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Former clergy enjoys atheist peace of mind
When I was a Christian, we'd talk about the "peace that passeth understanding" that neither I nor anyone else I knew experienced. I did frequently see theists uttering incantations, while clinging desperately to their straw of belief, during one of life's flash floods.
When I was a theist, that was also my kind of peace. I was taught that atheists never have peace of mind. That was a huge lie.
Sometimes I see believers on TV with ecstatic happiness on their faces, and in such moments I recall George Bernard Shaw's thought on the subject: "The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one."
Since I became an atheist, I've observed believers under stress, mentally and emotionally struggling with all the "why, why, why Lord" questions, while offering supplications to the sky Lord. As if the emotional turmoil of a crisis event alone isn't enough, the theist is also cast into additional mental chaos with unneeded irrational and absurd thoughts.
I saw this first hand at hospice group counseling several years ago. It was pitiful seeing the believers in the group trying to process their grief while also irrationally juggling their God delusions.
The peace I've experienced as an atheist for the past 42 years is not some futile attempt to go past human understanding. To the complete contrary, it's based on understanding. I've experienced peace as an atheist in the midst of terrible relentless pain, frustration, death of my spouse, near death myself and other very stressful and painful human events. So what is the etiology of my atheist peace that's so very different from my former theistic kind of peace?
As an atheist, I don't have delusional "God" thoughts confusing, disturbing, complicating, filtering, warping and frustrating my daily life and sense of reality.
My peace emanates from my understanding of verifiable sciences (not ancient religious tales), about what and who I am and my place as a living creature in the universe.
My peace comes from not having nonsense and extraneous thoughts unnecessarily disturbing me, during critical times when I need to deal with and focus on the crisis and problem at hand.
Because of the first two reasons, I have a solid, clear, unshakable peace. It is a philosophical and resilient peace. It's like a strong safety net, woven from rational information, not fantasy tales.
I find the meaning of "philosophical" very interesting as it relates to the subject of peace:
(1. Relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence; (2. having or showing a calm attitude toward disappointments or difficulties.
My knowledge of what and who I am, how I came to exist and how all my atoms will return to the universe's recycle bin. That is enough for me.
Peace is always with me because my primary raison d'être is rational: survival. I also determine the purposes of my life, not the edicts of superstitious clerics, past and present.
Integrity and backbone
Science and theistic religion both offer explanations for life and the universe. Only science offers verifiable, falsifiable evidence. Monotheistic religion asks for belief with no evidence and often threatens anyone who dares question monotheism's most ethically immoral edicts and scientifically absurd writings and teachings.
I find the lives and words of atheists and agnostics like Thomas Edison, Democritus, Helen Keller, Carl Sagan, Dan Dennett, Andrew Carnegie, Ted Williams, Christopher Hitchens, Neil deGrasse Tyson, George Bernard Shaw, Stephen Hawking, Linus Pauling, Richard Dawkins, Dan Barker, Peter Higgs, Steven Weinberg, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Robert Ingersoll, Marlon Brando, Sam Harris, Gore Vidal, Sigmund Freud, Bertrand Russell, Katherine Hepburn, George Carlin, Arthur C. Clarke and Thomas Paine (to name just a few) are testimony to the kind of peace I've attempted to explain here.
As a member of the Clergy Project, I recall how my dear fellow member "Grandparaja" recently provided so much wisdom and emanated such peace before his impending death. What a beacon. I'll never forget him. But he was not an anomaly. I have never observed an atheist go through the added emotional turmoil, and the begging for answers from the Sky God, that so many theists do when facing death.
I certainly don't contend all atheists have the kind of peace I've written about, but at least they should be free of monotheistic bats banging around in their mental attics.
Reading the bible led to my becoming an atheist. The explanations about human life and the universe that I'd been taught all crumbled, and the moral disconnect of blood sacrifice of a son became repugnant.
Then, as I studied the sciences, I found new rational information on which to hang my faith hat. I think we humans do best knowing verifiable truth.
There are many atheists for whom the sciences are not a major part of their reading or study, but they also project the kind of atheist peace I'm writing about. Therefore, I conclude that their peace comes from a lack of delusional nonsense in one's thought process, and does not require the knowledge of the sciences.
My wife (and my former wife, who died in 2001), would fit that category. Even as children, they did not eat the baloney placed in front of them. I greatly admire humans who possessed unwavering integrity and backbone, even as children. Mark Twain would be another with enough common sense and natural perception to write, "It was the schoolboy who said, faith is believing what you know ain't so."
Thomas Edison was not privy to the scientific information available to anyone curious enough to search the Internet today. His take on religion was frank: "I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious ideas of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals, or of a personal God." Also: "So far as religion of the day is concerned, it is a damned fake. . . . Religion is all bunk."
I think the bunk, in the brain, that Edison mentioned makes it impossible for theists to ever experience the peace of mind that is possible for an atheist. The bunk is like opium for the addict, and it's still a damned fake.
Florida FFRF member Mason Lane was born Dean Aughinbaugh and changed his name for the music business, from which he's retired. Before that he was general manager of WHME-FM Radio (Christian programming) and pastor of Christian Faith Church in South Bend, Ind., then dean of students and soccer coach at DeVry University in Phoenix. Justifiable Homicide, available on Kindle or Nook, is the story of his journey to atheism. Google "reverbnation" and "mason lane" to sample his music online.
Atheist activist in a foxhole
Sergeant Davis is a member of FFRF and the Inland Northwest Freethought Society, FFRF's chapter in eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
I'm originally from New York and have been in the military 16 years. My family was mainly secular. My parents never forced me to hold any of their personal philosophies while I was growing up. They left that for me to figure out on my own.
After college and entering the Air Force, I came to a balanced general understanding of everything theological but have since stopped wasting my time on theology. I focus more on a humanist and scientific approach to matters with practicality and reason. So I've been a freethinker for as long as I can remember, probably around when I found out Santa wasn't real.
During my deployment in 2010, my oldest Air Force friend, Rick Hamelin, established the first "official" freethought group in the Middle East, the Southwest Asia Freethought Association. SWAFA (swafreethought.jimdo.com/) was recognized by the base as a private organization. When I arrived, I helped Rick run it.
To our surprise, it grew quite fast, from about five people to 30 or so, including freethinkers, Buddhists and a Wiccan, who had no support groups. We welcomed everyone. Our group was first met with some doubt and confusion, even some hostility. People took down our signs on the public boards and threw out business cards that we handed out.
We asked for space in the chapel to hold our meetings, but Rick had Pascal's Wager pulled on him and was pretty much told "no."
We were soon holding two meetings a week and a movie night every other Thursday. Our growth got the chapel's attention. They even sent a chaplain's assistant to one of our meetings. We wore PT [physical training] uniforms to remain anonymous. Rank would not be an issue for anyone, so we were free to speak our minds.
The chaplain's assistant came in uniform. I asked her if she was on duty and attending by direction of her boss. My suspicions were correct. But, all in all, she was most likely proved wrong if they assumed we just sat around bashing religion. She left actually liking how our group discussions went and how respectful we were of others' diverse opinions.
Religion didn't come up much unless it was part of another topic. Otherwise, it was opinions on general and miscellaneous science news — unless we had a new member, who would typically unload on us. People were just coming out as nontheist or had endured years of frustration.
Speaking up for others
I went to the Equal Opportunity Office in September 2013 with a complaint about an inappropriate display of a religious symbol on government property (civilian office in the hospital). I showed them that it was incompatible with Air Force Culture/AFI 1-1 and actually won one for once. The head chaplain went over and told them the display was not allowed. They removed it.
I have been battling with the base over miscellaneous things for the past few years and have met several times with the base chaplain. We discussed and debated a bit back and forth about policy and a little philosophy, but mainly about what's right in a government setting. Most of these things I did by myself, since many people here at Fairchild AFB who are Freethinkers choose to remain silent about many things. They have their reasons, so I ask them to tell me and I'll do it for them.
I've never asked for help on these matters because I believe that most of them can be solved at the lowest level, with tactful dialogue and understanding gained throughout. Also, I guess I like the challenge. I have talked with one of the attorneys at FFRF for advice on a complaint and, for another case, I sought advice from Mikey Weinstein, head of MRFF.
As far as the Oath of Enlistment topic which came up while talking with FFRF Co-President Dan Barker in February, I have always thought that the little injected "God" word at the end of "So help me" was pointless. To me it's ludicrous to have to swear an oath on behalf of myself and some "Cosmic Being," so I decided to do things differently before others really started to publicly challenge it.
On one of my enlistments, I left "God" out of it. I had an officer staring at me with hand still raised because I left that word out, like he was waiting for me to say it. I didn't and just gave a nod to signal I was done.
This last enlistment, I used "gods" plural, just to get a funny look. Most people at work know me well enough and so they expected it. However, it would have been neat to add a random "god" of my choice (Zeus, Thor) at the end of each of my enlistments. At one of them, I almost said "Odin," but couldn't bring myself to do it.
Sgt. James Davis is on his sixth deployment and is headed to Afghanistan after completing combat adviser school. SWAFA membership is open to all personnel currently assigned to the base hosting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, including military, DoD civilians and contractors.
'Coolest job' includes building community
(Atheist journalist Jamila Bey spoke to attendees at FFRF's 36th annual convention. The speech was edited for print.) Photography by Brent Nicastro.
Thank you one and all for coming. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for showing up and showing up the fact that we heathens exist, that we enjoy community and we come together.
