RockForLife Calls March of Dimes Evil

I've written on the wonderfully horrible Rock For Life group before, but I wanted to share another delightful tid-bit with you. Check out what they have to say about March of Dimes.

I personally love how they drag embryonic research back into the argument. Honestly, when you're fighting for the "right to life" an embryo has, is it really that important what happens AFTER you lose said fight?

Normally I would rant about this for a few paragraphs, but honestly, I can't do it on this. The simple fact that people's religious beliefs are now impacting scientific advancement in SAVING LIVES is stunning. It's sad and it's scary, too.

Notice, that they also mention how sinister that, "MOD gave $19,000 to Dr. John F. S. Crocker of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to study congenital kidney abnormalities." Is that such a travesty? What would have happened if the Polio vaccine had somehow gone against their religious dogma? Would we still be suffering from it? What about the stem cell research that goes into developing new skin for burn victims? Should we tell the little girl in the hospital with 70% of her bodies mutilated, "Sorry, it would be a sin to help you."?

Just trying to wrap my head around the idea that they want to STOP. HELPING. PEOPLE. is so fucking disturbing.

He-Jesus

I can't begin to imagine what this image is supposed to do. Is it supposed to be offensive? And if so, to whom is it aimed? I'm just confused.

Dinesh D'Souza: Ignorant, Arrogant and Willing To Use Tragedy To Twist Your Ear

Dinesh D'Souza is one of the more outspoken apologetics out there. His diatribes on how Atheism is wrong and it's SO clear to see are nothing more than retread double-speak that would make Orwell groan.

I can give you a million reasons why Dinesh is Ignorant, Arrogant, Etc. Like this, and this, or even this.

But here's the one I came across recently, written just after the Virginia Tech shootings. I'll re-post the entire text right here so the folks over at AOL News don't get the idea that people are reading his crap:

Notice something interesting about the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings? Atheists are nowhere to be found. Every time there is a public gathering there is talk of God and divine mercy and spiritual healing. Even secular people like the poet Nikki Giovanni use language that is heavily drenched with religious symbolism and meaning.

The atheist writer Richard Dawkins has observed that according to the findings of modern science, the universe has all the properties of a system that is utterly devoid of meaning. The main characteristic of the universe is pitiless indifference. Dawkins further argues that we human beings are simply agglomerations of molecules, assembled into functional units over millennia of natural selection, and as for the soul--well, that's an illusion!

To no one's surprise, Dawkins has not been invited to speak to the grieving Virginia Tech community. What this tells me is that if it's difficult to know where God is when bad things happen, it is even more difficult for atheism to deal with the problem of evil. The reason is that in a purely materialist universe, immaterial things like good and evil and souls simply do not exist. For scientific atheists like Dawkins, Cho's shooting of all those people can be understood in this way--molecules acting upon molecules.

If this is the best that modern science has to offer us, I think we need something more than modern science.

Isn't that a breath of fresh air? A few things:

1. Atheists ARE there. They just aren't using the time to shove their personal beliefs on anyone else. They have the decency to recognize that it just isn't the time or place for that sort of thing. It's people like YOU, Dinesh, that can't seem to distinguish between whats appropriate.
2. Your entire second paragraph is so full of overstatement and blind sarcasm, I can see your eyebrows rising and feel your nudging elbow in my rib while you grin, "Can you believe that? Crazy, right?... I hear they gonna put in on'a them Walmarts down the Route 9!"
3. You're absolutely right, Double D. Dawkins wasn't asked to speak. Neither were you. For that matter, neither was J.K. Rowling, Danielle Steel, or Stephen Hawking. All published authors, (All of whom have sold more books than you) that weren't asked to speak either. Maybe because it just isn't relevant to have a writer, atheist or otherwise, involved with the event.
4. How many times do we have to revisit the "Athiests don't know good and evil!" rhetoric? It's so absurd, I don't need to explain how this is absolutely wrong, but I will say this; If you need the fear of retribution by God to stop you from doing "bad things", you just aren't a good person.
5. "Molecules acting upon molecules".... Do you even have a point you are trying to make? Because if you are, you aren't helping.
6. And to top it all off, the little post-scritp-esque ending line that HAS. NOTHING. TO. DO. WITH. A N Y T H I N G. Is he insinuating that the shadowy, ominous figure of "science" (like it's a single entity) actually is responsible for the shooting? Or just that it fails to comfort the grieving? "Science" has no place in mourning. It simply isn't part of the realm. It's a process of obtaining knowledge, not of comforting people. It's like saying, "Where was MATH when the towers fell?!!" Utterly absurd.

