'What Century Are We Living In?'

Newsweek reports the vast majority of Murkans are literalist believers in fairy tales. Here's my favorite excerpt:

Sixty-two percent say they favor teaching creation science in addition to evolution in public schools; 26 percent oppose such teaching, the poll shows. Forty-three percent favor teaching creation science instead of evolution in public schools; 40 percent oppose the idea.

From William Blum's excellent post-election wrap-up [via toteota]:

What century are we living in?

350 years ago, in the English Civil War, both Catholics and Protestants went into battle shouting, "Kill for Jesus". Presented here is a short current report to show you how far humankind has come since that time.

Fallujah ... a dialogue amongst a group of young insurgents: "I had a vision yesterday that I would finally be granted the martyrdom" ... "A friend was injured in an attack. They took him to the hospital. When he opened his eyes he saw a beautiful woman. He cheered and thanked God that he had finally become a martyr and was granted one of the divine virgins. But then he realized that he was still alive and started crying." ... "They exchanged Koranic verses and sayings of the prophet Mohammed, divine poetry about the beauty of martyrdom."

With US forces massing outside Fallujah ... "35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them ... [the marines] perceive themselves as warriors fighting barbaric men opposed to all that is good in the world. ... waved their hands in the air, M-16 assault rifles beside them, and chanted heavy metal-flavoured lyrics in praise of Christ ... 'Victory belongs to the Lord,' another young marine read. ... The marines then lined up and their chaplain blessed them with holy oil to protect them."... Marine Colonel Gareth Brandl declared: "The enemy has got a face. He's called Satan. He lives in Fallujah. And we're going to destroy him."

Stoning Disobedient Children [via Rigorous Intuition]:

In the case of such rebellion and riotous living, and after all attempts at discipline and control have failed, the parents are to bring their son before the magistrates for judgment. If the magistrates concur in the parents' estimate of the situation, they are to order the men of the city to stone the rebel with stones so that he dies (vv. 20-21). The purpose to be served in the execution of the rebellious son is to "put evil away from among you" and that all will "hear and fear" (v. 21).
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Inescapable Death

Those who consider death as a horrible punishment here must realize that in such a case as described in Deuteronomy 21:18-21, "death" is inescapable. Contempt of parental authority, if left unchecked, is the death of the family, law, and order. The question then is: Who or what should die? The rebel, or family and society? Furthermore, the life of a rebel inevitably leads to the grave (sheol; cf.Pr. 30:17); he will die an early death, and probably take others with him. Finally, God himself declares that even if such a rebel against parental authority escapes the judgment of man, his curse is upon that man and he shall be cut off (Dt. 27:16; Pr. 30:17). Therefore, the execution of the rebel in view is just, merciful, and preventive. Just, in that the transgressor deserves to die; merciful, in that his quick death prevents the destruction of the family, society, and others; preventive, in that it strikes fear in the heart of other would-be rebels and restrains them from taking a similar ruinous course.

The Voice of the White House:

The Christian Right is somehow of the opinion that since they, and they alone (with the help of Jesus and Almighty God...the Virgin Mary is not in their pantheon) elected Caligula for another term, he owes them big and he is now expected to deliver on his vague promises, made to various Christian Right leaders, in private of course, before the election. This long list is howlingly funny, or would be if it weren't serious. Here is a copy of at least some of the more obnoxious items on their wish list that I have culled from all the papers around here:

1. Abolish and criminalize abortion


2. Establish Creationism in all public schools


3. Declare Christmas a "True Christian Holiday"


4. Base American law on the Ten Commandments, not the Secular Constitution


5. Make any kind of homosexual activity a criminal offense


6. Censor any and all media material they deem to be pornographic or offensive


7. Send missionaries to Iraq and other occupied countries to Christianize them...by force


8. Declare a Christian Crusade as quickly as possible with the aim of converting the world.


9. Work with Israel to demolish the Arab mosques and rebuild the Temple of Solomon


10. Declare Sunday as Christ's Day and shut all retail businesses down for that day


11. Institute the Tithe in the United States where 10% of the worker's checks go to Jesus (them)


12. Ban forever any kind of Satanic Rock and Roll and make it punishable to air or play it


13. Set up a Cabinet post as Religious Coordinator


14. Stop the publication of any and all Harry Potter type Satanic books. Abolish Satanic board games


15. Immediately quarantine any and all AIDS victims as drug abusers and rampant queers


16. Abolish all secular media programs on Sunday and Christmas and replace with religious ones


17. Require heavy prison sentences for any and all drug abuse.


18. Reestablish old sedition laws to prevent displays of anti-Government sentiment anywhere.

President's Christmas Message:

During Christmas, we gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As God's only Son, Jesus came to Earth and gave His life so that we may live. His actions and His words remind us that service to others is central to our lives and that sacrifice and unconditional love must guide us and inspire us to lead lives of compassion, mercy, and justice.

My simple prayer: Lord help us, especially from your followers.


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