The Stream - 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' with Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Stream - 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' with Neil deGrasse Tyson Protons. Electrons. Neutrons. Quarks. These tiny particles are the fundamental building blocks of the universe, but what are they exactly? And what can people in a constant rush to pay the bills and feed their families learn about the origins of the universe by studying them? Enter: American astrophysicist and StarTalk podcast host Neil deGrasse Tyson.

From the Big Bang theory to quantum mechanics, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s new book, "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry", aims to bring “the universe down to Earth succinctly ... in digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere”. But can such a book improve scientific literacy at a time when some people in the United States wonder if there’s a “war on science”?



From climate change skeptics to the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to scientific research, scientific inquiry and advancement in the US are under pressure. This so-called “war” has inspired a new wave of activism, with marches organised across the country to combat “alternative facts” with scientific facts.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is the director of New York City’s Hayden Planetarium, says science is “a fundamental part” of the US’ industrious reputation, but Americans have “lost the ability to judge what is true and what is not”. Although Pew Research Center surveys note at least three-quarters of Americans trust scientists to act in the public’s interest, partisan politics often inform opinions about such matters as climate change, energy policy, and whether evolution should be taught in public schools.

According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, the denial of scientific truths stunts conversations about problems that should have been solved “years ago”. He adds that science should be “in the service of civilization” and the sooner Americans recognize that, “the faster we can get on with the political conversations about how to solve the problems that face us”.

Join Neil deGrasse Tyson as he returns to The Stream to explore how educators like himself can use the public’s rejuvenated interested in science to improve and promote scientific literacy in an era of “alternative facts”.

Christopher Hitchens - Discussing Al-Qaeda on Al Jazeera

Christopher Hitchens, Justin Raimondo and Nazar Janabi discuss/debate the struggle against Al-Qaeda and if they still represent a global threat, on Al Jazeera in August, 2008.

Is religion evil?

An interview with renowned atheist Richard Dawkins on whether religion is a force for good or evil.



AlJazeera English

Special Programme - Dawkins on religion

Richard Dawkins versus Muhammad's Buraq horse

An interview by a Muslim with renowned atheist Richard Dawkins on whether religion is a force for good or evil.



A believing Muslim talks with Richard Dawkins about "when" Muhammed flew to heaven on a winged horse.



Towards the end of the video you can see the place where Muslims says prophet Muhammad tied Buraq on his way to heaven, when he made a stop over at Jerusalem and spent the night there. Fascinating.

"...Al-Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel..."
(Sahih Bukhari Vol 4, Book 54. Beginning Of Creation. Hadith 429.)


Video by Al Jazeera English

France bans all public prayer

The French government has enacted a new law prohibiting teists from praying in the streets, but on the first day of the ban hundreds of Muslims defied the law by taking over streets and sidewalks in Paris and other French cities to pray.



Every Friday, thousands of Muslims from Paris to Marseille and elsewhere close off streets and sidewalks (by doing so, they close down local businesses and trap non-Muslim residents in their homes and offices) to accommodate overflowing crowds for midday prayers. Some mosques have also begun broadcasting sermons and chants of "Allahu Akbar" via loudspeakers in the streets.

Jacky Rowland
Marie Le Pen

Video by Al Jazeera,

New Atheism's most polarising figure?

AlJazeera English speak with influential evolutionary thinker Professor Richard Dawkins.



Video from 30/06/2012

Indonesian Man Faces Up To 11 Years Prison For Being Atheist

An Indonesian man is waiting to hear if he will face a jail term for professing his atheism online. Alexander Aan, a West Sumatran civil servant was arrested earlier this year for posting on Facebook: "There is no God". Prosecutors in the case have demanded a prison sentence of three and a half years and the verdict is expected later on Thursday. Al Jazeera spoke to Endy Bayuni, the chief editor from the Jakarta Post.



Alexander Aan received 2 1/2 years in prison for being an atheist!

Indonesia's atheists face battle for religious freedom Atheist Alliance International condemns jail sentence for Alexander Aan

Thousands in US turn out for 'Reason Rally'

Thousands of atheists, secularists and humanists have turned out in the US capital to celebrate their rejection of the idea of God and to claim a bigger place in public life.



Protesters in the "Reason Rally" on Saturday demonstrated against what they saw as the imposition of religion in American life and politics.

Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports from Washington.

Muslims force FBI to remove Islamic training material

After complaints from some Muslim and Arab-American groups, the FBI has pulled more than 700 documents and 300 presentations that stereotyped Islam or were factually inaccurate, an FBI spokesman said. The federal agency also intends in coming weeks to roll out plans on how it will vet training materials.



Ayoub and members of six other religious or ethnic groups met with Mueller in Washington, D.C., to discuss their concerns. They expressed opposition to training materials and presentations by experts for FBI agents that they considered anti-Muslim. Some of the materials say Islam promotes violence and extremism.

