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luzribeiroJust on topic:
Ten Commandments school displays could soon be required in Louisiana
"Legislation that would require all schools that receive state money to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom gained approval Thursday from the Louisiana Senate and is on its way to the House for apparent final approval."
The First Amendment is supposed to protect the American public from having someone else's religion imposed on them.
Obviously that doesn't count when zealots have an agenda.
"Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City, carried the bill for its author, Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, and presented the Ten Commandments as a historical document that merited a place of prominence in classrooms."
But teaching an honest portrayal of slavery is prohibited. Got it.
I’m willing to bet people supporting this would lose their shit if the 10 pillars of Islam were posted next to the Commandments. Or the tenets of the Satanic Temple. Except that's exactly what freedom of religion requires. RIGHT?
Ten Commandments school displays could soon be required in Louisiana
"Legislation that would require all schools that receive state money to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom gained approval Thursday from the Louisiana Senate and is on its way to the House for apparent final approval."
The First Amendment is supposed to protect the American public from having someone else's religion imposed on them.
Obviously that doesn't count when zealots have an agenda.
"Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City, carried the bill for its author, Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, and presented the Ten Commandments as a historical document that merited a place of prominence in classrooms."
But teaching an honest portrayal of slavery is prohibited. Got it.
I’m willing to bet people supporting this would lose their shit if the 10 pillars of Islam were posted next to the Commandments. Or the tenets of the Satanic Temple. Except that's exactly what freedom of religion requires. RIGHT?
kiaaWhat are your thoughts on the recent scientific research which shows a strong correlation between religious fundamentalism and brain damage?
There have been a few scientific investigations of the relationship of brain damage to increases in spirituality or religious fundamentalism over the years.
They seem to show a clear correlation between certain types of brain damage and the development of features of the thinking behind religious fundamentalism:
Damage To Specific Site In The Brain May Be Linked To Religious Fundamentalism
There have been a few scientific investigations of the relationship of brain damage to increases in spirituality or religious fundamentalism over the years.
They seem to show a clear correlation between certain types of brain damage and the development of features of the thinking behind religious fundamentalism:
Damage To Specific Site In The Brain May Be Linked To Religious Fundamentalism
Racism among Christians
19/1/22 21:31luzribeiroIn public opinion polls, a clear pattern has emerged: white Christians are consistently more likely than whites who are religiously unaffiliated to deny the existence of structural racism.
A close read of history reveals that white Christians have not just been complacent or complicit; rather, as many Western nations' dominant cultural power, they have constructed and sustained a project of perpetuating white supremacy that has framed the entire modern story. The legacy of this unholy union still lives in the DNA of white Christianity today — and not just among white evangelical Protestants in the US South, but also among white mainline Protestants in the Midwest and white Catholics in the Northeast.
Racism among white Christians is higher than among the nonreligious. That's no coincidence.
For most of American history, the light-skinned Jesus conjured up by white congregations demanded the preservation of inequality as part of the divine order.
Have you noticed as a kid how Sunday is the most segregated day of the week? If Jesus was an actual person, I would hope he would frown upon the way people of faith conduct themselves. Why are they the way they are? Why be contradictory to the faith they claim to follow?
Years ago, I saw some statistics that strongly supported the suspicion that churches tend to be the most segregated institutions in America today. For whatever reasons, whites and blacks in America tend NOT to worship together.
A close read of history reveals that white Christians have not just been complacent or complicit; rather, as many Western nations' dominant cultural power, they have constructed and sustained a project of perpetuating white supremacy that has framed the entire modern story. The legacy of this unholy union still lives in the DNA of white Christianity today — and not just among white evangelical Protestants in the US South, but also among white mainline Protestants in the Midwest and white Catholics in the Northeast.
Racism among white Christians is higher than among the nonreligious. That's no coincidence.
For most of American history, the light-skinned Jesus conjured up by white congregations demanded the preservation of inequality as part of the divine order.
