing when it is frequent, intense or chronic."

A Chaplain and an Atheist Go to War

"They say there are no atheists in foxholes. There's one on the front lines here, though, and the chaplain isn't thrilled about it. Navy Chaplain Terry Moran is steeped in the Bible and believes all of it. His assistant, Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Philip Chute, is steeped in the Bible and having none of it."

Thinking About God De-Stresses Believers

"Thinking about God reduce distress, but only in believers, while atheists are more distressed after thinking of God-related ideas, Canadian researchers say."

Summer Camp Caters to Kids of Atheists, Agnostics

"Camp Quest is a sleep-away camp for the children of atheists, agnostics, humanists and other nonbelievers, though kids from religious families are welcome, too."

How to Sell Christianity? Ask an Atheist

"What do Christians learn when they start listening to atheists? Henderson, author of the forthcoming book The Outsider Interviews, has found that the 'I'm right/you're wrong' model is a conversation-killer par excellence. So is speaking of non-converts as 'lost.'"

Atheists, it's Time to Play Well With Others

"What is not so encouraging in America's conversation about origins is the opposition of 'New Atheists' to any thawing of the chilly relations between science and religion."

Anthony Flew, Once a Prominent Atheist, Dies at 87

"In the last decade of his life, scientific discoveries about the complexity of DNA led him to believe there was an intelligent creator. Flew's belief was in deism, in a remote creator who takes no interest in human affairs, unlike the Christian concept."

Atheist Ads Hit California

"Got God? You're not alone if you don't, and a new California ad campaign wants you to know that's OK."

Study: Man Creates God in his Own Image

"U.S. researchers conclude that on important (and controversial) matters, people project their own beliefs on those attributed to God, New Scientist reports. 'Intuiting God's beliefs on important issues may not produce an independent guide, but may instead serve as an echo chamber to validate and justify one's own beliefs,' writes a team led by Nicholas Epley of the University of Chicago."

Atheist Student Groups Flower on College Campuses

"Campus affiliates of the Secular Student Alliance, a sort of Godless Campus Crusade for Christ, have multiplied from 80 in 2007 to 100 in 2008 and 174 this fall, providing the atheist movement new training grounds for future leaders. In another sign of growing acceptance, at least three universities, including Harvard, now have humanist chaplains meeting the needs of the not-so-spiritual."

Humanist Chaplin

"The Tufts Freethought Society -- a group of about 150 Tuft University students who identify as atheistic, agnostic, or otherwise non-religious -- wants the university to establish a 'humanist' chaplaincy to serve as a resource for students who are interested in exploring how to live 'ethical and meaningful lives' without subscribing to any religion."

Atheists Split Over How Mean to Be to Faithful

"Can a non-religion schism? Maybe that’s too dramatic a phrase, but there’s a rift growing between so-called 'new atheists,' who favor an aggressive, mocking stance toward religion, and the old live-and-let-live kind."

De-Baptism Gains a Following in Britain

"More than 100,000 former Christians have downloaded 'certificates of de-baptism' in a bid to publicly renounce the faith, according to the London-based National Secular Society (NSS)."