It was about time, the pastor who said Japan’s Earthquake was a punishment from God

As it’s usual when a disaster happens and the most despicable religious authorities want to get some attention, there had to be someone who said that Japan’s earthquake and tsunami were God’s punishment for being “an idol-worshiping nation”

"Just so you know, if you don't worship me, I'll kill more than 10,000 people.
But remember, I love you"

As you should know, Japan suffered the worst earthquake in its history. Then came a terrible tsunami that destroyed entire cities. Now, it faces a potential nuclear disaster.

It’s really a bad time to be in Japan. I have some friends there and can’t even imagine how bad their lives might be.

Well, just like with Haiti and New Zealand, there had to be a pastor who, inspired by Holy Spirit, said that this tragedy was caused by the people walking away from God:

Pastor under fire for remarks on quake

A well-known pastor here has caused a stir by describing Japan’s latest earthquake as a warning from God to an “idol-worshiping nation.”

The controversial remarks by Rev. Cho Yong-gi, emeritus pastor of the Yeouido Full Gospel Church, have immediately resulted in strong criticism from civic groups and Internet users who are calling for the pastor to resign and offer an apology to the earthquake victims.

I think I have said this before, but it’s good to remember: This pastor talks with authority of a person who represents God and spreads His message to his followers. Many Christians might get angry and say that this pastor is not preaching the actual word of God, but they have no proof of that. Those who agree with Cho can also say that the ones criticizing him are not real Christians and that they’re not interpreting God’s message in the right way.

This is why to be part of a religion depends so much in an interpretation. We are never, ever, going to be sure of what God wants us to do, or what He or She is thinking. We can’t even prove his existence. If we talk about a God who loves us, it just takes a quick glimpse to all the suffering and pain in Japan, or the misery and hunger in other parts of the world to notice that such God either doesn’t care, or enjoys our suffering. Or just, doesn’t exist.

If you want to do something more than just praying (which isn't very helpful), you can donate to the Red Cross. It's a pretty reliable institution and certainly will send useful material instead of Bibles.

Also, if you feel like donating to a secular humanist, you can do so to Ayelet H. Fogel, who happens to be a friend of a friend. I just sent her $30.00.

On how many ways might religion endanger life?

So far we have:
- Murders for blasphemy
- Murders for homosexuality
- Murder for religious differences
- Attacks on women’s reproductive choices

Now, most of these ways religion affects our lives directly. And I’m not counting the ways it makes our lives harder, at least for those who like to live in a fair and free society. Religion seems to demand all of these from its followers, and while some might want to deny so, arguing that “those actions go against the coran/bible/whatever”, their word is as truthful as that of the most ardent fanatics.

Let’s also consider the way religious parents indoctrinate their kids into following the same nonsense they believe. We have already seen the Jesus Camp video, and fortunately society is in some ways realizing how harmful it can be to grow up in a religious home. Of course, believers are not very happy:

Christian foster couple lose 'homosexuality views' case



Eunice and Owen Johns, 62 and 65, from Derby, said the city council did not want them to look after children because of their traditional views.

The pair, who are Pentecostal Christians, say they were "doomed not to be approved".

The High Court ruled that laws protecting people from sexual discrimination should take precedence.

It’s funny to see a black couple complaining that the court won’t let them discriminate against another minority. I think I can sue then if I ever want to adopt a kid and tell him “Niggers are bad, don’t get near them”. See? By now many of you are already outraged that I used such a hateful word. For this, I think, society is moving forward. The less kids grow up in strongly religious families, less bigots society will harbor in the future.

As the icing of the cake, let’s consider how some religious groups will shun medical treatment because of their faith. Yeah, a totally (and literally) insane attitude. But, being a little bit cynical, we can think, “that’s ok, they’ll die faster”. But that’s not entirely true. Those kind of cases certainly can harm us:

Measles Scare Hits 3 U.S. Airports

Thousands of passengers may be at risk after a woman who tested positive for measles traveled through airports in Washington, D.C., Denver and Albuquerque last Tuesday.

The C.D.C. says the woman who tested positive was not immunized because of her religion.

I don’t think anyone can force this woman to get vaccinated. But the least think we can do is prohibit her and those without the proper immunization for religious reasons from flying. If there is such a concern about terrorist boarding planes, this is surely something to take into account.

Religion commands us to shut down our reason and simply live by what others, who rely only on authority, tell us. To believe, we have to close our eyes and walk simply by trusting an invisible hand that isn't there, until we reach a cliff and fall off. And yet, many will think that this was done so that we can learn something. Moreover, many times, a believer will drag others who just don't want to be dragged. That's the importance of of speaking against religion.

So you want a War on Christmas...

In the United States there is a widespread idea that there is an ongoing "war on Christmas" waged by atheists and in general, people who prefer a secular government in which every person has the same rights. As usual, this idea is proposed by the whiny religious right (mainly conservative Christians).

Sometimes they will whine about atheists billboards, like this:

"This is the time of year that the secularists, these atheists, choose to assault our Christianity and our religion," says Jeff Field with the Catholic League. "We decided that we're not going to sit by and let that happen." No turning the other cheek this time.

I don't think anyone believes the myths of Romus and Remulus, or Zeus and Hercules becase, well, those are myths. Yet, many get angry at rational people pointing out that this is also a myth. Just because many people like to believe it's real doesn't change that.

Oh, and atheists have been challenging religious nonsense for years. Where do you think a society that respects human rights comes from?


Some other times, Christians will whine at the secularization of Christmas, represented in "Season's Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas", or in the driving away of nativity scenes in public places. They would even make a movie about it:

While Al Bundy thrives in a great progressive show, Jefferson Darcy has descended to this low. Sad, so sad

Conservative Christians like to brag an boast about the constitution, but then tend to forget the establishment clause, which declares that the government can't favor one religion over another, or religion over lack of religion and viceversa. In other words, it can't use our money to put up displays about one religion.

