Northern Freethinkers Episode 05

Episode 05 is out. We interview Justin Trottier from the Center for Inquiry Canada.

The Vatican is Bullshit!

Reading this blog, you are most likely familiar with the comedy duo, Penn & Teller.

This week in a episode of bullshit!, starring the pair, they take on the Vatican and Pope. They discuss matters from child abuse cases to the spread of AIDS/HIV in Africa. If you have not yet seen this episode I highly recommend getting a hold of a copy or catching it in syndication.

Northern Freethinkers Episode 04

Here are the show notes for episode 4 of Northern Freethinkers. We only covered a few of the stories in this list, the rest were just of interest to us this week.

That Inhumane Monolith

Jimmy Carter Leaves the Baptist Church in Protest of Woman's Rights

Fixing Non-Believers Live on TV

The Catholic Church vs. Our Rights Commissions

Online Outcry Forces Tim Hortons to Pull Out of U.S. Event Against Gay Marriage

Muslim Couple File Human Rights Beef Over Superstore Salami

New Study Shows Current State of Vocations to US Religious Communities

Homosexuality: Trouble on the Reorient Express

Statue of the Virgin Mary Stolen From Outside Calgary Church

The Creation “Museum”

Roughly 300 Atheists Visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky

Roughly 300 Atheists visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky. These 5 skeptics made a short 3 part documentary about their experience.

Also check out PZ Myers blog to get his account of the day.

As Muslim Women Suffer, Feminists Avert Their Gaze

I found this article on the National Post website this morning.

As human beings we need to stand up for these women of Islam. They are being abused and killed because of "Honour". I am sorry, there is no honour in killing or abusing women because they decided to wear trousers or go to a cafe.

It is up to all of us to stand up, not just the feminists.

We can only let a religion run its course un-checked for so long. Clean up you act Islam or move on.

Northern Freethinkers Episode 4

Hey fans of Northern Freethinkers. Just letting you all know that Theo is on vacation right now so there will be a delay in episode 4. I will update you when I know the recording date.

Cheers,
C0-Host Stirling

Camp Goodtimes Week One Canceled

Just heard from a source that the local Camp Goodtimes in BC has canceled it's week one of the camp. Let's hope that they will be able to put on the remaining weeks.

If you are un-familiar with this program check out this link.

Canadian Secular Alliance New Website

Hey Folks,

The Canadian Secular Alliance has launched a new website.

Check it out at: http://www.secularalliance.ca/

Let them know what you think.

Northern Freethinkers Episode 03

Episode 03 of Northern Freethinkers is now up. Below are the links to the articles we discussed.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/26/veil-vote-legislation026.html

http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=1735673

http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=383

Please email us with comments or leave them below.

The Canadian Healthcare System: An open letter to Americans and their government.

Watching the news and listening to the debate on healthcare reform in America I would like to clear up some myths that seem to be floating around.

Wait Times:

I am not sure where this arose from, but there really are no long waits to get care. If you have the minor sniffles and pains we have many privately run clinics that you can go to, and these are still covered under our system.

If you go to an emergency room, you will encounter the same thing as one in America, long wait for the sniffles because the guy with the heart attack has higher priority.

Cost:

The taxpaying public pays for healthcare and it is all based off how much you make. People with low to no income don't pay any monthly rate. Once you make enough money then you start to pay, simple as that. Everyone pays and everyone gets equal coverage.

Pre-existing Conditions:

This is the best part about ours and other government run systems, no pre-existing conditions clause. You can have cancer one day and the sniffles the next. It is in no way going to affect your coverage or cause you to pay more.

Prescriptions:

This one is a little odd. If you are admitted to a hospital, all drugs are covered under your medical plan, however if not, then you have to pay. This is one place that we do have a private insurer. However if you are low income, you can get coverage from the government system. The private insurer in Canada can not determine any pre-existing conditions as well and the coverage is usually under $30CAD a month. This usually gets you some travel insurance as well.

So call it a socialist system, but it works, for the most part. Everyone gets care, no one is turned away because they don't have insurance. You can get help for minor things that could lead to bigger issues down the road. Prevention is always a priority in our system as this keeps costs down in the long run.

Healthcare, as far as I am concerned, is a right for every human.