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Atheists are one of the most disliked groups in America. Only 45 percent of Americans say they would vote for a qualified atheist presidential candidate, and atheists are rated as the least desirable group for a potential son-in-law or daughter-in-law to belong to.
A former head of MI5 has accused the government of exploiting the fear of terrorism and trying to bring in laws that restrict civil liberties.
2009-02-17
torture terrorism UK freedom civil liberties MI5 fearmongering fearEvidence is accumulating that the human brain systematically misjudges certain kinds of risks. In effect, evolution has programmed us to be alert for snakes and enemies with clubs, but we aren’t well prepared to respond to dangers that require forethought.
2009-07-01
foresight brain psychology politics fear evolution instinct future judgementHumans have a six-hour window of opportunity when fearful memories can potentially be erased, a study says. Reliving a harrowing memory opens what experts call a "reconsolidation window" - a time-limited period when it can be changed from bad to good.
2009-12-10
fear memory brain psychologyParents and politicians in Italy are up in arms over US horror movie Paranormal Activity after several cinema-goers suffered from panic attacks.
2010-02-10
panic fear movie paranormal anxiety advertisementEvery time a new technology comes along, it's treated by some as a cause for panic.
2010-03-25
technophobia Facebook social network sex syphilis panic fear novelty scapegoatCats, rats and other predators produce a chemical signal that terrifies mice, according to new research. Scientists in the US discovered that when mice detect specific proteins found in cat saliva and rat urine they react with fear. These proteins, called Mups, act on cells in a special sensory organ in the mouse, called the vomeronasal organ.
2010-05-17
smell pheromone cat mouse rat saliva protein detection fear predatorWhat aspects of religion should atheists (respectfully) adopt? Alain de Botton suggests a "religion for atheists" -- call it Atheism 2.0 -- that incorporates religious forms and traditions to satisfy our human need for connection, ritual and transcendence.
2011-07
Alain de Botton religion atheism video TED education belief ritual morality consolation psychology sermon repetition boredom time calendar philosophy story oratory church art cathedral museum love fear faith mosque temple propaganda manipulation collaboration community individual nature universe mystical virtue diversity prayer disagreement