Colorado sports betting slows to lowest since August 2020, but there’s optimism – Colorado Springs Gazette

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Not even baseballs All-Star Game in Denver could capture enough bettor interest to overcome the absence of major sports during most of July as Colorados sports betting handle dropped to an 11-month low.

The $181.3 million bet in July was down 21.1% from June and was the lowest monthly total since sports wagering totaled $128.6 million in August 2020, the Colorado Division of Gaming reported. The July total was still more than triple the $59.2 million wagered in July 2020, which was only the third month of legal sports wagering in Colorado and was before most major sports had resumed playing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseball dominated the wagering with $61.1 million in bets during July, or about a third of the total, followed by basketball with $27.2 million (two games of the NBA finals) and soccer with nearly $14 million. Bets on individual player performance and combination bets totaled $30.8 million; bets on all other sports, which included the first week of the Summer Olympics, totaled $48.3 million.

July is historically the slowest month for sports betting in the U.S. for good reason. Not only are there fewer games of interest to bettors, but casual players are typically occupied with family vacations and other summer activities, said Ian St. Clair, lead analyst for PlayColorado.com, a website focused on sports betting. He predicted betting numbers in August would be stronger with NFL preseason games.

Despite the decline in betting, Colorado sportsbooks still generated $15.7 million in revenue in July, down 20.7% from June but up from May and April totals. Bettors placed fewer winning wagers, allowing casinos to keep 8.63% of the amount bet, slightly up from June and the highest win percentage for sportsbooks since July 2020. Excluding free promotional bets and taxes, sportsbooks made $9.6 million.

The higher win percentage by sportsbooks also made the state a winner taxes paid by sportsbooks totaled just under $1 million, down 15.8% from June but the second highest monthly total since January. The tax, which has generated $9.46 million from $2.98 billion in bets since legalized sports wagering began in May 2020, funds Colorado water projects.

Contact Wayne Heilman 636-0234 Facebook http://www.facebook.com/wayne.heilman Twitter twitter.com/wayneheilman

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Colorado sports betting slows to lowest since August 2020, but there's optimism - Colorado Springs Gazette

Sports Betting: The low-down before you place a high bet – KGUN

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) September 9th is the first day for legal sports betting in Arizona. So, before you place a bet, we wanted to break down the numbers you might see, what they mean, and how to decide where to place your money.

We'll deal with three common types of bets: the spread, the moneyline, and the over/under.

The Spread:

The spread is a number that represents how much a team is favored to win by.

Bettors can bet that the favored team will win by more than the spread, or bet that the underdog team will win the game or just lose by less than the spread.

Fanduel sportsbook puts the spread in the Brigham-Young University vs. Arizona game at 12.5.

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BYU is a heavy favorite against the wildcats in this game.

The Moneyline:

The moneyline is the simplest way to bet on sports. Bettors just choose who they think will win the game.

The odds are based on increments of $100.

The favored team gets a negative number which represents how much money a bettor needs to wager to win $100.

Let's use the Arizona vs. BYU game again:

BYU: (-520) | ARIZ: (+370)

The negative number for BYU means a bettor would need to wager $520 to win $100 if BYU wins.

When looking at the moneyline the underdog is represented by a positive number. It shows how much a bettor stands to gain if they wager $100.

So, an Arizona fan could hypothetically bet $100 on the wildcats and if they pulled off an upset win $370.

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The Over/Under:

This type of bet deals with the total number of points scored by both teams in a game. It can be in the single digits for games like soccer or in the triple digits for basketball.

Bettors wager on whether they think the total score of the game will be more or less than the over/under number.

For Arizona vs.BYU Fanduel lists the over/under as 54.5

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A simple rule of thumb for this type of bet: If you think it will be a high scoring game bet the over. If you think it will be a low scoring game bet the under.

All of this of course happens before the game even starts. Gambling has gotten so advanced now that people can actually make bets while the game is going on.

We'll continue our coverage of sports betting in the week leading up to the first legal bets in our state.

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Sports Betting: The low-down before you place a high bet - KGUN

One Betting Line To Look At For All 32 NFL Teams Ahead Of The 2021 Season – Forbes

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New England Patriots running back Damien Harris carrying the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in November 2020.

Sports betting is legal and live across 22 states and Washington, D.C., and Americans are gambling more than ever. Now comes the main event, with the NFL season set to kick off on Thursday.

Heres a guide to the wagers available before play begins, with one interesting betting line for each of the NFLs 32 teams and analysis from Forbes.coms expert SportsMoney contributors.

Related on Forbes.com: The Optimistic Outlook For All 32 NFL Teams

Bet to watch: The Chiefs are the favorites to be the AFCs Super Bowl representatives, but the Bills arent far behind them at +400excellent value given their evident superiority in the AFC East. Read more on the Bills outlook from Forbes contributor Nicholas McGee.

Bet to watch: BetOnline.ag lists the over/under for the Dolphins at 9.5 wins for the coming season, and the team has added playmakers to an offense in desperate need of help. But Miami hasnt posted back-to-back double-digit-win seasons since 2000 and 2001. Read more on the Dolphins outlook from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Bet to watch: DraftKings has listed Damien Harris season-long rushing yardage at an over/under of 845.5 yards. Harris ran for 691 yards in just ten games last season, and his top competition for carriesSony Michelwas traded to the Rams in August. Read more on the Patriots outlook from Forbes contributor Liam Fox.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists Corey Davis receiving yardage for 2021 as 805.5. He has twice surpassed that number and appears to be quickly establishing chemistry with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. Read more on the Jets outlook from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

Related on Forbes.com: The Pessimistic Outlook For All 32 NFL Teams

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens during a preseason game against the Washington Football Team in August.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists Lamar Jacksons season passing yardage at an over/under of 3,450.5 yards. Yes, there is an extra regular-season game on the schedule, but Jacksons best mark in his three years in the NFL is 3,127, from his 2019 MVP season. Read more on the Ravens outlook from Forbes contributor Liam Fox.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists Joe Burrow at +2500 to lead the NFL in passing yards. If he can stay upright, its not a bad play considering he figures to be playing a lot of catch-up in the tough AFC North. Read more on the Bengals outlook from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

Bet to watch: Most of the major sportsbooks have the Browns as the eighth favorite to win the Super Bowl. But Cleveland should have a much-improved defense, and only three of the teams with better odds had better records than the Browns 11-5 regular-season mark last year. Read more on the Browns outlook from Forbes contributor Jim Ingraham.

Bet to watch: DraftKings pegs the Steelers win total at 8.5. Think hard about the over: Ben Roethlisberger isnt the same player anymore, but Pittsburgh has won at least eight games in every one of his 17 NFL seasons. Read more on the Steelers outlook from Forbes contributor Jack Magruder.

Deon Jackson and his Indianapolis Colts teammates celebrated a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game in August.

Bet to watch: Vegas Insider has Houston projected to win four games. With eight 2020 playoff teams on the schedule plus six non-playoff teams that look vastly improved, even that mark looks tough to beat for a team light on talent. Read more on the Texans outlook from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Bet to watch: DraftKings has Jonathan Taylor as +900 to lead the NFL in rushing yardage, the fourth-best odds. He is poised to get more than 300 touches in the Colts offense as Carson Wentz adjusts to a new system, and he ranked second in rushing yards over the second half of last season as a rookie. Read more on the Colts outlook from Forbes contributor Evan Sidery.

Bet to watch: The Jaguars win total is listed at 6.5. Jacksonville has won six games or fewer a remarkable nine times in the last ten years, averaging a dismal 3.8 wins per season. Read more on the Jaguars outlook from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Bet to watch: Ryan Tannehill is listed at +2800 to win NFL MVP honors at BetOnline.ag. Thats an attractive proposition given his 18-8 record as the Titans quarterback and Tennessees talented receiver tandem. Read more on the Titans outlook from Forbes contributor Phil Rogers.

Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers dropping back to pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in December.

Bet to watch: BetOnline.ag lists the over/under for the Broncos wins this year at 8.5. That would be a big jump from last years 5-11 record, asking quite a lot from new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Von Millers surgically repaired ankle. Read more on the Broncos outlook from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Bet to watch: BetOnline has Patrick Mahomes as the odds-on favorite for MVP at +575. That, however, will likely have as much to do with the play of the rebuilt offensive line as it will with Mahomes. Read more on the Chiefs outlook from Forbes contributor Jeff Fedotin.

Bet to watch: Playing on a team that should be in plenty of high-scoring affairs, Darren Waller could lead NFL tight ends in both receptions and yards. Across the past two seasons, he has caught 197 passes for 2,341 yards while hauling in 75% of his targets from Derek Carr. Read more on the Raiders outlook from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Bet to watch: Asante Samuel Jr. is listed at +3500 to be named defensive rookie of the year at DraftKings. Hell be tested by opposing quarterbacks early and often, but Joey Bosa and his fellow pass-rushers should put Samuel in a position to shine. Read more on the Chargers outlook from Forbes contributor Jay Paris.

Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants trying to fight off Eddie Jackson of the Chicago Bears in September 2020.

Bet to watch: DraftKings has the Cowboys as +130 favorites in the NFC East. Dallas has the divisions strongest offense and just needs improvement from the defense. Luckily, the Cowboys divisional opponents all finished in the bottom half of the league last season on offense. Read more on the Cowboys outlook from Forbes contributor Emily Iannaconi.

Bet to watch: BetOnline.ag projects the Giants season win total at seven, one more than the six they posted last year. Improvement by the offensive line would make that goal very achievable, but the upside is fairly limited: New York would need several things to fall its way to post its first double-digit-win season since 2016. Read more on the Giants outlook from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Bet to watch: The Eagles win total is listed at 6.5. But this is not a team that is prioritizing winning now, instead focusing on long-term progress as Jalen Hurts takes over at quarterback. Read more on the Eagles outlook from Forbes contributor Howard Megdal.

