Archive for the 'Religion' Category

Contraception and Separation

Published 1, February 13, 2012 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Uncategorized 57 Comments

By Mike Appleton, Guest Blogger

In Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man, Stephen Daedalus is asked by his friend Cranly whether, having forsaken Roman Catholicism, he will become a Protestant.  “I said I had lost the faith,” he replied, “but not that I had lost selfrespect.  What kind of liberation would that be to forsake an absurdity which is logical and coherent and to embrace one which is illogical and incoherent?”

But God works, as they say, in mysterious ways.  A black man, accused of being secretly a Muslim, a socialist and an illegitimate pretender to the presidential throne, has accomplished what all of the post-Vatican II reconciliation committees and joint worship services and inter-faith conferences could not.  Rev. Mike Huckabee has declared that Protestants will at last abandon illogic and incoherence.  No longer will the Pope be called the Antichrist, nor Holy Mother Church the Whore of Rome.  Once again, he says, we are all Catholics.  My late Irish grandmother’s faith has been vindicated.

Continue reading ‘Contraception and Separation’

Lying For Jesus: The Abortion/Breast Cancer Link

Published 1, February 12, 2012 Religion , Science 93 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

For those who oppose abortion no tactic is too sleazy. The scare tactic of stopping abortion by linking it with breast cancer was manna from heaven. The visceral fear of breast cancer would present the faithful with a weapon to be wielded with no regard for the facts. The fact that the scientific evidence shows no link between abortion and breast cancer fazed them not.

The recent Komen/Planned Parenthood publicity and Komen’s ties to this woo, has reanimated this long-dead controversy.

Continue reading ‘Lying For Jesus: The Abortion/Breast Cancer Link’

Employment Division v. Smith

Published 1, February 12, 2012 Congress , Constitutional Law , Religion , Supreme Court 19 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has rejected Obama’s contraception compromise, and since House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has called the mandate unconstitutional, it’s a good time to look at what the Supreme Court has decided. A critical case is Employment Division v. Smith (1990) in which J. Scalia wrote the opinion for the 6-3 majority. Although there has been a torrent of invective regarding the Smith decision, I find it well-argued and compelling.

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The National Women’s Law Center Takes a Position on Contraceptive Coverage & “Extreme” Legislation

Published 1, February 11, 2012 Congress , Politics , Religion , Uncategorized 87 Comments

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger

It appears that the Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Republicans are not happy with the change that President Obama made to the health care contraceptive coverage requirement for religious employers. The President’s announcement about the change yesterday initially met with a “reserved response” from the bishops who said it was a “first step in the right direction.” Hours later, however, the bishops issued a statement “blasting the plan.” Along with others, the bishops are calling for Congressional legislation that would reverse the contraceptive policy.

In a blog post earlier today, Judy Waxman, who is Vice President for Health and Reproductive Right at the National Women’s Law Center, expressed her concern about some of the proposed legislation. Waxman wrote that “opponents of birth control in Congress are still focused on taking away access to contraception introducing extreme legislation that threatens health across the board. The pieces of legislation range from allowing any employer, regardless of whether it is a religious entity, to deny coverage of contraception to giving employers the right to refuse coverage of any health care service they find religiously or morally objectionable.”

Igor Volsky of ThinkProgress echoed Waxman’s concern. He reported that Senator Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, is expected to introduce an amendment next week “that would permit any employer or insurance plan to exclude any health service, no matter how essential, from coverage if they morally object to it.

Continue reading ‘The National Women’s Law Center Takes a Position on Contraceptive Coverage & “Extreme” Legislation’

Twitters Arab Winter?

Published 1, February 11, 2012 Columns , Free Speech , International , Media , Middle East , Politics , Religion , Society , Uncategorized 30 Comments

Submitted by Mike Spindell, guest blogger

It has long been my conviction that Saudi Arabia is a bigger player on the world stage than it is given credit for in media reports. The normal Western prejudice viewing this country as a cultural, repressive backwater may be true if one looks at the non-royal Saudi citizenry. However, the Saudi Royal family and its minions are quite sophisticated in worldly matters and for years have skillfully played the game of international politics. Odiously repressive Royals, enforcing an archaic view of Sharia Law, can nevertheless be quite modern and sophisticated in outlook. Everywhere in our current and in our historic world, there have been many examples of a nation’s elite demanding adherence to repressive religious standards, while indulging themselves in what is forbidden.

“WHOWhatWHY” an excellent investigative news site run by Russ Baker, a distinguished investigative journalist, ran an article that caught my attention. This article discussed the fact that most media was diffident and/or silent in reporting that Saudi Prince Walid bin Talal, had invested $300 million in Twitter, a privately held corporation:

“Twitter’s market valuation is something like $10 billion (choose what huge number you prefer). Given that, why would this company, which is all about empowering ordinary people to communicate unfiltered and thereby get control of their lives and their governments, sell a big chunk to a representative of one of the quintessential repressive forces—an element that has a stake in preventing exactly the sort of communication that defines Twitter?” http://whowhatwhy.com/2012/02/02/close-reading-the-saudis-a-twitter-investment-and-the-end-of-arab-spring/

It is common knowledge at this point that Twitter has been the driving force in much of the uprisings now characterized as “The Arab Spring”. With Twitter, government opponents were able to organize their ranks/actions and quickly communicate news updates to people who would not be able to get this information from a controlled media. In an oil rich country, such as Saudi Arabia, ruled with an iron fist by the top half of one percent, there is great danger of overthrow by a people poverty stricken in the midst of great opulence. Mr. Baker finds it curious when in the past year Twitter has had an ominous change in policy, at the same time allowing an investment by a member of one of the world’s most repressive regimes. Is this merely coincidence or an indication of an underlying effort to prevent the Saudi Royals from following the fate of other Islamic countries ruled by despots? Continue reading ‘Twitters Arab Winter?’

Top Komen Fundraiser Quits

Published 1, February 11, 2012 Politics , Religion 51 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Eve Ellis, a major fundraiser for Susan G Komen for the Cure, has raised her last dollar for the charity. Ellis calls for the resignation of CEO and founder Nancy Brinker and the nine member board to be replace. In an angry letter, Ellis condemns the decision to end funding for Planned Parenthood’s breast screening as political and misguided.

Continue reading ‘Top Komen Fundraiser Quits’

Islamic Teachers and Students Halt Television Show Over Period Customs Considered Indecent

Published 1, February 10, 2012 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Media , Politics , Religion 12 Comments

Television producers in Egypt have been shooting the novel “Dhat” by Egyptian author Sonallah Ibrahim. The problem is that the novel takes place in the 1970s “when women wore short clothing.” That will not do for professors and students at Cairo’s Ain Shams University who forcibly stopped the shooting because the clothing was indecent during that period. Presumably, they could shoot the film so long the characters are dressed according to current Islamic standards — much like requiring a film on Woodstock to be filmed with women in prairie dresses.

Continue reading ‘Islamic Teachers and Students Halt Television Show Over Period Customs Considered Indecent’

OMG ADIH: Top Saudi Clerics Call For Journalist To Be Put To Death For Blasphemous Tweet

Published 1, February 10, 2012 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Media , Politics , Religion 124 Comments

The top Saudi clerics have found another person to execute for free speech. We have previously seen a number of people accused of blasphemy for brief tweets or Facebook entries or even reading a book or speaking insulting thoughts at prayer. There is now a campaign to execute 23-year-old journalist Hamza Kashgari for a tweet that he sent to Mohammad on his birthday about Kashgari’s faith. There is no evidence that Mohammad is actually one of his followers but Mohammad’s followers are pretty ticked and labelled Kashgari an “apostate” who must be killed for his offense to Islam.

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Prop 8 Decision: Ninth Circuit Rules Same-Sex Marriage Proposition Unconstitutional

Published 1, February 7, 2012 Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court , Uncategorized 40 Comments

The Ninth Circuit has ruled 2-1 in the long-awaited sex-sex marriage case and affirmed the lower court in finding the law unconstitutional. Eighteen months ago former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck down the ban on same-sex marriage. Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote the lengthy opinion below upholding Walker and striking down the law. The Court ruled that “[b]y using their initiative power to target a minority group and withdraw a right that it possessed, without a legitimate reason for doing so, the People of California violated the Equal Protection Clause.”

Continue reading ‘Prop 8 Decision: Ninth Circuit Rules Same-Sex Marriage Proposition Unconstitutional’

Catholic Bishop: Hitler and Mussolini Would Love American Public Schools

Published 1, February 7, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Free Speech , Politics , Religion 151 Comments

The Catholic bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., Bishop Joseph McFadden is being criticized for comments where he compares American public schools to the system that Hitler and Mussolini sought to create. I actually think that part of the criticism of McFadden is misplaced, though he is certainly worthy of criticism. McFadden’s controversial statements follow a call for Catholics to organize against President Obama and his health care program by leading Catholic leaders.

