In Response to a Stupid Meme

There is no Christianity in the modern world. In its place is a bunch of squabbling sects; each with it's own vision of the Truth. The only real danger these little "c" christianities pose is when one or an alliance of a few powerful ones gains ascendancy within a government. That situation helped drive much of the warfare in post-Reformation Europe. The US avoided that problem largely -- and probably accidentally -- by mandating religious freedom so people no longer had to fight over stupid stuff. If you disagreed with your church, join another or make up your own.

The adherence to Scriptures is highly selective in modern Christianity and different sects emphasize different parts. God may hate fags but He loves bacon! In a real sense, Christians have gone from believing their religion to believing in their religion.

Maybe Islam is in a transitional state analogous to the Reformation. I don't think so but it may just be too early to tell. More likely, IMO, is that most Muslims really believe their religion is big "T" Truth and internalize its principles. All of them. That is not remotely like the situation in Christianity since the 19th Century.

Anyway, here is the Stupid Meme of the title.

'Try God' Billboard Vandalized

Article is here

Normally I don't bother with this kind of stuff but this part tickled me

He did admit he wasn't sure what the "the other white MEAT" meant.

• Catholic radio station.
• Transubstantiation.
• I get it

Will They have Atheists in Heaven?

Pope Francis suggests that it is possible.

But the pope, in a morning Mass on Wednesday, suggested that belief and faith weren’t the biggest factors. He said, CNN reported: "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ — all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone. 'Father, the atheists?' Even the atheists. Everyone. We must meet one another doing good. 'But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist.' But do good: We will meet one another there."

This is sure to spark a wildfire of outrage. The idea that good works can earn salvation really pisses off some Christians. Grace is presented as necessary and sufficient for salvation. In less extreme sects that grace comes as the result of a choice the individual makes to be saved. In its more extreme forms -- Calvinism for example -- the saved were selected at the creation of the world and how each lives his life doesn't matter. At neither extreme, nor in the middle can grace be earned by action. It is a gift from the Christian God and character or conduct have nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of the soul.

The Queen James Bible

Buy it at Amazon

James 1 of England is, perhaps, best known for the version of the Christian Bible that bears his name. In 1604, he commissioned a transation from Latin to English to correct perceived probems in earlier translations. This effort certainly helped the spread of Protestantism and, arguably, enabled the further division of Christianity.

When James 1 was crowned king of England in 1603, a common joke amongst the populace was, "Elizabeth was King, now James is Queen!" This was a reference to his personal life which involved several extramarital homosexual affairs. It is ironic then that a new translation of his iconic Bible should appear "...edited to prevent homophobic misinterpretation."

In all, the editors only changed eight verses and they are explained here.

Gov Bently Apologizes

Fox News report's that Robert Bently, incoming Governor of Alabama, said in a speech on Jan 17 at the Dexter Avenue Memorial Baptist Church that those who "...haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, they are not his brother or his sister.." Two days later, he apologized for that remark.

Embrace your Brothers and Sisters in Christ on Monday; Apologize for it on Wednesday. That sounds like politics as usual

It is only natural for a Christian politician to pander to other Christians.  Ever since Constantine co-opted Christianity to the service of the state, Christianity has been a source of political power.  The influence of any one sect was greatly reduced by the fragmentation of the Reformation but, locally, organized Chrstianity is still a reliable and important source of power. Politics and politicians are all about power so never forget that Bently is a politician. That means if his lips are moving the smart money is betting he is lying.

Holy Smoke!

The good folks over at BurnTheKoran link to an article on HillBuzz criticizing General David Petraeus out for his comments on Pastor Terry Jones' threat last month to burn a Koran as part of his September 11 observances. In one of the comments, someone named Aussie writes in part:

The Koran is seen as a 'holy book' and it should be respected as such.

It is never a good idea to hand an Armed, Godless Heathen a straight line like that.

In the interest of fairness I propose a test: I'll burn a Douay Bible, a King James Bible, a Book of Mormon and a Koran. My hypothesis predicts that:

1. Some Catholics will call me names.
2. Some Protestants will call me names.
3. Some Mormons will call me names.
4. Muslims will go ape shit and riot.

