Obama still proclaimed the National Day of Prayer this year, even though the ruling said it was unconstitutional. The government is wasting good tax dollars appealing. Of course. Power hungry sycophants!

I guess we’ll still keep holding the National Day of Reason until reason and the constitution prevail.

Cross-posted from Morgantown Atheists

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I can’t believe Jesse quit! He’ll be back, don’t you think?

Now onto more serious issues that have been weighing on my mind lately, and yours as well, most likely.

Johnny posted something on Facebook the other day that I have been meaning to share with you.

On Wikipedia there is a page on the Age of Consent in Europe. Johnny pointed out what it says for the Vatican:

The equal age of consent is 12. When there is a relationship of dependence (teacher/student, etc) the age of consent is 15 years.

Doesn’t that seem awfully young? Especially for a place where many people are supposed to be celibate? Anyway, it’s just another ugly fact about the Vatican, I guess.

I haven’t said much about it all (mainly because I have been trying not to burst into flames from anger), but today I heard a recent episode of Reasonable Doubts which focused on the Scandal of Pope Ratz and the evil, horrid criminals he didn’t stop from abusing innocent boys. The guys are RD provide a bunch of links to news reports and other information about the scandal. You might find links there that are new to you. If you can stomach it.

I read this interesting article in Newsweek that shed light on celibacy in catholicism. It was based on a memo by a nun named Marie McDonald called “The Problem of the Sexual Abuse of African Religious in Africa and in Rome.”

“Sexual harassment and even rape of sisters by priests and bishops is allegedly common,” it said. Sisters, financially dependent on priests, occasionally have to perform sexual favors in exchange for money.

The Vatican’s stance: “The problem is known and is restricted to a limited geographical area,” said Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman at the time. This is an isolated incident, in other words; we’ve got it under control.

How much longer will people still follow this incredibly corrupt, heinous, powerful beast? How much longer will countries and governments let this monstrous organization abuse their children and continue to turn a blind eye? It is despicable. When is enough enough?

Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are taking positive steps though. I sure hope they succeed. They have asked human rights lawyers to produce a case for charging Pope Ratz of “crimes against humanity” for his coverup of sexual abuse in the Catholic church.

The pope is to be in Britain between September 16 and 19, visiting London, Glasgow and Coventry. He shouldn’t be able to claim diplomatic immunity from arrest because he is not the head of a state recognized by the United Nations.

Let’s hope the pope has the arrogance to set foot on British soil, and let’s hope Britain has the spine to actually arrest him and throw him in prison for his hideous actions, protecting the church while sentencing thousands of innocent children to be damned to sexual abuse, a fate that haunts a person for his or her entire life. Truly a crime against humanity.

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I just read an article by Staks Rosch in the Philadelphia Examiner about the FSGP and their Tree of Knowledge. It’s an evergreen tree decorated with book covers (how shocking, how impudent!) from books representing knowledge, education, science, philosophy, morality, diversity and curiosity. (I am so offended! What? No Twilight?! No Dan Brown?!) Here is a complete list of the books represented.

Staks makes some points that I really like: “[The Tree of Knowledge]  is not an attack on religion, but rather an expression of an alternative set of values (i.e. knowledge and reason).”

How horrific! Now I understand why the good christians of the area are so up in arms, vandalizing the tree and organizing call campaigns to get it removed. And why the county is bending to the will of one religion on government property. It’s just so hateful to have a tree decorated with thoughtful, intelligent books. What? Oh? It’s not threatening at all? EXACTLY! WTF!

Staks also says, “Many Christians have claimed that the inclusion of humanist values next to the Jesus Crèche is an attempt to “steal” Christmas. It seems that many Christians are of the opinion that Christians own the winter season. They do not.”

Later he says, “Atheists aren’t trying to “steal” Christmas any more than Christians stole Saturnalia… oh wait, never mind.” Again, I agree completely.

This kind of thing makes me so angry. Religious organizations bully their way into having their cake and eating it too. Politicians and the masses alike bend to that will for what reason? Why do they get to own most holidays? My sister in law is offended when I say happy holidays instead of merry christmas. It’s the classic bully at the pulpit who then cries and runs for the government to protect him when someone brings up that he’s breaking the law or that he’s being a bully.

christians and muslims don’t want to play fair. They want to win. Which is why I am an activist atheist. I don’t want to be forced to pray to a man in the sky that doesn’t exist. I am moral and ethical on my own without being forced into the barbaric false ethics of an iron aged society of goat herders from the Middle East.

I suppose here in Morgantown, if such inequities are occurring, we’ll put up an atheist/humanist display soon too. At this time, I am not aware of any. But I haven’t checked every government building lawn for crèches either.