I'm a journalist and reporter and a radio show host in Washington, D.C. I've been a hellraiser since before I was allowed to cross the street by myself. As a journalist, I really take issue with a lot of what's happening in this country.
I really take issue with the fact that, frankly, in this modern era, reporters are people who like to be on television, talking in this weird voice, flipping their "helmet hair" and asking questions that a really smart 22-year-old intern has written for them. There is not much critical thought to what they do. They don't understand history, and they certainly don't understand science. They don't understand politics, yet they're informing our population.
I'm really happy to be talking to you now because this morning built upon what I want to explain to you. We got to see how the local reports about FFRF's work are kind of skewed. Nobody wants the picture of our lord and savior Jesus Christ taken down. Why would anyone ever object? Use a different stairwell if you don't like it.
My show, the "Sex, Politics and Religion Hour: SPAR with Jamila," is on the radio in D.C., New York, Chicago and Miami. After January, the Voice of Russia radio network is going to broadcast me in English to 166 different countries. I'm really excited about that because voices like mine were not heard for way too long.
The minute I hit 18, I was like, "Yes, it's happened. I can say what I want," and that's what I've really been working to do. I am a student of democracy. I'm a student of this great American experiment. We've got it right — this is a nation formed by secular ideals, where everyone is valued, but we have to be able to go to the public square and put forth our ideas.
At least that's the way it was supposed to be. The problem and the opportunity is that in this modern era, anybody can get up and say anything and if you have money behind you, your money equals speech. I've got a huge, huge problem with that.
It's my obligation as an American to try my damnedest to advance the principles upon which this great nation was founded. I understand that we're not perfect. I can give you a whole lot of reasons why I take issue with the founders, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.
So I get to be loud and obnoxious and cheeky and I have the coolest job in the world. But I need some help from smart folks like you. I need you to go back to your respective hamlets and townships and big cities and I need you, when you see reporting like we saw [in a video] earlier, I need you to call up those stations. I need you call up those news directors. I need you to write letters to the editor and say, "Why was it that you didn't — there's a university here! Why didn't you ask anyone from the biology department? Why would you only interview . . . ?
We all have to take responsibility for this democracy in which we live and raise our voices. I love the fact that we're here, in the heartland, where you know, this is Jesus country. And it don't look too Jesus-y 'round here [in this room] to me. That makes me smile.
Each of us has to do a better job. We're doing a lot, but we're outnumbered at the moment. However, I love to point out, we own the Internet, folks under 30, who are less inclined to be religious. They're more inclined to be pro-same gender marriage.
I'm going to surround myself with people who aren't hateful, who understand the way things are. I'm really excited that we have a legislator here [Arizona Rep. Juan Mendez]. We need to take a page out of that Christian Right handbook. We need to be running candidates. We need people to get in there at town halls and wear our flair and T-shirts: "I am secular and I vote," that's an important one. We need to be asking questions of our politicians.
I can't remember, if you can help me on this? The Louisiana legislator who was all pro-voucher and then realized, "Oh my God, a Jew could get this money too, oh no! I'm not for that!" She didn't want it to go to a Muslim school, but Christian schools, it was just fine. [Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Watson, said later she regretted her vote.]
I guess I'm a radical. I'm very glad that today we recognize what will happen if we continue to be silent, if we continue to be hidden. I need to see us on more news programs. I need to see us on more editorial pages, and I certainly need to see more of us having lunch at various places wearing shirts! I love the shirts, please buy some shirts and wear them.
I am delighted to be here. FFRF is doing some amazing work and it's getting noticed. I'm honored that you had me here today. Thank you very much!
Q&A time
Q. I know that you're funded by the Russians. How do you feel about Vladimir Putin and the "homosexual propaganda" situation?
A. Yes, the station that I work for is funded in part by the Russian government. The reason I was hired is because I'm an expert in American politics. I'm trained as a health reporter. I'm good in live, breaking news situations. They hired me for my particular skill set. I of course don't support [Putin's anti-gay views] or that members of Pussy Riot were jailed for blasphemy.
My bureau is three blocks from the White House. I defend the First Amendment. When Chelsea Manning announced to the world who she was, I had two experts from the Human Rights Campaign on my show to talk about how we talk about transgender issues and rights. My employer is never going to dictate or mandate my ethics or morals to me.
Q. Last night, we went to dinner and as we walked out of the hotel, there was a man there with a sign that said, "God loves you atheists." I wanted you to share with the audience your response when he asked, "What state are you from?"
A. Hah! I have a firm policy. I do not engage with the idiots until after I've done my speaking. I need my intellect and energy for the crowd, but it just flew out! I just couldn't stop myself, so I said, "I live in the state of reality!"
Q. Do people have a right to pray in schools and at work?
A. Can the satanist pray? If the [public board] is going to have prayer, we're going to have a Wiccan come and have a whole celebration. Nudity is optional. Wait, wait, wait, they say. Whoa, they say. What's your problem, they ask? And I say, prayers for all!
But I like conflict. I love confrontation. I love "going there," because there is where the fun happens for me. But yeah, it's madness.
Q. I would imagine you must have come from a religious background. The question is then, what did you have to go through to become the person you are?
A. I started doing stand-up comedy by talking about my family, and people thought I was doing material, and I going "I'm not being funny, I'm telling you the truth." My father was raised as a Black Muslim, a follower of Elijah Muhammad in Pittsburgh in the mid-1950s. My mother was a Southern Baptist, "submit unto your husband, Jesus will stop him from beating you when it's appropriate" type.
She converted to Catholicism about when it was time for me to go to Catholic school and get that discount. Many of my friends in school were Jewish. I went to a scholars program where there were a couple of Orthodox Jewish kids. By the time I was 7, I realized that nobody knew what the hell they were talking about, and they were making up crap as they went along.
I've always been loud and obnoxious, I cannot have a thought that I don't express, and if it's a question, it burns until I get it out. It was hard, growing up. I have a second-grade teacher, who's still friends with my mom, who swears that the only difference in me then and now is that now I'm taller and have a baby.
Yeah, I've been pissing people off since I was embryonic. According to Mom.
Q. I'm wondering how we can get more politicians who are on our side in Washington?
A. I can't answer that in the time I have. But, I had a lovely exclusive interview last week with Sen. Ernie Chambers [1983 Supreme Court victor in Marsh v. Chambers]. Give it up for Ernie Chambers! He's been called the scariest man in Nebraska. They changed the state constitution and instituted term limits after his 38th year of service. It's been two years and now he's back. He says there's no way that anybody who speaks honestly the way he does, and who believes in the rights of his constituents to be served as he does, can get on the national stage. There's too much money.
The way elections happen, I fear that Mr. Chambers is right. I think that the political system would do well with somebody like me. No way in hell can I be elected as things stand today. No way, no way. We need to change that.
Thank you.
Jamila Bey also writes for The Washington Post blog "She the People" and worked as a producer and editor for a decade at National Public Radio. She's currently writing a book on the role religion plays in the lives of African-American women.
We swear, blasphemy laws still on the books
Every great idea starts out as blasphemy." (Bertrand Russell)
"Where there is no belief, there is no blasphemy." (Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses)
"Blasphemy is a victimless crime." (FFRF T-shirt issued to condemn a 1989 fatwa on Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses)
Indonesian civil servant Alexander Aan was freed Jan. 27 after serving a year in prison and being fined $8,000 for committing blasphemy. He posted words on Facebook that at least 75 million humans around the globe agree with: "There is no god."
Aan was released "on license," meaning he's required to report regularly to authorities. He's also vulnerable to vigilante retribution.
In December, two members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot were released from prison for committing "hooliganism and inciting religious hatred." Their crime? Singing a one-minute protest song on the altar of Moscow's main cathedral to condemn the Russian Orthodox Church's social repression and its ties to President Vladimir Putin.
Internationally, blasphemy prosecutions are chillingly on the rise. It's not just places like Pakistan and Iran. Ireland passed a law in 2010 punishing blasphemy with a €25,000 fine ($34,000).
While such laws clearly violate the First Amendment, America has also seen its share of persecutions. Blasphemy laws turn thoughts objectionable only to some religionists into "crimes," thereby clearly violating the First Amendment's protection of freedom of conscience.
Robert Ingersoll captured the injustice of blasphemy statutes marvelously while defending C.B. Reynolds of New Jersey in 1887:
"By making a statute and by defining blasphemy, the church sought to prevent discussion — sought to prevent argument — sought to prevent a man giving his honest opinion. Certainly a tenet, a dogma, a doctrine, is safe when hedged about by a statute that prevents your speaking against it. In the silence of slavery it exists. It lives because lips are locked. It lives because men are slaves."
The few antiquated blasphemy laws still on the books in the U.S. discriminate against non-Christians. By definition, blasphemy must discriminate. Any profession of faith in favor of one sect is blasphemy against another (i.e., you either believe that Jesus was the son of God, or not; that the angel Gabriel spoke to Muhammad, or not; that a dry cracker is the body of a noncorporeal being, or not).
Establishing a religion
Blasphemy statutes place the religious sensibilities of the chosen sect on a pedestal. As Bertrand Russell observed of the English common law, "[C]learly no one ought to speak ill of Christianity in such a way as to be likely to promote a breach of the peace. Those who use this argument do not, however, propose to extend the same protection to other religions. If you abuse Lenin to a Communist until he gets so angry that he hits you on the nose, the Communist is sent to prison. If the Communist abuses Christ to you until you get angry so that you hit him on the nose, it is again the Communist that is sent to prison."
