The Hazards of Belief

Galvasean

The Mad Hatter wrote: »

Cabin in the Woods?

How old do you think I am?

Delirium

Catholic school ‘urged pupils as young as 11 to sign anti-gay marriage petition’

Students at a Catholic state school in south London have been shown a presentation on religious opposition to the government’s proposal to allow gay couples to marry in civil ceremonies which, it is claimed, encouraged them to sign the Coalition for Marriage’s petition against the move.

A student at St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls in Carshalton voiced concerns to PinkNews.co.uk that pupils from 11 to 18 years of age had been “encouraged” to sign the anti-equality pledge by the school’s headmistress.

EDIT: British Humanist Association weigh in on the matter

The BHA believe the CES’s actions likely break sections 406-7 of the Education Act 1996, which forbids ‘the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school’, and requires balanced treatment of political issues. This law was successfully used in 2007 to stop schools showing Al Gore’s climate change film, An Inconvenient Truth, without also explaining scientific errors in the film.

Galvasean

Did the same school ask the kids to sign a petition to help get justice for those who suffered abuse at the hands of the RCC?

Stercus Accidit

Blank_ wrote: »

"One of his friends, and his uncle (they did not know each other) both told me that Jesse called them hours before he took his life and that he had lost all hope because he was convinced that God did not exist, and this book was the cause,"

...

Has the theory of evolution effected...

NOPE

Sonics2k

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Has the theory of evolution effected...

NOPE

So he's basically saying you should believe in the Bible because it's "happier".

Feck off

recedite

It seems the guy (Jesse) who killed himself had told people "the book (The God Delusion) had presented him information that he found to be irrefutable".
Now imagine this was an ex-scientologist who killed himself after finding out the whole thing was a scam. And then the other scientologists started blaming some book or TV programme which had enlightened their ex follower, for causing his death.
Surely the cult itself is responsible for any psychological blow?

It's amazing that those of us brought up believing in Santa managed to get through the time in our lives when we were told otherwise. I assume that I wasn't the only one whose parents had a therapist lined up for when I found out.

Delirium

Priests: We won’t break seal of confession to report sex abuse

CATHOLIC priests will defy a new law that requires them to report sexual abuse disclosed to them in the confession box -- despite the threat of 10-year jail sentences.

It came after Justice Minister Alan Shatter confirmed the mandatory reporting requirement would apply to priests hearing confession.

Fr Sean McDonagh of the Association of Catholic Priests, which represents 800 clergymen, warned last night: "I certainly wouldn't be willing to break the seal of confession for anyone -- Alan Shatter particularly."

keane2097

koth wrote: »

Priests: We won’t break seal of confession to report sex abuse

Stops just short of saying "particularly not for a Jew".

They should be required to sign an oath of some sort to confirm they will adhere to the law, or else they should be precluded for presiding over confessions.

seamus

Just follow through and start jailing priests for failing to disclose crimes and the church will come up with some ecumenical loophole in their knotted bull**** that allows them to break the seal.

Would also be worth starting court proceedings against anyone who advises priests not to break the seal, for encouraging them to break the law.

dmw07

seamus wrote: »

Just follow through and start jailing priests for failing to disclose crimes and the church will come up with some ecumenical loophole in their knotted bull**** that allows them to break the seal.

Would also be worth starting court proceedings against anyone who advises priests not to break the seal, for encouraging them to break the law.

Or we could just ignore their law. Seeing as how priests don't work for the vatican like....

Bloodwing

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14128

There's currently a discussion going on in the christianity forum in relation to the churches view on IVF treatment. It really does amaze how backwards these people are and it infuriates me more and more each day.

recedite

Wait till they discover the next stage...genetic enhancement http://infoproc.blogspot.com/2010/12/supercomputers-and-mystery-of-iq.html that will really give them something to whinge about.

robindch

Catholic church speaks with forked tongue in India:

Story 1: Catholics like blasphemy legislation - Catholics successfully indict an Indian skeptic for pointing out that a weeping catholic statue was weeping due to capillary action and not due to interaction with the hereafter: (story posted before)

http://boingboing.net/2012/04/13/indian-skeptic-charged-with.html
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/04/14/indian-skeptic-charged-with-blasphemy-for-rationally-explaining-a-miracle/

Story 2: Catholics don't like blasphemy legislation - apparently the blasphemy legislation leads to harassment.

http://www.cbcisite.com/cbcinews5125.htm

Catholic Bishops of India wrote:

Church leaders have long charged that the blasphemy laws are being abused for personal gain and to harass non-Muslims.

