January 31, 2016::End of the day round-up

Gah!!  Now Gawd can cure type 2 diabetes,,,WTF,,,and Charisma is pushing the bullshit like it is true.  Next they'll being saying they can "cure" the effects of a stroke,,,holy fuck!!

To good not to share!!

 

Don't Believe in Christian Privilege? These 15 Examples Will Leave No Doubt — Everyday Feminism

Gary Cass Explains That Only Christian Men Are Qualified For Political Office

Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission released a new video today aimed at helping his fellow right-wing Christians understand "the biblical qualifications for political office," by which he meant that all of our elected leaders must be Christians ... and men.

"What should be look for in our elected officials?" Cass asked, rhetorically. "The first qualification is they must be a Christian ... What a candidate professes about God is absolutely critical, it will profoundly shape his leadership. 

Genuine reverence for the Lord is the foundation of knowledge ... so we need a leader who is alive spiritually and who will lead in the fear of God."

And those leaders, Cass explained, must be men.

A monster the GOP could’ve avoided: The conservative establishment created Trump—and now they can’t destroy him 

Another Gruesome Attack At A Place Of Learning In Pakistan

More than twenty were killed in an attack on a university in northern Pakistan on Wednesday. The attack took place after a group of gunmen scaled the walls of a university in a city before the morning fog had lifted and opened fire on students and staff at the co-ed Bacha Khan University.

“They were directly shooting at the heads of the students,” Naseer, a student and witness to the carnage who gave only his first name, told the Guardian.

He said that he counted more than 50 bodies strewn across the campus. With fifty of the most gravely wounded moved to a larger hospital in nearby Peshawar for treatment, there are fears that the death toll could rise as victims of the attack succumb to their injuries.
,,,
For many in Pakistan, however, the attack is painfully reminiscent of a similar Taliban-led siege on an army-run school in Peshawar last December. In that case, attackers similarly scaled the walls surrounding the campus and killed more than 130 students and teachers.

Women ordered to stop praying inside mall | Fox News

I am starting a new "series" called the Starnes Watch. Let's see how much of his pandering turns out to be an accurate portrayal of events or hyperbole. Here's our first one which takes place in Georgia.

It’s not uncommon for shopping malls to have rules of conduct. Some places ban saggy pants. Others won’t let you ask people for money. But a mall in Georgia may have one of the most unusual rules -- they won’t let shoppers pray – not even over their meals.

Meet Tammy Brantley of Dublin, Ga. She’s a wife, a mom and an avid power walker. She’s also a person of deep faith in God.

Tammy is the co-founder of “Dublin Girls Run,” a group of local ladies that combines Southern fellowship with physical fitness.

[,,,]
A few weeks ago the Dublin Girls had gathered inside the local mall for an evening power walk. They formed a small circle and as they had done many times before, they bowed their heads to petition the Almighty.

But before one of the runners could say, “Lord Jesus,” she was interrupted by a mall cop barreling down a corridor.

“The security guard came running toward us and said, ‘You are not allowed to pray at the mall. That’s against the policy,’” Tammy told me.

The ladies were aghast.

SCORE:: B/B+

By all accounts that I could find what is presented is accurate, BUT,,,

"Meanwhile, the Dublin Girls are searching for a new place to power walk. Tammy said she understands that the mall is indeed private property and they have a right to dictate appropriate rules and regulations."

"[T]he mall is indeed private property"  that is the key.  Brantley states as much in a July 24th posting to her public F/B account:

"However, I had a long conversation with the property Manager over the mall. They are in fact, privately owned..therefore we must abide by their rules. I was told in this conversation that this rule has been set forth to not offend other religions and people who walk through the doors. They feel that if they allow one religious group to pray and worship..they would have to let them all. They will not allow prayer vigils or outward displays of faith. My response to him was that we should not ever worry or fear offense when we are standing for God,,, I told him that I refuse to let anything cause the ladies to not be able to focus on that because of the fear of ridicule or intimidation. I will allow all of you to make your decision based on how God lead's you. BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO AS CHRISTIANS IS TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL REIGN DOMINION OVER THE MALL AND THE OWNERS."

