The Planet - June 1, 2015

GOD'S GREATEST

What does it take to be a believer? Humility, love, compassion, and maybe just a little generosity? Hell no.

In the "I pray daily" state of Oklahoma, a family is running from threats received by the good book club. A mother had the audacity to complain about bible giveaways in her child's public school, and as you know, jesus's followers are a bitchy lot. Her son felt pressured to go up front and grab a copy off the teacher's desk; it must be hard to be the only reality based person in the asylum. Easily a separation of church and state violation regardless of what the faithful are whining about.

Regardless, the threats seemingly have forced the family to move. Followers are such a gentle lot.

Just to the south, Texas has decided that pastors need protection. And no, we're not talking about any sexual activities that they more than likely partake in, we're talking about protecting pastors from having to act like loving human beings. Texas pastors will be able to refuse to marry same sex couples, and the bill would seem to allow the medical community to not recognize the unions as well. Yes, the religious community in the United States of Jesus needs legal protection to guard against the atrocity of humans loving humans.

The above stories are not really that amazing though. The south is jesusland and the crazies infest the land like an unkempt restaurant lodges cockroaches. It's a filth that needs to be cleaned. That filth extends it's tendrils across the land dirtying everything it comes into contact with.

In Michigan, an anti-gay pastor lost his job after he was outed for using an app called "Queerly" to find himself someloving companionship. It is always the same story, the most homophobic small-minded humans always partake in what they rail so mightily against. 

The problem doesn't rest on his desire to experiment, it rests on his hypocrisy. 

Back to the south, since nobody does jesus crap better than them. In South Carolina, a private school named Blue Ridge Christian Academy gave its students a "creationist" science quiz. Approved by Answers in Genesis, the proprietors of the Creation Museum, this test is guaranteed to produce a new generation of idiots; which in my mind should be illegal. The photos tell the story, and apparently snopes has validated the crazy.

We know that children have inquiring minds. The only way to raise them christian is to apparently satisfy that yearning with falsehoods and fairy tales. 

Christians are afraid. They're afraid of an ever-evolving enlightened world where the biblical tales of horror are considered to be no more than any other book of fiction. They can see the end game, and that game does not end in a win for the faithful. 

There is no doubt that at an increasing pace Americans are leaving the church. How can one respect an institution that ignores the fact that respect is earned? They are above the law, above morality, and the last bastion of a vile word. No matter how much I may love my fellow man, that love comes with a deep abhorrence of the fantasy that shrouds their religious minds in darkness. 

It is apparent that if the religious will not clean their own house, that if they refuse to admit that they are not above but part of humanity, they can only fail. 

Although there are always more stories to tell, I'll leave you with this horror. Christian parents in North Carolina educated their seven children at home. Always the number once choice of the certifiably insane. Six boys and one girl, apparently not a good mix for the faithful. All six brothers have been charged with raping their sister, telling her that if she told anyone she would go to hell. Apparently the parents knew but did nothing to stop it. When the parents caughtwind of the investigation, they ran to Colorado; didn't help. 

My only thought of the above stories is this; they all know there is no hell, they all know that there is no punishment after death, they all know religion is a scam. They all take advantage of the sickness they spread, and the false respect given.

Religion is a madness, a creeping illness that debilitates the human desire for happiness, comfort, and justice.

I believe in justice in this life, screw anything else.

The Planet - June 13, 2013

god's greatest

Religion continues the full court press when it come to defending imagination from reality. Though mixing sport metaphors, the only good defense would be to close line the bastards as they try to move their cause forward.

The attacks come on so many fronts it can be bewildering. Here are a few of the latest infringements on a Secular America, and a Secular world:

In America, religious corporations are merging with independent hospitals. MergerWatch is stating that once a religious entity takes over said hospitals, they are run using religious doctrine as their guide, not by scientific findings. In Sierra Vista Arizona, pregnant women having c-sections were denied tubal ligation because their hospital had joined a Catholic health system. Hey, maybe we need faith based medical care for everyone for a year or two. Well, that'd probably only last a week or two before the whiners were tossed out.