What is wrong with these people?

Nodin

He was glad they censored Life Of Brian, he wanted Clash Albums banned....how ironic then, the fate of 'Father Trendy'

(none of the 'thats not irony' stuff, please)

Father Brian D'Arcy, one of Ireland's best known priests, has been censured by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican.

.......

Today he said he was "disappointed" that there is not a better respect for the freedom of speech in the church to which he has given 50 years of his life.
.......
Fr D'Arcy was recently awarded a lifetime membership of the National Union of Journalists.
He described himself today as a priest of good standing. He said he had been living with the censure for the last 14 months and was doing his best to do so successfully.
But he added that as a journalist he must have some ability to speak freely.
He said when his newspaper articles concern matters of faith and morals, he now has them checked by a qualified theologian.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0426/brian-darcy-censured-vatican.html

What exactly was he done for anyway?

Genghiz Cohen

Nodin wrote: »

He was glad they censored Life Of Brian, he wanted Clash Albums banned....how ironic then, the fate of 'Father Trendy'

(none of the 'thats not irony' stuff, please)


http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0426/brian-darcy-censured-vatican.html

"qualified theologian."

0_O

Nodin

Deleted User wrote: »

What exactly was he done for anyway?

Good question. I'd say its an accumulation of offences. I know he's said they should "rethink" priestly celibacy on a few occassions, didn't follow the exact line on contraception
http://www.sundayworld.com/columnists/father-brian.php?aid=6267
plus he criticised the hierarchy. Any one of those is enough. Not a church for free thinkin.

Nodin

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

"qualified theologian."

0_O

'Rooting Out Wrongness Since 1542'

kylith

recedite wrote: »

It seems the guy (Jesse) who killed himself had told people "the book (The God Delusion) had presented him information that he found to be irrefutable".
Now imagine this was an ex-scientologist who killed himself after finding out the whole thing was a scam. And then the other scientologists started blaming some book or TV programme which had enlightened their ex follower, for causing his death.
Surely the cult itself is responsible for any psychological blow?

True. It may not be The God Delusion which drove him to suicide, but the realisation that he'd been fed a lie all his life, the fear of familial backlash, and a lack of anyone he felt he could talk to and confide in.

Either way, poor guy.

mikhail

Nodin wrote: »

He was glad they censored Life Of Brian, he wanted Clash Albums banned....how ironic then, the fate of 'Father Trendy'

(none of the 'thats not irony' stuff, please)

A censor being censored is not ironic, but one appealing to freedom of speach most definitely is.

It seems no one expects the inquisition.

Pushtrak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65xTBxcYuTs

I don't know if this person is a theist or an atheist, but I think it demonstrates capably the hazards of poor thinking. Or not thinking. He only has 4 videos up at the time of posting this, and they are all up to the same standard of non-excellence.

joseph brand

When the teen’s mother wrote to the school the principal responded:

Your letter surprises me. A neighbour called at your request and stated that your daughter was pregnant. I was shocked and told her that I did not take in such girls. She conveyed the message to you.

Lovely person. :rolleyes:

http://www.thejournal.ie/not-a-dumping-ground-pregnant-girl-turned-away-from-school-433812-Apr2012/

robindch

joseph brand wrote: »

Lovely person.

Cracking reply from the school rep to the office of the ombudsman, after the latter requested information on the issue:

Some Little Fascist wrote:

Neither am I obliged to have any other frills that you mention. This school is NOT* a haven for young pregnant people or for young mothers who, in particular, have been in two other post primary schools. The school has an uncompromising ethos and will not become a dumping ground for those rejected elsewhere.

Then, the ombudsman requested a face to face and got this in response:

Some Little Fascist wrote:

Do not try to blame this school for having a moral code. You have no business coming down here to single us out – we are a Catholic school and shall remain so.

You'd wonder if they'd be as quick with the insults if the note said that their local bishop was dropping by to check up on how they were treating the "least of these".

Galvasean

God welcomes all with open arms... unless you mess up.

recedite

While I'm not supporting it, rejecting someone for "fornicating" is no worse than rejecting someone because of their religious affiliation. It's all done for the "ethos."

joseph brand

One minute they are moaning about abortion, affecting a helpless child, that was given by god. The next minute they want to treat a young mother like a leper just because she is young and unmarried. Where's the comfort, support and love for one of 'god's children' producing more of 'god's children'?