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Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Of Canadian Resident Over Use Of His Photo-Uploading Software

Published 1, February 6, 2012 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Religion , Society 17 Comments

The Iranian Supreme Court has added its authority to the campaign against free speech in the Islamic Republic by upholding the death sentence of Iranian-born Canadian resident Saeid Malekpour, who is charged with “insulting the sanctity of Islam” and “corruption on earth.” Malekpour was arrested while visiting his ailing father because his photo-uploading software was used by a porn website even though it appears to have been done without his knowledge. Citizens around the world have rallied to his side, but the court insisted that Sharia law demands death.

Continue reading ‘Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Of Canadian Resident Over Use Of His Photo-Uploading Software’

Catholics, Contraception & The Heretical 98%

Published 1, February 5, 2012 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 175 Comments

By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Last Sunday, most U.S. Catholics heard a letter read from the pulpit imploring them to oppose the Obamacare provision requiring most healthcare plans to cover contraceptive services for women. The reason given was that Catholic hospitals and universities would have to “shutter their doors”  in order to avoid heresy and be true to the faith. As part of the concerted effort, the chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Religious Liberty announced that the Obama administration’s requirement goes against “the mandate of Jesus Christ.”  Even though the earthly mandate contains an exemption for purely religious organizations, the all-male U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is clearly on the offensive in this politically charged debate about women, privacy, and the right of families to decide for themselves the number of children they can support.

Continue reading ‘Catholics, Contraception & The Heretical 98%’

Federal Court Rules Sister Wives Case Can Go Forward

Published 1, February 3, 2012 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 44 Comments

Despite widespread predictions to the contrary, a federal court in Salt Lake City has ruled that the Sister Wives challenge of the statute anti-polygamy law can go forward and denied the effort to dismiss the lawsuit. The long and detailed ruling of United States District Court Judge Clark Waddoups agreed with our arguments that we have standing to challenge the state law. The standing question has long been discussed as the most significant barrier for the family in seeking a ruling on the merits. Prior such challenges have been denied at the standing stage.

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Study: Drug Addicts May Have Abnormal Brains Prone To Addiction

Published 1, February 3, 2012 Academics , Criminal law , Religion , Society 23 Comments

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have published a startling article in Science Magazine stating that drug addicts may have brain abnormalities that give them a predisposition toward addiction. It could radically change how we view addiction and its causes.

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Paris Appellate Court Upholds Fraud Conviction Against Church of Scientology

Published 1, February 2, 2012 Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 9 Comments

The Church of Scientology has lost another case involving its allegedly fraudulent practices in extracting money from followers. A Paris appellate court has upheld the entirety of a fraud conviction and the fine of hundreds of thousands of euros against the Church of Scientology. The ruling comes at a time when current members have joined former members in challenging the practices of the Church.

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Dutch Politician Proposes Ban On Dogs In Hague As “Unclean” Under Islam

Published 1, February 1, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 45 Comments

We have previously seen stories of the banning or threatening dogs by Muslims who believe that all dogs are “unclean” and an afront to Islam. Now, Hasan Küçük, a Turkish-Dutch representative on The Hague city council for the Islam Democrats, has called for all dogs to be banned from The Hague, the third-largest city in the Netherlands.

Continue reading ‘Dutch Politician Proposes Ban On Dogs In Hague As “Unclean” Under Islam’

Afghan Man Allegedly Strangles Wife For Bearing Him A Girl Rather Than A Son

Published 1, January 30, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 16 Comments

It appears that Henry VIII is alive and well in Afghanistan . . . but not his wife. In another horrendous attack on a woman in that country, police are seeking Sher Mohammad who they say strangled his wife for giving birth to a girl rather than the boy that he wanted. Putting aside the man’s apparent ignorance of the fact that it was he who determined the gender of the child, it is another example of how women in some of these insular Muslim communities are treated as chattel. The man’s mother, Wali Hazrata, is accused of tying the feet of 22-year-old Stori or Estorai. She has been arrested while her son is believed to be with an illegal militia group.

Continue reading ‘Afghan Man Allegedly Strangles Wife For Bearing Him A Girl Rather Than A Son’

Who in Hell is Saul Alinsky?

Published 1, January 28, 2012 Academics , Columns , Free Speech , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 53 Comments

Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger

  I’d actually halfway finished a blog on a different subject today, when I was spun in a different  direction. Thursday night I had done something I never do and watched the Republican Debate in Florida. It was frighteningly enlightening to say the least, but what stood out for me was Newt commenting that our President was a disciple of Saul Alinsky. I thought then “How many people today know who Saul Alinsky was and what he represented?” On last nights Bill Maher’s show, Bill asked the question “Who was Saul Alinsky?” as part of his New Rules segment. This morning in HuffPost, Frank Mankiewicz addressed a variant of the same question: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-mankiewicz/america-meet-saul-alinsky_b_1238953.html

The idea of following heroes to me has always seemed silly, yet there are people whose lives and work I deeply admire and to some sense try to emulate. My first was Clarence Darrow and it is therefore no coincidence that I am a denizen of this blog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Darrow .  Clarence Darrow’s picture is used above because it is in the public realm, while mysteriously Saul Alinsky’s isn’t. Obviously, Saul Alinsky is another person whose life I admire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Alinsky  Alinsky was a radical in his methods, but one who eschewed the doctrinaire self assurance of an ideologue. When asked if he ever considered joining the Communist Party he famously replied”

“Not at any time. I’ve never joined any organization—not even the ones I’ve organized myself. I prize my own independence too much. And philosophically, I could never accept any rigid dogma or ideology, whether it’s Christianity or Marxism. One of the most important things in life is what Judge Learned Hand described as ‘that ever-gnawing inner doubt as to whether you’re right.’ If you don’t have that, if you think you’ve got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated. The greatest crimes in history have been perpetrated by such religious and political and racial fanatics, from the persecutions of the Inquisition on down to Communist purges and Nazi genocide.”

His was a belief that has resonated with me since those radical days in the 60’s, with the Movement, when I was surrounded by and courted by various ideologies, mostly Marxist whose rigidity of thought and party line belief, actually disgusted me. Yet there was Alinsky, the man who literally wrote the book on community organizing, who felt similarly towards ideological rigidity. He was truly an America Patriot, whose guiding idea was to assist downtrodden people to gain power over their lives and give them a chance to decide their fates. Alinsky was a man who achieved great success, if you define success as achieving ones goals. The disdain and demonization again being heaped upon him today comes from the very real threat his methodology has towards the 1% elite and curiously that aim of his was the reinstatement of “The American Dream” of freedom, equality and social justice. Continue reading ‘Who in Hell is Saul Alinsky?’

A Response To Senator Carl Levin: Part II

Published 1, January 27, 2012 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 111 Comments

After my recent column on “Ten Reasons The U.S. Is No Longer The Land Of The Free,” I ran a response to claims made by Senator Carl Levin (D., Mich.) who was the main sponsor of the legislation including the indefinite detention provisions. Levin has now run a letter to the editor in response to my column that I believe is highly misleading and leaves readers with a false impression of both the law and my column.

Continue reading ‘A Response To Senator Carl Levin: Part II’

Getting Moody: Preacher Accused Of Throwing Neighbor’s Cat Off Bridge

Published 1, January 27, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion 21 Comments

Rick Bartlett, pastor of the Bastrop Christian Church in Texas, has been arrested for allegedly throwing a neighbor’s cat, Moody, off a bridge after caging and abandoning the cat for days in his truck.

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Indiana Senate Moves Toward Teaching Of Creationism In Public Schools

Published 1, January 27, 2012 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 41 Comments

The Senate Education Committee of the Indiana Senate has overwhelmingly voted to approve a bill allowing for the teaching of creationism in the state’s public schools. The Sponsor is Senator Dennis Kruse.

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One in Five Young Germans Do Not Know Auschwitz Was A Death Camp

Published 1, January 26, 2012 Academics , International , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments

We have previously discussed how history is being forgotten in the United States, England, and other countries. We can now add Germany to the list. While one would hope that there are certain historical facts that are indelible, one in five young Germans has no idea that Auschwitz was a Nazi death camp.

