Pat Robertson has declared that Islam is not a religion but a “violent political system.” For many, such statements are nothing new from Robertson. However, it was a bit more surprising yesterday to learn that Virginia Governor Elect Bob McDonnell has refused to disavow that view. McDonnell was opposed during the recent campaign for having extreme religious views and close ties to evangelical leaders like Robertson.
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Archive for the 'Religion' Category
Pat Robertson Claims Islam Not Religion — and Virginia Governor-Elect McDonnell Refuses to Disavow Comment
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 32 CommentsPsalm Like It Hot: Conservatives Rally Around Psalm 109
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 29 Comments
Conservatives have picked a curious new slogan to oppose President Barack Obama: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” It is a quote from Psalm 109:8, but conservatives leave off the full passage: “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.” It is a damnation or imprecatory prayer.
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Sharia Court Stones Woman to Death for Adultery — Gives Man 100 Lashes
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 13 Comments
The Sharia courts of Somalia have another atrocity to their credit. The Islamic court of al-Shabab sentenced a woman to be stoned to death for adultery. The man was given 100 lashes.
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Xenophon v. Xenu: Leading Australian Senator Calls for Criminal Investigation of Church of Scientology
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments
In the aftermath of the criminal conviction in France (here), the Church of Scientology is facing a call for a criminal investigation in Australia from Senator Nick Xenophon, who presented the case against the church before the legislature.
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Qaddafi Hires a Room Full of Attractive Italian Women to Convince Them to Come to Libya for a Vacation and Conversion
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments
Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qaddafi (aka Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi) may have bombed at the United Nations with his rambling speech, but he is still trying to win the hearts and minds of the young. This week, Qaddafi spoke to an audience of young Italian women about the need for them to convert and come and see him in Libya for a vacation.
Indian Tribe Sues Self-Help Author Over Use of Sweat Lodge
Published 1, November 15, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
We previously followed the investigation into the three deaths in a sweat lodge run by “Spiritual Warrior” James Arthur Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Sedona, Arizona. Now, the Lakota Sioux Tribe is suing, demanding the prosecution of Ray under the 1869 Treaty of Fr. Laramie for appropriating a Native American ritual.
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Journalist Charged with Pornography for Sending Pictures of Woman in Unassisted Child Birth to Government Officials
Published 1, November 15, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 5 Comments
There is a disturbing trial being held in Zambia where the news editor of The Post, Chansa Kabwela, sent photos of a woman giving birth in a hospital car park without assistance to highlight the costs of a nursing strike and poor government policies. She was right. The officials, including Zambia’s President, Rupiah Banda, were horrified. They immediately arrested Kabwela for distributing pornography.
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“Religious Convictions”: When Children Die, Religion Is No Defense
Published 1, November 15, 2009 Bizarre , Columns , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 17 Comments
Here is today’s column from the Washington Post on the benefits of a new type of “good-faith” defense. While “religious convictions” are usually a reference to personal faith, it turns out that it has a distinct and disturbing meaning for criminal sentencing.
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Hasan Charged With 13 Counts of Premeditated Murder as Obama Calls for Investigation of Warning Signs
Published 1, November 13, 2009 Courts , Criminal law , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 25 Comments
Maj. Nidal M. Hasan was charged by the Army with 13 counts of premeditated murder. To the chagrin of conservative commentators, he is not charged with terrorism, a controversy I discussed last night on this segment of Rachel Maddow.
Arranged Marriage Between 14-year-Old Girl and 23-Year-Old Man Ends with Gunfire and Arrest
Published 1, November 13, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 6 Comments
Vincent Mosby, 23, is a defendant at the heart of a bizarre criminal case. Mosby is accused of marrying a 14-year-old girl under a contract for a dowry purchased at Wal-Mart and then threatening her family when they removed the girl.
Catholic Church in Delaware Files for Bankruptcy Protection on Eve of Sexual-Abuse Trial
Published 1, November 12, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 26 Comments
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington appears to have learned a few secular lessons from corporate felons in that state. On the eve of the first trial of dozens of sex-abuse cases with hundreds of millions in potential damages, the diocese filed for bankruptcy to try to make any damages more difficult to collect. The decision by Bishop W. Francis Malooly is being attacked as an effort to reduce potential damages in the various cases moving toward trial.
Marine Reservist Attacks Bearded Greek Orthodox Priest Mistaken for Terrorist
Published 1, November 12, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 30 Comments
A Marine reservist, Jasen Bruce, is under arrest in Tampa after beating a man whom he believed was a Muslim terrorist. The man turned out to be Father Alexios Marakis, a bearded Greek Orthodox priest in a traditional Greek robe.
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O’Reilly: “We Can’t Kill All Of The Muslims So We Wanna Win As Many Hearts and Minds” As Possible
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 61 CommentsBill O’Reilly made an extraordinary statement last night in addressing the difficult fact that “we can’t kill all the Muslims.” This follows an equally bizarre statement from his interviewee Fox News contributor Col. Ralph Peters that there are no Christian or Jewish terrorists.
When In Romulus, Do As the Romulans Do: Vatican See Looks for Sinless Extraterrestrial Life
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
The Vatican appears to have gotten over that whole Galileo business when they were willing to put scientists to death for saying that the Earth moved around the Sun. Now, the Pope’s chief astronomer, Father Jose Gabriel Funes, says that intelligent life may exist on other planets and the Holy See is looking to the skies.