By the way, here's a Professor from V.T. who is Atheist responding to Double D.

Wrong-Aid

Heres a great idea; Let's open a drug store and, based on personal belief, deny women contraception! Who's with me?


No one?


At least these people are.

Thanks, George

I'm sure every blog is going to have a clip of George Carlin today, but I want to keep a little of it going. George Carlin was a HUGE influence in me wanting to do comedy and he has always been a great Atheist.




This clip is from the album, I can't remember which one it was, it was the first comedy album that I ever owned. It was a white tape and I listened to it ALL the time. Over and over until it broke. I just listened to it now and felt like I was in elementary school again. It's a little dated at the end, but it is a classic.

Why?

I just found out that a movie is being ruined with a sequel. While this isn't the first time this has happened, it certainly is one of the most perplexing sequel attempts ever.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the worst idea for a sequel ever:

S.Darko

That's right, a sequel to Donnie Darko. The writer/director of the original, Richard Kelly, who can't even make another film as good as his first, has completely disowned the new travesty and swears he has no involvement. Off to a good start.

Then we find out the movie's focus is on Samantha Darko (hence the really clever title), Donnie's little sister who is now 18 in the film. How can it get better? I know! Let's add in Elizabeth Berkley! You know, Jesse from Saved By The Bell who went on to become the whore du'jour in ShowGirls? That's right, we're bringing in the talent of SHOWGIRLS.

Sorry to ruin your day.

Tucker And Movies

As requested, Tucker has asked me to post this:

"Hey, Y'all. I found this terrific and SAFE website I want to show y'all. I think it's wonderful that we can finally, as good CHRISTIAN folks, be able to avoid anything that may require us to question our belief or may introduce us to cultures and values different than our own. Y'all should check the inter-web location site below.

MovieGuide

I hope y'all enjoy my video and make sure you keep your comments church-clean!

P.S. - I'm praying for those poor girls in the 2 Girls 1 Cup video I saw. I saw the title and thought it was about two wholesome girls and the sacrement of Jesus. The only holy content in that Sin-ematic experience is the fact that I passed out and heard God Himself (Not Herself for all those pagan, worldviewers out there) retching and vomiting. Y'all made God vomit!"

Getting To Know Scientologists

The guys over at Funny Or Die had this up. It's taken from an actual Scientology Propaganda video. But see if you can spot the new addition to the clip...



The BEST Part? You can't even tell the difference between the insanity!

A New Member Of wwRd

While on my trip to Louisiana, I stopped in South Carolina for a visit to the most trash-tastic store on the planet: JR Discount. It mainly consisted of cheap cigarettes and Stetson hats. But one thing caught my eye. By one thing, I mean one PERSON. After talking for a while, it was plain to see that we would need to bring him with us. So, upon our return home, I allowed this guy to make a video and post it here. He has a story to tell. While we don't agree with eachother on beliefs, I'll allow him to voice his opinion (after all, its the ruling opinion of the Evangelicals). Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you.... Tucker:



As per his request, you can find the link to his brethren here. I recommend the Biblical Puppets.

Your Tuition Paid For This?

This video is from a graduation ceremony at a PUBLIC college in Texas. How was this allowed to go on as long as it did? The very first thing she starts in on is the "sin" of knowledge?! SHE'S GRADUATING.

