
Secular Sunday #87 – Where Have All the Bloggers Gone?
Regular readers will know that this newsletter usually features atheism-related posts from bloggers based in Ireland. Sometimes those definitions are stretched if I think a post is particularly interesting or if there’s a dearth of more relevant posts. And occasionally, like this week, I just can’t find any. I don’t know whether all the usual bloggers I rely on are on holidays or just busy but they don’t seem to have posted anything I can share. I have even used Google to try to find some hidden gems, but without success. So this is an appeal to readers: if you blog about atheism, secularism, science, human rights or anything relevant to Atheist Ireland, let me know. If you know someone who blogs on such topics or if you just stumble across a post you think is worth sharing, let me know. Or if you have been thinking about setting up a blog, do it and let me know. And if you’d be interested in creating original content for this newsletter, please let me know. It won’t make you rich or famous, but it will be read.
– Derek Walsh, Editor
News
- As surmised last week, the scheduled episode of Vincent Browne’s new show Challenging God featuring Michael Nugent was replaced with a different one. The episode originally scheduled for last week will instead be shown tonight, Sunday 25 August, at 11:00 pm on TV3. The episode will be dedicated to the memory of one of the panellists, theologian Seán Freyne, who died recently.
- Michael Nugent also appeared on Vincent Browne’s regular show Tonight with… last Thursday, although with Dearbhall McDonald filling in for the usual host. The topic being discussed was Ireland’s historic relationship between Church and State. You can watch it here. Michael was also on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sunday Sequence this morning discussing Richard Dawkins and Islam. Listen here
- Atheist Alliance International (of which Atheist Ireland is a member organisation) has been accorded Special consultative status by the United Nations, enabling the organisation to better serve the need of the world’s growing non-religious population and defend the interests of atheists and non-believers who are facing persecution from governments. Read more
- The Atheist Ireland Kiva team has just passed US$4,000 loaned to businesses in developing countries. When you sign up, you get a free loan so you can start doing good even if you have no money to spare.
Media Watch
- British Pentecostals urge HIV patients to give up medicines and rely on faith
- Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader arrested in Cairo
- Anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar shot dead
- Mexican priest says that homophobia is the true illness, not homosexuality
If you spot anything in the media that you think may be of interest to our readers, send us an e-mail about it.
Calendar
All events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise stated.
- Monday 26 August, 8:30 pm, McSwiggans Bar and Restaurant, Woodquay, Galway (map)
Galway Skeptics in the Pub #63. More science and skepticism in the pub. Facebook event page - Friday 30 August – Sunday 1 September, Carlingford Heritage Centre, Carlingford, Co Louth (map)
All-Ireland Humanist Summer School. Organised jointly by theHumanist Association of Irelandand the Humanist Association of Northern Ireland. Prices vary. - Saturday 7 September , 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm, GPO, O’Connell St., Dublin 1 (map)
Brendan Maher and friends will be outside the GPO with a stall promoting atheism, secularism and humanism. Email Brendan if you want to help or for further information. - Saturday 21 September, Harbour Hotel, Galway (map)
Atheist Ireland AGM. Further details to be announced.