Facebook comment lands atheist in jail

A man was jailed because he wrote he was an atheist on Facebook



Video by Al Jazeera

The Tea Party Ended Slavery In America

Evangelical Christian Bryan Fischer says that it was the Religious Right/Tea Party that was responsible for the ending of slavery in America.



Bryan Fischer lies again

Muslim woman to be whipped for driving!

I hope to see healthy discussion on whether you think it is wise to allow women to drive. Should there be a complete and total ban, or should they be allowed to drive in an emergency?

I still think the whipping was a bit too harsh. She could have been fined instead.



If women do not feel comfortable travelling with stranger taxi drivers, is it ok to provide women taxi drivers for serving women customers only?
Some of the disadvantages of lifting the ban on women driving....
1) It will add to the traffic congestion on the streets.
2) This is embolden them and they will demand more rights
3) It is not safe for women to be out on the streets by themselves especially at odd hours of the day.
4) This will give them the opportunity to listen to music while they are driving.
5) Increase road accidents as women are not good at driving and operating machinery
6) Women suffer from PMS for 10 days every month. During this time they become irritable and aggressive and their judgement is impaired, doubling the risk of fatal road accidents
7) Women are not good in navigation. They can easily be disorientated and become lost and fall pray to unscrupulous elements who will take advantage of the situation
8) It will distract them from their duties of looking after the kids, cleaning the house, cooking for the family etc

Saudi woman campaigns for right to drive

And a Saudi woman is held after mounting an internet campaign to get more females driving

A woman has been detained in Saudi Arabia for defying the ban on driving.



The kingdom is the only country in the world where women are discouraged from getting behind the wheel.

Manal al Sharif is part of an online campaign group determined to get women in the driving seat more.

Al Jazeera's Anu Nathan reports.

Inside Story - The Pope's Mission

Can Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK help create a more credible church in an increasingly secular society like the UK? And what is the need for this visit, costing British tax payers $18mn?


Video 23:28 minuts

Video by Al Jazeera English | 17. September 2010

Abortion agony in the Philippines

Although abortions are strictly illegal in the Philippines, the medical procedure to terminate pregnancy flourishes in underground clinics.



Given their illegal and unregulated nature, risky procedures are often followed at the clinics, endangering lives.

According to the US-based Centre for Reproductive Rights, more than half a million women risk their lives annually by undergoing backstreet abortions.

Out of them, about 1,000 die each year.

Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas has more from Manila, Philippine's capital.

Arab 'rape by deceit' conviction in Israel defended

The crime of rape generally refers to non-consensual sexual intercourse.

But an Israeli court has jailed an Arab man in the country for 18 months for "rape by deception" after having consensual sex with an Israeli woman.



Sabbar Kashur had falsely introduced himself to the woman as a Jewish bachelor looking for a long-term relationship before they had sex.

The woman accused him of rape after finding out he was Arab.

Merav Mor, a director of resource development at the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, defended the court sentencing in an interview with Al Jazeera.




Speaking from Tel Aviv, she said that the sex between the two was not consensual because Kashur gave the woman false information.

[July 21, 2010]

Indonesia's flourishing black magic

Black magic has been big business for years in Indonesia.

People seek help of witch doctors to fulfil their goals and dreams and remedy their problems - be it personal, financial or political.



But now there is growing fear that sorcery has gone out of control and some believe the government should regulate it.

Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, where she met Ki Joko Bodo, the most successful witch doctor in the country.

AlJazeeraEnglish — June 13, 2010

Indonesian Christians under attack

Violent attacks against Christians in Indonesia have forced the closure of 20 churches in recent months, testing the fragile religious balance in predominantly-Muslim nation.

But the government denies the incidents are a sign of growing religious intolerance, putting the blame on politics and regional elections instead.



Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports from West Java. (May 11, 2010)

Inside Story - Suing the Pope

A British academic is planning to take Pope Benedict XVI to court for what he calls the long-term, systematic cover-up of child sexual abuse cases inside the Catholic Church. Inside Story asks what long-term implications the scandal could have for the Church?



by Al Jazeera English — April 17, 2010

Halal meat controversy in France - Quick fast-food restaurant chain

Halal meat, or meat slaughtered in line with Muslim tradition, is at the centre of a political controversy.

Quick - a fast-food French restaurant chain - is testing out a new niche market, withdrawing all pork products from the menu and serving only halal meat in some of its branches.



Experts say that with more than 5 million French Muslims who are potential customers, Quick is targeting a booming market: the $7.5bn halal business.

But the mayor of Roubaix, a French town near the northern city of Lille , has launched a law suit against the food chain, arguing that it constituted "discrimination" against non-Muslims.

And Marine Le Pen, the vice-president of the far-right National Front party, has warned of "Islamisation".

Al Jazeera's Estelle Youssouffa reports from Paris. February 21, 2010