As kids we're taught that there is a time and a place. Time = NOT THEN. Place = NOT THERE. Think of all the students, their families, everyone that had to sit through that when they were there to celebrate an achievement in their lives. I can't imagine having to sit through that. I have yet to see an Atheist do this. In fact:

If you have footage of an Atheist doing something like this, e-mail me and I'll post it on here with an apology.

Last thing, Humanism is a sin? Wow, I thought recognizing the human race as a whole and doing what we can to come together and make the world better was a GOOD thing!

Hey Kids!!

My friend, Kelsey sent me this a little while ago and I finally got around to watching it. Pretty funny.

Like I said before, expect a post soon on some things I saw on my trip!

I Think I Love Barack...

I just got back from New Orleans and came across this clip before passing out. I have a lot to post about the relevant portions of my trip, but it'll have to wait... (If I see another Baptist Church, I'm going to vomit)

Until then, enjoy... I never thought I could get behind a political figure... I think I'm getting close to that though.

A Quick Line From Virginia

I'm in Arlington, VA tonight, heading to Norfolk in the morning and on down to Georgia the day after. I'm having a blast and can't help but feel extremely Libertarian under the watchful gaze of the countless monuments surrounding me. Today I passed every single D.C. monument and building and am less than a mile or so away from Arlington Cemetary. After I post this, just before I go to bed, I'll smoke a cigarette in this unaccustomed heat looking at the jutting knife-point of the Washington Monument, cast in a yellow haze of light from the halogen display below. I'll do this and feel more like a dissident than a patriot.... ANYWAY... Here's a new song I found just before I left for the trip. I really dig it and it seems to embody a few of my thoughts this evening.

Oh, and don't think of me as some dour, muttering narcisist. I am having a GREAT time on my vacation!

Gone To New Orleans... Be Back Soon!

I found this gem while looking for touristy stuff on New Orleans. I can't wait! I thought I would leave this for you before I leave. Oh, and here's one more for you:



Everyone was making those ridiculous 'Chuck Norris' jokes, but we all know Johnny Cash could kick his teeth out just playing a chord. You know, I know it, just accept it.

Johnny Cash: The only JC I believe in.

How Does Equating Worship With Soldier-Like Violence Praise Jesus?

Before leaving for New Orleans tomorrow, I wanted to leave you with this: A truly scary sign of what seems inevitable in Evangelical belief. Check out the website here.

I watched the video and honestly, I have no idea what they are REALLY trying to say. Other than music being responsible for all the bad things in this country, there isn't much in the way of a message. I mean, I'm used to seeing music brought in to the whole "terrible influence on the youth, destroying our country, blah blah blah" thing, but it's always just ONE of many things that these people rail against. To see it stand alone is odd, and I can't figure out what the 'ministry' does with it. I will say though that it's nice to see so many white kids enjoying themselves.

A few things:

1. This country was NOT founded on 'GOD'. It was founded on the principals of Freedom... originally only white people, but we've come pretty far on that... we still need a little work in that area... okay, we were founded on not paying taxes then... wait, we pay outrageous taxes, some of which the founding fathers fought to rebel from... okay... we are founded on.... uh... SHOW THE FLAG AGAIN!!
2. By the way, the whole Flag and Cross image right in the beginning? That's some scary shit, right? I mean, how far off is that from say the Russian Flag and Stalin or the Nazi Germany Flag and Hitler... OH, that's where I saw all those kids before!
3. But.... Now.... This.... (QUE THE FUCKING FLAG!!!!!!) NATION!
4. Music?! Seriously?
5. 'Pollute' over Hillary? I'm confused.
6. Was that The Simpsons?
7. Then all the weird, not-really-cohesive-or-pertinent-crap starts.

Post-Rapture Email?

You've Been Left Behind is a site that allows people to leave messages for loved ones to be sent after "The Rapture". Terrific. Now, after the Rapture happens, you can STILL contact the Reasonable people and harass them about Jesus.

