WWJD

Black smoke.

2005-05-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

I didn't come into the blogosphere with much frustration, pity or contempt for the religious right, but I certainly am leaving it with those sentiments.

Any so-called christain who attempts to impose their will on me or my government can take their bible, their cross, their hypocricy, and their unearned sense of moral superiority...

and just shove it.

Levelheaded wrap up of god v. fillibuster.

2005-05-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Good headline: Justice or Just us?

This is truly scary.

2005-05-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

AL MOHLER: "We want to communicate to all that we are not calling for persons merely to be moral. We want them to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, because we don't just need instruction, we need salvation."

He is author of War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning.

Mr. Mohler, who joined Bill Frist and others in a Christain Telecast promoting hatred and hoping to change the American system in order to suit current needs, is what one might call, bear with me, antidisestablishmentarian.

Break it doun for us, Rev.,
REV. JOSEPH PHELPS: "Well, the Constitution, the First Amendment sought to disestablish religion, to not have an established religion. In junior high school, I learned this long word with 28 letters, antidisestablishmentarianism. I never knew what it meant. Now I do. It is Al Mohler and that group. They want to redesign, redefine our nation's history, no longer being disestablishment people, but going back and creating a strict religious theocracy."

Jesus Bleeping Christ, you can't be serious, can you Rev.? Is that pesky First Amendment getting in the way again?

At least somebody understands.

"The Republican Party is being transformed into the political arm of the religious right, with the White House and the congressional Republican leadership pledged to make evangelical doctrine the law of the land for the entire American people. This has the most ominous implications for the US constitutional structure and for democratic rights."

Take back the scriptures?

2005-05-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I'd prefer to remain in the educated, rational, secular minority than launch some lame-duck plan to develop a faux-sense of values and spirituality in the Left in order to win back blind-faith religious. I won't pander to anyone who would despise me for being 'godless,' much less try to impose their BS voodoo jesus mumbo jumbo on me. This is extremely agrivating.

I can't believe there are so many stupid people in this country. What's worse is that they are teaching their kids to be stupid.

It's so damned depressing.

Strange Bedfellows.

2005-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Abe Foxman and Karl Rove are spinning a strange political web, as the Jewish Anti-Defimation League (ADL), once a staunch critic of anti-semitic groups such as the Christian Coalition and founder Jerry Fallwell, have entered into a marraige of convenience.

Foxman has already made waves (perhaps rightfully) in criticising the leadership of the Million Man March (due to Minister Farrakhan's leadership)and has been outspoken in defense of Israel's stake of the Holy Land.

But perhaps it makes more sense than it seems, fanatacism is a strong item to have in common.

"At the heart of the Foxman-Reed-Falwell collusion has been a fierce opposition to the Oslo Accords and to the land-for-peace efforts overall. In the twisted world of the Christian Right, any kind of just, two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict is a sin against God. For Christian Dispensationalists like Falwell, Robertson, and Reed, Middle East chaos is a hopeful sign that the End Times are near, and that the final Battle of Armageddon, in which the Jews and Muslims of the world will either convert to fundamentalist Christianity or die, is on the immediate horizon. The fanaticism of the Christian Right is, in many instances, in sync with the fanaticism of the Jewish Fundamentalists who murdered the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, for daring to make peace with the Palestinians."

"These are the murky waters into which the ADL's Abe Foxman has waded over the past decade. It is no wonder that Foxman now reportedly shows up on the roster of political opportunists and hacks, who have been dispatched by White House sleaze-meister Karl Rove, to wage political warfare against those who dare to challenge the "mandate" of George W. Bush, including those who would put the full weight of the U. S. behind a just peace between Israel and Palestine."

The Disappearing Wall

2005-05-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

Excellent Op/Ed piece.

Are Bill Frist and Tom DeLay (who is in enough hot water on his own) looking to adopt Bush's "winning coalition" of the evangelical right in order to use them for votes in 2008?

Frist is walking a delicate tightrope... very dangerous.

Christians launch crusade on film.

2005-04-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

"A spate of hostile reviews that are due to appear in the increasingly influential religious press this week will urge America’s 80m born-again believers to avoid the £100m ($1.6m) film."

But be sure to catch Mel Gibson's masterpiece "Passion of the Christ."

Hard line pope worrisome.

2005-04-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

"A day before he was elected Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger made clear the type of church he wants: one that rigidly upholds absolute truths on matters such as abortion and homosexuality.

Marriage for priests and female ordination will also stay out."

"Pope Benedict XVI used his first sermon yesterday to promise "open and sincere" - though limited - dialogue with other religions, in an early attempt to soften his image."