Personally, I have no problem with Christmas and wishing someone else a merry one. Even Richard Dawkins hasn't one. But I'll still might say "Happy Holidays" just for the fun of it.

Of course this won't sit well with many of those want just and only their celebration around, which is why they despise the "Happy Holidays" (which includes everything that is celebrated this season) and prefer "Merry Christmas", which is only one of those celebrations.

Finally, if you want a real "War on Christmas" you might prefer atheists to do something like this:

Hindu fundamentalist attacks on India's Christians mount as Christmas approaches


On December 18, Hindu fundamentalists beat two dozen carolers, including young women, and took them to the police station in a Mumbai suburb, charging that by singing Christmas carols they had insulted Hindus.

Two days earlier, Father Thomas Chirattavayalil, who heads a mission parish at a remote village in the central Madhya Pradesh, was attacked at midnight by masked men who left him seriously injured. On December 12, statues of the Virgin Mary, St. John, and St. Mary Magdalene, were found decapitated and disfigured at a church in the Andra Pradesh state.

Well, that's a war con Christmas. The American atheists haven't done anything except exercise their right to free speech and demanded that the constitution be respected in regard of civil liberties. Why? Because that's the logical thing to do if we want a world in which equality is valued.

And what if I prayed? This is what came out

As an atheist I don't pray. To me it's no different from talking to the air, or to the ceiling if I'm laying on my bed. Since I know it makes no difference in this world, I don't give up to such wishful thinking.

However, I have friends who do pray. I think we all have. One of them is a pastor, a really nice guy who for me is kind of hard to see as the intolerant and narrow-minded bible-thumper that characterizes evangelical Christianity. He never made any negative remark about gays or against evolution (on the other hand, we didn't talked about it either). I don't know if he would consider me a "friend" since it's been a long time since we talked. But I remember him as a nice guy and that's important for me.

Anyway, yesterday I went by his blog (I tend to read him, it kind of helps to know what a pastor thinks) and saw that his newborn son is sick. Not sick like with a cold or even a fever. Sick as in in a hospital, with tubes all around his body and hooked to big machines. That sick.

It doesn't matter how much our worldviews might differ, or how deluded I can consider him to be. I do not like the idea of him (or anyone) having to see his son in such situation. Yet, and as expected, his blogposts are basically prayers to God to give him strength and heal his son. Also, he asks his readers to pray for him. Looks like he truly thinks that would help.

So I thought "If I were to pray, what would I say?" My "prayer" came out kind of like this:

"Hey God. I'm doing this in case you're really up there and really care about what is going on here. So far I have no evidence about your existence, and your fans tend to be assholes, bigoted and intolerant, so you can't blame me for not believing in you. And since I don't believe in you, I don't ask you for anything. Keep that in mind.

However, he does believe in you. He thinks you can help him. Not just him, but his son. He thinks you care about what happens to that baby. So don't disappoint him. He will thank you even if it's doctors who save his kid's life, and if they don't... well, I don't want to think what will happen if they don't. It's going to be horrible to see him suffering the pain of losing a kid. Yet, there are many babies who die, no matter how much they parents prayed or didn't pray. So many innocent people who suffer. And you don't give a shit. So why would you care for this particular life?

He prays to you and he feels strength to keep going, at least that's what he thinks, when the effect of prayer is more like a placebo than anything else. If his kid lives he might become even more of a believer, but anyway, a baby stopped suffering. But if the kid doesn't, he will have two options. First, realize that you don't exist and he has wasted his time believing in you. I would be glad for that, except for the price he will have to pay. No one deserves that. Or second, he can keep living thinking that there is a God who let his kid die. Both ways it sucks for him.

But again, why would you care? You've let many innocents suffer and die horrible deaths. You really don't care, do you? Really if you existed, what an asshole you would be, very akin to those fans of you who remind us how nonsensical it is to worship you. Fuck you for letting those who don't deserve it suffer, and if you don't exist, fuck you anyway.

These are the main things that came to my head when I tried to pray. After I reached the last "fuck you" I laughed and went to sleep. At this point it's almost impossible to think of an all-powerful being who cares about us without either finding that idea ridiculous or getting angry.

UPDATE:

Well, Today December 24 my friend the pastor had to see his son be disconnected from the machine that kept him alive. After many week of anguish and of seeing that child fight between life and death, science could do nothing.

But what about God? If we had to believe in it, he was like a millionaire who sees his son asking him for help to cure his grandson. The millionaire has the capacity, but will just let that kid live for a couple of weeks, and then let him die.

Yet, my friend the pastor prays and asks for strength for him and for his wife. I won't be the asshole who asks "where is your God now?" actually I don't think there is someone so inhumane who says that. However, it's saddening to see such a good person suffering such a horrible pain and yet, thinking that there is a god who listens to him. If there is, he just didn't care. As usual.

Facebook and USB ports: Satan's tools

If there is something that characterizes protestant christianity is that it has a lot of freedom when its pastors address his followers. It's not like in the Catholic Church, in which the priest has to go along with the decisions made in The Vatican.

Among protestants, where the Bible is the word of God, this can be interpreted in thousands of way so that they adjust to the pastor's ideals. Moreover, the pastor has the freedom to say more without having to report to anyone.

That's why that, even though we see outrageous ideas in the Catholic Church, it's the protestant churches that give us the most nonsensical ones. For example:

USB - Satan's Data Connection

El Evangelical Christians in Brazil have banned the use of USB connections after claiming the technology is the mark of Satan worshippers.

Measures were taken so that all the USB connections of his followers were exchanged for common connections and even the Bluetooth (sic), which according to Saldanha Welder is permitted, for "Blue was the color of the eyes of our savior Jesus Christ".

El símbolo del demonio

So, now you know that, according welder, the flash drive you use to move files from one computer to another, give music files to your friend, or hide your porn or chat logs, carries the symbol of Satan and those of us who use it, are Devil worshippers.

It's also worth mentioning that Welder alleges that the Blue tooth is holier because it has Jesus' eyes color. I don't know what's more shocking, if the idea of someone that knows Jesus' eye color, or the relationship this might have with Blue tooths. But, this is a pastor, what can we expect?

