It is crucifixion day again in the Philippines as dozens of Catholics allowed themselves to be nailed to crosses as people cheered every nail pounded into their hands. A far greater number of devotees beat themselves bloody with whips to experience the torments of Christ.
Continue reading “Crucifixion Day: Dozens of Filipinos Flogged and Crucified For the Glory of God”
Category: Religion
A respected literature journal, Ibdaa (or Creativity) has been banned by an Egyptian court for publishing blasphemous poem by poet Helmi Salem that compared God to a villager who feeds ducks and milks cows. It is only the latest crackdown on poets who have used the Koran or references to God in artistic ways.
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Vermont’s legislature voted Tuesday to override the veto of Governor Jim Douglas (R) and become the fourth state to recognize gay marriage. This follows Iowa only last week, which achieved the same result through a vote of its Supreme Court. On the same day, the District of Columbia voted to recognize such marriages in other states.
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The Rev. William Blasingame, 66, really need some work. He is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the North Shore Episcopal church for plastic surgery and Botox injections and prescription drugs. Theft of botox, liposuction, and other cosmetic work seems to be on the rise. One has to look the best for one’s line up.
NASA has captured a picture of what appears to be the hand of God reaching across space. Notably, the picture was taken as former Sen. Ted Stevens (R., Alaska) is about to appear in federal court to declare victory after the Justice Department drops its case against him.
The Church of Scientology has been sued again. This time former “Sea Org” member Laura DeCrescenzo (aka Laura Dieckman) has filed a complaint on April 2, 2009 alleging a long pattern of abuse that began when she was just 10. This is the third such lawsuit filed this year against the organization and alleges breaches of labor laws, infliction of emotional distress, forced abortion, and other grounds.
After a Pakistani minister alleged that the video of a teenage girl being flogged was a “Jewish conspiracy,” the 17-year-old girl Chand Bibi in the film has claimed that the whole thing is a hoax and that she was never flogged.
Continue reading “Teenage Girl Denies That She Was Flogged in Infamous Pakistani Video”
According to Pakistani Federal Minister Senator Azam Khan Swati of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam the flogging of the 17-year-old girl in Swat was a Jewish conspiracy. He explained that it is the work of Jews aimed at destroying peace in Swat and distorting the image of those Islamists who sport beards and wear turbans.
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Recently, Pakistan shocked the world by surrendering the Swat Valley to Islamic extremists and allowing the huge area to be placed under Sharia law. Now, a video (shown below) has emerged of what this means, particularly for women. The video shows a teenage girl being flogged for an improper relationship as she begs for mercy.
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The Episcopal Church of Rhode Island has terminated the ministry of Ann Holmes Redding over a novel dispute. For three years, Redding has been both a practicing Christian and practicing Muslim. While Redding does not see a conflict, the church has essentially told her to pick a God and go with it.
Continue reading “Double Dipper: Episcopal Church Defrocks Minister Who Converted to Islam”
In a major ruling, the Iowa Supreme Court has struck down a state law that confines marriage to heterosexual couples. The decision moves the current national debate from the East and West coasts to the heartland.
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For years, there has been growing discomfort over the loss of American lives and treasure in Afghanistan while the government moves increasingly toward a Taliban-like legal system that rejects most of the rights that we consider fundamental for all humanity. Those concerns have been magnified this week with a new Afghan law that makes it legal for men to rape their wives. Under the law, a woman “is bound to preen for her husband as and when he desires.”
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Dunkin’ Donuts has prevailed after a four-day trial with a former franchise owner, Walid Elkhatib. Elkhatib has had a long-running fight with the chain over his refusal to sell products containing pork. No one, it seems, messes with the doughnut people.
Continue reading “Islamic Owner Gives Up Franchise with Dunkin’ Donuts Over Long-Standing Fight Involving Pork Products”
Prosecutors in Maryland appear to have cut a bizarre deal with a former religious cult member. Ria Ramkissoon, 22, agreed to plead guilty in the murder of her 1-year-old son, Javon Thompson, but, if he is resurrected, the deal is off.
Continue reading “The Lazarus Clause: Judge and Prosecutors Secure Plea From Deranged Mother With a Resurrection Clause”
The Washington Post is reporting that the torture ofhigh-value captive, Abu Zubaida produced nothing but false leads — in direct contradiction of suggestions by former Vice President Dick Cheney and others who endorsed the torture program and use of waterboarding. Moreover, the report indicates that the Administration quickly learned that Zubaida was not the high-profile, highly placed Al Qaeda operative that they told the public. I discussed the latest developments on this segment of Countdown.