In our hospitals, and in our schools:

In Wisconsin, the voucher program is more than 20 years old. There was a thought that privately run schools would do a better job, but after a couple of decades this has proven to be false. No problem though, Tea Party favorite Governor Scott Walker and his conservative legislators want to expand the program from the Milwaukee area to the rest of the state. The voucher program has been, and still is, the religious right's way of dismantling our secular public education system.

Crackheads around the country embrace the takeover. Disgraced Representative Michelle Bachman's radio host buddy Bradlee Dean ranted about christian parents having no excuse for having their kids in public school. You know, that horrible International Baccalaureate program is only a global scheme to take away our guns and to indoctrinate students into embracing homosexuality. Yeah the dude's a rusty piece of work, but unfortunately, there are those who think he's correct.

Though we know that the voucher program is also a way for those so inclined to get a hold of the billions of dollars that flows through the education system, it is also the easiest way to subvert secular education. In Colorado, the Court of Appeals ruled that the "Choice Scholarship Program" does not violate the prohibitions against public funding for religious institutions, even though 18 of the 23 "private partner" schools are religious. More and more legislation is seen in states across the country that subvert education. Bobby Jindal used ALEC's model legislation to create a massive voucher program that would privatize public schools in his state. Nice.

Freedom From Religion goes after Liberty High in Pickens County South Carolina. They've had numerouscomplaints about violations referencing the separation of church and state. Valedictorian Roy Costner tore up his school approved speech and recited the lord's prayer. What do we learn from this? Well, according to Mr. Costner, no one locally has a problem with religion in school, so why not do it. What an excellent thought. Ignore the law if it doesn't fit with your views on the world. Let every fucking pot smoker out of jail then asshole. I know many areas where no one has a problem with it, yet it is still the law. Oh that's right, it's only about you and you want to be treated special.

So far the religious hasn't started to blatantly kill non-believers in the U.S., (except for a few doctors and nurses, but I guess they don't matter), so sorry that's not true around the world.

Blasphemy in the world:

In Syria, a teenager was executed for blasphemy. Someone overheard him supposedly saying that "even if the prophet mohammad comes down (from heaven), I will not be a believer." Apparently the young man was executed in front of his parents. Oh, for the love of god.

In Pakistan 16 people are on death row for blasphemy convictions and another 20 are serving life sentences.

We should add to the quote, "for god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son," the following: "of course, he hated man and slaughtered all of our sons."

Well, what else have we got. I loves me some Pat Robertson, why not?

Pat takes on whatever Pat wants, and no one sane listens:

Pat, the southern baptist nutjob, links demonic games like Dungeons and Dragons to suicide. Such a compassionate man, he's like a loving god in the flesh, all fire and brimstone and other crazy shit. Poor guy was angered by the Jets shameful treatment of Tim Tebow, and knows that gays in the boy scouts will destroy the organization. Accommodating the few kids who want to have sex with each other is horrific, demonizing them much better.

GOD'S GREATEST

A lovely lesbian couple, who are friends of my wife, have been partners for many years. They are the kind of friends who are always ready to lend a hand, a shoulder or even a vehicle. They have two children who were adopted by one of the ladies, since the laws in Michigan frown on same sex couples adopting children. One of the ladies became ill a few years back, and was saved by the other donating a kidney. For those of us who have escaped the false morals of religion, this would be an act of love. For those who are still trapped in one of the holy books, this relationship has been blessed by Satan. Ignorance runs amok.

Religious leaders appear to think that humanity's morality rests on a single debate; how does humankind determine what is right and what is wrong? They deride any thinking that science should have any input. Studies that state sexual orientations are predicated at birth are not to be pondered. Genetic orientation is a fable; as if a theist could actually identify fables.

In the beginning, if you're a fundamental theist, god's command was to be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. If you are unable to procreate, you are in opposition to god's command. You must subdue the earth; which apparently many theists interpret as an endless bounty to command and consume, as they willfully destroy the planet. 

If you have ever wondered why fundamentalists affirm that the earth is young, it is easy to understand that by being unrelenting in that belief, you shut out science. You shut out the thought that morals developed as a way for man to survive and multiply; you'd rather pretend that morals were set first and man survived because he followed them. 

Back to reality.

Most everyone at every age has experienced love. It is one of the strongest emotions we all share, and happily, the one emotion that has separated many a follower from their god. 



