From Boing, this gem:

' Illinois Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) faced off against Rob Sherman of Buffalo Grove, who objected to the state of Illinois giving $1 million to the Pilgrim Baptist Church, excoriating him for not believing in God and for having the temerity to say that the Church and State should be separate. She told him that she believed it was dangerous for children to know that atheism exists. She ordered him to stop testifying and insisted that in the Land of Lincoln, "people believe in God!" '

Yep - that's a Democrat... it's not just the GOP suffering the plague of Xtianfuckwittery.

1. Archbishop of Canterbury says Sharia law in parts of UK is unavoidable, will aid social cohesion. Guess that's us told - he's cool with intolerant homophobes of all monotheistic flavours.

2. Rude Pundit observes, "Whenever George W. Bush prays, somewhere out in the ether, Jesus Christ vomits". Jesus probably gags a bit when the Archbish of Cantab speaks out too.

With her succinct post, titled, "Just wondering...", the redoubtable Feòrag ask:

"...how do intelligent design advocates explain male nipples?"

Well, here's how... (by a ID type called 'quintilis') with bad metaphors about car engines (of course!):
( Click for IDiocy )

Found, by the way, on a site called overwhelmingevidence.com... feel free to go there and be spurned for your freaky use of logic and other evil stuff.

I can't wait to hear his explanation for knees, the epiglottis and the old "playground built next to the waste dump" problem. If they're examples of Design, it weren't that intelligent. Or, as Saint Bill of the Hicks preached, God was stoned when he made us.

From New Scientist:
"Ever wondered what it would be like to listen to God answering any question you ask?
Now you can simulate the experience with godsbot (www.godsbot.org), a chatbot that gives spoken answers to typed questions on religion, philosophy and science.
Creator Ron Ingram hopes godsbot will learn about God from chatting to Christians, and then "teach and share" the Christian message with others."

Anyone else see the tiny flaw in that plan?
Yes, me too.

Interestingly, there is a qualification required before one has the honour of talking to a virtual deity - a 'voluntary' donation (of $10 for a year of Godbot access). So the question is... does one pay ten bucks to these guys for the privilege of fucking with their input?

Nah.
But there is a demo...
...and here's my experience with Godbot:

Human: why are your followers so evil?
godsbot: Everything in my personality was determined by my God.

Human: so you're saying that your followers reflect your personality, thus you are in fact an Evil God?
godsbot: I will tell my God you said I am followers reflect my personality thus I am in fact an Evil God.

Human: surely you can do better than that?
godsbot: With practice, I could.

Human: Then practice on this - if you are a manifest and interventionist deity and your devout followers commit evil in your name, you are therefore not God at all, but anti-god - which in christianity is usually called Satan.
godsbot: Good reasoning. Are they exactly the same?

Human: Admit it -you are the Demiurge.
godsbot: practise on this if I am a manifest and interventionist deity and my devout followers commit evil in my name I am not God but anti god which in christianity I am the Demiurge?

Human: That's hardly an argument, is it?
godsbot: Thanks for telling me, .

(Human quits, observing God is made of Fail.)

My friend (and ex-colleague over at the Dark Christian LJ - which is mirrored on IJ here) Dogemperor has found out just how deep Huckabee's ties are to Dominionist Xtianity.

No surprise that Huckabee is very involved with the fuckers.
Specifically, he's actually a member of perhaps the worst of the 'armed-xtian-revolt-against-all-sin-and-beat-kids-with-sticks-until-they-shut-up-or-die' tendency.

This man would make the Bush presidency look like Jimmy fucking Carter. He's more inclined to hit the Big Red Button to bring the Rapture than even W is. Beware.

Rude Pundit. Doing what he does.

