The Hazards of Belief

Links234

Nodin

robindch wrote: »

Nurses stop for a tea-break -- a potentially fatal mistake in Pakistan during the "holy month" of a well-known "religion of peace".

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/In-Karachi,-11nurses-drink-tea-laced-with-poison-during-Ramadan-25430.html

It would seem that whatever the motivation behind it, the posioning had nothing to do with not observing ramadan.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/christian-nurses-poisoned-community-demands-probe/982630/

Banbh

I was shocked to see the following heading on the Chick Fil A website: "FAQs"

What is fundamentalist American fascism coming to when the likes of this can be displayed without anybody reaching for their automatic rifle or grenade launcher?

Warning: This post may contain irony

recedite

robindch wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19087889

Meanwhile, gay marriage supporters have called for what they are dubbing "Kiss Mor Chiks" on Friday, in which they hope same-sex couples will go to Chick-fil-A shops around the country and kiss each other in public.

The same-sex couples will not be able to get in the door, with all the "traditional family values" supporters already queuing to get in.
The whole thing has been an astounding marketing success for the company.

Bannasidhe

Governor condemns Mississippi church's refusal to allow black couple to marry
Friday, August 03, 2012 - 08:22 AM

Mississippi's governor has described the refusal by a predominantly white church to allow a black couple to get married there as "unfortunate".

Phil Bryant said the state should encourage the union of any couple - as long as they were a man and a woman.

Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson say they were not allowed to marry at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs, a small town south of Jackson, last month.

The Rev Stan Weatherford, pastor of the church, married the Wilsons at a predominantly black church nearby. The wedding was moved after some congregants at First Baptist told Mr Weatherford they opposed allowing black people to marry in the church.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/governor-condemns-mississippi-churchs-refusal-to-allow-black-couple-to-marry-561685.html

Gotta love the mental gymnastics some people can perform. :rolleyes:

joseph brand

Vote with your feat!

The ignorance is astounding.

Links234

Utterly disgusting: http://unicornbooty.com/blog/2012/08/03/gay-man-banned-from-hospital-for-kissing-partner-goodbye/

muppeteer

http://www.aclu.org/blog/reproductive-freedom-womens-rights/get-tested-or-get-out-school-forces-pregnancy-tests-girls

In a Louisiana public school, female students who are suspected of being pregnant are told that they must take a pregnancy test. Under school policy, those who are pregnant or refuse to take the test are kicked out and forced to undergo home schooling.

Not explicitly a religious hazard but given the location it wouldn't be a huge leap to assume good ol' conservative Christian heritage and morals are behind such a policy.




Also if you look at the policy document they have a nice section on corporal punishment too.

muppeteer

muppeteer wrote: »

Also if you look at the policy document they have a nice section on corporal punishment too.

:eek:

Quatermain

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/07/photos-evangelical-curricula-louisiana-tax-dollars

*Cries loudly.*

Sonics2k

Quatermain wrote: »

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/07/photos-evangelical-curricula-louisiana-tax-dollars

*Cries loudly.*

The hell is wrong with these people?

Bannasidhe

Sonics2k wrote: »

The hell is wrong with these people?

They have a point about abstract algebra - it is dang hard (and 'Muslim'....:D)

Quatermain

I can't be the only person who gets genuinely depressed and furiously angry when wealthy half-wits decide to screw around with a child's mind, filling their heads with complete falsehoods.

Nodin

Quatermain wrote: »

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/07/photos-evangelical-curricula-louisiana-tax-dollars

*Cries loudly.*

the stupid...its in my head now....I'm dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty....

MetalDog

fitz0

All of this is to say that I usually take a fairly blasé attitude towards the "OMG LOOK WHAT THE FUNDIES TEACH KIDS" sort of expose that pops up occasionally on the Internet. It's hard to be shocked by stuff that you long ago forgot isn't general public knowledge. You say A Beka and Bob Jones University Press are still freaked about Communism, take big detours into slavery/KKK apologetics, and claim the Depression was mostly just propaganda? Yeah, they'll do that. Oh, the Life Science textbook says humans and dinosaurs totally hung out and remains weirdly obsessed with bombardier beetles? What else is new?

