Controversial atheist Sam Harris interviewed on ABC Nightline. He reveals that while he thinks religion is a negative force in the world ,surprisingly he is in favour of spirituality, and that he himself actually does have a spiritual practice.

Sam Harris is a well known "Atheist spokesman" and usually bashes religion in general. (Here's another seed with an excellent discussion about his views on Atheism vs faith: Atheist Sam Harris: Why We Should Ditch Religion).

I read a couple of articles today refuting Harvard political scientist and author Robert Putnam's recent claim that based on research he did for his latest book, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, he determined that there are almost no atheists in America.

September 21, 2010 on SBS Insight (Australia): "The French Senate has voted to ban the burqa in public places. Similar laws are being considered in Belgium, Spain and Italy.

NEW ORELANS -- A national atheist organization is taking its message to the streets of New Orleans with a campaign that is likely to both turn heads and raise some temperatures.

The normal jolt most of us get when we run into someone well-known was accentuated for me when I turned to see Christopher Hitchens standing a few feet away from me at a party on the night of the recent UK election.

"Roy Brown, Main Representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), spoke to the UN Human Rights Council yesterday, protesting against slavery in states like Mauretania, and laws against "apostasy" in states like the Maldives.

Is this a freedom of speech issue-- or not?

From AtheistMediaBlog: Video clip of Fox News broadcast with Father Jonathan Morris. Should Comedy Central self-censor? Is there an inappropriate double standard if satirical depictions of Mohammed are censored, but satire of Christ is permitted?

"CNN's Anderson Cooper talks to author Ayaan Hirsi Ali about an Islamic website's warning to the 'South Park' creators"

"For the world to tackle truly important problems, people have to stop looking to religion to guide their moral compasses.."

"You've been around enough to know that someone who showed the symptoms of Major Hasan in the army of Algeria, or Syria, or Tunisia, or Turkey, would have been in jail long before he could have gunned down his fellow soldiers.

"As of January 1st, Ireland has enacted an atavistic law that makes "blasphemy" punishable by a fine of up to $35,000. It's amazing that a civilized country in 2010 is deliberately putting in place laws from the Dark Ages.

"But it passed with less support this year than last year, which is good news."