So here we have a same sex couple who feel the same love as heterosexual couples. We recognize it in their actions. They know the same fear of loss that we do, the same growing nausea that the thought of losing our partner may bring. They share the same soft, warm kisses that we do. They hear the same melody; deep yet bright, strong even in a whisper, a slowly building crescendo that climaxes with the next touch. Their heart skips a beat just like ours at the sight of a loved one.



Those of reason see what many theists apparently do not; the similarities of our love. Some close their eyes and refuse to reason. For the willfully ignorant, those who love people of the same gender are doomed to fiery pits of hell. Eternal suffering for those who do not use a book of fables as their moral guidance. The devil and his demons should dance with glee at your pain; in their minds it is deserved.



There should be no respect given to theists who think that love, charity, respect; or greed, lust and envy, are anything more than the nature of man. Theists rebel against any science that confirms our social tendencies to be evolutionary in nature. Rebelling against the notion that humankind's perception of good can change as our understanding of the world evolves. Theirs is a static world of ignorance, a never changing view of life that denigrates any actions of human civility not condoned by the book of lies.



I could feel sorry for the theists who are trapped in a world bereft of reason, a world lacking in compassion for all the variety of life, but it is of their own choosing. Possibly it's an evolutionary trait that is no longer needed, and I should feel sorry for those last remnants of an animal whose world is based on fear and punishment, but I will not. Coddling fools might slow down the end of their extinction, but I'd rather let nature take its course.



Knowing a person's, or even a people's, history, makes it much harder to despise or hate that person or group. It showcases a problem that so many Americans indulge in; ignorance. To believe in myths and stories that identify groups as evil is the ultimate in willful ignorance, they shut their eyes to truth to protect that ignorance that comes hand in hand with their beliefs. We can never be free to live our lives as we wish as long as theists are in charge. They believe they are free, not understanding that, (paraphrased) you cannot be ignorant and free.

GOD'S GREATEST

"When Americans worship god, then god will bless America" That's the mantra that millions hear, and believe. It is the reason that the culture debates exist, and why they're not leaving anytime soon. The con men will continue to deceive, the marks will continue to believe, and the money will keep flowing. How should secular Americans respond?

Christian law will rule in Alabama's highest court. Roy Moore is once again the chief justice, and god will reign down his judgements on thee. If you don't remember, Moore was the gentleman who had a 5,000 plus pound granite ten commandments monument in the lobby of the courthouse. He was removed from office because of his refusal to remove the monument. He will not put the monument back in the lobby, but god's will shall rule. "Go home with the knowledge that we are going to stand for the acknowledgement of god," Moore told an audience of admirers who responded with cheers of "amen!"

Not much more should be expected from the evangelical bible belt. But even more moderate cults are waging a battle against freedom. Catholics have gone after the Affordable Care Act over contraceptives, and the Pope recently released a statement proclaiming that "Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted." That and laws being passed to allow people to die with dignity is pissing the old guy off to no end. Good.

Odd, I always thought religion was a private matter.

In Minnesota, a "pray away the gay" pastor was arrested for a sexual assault that took place during a session of ex-gay therapy. It never fails, whether holier than thou conservatives are getting blow jobs in public bathrooms, or preachers are engaging in same gender sex while high as a kite, they're all hypocrites. Yet every week the faithful come to pay their tithes and have their morals corrupted in the name of god; amen.

Lets face it, religion is not going quietly into the good night, but will resist all moves towards a civilization based in reality. Even with the continued corruption like what has been mentioned, they survive. They desire the past and future to be the same; no progress please. They proclaim that god is the only reality.

They are attention whores, no doubt about it.

We all know the spiel. We've heard it throughout the election year; old news. But weekly, if not daily, pastors and preachers are ranting and raving. Fleecing with tithes the fools and cowards who happily donate to the cause. Their rants and ravings fool the masses; conning the marks is all in a days work. Entertainers, decent orators, all the sheep think they have a special link to the creator. Fixating on the weak has its perks. Watching the bound fools twist and writhe, what joy. Fish on a hook listening to the spiel, filleting their minds with a well turned lie. Gutting the fools wallets is a holy task. Yea, fishermen they are.

