Religion
Ayn Rand on Religion
More than half of Britons are Non-Religious
Over half of Britons claim no religion.
Freedom from religion in Britain is becoming as important as freedom of religion, according to a United Nations investigation into religion in the UK.
In a 23-page report published this evening, a UN rapporteur claims the 2001 Census findings that nearly 72 per cent of the population is Christian can no longer be regarded as accurate. The report claims that two-thirds of British people now do not admit to any religious adherence.
The report also calls for the disestablishment of the Church of England. The role and privileges of the established Church are challenged because they do not reflect “the religious demography of the country and the rising proportion of other Christian denominations.”
The report also warns that measures to combat terrorism in Britain could be undermined because of discrimination against Muslims.
According to the report into the freedom of religion and belief in the UK, there is an “overall respect for human rights and their value.” But the report warns that Muslims in particular face screening, searches, interrogation and arrest.
Video: "Life and Liberty ...For all who believe."
I could put commentary here, but they've said everything that needs to be.
God told Pat Robertson who the next President will be
God told Pat Robertson who will be the next President.
But he isn't going to tell us. Why not? Well, he thinks that we would all make fun of him if he did.
Touché, Mr. Robertson.
Atheists: Winning since 33 A.D.
Mitt Romney : 'Freedom requires religion'
freedom - the absence of or release from obligations
requires - impose an obligation on
"Freedom requires religion" literally means "The abscense of obligation imposes an obligation to religion."
For some reason, Republicans seem to think that people can only be free if they give up all of their freedom. For instance, Rudy Giuliani said:
"Freedom is about authority. Freedom is about the willingness of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion about what you do."
discretion - freedom to act according to one's own judgment
authority - persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
Another obvious contradiction. Then again, Republicans have a long history of arguing that A is not A.
Mike Huckabee: Rewriting History For Jesus
Apparently, if you're a Republican, it is now perfectly acceptable to rewrite history in addition to rewriting science.
Mike Huckabee made the claim that "When our founding fathers put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, those 56 brave people, most of whom, by the way, were clergymen, they said that we have certain inalienable rights given to us by our creator."
Out of all 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, only John Witherspoon was a clergyman.
New Pledge gathers a bit of attention at Boulder High School
Is it just me, or is this the first protest by High School students to the pledge of allegiance?
100 students walked out after their first class in order to recite a new form of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The New Pledge:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights with which it comes. And to the diversity in which our nation stands. One nation, part of one planet, with liberty, freedom, choice and justice for all."
First off, I have to say: Go Kids! These are truly free-thinkers, and they're in High School. How remarkable is that? But it may have less to do with their uncommon ability to think outside of the box or question the status quo and more to do with the culture that they're taught in.
"This is not a cookie-cutter high school," he said. "These kids are experiencing the democratic process, and putting their ideas out to the community. Nothing that happened today is anti-American. Good for the kids. I'm proud that they follow the democratic process of telling the community about ideas they disagree with."
That, in and of itself, is pretty amazing to me. A principal who not only allows student protests like this, but encourages it. That's pretty freaking unique.
It's definitely encouraging that we have a rather considerable sized group protesting this.
"'We don't object to pledging to our country, but we do object to pledging to a religion,' said Ashley Guesman, 17, a protest organizer."
Seriously, these kids deserve their props, but honestly had any teenager tried this in the Bible Belt? Well, they certainly wouldn't still be around to give interviews. In all honestly, they probably would have been sent to a terrorist detainment camp.
What happens when you give a fundie a brain
I found this collection of comments and quotes from fundamentalist Christianists, and I found it too spectacular to keep it all to myself, and my fellow unbelievers on StumbleUpon.
They are all great in their own way, but these are my favorites: Enjoy!
celticmist138, Rapture Ready [Comments (52)] 2007-Aug-10
Editor, CSE blogs [Comments (24)] 2007-Aug-20
Yes, because when people are educated, the Devil wins. I'm pretty sure that was the overwhelming opinion during that awesome time called the DARK AGES.
Rachel, One News Now [Comments (55)] 2007-Aug-13
Umm, I think we need to get this guy a dictionary. So that he can look up the meaning of Freedom. And of CRAZY ASSHOLE, too.
E J Broomell, One News Now [Comments (51)] 2007-Jul-16
YEAH! BECAUSE JESUS WAS AN AMERICAN. LIKE ALL GOOD PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HISTORY. EXCEPT FOR THE NATIVE AMERICANS. GAH, THOSE PEOPLE SUCK.
BJ Tabor, Blogs4Brownback [Comments (79)] 2007-Aug-01
Seriously. You can't make this sh*t up. You can't. You can try, but you simply cannot fake bat-sh*t insane this well.
Angel, “Atheist doctors more likely to care for the poor than religious ones”
[Comments (68)] 2007-Aug-02
HOLY HELL, Our super secret plan has been discovered! And by a CHRISTIAN, none-the-less! ABORT! ABORT!!
You see, we came about this whole notion of Atheism, because God kept getting pissed off because we were always having orgies and having *GASP* Pre-Marital SEX. So we decided to not believe in him. Not for lack of evidence, or some such gobbledy-goop, but simply because we wanted to go with our biological desires and not feel bad.
Wanna know how it's easy to tell that this guy has never knowingly met an atheist in his entire life?
By his claim that we think we need an 'insurance' policy against the Hell that God would send us to.
We're not trying to do the right thing. We're not doing what's moral, or good. We're really just trying to cheese God up so he doesn't send us to an eternity of fiery damnation.
-WHEW!- That feels so much better to actually let it out!
If for nothing else, Christians sure are good for a laugh or two.
Wait, I said laugh. I meant cringe and fall down and cry in the fetal position. Yeah, they're good for a couple of those.
Scientific Fact: Hindu Prayers will ruin America. Or so Republicans say.
Just when you thought Republican bigotry was at it's best, or worst, they will set out to prove you wrong.
Straight from Crooks and Liars...
“We have not only a Hindu prayer being offered in the Senate, we have a Muslim member of the House of Representatives now, Keith Ellison from Minnesota. Those are changes — and they are not what was envisioned by the Founding Fathers,” asserts Sali.
Sali says America was built on Christian principles that were derived from scripture. He also says the only way the United States has been allowed to exist in a world that is so hostile to Christian principles is through “the protective hand of God.”
“You know, the Lord can cause the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike,” says the Idaho Republican.
According to Congressman Sali, the only way the U.S. can continue to survive is under that protective hand of God. He states when a Hindu prayer is offered, “that’s a different god” and that it “creates problems for the longevity of this country.”
See? And I knew it all along, dogmatic hatred really will save this country. You just watch and see, because the founding fathers would tell you if they were still here.
Bigoted assholes raised this country from nothing. They would tell you that they certainly didn't believe in religious freedom, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a Commie terrorist!
Gah, what would we do without Mr. Sali to tell us who to hate, and why?!
And don't you like the semi-threat there at the end? Kind of reminds me of the nice things these nice people would tell you, too.
Man, Isn't the world of conservatism just awesome! Anyone you wanna hate, and they'll give you a reason, and back it up with the bible! Almost breath-taking, huh?