Washington Area Secular Humanists
@wash1989.bsky.social
Serving the Secular Humanist communities of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia!
Join us today at wash.org
Join us today at wash.org
Inside Medicine’s Jeremy Faust reports that FDA vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad’s infamous memo claiming to have linked Covid vaccines to ten child deaths is not supported by the agency’s own scientists.
Scoop: FDA vaccine chief’s memo cited 10 pediatric Covid-19 vaccine deaths—but the agency’s own analysis found 0–7.
Dr. Vinay Prasad circulated a memo before FDA scientists finished their work. His conclusions overshot what the agency’s own analysts ultimately found.
insidemedicine.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Inside Medicine’s Jeremy Faust reports that FDA vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad’s infamous memo claiming to have linked Covid vaccines to ten child deaths is not supported by the agency’s own scientists.
Could sex ed classes actually teach, or show, people how to have good sex? Deedee Redletter says this isn't a radical suggestion. Biology happens; young people are going to have sex whether older adults want them to or not. The least we can do is to make it a healthy, joyful experience for them.
The future of sex education: Academic environments
Better sex ed both helps and protects young people.
onlys.ky
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Could sex ed classes actually teach, or show, people how to have good sex? Deedee Redletter says this isn't a radical suggestion. Biology happens; young people are going to have sex whether older adults want them to or not. The least we can do is to make it a healthy, joyful experience for them.
Despite the glitzy images of the wedding-industrial complex, marriage rates and interest in marriage are in free fall among American women. That shouldn't be a surprise, as Adam Lee argues: heterosexual marriage has historically been a bad bargain for women, and increasingly, they're realizing it.
The end of marriage?
If marriage goes extinct, it will be because it deserves to.
onlys.ky
December 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Despite the glitzy images of the wedding-industrial complex, marriage rates and interest in marriage are in free fall among American women. That shouldn't be a surprise, as Adam Lee argues: heterosexual marriage has historically been a bad bargain for women, and increasingly, they're realizing it.
In the past two weeks alone, we’ve witnessed Trump’s racist rants against the Somali community in Minnesota, the freezing of all non-white asylum bids, and denial of citizenship rights for long-time legal immigrants from non-white majority nations.
Trump Intensifies His Crusade to Re-Whiten America | Common Dreams
In the past two weeks alone, we’ve witnessed Trump’s racist rants against the Somali community in Minnesota, the freezing of all non-white asylum bids, and denial of citizenship rights for long-time…
www.commondreams.org
December 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In the past two weeks alone, we’ve witnessed Trump’s racist rants against the Somali community in Minnesota, the freezing of all non-white asylum bids, and denial of citizenship rights for long-time legal immigrants from non-white majority nations.
Jim Underdown has a few thoughts regarding the “The (Manufactured) War on Christmas,” and why the assumption that non-Christians want to participate in (or have their tax dollars pay for) Christmas celebrations makes no sense.
The (Manufactured) War on Christmas | Center for Inquiry
But here’s where I draw the line: Don’t expect the same enthusiasm from me for your holiday. Muslims shouldn't expect Christians to fast during Ramadan ...
centerforinquiry.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Jim Underdown has a few thoughts regarding the “The (Manufactured) War on Christmas,” and why the assumption that non-Christians want to participate in (or have their tax dollars pay for) Christmas celebrations makes no sense.
Many years of study and consideration, followed by…no change whatsoever. It’s a familiar story, as Free Inquiry editor Ronald Lindsay explains in “The Hamster Wheel of Catholic Reform.”
The Hamster Wheel of Catholic Reform | Free Inquiry
After ten years and two commissions’ worth of study, the Catholic Church has made the revolutionary decision—to do nothing. Specifically, the Church has dec ...
secularhumanism.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Many years of study and consideration, followed by…no change whatsoever. It’s a familiar story, as Free Inquiry editor Ronald Lindsay explains in “The Hamster Wheel of Catholic Reform.”
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
Wow: Rachel Laser of @americansunited.bsky.social has been named by Sen. Chuck Schumer to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: www.uscirf.gov/news-room/re...
That group is currently led by Christian Nationalist Vicky Hartzler: www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-christia...
That group is currently led by Christian Nationalist Vicky Hartzler: www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-christia...
A Christian Nationalist will lead the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Vicky Hartzler’s long record of bigotry raises alarm over the politicization of USCIRF’s global mission
www.friendlyatheist.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Wow: Rachel Laser of @americansunited.bsky.social has been named by Sen. Chuck Schumer to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: www.uscirf.gov/news-room/re...
That group is currently led by Christian Nationalist Vicky Hartzler: www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-christia...
That group is currently led by Christian Nationalist Vicky Hartzler: www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-christia...
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
Free speech is an endangered right in the US. From a fascist government trying to intimidate its critics into silence, to megacorporations buying up the public square, it's never been harder for ordinary people to speak out and be heard.
The future of free speech
We've survived censorship before, but that doesn't make the current moment less perilous.
onlys.ky
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Free speech is an endangered right in the US. From a fascist government trying to intimidate its critics into silence, to megacorporations buying up the public square, it's never been harder for ordinary people to speak out and be heard.
"Big Oil's climate deception has evolved from lying about the problem to lying about solutions," said the head of the Center for Climate Integrity.