Presumably, the Rapture will happen (AND IT'S GONNA HAPPEN SOOOOON!!!! - Random Evangelical) and all true believers in Christ will vanish leaving only the people who haven't accepted Jesus as their personal savior. So they'll be Left Behind for the Tribulation....

Does any of this sound remotely believable? I mean, people give Scientology so much crap when you have a perfectly absurd religious belief right in front of you. That's the part that a lot of people don't really recognize when they see the Left Behind book series or this ridiculous website: People ACTUALLY believe this will happen. They REALLY do... Let that sink in for a moment....

Now, here's a few facts:

The popularization of the term is associated with teaching of John Nelson Darby, prominent among the Plymouth Brethren, and the rise of premillennialism and dispensationalism in English-speaking churches at the end of the 19th century. In 1908, the doctrine of the rapture was further popularized by an evangelist named William Eugene Blackstone, whose book, Jesus Is Coming, sold more than one million copies. The first known appearance of the theological use of the word "rapture" in print occurs with the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909.^[12]

In 1957, Dr. John Walvoord, a theologian at Dallas Theological Seminary, authored a book, "The Rapture Question," that gave theological support to the Pre-Tribulation rapture; this book eventually sold over 65,000 copies. In 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost authored another book supporting the Pre-Tribulation rapture, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology, that sold 215,000 copies.

Interesting note on the Scofield Reference Bible: It was written by a man arrested for fraud. Yeah. Then he published his own interpretation of the bible with his own "sermon" written in the margins and as footnotes. People reading it mistakenly took his notes to be part of the Bible, thus the incredible acceptance of this 'end-times' scary story. Sounds really similar to how the Mormon religion started, too. But that's another post.

Today we see a more modern approach to the Rapture; Money. The biggest selling and most often confused-for-fact book/books are the Left Behind series. The nicest thing to be said about these books is that the authors really know how to sell them. The unfortunate part is that they are not only advocating the belief in the Rapture, but blatantly defining it. The books play out more like a "this is what IS going to happen" and not "this is total bullshit".

What I don't understand is how people can believe this stuff. Okay, okay, you believe in God. You believe in Jesus. You even adhere to a specific doctrine of the faith such as the doctrines of Catholicism or Protestantism. But at the very least, those particular sects are OLD. They can be traced back throughout history and you might even be able to learn the early beginnings of such religions, but they at LEAST have the cloud of history, the haze of "olden days" to hide behind. No one really KNOWS who wrote most of the stuff involved. But with Mormonism, Evangelism, Scientology, etc. You know EXACTLY who wrote these things! How can you claim divinity in someone that you can REALLY investigate, let alone the fact that two of the 'creators' of these religions were arrested for fraud and the other was a science fiction writer who said "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion."?

ANYWAY, lets go back to the website at hand. Here's what they have to say about Why they started this:

We all have family and friends who have failed to receive the Good News of the Gospel.
The unsaved will be 'left behind' on earth to go through the "tribulation period" after the "Rapture". You remember how, for a short time, after (9/11/01) people were open to spiritual things and answers. (We are still singing "God Bless America" at baseballs' seventh inning stretch.) Imagine how taken back they will be by the millions of missing Christians and devastation at the rapture. They will know it was true and that they have blown it. There will be a small window of time where they might be reached for the Kingdom of God. We have made it possible for you to send them a letter of love and a plea to receive Christ one last time. You can also send information based on scripture as to what will happen next. Each fulfilled prophecy will cause your letter and plea to be remembered and a decision to be made.

"WHY" is one last chance to bring them to Christ and snatch them from the flames!