Any takers?

Why not burn a few Bibles?

Some Muslims in Afghanistan are upset because of plans by members of the Dove World Outreach Center to burn some Qurans on Sep 11.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Hundreds of Afghans railed against the United States and called for President Barack Obama's death at a rally in the capital Monday to denounce an American church's plans to burn the Islamic holy book on 9/11.

The crowd in Kabul, numbering as many as 500, chanted "Long live Islam" and "Death to America" as they listened to fiery speeches from members of parliament, provincial council deputies, and Islamic clerics who criticized the U.S. and demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. Some threw rocks when a U.S. military convoy passed, but speakers shouted at them to stop and told police to arrest anyone who disobeyed.

The New Black Panther Party appears to be outraged too.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Members of the New Black Panther Party showed up in Gainesville Monday to let The Dove World Outreach Center know it is outraged by its plan to burn the Koran.

"I believe in peace but if you aggress me, I am going to fight back," said State Chairman of the New Black Panther Party Mikhail Muhammad.

It is not aggression to destroy your own property no matter how holy someone else may consider it to be. I'm not very likely burn a Quran unless it was really cold, the gas was off and I need to start a fire in the old fireplace. Even then I'd just use what I have to and save the rest for later. Toilet paper maybe.

I guarantee that if things really get that bad, I'll burn every Quran, Bible and Book of Mormon I can lay my hands on long before I'll destroy something useful like Gray's Anatomy, Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers or the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. I even give those awful Twilight books a higher regard than the holiest of the holy books the world's religions have managed to produce.

I wonder if even the educated Mulsims can understand the difference.

I live in a country that is supposed to recognize every person's goddamn right to do with his property pretty much as he sees fit. The people in Florida are not harming anyone nor putting anyone in danger. They are not threatening a single Muslim by burning his holy book. The only threats I hear are from the faith-based homicidal maniacs who froth at the mouth over any perceived insult to their religion.

Tit-for-tat: If the Christers down in Florida burn some Qurans then let the Muslims burn some Bibles. That's a proportional response. Threatening to kill someone because he destroyed his own property is not.

Taggers for Christ

This is old news but, given my earlier post entiled "Threeper versus Threeper", it is relevent.

Chrissy Saterfield over at World Net Daily experienced journalistic orgasms over the vandalism of a billboard right before the "Fourth of July weekend" (her words, I call it "Independence Day").

Just when I start believing there is no hope for our country I get a little reminder from my God that all is not lost. It was reported June 29 that a billboard sign sponsored by a North Carolina atheist organization had been vandalized. The ad reads, "One Nation Indivisible." It seems someone didn't think the sign was an accurate depiction of our Pledge of Allegiance, so the vandals inserted "Under God" with spray paint – and I couldn't be more relieved. It's nice to know that I am not alone in my beliefs and that some people are still willing to stand on the right side of truth.

Of course she inserts the obligatory disclaimer that she would never encourage such a thing (Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink).

Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I'll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it's about time the shoe was on the other foot.

If her beliefs are so fragile that a few words are the equivalent to vandalism then the logical side of Ms. Saterfield must be tempted to check her premises. Fortunately for the survival of Christendom, her belief system insulates her from the temptation of thinking.

In the final analysis, there is no Commandment against vandalism I guess there is no reason for Ms. Saterfield to condemn the actions of her co-religionist.

My dose of honesty this week: I am not happy that vandalism seems to be the only way to get an atheist's attention. I'm happy that I can count on other Christians to stand up for themselves and for Christians everywhere. It gives me hope.

OTOH, do I need to care what Chrissy Saterfield thinks? She seem to do it very rarely.

Onward Christian taggers, skulking in the night.
With your holy spray paint those billboard you will smite.
The royal Master Krylon, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see God's graffiti go!

H/T to The Secular Right

Missionaries Arrested in Dearborn.

