Tuesday, September 18, 2007
For those who doubt...
Americans are living in a police state. I wonder what Kerry had to say after that. Rebuild from the ground up it's the only way...
Monday, September 17, 2007
Can we make that a class action suit?
I thought this was a joke.
So I used the Google to look up Ernie Chambers to see what he was all about, interesting fellow. He was involved in something that reminded me of someone I knew way back in the day.
I had heard of the Franklin cover up not by name, but in the ramblings of a tweaker who was convinced that the world economy was run not by oil, but by kiddie porn and she used this as one of the examples. A sweet, odd lady, no doubt at least a little crazy, not that we all aren't, but she was more adamant than open minded in her conspiracy theory. She would told stories about hearing from a friend, who heard from a friend, who heard from an insider about wild sex party's in secret rooms in D.C.. She described the debauchery in great detail, Rude Pundit style. Romanesque orgies involving young children and old men. Things that I have only heard just before a comedian says "and they call it the aristocrats!".
So I used the Google to look up Ernie Chambers to see what he was all about, interesting fellow. He was involved in something that reminded me of someone I knew way back in the day.
I had heard of the Franklin cover up not by name, but in the ramblings of a tweaker who was convinced that the world economy was run not by oil, but by kiddie porn and she used this as one of the examples. A sweet, odd lady, no doubt at least a little crazy, not that we all aren't, but she was more adamant than open minded in her conspiracy theory. She would told stories about hearing from a friend, who heard from a friend, who heard from an insider about wild sex party's in secret rooms in D.C.. She described the debauchery in great detail, Rude Pundit style. Romanesque orgies involving young children and old men. Things that I have only heard just before a comedian says "and they call it the aristocrats!".
I consider myself to be open minded to just about anything, as long as there are supporting facts. I don't know near enough of this man, or this case to form an opinion on the matter. I will say that trusting the wolves to investigate the hen house robbery is foolish at best, especially when the wolves have a tuft of down exposed at the jowls. There are many, many things kept from the public by those in power under the guise of the publics own good. The slipshod investigations into JFK, 9/11 etc. leave little in the way of credibility and fuel those who actually think, to do so. For those in power postions their illusion of superiority is all they have, and they cling to it fiercely.
Given the spate of attention shed in the last few decade's on the sexual proclivities of those held to the higher standard of public trust, it is not an impossible leap to get to these allegations. The only thing new about the behavior is the attention it's being given, the dark side of human sexuality is well documented through the history of man. The uncomfortable nature of said behavior is what causes it to be pushed out of societal eyesight into the bathroom stalls of life, at the same time driving the shock when exposed to the light of day.
In all honesty I have no idea if the Franklin incident occurred, but I would not be shocked if it did. Sexual urges are the strongest psychological force known in nature and the complexity that is human consciousness lends to the wide ranging and varied methods of gratification. Horrible sexual atrocities (which I measure by the suffering of one party) are an everyday occurrence in the shadows of humanity of which anyone could be involved.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Atheist Blogroll
Statistics on the number of self described atheists range from 5-15% in America, around 18% in Europe with as high as 30% of the entire world describing themselves as having no religion. This equates to aproximately 1.8 billion residents of Earth who are atheist, agnostic or otherwise not religious.
Until there is a substantial number who come forward and openly endorse their convictions, the non-believers will be cast aside to the fringes, marginalized in the game of life. I know asking free thinkers to get behind a single cause is a daunting proposition, but to effect large scale change a large voice is needed.
The Atheist Blogroll is a netroots effort to bring together like minded individuals and groups in the Atheist, Agnostic and non religious communities. I am proud to be a new member and would like to thank Mojoey at Deep Thoughts for welcoming me to the roll call.
Flex Your Head is not an Atheist blog per se, but I feel many of the societal ills of this world stem directly from religion and more specifically religious fanatics and it is a topic I touch on regularly. I find skepticism healthy for progress in understanding and evolving the human condition. Blind faith equates to being just that, blind.
If you, like I, are tired of being marginalized by those whose place faith above all else, I urge you to come out from the shadows, make your stance known and stand up for your right as a human to think, speak and act in a critical manor when things don't seem to add up. Remember, if some one tells you not to question, they have something to hide and that the pursuit of answers is what life is all about.