Well, for me, this is new:

"Unlike the "modern math" theorists, who believe that mathematics is a creation of man and thus arbitrary and relative, A Beka Book teaches that the laws of mathematics are a creation of God and thus absolute....A Beka Book provides attractive, legible, and workable traditional mathematics texts that are not burdened with modern theories such as set theory." — ABeka.com

Wait? What?

http://boingboing.net/2012/08/07/what-do-christian-fundamentali.html#more-175190

Written by a genuine student of fundamentalist education, the whole article is worth a read.

joseph brand

Quatermain wrote: »

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/07/photos-evangelical-curricula-louisiana-tax-dollars

*Cries loudly.*

Truly scary stuff. Part of a plan to numb the masses mentally. People will put up will all kinds of sh1t, if they believe there is a 'paradise' waiting for the poor, the downtrodden and the meek. While the wealthy sip Cristal aboard their yachts, organising botox and boob jobs for their wives.

Religion is the best tool for controlling the masses. (Sheeple)

Comment shamelessly stolen from the above site
This is a planned epidemic with untold millions backing it.The greedy enemies of awareness are all around us. And they have the means to make us "aware" of exactly what they want us to be "aware" of.

And it's not just Louisiana, so we shouldn't try to console ourselves with the idea that it's only states where backward thinking might rule. One of NJ governor and loudmouth Christie's first moves was to "mistakenly" refuse federal funds for education. Just yesterday, in one fell swoop, he signed a bill making it harder for NJ teachers to secure tenure and easier for them to lose it. This man has scads of media support and for some reason is immensely popular. He runs tv ads daily, touting how he has "reformed" NJ policy and, it logically follows, how good his "tenure" might be for all of us. He could be our next "choice" for president. Ann Coulter just loves him.

The more ignorant they make us, the easier it is for them to succeed in telling us what to think. The "what" is always to the benefit of those who want to rule with impunity.--translated: Make the majority suffer whatever they might think is "proper" and "good" while they--and only they-- reap the benefits.
Regardless of what anyone might think of unions, we had better support teachers and a PUBLIC education system. Don't and we are doomed.

robindch

From the drawer marked WTF?! comes this one about a tattooed preacher who 'cures' cancer by kicking people in the face.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2183860/Todd-Bentley-MP-calls-ban-tattooed-preacher-cures-cancer-kicking-people-face.html

Daily Fail wrote:

An evangelist who kicks followers in the face, claiming his violence will cure them of cancer, is to tour Britain this month – but his proposed visit has provoked outrage and demands that he be banned from entering the country.

Tattooed preacher Todd Bentley, who as a 15-year-old was convicted of a sex attack on a boy aged seven, claims God uses him as an instrument to heal the sick, and is urging the frail to attend his shows. The former drug user, who is Canadian but based in the United States, even laughs about his ‘healing’ techniques. In one show he treated a man claiming to be suffering from colon cancer by planting his knee hard into the victim’s stomach. The man fell to the floor in agony.

On another occasion, a man was pushed over so forcefully that he lost a tooth. Burly Mr Bentley, 36, said in one YouTube clip: ‘And I’m thinking why is the power of God not moving? And He said, “Because you haven’t kicked that woman in the face.” ‘And there is this older lady worshipping right in front of the platform and the Holy Spirit spoke to me. The gift of faith comes on me. He said, “Kick her in the face with your biker boot.” I inched closer and I went bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God.’

Labour MP for Croydon North Malcolm Wicks has urged Home Secretary Theresa May to ban Mr Bentley from the UK. He told her: ‘His visit can do nothing but harm and I would be grateful for any measures you can take.’ Mr Bentley launches his tour at the 400-capacity Croydon Conference Centre in South London with three shows from August 30, before visiting Liverpool, Cwmbran and Co Armagh in September.

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester who now runs a church education charity, said: ‘I think the Home Secretary should make enquiries and see if there is any threat to public order. If the police have any indication that violence will be used against people who may be ill or vulnerable, it will be for her to decide if police should attend.’

Peter May, a prominent Christian GP who served for 25 years on the Church of England’s ruling General Synod, and has investigated spurious faith healers for more than 20 years, said: ‘I’m concerned by Todd Bentley’s methods because a physical injury on any sick person could be very serious. 'I’ve looked at the video clips on his forum and it requires significant impact for someone to lose a tooth. There may be people who are Christians who believe their health has been transformed, but I believe Todd Bentley should produce the medical evidence. I would urge people to keep away from him.’