' Let's say you're some evangelical nutzoid who needs to show everyone just how much you think the hot dude on dude action is icky. Or chick on chick. Either way, there's matching genitals and an unholy hole in use, and you, being more than likely a closeted queer who has to punish others to overcome your lusty urges 'cause someone told you that Godjesus is gonna get all wrathful on your ass if you don't act, decide to get an anti-gay marriage amendment voted on. So you starts yourself a little organization, tells everyones yer protectifyin' marriages in the Sunshine State of Florida, and gets a whole bunch signatures on petitions so that it can get on the ballot, 611,000 of 'em needed. And then, just when it seems you've got it made, a combination of technology and fuck-ups shows you're 22,000 short. And you've got only two weeks to git 'er done or you ain't gonna get your vote on how everyone wants the homos to die alone. Which is exactly what happened.

Fuck, that's gotta hurt. Seriously, if, say, Jesus was on your side on this, wouldn't he have done some magical sky wizard shit to make sure it happened? As far as signs go, this one's gotta be up there with burning shrubbery about WWJD. Seems like J would say, "Dudes, let it go."

But lettin' it go, that ain't part of the evangelical style. Motherfuckers will keep humping that cause like a tumescent chihuahua fucks a really big sponge, thinking it'll teach that bitch sponge a thing or two about fucking, not realizing a sponge generally doesn't care who or what fucks it. The sponge-humping chihuahuas over at the Family Research Council demonstrate this on a weekly basis, with their list of things to be prayed over by we members of the Super-Duper Prayer Team. The Rude Pundit joined the SDPT under a nom de rude, and he receives his prayification orders in his e-mail in-box. '


"...humping that cause like a tumescent chihuahua fucks a really big sponge..." Poetry, pure poetry.

"The Government will consider scrapping the blasphemy laws after consultation with the Church of England, Downing Street said.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said ministers may table amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill in the House of Lords.

MPs are due to debate the measure in the Commons on Wednesday and Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris has tabled his own amendment to scrap the ancient law designed to protect Christianity and the Church of England from attack.

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "We do believe it is necessary to consult with the churches, particularly the Anglican church, before coming to a final decision, and that's what we are doing.

"Subject to that, we will consider moving amendments in the House of Lords."

The move comes after leading figures, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, wrote to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, urging that the blasphemy law should be repealed."

If you thought this was bad, check out Proposition 888:
' On December 18, 2007, Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) introduced H. Res. 888, a resolution "Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as 'American Religious History Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith."

This resolution, which purports to promote "education on America's history of religious faith," is packed with the same American history lies found on the Christian nationalist websites, and in the books of pseudo-historians like David Barton. It lists a total of seventy-five "Whereas's," leading up to four resolves, the third of which is particularly disturbing -- that the U.S. House of Representatives "rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation's public buildings and educational resources," a travesty of the highest magnitude, considering that most of the "history" this resolve aims to promote in our public buildings and schools IS NOT REAL! '

I'm sure it's pure coincidence that 888 is the number given to Jesus in the Qabbala...

Thanks to Wyldraven for the tip. Also from him, do check out the excellent Elizabeth Moon (SF writer, USMC veteran) on how swearing to uphold the Constitution and being a religious zealot are incompatible.

A quote from John Cleese, regarding American Xtianity - from the recent Channel 4 documentary 'The Secret Life of Brian':

"You've got to remember that Christianity in America is mainly about sex. They're so deeply uncomfortable about every aspect of sex that they don't care much about wars or destroying the environment or financial corruption, but anything about sex sets them off - and it's because these people are operating at a very very low level of mental health. They are incapable of understanding the teachings."

...of American political bollocks. Imagine that.

For those who didn't know me from LJ, Xtianfuckwitwatch is a service I provide occasionally, pointing out spectacular acts of hypocrisy, pusallinimy or sheer stupidity by those who identify as Christian but do so in that 'war-is-OK-prosperity-theology-gays-are-evil-women-are-property-kids-are to-be conditioned-to-exactly-like-mommy-and-daddy-and-the-Rapture-willtake-us-all-real-soon-except-for-those-heretics-in-the-church down-the-hill' - or fuckwits, for short.
(NB I do smack Jewish and Moslem fuckwits in the same way. When I do it to Pagans, the header is 'Wicca, man...)