Okay, let's respond:

1. I can't believe the reference to 9/11. That boggles my mind and has no reason for being on the website.
2. If they are 'taken aback' by the missing, won't they then have proof of the rapture? And if so, then accepting Jesus wouldn't be based on faith, but self-preservation. I'm an Atheist (Surprise!!) and if all the 'true' Christians disappeared one day, after I enjoyed a country free of puritanical insanity for a bit, I would pray to the then proven Jesus and be 'saved'. Does that make me a Christian? No. If Allah or L. Ron's King of Aliens made themselves 'proven', I would do the same thing. It has nothing to do with faith, it has everything to do with what I as a human being can discern as truth.
3. 'They'll have blown it'? Is that really a sound statement? Because it sounds petty and vengeful to me.
4. Please keep your 'snatching' away from me. I'm just fine. Oh, and if you DO disappear, you're going in my SPAM folder anyway.

Bookstore - Update

Last night, I sent a copy of the complaint letter over to Hemant Mehta at Friendly Atheist. As a daily reader of his blog, I have to admit it's kind of cool to be a part of it. People have, so far, had some interesting opinions on the matter. You can check out the responses here. As you can see, I replied to some and I'll copy that reply below. I'll keep you posted on what develops.

Hi, I’m the “guy” that wrote this letter. Just a few points:

1. I wrote the letter because it indeed DID stick with me long after it happened. My reasoning being; If I can’t feel good about my experience there, why should I keep quiet?

2. The reason I sent it to the executive branch was simple: They’ll move on this. The store manager can shrug it off very easily because it really doesn’t affect him/her. But when you get to the heart of a business, things are dealt with much more effectively.

3. What do I expect out of this? Nothing really. I just wanted Borders to know this had happened and I wanted to get the whole situation off my chest. I feel much better about the situation. And NO: I’m not a very sensitive person, I CAN take a joke, and in fact I usually don’t get upset about anything.

4. The reason I put this on my blog is because it is an Atheist matter and my blog is primarily Atheist. Makes sense, right?

5. I am in no way calling Borders out or demanding a boycott. Go to Borders. Shop at Borders. I was just there yesterday, that’s what got me thinking about sending a letter. I love going there, sitting in the cafe’ with my fiance and friends, drinking coffee and reading books and magazines. (I do buy what I read though, it’s not a library… okay, sometimes I read a magazine and don’t buy it) But seriously, there is no call to arms about any of this. I just thought it was interesting and a viable topic for an Atheist blog and apparently it is because you read it here.

6. I will not be taking any ‘legal’ steps in this at all. No, I won’t be taking the matter to the BBB or anything, I simply wanted them to take the letter seriously and any ‘complaint letter’ should include such information. Take a look at Consumerist.com.

7. I didn’t know so many people would have such opinionated viewpoints on the whole thing. I figured it was just some info to share. Any updates, I’ll post them to WhatWouldRayDo.blogspot.com

I hope that helps clear some of this up. Thanks!

Abstinence Sweats? Isn't That Redundant?

Those wonderful people at your local K-(Why hasn't this company gone bankrupt yet)Mart have started carrying a wonderful line of Abstinence Sweats for girls. Because nothing says "stay away from sex" better than writing it on the ass of a teenage girl! Here's what they have to say about the product:

These athletic pants boldly proclaim just where she stands by pointing out that "True Love Waits" in a large screen print on the front and back of these pants.

• Drawstring waist
• Bold abstinence screen print
• Elastic cuffs. Cotton/Polyester blend
• Machine washable
• Imported

Bold.... Abstinence... Screenprint. I never thought I would read those words together.

A Great Secular Song (And One Of My Favorite New Bands)

Frightened Rabbit is a great band from Scotland. While this is technically the single from their second album, "Midnight Organ Fight" just out a couple of months ago, this is the first album that seems to be getting any attention over here in the states.

Hope you enjoy the song, I love it.

Lyrics:

Jesus is just a spanish boy's name.
how come one man got so much fame?
to enemy, it's pointless to anybody
that doesn't have faith
give me the cloth and i'll wipe my face.

when it's all gone
SOMETHING carries on
and it's not mod at all,
just when natures had enough of you...
when my blood stops,
someone else's will not.
when my head rolls off,
someone else's will turn.
and while i'm alive, i'll make tiny changes to earth.

so you can burn me
cause we'll all be the same, the same way...
dirt in someone's eyes flies down the drain
i believe in a house in the clouds
and god's got his best friends round
he's painted all the walls red
to remind them they're all dead

you know when it's all gone, something carries on...
and it's not mod at all -
just when nature's had enough of you.
when my blood stops
someone else's will not.
when my head rolls off
someone else's will turn.
you can mark my words, i'll make tiny changes to earth.

while i'm alive
I'LL MAKE TINY CHANGES TO EARTH.