The preacher came to prominence four years ago through his church, Fresh Fire Ministries, which launched a Christian ‘revival’ in Lakeland, Florida. The event, which attracted 400,000 people, was also on international channel God TV. Mr Bentley claims he cured viewers at home. Shanee Lemos, who is organising the UK tour, denied the preacher used violence. He said: ‘I’ve worked with Todd for a long time and I’ve never seen him kick someone.’ He added: ‘Even the terminally ill or people with a few days left to live are encouraged to come along and Todd will attempt to cure them.’

A Croydon Conference Centre spokesman would not be drawn on Mr Bentley’s methods. Mr Bentley said: ‘Kicking people in the face is not a practice of our ministry and I do not see this happening in the UK.’

Sonics2k

robindch wrote: »

From the drawer marked WTF?! comes this one about a tattooed preacher who 'cures' cancer by kicking people in the face.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2183860/Todd-Bentley-MP-calls-ban-tattooed-preacher-cures-cancer-kicking-people-face.html

I'm making a follow up course for those who visit this man.

It's called the 'Get kicked in the face to stop being stupid' course.

Bannasidhe

Sonics2k wrote: »

I'm making a follow up course for those who visit this man.

It's called the 'Get kicked in the face to stop being stupid' course.

Oh if only that would work.

GLaDOS

Anyone who believes they can "cure cancer" clearly doesn't know what cancer is.

Penn

Burly Mr Bentley, 36, said in one YouTube clip: ‘And I’m thinking why is the power of God not moving? And He said, “Because you haven’t kicked that woman in the face.” ‘And there is this older lady worshipping right in front of the platform and the Holy Spirit spoke to me. The gift of faith comes on me. He said, “Kick her in the face with your biker boot.” I inched closer and I went bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God.’

F*ck me that's one of the funniest f*cking things I've ever read....

Gbear

robindch wrote: »

From the drawer marked WTF?! comes this one about a tattooed preacher who 'cures' cancer by kicking people in the face.

Ah now. **** you, seriously.


I just spat hot tea out my nose and onto my screen.:(

Sarky

The pope canonised facekicker. It's the only possible explanation.

Bannasidhe

You mean there was no need for me to have all that chemo induced vomiting and boob burning radiotherapy???? All I needed was a kick in the face by someone wearing biker boots?

Barstard so called medical experts with their fancy loafers and kick backs from someone or other are hiding the truth from us all. All that is needed is a pair of biker boots and faith...!!! I already have the bloody biker boots like!!!


I am so pissed off about this that I could win a round against Katie Taylor!!! :mad::mad::mad:

Quatermain

Is that treatment covered by your medical insurance?

Nodin

Underground Muslims.....

Four members of a Muslim sect in the Russian region of Tatarstan have been charged with cruelty against children for allegedly keeping them underground.

The sect's elderly leader, Faizrakhman Sattarov, who had declared himself a Muslim prophet, was charged with the crime of "arbitrariness".

Police found 27 children and 38 adults living in catacomb-like cells, dug on
eight levels under his home.

According to the Russian website Islam News, Mr Sattarov, 83, declared himself an Islamic prophet in the mid-1960s after interpreting sparks from a trolleybus cable as a divine light from God.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19180554

Hotblack Desiato

declared himself an Islamic prophet in the mid-1960s after interpreting sparks from a trolleybus cable as a divine light from God.

As nutty religious signs go, that's really reaching...

muppeteer

ninja900 wrote: »

As nutty religious signs go, that's really reaching...

Yes but voices in your head telling you to kick old ladies in the face is totally legit in comparison:). I wish those who hear voices from gods could for a moment see how stupid/deranged they look to the outside world.

growler

Nodin wrote: »

The sect's elderly leader, Faizrakhman Sattarov, who had declared himself a Muslim prophet, was charged with the crime of "arbitrariness"

Wondering what the punishment for "arbitrariness" is and how this made it into law, particularly in Russia ?

Nodin

growler wrote: »

Wondering what the punishment for "arbitrariness" is and how this made it into law, particularly in Russia ?