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Sikhs Sue Leno Over Joke Involving Sacred Temple

Published 1, January 25, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Society , Torts 24 Comments

This week’s most frivolous lawsuit was filed by Dr. Randeep Dhillon of Bakersfield on behalf of himself and Bol Punjabi All Regions Community Organization in California. Dhillon is suing Jay Leno for showing a picture of the Sikh holy shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar, India as the image of Mitt Romney’s summer home. The obvious parody is entirely protected but Dhillon has claimed that it constitutes libel.

Continue reading ‘Sikhs Sue Leno Over Joke Involving Sacred Temple’

Texas Company Accused Of Dumping Pig Blood Into River Used For Recreation

Published 1, January 24, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Torts 27 Comments

In Texas, investigators are demanding answers from Dallas meat-packing company Columbia Packing Company after photos appeared to show the company dumping pig blood into the Trinity River. The case raises some interesting legal questions.

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Rushdie To Judgment: Muslim Groups File Police Complaint Over Reading of Book By Salman Rushie

Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 8 Comments

We have followed the rising prosecution of people for blasphemy around the world, including the West. Now, Muslim groups in India are calling for the prosecution of organizers for reading from Salman Rushdie’s banned book “Satanic Verses” at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Abdul Latif, state secretary of All India Milli council refers to the mere reading from the book as “condemnable” and said that the groups are collecting evidence for prosecution.

Continue reading ‘Rushdie To Judgment: Muslim Groups File Police Complaint Over Reading of Book By Salman Rushie’

Meet Rev. O’Neal Dozier: Santorum’s Florida Campaign Chairman Under Fire For Saying Gays “Make God Want To Vomit”

Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments

Rick Santorum has long been ridiculed for his anti-homosexual views, but he appears to have someone who can actually extend the extreme of the spectrum to his right: Rev. O’Neil Dozier. Dozier has told his flock that gay “make God want to vomit.” He appears to know a great deal about things that make God vomit. His website describes him as “a prayer warrior who faithfully spends time in his own prayer closet and teaches his flock to pray.” This is one American who might be better off staying in the closet.

Continue reading ‘Meet Rev. O’Neal Dozier: Santorum’s Florida Campaign Chairman Under Fire For Saying Gays “Make God Want To Vomit”’

“Swoon And Fall” Lawsuits

Published 1, January 22, 2012 Courts , Religion , Torts 15 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Cheryl Jones was attending services at the Disciple Fellowship Christian Church of East St. Louis, Illinois, when a female parishioner received the Holy Spirit. When she fell, she knocked over others in a domino effect. Jones was knocked to the floor and several people fell on top of her. Jones alleges she suffered injuries to her head, neck, back, and buttocks.

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“The Authoritarians”, A Book Review and Book”

Published 1, January 21, 2012 Academics , Columns , Free Speech , Justice , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society 29 Comments

Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger

This week I’m presenting something a little different as a blog. I’ve just read an incredibly interesting book that I was turned onto by either or both, Dredd and Anon Nurse. This book has added scientific clarity to a phenomenon that I’ve noticed for many years, with dismay. Why is it that some people, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, doggedly hold onto beliefs that they can’t logically defend? We can all agree that there are some issues that simply do not lend themselves to being categorized into absolutes of right and wrong. However, I will let the reader catalog those issues mentally, since there will be some who would no doubt take umbrage from any examples I would personally present. Yet I assert that there are some issues where despite probable protests, are not open to rational dispute. One of these is the age of the Earth and the Universe. The Earth is far older than Creationists/Intelligent Design advocates would set at six or seven thousand years. This is proven fact. I note that there are many religious people who accept this scientific fact and yet still believe in a creator and while not by any means a fundamentalist, I do believe that there is a creative force that informs the Universe. Whatever that force may be, it did its thing multiple billions of years ago.

I presented the above to illustrate the difference between a proven fact and an as yet, if ever, provable belief. The book “The Authoritarians” was written by Bob Altemeyer, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Professor Altemeyer has spent more than forty years doing research as a Social Psychologist into the parameters and root causes of authoritarian behavior in human beings. John Dean, of Watergate renown, made Bob semi-famous by using Bob’s work as a framework for his book “Conservatives Without Conscience”. I call Professor Altemeyer “Bob”, not out of personal familiarity, but because one of the joys of this book is that though it is a serious socio-psychological work, it is written by a man who doesn’t take himself too seriously, while presenting a very serious subject. My original intent in writing this piece was to present my conclusions, using the book as backup. However, the book, though well-documented, is only 262 pages and at the end of this piece will be a link that allows you to download it for free and read it. Bob presents this important topic far better than I could ever condense it. I’ll just give you a taste, hopefully whetting your appetite and then let you read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Continue reading ‘“The Authoritarians”, A Book Review and Book”’

Framing Discrimination As Religious Freedom

Published 1, January 21, 2012 Constitutional Law , Religion , Science , Supreme Court 88 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

In a recent full-page paid advertisement in the Washington Post, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and dozens of leaders of Catholic organizations voiced their opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule which they describe as forcing private health providers to provide “preventive services.” The HHS plan mandates, without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible, the provision of FDA-approved contraception methods. The advertisement claims these drugs may cause abortions which, by their definition, includes any single-celled  fertilized egg that doesn’t implant.

The ad claims that following the HHS rule would violate their religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

Continue reading ‘Framing Discrimination As Religious Freedom’

Just Say No To Idolatry: Hamas Shuts Down Program As “Indecent” Under Islamic Law

Published 1, January 20, 2012 Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments

Those crazy guys in Hamas are at it again. After banning women from riding motorcycles and men working as hairdressers and other “immodest acts,” Hamas has shutdown the Palestinian version of “American Idol” as “indecent” under Islamic laws and values. However, it appears kid shows featuring dismemberment and camps for kids to learn kidnapping are perfectly decent.

Continue reading ‘Just Say No To Idolatry: Hamas Shuts Down Program As “Indecent” Under Islamic Law’

Atheist Arrested In Indonesia For Blasphemy For Writing On Facebook “God Does Not Exist”

Published 1, January 20, 2012 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments

We have been following the increasing abuse of the legal system in Indonesia, including the application of Sharia law. Now, an atheist (identified only as Alexander) has been arrested and faced five years in jail for questioning the existence of God on his Facebook page. It is the latest blasphemy arrest, discussed earlier in a column.

Continue reading ‘Atheist Arrested In Indonesia For Blasphemy For Writing On Facebook “God Does Not Exist”’

Bibles For Buncombe: North Carolina School Distributes Free Bibles But Refuses Donation Of Pagan Books

Published 1, January 19, 2012 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments

In North Carolina, students at the North Windy Ridge Intermediate School were told that they could pick up a free Bible, donated by the Gideons. When Ginger Strivelli’s son came home with a new Bible, she decided to offer her own free copies of sacred books. She is a pagan and brought pagan spell books to the office. She was turned away (though I expect spell books in the age of Harry Potter would be snatched up like Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans). The Buncombe County Board of Education now says that it will reexamine its policies. However, this only came after a non-Christian religion asked for the same access to schools.

Continue reading ‘Bibles For Buncombe: North Carolina School Distributes Free Bibles But Refuses Donation Of Pagan Books’

Laying Hands On The Faithful: Did Valerie Jarrett Trip The Wire In Using Atlanta Church To Stump For Obama

Published 1, January 17, 2012 Politics , Religion , Society 33 Comments

Democrats and independents have often challenged the use of churches by GOP candidates for campaigning and voter registration drives. The same concern would appear raised by the remarks of senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett this Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church where she appeared to be stumping for the President — followed by a voter registration drive at the church.

Continue reading ‘Laying Hands On The Faithful: Did Valerie Jarrett Trip The Wire In Using Atlanta Church To Stump For Obama’

English Citizens Increasingly Turning To Sharia Courts

Published 1, January 16, 2012 Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments

We have spent considerable time on this blog discussing the dangers of Sharia system in various Muslim countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the treatment of women and girls. However, in any free nation, citizens should be allowed to resolve their own disputes through private mediation or religious adjudications. This is what is happening increasingly in England where Muslims are circumventing the court system in favor of Islamic courts and Sharia law. The growing influence of Sharia courts has raised concerns among women’s groups and such reliance should come with added vigilance to ensure that all of the parties are truly consenting to such faith-based adjudications.
Continue reading ‘English Citizens Increasingly Turning To Sharia Courts’

Did Martin Luther King’s ‘Dream’ Come True?