The talibanization of America.

2005-04-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Mr. Frist goes to Washington.

2005-04-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Stewart and the famous filibuster scene.

Bill Frist, Senate majority leader, is hopping into bed with christian groups in attacking the filibuster - which the right perceives is being used as a tool by the "the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left."

The right is hoping to change the rules of the game in order to more quickly seat 10 of Bush's most conservative judicial appointees. Tom DeLay ominously threatened that "We set up the courts, we can unset the courts." The threat is remarkably one sided, though, for its only about half of the seats that DeLay hinted at going after. The conservative judiciary is quite safe in the current environment.

Could the hypoocricy be more obvious here? Not two weeks ago, christian groups were bemoaning the "activist judges" in the Schiavo case, claiming hidden liberal, anti-christian agendas.

Now, the right is holding a teleconferance to seat their own "activist" judges. Which is it? Should a judge's seat double as a pulpit for politics? That was deplorable to Delay and Frist only a couple of weeks ago, but now they're actively attemptiong to partake in the imagined actions against which they had recently harangued.

Eric Rudolph

2005-04-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Religion of peace?"

The culture of life at work again.

Did the GOP overplay its hand with Schiavo?

2005-04-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

The intrusive actions of the federal government, lead by Tom DeLay and the Bush brothers, have left many Americans with a bad taste in their mouth.

" How dare they attempt to supercede the courts?"

Even some Republican groups are getting tired of the administration pandering to the religious right.

Mark Rozell, a professor at George Mason University who studies religion and politics, said the Schiavo case has created a "clear backlash."

"It's one thing to look at religious conservatives as part of a broad coalition that makes up the Republican Party," he said. "It's entirely another if people think religious conservatives are calling the shots in the Bush administration for what was a deeply personal situation."

Dr. Mel Seescholtz of Penn State University also sees backlash against a Conservative Christian base that seeks to plant christian judges.

On March 29, the Rev. Louis Sheldon and his Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) launched a $10 million campaign against "the anti-God Left" who, they claim, have "been using America's courts to impose an anti-religion, anti-family agenda on America." They have the ear, voice and the support of George W. Bush: "We need common sense judges who understand that our rights are derived from God. Those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench."

The overall tenacity and spookiness of the christian right might be finally rubbing off on Americans. After all, it was the "activist judges" that made the court ruling on Schiavo that Jeb and Tom tried so vehemently to circumvent.

Maybe Schiavo was a martyr after all, perhaps her legacy will lie in the increasing skepticism of those self-ritcheous simpletons that wield power over our leadership.

God to be protected in the workplace.

2005-04-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Don't we already have legislation to protect religious freedoms here? And why are Dems jumping on board... worried that the GOP is hogging all of the self-richous spotlight?

Regardless, if my jesus trinkets are protected in the worklplace, I can proudly display my favorite office desktop item,

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL Jesus!"

Bush says Pope showed a 'culture of life.'

2005-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Seems like a fairly solemn occasion to be using a hypocritical, shamelessly self-promoting buzzwords and catch phrases, but hey, that's our Bush.

AIDS in Africa and sex education in America

2005-04-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

"Ugandan law punishes same-sex love with life imprisonment. Under this harsh law, even individuals who elude imprisonment face constant fear, stigmatization, and the threat of extortion by the police.—Kamal Fizazi, Regional Program Coordinator for Africa and Southwest Asia, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission."

The future looked bright, for Joshua, one young Ugandan man, until his evangelical Christian parents discovered he was gay. His father informed the police and had his 25-year-old son arrested.

"Some time later I learned his fate: arrested, convicted, sentenced to life without parole. But his life sentence lasted only 10 days. He was beaten to death in prison by a group claiming to be doing "God's work."'

AIDS is rampant in parts Africa, and gays are often villainized. But could it happen here?

"The Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) advocates the African and specifically the "Uganda model" be adopted here. The figures they use in their arguments contradict those of the U.N. and W.H.O. But then again, TVC considers the sex education programs those organization sponsor to be advocates of the "culture of death." But it is TVC's own religious fanaticism and faith-based political agenda that are sowing the seeds of widespread disease and death, here."

Matrial law and more.