Which one do you think lived in Galilee 2000 years ago?

Now, this could be something anecdotic and funny. But there is another dimension to this kind of news. This pastor, like most of those who say carry the word of God, talk with such certainty that it is God talking through them. These people really believe what they say. If it were up to them, all of us would believe that too, since their words would take us to salvation through Christ. It doesn't matter if is pure nonsense, pulled from the paranoia that the Devil is everywhere. It's still the word of God.

But there is more. This week it seemed like technology had a fight with God.

Pastor to his church: Thou shal not Facebook

Facebook and adultery seem to go hand in hand, according to the Rev. Cedric Miller of Neptune, N.J.

So, on Sunday, Miller is going to ask his congregation at Living Word Christian Fellowship to delete their Facebook accounts, the Associated Press reported.

Miller told the AP that, over the last six months, 20 couples at his church have run into marital problems after a spouse reconnected with a former love interest on Facebook..

A "poke" can lead you to adultery. Facebook Cat knows it.

If we followed this reasoning, we would have to prohibit every occasion to be adulterers, whether it is at work or other places to relate to the opposite sex. Facebook it's just a tool for people to socialize we can't keep up with what's going on with others. Much has been written about Facebook but it is undeniable that it has influenced on our lives and to shut that part of our society is to pretend continue in the middle ages.

Something religious people might be very pleased to do.

I guess this pastor focuses on Facebook because he himself had an opportunity to be unfaithful thanks to the social network. But the problem just belongs to this pastor, not to the rest. If someone wants to have an affair, he or she will, regardless if it is online or offline.

But, wait, the Friendly Atheist reports that this pastor's affair was not just a threesome, but a fourthsome.

Anyway, these two cases show how nonsensical can pastors be when they say they preach the word of God and guiding people to Him. These two are to be seen as big frauds. And, considering the evidence, most pastors will fall into that category.

Fundies... fundies everywhere. Even at Disney

A couple of days ago I went to Disney with some friends. It was a nice day in which I had thought about forgetting everything related to religious nonsense. But when we were arriving at Disney we found this:



At Disneyland? Seriously? I know, they have their freedom of speech and they can stand wherever they want and say whatever nonsense they believe in. But besides that, this made me think that the zealotry these Christians have is in no way comparable to the way we non-believers present us to the world. We might blog, we might form college clubs, we might host local meetings, we might write and sell books, and nowadays, put ads in buses and billboards. all of those, actions believers have been doing for years. But we hardly will behave as attention-whores and stand in a corner, or worse, go knocking on doors to proselytize.

Which, by the way, reminds me of the Jehova's Witness' publication in which they complain about atheists being vocal in their lack of believe. I think anyone can see the irony in the fact that a group that knocks on your door to talk you into their cult, complains about atheists saying "we exist".

Stuff like that tend to remind me that I'm in the rational side of the river.

When God loses an election II: Nevada & Delaware

We already talked about Brazil and its liberal candidate winning despite Ratzinger’s opposition. Today we have something similar: US congress elections.


In this race there were two candidates that were playing the “God” card. Sharron Angle in Nevada and Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, both of them babbling bigotry and nonsense inspired in their belief in loving celestial father. Fortunately, both of them lost the election.

In Nevada, Sharron Angle, the Tea Party-endorsed Republican candidate lost to Harry Reid. This is very interesting, considering that Angle, when asked why she entered the race, she said that "the reason is a calling."

"When God calls you he also equips you and He doesn't just say, 'Well today you're going to run against Harry Reid,'" the tea party favorite said.

It seems that God doesn’t have the power to support the candidates He endorses. That, or Ms. Angle is just deluded and is hearing voices in her head, which apparently, happens to many of those who say God talks to them.

But there is more. Angle also stated that if a woman was raped, it’s because God wanted it and she shouldn’t have an abortion. Furthermore, she stated that a pregnancy after a rape is similar to having lemons and therefore, the opportunity to make lemonade.

She also supports the right of religious leaders making political endorsements and, of course, opposes gay marriage.

Lovely woman, isn’t her? The typical arrogant fundamentalist who thinks he or she can understand the will of a supernatural being whose existence they can’t prove, and use that “understanding” to further a conservative agenda. Now, after losing, she shuns the media, aparently protecting her ego from being reminded that, well, she lost.


So that was Ms. Angle losing in Nevada. But there was also O’Donnell losing in Delaware. While I didn’t pay much attention to O’Donnell it’s not that I didn’t have material for doing so. First of all, let’s go back in time and remember her views on… well, “self-pleasure”



First of all, you know that when “Savior” and ‘Truth are together in a sentence or phrase, we are approaching a huge pile of manure. This is no exception. “God says…”, “The Bible says…”, “God’s appropriate context”, “pure hearts, not adulterous hearts”, and “lust is committing adultery”. Seriously, not even my grandma, I think. But well, if she wants to have a traumatized sexual life, it’s her problem.

Now, her stupidity was confirmed when she failed to understand evolution:


O’Donnell: ‘Why Aren’t Monkeys Still Evolving Into Humans?’

O’DONNELL: You know what, evolution is a myth. And even Darwin himself –

MAHER: Evolution is a myth?!? Have you ever looked at a monkey!

O’DONNELL: Well then, why they — why aren’t monkeys still evolving into humans?

A real idiot, isn't her? But well, the US constitution gives its people the freedom to be idiots. But when she tries to run for office and represent a group of people with views like these…

Christine O'Donnell: Homosexuality an 'Identity Disorder'

Delaware GOP Senate Candidate Struggles to Portray Mainstream Image on Sexual Values

"People are created in God's image. Homosexuality is an identity adopted through societal factors. It's an identity disorder," she told Wilmington News Journal reporter Victor Greto.

... then we know we are talking about a bigoted person who uses her nonsensical beliefs to support her bigotry. Especially when…

Homosexuality has been considered a normal variation of human sexuality for nearly four decades. The American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association both declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in the early 1970s.