The following bill just passed US Congress:

H. Res. 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;

Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible;

Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its roots in Christianity;

Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;

Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and

Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;

(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

May the Flying Spaghetti Monster forgive them.

The beginning of the end of the Anglican/Episcopalian church? Hope so. Divide and conquer, I say!
I also note that the gutless posturing of the Archbishop of Cabterbury did nothing to stop this - probably didn't even delay it much. Perhaps if he'd had the balls to stand against homophobia, he'd be remembered as a man of conscience rather than a twat.

A Californian diocese has voted to become the first to break away from the US Episcopal Church in protest at its support for gays in the Church.
' "This is the first time, I believe, that a diocese has finally said 'enough' in terms of the liberal theology of the Episcopal Church," said Bishop John-David Schofield of the San Joaquin diocese ahead of the vote. '

Feòrag at Pagan Prattle gives us our new word for the day: Christianophobia. Which was the subject of a full debate of the House of Commons today.

Here's Aunty Beeb on the subject:

' The UK should "celebrate" the role of Christianity in the country's heritage and culture, the government has said.

Community cohesion minister Parmjit Dhanda told MPs the religion had had a "significant impact" in securing people's rights and freedoms.
He was speaking in a Westminster debate over whether there was widespread "Christianophobia" in the UK.

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard (CatNote - the xtianfuckwith who caused the debate to occur) warned the government not to "surrender" the UK's Christian heritage.
Mr Pritchard called the Westminster Hall debate, claiming that the importance of the faith was being undermined by the "politically correct brigade".

He argued that "parties of hate" could step in to fill the gap left by "mainstream" politicians, and "hijack" Christianity to get their messages across. '

(CatNote - 'cos it's not like they've already done that is it?)

' ...Speaking earlier in the debate, Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, in Shropshire, said Christians should get "full minority rights".

Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, Shropshire, said Christianity in the UK was being undermined "mostly by stealth", even though 3.2 million people attended church every Sunday.

He added: "Most Christians feel they are not getting a fair hearing
"Many shoppers find it increasingly difficult to buy greeting cards with references to Christ... Advent calendars are extremely hard to find."
He added: "Christ always has been and always will be at the very heart of Christmas. Taking Christ out of Christmas is like serving the Christmas turkey without the stuffing."

Mr Pritchard said the British National Party in Staffordshire was sending out cards showing "the holy family on the front cover", bearing "the words 'heritage, tradition and culture'."
He added: "Is the government prepared to stand by and surrender the nation's Christian traditions to parties of hate?"
Mr Pritchard said it was "time for the dragon of political correctness to be slain". '

So, who's he worried about more - the BNP, the Politically Correct (read Correct as Left...) or the actual threat of Dominionism, which has been steeplejacking churches in the UK since at least the Alpha Course?

Plus, though I can't be bothered to go through Hansard for the full details, I suspect few dissenting voices were heard.

Besides, it's not a phobia of Christianity - for many, it's pure disgust.

From Boing:
' The New York Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic church has published a comic book that depicts cute angels warning children never to be alone with an adult (which presumably includes priests). '

Click the link. See the angel flating above the kiddie. Wince involuntarily.

Then, if you want a comic book that actually says something intelligible about child abuse, check out "Another Chance To Get It Right" or "Batman - The Ultimate Evil", both written by Andrew Vachss.

...as i so often do - and I tried to come up with an image which would be objectional to all Peoples of the Book, in light of the Teddy-bear Mohammed thing.

My best choice so far is a shark (trayf due to lack of scales), crucified on an inverted cross, also named Mohammed. Let's see if Damian Hurst would exhibit that. In Sudan.

(By the way the results of Name! My! Snail! will be up soon. Thanks for all suggestions.

Briefly leaving my surgery-induced purdah to share this, which has amused me.