Bet to watch: DraftKings pegs Chase Youngs sack total at 8.5. Last season, when he won defensive rookie of the year, Young posted 7.5 and appeared to get stronger as the year progressed. Read more on Washingtons outlook from Forbes contributor Emily Iannaconi.

The offense of the Green Bay Packers readying for the snap against the defense of the Chicago Bears in January.

Bet to watch: BetOnline.ag lists Darnell Mooney as -115 to post over 4.5 touchdown receptions. The second-year receiver, who has shown explosiveness and sure hands, should be the second option in a passing game that will be playing plenty of catch-up. Read more on the Bears outlook from Forbes contributor Phil Rogers.

Bet to watch: FanDuel lists the Lions win total at five. Even that modest number could be tough after seasons of six, three and then five wins, with a tough schedule against the AFC North and NFC West. Read more on the Lions outlook from Forbes contributor Jack Magruder.

Bet to watch: MyBookie.ag lists Aaron Rodgers regular-season interception total at 6.5, but Rodgers has thrown a total of just 11 over the last three years. Hes in total control of Matt LaFleurs offense. Read more on the Packers outlook from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Bet to watch: Running back Dalvin Cook is an MVP long-shota $100 bet would return $7,500 at FanDuelbut he has improved significantly in each of his four NFL seasons and is capable of rushing for 2,000 yards. Read more on the Vikings outlook from Forbes contributor Steve Silverman.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey looking for an opening into the end zone against the Kansas City Chiefs in November.

Bet to watch: Matt Ryans passing yardage is listed at 4,450.5 for 2021. He has beaten that number in eight of the last nine seasons, and that was in 16 games. Read more on the Falcons outlook from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists the Panthers' win total at 7.5. But despite some good vibes, Carolina remains in a tough division, with a revitalized Atlanta and a retooling New Orleansnot to mention Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Read more on the Panthers outlook from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

Bet to watch: BetOnline.ag believes that Jameis Winston is the second-likeliest quarterback to post the highest interception total, at +1,000. He posted a league-worst mark in that category just two years ago. Read more on the Saints outlook from Forbes contributor Jeff Fedotin.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists Ronald Jones II at +100 to go over 770.5 rushing yards. He may have a lot of competition for carries, but he looks like the top dog and should beat that number if his workload looks the way it did the last two seasons. Read more on the Buccaneers outlook from Forbes contributor Nicholas McGee.

Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers warming up before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers in August.

Bet to watch: The Cardinals are listed at +320 to make the playoffs as a wild card. Thats a tantalizing proposition for a team that upgraded its roster after falling just short in 2020, particularly with three wild-card teams in each conference this season. Read more on the Cardinals outlook from Forbes contributor Jack Magruder.

Bet to watch: DraftKings lists Matthew Staffords passing yardage at 4,595.5 for 2021. The Rams didnt unload a boatload of draft picks, and Jared Goff, to watch Stafford hand the ball off. Read more on the Rams outlook from Forbes contributor Jay Paris.

Bet to watch: Trey Lance could be a candidate for offensive rookie of the year, even with Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him on the depth chart for now. None of the other rookie quarterbacks are on a team this talented. Read more on the 49ers outlook from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Bet to watch: Most major sportsbooks have the Seahawks win total set at ten. They have won fewer than ten games only once with Russell Wilson as their quarterback, and they now have a 17th game to work with. Read more on the Seahawks outlook from Forbes contributor Liam Fox.

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One Betting Line To Look At For All 32 NFL Teams Ahead Of The 2021 Season - Forbes

Sports gambling giants back new online betting initiative in California – POLITICO Magazine

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Forbes reported earlier this year that the U.S. sports betting market generated $1 billion in revenue in 2020, and that number is projected to grow sixfold by 2023. | Paul Sancya/AP Photo

OAKLAND Major gambling players intend to ante up $100 million for an online sports betting initiative that would fund homelessness and mental health efforts, adding a new wrinkle to the 2022 battle over California's lucrative gaming future.

Proponents told POLITICO they will file the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act" today with the state attorney general's office. Top backers include DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, and they will establish a campaign committee today, according to campaign manager Dana Williamson, a veteran political strategist who advised former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Though 21 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia now allow online sports betting after a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the California ballot measure would be the first in the nation to dedicate a permanent revenue stream for homelessness and mental health programs.

Permanent solutions require a permanent funding source. The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act will raise hundreds of millions of dollars annually to fight homelessness and expand mental health support in California by allowing regulated entities to offer safe, responsible sports betting online," Williamson told POLITICO in a statement.

The potential windfall from such a measure could be huge. Forbes reported earlier this year that the U.S. sports betting market generated $1 billion in revenue in 2020, and that number is projected to grow sixfold by 2023.

Proponents insist the measure does not conflict with a sports-betting initiative backed by California gambling tribes that is already headed for the 2022 ballot. That initiative would allow for in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and racetracks. Backers of the new proposal called their measure "complimentary" to the tribal one.

Any online sports betting operator seeking to participate in the California marketplace must do so by partnering with a California tribe," Williamson said, noting that a portion of the measures revenue is dedicated to uplifting Tribal communities."

Still, the initiative could open a third front in the battle for control of a lucrative new gambling sector. Native American tribes have already donated roughly $12 million to qualify the measure that would give them control over sports wagering. Meanwhile, card rooms have spent $450,000 so far to pass a rival proposition giving them a slice. Tribes and card rooms have long battled over gambling revenue and turf.

Given how many of Newsom's consultants are tied to the new initiative, the effort also risks cleaving Newsom from Native American tribes, one of his most financially powerful supporters. Tribes have channeled more than $3.2 million so far to beating back the recall, accounting for some 5 percent of the roughly $60 million Newsom has raised.

Williamson, who served as Browns cabinet secretary, heads a powerhouse group of California political players hired to get the measure across the finish line. Also involved: Bearstar Strategies, the political consulting team behind Newsom, Kamala Harris, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, among others. So is Nathan Click, the former communications director for Newsom and current spokesperson for the anti-recall campaign and David Binder, the pollster for Newsom and the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama.

With three separate proposals potentially headed to the ballot, the issue could be resolved next summer in the state Capitol. Lawmakers could craft a compromise measure that would prompt tribes, card rooms, race tracks and the sports betting giants to withdraw their proposals before next fall. But the interest groups have tried for years to get their own versions of bills through the Legislature without success.

It was not immediately clear how the new proposal would divvy up revenues between mental health services, homelessness and tribes that affiliate with online gambling firms.

The initiative calls for 85 percent of total revenue to go to homelessness and mental health, with 15 percent going to tribal communities, proponents say.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he welcomes the measure. As a Democratic assemblymember, Steinberg spearheaded the 2004 initiative that increased income tax rates on millionaires to pay for mental health services.

It is a rare occasion when any initiative seeks to dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars or more for the cause," he said in an interview. "Funding mental health programs and fighting homelessness is currently subject to the whims of the economy."

Backers could face opposition from those concerned about expanding gambling access in California, as well as gambling interests that get cut out of proceeds. Proponents say the new initiative strictly limits online betting to individuals 21 years of age or older, using the most advanced and proven technology to enforce restrictions, and it imposes fines of up to $100,000 for any operator who knowingly accepts bets from minors."

The initiative also gives the California Department of Justice "broad power to regulate online sports betting in California to ensure there is no corruption or illegal activity in the market," proponents say.

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Sports gambling giants back new online betting initiative in California - POLITICO Magazine

Who will control sports betting in California? – CalMatters

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In summary

Legal wagering on sports is coming to California but dueling ballot measures will determine who controls and profits from the potentially huge amounts of money involved.

Three decades ago, it became apparent that casino gambling was coming to California and the only question was who would control and benefit from it.

Within a few years, we had the answer. Indian tribes audaciously expanded bingo parlors into some casino-like games and machines, daring authorities to crack down, and used the proceeds of their expanded and perhaps illegal activities to finance a political drive that locked in their monopoly.

Tribal leaders outhustled their rivals, including Nevada casinos, horse racing tracks and poker parlors, and California is now dotted with dozens of their casinos, some of them elaborate resorts, that rake in many billions of dollars each year.

History may soon repeat itself. Sports betting is coming to California, but once again the question is who will control and benefit from it. Californias casino-owning tribes are moving quickly to grab a monopoly, and once again they face well-heeled rivals.

Get a veteran journalist's take on what's going on in California with a weekly round-up of Dan's column every Friday.

A 2018 Supreme Court decision opened the door to legal sports betting by voiding a federal law that prohibited it. Ever since, state after state 32 so far has legalized it and even the titans of professional sports, who once disdained betting on their games, are cashing in.

As this years professional football season begins, the National Football League is allowing gambling companies to advertise during its games, telling the Wall Street Journal it made sense for us to really introduce sports betting in a thoughtful way into our national footprint.

The NFL also selected Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel Group as partners who will pay many millions of dollars for the right to display NFL content on their betting sites.

So what about California?

Bills to legalize sports betting in the nations largest and richest market have kicked around the Legislature for several years but lawmakers have been unable to agree on a system that would please all of the contending gambling interests.

With deadlock in the Capitol, casino-owning tribes decided to grab control via a ballot initiative thats already qualified for the 2022 ballot.

If approved, the measure would authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports at tribal-owned sites and four horse racing tracks the latter an obvious gesture to a one-time rival to reduce potential opposition.