Lost Army of King Cambyses II Found
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 8 Comments
Once again, as a military history buff, I find this incredibly cool. Archeologists may have solved one of the great mysteries of military history: the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II. Loss 2,500 years ago, it is believed to have been found — or what is left of it — by Italian researchers in the western Egyptian desert.
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God is My Co-Pilot: Atlanta MARTA Driver Forces Passengers to Pray
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 8 Comments
A MARTA bus driver in Atlanta has been suspended after he allegedly stopped the bus and told passengers to pray. LeRoy Matthews stopped the bus on Nov. 3rd at 7:30 pm for the impromptu religious observance.
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Thank God: The Boy Who Was Denied Chemotherapy For Religious Reasons (and Ordered into Treatment by a Judge) Is Now Cancer Free
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 21 Comments
Many followed the case (here) of Daniel Hauser of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota when his fundamentalist Mom fled with him to avoid chemotherapy for his cancer on religious grounds. Few may be aware of the end of the story. He has completed his last chemotherapy sessions and is now cancer-free — thanks to the judge who overrode his mother’s objections.
Witch Doctors in Tanzania Accused of Killing Albinos for Magical Body Parts
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
As we have been following on this blog, witch doctors in Africa continue to cause great suffering and abuses, here and here and here and here. Now, there is a report from Tanzania that witch doctors have caused the slaughter of more than 50 albinos for their body parts.
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Canadian Judge Finds Catholic Bishop Thwarted Investigation of Abusive Priest
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 5 Comments
A Canadian judge made a disturbing finding in the sentencing of Father Bernard Cloutier who was convicted of abusing young boys. The judge heard evidence that retired Bishop Gérard Dionne thwarted a 1983 police investigation into Cloutier’s sexual abuse.
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Separation Anxiety: British Courts To Decide Who Is a Jew
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
There is an intriguing case in London where the British courts will decide who is a Jew and who decides such a question. The British have long maintained publicly supported religious schools — an affront to the separation of church and state. Now, inevitably, the state must decide who can be excluded from one of the Jewish schools run by the government. Not surprisingly, at the heart of the controversy is Lord Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, who recently blamed secularism for the decline and potential fall of Western Civilization, here. He insists that only children with Jewish mothers (recognized in Orthodox synagogues) are truly Jewish.
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DWF (Driving While Female): Two Professors Arrested in Saudi Arabia for Driving Themselves to the Mall
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 8 Comments
Jeddah police arrested two female professors from King Abdulaziz University this week for the crime of driving themselves to the mall. Police were shocked by the sight of a woman behind the wheel of a car and immediately pulled them over. We have previously followed the struggle of women to enjoy this freedom of movement in the Kingdom (here)
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The Meaning of Guts
Published 1, November 7, 2009 International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments
Who says that a math geek cannot become a super hero? Mahmoud Vahidnia is a math student at Tehran’s Sharif Technical University where he recently won the gold medal at the country’s National Math Olympics (yes, geeks have an Olympics of their own). Vahidnia, however, has become a political icon in Iran after he publicly chastised the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the brutal crackdown of protesters.
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Sharia Family Values: Man Stoned to Death in Somalia for Adultery While Pregnant Woman Spared To Be Stoned Immediately After Giving Birth
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments
The Sharia courts of southern Somalia are busy again showing the world the importance of the separation of mosque and state. In the latest outrage, the Sharia court of al-Shabab ordered Abas Hussein Abdirahman, 33, stoned to death in front of a crowd of some 300 people in the town of Merka. The Islamic judges, however, showed mercy for the woman who is pregnant. She will be allowed to give birth and then immediately stoned to death.
Continue reading ‘Sharia Family Values: Man Stoned to Death in Somalia for Adultery While Pregnant Woman Spared To Be Stoned Immediately After Giving Birth’
Hezbollah Bans “The Diary of Anne Frank” As Zionist Propaganda
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 36 Comments
The good people at Hezbollah are offering the world another insight into extremist thought. The militant group has banned “The Diary of Anne Frank” from schools as Zionist propaganda by focusing on the plight of some Jews. I suppose when you are teaching kids to blow up innocent people, an account of an innocent victim can appear propagandistic.
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Fighting the Biblical Beast in Texas: Evangelical Kindergarten Teacher Challenges Fingerprinting as a Sign of the Biblical Beast
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 21 Comments
An evangelical Christian kindergarten teacher has sued Texas to contest the state’s right to require her to submit to fingerprinting. Pam McLaurin, however, is not alleging privacy or contractual violations. She is alleging that fingerprinting is the Mark of the Beast foretold in the Book of Revelations and thus violates her religious beliefs. It turns out that the Beast has laid the foundations for its Kingdom on Earth in the Texas Education Agency.
The Sacking of Secularism: Chief Rabbi Denounces Secularism as Threat to Western Civilization
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 34 Comments
Secularists are often blamed by religious figures for everything from hurricanes to teen pregnancies. Now, it appears that secularists are also responsible for religious extremism and, oh yes, the demise of Western Civilization and Europe as we know it. No, this is not the latest religious tirade from Tony Blair. It is Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks of Aldgate, who clearly pinned the blame for the demise of Europe on those who hold secularist views. Lord Sacks, 61, is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since 1991.
Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gays to Marry
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
The gay-rights movement has suffered a harsh defeat at the hands of voters in Maine. The voters repealed a law that allowed for same-sex marriage — reducing the states allowing same-sex marriage or civil unions. Maine is now the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage. [The two men on the state seal are now strictly prohibited from marrying each other in the State of Maine].
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Saudi Court Upholds Planned Beheading and Crucifixion of Convicted Rapist
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 16 Comments
A Saudi court has reviewed and upheld the sentence of a 22-year-old man to be beheaded and crucified for the raping of five children. It is the latest medieval measure from the Saudi Sharia courts.
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Faithful Flock to See Virgin Mary in Bird Poop
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 8 Comments
In Bryan, Texas, people are flocking to see the image of the Virgin Mary found in a bird dropping on a truck mirror. It appears that Salvador Pachuca examines all of his bird droppings before washing his truck and found a divine rendition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in bird poop.
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Illinois Teacher Suspended For Assigning an Article on Homosexuality in the Animal Kingdom
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments
Dan Delong, an English teacher at Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois has been suspended for allegedly allowing students in his English classes to read an article about homosexuality in the animal kingdom. The article that Delong allegedly had his class read was published in a 2006 edition of “The Gay Animal Kingdom” and is available at http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_gay_animal_kingdom.
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The Abused Devout Woman Defense? New York Muslim Woman Tries to Kill Husband For Forcing Her To Eat Pork and Wear Short Skirts
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 11 Comments
New York prosecutors are dealing with an attempted honor killing of a different sort. We have been following such cases on this blog, but Rabia Sarwar, 37, may be category unto herself after she allegedly slit her husband’s throat after he forced by her to eat pork, wear short skirts and drink alcohol slashed.
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Pope Nixes Halloween
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 48 Comments
Note to self: have kids skip the Vatican this Halloween. Pope Benedict XVI has joined Kimberly Daniels at the Christian Broadcasting Network in issuing his own warning against Christians participating in Halloween. The Pope wants Catholics to know that the holiday is dangerous to not just their waistline but their eternal souls.
Christian Columnist Warns of Demon Conspiracy To Invade the Souls of Children Through The Candy
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 34 Comments
With many of us preparing for Halloween on Saturday, we have a disturbing warning from Kimberly Daniels on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s Web site: demons (real demons) have contaminated Halloween candy to invade the souls of our children (and presumably late-night candy stealing parents).
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Somali Man Marries Sixth Wife — He is 112 and She is 17
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 17 Comments
Ahmed Muhamed Dore is 112 and has 18 children by five wives. However, this week he added a sixth wife, Safia Abdulleh, 17. The marriage was blessed under the Islamic traditions of the area. It is part of a disturbing trend of cases where young girls are married off to older men under Sharia law.
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Church of Scientology Accused of Hampering Criminal Inquiry in Australia
Published 1, October 27, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 11 Comments
In light of today’s conviction of the Church of Scientology in France, this story from Australia may be of interest. The Church is being accused of actively subverting an investigation into the death of Australian private Edward Alexander McBride. The Church allegedly ordered that McBride’s “auditing file” be sent to the United States before the arrival of a warrant from coroner John Lock.
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Church of Scientology and Six Leaders Found Guilty of Fraud in France
Published 1, October 27, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 5 CommentsGiven the recent refusal of a Scientology spokesman to discuss the basis of Church’s beliefs, we are unlikely to get much of a response on the conviction this week of the Church for fraud in Paris. The court convicted the Church and fined it more than 600,000 euros ($900,000). However, the court stopped short in banning the group entirely as demanded by the government.
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Iranians Round Up Satanists (aka Westernized Teens)
Published 1, October 26, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society , Uncategorized 4 Comments
I guess Black Sabbath will skip that tour in Iran. The Iranian government has arrested a dozen people for “promoting satanism” through underground music and “blasphemous video clips.” Fortunately, the Obama Administration recently supported a resolution supporting Muslim countries in establishing a “balancing” of free speech and respect for religion, here.
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Hooked on Automatics: Somalia Islamic Militants Force Children to Watch Executions and Learn to Use Weapons
Published 1, October 26, 2009 Bizarre , International , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 42 Comments
The Islamic al-Shabaab militia is well known for its harsh application of Sharia law in Somalia. However, it turns out that they have the same concerns about the children growing up with the wrong priorities and values as do people in the West. In the case of the al-Shabaab, the problem is a failure of parents to teach children to use weapons and their insistence on educating them on such things as reading and writing. The militia group is now forcing children to watch executions and giving away prizes of automatic weapons and grenades at children events. It is the Somali version of Hooked on Phonics.
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Saudi Journalist To Be Flogged for Airing Interview Involving Sexual Boasts
Published 1, October 25, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 5 Comments
In an attack both on free speech and the free press, Saudia Arabia has ordered a female journalist to be flogged 60 times for airing an interview with a man who bragged about his sex life. Rosanna Al-Yami was also given a two-year travel ban for her role in the episode of “A Thick Red Line,” a popular show on social taboos.
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Video: Scientology Spokesman Walks Out of Nightline Interview When Asked About His Beliefs
Published 1, October 25, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Religion 26 CommentsNightline has been running a fascinating investigation into the Church of Scientology. This investigation includes this video of a walk-out of the spokesman for Scientology when asked simply about the beliefs of the church. According to the spokesman, it is “offensive” to be asked about what Scientologists specifically believe about the origins of man.