A massive organization to take to task.

Secularists, if they have a cohesive plan, seem to be satisfied with nipping at religion's heels. Chipping away here and there at the behemoth that religion has become. The problem would seem the monotony that goes with the task. Like working on a chain gang. Swinging that pick, taking another lick, hoping to chip and crack that mountain. Gets old after awhile but here we go again.

Once again "under god" is being challenged at the state level. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear from a non-religious family that doesn't care for the mandatory recitation of the pledge in classrooms. In Georgia, Darwin garnered 4,000 votes in what was a rebuke to Paul Broun, the Representative from Athens-Clarke County. Broun has stated that life sciences are "lies straight from the pit of hell." He had no challenger, so the votes weren't wasted.

Take another swing.

The National Atheist Party was formed in March of 2011. I don't know how everyone feels about that name, but as far as I'm concerned it's a loser. With atheists holding the high ground in public disdain, what the heck were they thinking? These gentlemen decided that the "Freethought Party" or the "Secular Party" didn't represent who they are. Members decided the terms were vague, dishonest and accommodating. I'm not sure what's wrong with accommodation in a political party, and maybe here I'm in the minority, but I mark this as one big fail.

So what have secularists won lately? If you peruse the usual atheist blogs they rave about how atheists are kicking ass. Same sex marriage; approved. Openly gay Senator Tammy Baldwin; win. Marijuana; good to go. Anti-women elected officials; mostly ousted. The list goes on, but sorry, not buying it.

The happily gay community has fought for the right, with support from secularists, but it was still their win, not ours. Sure, you can say that evangelicals lost the culture battle, but did we really have that much to do with it? Tammy Baldwin beat Tommy Thompson. Mr. Thompson wanted to end funding for planned parenthood, was anti-abortion and anti-healthcare. You really think it was secularists who won this battle? It is easier to see that this was a women's rights issue, and women won. Marijuana reform we're claiming as a victory? Heck, that battle has been going on for decades and has nothing to do with the secular movement.

Secularists claiming wins on these issues strikes me as more wishful thinking than reality. The forays against religion by secularists only are minimal at best. Jumping on the bandwagon of others seems nothing more than futile attempts at claiming victory where none really exists. I guess victory by association is better than nothing.

Pure success by secularists resides in educating the masses. The big war will be won by swinging that pick over and over again, chipping at the mountain until all that is left is rubble. Little by little we crack the charade that religion is. Nipping at the heels of intolerance, bigotry and misogyny until we draw blood.

In the current climate of this country, no major victory can yet be claimed by the atheist community as their own. Maybe one day we will gather by the river and set the fish free, but that path will be long.

AMERICAN ANGST

I have told many stories of having casual conversations with republicans; I can do no less since I live in conservative country. Many I get along with fine, since it's not hard to recognize when I'm being baited. That sly little twinkle in their eye as they look forward to trapping the lone liberal, I kind of enjoy their happiness. We dance around the issues, as these conversations are normally accompanied with plenty of libations at hand, and for the most part we get along. Believe it or not, I can agree with many of their ideas; though not in the manner they would like. 

If they want to talk about strong family values, I'm with them and we can talk about the glorious strong ties that develop between family members. When they want to talk about getting ahead in life by hard work, again I can agree that productivity can create a healthy community. I understand the thought of taking responsibility for one's actions. 

But of course the separation begins in these discussions by adding to the conservative mantra a few simple thoughts. Strong families are to be supported even if not formed by the conservative's view of traditional marriage. Committed personal relationships are to be encouraged to enhance the community, not divide it. Those who are able to produce should possibly do so, those who are not able should not be penalized. Taking responsibility for an action is desirable, unless the action is caused by events outside of one's control.

We possibly all agree on the one major problem with today's conservatism, and that is its partnership with fundamentalist religious organizations. If you're an atheist conservative, I would think that would be a problem for you as well. 

The only desired outcome for fundamentalist conservatives derives from the hope of inserting religion into every aspect of the public sphere.

It is becoming easier to insert religion into politics without mentioning religion, and I think that is where conservative politicians are excelling. A recent conversation with the Tea Party's President Janis Lane in Mississippi is a great example. The content of the conversation makes it clear what drives these people.