Exactly which "God" is Brantley referring to?  Would she be without object to a group of Sikhs practicing Nitnem banis prior to their workout.  Or how about a Hindu group saying the Prārthana?

Sounds a bit like Christian privilege to me - I don't like your rules but because I am a Christian, your rules do not or should not apply to me (but they do apply to everyone else who isn't a Christina like me. )

Sound familiar?  It should because that is the same logic behind the "religious liberty" legislation being pushed by Alliance Defending Freedom.

Brantley went from understanding that the mall property is privately owned with their own rules, ",,, if they allow one religious group to pray and worship, they would have to let them all. " To, the incident being a case of discrimination.  This being said in an August 2nd public posting

"I remembered that in any discrimination case, nothing was ever done until someone had the guts to say no. Because of those not afraid, MLK, Rosa Parks to name a few... we all have rights to speak freely and PRAY freely."

So it is okay for a privately owned "Christian" bakery or a privately owned "Christian" photography studio to plead for the ability to discriminate based on religious beliefs but a a privately owned mall with a policy banning all - not just Christian - religious expression is now being crucified for exercising the same rights.  Something that  Starnes nor Brantley seem to understand.

Women ordered to stop praying inside mall | Fox News

Please note that I have left out any links connecting to Mrs. Brantley's page out of respect.  Although her name is public as is her F/B account (for the moment) I personally do not believe she is ready for the shitstorm that is to come.

Editor who used 'gaystapo' claims religious discrimination

There is a lot of minutiae to this complaint that does not make it a slam dunk for either side. It will be interesting as to how it plays out. The Hobby Lobby ruling may factor in as well as the whole shebang of "religious liberty" that the religionists are fond of pushing.

An Iowa newspaper editor fired after publishing his views on homosexuals is claiming he was the victim of religious discrimination by his former employer.

Bob Eschliman, former editor of the Newton Daily News, filed a complaint this week with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office in Milwaukee arguing that he was terminated May 5 because of his religious beliefs. If the dispute isn't resolved to Eschliman's satisfaction, he could sue in federal court to seek financial damages.

In late April, Eschliman, 41, a member of Christian Reformed Church of Newton, wrote a personal blog post criticizing the "Queen James Bible," a website that rewrites the Christian Bible to be friendlier to gays. Eschliman accused "the LGBTQXYZ crowd and the Gaystapo" of trying "to make their sinful nature right with God."

Jim Romenesko, who hosts a widely read online blog about the news media, reported on Eschliman's post and questioned whether Eschliman, in light of his publicly stated views, would be able to fairly cover issues involving gays.

Editor who used 'gaystapo' claims religious discrimination

REPOST::Stop calling Hobby Lobby a Christian business - The Week

Finally someone gets it and isn't afraid to say it,,,

"We're Christians," Hobby Lobby's president Steve Green proclaims, "and we run our business on Christian principles."

That is music to the ears of many conservative Christians, who rallied around Hobby Lobby when the retail chain argued at the Supreme Court that ObamaCare's contraception mandate unlawfully burdened their religious beliefs. But a closer look at Hobby Lobby's actual business practices reveals this claim to be as hollow as a flute. Turn over just about any trinket in a Hobby Lobby store and you'll find a gold oval stamped with "Made in China," a country that is one of the worst offenders of human dignity, unborn infant life, and economic justice anywhere in the world.

As such, those shiny stickers littering every Hobby Lobby from sea to shining sea are more than a statement about a product's geographical origin; they are also a stinging indictment against the way the retailer has sought to label itself.

[,,,]
Now, of course, a huge number of American companies outsource labor to China, and thus help prop up this shameful status quo. But very few of these American companies simultaneously trumpet themselves as "Christian businesses," arguing in court that providing employees with health insurance covering contraceptives violates their religious beliefs. How can this ObamaCare mandate be so foul to Hobby Lobby executives, while they say very little about Chinese policies forcing women to have abortions against their wills? Is abortion wrong only when the terminated life is American?

The most glaring inconsistency between Hobby Lobby's ethical proclamations and its business decisions concerns the matter of religious liberty. The craft store chain is hailed by conservatives as standing up to Uncle Sam and fighting for religious freedom. Yet Hobby Lobby imports billions of dollars worth of bric-a-brac from a nation that denies 1.35 billion citizens freedom of worship.