Strange Bedfellows: Guam Archdiocese Reportedly Cites Islamic Terrorists For Moral Support in Fight Against Same-Sex Marriage
Published 1, October 24, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 30 Comments
As Guam debates legislation recognizing same-sex marriage, the Catholic Church appears to have reached out to some strange sources of support in its opposition: Islamic terrorists. In a letter being circulated from the Archdiocese of Agaña, Catholics are told that Islamic extremists may engage in suicide bombings but that they at least “value self sacrifice” and punish homosexuals with death. In a second letter without the Al Qaeda angle, Guam Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron still insists that homosexuality is dangerous, unhealthy, and immoral. He further adds a constitutional point of interest: saying that “the first amendment of the United States does no more than simply forbid the establishment of the state religion.”
Arizona Muslim Runs Over 20-Year-Old Daughter and Friend for Allegedly Being “Too Westernized”
Published 1, October 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion 15 Comments
Police in Peoria, Arizona believe that they have another attempted honor killing. Faleh Hassan Almaleki, 48, ran over his 20-year-old daughter, Noor Faleh Almaleki, and her friend Amal Edan Khalaf because he allegedly viewed her as “too Westernized.” She has life threatening injuries and he is on the lam.
Too Much Focus, Too Little Family: Focus on the Family Employee Pleads Guilty to Attempted Sexual Assault on a Child
Published 1, October 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
A Former Focus on the Family employee in Colorado Springs, Juan Ovalle, appears a bit too focused on the kinder. He has been sentenced to five years probation for attempting to lure an underage teen into having sex with him. He founded Spanish Christian Audio in 2001 to help Christian organizations with their audio needs.
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Father Kills 22-Year-Old Pregnant Daughter in Honor Killing
Published 1, October 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 6 CommentsWe have yet another “honor killing” in the Middle East. An unnamed Jordanian man was charged on Sunday with murdering his 22-year-old daughter after finding out that she was pregnant. He killed her and her unborn child with a sword to preserve the honor of his family.
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Just Say No To Blasphemy: U.S. Supports Egypt in Limiting Anti-Religious Speech
Published 1, October 19, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 47 CommentsHere is today’s column in USA Today on the Obama Administration’s decision to join the U.N. Human Rights Council and support Egypt in recognizing limits on free speech for those who insult or denigrate religion. While the exception was included in a resolution heralding free speech, it was viewed as a major victory for Muslim countries seeking to establish an international blasphemy law.
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Sacrificial Study: New Research Finds Pain in Religious Live Sacrifices
Published 1, October 18, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Environment , Religion , Society 6 Comments
There has long been tension between animal activists and religious adherents over the sacrificing of live animals. Jewish and Muslim leaders have long argued that the sacrifices are not any more painful than what occurs in slaughter houses. Now a study is challenging that assumption and leading to calls in England for a ban on live sacrifices.
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Creationism to Be Renamed Separatism After New Interpretation Released of Genesis
Published 1, October 18, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , International , Media , Religion , Society 13 Comments
Professor Ellen van Wolde, a world acclaimed Old Testament scholar, may have introduced a considerable problem for creationists. What if the Bible never actually said God “created the Heaven and the Earth”? Van Wolde has issued an intriguing paper suggesting that a mistranslation is responsible for an error in the first sentence of Genesis and that in reality the Bible says that God merely rearranged things on the pre-existing Earth. Much of this turns on the Hebrew verb “bara”, which she says did not mean “to create” but to “spatially separate.” That would require Creationists to rename themselves as “separatists.” “Baristas” may cause trademark issues with Starbucks.
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Somalia Extremists Crackdown on “UnIslamic” Use of Bras
Published 1, October 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
Muslim extremists in Somalia are taking to the streets to address the latest threat to Islam under Sharia law: bras. The men from Al Shabaab have been whipping women found to be wearing the “deceptive” garments.
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My Way or the Yahweh: Rabbis Ground Shabbos Elevators With New Religious Interpretation
Published 1, October 18, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
There is an interesting potential contract case brewing in New York and other cities with large Orthodox Jewish populations. Various buildings in New York cater to Orthodox residents in offering such things as Shabbos elevators, which stop on every floor from Friday evening to Saturday evening so that residents do not have to push floor buttons. Talmudic rules prohibit the use of electrical devices. However, a group of powerful rabbis have now issued a new judgment on the use of Shabbos elevators that they may indeed be a prohibited practice — even if you simply step into one.
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Meet Dr. Sima Samar — The Person Obama Beat Out for the Nobel Prize
Published 1, October 15, 2009 International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 35 Comments
In light of the recent disclosure that President Obama was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize just 12 days after taking office and was initially opposed from the majority of the Committee (here), there is some interest on who was stepped over for the honor. The most striking “loser” in the competition was Dr. Sima Samar, an amazingly brave Afghan woman who has risked her life to fight for the rights of women and girls in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Obama Moves to Change Law to Avoid Supreme Court Ruling on Withheld Detainee Photos
Published 1, October 15, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
President BarackN Obama, the world’s newest Nobel peace laureate, is again expanding on the policies of former President George Bush and fighting to conceal evidence of U.S. torture and abuse. As did the Bush Administration, the Obama Administration is seeking to change the law after courts rejected its absurd argument that the President can withhold photos of detainee abuse simply because they are embarrassing to the United States. Democrats in Congress are assisting in the effort to try to stop the Supreme Court from considering the issue by preempting the litigation.