The measure also sanctions roulette and craps in tribal casinos and pointedly requires sports bets to be placed in person at the designated sites, thereby closing off on-line wagering until and unless the tribes want it.

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The states poker parlors are opposing the measure, not only because it would create new competition for gamblers dollars but because it contains language that would subject them to increased state regulation.

Its a David vs. Goliath situation because the tribes can throw almost unlimited funds into a campaign for the measure in fact, they already have 10 times as much in their campaign treasury.

However, several cities that have poker parlors have filed a rival initiative that would also would authorize sports betting in Indian casinos and at racetracks but expand legalization to poker parlors, professional sports teams themselves and most importantly on-line betting operations.

The latter provision virtually invites the big on-line wagering corporations to pour millions of dollars into qualifying and passing the new measure and perhaps into opposing the tribal initiative. Whichever measure garners the most votes would prevail if their provisions conflict.

The stakes in this political showdown are immeasurably large many billions of dollars in revenue. Will the tribes once again outfox the opposition or be compelled to share the bounty with their rivals? Or will a legislative compromise cancel the expensive ballot measure duel?

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Who will control sports betting in California? - CalMatters

Report: ESPN eyes US$3bn sports betting deal with Caesars and DraftKings – SportsPro Media

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US network looking to licence brand in multi-year partnership with gambling firms.

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US broadcaster ESPN is in talks with gambling giants Caesars Entertainment and DraftKings to licence its brand in a multi-year deal worth US$3 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The newspaper reports that the network has held discussions with the owners of the two betting firms, for which ESPN has existing marketing partnerships in place.

Caesars and DraftKings are already forging ahead with establishing their own brands in the burgeoning US sports betting market. In March, DraftKings expanded its content capabilities when it bought sports betting broadcast company Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN). As well as its own 24/7 stream, VSiNs offering is accessible through the likes of Comcast Xfinity, Sling TV, FuboTV, MSG Networks and Marquee Sports Network.

Caesars, meanwhile, partnered with ESPN in 2019 to develop sports betting programming.

The WSJ reports that a deal with ESPN could include an exclusive marketing commitment requiring the betting firms to invest a specific amount of money for advertising on ESPNs platforms.

Prior to this, ESPNs notable moves in the sports betting space have included the launch of a dedicated sports wagering YouTube channel, which features segments from the broadcasters linear sports betting news show Daily Wager. In April, ESPN offered its first betting-focused broadcast for a National Basketball Association (NBA) game.

The WSJ also reported that the networks executives want to keep ESPN from being directly involved in gambling deals and betting transactions.

ESPNs latest sports betting play comes as more states legalise wagering on sports. The market is set to generate revenue of around US$4 billion this year, according to gambling research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.

Last week, US online gaming outlet PlayUSA said that punters could place more than US$20 billion alone in bets on the National Football League (NFL) and college football during the 2021 season. The wagers, excluding parlay bets, could produce as much asUS$1.5 billionin revenue for sportsbooks across the US.

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Report: ESPN eyes US$3bn sports betting deal with Caesars and DraftKings - SportsPro Media

Sports Betting and I-Gaming Leaders: Penn National Gaming, FansUnite, Rush Street Interactive, and Genius Sports positioned for Explosive Revenue…

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NEW YORK, Sept. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wall Street Reporter, the trusted name in financial news since 1843, has published reports on the latest comments and insights from leaders at: Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN), FansUnite (OTC: FUNFF) (CSE: FANS), Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) and Genius Sports Limited (NYSE: GENI). Wall Street Reporter highlights the latest comments from industry thought leaders in the esports, digital entertainment, and gaming markets:

FansUnite (OTC: FUNFF) (CSE: FANS) Positioned for Exponential Revenue Growth in iGaming, E-Sports, Online Sports Betting

In his latest presentation at Wall Street Reporters NEXT SUPER STOCK livestream, FansUnite (OTC: FUNFF) (CSE: FANS) CEO Scott Burton shared the global i-gaming companys latest progress and milestones in the multi-billion dollar i-gaming, and sports betting market. FUNFF was recently granted a UK gaming license, enabling the Company to serve as a Business-to-Business technology provider and Business-to-Consumer operator in the $20 billion+ UK online gambling market, which is one of the world's largest online betting markets. FUNFF is also positioned to play a foundational role in Canadian sports betting as that market opens.

Watch FansUnite (OTC: FUNFF) (CSE: FANS) NEXT SUPER STOCK Video: https://bit.ly/3BzfqBt

FUNFF has developed a one of a kind i-gaming platform, with a sports and esports focus geared for the next generation of online bettors and casino players. The platform includes products for pre-match betting, in-play betting, daily fantasy, content and a certified RNG to produce casino style chance games. Scott Burton shared that the RNG games are expected to be a major source of revenue, thanks to a distribution deal with a major online casino games aggregator which can license the games to thousands of online casinos - setting the stage for exponential revenue growth opportunities.

FUNFF recently appointed i-Gaming industry veteran Mike Lee, as VP of gaming to lead the development and growth of FUNFF casino operations, launching new i-Gaming products and expanding global distribution. Mike Lee was the CEO of Genesis Gaming, a prominent gaming provider, where he oversaw the company's global business operations, leading the development of Genesis Gaming's game delivery platform and overseeing an extensive portfolio of more than 100 gaming titles. Burton also shared that FUNFF, with a recently closed C$24.7 capital raise, is well positioned to take advantage of potential M&A opportunities in the online gaming industry in the coming months.

Watch FansUnite (OTC: FUNFF) (CSE: FANS) NEXT SUPER STOCK Video: https://bit.ly/3BzfqBt

Story continues

Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN) CEO, Jay Snowden: Creating North America's Leading Digital Sports Content Gaming and Technology Company

...We're preparing to launch the Barstool Sportsbook app in four or five more states by the start of NFL season next month. And by the end of this calendar year, we expect to be live in at least 10 states, while also introducing several new features to the app, such as same-game parlay and shareable bet slip, which we're really excited about...With greater operating scale and leverage, improved products and unique value-creating marketing strategies, we believe we are extremely well positioned for a strong fall, as we roll into Barstool Sports' favorite time of the year, football season, which provides a nice segue to our pending acquisition of theScore, which is the number one sports app and sports media name in Canada and the third most popular sports app and sports media name in North America.

When we add theScore's unique integrated media and betting platform and modern state-of-the-art technology to the massive audience of Barstool Sports and its wildly popular personalities and content, we'll be creating North America's leading digital sports content gaming and technology company...We are uniquely positioned to seamlessly serve our customers with the most powerful ecosystem of sports, gaming and media in North America, ultimately creating a community that does not exist today...This transaction will allow us to provide state-of-the-art mobile sports betting and iCasino with highly customized bets and enhanced in-game wagering opportunities along with highly engaging personalized sports and media content and real-time scores stats and videos.

...We believe this powerful new flywheel will result in best-in-class engagement, retention and loyalty and this larger cross-promotion ecosystem will provide us with multiple growth channels that transcend our current business verticals. In the near-term, we'll just be scratching the surface of where we can ultimately take this company. The transaction also provides us with a path to full control of our own tech stack with a deep pool of engineering talent

Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN) Earnings Highlights:https://bit.ly/3kKjI2k

Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) Richard Schwartz, CEO: Momentum Building for Sports Betting and Online Casino Games...Revenue was $122.8 million during the quarter, representing a year-over-year increase of 89%. Not only did we grow casino revenue sequentially during the period, but also sportsbook revenues despite a lighter sports calendar. With this continued success and growth in our business, we are once again raising our guidance. We now expect our 2021 full-year guidance to be between $455 million and $495 million implying 72% year-over-year top-line growth at the midpoint.

We have continued to make significant progress in our market access initiative... We have been selected by the Connecticut Lottery to be a sports betting partner, making RSI one of only three sportsbook operators who will be authorized to operate in the state...New York has recently accepted bids... We formally submitted our bid as part of the process. We are excited about the opportunity to offer our online sportsbook in the state of New York...We have no shortage of near-term opportunities and expected state launches coming over the next couple of quarters. And our business development team is hard at work to continue the strong momentum to secure partnerships in many new jurisdictions.

We also continue to be very encouraged by the legislative momentum for online sports betting and the addition of online casinos in many states which already have approved sports betting. It has become very clear we are looking at the numbers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan that online casino is a greater generator of cash revenue, and many state legislators are recognizing this opportunity.

Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) Earnings Highlights: https://bit.ly/3yHz38y

Genius Sports Limited (NYSE: GENI) Mark Locke, CEO: At the Heart of sports, betting and media Ecosystem...Genius is uniquely positioned at the heart of the sports ecosystem that connects sports, betting and media. Over our long history, we built a proprietary technology platform that our partners depend on to streamline data collection and distribution, engage audiences and ultimately monetize sports fans. By partnering with hundreds of sports leagues and federations, sportsbook operators and media brands across the globe, we are well positioned to capitalize on the growth in the sports betting market. While our fast growing sports betting market presents the best opportunity to monetize sports fans today, our vision stems far beyond the boundaries of sports betting alone. We are focused on building a tech platform that enables our partners to monetize their audience in a multitude of ways tomorrow, whether through betting, ticketing, merchandising or others

The business model we have in place allows us to participate in the upside of the US market. As the US markets revenues from gaming grow, our revenue also grows, regardless of which B2C player wins share. We're currently permitted to supply - in 13 US states and three tribal jurisdictions and have a proactive US license strategy, ensuring that there is no market in the US where we will not be able to operate...We are revising our full year 2021 revenue guidance to a range of $250 million to $260 million, up roughly 30% to 35% from where we guided the market to previously

Genius Sports Limited (NYSE: GENI) Earnings Highlights: https://bit.ly/38C9ewi

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Sports Betting and I-Gaming Leaders: Penn National Gaming, FansUnite, Rush Street Interactive, and Genius Sports positioned for Explosive Revenue...