Keep an eye out in your town. If you see religious displays on government property, take action, form a group. You can then turn it into a community of like-minded people like we’ve got here in our sleepy little town. It’s the most wonderful feeling to hang out with a bunch of freethinkers. But don’t just take things lying down. Don’t let the religious people bully us into giving up our freedoms and our constitutional rights just because we are too apathetic to make a stand for those rights.

EDIT: The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia has helpful hints for setting up your own Tree of Knowledge.

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Pharyngula wrote about this the other night and noted that the giveaway is now 100,000 books at 100 universities, that Darwin’s text will remain intact, and the 50 page foreword will be rewritten to be more fair to atheists. (Does that mean it will be 50 blank pages?)

Here’s what I would love to see happen:

• Atheists, heathens, skeptics and science lovers go to the universities where these books are being given out, kindly receive the free book and walk away.
• (The next bit is optional) Then meet the other local atheists, walk back to the people giving the books away en masse, and quietly and politely rip out the intro, throw it in the trash and smile.
• (The next bit is also optional) Then get into a friendly debate with the Comfort/Cameron folks, always staying pleasant and friendly, but defeat them with logic, reason and science facts.

This would serve several purposes:

• It would keep the sullied copies of Darwin’s Origin of Species out of the hands of young people who are just learning to think a bit more critically and may not understand that the foreword is complete lies and bullshit
• It would make a statement
• It would show that Atheists CAN unite for a common cause, for one short afternoon, to do a good deed
• If the atheists are polite, friendly and well-spoken, it will show people that we are good, friendly people, not monsters.
• It will really upset Comfort and Cameron, which is great fun.

Here’s what you can do:

• Contact your local atheist/brights/freethinkers/skeptical/science/physics/logic/critical thinker, etc. group and talk to them about getting a group together to meet, receive a book, and perhaps make a statement with it en masse once you all have a copy.
• Help us find out what schools the books will be handed out at so we know where to go. I am not sure how to find this out.
• Go to your university on November 19 and at least get your copy of the book.

I think if possible (and yes, I know I’m publishing this to my blog), we would best be served if we kept this a bit quiet, at least for now. But spread the word, tell all your evolution-loving, blasphemous, hell-bound heathen friends and family about it.

We can disseminate information through here for now, so let us know if you have any ideas, suggestions and updates about the event, as well as if anyone can find out at which schools the books will be given out.

EDIT: Here is the pdf of Comfort’s 50 page foreword. I think this is the original one. When his revised version comes out, let me know so I can link it here!

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Excerpt from article by Sabina Amidi, special to the Jerusalem Post:

In a shocking and unprecedented interview, directly exposing the inhumanity of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s religious regime in Iran, a serving member of the paramilitary Basiji militia has told this reporter of his role in suppressing opposition street protests in recent weeks.

He has also detailed aspects of his earlier service in the force, including his enforced participation in the rape of young Iranian girls prior to their execution.

The interview took place by telephone, and on condition of anonymity. It was arranged by a reliable source whose identity can also not be revealed.

Founded by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 as a “people’s militia,” the volunteer Basiji force is subordinate to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and intensely loyal to Khomeini’s successor, Khamenei.

Explaining how he had come to join the volunteer Basiji forces, he said his mother had taken him to them.

When he was 16, “my mother took me to a Basiji station and begged them to take me under their wing because I had no one and nothing foreseeable in my future. My father was martyred during the war in Iraq and she did not want me to get hooked on drugs and become a street thug. I had no choice,” he said.

He said he had been a highly regarded member of the force, and had so “impressed my superiors” that, at 18, “I was given the ‘honor’ to temporarily marry young girls before they were sentenced to death.”

In the Islamic Republic it is illegal to execute a young woman, regardless of her crime, if she is a virgin, he explained. Therefore a “wedding” ceremony is conducted the night before the execution: The young girl is forced to have sexual intercourse with a prison guard – essentially raped by her “husband.”

“I regret that, even though the marriages were legal,” he said.

Why the regret, if the marriages were “legal?”

“Because,” he went on, “I could tell that the girls were more afraid of their ‘wedding’ night than of the execution that awaited them in the morning. And they would always fight back, so we would have to put sleeping pills in their food. By morning the girls would have an empty expression; it seemed like they were ready or wanted to die.

“I remember hearing them cry and scream after [the rape] was over,” he said. “I will never forget how this one girl clawed at her own face and neck with her finger nails afterwards. She had deep scratches all over her.”

————————————–
Words cannot express the horror, anger and sadness I felt as I read these words. I cried as I felt for all those wasted lives, the Iranian girls, sentenced to death, but forcibly “married” to make sure they are not virgins before they are executed, in order to make sure they go to Hell according to the Muslim mythology. If a female dies a virgin, according to the Koran, she goes straight to Paradise, no matter the circumstances of her death. But this way, having lain with a man and now being divorced, she is soiled…and will go to Hell for her crime.