As stated by former Associate Justice Abe Fortas in Epperson v. Arkansas: "Government in our democracy, state and national, must be neutral in matters of religious theory, doctrine, and practice."
Speech and blasphemy
Freedom of speech is not absolute. Fighting words, threats, defamation and libel are included in prohibited speech. Merely uttering a phrase that would once have been considered a sin against God must now fall into one of those categories if it is to be punished.
In a case challenging a Michigan law that made "profanely curs[ing] or damn[ing] or swear[ing] by the name of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost" a crime, the court held that "God damn" was not speech justifiably prohibited by law. The court referenced a Supreme Court holding that states may not make a "single four-letter expletive a criminal offense" and found "no principled distinction between the expletive in [that case] and the milder profanity in this case."
In a challenge to a Pennsylvania law prohibiting corporate names containing "[w]ords that constitute blasphemy, profane cursing or swearing or that profane the Lord's name" another court found the statute violated the First Amendment because it restricted speech on the basis of viewpoint.
The Supreme Court summed it up, "from the standpoint of freedom of speech and the press, it is enough to point out that the state has no legitimate interest in protecting any or all religions from views distasteful to them which is sufficient to justify prior restraints upon the expression of those views. It is not the business of government in our nation to suppress real or imagined attacks upon a particular religious doctrine, whether they appear in publications, speeches, or motion pictures." Joseph Burstyn Inc. v. Wilson (1952).
From blasphemers' mouths
American colonial punishment was severe. Massachusetts had the death penalty until 1697, with the later sanction of branding the blasphemer's tongue with a hot iron. With the adoption of the federal and state constitutions, these laws dropped into disuse. But before that happened, brave American freethinkers paid a price.
Thomas Jefferson Chandler of Delaware was found guilty in 1837 of declaring that "the virgin Mary was a whore and Jesus Christ was a bastard." Another blasphemer, a Mr. Ruggles, was convicted in 1811 for observing "Jesus Christ was a bastard, and his mother must be a whore."
A tamer utterance by Abner Updegraph in Pennsylvania in 1824 was condemned: "The Holy Scriptures were a mere fable, that they were a contradiction, and that although they contained a number of good things, yet they contained a great many lies."
Abner Kneeland of Massachusetts was convicted in 1838 of uttering the following:
• "The Universalists believe in a god which I do not; but believe that their god, with all his moral attributes, (aside from nature itself,) is nothing more than a chimera of their own imagination."
• "Universalists believe in Christ, which I do not; but believe that the whole story concerning him is as much a fable and a fiction as that of the god Prometheus, the tragedy of whose death is said to have been acted on the stage in the theatre at Athens, five hundred years before the Christian era."
• "Universalists believe in miracles, which I do not; but believe that every pretension to them can be accounted for on natural principles, or else is to be attributed to mere trick and imposture."
• Universalists believe in the resurrection of the dead, in immortality and eternal life, which I do not; but believe that all life is mortal, that death is an eternal extinction of life to the individual who possesses it, and that no individual life is, ever was, or ever will be eternal."
The aptly named Michael X. Mockus was found guilty in 1921 for saying:
• "Mary (meaning the Virgin Mary) had a beau. When her beau called one evening (both being young) he seduced her. He brought her a flower and put her in a family way. No woman can give birth to a child without a man."
• "Look how the priests teach you, the falsifiers, thieves. It is not possible that he could be of the Holy Ghost, there must be a man. A young Jew was the father of the Christ. No woman can have a child without a man; that never happened and never can happen."
• "The father of Christ was a young Jew and was no Angel Gabriel. Any girl who wants a child can call a Gabriel or some John."
• "All religions are a deception of the people."
• "There is no truth in the Bible; it is only monkey business."
If you're accused of blasphemy, you're in good company. Throughout history, some of the greatest artists and writers have been accused of (though perhaps not criminally tried for) blasphemy. Among them are James Kirkup, author of the poem "The Love that Dares to Speak Its Name," Monty Python for "The Life of Brian," John Steinbeck for "The Grapes of Wrath," H.L. Mencken (pretty much constantly from 1899-1956), Charles Darwin for "On the Origin of Species," Percy Bysshe Shelley for "Queen Mab," Thomas Paine and his publisher Richard Carlile for "The Age of Reason," Shakespeare contemporary Christopher Marlowe, arrested for atheism and blasphemy, Galileo Galelei, Aesop (born c. 620 B.C.E) and Socrates (died 399 B.C.E).
According to the "Encyclopedia of Unbelief," Charles Lee Smith, in 1928, was the last person in the U.S. to be convicted of blasphemy as a crime. Smith had moved to Arkansas to protest the anti-ex`xvolution statute that was about to be passed. (It was overturned 40 years later by Epperson.)
Smith had rented a storefront and distributed leaflets such as "The Bible in the Balance," "Godless Evolution" and "The Ape Ancestry of Man." What got him into trouble was the sign he put in his window, "Evolution is True. The Bible's a Lie. God's a Ghost." He was arrested for selling literature without a permit, even though he was giving the pamphlets away. In court, he refused to swear an oath, wishing to affirm instead. The judge, appalled at his atheism, refused to let him testify and fined him for distributing obscene literature.
After numerous threats, arrests and an attack on his storefront, Smith was charged with blasphemy. Again he was not permitted to testify and was convicted, although the conviction was overturned.
In the most recent U.S. case, George Kalman wanted to name his film company "I Choose Hell Productions." His choice was rejected by Pennsylvania because corporation names were not allowed to be "blasphemous." In 2010, the court held that the blasphemy statute violated the First Amendment.
Despite the numerous cases overturning blasphemy laws and the fact that "it is proper to regard the statute before us not only as obsolete, but as repealed by implication in such essential parts as an advanced and enlightened civilization justifies with due regard for the personal liberties of the citizen," several states still have them, although they're rarely enforced and would fall to a constitutional challenge. The following are still on the books:
Massachusetts: "Whoever wilfully blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior."
Michigan: "Any person who shall wilfully blaspheme the holy name of God, by cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."
Oklahoma: "Blasphemy consists in wantonly uttering or publishing words, casting contumelious reproach or profane ridicule upon God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Scriptures or the Christian or any other religion."
South Carolina makes it a crime to "use blasphemous, profane or obscene language at or near the place of [religious worship]."
Blasphemy prosecutions are still rampant in many other countries, and not just places like Pakistan and Iran. Ireland passed a blasphemy law in 2010 punishing the crime by a €25,000 fine. The United Nations debates a "defamation of religion" resolution every year.
They should instead listen to Dan Barker, sage and FFRF co-president: "You cannot be convicted of a victimless crime."
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel graduated cum laude from Tulane University with a B.S. in neuroscience and environmental science and magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School. Go online to see the complete Blasphemy FAQ:
Ask a Skeptic
Dear Skeptic:
How can I politely attend the Episcopal wedding of a close friend's daughter? The friend and I get along because we don't talk religion, she knows my facts and I am aware of her beliefs. However, whenever we dine at their house, we are invited to bend our heads and say grace. My husband and I just stare silently at each other.
The wedding will be heavy on God, and my friend has told me I will have to suck it up and take communion. I don't even know what communion is! I do know I don't want to take it.
At other church weddings, I've sat quietly during prayer time and changed the words to songs, even using "dog" for the mythical one.
I don't think my quiet protests will go unnoticed at this wedding though. I am also afraid I might shout out something inappropriate or start shushing people. Maybe I should just go to the after-party, where my discomfort is less likely to be noticed.
What would Ann Landers say?
— Linda in Virginia
P.S. We're also invited to a Church of England wedding in the U.K. My friend, who is the only religious one in her family, is planning a wonderful party for after the service. She excitedly told me we were on the A-list.
I wondered what she meant until she explained this meant we were invited to both the service and the party. The lucky (in my opinion) B-listers only get invited to the party!
Scott Colson, production editor:
I think it's more offensive to eat the Jesus cracker because that's their god, or for Episcopals, a supposedly adequate representation of him. A cracker is better than the scary carving of Jesus with nails and thorns at some of the more graphic churches I've seen. Crackers any day.
The reception is more fun and a chance to interact with the lucky couple and their family without the formalities and incense (unless it's a Baptist reception — then, run).
Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president:
I vote for the party! There you can truly celebrate the newlyweds, not the religion, without artifice or feeling like a hypocrite. No one is likely to notice your absence at a church wedding, and you can circulate and truly enjoy the reception.
I no longer attend religious weddings (with exception of Unitarian). I vowed "never again" after being a "captive" bridesmaid in my 20s in a Catholic wedding for a friend, as the priest went on for two hours about "sin."
Even firmer is my resolve not to attend religious ("fill in the blank") funerals, typically more about "sin" (again) than the loved one.
Funerals, especially with open casket, are a relic of religion. Emotions are too raw, families are too upset and have too much to do to force upon them a burial funeral. A memorial service at most, which can be held when everyone has a chance to make travel arrangements and adapt to grief, is far more humane and civilized.
Joan Reisman-Brill, "The Ethical Dilemma" columnist:
You have to politely but firmly tell your friend you will not suck up anything, whether it's wine and wafers, or just your own values. If that demotes you to the B-list (or off all lists), so "B" it.
If you were Jewish or Muslim, would she expect you to take communion? Even if you were Episcopal, it's out of line — and perhaps even a sin in the eyes of the faith — to command anyone to perform a sacred ritual against their own conscience.
It's fine (even fun) during prayers to keep your head up, eyes open and lips not moving (or moving to alternative words that amuse you). But it would be inappropriate for you to register anything that others read as disrespect or protest.