Simply Sonia: Sotomayor’s Colleagues Pick Docket Virtually Tailored To Force Her To Choose Sides
Published 1, October 13, 2009 Academics , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 6 Comments
Here is this week’s column from Roll Call. It explores the interesting selection of cases this term for the Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s colleagues could not have selected cases more carefully to address areas of uncertainty from her confirmation hearing. Whether by accident or design, this docket is front-loaded with cases that will force Sotomayor to show her true colors in the first few months of her tenure as an associate justice.
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Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goal Post of Life: School Board to Meet on Christian Cheerleader Controversy
Published 1, October 12, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 18 Comments
This week, the Catoosa County School Board in Ringgold, Georgia will meet on controversy over the cheerleaders of Georgia’s Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School who use Biblical verses as part of their displays to root for the football team to “commit to the Lord” and “take courage and do it.”
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Bible Battles: Students Use Free Gideon Bibles in Texas Schools to Beat Jewish Students and Roll Joints
Published 1, October 11, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments
Texas parents are complaining that a program to distribute free Gideon Bibles at schools may have backfired. So many Bibles were distributed to students in Plano and Frisco that students reportedly began to use them as weapons, sold them, or even uses the pages to roll joints. In one particularly disturbing account, a Jewish boy was attacked by Christian students throwing the bibles at him.
Continue reading ‘Bible Battles: Students Use Free Gideon Bibles in Texas Schools to Beat Jewish Students and Roll Joints’
Spiritual Searing: Two Die and Nineteen Injured in New Age “Sweatbox” Ceremony
Published 1, October 11, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 10 CommentsThere is an interesting potential torts case out of Arizona where two people died and 19 people were injured as part of a “sweatbox” ceremony reportedly led by James Arthur Ray, author of the best-selling book “Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want.”
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The Good Faith Defense: Parents Given More Lenient Treatment When Children Die in Faith-Based Neglect
Published 1, October 11, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 43 Comments
We have another case of a child dying from a relatively minor condition while surrounded by praying adults. Kent Schaible, 2, died of bacterial pneumonia because the parents Herbert and Catherine Schaible believed in faith-healing and declined to get medical attention for the child in Philadelphia. This is strikingly similar to the case of Leilani and Dale Neumann in Wisconsin who were recently given light sentences in such a faith-based case. As shown below, difficult questions are raised by the disparate treatment given parents who neglect children for religious as opposed to non-religious reasons. Continue reading ‘The Good Faith Defense: Parents Given More Lenient Treatment When Children Die in Faith-Based Neglect’
The Blair Witch Project: Former Prime Minister Warns of Atheists Among Us
Published 1, October 9, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 75 Comments
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair used a speech at Georgetown University to warn of the threat against the West that is growing at alarming rate. No, he wasn’t talking about terrorism, the recession, or even Swine Flu. He was talking about atheists and the menace they present to the world. Not since leaders tackled the dangers of witches in our midst has a politician sounded such an alarm. This politician happens to be the leading contender for the first “president of Europe.”
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Finding Jesus in All the Wrong Places: Man Barred From Church Under North Carolina’s Sex Offender Laws
Published 1, October 8, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 10 Comments
In Raleigh, James Nichols says he wants to find God but he can’t find him in North Carolina. The convicted sex-offender was arrested when he tried to attend church because he is not allowed to be present on any property where children are present, such as in the church’s daycare center. It is only the latest in a series of cases that pit the freedom of religion against sex offender laws.
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The Case Against the Separation of Church and State
Published 1, October 7, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Media , Politics , Religion , Supreme Court 23 Comments
As if by divine intervention, the debate over the separation of church and state was answered today — even as the Supreme Court took up the case of Salazar v. Buono ( 08-472). This picture clearly shows Jesus giving the Constitution to the drafters — resolving any suggestion that the original framers envisioned a separation. It came directly from Jesus and should moot the case heard by the Court today.
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Serving Mammon: Woman Accused of Using Stolen Check for Church Donation and Then Swiping Parishioners Wallet
Published 1, October 7, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 5 Comments
And I thought John Ricci was damned. Police accuse China Graham of Ellwood City of laying hands on the faithful in the First Presbyterian Church in New Brighton, PA . . . well at least their valuables. She is accused of first using a stolen check for a donation and then grabbing a wallet from a women who left her purse in the pew when she went for communion.
Keeping Albuquerque Atheist Free: City Council Member Runs On The Lack of Faith of His Opponent
Published 1, October 7, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
We recently saw the outrage among fundamentalists when questions were raised whether a creationist can be a good mayor at St. Petersburg, here. Now Albuquerque City Councilor Don Harris is mailing voters to warn them that his opponent is . . . wait for it . . . an atheist. It appears that atheists cannot be good city council members since one cannot fill a pothole if your soul is empty of the Lord. The Godless office seeker, David Barbour, is shown on the right.
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Blasphemy (American Style): Obama Administration Supports Resolution on Limiting Free Speech to Bar Criticism of Religion
Published 1, October 6, 2009 Academics , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 44 CommentsThe Obama administration has shocked many in the civil liberties community with the tacit endorsement of limitations of free speech in the United Nations. We have been following the international trend (here and here and here and here) to criminalize criticism of religions, including this prior column. The Administration has joined the UN Human Rights Council and has agreed to create a “new” standard balancing speech and respect for religion. These new standards are merely thinly disguised blasphemy laws that are spreading throughout the world, including the West.