If Hobby Lobby was concerned with religious freedoms — not just those of conservative American Christians — it would quit doing business in China.

Stop calling Hobby Lobby a Christian business - The Week

Speaking of religion: Pagans stir a fuss in Beebe | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art

[See my initial post for some background on this issue,,,]

Think of it this way, your child, whilst in public school, has to observe 3-5 minutes of school endorsed "prayer." So one day, being the smart pagan that he/she is decides to take their personal Book of Shadows to school. Instead of the "Christian Prayer" that every else seems to be saying silently to themselves, the smart pagan child begins to read "A Prayer to Isis".

How well do you think that scenario would go over? Don't think that would cause a major stink? It's a prayer, can't offend anyone so should be legal. How long before the fundies have their panties in a twist? So why should we as non-traditional believers be subjected to their prayers? Oh,,, and the child of the Islamic faith, the one 2 chairs down from our smart pagan child, he learned a few years back that his prayer isn't welcomed either. Only the "Christian" one is.

Get my point,,, we are a melting pot of cultures, of religions. Why should one religion (Christianity) have a stranglehold over all others in the public sectors of our government.

This is not just an atheist issue folks, as you can see all of us, believers as well as those of us that are non-traditional, have a very large stake in the matter. Do you really want to be pigeon-holed? Do you really want to be forced to endorse a doctrine that you do not support?

Extremist? Fringe? Well guess what,,,

Heard of the Seekers Temple? If not, I expect you will before long.

It's a pagan temple and store that says it has run into a slew of headaches in attempting to pursue its business and religion in Beebe, Ark.

Bertram and Felicia Dahl, the high priest and priestess of Seekers Temple, have this extensive account, "Problems in Beebe." They say Beebe officials had welcomed their move from El Paso until they found out they were pagans. The accusations range from prior-restraint code enforcement to discriminatory park rental policies to arrests for complaining about harassment from another church by means of a rotating lighthouse beacon flashing on their home.

According to Dahl's narrative,

Mayor Robertson said that we were not zoned for a church or business, so we pointed out two churches across the street. He said that our side of the street is not zoned for it, so we pointed out commercial property for sale next to us and a business out of a barn next to that and a business out of a house next to that (run by our alderman). He said that the business zone ends at our property and was not allowed from there on down, so we pointed out a business next to us on the other side, run out of a home. He said that in Beebe, they zone individual property and ours was not zoned for it, so we ask what we had to do to get it re-zoned. He said we do not have enough parking, so we pointed out that we have more parking than some of the restaurants in town and much more than the other businesses run out of homes. He said there was no way we were having our church there, so we ask about just opening the store and keeping our group as a small in-house meeting of friends. He admitted that he can not stop us from having friends over, but that he would be watching and he would break it up if we had too many people over (true to his word, police sit and watch our house often). He said we would have to speak with the city attorney about opening a store and what we could have in it and he would have that person call us (this never happened) and that was the end of our meeting. We have ask many times since then, but he has not granted us another meeting.

Regretfully the harassment then began, starting with a local church, "After that, we started getting visits from the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church from across the street,,, The last time they came, the person who we would later find to be Bishop Jason E. Scheel began to warn us of the ’evil trickery of the Pagan Devil’ and how it would be best if we came to the church.

Then the local police, "The next week, to the day, 2014 May 28, two officers came and arrested me for Disorderly Conduct and Harassing Communications. This had been filled by Jason E. Scheel (who had in fact harassed us) and John Scheel (whom we have never met nor talked to),,, We had to pay $320 to get me out of jail with a plea date of July 9.

This ongoing incident is a travesty and a clear cut violation of SOCAS. That aside for the moment the Dahl's need help as they face an uphill battle.

This much we know. Beebe Mayor Mike Robertson, whom the Dahls say has been resistant to their operation, has demonstrated before his thinking on church-state separation. In 2010, we wrote about some religious practices there and quoted the mayor:

It is my opinion and the Beebe City Council's that government leaders must pray to God as the true leader of the nation and that a nation cannot exist if they are not one nation under God trusting in God as the leader. It is my opinion government has allowed non-believers far too many liberties taking God out of our daily lives. As mayor of this city I will continue to open our meeting with a prayer and a pledge to our country – one nation under God.