If you really do fear you might lose control, beg off the ceremony and say how much you want to attend the party. Explain to your friend you just aren't comfortable at a religious service and don't want to make anyone else uncomfortable, but you would want to be there to celebrate.
A friend who isn't willing to accept you on these terms is not a true friend. (If you weren't such a VIP, you could just show up too late for the vows but in time for the kiss; but that's not an option in this case.)
You can do the same for the U.K. event. This will make room for someone on the B-list who's eager to get promoted to your spot on A. And again, if this friend says not to bother coming at all, she'll have saved you a long expensive trip just for a party, however nice.
Even if your friends dump you in a huff, you would do well to leave the door open. Many lovely ladies turn into Mother-of-the-Bridezillas. It could take time, but maybe they'll one day see things differently and want to reconnect (and perhaps beg forgiveness), which is easier if at least one of you didn't do any slamming.
Patrick Elliott, staff attorney:
Weddings are supposed to be enjoyable for those getting married and their guests. If the religious ceremony is too much for you to handle, than it may be best to just attend the reception. The people actually getting married will not worry about whether the bride's mother's close friend is at the ceremony. You can let them know you care by giving them a personal card and nice gift. Your friend may not fully grasp why you may not want to attend a church service, but there is not much you can do about that.
On the other hand, attending a wedding ceremony is not the end of the world. As an atheist, I have never declined to attend a wedding service. My curiosity won't allow it, and I don't want to miss out on the main event. I stand and sit when told but do not otherwise participate by singing or taking communion.
In the Episcopal Church, only baptized Christians may take communion. That means it is more respectful of the church for you to remain in the pew rather than to take communion as your friend told you.
Finally, so what if people notice that you are not taking communion or singing hymns? My Roman Catholic extended family has never approached me and asked about it even though they know I took the sacraments of first communion and confirmation. It may be noticed, but people are there to see a marriage, not to observe who is eating symbolic human flesh.
Of course, if your blood sugar is running low, there are no gods that will smite you for eating a piece of bread.
Meet a musical member
Name: Andy Shernoff.
Where I live: Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Family: My beautiful fiancée Carla Rhodes and my rescue dog Duchess.
Education: P.S. 148, Flushing High School, State University of New York at New Paltz.
Occupation: Songwriter/musician/producer.
How I got where I am today: I was raised in a safe, supportive environment by parents who nurtured an appreciation for art, music and different cultures. They provided me with the solid foundation to pursue my dreams. Probably the only issue in which religion and I are in accord is the importance of a strong family structure. The world would be a better place if every child was born from love. Of course, that doesn't require the supernatural, just sensible birth control.
Where I'm headed: We come from stardust and we will return to stardust.
Person in history I admire: John Lennon, for inspiring me to become a musician and setting a high artistic standard. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the smartest man in the room and a noble warrior for science, reason and logic.
Quotations I like: "With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." -— Steven Weinberg
"One man's theology is another man's belly laugh." — Robert Heinlein
I love to hear Christian apologists try to squirm their way out of this one, and why does an almighty god need an apologist anyway? "However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way." — Leviticus 25:44-46, New Living Translation
These are a few of my favorite things: Music, wine, barbecue, travel to exotic locales, Jon Stewart's "Daily Show," focusing on the process not the destination.
These are not: Faith, original sin, people who call themselves "spiritual."
My doubts about religion started: As a child, I found that no matter how hard I prayed, I never got a response. I eventually realized I was simply talking to myself.
Before I die: Life is simpler when you know what makes you happy, and I know that every day I make music is a good day. I hope to continue to enjoy its healing power as long as I am on this planet.
There's a reason why many churches open their services with a band and sing-along. The magic in the music gives the congregation a high, which is then misconstrued as being closer to god. I strive to get that feeling without delusion.
Ways I promote freethought: I recently released a CD of songs about religion and faith. I felt the need to take a musical stand and "come out of the closet." I resent the stigma attached to atheism. The nonsense that we lack morals and can't be trusted is appalling. According to a recent poll conducted by University of British Columbia and the University of Oregon, atheists are trusted less than rapists!
In my lifetime, I've seen blacks and gays improve their status by demanding equal and fair treatment. I think it is time for atheist liberation!
I wish you'd have asked me: What's the story behind your song "Are You Ready to Rapture?"
I come from New York City, where nobody thinks Jesus is actually returning to Earth. I grew up completely unaware of "the Rapture." A few years ago, I was surprised to learn that evangelical Christians were offering financial support to settlers on the West Bank of Palestine in an attempt to destabilize the tense situation and accelerate the End Times prophecy. It could all be dismissed as the rantings of religious fanatics, except there are powerful people in government who believe this implicitly. It used to be just nutjobs standing on a street corner in Times Square screaming about the end of the world, now they are running for president.
I would never mock somebody's religion, but if it's going to affect public policy, then I have a right to satirize it. And if I can get a good laugh out of it, even better.
'Are You Ready to Rapture?'
Andy Shernoff modestly omits his decades-long musical influence as a rock journalist and co-founder of the early punk bank the Dictators in the mid-1970s, predating the Ramones by a year. He later collaborated with Joey Ramone and several other groups. Shernoff played at the March 2012 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., the nation's largest secular gathering ever.
He released his first solo EP "Don't Fade Away" in 2012 and his second solo EP "On the First Day Man Created God" in 2013. The latter features "Are You Ready to Rapture?" "Skeptical," "Fisher of Men" and "Get on Your Knees for Jesus." Check out
andyshernoff.com and cdbaby.com/cd/
andyshernoff3 for more. Google "shernoff rapture" too see the "Ready to Rapture" video.
He wrote "Rapture" to poke fun at the late Pastor Harold Camping's predictions of Armageddon. Shernoff told Dangerous Minds online: "I had the phrase Jewish zombie rolling through my brain and wanted to incorporate it into a song. I developed a fascination with Christian eschatology and researched it extensively. I wanted everything in the song to accurately represent what these knuckleheads believe. It took a few months, and I probably wrote 25 verses until I had the right combination of drama, truth and sarcasm."
Are You Ready to Rapture?
The skies part
as a light shines through
guess who's back
it's the zombie Jew.
He's really pissed
at the unmarried fornicators
the stem cell crusaders
and the butt hole invaders.
So the towers fell
and the earth did quake
just a little taste of his vengeance
America prepare for your fate.
'Cause when the trumpets sound, he will astound
watch the rivers turn to blood
the sinners cry and the dead will rise
judgment day has come.
Are you ready to rapture?
The savior that you spurn
Loves you forever
But the unbelievers must burn
When the zombie Jew returns. . .
State/Church Bulletin
USAF Freethinkers Club wins validation
The Freethinkers Club at the U.S. Air Force Academy, which sponsored "Ask an Atheist" days, did not violate any rules and can maintain display tables and offer information to interested persons at its annual fair, academy officials announced March 19. The group is an authorized cadet club.
Military.com reported the school's announcement came after seven cadets, faculty and staff members contacted the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
Religious plates win Wisconsin vote
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature approved a bill to issue special "In God We Trust" license plates. The bill passed 91-0 in the Assembly and 30-2 in the Senate (opposed by Democratic Sens. Fred Risser and Mark Miller. Risser, 86, of Madison, is the longest-serving legislator in the U.S., first elected in 1956.)
FFRF has taken issue with the godly plates since September and sent an action alert to Wisconsin members. Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott noted in his testimony at a public hearing: "Legislators are elected to represent all citizens, including those who do not believe in a monotheistic god or any gods. Both supporters and opponents of the bill recognize that 'In God We Trust' is a religious statement."
Gov. Scott Walker hadn't signed the bill at press time.
Judge's religious bias hit again
A unanimous three-judge panel of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals on March 21 reversed a decision by Oklahoma County District Judge Bill Graves that denied a name change from James Dean Ingram to Angela Renee Ingram after Ingram's gender reassignment surgery.
The Associated Press reported it's the second name-change case in the last two years in which the appeals court has reversed Graves. He earlier rejected a change from Steven Charles Harvey to Christie Ann Harvey. In both cases, he cited specific bible passages as justification for denial.
Graves, a former Republican state lawmaker, told the AP he's very disappointed. "We can't change our sex, the way God made us. These things are really counterfeit."
After being term-limited, Graves was replaced by current GOP Rep. Sally Kern, who has called homosexuality a greater threat to the U.S. than terrorism.
Ingram was represented by the ACLU of Oklahoma.
Salvation Army to pay $450,000 in suit
The New York Civil Liberties Union announced court approval March 18 of a settlement in Lowe v. The Salvation Army in which the plaintiffs will receive $450,000 in damages and attorneys' fees to two plaintiffs.
Reuters reported that the decade-old federal suit involved now-former employees who alleged the charity pressured them to follow its religious mission while they worked on government-funded projects.
The Salvation Army's Greater New York division also agreed to provide employees of its government-funded services with a document saying it won't ask about their religious beliefs or make them adhere to religious policies.
The suit was filed in 2004 after the administration of former President George W. Bush made it easier for churches to get federal money for so-called faith-based initiatives. The greater New York division currently has more than $188 million in government contracts to provide social services and nearly 300 employees are paid with public money.
Board backs veto of church subsidy
Milwaukee Common Council members voted 13-1 on March 4 to sustain Mayor Tom Barrett's veto of a resolution giving up to $5,000 to the Retail Christian Network for a breakfast at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention in May in Las Vegas.
The Journal Sentinel reported that Barrett felt there was no public purpose to spend tax dollars to finance RCN's year-round ministry or to support Higher Call, its parent organization based in Franklin, Tenn.