I cried for that young man at age 16, being forced into a brutal military regime to be a child-soldier. I cried for his widowed mother, because of her belief-system, doing what she thought was right for her son. All those wasted lives…

In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful…

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LAS VEGAS – A self-proclaimed prophet accused of molesting children would threaten his followers with excommunication if they did not succumb to his wishes, Las Vegas Metro police said Monday.

Benito Catello, 75, operated a non-denominational Christian church called The Ministry. Alleged victims told police that members were called “sheep” and they were instructed to call him “papa.”

A 17-year-old girl who accused Catello of molesting her said she had been a member of the church for nearly 10 years. In a police report, she said Catello instructed her to move into his spare bedroom so he could “counsel” her.

But the girl claimed Catello wanted to have sex with her and threatened to degrade her in front of other church members during daily services if she did not comply. The teen also told police Catello threatened to excommunicate her and her entire family.

As a result, the girl said she obeyed his demands and had sex with Catello multiple times. Police said she came forward after she convinced her parents not to let her move back in with Catello.

Catello is also accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl who went to visit her grandmother when the woman wasalso staying at Catello’s home.

When confronted about the accusations, police said Catello’s answer was that if the girls said it happened, it must be true. When asked to clarify, Catello is quoted saying that he was “full of the spirit and can’t help what he does” when he is “full” of it.

Catello is charged with 27 counts of sexual assault, and lewdness with a person under the age of 14.

Full of it? That’s this guy’s excuse? And the members were called “sheep”? What is it with religion and sexual predators?

He’s hoping to use the “full of it” excuse to mollify his sheep. I think religion in general either draws pedophiles and other sexual predators because they know they will have easy and private access to victims under the guise of “counseling”, or that some individuals, once in a position of power, become corrupt and feel they are above man’s law, and use the Bible or Holy Spirit to justify their actions. But here’s the thing—if religion gives people moral guidance and direction, how could this happen? It should be obvious that it doesn’t. Instead, it provides cover for wolves to prey upon the sheep.

Now, I know some would argue that religion is not to blame, it is the pervert who misused the trust placed in them who took advantage of the trusting soul who got molested or taken advantage of. But that begs the question, in my mind anyway, of “Where was God in all this?” I mean, come on, doesn’t most of this stuff happen in His house? And if He’s all powerful, why does He let this happen in His name?

Simple, direct questions which have been asked and argued over ad infinitum. But the fact remains—crimes are committed, and God does nothing to stop them.

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I wrote a transcript because it’s so awesome:

Will you fight? “No, we will run! And we will live.”
Shame on you!
This could be the greatest night of our lives, but you’re gonna let it be the worst.
And I guarantee a week won’t go by in your life you won’t regret walking out, letting them get the best of you.
Well, I’m not going home.
We’ve gone too far!
And I’m going to stay right here and fight for this lost cause.
A day may come when the courage of men fails, but it is not this day.
A line must be drawn here! This far, no further!
I’m not saying it’s going to be easy.
You’re going to work harder than you’ve ever worked before.
But that’s fine, we’ll just get tougher winning!
A person grits his teeth, and shows real determination.
Failure is Not an option!
That’s how winning is done!
Believe me when I say,
We can break this army here.
And win just one for the giver.
But I say to you what every warrior has known since the beginning of time.
You’ve got to get mad.
I mean plum mad dog mean.
If you would be free men then you must
Fight to fulfill that promise! Let us
Cut out their living guts.
One inch at a time.
And they will know what we can do!
HOO!
Let no man forget how menacing we are. We are Lions!
Like a big bear, man!
This is Your time!
Sieze the day.
Never surrender.
Victory or death!
That’s the Chicago way.
Who’s with me!?
Clap. Clap! Don’t let Tink die! Clap!
Alright!
Let’s Fly!
And gentlemen in England now abed
Will Know my name is the LORD when I
Tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take
Our Independence Day!

Found at Infidelicacy, Thanks!

Freethinkers, Atheists, Agnostics, all people who cherish their rights and freedoms, we must unite! We must find common ground and common cause. We must eschew apathy as the evil it is and rally for justice, common sense, reason, science,  skepticism and critical thinking!

It’s happening, slowly. We must encourage and nurture this brave cause against the enemy of mindless, hypocritical religious bullies.

Will you be the problem? Will you wallow in apathy and ignorance? Will you let the senseless automatons controlled by their religious leaders keep you in the dark shadows under their jackboot of fear, repression and false morals?

Or are you part of the solution? Will you stand tall and proud? Free of gods, myths and fairy tales, free to think clearly and independently? The choice is yours.

In that vein I would like to have one symbol, an atheism logo or a freethinking logo that would encompass the whole idea, to help us come together and make us all stronger than we could ever be alone. Maybe an atheist creed, or a freethinking creed. Something we can all get behind. I wonder if such things are possible. I would like to think they are. Suggestions, ideas and comments are Always welcome.

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