Sunday, July 01, 2007

blog against theocracy

i have taken much flak over the year or so i have been blogging about my views on religion- namely, i don't think that there is a place for any in the 21st century. i just don't buy that we HAVE to believe in something. i think that folks who feel that way are trying to fill a void in their lives- and this is the time honored custom to do so. but- my beliefs aside, we here in america used to have freedom of religion and more importantly FROM religion. in fact, in spite of what many christians believe, the founding fathers did not make this a christian nation-- on purpose. it says so in my copy of the constitution. i realize it isn't the bible- but bear with me.

Amendment I

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

in fact, not only is it in the first amendment of the constitution, it is the in the first section of the first sentence of the bill of rights in the american constitution. apparently, the supreme court of america- in the year 2007- is looking to change that. apparently, the bush administration's blatent disregard wasn't enough with the pandering to the christian right, a republican controlled congress just last year tried to take it further and make laws that would enable religious displays all over america. the media, not to be outdone, skews the issues and the perceptions of who exactly are 'good' religious folks, ie, the religious right- and misrepresents the actual facts- surprise, surprise.

i rail against religion because the folks who are true believers want to do away with the constitution in favor of the bible. they promote creationism in lieu of hard science; they eschew personal responsibility- because after all- god runs the show; they hate with the passion of zealots anyone who isn't the same as them. actually, it isn't these folks who i reserve the highest contempt and scorn for- i feel contempt for the 'regular' christians. you know the ones who go to church and pretend for an hour and then consider themselves religious? they allow these fringers to spew their rhetoric and hatred so that they don't have to. they feel the same way, but let these folks take the heat for saying it out loud.

so, i will continue to protest and speak out about the dangers of religion- be it christian, muslim, judaism or hinduism. there isn't a single redeeming thing about them. they take from the poor to make themselves rich- and now- they are spreading the 'gospel' to africa.

as for this video, h/t to pharyngula, do we want this religion and these people to run america? the irony did not escape me that these 'people' chose a secular song that actually helped millions of starving people.

God Hates the World - Watch more free videos

12 comments:

Coffee Messiah said...

Nicely stated and let's hope the mass's finally wake-up!

Bing said...

A pervasive problem is the bullshit taboo on criticizing religion. Of course, when you do this, those who are really over-identifying with their religion feel that they are being "persecuted." A persecution complex and belief that you have direct access to God's word is an explosive, dangerous combination.

HJ

DivaJood said...

I have great trouble with religions that teach hate. Nicely done, again.

American Aries said...

Wonderful post. Let's hope one day that hatred disguised as "religious belief" doesn't fly with the public anymore. Bravo!

Pam said...

Is that the Fred Phelps group? The most disturbing thing (besides that person singing off key, very loudly, and making my ears hurt) was the child at the end. The INDOCTRINATION of this hate into young children just makes me SICK.

This almost makes me wish there IS a hell and to see the look on these people's faces when they end up there.

Anonymous said...

Religion is, as I have said many times, a poison. How much life and treasure has been wasted fighting over it?

I have no problem with what you believe. But I do have a problem with any organized religion. If you read the New Testament, Christ himself didn't think much of it either.

SadButTrue said...

bing's comment about the taboo on criticizing religion is right on. From childhood people are taught to believe that it is rude to discuss politics, sex, or religion in company. This of course has meant that the man in the pulpit gets to spew his views unopposed. It is an insidious form of censorship.

Pam suffers the pains of someone blessed with a good ear. That video is (ahem) Godawful, not just for the hatred it demonstrates, but for the vile sense of pitch.

As to JR's comment - it sounds exactly like something I would have said myself, especially the last line.

Unknown said...

Cogent post, Betmo. I consider myself a "true believer" but I do NOT, repeat NOT, believe in any of the crap the Fundies propaganize. I opted out of organized religion long ago and as a result am considered an apostate by other Christians - just because I don't believe as they do or follow the party line.

I believe there is a power in the Universe, greater energy than we ignorant humans can begin to imagine. If some people want to give it a name and call it God, it's ok by me. But I do not believe in the petty, vengeful being so full of HUMAN weaknesses that they espouse. I believe in the teachings of the great rabbi, Jesus, which are -in a nutshell - basic ways for people to act civilized and get along in peace and harmony.

HE didn't teach the narrow, holier-than-thou bs that the Fundies preach.THEY want to execute rebellious sons; Jesus taught via a parable to forgive the prodigal son and welcome him home.

THEY want to execute women who have sex outside of marriage; Jesus taught to forgive her: when the mob came against a woman guilty of sexual "sins" to stone her to death, he rebuked them, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." When he looked up, all the mob had slunk away; just like the Fundies, not a one of them was without fault or wrongdoing. Jesus then asked the woman, "Woman, where are your accusers?" I think the Fundies should do a bit of Bible study.

The scripture also says, "Judge not that ye be not judged, for by what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged and by what measure ye mete, it shall be meted unto you." If that is true and there will be a judgement, the Fundies are in for a hard time. If their judgements and measures (punishments) are harsh and cruel, they'll get the same.

The hippies said it best, "What goes around, comes around."

Enemy of the Republic said...

I too, will write one.

Thorne said...

Religion totally fucks up the collective consciousness.
;)

Anonymous said...

Hello Betmo, I finally got over here for a little visit and came across this video. I haven't read through the rest of your posts on this subject yet so I may be out to lunch here but hopefully you can fill me in.

My blood is boiling right now. I hope I find out in your later posts that this video is a satirical comment on the hypocrisy of some christian groups. Please tell me this isn't for real because I don't think I can handle it otherwise.

In fact I can't handle it no matter who has produced the video. I watched it all the way through. There are tears streaming down my face right now. At the end of this digusting clip showing hate-filled protest signs, I saw our Canadian flag waving - upside down. Don't tell me this video was produced in Canada.

I'm going to read the rest of your posts on this subject after I mop my face. I'll be watching all day and night for your response.

Unknown said...
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