Secular E-Mail Lists & Discussion Groups
Please send us an e-mail if you know of other national or international discussion groups not listed here.
NOTE: This page is only intended to include mailing lists of national or international scope. Local mailing lists are not listed here.
Internet Infidels Mailing List
AANEWS (American Atheist News)
Associated website: AA News
Moderated: Yes (this was a read-only list, but has become a blog)
Closed: No
Owner: American Atheists
Description:
AANEWS is a free e-mail information service for Atheists and those concerned with important First Amendment state-church separation issues. It is sponsored by American Atheists, a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement or Atheism, and the total, absolute separation of government and religion. AANEWS dispatches are sent out approximately five times each week, and feature news, analysis and commentary from current headlines.
BOOKTALK
Associated website: http://www.booktalk.org/
Moderated: Yes
Closed: No
Owner: Chris O'Connor
Description:
BookTalk, the official book-discussion community for the American Humanist Association, is dedicated to the advancement of critical thinking, reason, intelligence, freedom of inquiry, philosophy and the scientific method. Our focus is on reading and discussing quality, nonfiction texts from a wide range of topics including atheism and agnosticism, freethought, comparative religion, religion and politics, humanism, philosophy, history, ethics, biblical criticism, psychology, contemporary issues, creationism vs. evolution, popular science, the paranormal, social science, current events, and much more.
The goal is to have fun, make friends, and—hopefully—learn something in the process. BookTalk is not a strict academic analysis of texts where symbolism and writing styles are critiqued, but rather a relaxed forum in which participants enjoy a free exchange of opinions and ideas. So don't be nervous—this isn't school!
In addition to the message boards, BookTalk has its very own chat room where members enjoy a casual chat every Thursday night at 9:00 PM EST to socialize and discuss anything and everything, including books being read.
ESKEPTIC (Skeptics Society Newsletter)
Associated website: http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/
Moderated: Yes (this is a read-only list)
Closed: No
Owner: Skeptics Society
Description:
eSkeptic is the (almost) weekly newsletter published by the Skeptics Society. Each edition features articles, reviews or opinion editorials on current events in the scientific and skeptical worlds.
SKEPTIC (Skeptic Discussion Group)
Associated website: http://linuxmafia.com/mailman/listinfo/skeptic
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Leonard R. Cleavelin
Description:
SKEPTIC is a mailing list devoted to critical discussion of extraordinary claims. Among the paranormal topics that are commonly examined are parapsychology and psychic claims, creationism, cult archaeology, UFO's, cryptozoology, reincarnation/survival, quackery, the occult and divination; but the discussion is not limited to any predetermined set of magical beliefs or alleged pseudosciences. In connection with paranormal claims, issues involving science and philosophy in general are often raised. There is no policy of excluding any topic from consideration. While the common point of view expressed is skepticism about claims that go against current scientific pictures, critical approaches to science itself are also encouraged.
XTIANITY (Christianity List)
Associated webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xianity/
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owners: Peter Kirby and Michael Fisher
Description:
This is a mailing list for discussing whether Christianity is true. Anything relating to the alleged truth or falsity of Christianity is appropriate on XTIANITY, with two exceptions:
1. Alleged Bible contradictions and alleged harmonizations of those alleged contradictions are not appropriate on XTIANITY. Please discuss these issues on the ERRANCY list.
2. Issues relating to ex-Christians are also inappropriate on XTIANITY. Please discuss these issues on the EX-TIAN list.