Have you noticed as a kid how Sunday is the most segregated day of the week? If Jesus was an actual person, I would hope he would frown upon the way people of faith conduct themselves. Why are they the way they are? Why be contradictory to the faith they claim to follow?
Years ago, I saw some statistics that strongly supported the suspicion that churches tend to be the most segregated institutions in America today. For whatever reasons, whites and blacks in America tend NOT to worship together.
airiefairieUntil recently, when asked why they baptise their children, many answered: "Because of the values they're taught by the church". Behind this opinion was a notion which Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky formulated as follows: "If there is no God, anything goes".
A study published in 2015 was supposed to put an end to this notion. The authors from seven countries, including Qatar, China, South Africa and the US, concluded that children who grow up in non-religious families are more prone to sharing and are more open than religious children. The research ruffled quite a few feathers. The methodology used by the scientists was not considered valid enough. But the question what values exactly religion teaches is still as relevant as ever and has not yet found a clear answer.
( Read more... )
A study published in 2015 was supposed to put an end to this notion. The authors from seven countries, including Qatar, China, South Africa and the US, concluded that children who grow up in non-religious families are more prone to sharing and are more open than religious children. The research ruffled quite a few feathers. The methodology used by the scientists was not considered valid enough. But the question what values exactly religion teaches is still as relevant as ever and has not yet found a clear answer.
( Read more... )
Faith the killer
12/4/21 13:35mahnmut
Covid has shaken the world. And it's not just the medical experts who take a key role in the debate - religion and faith is active there too. Generally, most religious denominations do realize the danger, and tend to respect the restrictions. But there are some who actively contribute to spreading the pandemic.
There's this belief among, well, believers, that participating in mass religious rituals would make them invincible. Here are just a few examples.
Needless to say, Evangelism is very influential in the US. It's a fundamentalist belief in anything the Bible says. Many of those people interpret the pandemic as God's punishment. Ralph Drollinger, a prominent pastor and preacher, who used to be Trump's trusted ally, has said God sent the virus because he got angry with gays and environmentalists.
Evangelicals believe that salvation is solely in the "true" faith. They trust said faith over science, including in dealing with Covid. The share of those refusing to wear masks is very high among that segment.
( Read more... )
Not helping
30/3/21 21:51kiaaMakes sense. People who are constantly condemning others in the name of God aren't winning any converts.
Conservative Christians are driving more Americans away from religion altogether
The incredible hypocrisy is what turns people off. Justifying hate and bigotry using the Bible is what turns people off. Using the hypocrisy and hate to pass laws that hurt people is what turns people off.
I learned these lessons early in life.
Modern Christianity has sown the seeds of its own demise. Not all Christianity of course, but certainly the "fundamentalist" sort that wants to control what others do and say.
Conservative Christians are driving more Americans away from religion altogether
The incredible hypocrisy is what turns people off. Justifying hate and bigotry using the Bible is what turns people off. Using the hypocrisy and hate to pass laws that hurt people is what turns people off.
I learned these lessons early in life.
Modern Christianity has sown the seeds of its own demise. Not all Christianity of course, but certainly the "fundamentalist" sort that wants to control what others do and say.
luzribeiroChristians... Can we talk? How does your support for Drumpf square with the teachings of Christ? Or how does the Bible support you if you don’t Back him?
"He shamefully took out a full-page ad in all of the New York dailies asking for a restoration of the death penalty for two 14-year-old, two 15-year-old, and one 16-year-old innocent children. While New York State laws would not have permitted their execution, just the fact that there was a rush to judgment ought to be complete evidence of how temperamentally unsuited he is for the off ice he now seeks."
Ken Burns to Evangelical Voters: 'What Part of Donald Trump Reminds You of Jesus Christ?'
The "Christians" comparing this man to Jesus Christ have either serious delusions about their faith or of who Trump is, ignorance/lack of caring that he clearly acts against their teachings in a multitude of ways, or are those who claim 'they are Christian and go to church' yet ignore the real teachings of Jesus Christ, especially when it conflicts with their political opinions, and still exhibit grossly intolerant views, some even quoting old Bible verses to defend it, OR is a mix of all of that - and it is disgusting and disheartening.
