Sen. Barack Obama is dealing with yet another screed from a long-time associate and preacher, Michael Pfleger, a Catholic priest. In the video below, Pfleger attacks Hillary Clinton and notions of white entitlement. It is yet another example of the perils of faith-based politics now practiced by both the Republicans and Democrats. What is most annoying, however, are these religious leaders who pander to racial hatred or intolerance — only to immediately apologize when those words become public.
Continue reading “Mea Culpa: Rev. Michael Pfleger Apologizes for Racially Insensitive Sermon”
Category: Religion
In yet another blow to the Texas officials who ordered the mass removal of children from the Yearning for Zion Ranch, the Texas Supreme Court has agreed with an appellate court that they must be returned. Officials will now have to reunite as many as 450 children with their parents. It is not must a rebuke to Child Protective Services, which adopted the most extreme measures in the case without evidence of individual guilt, but to District Judge Barbara Walther who showed very little concern over the rights of the accused parents in the matter. Continue reading “Texas Supreme Court Orders Return of Children in Polygamy Case”
Writer Matt Taibbi has a hilarious account of going undercover to the camp of former John McCain supporter Rev. John Hagee. One highlight is requiring the faithful to throw up “demons” that range from “incest” to “hand-writing analysis.”
Continue reading “Puking for Jesus — Writer Details Hagee’s Spiritual Camp”
Eddie Walker, the principal of Irmo High School in Columbia, S.C., is resigning in the wake of a decision by the Lexington-Richland School District 5 officials, to allow the creation of a gay club at his school. He has cited his own religious views for the protest move.
One of the great divides between the United States and England is the scope and protection given to free speech, particularly when it comes to the media. Now, it appears that even a speech during a protest is regulated by the government. An unnamed teenager was charged criminally after he held up a sign reading “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.” Whether true or not, it is a view shared by many around the world. It also appears to be a crime to utter in England. Continue reading “Student Charged Criminally for Using the Word “Cult” to Describe Scientology During London Protests”
Another pastor of a megachurch has been busted. This time it is Joe Barron who was captured in an undercover Internet sting allegedly trying to meet with a 13-year-old girl following sexual communications. The 52-year-old paster of the 26,000 member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano was actually speaking with a detective.
Continue reading “Laying Hands Upon the Kinder: Megachurch Pastor Busted in Internet Sex Sting”
A week ago, Iraqi militiamen made a shocking discovery: a Quran (Koran) used for target practice, riddled with bullets, and the words “F*** yeah” scrawled inside. U.S. officials are scrambling to make amends in fear of a major backlash across Iraq.
Continue reading “Iraqi Outcry After Quran Used for Target Practice by U.S. Troops”
For many, the conversion of virulent anti-Catholic Rev. John Hagee to a new pro-Catholic lover of mankind was a bit forced and opportunistic, here. Nevertheless, the sudden reformation of the bigoted preacher de-fused a controversy for John McCain, who sought Hagee’s endorsement. Now, however, there is questions raised about another spiritual adviser and supporter to the campaign: Rev. Rod Parsley. Continue reading “Now That Hagee is Reformed, How About Rev. Rod Parsley?”
In another serious move against first speech, the Dutch have arrested a cartoonist for insulting before on the basis of their race and religion. It is a core free speech issue and, while the cartoonist known as Gregorius Nekschot may be obnoxious, it should be a matter of concern for those who believe in an open and robust environment for speech. As noted below, cartoonists appear a new obsession with governments. Continue reading “No Laughing Matter: Dutch Arrest Cartoonist for Insulting People”
You’ve got to love the power of redemption. Virulent anti-Catholic and John McCain supporter John Hagee has decided after months of criticism that he actually doesn’t think Catholics are anti-semitic and their church is the “great whore.” He further called the Crusades anti-Semitic and blamed the Church for Hitler’s hatred of the Jews. It turns out that those attacks were only caused by his love for Jews not his hatred of Catholics. I do not know which I disliked more: the hate-filled Anti-Catholic ravings or the opportunistic implausible apology. Continue reading “My Bad: Hagee Apologizes for Anti-Catholic Statements and Is Instantly Forgiven”
There will be no expelliarmus orders in English prisons. English inmates have won the right to keep twigs in their cells to use as wands. This is still better than the American prisoner’s demanding to have Thor’s hammer and sword available to them. Continue reading ““Casting a Spell, Boss:” Inmates Win Right to Keep “Magic Wands” in Cells”
Abdel-Qader Ali killed his daughter after he learned that she had fallen in love with a British solider, even though she was still a virgin and did little more than admit infatuation. Her brothers helped him kill her. According to father, police congratulated and released him. His only regret? That he did not kill Rand Abdel-Qader, 17, as a baby. Continue reading “Father Kills Daughter for Falling in Love with British Soldier; Police Congratulate and Release Him”
In Minnesota, three eighth graders have been suspended for sitting during the pledge of allegiance. The principal of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Junior High School states that, while they are not constitutionally required to recite the pledge, they must still stand for the pledge. It is difficult to see how students are protected from pledging but must give the outward appearance of approving or respecting the pledge and flag. Continue reading “Pledge or Perish: Eighth Graders Suspended for Lack of Patriotic Respect”
Police in Madison Wisconsin have arrested a religious leader and a mother after discovering a corpse on their toilet. Tammy Lewis was responding to instructions from “Bishop” Alan Bushey, who insisted that 90-year-old Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth would come back to life — after two months. The two adults are facing child abuse and endangerment counts while the two children are now in foster care and protected from further “religious instruction.” Continue reading ““Bishop” and Mother Arrested After Making Kids Live with Corpse”
A twelve-year-old Muslim girl and her parents have been told by a German court that she must attend co-ed swimming lessons despite her religious objections to wearing formfitting clothing. The court in North Rhine-Westphalia said that the school’s interest in teaching swimming outweighs the bona fide religious objections of the parents. It appears that free style outweighs free exercise in Germany. Continue reading “Sin-chronized Swimming: German Court Holds that Muslim Girl Must Swim Despite Religious Prohibitions”