Here are a few of Janis Lane's thoughts on abortion and women in politics:

Lane: "I do not agree with the federal government supporting killing a preborn human. A child is a child from the moment of conception. The argument is: They've done it before, they'll always do it. That's probably true. My point is a nation should not support or condone the killing of anybody. Then you'll come around with what about capital punishment. Well, you know what, if you're on death row, you're an adult and you made a choice to be there. An innocent child in the womb does not have a right to make a decision because they haven't been born, yet. We're taking that right away from that child."

This is a christian based argument, though never stated as such. Next god starts creeping into the conversation, and of course the thoughts get slightly more unrealistic. Emphasis mine.

Lane: "Our country might have been better off if it was still just men voting. There is nothing worse than a bunch of mean, hateful women. They are diabolical in how than can skewer a person. I do not see that in men. The whole time I worked, I'd much rather have a male boss than a female boss. Double-minded, you never can trust them."

"Because women have the right to vote, I am active, because I want to make sure there is some sanity for women in the political world. It is up to the Christian rednecks and patriots to stand up for our country. Everyone has the right to vote now that's 18 or over (who is) a legal citizen, and every person that's 18 and over and a legal citizen should be active in local politics so they can make a change locally, make a change on the state level and make a change in Washington, D.C."

Because she has a right that she herself says she shouldn't have, she's active in politics, because she has a right she shouldn't have. Hurts, doesn't it?

Coming to the Supreme Court of The United States soon will be whether the Defense of Marriage Act - DOMA - is constitutional. Another religious mandate that is trying hard to become a secular law. In New York, a federal appeals court ruled that the DOMA is unconstitutional. 

Though that is a ruling based in reality, our Supreme Court has been taken over by religious zealots, so who knows what nonsense they may fabricate.

As long as reason is not the law of the land the insanity will continue. Unfortunately, reality keeps ruining the conservative plan aimed at forming a functional theocracy.

A latest Gallup poll shows the unemployment rate is continuing to drop; that the September numbers were not wildly understated. What will Mitt do now?

Ask me if I'm better off than four years ago and I would have to respond with a resounding yes. Ask if better job opportunities are available, in my small area of family and friends, again a resounding yes.

Did anyone enjoy the DOW sitting at 7,949 at the end of George W. Bush's reign of terror? I wondered at first where all that money went but as time went on I realized the rich didn't lose a penny and the rest of America was raped. 

As far as I can tell, from the mostly failed attempts at getting rid of poor and minority voters, the mostly failed attempts at restricting poll hours and reducing early voting periods, conservatives know their only chance of winning is to keep people from voting that may not agree with their agenda. 

In Virginia they've found an easy way, just throw out completed voter registrations if you don't want them voting. 

The Green Party Candidate, Jill Stein, was arrested yet again and held for eight hours after she tried to enter the presidential debate site. Though I possibly wouldn't vote for a third party candidate, it is annoying that I'm not allowed to hear them speak. 

For those Independent voters who are still trying to make up their minds, here's Amy Goodman and three third party candidates who were not allowed to participate in the debates. They answer the same questions as Obama and Romney answered In the second debate.

GOD'S GREATEST

The first story is tragic to those of us who don't favor the death penalty, but is also extremely interesting since god once again is the culprit.

In Florida, their Supreme Court has ruled that the state can execute a 64 year old paranoid schizophrenic. This goes against the Supreme Court of the United States. The fascinating part is their reasoning.

John Errol Ferguson, the man to be executed, claims he is the "Prince of God." He has many delusions of grandeur all related to his god fantasy. The reasoning that allows the state to execute him is that he is not delusional since his thoughts are not "significantly different than beliefs other Christians may hold."

I guess by saying the condemned is suffering from a disease, they would be implying that all christians are suffering from the same disease; we can't have that now, can we? 

As far as I can tell, a U.S. district judge has stopped this for the moment.

If he is not executed because he is delusional, then in the minds of the court, are all christians delusional? Well, I would think since they've already decided that he's not much different than other christians, then yes. Would that mean anyone involved in a death penalty crime could claim he was delusional because in his mind god was prompting his actions? Well, if he's not executed, then no more death penalty.

