Ah, it is Festivus and all through the news rooms, everyone is napping or not at their desks.  I am still stuck behind mine and am surprisingly busy, so here is a sample of the news put out this week.

We start with slightly serious and then descend into randomness.

So what really happened in Copenhagen?  

Is God Back?  Although being a pastorpreneur sounds a bit, well, non religious
“The model, not the only model, but the dominant model if you like, is I suppose the pastorpreneur model. It is the American model of choice between religions and people competing for souls in the same way as they compete for customers.”

With the threat of libel law threatening Simon Singh this year, perhaps this is cause for some praise?  At least laws are being reformed elsewhere anyway.

I wonder what Jesus was like as a neighbor?  As a Jesus-era house is found in Nazareth by archeologists.

What did the FBI think of Michael Jackson?

A seal named Rudolph

And the Empire invades the NYSE.

http://dawnoftimecomics.com/

Hello!  I have returned, your friendly neighborhood Guest Blogger with some more freshly brewed afternoon tea.

Way to go Mexico city, redefining marriage as ‘A free union between two people.’  Which as the article states, paves the way to significant rights for GLT couples.  They still face significant opposition of the Catholic Church and a lot of the population in Latin American but it is a start! 

Ben Goldacre would definitely call this a case of bad science reporting or at least people who can’t take a joke.  But then people can’t seem to tell if his works are fiction or non-fiction!  As he seems to be #8 on the paperback fiction chart at the moment.

An eye for an eye and a…nose for a nose?  And tis the season to break the eighth commandment.

I am sure Mr. Topp will returning shortly to these shores and so I will bid you adieu for the weekend.   Here are some pretty pictures to brighten your afternoon some.

I now think that all UFO’s are actually failed intercontinental missles.  But they sure are pretty!

So is Saturn’s pole!  Also Geometric.

Don’t mess with this little guy’s cousin. 

Peanut zombies! *snerk*

It is I, once more, your friendly neighborhood Guest Blogger. 

As I sit with my very sub-par cuppa this afternoon, returned freshly from the dungeons of Canary Wharf mall I am pondering what Christmas means with no faith.  Culturally and historically I am a Calvinist (not the most cheery branch of the Christian faith, let me tell you) but ethically and philosophically I am a staunch scientifically minded, vegetarian, atheist. 

I am engaging in traditional festive cheer; we have a wee tree, I’m giving Christmas cards, secret santa gifts and presents in general. But what does this all mean?  To me, it is simply cultural at this point.  It is something you do, regardless of whether you have a specific December 25th orientated religion. 

Although, this year, I am engaging in specific atheist related activities for the first time!  Which is kind of fun.  First up is Nine Lessons and Carols for godless people.  Which I must confess, I am very excited about.  It has an excellent line up for any kind of show but I guess it is nice to know that you might be around someone who you can have a good ol’ natter about philosophy, science, religion without offending them with the fact that you have no faith.   Also on the menu is a modern take on the nativity for The Pod Delusion, which I have just started to contribute to.

There is also the Atheist’s Guide to Christmas with Contributions by the lovely misanthrope, Charlie Brooker.  No doubt there are many other ways to survive the season if you are godless/other.

I suppose it is hard to give up Christmas entirely (if that is the religion you were brought up with, I’m sure it is fairly easy to give up if you are Buddhist or some such), and while it would probably better mesh with my philosophy of life, I don’t know if I ever will.  Everyone is in a good mood (I think because of all the sugar and expectations of presents) and it is nice to give presents and make some one’s day a little nicer.  Maybe someday I’ll hate it equally as much as Valentine’s Day, as a completely pointless card making exercise.  However, for this year, I shall be merry!  I shall frolic with the theist as well as atheist. 

I don’t know what the season means to you, readers of the Big Bad Blog, but I hope wherever you are come that weekend you are surrounded by good people and good cheer.