Until there is a substantial number who come forward and openly endorse their convictions, the non-believers will be cast aside to the fringes, marginalized in the game of life. I know asking free thinkers to get behind a single cause is a daunting proposition, but to effect large scale change a large voice is needed.
The Atheist Blogroll is a netroots effort to bring together like minded individuals and groups in the Atheist, Agnostic and non religious communities. I am proud to be a new member and would like to thank Mojoey at Deep Thoughts for welcoming me to the roll call.
Flex Your Head is not an Atheist blog per se, but I feel many of the societal ills of this world stem directly from religion and more specifically religious fanatics and it is a topic I touch on regularly. I find skepticism healthy for progress in understanding and evolving the human condition. Blind faith equates to being just that, blind.
If you, like I, are tired of being marginalized by those whose place faith above all else, I urge you to come out from the shadows, make your stance known and stand up for your right as a human to think, speak and act in a critical manor when things don't seem to add up. Remember, if some one tells you not to question, they have something to hide and that the pursuit of answers is what life is all about.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
WAH WAH WAH
I find it funny, both in a ha ha kind of way and a huh? kinda way when I run across stories like this. This gentleman tried to persuede a school district to teach views that counter evolution in biology classes. When he didn't get his way, he sued the district for something completely different. He claimed he was denied access to voice his proposals and that he was discriminated against because he is a christian.
Well the judge tossed it out...
"The judge shot down every claim Caldwell made in the suit. He found that the school board and administrators did not discriminate against Caldwell and instead gave him extensive opportunities to present his ideas on changing the evolution curriculum."
To be clear, this lawsuit is about access to the school board and not about the evolution views. It goes to show the tenacity of those who are fanatical in their beliefs. Can't make a convincing argument about the need to teach "intelligent design" in a biology class? Pull the discrimination card and sue. It is readily apparent that this man had no case and probably knew that going in. He had unprecidented access to the board and still could not get his way, so he tied the district, and several board member is a lengthy, surely expensive lawsuit with no merit. I am sure that money and time could have been used for someting more productive like, umm, teaching.
So Mr. Caldwell I would suggest to you that if you are unhappy with the education your children are being given, by all means pick a school from this handy list of private schools in the area. If you live in Granite Bay, you should be able to afford it.
While I disagree with Mr. Caldwell and his tactics, I am a glass half full kind of guy. At least he isn't blowing up biology classrooms...
Well the judge tossed it out...
"The judge shot down every claim Caldwell made in the suit. He found that the school board and administrators did not discriminate against Caldwell and instead gave him extensive opportunities to present his ideas on changing the evolution curriculum."
To be clear, this lawsuit is about access to the school board and not about the evolution views. It goes to show the tenacity of those who are fanatical in their beliefs. Can't make a convincing argument about the need to teach "intelligent design" in a biology class? Pull the discrimination card and sue. It is readily apparent that this man had no case and probably knew that going in. He had unprecidented access to the board and still could not get his way, so he tied the district, and several board member is a lengthy, surely expensive lawsuit with no merit. I am sure that money and time could have been used for someting more productive like, umm, teaching.
So Mr. Caldwell I would suggest to you that if you are unhappy with the education your children are being given, by all means pick a school from this handy list of private schools in the area. If you live in Granite Bay, you should be able to afford it.
While I disagree with Mr. Caldwell and his tactics, I am a glass half full kind of guy. At least he isn't blowing up biology classrooms...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Business of Religion
One of the many facets of religion I despise is the marketing angle. If religious faith were able to stand on its own merits I might not begrudge them of the massive amounts of moola they rake in. The Christian Broadcasting Network alone raked in an astounding $462,597,261 in 2005, profiting a cool $35,488,767. Ahh the power of television.
Back in the day monies were extorted in ways that are well, medieval. Promises of damnation and hellfire, or relief from it all the way up to just taking your shit. While RICO statutes prevent that in the modern day, there is still a long line at the ATM at the foot of the stairway to heaven. Religion, like every other contemporary product, has evolved its marketing tactics into subtle psychological manipulation to sell the masses. As the naked pastor hypothetically lays out a plan of deceit, isolation and fear to condition the congregation, he gives valuable insight into the modern day workings of the religion industry, supported by the users comments showing just how "hypothetical" these practices are. The art of marketing, in specific church marketing, is its own industry. A Google search on church marketing registered 7,490,000 hits, compared to 2,140,000 hits for religious charities.
