When All Of The Atheists Disappear : Letting Go Of God Part 11

  Migrants have traveled to the United States for hundreds of years because, until recently, the Land of the Free moniker meant something. Oppressed families could find new and meaningful lives in a new nation, where religion or place of birth might be a curiosity but wouldn't cause you to be subjected to hate.

  Unfortunately, the so-called Moral Majority has taken over, rendering America more religious than at any time in her history. More folks go to churches and pray more often now than when the nation was founded, during any wars prior to the ones occurring now, during the Great Depression, and even the times of temperance and Prohibition. Americans are petitioning for religion to be mandatory at the military funerals of atheists and even though clergy were originally banned from being near standing armies, there are even religious tests for recruits, Bibles handed out everywhere, and chaplains are available to consult female crime victims not to report rapes.

  To be sure, the fundamentalist conversion of america has many victims. Religious war drains coffers, each of the thousand or so anti-abortion bills costs money to try to unsuccessfully force into law, anti-gay bills cost money and so do efforts to force prayer into schools. Trying to override the Bill of Rights or even change the Constitution is really expensive in a time of need, but hey, you can just blame those damned resistant non-believers for all of it.

  But what of us pesky heathens? Well, Atheists comprise 16% of the population- more than Jews, Muslims, and Scientologists combined. An average American is 5 times more likely to be an Atheist than a gay of any kind. An Atheist could be a university professor, but is also my 10 year old nephew.

  In reality, In America right now, half of the population would rather trust a Christian prison inmate than my favourite micro-biologist. I remember being called a Satanist because I dared to sit down during a Christian prayer in my public school and my nephew has been forced to go to a church to try and get rid of his intelligent thoughts. There are a whole lot of people who don't seem to get the idea that the founding fathers of America were men who often derided religion, with Christianity a pet target. These guys said that the state shall establish no religion because most of them thought Christianity was divisive, mind-evaporating bullshit. (I can give you several hundred quotes if you would like this statement substantiated)

  In North America, we have 3 fairly religious countries where being atheist is pretty darn uncomfortable and often unsafe. You see, a mere mention of one's lack of belief will usually cause the person to claim that you are "forcing" your non-belief on everyone. After this, the person will feel no problem in attempting to convince you that their chosen space demon is the right one and/or you are going to Hell. Religious tolerance has no meaning when it comes to those who aren't religious, at least in the eyes of those who actually believe the lie that America, Canada, or even Mexico are to be governed by religious institutions.

  When someone asks me about my non-belief, I usually offer up some easy-to-understand reasons for why I don't believe in their particular faith. I will usually mention that I actually used to believe in a God, the one that Abram and Moses used to call their master, but don't anymore. I'll often explain that the reason is not some Bill Maher rant or Dawkins book, but my own self-actualization and the fact that I had read many, many religious texts and was sick of apologizing for a tyrannical figment of the imagination. Apparently my freethought has made me a member of the least trusted minority when I visit America, but also in Canada where I spend most of my time. Indeed, I've seen religious crap and anti-gay rants on the newsletter mailed out by my local Member of Parliament, "Dr." James Lunney, and there are more churches in this town than I can count. My mention of atheism is controversial at the very least on either side of the border, and several people have said that I should get out of the country.

  Before you watch this very unique and thoughtful video, I offer up a very true statistic about exactly what would happen if you fundies got your wish:

  If all Atheists were to be deported from America, you would lose philanthropic billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. You would lose soldiers and athletes and Jodie Foster. Photos memorializing Isaac Asimov, Marlene Dietrich, Mark Twain, Nehru, and Frank Zappa would all be burned. If all atheists were to get up and leave, over 93% of the members of the National Academy of Sciences would be on the boat, but a mere 0.16% of the prison population would join them.

  If you can tell me that the world would be a better place without these people in it, you are in need of freedom from religion.

Because The Bible Tells Me So

In the Bible, it's pretty clear that women are to be quiet, obedient, and fruitful, but most folks don't really think that applies to today's modern woman. Well, that is except that their are religious sects that do indeed consider women second class with preachers that promote inequality and even Biblical death penalties for crimes real or imagined. These men take to the airwaves, pulpits, and bookshelves to ensure that we keep a sense of morality that was passe 4000 years ago.