Love Stuff in Alabama: Supreme Court Rules Morality Can Be Constitutional Basis for Product Bans
Published 1, October 4, 2009 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 86 Comments
Alabama Supreme Court has joined the debate over morality being the sole basis for legislative restrictions on citizens. The court upheld the state ban on the sale of sex toys purely on the basis that such toys are viewed as immoral. Since Lawrence v. Texas, such morality based laws have been questioned on constitutional grounds. For a prior column, click here.
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How to Die a Virgin in Egypt: Leading Scholar Calls for the Execution of Women Buying Kits to Fake Virginity
Published 1, October 3, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 13 CommentsAbdul Mouti Bayoumi, a well-known and influential scholar in Egypt, has called for the execution of women who buy female virginity-faking kits. Since such kits help conceal vice, he argues, their use should be a death-penalty offense under Sharia law. Continue reading ‘How to Die a Virgin in Egypt: Leading Scholar Calls for the Execution of Women Buying Kits to Fake Virginity’
Amazing Video of Anne Frank
Published 1, October 2, 2009 Academics , International , Politics , Religion , Society 25 CommentsThis is the only known video of Anne Frank that was just made available. While short, it adds an even more chilling aspect to her writings.
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Scientists Find 4-Million-Old Hominid . . . Creationists Find 10,000 Year Old Talented Monkey
Published 1, October 2, 2009 Academics , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 29 Comments
Her name is Ardi and, while she may not have been much of a looker by modern standards, she had one remarkable skill. She walked upright. This find in Ethiopa pushed our evolutionary traces about a million years earlier than the famed Lucy found in 1974.
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The Vatican Official Claims That No More Than Five Percent of Priests Rape Children . . . and Jews and Protestants May Be Worse
Published 1, October 2, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 392 Comments
The Vatican appears in need of a serious media consultant. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the UN, has issued a defense that boils down to insisting that implicated priests were not pedophiles but homosexuals who liked young boys — and besides no more than five percent of priests had sex with children . . . and Jews and Protestants do it more.
Banning “Burning Hearts”: Leading Saudi Cleric Calls for Women To Be Barred From Co-Ed University Classes
Published 1, October 1, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 5 Comments
Previously, we saw a crackdown in Saudi Arabia on women working out at private clubs and the cancelation of festivals. Now, Sheik Saad Bin Naser al-Shethri, who is a member of the powerful government-sanctioned Supreme Committee of Scholars, is calling for the end of women being able to attend any co-ed classes in universities as a “great sin and a great evil.”
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“Is This The Future You Want?”: Afghan Girl Crushed By Box of Leaflets Dropped by RAF
Published 1, October 1, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments
An Afghan girl in Helmand province led a typically sheltered life of the strict Muslim culture in the area. To reach such inhabitants of the remote area, the British resorted to dropping leaflets and succeeded in reaching the girl directly. She was reportedly crushed by a box of public information leaflets dropped by the British Royal Air Force. The drops have been used to either warn residents of the dangers of unexploded bombs or as part of “psychops” missions to “win the hearts and minds” of the population. This includes the standard leaflet below asking girls to think about their future.
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Supreme Court Takes Chicago Handgun Case in Major Test of Second Amendment Rights
Published 1, September 30, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 16 Comments
The Supreme Court has accepted a major handgun case, McDonald v. Chicago, that will define the scope of the recently recognized individual right under the Second Amendment. It will also allow new Justice Sonia Sotomayor to vote on the very issue that led to much of the opposition against her in her confirmation.
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Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goal Post of Life: Georgia Roots Out Christian Cheerleaders
Published 1, September 30, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 18 CommentsThe cheerleaders of Georgia’s Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School appear to be short a cheer for separation of church and state doctrine. They have triggered a constitutional controversy by using Biblical verses as part of their displays to root for the football team to “commit to the Lord” and “take courage and do it.”
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Return to Nature: Georgia Probation Officials Send Sex Offenders to Live in the Woods
Published 1, September 28, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments
Over the last decade, legislators have rushed to impose broader and broader restrictions on sex offenders that prohibit them from living within certain distances of churches, schools, and other locations. The result is often effective banishment or homelessness for sex offenders. Georgia’s politicians have been so careless in their legislation that officials are now recommending that sex offenders live in the forests.
Which of These Two Beings Is More Likely to Get You a Date?
Published 1, September 28, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 20 Comments
god
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Muggle Rebellion: Bush White House Blocked Award to J.K. Rowling Due To Her Connection to Witchcraft
Published 1, September 28, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 23 Comments
In this new book, Speechless: Tales of a White House Survivor, Matt Latimer has an interesting insight into the presidency of George W. Bush. When author J.K. Rowling was proposed as a recipient for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Bush nixed the idea because Rowling’s Harry Potter series “encouraged witchcraft.” While many of us may be unaware of the outbreak of witchcraft, this was no doubt contained in one of those biblically laced briefing books of the President. What is strange is that the President already honored another author of pure fiction — CIA Director George Tenet — for producing false evidence to justify the invasion of Iraq. It must simply be the genre.
Christians Protest Placement of Ganesh (Elephant God) Statue at Calgary Zoo
Published 1, September 27, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments
A Christian group in Calgary has organized a campaign to protest an elephant statue in the zoo that resembles Ganesh, the Hindu God. The group is challenging the three-meter statue as “selective religious partiality.”