The same shower of cnuts who sent babies off to orphanages and the young mothers to workhouses (ostracised from the family) now wants to fawn over the precious unborn babies in spite of the mother's request! Flip floppin' sh1tebags. :mad:

Would they prefer that she had an abortion? I think not. If this question was put to them their tiny minds would simply seize up.

robindch

recedite wrote: »

It's all done for the "ethos."

Hence my belief that the phrase is inadmissible in polite conversation -- replace it with "predisposition", "prejudice" or "bigotry" as the situation demands.

recedite

They would prefer she was forced into a Magdalene Laundry, where no education was ever needed anyway, but that option is denied to the church authorities nowadays.

The Black Oil

joseph brand wrote: »

Lovely person. :rolleyes:

http://www.thejournal.ie/not-a-dumping-ground-pregnant-girl-turned-away-from-school-433812-Apr2012/

Emily Logan has recommended an inspection of the school by the Department of Education. A 2007 Whole School Evaluation by the department noted the absence of clarity on a number of school policies. Concern has also been expressed that there appears to be an absence of a Board of Management at the school, or an advisory group to represent parents and staff.

If these things are true, than that's quite telling and they should be rightly tackled. But nope, I expect the school's 'communications manager' will default to we're so oppressed and blame the media/anti-Catholic, rabble rabble. Yawn.

robindch

joseph brand wrote: »

http://www.thejournal.ie/not-a-dumping-ground-pregnant-girl-turned-away-from-school-433812-Apr2012/

TheJournal's report is here and it provides a link to the ombudsman's report here. Page 12 of this report refers to a "Whole School Evaluation" with a supporting quote ("The Principal appointed his son as manager of the school in 2006") and that sentence appears in this report which emanated from St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, website here:

http://www.stjosephscollege.ie/parent-interests/school-rules.html

The school rules does not list the "School Mission Statement", "Curriculum & Class Organisation", "School Organisation / House Examinations", "Parent / Teacher Meetings", "Extra Curricular Activities" nor its "Pastoral Care Programme".

The closest available prose comes from the WSE report:

WSE wrote:

The school sees itself as having a strongly Catholic ethos and a predominantly academic emphasis. Strong links between parents and the school are central to the ethos of the school. The school’s mission statement states: “… the school strives to attain the holistic development of each individual student, spiritually, emotionally, morally, academically and physically. The school is propelled by a strong work and religious ethos amongst teachers and students.” The mission statement recognises that students have different levels of academic ability. The presence of the principal and his educational and religious ideals dominate every single aspect of the school. The vision that inspired the principal in setting up the school is most evident today through his work.

The school has a strongly academic atmosphere and considerable emphasis is placed in school documentation on Catholic religious practice and sports. Several of the school’s policies are unequivocally directed at ensuring that the ethos of the school is made a reality in its daily life. The policies are stated in direct language and reflect the ideals of the principal. Although parents have only had a small input into these policies it was stated that they support them.

WTF?

Delirium

The girl applied twice to the lay-owned Catholic-ethos school - first in September 2009 when she was pregnant at 16 and again the following year after her baby was born.

Source

By that reasoning, they could deny access to the kids of single mothers as it would be contrary to the ethos of the school.

Penn

koth wrote: »

By that reasoning, they could deny access to the kids of single mothers as it would be contrary to the ethos of the school.

Or even kids whose parents aren't married but both parents are present

Genghiz Cohen

Or kids who wear 2 different fabrics...

Pushtrak

Posted this in another thread, but worth noting here, too...

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/latest-news/mum-demands-catholic-education-for-son-3095427.html

Mum demands Catholic education for son

LOUISE Carey is involved in a battle with Education Minister Ruairi Quinn over the lack of a Catholic school place for her young son.

His department has recently given the go-ahead for two new schools in Ashbourne in Co Meath, where the population increased massively during the boom. But both schools -- a Gaelscoil and an Educate Together school -- are multi-denominational and do not have a Catholic ethos.

Ms Carey said she and her partner wanted their son Cillian (4) to go to a Catholic school.

Ms Carey recently helped to organise a meeting of 120 parents in Ashbourne demanding that Mr Quinn's department provide funding for more Catholic school places.

The three Catholic schools in Ashbourne are full for September, as is the new multi-denominational Gaelscoil na Mí set up last year. The planned Educate Together school will have a capacity for 57 junior infants under current plans.

Fine Gael Meath East TD Regina Doherty said yesterday that Mr Quinn had refused to meet a delegation involving her, Labour TD Dominic Hannigan and Fianna Fail senator Thomas Byrne about the crisis.

"I think the minister and the department are incorrect in their view that there is adequate school provision in Ashbourne. I have a list of 27 parents who have no place and who are not on any working list for schools this September -- yet all of our schools are full," she said.

