Here we go again:

Charleston, SC Latest Local News: District 2 board adopts Bible course:
SUMMERVILLE — Sunday school classes at church aren't the only place the Bible will be taught this year.

The Dorchester District 2 school board approved an elective course Monday night called History and Literature of the Old Testament and New Testament.

The course will be taught as an English elective and is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors at Fort Dorchester High School.

When I was in college in South Carolina, I took a Bible study course taught by a Methodist minister. He taught the class as Literature and History class. He didn't teach a Sunday school class. His teaching method put him at odds with some of the students in the class. Some wanted to have a weekday version of Sunday School, but he wasn't having it. School was for learning and church was for worship. He claimed that was how he learned it in seminary and said: (paraphrasing) nobody ever lost their faith by studying the Bible and its books as historical and literary document(s). They just learned they had less than they originally thought.

Apparently some of the faithful weren't up to his challenge. Many of the Christians dropped the class during the first few weeks. I guess understanding the historical place of their religion and its textual presentation was just too much for them for them. It's a shame. The class was well taught and I learned a good deal.

I don't think this is how the Fort Dorchester HS class will be taught. If it is, in fact, taught as a real literature and history course, the Christians will be offended that their precious tome is being taught in a non-Christian, secularist manner no matter how gently and scholarly the course proceeds. In my class, some couldn't make it past the two creation stories in Genesis without their heads nearly exploding.

Conversely, if it is taught as the Christians undoubtedly want -- as a faith-filled Sunday School class -- it will violate the First Amendment. A state institution will be promoting and enforcing a single religious doctrine in an overt manner.

All in all, this is a profoundly bad idea for everyone involved.

I grew up in SC and there are plenty of things I love about that place. The reality is, however, that SC is not a tolerant environment for the most part. Godlessness is not broadly tolerated and is viewed as inherently un-American. SC, of course, does not have the monopoly on that bigoted view.

I have no doubt that the real goal behind this class, and the governmental maneuvering to create permit it, is to teach Christianity and instill its message into students. No one is really interested in learning anything that might challenge their faith. After all, we wouldn't want a school break out in the midst of our religious fervor.

Technorati Tags: Bible Study, church and state, Dorchester District 2, education, religion, South Carolina

It leads to all sorts of deranged behavior. Like this:

Buddhist animal ritual does not bring peace to N.J. environment regulators:

PATERSON, N.J. — Members of a Buddhist sect bought hundreds of eels, frogs and turtles and set them free in the Passaic River, hoping they would survive in the once-polluted stream and realize their karmic potential.

or this:

Hamas TV star, 11, wants to be a doctor or a martyr:

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Saraa Barhoum picked at the buttons on her pink bell-bottom jeans as she twisted on a chair inside the bustling new Hamas television headquarters. The afternoon light bounced off the sparkly outlines of butterflies on her frilly top, and a colorful hijab framed her 11-year-old face.
Saraa wants to be a doctor. If she can't, the young star of Hamas television's best-known children's show said, she'd be proud to become a martyr. Saraa says little Jewish girls should be forced from their homes in Israel so that Palestinians can return to their land.

I'd like to live in a world without religion.

Technorati Tags: Buddhism, Islam, religion

1. Fence Post Jesus

See also: Lodi Woman Sees Face of Jesus on Fence

2. Garage Door Virgin Mary

See also: Mysterious image arises

Usually I just think this stuff is funny. The video, however, is just sad and pathetic. Notice that parts of the glowing image disappear when the pilgrims step between the garage door and the light source.

Fools.

Technorati Tags: Christianity, Jesus, losers, religion, Virgin Mary

Apparently the Global War on Christmas™ has started early this year. In an Action Alert email dated October 12, the American Family Association fired up the Christmas Jihad Crusade season by declaring war against that notorious anti-Christ, Mrs Fields.

Here's the email:

While I' not shocked by the yearly resurgence of holiday-related Christian victimology, I'm a little surprised it's started so early. Then again, retailers seem to release their seasonal garbage earlier every year. It's good to see that of all the pressing issues facing their nation, Christian activists can zero in on such a fundamental(ist) problem as a lack of explicitly Christmas-themed samplers from Mrs. Fields. Remember when some of the same decriers of marketplace agnosticism flailed and screamed so loudly when someone deemed their religion worthy of a one-off confectionary Christ. Christians are hard to please!

Celebrate Our Savior's Birth Or Else!
Christians won't be happy until every American cowers in fear of their Jesus. They'd be happiest, of course, we both feared and revered their god, but they'll take fear. Actually, fear is probably their first goal.