"In some countries, a prohibition of arbitrariness is enshrined into the constitution. Article 9 of the Swiss Federal Constitution theoretically overrides even democratic decisions in prohibiting arbitrary government action.[5] The US Supreme Court has overturned laws for having "no rational basis." A recent study of the U.S. asylum system suggests that arbitrariness in decision-making might be the cause of large disparities in outcomes between different adjudicators, a phenomenon described as refugee roulette"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitrariness

"Acting irrationaly" perhaps?

ninja900

ninja900 wrote: »

As nutty religious signs go, that's really reaching...

it's the new and modern age version of a burning bush

Quatermain

bluewolf wrote: »

it's the new and modern age version of a burning bush

"It's a sign! A sign!"

"No, mate. It's the 23a to Brunswick."

fitz0

growler wrote: »

Wondering what the punishment for "arbitrariness" is

I hear its pretty arbitrary...

:pac:

Galvasean

Quatermain wrote: »

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/07/photos-evangelical-curricula-louisiana-tax-dollars

*Cries loudly.*

Just spotted this now:
"They have found large chambers in certain dinosaur skulls…The large skull chambers could have contained special chemical-producing glands. When the animal forced the chemicals out of its mouth or nose, these substances may have combined and produced fire and smoke."

OR, now this might be crazy.... but perhaps the chambers is where the dinosaur's brains were kept...

Also, notice how point 8 says fetuses were treated like slaves, but point 5 says slaves were treated well. Problem?

Quatermain

Galvasean wrote: »

Also, notice how point 8 says fetuses were treated like slaves, but point 5 says slaves were treated well. Problem?

Back in my day, lazy was the fetus that couldn't turn out a perfect Chanel wallet!

Bannasidhe

Quatermain wrote: »

Back in my day, lazy was the fetus that couldn't turn out a perfect Chanel wallet!

Now if they can't make 3 ipads an hour...well, you can guess the rest....

Hotblack Desiato

It used to be only dem forrin' religions* dat were crazy. Now even Christianity has gone nuts....





* because Catholicism is IRISH!!!11!!

Links234

ninja900 wrote: »

As nutty religious signs go, that's really reaching...

To be fair, when you compare it to a "burning bush" it's considerably more sophisticated.

just saying

postitnote

He needs a good kick in the face.

In fact maybe we should start up our own Face Kicking Ministry. Do you have to ask people first or is "getting a sign from god" enough? (Looks for trolleybus...)

Northclare

That burning bush could have been a cotinus behind a cotoneaster with some other flowering shrubs giving a flamboyant display,with some messer speaking the word.

Galvasean

Well y'know, bush fires aren't exactly uncommon in arid landscapes. Neither are hallucinations brought on by dehydration.

Quatermain

Given that the Oracle at Delphi gave her predictions sitting on a tripod stool with smoke billowing from beneath her skirt, the idea of speaking to a burning bush is a pretty common one...

Bannasidhe

Quatermain wrote: »

Given that the Oracle at Delphi gave her predictions sitting on a tripod stool with smoke billowing from beneath her skirt, the idea of speaking to a burning bush is a pretty common one...

Burning Bushes seem very common or garden...

A study prepared by Monash University reveals that 90 Victorians went to hospital last year with waxing injuries, the Herald Sun reports.

Quatermain

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Burning Bushes seem very common or garden...

"But this is Horace Mapplethorn's Patent Loin Linament!"

"Genuine snake oil, is all! Now hush while we lock you into this nearby asylum!"

Gotta love the Victorians. Particularly their genuine believe that blowing tobacco smoke into the rectum was an effective means of resuscitating the drowned. Utter hilarity.

robindch

Bannasidhe wrote: »

[...] 90 Victorians went to hospital last year with waxing injuries [...]

What's the opposite of a caption competition? ...when you have the caption and you're looking for a cartoon to go with it?

Galvasean

Quatermain wrote: »

Gotta love the Victorians. Particularly their genuine believe that blowing tobacco smoke into the rectum was an effective means of resuscitating the drowned. Utter hilarity.

It makes you wonder just what kind of mind decided to first try that...
"I know what we should do!!!"

Quatermain

Galvasean wrote: »

It makes you wonder just what kind of mind decided to first try that...
"I know what we should do!!!"

Swiftly followed by: "Which concludes the case for the defence, m'lud".

Also, obligatory awesomeness.

A Simple Explanation

Bannasidhe

Galvasean wrote: »

It makes you wonder just what kind of mind decided to first try that...
"I know what we should do!!!"

It does take scientific enquiry to a whole different level

Northclare

There's varieties of plants which spontaneously combust in high temperatures due to their oil content