The great blogger and occasional SF writer John Scalzi has made his long-promised trip to critique the Creationist Museum, and see the displays of vegetarian T. Rexes and raptors living in cosmic harmony with Adam and Eve (but not, of course, Steve).. The result was a lot of pics on his Flickr (with added sarcasm), and an essay (on the nature of worshipping bullshit).

And then... he invited readers to take his photos and Macro them.

Results are here.

I am especially fond of the variations on the Cain and Abel diorama and the ones involving Adam, a conveniently placed sheep and a puzzled-looking penguin.

Feòrag at Pagan Prattle finds another gem:

"A Motherwell couple are claiming that Strathclyde Police discriminated against them on religious grounds because the force's personnel files have a single field for Married/civil partnership.

'The couple, who have been wed 26 years, told a Glasgow employment tribunal they had deeply held religious beliefs as Christians as to the sanctity of marriage and found the description as married/civil partners offensive causing injury to their feelings as married persons.' "

Oh, the poor little fuckers...

As ever, the issue is not what they believe (in the face of overwhelming historical evidence that marriage wasn't a Holy Estate, more a Real Estate transaction - the father essentially selling his daughter to the husband) but how they deal with everyone else who dosn't believe the same thing. If it causes them so much distress to be equated with Civil Partnership *on a fucking form*, how can they possibly cope with the rest of the Heathen Universe? And who will they try to sue over that?

This tickles me:
' Across the country, hundreds of ministers and pastors desperate to reach young congregants have drawn concern and criticism through their use of an unusual recruiting tool: the immersive and violent video game Halo.

The latest iteration of the immensely popular space epic, Halo 3, was released nearly two weeks ago by Microsoft and has already passed $300 million in sales.

Those buying it must be 17 years old, given it is rated M for mature audiences. But that has not prevented leaders at churches and youth centers across Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches that have cautioned against violent entertainment, from holding heavily attended Halo nights and stocking their centers with multiple game consoles so dozens of teenagers can flock around big-screen televisions and shoot it out.

The alliance of popular culture and evangelism is challenging churches much as bingo games did in the 1960s. And the question fits into a rich debate about how far churches should go to reach young people.

Far from being defensive, church leaders who support Halo — despite its “thou shalt kill” credo — celebrate it as a modern and sometimes singularly effective tool. It is crucial, they say, to reach the elusive audience of boys and young men...

Complicating the debate over the appropriateness of the game as a church recruiting tool are the plot’s apocalyptic and religious overtones. The hero’s chief antagonists belong to the Covenant, a fervent religious group that welcomes the destruction of Earth as the path to their ascension.

Microsoft said Halo 3 was a “space epic” that was not intended to make specific religious references or be more broadly allegorical. Advocates of using the game as a church recruiting tool say the religious overtones are sufficiently cartoonish and largely overlooked by players. '

(CatNote - "the religious overtones are sufficiently cartoonish and largely overlooked". Heh. Sounds like Xtianity, not the Covenant.)

...especially those like this swine 'exorcists' who raped their subject (already a survivor of rape by her minister father) during the exorcism.
In front of one hundred people.
While 'Satanically possessed' himself.

That's the problem with Dominionists and other Xtian amateurs doing exorcisms on people when they believe the flesh is evil and only the spirit matters... basic safety for the Principal goes right out the fucking window. Often followed by the Principal themselves.

The first detailed survey of Pentecostal churches worldwide shows some very scary stuff. As ever, research queen and Dominionism expert dogemperor of Dark Christian has the details. It's a long piece, analysing a 130-plus-page statistical study - but the gist (under the cut link) is this:

( Lots of Xtians who hate everyone different and expect the Rapture - worldwide. )

This is why being merely sarcastic about 21st Century Xtianity isn't enough. The Dominionist tendency is growing rapidly, infiltrating less extreme churches and 'steeplejacking' them... controlling governments, media empires and private armies (such as Blackwater). If you're queer, female, or hold any belief other than theirs - you're their declared enemy or, at best, their property.

I don't want to live in that world. Do you?

(As ever, you'll get the best current data - and debate - on the Dominionists at dark_christian)