Published 1, January 15, 2012 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Free Speech , Justice , Politics , Religion , Society 73 Comments

Respectfully Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Blogger

On Monday we celebrate the life of the Reverend Martin Luther King and honor him for his work with the Civil Rights movement.  One of his most famous speeches was the 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech that he gave in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of thousands.  In that speech he laid out his vision and hopes for the Civil Rights movement.  I would like to review some of his words and discuss if his dream came true for African-Americans and minorities throughout our country. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” ‘ Huffington Post Continue reading ‘Did Martin Luther King’s ‘Dream’ Come True?’

Robot Love?

Published 1, January 14, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Columns , Courts , Economics , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Torts 50 Comments

Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger

Almost four weeks ago I read an article in Huffington Post entitled: “Can Loving A Robot Lead to Divorce?” by Vicki Larson, a journalist. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicki-larson/robots_1_b_1150679.html  Ms. Larson introduces her piece by quoting the claims of a current manufacturer of anatomically correct “sex robots”, who presumably speak and move in sexual ways. I followed the article’s link to the website of the robots inventor, Douglas Hines, who enthusiastically discusses his creation and has a few videos (non-explicit) that demonstrate the robot’s “capabilities”. While the HuffPost article links the Company’s website, I’m not doing it here, since publicizing this device is not my aim. Should you want further information it is available at the articles link. The “sex robot” being produced now is but an update on inflatable sex toys, though with a “skeleton”, rudimentary movement and speech added. It therefore is only an opening reference to a real issue that will shortly become scientifically possible.

The next part of this short article is an overview with of the opinion of  Artificial Intelligence Expert David Levy http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=humans-marrying-robots  “It also may be the future of love and marriage, if you believe artificial intelligent (AI) expert David Levy, author of Love and Sex With Robots. According to Levy, human-robot sex, love and marriage is inevitable — perhaps as soon as 2025. He predicts that robots may not only be more lovable and faithful than many humans, but they may even be more emotionally available than the “typical American human male.” Not only will they make us become better, more creative lovers, but they also will offer those singles who feel a void in their emotional and sexual lives and married couples with differing sexual needs new, nonjudgmental ways to be happy and healthy. Although Levy believes that the “availability of regular sex with a robot will dramatically reduce the incidence of infidelity as we know it today,” he also acknowledges there may be some potential sticky points. “Some human spouses and lovers might consider robot sex to be just as unfaithful as sex with another person.”

Levy’s view naturally flows into the conclusion of the article which is an E Mail interview with Sonya Ziaja, a San Francisco Bay Area attorney who blogs at numerous law and policy media outlets as well as her own, Shark. Laser. Blawg.

“And what could be more fraught with legal dilemmas than a love triangle among a married couple and a sexbot? How that might impact a divorce? That’s what Ziaja explores in her paper, “Homewrecker 2.0: An Exploration of Liability for Heart Balm Torts Involving AI Humanoid Consorts,” which she presented at the 2011 International Conference on Social Robotics that took place in Amsterdam at the end of November.

“If the doll’s owner becomes enamored with the doll, and leaves his spouse, can the spouse sue as she or he would be able to if the interloper had been human? And who would be sued? The manufacturer? Inventor? The AI itself?” she questions. “So long as we’re intent on adding socially interactive AI into situations that would ordinarily be only human. … socially interactive robots need to be ‘safe to play with’ in a way that manufacturers of toaster ovens never had to imagine.”

Thus we are presented here with a legal quandary instigated by the advent of revolutionary technology affecting serious legal, moral and ethical issues. How should we view this inevitability and how shall we deal with it as a society? Continue reading ‘Robot Love?’

Brava, Jessica Ahlquist: Rhode Island High School Student Wins Separation Lawsuit

Published 1, January 12, 2012 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 124 Comments

Rhode Island high school student Jessica Ahlquist has taught her school officials a useful lesson on civics this week. The Cranston High School West student won her challenge to a large prayer mural displayed at the school with a federal judge ordering its removal as a violation of the separation of church and state.
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Tennessee City Manager Criticized For Ending Regular Prayer Meetings For City Employees During Work Hours

Published 1, January 12, 2012 Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments

Michelle Williams, was the city manager of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee for only one full week when she tackled a controversial practice: prayer services during office hours of the employees at City Hall. For years, the local chaplain has been holding prayer services during work hours and Williams pointed out that such observations violated the separation of church and state. She got the local chaplain to agree to hold the daily prayers either before or after work hours. This manifestly reasonable request has led to opposition from some, including City Commissioner Bob Shackelford who wants the prayer sessions to continue.
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Too Sooner For Sharia? Tenth Circuit Rules Against Oklahoma’s Anti-Sharia Law

Published 1, January 11, 2012 Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 21 Comments

We previously discussed the law passed in Oklahoma barring state judges from considering Islamic and international law in their decisions. Now the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has blocked the law. The three-judge panel upheld an injunction barring certification of Question 755. The decision has some important language for both standing and free exercise claims.
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Two-Thirds of Polled Pastors Reject Evolution

Published 1, January 11, 2012 Religion , Society 49 Comments

A survey by the Southern Baptist Convention shows that 73% of Protestant pastors reject the concept of evolution — even when asked if they believe God used evolution to create humans. Forty-six percent maintained that the Earth is only roughly 6000 years old despite tests showing rocks that are millions of years old.
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Hindus Protest Move To End Ritual Of Low Caste Indians Rolling In The Leftover Food Of Higher Caste Indians

Published 1, January 10, 2012 Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion 28 Comments

Made Snana is a century-old ritual in India where low-caste Hindus roll in the leftover food from the meals of higher caste Brahmins. It is believed to be cure of such things as skin disorders and fulfillment of wishes, but a group of religious leaders have called for a ban on the practice. That has prompted violent attacks from those insisting on the continuation of the ritual.

Continue reading ‘Hindus Protest Move To End Ritual Of Low Caste Indians Rolling In The Leftover Food Of Higher Caste Indians’

Bravo, Colonel Bruno, Bravo

Published 1, January 10, 2012 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 57 Comments

We are often discussing stories of religious intolerance and sectarian prejudice on this blog, so it is refreshing to report an act of kindness and tolerance on occasion. Despite opposition from Christian groups, the United States Air Force Academy has established an area for pagans to pray in Colorado called the Falcon Circle. The academy’s senior chaplain, Col. Robert Bruno, insisted that freedom of religion means that cadets should be able to practice their religion — a novel concept to some who later desecrated the religious site.

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New York Pastor Arrested For Robbery and Kidnapping At Buffalo Wings Restaurant

Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 13 Comments

In Rochester, N.Y., pastor Anthony Lee Drumgoole, 23, has been laying his hands on more than the faithful. He is charged with a robbery at the Carolina Forest Buffalo Wild Wings and racked up additional charges of kidnapping and four counts of financial transaction card fraud. He was arrested at his church.
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Catholic Cardinal: UNESCO Plots To Make “Half The World Population Homosexual”

Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Religion 20 Comments

For some people, a dark global conspiracy evolves around the trilateral commission or the military-industrial complex or even fluoride in the water. For some in the Vatican, it appears to be that sinister group in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and their insidious plan to make “half the world population homosexual.” It is not clear who our overlord in the new gay regime will be, but I see the hand of Harvey Fierstein who has secretly longed for global domination.
Continue reading ‘Catholic Cardinal: UNESCO Plots To Make “Half The World Population Homosexual”’

America’s Transcendent Issue

Published 1, January 7, 2012 Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , International , Justice , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court , Uncategorized 239 Comments
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Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger

ImageWhen you contemplate all of the problems that beset us in this election year it is hard not to feel daunted by the task of finding solutions. Many millions of American’s are without jobs, with the prospect of future employment seeming illusory. The top 1% of the American population controls vast amounts of the country’s wealth.  http://www.businessinsider.com/15-charts-about-wealth-and-inequality-in-america-2010-4?op=1  Wages of average Americans have stagnated for the past 40 years to such an extent that our middle class is shrinking rapidly. The housing boom of years past has become a bust of monumental proportions and foreclosures are destroying formerly viable neighborhoods. Our once barely adequate “safety net” has been shredded and there are attempts to destroy both Social Security and Medicare as we know it. Despite a weak attempt at Medical reform millions of Americans find health care unaffordable, with many dying and others forced into bankruptcy to stay alive. Due to lack of money America’s once magnificent infrastructure is rotting and solutions are not on the horizon.

The collapse and bailout of our banking industry has cost us trillions and appears to have been brought about by fraudulent practices on the part of the industry, yet no one has been indicted. In fact the remuneration of top executives in this duplicitous industry has actually increased. Efforts to impose stiff controls ensuring that these artificial crises don’t happen again and that these huge financial entities do business ethically, have failed to pass the Congress. We see that the fallout from the American banking crisis has undercut the world’s economy and that economic crises in other industrialized nations appear regularly. Please notice I’m only referring to the economic problems we face and only producing a partial list of those economic problems.