( Read more... )
"He shamefully took out a full-page ad in all of the New York dailies asking for a restoration of the death penalty for two 14-year-old, two 15-year-old, and one 16-year-old innocent children. While New York State laws would not have permitted their execution, just the fact that there was a rush to judgment ought to be complete evidence of how temperamentally unsuited he is for the off ice he now seeks."
Ken Burns to Evangelical Voters: 'What Part of Donald Trump Reminds You of Jesus Christ?'
The "Christians" comparing this man to Jesus Christ have either serious delusions about their faith or of who Trump is, ignorance/lack of caring that he clearly acts against their teachings in a multitude of ways, or are those who claim 'they are Christian and go to church' yet ignore the real teachings of Jesus Christ, especially when it conflicts with their political opinions, and still exhibit grossly intolerant views, some even quoting old Bible verses to defend it, OR is a mix of all of that - and it is disgusting and disheartening.
( Read more... )
tcpip
For the past several weeks there has been an argument in Australian politics, following the sacking of Israel Folau by Rugby Australia. Israel has in the past said there is no room for homophobia in rugby, but recently has had his contract revoked by RA that after a social media post that gays (along with drunks, atheists, all the usual suspects) were going to hell. Odd to be calling attention to the Old Testament verses when one has worked on the Sabbath and is covered in tatoos. Israel has appealed to the Fair Work Commission on the basis of freedom of religious expression. Rugby Australia has argued that it has a duty of care to provide a workplace that is safe and respectful. Despite owning several properties, Folau initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which seemed a bit odd given that he has a massive property portfolio. It raised several hundred thousand dollars before being shut down as a breach of the terms of service.
( Read more... )
kiaaI think it's child abuse to circumcise your child. It should be illegal.
It's a completely irreversible unnecessary procedure, and most of the time it's made for an infant who is not capable of making said choices for themselves. Circumcision is essentially legal mutilation.
One excuse is that it's mainly done for hygiene and health reasons other than a religious aspect. Except, there are no health reasons unless a doctor recommends it. And hygiene can be taught.
There are numerous reports of physicians screwing this up and mutilating babies too.
It simply does not need to be done, and can be done with consent when the child comes of age if they so choose for religious reasons.
Also, sanitation argument for circumcision ended when personal home showers became a thing. It's not hard to clean your junk regardless of how much extra skin is attached.
Religious freedom bills are another excuse. They've already been used as a defense for all kinds of things including child abuse. If these lunatics get a firm foothold on abortion, wait and see what comes next.
It's a completely irreversible unnecessary procedure, and most of the time it's made for an infant who is not capable of making said choices for themselves. Circumcision is essentially legal mutilation.
One excuse is that it's mainly done for hygiene and health reasons other than a religious aspect. Except, there are no health reasons unless a doctor recommends it. And hygiene can be taught.
There are numerous reports of physicians screwing this up and mutilating babies too.
It simply does not need to be done, and can be done with consent when the child comes of age if they so choose for religious reasons.
Also, sanitation argument for circumcision ended when personal home showers became a thing. It's not hard to clean your junk regardless of how much extra skin is attached.
Religious freedom bills are another excuse. They've already been used as a defense for all kinds of things including child abuse. If these lunatics get a firm foothold on abortion, wait and see what comes next.
Offtopic: Petition
28/7/18 00:02mahnmutIt's actually on-topic (documentaries). There's been an ongoing petition in favor of making a documentary about Pastafarianism. You know, the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. (You can't prove that he doesn't exist, can you now?)
Making a movie isn’t cheap, but today more than ever we need the story of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to bring sanity back into the world. Read about the film below, and hopefully you'll agree!
https://www.gofundme.com/pastafund
An Austrian activist has already set the precedent of forcing his authorities to allow him to put the typical pastafarian headwear on his driver's license. They can't stop us from professing our religious beliefs, can they? TEACH THE CONTROVERSY!!!
