First-Ever American Atheists Television Ad Will Air on CNN

American Atheists — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:51:18 +0000

Cranford, NJ—The national nonprofit American Atheists announced on Tuesday that the organization will debut its first-ever national television ad tonight on CNN during programs before and after a CNN Special Report called Atheists: Inside the World of Non-Believers, featuring American Atheists President David Silverman and other atheist leaders. American Atheists’ 30-second commercial promotes the organization’s mission to keep religion and government separate and invites those doubting their religion to join the vibrant American Atheists community, specifically during the group’s 2015 National Convention in Memphis, April 2-5. The ad is scheduled first for a commercial break between 8 pm and 8:30 pm ET during CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360; the second airing is scheduled between 10:30 pm and 11 pm ET during CNN Tonight. The video is available for preview on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/elwcEwBLEWI or at https://www.atheists.org/CNNadvideo The American Atheists 2015 National Convention at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis will feature keynote human-rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, featured speakers HowStuffWorks.com founder and Discovery Channel host Marshall Brain, memeticist Dr. Susan Blackmore, comedians Trace Bealieu and Frank Conniff of the cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000, a costume party, a Cards Against Humanity charity tournament, and more. One-day and full convention tickets are available at the door or at atheists.org/convention. AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. American Atheists was founded in 1963 by Madalyn Murray O’Hair. For More Information Contact: Danielle Muscato, Communications Manager 908-276-7300 x7, dmuscato@atheists.org American Atheists, Inc. P.O. Box 158 Cranford, NJ 07016 Tel: (908) 276-7300 ###

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Bill O’Reilly: “Christianity is NOT a Religion”

American Atheists — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:31:40 +0000

Bill O’Reilly has said many interesting things over the years on The O’Reilly Factor. His statement, “the tides go in, the tides go out” raised the eyebrows of viewers across the country during a discussion about American Atheists’ winter billboards with President David Silverman in January 2011. But tonight Mr. O’Reilly surpassed even the tides. During the November 28, 2012, taping of an interview with Mr. Silverman, Mr. O’Reilly informed the world that “Christianity is NOT a religion, it’s a philosophy.” Really? I’m a former pastor, who served many churches for over 20 years. I would consider myself somewhat of an expert. Trust me; Christianity is a religion by any modern definition. According to my theology professors, Christianity has been and always will be a religion. Every priest, every pastor, every Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, usher, and pew sitter will tell you that Christianity is a religion. So where did Mr. O’Reilly come up with this idea? Oh! I know! The tides told him. Maybe we should educate Mr. O’Reilly. Admittedly, it probably seems strange that an ex-pastor turned atheist is teaching “Christianity as a Religion” to Mr. O’Reilly, but somebody needs to set him straight. Let’s take a look at what defines a religion, what the Bible has to say about it, and how the early church defined Christianity. The Definition of Religion— The Encarta World English Dictionary defines religion as: People’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life. A particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine. A set of strongly held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by. An object, practice, cause, or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by. Even Encarta knows better than Mr. O’Reilly! Just for the fun of it, let’s look to an earlier document. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines religion in this way: Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man’s obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man’s accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law. The Bible’s […]

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First-Ever American Atheists Television Ad Will Air on CNN

Bill O’Reilly: “Christianity is NOT a Religion”