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The Entire Bible In 30 Minutes Or Less.

by Bunk Five Hawks X ( 54 Comments › )
Filed under Christianity, Religion at January 30th, 2015 - 11:40 am

Bible

I’ve never read much of The Bible (with the exception of Genesis and The Book of Revelations when I was a teenager – I liked the Sci-Fi aspects). I’m not a particularly religious person, certainly not devout; I consider myself a non-practicing Presbyterian heathen.

A website found me on Christmas Day, and I found this post interesting:

The entire Bible in 30 minutes or less.

Here’s the gist of it:

God creates man.
Man rebels.
God initiates redemption.
God accomplishes redemption.
God gives birth to the church.
God completes redemption.

The following is reposted by permission of the author. It’s not a parody or satire, and it’s worth sharing. (more…)

30+ Reasons (aka Why Ignorance Is Dangererous)

by Bunk Five Hawks X ( 142 Comments › )
Filed under Anti-semitism, Bigotry, Christianity, Free Speech, Islam, Judaism, Politics, Progressives, Religion at July 16th, 2014 - 6:00 pm

Christian Privilege 1

1st Amendment of U.S. Constitution

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I was forwarded a link to a “feminist website” that crossposted the writing and artistry of a Mr. Samuel Killermann, a self-described “activist comedian.” He has no mention on Wiki that I can find, but he’s apparently popular in some circles and seems to have a focus on promoting alternative sexual life styles (read LGBTQIA+WTF) while making sure his audience knows that he is a straight heterosexual. He must be important, as he spoke in front of a TED audience once.

I’ve never heard of Killermann until recently. Many of you have never heard of me either, but when someone uses the phrase “gender changes over time,” and claims to mean it,  I tend to morph into bigass eyeball-rolling mode. That’s bizarro Charlie Manson stuff.

In 2012, Mr. Killermann  posted an article entitled “30+ Examples of Christian Privilege” that includes a cartoon of his own creation insinuating that Christians in the United States prevent Hindus, Jews and Muslims from entering this country, and followed with a list of his own “examples” based upon the same premise.

Here’s the original source:

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/

Normally I ignore this kind of vapid tripe, but because it was sent to me by someone I know and care very much about, I thought I’d share it. Mr. Killerman’s words are in italics, my responses are not

_______________________________________________________________________

Following is a list of privileges granted to people in the U.S. (and many western nations) for being Christian.

Sam Killerman

If you identify as Christian, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought about these things.

In response to the ever-increasing “War on Christianity” headlines, I thought it prudent to create this list.  Try and be more cognizant of these items and you’ll start to realize how much work we have to do to make the United States a place that is truly safe and accessible for folks of all belief systems.

[Subtitle]

If you’re a Christian in the US, these are a bunch of unearned benefits you get that members of other faiths (or non-religious people) do not. It’s not about shame. It’s about understanding.

  1. You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.

Jewish, Muslim and others all have Christian holidays off. Jews are allowed additional religious holidays, as are Muslims. Implying otherwise is a lie.

  1. Music and television programs pertaining to your religion’s holidays are readily accessible.

And vice-versa – there are religious media for all major religions. Moot poin

  1. It is easy to find stores that carry items that enable you to practice your faith and celebrate religious holidays.

This is a disingenuous argument. If there are no local stores to offer items for Zoroastrianism, it means that there is too small a market for Zoroastrian items to support a store in that locale. Order them from Amazon instead.

  1. You aren’t pressured to celebrate holidays from another faith that may conflict with your religious values.

Strawman argument. Nobody is pressuring Zoroastrians to celebrate Wiccan holidays. If the majority of observed religious holidays happen to be Christian holidays in a region with a large population of Christian, is that a surprise to anyone?

  1. Holidays celebrating your faith are so widely supported you can often forget they are limited to your faith (e.g. wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” without considering their faith).

Holiday greetings are nothing more than cordial holiday greetings. If someone is offended by a greeting of “Happy Hanukkah” or “Merry Christmas” or “Ramadan Regale” that’s their bigotry problem, not mine.

  1. You can worship freely, without fear of violence or threats.

Another strawman. Synagogues, temples, churches and mosques have all been sites of attacks in the US. This is not unique to non-Christian places of worship.

  1. A bumper sticker supporting your religion won’t likely lead to your car being vandalized.

Again, a vehicle sporting a bumper sticker in support of Christianity is not exempt from vandalism.

  1. You can practice your religious customs without being questioned, mocked, or inhibited.

No person, religion, government official, etc., is exempt from questioning or mockery in the U.S. It’s protected speech and freedom of religion under the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which also makes religious inhibition illegal.

  1. If you are being tried in court, you can assume that the jury of “your peers” will share your faith and not hold that against you in weighing decisions.

Another strawman. “A jury of your peers” doesn’t mean a group of people who belong to your religion, creed, sect, splinter group, or clan. A jury on a trial involving a female gangbanger facing criminal charges is not a panel of other female gangbangers.