We have seemingly come to the conclusion of an unnecessary war in Iraq, where trillions were spent and perhaps a million were killed, yet the withdrawal of troops is to bases that surround Iraq. We are leaving about 40,000 Americans in country, many as mercenaries (contractors is a euphemism) as we support the largest diplomatic infrastructure in any foreign nation. The war in Afghanistan still rages in a land that has never been significantly shaped by any outside empire, this despite the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the virtual destruction of Al Qaeda.  Hundreds of billions are being spent and the lives of our troops are put in danger, in an exercise with little hope of success. Billions are going towards building Afghanistan’s infrastructure as ours is falling apart. Yet these instances fail to raise the broad spectrum of the military/foreign policy problems continuing to plague us. These issues include a military budget that far greater than that of all other nations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures 

However, these three paragraphs still do not encompass the broad range of problems we Americans face. There is more to be touched on before we come to the conclusion that I’ve reached, that there is one problem that not only transcends all of these, but its need for immediate solution supersedes any of the others in importance. Continue reading ‘America’s Transcendent Issue’

Caucusing With God: Pat Robertson Reveals God Told Him The Name Of The Next President . . . But He Is Not Talking

Published 1, January 6, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Society 33 Comments

Pat Robertson is back. This time he is revealing how God told him the name of the next president. Robertson, however, is not going to reveal the name. It appears that he is the only viewer on God’s cable punditry channel. Robertson explained “I think He showed me about the next president, but I’m not supposed to talk about that so I’ll leave you in the dark — probably just as well — but I think I know who it’s gonna be.”

Continue reading ‘Caucusing With God: Pat Robertson Reveals God Told Him The Name Of The Next President . . . But He Is Not Talking’

Court Orders Arrest of Lawyer After Judge Called “Catholic Knight Witch Hunter” in Bizarre Filings

Published 1, January 6, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Religion , Society 24 Comments

A bankruptcy case in Minneapolis has produced some unexpected fireworks after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Nancy Dreher ordered the arrest of an attorney who filed a bizarre litany of anti-Catholic remarks in a filing. Dreher ordered the arrest of lawyer Naomi Isaacson (left), who is president of a group known as the Dr. R.C. Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Inc.
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Turley Blog Hits 10 Million Viewers

Published 1, January 5, 2012 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion 20 Comments

Last night, we received word of two considerable accomplishments. First, we won the ABA Journal’s selection as the top opinion blog. Second, we hit our 10 millionth viewer on the blog. We are routinely ranked as one of the most visited legal blogs by AVVO. As our viewership has grown in only a few short years, we have reached a wider and wider international audience.
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TURLEY BLOG PICKED AS TOP OPINION LEGAL BLOG IN 2011

Published 1, January 5, 2012 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 27 Comments

Last night the editors of the ABA Journal informed us that we have voted the top opinion blog of 2011 in the ABA Journal competition. It is our second such top award in the annual competition and it is an honor shared equally by all of our contributors and readers.
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Saudi Morality Police Set To Crackdown On Lingerie Stores and Bette Davis Eyes

Published 1, January 4, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 25 Comments

We previously discussed how the Saudi government has ordered that men can no longer work in women’s lingerie or cosmetic departments or stores. Such work is viewed as an insult to Islam and, on Thursday, the infamous Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) will be sweeping through stores looking for any male workers. The religious police also recently announced that they will be cracking down on women with “sexy eyes.” So covering up in a burka is not enough if you have Bette Davis eyes. Sheikh Motlab al Nabet, spokesman of Saudi Arabia’s religious police, declared that “[t]he men of the committee will interfere to force women to cover their eyes, especially the tempting ones.”

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Scientology Embroiled In Internal Dispute Over The Amassing of Wealth Under Miscavige

Published 1, January 3, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Society 35 Comments

The ultra-secret world of the Church of Scientology has been rocked by a rare internal dissent — gone public by an even more rare decision to leak internal communications to the media. The dispute focuses on an email by long-standing Scientologist Debbie Cook calling on 12,000 fellow members to withhold contributions to the church as violative of the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard.
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Human Sacrifice in India Claims Seven-Year-Old Victim

Published 1, January 2, 2012 Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 20 Comments

India is facing yet another case of human sacrifice. Lalita Tati, 7, became the latest victim of tribal sacrifice — murdered in order to offer up her liver to the gods to improve crop growth.
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Science and Education Win . . . in Georgia

Published 1, January 1, 2012 Academics , Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Religion , Science , Society 73 Comments

Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger

Augusta State University (ASU) of Georgia was taken to court by a clinical psychology student, Jennifer Keeton, who refused to do coursework necessary for completing her degree.  The coursework in question dealt with LGBTQ population.  ”In her brief, Keeton describes herself as a Christian who is committed to the truth of the Bible, including what she believes are its teachings on human nature, the purpose and meaning of life, and the ethical standards that govern human conduct. She holds several beliefs about homosexuality that she views as arising from her Christian faith. She believes that ‘sexual behavior is the result of personal choice for which individuals are accountable, not inevitable deterministic forces; that gender is fixed and binary (i.e., male or female), not a social construct or personal choice subject to individual change; and that homosexuality is a ‘lifestyle,’ not a ‘state of being.’” ASU’s officials became aware that Keeton held these beliefs when she expressed to professors in class and fellow classmates in and out of class that she believed that the GLBTQ population suffers from identity confusion, and that she intended to attempt to convert students from being homosexual to heterosexual. Keeton also said that it would be difficult for her to work with GLBTQ clients and to separate her views about homosexuality from her clients’ views. Further, in answering a hypothetical posed by a faculty member, Keeton responded that as a high school counselor confronted by a sophomore student in crisis, questioning his sexual orientation, she would tell the student that it was not okay to be gay. Similarly, Keeton told a fellow classmate that, if a client discloses that he is gay, it was her intention to tell the client that his behavior is morally wrong and then try to change the client’s behavior, and if she were unable to help the client change his behavior, she would refer him to someone practicing conversion therapy.”  Keeton v. Anderson-Wiley, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 10-13925, D.C. Docket No. 1:10-cv-00099-JRH-WLB (Dec. 16, 2011)

This raises some interesting questions concerning free speech, free exercise and educational and professional accreditation.

Continue reading ‘Science and Education Win . . . in Georgia’

Ron Paul And The Separation Of Church And State

Published 1, January 1, 2012 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion 96 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) sees a war on religion being waged by the elitist, secular Left. Paul claims the “separation of church and state” is a phrase taken out of context from Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists. According to Paul, courts have misread and distorted the meaning of the first amendment so that children are banned from praying in school, courthouses are prohibited from displaying the Ten Commandments, and citizens are prevented from praying before football games.

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Cardinal George…..What Would Jesus Do?

Published 1, December 31, 2011 Bizarre , Free Speech , Justice , Religion , Things That Tick Me Off 37 Comments

Respectfully submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Blogger

Earlier in the month, Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago angered gay rights activists by making an unfortunate comparison between the gay rights movement and the Ku Klux Klan.  “Cardinal Francis George, the Archbishop of Chicago, this week told a Chicago news station that he agreed with a local Roman Catholic church’s objections to the city’s recently-adjusted Gay Pride Parade route passing by its doors and warned that the parade could “morph into the Ku Klux Klan.”  George made the comment Sunday on Fox Chicago when asked about Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s complaints that the parade passing by its Belmont Avenue location would force the church to cancel its morning mass. The church recently launched a petition urging the city to force parade organizers to adjust their plans.  “I go with the pastor,” George told Fox. “He’s telling us that he won’t be able to have services on Sunday if that’s the case. You don’t want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism.”‘ Huffington Post

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Pareidolia

Published 1, December 31, 2011 Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 38 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

The World Trade Center cross was discovered in the debris of the collapsed buildings by construction worker Frank Silecchia who declared “it’s an act of God.” The cross was removed from the debris pile, erected on a concrete pedestal, and placed nearby in a prominent position during the years of reconstruction. During the removal, Fr. Brian Jordan, a Roman Catholic Franciscan priest, blessed the cross with holy water. In june, 2002, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, the Vatican’s third-highest-ranking cleric, and New York’s Cardinal Edward Egan participated in a ceremony at the cross.

Continue reading ‘Pareidolia’

“Satan’s Little Helper”? Christian Group Calls For Boycott Of Movie “Hobbit”

Published 1, December 30, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 61 Comments

Christians For A Moral America really do not want you to see the Hobbit. It appears that really bad things come in really small packages. Producer Sir Peter Jackson is a self-proclaimed atheist. It would appear that he would have been better off proclaiming that he was an orc.