I find the practice of manipulative marketing detestable on all levels, in all industries. The marketing of religion I find to be the most heinous of all. It exploits a weakness in the human condition to sustain itself while offering nothing tangible in return, a true parasite. A term was recently introduced into the American lexicon; "infotainment" to refer to news that is presented less on its own merits, than on the human interest, shock, humor etc. value that a team of writers can apply to it. Let's coin a new phrase "faithtainment" which is what modern American incarnations of Judeo-Christian religions are using to drive attendance and hence contributions. Arena size churches boasting of jumbo trons, stages with professional lighting and sound, bookstore\gift shops, coffee shops etc. to make the experience of worship more comfortable for those caught in the trappings of a capitalistic society, all in an effort to put butts in seats and dollars in the collection plate.
The modern American church is in practice, far more a corporation than an institution of worship. As noted in forbes pastors are more akin to CEO's and the church business model is the envy of the corporate world. Churches don't pay taxes on the vast majority of income, they have legions of people who will work for free and are largely unaccountable as there are no stock holders.
While I hold little importance in the bible itself, there are some good life lessons in there. The numerous contradictions, and heavy editing through two milleniums lend a bit of doubt to it being the actual word of god, but there are many who believe it is. I would love to hear PEO's (pius executive officers) stammer and stutter to reconcile their practices with the ideology thier god.
John 2:13-16And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
I could sit here and pick quotes from the bible all day in regards to the evils of money, it would do no good. As all things, the bible is open to interpretation and can be spun to fit any need. In an environment that teaches blind faith, especially in the face of fact and reason even at times in the face of their own teachings amounts to hypocrisy on high, and the fleecing of a naive populace. Amen.
Back in the day monies were extorted in ways that are well, medieval. Promises of damnation and hellfire, or relief from it all the way up to just taking your shit. While RICO statutes prevent that in the modern day, there is still a long line at the ATM at the foot of the stairway to heaven. Religion, like every other contemporary product, has evolved its marketing tactics into subtle psychological manipulation to sell the masses. As the naked pastor hypothetically lays out a plan of deceit, isolation and fear to condition the congregation, he gives valuable insight into the modern day workings of the religion industry, supported by the users comments showing just how "hypothetical" these practices are. The art of marketing, in specific church marketing, is its own industry. A Google search on church marketing registered 7,490,000 hits, compared to 2,140,000 hits for religious charities.
I find the practice of manipulative marketing detestable on all levels, in all industries. The marketing of religion I find to be the most heinous of all. It exploits a weakness in the human condition to sustain itself while offering nothing tangible in return, a true parasite. A term was recently introduced into the American lexicon; "infotainment" to refer to news that is presented less on its own merits, than on the human interest, shock, humor etc. value that a team of writers can apply to it. Let's coin a new phrase "faithtainment" which is what modern American incarnations of Judeo-Christian religions are using to drive attendance and hence contributions. Arena size churches boasting of jumbo trons, stages with professional lighting and sound, bookstore\gift shops, coffee shops etc. to make the experience of worship more comfortable for those caught in the trappings of a capitalistic society, all in an effort to put butts in seats and dollars in the collection plate.
The modern American church is in practice, far more a corporation than an institution of worship. As noted in forbes pastors are more akin to CEO's and the church business model is the envy of the corporate world. Churches don't pay taxes on the vast majority of income, they have legions of people who will work for free and are largely unaccountable as there are no stock holders.
While I hold little importance in the bible itself, there are some good life lessons in there. The numerous contradictions, and heavy editing through two milleniums lend a bit of doubt to it being the actual word of god, but there are many who believe it is. I would love to hear PEO's (pius executive officers) stammer and stutter to reconcile their practices with the ideology thier god.
John 2:13-16And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
I could sit here and pick quotes from the bible all day in regards to the evils of money, it would do no good. As all things, the bible is open to interpretation and can be spun to fit any need. In an environment that teaches blind faith, especially in the face of fact and reason even at times in the face of their own teachings amounts to hypocrisy on high, and the fleecing of a naive populace. Amen.
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