Indiana Sports Betting Promos: The Best Offers for Notre Dame vs. Florida State – The Action Network

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College football is back!

Well, technically its been back for a few days, but now itsreally back. And that means sportsbooks are tryingreally hard to make sure you win some money on Sundays Notre Dame-Florida State game.

Heres the best that books have to offer in Indiana:

Check out the details below.

Bet now: Click here

Notre Dame will have a new quarterback under center in Jack Coan, a transfer from Wisconsin, but their offense will likely be anchored by a similar rushing attack that brought them to the CFP Semifinal in 2020.

Kyren Williams ran for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the Fightin Irish, and hell be looking to run wild against a Seminoles defense that allowed opponents 36 points per game in 2020.

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Note: You can place any first-time moneyline wager of $10+ and be rewarded with $200 in additional free bets if that team scores a TD. This game is being used as an example.

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Notre Dame football returns AND you get a free $400? Talk about a cure for the Sunday scaries.

theScore Bet didnt just stop at a free $400, though.

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Note: You can unlock your free $400 by betting on any college football game this week. Notre Dame vs. FSU is only being used as an example.

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With a deposit match up to $1,000, a risk-free bet up to $500 and a free $400, you could be one of Week 1s biggest winners.

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Notre Dames rushing attack was one of the best in college football in 2020. Kyren Williams figures to be their lead running back in 2021 after rushing for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Williams, Jack Coan and company should have no problem finding the end zone at least once against a Seminoles defense that allowed opponents 36 points per game last year.

To take advantage:

Click here

Note: You can place any first-time wager of $20+ and be rewarded with $200 in additional free bets if that team scores a TD. This game is being used as an example.

If your original bet hits, you win that too!

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Indiana Sports Betting Promos: The Best Offers for Notre Dame vs. Florida State - The Action Network

3 reasons why the sports betting industry is booming in India – Last Word on Cricket – Last Word on Baseball

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Cricket is the most-watched sport in India. Every nook and corner of the country passionately follow the sport. Apart from Cricket, football is the second-most-watched sport. While sporting events have become increasingly popular over the years, the sports betting industry has also made progress in the worldwide economy.

Today, the gambling industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It is to be noted that the gambling market value is estimated at 12.9 billion USD in 2019. Moreover, it is expected to expand even bigger in the next five years. Sports betting has become massively popular in India.

Fans across all states have shown interest in taking part in this sector. We can find a spectrum of sports betting websites. However, its not that easy to find out which top betting sites are the best in the business. Despite the legality issues, the gambling sector is seen as a big business.

There have been debates and discussions as to whether the gambling industry is legal in India. Despite all that, the sports betting sector is getting popular. In this article, we will take a glimpse at the three reasons why online sports betting is booming in India.

Gone are the days when each family used to have only one phone. Nowadays, each and everyone in the family owns a phone. The majority of the Indians use phones which means that they get to install applications on Google Play store. The main reason for the increase in online sports betting in India is because Indians use mobile phones much more when compared to computers or laptops.

As per the reports, since 2020, Indians are now spending one-third of their day on their smartphones. Several sports betting sites have applications or websites that are easy to use on the phone. Guides like cricket betting apps in India help users understand all the top apps in the sports betting industry.

Also Read: Analysing the performance of Steve Smith in last 3 years in T20 cricket

For the unversed, online sports betting is not illegal in India. However, sports betting still exists in some sort of unknown areas. There are no certain laws that prevent Indians from using online betting sites that are based in nations, where online sports betting is completely legal. India considers betting on sports as unlawful. Thus, the betting sites have to be situated outside India for it to be legal.

There is also a clear possibility that India might legalise online sports betting in the times to come. It is possible because there has been a drastic increase in the number of Indian fans who are always curious to bet on sports online.

5 topics to write about for your cricket blog

It is no secret that cricket and football played a substantial role in the rise of sports betting. Currently, cricket and football are the most popular sports in India. The majority of the Indians follow cricket and football. These two sports gave a vital boost to the online sports betting industry in India. There are many sports prediction websites that provide accurate forecasts to make betting easier for their audience.

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3 reasons why the sports betting industry is booming in India - Last Word on Cricket - Last Word on Baseball

Tonto Apache and Quechan Tribes Prepare to Launch Sports Betting in Arizona While Fighting Legal Effort to Stop It – PRNewswire

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PHOENIX, Sept. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Two rural Indian tribes fighting to protect hard-won economic opportunities for their members are seeking to block a lawsuit by a third tribe that threatens such progress and jeopardizes the highly anticipated launch of mobile sports betting in Arizona. The Tonto Apache and Quechan Tribes are represented by Rosette, LLP.

Last week the Yavapai Prescott Indian tribeasked the Maricopa County Superior Court to halt implementation of new legislation (HB 2772) that grants sports betting licenses to ten professional sports franchises and ten tribes,which would allow licensees to begin accepting sports betting wagers on September 9.

The lawsuit also seeks to void an amended gaming compact negotiated by Gov. Doug Ducey and 20 of Arizona's 22 federally recognized Indian tribes, including the rural Tonto Apache and Quechan tribes. The amended compact, which was approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior and took effect in May, allows the tribes to expand their casinos and offer new table games like roulette, baccarat and craps.

The Yavapai Prescott claim that the legislation is unconstitutional and say they will be unfairly disadvantaged by the expansion and new wagering opportunities authorized by the law and the amended compact. In fact, the tribe's leaders chose not to participate in negotiations with the state and are pursuing a desperate, 11th-hour strategy that would unfairly penalize tribes that played by the rules and adhered to the terms and conditions.

"The truth is that we spent five years in painstaking, good-faith negotiations with the Governor and the Department of Gaming to protect our interests and ensure that our amended compact provides the best possible economic benefits for our people," said Tonto Apache Chairman Calvin Johnson. "We sought to engage Yavapai leaders in developing strategies that would benefit small, like-minded tribes like ours, but they declined, saying they would simply sue if they were unhappy with the outcome of negotiations."

The Tonto Apache tribe is located in Payson and operates the Mazatzal Casino. The Quechan tribe of the Fort Yuma reservation are located in Yuma and operate the Paradise Casino. Both were among the ten tribes that applied for and were awarded sports betting licenses under the new law.

"We invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and an extraordinary amount of work to secure our mobile wagering license, which will open up considerable new opportunities for our tribe," said Quechan President Jordan Joaquin. "It is very unfortunate to see the Yavapai seek to unravel all this progress after they chose to sit on the sidelines during our compact amendment negotiations."

On Monday, a judge will conduct a hearing on the Yavapai tribe's request for a temporary restraining order and injunction blocking HB 2722. The Tonto and Quechan tribes have filed a notice of intent to intervene in the legal action, and will also pursue a motion to dismiss as needed.

In a recent prepared statement, state Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, who sponsored the legislation, called it a fair and equitable law and criticized the Yavapai's last-minute legal maneuvering.

"The timing of these challenges, at the dawn of selection rather than during the legislative session or upon the bill's enactment, amount to an end-around on that qualifications-based awarding process at the Department of Gaming," Shope said.

"I expect any legal challenges to be quickly dismissed so that the economic opportunities already happening as the result of Tribal-State Gaming Compact Amendment can continue to materialize."

For more information, please contact Rob Rosette of the law firm Rosette, LLP, at [emailprotected] or 480-242-9810.

CONTACT:

Rob Rosette

480-242-9810

SOURCE Rosette, LLP

https://rosettelaw.com/

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Tonto Apache and Quechan Tribes Prepare to Launch Sports Betting in Arizona While Fighting Legal Effort to Stop It - PRNewswire

AGLC Launches Sports Betting in Partnership with NeoPollard Interactive and Sporting Solutions – Iosco County News Herald

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PlayAlberta.ca Now Offers First Regulated Sportsbook for Albertans

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 1, 2021 /CNW/ -NeoPollard Interactive LLC("NeoPollard Interactive" or "NPi"), jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited ("Pollard Banknote") (TSX: PBL) and NeoGames S.A. (Nasdaq: NGMS), congratulates Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis ("AGLC") on today's launch of Play Alberta's first sports betting program.

Albertans can now log on to http://www.playalberta.cathe province's only regulated online gambling websiteto place wagers on sporting events related to popular professional sports leagues, such as the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB, as well as other fan favorites, like NCAA football and European soccer.

"AGLC is continuously looking for ways to improve Play Alberta, and adding sports betting to the website will give consumers expanded gambling entertainment options. Play Alberta Sports Betting will take the existing sports betting market that players are familiar with and introduce a modern option that presents Albertans with choice and convenience in a safe and regulated environment," stated Acting President & Chief Executive Officer of AGLC, Kandice Machado.

AGLC's sports betting service leverages NPi's industry-leading NeoSphere iLottery Technology and the award-winning Advanced Betting Platform and trading services offered by Sporting Solutions. With offices across the globeincluding Edmonton, AlbertaSporting Solutions is a leading B2B sports betting provider that serves many of the world's largest betting operators. Collectively, the fully-integrated solution delivers a seamless entertainment experience that fosters player engagement across gaming verticals.

"NPi continues to expand and enhance our products and services in order to give Albertans a unified online gaming experience across lottery, casino, and now sports betting," said Liz Siver, General Manager, NeoPollard Interactive. "As AGLC's online operating partner, NPi provides a complete 360 solution, including state-of-the-art technology, our Power Suite of operational services, and engaging digital game content. We are proud to now offer a state-of-the-art sports betting program in conjunction with Sporting Solutions that is sure to appeal to sports enthusiasts and increase revenue for good causes in Alberta."