Continue reading ‘“Satan’s Little Helper”? Christian Group Calls For Boycott Of Movie “Hobbit”’

The Day Happy Died: New Year To Bring End To Happy Hours In Utah

Published 1, December 30, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Politics , Religion , Society , Uncategorized 31 Comments

The New Year brings a host of new laws that kick in on the first. For citizens in Utah, the New Year will bring an end to Happy Hours. That’s right, the heavily Mormon state has continued its harassment of citizens who drink and outlawed “drink specials.”
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Paul’s Preacher Probem: Meet Phillip G. Kayser

Published 1, December 30, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 90 Comments

It seems like every election we have another extreme religious figure who becomes a campaign issue for a candidate. Obama had Rev. Wright and McCain had Rev. Hagee and Parsley. Sarah Palin has an actual Kenyan witch hunter. Now Ron Paul has his own embarrassing association. The preacher is Rev. Phillip G. Kayser, a pastor at the Dominion Covenant Church in Nebraska, who has a following in Iowa. The Paul campaign issued a press release (that it later removed from its site) heralding the endorsement of Kayser. The problem is that Kayser believes that gays should be executed according to biblical law. It was a a highly destructive endorsement for Paul who is attracting civil libertarians to his campaign. No one can stop someone from endorsing you, but the campaign clearly sought this endorsement from an extremist with reprehensible views. Unlike Wright, Kayser is not Paul’s personal minister, but the press release made him Paul’s problem in reaching out to civil libertarians.

Continue reading ‘Paul’s Preacher Probem: Meet Phillip G. Kayser’

Catholic Church In Illinois Closes Adoptions Centers To Avoid Anti-Discrimination Laws

Published 1, December 29, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Politics , Religion , Society 48 Comments

Catholic bishops in Illinois have followed their colleagues in other states and shutdown adoption centers rather than comply with anti-discrimination laws requiring equal treatment for gay couples. Despite my support for gay rights and same-sex marriage, I have previously written that anti-discrimination laws are threatening the free exercise of religion. There is a possible distinction between areas like tax exempt status as opposed to contracting with the state. While I strongly disagree with this tenet of Catholic faith, I do not believe that religious organizations should be forced to abandon such principles under anti-discrimination laws as a general matter. Yet, it becomes a more difficult argument in the context of a state contract where the church has decided to compete for government contracts.
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Pakistani Police Arrest Christian For Blasphemy in Church on Christmas

Published 1, December 29, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments

In Lahore, Pakistan, police arrested Amanat Masih while he was in church on Christmas day. Masih, 50, was arrested for blasphemy — the second such arrest based on what he insists are trumped up charges by one man. He was previously sent to jail for more than three years for blaspheming Islam.
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When Monks Attack: Orthodox Priests Go Medieval At Church of the Nativity

Published 1, December 29, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 20 Comments

We have previously seen fights between monks at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The video below, however, shows monks going Medieval at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity — taking brooms and sticks to each other in the ongoing dispute of who has rights to the holy ground. The response of the Palestinian police chief is rather interesting.
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Men Who Pray At Goats? Government Spends $1.4 Billion On Such Questions As Whether Remote Prayer Can Heal AIDS

Published 1, December 28, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Religion , Science , Society 45 Comments

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the federal government has spent almost a billion and a half dollars to explore politically popular but scientifically dubious claims such as $666,000 to determine if distant prayer could heal AIDS. It didn’t. I would be interested in how this was tested. I cannot get the image of Lyn Cassady praying at a goat in a secret military lab.

Continue reading ‘Men Who Pray At Goats? Government Spends $1.4 Billion On Such Questions As Whether Remote Prayer Can Heal AIDS’

Just Two Days Left In The ABA Competition: We Need Your Vote!

Published 1, December 28, 2011 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society 18 Comments

Just as Henry V rallied the thin, tired troops on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, it is time to make that final call for votes in this year’s competition for the top opinion blog by the American Bar Association. There are now just two days left and, while we have pulled ahead in the last week, the contest remains very close with one of the top five largest legal blogs. If you like our blog, it is time to pony up and vote.

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Orthodox Jews Clashes With Police Over Segregation of Women

Published 1, December 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , International , Media , Politics , Religion 29 Comments

The previously discussed tension between Orthodox Jews and the Israeli government has reached a flash point with violent clashes in the town of Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem. Reporters have been attacked by Orthodox Jews in filming the town.

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Court Papers Reportedly Contradict Gingrich On First Divorce

Published 1, December 26, 2011 Politics , Religion , Society 241 Comments

One of the most difficult problems faced by Newt Gingrich in appealing to religious voters is his record of adultery and three marriages. His campaign insists that it was his first wife, Jackie, not Gingrich, who wanted the first divorce. However, recently released papers contradict that claim and indicate it was Newt Gingrich who wanted the divorce.

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Merry Christmas To All

Published 1, December 25, 2011 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 32 Comments

Best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. Continue reading ‘Merry Christmas To All’

Enjoy 2012 . . . It May Be Your Last

Published 1, December 22, 2011 Bizarre , International , Religion 12 Comments

Mexican officials this week took time out of the holiday celebrations to proclaim the coming of the Apocalypse. Officials have started a countdown to the End of Times for December 21, 2012 — based on the Mayan calendar. At our blog, we try to keep people informed of such important dates for personal planning. Since it falls on a Friday, it may make for an awkward evening at TGIF and, if you have some vacation time, you might want to use it before December 22, 2012. I am not sure what the Mayan apocalypse looks like but I am pretty sure that, as a legal matter, earned vacation and other benefits will be treated as void as a matter of force majeure.

Continue reading ‘Enjoy 2012 . . . It May Be Your Last’

The Turley Blog Needs Your Vote! The ABA Competition Is Down To The Wire For Top Opinion Blog

Published 1, December 21, 2011 Academics , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 54 Comments

This year’s competition for the top opinion blog by the American Bar Association has become an intense race between our blog and one of the largest conservative legal blogs, Volokh Conspiracy. Even though VC is one of the largest blogs in the country, we are only a couple of dozen votes away with voting closing on December 31st. We need every vote so please spread the word to civil libertarians and others that we need their support to pull off the ultimate David and Goliath victory.
Continue reading ‘The Turley Blog Needs Your Vote! The ABA Competition Is Down To The Wire For Top Opinion Blog’

Another Darwinistic Plot? Scientists Find 450 Million Year Old Fossils in Quarry

Published 1, December 19, 2011 Academics , Religion , Science 57 Comments

It appears that scientists will not stop at anything to fabricate fossils older than 5,000 years old — the rough age established by the Bible according to some creationists. The scientists found the fossils in a quarry that date back to the Ordovician period. The range of the fossils is considerable from sponges and worms to nautiloids.
Continue reading ‘Another Darwinistic Plot? Scientists Find 450 Million Year Old Fossils in Quarry’

Israelis Confront Demands Of Orthodox Jews For Segregation of Buses and Public Spaces

Published 1, December 19, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 47 Comments

We have previously discussed attacks by orthodox Jews on women and others in Israel. The demand for segregation of the sexes however has triggered a national debate after accounts of women being asked to sit in the back of buses. There is also an outcry over Orthodox Jews ripping down any advertisements showing women in public areas.

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Christopher Hitchens (1949 – 2011)

Published 1, December 17, 2011 Free Speech , Religion , Society 53 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Christopher Hitchens died on 16 Dec. of pneumonia, a complication of his esophageal cancer. With eloquence and reason, sprinkled generously with wit and wisdom, his talks were a joy to listen to. His unique insights into religion will resonate long after his voice has been silenced.

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In God We Trust: Kentucky Defends Law Requiring State Homeland Security Officers To Proclaim God’s Greatness

Published 1, December 16, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion 22 Comments

The lawsuit in Kentucky is working its way through the legal system contesting a 2006 state law requiring state homeland security material to recognize the necessity of faith in God for true security. State Rep. Tom Riner, an ordained Baptist minister, has defended the law out of his belief that “the safety and security of the state cannot be achieved apart from recognizing our dependence upon God.”
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Police In Indonesia Capture Dozens of “Punks” For “Spiritual Cleansing” In The Name Of Islam

Published 1, December 15, 2011 Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments

My last column discussed how the Obama Administration is continuing its dangerous effort to appease Muslim allies in establishing limitations on free speech to combat “intolerance” for religion. Yesterday, there was an interesting article from Indonesia where police raided punk parties and took kids into custody to be “spiritually cleansed” in the name of Sharia law. Police insisted that the shaving of their heads and other abuses were perfectly consistent with human rights law because it was benefiting the subjects.