"We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it." - The Prophet Bobby Henderson
Making a movie isn’t cheap, but today more than ever we need the story of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to bring sanity back into the world. Read about the film below, and hopefully you'll agree!
https://www.gofundme.com/pastafund
An Austrian activist has already set the precedent of forcing his authorities to allow him to put the typical pastafarian headwear on his driver's license. They can't stop us from professing our religious beliefs, can they? TEACH THE CONTROVERSY!!!
"We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it." - The Prophet Bobby Henderson
kiaaTurkish Academic Claims Noah Used Cellphone to Call His Son Before the Flood
When there is a scientific breakthrough, religion says it is false (i.e. evolution, Earth revolves around the Sun). Stage 2 is when they can't continue fighting your arguments and say that their faith and your science have no relation and they can co-exist.
A little later stage 3 comes, when they come and say your finding is proving their religion true and they come up with some fucked up mental gymnastics to squeeze the circle into the triangle hole.
Last but not least, stage 4 comes along. This stage is when religious people claim they knew this fact before scientists. They knew about it before even science invented it. (i.e. cellphones, airplanes, stages of pregnancy, etc, etc).
When there is a scientific breakthrough, religion says it is false (i.e. evolution, Earth revolves around the Sun). Stage 2 is when they can't continue fighting your arguments and say that their faith and your science have no relation and they can co-exist.
A little later stage 3 comes, when they come and say your finding is proving their religion true and they come up with some fucked up mental gymnastics to squeeze the circle into the triangle hole.
Last but not least, stage 4 comes along. This stage is when religious people claim they knew this fact before scientists. They knew about it before even science invented it. (i.e. cellphones, airplanes, stages of pregnancy, etc, etc).
The AI religion
4/10/17 22:02kiaaEx-Google Engineer Starts Religion that Worships Artificial Intelligence
Been saying this for years. The future of religion is related to the philosophical aspects of developing a powerful artificial intelligence.
Simply put, humans used to worship stone or wooden idols that resembled humans and/or animals. They believed that if something resembled a living creature in form, it must possess the "soul" and essence of that living creature, and more.
A modified, more "modern" version of the same mindset assumes that if something resembles a living creature in behavior, it must be considered a living creature by essence - which is at the core of the Turing test and other related methods of defining sentience. It's natural to extrapolate this, then, and suppose that a potential next stage in the evolution of the human mind, plus the technological enhancements that we're already witnessing around us, would give rise to a technology-based religion that worships A.I., especially if it happens to surpass human capacities and become, well... superior.
This may've happened as a light-hearted stunt for the time being, but I predict it'll happen for real and for serious sooner than we suspect.
Been saying this for years. The future of religion is related to the philosophical aspects of developing a powerful artificial intelligence.
Simply put, humans used to worship stone or wooden idols that resembled humans and/or animals. They believed that if something resembled a living creature in form, it must possess the "soul" and essence of that living creature, and more.
A modified, more "modern" version of the same mindset assumes that if something resembles a living creature in behavior, it must be considered a living creature by essence - which is at the core of the Turing test and other related methods of defining sentience. It's natural to extrapolate this, then, and suppose that a potential next stage in the evolution of the human mind, plus the technological enhancements that we're already witnessing around us, would give rise to a technology-based religion that worships A.I., especially if it happens to surpass human capacities and become, well... superior.
This may've happened as a light-hearted stunt for the time being, but I predict it'll happen for real and for serious sooner than we suspect.
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ddstory.livejournal.comHe loves you so much that he created Hell, just in case you don't love him back enough.
( He especially loves children )
( He especially loves children )
mahnmut.livejournal.comNEBRASKA UNIVERSITY. US scientists have finally proven without any doubt that vaccines cause atheism. Thus, they have put an end to the debate between medical experts and concerned parents who constantly Think Of The Children.