2005-03-31T16:32:00.000-08:00

"The government should declare martial law for the whole county, arrest the judge, arrest the sheriff," said Hunt, who identified himself as a government subcontractor.
Rev. Pat Mahoney took it upon himself to speak for Terri Schaivo.
Terri has not given up hope," the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition and organizer of the rally, said into a dozen microphones. Citing her endurance through 11 days without food or water as evidence that she wants to live, Mahoney shouted: "She is speaking from her hospice bed, saying, 'I want to live. Will you help me?' "

WWJD

2005-03-30T20:12:00.000-08:00

"On March 25 the FBI and local police arrested Richard Alan Meywes of Fairview, North Carolina, for allegedly offering $250,000 for the murder of Michael Schiavo and $50,000 for the death of Circuit Court Judge George Greer, who ordered Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube removed. Meywes sent an email containing the reward offer to friends and three media sources, including an unnamed prominent right-wing talk show host. In the message, he claimed to be passing along word that a multimillionaire was willing to finance the murder for hire."

Meanwhile, less militant christians are trying to speak for her, as if communication is coming to them in some sort of creepy voodoo way. "Terri has not given up hope," the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition and organizer of the rally, said into a dozen microphones.

Making Schaivo a Martyr.

2005-03-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

Old Jeb really took it to those 'activist courts' with anunlawful show of force. And that's what it was, nothing but a show. Bush and bush were playing the undereducated christian right like an angelic harp, and , believe it or not, the right bought it.

Now, the radical right is seeking to follow his and his presidential brother's example and further use the humanity of death to rattle those crazy enough to champion logic, reason, compassion, and law over religious vitriole and hypocricy.

Make a Martyr out of her!

Now that Jeb has deceptively ingraciated himself (further) with the christian right, expect him to be on the ballot in '08. Schaivo will be one of his campaign tools.

Off topic to on topic.

2005-03-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

How about those Illini!?!

I credit the coaching staff, conditioning, the heart, and the skill. Still a great guy and a friend of mine by the name of Roger Powell Jr., an ordained minister from Joliet, credits god with the comeback.

"Some of those games, to come out on top, it's a blessing," said Illinois' Roger Powell, a Pentecostal minister. "I give all the credit to God. … A couple of my teammates even said that in the locker room after a couple of games. You can't really explain all the success we've been having."

I can explain it, the Illini are an excellent, athletic, unselfish team that plays well together and rallies around adversity. But the right rallies around Roger.

Reporters ask Rog about the meaning of those ubiquitous biblical quotes, scrawled almost illegibly with a Sharpie marker on his gameday shoes.

"I want everything to go our way. Anything to tip the scales," he says. I still struggle to believe that anyone with a rational view of god (if there were such a thing) would believe that god was a sports fan with the time to prefer the Illini over Arizona, Santa Clara over North Carolina, or those high and mighty Golden Domers of Notre Dame over anybody in the free world while the world deals with tsunamis, genocide, and the Bush administration. Thank your god for your health or your athletic ability, but don't think he favors you because you can dunk a basketball.

'Pro-family' activists need a new title.

2005-03-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

The growing strength of anti-gay 'pro-family' groups, such as Focus on the Family, follow the grand tradition of right wing hypocricy, according to Dr. Mel Seescholtz of Penn State University.

How can these groups claim to be "pro-family" and simultaneously fight so bitterly to make sure same-sex families receive none of the financial benefits or legal protections opposite-sex families have? Their actions seem especially egregious considering that, according to the Adoption Family Center, there are between 8 and 10 million children being reared in gay and lesbian families. How can someone be "pro-family" while working against families?

Instead of working to better equip existing families, including gay and lesbian families that may need resources, these groups staunchly back DOMA in the guise of protective parents.

But Family First is in fact a caring, nurturing community that seeks to win back those abhorrent homosexuals, telling them that they don't have to be that way.

While they aren't fighting against gay familys' rights to benefits, resources doled out to straight families, or protesting Matthew Sheppard's funeral, they kindly link such eye opening books as Coming out of Homosexuality and a plethora of videos (perhaps revealing a lower than normal reading capacity among the FOTF constituency.)

Really, these people are the salt of the earth, real pillars of the community.

Bush grandstanding for the religious right.

2005-03-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

Terri Schaivo is being used as a tool of the Bush administration.

The right to die seems to be an issue of convenience for the president.

With all of the drama and feigned heroism that he could muster, Bush cut short his time in Texas to sign in legislation that would allow the case to be reviewed by federal courts.

He's clearly pandering to the religious right in this case, knowing full well that the courts had reached a conclusion and that his 'emergency' legislation could only delay the inevitable and cause more grief and trauma for the family. Still, Bush and the republican congress saw a chance to appeal to the religious multitudes. They took it.

A traditional republican would never have employed this federalist tactic, attempting to supercede the state courts (Florida courts, oddly enough). The neocons, though, seem to have no remorse about using one woman's unfortunate circumstance to strut around like peacocks in religious feathers.