Continue reading ‘Police In Indonesia Capture Dozens of “Punks” For “Spiritual Cleansing” In The Name Of Islam’

Religious Groups in Santa Monica Call For Changes After Atheists Win Majority of Places Set Aside For Holiday Scenes

Published 1, December 14, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Politics , Religion 33 Comments

Religious folk in California are outraged after learning that atheists won the right to 14 out of 21 spaces for holiday scenes. The city has a lottery system and, while God may not have favored them, fate did in selecting two atheists with claims to over two dozen spaces.
Continue reading ‘Religious Groups in Santa Monica Call For Changes After Atheists Win Majority of Places Set Aside For Holiday Scenes’

Saudi Kingdom Executes “Sorceress”

Published 1, December 14, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 11 Comments

The Saudi Kingdom has now executed yet another “sorcerer” — part of a continuing trend in Muslim countries in arrested suspecting Genies and sorcerers in the name of Allah. In this case, the Saudis appear to have arrested a garden-variety carnival healer — a woman saying that she could heal illness for $800 per session.
Continue reading ‘Saudi Kingdom Executes “Sorceress”’

Criminalizing Intolerance: Obama Administration Moves Forward On United Nations Resolution Targeting Anti-Religious Speech

Published 1, December 13, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 46 Comments

Below is my column today in The Los Angeles Times on the conference this week in Washington on religious speech. I have previously written about the Obama Administration’s break with past policies to support Muslim countries in cracking down on speech deemed “defamatory” to religion. While the latest resolution does not repeat the defamation language, the purpose remains unchanged and the dangers for free speech are obvious. The non-binding resolution was passed in March, largely in response to the assassinations of two Pakistani officials who had spoken out against the nation’s blasphemy law. Ironically, however, the resolution will likely reinforce the right of countries to criminalize anti-religious speech and blasphemy laws.

Continue reading ‘Criminalizing Intolerance: Obama Administration Moves Forward On United Nations Resolution Targeting Anti-Religious Speech’

Georgia Bill Will Put “In God We Trust” On All License Plates

Published 1, December 11, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion 24 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

If Republican Sen. Bill Heath’s bill, Senate Bill 293, is enacted the phrase “In God We Trust” will be printed in the area where the county name used to go. While many states sell, at an extra cost, specialty plate with the phrase, the Georgia plate will be the default plate.

Continue reading ‘Georgia Bill Will Put “In God We Trust” On All License Plates’

Yeshiva University Strips Newspaper Of Funding For Standing Up For Journalistic Principle and Refusing To Retract Article

Published 1, December 9, 2011 Academics , Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments

Yeshiva University has taken a step that appears to affirm that it is religious first and a university second. The school’s study body stripped an online student newspaper of funding over a column that discussed a sexual encounter between two students. The attack on free speech and free press occurred after the students rightfully refused to censure their own newspaper and writer. It is a shameful act by Yeshiva that puts the university squarely in the category of intolerant, orthodox institutions — a blow to many faculty and students who have struggled to make Yeshiva something more than a school teaching Jewish values.
Continue reading ‘Yeshiva University Strips Newspaper Of Funding For Standing Up For Journalistic Principle and Refusing To Retract Article’

Do Not Handle The Fruit: European Cleric Warns Muslim Women Not To Handle Cucumbers, Bananas, and Other Sexually Suggestive Produce

Published 1, December 9, 2011 Bizarre , International , Religion 41 Comments

It appears that cucumber farmers are equivalent to pornographers in some religious circles. We previously saw how a grocer in Iraq was killed for putting fruits and vegetable together that might be sexually suggestive. Now, an Islamic cleric in Europe has issued his own warning to Muslim women not to get close to cucumbers, bananas or other sexually suggestive fruit.
Continue reading ‘Do Not Handle The Fruit: European Cleric Warns Muslim Women Not To Handle Cucumbers, Bananas, and Other Sexually Suggestive Produce’

Saudi Court Orders Australian To Be Flogged 500 Times For Insulting Mohammad — and Sent To Jail For One Year

Published 1, December 8, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 8 Comments

We have yet another blasphemy case. A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced Australian national Mansor Almaribe to 500 lashes and a year in jail for insulting Muhammad during prayers in a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Continue reading ‘Saudi Court Orders Australian To Be Flogged 500 Times For Insulting Mohammad — and Sent To Jail For One Year’

Muslim Cleric Promises Muslim Men Locked Up Virgins in Paradise . . . And The Sexual Strength of 100 Men

Published 1, December 8, 2011 Bizarre , Religion 30 Comments

I recently saw this video on YouTube and had to share it. It is the account of a leading Muslim cleric on the sexual delights that men will find in paradise. We have followed the plight of women in many Muslim countries on this blog and this video reveals the attitude that fosters such abuse, in my view. Many of us were unaware of the promise of the 72 virgins waiting for the faithful in Paradise until we were told that 9-11 hijackers believed in this promise. This video shows a deep-seated problem with women for his cleric, who wishes to pass it along to his followers.
Continue reading ‘Muslim Cleric Promises Muslim Men Locked Up Virgins in Paradise . . . And The Sexual Strength of 100 Men’

Poll: Atheists Trusted As Much As . . . Rapists

Published 1, December 6, 2011 Politics , Religion , Society 45 Comments

We have been watching the national and international campaign by leaders against atheists, who appear to be fair game for hateful, ill-informed rhetoric. Even Newt Gingrich (who has been criticized for violating two oaths to God in having affairs while married) has campaigned on the need for any candidate to be faithful. Recent polls show these statements are playing to the majority bias against non-believers. Now, researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Oregon have released the results of a study that shows that religious people would just as soon trust a rapist as they would an atheist or non-believer.
Continue reading ‘Poll: Atheists Trusted As Much As . . . Rapists’

Nigerian Legislators Pass New Law Imposing 14-Year Sentences For Homosexuality

Published 1, December 5, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments

The Senate of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has passed a new law that will impose 14-year sentences on citizens found to be homosexuals. In addition, anyone who aids or “abets” same-sex unions will face 10 years in prison. The latter provision seems directed at human rights groups that work to help gays and lesbians who often face violence and discrimination in the country.
Continue reading ‘Nigerian Legislators Pass New Law Imposing 14-Year Sentences For Homosexuality’

Today’s Celebrity is Yesterday’s Aristocracy

Published 1, December 3, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Columns , Environment , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Things That Tick Me Off , Uncategorized , USA Today 10 Comments

Submitted by Mike Spindell, guest blogger

Andy Warhol, said in 1968 that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Forty-Three years later the remark has become ubiquitously prescient. The world is awash in a celebrity culture and America is at the acme of this “culture”. From one perspective this is merely the harmless fluff that people use in order to distract themselves from the depressing things their lives have offered. It is the triumph of “kitsch” over substance in the business of being famous. This has been true throughout mankind’s history. The lives and activities of the powerful have been followed by the masses with avid interest and have been the fodder of discussion around what served as the ancient’s water coolers, perhaps the public wells. Without a doubt in ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh’s comings and goings were constant conversational topics. Today, in a much different context, the American multitudes avidly follow the lives of the powerful, rich and famous, via innumerable outlets including Facebook and Twitter.

The question I’m broaching here is if this is a historic human trait, are there negative aspects of it that threaten the functioning and stability of our society? My own answer is that I’m not sure one way or another, but I am concerned about what I see all around me and perhaps would like the writers here to talk me down, so to speak. Now one might rightly ask what does this have to do with the law and the other topics we treat here on a daily basis. Only this week we have had news bulletins and stories about the sentencing of Michael Jackson’s doctor to four years in prison. On that same day no doubt there were dozens of news stories that had greater effect on our lives, yet every network paid much attention to it on their nightly news. At the risk of offending Michael Jackson fans, the death of this once famous “Pop Star”, self titled “King of Pop” if you will, was hardly worth the attention paid to it, when issues of economic collapse, wars, revolutions, genocides and famines raged throughout the media frenzy. Yet, I must say that the media knew their audience and this story catered to that audience. I understand the need for, and I myself have need of distraction from the woes of the world, so it is not as if I hold myself apart from the indulgence. Frequently instances of self loathing come to the fore as I slavishly behold the spectacle that our media creates for us surrounding people and issues that embarrass our attention, as they play out before our wide-eyed gazes. Continue reading ‘Today’s Celebrity is Yesterday’s Aristocracy’

Saudi “Scientific” Report Warns Lifting Driving Ban On Women Will Lead To “No More Virgins” Within Ten Years

Published 1, December 2, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments

Kamal Subhi, a former professor at the King Fahd University, and the Majlis al-Ifta’ al-A’ala, Saudi Arabia’s highest religious council, have issued a “scientific” report that the proposed lifting of the ban on women driving will result within ten years in “no more virgins” in the Kingdom as well as “a surge in prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce.”