"We are very excited to work with AGLC and NPi to launch Alberta's first regulated online sportsbook," said Andy Wright, CEO, Sporting Solutions. "With the recent legalization of single-event wagering in Canada, this is the ideal time for Play Alberta's launch. We are confident that our technology and sports betting expertise will bring a dynamic and compelling offering to Albertans."

The introduction of sports betting marks the latest in a series of enhancements that NPi has brought to Play Alberta. In addition to sports betting, NPi has worked with AGLC to launch online lotto games, slots, instants, and virtual and live dealer table gamesall of which provide income to the General Revenue Fund within Alberta's regulated gaming environment.

About NeoPollard Interactive

Born in the digital domain, NeoPollard Interactive LLC ("NPi") is an award-winning supplier of best-in-class iLottery solutions to the North American lottery market. Serving the largest share of U.S. lotteries that currently sell online, NPi helped pioneer the successful introduction of iLottery in the U.S. and, is North America's proven partner of choice to enable regulated lotteries to design and deploy complex gaming solutions in support of generating incremental revenue for good causes through the online channel. NPi offers cutting-edge technology, a full suite of managed services, and the industry's top performing game content, as part of its innovative and comprehensive approach to partnering for iLottery success. Jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) and NeoGames S.A. (Nasdaq: NGMS)both globally recognized industry leadersNPi powers the most profitable iLottery programs. Visit us at http://www.neopollard.com.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and Compliant Gaming electronic games and devices to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 64.3% by the Pollard family and 35.7% by public shareholders and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at http://www.pollardbanknote.com.

About NeoGames

NeoGames (Nasdaq: NGMS) is a technology-driven innovator and a global provider of iLottery solutions for national and state-regulated lotteries. NeoGames' full-service solution combines proprietary technology platforms with the experience and expertise required for successful iLottery operations. NeoGames' pioneering game studio encompasses an extensive portfolio of engaging online lottery games that deliver an entertaining player experience. As a trusted partner to lotteries worldwide, the company works with its customers to maximize their success, offering a comprehensive solution that empowers them to deliver enjoyable and profitable iLottery programs to their players, generate more revenue, and direct proceeds to good causes. For more information visitwww.neogames.com.

About Sporting Solutions

Sporting Solutions is a subsidiary of FDJ Gaming Solutions, which provides betting services for FDJ Groupe (EPA: FDJ) and over 40 operators in regulated jurisdictions, including many of the best-known bookmakers in the U.K. and internationally. With offices in the U.K., South Africa and North America, Sporting Solutions is the premium supplier and market leader for odds provision, trading expertise & risk management services, and software solutions. It was born from Sporting Indexthe global leader in trading the most volatile form of sports betting since 1992and for the past decade has been leveraging this capability to deliver a best-of-breed B2B proposition. For further information visit http://www.sportingsolutions.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements and information, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE NeoPollard Interactive

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AGLC Launches Sports Betting in Partnership with NeoPollard Interactive and Sporting Solutions - Iosco County News Herald

10 facts about atheists | Pew Research Center

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Measuring atheism is complicated. Some people who describe themselves as atheists also say they believe in some kind of higher power or spiritual force. At the same time, some of those who identify with a religion (for example, say they are Catholic or Jewish) say they do not believe in God.

One thing is for sure: Along with the rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans many of whom believe in God there has been a corresponding increase in the number of atheists. Here are some key facts about atheists in the United States and around the world:

1 The share of Americans who identify as atheists has increased modestly but significantly in the past decade. Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019 show that 4% of American adults say they are atheists when asked about their religious identity, up from 2% in 2009. An additional 5% of Americans call themselves agnostics, up from 3% a decade ago.

2 The literal definition of atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,according to Merriam-Webster. And the vast majority of U.S. atheists fit this description: 81% say they do not believe in God or a higher power or in a spiritual force of any kind. (Overall, 10% of American adults share this view.) At the same time, roughly one-in-five self-described atheists (18%) say they do believe in some kind of higher power. None of the atheists we surveyed, however, say they believe in God as described in the Bible.

3 Atheists make up a larger share of the population in many European countries than they do in the U.S. In Western Europe, where Pew Research Center surveyed 15 countries in 2017, nearly one-in-five Belgians (19%) identify as atheists, as do 16% in Denmark, 15% in France and 14% in the Netherlands and Sweden. But the European country with perhaps the biggest share of atheists is the Czech Republic, where a quarter of adults identify that way. In neighboring Slovakia, 15% identify as atheists, although in the rest of Central and Eastern Europe, atheists have a smaller presence, despite the historical influence of the officially atheist Soviet Union. Like Americans, Europeans in many countries are more likely to say they do not believe in God than they are to identify as atheists, including two-thirds of Czechs and at least half of Swedish (60%), Belgian (54%) and Dutch adults (53%) who say they do not believe in God. In other regions surveyed by the Center, including Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, atheists generally are much rarer.

4 In the U.S., atheists aremostly men and are relatively young, according to the 2014 Religious Landscape Study. About seven-in-ten U.S. atheists are men (68%). The median age for atheists is 34, compared with 46 for all U.S. adults. Atheists also are more likely to be white (78% vs. 66% of the general public) and highly educated: About four-in-ten atheists (43%) have a college degree, compared with 27% of the general public. Self-identified atheists alsotend to be alignedwith the Democratic Party and with political liberalism.

5 The vast majority of U.S. atheists say religion is not too or not at all important in their lives (93%) and that they seldom or never pray (97%). At the same time, many do not see a contradiction between atheism and pondering their place in the world. About a third of American atheists say they think about the meaning and purpose of life at least weekly (35%), and that they often feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being (31%). In fact,the Religious Landscape Study shows that atheists are more likely than U.S. Christians to saythey often feel a sense of wonder about the universe (54% vs. 45%).

6 Where do atheists find meaning in life? Like a majority of Americans, most atheists mentioned family as a source of meaning when Pew Research Center asked an open-ended question about this in a 2017 survey. But atheists were far more likely than Christians to describe hobbies as meaningful or satisfying (26% vs. 10%). Atheists also were more likely than Americans overall to describe finances and money, creative pursuits, travel, and leisure activities as meaningful. Not surprisingly, very few U.S. atheists (4%) said they found lifes meaning in spirituality.

7 In many cases, being an atheist isnt just about personally rejecting religious labels and beliefs most atheists also express negative views when asked about the role of religion in society. For example, seven-in-ten U.S. atheists say religions influence is declining in American public life, and that this is a good thing (71%), according to a 2019 survey. Fewer than one-in-five U.S. adults overall (17%) share this view. A majority of atheists (70%) also say churches and other religious organizations do more harm than good in society, and an even larger share (93%) say religious institutions have too much influence in U.S. politics.

8 Atheists may not believe religious teachings, but they are quite informed about religion. In Pew Research Centers 2019 religious knowledge survey, atheists were among the best-performing groups, answering an average of about 18 out of 32 fact-based questions correctly, while U.S. adults overall got an average of roughly 14 questions right. Atheists were at least as knowledgeable as Christians on Christianity-related questions roughly eight-in-ten in both groups, for example, know that Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and they were also twice as likely as Americans overall to know that the U.S. Constitution says no religious test shall be necessary to hold public office.

9 Most Americans (56%) say it isnotnecessary to believe in God to be moral, while 42% say belief in God is necessary to have good values, according to a 2017 survey. In other wealthy countries, smaller shares tend to say that belief in God is essential for good morals, including just 15% in France. But in many other parts of the world, nearly everyone says that a person must believe in God to be moral, including 99% in Indonesia and Ghana and 98% in Pakistan, according to a 2013 Pew Research Center international survey.

10 Americans feel less warmly toward atheists than they do toward members of most major religious groups.A 2019Pew Research Center surveyasked Americans to rate groups on a feeling thermometer from 0 (as cold and negative as possible) to 100 (the warmest, most positive possible rating). U.S. adults gave atheists an average rating of 49, identical to the rating they gave Muslims (49) and colder than the average given to Jews (63), Catholics (60) and evangelical Christians (56).

Note: This is an update of a post originally published on Nov. 5, 2015.

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10 facts about atheists | Pew Research Center

Atheist | Definition of Atheist by Merriam-Webster

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Many people are interested in distinguishing between the words agnostic and atheist. The difference is quite simple: atheist refers to someone who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods, and agnostic refers to someone who doesnt know whether there is a god, or even if such a thing is knowable. This distinction can be troublesome to remember, but examining the origins of the two words can help.

Agnostic first appeared in 1869, (possibly coined by the English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley), and was formed from the Greek agnstos (meaning "unknown, unknowable"). Atheist came to English from the French athisme. Although both words share a prefix (which is probably the source of much of the confusion) the main body of each word is quite different. Agnostic shares part of its history with words such as prognosticate and prognosis, words which have something to do with knowledge or knowing something. Atheist shares roots with words such as theology and theism, which generally have something to do with God.