Still, Bush's demonstrative defense of life is downright comical considering his record of death penalties in Texas.

And what happened to that 'sanctity of marraige' that religious groups so vehemently defend? Isn't it Terri's husband who is trying to speak to the wishes of his wife?

Remember, if the neocons are in power, don't bother to write a will. Write your congressman, instead.

Evolution must be a sham.

2005-03-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

If the universe is in fact billions of years old, that would paint god as "cruel, wasteful, and retarded."

And since that isn't the way Kent Hovind of Lakeside Baptist wants to view god, that must mean that science, evolution, and some of the brightest minds in the world are all completely wrong.

Makes sense... right?

In other news... the intellegent design folks are trying to get their foot in the door of PUBLIC classrooms with their 'alternative ideas' rhetoric.

And things are heating up in Kansas.

Embrace Jesus or you're fired.

2005-03-07T18:42:00.000-08:00

The Salvation Army gets militant about saving souls.

"Defending the right of an employer using public funds to discriminate is one of the more provocative steps taken by a little-known arm of the civil rights division and its special counsel for religious discrimination.

The Justice Department's religious-rights unit, established three years ago, has launched a quiet but ambitious effort aimed at rectifying what the Bush administration views as years of illegal discrimination against religious groups and their followers."

Faith-based discrimination from a faith based initiative.

Speaking of which, can we expect more discrimination due to Bush's increasing of funding for faith-based groups?

I know these tarheel frat boys, who will be receiveing public funding for their 'Jesus Freak Only' animal house, are looking forward to the homogeneous environment.

You say you want a revolution...

2005-03-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

There's a new number one on my spring break reading list, God's Politics; Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It by Jim Wallis, a Sojourner's editor.

It's been around for awhile, almost 6 weeks, but now I might get the chance to read something other than textbooks and newspapers.

Could there be a voice of reason in religion? A house on the hill? An example to all?

"We've got evangelical Christians who don't feel spoken for by Jerry Fallwell. We've got Catholics who don't feel represented by bishops who say there's only one issue on which Catholics should vote. We've got mainline Protestants who have felt left out of the discussion for a long time," said author Jim Wallis (the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.)

"The good news is that the monologue of the religious right is finally over and a dialogue has now begun," he says.

Progressive Presbyterian reviews of this book may restore my faith in religious humanity.

The Bush administration has polarized the country, attracting religious groups like a magnet. Maybe if a majority of christian people cease to think of religion in terms of politics, or vice versa, these might be less divisive issues. But is it possible to eliminate the 'wedge?'

Is there a such thing as a hopeful cynic? Maybe I'm just sandbagging.

Check out a sizable excerpt from the book at Sojourner's (scroll halfway down the page.)

I'm not a comic book guy, but this was funny.

2005-03-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Some amusement until I can better update the below.

I missed this. Stem cell nazis are out in force.

2005-03-02T17:29:00.000-08:00

More to come.

DOMA challenged in Washington state

2005-03-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

More to come.

Antiquated 'values' won't budge to prevention plan.

2005-03-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

Tony Perkins of the conservative Family Research Council said, "Their idea of reducing unintended pregnancies is more sex education and distribution of contraceptives. ... That's not the solution, that's part of the problem."

Republican leaders have virtually ignored the Democrats' Prevention First bill, which proposes a multipronged effort to bolster family-planning programs. "It's been met with deafening silence," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader who introduced the bill as one of his 10 priorities for the new session.

One would think that a middle ground could be found so that the problem of youth pregnancy could at least be addressed prior to it getting to the point of a question of abortion frequency. Instead, right wingers pig-headed and unrealistic "abstinence or nothing at all" approach is downright spooky.

Meanwhile, the Bush administration continues to bully the U.N.

Backward thinking.

2005-03-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

These are the same degenerates who protested at Matthew Sheppard's funeral.

Did you hear about the dyslexic existentialist?

2005-03-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

He was up all night trying to figure out whether or not there was a dog.

Discrimination via christianity and more.

2005-03-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

"Eric Bents, pastor at Trinity Interdenominational Church in Omaha, said he represented the vast majority of Christian clergy members who oppose same-sex marriage. He said granting the rights proposed under the bill would unleash a "moral tsunami" that would erode other cultural institutions."

"Moral Tsunami," very topical there, Eric.

"We believe that a Christian should have the right to turn down a homosexual who is applying for a job," said

Apparently, he'll get his wish. Even if it goes through, "the proposal would exempt religious organizations, associations and societies or any nonprofit operation connected with them."

Speaking of moral tsunamis, how about the flood of mail from the christian right going up to the great white north?

