There's been lots of stuff in the news about religion and it abuses over the past week, other church and state issues, human rights issues that I did not have time to comment on.
Here's a quick rundown.
Faith Healing
Remember this spring the case of Madeline Nuemann, the 11-year who died of a treatable diabetic condition because her parents sought to heal her by prayer over the phone rather than seeking a doctor? Now another case of failed faith healing ends the promising life of 16 year old Neil Beagley. Disgusting. Look, I don't think we should ban "faith healing" (prayer), however there should be strong penalties against parents who do not also take the necessary, additional step and seek the aid of scientific medical advice and help. I understand that prayer does bring comfort to those that need it. By all means - Pray. But do not risk the life of your child for your beliefs.
Religious Cannibalism
I don't even know where to begin with this one. Utterly horrific. A report from the Czech Republic of
Ondrej Mauerova indicates that he was kept in a closet and "partially skinned" as part of some cult called the Grail Movement. I've never heard of this cult. So I did a quick Wiki. Apparently, the book that the religion is based upon promises
to "...answer(s) with clarity all the unsolved questions of human existence. The recognitions mediated with this book are so immense that they force the unprejudiced reader to ponder, investigate and go forward." In other words, read this bull-crap uncritically. If any book or person claims to answer all of life's mysteries, beware. It's no wonder why crimes against humanity like this happen.
More Abuse
John Freshwater, a former public school teacher was fired yesterday for branding a cross in the arm of two of his students. His friend defends him:
"With the exception of the cross-burning episode. ... I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district," Ha Ha. With the exception? Anyone want to bet he'll play the persecution card? You bet they will. The following lawsuit will be over religious freedom and why can't Freshwater preach his Christian beliefs in class. Fine. Then not only is he guilty for the abuse of a students, but in violation of the separation clause. He'll lose doubly.
Creationism
The
Louisiana Senate voted 36-0 Monday on a bill that would allow science teachers to bring in supplemental materials for subjects like evolution, cloning and global warming. These bills, like Bill 733, are under the guise of academic freedom. Sorry, but teachers do not have academic freedom. Science text books are highly vetted to be as scientifically accurate as possible, and by experts. What I've read that this bill will stage similar lawsuits in the country like the Dover case. Which is fine. More chances to expose creationism for the pseudo-science and religion that it is. Also, ever notice that subjects like history are never picked on? I would love to bring Turtledove books, or Graham Hancock books into the class room and teach those as valid histories.
Gay Marriage
Gay couples in California finally got a chance to marry one another. Congratulations! I was married last Sunday, and contrary to assertions by the bigots of the religious right, I do not want to leave my wife. Anyone else? Another canard that the religious right trumps is that gay marriage is supposedly a sign of Revelation when
"men become lovers of men." I have to ask them, shouldn't they allow gay marriage and even welcome it? Wouldn't that entice Jesus to come back to earth a little sooner from whatever hiding place he been for the last two-thousand years? Are they not opposing God's will? Or are they doing it?
Books
The Family. I'm a little wary of this one. Conspiracy theories always require such a fantastic mechanism of gigantic proportions as to make the actual conspiracy impossible. But the author may have something. A closer look at his evidence is critical.
Devil in Dover is about the inside story over the Dover case and the pious fraud of the school board members who brought ID into science class.
That's it for now.