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Atheist | Definition of Atheist by Merriam-Webster

50 Atheist Youtube Channels Every Atheist Must Follow

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The Atheist Experience

Austin, Texas, United States The Atheist Experience is a weekly show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist and atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin. We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism. Frequency 4 videos / day Since Mar 2009 Channel youtube.com/user/TheAtheistE..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

The true beauty of a self-inquiring sentient universe is lost on those who elect to walk the intellectually vacuous path of comfortable paranoid fantasies. Phil Mason is known for its Criticism of creationism and religion, criticism of radical feminism, criticism of pseudoscience, advocacy of the scientific method and atheism, and his work on the reaction of alkali metals with water. Frequency 1 video / week Since Oct 2006 Channel youtube.com/user/Thunderf00t..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Oklahoma, United States Religion often tells us that faith is a virtue. We think faith (believing something without evidence) is a poor method for determining what is true, especially in an era when science, reason and evidence continue to provide much more satisfying answers than faith ever has. This channel challenges the claims of religion & encourages all to reject faith, to be unfailingly curious & to keep thinking. Frequency 1 video / week Since May 2009 Channel youtube.com/user/TheThinking..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Los Angeles, California, United States An Atheist channel. Frequency 2 videos / month Since Mar 2011 Channel youtube.com/user/JaclynGlenn..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Chicago, Illinios, United States This channel has always been mainly about criticism of religious ideas. I neither support nor condone the oppression of anybody because of their religion. People should be able to freely practice their religion as long as doing so does not entail infringing upon the rights of others. Frequency 1 video / week Since Jan 2009 Channel youtube.com/user/DarkMatter2..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

United States The Amazing Atheist is a professional ranter who yells loudly in empty rooms, and puts videos of it on the internet. Occasionally he reads a book or watches a movie--but mostly he just yells about things for your amusement and/or disgust. Frequency 2 videos / week Since Jan 2007 Channel youtube.com/user/TheAmazingA..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Charleston, Mississippi, United States Making a mockery out of Religion. One vid at a time. Frequency 9 videos / week Since May 2009 Channel youtube.com/user/CultOfDusty..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

United States The Bible Reloaded is an ATHEIST series that will dissect, discuss, & dismantle the Christian Bible. We will read the entire NIV Bible, cover to cover. We strongly encourage viewers to read along with us, highlighters at the ready. We encourage everyone, Christians included, to Email, discuss, argue, berate, agree, disagree, insult & convert to atheism alongside us. Frequency 2 videos / month Since Jul 2012 Channel youtube.com/user/TheBibleRel..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Garland, Texas, United States Aron Ra is President of Atheist Alliance of America. He is a secular activist advocating reason in education. He serves as Texas State Director of American Atheists, and hosts the Ra-Men podcast with Dan Arel and Mark Nebo of BeSecular. Frequency 5 videos / week Since Aug 2006 Channel youtube.com/user/AronRa/videos+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Welcome to Dear Mr. Atheist! Our main show, which airs on Thursdays, is all about answering the questions and assertions that we atheists hear all to often! Frequency 5 videos / week Since Jan 2018 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCgeV..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Oxford, England, United Kingdom My name is Alex J. O'Connor or Cosmic Skeptic and I am a science enthusiast, atheist and vlogger. If you're into critical thinking, atoms and planets and stuff and beef with religious people then this is the place for you. Frequency 2 videos / month Since Feb 2013 Channel youtube.com/user/alexjoconno..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

United States Examining cults and oppressive religions. I am the Telltale Atheist. I've been battling religion for years with reason and evidence, something religion seems to be lacking. Frequency 3 videos / week Since Mar 2017 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCgIi..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

London, England, United Kingdom I make videos and share my opinions and stories and random thoughts on science, atheism, social issues, puppies and many other topics! Frequency 1 video / day Since Dec 2016 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCC6u..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

United States Welcome to Holy Koolaid. Thomas Westbrook here. I'm enthusiastic about science and creating a technologically advanced world worth living in. I was raised a missionary kid, but no longer believe in the supernatural. Frequency 1 video / month Since Jul 2015 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCzvo..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Austin, Texas Host of The Atheist Experience, Lecturer, Debater, anti-religionist and more. Frequency 4 videos / month Since May 2011 Channel youtube.com/user/SansDeity/v..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Canada The original anonymous, suit-wearing skeptic avatar. Skepticism and sarcasm in a top hat. Anti-religious anti-theist atheist. I make no claim to being a scientist, philosopher, mathematician, journalist, wine expert, golf champion, or space marine. I am a self-educated layperson and these videos are partially a learning tool. If I make a claim, double-check it before you take it as fact. Frequency 1 video / week Since Jan 2012 Channel youtube.com/user/logicked/vi..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Maryland, United States Videos about politics, social issues, Star Trek, pop culture, and general smartassery and tomfoolery Frequency 5 videos / week Since Dec 2010 Channel youtube.com/user/stevelikes2..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Calgary, Canada A former Christian takes a look at the claims of Christians, wherever science is being denied in the name of ancient books. Frequency 1 video / week Since Dec 2016 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCIS4..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

United States Talk Heathen is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared toward long-form and on-going dialogue with theists & atheists about religion, theism, & secularism. Frequency 6 videos / week Since Nov 2017 Channel youtube.com/channel/UCNo4..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

Decatur, Alabama, United States I am an ex-christian. There was nobody around to point me in the correct direction as far as thinking critically about what I believed. I was allowed to believe ridiculous things like that Adam and Eve were real people and a global flood covered the earth. I felt stupid believing those things when they didn't make sense but I was told that was what I was supposed to believe. Frequency 4 videos / week Since Aug 2013 Channel youtube.com/user/godlessengi..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

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South Chicago, Illinois So now I am Tom your friendly neighborhood atheist and my tag line is Tom the atheist on what ever crosses my mind. Being an atheist is easy so why isn't it more common? Holding onto your belief when there is no actual reason to believe seem hard so why do so many do it? I don't want to change anyones mind, I want to give them a reason to change their own mind. Frequency 1 video / year Since Feb 2013 Channel youtube.com/user/TomTheAthei..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

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Kenn Gividen is a former Christian and pastor (Independent Baptist Fundamentalist / IBF). He has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (level 1 autism). Kenn avoids the atheist label. Besides the negativity attached to the term, he believes it is insufficient: One can profess atheism (no god), but still, embrace other supernatural phenomena. Kenn's political and social views trend to the right. Vehemently anti-racist, he opposes all racism, including anti-white bigotry. Civil discussion is welcome on this channel. Profanity, racial slurs, and ad hominem attacks are discouraged. Since Dec 2019 Channel youtube.com/channel/UC_aD..+ Follow View Latest Videos Get Email Contact

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50 Atheist Youtube Channels Every Atheist Must Follow

New podcast: Harvard head chaplain is an atheist and Gray Lady covers half of that story – GetReligion

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Ah, another story about the young religiously unaffiliated folks who have received so much ink in recent years, following in the footsteps of the spiritual, but not religious and Sheilaism trendsetters of previous decades. But how many of the nones are actually atheists or agnostics? Hold that thought.

The other big idea here is that Epstein was a popular choice among the Harvard chaplains, in part because of his abilities to build bridges between a wide variety of religious brands including evangelical Protestants and Christian liberals. Hold that thought, as well.

I found myself, while reading the Times piece, wondering: What is the dominant religious worldview at postmodern Harvard? I am sure that there are more than a few atheists and agnostics there. But people I know with ties to the campus tell me that a kind of woke liberal faith is the norm, which actually fits with the schools roots in mainline Protestant New England. Also, there are more than a few evangelicals in the mix (look up The Veritas Forum).

I was reminded of the debates almost a decade ago at Vanderbilt University, as campus leaders tried to push evangelical Protestant student ministries off campus because of tensions over You Know What. In a column at that time (The new campus orthodoxy that forbids most old orthodoxies) I noted:

Leaders of Vanderbilt student groups were told they must not discriminate on the basis of "race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or genetic information. ... In addition, the University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."

Here the the chunk of that column that I believe is relevant to this new Times piece about Harvard:

(S)ome conservatives called this struggle another war between faith and "secularism." In this case, that judgment was inaccurate and kept many outsiders from understanding what actually happened, according to the Rev. Tish Harrison Warren, an Anglican minister who worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Vanderbilt during the dispute.

"What Vanderbilt did affirmed the beliefs of some religious groups and rejected those of others. That isn't secularism. Vanderbilt established that there is an orthodoxy on the campus, which means that it has taken a sectarian stand," said Warren.

"The university established some approved doctrines and now wants to discriminate in order to defend them. ... As a private school it has every right to do that," she added, reached by telephone. Meanwhile, conservative Christian schools "have their own doctrinal statements, but they're very upfront about that. Students who go to those schools know what they're getting into. The question is whether Vanderbilt will be just as candid and tell students about these new limitations on free speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion" on campus.

Is that what is happening at Harvard?

I would predict that liberal religious groups feel little or no tension with the Ivy campus powers that be. I know that, at one point, InterVarsity and similar small-o orthodox groups were facing a crackdown at Harvard.

So, the Times piece stressed that the committee that selected Epstein as chief chaplain included an evangelical chaplain but this person was not named or quoted (as opposed to the liberal Lutheran chaplain who is a major source for the piece).

It only took me 30 seconds or so to find an online guide to the Harvard chaplains and it is a fascinating list. There are plenty of liberal campus ministers, but there are also six InterVarsity staffers, a leader for Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), a representative of the Reformed University Fellowship, a Southern Baptist or two and various representatives of Orthodox Judaism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others.

If one of the major themes of the article was that Epstein is an effective bridge builder, why not seek out one or two traditional believers to speak on his behalf? Why only quote the left? Why not talk to the Veritas Forum leaders, since that is an evangelical ministry that was BORN at Harvard?

The Times piece noted:

The dozens of students whom Mr. Epstein mentors have found a source of meaning in the schools organization of humanists, atheists and agnostics, reflecting a broader trend of young people across the United States who increasingly identify as spiritual but religiously nonaffiliated. That trend might be especially salient at Harvard; a Harvard Crimson survey of the class of 2019 found that those students were two times more likely to identify as atheist or agnostic than 18-year-olds in the general population.