One of the many who believe that women are still chattel is Ron Hamman, Pastor of the Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla, Alaska, who wrote this damning statement when referring to the validity of spousal rape claims:


I, for one, have never had any woman make such an allegation against her husband to me. But even if these accusations are as vast as alleged, there are major problems with them from a Biblical standpoint. 
For instance, there is the problem of truth. That is, this kind of allegation becomes her word against his word. And while I understand that in Alaska the lone female is able to convict her alleged perpetrator, this goes contrary to the Bible. In the book of Deuteronomy we find the following: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

While this may be a problem for some in that this is Old Testament, this is carried over into the Christian era in Matthew 18: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one of two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

The purpose for this is the preservation of justice. The truth is that people, including women, can lie. Thus, in not requiring two or three witnesses to the event, Alaska statute proves itself to be unjust, and likewise those legislators responsible for it. But then again, what more can we expect from the lost?




He's right- it says so in Deuteronomy. It's the part of the Bible that Muslims get their laws from, which include stoning of rape victims. In fact, the only Biblical instance when a man can be given a severe penalty for rape is if he rapes a virgin woman in the city. But the thing is, they both suffer the penalty of death.


But rape in a marriage? Such things are imaginary anyways; a sign the spouse is wrong in the eyes of the Flying Space Pervert. And it's not only the victim's fault, but a blight on the American people as seen in the eyes of the omnipotent Cretan.


But this is not the only problem. The next question we need to ask is to whom does the body belong? While in our day of feminism it is asserted that a woman’s body is her own. Biblically speaking, this is only true prior to marriage, for in Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians we read:

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.”

The truth is that God has given to us physical needs we commonly refer to as a “sex drive,” and he has designed for these to be met within the bounds of marriage. The trouble comes when one spouse or the other decides to exact retaliation against the other because of some offense and withholds him or herself from his or her mate. This is wickedness, and such is a violation of the spirit of marriage on the part of the withholder.

Thus, if these allegations of spousal rape are due to the wife withholding herself in attempt to control or punish her husband, she is out of line with God. And it doesn’t matter how many laws are passed, it will just be another reason why God will not bless America.

But then again, this is how far out of line with God America is.


  Pastors like this one are exactly what's wrong with the world. Religious adherence means turning a blind eye to what are true abominations- ones that involve real people in real society as opposed to a mythical Sun god.  Those who violently attack their partners should go to jail, and if that makes America out of line with this god, maybe it's followers should get the fuck out.


  There is no excuse for barbaric behaviour, but those who do it at the behest of their imaginary friend take it to new lows.

A Good Cause

  This summer, Kurt Vonnegut satire classic Slaughterhouse-Five was banned in the public high school of Republic, Missouri after tight-ass MSU professor Wesley Scroggins bitched that the four-letter words in the World War II-based book offended his virgin eyes. He was also upset that Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer shows girls having too much fun and classified Speak as "soft-core pornography", evidently because the sole offending passage, involving a 15 year old being raped, turned him on. All and all, Mr. Scroggins claims the possibility that kids could actually read literature and decide for themselves what offends them is contrary to biblical teachings.

  Thusly, The Scrog's complaint went to the board, where 4 board members decided that the 4500 students were far too immature to read two of these books, that being Slaughterhouse-Five and Twenty Boy Summer. Superintendent Vern Minor stated that the "intense" language led to the decision, not any feelings about the author per se. As for Ockler's book, he charged that the book "is just not good" and that he might have liked it more if there was a better ending or consequences to the teenage escapades. Speak slipped through because the board liked the ending, where the girl is able to thwart a second rape and, outside of being emotionally scarred, is victorious.

  Naturally, there has been some backlash against the banning of books in public schools based on a complaint from a guy who home schools his kids. Ms. Ockler took to her own, expertly written, blog to apologetically defend her work and the free speech of other authors. The piece is good and I suggest you take a read.

  Naturally, Kurt Vonnegut is not alive to defend himself, though I'd suspect he'd issue a gigantic "fuck you!" if he were. Because of this, the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library in the writer's hometown is giving away copies of Slaughterhouse-Five to any highschooler from Republic who wants one. The library is also accepting donations to help offset the costs associated with shipping the books to kids. To find out more, go to their website and check it out.

  The school board of Republic, Missouri may have banned words from their schools, but they cannot silence free speech. If you have a teenager, I strongly suggest purchasing copies of Slaughterhouse, as well as Catcher in the Rye and all of the other dandies that Christocrats are trying to prevent from the public educational facilities of the western world. Books written in the past can teach relevant lessons today, but if we don't fight censorship, the words written by great minds really could be lost in the coming generations. It's up to us to ensure this doesn't happen.

