Irish Blasphemy Law
Today sees more headscratching as the introduction of Ireland’s new Blasphemy Law , which was passed in July 2009 by a single vote , comes into operation. It reads , in a nutshell:
“publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted”.
They forgot the thinking.
The outrage of atheists is understandable , with heavyweights Mark Twain ( deceased) , Father Ted ( deceased) Bjork , and even the Prophet himself named by protesters amongst those whose words will be used to challenge the law in court. Rather silent , however , are the Catholics , who mistakenly foresee this as a protection of their beliefs.
This law has to do more with non Christian religions and is being rolled out throughout the ‘free’ World. For example , it is already enforced in the UK under the bizarrely named Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 where even belief in Climate Change is now classed as a religion and where State decides who is – or is not – a Jew. Meanwhile , outside of the ‘free’ World , Pakistan is also looking at the Irish legislation to see how it’s paramilitary system could benefit from its introduction.
The Law , which attracts a fine for those who fall foul, doesn’t apply to the Jedi Religion , as there aren’t sustantial adherents to that particular faith.
So what is it about? This law has little to do with protecting the sensitivities of the devout in a once predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Is it simply another small step in eradicating the old religions through legislation in order to gradually introduce a One World Religion to lie comfortable with the New World Order?
Full Report Here
Science Center sued for rejecting anti-evolution film
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the California Science Center is about to be sued by the American Freedom Alliance, which is a non-political, non-partisan movement which promotes, defends and upholds Western values and ideals. (Translation, Western Values = a Christian worldview which aligns itself to Creationism and Intelligent Design)
The AFA had planned an Oct. 25 screening of two films at the Exposition Park museum — one a short Imax movie called “We are Born of Stars,” which favors Darwin’s theory; the other, “Darwin’s Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record,” a feature-length documentary that criticizes Darwin and promotes intelligent design.
The AFA says that it has no position on Darwinism and intelligent design but is concerned that debate is being stifled by the scientific establishment. The scientific establishment has dismissed Creationism and Intelligent design, as the theory of evolution has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt by the genetic and fossil evidence.
Full Story Here
Midnight Mass Getting Earlier
Has Health and Safety finally forced churches to abandon one of its oldest and best loved traditions? Churches in the UK have always started services around 11pm so that they continue into Christmas Day to mark the arrival of Jesus into the world.
However in recent years many have begun to move Midnight Mass services forward to earlier in the evening, to stop them being interrupted by drunks staggering out of the pubs or to make them more user friendly for young families and the elderly to attend and return home safely afterwards.
Some Roman Catholic churches are starting the service, renamed the First Mass of Christmas or Vigil Mass, around 8pm.
Among the earliest found is St Teresa of the Child Jesus Church in Liverpool, where the inappropriately named Midnight Mass will take place at the improbable time of 6pm.
Several churches are holding the service early in the evening so it coincides nicely with midnight in Bethlehem, which , conveniently , is two hours ahead of the UK.
Holy Trinity and All Saints in Winterton, Norfolk calls its service “Moonlight Mass” and the blurb states: “All the mystery and wonder of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, but at a slightly earlier time. As the Mass reaches its climax a bell chimes to tell us is it is midnight in Bethlehem the place of Christ’s birth. Mulled wine and mince pies to follow.”
Meanwhile , over in the Vatican , Midnight Mass was brought forward two hours so that the Pope doesn’t get too tired to deliver his Christmas Message in the morning. Unfortunately the Pontiff suffered a security scare when a ‘mentally unstable’ woman leapt a barrier and tumbled the 82 year old to the floor. She was the same person who tried to jump a barricade to get close to the Pope at last year’s Christmas Mass, the spokesman said.
MaryBeth Burns from Paris, Texas, was about four people away from the woman who jumped the barriers and was filming the pope’s procession as the commotion started.
“I’m really mad because I had a perfect shot lined up,” she said. “I’m still shaking.”
Burns, who was visiting Italy with her family on a religious pilgrimage for Christmas, said the security guards immediately pulled the woman to the ground and the pope tumbled with them.
Also involved was Cardinal Roger Etchegaray who was taken to hospital after being given first aid in the Basilica. He is reported as suffering a fractured femur.