How you can help--

If you are local to the area, "We are asking that people show up at City Hall at 6:30pm on the fourth Monday of each month until we are heard,,,"

A petition (with further information and updates) has been started in support Dahl and the Seekers Temple

Letters of support can be sent via e-mail: Priest@SeekersTemple.com or snail mail to:

Bert and Felicia
High Priest and Priestess of
Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Dr.
Beebe, AR. 72012

Or you can contact the Mayor directly: Mayor Robertson via the City of Beebe contact form here:

Monetary donations are being accepted to offset legal costs associated with arrest and subsequent legal battle in regards to Lighthouse Pentecostal Church.

Via Paypal to:  SeekersTemple@yahoo.com

Or send your donation via mail to:

Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Drive
Beebe, AK 72012

Speaking of religion: Pagans stir a fuss in Beebe | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art

Planners split on contentious permit for psychic reader - News Mirror: News

Two years ago I spoke somewhat prophetic words in regards to the First Amendment [Transcript PDF]. On my then radio show I asked this question, "Church/State separation doesn't effect me because I am a ________?" (insert whatever traditional or non-traditional belief system you may practice - Pagan, Wiccan, atheist, agnostic or insert any non Judeo-Christian religion).

At the time the 2012 election season was in full swing and many pundits, politicians, and pulpits had been espousing a "return" (thank you David Barton et al) to what they call the "Biblical/Christian roots" of our Founding Fathers. But many within the paranormal (investigators, psychics, those of the pagan belief system, hobbyists etc) and those that follow the idea of alternative history (conspiracy, nephilim, reptilian, UFO and abduction scenarios) didn't understand - and still don't - the ramifications of what the Reich was and still is espousing. Many did/do not understand that this upsurge in so-called biblical values is a well thought out and implemented plan from the 70s (some say the 50s). Many did/do not realize that their non-traditional beliefs (about God, the Bible, angels and demons, ghosts and goblins) or non-belief put them in harms way if the theocrats gain power. In other words just because you believe in "God" doesn't mean you are safe from "persecution" or having your rights denied.

I took a lot of flack, being told that only people on the fringe would condone that type of rhetoric and extremism. Well guess what,,,

The Yucaipa Planning Com mission heard a home occupation permit case for a psychic reader at the 35000 block of Yucaipa at the June 4 meeting. Commissioners Denise Work and Clinton Brown were ab sent. Several members of the religious community attended to oppose the permit on moral grounds.

[,,,]
The first speaker, George Bedlion Sr., urged the planning commission to deny the home occupation permit.

“I don’t want to see a psychic reader in Uptown Yucaipa,” said Bedlion. “My church sponsors the soap box race and we just don’t want to see this kind of influence. It’s opening something that is not very good,” Bedlion said.

Joél Vincent, a pastor from First Assembly of God Church, was the second speaker opposing the psychic home occupancy permit. Vincent read Bible scriptures and said, “I believe that danger and harm is brought to our community if we encourage this (psychic reader) and God’s own judgment on our city. There’s concern for our children, our youth and all our citizens. I think the Lord would like us to be a city that is thinking of him and is focused on him.”

[,,,]
John Pohl said, “Why would you want to come to Yucaipa? We don’t need a business like that. Yucaipa believes in the morals of the Lord and they don’t need a thorn in their eye.”

Flora Pohl said, “I do not like psychics and I don not approve it. There’s so many bad things and I’m not for it. He can pick up and go back to where he came from.”

Sharon Orr, who owns Up town Pets, said she was not in favor of the next door business and the potential problems it could bring.

Ceasar and Yolanda Flores from the Christ the Redeemer Church said they were very much opposed to the psychic reader. “If we permit this, than anything else (can come here),” said Ceasar. “We do not approve or believe in this. Not any part of it.”

“What’s next,” asked Yolanda. “Like my husband said, someone’s gonna sell drugs in front of our church? I’m sorry but I don’t believe good people would go into this business. I’m sorry. I’m against this.”

