First off, apologies for the lack of updates. So much for my one-journal-every-two-weeks goal. I'll try to be more prompt about checking in on this group.

Second, I'm sure all of you have heard by now of the events that transpired in Paris and Beirut. It is times like these that the horrors of religious beliefs are outlined most clearly; and I find myself nothing short of irritated that the hashtags #PrayForParis and #PrayForTheWorld have become the most popular to show support for the victims. I'm sure everyone in this group can agree with me when I say that praying will accomplish nothing.

However, we must also remember that such a tragedy should not be used as a platform to put religion down. Now is not the time to be pointing fingers at Muslims, many of whom are just as upset by these attacks as the rest of us. I have seen comments--not necessarily from atheists--saying things like "Kill all Muslims" or "Fight fire with fire." Terrorism is meant to cause divide, and that mentality will only further that cause. To read more, check out this article, 'What ISIS Really Wants.'

In the meantime, there are things you can do to help the victims. Here is an article with a short list of websites you can donate to to help Paris specifically; I haven't seen other resources for Beirut, but if you do, please post them in the comments.

As for what actually happened during these attacks, check out this timeline from the NY Times chronicling the events of Paris; here's what happened in Beirut just days before; and here's one specifically about the media ignoring Beirut in favor of Paris.

There have been multiple different reactions from around the world--I'm sure all of you know by now of Facebook's option to put a filter over your profile picture to look like the French flag; many have voiced their opinions (good and bad) over this feature, though I personally think it's mostly harmless. There's also this tidbit from one of the cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo. I also think this tumblr post is worth a read. And, for something to turn your stomach, here are some of the worse reactions.

Onto a lighter note, someone made a mosaic of Donald Trump's face out of dick pics.

There's also these progressive Christmas carols.

This study shows that religious children are more harsh and less generous than atheist ones, and this poll finds that Millenials are moving further away from religion.

And, to reach a little further back in the news, Josh Feuerstein stirred up more crap by claiming that Starbucks's new solid red minimalist cups are an "attack against Christianity." You can see his interview on CNN here. Here are some of the best responses to the supposed "controversy" (though my personal favorite is Olan Rogers' reaction video). I'm sure, with the incoming holiday season, I'll have plenty more material regarding the infamous "War on Christmas."

If you have anything else I missed, feel free to mention it in the comments!

For a final question, I received a note from malcomthebear with a question for the group, and we'd both appreciate your feedback:
What secular lessons does religion teach well? Is there anything about religion that makes you think, "I see them sometimes teaching [X]. I wish they would focus more on that," with the possible addendum, "...and focus less on [Y]." Is there anything that religion teaches in our society better than any other institution that you wish could be taught on its own instead of through the dogma of the church?