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Dawkins admits to Ancient Astronaut theory
Uber-Atheist Richard Dawkins recently talked to Ben Stein about guess what? Yep you’re right, the non existence of god. What was interesting about this conversation was that Dawkins let it slip that it is entirely possible that we (humans) could be the product of Intelligent Design, abet through alien DNA creation and or manipulation…
It could be that at some earlier time somewhere in the universe a civilization evolved by probably some kind of Darwinian means to a very very high level of technology and designed a form of life that they seeded onto perhaps this planet. Now that is a possibility and an intriguing possibility and I suppose it’s possible that you might find evidence for that if you look at the details of biochemistry or molecular biology you might find a signature of some sort of designer.
“If everything is ready on the Dark Side of the moon, play the five tones…”
Thou Shalt Steal
An unholy row has erupted after a Parish Priest in York , UK seemed to condone shoplifting if in desperate need – but only from the multi-national chain stores.
Fr. Tim Jones of the Parish of SS. Lawrence and Hilda appeared on national TV to explain his comments. Is it really a surprise that , if faced with a choice between starving and shoplifting , a priest would advocate the latter?
The thought of the poor stealing from the multinationals is not a thought to fill anyone with particular dread.
The story is possibly a welcome break for the Government from the daily headlines over MP expenses.
Full Story Here
Second-grader suspended over drawing of Jesus
A Taunton father is outraged after his 8-year-old son was sent home from school and required to undergo a psychological evaluation after drawing a stick-figure picture of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The father said he got a call earlier this month from Maxham Elementary School informing him that his son, a second-grade student, had created a violent drawing. The image in question depicted a crucified Jesus with Xs covering his eyes to signify that he had died on the cross. The boy wrote his name above the cross.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re violating his religion,” the incredulous father said.
Full Story Here
Raelian leader from Iran seeks asylum in Turkey
Religious intolerance in the Middle East? Who would believe such a thing! I’m being sarcastic of course, as the middle east is a hot bed of religious fervor and intolerance. With the main religion being Islam, and followed closely by the Jews, then throw in a few Christians and you’ve got a great mix of intolerance and violence.
Ah… Love thy neighbor.
Anyway, it seems that another religion which is just as wacky abet a lot smaller than the rest, is all set to join the intolerance party that is the Middle East.
Enter the Raelians…
The U.N. refugee agency is considering an asylum request from the Iranian leader of a sect that believes in extraterrestrials. Negar Azizmoradi has been detained in Turkey for not carrying a valid passport and is being held at a refugee detention center in Istanbul.
Her Raelian Movement in Iran says she faces a possible death sentence if sent home.
The group, sometimes referred to as a cult, denies the existence of God and believes life on Earth was created by clones of extraterrestrials.
Full Story Here
Globally, Religion has changed. Or has it?
I view truly religious people as very rare, and culturally religious people as very common. What does that mean? A new report released by the University of Chicago, which presents “the most comprehensive analysis to date of global religious trends.” report, that seems to speak at cross-purposes concerning the worlds religious beliefs, and provides no clear answers as to the current religious structure of the world.
“Religious change around the world is a complex phenomenon,” the report begins, in an almost comic understatement. “No simple description such as secularization, religious revival, or believing without belonging captures the complexity of the process.”
… so the world is more religious, but not really?
The United States, as often noted, remains unusually religious among advanced industrial nations. Nearly 6 out of 10 Americans pray one or more times each day; high percentages report feeling close to God, experiencing God’s presence or guidance on most days. Faith in God, they say, is “very important” in their lives.
But…
Nonetheless, belief in God has slipped a little, and more Americans, though still believing, acknowledge some uncertainty about God’s existence.
Confused?
Full Story HERE
Mapping the 7 Deadly Sins
We’re gluttons for infographics, and a team at Kansas State just served up a feast: maps of sin created by plotting per-capita stats on things like theft (envy) and STDs (lust). Christian clergy, likely noting the Bible Belt’s status as Wrath Central, question the “science.” Valid point—or maybe it’s just the pride talking.
Save your pets after the Rapture
Some enterprising Atheists are creating a business based on a Christian sects bizarre belief system, a belief that they will all be magically floated away by Jesus at the end of the world. This wacky notion is called the Rapture, and while its labeled as the saving of the righteous and the true believers, in reality it’s ultimately giant a ‘fuck you’ to all non-believers and subscribers of ‘other’ religious flavors.
But what about the pets of these Rapture belivin’, Jesus lovin’ folks?
You’ve committed your life to Jesus. You know you’re saved. But when the Rapture comes what’s to become of your loving pets who are left behind? Eternal Earth-Bound Pets takes that burden off your mind.
This is where a joke turned business comes in to play…
Full Story HERE