I wonder if Canadians have been writing our senators about this guy? They are probably too polite, and wouldn't try to impose their will onto another's business (as some people like to do.)

Remember the sense of American indignation that the Brits bore after they started a little anti-Bush letter writing campaign? I guess not. Canada, I sincerely apologize.

Off topic, but funny anyway.

2005-02-28T22:22:00.000-08:00

USA Next, a conservative organization opposing the AARP's support Social Security, had to pull this ad (which plays an animation that places a red 'X' over the troops and a green checkmark over the couple.) Clicking on this merely takes people to the USA Next website, there is no discussion relating to the implications made in the ad.

The funny part is that the couple, who certainly didn't give permission to use the photo, saw it and recognized it. And they're pissed!

Wake up and smell the coffee, image theft can be costly!

USA Next is 'praying' upon christians who fear gay marraige more than they do being pennyless at 65 and blindly support the "faith-based" guy's war against non-christians.

Faith-based politics on the international stage.

2005-02-28T15:09:00.000-08:00

The United States is no longer a secular state. Thanks, Bush administration. Nice to know that you're speaking for all of us.

"Compared to the Clinton administration in Beijing, the presidency of George W. Bush has taken a strong stand against abortion and will field a delegation this week composed of conservatives or advocates of faith-based politics. "

"Ten years after a landmark U.N. conference adopted a platform aimed at global equality for women, the United States is demanding that a follow-up meeting make clear women are not guaranteed a right to abortion."

Leave it to the Air Force...

2005-02-28T15:03:00.000-08:00

The Washington Genereals of armed forces athletics rarely have a prayer on the field. But they are hoping to have one in the locker room.

A little exclusive, isn't it? Armed forces acadamies are federally funded, one religion shouldn't be favored by coaches and staff in the locker room or on the gridiron.

If you kill the woman, you kill her baby.

2005-02-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

Flawed logic in Wales.

"Pregnant women considering terminations and abortion clinics are to be targeted by a militant Christian group set up by a Welsh evangelical.

Stephen Green, who heads Christian Voice, says the protest will continue until 'the scourge of abortion is driven out' of the country."

Maxine Waters is a pretty smart lady.

2005-02-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Waters said, "...while church-based social programs can help communities, inadequate funding forces religious programs to compete with other religious and non-religious charities, as well as with much-needed housing and educational programs."

Anglican Church hands out suspensions.

2005-02-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Canadian and American Anglican Churches shall be removed from international Anglican council for three years.

Imagine being so hardheaded and dogmatic on the gay issue that your entire church may have to split in two.

At least someone gets it.

2005-02-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

Looking to lobby intolerance into legislation, the religious right attempts to impose its discriminitory "values."

Also, the president might be way off base, but he has a large fan base when it comes to his faith-based initiative.

Christian groups hate green ogres.

2005-02-24T17:01:00.000-08:00

Affable oaf Shrek joins Spongebob Squarepants, Barney the purple dinosaur and the Telletubies as the latest character drawing the ire of ultra-sensitive christian whack-jobs.

While christians aren't protesting fairy tale creatures, some like to participate in hate speech while demonstrating against real people.

Bloggers threatened for linking?

2005-02-22T17:02:00.000-08:00

Dr. Fallon mentioned that providing a hyperlink can't get a blogger into trouble. It seems that you can get people pretty mad, though.

This link has been fixed, thanks for pointing that out, Blanche.

BJU ~ Bob Jones University

2005-02-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

I went to undergrad at the University of Illinois, but I should have gone to BJU ~ Bob Jones University . They don't allow watching movies over a 'G' rating, but you can bring your guns.

Silly Christian fundamentalists.

Giving "Gannon" a pass

2005-02-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

The ostensibly strict white house is Salon.com News | Giving "Gannon" a pass .

In the Dark

2005-02-15T21:11:00.000-08:00

Dr. Fallon's blog, In the Dark , talks about Eason Jordan's resignation.

Harry Frankfurt's "On Bullshit"

2005-02-15T18:02:00.000-08:00

Princeton seems to believe that it is a good time to republish Harry Frankfurt's "On Bullshit" I wonder if the current political arena has anything to do with it?

The Washington Monthly - Amy is guesting with Kevin Drum

2005-02-15T17:53:00.000-08:00

The Washington Monthly

The Gadflyer: Writers - Amy Sullivan

2005-02-15T17:49:00.000-08:00

The Gadflyer: Writers - Amy Sullivan

Landover Baptist Church

2005-02-08T22:05:00.000-08:00

I'm on the god squad.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/

This is a test.

2005-02-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

More to come.