On A Personal Note: Borders...

I went to Borders recently and well... The letter below can explain. I just sent this off to just about EVERY executive at Borders and we'll see what they have to say. (It's amazing what a little research on the web can get you) At first, I laughed the whole thing off, but as time went on, I realized just how much that comment bothered me. Again, it's that fun game I like to play where you replace Atheist with any other group of people and suddenly the dynamic shifts. Let's hope I get a reply. (I'm blocking out my contact info as I don't really want it posted on the internet):

Ray Harrington

XXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Borders, Inc.

100 Phoenix Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently while at your XXXXX, Maine store, I purchased two books. One of which was The Portable Atheist, a collection of Atheist writings over the last few centuries. As a very loyal and regular customer, (I shop at your store almost weekly and always make a purchase) I was shocked and offended when the woman ringing in my books commented on the book; “Atheism, eh? Well… I guess I’ll keep my comments and thoughts to myself.” This was said with such arrogance and blatant mockery that I stumbled over my words as I paid for my books and left.

At first, I was surprised at what she had said, was that REALLY what just happened? As the days went on, I realized just how insensitive and downright offensive that statement was. In fact, some might construe that to be an affront to my religious beliefs and I am inclined to agree. If the woman had referred to a Bible or the Qur’an in this manner, I’m sure you would be hearing from a religious group on the matter as an attack of Civil Liberties. As it is, I have only one recourse, and that is to contact you personally. The matter has left me feeling so insulted that I must ask myself if I can feel confident in being a Border’s Books customer any longer.

To be honest, I don’t know what may reinstate my confidence in Borders. I only ask that you do as you see fit. This matter is gravely important to me and I will be very much interested in seeing it resolved. As a loyal customer, I hope I can retain a sense of dignity when shopping your stores. I look forward to your reply and a resolution to this problem, and will wait until June 9^th to report this matter to a Consumer Protection Agency, The Better Business Bureau, and any other avenues that deal with these issues. Please contact me by e-mail, the above address, or by phone at XXXXXXXX.

Sincerely,

Ray Harrington

Trip Prep. Part 1 - God and Politics in Lynchburg, Tennessee

Getting ready to drive down to New Orleans next week, I'm preparing myself for the trip through The South including the Carolinas and Alabama by catching up with the Southern view on God and Politics... I'm going to get shot. I'll be sporting a custom "Atheist: A Non-Prophet Organization" shirt that Kat is being nice enough to make for me. I'll be sure to pose for pictures while I'm in Alabama wearing the shirt!! (Please send all hospital bill donations to my home address)

So... Let's find out what some of the views are in the South!

A few things on this video:

1. Huckabee lost. You lose, America wins.

2. The whole qu'ran thing is absolutely wrong and bigoted.

3. Saying one thing and doing another? Like "No Child Left Behind" and that whole "Mission Accomplished" thing?

4. The country wasn't founded on the bible.

5. Their faith and not our faith? I can't begin to tell you how wrong that is.

6. He DID do the pledge, he didn't sing the anthem. Get it right.

7. No one 'pulled' God out of the government, he was never there. Some people are trying to PUSH it into government.

8. Why is a young teenage girl weighing in on Politics? That just shows that she's spouting anything she hears from her family. Brainwashing is pretty neat.

9. The whole Obama thing is so overtly Racist, it's hard not to see it as they get angry. I have to wonder if they've ever met someone opposed to their structure of belief or if they just assume the 'evil' in them.