  1. When swearing an oath, you will place your hand on a religious scripture pertaining to your faith.

It’s an antiquated formality that is superseded by the laws against perjury. It’s required by all those who testify as a symbolic gesture that one swears to tell the truth. It’s got about as much legal power as swearing on a deck of cards, until the perjury statutes start cooking.

  1. Positive references to your faith are seen dozens of times a day by everyone, regardless of their faith.

Strawman. Dozens of times a day? It’s easy to find negative references as well, and that applies to any and all religions.

  1. Politicians responsible for your governance are probably members of your faith.

This is a matter of demographics. In a region with a large Jewish population, there are more Jewish men and women in governance.  Ditto other religions.

  1. Politicians can make decisions citing your faith without being labeled as heretics or extremists.

Again, the 1st Amendment allows citations, but with the exception of rule of law.

Christians of all sects are labeled as extremists on a regular basis in the main stream media. Look at the attacks on Mitt Romney for being a Mormon; JFK for being Catholic.  Same thing is going on with Dr. Benjamin Carson. Barack Obama’s beliefs are hidden, until you hear the words of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s pastor for at least 20 years.

  1. It is easy for you to find your faith accurately depicted in television, movies, books, and other media.

Strawman. It is also easy to find disparaging depictions in all media.

  1. You can reasonably assume that anyone you encounter will have a decent understanding of your beliefs.

Disingenuous argument. It assumes that any group of people in any locale is homogenous in religious belief and should understand Zoroastrian doctrine and other religions.  It’s an impossibility given the thousands of religions and sects.

  1. You will not be penalized (socially or otherwise) for not knowing other people’s religious customs.

No idea what to make of this one.  It’s unreasonable to demand that all people know what arbitrary custom is offensive to another.  If I use my left hand to scratch my right forearm and someone interprets that as an insult in someone’s ethnic book of offenses, that’s not my problem.

  1. Your faith is accepted/supported at your workplace.

Accepted and supported are two different things. Current laws require religious acceptance, but there is no law requiring an employer to support one’s religion, and as long as one is not proselytizing in the workplace, the problem doesn’t exist.

  1. You can go into any career you want without it being associated with or explained by your faith.

Again, no idea what the point is as no examples are given. Sounds like bigoted stereotypes, nothing more, and I won’t guess what the author means.

  1. You can travel to any part of the country and know your religion will be accepted, safe, and you will have access to religious spaces to practice your faith.

Too vague. If you’re a Zoroastrian and you wander into the Mojave, you’re not going to find many religious spaces.

  1. Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend)

Divisive strawman argument that’s too absurd to deserve a response. “Some of my best friends…”

  1. You can be polite, gentle, or peaceful, and not be considered an “exception” to those practicing your faith.

“Polite,” “gentle” and “peaceful” are not exclusive to the tenets of any religion with the exception of some extremist factions who don’t want to be “polite,” “gentle” and “peaceful.”

  1. Fundraising to support congregations of your faith will not be investigated as potentially threatening or terrorist behavior.

This one is politically loaded, and it not-so-subtly refers to radical Islam. Since radical Islam is a genuine threat to this country and others by its own admission, and that it is rooted in the archaic belief that infidels who don’t accept the rule of shari’a law (i.e. Christians, Jews, and Western Civilization in general) should be put to death by the Sword of Allah, investigating such radical sects and mosques that promote the same is not only warranted, it is necessary.

  1. Construction of spaces of worship will not likely be halted due to your faith.

Strawman, unless the writer is referring to the Victory Mosque that was proposed within a few blocks of the horrific attack on in NY 911 perpetrated by radical islam.

  1. You are never asked to speak on behalf of all the members of your faith.

Vague. The writer cites no examples. No group of people is homogeneous.

  1. You can go anywhere and assume you will be surrounded by members of your faith.

Strawman. No one can assume that, no matter what faith.

  1. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of teachers who share your faith.

False argument. The term “special effort” is not defined. Secular schools exist for all faiths, and “special effort” is required to find and enroll one’s children in religious schools. It may involve relocating, or starting a new school, but there are no legal prohibitions.

  1. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of friends who share your faith.

False argument. The term “special effort” is not defined, and it depends upon demographics.

  1. It is easily accessible for you or your children to be educated from kindergarten through post-grad at institutions of your faith.

False argument. The key word is “easily,” and private secular schools are not inexpensive, but that’s a private choice. Wiccan schools and universities are very rare, but home-schooling is a viable alternative for some.

  1. Disclosing your faith to an adoption agency will not likely prevent you from being able to adopt children.

Vague argument without citation or example.

  1. In the event of a divorce, the judge won’t immediately grant custody of your children to your ex because of your faith.

Vague argument without citation or example.

  1. Your faith is taught or offered as a course at most public institutions.

False argument. Any institution of higher learning that offers courses in the history of civilization, must examine the positive and negative influences of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and other major religions by default. Whether or not the classes present the history accurately is a different discussion.

