Kid tells mom he doesn't believe in God; mom goes with the ultimate threat. (Plus, keyboard cat.)

Last week, the New York Times reported:

Polls show that the ranks of atheists are growing. The American Religious Identification Survey, a major study released last month, found that those who claimed “no religion” were the only demographic group that grew in all 50 states in the last 18 years.

Nationally, the “nones” in the population nearly doubled, to 15 percent in 2008 from 8 percent in 1990. In South Carolina, they more than tripled, to 10 percent from 3 percent. Not all the “nones” are necessarily committed atheists or agnostics, but they make up a pool of potential supporters.

But it's still true that you can be completely alienated from some American communities if you don't believe in God. Just witness this moment below (NSFW). It's both hilarious and totally frightening.



via BuzzFeed

NB: Currently reading: "God is not Great"
Up next: "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster"

Something is wrong

"Browsing through the top 1,300 search terms in the U.S. that contained the word “inauguration” in the last four weeks provides unique insight into our Internet frame-of-mind surrounding the installation of our 44th President...
"Forget the recent controversy over Obama’s selection of Rick Warren, pastor of the Evangelical Saddleback Church, to give the inaugural invocation in light of his position on gay rights, Internet users instead are galvanized on the choice of Beyonce’ to perform for Barack and Michelle’s first dance at the inauguration ball. With searches such as; “Beyonce’ inauguration,” “hate on Beyonce’ inauguration choice,” and “petition against Beyonce’ inauguration,” the Internet and the blogosphere more specifically, is swirling with controversy over why Beyonce’ Knowles was chosen to sing Etta James’ classic 'At Last' given allegations by petition proponents that she wasn’t a vocal supporter of Obama during the election."

--Julia Angwin, Wall Street Journal

* Video of the Obamas competing for the spotlight with Beyonce. I can't believe I'm saying this--but I think B is a star here. She showboats but she can sing.

Inauguration Wrap-up

I missed all the stunning images live from the inauguration this morning, but I listened to the processions on the radio while cruising on the Broadway B-line. It felt old timey to hear the clumsy coverage from CBC, but, without a doubt, the words were made more moving. There is something to be said for closing your eyes and just listening to and remembering what was said today, what promises were made, what duties we all have as global citizens. I think the ceremonies hit a nice balance between pompous and popular. The showstopper was the benediction by Reverend Joseph Lowery [below].