Abstaining From Reason - Part 1 - Overview

There seems to be so much to talk about when it comes to Abstinence Only programs that are being taught all over the country. Regardless of what some groups may say, nearly ALL of these programs' core ideology come from their Christian roots. In fact, I don't know of a single Secular sex education program that teaches Abstinence Only. Why? BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK!!

It's very easy to see why this is the case when you look at the facts: Abstinence Only teaches children to wait... and wait... and that's about it. No information is provided for these kids about condoms, the pill, etc. So, when they do eventually have sex... And they WILL have sex, it's fucking inevitable. And inevitable fucking.... When they do have sex, they are less likely to use protection resulting in higher cases of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Here are some facts to show I can do a google search:

''There is nothing in any peer-reviewed scientific journal to suggest that teaching abstinence-only is effective in getting teens to delay sexual activity,'' said one expert, Cynthia Dailard, a lawyer and senior public policy associate at the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights.

In contrast, Ms. Dailard has reported, considerable evidence shows that sex education promoting abstinence, but also providing information on the benefits of contraception for those who do not remain abstinent, does delay the start of sexual activity. Such programs also reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancies and S.T.D.'s, she has found.

Furthermore, she and others who have reviewed the findings of many carefully done studies are worried about the effects of the abstinence-only approach on teenagers who do become sexually active. If teenagers are given no information about birth control, or only negative information, the studies indicate that they are less likely to use any method of protection, and are thus more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease than are teenagers who are well informed about condoms and other contraceptive options.

One national study, published in 2001 in The American Journal of Sociology, found that while some teenagers who promised to remain abstinent until marriage delayed sexual activity by an average of 18 months, they were more likely to have unprotected sex when they broke their pledge than those who had never pledged virginity in the first place.

And Columbia University researchers reported in March that in a national study of teenagers who pledged not to have sex before marriage, a majority did not live up to their vows. The adolescents also developed sexually transmitted diseases at about the same rate as teenagers who had not made virginity pledges.

See? Not only does it not work, it's actually BAD for teens. And you know what the best part is? YOU are paying for this to be taught to children! That's right, open your wallet and hand over some of your money to these ignorant puritans! How much money? Well, let's check. Last April, the Washington Post stated this:

The federal government spends $176 million a year on abstinence-only education, and millions more are spent every year in state and local matching grants.

That's a lot of our money spent on something that actually does more harm than good. I wonder why it's so much? Only a president with extreme religitical (that's religious and political together, clever huh?) views would allow that, right?

President Bush is asking for $273 million for fiscal 2005.

Oh.

Well, maybe he just got confused about what he was pushing. I mean, he does get confused...

President Bush, in speaking to high school students in South Carolina two years ago, said that ''abstinence works every time,''

Now why didn't your Dad say that?

SO... thats where we are on the whole subject thus far. I've got quite a few things lined up for the follow-ups. We'll see how it pans out. Stay tuned for the next installment: Condoms.

The Bible Confirmed Through Science?

This is a fun one. Here's what this man has to say about the Bible and science... Now lets refute, shall we?:

(0:00 - 0:10) Saying it twice doesn't make it true. Watch: Say it with me now, "Sarah Jessica Parker doesn't have a horse-face. Sarah Jessica Parker doesn't have a horse-face."... Did it work?... Nope, she's still all Sex And Mr.Ed.

(0:20) Oooh! He talked about me! I scoff, I scoff!

(0:28) Wrong. First off, "science" never made any announcement. Ever. "Science" is not a group, club or organization and there was never a time when "science" came out of it's lab and said "We now know... there are too many stars to count... Dr. Mathis tried earlier and said that it was just fucking crazy." I'll let you spout on before I follow up.