Regardless of where one stands concerning psychics, it is an alternative or non-traditional belief system. Many believe their gift is from God ("I’m surprised you know me. I’m a devoted Catholic.") but yet this man is being denied his right to open a business. These people are discriminating based on their religious beliefs/rights at the expense of someone else’s business. Are they going to apply that standard to the rest of the businesses in town?

The "wall of separation" matter,s as obviously this man doesn't believe in the Reich's God. I rest my case!!

Planners split on contentious permit for psychic reader - News Mirror: News

UPDATE::Video of my secular invocation | justinvacula.com

I am seriously wondering how council's refusal to amend their "policy" concerning prayer will jive with the recent Greece v. Galloway ruling. But Kudos to Justin for having the tenacity to follow this through.

Council did not allow me (or anyone else) to provide an invocation in place of council’s recurring ‘Almighty God in Heaven’ prayer during meetings, but allowed me to provide a secular invocation during the public comment section. Sadly, council does not want to budge.

While I am dissatisfied with being sequestered to the public comment section rather than being allowed time to speak in place of council’s prayer, I took the opportunity to deliver a secular invocation which included a healthy dose of skepticism and parts of my ‘life philosophy.’

Video of my secular invocation | justinvacula.com

See also:

Utility to bypass Wilkes-Barre council, proceed with natural gas pipeline project in Brookside

But there were no fireworks during the secular invocation delivered by Justin Vacula, spokesperson for the NEPA Freethought Society, in response to the prayer at the beginning of the public meeting.

Vacula, 25, of Exeter, asked to give the invocation in place of the Judeo-Christian prayer, but was told he could deliver it during the public comment period in which speakers are given five minutes to address council.

“As we gather, we are reminded that although we have differences, we are linked by our common humanity,” he said in the invocation that lasted approximately four minutes.

Vacula said he might give an invocation regularly at the meetings. “We’ll see how it goes. If there are other matters to present, maybe I’ll present those matters,” he said.

Activist Justin Vacula speaking up again through ‘secular invocation’ at Wilkes-Barre City Council meeting - Times Leader

I have been following Justin's activism since November of last year. As we both are Pennsylvania residents (opposite sides of the state) some of what he writes about does impact the State as a whole. As a fellow atheist I try and support the cause in whatever way I am able too and his recent battle with Wilkes-Barre City Council not only has local and regional implications, but also state and national as it falls under the guise of the Greece v. Galloway ruling.

Justin Vacula wants to talk with the members of Wilkes-Barre City Council, but he doesn’t think they’re listening.

Vacula, 25, said he plans to take another shot at capturing the council’s attention Thursday, when he reads a “secular invocation” during the public comment period of its next meeting.

The invocation, he said, will be offered as an alternative to the Christian prayer traditionally given at the opening of meetings and will not be intended to offend or insult any religious individuals or their beliefs.

“It’s going to be inclusive, and something that applies to everyone,” said Vacula, the leader of an area group that promotes atheism.

[,,,]
Councilman Tony George said Vacula’s complaint is the first he has heard regarding the prayer during his three years on the council.

[,,,]
At this time, he said, all the members of the City Council identify as Christians, so they chose a Christian prayer to open their meetings.

“If someone from the council wanted to add something else to it, that’s also fine,” he said.

Still, since he began voicing his concerns at meetings in 2013, Vacula said, the council has been steadfast in dismissing him.

“They really haven’t budged on the matter at all,” he said.

The reason they haven't budged is that they have a very narrow view of what is acceptable under the law as compared to what they should be doing in representing their constituents. If one were to take a quick glance, it would appear as if Christian privilege rules the day. A viewpoint that is prevalent in the comments:

"This idiot is at it again? He's not an Activist, he's a P.I.T.A."

"*SHRUG * ..... I find it amusing that he spends so much of his time fighting against something he says does not exist"

"This fellow's mission is as self-righteous and attention-seeking as fanatical fundamentalist religious zealots who try to force their particular beliefs on others in the name of their belief,,,"

Activist Justin Vacula speaking up again through ‘secular invocation’ at Wilkes-Barre City Council meeting - Times Leader