But I think, her biggest "jackass" has been her relationship with witchcraft and how hard she tried to deny it. She even made an ad addressing the issue, which was needed because her voter base were certainly aren't tolerant people who don't care about the candidates beliefs.

These are the people who run with a self-proclaimed endorsement from God. Arrogant, callous, deluded, bigoted, manipulative, ignorant, and proud of such ignorance. While this election has been big for conservatives in general, I am please to see these fundamentalists bite the dust. Hopefully one day we won’t even will have to hear about them.

When “conservative leader” means “callous asshole who doesn’t care about others”

A couple of days ago was reported a case in which a couple who had been making fun of a 7 year-old girl with a deadly disease, had been harassed and threatened, in solidarity with the girl’s family.

The way people showed their discontent with the couple’s action may bot have been the best, but the support for the suffering child is obvious. You would think that normal people tend to have that sympathy for those who suffer, right?

Well, now consider that in the last days, five gays have killed themselves because of bullying. While bullying is actually part of most teenager’s life, a suicide means that it has gone too far. You would think that normal people would feel empathy and speak against it, or at least, say nothing.

But conservative leaders are not such people.

DeMint addresses conservative issues at Spartanburg church rally

[Senator] DeMint said if someone is openly homosexual, they shouldn't be teaching in the classroom and he holds the same position on an unmarried woman who's sleeping with her boyfriend — she shouldn't be in the classroom.

“(When I said those things,) no one came to my defense,” he said. “But everyone would come to me and whisper that I shouldn't back down. They don't want government purging their rights and their freedom to religion.”

So, regardless of gay teenagers killing themselves after suffering bullying, there are still those who will encourage his followers to discriminate gays, just for being gays (women in the way, too).

Moreover, he cites his right to “freedom of religion”, as if that were a reason to hate someone else.

I am tempted to think it is. Christianity has made it very clear that hatred against gays is not wrong, that it is actually in the bible (even though Jesus never said anything about it) and that judgment, punishment and discrimination are not wrong if it is against something God supposedly also hates.

But he is not the only one. David Barton, an evangelical Christian minister and Republican political activist proposed “regulating homosexuality” by saying…

So if I got to the Centers for Disease Control and I'm concerned about health, I find some interesting stats there and this should tell me something about health.

Homosexual/bi-sexual individuals are seven times more likely to contemplate or commit suicide. Oooh, that doesn't sound very healthy.

Homosexuals die decades earlier than heterosexuals. That doesn't sound healthy.

Nearly one-half of practicing homosexuals admit to 500 or more sex partners and nearly one-third admit to a thousand or more sex partners in a lifetime.

These people are so hateful they would not consider that these gays killed themselves after a long time of suffering, caused by bigots, just like themselves. In their idiotic mind, gays deserve to be shunned and harassed and if they feel bad about it, it’s their own fault.

These two came after the gays suicides. We also have Christine O’Donnell, candidate for Delaware, stating that Homosexuality is an identity disorder, or Sharron Angle, a congress candidate for Nevada, say that gays should not adopt children (even though the American Psychological Association find no problem in that).

Last but not least, is Focus on the Family, which states that School Anti-bullying programs push a gay agenda. If what this group seeks isn't the unpunished harassing of gay teenagers, I don't know what they seek.

All these people base their hateful views on their Christian faith.

This is why I cannot support the Republican Party in the US. While their economic views are not totally repulsive to me, their stand on social issues is repulsive and despicable. Republicans and social conservatives tend to throw reason and tolerance throw the window in order to keep their dogmas in power. Maybe that’s what Jesus do.

On the other hand, this is what caring people do:



Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet play a gay couple in ABC's comedy "Modern Family". Ferguson is gay, but Eric not. Yet, they both understand how painful it might be to be gay in a society that hates them, in many cases, for no more reason than ancient beliefs.

Others who (unexpectedly) also support gays' rights, are Cindy and Megan McCain, wife and daughter of John McCain. Who would have thought so, right? If these two can understand that gays are as much of humans as everyone else, then I think there is still hope for the world.

Finally, pictures of Meghan McCain. Because she is hot.

The burning of the Quran and the waters of common sense

Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you. - Yoda

For almost a month a pastor in Florida has been threatening to burn the Quran in remembrance of 9/11 and with the sole purpose of pissing Muslims off.



Now, let's get something straight here. Just because this pastor is a bigoted and hateful fucktard, it doesn't mean he is not a Christian. He believes in God and recognizes Jesus as his savior, and all the hateful things he does are done in the name of God. Under that category also falls his signs against the openly gay major.


Very, very christian attitude

Now, while I oppose to this burning, I certainly recognize that this pastor has the right to do so. As far as I know, there is nothing that prohibits him from burning books. It makes him an astronomical level asshole, but just that. Exactly like the people who want to build the so-called mosque near Ground Zero. Of course, there might be laws against burning big stuff in the open, or maybe against burning something with ink, but I haven't heard of that so far.

By now you must be thinking, what is the difference between opposing a Christian pastor to burn the Quran, and opposing the Muslim community building their community center near Ground Zero?

The burning of the Quran is meant to offend all muslims for something few did. It's a similar case when muslim extremists pretend to wage war against all Americans, or all Western society in response to the American occupation in their countries.

It's even similar to protest trade agreements or immigration laws by burning the American flags. Those who do that hold innocent people responsible for the acts of others. Which is bullshit. The have the right to do it, but it is still bullshit.


On the other hand the islamic community center is not aimed to offend anyone. There are some who get offended, but their reason to do so is that they consider all muslims responsible of what happened in 9/11. That's just a stereotype, fueled by fear, anger, hatred and that -as Yoda says - leads to suffering.

Fortunately, the bullshit has stopped and common sense has won. After Obama asked the pastor to stop this plan, he did it, and agreed to meet with the Imam who is behind the construction of the 9/11 center. I have no idea of how that dialogue will end, but any dialogue is a good start.