To send a kid in Republic, MO a copy of Slaughterhouse-Five for $5, go here

Smell The Coffee

  Yesterday, the American stock market plunged over 500 points, but rich people will still enjoy their tax breaks, so have no fear. That's because, while your nation was being kicked in the financial balls, your GOP was there to make sure that you know that they stand behind the real 5% that's to blame for everything. The gays.

  Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, and Rick Santorum all took time away from hating on the Tan Man to sign NOM's pledge to add gay hate to the Constitution. You see, they are all states' rights until it comes to things like taxes and abortion and gays and guns and Islam and Latinos. And they love everyday Americans and the working class too, so long as they're not gay or Muslim or Mexican or unmarried or female or the recipient of a salary of less than $250, 000 a year.

  Yes, workers, while your 401ks were vaporizing, this was more important to the major GOP presidential hopefuls:

 If you haven't figured this out yet, the Teajadis are doing everything in their power to hijack the economy and crash it into a sea of despair. All so that they can get out of office a man who has a degree from Harvard, but they see as no more than worthy of being a butler. These 'social war' issues are designed to turn people against each other in a time when the entire world could use a few positive examples of unity.

  This week's attacks on Mr. Obama, gay families, and others by the Tea Party are nothing more than an attempt to obfuscate their true mission- the absolute control of America by wealthy, white, Christian elites to rule over the serfs in the way the British monarchy had dominion over their masses for centuries. Their 'tea' moniker has less to do with Boston than to do with wanting to be like the tea-swilling slave owners of old. People like Michele Bachmann wave the Red, White, and Blue as a symbol, yet completely burn the heritage behind it. If any of these half-wits could read, they'd take a peek at the Treaty of Tripoli, or any of the many other documents declaring that America is not a Christian nation.

  To hell with tea- people need to wake up and smell the coffee. The Teaocrats are flushing the North American economy down the Crapper in order to hopefully get Barack Obama out of office. When and if they accomplish said goal, they will have no idea how to run the nation, with exception of letting their partners in Koch and Murdoch run everything.

  Your nation is in the stinkhole and all the GOP cares about is pandering to racist, sexist, and homophobic religious leaders. I'm thinking that it's because the vast majority wouldn't know how to balance a checkbook.

  Make sure to vote.

What The Blue F*ck Of The Weak

When folks send their kids to school, they figure that their sons and daughters should both be afforded the same opportunities, particularly in publicly-funded schools.

  Canada is among many nations that are looked to when it comes to issues such as gender equality and secularism. Indeed, many school districts are the envy of the advanced world when it comes to topics such as the sciences. Our spirit of inclusion has become a Canadian hallmark, with the nation attempting reconciliation with some of my ancestors whilst welcoming a new crowd with an embrace that few nations can. Indeed, Canada is becoming what all nations tried to be- opening to the new, respecting the old, and redefining a beautiful and wondrous culture distinct from that of any other. As a nation of natives and immigrants, Canada has attempted to do her best at providing the example for many, but there are always flaws.

   The photograph here is of the gymnasium of Valley Park Middle School in Toronto, Canada. It is a public educational facility with the majority of students aged 12 or 13.. They decided to utilize the gymnasium for Friday Islamic prayers, which is contrary to general policy but they figured would be a good idea since there were a fair percentage of Muslim kids. And it's really a 'no harm, no foul' kind of proposition.

  The issue here, as not only many pundits have pointed out, but even male Muslim leaders have, there is not only a distinct separation between these wee boys and girls, who must enter at separate entrances, but girls who are or may menstruate must also sit at the back. The girls who are 'stricken' are to remain silent, separated from boys and girls alike, not permitted to participate in any prayers or discussions. In accordance, most are attired in extreme modesty to signify that they are legally adult.

  I recall the horror of discovering my 'monthly affliction' in grade 9. I was mortified and had no idea what was up, but I thought I was dirty because a book told me so. I went to a public school and couldn't imagine the thought of being forced to be segregated from my peers because of the possibility of spiritual defilement. After all, it's not like my parents sent me to a Jewish or Muslim separate school. These kids are being shamed, and it isn't even needed, like the belted pads that they finally stopped making when I was 18 or so.