Idaho kills bill on faith healing
Idaho House leaders denied a hearing on a bill to address the number of children who die because their parents choose faith healing and not medical assistance for religious reasons, The Associated Press reported.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Rich Wills said Feb. 26 he was told by House Speaker Scott Bedke that the bill wouldn't be brought up.
Democratic Rep. John Gannon had proposed changes to state law in the wake of dozens of deaths of children whose parents belong to the Followers of Christ in southwestern Idaho. Similar deaths from treatable conditions have occurred in Oregon, the Followers' home base.
Home schoolers lose but stay anyway
The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari March 3 in Romeike v. Holder. The 6th Circuit earlier denied asylum to a German evangelical Christian family seeking to stay in the U.S. because of Germany's ban on home schooling, reported Religion Clause.
The appeals court ruled in May 2013 that the Romeikes didn't have a "well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion," as U.S. immigration law requires.
However, on March 4, the Department of Homeland Security granted the family "indefinite deferred status" to stay in the U.S., according to Fox News.
The Romeikes moved to Morristown, Tenn., in 2008 after facing fines and risking loss of custody of their children for refusing to send them to a state-approved school in Germany. The family was granted asylum in 2010 based on religious freedom grounds, but the Obama administration appealed the decision and won.
Soledad cross groups seeks certiorari
In Mt. Soledad Memorial Association v. Steve Trunk, the association announced March 4 it will seek Supreme Court review of a lower court ruling that the 29-foot-tall cross must be moved out of a public park in San Diego, Calif. Trunk is an FFRF "foxhole atheist" member and award recipient. The cross has been the subject of litigation since 1989.
The association, which is represented by the evangelical Liberty Institute, contends a Christian cross looming over the 1954 war memorial has no religious significance and somehow honors all of the 3,300 veterans whose names are on memorial plaques, even non-Christians and nonbelievers.
State pushes bible as 'official' book
Louisiana Rep. Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport, introduced HB 503 in the House to declare the bible as the official state book, KTSB reported. FFRF has formally complained about the constitutional violation to state officials.
"The official state book shall be the Holy Bible, published by Johannes Prevel . . . which is the oldest edition of the Holy Bible in the Louisiana State Museum system," the legislation says. The Prevel bible was published in the early 16th century.
The legislation also proposes that the state's motto should be changed to read: "A state, under God, united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here."
The session started March 10. In a March 3 online Times-Picayune poll, 62% of respondents said the bible should not be the state's official book.
Commandments bill
on governor's desk
The Georgia Senate gave final passage March 12 to a bill that authorizes placing a Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol. The bill passed the House 138-37 and the Senate 40-10.
The bill prescribes placement of a "historic granite monument" depicting the preamble to the Georgia Constitution, a line from the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments. Private funds would be used.
Some Democrats said they voted "no" because such a law won't survive a constitutional challenge. "The state doesn't necessarily need to endorse private individuals and their expenditure of money in supporting their own religion," Sen. Steven Henson told a television reporter.
Gov. Nathan Deal hadn't signed the bill as of press time. FFRF sent an action alert to members March 14 urging them to tell Deal to veto the bill.
Arguments heard in commandments case
A federal judge heard arguments March 11 on whether a 6-foot-tall, 3,000-pound Ten Commandments monument in front of City Hall in Bloomfield, N.M., is constitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed the suit against the city on behalf of two plaintiffs who practice the Wiccan religion.
Attorneys for the city contend that "private parties" paid for the monument under a 2007 city resolution that lets members of the public "erect historical monuments of their choosing," reported the Albuquerque Journal.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, which calls itself a "legal ministry," is defending the city.
"This is not a free speech case," plaintiffs' attorney Andrew Schultz said during opening arguments. "It is a case of government speech."
Buddhist student
wins relief in court
A federal district court on March 14 ordered the Sabine Parish School District to refrain from unconstitutionally promoting or denigrating religion. The consent order came after the ACLU of Louisiana sued on behalf of C.C., a sixth-grader of Thai descent and a practicing Buddhist.
School officials allegedly told C.C. that Buddhism was "stupid," suggested he transfer to a school with "more Asians," incorporated prayer into class and nearly every school event, hung a portrait of Jesus over the main entry and participated in a number of other activities that blatantly violated the separation of church and state, said the ACLU's Heather Weaver.
In February, C.C.'s mother was accosted while doing yard work, Weaver said. "Three people wearing KKK-type white hoods drove by her and shouted, 'You fucking nigger Asian-loving bitch.' "
According to the ACLU, C.C.'s science teacher, Rita Roark, repeatedly told students that the Earth was created by God 6,000 years ago, that evolution is "impossible" and that the bible is "100 percent true."
The court order also mandated in-service training for school staff on their First Amendment obligations.
Jail won't stop her
from praying
The Carroll County commissioners in Baltimore must stop opening meetings with sectarian prayers, a federal judge ruled March 25 in granting a preliminary injunction, reported the Baltimore Sun.
U.S. District Judge William Quarles Jr. said commissioners can continue to pray at meetings but can't refer to deities linked to any specific faith.
Plaintiff Bruce Hake, a Catholic immigration attorney, sued last May after commissioners started taking turns saying a prayer. "It's un-American to impose one flavor of religion on people," Hake said.
Local resident Neil Ridgely and the American Humanist Association were co-plaintiffs with Hake.
Two days later, reported the Carroll County Times, Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier opened the board's budget meeting with a prayer containing references to Jesus Christ, Lord, our Father, merciful Father and the Holy Spirit. She said she's willing to go to jail to fight the injunction.
"If we cease to believe that our rights come from God, we cease to be America," Frazier said. "We've been told to be careful. But we're going to be careful all the way to communism if we don't start standing up and saying 'no.' "
Tenn. bill boosts
school religion
The Tennessee Legislature on March 24 passed the Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act requiring schools to let students express their religious views in class, at assemblies, over the school's P.A. system and at public events such as graduation, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported.
The legislation, which passed 90-2 in the House and 32-0 in the Senate, must be signed by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to become law.
"An evangelical student, for example, could preach the gospel during a science class, or 'witness' during English," said David Badash of the New Civil Rights Movement, an online journal. "Attacks on LGBT people and same-sex marriage are automatically protected under this bill, offering anti-gay students a state-sponsored license to bully. And of course, a student could claim they worship Satan and subject their classmates to that 'religious viewpoint' as well."
Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern has co-sponsored a similar bill with the same title. It received unanimous House passage (with 13 absentions) in February and was referred to the Senate Education Committee as an "emergency" bill.
In the News
Millennials quit church over LGBT issues
In a Public Religion Research Institute survey released Feb. 26, about a third of millennials who left organized religion said "negative teachings" or "negative treatment" related to gays and lesbians played a significant role.
Of adults between age 18 and 33, 17% said negativity about religion's LGBT issues was "somewhat important" to leaving, and 14% said it was a "very important" factor.
A majority of the 4.500 Americans polled (58%) also said religious groups are "alienating young adults by being too judgmental on gay and lesbian issues." Among millennials, that percentage jumped to 70.
The polls was conducted in November and December 2013.
Religious bills draw vetoes in Virginia
Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe's March 27 veto of a bill giving military chaplains wide latitude to proselytize brought predictable howls from conservatives.
The Family Foundation said in an e-mail that McAuliffe denied "good sense and the General Assembly's voting record" in favor of acquiescing "to the ACLU's wishes." Bill sponsor Sen. Dick Black, R-Loudoun County, said the veto reflects a "sort of unspoken antagonism to Christianity that's based on gay marriage and abortion," the Virginian-Pilot reported.
In his veto message, McAuliffe said the bill "would seriously undermine the religious freedom of National Guard members by potentially exposing them to sectarian proselytizing."
Chaplains can minister as they choose at voluntary services or in private settings but don't "have the right to use official, mandatory events as a platform to disseminate their own religious views," McAuliffe wrote.
The governor's office said he intends to veto a student religious expression bill that passed 20-18 in the Senate and 64-34 in the House of Delegates. Religion Clause reported that the bill would protect voluntary student prayer and prayer gatherings before, during and after school; wearing of clothing or jewelry displaying religious messages; and expression of religious viewpoints by neutrally selected student speakers at graduation and similar events.
The Roanoke Times reported that McAuliffe's office said he'll veto the bill out of concerns about its constitutionality and unintended consequences.
Religion trumps rights in Mississippi
The Mississippi Legislature has approved a "turn away the gays" bill to let businesses and individuals refuse services to LGBT people on religious grounds. The Republican-controlled House and Senate both passed a conference report April 1 on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The House vote was 78-43. The Senate vote was 38-14.
Gov. Phil Bryant has not said if he'll sign it. A similar bill was vetoed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
The Washington Blade reported that the bill also adds "In God We Trust" to the state seal.
Church ousts Scouts but keeps money
Fr. John De Celles, pastor of St. Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church in Springfield, Va., ended parish support for Cub and Boy Scout groups because of Scouting's new policy on gays. De Celles took the popcorn money and another $1,200 that Pack 683 had raised to sponsor a unit of Trail Life USA, founded in 2013 to offer "Christ-centered" Scouting, reported the Washington Post on March 1.
While De Celles had authority to transfer the money, that didn't sit well with some. "He hurt these children for no reason so that he didn't have to fund his own new program," said Pack 683 parent Stephanie Curb.
"I don't think it was the moral thing to do," parent Melanie Frola said. The Frolas are leaving the parish because of the decision. Their son sold $84.66 worth of popcorn.
