Saturday, July 17, 2010
BBC4 Storyville: Leaving the Cult
Documentary which tells the story of three teenage boys who manage to escape a polygamist Mormon cult in Utah.
(PLAY ALL 8 PARTS)
(PLAY ALL 8 PARTS)
FOXNEWS: Outrage Over Anti-Religious Art
July 17, 2010 on FOX News
PREVIOUS POST: Russian Art Exhibition 'Forbidden Art' Found Guilty of Religious Hatred
PREVIOUS POST: Russian Art Exhibition 'Forbidden Art' Found Guilty of Religious Hatred
Friday, July 16, 2010
Most Countries Fail to Deliver on Haiti Aid Pledges
Donors promised $5.3 billion at an aid conference in March, about two months after the earthquake -- but less than 2 percent of that money has been handed over so far to the United Nations-backed body set up to handle it.
Only four countries have paid anything at all: Brazil, Norway, Estonia and Australia. The United States pledged $1.15 billion. It has paid nothing, with the money tied up in the congressional appropriations process. Venezuela promised even more -- $1.32 billion. It has also paid nothing, although it has written off some of Haiti's debt. ARTICLE
Only four countries have paid anything at all: Brazil, Norway, Estonia and Australia. The United States pledged $1.15 billion. It has paid nothing, with the money tied up in the congressional appropriations process. Venezuela promised even more -- $1.32 billion. It has also paid nothing, although it has written off some of Haiti's debt. ARTICLE
Americans Don't Know Why We Celebrate 4th of July
So they did a poll to see if native born, all American citizens know why we celebrate the 4th of July. They found that about three-quarters of residents — 74% — know the U.S. declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776. The bad news for the academic system — 26% do not. This 26% includes one-fifth who are unsure and 6% who thought the U.S. separated from another nation. Countries mentioned are France, China, Japan, Mexico, and Spain. ARTICLE
Spiritually Bankrupt: Catholic Church Hiding Assets from Abuse Victims
Facing waves of lawsuits by now-adult victims, we found the church has reacted more like a big business than a sacred institution: Wealthy dioceses have claimed to be broke and taken the drastic act of filing for bankruptcy. Only when forced to open their ledgers in bankruptcy proceedings does it become clear that several of these dioceses were actually flush with assets - cash, real estate, parishes - that it could have made available to victims seeking restitution.
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
What if the Tea Party was Black?
A few months ago, Tim Wise wrote a widely circulated article called, "Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black" which challenged America to take a close look at the hypocrisy of the Right Wing. Now, a Pittsburgh rapper is accepting his challenge in true Hip Hop form. Jasiri X has released a video called "What if the Tea Party was Black."
Letter From A Maldivian Athiest
Ismail Mohamed Didi, a 25-year-old air traffic controller who worked at the airport in the Maldives capital, Malé, was found hanged from the airport's control tower this week, having apparently committed suicide.
It appears Didi's suicide was prompted by ostracisation he received after admitting to his atheism, in confidence, to some colleagues. This news spread, prompting a hostile reaction from his fellow workers, and even resulted in Didi being investigated by his employers. As an email sent by Didi to a humanitarian organization at the end of June shows, the situation seems to have become so bad that he was seeking asylum in the UK:
Dear sir,
I’m a 25 year-old Maldivian living in Male’. I have been working as an Air Traffic Controller at Male’ International Airport for almost 7 years now.
I started becoming disenchanted with Islam around 5 years ago and am now an atheist. During my transformation, and even now, I am quite the idealist, and when i was confronted about two years back by a couple of my colleagues about my aversion from the daily practices of Islam, i somewhat foolishly admitted my stance on religion.
I had asked them to keep it a secret from the rest of our workforce at ATC, although i now realize i should have known better. It did not take long for everybody at work to find out and since then, i have faced constant harassment in my work environment.
An atheist is not a common feature at all among Maldivians and the word has spread like wildfire since then. It has now come to the point where everyone I know, including my family, have become aware of my lack of belief.
In a society that has always been proud of their religious homogeneity, you can imagine what i am being put through. I have been subjected to numerous consultations with religious scholars and even my closest friends are not allowed to see me.
My company has already begun investigating a complaint regarding me, collecting testimony from fellow workers about my apostasy.
Just 3 days ago, i received two anonymous phone calls threatening violence if i do not start openly practicing Islam.I am at my wit’s end now. I have been trying for sometime to secure employment abroad, but have not yet succeeded.
The only other alternative i can think of is to flee the country to seek asylum elsewhere. I have already written an e-mail to your organization, and am anxiously waiting for a reply. I found your e-mail address on facebook. I am in dire need of assistance and know of no one inside the country who can guide me.
I would have already left the country if i was sure i could meet the required burden of proof in an asylum claim. I would like to know if you would be able to help me in anyway should i travel to the U.K to seek asylum and what my chances are of making a successful claim.
Thank you for your consideration
Ismail Mohamed Didi
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Consequences of Apostasy
PREVIOUS POST: Maldives: First Man to Renounce Islam in almost 500 Years Threatened with Death
Mr. and Mrs. Apocalypse (Wife Swap)
Meet the "Wife Swap" family that lives in perpetual preparation for the 2012 Apocalypse. Here, the wife explains her theory to her "new" husband, then conducts a Hazmat suit time trial.
Vatican Makes Attempted Ordination Of Women A Grave Crime
The Vatican today made the "attempted ordination" of women one of the gravest crimes under church law, putting it in the same category as clerical sex abuse of minors, heresy and schism. ARTICLE
Sarah Palin PAC 'Mama Grizzlies' (Political Ad)
"Cuz Mamas just kinda know when something is wrong"...with economics and politics.
THE NATION: Sarah Palin, Paper Grizzly
THE NATION: Sarah Palin, Paper Grizzly
The Vaccine Song
A song about vaccines. What would old-timey folks think about vaccination? If they knew then what we know now, what would they choose to do?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Richard Dawkinsn - Did Religion Have an Evolutionary Value?
Richard Dawkins argues that humanity's historical predisposition towards religion and supernatural beliefs may have held an evolutionary utility. "The rule of thumb: 'Believe whatever your parents tell you,' quite clearly could have survival value," says Dawkins.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Johann Hari and The Arrest of the Pope
Really? Optional celibacy is the problem? Huh? Well, I think I was optionally celibate, I would just leave the priesthood, and have sex with somebody. I think this would occur to me way before I thought of rapping a child. But maybe I'm just weird like that.
PART 2
PART 2
S.E. Cupp Vs. TYT: Anti-Christian Liberal Media Bias?
The Young Turks tear up S.E. Cupp. She's soooo full of shit, but so hot.
Bill Maher Debates on Religion
S.E. Cupp is full of shit, and I don't believe her anything she says. She's a nice piece of ass though...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)