Topic: Atheism and Agnosticism

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3 of the most-talked-about September novels

3 of the most-talked-about September novels
Are you smarter than an atheist? A religious quiz

Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups in a 32-question survey of religious knowledge by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Best books of 2010: fiction

In 2010 Monitor reviewers critiqued hundreds of books. Here's a list of the 11 fiction titles they considered the most outstanding. To assist you with your holiday shopping, each title here has a link that allows you to purchase the book – even as you help to support The Christian Science Monitor

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Modern Parenthood
Mom, I'm an atheist: A son's decision troubles religious parents

Mom, I'm an atheist: A son's decision troubles his religious parents. Our guest blogger gives advice to such parents who might be upset that their child is starting to question the God he was raised with.
The Vote
On National Day of Prayer, plenty of politics

National Day of Prayer activities may have more political undertones than usual this year, as religious groups take aim at what they see as President Obama's attacks on religious freedom. 
Seeking company, finding community

Bored of the beach, a tourist attends a local church service.
A journey from doubt to faith

A Christian Science perspective.
When politicians speak of Christ at Christmas

While Gingrich, Perry, and other GOP presidential hopefuls boldly cite their Christian faith – especially in Iowa – Britain's prime minister finds a more nuanced way to remind both countries of their Christian roots.
Crosses on public land: Did Supreme Court leave legal issue in 'shambles'?

The Supreme Court agrees not to take a case on whether memorial crosses on public land in Utah violate the First Amendment. But one justice says the court has left the topic in legal limbo.
Egyptian blogger's hunger strike turns critical; hearing delayed

The Egyptian military has postponed by three weeks an appeal hearing for blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, whose case symbolizes the lack of freedom of expression in Egypt today.
3 of the most-talked-about September novels

3 of the most-talked-about September novels
Erdogan pitches Turkey's democratic model on 'Arab Spring' tour

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined hands with Libya's new leaders at Friday prayers today and promised to help their revolution succeed.
Texas Gov. Perry's public day of prayer draws fire from clergy and atheists

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has called for a public day of prayer and fasting, prompting criticism from First Amendment watchdog groups, atheists, and the Houston Clergy Council.
Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of July 11, 2011

Readers write in about the advantages of women's style of leadership vs. a history of masculine bravado in the workplace and post-communist Russia's resurgence of faith.
Chapter & Verse
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein: secular humanist with a soul

Philosopher and novelist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein is a humanist whose life and work have been shaped by religion.
Atheist confab in Ireland comes as Europe confronts religion in public life

The first World Atheist Convention this weekend in Dublin comes at a time when Islam, the pope, and blasphemy are front and center in Europe.
Supreme Court declines to hear 'So help me God' lawsuit

Michael Newdow, whose previous First Amendment challenge sought to strike 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance, tried to block the use of 'So help me God' in the inauguration ceremony.
Iran's spiritual leader isn't a hardline Islamist, but a mystic poet

Iran’s officially recognized 'spiritual leader' today may be Ayatollah Khamenei, but for hundreds of years, Iranian's real spiritual leader has been the Sufi poet Rumi – revered by many Westerners as well. Understand Rumi's poetry, and you will understand the true soul of Iran.
What can rescue the Arab Spring?

Free and fair elections alone will not cure the steep divisions in Arab societies. In fact, they will probably exacerbate them, because a crucial piece of the puzzle is missing: secularism.
Chapter & Verse
A "secular Bible" draws readers, controversy

"The Good Book" – intended to serve as a secular Bible – focuses on ethics but not religion.
The Unbelievers

What is most interesting about contemporary atheists is not what they have in common but rather their differences.
Interview with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, author of "36 Arguments for the Existence of God"

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein talks about her novel "36 Arguments for the Existence of God" – a book that goes places bestselling fiction normally avoids.
Are you smarter than an atheist? A religious quiz

Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups in a 32-question survey of religious knowledge by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Best books of 2010: fiction

In 2010 Monitor reviewers critiqued hundreds of books. Here's a list of the 11 fiction titles they considered the most outstanding. To assist you with your holiday shopping, each title here has a link that allows you to purchase the book – even as you help to support The Christian Science Monitor
In US, atheists know religion better than believers. Is that bad?

A new study shows that many devout Americans know less about religion than do atheists. To some observers, it suggests a shallowness of faith. To others, it is evidence that Americans know the spirit better than the letter of religion.
Agnostics, atheists, Jews, and Mormons score high in religion survey

Agnostics, atheists, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.
Roadside crosses for fallen Utah police unconstitutional, court rules

The 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that 12-foot-high crosses honoring fallen members of the Utah Highway Patrol effectively endorse Christianity – and violate the separation of church and state – by going beyond the 'more humble spirit of small roadside crosses.'
The dangers of seeing America as a 'Christian nation'

Christian traditionalists see American freedom as derived from Christian faith. That flies in the face of the historical record – and it distorts today's political debates.