The Disney Co. announced Feb. 28 it will stop supporting the Boy Scouts of America in 2015 over the Scouts' ban on gay leaders. Disney does not contribute directly, but employees can do volunteer work in exchange for donations to organizations of their choice.
One Florida Scout leader said some troops were getting up to $6,000 a year through Disney's VoluntEARS program.
SCOTUS hears Hobby Lobby challenge
The Supreme Court heard arguments March 25 on challenges by Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Corp. to the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate. The firms are Christian-owned and claim the law abridges their religious freedom.
Reuters speculated a majority could rule that corporations have a right to make religious claims, but that the contraceptive mandate does not merit one. The AP called the court "divided."
The Wall Street Journal said:
"Chief Justice Roberts appeared to tip his hand when he told [Solicitor General Verrilli] that the parade of horribles — all kinds of religious exemptions being claimed by all sorts of employers, punching holes in the uniform application of the laws — could be avoided by a ruling limited to closely held enterprises, like S corporations that pass their earnings through to their shareholders. That would leave the issue of, say, an Exxon claiming religious freedom rights to another day. Later, Justice Breyer suggested he might be open to that type of resolution."
Mother Jones reported April 1 that Hobby Lobby has invested millions in companies that manufacture contraception and abortion-inducing medication.
The report said several of its retirement plan mutual funds are invested in Teva Pharmaceutical and Actavis.
Seek salvation, take home a weapon
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is leading "Second Amendment Celebrations" in which churches give away guns, which the Baptists are billing as "outreach to rednecks" to "point people to Christ," said a March 1 story in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Chuck McAlister, the convention's team leader for evangelism, said 1,678 men made "professions of faith" at about 50 such events last year. In Louisville, he said, more than 500 people showed up one January day for a gun giveaway at Highview Baptist Church, and 61 made decisions to seek salvation.
"How ironic to use guns to lure men in to hear a message about Jesus, who said, 'Put away the sword,' " said Rev. Joe Phelps, pastor at Independent Highland Baptist Church.
Setback for abortion rights in Maryland
In Centro Tepeyac v. Montgomery County, a Maryland U.S. District Court on March 7 enjoined enforcement of a 2010 county resolution that requires each "limited service pregnancy center" to post to post a sign in English and Spanish in its waiting room that reads:
(1) "the Center does not have a licensed medical professional on staff" and (2) "the Montgomery County Health Officer encourages women who are or may be pregnant to consult with a licensed health care provider."
The resolution expressed concern that "clients may be misled into believing that a center is providing medical services when it is not. Clients could therefore neglect to take action (such as consulting a doctor) that would protect their health or prevent adverse consequences, including disease, to the client or the pregnancy."
So-called "crisis" pregnancy centers are typically operated by religious groups that try to talk women out of having abortions while misleading them about its risks. The court ruled the reolution was content-based and violated the First Amendment.
Scottish priests decline in Glasgow parishes
A March 12 report in the Scottish Herald estimated that within 20 years, the Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow will have only 45 priests, less than half the number needed to staff current parishes.
Between 1991 and 2012, attendance at funerals in the archdiocese dropped 14%, along with a 39% decline at baptisms and declines of 41% at Sunday Mass and 54% at weddings.
Sentenced to hang on blasphemy charge
A Pakistani judge sentenced a Christian to death for blasphemy, Reuters reported March 27. Sawan Masih was sentenced to hang after a Muslim said Masih insulted the prophet Muhammad a year ago in Lahore. The accusation against Masih sparked a riot during which than 100 Christian homes were torched.
At least 16 people are on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy and at least 20 others are serving life sentences. No one has yet been executed for blasphemy.
Secular lobbying event June 12-13 in D.C.
The Secular Coalition for America, of which the Freedom From Religion Foundation is a member organization, is holding its 2014 Lobby Day and Secular Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 12-13. It will include lobbying training, visits with legislators and staffers on Capitol Hill and a policy conference.
Registration is $50 for students and $99 for others and includes breakfast, lunch and lobbying training Thursday morning, lobbying visits Thursday afternoon and a pool party and reception Thursday night. Friday includes breakfast, lunch and a variety of panels and workshops.
A discounted room rate of $159/night at the Liaison Capitol Hill expires May 19.
Visit secular.org/lobbyday2014/.
'No Religion 4'
set in B.C. in May
Rational thought comes to Kamloops, British Columbia, May 16-18, when Humanist Canada and BC Humanists sponsor the fourth annual Imagine No Religion conference.
FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor will speak, along with Jerry Coyne, professor of biology, author of Why Evolution Is True and an FFRF honorary officer and Emperor Has No Clothes honoree.
Other speakers include Eugenie Scott, who is stepping down as executive director of the National Center for Science Education; "The Thinking Atheist" video producer and Blog TalkRadio podcaster Seth Andrews; Jerry DeWitt, first graduate of the Clergy Project, who left Pentecostalism after 25 years in ministry; Margaret Downey, founder of Freethought Society; Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant Mehta, author of I Sold My Soul on eBay and The Young Atheist's Survival Guide; Wanda Morris, executive director of Dying with Dignity Canada; and Carolyn Porco, leader of the imaging science team on the Cassini mission currently orbiting Saturn, and a popular science writer.
Sign up to attend and make travel and accommodation arrangements at imaginenoreligion.ca/. The event begins Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. and continues through Sunday. Beautiful Kamloops is in south-central British Columbia.
They Said What?
First off, I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to. He has graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or of any other human hand.
Matthew McConaughey, accepting the Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club"
The Daily Beast, 3-3-14
You know what? You're an ass. I've had enough of you. You're a real punk. You know that? You have contributed nothing to this program in 10 minutes, zero. And you're not that smart. You may think you're smart, but you talk in circles. . . . The problem that some of you atheists have is you're intolerant. And you're a punk. So get lost. Get out of here.
Radio talk show host Mark Levin, after a caller disagreed that atheism should disqualify a person from being president
mediaite.com, 3-17-14


text:
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 — At today's Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors will consider an interim rental agreement for Herlong property mistakenly sold last year.
Zone V2, which incorporates the chapel, Family Resource Center and the county One Stop, was mistakenly included in a request for proposal to sell the Local Reuse Authority property.
For more information, time and location of the event, read the Jan. 21 edition of the Lassen County Times.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
FBI agents and law enforcement officers from state and local agencies served search warrants at the homes of Michael Fabini and his brother Jason Fabini, a former NFL lineman. Investigators searched an outbuilding at Jason Fabini's property at 8701 Wheelock Road.
Sources close to the investigation told The Journal Gazette that Jason Fabini is not a target of the investigation.
But agents spent all day Thursday at Michael Fabini's house at 6619 Cherry Hill Parkway.
By midmorning Thursday, Cherry Hill Parkway was becoming crowded.
Law enforcement vehicles lined one side of the street. Television news trucks lined the other.
Squeezing in between were many of Michael Fabini's neighbors – slowing their Mercedes sedans and Honda minivans to take cellphone photographs of the white box trucks emblazoned with FBI logos filling Michael Fabini's driveway.
In the upscale Cherry Hill subdivision, neighbors stood along the sidewalks and in yards amid minimal Christmas decorations, watching as masked officers and agents wearing the FBI's blue-and-yellow raid jackets walked around, in and out of the house. A police dog was also present, assisting in the search.
Agents and crime scene investigators ran tape around the entirety of the property – from behind the stone fireplace out back to the sidewalk at the front. Some agents remained on scene into the evening.
The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force is conducting the investigation. Implemented locally three years ago, the task force, made up of FBI agents as well as state and local law enforcement officers, targets ongoing criminal enterprises.
The raid did not seem to surprise some of them, even though most said they know and like Michael Fabini and his family.
Since Michael Fabini bought the house in 2009 for $270,000, he has expanded it substantially, according to Allen County property records.
While his neighbors' homes are listed at about 2,500 to 3,000 square feet, Michael Fabini's house towers above them all. According to records, it now has 7,578 square feet of finished space. There are 3,691 square feet in the basement alone, and in 2011 the property's assessed valuation was $745,400. In 2009, the property was valued at $277,500, according to property tax records.
And according to neighbors, the construction began about 18 months ago and included tunnels or spaces under the driveway, a second story over the garage and multiple basements – including one under the 265-square-foot pool house behind the home.
Surveillance cameras are clearly visible at all corners of the house. What appears to be a commercial-grade generator sits on a concrete pad a few feet from the nearest neighbor's house.
The increase in the size of the house, the presence of the security cameras and the generator caused some suspicion in the upscale Cherry Hill subdivision.
About four miles away, at the Wedgewood Drive house, FBI agents and other investigators carried out file boxes and a shotgun.
Late Thursday afternoon, Jason Fabini issued a statement through an attorney, expressing his concern for his brother and the rest of his family.
"I have cooperated fully with authorities, and will continue to do so. I have not been charged, nor do I expect to be charged with a crime," he said in the statement. "I expect the community will have many questions as rumors circulate and this investigation continues, but I ask that we trust in the authorities to do their job."


text:
- Sebastian Helenius
- Lahti
- Finland
This conversation is closed.
A Single World Currency and a World Central Bank - For or Against?
The debate is in the headline. Any opinions?
Aug 22 2012: Take a look at the Euro Zone, Germany (the mega bailer), Green, Spain (failed states), UK (smirking observer).
Need I say more?
Aug 22 2012: Harsh but fair!Aug 21 2012: I think establishing such a currency would be really a difficult if it's not an impossible process , many questions would arise.
