No Shit - Mother Teresa Edition

One of the things that made Christopher Hitchens awesome^[1] was his bluntly honest stance on Mother Teresa.  I think he would have approved of today's news about her^[2].

A new study by Canadian academics says Mother Teresa was a product of hype who housed the poor and sick in shoddy conditions, despite her access to a fortune.

The Times of India, reporting on the controversial essay, wrote that the authors asserted Mother Teresa saw beauty in the downtrodden's suffering and was far more willing to pray for them than provide practical medical care. Meanwhile, researchers say, the Vatican engaged in a PR ploy as it threw aside concerns about her suspicious financial dealings and contacts to forgo the five-year waiting period to beatify her.

And not just because the article mentions he was a source for the study.  It's a shame he's not still around to see it or to respond.

I wonder what bullshit Catholics & The Vatican will have to say in response to it.

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1.  Twelve Apostates - Christopher Hitchens
2.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/mother-teresa-myth_n_2805697.html

What's Your Skepticon Story?

The people behind Skepticon are looking for your stories about it.  This seems like an excellent idea, as Skepticon is the kind of conference that tends to result in great stories.  In other words, it's awesome.

Got a great story about Skepticon? We would love to hear them! You can send us a message here on Facebook OR hit... fb.me/G3Ra7bZp
— Skepticon (@RealSkepticon) March 5, 2013

I know I have one that I'll be submitting soon. Do you have one worth sharing?

Our Wealth Inequality

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's a video on our drastic gap that's been going around.  It shows the severity of the wealth inequality in America better than anything I've seen before.

^[1]

Yay for Trickdown Economics.

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1.  @GoAngelo (Angelo Carusone)

Registration For Apostacon Is Open!

Ahoy me hearties!

We're pleased to announce that early-bird registration for Apostacon is now open! Just point your browsers to apostacon.arrrgh, er, I mean apostacon.org and click on the registration menu item. We have three regular admission types (Student, General and VIP) and you'll find pricing and information on what's included with each admission type on the site.

We also have Exhibitor and Vendor tables for purchase and both include a complimentary General Admission Ticket in the purchase price. 

Check it out and register for Apostacon now to take advantage of the special early-bird pricing. We're looking forward to seeing you in September!^[1]

Translated from Pirate to to English, it means registration^[2] for Apostacon^[3] is now open.  It's going to be an awesome time.  Take a look at the insanely spectacular speaker list^[4].  How could you pass this up?

I think this will be my favorite conference of the year and not just because I won't have to leave town to attend or because of the bias that comes with being involved in its planning.

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1.  http://www.facebook.com/Apostacon/posts/517400354965139
2.  http://www.apostacon.org/registration-options/
3.  http://www.apostacon.org/
4.  http://www.apostacon.org/speakers/

Let's Get American Atheists & Wolf PAC To Netroots Nation

Netroots Nation^[1] is a popular political convention for progressives.   This year, they're giving away 6 free booths.

We are offering six free booths in this year’s Netroots Nation Community and Exhibit  Hall. The top three vote-getters in this online contest will automatically get a booth in the Hall. The rest of the entrants will go through a second round where a panel of judges will decide, based on merit, which three entrants will receive the last three spots.

Please go here^[2], to vote for the atheists^[3] & Wolf PAC^[4].  You probably know who American Atheists^[5] are, but you may not have heard of Wolf PAC^[6] They are a political action committee dedicated to fixing our broken political system by addressing the very core of the problem^[7].  Money in politics.

Both organizations do great work.  Both deserve a spot at Netroots Nation.

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1.  http://www.netrootsnation.org/
2.  http://www.netrootsnation.org/hallcontestvoting2013/
3.  http://www.netrootsnation.org/HallcontestAtheists/
4.  http://www.netrootsnation.org/hallcontestWolfPAC/
5.  http://www.atheists.org/
6.  http://www.wolf-pac.com/
7.

Science vs Religion - HIV Edition

Science and religion are at odds with other on a regular basis^[1][2].  Science explains how old the universe is^[3], how old our planet is^[4], and how we evolved over millions of years^[5].  Religion pretends science is not real^[6].  Science says to use condoms to reduce the spread of HIV & AIDS^[7].  Religion spreads lies about condoms^[8].

On the subject of HIV, science may have just made an incredible advancement.  By curing it^[9].

Doctors announced on Sunday that a baby had been cured of an H.I.V. infection for the first time, a startling development that could change how infected newborns are treated and sharply reduce the number of children living with the virus that causes AIDS.

 Even in rural Mississippi, science can help people.  I'm sure religion will come along shortly to try to undo this progress.  Probably also from rural Mississippi.

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1.  http://www.iep.utm.edu/s-rel/
2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science
3.  http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_age.html
4.  http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dalrymple/scientific_age_earth.html
5.  http://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html
6.  http://www.missiontoamerica.com/genesis/six-thousand-years.html
7.  http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/byAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm126372.htm
8.  http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june11/vatican_05-30.html
9.  http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/health/for-first-time-baby-cured-of-hiv-doctors-say.xml

Saturday Morning Shares - 03-02-2013

Here's the links & tweets to share from the last week:

Not At All About Religion:

LEGO Pre-Enactment Shows 'Harlem Shake' Meme in 2015 [VIDEO] on.mash.to/VZnHtH
— Pete Cashmore (@mashable) February 23, 2013

Here's Jennifer Lawrence Being Awesome at the #Oscars [GIFs] on.mash.to/13GaJyK
— Pete Cashmore (@mashable) February 25, 2013

What Donald Trump says about China vs. What Donald Trump Does With China: on.fb.me/ZtORpI #DumpTrump cc @macys
— Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) February 25, 2013

10 Myths About Introverts

Partly About Religion:

Are You a Woman In Your Twenties? Do You Know Your Rights Are Being Eroded? (The Pragmatic Progressive )

Secular Coalition of America's Weekly Update:

National Secular Movement Update Call | Secular Coalition for America

About Religion:

Community + Superstition = ReligionReligion - Superstition = Community
— Jerry W. DeWitt (@jerry_dewitt) February 26, 2013

DontHateTheGeek.com

I’m Gonna Pop Some Tags… and Then Pray Over Them bit.ly/Va2M5r
— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) February 27, 2013

Poor Little Atheist bit.ly/USjW7J
— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) February 23, 2013

Why are steroids illegal while "athletic enhancement bracelets" and praying to win aren't? HMMMM.
— Jessica Ahlquist (@jessicaahlquist) February 26, 2013

Salon's list of 10 atheist celebrities: bit.ly/15GJPKI
— JT Eberhard (@jteberhard) February 25, 2013

Atheist Group Tries to Launch at Texas Christian University bit.ly/XMz70A
— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) February 24, 2013

Atheist Group Created at Christian School Wants Official Recognition

Think the Religious Right is only trying to control the lives of Americans? Think again. bit.ly/XVRYGT
— Americans United (@americansunited) February 27, 2013

Scotland's archbishop contests "inappropriate behavior" claim - CNN.com cnn.com/2013/02/24/wor…
— Teresa Macbain (@Teresamacbain) February 25, 2013

Asshole(s) Of The Week:

Homosexuals ALREADY HAVE FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: can marry one non-relative, opposite sex adult just like everybody else.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) February 23, 2013

Isn’t it ironic that President Obama, of all people, is pushing for ‘universal background checks?!'
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2013

General Funniness:

The Pope only has two days left in office. I bet he's got a serious case of Monsignoritis.
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) February 27, 2013

Oh yeah? Well if I'm so gay like you say, then why do I have to think about my wife when I have sex with dudes, hmmm?
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) February 25, 2013