Category: Religion

Yup, Joe Dirt thinks about this from time to time.

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Marching to a Theocracy

When the Founding Fathers spoke of Religious Freedom, what they really meant was freedom from religion. They were very adamant about avoiding what was so common in Europe at the time, state sponsored religions. There was a very strong push in the infancy of our country to set up a state church.  Fortunately, we more or less escaped that calamity.

I have always thought of the United States as a religiously diverse country.  This belief arose because there are so many different protestant religions in this country.  The reality is that, according to the Pew Research Center, the United States is around 78% Christian1.  This puts us in the middle of the pack as far as religious diversity is concerned.

Some 223 years after our constitution went into effect; Continue reading “Marching to a Theocracy”

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Barr and Pompeo Goosestepping to The Rapture

A fellow Luddite sent me this article by Yvonne Owens, Why, And To What, Have Mike Pompeo and William Barr Sold Their Souls?, with the following comment:

“If some or most of this is factual, it explains what has stumped me, maybe all of us, as to why the right-wing absolution of Putin. I’ve read various theories and hints at this explanation. This is the best dive into the story I’ve found.”

I will admit that when an author has laden an article with so many loaded terms I wonder about  the article in general.  BUT, I will have to admit I agree with her on many points.

My thoughts after reading the article. Continue reading “Barr and Pompeo Goosestepping to The Rapture”

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Religious Folks and Donald J. Trump

I am going to preface this article by saying I truly want to know that the answer is.

It is something I have pondered on, and I have a few theories.  However, not being a religious person I am truly perplexed by the religious rights and evangelicals in particular support of the Donald J. Trump.  It is something that I just cannot get my mind around.

I don’t want to poison the well too much Continue reading “Religious Folks and Donald J. Trump”

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Robin sings at the Turkish Community Center.

Robin and I spent part of our Christmas Day at an interfaith event at the Turkish Community Center.  There was a young man who sang some some songs in Turkish.  Anne and Robin then sang some Jewish songs.  Some were all in Hebrew and some were a mixture of Hebrew and English.

Before the singing we enjoyed a potluck meal of Turkish food and Jewish food.  Although most Jewish food is not of an ethnic, distinct nature.  Someone did bring some honey cake.

It was a really nice time.

We should celebrate diversity more.

Shalom.

 

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My New Favorite Bible Verse

Ezekiel 23:20–21

20: There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
21: So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.

For that matter the whole of chapter 23 reads like a porn novel…

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Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo

I need to watch this.  It is going to be on the Sundance Channel towards the end of February.

When I was a County Sanitarian (Health Inspector) in Arkansas from 1983 to 1989, I had to deal with several Tony Alamo businesses.  They had a restaurant, at least one convenience store I remember.  They had a hog farm that was something out of a Mel Gibson Mad Max movie.  Between myself and another agency we got them to close that down.  I had to get on their main property one time to investigate a sanitation complaint.  They blocked my entrance, and of course by the time I went through all the legal hoops, if there had been a problem they had covered it up.   Fortunately, I never had to deal with Tony directly.

The rumor around town was that he kept his wife’s body Continue reading “Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo”

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OpEd piece NYT – Why Trump Reigns as King Cyrus

This is one of the scariest things I have read in a while.

I’ve long wondered about Gospodin Trump’s attraction to “Christians”.  To me he is the antithesis of all things Christian, he is the antithesis of all things democratic, he is the antithesis of all things moral…

Yet I know many folks who identify as Evangelical Christians and they will be quick to tell you the Gospodin Trump is a vehicle of change sent by God.  That is typically the point where I excuse myself to go puke in the bathroom.  While not a believer myself I do try to be sensitive to the religiosity of others, but their fanaticism about Gospodin Trump really makes wonder if this is deserved.

A quote from the article :

“This isn’t the religious right we thought we knew. The Christian nationalist movement today is authoritarian, paranoid and patriarchal at its core. They aren’t fighting a culture war. They’re making a direct attack on democracy itself.“

The article entire can be found here:  Why Trump Reigns as King Cyrus