1- would it be possible to convince the First World and Second World countries to distribute a part of their economy power to the Third World countries ? ( the Arabian Peninsula countries (about 7) are having plans to unify their currency since years , and they didn't apply it yet.
2-Is it possible to ensure that the currency would have the same power overall the world (i.e. unified prices?)
3-Is it possible to protect it against counterfeiting over this large space ?
Those questions are from me as a simple person , not from the economical domain , which of course would have many many comments about this , so i think establishing such an idea is very difficult.Aug 19 2012: there is a trend going on for hundreds of centuries. it all started with fractional reserve banking. as the establishment sided with it, and banks were free to overissue notes without risking criminal charges, the world's descent into madness began. at the first stage of madness, bank runs ended the local credit expansion of individual banks. the threat of a bank run put a limit on expansion. soon, the banks sought remedy for bank runs. the solution was the central bank, the second stage of madness. with the central bank, entire countries were able to expand the amount of notes and lower the reserve ratio in a synchronized fashion. together with government guarantees, the era of bank runs ended, and the era of continued inflation arrived. but there still is a limit to inflation, and that is the competition between currencies. so as expected, governments now seek ways to put an end to currency competition or ultimately synchronize their credit expansion. competition limiting laws are in effect in every country. and central banks everywhere on the globe put great effort in synchronized inflation. but sooner or later that system can not be maintained anymore. and at this point we need to get to the third level of madness: unifying all the currencies. then, with competition perfectly excluded, the world will be finally set for the great collapse of the entire monetary system. the final bank run. we don't know whether this final stage will be reached, or the system will fail before that. but the tendency is clear.
Aug 20 2012: Agreed! Now if we could just create a cushion for the economy before its ultimate collapse? New World Order?
Rhona Pavis
Aug 19 2012: Sounds good to me. At last we can acknowledge that we are all EARTHLINGS, first and foremost. Perhaps this would increase respect for others and bring peace to the world. Sure. Let's go. Just make sure it's designed and run by ethical people. There are lots of them on our precious planet, though few nations seem to use these valuable human resources in managing their countries. I wonder why.Aug 26 2012: But the George Could it be kicked out of the zero zone? Could happ[en.Aug 24 2012: Impossible, and kind of a waste of time/energy to think about.Aug 24 2012: First of all, it would be too hard to implement in the status quo.
- +1
Secondly, Just like "Changing The World" said, the importance of diversity will be forgotten.
And lastly, I am afraid that another economic crisis will inevitably happen, one that nobody will have a solution to.
Aug 24 2012: everybody is a lot of peopleAug 24 2012: It would indeed be the death of nation states as we know them. Just as the Euro is struggling to manage a central currency without a central government so too would the world. Star Ship Troopers here we come!
I fear a single currency would lead inevitably to a world government. Values, culture, etc would all mold into one. I guess we are already doing all of this, I don't like it. I think diversity is important.Aug 24 2012: Isn't this what the NWO is about? One ring to rule them all?Aug 24 2012: Until you don't have a vibrant sustainable local communities it just doesn't make sense to create a unified global front.
Also who would be responsible for managing contagion when all hell breaks loose? Centralization or Concentration of power for a long time of any kind have created havoc doesn't matter even if the smartest human or mortal is running the show.Aug 23 2012: I would say against, for the one soul reason that elite countries would be in control of this world bank and currency. I could help developing countries with infrastructure. But it could also impose harsh restrictions to certain countries or tough laws about the money.
Aug 24 2012: Such as the IMF does now.Aug 23 2012: Banks are in existence to make money for bankers. Banks are and always have been a fraud to the people. Money, like oil, is the problem not the solution.
Aug 23 2012: 3 claims, 3 of them wrong. in a way, it is perfect.
banks exists because people demand their services. if people did not demand their services, banks could be as greedy as they want, they could not make a single dime. if they give people what they demand, it does not matter if they are greedy or not. just like with any other business.
banks are not fraud, they have many legitimate services. one can say that fractional reserve is fraud, but it was not always allowed for them.
oil is not a problem, but a very useful commodity, just as money.
Aug 23 2012: People demand their service because there are little other ways of survival with out money. Its a cycle that can't be broken by 1 or even 1,000,000. And I would agree it is their business to manage their money the way they seem fit after all they are the professionals, but where there is a lot of money, there is a lot of power too. Weather it be Political influence or means of investing to make more money. Because we all know if you have money (a lot of money) and you gamble in the stock market and fail, you just get a bail out. (obviously not true for all companies but certainly true for some).
I also agree banks aren't a fraud.
And oil inst a major problem but basing an economy on a fossil fuel is a problem because of the simple fact that some time in the future it will run out. And according to a quick google search it sounds like we have already passed peak oil.
Aug 23 2012: banks has nothing to do with money these days. money is managed by governments (central banks)Aug 23 2012: Which government controls the World Bank Group?Aug 24 2012: Ya, I was really talking about central banks such as in the topic. I'm not going to go into a ton of detials because it is easily researched but tell me how this thinking is wrong. In the US the Federal Reserve prints money for Congress and charges them interest for this "service". We can never repay this money because they only print the principle, not the interest. This turns money into debt and is a drag on the economy.
I stand by my comment about banks being made to fraud people, heck the only people Jesus ever got made at where bankers.
Aug 24 2012: yet again, a "student" of the zeitgeist movie.
i can't possibly know what you have in mind. i can only react to what you are saying. you said banks, not central banks. central banks are called banks, but they are totally different kind of institutions.
interest has nothing to do with money creation, and in fact not a problem at all. it does not matter if the central bank charges interest, because 1, you don't have to borrow from the central bank and 2, its revenues are going to the central budget, they don't keep it.
banks do nothing fraudulent these days. governments do, but it is a weird situation as they do it by the ignorant authorization of the people.
v.p./zeitgeist is stupid. avoid a all cost. if you want to learn how banking works, read murray rothabard's mystery of banking. available for free in pdf format.Aug 23 2012: Having such a system requires many nations to give up some control over there economies to a multinational institution that will cater to the interests of larger nations.
It may be a good idea on a regional level where all members are significant trade partners and enjoy a similar level of human and economic development.Aug 22 2012: while a standard currency world wide would be great for various industries, certain ones (specifically tourism) rely on their currency being weak, and to force them to go into a single currency could be disastrous for them
Aug 23 2012: if tourism relies on weak currency, how can there be tourism within a country?
Aug 24 2012: I meant foreign travel, like from Canada/US to Mexico.
Tourism within a country often relys on physical characteristics (mountains, beaches, historical sites) that are harder to find where the person is originally from, or where family is located
Aug 24 2012: just like all other tourism is. you fell for the lies of an interest group. of course those who rely on tourists wants weak currency to further increase their revenue. but they don't need it. they just lament in hope to get some more cash. everyone does that. interest groups try to paint a grim picture of their future unless the state rushes to help them out.Aug 22 2012: I see a World Currency as the grand goal we should try to achieve. This doesn't mean we should shoot for it now. In fact it would be extremely foolish to do so. Therefore the real question should be this;
What should we do NOW to create steps to achieving World Currency?
Aug 22 2012: thats easy, first you consolidate areas, for example the europeans have already started the process, then you keep growing each currency until it comes to a point where it does not make sense anymore to have separate currencies
Aug 23 2012: Finding the solution is easy, carrying it out would not be.
Aug 24 2012: unfortunately that is always the caseAug 22 2012: Against. I think the Euro experiiment has shown that countries need to have control of their currency in order to flourish.Aug 21 2012: S H, one thought: I guess there are pros and cons to a global currency.
I'm not sure what is so bad with the current system overall. There are transaction fees and currency fluctuation risks, but those risks are part of doing business.
I guess Greece would be doing better if they could have devalued their currency like Argentina did.Aug 21 2012: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
"don't want to dilute my competitive dollar"----"you need to have 'one economy" managed consistently"
"a unified currency standard would create a much easier way of tracking global economic progress/regression"
"the banking system that drives the world economy may not be the most effective-----it provides an easy medium for capital to flow in and out....."I could easily exchange my American currency for any I please and with up to date rates" :) :(
" Now, if someone could convince a high ranking political official....." ha ha ha ha ha
"There will be no "New World Order" or global "mark of the Beast" in our lifetimes" and things will just continue on as they are with no collapse in the economy :,)
"3-Is it possible to protect it against counterfeiting over this large space ?" NO. Money, any money, causes greed and crime because one can gain power, privacy and privilege. People do things they wouldn't do because of money. IT IS NOT HUMAN NATURE. (sorry, not really yelling)
"I think the best we can hope for is free-floating market-driven exchange rates between currencies and something akin to a Geneva Convention establishing some common principles for economic standards and regulations. (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha) Even that is likely something not to be achieved in the next couple of decades."
Hope is not real. Let's keep money. Let's keep all our problems and in fact let's double them, or even triple them because I cannot envision, NO,no, no, I refuse to envision a different world without them and I refuse to give up what we have and are so familiar with.
Nothing here that doesn't revolve around wanting to keep the monetary system even though it is so blatantly unfair, unjust, completely broken, failing rapidly and with nothing new being talked about to replace it.
When it goes, you will take what they give you.
Aug 21 2012: Are you going to actually propose a solution, support your argument, or simply mock others on their views? Because it's not exactly productive to do the latter.
Gail .
Aug 21 2012: The current global economic model is a barbaric and unsustainable system. I'm very against any economic paradigm that requires poverty, war, suffering, hunger, illness, ignorance, crime, and other social ills to support it.Aug 21 2012: I think a world central bank would only tolerate the existence of only one country, or one culture.