  The thing is, even the Muslim Canadian Congress thinks this is 100% bullshit.

  MCC founder and general philanthropic fellow Tarek Fatah has stated that not only are the variety of Friday prayers conducted at the school not mandated by Islam, but that "the Toronto District School Board is using taxpayer money to tell girls that they are second-class citizens". He is among the many that comprehend the ideals that Canada is a place that respects faith needs, but shall never impose them, let alone a divisive sect of said system.

  However, the Toronto District School Board is not listening to Torontonians, the MCC, the Muslim Women's Congress, or common sense in general in permitting one group to rule over the spiritual needs of people in a public school. According to the MCC, these prayers are not mandatory to begin with and even if kids wish to participate they should be gender integrated, as they are children in a free society.

  This is not Canadian Islam. Religion is a free exercise in the home and religious office, and if spoken about elsewhere, should be done in accordance with decency and equity for all. These are not only Canadian laws, but views endorsed by the vast majority of Muslims and others who call Canada home. Good men bring their daughters to Canada in order to give them lives free of oppression and full of opportunity.

  Let's get this disastrous sectarian bullshit out of North American public schools. Girls don't need to be shamed for being human beings. Let's fix this injustice before it spreads.


GO HERE NOW 

Unwarranted Fame: The Disease That Cures Itself

Over the last few years, I've spent more time than I care to admit ripping on Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. The pair of intellectual tits just grated on me, with their obsession with fame and outward arrogance and all. Throw in the displays of absolute financial stupidity and weird religious preaching and there's no way I was going to be a fan of Speidi, particularly the hairier member of the duo.

So now, these two are broke. And it's no publicity stunt- they have squandered millions and millions of dollars of mainly Heidi's money and are living at the home of Spenny's parents. Heidi and Spencer made huge coin off of staged paparazzi shoots, club appearances, and reality show bullshit and wasted it on trying to turn Heidi into a pop tart and Spencer into her Svengali. They wined and dined at famous joints and Spenny owns a million dollars worth of clothes. Everything from Heidi's numerous surgeries to Spencer's constantly-replaced vehicles was crafted to try and gain more dollars from momentary fame.

The guy who is two and a half years apart from this statement: "If I were to beat up every homophobic racist loser who challenged me to a fight, I wouldn't have time to be the most famous person in the world." is for all intents and purposes penniless and homeless. I'd almost feel sorry for the ugly bastard if I didn't think he was shopping some ego-massaging pseudoreality crap somewhere. I mean, this is a dude who filed a divorce petition against his wife as a publicity stunt because he was afraid of losing fame.

Fame and the paychecks that accompany it are almost always fleeting and once the cash is gone, you have to start over again. I suggest Spenny become a roofer or bricklayer or something real for a living. I mean, he probably couldn't hack it, but you never know. Maybe he can film some reality show where he has to scuba-dive through raw sewage for $14 an hour like some dudes do. THAT would be far more entertaining than The Hills, to be sure.

Seriously though, Spenny might be crying about his stupidity, but he should look to the wife whom he screwed over. She took that 'for richer or poorer' shit seriously. Maybe he could learn a lesson about unconditional love and strength and all of those positive attributes from a woman far wiser than he is.

Who the fuck am I kidding? The scumbag would divorce his devoted wife if he thought he could make $10 off of it.

There are cool, talented, and awesomely hard-working gents who deserve all of life's finer things. Spencer Pratt ain't one of them.

Quick Check In Post

  So, I heard that some of you were worried about my homelessness-following-domestic-assault dealio. Well, for you good creatures I have good news. I found a new flat the size of a postage stamp and am settling in to peace, quiet, and late-night cooking. It's weird how things can change in a positive fashion when you work your butt off to get to a good parcel in your mind and life.

  Anywho, as for the place- I dig it. It's cheap and cheerful, kind of like the occupant. :) It's on the ground floor, so shit can get a little noisy, but I really lucked out.

  I feel pretty loved with all of the rad messages from you folks and whathaveyou, so I figured a hello and thanks should be in order. I promise to be back to my regular cuntiness sometime this week, as I've heard that some of you were having withdrawal symptoms. Seriously though- to Spider Joe, Cine, Sarah, Tonda, Coner, Evan, Amy, Sandi, Boxy and the Aussies, the Kiwis, Hammy, and everyone else a seriously heartfelt thank you. You're the best.

Nighty night

M.