The department denied it was trying to bully parents into choosing a multi-denominational school.

"This is certainly not the case. The parents of Ashbourne now have greater choice than ever before in the range of primary schools available to them for their children," it said.

recedite

Pushtrak wrote: »

Posted this in another thread, but worth noting here, too...

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/latest-news/mum-demands-catholic-education-for-son-3095427.html

My reading of that is that all the schools in the town are full for this Sept. and the new ET has not been built yet. When it is ready, a proportion of families will migrate from the three existing RCC schools, leaving space for the devout and aggrieved Ms. Carey. If she can't get her kid into the school with just a baptismal cert, they must be pretty full. In addition to the cert, they may be giving preference to those living closer, already on a waiting list and with siblings already in the school.
The main problem seems to be that the ET school wasn't built sooner.

recedite

British doctor converts to Islam, goes to Pakistan to help people, gets beheaded.

MrPudding

recedite wrote: »

British doctor converts to Islam, goes to Pakistan to help people, gets beheaded.

Another story from digital journal:

http://m.digitaljournal.com/article/321212

There are no words to describe how stories like this make me feel.

MrP

Delirium

The murder of 15-year-old Kristy Bamu is the latest in a series of crimes against children accused of witchcraft in the UK

The trial and conviction of Magalie Bamu and Eric Bikubi this March for the murder of 15-year-old Kristy Bamu was one of the most horrifying criminal cases of recent years. Horrifying for the level of violence and suffering inflicted: Kristy was tortured, beaten and cut over several days before he was finally drowned in the bath. Horrifying because of the relationship between the victim and his killer – Magalie was not only Kristy’s sister, she was also supposed to be caring for her brother and their other siblings during a holiday visit from France. And horrifying because the two killers were motivated by beliefs that seem both frighteningly alien and disturbingly irrational in the broadly secular Britain of 2012: they were convinced that Kristy was a witch.

gawker

Pastor encourages violence and other terrible parenting methods as a means of keeping kids from becoming gay:

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2012/05/video-amendment1-pastor-gives-parents-special-dispensation-to-use-violence-against-lgbt-kids-4marriagenc.html

robindch

From the new Phoenix:

Penn

gawker wrote: »

Pastor encourages violence and other terrible parenting methods as a means of keeping kids from becoming gay:

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2012/05/video-amendment1-pastor-gives-parents-special-dispensation-to-use-violence-against-lgbt-kids-4marriagenc.html

You say, “Can I take charge like that as a parent?”
Yeah, you can. You are authorized. I just gave you a special dispensation this morning to do that."

Can we slap the sh*t out of this pastor? Yes we can. We are authorised. I just gave us a special dispensation this morning to do that.

MrPudding

I am pretty sure this story has be posted, but a nice update form the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/03/indonesia-atheists-religious-freedom-aan

MrP

Galvasean

MrPudding wrote: »

I am pretty sure this story has be posted, but a nice update form the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/03/indonesia-atheists-religious-freedom-aan

MrP

"If you are not a religious person, you might be dangerous to others, behaving without control and doing anything you like," Lenggang says. "Religion brings order. You cannot be an individualist."

^^ That's what he's up against. Poor guy.

as1435

Gaelscoil Na Mí is not full, they haven't refused anyone that has registered their child for this september. There are still places available.

joseph brand

gawker wrote: »

Pastor encourages violence and other terrible parenting methods as a means of keeping kids from becoming gay:

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2012/05/video-amendment1-pastor-gives-parents-special-dispensation-to-use-violence-against-lgbt-kids-4marriagenc.html

Lawrence O'Donnell Takes Down Evangelical Pastor Sean Harris For Controversial Sermon (Video)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/03/lawrence-odonnell-sean-harris-sermon_n_1473705.html

What a scumbag.



I am a master of MS paint. :rolleyes:

Gordon

Saw this on Slashdot: Religious sites 'riskier than porn for viruses'. Had to chuckle at the first reply on /. "But jebus will protect me so I don't need your silly anti-virus"

Sarky

If you log out before the viruses have a chance to install, it's all ok. See? Withdrawal works for computers, too.

robindch

Gordon wrote: »

Saw this on Slashdot:

Was also on HuffPo, with stats.

I suppose sprinkling your server with holy water doesn't work.

seamus

Sarky wrote: »

If you log out before the viruses have a chance to install, it's all ok. See? Withdrawal works for computers, too.

No, abstinence is the only foolproof method. Just don't visit any religious sites. Problem solved.