- 0
Against.Aug 21 2012: I'd like to keep the Aussie dollar away from other currencies.
Not sure I want to dilute our competitive advantage etc.
It might sound selfish but what is in it for us.
I bet the Brits are pleased they didn't buy into the euro. The Germans must be spewing.
At the very least you need to have 'one economy" managed consistently to have one currency, otherwise you have the risk of the European Fiasco.
And maybe the most effective economic approach is not one world government/economy.Aug 21 2012: I find this question to bring up several points that need to be touched upon.
First off, with economic instabilities across the world stage, a unified currency standard would create a much easier way of tracking global economic progress/regression. However, even in that case, the division of wealth between countries would be too great to overcome due to the inconsistency in a standard that one could measure upon. For example, what is to say that an apple grown in Chile has the same economic impact as an apple grown in the United States? And, therefore, would create an inadequate indicator.
Second, though the banking system that drives the world economy may not be the most effective, it does provide an easy medium for capital to flow in and out of international markets. With exchange rates fluctuating every millisecond due to the fast paced world market, I could easily exchange my American currency for any I please and with up to date rates.
Finally, and this is the nail in the coffin for me, there is no way that this proposition would ever gain ground upon any stage. Ignoring the current Eurozone crisis, it goes to primary human nature. As the realm of psychological egotism clearly defines, human beings are only motivated by self interest. Politicians have their country's interests at heart and, in the case of a democratic republic such as the United States, those officials have gained that power due to their views coinciding with those of the voting populous. Now, if someone could convince a high ranking political official, say the Prime Minister of the U.K., that the currency of the world is based on both the economy of their country and that of a Third World nation, I could see this idea work. Unfortunately, this would devalue that country and, in the process, kill the idea.
It's a great idea for a Utopian society; sadly, the closest this world has seen to Utopia is that of which Sir Thomas Moore wrote. And that, ladies and gentleman, was fiction.Aug 21 2012: Ben Shalom Bernanke for
Me againstAug 21 2012: There would be no more monetary policy for any country... against.Aug 20 2012: against.Aug 20 2012: Doesn't matter, we will all get screwed ether why.Aug 20 2012: On paper, yes. I would advocate for a single currency, with a single "system" to govern its development. However, contrary to a few of the comments on this discussion, I don't see any practical way this will happen in the foreseeable future. There will be no "New World Order" or global "mark of the Beast" in our lifetimes. There is no secret UN plan or capability to create a world government, with a world economy run by a single small group of world leaders. As such, there will be no world currency or world central bank.
The Eurozone can't even get 10% of the world's countries, with a comparatively common set of cultural principles, to put aside their national interests and cooperate for the long term in creating an economy with a single governing body and currency.
Who is going to get countries as disparate as China, the U.S., Brazil, Greece, Nigeria, and Iran to agree to such a scheme? The negotiations about the logistics of the pre-meetings to initial concept meetings that must precede a meeting of those with the power to negotiate who will represent their countries at the real planning meetings will take years. The world is not unified enough in any respect to accomplish something so bold as a single currency, with a single governing body, much less a world government.
I think the best we can hope for is free-floating market-driven exchange rates between currencies and something akin to a Geneva Convention establishing some common principles for economic standards and regulations. Even that is likely something not to be achieved in the next couple of decades.Aug 20 2012: I think Europe shows that you can't have a single world currency unless you also have a single fiscal manager and a single body controlling industrial relations. Otherwise you would end up with (Greece and Germany) situations world wide. Sounds like a good way to start world war three to me.
Aug 20 2012: So a solution would be to have a domestic currency for any nation (nation chooses their own domestic currency) and then an international currency managed by a single fiscal manager or at least panel of managers?
Aug 20 2012: That's basically what we have now. You do international business in either USD or Euros as a quasi-international currency as they are (or were) attached to an old stable economy. Now we may have to pick something else. Yuan perhaps?
Aug 20 2012: Swiss Franc! Of course it's interesting watching the Swiss try everything in the book to keep people from giving their currency too much attention.Aug 21 2012: Yes the mythical Swiss Franc from that mythical land that seems to have a massive economy all based on cuckoo clocks or something, no one seems to really know. Swtzerland it disappears if you look directly at it.
Aug 21 2012: Ah yes the Cuckoo Clock Exchange Standard! A notable success.Aug 20 2012: That would put a few number of people in control of a large population. Kind of scary if you ask me. However if done correctly it could mitigate a number of problems. Though, look at how well the central bank of the U.S. does. It's a pretty tricky business and in my opinion, there's not much you can do to effectively control economics (at least not by using the oversimplified and "rational" modals economists tend to gravitate towards)Aug 19 2012: Sebastian, by "headline" are you referring to the stories about the Euro and its struggles?
The Euro is teaching us that a stable currency requires ALL of the countries involved to exercise fiscal discipline.
That prospect is not realistic in the foreseeable future, if ever.
Aug 20 2012: Yes discipline is most certainly required.
The Euro is failing, in my opinion, because it is run these days by, well, Germany mostly. There is very little cohesion.
I enjoy the vision of two forms of currency - one for the domestic market, managed by the Nation, and one for the global market, managed by the World Central Bank. Micro, Meso, Macro.
Comment deleted
Aug 19 2012: I imagine this World Central Bank would operate under the observation of some global democracy/technocracy of united nations. Perhaps a Committee such as in the General Assembly of the UN, which would elect a panel of leaders to represent the bank over a period of, say, 4 years?
Clearly a single individual nation cannot represent an international organization.
Debate as to what this currency might be based upon and how to construct such a bank remains open.
Comment deleted
Aug 20 2012: Yes I agree on the "What wealth really is" conundrum.
Secondly, an organization ''like'' the UN but in control of the wealth of the world? If you think about it that would make such an organization the one and only superpower.Aug 19 2012: if it happens, i suspect the USA will be one of the main promoters of the idea, and one of the main controller of the world currency. that gives us the hope that it will never happen, not on china's watch anyway.Aug 19 2012: Hi Sebastian.
Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Common (virtual) World Currency is in the pipeline. It will do away with all fiscal fraud, & allow the World Government to keep a tight reign on things. Politicians will love it, but I'm not in favour.
Aug 19 2012: And is this currency based upon Gold Exchange Standard? Otherwise how have they formatted such an idea?
Aug 19 2012: Hi Sebastian.
I think maybe I was a bit confusing; perhaps English is not your native tongue, I apologise.
The quotation is from the bible; written around 90AD. It tells of conditions near the end of history. There will be an attempt to form a world government with a world currency. This will be partially successful; including around 1/3 of the population. Many think the plastic card system is a precursor to such a system, but ultimately the population will be permanently tagged; perhaps with a microchip. The technology is available today, & it is obvious that the banking system is bankrupt, & corrupt. Things are coming to a head as prophecied.
I doubt that the gold standard will return, the new regime is unlikely to want to be encumbered by such an honest & fair control system. For many the bible is just a collection of dusty old books, but for those who take the time, it is full of interesting insight.
Aug 20 2012: Peter, please note that your interpretation of the book of Revelation is one of several, and many (including myself) consider it a historical prophecy pointing to the downfall of the Roman empire after the emperor Domitian during the time of John. As such, it would be irrelevant to this discussion.Aug 21 2012: Hi Eric.
I agree, there are lots of interpretations. Many go with you, many go with me, still others go elsewhere.
IF I happen to be right, then it is very relevant, if not it isn't. Such is life.


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Sebastian Vettel is adamant he's not focused on the World title despite taking a massive step towards his fourth with his victory in Korea...
Sebastian Vettel is adamant he's not focused on the World title despite taking a massive step towards his fourth with his victory in Korea.
The German has been phenomenal in the second half of this season, winning all four grands prix since the summer break.
Taking his fourth in a row in Korea on Sunday afternoon, the triple World moved closer to yet another title as he now holds a 77-point lead over Fernando Alonso with 125 still to play for.
Vettel, though, insists he's in no hurry to wrap it up.
"I am not trying to think about it, to be honest," the Red Bull racer told Autosport.
"I try to focus more on the present. I think we had an incredible chance two years ago to do so [at Suzuka], and we did it, but there are still a lot of points to get.
"Even though it looks very good for us there is still a chance for Fernando, so we have to stay on top of our game, but to be honest, we are just having a good time.
"We enjoy the fact the team is working really well, the car is working. It is on the edge, more so than you think from the outside, but it's nice when you get results like Singapore or this weekend
"I don't really care [when I win the title]. I look forward to Japan because it is one of the nicest tracks of the season."
As for his Korean Grand Prix, Vettel believes it was closer than it looked with the two Lotus drivers who finished second and third with Kimi Raikkonen ahead of Romain Grosjean.
"I think it was close. Lotus probably had more range today, I think we had more pace initially.
"I think Romain could have afforded to pit early and maybe we could not have reacted to that.
"I think it would have been close without the Safety Car, but in the end, Kimi was quite consistent, and we had two or three tenths on hand."
Related Links
Vettel Wins Truncated Korean GP
Gallery: Race Day In Korea


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ST. MARYS – According to scanner dialogue between police and Elk County Control, the attempted abduction of a female took place between approximately 7:55 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 at St. Marys Area High School.
According to police, the female described her would-be abductors as two males wearing black ski masks and driving an older dark blue, navy or black passenger car with a back bumper that is falling off.
[1] mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com
[2] http://www.ridgwayrecord.com/sites/default/files/Attempted Abduction SMAHS WEB.jpg