Yoram Kaniuk, a prominent Israeli novelist, is now officially a Jew of no religion. This historic case has inspired hundreds of other Israelis to get divorced from the Jewish religion. Israel is 15-37% atheist, so this comes as no surprise. The less religious people are in the middle east, the greater the chances are for [...]
More and more atheist Jews seem to be atheists who still join in some traditions. From reform to observant Jews, the concept of god is sometimes superfluous. For an atheist, Maxim Schrogin talks about God a lot. Over lunch at a Jewish deli, he ponders the impulse to believe — does it come from within [...]
Sam Harris has a great interview with Steven Pinker on his latest book, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Harris sits down with Pinker for a discussion about the history of violence. Sam Harris asks, “Need I remind you that the ‘atheist regimes’ of the 20th century killed tens of millions [...]
Wait, what? Refused entry because he was suspected of not being Jewish anymore? Oy Vey! With regard to a young American Jew named Harald Fuller-Bennett, the Taglit-Birthright project to some extent achieved its goal. The project brings young Jews from around the world for a trip in Israel “in order to diminish the growing division [...]
Using stem cells, scientists will study why New York Jews with East European roots tend to live longer, even until 100 years old! I’ve also heard that Ashkenazi Jewish women are at a higher rate for breast cancer. Though, breast cancer isn’t in my family. I only have brain, lung, and skin cancer to worry about. [...]
Wait, did I speak too soon? :P Are you a religious man? I consider myself an atheist. My wife is Jewish and I’m fine with my son being raised as a Jew. He’s learning Hebrew and is really into it. I will talk to my son about my atheism when the time is right. But [...]
Lately, there has been talk of secular studies coming into view at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. Sociologist Phil Zuckerman will head the new secular studies department. While it’s coming into view more lately, it’s nothing new. Nearly 50 years ago, Time magazine, in a report about Jewish opposition to “religious practices” in public schools, described [...]
