THE FINCHES' FIERY MANAGER

Who wants a milquetoast managing their fantasy baseball team? Not this GM. So, without further adieu, I'd like to introduce the fiery, outspoken and decidedly godless manager of my club, the Darwin Finches, my BARB franchise.

I'd give him a lifetime contract with the organization if I wasn't worried about his eternal soul, being associated with me and all. Besides, PZ may not play so well in Peorioa. He's a bit on the irascible side: just imagine how hard it was for me to get this deceptively-cherubic expression under a baseball cap. I'm afraid the Devil Rays were as close as I could get to a cephalopod, too.

HELL IS FOR (FRESNO) ATHEISTS

Here's a fair question or two for any skeptics/atheists who will be in the Fresno area in the month of July (when, would you believe, it gets kinda hot)....

1. How can you go to hell when you're already there?
2. Have you considered attending a Meetup of the 'Fresno Atheists'?

Yes, Virginia---while there may not be a Santa Claus (heretics!), there is, in fact, such a group. And you know what? I've been known to pop in and get my two cents in. I like the group regulars and they do a fine job of making me feel welcome. And we get to drink BEER. And eat PIZZA. I know some of y'all don't believe in the hereafter, but really, doesn't this sound like a slice of heaven? Here's the details:

When?
Thursday, Jul 5, 2007, 7:00 PM

Where?
Round Table Pizza
5763 N. First Street
Fresno, CA 93710
(559) 449-7676

For more details, check out this page. There's a map, and a link to Mark, the Meetup organizer.

"OUTING" THE PASTOR?

An earlier post took an anonymous Fresno-area pastor (highly influential) to task for undermining science education. In the comments section, a rather more distinguished colleague of mine suggested that perhaps I should've identified the fellow. I responded that I was felt conflicted on that point---but perhaps I am mistaken.

I would love to hear what others think on this matter. Since I am likely to go on future commando missions into the pews, I'm likely to encounter a similar situation. When should the errant believer be publicly 'outed' for anti-science rhetoric, and when (if ever) should they be privately counseled? How to judge when they are ignorant, as opposed to deliberately deceptive. Finally, as a believer, should I give fellow believers the 'benefit of the doubt' at any point----and if so, when?