Continue reading ‘Saudi “Scientific” Report Warns Lifting Driving Ban On Women Will Lead To “No More Virgins” Within Ten Years’

Turley Blog Selected As A Top 100 Legal Blog — Now We Need Your Vote!

Published 1, December 2, 2011 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 45 Comments

The ABA Journal has released its list of the top 100 legal blogs in the world and we are once again in this august group of blogs. Congratulations to all of our regulars contributors and weekend bloggers. This blog’s success is due entirely to the consistently high level of commentary among our readers and, I believe, our commitment to civil and substantive (if at times passionate) dialogue on the legal and political issues of our day. We are again placed in the “opinion” category and facing two of the top five most popular blogs. You can vote at You can vote at this site by clicking on the “opinion” category and we need your vote. A quick registration is needed to prevent cheating in the competition.

Continue reading ‘Turley Blog Selected As A Top 100 Legal Blog — Now We Need Your Vote!’

Massachusetts Teacher Suspended Due To Prior Career As Porn Star

Published 1, December 1, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Religion , Society 23 Comments

We have another case of a teacher who has been suspended or fired because of conduct in their private lives. Kevin Hogan teaches English and crew at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, a highly rated high school, in Malden, Massachusetts. That was before someone told the school that he has appeared in pornographic movies like “Just Gone Gay 8″ under the name Hytch Cawke
Continue reading ‘Massachusetts Teacher Suspended Due To Prior Career As Porn Star’

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Accused For Discriminating Against Muslim Employee Barred From Serving Israeli Delegation

Published 1, November 30, 2011 Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion 60 Comments

There is an interesting lawsuit filed against the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C., which stands accused of discriminating against a Muslim employee by barring him from serving an Israeli delegation — claiming a “national security exemption” for such religious and cultural discrimination. The man, Mohamed Arafi, was previously cleared in a security check with the FBI and handled other foreign guests, including dignitaries. He is of Arab ancestry. He is a naturalized citizen of Moroccan descent. I will be discussing the case today on CNN.

Continue reading ‘Mandarin Oriental Hotel Accused For Discriminating Against Muslim Employee Barred From Serving Israeli Delegation’

Oops: Archeologists Discover Western Wall Was Probably Not Built By Herod

Published 1, November 29, 2011 Academics , International , Religion 25 Comments

Archeologists in Israel have shocked religious officials with a new finding that the revered Western Wall in Jerusalem is not what people have long believed: a wall built by the Jewish ruler Herod. Newly discovered coins underneath wall strongly indicate that it was built long after Herod’s death.
Continue reading ‘Oops: Archeologists Discover Western Wall Was Probably Not Built By Herod’

British Medical Schools Facing Backlash Over Evolution From Muslim Students

Published 1, November 28, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Religion , Science , Society 26 Comments

It appears that British medical schools are facing a growing problem of Muslim medical students and doctors walking out of courses in protest when evolution is taught as part of biology. The students and teachers believe that Darwin’s theories conflict with the Koran, as do many Christians (and apparently most — but not all — GOP presidential contenders) believe in the United States. The view is a bit more unsettling when future doctors refuse to even hear about evolution as a blasphemous subject.
Continue reading ‘British Medical Schools Facing Backlash Over Evolution From Muslim Students’

Canadian Court Upholds Polygamy Law

Published 1, November 24, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments

As many of you know, I am lead counsel in the Sister Wives case challenging the constitutionality of Utah’s statute criminalizing plural or polygamous marriage. I also served as legal expert in the challenge to a similar law in Canada. The court has now ruled in that case and upheld the law in the decision below. While I strongly disagree with both the legal and factual conclusions of the Court, it is a decision that is worth reading. The decision can now be appealed to the higher courts in Canada.
Continue reading ‘Canadian Court Upholds Polygamy Law’

The Devil Came Down To Georgia: Christian Challenges Termination After Refusing To Wear Sticker With The Number 666

Published 1, November 21, 2011 Bizarre , Religion , Society 29 Comments

There is an interesting religious challenge in Georgia where factory worker, Billy E. Hyatt refused to be marked with the sign of “the Beast” and was fired by Plaint Corporation. Plaint found Hyatt less than compliant when he was asked to put on a sticker proclaiming that the plastic factory was accident-free for 666 days. He refused and said that, to do so, would have cost him his eternal soul. Instead, it cost him his job and he is suing.
Continue reading ‘The Devil Came Down To Georgia: Christian Challenges Termination After Refusing To Wear Sticker With The Number 666′

Tennessee Legislator Calls For All Muslims To Be Removed From The Military

Published 1, November 15, 2011 Bizarre , Military , Politics , Religion 30 Comments

Tennessee state Rep. Rick Womick has gone public with his view of a necessary reform of the U.S. military to make our country safer: bar all Muslims from military service. The openly bigoted proposal was accompanied by equally bigoted rhetoric and insulted not just all Muslims but dishonored the many Muslims serving honorably in our armed forces. His website proclaims that “[o]thers may regard politics as a basis for gaining power and influence, but Rick sees politics as a chance to provide conservative leadership that will uphold our state’s slogan and ensure, ‘Tennessee…America at its Best!’” You can judge if Rep. Womick represents America at its best.
Continue reading ‘Tennessee Legislator Calls For All Muslims To Be Removed From The Military’

The Establishment Clause And Utah Crosses

Published 1, November 12, 2011 Constitutional Law , Religion , Supreme Court 30 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

The Establishment Clause is that portion of the FIrst Amendment that states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The meaning of the phrase “an establishment of religion” is the subject of much debate. If the phrase is changed slightly to read: “the establishment of religion”, the meaning would refer to the act of establishing a religion. However, the use of the word “an” changes the meaning. With “an”, the meaning now refers to a religious establishment. Congress can make no law respecting a religious establishment.

Continue reading ‘The Establishment Clause And Utah Crosses’

Malaysian States To Force Homosexuals To Appear Before Sharia Courts For Added Punishment

Published 1, November 11, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion 8 Comments

Two Malaysian states are moving to further increase the punishment of homosexuality in their enforcement of Sharia law. New laws in Pahang and Malacca would increase penalties beyond the current provisions allowing for up to 20 years in prison and caning. What is interesting is that the laws are designed to guarantee consecutive sentencing so that the local punishment would be in addition to the federal punishment.
Continue reading ‘Malaysian States To Force Homosexuals To Appear Before Sharia Courts For Added Punishment’

Widow and Daughter Executed In Afghanistan For “Immoral Activities”

Published 1, November 11, 2011 Criminal law , Religion , Society 5 Comments

We have yet another killing in the name of Sharia law. Two Afghan men broke into a home virtually next door to the Governor’s house in Ghazni City at 4:00 a.m. and pulled a mother and her daughter into their backyard. They were first stoned and then shot for alleged immoral activities.

Continue reading ‘Widow and Daughter Executed In Afghanistan For “Immoral Activities”’

Poll: Americans Want A Faithful President But The Right Faith

Published 1, November 10, 2011 Politics , Religion , Society 64 Comments

A new poll below shows just how wedded the American voters are to faith-based politics. Two-thirds of voters say that it is very important (39%) or somewhat important (28%) for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs. However, it has to be the right religion. Forty-three percent admitted that they would be uncomfortable with a Mormon in the White House. The numbers are even greater in opposition to a Muslim (64%). However, it is an atheist that draws the most universal opposition. Sixty-seven percent say they would not want an atheist in the White House. It would indicate that the attacks on atheists (and here) in this country and abroad may be resonating with voters and that faith-based politics remains good politics for candidates.

Continue reading ‘Poll: Americans Want A Faithful President But The Right Faith’

Texas Will Not Revoke License of Bigot Gun Instructor Who Agrees To Train “The Enemy”

Published 1, November 8, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 91 Comments

The Texas Dept. of Public Safety will not revoke or suspend the license of Crockett Keller, a handgun instructor who ran a radio ad telling Muslims and non-Christian Arabs that he would not teach them how to handle a firearm. Keller has agreed that he will train Muslims while adding that he views them as “the enemy.”

Continue reading ‘Texas Will Not Revoke License of Bigot Gun Instructor Who Agrees To Train “The Enemy”’

Rejecting God

Published 1, November 6, 2011 Religion 26 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

 

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