The strategy taken by Christian activists is brilliant. They've managed to cast themselves as persecuted victims within the United States. They rule this country. (When's the last time there wasn't a Christian in the White House? How about most of your elected positions?) Yet, they've convinced themselves that they're victims (1) when any level of government doesn't explicitly promote their faith and (2) when any private, commercial enterprise opts to have advertising that isn't explicitly Christian. For example, when the federal government issues money with "In God We Trust," the Pledge of the Allegiance includes "Under God," or when public schools teach Christian-style creationism, they don't see the government establishing religion contra the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Rather, they see agitation to remove such religious devotions from secular government and education as attacks upon their religious freedom; which apparently includes a freedom to indoctrinate and force participation.

Sell Us Your Products!
The issue of corporations and advertising is interesting. Of course, if someone or some group does something you don't like you have every right to complain about it. You can even boycott them, as the AFA'ers are planning to do. What amazes me is the demand to be consumers, the willingness to engage to activism to demand the right to buy crappy products.

There's nothing a corporation could want more than for millions of screaming morons protesting for the right to buy their stuff. Here's the Christmas cookie message boiled down to its essence:

"Sell us a whole bunch of Christmas cookies, Mrs. Fields! You're offending and oppressing us by not supporting our God-given right to give you our money for Christma-themed cookies! We can't live without your cookies! Won't you please sell us something! We demand the right to buy, own and consume!"

What the hell is wrong with people?

The AFA's Christmas campaign (Project Merry Christmas) web page reads:

It's time Christians take a stand and proclaim to our communities that Christmas is not just a winter holiday focused on materialism, but a "holy day" when we celebrate the birth of our Savior (emphasis in original)

But, are these Christmas campaigns really about their savior? Notice the AFA claims "Christmas is not just a winter holiday focused on materialism" instead of "Christmas is not a winter holiday focused on materialism." The meaning there should be clear.

The barely hidden ideological core of the entire Christian response to the perceived Global War on Christmas™ is an unreserved commitment to Consumerism, as long as it is Christ-branded. It should be ironic that Christians would opt to decry the lack of over-the-top Christ-based Christmas advertising and agitate for their right to make the birth of their savior as materialistic as possible. In essence, they demand that Jesus be used as a marketing ploy. They're absolutely strong interested in a non-materialistic Christmas else they would urge people find ways to celebrate that don't involve and orgy of consumerist coveting. But, that would be un-American.

Turns out, Jesus does have a place for you...in line at the mall.

Suckers.

Technorati Tags: American Family Association, Christian activism, Christianity, Christmas, Mrs. Fields

Are you a Christian feeling left out of the action? Jealous of all of the nutty war rhetoric and violence Muslim and Israeli fanatics get to embrace? US military strikes not godly enough for you?

Here's a Christian video piece to help you gear up for Holy War.

Onward, Christian Soldiers!

Update [11.06.2007 @ 1:27 PM]: Apparently GodTube has taken down the video. That's a shame. It had young and old Christians posing with and swinging around swords while shouting about being a ready warrior for God. I'm not sure why they'd take it down. Apparently GodTube doesn't believe in free speech and thus hates America.

Technorati Tags: Christian activism, Christianity, GodTube, Holy War

Mitt Romney attempted to prove his conservative credentials today by declaring that the US was for the faithful and the faithful only.

Romney’s ‘Faith in America’ Address - New York Times:
"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.

Apparently it is unjust to ask that our government respect our beliefs by not actively promoting others' faith(s). We're also incapable of being free, since free in Romney's world requires bowing to a fictive overlord.

Romney forgets that "under God" and "In God We Trust" were introduced into the Pledge and as the national motto in the 50s. These were not the official standards of the US in its earliest days, despite the beliefs our "founding Fathers." They realized the dangerous of a non-secular State.

Sadly, "In God We Trust" supplanted the original, unofficial US motto: E Pluribus Unum or "Out of Many, One."¹ E Pluribus Unum unfortunately expressed an inclusiveness that is no longer welcome in the United States. Mitt Romney reminded the non-religious of that today.

Could you imagine if an atheist was a front-runner for president?²

So I get these right-wing, Christian emails. They let me know what the right thinks their invisible buddy wants them to do to make the rest of our lives a little more miserable. Mostly they get worked up about what gay people might or might not be doing somewhere. Sometimes I learn something new. Today I learned that it's okay to ask God (or Jesus?) for a three-way with your spouse. In fact, it's proper to ask for one:

Try this marriage prayer for 30 days - see what happens!

For Him:
"Father, I said, 'Til death do us part' - I want to mean it. Help me love You more than her, and her more than anyone or anything else. Help me bring her into You presence today. Make us one, like You are three-in-one. I want to hear her, cherish her, and serve her - So she would love You more and we can bring You glory. Amen."