(0:40) If this is the heart of your argument, you need to check your history books. Ok, Isaiah said that, fine. But I'm an English Major and I can tell you from reading countless (almost as countless as the stars) early/ancient literature and I hate to spoil your sermon, but that's what any one who has read a book would call a "Simile". This is when two unlike things are compared using small similarities and prefaced with the words 'like' or 'as'. (You could also argue it as an analogy or, if your stretching, a metaphor)

This form of writing has existed... FOREVER. Read Gilgamesh, written around 2750 and 2500 BC. (Speaking of Gilgamesh, it's awfully familiar to Noah. Hmm.) Not to mention the birth of literature from the Greeks. you know, the guys that just about created Astronomy? (I would say they DID create the basis of what we call astronomy, however there is recent evidence that shows ancient India was working this stuff out a little earlier, but the juries still out.)

The Greeks went WAY further in this than "trying to count the stars" and created the calender that we STILL use today by calculating the earths rotation and the alignment of the planets. Not to mention early constellations and predicted solar and lunar activity. A little more 'scientific' than the 'grains of sand' theory.

Oh, and what about what Mathew has to say?

Mathew, 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light..."

So the Moon gives light? But the 'Science' says it reflects the light from the sun?? (That's just one of many references to the moon's 'light' that can be found in the Bible. Just check the first page. Yeah, the FIRST PAGE.)

(1:29) Man, the Hubble Telescope was such a waste of money! We could have just read the Bible.

(2:05) Uh-oh, there's that tricky literary stuff again! See, what was said there has been said by EVERY religion and culture (at least those who have kept written records) in our entire history. Every "creation story" has a beginning point of 'what can't be seen', that goes for the whole Earth-on-the-turtle's-back thing, too. How is such a simple form of writing being missed? Literalism, as crazy as it is, has it's limits!

(2:17) "Quite frankly", if you base your entire structure of acceptance of reality on what the Bible supports, you must find it hard to function in the world.

(2:35) All scathing responses aside, the Bible is also not meant for the following:

- Field Guide to Birds
- First Aid Response Pamphlet
- News Paper
- Annotated Index of Human Organs
- Medical Textbook
- State Legislative Text
- Piano
- Underwear
- Person
- Reliable Historical, Scientific, Archeological, Cultural, basis for ANYTHING... Especially Reality or the basis there-in.

(2:53) I think its less How to go to Heaven and more Why you're going to Hell, really.

(3:02) The only book with Authority?! Have you READ Cash: An Autobiography of Johnny Cash by Johnny Cash?!

I Really Hope This Is Fake

Answers In Genesis is quite possibly the biggest Creationist group out there. After seeing some of the stuff they put out, I hate to admit I wasn't entirely shocked that this might really be their work. But the Rational part of thinks it's a gun safety PSA with the AiG logo spliced in.

Let's hope it is a 'joke'.

If You're Going To Say Something Crazy, At Least Back It Up... Or At The VERY Least Finish What You Start!

When someone states that the Bible is without error, I automatically assume they haven't read it. I've read the Bible a few times, along with other books about the Bible and I'm sorry, but error is the best umbrella term to collectively state that the Bible has conflicting stories, mathematic and scientific error, historical inaccuracies when matched with real archeology, and just plain wrong statements. Don't 'believe' me? Check out a fun site:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/


As for the video, I'll respond point by point:

1 - So what you are saying is that unless I blindly accept the Bible, it won't make sense? Well, I agree! Unless I am willing to completely ignore what I know and the most basic of reality, then no, I won't be able to swallow much of anything Biblical.

If I told you that I could fly and you could, too. But only if you truly believe that you can fly and you don't ever question that you can... would you jump off of a building with me? Okay, what if I told you that I can make myself invisible, but only if you close your eyes and really REALLY believe? It's starting to remind me of when Tinkerbell dies and Peter Pan needs everyone to clap to prove they believe in the Fairy.

2 - You already said that.

3 - ... No 3? You said 10! That's not very dedicated OR accurate... and that's just ironic.

4 through 10 and any other points - Keep Clapping.

Hey, Evangelicals! Ever Hear of Manifest Destiny?

Mike posted in a comment recently about Evangelicals (the cultiest of Christians) and their thoughts on the "Holy Land". I had intended on this being my follow up post to something else, but now seems as good a time as any.