How the Past 25 Years of Big Oil's Lie-Filled Ads Have Delivered 'Climate Catastrophe' | Common Dreams
The Center for Climate Integrity, which supports efforts to hold Big Oil accountable for decades of climate deception, released a report after reviewing more than 300 advertisements from four fossil…
www.commondreams.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Big Oil's climate deception has evolved from lying about the problem to lying about solutions," said the head of the Center for Climate Integrity.
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
Despite what Donald J. Trump and the GOP say, we were not founded as a Christian nation.
If you think we are a Christian nation, why do you believe that?
#SeparationOfChurchAndState #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianNationalism #Atheist #GodlessEngineer
If you think we are a Christian nation, why do you believe that?
#SeparationOfChurchAndState #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianNationalism #Atheist #GodlessEngineer
December 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Despite what Donald J. Trump and the GOP say, we were not founded as a Christian nation.
If you think we are a Christian nation, why do you believe that?
#SeparationOfChurchAndState #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianNationalism #Atheist #GodlessEngineer
If you think we are a Christian nation, why do you believe that?
#SeparationOfChurchAndState #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianNationalism #Atheist #GodlessEngineer
Some researchers have argued that monogamy played a dominant role in human evolution, enabling greater social cooperation.
How Monogamous Are Humans Actually?
How Monogamous Are Humans Actually? How we rank among species on fidelity to a single partner may have shaped our evolution.
nautil.us
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Some researchers have argued that monogamy played a dominant role in human evolution, enabling greater social cooperation.
Hormonal birth control remains generally safe, but a small increase in breast cancer risk for current or recent users can be misunderstood when shared without context. This has led to a flood of oversimplified claims that exaggerate dangers and leave many people confused about the actual science.
Misinformation About Birth Control and Breast Cancer Swirls
A massive Swedish study examined hormonal birth control risks. But the nuances of such studies get lost on social media.
undark.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Hormonal birth control remains generally safe, but a small increase in breast cancer risk for current or recent users can be misunderstood when shared without context. This has led to a flood of oversimplified claims that exaggerate dangers and leave many people confused about the actual science.
Here’s Timothy Caulfield with a well-timed warning about the dangers of fad “detox” programs as we head into the new year.
‘Major red flag for pseudoscience bunks’: Tim Caulfield warns of detox fads
As we head toward the new year, you may have the urge to rid bad habits. There are some online encouraging a detox for food, for metal and even for vaccines. Author and professor of health law and…
www.ctvnews.ca
December 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Here’s Timothy Caulfield with a well-timed warning about the dangers of fad “detox” programs as we head into the new year.
On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered what Slate described as “an alarming win” for anti-vaccine parents, while also advancing its ongoing effort to elevate religious privilege over any other legal consideration.
The Supreme Court Just Gave Anti-Vax Parents an Alarming Win
We’ll find out soon enough if the majority is willing to weaponize recent precedent against the literal lives of schoolchildren.
slate.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered what Slate described as “an alarming win” for anti-vaccine parents, while also advancing its ongoing effort to elevate religious privilege over any other legal consideration.
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
"If you ever go to bed depressed or sad, guess what? You probably haven’t worked hard enough."
That's a real quote. From a real assistant principal. Shown to an entire high school. With religious references (naturally).
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/utah-high-...
That's a real quote. From a real assistant principal. Shown to an entire high school. With religious references (naturally).
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/utah-high-...
Utah high school blasted for sermon-like video blaming "sin of laziness" for mental health struggles
A Cedar Valley High School administrator used Christian rhetoric to spread bad information to his students
www.friendlyatheist.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"If you ever go to bed depressed or sad, guess what? You probably haven’t worked hard enough."
That's a real quote. From a real assistant principal. Shown to an entire high school. With religious references (naturally).
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/utah-high-...
That's a real quote. From a real assistant principal. Shown to an entire high school. With religious references (naturally).
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/utah-high-...
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
There's a portion of my audience that absolutely hates how smug and condescending I am when it comes to discussing stupid people. I hope they're sitting down. skepchick.org/2025/12/anot...
Another Idiot MAGA College Student Takes the Spotlight
A few weeks ago, I reported on a successful rightwing social media campaign to get a “woke” professor fired. To recap, an incredibly stupid woman who somehow made it into a college class recorded h…
skepchick.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
There's a portion of my audience that absolutely hates how smug and condescending I am when it comes to discussing stupid people. I hope they're sitting down. skepchick.org/2025/12/anot...
Reposted by Washington Area Secular Humanists
A South Carolina church appears to be at the center of a massive measles outbreak, according to the state's Department of Public Health.
dph.sc.gov/news/tuesday...
dph.sc.gov/news/tuesday...
December 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A South Carolina church appears to be at the center of a massive measles outbreak, according to the state's Department of Public Health.
dph.sc.gov/news/tuesday...
dph.sc.gov/news/tuesday...
The Trump regime threatened new sanctions on the ICC unless it changes its governing rules to block any future prosecution of Trump or his senior officials. The warning follows U.S. pressure to stop probes of Israeli leaders and to formally end an investigation of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Exclusive: US threatens new ICC sanctions unless court pledges not to prosecute Trump
President Donald Trump's administration wants the International Criminal Court to amend its founding document to ensure it does not investigate the Republican president and his top officials, a Trump ...
www.reuters.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The Trump regime threatened new sanctions on the ICC unless it changes its governing rules to block any future prosecution of Trump or his senior officials. The warning follows U.S. pressure to stop probes of Israeli leaders and to formally end an investigation of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.