The results of the research show that vaccination against diseases that have tormented humankind for millennia, has become the main reason that there is such a serious pandemic of atheism around the world.
"If it were only up to God's help alone, diphtheria, polio, tuberculosis an measles would have vanquished those predisposed to atheism. But vaccines are the key ingredient in the equation, allowing those heathens to survive and even transmit their godless pest genetically to the following generations", prof. Duncan MacLeod of the Department For Holistic Medicine at the Nebraska University has said.
The experts recommend that upon the slightest suspicion of atheism, children should be immediately sent to a Sunday school for further indoctrination, and the process should be continued at home by the parents. If the symptoms persist, an expert exorcist should be summoned, or if none is available, a representative of the Holy Inquisition.
A number of mindless people who can barely read, have been busy, fiercely sharing the news, spreading the word amongst like-minded folks, believing that by supporting an idiotic cause based on preceding idiotic notions, they'd somehow counter the dangerous advancement of the atheistic plague. Whether the effort will bear fruit, remains to be seen.
Evil doctor: "You see, Moshe, Yahweh may not re-immunize against tetanus and diphtheria, but this needle does".
The results of the research show that vaccination against diseases that have tormented humankind for millennia, has become the main reason that there is such a serious pandemic of atheism around the world.
"If it were only up to God's help alone, diphtheria, polio, tuberculosis an measles would have vanquished those predisposed to atheism. But vaccines are the key ingredient in the equation, allowing those heathens to survive and even transmit their godless pest genetically to the following generations", prof. Duncan MacLeod of the Department For Holistic Medicine at the Nebraska University has said.
The experts recommend that upon the slightest suspicion of atheism, children should be immediately sent to a Sunday school for further indoctrination, and the process should be continued at home by the parents. If the symptoms persist, an expert exorcist should be summoned, or if none is available, a representative of the Holy Inquisition.
A number of mindless people who can barely read, have been busy, fiercely sharing the news, spreading the word amongst like-minded folks, believing that by supporting an idiotic cause based on preceding idiotic notions, they'd somehow counter the dangerous advancement of the atheistic plague. Whether the effort will bear fruit, remains to be seen.
Evil doctor: "You see, Moshe, Yahweh may not re-immunize against tetanus and diphtheria, but this needle does".
ddstory.livejournal.comI mean, the only one who could benefit from the attention is Ken Ham and nobody else. And his horde of Creationist drones. Why provide him with the validation that he so much desires? The Nye/Ham debate wasn't supposed to be "won" by anyone - Ham lured Nye into it, in order to bring himself into the spotlight. And Nye obliged. Why?
Case in point:
Bill Nye visited a Noah’s Ark he doesn’t believe should exist
If these guys so much insist to splash enormous amounts of money into stupid projects like building a stupid ship in the middle of nowhere to make a point - be my guests. But trying to reason with them and argue with them on their turf, on their own terms? Why is he doing that? To look nice and open-minded? To accommodate somebody's sensitivities? To appease somebody? Or to recruit people from the "other side" to your cause? News flash: IT WON'T WORK. It has never worked that way. Those people have already been brainwashed to a point where no new information can enter their heads no matter what. They're a lost cause.
You just can't use reason to argue with un-reason. The other side just lacks the instrumentarium for processing what you're presenting to them.
Case in point:
Bill Nye visited a Noah’s Ark he doesn’t believe should exist
If these guys so much insist to splash enormous amounts of money into stupid projects like building a stupid ship in the middle of nowhere to make a point - be my guests. But trying to reason with them and argue with them on their turf, on their own terms? Why is he doing that? To look nice and open-minded? To accommodate somebody's sensitivities? To appease somebody? Or to recruit people from the "other side" to your cause? News flash: IT WON'T WORK. It has never worked that way. Those people have already been brainwashed to a point where no new information can enter their heads no matter what. They're a lost cause.
You just can't use reason to argue with un-reason. The other side just lacks the instrumentarium for processing what you're presenting to them.