I really don't know what to think about this one.

The Secular Coalition grades the presidential candidates. No big surprises here, Romney get an "F" and Obama barely makes the grade with a "C."

Dinesh D'Souza finds himself in a jam. This is the gentleman who wants to save marriage from gays and lesbians, and made the so-called "documentary" that cast Obama in a very unsavory light, apparently has a mistress.

Oh joy.

The lady in question, Denise Odie Joseph II, shares his views on marriage and divorce. The one thing I enjoy about the holier than thou crowd is that they never fail to get caught. 

The catholic church has decided to enter the politics of the day by donating a million dollars to fight those of us who insist on equal rights under the law. They are spending over a million dollars in three states to stop the legalization of same sex marriage, and in another state that is considering amending their constitution by defining what a marriage is.

The catholic church is now the number one religious institution opposing same sex marriage, even though the majority of catholics are okay with the thought. Kind of like politics, the people don't get to decide.

The Texas cheerleaders seem to have won for now. In an earlier edition of the Planet I brought up a story about how these ladies write biblical verses on banners to encourage their team. At least for the rest of the year they may continue to proselytize like any other Sunday morning quack you'd like to mention.

The judge, Steven Thomas, was appointed by their god loving governor Rick Perry. I'm not surprised.

WICKED WOMEN

Nothing really wicked, only the normal anti-woman campaigns.

In Texas, they've figured out how to get rid of Planned Parenthood. They will be launching a new state-funded Women's Health Program that will ban abortion providing affiliates from getting any funding. The program also has a clause that states if the program is legally challenged, and the Planned Parenthood ban is found against the law, the state will will shut down the Women's Health Program completely. Bye bye health care ladies.

Kind of tired of this news, it's the same every week. Why it does not stop is because the conservatives we've elected to represent us only represent god and corporations, nothing more.

Take for instance one of my favorite nonsensical tea party representatives, the Honorable Joe Walsh from Illinois. Here we go, comments from the fatally ignorant:

"There is no such exception as life of the mother."

His thought there is that modern science and technology, which he derides when it contradicts him, will save the day.

According to him, “With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance,” of an abortion necessary to save a mothers life. He's barely leading Tammy Duckworth in recent polls for the upcoming election, yet he talks total bull. If he's leading Tammy, that means conservatives are eating what he's defecating, and it's not a very tasty morsel.

Doctors immediately contradicted the man, but the followers will never hear about it.

Another young lady is demonized by the right. During the last Presidential Debate Katherine Fenton asked a question about equal pay. An "anonymous" blog on Free Beacon basically did a Fluke on her. She's a slutty, boozing, whore you know.

Conservatives are basically saying, "Do you ladies not know your place yet? Get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich!"

FINAL FIX

A slight conundrum; how do I handle a visit from my duly elected representative from Michigan's 3rd district without alienating newly made friends?

In the last few months I've decided to spend some of my spare cash in my local town. I pay to play guitar with an excellent guitarist who owns a quaint little studio where he also gives art lessons. I've become a regular at a small bar/restaurant instead of going to the city for entertainment. I've started eating at the only place in town that has a veggie burger I can knock down, and there lies the problem.

Knowing and friending the small business owners in the local area seemed to be a good way of not only making new friends, but also getting involved in the community. I have an unsubstantiated feeling that those business owners have quite a bit of sway in the town as well, and I have a desire to talk about my concerns to them. 

Regardless, the little coffee shop that has the very important veggie burger, is hosting Justin Amash, said representative from my district, this Tuesday. The lady who owns the business I've had several conversations with, though none concerning politics, and have enjoyed those talks. I like her, yet Amash is a fool in my eyes. I get a little excited at times about my politics. In 2004 I aggressively protested Cheney's visit to a local restaurant, I've never eaten there since; doubt if that guys stench will ever leave the place.

I would rather not be like that this time.

So, do I show up on Tuesday morning armed for battle and show them how much more wittier I am than they? Do I show up and drink coffee, keep quiet and puke later? Or do I stay away from the place altogether? Tuesday is the day I spend in town, drinking coffee and having a meal, then guitar playing with the local master, then drinking and messing with the conservatives.

I've really enjoyed that day, until now.