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Bring Home A Nice Jewish Boy . . . or Else: Illinois Supreme Court Upholds “Jewish Clause”
Published 1, September 27, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 57 Comments
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the so-called “Jewish Clause” in a will of a deceased Chicago dentist who wanted to disinherit any children or grandchildren who failed to marry a Jew. Max Feinberg’s will will result in four grandchildren being disinherited.
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Polish Court Awards Damages to Woman Who Was Compared in Article to the Nazis for Trying to Obtain an Abortion for Health Reasons
Published 1, September 25, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 18 Comments
A Polish court has awarded Alicja Tysiac $11,000 against a Catholic magazine, Gosc Niedzielny, after the magazine compared her to a child killer and a Nazi. While it is impressive to see a court levy such damages against a Catholic publication in this very Catholic nation, the ruling does raise freedom of speech issues.
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Can a Creationist Be A Good Mayor? St. Petersburg Debates Whether a Mayor’s Religious Beliefs Are Relevant to His Competence to Lead
Published 1, September 20, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 207 Comments
There is an interesting debate going on in St. Petersburg where mayoral candidate Bill Foster is being attacked for his belief in creationism. As Florida’s fourth-largest city, St. Petersburg has tried to attract businesses and industry. His critics claim that high-tech companies are going to get the wrong impression if the Mayor believes that the Earth was created in six days and that man walked with dinosaurs.
Obama Administration Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit By Gay Married Couples Over Federal Benefits
Published 1, September 20, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments
Civil libertarians have been objecting that liberals are ignoring the Obama Administration’s continuation of a number of Bush programs and policies — in contradiction to President Obama’s presidential campaign promises. From torture to unlawful surveillance, Obama has continued the positions of President Bush in federal courts in seeking to dismiss lawsuits and claim sweeping executive privilege authority. Now, the Obama Administration is seeking to get a court to dismiss a lawsuit by gay married couples from Massachusetts who are challenging the denial of federal marriage benefits.
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“Suffer Little Children . . . and Forbid Them Not”: California Pastor Gets Life Sentence For Abuse of Adopted Daughters
Published 1, September 20, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 12 Comments
Pastor Jessica Banks, 65, has been sentenced to life in prison for drugging, beating, and locking up her five adopted daughters. The conviction includes counts of sexual abuse for two of the girls.
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Jewish Patrols in Jerusalem Are Targeting “Mixed” Jewish and Arab Couples in Campaign for Religious Separation
Published 1, September 19, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 24 Comments
There is a growing controversy in Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood where groups of Jewish men are regularly patrolling the streets to prevent Jewish women from dating and socializing with Arab men. The group called Eish L’Yahadut (Fire for Judaism) is composed of roughly 40 men who have been accused of some violent encounters as they seek to break up such socialization. They deny that they use force, but admit that sometimes confrontations have turned violent.
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Happy Rosh Hashanah From Ahmadinejad: Holocaust is a “Lie” and Israel “Will Not Last Long”
Published 1, September 18, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 15 Comments
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave his traditional Rosh Hashanah speech — effectively wishing Jews a Happy New Year by saying that they may not see another.
Louisiana Approves New Rules Allowing Teachers to Challenge the Basis of Evolution While California Court Rules that Teacher Violated Constitution By Criticizing Creationism
Published 1, September 17, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 125 Comments
There are a couple of interesting stories on the continued struggle over teaching evolution in public schools. In Louisiana, the state has approved special rules allowing teachers to challenge the basis of the theory of evolution. In California, a court ruled that a history teacher’s criticism of creationism violated the Constitution.
Poll: Thirty-Two Percent of Conservatives Believe Obama is Foreign-Born While Almost Twenty Percent Believe He Is the Actual Anti-Christ
Published 1, September 17, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 44 Comments
A new poll by the Public Policy Polling group of New Jersey voters is out, here. An impressive 32% of conservatives believe that President Barack Obama is foreign born. With an additional 19% expressing uncertainty, that brings the figure to 51% of the polled citizens expressing the belief or suspicion that he is foreign born and not eligible to serve a President. Another 14% of Republicans and 18% of conservatives believe he is the Antichrist. That is by no means contradictory since the Antichrist is also foreign born.
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Twelve-Year-Old “Child-Bride” in Yemen Dies in Labor
Published 1, September 13, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 7 CommentsFawziya Abdullah Youssef, 12, is the latest victim of the tradition of child-bride under Sharia law in some Muslim countries. She died after three-days of labor trying to give birth to a child that was the result of her marriage to a 24-year-old man in Yemen. She was eleven at the time. The baby also reportedly died.
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Movie Selection of the Fittest: Creationists Block Internationally Acclaimed Movie on Darwin From Being Shown in U.S.
Published 1, September 13, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Media , Religion , Society 33 Comments
In an act of utter cowardice, United States distributors appear to be caving into a creationist campaign to bar the movie Creation on the life of Charles Darwin. The film explores his loss of faith following the death of his beloved 10-year-old daughter, Annie.
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Madonna Accused of Sinking Bulgarian Ship and Killing 15 People
Published 1, September 11, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 12 Comments
The Bulgarian Church has announced that it has found the culprit in the sinking of a boat this week that killed 15 people: Madonna. This may not come as a surprise to some, but it appears that Madonna’s show was such an affront to God that he decided to kill a bunch of Bulgarians on a boat in Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid. Makes perfect sense.
