I am playing a role in a local production of "Footloose", a stage musical based on the 1980’s Kevin Bacon movie in which a teenager tries to "cut loose" with dance fever in an uptight small town—a town which has banned dancing as obscene. It’s a silly movie, and a silly musical, because no place in America could be that … Read More
Kansas To Debate Whether Adam Had A Navel
Amanda Marcotte notes: Also on the agenda for the Kansas Board of Education–whether or not unicorns simply forgot to board the Ark and if "the curse" is women’s punishment for being daughters of Eve. It’s science! Well, it’s better science than Intelligent Design theory. It’s time to face up to it–these religious nuts are not about to give up thinking … Read More
Family Research Council And the Klan
Max Blumenthal shines the spotlight on Tony Perkins, Family Research Council President and Friend of Frist. [Note: the Family Research Council, founded by James Dobson, held a little "Justice Sunday" fest last weekend — where Bill Frist spoke via tape — in which they complained that the Democratic filibuster of Bush’s judicial nominees was an attack on faith and religion]. … Read More
Melissa Rogers On Christian Manipulation
Melissa Rogers, a visiting professor of religion and public policy at Wake Forest University Divinity School, says it all: I AM A CHURCHGOING, Bible-believing Baptist, but I recently learned that I’m not a Christian. Indeed, I’ve not only learned that I’m not a Christian, I’ve also learned that I’m anti-Christian and hostile to religion. Why? Because I dare to disagree … Read More
Learnin’ The Facts Of Life (Child Abuse Episode)
I note with growing alarm at the Christian Right’s embrace of what appears to be, arguably, child abuse. Stuff like this: Bonney Lake police said Rachel Lambert claimed the children’s behavior had gotten progressively worse over the past month and that she disciplined the children by feeding them jalapeno peppers, the documents indicated. The 10-year-old boy said "he had a … Read More
WHO Is Against People Of Faith?
This past weekend, there was a liberal-bashing conference put on by Family Research Council in which it was said — falsely — that Democrats are against "people of faith", particularly judges. It’s an insidious lie. Most Democrats are people of faith; we just don’t believe that our faith (or anybody else’s) should be incorporated into laws and public policy (because … Read More
Anti-Christian Bigotry In The Air Force Academy
I’ll let Josh Marshall tell it: There’s a profoundly disturbing article out tonight from the AP about what appears to be a widespread climate of intolerance and even harassment of non-evangelical Christians at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. ‘Widespread’ is a vague word. And I’m only going on the basis of this one article — and … Read More
Pope Benny 16
I have absolutely no thoughts on the subject, although that may be rightfully attributed to my fatigue arising from rehearsals for this. Suffice to say this: I’m already sick of right wing pundits trying to make this a victory for conservative moral values, continuing Pope John Paul’s legacy. Need they be reminded that the conservative Ratzinger — at Pope John … Read More
Dobson Christianity
The "influential" Publius has a post about Hugh Hewitt’s defense of James Dobson. In it, Publius invokes the term "Dobson Christianity", distinguishing it from others forms of Christianity. I’m sure this comes as a surprise to many on the religious right, who simply don’t believe in diversity of beliefs even within the Christian faith. To them, you are either a … Read More
No Shit, Sherlock at Dobson Ranch
From Dobson’s Family Research Council’s webpage here comes this piece of utter stupidity: Chapter 6: Is There a Link between Homosexuality and Child Sexual Abuse? · A study of 229 convicted child molesters in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that “eighty-six percent of offenders against males described themselves as homosexual or bisexual.” (emphasis added) (W. D. Erickson, “Behavior Patterns of … Read More
The Next Pope?
This can’t be good: THE wartime past of a leading German contender to succeed John Paul II may return to haunt him as cardinals begin voting in the Sistine Chapel tomorrow to choose a new leader for 1 billion Catholics. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, whose strong defence of Catholic orthodoxy has earned him a variety of sobriquets — including “the enforcer”, … Read More
Culture of Life?
"It’s really cute that the citizens of Wingnuttia, who truly should be given their own homeland somewhere (they can call it the Christian States of America, or whatever, I don’t care), would prefer women to die of cancer if the alternative is maybe, just maybe, increasing the likelihood of them engaging in any sexual activity", says Atrios. He’s referring to … Read More
What Digby Says: “The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher”
Reprinted in full from here, because it’s that good: I am edified to learn that Dr Bill Frist, cat slayer, and Dr James Dobson, dauchshund beater, are joining hands to kill the independent judiciary. (As I have said before, while it’s true that not all animal abusers become serial killers, it is true that the vast majority of serial killers … Read More
False Dichotomy – A Rant
Take a look at this poster: Now what is it saying? It is saying that in order to serve as a judge, you must abandon your Christian faith, because you cannot do both, yes? Apparently, the right wing is in favor of the idea that judges should be able to follow their faith over what judges are supposed to be … Read More
A Religious Test
You scored as agnosticism. You are an agnostic. Though it is generally taken that agnostics neither believe nor disbelieve in God, it is possible to be a theist or atheist in addition to an agnostic. Agnostics don’t believe it is possible to prove the existence of God (nor lack thereof). Agnosticism is a philosophy that God’s existence cannot be proven. … Read More