And here is another thing I like to point out. When the announce was made, there were many who came out to say "Thank God!". Interestingly, it was because of God that this pastor was doing all this. I said this and received a response saying that "Well, God knew all this was going to happen before we did"

Under that reasoning, then God also knew of 9/11, and did nothing to stop it. What a dick.

I won't be saying "Thank God" regarding this case. If there is anyone to thank for this, that one is Obama.

“If he’s listening, I just hope he understands that what he’s proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans,” Mr. Obama said in an interview shown Thursday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” referring to to Mr. Jones.

“As a practical matter, as commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan,” the president said.

It feels good to have a president with such common sense. If the Muslim fanatics want to be violent enough to hold all of us responsible for what we did, let them be. We will support our measures to prevent that. But that doesn't mean we are going to behave in the same way as they do. I still think that in the United States we are not that retarded.

I have a Quran and a Bible at home. I would never burn them. On the contrary, I read them and conclude once and again of how stupid religion can be.

Again, why was separation of church and state important? Well, take a look at Iran

I don't know why this is even an issue in the US and the western world. Church and state don't mix well together. Religion often regards unquestionable faith as a virtue, and a state that has the power to enforce such unquestionability from its citizens is no more than a totalitarian state. It's that easy.

Yet, we can't stop hearing from conservatives who want to "put God back in the schools, in the courts and in the government", as if that were a good thing. That's one of the dangers of the religious thinking, which portrays itself as a source of good and nothing else, even when spouting anti-scientific views or bigoted and discriminatory attitudes.

Want God in the state, and religion to be used to convert this in a "Christian nation"? Take a look at Iran and how they deal with that:

Iran Launches New Crackdown On Universities

The Iranian government says it will restrict the number of students admitted to humanities programs at universities, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.

It follows criticism of humanities studies last year by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He called the humanities a field of study that "promotes skepticism and doubt in religious principles and beliefs," and that it was worrying that almost two-thirds of university students in Iran were seeking degrees in the humanities.

That is what religious leaders fear the most: Education. The more educated the people is, the less power the churches have. It's that easy.

Imagine if fucking Pat Robertson were the president of the US.
That's what the Iranians have to deal with

The Ayatollah is correct in one thing: humanities promotes skepticism and doubt in religious principles and beliefs. Those who study that need to view the world from an objective point of view, something very hard to do when having one's mind bound by outdated religious beliefs.

That Ayatollah and other religious leaders must be scared shitless of losing their power. Imagine that, people getting an education and challenging what they have been taught. That's dangerous!

Now, you might say that something like that would never happen in the western world. You may want to think that such disregard for education is something that only Islam can have. Yes, Islam can get very unscientific and totalitarian, and its adherents are more likely to go crazy for any reason. But Christianity is not very different. In 1925, Tennessee passed the “Butler Act”, which made it unlawful to deny the creation of man as written in the Bible. The law remained there until 1967, when it was challenged by the ACLU, an organization that the religious right dislikes a lot. Guess why.

But that wasn't the last we heard from creationism in schools, or, in other words, religious views imposed in state affairs (such as education). Earlier this year the Texas Board of Education approved the motion to study "all sides" of the theories regarding how we came to be. That puts creationism side-by-side with evolution. To the simple-minded, that might sound fair. But not for scientists, who actually know that creationism is no more than junk-science, compared to the theory of evolution.

Add to that other "faith-based" initiative that religious conservatives want to push in national policies, such as reproductive rights (against), sexual education (against), stem-cell research (against), gay rights (against, what else?) or freedom of religion for other religions (against, of course).

The nutjob at the left and all of those who think like him have no idea what they are talking about.

That is the kind of crazy shit we get when we put "God" (actually, its fans) in power. Iran, that's what we get. I'm sorry for the Iranian people who really want to get and education and understand the world, but, your religious government sucks. Seriously.

Scott Pilgrim vs the Religious Right

Yes, the title is a reference to that movie that just came out, I think, last weekend. Yes, I know, it was kind of silly, but had lots of geek references that made it funny. Also, I had a cute girl with me, so it was a good time.

So, yes, I enjoyed the movie. However, the guys from CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) didn’t



First of all, let us know who are those talking. CBN is a network founded by one of the biggest Christian assholes, Pat Robertson, who is well know for blaming Haiti’s "pact with the Devil" for the quake they had at the beginning of the year. Focus on the Family on the other hand, is an organization founded by James Dobson, which purpose is to “nurture and defend the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide”, such as school prayer, corporal punishment, opposition to abortion, feminism, porn and gambling, and of course, demonization of homosexuality.

Ok, so we know the sponsors are world-class bigots. But let’s forget about that and pay attention to the message

The newscaster says “beware of the anti christian messages out there”. So, there must be some movies that say very clear that Christianity is a bad thing, or Christians are just mindless sheep, or stuff like that, right? Well, check it out:



Well, no. If you see what the “Plugged in” guy says, it’s all about the fact that Ramona (the main female character in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) has had a girlfriend. Add to that, the fact that Scott’s roommate is gay.

Look at the far right. That was the problem

Apparently, that makes it unfit for 13-year olds, because, well, no 13-year old knows that gays and lesbians exist. Or, if they do, they should now that their way of loving is, wrong, evil, and, anti-christian.

I think I have stated it before, that I have no problem with people believing whatever they want to believe. The problem comes when “different” becomes “anti”; when “different” becomes the enemy. I might not care much if this were just one bigotted redneck talking in his mobile home, but that’s not the case.

We are talking about these views in a broadcasting network, with millions of people watching, founded by “respectable” members of our society, despite their bigoted and anti-scientific views. Yes, I say “anti scientific”, because, gays are not evil, Haiti’s quake had its origin in plaque tectonics and the Earth is not 6000 years old.