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Constitutional Illiteracy: Texas Orders All Schools To Teach “Bible Literacy”
Published 1, September 8, 2009 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 48 Comments
Texas legislators have continued their battle to add religious training in public schools. The state has a new law that requires that Texas public schools incorporate Bible literacy into the curriculum — though it offers no guidelines or instructions in how to do so.
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Taliban Call For An Investigation of a Bombing — By Someone Else
Published 1, September 8, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 18 Comments
There must have been a bit of confusion in the German military headquarters. The Taliban has called for an investigation into a bombing ordered by the German commander in Afghanistan. That’s right, the Taliban who routinely bomb civilians, throw acid on little girls, and commit acts of terrorism as a matter of religion. That Taliban.
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Off Key: Piper Calls on City Employees To Oppose Obama’s “Muslim” Stamp
Published 1, September 8, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion 12 Comments
Clarksville 
Tennessee Mayor Johnny Piper has achieved his own degree of infamy for himself and his town. Piper forwarded an email to every City Council member, department head, many city employees, friends and family to raise the alarm over President Barack Obama’s decision to release a stamp to honor Muslims. The only problem is that the man whose Administration ordered the stamps was not Obama but George W. Bush and the stamp merely celebrates the Muslim holiday of Eid.
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Faithful Rally Around Paster Anderson as “Caring Human Being” as Anderson Reaffirms His Desire to See Obama Die
Published 1, September 7, 2009 Academics , Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 62 Comments
The members of the Faithful Word Baptist Church have gathered to affirm their support for their pastor, Steven L. Anderson, who has called for the death of President Barack Obama and “melted like a snail.” Anderson went out of his way to reaffirm his desire to see Obama die.
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Evolution Claims Another Victim: Christian Motorcyclist Injured While Jumping Giant Creationist Crab
Published 1, September 6, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Religion , Society 16 Comments
Freedom Worship Baptist Church in Blanchester, Ohio wanted to demonstrate the fallacy of evolution of the human species and appears to have succeeded. The Church arranged for stunt driver Louis Re of New York to jump in a motocycle over a giant horseshoe crab — an example often cited by creationists to show creatures have not evolved since they were spontaneously created a few thousand years ago.
Dutch Prosecutors Charge Arab Group With Hate Speech Over Cartoon
Published 1, September 6, 2009 Academics , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 6 CommentsWe have been following the trend among Western countries in rolling back on free speech with different forms of blasphemy laws, here. Much of this attack on free speech began after the controversy over the publication of cartoons depicting Muhammad. Now, Dutch prosecutors are charging an Arab group for publishing cartoons questioning the Holocaust.
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Super Sizing the Body of Christ
Published 1, September 6, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 9 Comments
Jesus is now not just available everywhere, but he is even more beefy.
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Bridal Moments II: Weddings Are [Usually] No Laughing Matter
Published 1, September 3, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 13 CommentsMelissa and Andrew Engstrom’s wedding was not halted by anyone objecting to the union, but rather . . .
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Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Under Fire For Master’s Thesis
Published 1, September 3, 2009 Academics , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
Who says no one will read your college or university thesis? Robert F. McDonnell, Republican candidate for Governor in Virginia, is now wishing that he had chosen a simple paper on the life and times of Thomas Jefferson. Instead, as a masters student at Regents University, he wrote a thesis against government policies favoring “cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators.” He also denounced as “illogical” a 1972 Supreme Court decision legalizing the use of contraception by unmarried couples.
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Miss California Superior Court: Carrier Prejean Sues Pageant Over Termination
Published 1, September 1, 2009 Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 15 Comments
Former Miss California Carrie Prejean, 22, has sued Miss California USA for libel, public disclosure of private facts, religious discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress stemming from the controversy over her position on gay marriage. She was stripped of her title earlier this year, but the officials insist it was due to her breaking her contract and failing to perform her duties as Miss California, including the missing of appearances. The complaint also named Miss California USA officials Keith Lewis and Shanna Moakler and publicist Roger Neal.
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De-Evolution: Missouri School Officials Order Return of Band T-Shirts Showing Picture of Evolution
Published 1, August 31, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 57 Comments
Evolution in Sedalia, Missouri appears to be moving in reverse. The band leaders of the Smith-Cotton High School Tiger Pride Marching Band thought that they had a cute idea in showing the images of monkeys evolving into band members under the words “Brass Evolutions 2009.” Parents and teachers objected that evolution (a scientific theory) was advancing a “religious” viewpoint. Amazingly, the school agreed and ordered the t-shirts turned in by the students.
Pastor Prays for President Obama’s Death on Eve of His Visit to Arizona
Published 1, August 28, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 83 CommentsPastor Steven Anderson has used his position at Faithful World Baptist Church, in Tempe, Arizona to bring just a little more hate into the world. Pastor Anderson is praying for the death of President Obama and an eternity in hell.
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Saudi Arabian Father Forces 10-Year-Old Daughter To Return to 80-Year-Old Husband
Published 1, August 27, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 3 CommentsA ten-year-old girl found hiding in her aunt’s home was forcibly returned to her eighty-year-old husband by her father. While the man would be called a pedophile in the West, he is called a husband under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia and could rightfully demand the return of the child wife.
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