I am not a Christian. That should be obvious from the title and content of this blog. I find missionaries annoying and politely refuse their literature when offered. I read it all 30 years ago and occasional survey of the latest offerings indicate they haven't come up with anything new since then. Nevertheless, they have a right to practice their religion and that right is protected by the Constitution. Which makes the following article from freep.com particularly disturbing.

Four Christian missionaries trying to convert Muslims were arrested and jailed Friday for disorderly conduct at the Arab festival in Dearborn, police said.

"We did make four arrests for disorderly conduct," Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad said Saturday. "They did cause a stir."

The four, who were said to be at the Dearborn Arab International Festival with a Christian group called Acts 17 Apologetics, were later released on bail.

Haddad said that he's not taking sides in any dispute, but added that police have to keep the peace at a festival that draws 300,000 over three days.

"Everyone's space should be respected," Haddad said. "It's Father's Day weekend. ... People are here to have a good time, and it's our job to ensure security."

The Free Press reported last year on the growing number of evangelical Christians targeting Dearborn to convert Muslims.

OK, Christian proselytizers can be annoying. I've had few not take "no" for an answer and accuse me of doing Satan's work. I usually reply with something like, "Why yes, I do. I build airplanes." Then I walk away.

None have followed me yet: They probably don't get the joke.

I also know that Christians, despite any protest to the contrary, can at least threaten violence. Twice in the past 40 years Christians have threaten me physically. Not the vague "kill all the atheists!" rhetoric I expect from the sublimely idiotic but specific threats accompanied by baseball bats. Both times, me and my model 36 showed them the error of their ways. No shots were fired even though both times there were enough attackers that they could have overwhelmed me with only a couple of casualties.

I guess meeting Jesus wasn't on the agenda.

I find the idea that the Christians might have been disruptive at an Arab Festival a little far fetched. Muslims do have a reputation for religiously inspired violence. I wonder if the arrests were prompted by the proselytizers getting out of line or the crowd getting ugly.

H/T to the The Unwanted Blog

A Conspiracy of Conspiracies

Ferfal posts on America and Christianity A few of those commenting seem to to think the Big Bad Atheist Conspiracy is trying to eliminate their right to pray in public.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the God Incarnate, the Light of the World, the Messiah ,etc, etc gave definitive, authoritative, and unimpeachable instructions on how to pray if you want God to pay attention: Go into your closet and shut the door. Read it for yourself here

I consider those who have to make public spectacles of their faith to be like the hypocrites who "...love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men." When I see such spectacles they only reinforce my conclusion that there are no Christians left in the world.

As long as the Christians pray publicly the Conspiracy has no worries. We want them praying in public. It lets us know who can be relied on to obey the false Prophet we are preparing to unleash. If a significant number go back into closet then I'll make a motion to the Council of the Learned Elders to consider a delay in deployment. However, that is simply not going to happen. Organized Christianity sold out to Constantine and the core of the Faith is not in Christian hands anymore.

Wheels within wheels, bendrith.

Five Minutes after the Rapture

It's not what you think. Read it here

Who brings a Bible to a Gunfight?

A new Henry Repeating Arms ad:

"Stupid Christian; bringing a Bible to a gunfight."

I understand the sentiment but it just seems silly to me.

Hat tip to Sipsey Street Irregulars

Jaysus Aych Krist!

Pro-gun pastor says come armed to church

You’re kind of getting it from all sides. You have the critics, again, who say “Would Jesus have carried a weapon,” but you’ve got critics among gun advocates who say the fact that you stipulated that people had to bring their weapons into church unloaded and the only loaded weapon belonged to a police officer kind of rankles them. David Codrea, who is a gun rights advocate, wrote in Examiner.com “The idea that police are the only ones who can be entrusted with loaded firearms should be offensive to everyone who believes in the right of the people to keep and bear arms.” Everybody’s kind of ganging up on you from the right and left.

Would Jesus have carried a weapon?

What kind of stupid question is that? According to the Nicene press release Jesus could transform elements, revive the dead (presumably he could do the reverse?), levitate, control the weather, read minds, had power over several diseases and replicate matter. At the least. He was most of the X-Men all rolled into one package. If I had powers like that I wouldn't need to carry a gun either.

Hat Tip to David Codrea