Then there are two other reviews that I don’t care much about. “Eat, Pray, Love” sounds like a chick-flick that doesn’t get my attention, but, by the comments of that guy, is “anti christian” because Julia Roberts tries to find the “divinity within herself”, and because it “asks the right questions” but answers them in the wrong way, meaning, not in the Christian way. Because, well, for these guys, anything that is not Christian, is anti-Christian. It’s “new agy” and that gets them worried, because someone might want to think differently. It says that we are “spiritually divine” and that is sad and scary, for these Christians. “An anti-christ message”

Please, wake me up when it's finished

Finally, “The Expendables”. Obviously, it’s not a family film, but apparently not even christian grown-ups should see it, since it receives a “thumbs down”. Maybe that “born again” thing leaves them being children forever. See how easy is for children to believe in Santa Claus, or the Tooth Fairy? Yeah, like that.

California says NO to bigotry, intolerance, and h8. Teh Gay can marry

Well, not exactly. It's not "California" meaning "the people of California" but actually a judge declaring that Proposition 8, which prohibited gays of getting married, unconstitutional

Judge strikes down Prop. 8, allows gay marriage in California



In a long-awaited ruling, Judge Vaughn Walker says the ban on same-sex marriage violates constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. The decision is expected to reach the Supreme Court.

To most rational people, it's pretty obvious that Proposition 8 and any law that takes away rights from a certain group of people violates equal protection and due process. In fact, it violates equality, a value that has had to be fought and defended through the years, whether we are talking about natives, blacks, latinos or Japaneses.

Walker cited extensive trial evidence to support his finding that there was not even a rational basis for excluding gays and lesbians from marriage. Higher courts defer to trial judges on issues of fact, but still could determine that Walker was wrong on the law.

Here I want to emphasize the "rational basis" part. Exactly, there is nothing rational about denying gays (or any other human groups) the same rights others enjoy. The only basis under such position is takes is irrational. And, yes, I'm talking in great part about religion.

What? you thought this had nothing to do with religion? Even with the Mormons backing up Prop 8 from the beginning? Even with the religious right always portraying gays, in the best of cases, as sick people, and in the worst, as demon possessed? Come on, someone needs to point this out. Most politically-correct liberals will try to avoid touch the religion string, fearing being called "intolerant of others beliefs". Well, that's one reason so many people regard liberals as pussies.

Well, going back to the issue. Since there is no rational basis to oppose gay marriage, there should be rational basis to approve, right? Well, according to the American Psychological Association:

There is no scientific basis for distinguishing between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples with respect to the legal rights, obligations, benefits, and burdens conferred by civil marriage.

This is the conclusion of a document used in courts and issued by the APA. If you want, you can read the whole document, which is written in an English easy enough for the average person to understand. Of course, bigotry and intolerance makes it more difficult to understand these documents more than any flaw in the educational system or a bad English an immigrant could have.


If you don't want to look through the whole document, you can check the APA section on Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality.

Be warned, what you will read is something you will likely hear from most liberals. Conservatives (I mean, social conservatives, a.k.a. Christian Right) will dismiss that saying that it's just liberals talking. Even if it's coming from the most prestigious association of psychologists, this is, scientists who have made all the research possible on the issue before making a statement.

But, when has it been a problem for conservatives to dismiss scientific knowledge when it goes against their own faith-based bigotry?

Now, there is another issue that bigo... I mean, Prop 8 supporters are making the case about. Prop 8 was put in the ballot some time ago, meaning that the people could choose whether to approve it or not. By declaring it unconstitutional, the judge is dismissing the 7 million votes that were in favor of Prop 8.

That seems to be a big problem in the US, the idea that "Teh govament" is taking away "the people's rights", in this casse, by forsaking the opinion of a big chunk of the Californian population.

The problem is that here we have the opinion of a lot of people against what scientists say is normal. You see the difference? Those who oppose gay marriage are either ignorant about what science says about it, or even knowing it, they cling to their bigotry, again, in many cases supported by religious ideas. In other words, we either have ignorant or stupid people voting against it.

I praise the fact that a judge had the bravery to oppose them and say that "according to the evidence, THIS is right and this is what should be done".

That's why I support atheism. Because it uses science as its main weapon, and thanks to scientific advancement we can actually know about ourselves, about humanity and then take the steps necessary to make this a better world.

Here a short video from CNN:



So, yeah, as you heard, this is going to be appealed. The war for equality is not over. Finalmente, y por si queda alguien que quiera argumentar que la homosexualidad es inmoral según la biblia, pues este video explica lo que realmente es "moral" según la biblia.

A call from God? No, Mrs. Angle, that's called schizophrenia

Why, republicans, why? Why is it so hard to make politics in a clear, intelligent way, instead to appeal to the religious retards who will follow anything that has the label "God" in it?

Sharron Angle says her race against Harry Reid is a calling from God

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Republican Sharron Angle says her campaign to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada is "a calling" from God and that her faith is helping her endure a fiercely competitive race in which Democrats have depicted her as a conservative extremist.

"When you have God in your life ... he directs your path," Angle told the Christian Broadcasting Network in an interview posted on its website Wednesday.

Asked why she entered the race, Angle said "the reason is a calling."

"When God calls you he also equips you and He doesn't just say, 'Well today you're going to run against Harry Reid,'" the tea party favorite said.

This is not a political blog and yet, I've written three times about this woman. A calling for God? Is she crazy? What does that mean? That God spoke to her, like, in a dream? This is either serious schizophrenia or just pure arrogance that pushes Angle to say she is little less than "the chosen one".

Since this is a blog about religion, I try to keep it separated from political shenanigans. Unfortunately religion has a lot to do with politics as it serves as a way to control those religious enough to love being sheep under a so-called shepherd. While I consider myself a liberal, this is mostly related to social issues (gay rights, abortion, etc). Economic policy is something I might agree with the right. However, it's hard to feel akin to a party whose candidates will go as far as declaring they are "in God's side".

How easy would it be for the liberals to also say "Jesus would help the poor", "Jesus wouldn't be at war" or stuff like that? I would be dick move, but might work. I would hate it, of course. It would be to appeal to those who can't think for themselves and prefer to mindlessly follow a shepherd.