  1. You can complain about your religion being under attack without it being perceived as an attack on another religion.

Vague. No idea what that one means.

  1. You can dismiss the idea that identifying with your faith bears certain privileges.

I dismiss the idea, because the author of this list has not made a single point that supports his opinion. He posts vague accusations without backup, is obviously unknowledgeable about mainstream world religions, their tenets and history, and doesn’t understand The First Amendment to the US Constitution.

Samuel Killermann is a self-described “comedian activist ” who’s written posts entitled:

30+ Examples Of Male Privilege

30+ Examples Of Heterosexual Privilege

30+ Examples Of Middle To Upper Class Privilege

And that means he’s an idiot who’s smarter than the rest of us who don’t buy into the class envy doctrine promoted by the ultra left. Got it.

I suggest that Samuel Killermann should have a private conjugal relationship with himself and not tell us about it.

Friday Evening Open.

by coldwarrior ( 123 Comments › )
Filed under Humor, Open thread, Religion at February 25th, 2011 - 8:30 pm

From our friends at the Telegraph in London…

It takes some real faith to have a sermon titled “America’s Joyous Future” after the week of meetings they scheduled in the parish hall!

Enjoy the Friday Evening open thread! Hopefully, we wont need the AA meeting on Monday, or any of the other ‘meetings’ at that church!

The bar is open…so bottoms up, we survived another tough week!

Evangelical Atheism, Guest Post from MacDuff

by coldwarrior ( 241 Comments › )
Filed under Guest Post, Religion at January 5th, 2011 - 11:30 am

Blogmocracy in action:
Guest Post by MacDuff

Evengelical Atheism





Atheist Evangelicals

I confess that I have never really understood the point of “evangelical atheism”. Certainly, we all have the right to believe or not; that was the primary point of Europeans coming to this continent in the first place. Unless another person’s belief directly (or indirectly) interferes with my life or the exercise of my rights, it is of no concern to me.

While religion has been a point of contention for the whole of mankind’s history, here in the United States, it has been practiced, in all of it’s various forms, in extraordinary peace and tranquility. With the exception of Muslims, for whom murder and mayhem seem to be a malevolent sacrament, all manners of beliefs have been brought to these shores and practiced, virtually free of bloodshed and violence.

Jews and Christians do not find the others’ beliefs offensive. Muslims…well, Muslims simply do not play well with others, but that’s certainly not a problem peculiar to the United States, though it does seem to be peculiar to Islam. It’s pretty clear that the United States has achieved a religious “melting pot” that should be the envy of the world.

That said, I must question the reasoning behind this:

Religions are ‘Scams,’ Atheist Group Declares in Alabama Advertisement

A new advertisement in Alabama by a national atheist group is reportedly declaring religions to be “scams.”

The Huntsville ad — produced by the American Atheists — displays the message “You know they’re all scams” alongside pictures of religious symbols, such as Islam’s crescent moon and star, the cross and the Jewish star, according to the Christian Post.

The billboard also claims that the national group has been “telling the truth since 1963.”

The American Atheists define “scam” as a fraudulent business scheme or ploy to intentionally mislead a person, usually with the goal of financial gains, the Post reports.

According to the group, “all religions make lots of promises about an afterlife that doesn’t exist.”

Here’s a video report on the story:

The billboard in question was erected by American Atheists. According to their website, you can be a member (for a year) for as little as $15, or become a Life Member for $2,400. There’s also an online store where all manners of merchandise is available. May I remind you of their definition of a “scam” from the piece above:

The American Atheists define “scam” as a fraudulent business scheme or ploy to intentionally mislead a person, usually with the goal of financial gains, the Post reports.

I may attend any church or synagogue in the country, free of charge. To my knowledge, there nary a one that charges admission. Yes, I may contribute to that church or synagogue, but only should I choose to do so – any amount is welcome. On the other hand, one may also be an atheist, free of charge, but may also choose to make it more “official” by joining the club and get the newsletter (for $15 – $2,400) or by buying a nifty T-shirt, or other sundry merchandise, to boldly proclaim one’s emancipation from God, to anyone who cares. Personally, I would like further clarification on the “scam” charge.

Ah, but I digress. Why the vehement attacks upon the beliefs of others and what end do they serve? Belief, or lack thereof, is generally a very personal experience and generally not shared with strangers. Why atheists find the beliefs of others so personally offensive that they would actively act to quash them is a mystery.

Theism is no more than a belief system based upon faith in something that cannot be rationally explained or proven, as is atheism. Atheists can no more prove the absence of an afterlife than theists can prove its existence. Theists believe, and atheists disbelieve, each with an equal amount of provable evidence to support their position

Evangelical atheists, on the other hand, seem so fervent in their disbelief, so zealous in their lack of faith, that they feel compelled to cast aspersions upon anyone who has an opposing view.

So, at what point does evangelical atheism become a “religion” unto itself, replete with zealous preachers intent upon delivering “the truth” to the benighted? It would appear that point has been reached.

(cross posted from The Weeks Review)