Well, dozens of students is important (if vague), but it did make me wonder how those numbers contrast with the total membership of the various other campus ministries. InterVarsity has a half-dozen staffers? How many students take part in their prayer circles, Bible studies, seminars, etc.?

Crossroads host Todd Wilken and I also spent some time discussing this next chunk of the Times piece:

Nonreligiosity is on the rise far beyond the confines of Harvard; it is the fastest growing religious preference in the country, according to the Pew Research Center.More than 20 percent of the country identifies as atheist, agnostic or nonreligious called the nones including four in 10 millennials.

Mr. Epsteins community has tapped into the growing desire for meaning without faith in God. Being able to find values and rituals but not having to believe in magic, thats a powerful thing, said A.J. Kumar, who served as the president of a Harvard humanist graduate student group that Mr. Epstein advised.

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New podcast: Harvard head chaplain is an atheist and Gray Lady covers half of that story - GetReligion

Bible on Germ Theory: An Atheist Hems & Haws – Patheos

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. . . while I offer a serious answer to his caricature regarding the Bible and genetics

This occurred in a combox at anti-theist atheist Jonathan MS Pearces blog. Words of atheist Makoto will be in blue.

*****

He has abundantly revealed Himself in the Bible. That is its purpose. There are arguments about how to interpret it, but for the most part, all Christians agree on the basic aspects of the nature of God (classic theism).

And we come back to how is that different than other holy works for other religions. I wasnt even trying to get into the fact that different Christians obviously disagree on how to interpret your bible, because Christians cant even agree on how being saved works, which seems like it would be a pretty important aspect of your bible!

Its different because it is consistently verified by historiography and archaeology, which is consistent with (but not proof of) its divine inspiration. Ive been writing a lot about this lately on my blog: the Bible & archaeology (as well as science).

See, for example:The Bible on Germs, Sanitation, & Infectious Diseases.

Scientifically accurate? Theres plenty to choose from on this topic, but since when do we breed animals in front of background props to change how the offspring look?Now, you could say it was a miracle, of course, but miracles, by definition, would not be scientific.

See also my web page:Bible & Archaeology / Bible & Science (A Collection). You asked me why I thought the Bible was different from other holy books. This is why.

I did a quick search I didnt see a single instance of breeding, sex, offspring, or similar terms in that post. I did notice the whole Piltdown Man thing, which science disproved, not religion, though

You replied to my post about breeding with a different set of points. Sorry, I was trying to stay focused. Did you have a reply to my point about breeding, or is this deflecting to other science parts that you feel have support?

You asked me how is that different than other holy works for other religions[?]. I replied that Its different because it is consistently verified by historiography and archaeology, . . . (as well as science). I then offered as one evidence of that, the biblical teaching on germs. Your task, then, would be to explain how that knowledge got there, which took modern science 3100 years from Moses time (13th c. BC) to figure out? You went off on the issue of breeding (which is not a biblical teaching on science).

Thats not my argument. You asked me about why I believe the Bible is different, and I answered. Thus, for the discussion to rationally continue, you have to offer a disproof of the biblical teaching on germs, or explain variously how the ancient Hebrews in the 13th c. BC could know these things, short of divine inspiration (which is my explanation). And thats only one argument of many that I have compiled, as regards the Bible and science, and the Bible and archaeology.

Do you want to address the breeding issue? If not, fine, I understand, I just wanted to be very sure we both agree this is in the bible you claim is scientific.

I did, in saying, its not a biblical teaching on science. In other words, I deny that it has anything to do with the topic at hand. It merely indicates Jacobs pre-scientific (but not anti-scientific) understanding of breeding of animals.

I gave a specific example of biblical teaching that is remarkably in harmony with post-19th century science regarding germs and hygiene. Do you wish to address (or refute) that or not? I have provided a concrete example of the Bible being extraordinarily accurate, 3100 years before science caught up with it. It seems to me that ispreciselydead-on-topic.

Moreover, heres an article that satisfactorily explains this topic you brought up (showing that nothing in the account contradicts genetics):

A Mendelian Interpretation of Jacobs Sheep (J. D. Pearson,Science and Christian Belief, Vo. 13, No. 1, pp. 51-58, 2001). Thats my counter-response to the ultimately off-topic issue you raised. You have yet to offer any counter at all to my far more nuanced and complex argument about the Bible and germs.

Man, you really dont want to talk about breeding at all, do you? It literally is science, after all. Bible says, in Gen 30:39, they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.This is very straightforward. Very biblical! Do you have a reason this should not be accepted as god-based science, despite it being literally in the bible?

Nice try. I already answered with a link that refutes what you are contending (three minutes before this comment of yours). Man, you really dont want to talk about the (13th c. BC) biblical teaching on germs at all, do you? It literally is science, after all.

I did not see your refutation when I was typing up my reply. I will read it now. I have to admit, its crazy to think the bible says that the point was to breed them in front of reeds. That seems absurd, because your linked article implies that it would not matter! They couldve bred anywhere, yet the bible says it was in front of reeds that was important. Why?

Understood and thanks. I eagerly await your counter-interpretation on the Bible and germ theory. Im sure youll have a fascinating theory as to how this knowledge was in possession of ancient Hebrew nomads over 3200 years ago.

I have to admit, there is a side to this I completely agree with, in regards to biblical germ theory! Lev:13:45-46:

A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, Unclean, unclean!As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.

If only more Christians were willing to listen to that these days, it very much describes the use of masks and social distancing/quarantine

Science is not at all unanimous on masks.

Im still waiting for your theory on breeding in front of reeds, so thats cool.

Its in the article that I posted 28 minutes ago.

Right, I read that. I still dont get it, though. It literally is denying the participation of the reeds, which.. if I check my bible.. is a key factor. Was that something unrelated? If so, why was it in the bible?

Im not gonna go over the article. It was addressed there. Now its your turn to deal with my argument on germ theory, and Im not holding my breath . . .

Glad I didnt hold my breath. Its now been about 28 hours and counting, since no response has been forthcoming.

[30 hours passed from the time of my original challenge question]

Oh, my apologies. I got bored. You bored me.You lash out at atheists left and right, werent presenting anything useful that I saw, and I decided I had better things to do. Such is life.

Right. This is what atheists do when they have no answer to Christian arguments. Thanks for the entertainment!

***

Photo credit: Clker-Free-Vector-Images(4-11-12) [Pixabay / Pixabay License]

***

Summary: Exchange with an atheist that delved into the Bible & science. I submitted my article on remarkable biblical knowledge of germs in the 13th c. BC. He offered a non-argument on genetics.

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Bible on Germ Theory: An Atheist Hems & Haws - Patheos

When Harvard hired an atheist to be the chief university chaplain – The Christian Post

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By Michael Brown, CP Op-Ed Contributor | Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Harvard University was founded as Harvard College in 1636. Its stated purpose was: To train a literate clergy. Among its mottos were, Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (truth for Christ and Church) and In Christam Gloriam (to the glory of Christ). Now, Harvard has hired an atheist as its chief chaplain. And no, this is not a poor joke.

As reported by the New York Post, This spiritual leader doesnt need a higher power.

Harvard Universitys organization of chaplains is getting a new president to coordinate the campus Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and assorted other religious communities. Only the new president, 44-year-old Greg Epstein, does not identify with any of those traditional religions himself.

He is an atheist.

But how can an atheist be a university chaplain?

Epstein explained to The New York Times, There is a rising group of people who no longer identify with any religious tradition but still experience a real need for conversation and support around what it means to be a good human and live an ethical life.

We dont look to a god for answers. We are each others answers.

The only problem is with Epsteins explanation is, well, everything. He may believe in God or not. He may follow a religion or not. Thats his own business. And he may have some great ideas about living an ethical life.

But to be a chaplain, by definition, means to be a religious leader, not simply a department head or an administrator or someone who believes in ethical living. And so, to appoint an atheist to be chief university chaplain is like appointing a Christian evangelist to head up the universitys atheist club. Or a devout Muslim to head up the universitys Judaism club. It is a total contradiction in both purpose and logic.

As for Epsteins appointment being controversial, thats not how Harvards leadership felt, voting to elect him unanimously. What a perfect choice! Couldnt think of anyone better!

The Merriam Webster website offers these four definitions for chaplain: 1: a clergyman in charge of a chapel; 2: a clergyman officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court; 3: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society); 4: a clergyman appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function).

According to Dictionary.com, a chaplain is: 1. an ecclesiastic attached to the chapel of a royal court, college, etc., or to a military unit. 2. a person who says the prayer, invocation, etc., for an organization or at an assembly.

And a military website states that: The chaplain's responsibilities include performing religious rites, conducting worship services, providing confidential counseling and advising commanders on religious, spiritual and moral matters. Chaplains are commissioned officers stationed wherever there are military members, including combat environments.

But if you dont believe in God, you cannot perform any of these functions.

Really now, how can you conduct a worship service if there is no God to worship? How can you perform religious rites, all of which presuppose the existence of a deity, if there is no deity?

To whom do you pray? What hope can you offer regarding the world to come? How can you help someone connect to the spiritual, unseen, eternal realm? Who, outside of the human race, forgives your sins or empowers you to change?

And if you yourself are convinced that there is no God, doesnt that mean that you view all religious believers as being in serious error, not to mention deeply deceived?

Its one thing if Harvard said, Rabbi Epstein does a great job of bringing people of different religions together. Terrific. Then hire him as an administrative coordinator for the chaplains department. But dont hire him as your chief chaplain. To do so only heaps further scorn on Harvards wokeness.

As for Epstein being a rabbi, that is just as absurd as being a chaplain, if not more so. (For the record, he received ordination as a Humanist Rabbi from the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism.)