If Angle wins she will be little less than those crazy Muslim leaders who do whatever they see fit "in the name of Allah"

Angle, a Southern Baptist, has called herself a faith-based politician who prays daily. Among her positions, she opposes abortion in all circumstances, including rape and incest.

Really? Well, the nutjobs who flew the planes towards the Twin Towers were also "faith based". As for abortion and rape, well, we already know her stances. That is where a true christian stands, right? Nice, very, very nice. So full of love and comprehension. What a joke.

Here, check the video. Try not to puke in your mouth

"It's God's plan, bitch, as easy as lemons. Don't you try to keep your life as normal as you would like"

Remember that despicable woman who said that a rape victim should not abort because it went against God's will?. Well she refuses to back off and act like a considered human being.

Sharron Angle's Advice For Rape Victims Considering Abortion: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

"There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life no matter what it's location, age, gender or disability. So whenever we talk about government and government's role, government's role is to protect life and that's what our Founding Father said, that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

[...]

"I think that two wrongs don't make a right. And I have been in the situation of counseling young girls, not 13 but 15, who have had very at risk, difficult pregnancies. And my counsel was to look for some alternatives, which they did. And they found that they had made what was really a lemon situation into lemonade."

As easy as that. If you get raped, just have the baby. It is an opportunity, as much as having lemons is an opportunity to make lemonade. Seriously, can someone in their right mind get more cynical than this? She almost makes it sound as if rape were a good thing.

Angle, who is a republican (what else?) candidate for congress, talks of her own heart-warming experience. Good for you, and for the victim of rape who had to receive your advise. But that is it. Personal experience is hardly useful, given the huge amount of "personal experiences" several people can have. That is a bit of a problem in the United States: people are overrated. They tend to think that their opinions are valid for everyone else. Someone needs to stand up and say "I'm sorry, but that is bullshit."

Women who get abortion don't do it because they like to get them. It is already a hard decision, and in the case of rape, a hard decision after a traumatic experience. If we as a society cannot stop that, the least we can do is to provide all the tools and methods available for the victims.

Finally, the God's plan. I usually tend to mock on this because of the nonsensical nature of the plan. I already explain that a God that plans for a rape to happen is a huge asshole. But in the hypothetical case that it had a plan, would we know? Seriously, how would people know that God has a plan, and furthermore, what that plan is? Exactly, no one knows.

But, wait, there are some who know, or at least claim to know. Religious people, especially religious and conservative leaders. They will tell us what God plan is, a plan that usually suits their intolerant, homophobic and misogynistic agenda. These people will brag to the four winds that the know God's plan and consider themselves real, true believers. What a bunch.

I don't know if there is a God or not. But if there is, and he is all those people say about him, I prefer hell.

Crimes are wrong... unless they are made in the name of God, right?

Don't you love it when you get to see mainstream Christian's true colors? Don't you feel good to see that those who brag about loving the neighbor are just as, or even more bigoted than the average person? Isn't it reassuring that we are in the right path?

So, some days ago, this billboard was put up:



Pretty nice, I have to say. An excerpt from the Pledge of Allegiance before the "Under God" was added during the 50s. Very harmless, also, much less than the original ad that inspired the campaign.

Of course, this won't please Christians or other believers. It's not designed to do that. But I think that no matter how displeasing something is, I don't have the right to deface it or vandalize it, just because I don't like. Apparently someone doesn't think the same. After a few days, the billboard looked like this:



Very nice. So, if you don't like what it says, just scrawl something on it, it will make the message right. Because, well, God will be pleased that someone is committing crimes to defend Him from those who don't believe in it.

Now, someone could argue that such reasoning is just something I made up in my "atheist mind" to bad mouth "real christians". I'm sorry to tell you, but, no.

First came the nutjobs from the Institute of Creation Research:

While vandalism should not be condoned, these recent events shed light on what some Americans will do when they feel that their freedom of speech is threatened. An atheist spokesman in North Carolina said their message is needed to “let people know we exist and that there’s a community here.”

Yet he failed to mention the concerted effort of atheist groups to stop religious Americans from freely exercising their religion. Not content with having the freedom themselves to worship or not as they see fit, militant atheists increasingly seek to shackle the beliefs of their fellow citizens through their own distorted interpretation of “separation of church and state.”

It is perhaps not surprising that some of those fellow citizens object.

So, what we have is a "yes but no" attitude that puts the blame on atheists for making efforts in speaking up. Maybe we should just stay at home and not speak of our non-belief. If we were to follow that reasoning, then I think we can go to that creationist museum and burn it down. Or go to someone who says evolution is not real and kick the crap out of him, because, well, he was asking for it.

But I'm not like that. Maybe the creationists, in their belief that their god created everything, and that such belief must be imposed by reason or force, will do it.

But there is more. Remember Mike Huckabee? The pastor who was running for president and won the republican (what else?) primaries in the redneck states? Well, this is what he said:

If people want to spend their money to tell everyone they don’t believe in God, the joy, beauty, and incredible greatness of America is that we let them do it and don’t shoot them for it… What I would hope is that people who believe, as I do, in the power of Jesus Christ like I do would put 10 billboards for every one like that.

Would it have been to fucking hard to say the vandalism shouldn't have happened? Wouldn't it have been gentlemanly to say so, even if one doesn't think so? Does this fucktard needs so desperately to appeal to his followers that he just passes the issue away and instead, hopes for something that already happens? Because, go along the road (especially in the South) and you will see much more church billboards and Jesus billboards, not to mention those put on the side of trucks.

And finally, from World Nut Daily, a columnist praises the vandalism saying it is her kind of vandalism:

Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I'll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it's about time the shoe was on the other foot. When asked about the vandalism, William Warren, the spokesman for Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics, said, "It was done by one or two people off on their own who decided their only recourse was vandalism rather than having a conversation." Hmm. That's interesting, because the Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics felt its only recourse was to deliberately insult those who understand the importance of "Under God."

