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?”
Category: Religion
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”
Catholic priest Father Vincent Inametti, 48, has a particularly hands on approach to ministering to the faithful. Inametti was chaplain at a women’s prison in Texas when he used the position to have sex with two women. He will now serve two years in prison. The Vatican may be equally peeved given the fact that he is not supposed to be having sex with anyone. Continue reading “Laying Hands Upon the Faithful: Catholic Priest Gets Jail Time for Sex With Inmates”
Florida is continuing its struggle against the separation of church and state with a new promotion of religion: special license plates for the faithful. The legislature is considering a plate featuring a Christian cross, a stained-glass church window and the words “I Believe.” The sponsor of this unconstitutional measure is Rep. Edward Bullard who sees absolutely no difference between vanity plates and divinity plates. This is no doubt an effort to close the license gap with Iran, which has a “Honk if You Love Allah” plate. Continue reading “Honk, If You Love Jesus: Florida Extends State Advancement of Religion to License Plates”
Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the replacement of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) with Mecca Mean Time given the more central location of the holy city on Earth. Of course, given yesterday’s report of the Human Rights Watch on Saudi treatment of women, here. MMT could mean making time move backwards. Continue reading “I’m Not Late, I’m On Mecca Time: Muslim Scientists and Clerics Call for Replacement of Greenwich Mean Time with Mecca Mean Time”
Jose Merced, a Santeria Oba or priest, has appealed his challenge to a city ban on animal slaughtering in the home as a violation of his free exercise rights under the First Amendment. At issue is the refusal of the city of Euless, Texas to allow his religious practice. Continue reading “Fifth Circuit to Review Santeria Animal Slaughter Case”
A primary school in Amsterdam had a great idea for its kids aged 7-10 — to expose them to other cultures and religions, including a visit to a Mosque. What they learned, however, at the El Mouchidine mosque was a lesson in hate from its unhinged chairman, Mohamed Guennoun, who allegedly explained to the children that any non-believers were “dogs.” Continue reading “Mosque Field Trip for Children Turns Ugly”
In what could be a major new religion clause case, the Supreme Court has taken a case involving a Ten Commandments monument in a public park in Utah. The Tenth Circuit ruled with little known church that the city it must allow followers of the Summum religion to erect a similar monument displaying the “Seven Aphorisms of Summum.” Continue reading “Supreme Court Takes New Ten Commandments Case”
There is a growing clamor on the Internet over an effort by some Texans to strip Scientology of its status as a religion — a move that would expose the Church of Scientology to both taxes and greater regulation. This move occurs as various countries continue to move against the Church and the Church is threatening lawsuits over the disclosure of confidential tapes and materials. Most recently, Wikileaks has made available the entire secret Operating Thetan (OT) documents — a move that could trigger another round of litigation by the Church. Continue reading “Texans Seek to Strip Scientology of Religious Designation”