fugitive247/religion

Claim: The 2007 film The Golden Compass is based on a series of books with anti-religious themes.

Status: True.

Excerpted from page: The series author, Phillip Pullman, "left little doubt about his books' intended meanings when he said in a 2003 interview that 'My books are about killing God' and in a 2001 interview that he was 'trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.'"

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First, a little clarification:

atheism
2 a: a disbelief in the existence of deity
b: the doctrine that there is no deity

Ergo, it is this generously tolerant and decently educated Unitarian Universalist's opinion that Mr. Pullman reveals through his own statements above (and many others) that he's afflicted by one or more of the following:

◊ misunderstanding of the conventional definition of atheism
◊ personal conflict/confusion within his own (dis)belief system
◊ specific resentment/hatred of Christianity
◊ one or more forms of profound mental illness

Regardless, this parent will be shielding her young children from this entire franchise until such a time should arrive when they are mature enough to safely process this material and form/adapt their own working concepts of spirituality-
if that is their choice.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Because no individual or religious group's dogma should
ever be allowed to drive an entire nation's karma.

From the page: "More than 420 Wal-Mart stores nationwide will begin carrying the faith-based toys that include Jesus and Samson action figures.

Only about one-sixth of stores will carry the toys."

Groovy. And with my luck one of the three stores within 40 miles of my neck of the Ozarks will be carrying them. If so, you can bet your bible that it will make the weekly newspaper's top headline.

Gee, do you think there's any chance that Wally World might entertain the idea of carrying religious action figures like Buddha, Vishnu, Ra, Mohamed, Odin...

/me rolls eyes

Stop the madness. Now.

Short slice of non-omnipotentate weirdness allegedly taking place in Kenya. A resident of the Mount Elgon region claims to be God, amongst other things. He's demanded a crapload of money because... Well... He's God and stuff, ya know. (ummm, okaaaay!) If this guy were, in fact, God, he'd have no need for currency.

Years ago a popular comedian lampooned the whole "give your money to God" schtick. The comedian's angle was that if God really needed cash he'd toss all his currency high into the air. God was more than welcome to take what He needed. Whatever wafted back down to the ground then belonged to the comedian, fair and square. Gotta love logic like that!

Hmmm... Script still needs tweaking, but the cool factor is undeniable. Also, a shuffle function within contestants and an undo for "squishes" would be helpful. And yes, one needs to know at least basic html to rework the output into something logical. But the "design your own hell" concept is still too fucking cool!

Circle I - Limbo: lemurs, posers, republicrats, liars

Circle II - Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind: script kiddies, RIAA, plagarists, con artists

Circle III - Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow: murderers, rapists

Circle IV - Rolling Weights: DMCA, Loyd Blankenship

Circle V - Stuck in Mud, Mangled River Styx: NAIS

Circle VI - Buried for EternityRiver Phlegyas: politicians

Circle VII - Burning Sands: religious right

Circle VIII - Immersed in Excrement: pedophiles

Circle IX - Frozen in Ice: fence sitters, anti-constitutionalists

Design your own hell

The root statements and biblical references made in this lengthy read are not new by a long shot. They have, however, been emphasized with glaring current examples of tactics being employed with a righteous fervor unmatched in recent times. Christ was a teacher. He taught the pure principles of unconditional love, forgiveness, ethical behavior, compassion, and so much more. Christ did not condone hatred, oppression, slavery, cruelty, or covetness. This article addresses the latter and how a dauntingly growing throng of fundamentalists are attempting to legislate America's women into becoming new victims of these unacceptable practices as the legal status quo. It is highly regrettable that so many otherwise enlightened Americans have been duped by the talking heads, but it's not too late. Ignorance and blind acceptance of the mortal twistings of Christ's teachings are the enemy. Our nation's best assets are aware, politically active voters and the U.S. Constitution.

From the page: "Tell them we are not asking them to violate Christ's teaching about not judging others, because most of the rank and file in the Christian Nationalist movement are sincere-but merely to examine the effects of their policies on real people. We don't have to cast stones, to get out point across; quoting the Beatitudes makes the point by itself."

This clue-by-four administered online to radio schlock psychologist, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, remains just as valid today as it did when it first made the rounds here in Cyberia. And it still made me laugh just as loudly now as when I first read it years ago. ;oD