IN MEMORIAM: “Atheist Stephen Hawking Fed Homeless People in Church During His Funeral” ☮

When Stephen Hawking passed away, some Christians jumped at the chance to slam the world-famous cosmologist for his outspoken atheism.

I wonder how they’d feel after learning that, as his last act on this Earth, he fed 50 homeless people in a church and donated money to feed even more.

Hawking and his family arranged for dozens of homeless people to be fed during his funeral at the Wesley Methodist Church in Cambridge. The three-course meal included a note that said it was a “gift from Stephen.”

The scientist’s daughter Lucy Hawking contacted the charity, Food Cycle Cambridge, to tell them the family planned to make a donation so that people would be sitting down for a “hot meal on Stephen” while the funeral took place, the charity said.

A Food Cycle spokeswoman said the donation would, in fact, go towards far more meals than the 50 provided on the day, but she would not disclose how much cash was donated.

“The guests on Saturday were so surprised and touched by the family’s gesture and raised a glass to Stephen before tucking into lunch.”

That’s right, religious fundamentalists eager to use the brilliant theoretical physicist’s death to promote your own beliefs: Hawking’s legacy will include acts of kindness and respect, regardless of religious or spiritual differences, and charity to those who are less fortunate. It almost sounds like something a certain Middle Eastern carpenter might do.

Hawking took the high road on the way out of this world. It’s too bad his critics are stuck in the gutter.

So next time you are in a tough ethical quandary, just ask yourself: What would Hawking Do?

h/t: Friendly Atheist

SCIENCE: “World’s Greatest Scientists are all Atheists! Panel Discussion” / Moderated by Lawrence Krauss ☮

A gathering of great scientists who individually will tell a personal story related to science.

Tracy Day, Brian Green (The Elegant Universe), Ira Flatow (Science Radio Host), Neil deGrasse Tyson (The Cosmos), Richard Dawkins (A Selfish Gene), Bill Nye (The Science Guy), Neal Stephenson (Science Fiction Author)

SCIENCE: “A Deep Conversation About Einstein, Atheism, and Bumblebee” / Bill Nye and Arian Foster” ☮

Engineer and science advocate Bill Nye and former NFL player and science enthusiast Arian Foster sit down for a conversation about Nye’s new Netflix show, games, religion, and relativity. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your mind blown.