Without God, there is no Judaism, since Judaism is the story of God choosing the Jewish people for Himself, rescuing them from bondage in Egypt, and giving them His Torah. Thus, to have Judaism without God would be similar to having Christianity without Christ. It simply cannot be.

But why let truth and facts and logic get in the way? Lets just set our own standards and, to cite the title of Epsteins 2009 book, which has suddenly become a bestseller, lets just be good without God.

In the end, if someone wants to try and be good without God, that is their choice. Just dont call that person a rabbi or a chaplain. To do so, to say it once more, is a total contradiction in terms.

As for the Harvard of old, in order to graduate with the most basic degree in arts (not theology, which came later), the student had to be able logically to explain the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testamentsandbe blameless in life and character.

Among the Rules and Precepts of Harvard to be observed by the students were these: Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life.

And: Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoretical observations of Language and Logic, and in practical and spiritual truths ...

As for the Harvard of today (in terms of its spiritual condition and worldview), need I say more?

Dr. Michael Brown(www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicatedLine of Fireradio program. Heholds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries. He is the author of 40 books. Connect with him onFacebook,Twitter, orYouTube.

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When Harvard hired an atheist to be the chief university chaplain - The Christian Post

Bishop Barron: Election of atheist as Harvard chaplain president ‘complete and abject surrender’ – The Catholic Telegraph

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by Joe Bukuras

Washington D.C., Sep 1, 2021 / 18:00 pm

Bishop Robert Barron said on Tuesday that the Harvard University chaplains made a complete and abject surrender by electing an atheist as the president of their association.

What does bother me, Barron wrote in an Aug. 31 op-ed for the New York Post, is the complete and abject surrender on the part of the presumably religious leaders at Harvard who chose this man.

If a professed atheist counts as a chaplain which is to say, a leader of religious services in a chapel then religion has quite obviously come to mean nothing at all, he continued. Barron is the auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and founder of Word on Fire Catholic media.

Last week the New York Times announced that Greg Epstein, an atheist and humanist chaplain at Harvard University, was unanimously elected as the chief chaplain of the Harvard Chaplains, the association of more than 40 chaplains serving Harvard students of various religious denominations.

However, the Harvard Catholic Center and a Christian alumni association took issue with some reporting of Epsteins new role. The Harvard Catholic Center clarified to CNA this week that Epsteins role as chaplain facilitator is administrative, and has no effect on its ministry at Harvard.

There really is no influence in the role other than the fact that he has the title as the president as the Harvard Chaplains and that hes the liaison between that group and the president of Harvard, said Nico Quesada, marketing and media director at the Harvard Catholic Center, to CNA on Monday.

Epstein will also convene all the university chaplains when they have matters to discuss, he said, and thus will be representing the entire group but hes not representing his own opinions if that makes sense.

The Harvard Catholic Center is the chaplaincy to the universitys Catholic students, based at nearby St. Pauls parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is staffed by three priests serving as part of the universitys chaplains association.

Barron on Tuesday urged Harvard religious chaplains who elected an atheist to lead their association to [s]how a little self-respect. Being a chaplain has something to do with the worship of God and you shouldnt be ashamed to say it.

My point is, Barron said, that the relativizing of doctrine has led, by steady steps through two centuries, to the situation at Harvard today: Even that most elemental of doctrines belief in God doesnt matter. One can still, evidently, be perfectly religious without it

Before his election as president, Epstein previously served as the vice president of the university chaplains association. He has been the humanist chaplain at Harvard since 2005, and also serves as humanist chaplain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

During the 2020 presidential election, he served as the national chair of Humanists for Biden on behalf of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and others. He has authored the book, Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe, a response to prominent atheists on humanism.

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Bishop Barron: Election of atheist as Harvard chaplain president 'complete and abject surrender' - The Catholic Telegraph

Peak Performances will be as adventurous as ever in its 2021-22 season – njarts.net

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MARIA BARANOVA-SUZUKI

Simon Dinnerstein in The Eye Is the First Circle.

The always adventurous Peak Performance series offering shows in the fields of dance, music, theater, visual art, acrobatics and film, often with elements of two or more of these moved its ambitious programming online during the pandemic. But it will return to live performances, at the Kasser Theater at Montclair State University, in October, and present a combination of live and online offerings for its 2021-22 season.

Here are the live shows, with quotes taken from the Peak Performances web site, peakperfs.org:

Oct. 14-17: The Eye Is the First Circle, conceived, directed and performed by Simone Dinnerstein. World premiere. The pianist, whose father Simon Dinnerstein is a painter, deconstructs and collages elements of her fathers acclaimed The Fulbright Triptych and Charles Ives Piano Sonata No. 2 (Concord Sonata).

Nov. 4-7: Look Whos Coming to Dinner, by Stefanie Batten Bland/Company SBB. United States premiere. Inspired by the 1967 film of the same name, this work represents performance at the intersection of dance-theater and installation, questioning contemporary and historical cultural symbolism and the complexities of human relationships.

Dec. 16-19: Fractales, by Cie Libertivore, written and choreographed by Fanny Soriano. The language of the circus and dance movement highlight the physical potential of the acrobatic body as performers are confronted by a landscape in transformation.

February (dates TBA): Strange Fruit, by Donald Byrd/Spectrum Dance Theater. This dance/theater work draws its title from the classic song written by Abel Meeropol and made into a Civil Rights anthem by Billie Holiday. In it, the facts of lynching act as springboards into a highly personal interior space and state of mind.

March (dates TBA): Movement, by Netta Yerushalmy. World premiere. As in Paramodernities, one of Yerushalmys previous works, existing dances are again quoted (this time from a vast array of sources) and pieced together into an intricate and elaborate quilt with radical and surprising results.

CAMILLA GREENWELL

Members of Gandini Juggling.

April (dates TBA): Smashed2, by Gandini Juggling. A sequel to Smashed, which Peak Performances presented in its United States premiere in 2018. Director Sean Gandini and Kati Yla-Hokkala borrow elements of Pina Bauschs gestural choreography and combine them with the intricate patterns and cascades of solo and ensemble juggling. (see video below)

May (dates TBA): Hotel Paradiso, by Familie Flz. United States premiere. Using clowning, acrobatics, magic, and improvisation, Familie Flz makes its highly anticipated U.S. debut after delighting European audiences for more than 20 years with captivating theatrical experiences.

June (dates TBA): Curriculum II, by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. World premiere. Originally commissioned as a film project but reimaged as a live performance, with the focal point coming from Louis Chude-Sokeis treatise The Sound of Culture: Diaspora and Black Technopoetics, which explores the connection between race and technology from minstrelsy, music production, cybernetics, to artificial intelligence and posthumanism.

Peak Performances online series, Peak Plus, is currently offering free streams of works by the Heidi Latsky Dance Company, the Richard Alston Dance Company, Gandini Juggling, Double Edge Theatre and more, and additional streams will be added during the season, starting with Elevator Repair Services Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge, a play based on a debate on The American Dream that took place at Cambridge University Union in 1965 between novelist and activist James Baldwin and writer and pundit William F. Buckley Jr.

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Peak Performances will be as adventurous as ever in its 2021-22 season - njarts.net

Election of atheist as Harvard chaplain president ‘complete and abject surrender’ Bishop Barron – The Irish Catholic

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Bishop Robert Barron said Tuesday that the Harvard University chaplains made a complete and abject surrender by electing an atheist as the president of their association.

What does bother me, Bishop Barron wrote in an August 31 op-ed for the New York Post, is the complete and abject surrender on the part of the presumably religious leaders at Harvard who chose this man.

If a professed atheist counts as a chaplain which is to say, a leader of religious services in a chapel then religion has quite obviously come to mean nothing at all, he continued.

Bishop Barron is the auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and founder of Word on Fire Catholic media.

Last week The New York Times announced that Greg Epstein, an atheist and humanist chaplain at Harvard University, was unanimously elected as the chief chaplain of the Harvard Chaplains, the association of more than 40 chaplains serving Harvard students of various religious denominations.

However, the Harvard Catholic Centre and a Christian alumni association took issue with some reporting of Mr Epsteins new role. The Harvard Catholic Centre clarified to CNA this week that Mr Epsteins role as chaplain facilitator is administrative, and has no effect on its ministry at Harvard.

There really is no influence in the role other than the fact that he has the title as the president as the Harvard Chaplains and that hes the liaison between that group and the president of Harvard,said Nico Quesada, marketing and media director at the Harvard Catholic Center, to CNA on Monday.

Mr Epstein will also convene all the university chaplains when they have matters to discuss, he said, and thus will be representing the entire group but hes not representing his own opinions if that makes sense.

The Harvard Catholic Center is the chaplaincy to the universitys Catholic students, based at nearby St Pauls parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is staffed by three priests serving as part of the universitys chaplains association.

Bishop Barron on Tuesday urged Harvard religious chaplains who elected an atheist to lead their association to [s]how a little self-respect. Being a chaplain has something to do with the worship of God and you shouldnt be ashamed to say it.

My point is, Bishop Barron said, that the relativising of doctrine has led, by steady steps through two centuries, to the situation at Harvard today: Even that most elemental of doctrines belief in God doesnt matter. One can still, evidently, be perfectly religious without it

Before his election as president, Mr Epstein previously served as the vice president of the university chaplains association. He has been the humanist chaplain at Harvard since 2005, and also serves as humanist chaplain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

During the 2020 presidential election, he served as the national chair of Humanists for Biden on behalf of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and others. He has authored the book, Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe, a response to prominent atheists on humanism.

CNA

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Election of atheist as Harvard chaplain president 'complete and abject surrender' Bishop Barron - The Irish Catholic