The Atheist Blogger

Are you gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered? Have you rejected Gods of all kinds? Then Reed Braden (Homosecular Gaytheist) might have  proposal for you! Reed plans to create a collaborative blog of gay atheist activists, where issues that affect both minority groups will be discussed, a kind of Skepchick blog, only where the chicks like other chicks, and the guys like…well, you get the picture.

The idea has already got the attention of Greta Christina, as well as some other atheist bloggers (myself included). If you are interested or just want to find out more, go and join the facebook group!

If you have not already added me on facebook as a friend (and please do, it helps feed my ego) then you can easily access my profile by going to http://facebook.com/atheistblogger.

According to this Telegraph article, the infamous Westboro Baptist Church is planning on picketing a production of “The Laramie Project” in Basingstoke. The production is about the torture and murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay university student who was brutally attacked for his sexual orientation. The play is being performed by the local “Freedom Youth” group, who say they won’t be intimidated by the church.

A few politicians have tried to stop the Phelps family from entering the UK, and whilst I understand their reasons for doing so, I hope they allow them to come in. This is one of those freedom of speech issues that is tough to call, but the fact is, this might be hate speech, but it isn’t incitement to murder or violence. They aren’t telling people to kill gay people; they reckon their God will do that. I think if they are allowed into the country, we will see an example of what freedom of speech should be about; namely, the Westboro Baptist Church will say whatever their opinion is, and everyone who disagree will loudly tell the Westboro Baptist Church what they think. This was illustrated quite nicely in America where groups dressed in white clothing would surround the church at their funeral pickets, effectively blocking them from the view of the mourning families.

I’m thinking about going up to Basingstoke on Friday for this very reason. I want to listen to what they have to say, and respond with my own opinions. Of course, that is dependant on whether they are allowed into the country or not, and why I sincerely hope they are. In a free secular society, freedom of speech and expression must hold true, and I hope the government understands that the people will rise up in opposition to the church themselves, with no need for any official intervention.

John Barrowman, the popular Scottish-American actor from Doctor Who, Torchwood, and various TV Quiz shows has tried to figure out why he is gay. The BBC filmed a documentary about his journey back to America where he visits various scientific institutes trying to prove that homosexuality is something you are born with, not a lifestyle choice.

Barrowmans journey, which is available on the BBC iplayer (non-UK residents may have to use a proxy to view it) first goes to Chicagos Northwestern University, where he went through a Penile plethysmograph, and also a FMRI. Both tests conclusively came up with a “gay” verdict.

He then visited his parents to question them about his growing up and whether there was any influence in his childhood that could have caused his homosexuality. Ranging from playing with dolls to having a best friend who was a girl, to dressing up in a bikini for a fancy dress competition, Johns childhood was anything but normal for a boy.

However, John travels back to Chicago to meet an expert in early childhood behaviour. The expert looks at various videos of children from their childhood, and compares their actions with their sexual orientation today. One film is of a young girl playing with a toy truck, smashing it off a table, and generally breaking things. Another shows a boy who has dressed up and is dancing. Both children grew up and are openly homosexual today. The studies show that 75% of boys who exhibit female behaviour traits whilst very young tend to be homosexual.

Read more…