For Her:
"Father, I said, 'Til death do us part' - I want to mean it. Help me love You more than him, and him more than anyone or anything else. Help me bring him into Your presence today. Make us one, like you are three-in-one. I want to hear him, support him, and serve him - So he would love You more and we can bring You glory. Amen."

The authors challenge couples to try this for 30 straight days and see how it impacts your marriage relationship!

Weird. And by weird I really mean sort of sad and pathetic. Why do you have to beg God so much? Why does he play hard to get?

Even stranger is the notion that you're supposed to beg JC to help you love someone (him) more than your spouse. Is it just me or is God a little needy for an all-powerful sort of guy? And, does that make your relationship with God an affair? Christianity is confusing.

Is it okay to leave your spouse/significant other for God? Remember in Superman Returns when Lois Lane bails on her fiancé because Superman came back? I remember watching that and thinking she was kind of a bitch. But then again, he's Superman. It would be a tough act to follow. How do you compete with Superman? You'd have to find some kryptonite, I guess.

I imagine introducing your significant other to Jesus might end up the same way, especially since he demands you, and everyone else, to love him more than whoever else you might be involved with at the time. That whole eternal damnation racket he has going for him is probably an unfair advantage too. I never thought about it, but I guess he's way needy and holds a grudge for eternity. He can turn water into wine also. I could see how he'd be kinda fun at parties. In sum, like Superman, God/Jesus is some stiff competition. So, if you're going to bring your spouse into the presence of the Lord for some three-in-one time, you might want to bring a hammer and some nails. That'd at least slow him down for three days or so.

Technorati Tags: Christianity, Jesus, marriage, prayer, Superman

Door to door Jesus salesmen came by today. They were the Mormon variety. I told them to get lost. Actually, I politely but firmly told them I wasn't interested. I thought about just saying "Fuck off." I'm not sure why I didn't.

Then they asked if there was anything they could do for me. What's wrong with these people? I told them not to come back and shut the door. One of them said something loud as I closed the door, but I didn't catch it. I assume he was trying to incite a response so they could engage me in some inane argument.

There's no point trying to argue with these jerks when you meet them. That's just an invitation for them to recite their nonsense.

More Moron-inspired fun:

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah Senate committee has approved a bill that would hide the preparation of alcoholic drinks behind 10-foot-high walls in restaurants and make it illegal to appear drunk.

I just don't understand what compels these people to think and act like they do.

The more man puts into God, the less he retains in himself. -Karl Marx¹

I've never hid the fact that I think religion is poison. So, here's some good news:

America is a less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago, and Christianity is not losing out to other religions, but primarily to a rejection of religion altogether, a survey published Monday found. (CNN)

The USA Today article on the study notes an 11% decrease in those self-report as Christian and 15% self-reporting as None.

Don't blame secularism for driving up the percentage of Americans who say they have no religion, says Barry Kosmin, co-researcher for the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS).

"These people aren't secularized. They're not thinking about religion and rejecting it; they're not thinking about it at all," Kosmin says.

A closer look at the "Nones" — people who said "None" when asked their religious identity — shows that this group (now 15% of Americans, up from 8% in 1990) opts out of traditional religious rites of passage. (USA Today)

Of course, a lack of interest in religion doesn't necessarily mean people have replaced faith with a more rational worldview. But, a disinterest in religion and presumably in religiously founded claims on social and political issues can only be good news. One of the best steps this country, and humanity as a whole, can take is to remove religious nonsense from our political discourse.²

Unfortunately the number identifying as evangelical, unarguably the worst type of Christian, is also on the rise, as is association with mega-churches (CNN). So, while there may be fewer Christians, they're apparently becoming more annoying. Great.

There's no reason to think these results will be stable. This stuff changes over time at both the individual and population levels. Hopefully faithlessness will only increase here and elsewhere. It's obvious that the Middle East, for example, desperately needs an anti-religious revolution.³ Hopefully people will continue to realize we don't have to put with religious dogma or be forced to accept their views.

At least, that's what Glenn Beck says.

Well not this blog exactly, but you get the idea.

I love that he almost cries.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A group of 10 American Baptists were being held in the Haitian capital Sunday after trying to take 33 children out of Haiti.

The church group, most of them from Idaho, allegedly lacked the proper documents when they were arrested Friday night in a bus along with children from 2 months to 12 years old who had survived the catastrophic earthquake.

[From U.S. Baptists arrested in Haitian orphan incident (OneNewsNow.com) ]

Pray for them! They are still brothers & sisters in the Lord... and they are Americans!