So, and excerpt from the Pledge of Allegiance is insulting? Is this girl serious? Really, you can recite the Pledge as much as you want, but to tell others how to do it by vandalizing a piece of freedom of speech is just overstepping boundaries. If you want, go put your own billboard, with "Under God" in big letters. But do you really want to vandalize it?

I don't know if would be capable to just "let it slip" if I saw someone who supported this kind of vandalism being beaten or raped. I think I appreciate humanity too much to do that without, at least, being outraged.

However, Christians, mainstream christians, christians who have lots of followers and who brag about their being so righteous would. Thank you guys. Thank you for making us non-believers understand that as much as others thing we are assholes, we can't get to your God-inspired assholery.

Thanks to the Friendly Atheist, who have been following the case.

Northern Ireland has retards too

So you thought the United States was the only country with a big chunk of its population stupid enough to disregard scientific facts in order to legitimize their beloved myths?

Well, think again:

Northern Ireland minister calls on Ulster Museum to promote creationism

Northern Ireland's born-again Christian culture minister has called on the Ulster Museum to put on exhibits reflecting the view that the world was made by God only several thousand years ago.

Nelson McCausland, who believes that Ulster Protestants are one of the lost tribes of Israel, has written to the museum's board of trustees urging them to reflect creationist and intelligent design theories of the universe's origins.

I come from a very poor South-American country which education is not great, so I may consider that the number in my country might not be different. But here we a re talking about the United States of America, the land of the free and the brave. I guess it doesn't say "of the well educated."

Norther Ireland, being part of the United Kingdom, doesn't sound like a poor country with serious education problems. Yet, it manages to have idiots like McCausland trying to push his myth-based ideas in public. Is this a joke? Is this guy a "culture minister"?

Really, I have no problems with whatever you want to believe. Praise to whoever you want, wear whatever you want (unless it's a matter of public security), put whatever you want around your neck, stop eating whatever you want. Really. But pushing beliefs that have no scientific support in public policy is total stupidity. Are these people THAT willing to believe in their myths so that they can get to compromise public education?

Nice painting. Really. It belongs in a church, or in an art gallery, or maybe in an art museum. But NEVER in am exhibition about natural history, contrasting it to evolution.

Imagine I come to you and tell you that men came out from the Titicaca Lake (located between Peru and Bolivia). That Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo (man and woman) came out from the lake and were sent by their father, the Sun God to found an empire. Imagine I tell you I truly believe this, as a fact.

It's exactly the same sensation I get when someone tells me that "God created man in six days, just thousands of years ago". Pure bullshit.

Pray, for goddamn's sake...

Yeah, today is supposedly "National Day of prayer."



And it's not just something people feel like doing for the sake of it. It's kind of an official holiday in which even the White House is involved.

Ruling won't stop National Day of Prayer this year

A federal judge declared the law unconstitutional last month, but the Justice Department is appealing the case on behalf of the White House.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb in Wisconsin ruled on April 15 that the 1952 law creating the National Day of Prayer violates the ban on government-backed religion.

"[I]ts sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function," Crabb wrote in the ruling. "In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience."

Obama and his friends are totally free to pray whenever they want, but to do it in a ceremony involving other federal institutions is the government overstepping its boundaries.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

Remember that? It doesn't say "or prohibiting the free exercise using our tax money"

But that won't matter when the objective is to pander to the religious majority.

Oh, and by the way, even if it is not stated that we are only talking about just one religion, some are not going to be happy when it comes to beliefs other than Christianity




Every person has the right to pray whenever and to whoever. Every person has the right to get together and do it together. But while doing it, remember that...

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).

It's just 9 in the morning and I have already seen a couple of people with t shirts regarding the issue. Good thing I don't see scripture as infallible, otherwise, I should be telling them what a hypocrites they are.

Finally, one of the ads that Freedom From Religion Foundation plans to put on some buses:

What do the Boy Scouts and the Catholic Church have in common? - A story of bigotry, rape, and God

I can name three things they both have in common. Trust me you'll like this.

First of all, they don't like atheists. According to the official Boy Scouts web page:

In the Scout Oath, a Scout promises to do his “duty to God,” and in the Scout Law he promises to be “reverent.”

The Boy Scout Handbook (11th ed.) explains a Scouts’ “duty to God” as “Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.”

The Handbook explains “reverent” as “A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.”

All levels of advancement in the Scouting program have requirements recognizing “duty to God”

Therefore, atheists are not welcomed in the Boy Scouts. The Catholic church doesn't like them either. Us, actually.


Second: They don't like homosexuals

The Boy Scouts of America has always reflected the expectations that Scouting families have had for the organization.

We do not believe that homosexuals provide a role model consistent with these expectations.

Accordingly, we do not allow for the registration of avowed homosexuals as members or as leaders of the BSA.

Therefore, they don't accept homosexuals among them. The catholic church, and most of the other christian churches, along with the muslisms, are also intolerant towards gays.

And third and final, the Boy Scouts also like to rape children and cover the abuse cases. Just like the catholic church!

The Boy Scouts of America has long kept an extensive archive of secret documents that chronicle the sexual abuse of young boys by Scout leaders over the years. The "perversion files," a nickname the Boy Scouts are said to have used for the documents, have rarely been seen by the public, but that could all change in the coming weeks in an Oregon courtroom.

This sounds exactly like what has been going on in the catholic church. A priest rapes kids, this superiors know, but they only transfer him. Even the Pope, the goddamn Pope knew about this and did nothing about it:

Some years before, as head of the Vatican body investigating abuse by priests, he argued that accused clergymen should not be handed over to secular authorities. Rather, he wrote confidentially to bishops around the world in 2001, they should first be investigated under utmost secrecy within the church — thereby avoiding public hysteria and second-guessing by the media.

So much for "thou shall not bear false testimony", huh? Yet the Pope feel very comfortable talking against atheists and gays. Such hypocrisy is incredible.

After the release of such news about the Boy Scouts, I'm kind of glad that they don't accept atheists. No atheist will be earning these four Scout achievements: