This from The National Student, Police in Leeds are investigating an alleged death threat made to a student at an event hosted by the Leeds University Atheist Society.
Whatever your religious beliefs, death threats are wrong. I don't care what your religous code is, it doesn't give you the right to threaten anyone. I would never threaten anyone because of their beliefs. Ridicule them, maybe. Try to change their mind, you bet, but not threaten. The person who did this is not a Muslim or a Christian or an Atheist. He's an idiot who deserves to be locked up.
Monday, 1 June 2009
Vote up on The Atheist Spot
I'm back !!
I've been away from this blog for a few months. Long story, but I lost my job just before Christmas, and my enthusiasm for the blog faded away. But now I've got used to unemployment and have rediscovered my enthusiasm, so I'm back on the job, as it were. I'll post as much as I can when I can - hope you enjoy !
Rog
Rog
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Pope looney has another bash at gays
This from The Daily Mail - the pope, in his Christmas address to his lackeys (aka "the curia") has proclaimed that homosexuality is as great a threat to the future of mankind as deforestation.
Let's look at this objectively. Deforestation is the removal of millions of acres of trees for commercial use, removing a major source of oxygen production and the habitat of millions of animals. Homosexuality on the otherhand is about two people of the same gender being in a loving relationship together (or, at worst, a string of relationships, which can equally happen with heterosexuals).
Yep, I can see the comparison. Well done Ratzy, once again you've proved to the world that you are as far removed from reality as the book you so blindly worship. And, just to reinforce that, he also said in the same speech that youngsters shouldn't view him as a rock star ?! Delude, much, your looniness ???
Let's look at this objectively. Deforestation is the removal of millions of acres of trees for commercial use, removing a major source of oxygen production and the habitat of millions of animals. Homosexuality on the otherhand is about two people of the same gender being in a loving relationship together (or, at worst, a string of relationships, which can equally happen with heterosexuals).
Yep, I can see the comparison. Well done Ratzy, once again you've proved to the world that you are as far removed from reality as the book you so blindly worship. And, just to reinforce that, he also said in the same speech that youngsters shouldn't view him as a rock star ?! Delude, much, your looniness ???
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Godless people review
Over on Roger's Realm, I've put a review of Robin Ince's excellent Secular Christmas show "Nine Carols and Lessons for Godless People", which I was lucky enough to go to, and to thoroughly enjoy, on Friday night.
Pop over to Roger's Realm for more info !!
Rog
Pop over to Roger's Realm for more info !!
Rog
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Vatican in a fit over Italian pill
This from The Times - despite major objections from the Vatican, a morning after pill is to be made available to women in Italy.
The heart of this story is a display of the Vatican's insecurity and it's desire to have totalitarian control over as many people as possible, even if they don't follow Catholicism. If Catholics believe that abortion, even via a pill, is murder, then they don't do it. Fair enough, that's up to them. But they have NO RIGHT whatsoever to impose that view on anyone else, let alone a whole nation.
The fact they want their doctrines enshrined in law indicates to me that they feel that even their followers are not guaranteed to follow their dogmas, so weak is their hold over their flock. To be honest, i see that as a good sign - if more and more Catholics are rebelling against some of the Vatican's more extreme (and stupid) policies, then the Vatican will either have to join the real world or become totally impotent - and either option is a major improvement !!
The heart of this story is a display of the Vatican's insecurity and it's desire to have totalitarian control over as many people as possible, even if they don't follow Catholicism. If Catholics believe that abortion, even via a pill, is murder, then they don't do it. Fair enough, that's up to them. But they have NO RIGHT whatsoever to impose that view on anyone else, let alone a whole nation.
The fact they want their doctrines enshrined in law indicates to me that they feel that even their followers are not guaranteed to follow their dogmas, so weak is their hold over their flock. To be honest, i see that as a good sign - if more and more Catholics are rebelling against some of the Vatican's more extreme (and stupid) policies, then the Vatican will either have to join the real world or become totally impotent - and either option is a major improvement !!
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Guide dogs are not welcome - Muslim restaurant
This from the Telegraph - a blind man was refused admission to an Indian restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, because, as he was told, it was against the staff's religious beliefs to allow dog into the restaurant.
The man was out with his wife and on to celebrate her birthday when the incident took place, and they were subjected to a public refusal and row by these irrational bigots. The restaurant owners have tried to backtrack, saying they thought dogs weren't allowed in restaurants on health grounds (guide dogs are legally allowed - indeed the law is that they can't be refused access), but I think this is just so much talk. The man was told by the staff refusing him admission that is was against their faith. This all stems from the Muslim deludement that all dogs are "unclean".
In the light of earlier incidents this year where taxi drivers refused fares from guide dog owners, and were successfully prosecuted, I hope that this goes a similar route and this restaurant is made to pay for it's ridiculous actions. Muslims MUST learn that their "beliefs" do NOT trump the rights of anyone else.
The man was out with his wife and on to celebrate her birthday when the incident took place, and they were subjected to a public refusal and row by these irrational bigots. The restaurant owners have tried to backtrack, saying they thought dogs weren't allowed in restaurants on health grounds (guide dogs are legally allowed - indeed the law is that they can't be refused access), but I think this is just so much talk. The man was told by the staff refusing him admission that is was against their faith. This all stems from the Muslim deludement that all dogs are "unclean".
In the light of earlier incidents this year where taxi drivers refused fares from guide dog owners, and were successfully prosecuted, I hope that this goes a similar route and this restaurant is made to pay for it's ridiculous actions. Muslims MUST learn that their "beliefs" do NOT trump the rights of anyone else.
Athiest Christmas concert coming up
This from The Independent - A preview of Robin Ince's "Nine lesons and carols for Godless People" which is on this weekend in London.
The show will feature talks from Richard Dawkins and Simon Singh, music from Jarvis Cocker, Luke Haines and Robyn Hitchcock, and comedy from Ricky Gervais, Stewart Lee, Chris Addison, Phil Jupitus, Dara O'Briain and Mark Thomas, all hosted by comedian Robin Ince. The purpose of the show is not to bash religion, but to promote science and atheism, as well as to celebrate a secular Christmas.
I'm very glad to say that I have tickets to the Friday night show, so will post a review of it over the weekend over on Roger's realm. I believe it's sold out, so if you haven't got tickets then you're out of luck - bit if you have, I might see you there !!
The show will feature talks from Richard Dawkins and Simon Singh, music from Jarvis Cocker, Luke Haines and Robyn Hitchcock, and comedy from Ricky Gervais, Stewart Lee, Chris Addison, Phil Jupitus, Dara O'Briain and Mark Thomas, all hosted by comedian Robin Ince. The purpose of the show is not to bash religion, but to promote science and atheism, as well as to celebrate a secular Christmas.
I'm very glad to say that I have tickets to the Friday night show, so will post a review of it over the weekend over on Roger's realm. I believe it's sold out, so if you haven't got tickets then you're out of luck - bit if you have, I might see you there !!
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Atheist Carol #3 - The First Atheist
Over on my humour site "Religiously Incorrect", I've just published the third in my series of Atheist Christmas Carols - this one based on "The First Nowell". Enjoy !!
Rog
Rog
Friday, 12 December 2008
Atheist Carol #2 - Hark the Herald angels sing
Over on my humour site "Religiously Incorrect", I've just published my second Atheist Christmas carol - based on "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". I hope you enjoy it !!
Rog
Rog
Praying not working ? Try writing to God.
This from the Telegraph - the Post office in Jerusalem regularly takes letters written to God and stuffs them into cracks in the wailing wall.
If ever proof were needed of the foolishness of some people's faith, this surely is it. God, the believer will tell you, is omnipotent and omnipresent, and can hear your every thought and prayer. So why would you need to write to him ? How would that make any difference whatsoever ?? And if you feel the need to write down your prayers, why bother posting it ? God saw you write it, so already knows what you've written !
The article is also quite revealing about the utterly selfish nature of some believers faith. Letters recieved in Jerusalem include prayers for winning lottery numbers and one from a Russian man wanting to "bed" a Hollywood actress. Point that out next time a Christian gets all pious and holier-than-thou with you !!
If ever proof were needed of the foolishness of some people's faith, this surely is it. God, the believer will tell you, is omnipotent and omnipresent, and can hear your every thought and prayer. So why would you need to write to him ? How would that make any difference whatsoever ?? And if you feel the need to write down your prayers, why bother posting it ? God saw you write it, so already knows what you've written !
The article is also quite revealing about the utterly selfish nature of some believers faith. Letters recieved in Jerusalem include prayers for winning lottery numbers and one from a Russian man wanting to "bed" a Hollywood actress. Point that out next time a Christian gets all pious and holier-than-thou with you !!
Pope goes into hypocrite overdrive
This from the Daily Mail - the Pope has launched an attack on global economic structure and corporations, labelling it "self-centred, short-sighted and lacking in concern for the common good of the world's people."
He made this statement from the Vatican, the world's richest single institution, whilst bedecked in papal jewelry worth thousands of pounds. If he is to get any respect at all, he should lead by example - sell all off the gold and jewels, and the art and sculptures - much of which is practically priceless - that the Vatican (and indeed the whole catholic church) holds and use the money to fight poverty - I dare say taht they could raise enough to save whole nations from starvation.
But instead, he chooses to preach from his gold encrusted tower, sitting on a huge fortune, telling others what to do instead of doing something about it himself. What a hypocrite.
He made this statement from the Vatican, the world's richest single institution, whilst bedecked in papal jewelry worth thousands of pounds. If he is to get any respect at all, he should lead by example - sell all off the gold and jewels, and the art and sculptures - much of which is practically priceless - that the Vatican (and indeed the whole catholic church) holds and use the money to fight poverty - I dare say taht they could raise enough to save whole nations from starvation.
But instead, he chooses to preach from his gold encrusted tower, sitting on a huge fortune, telling others what to do instead of doing something about it himself. What a hypocrite.
Mad Muslim Crucifies Christmas
This from The Telegraph - Muslim lawyer Anjem Choudary has branded Christmas "evil" and said that celebrating it is "a pathway to hellfire".
So, instead of "Ho ho ho" it's "no no no" for muslims ? Fair enough, it's up to them if they want to celebrate it or not. But, given that this same muslim nutter recently praised the terrorist attacks in Mumbai earlier this month, I think his word is worth nothing at all.
For me, and many atheists (and if they're honest, many "soft" christians), Christmas is a time to celebrate friends and family. My christmas has no religious overtone at all beyond the word Christmas being a derivation of Christ's Mass - and that doesn't mean anything - Thursday comes from Thor's Day, but that doesn't mean I spent yesterday worshiping Thor or looking for thunderbolts to pray to.
If muslims choose not to celebrate their friends and family at this time of year, again that's their choice, but to threaten them with hell for doing so shows a shortsightedness that beggars belief.
So, instead of "Ho ho ho" it's "no no no" for muslims ? Fair enough, it's up to them if they want to celebrate it or not. But, given that this same muslim nutter recently praised the terrorist attacks in Mumbai earlier this month, I think his word is worth nothing at all.
For me, and many atheists (and if they're honest, many "soft" christians), Christmas is a time to celebrate friends and family. My christmas has no religious overtone at all beyond the word Christmas being a derivation of Christ's Mass - and that doesn't mean anything - Thursday comes from Thor's Day, but that doesn't mean I spent yesterday worshiping Thor or looking for thunderbolts to pray to.
If muslims choose not to celebrate their friends and family at this time of year, again that's their choice, but to threaten them with hell for doing so shows a shortsightedness that beggars belief.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
A victory for free speech
This from the BBC - the planned reading of poetry by Patrick Jones in the Welsh assembly went ahead today despite protests from Stephen Green and other christians because of the poetry's alleged blasphemous nature.
These poems had originally been scheduled to be read in a branch of Waterstones, but was cancelled when Green threatened to boycott the event. Liberal democrat AM (Assembly Member - basically a Welsh MP in the Welsh assembly) Peter Black heard about the row, and invited Mr Jones to do the reading in the Welsh Assembly instead, creating howls of protest from Mr Green and his cronies.
The bizarre thing is, that if it hadn't been for Green and his fools shouting about this in the first place, it would ahve been a small poetry reading attended by a handful of people in a bookshop. Thanks to their ridiculous posturing, it became an event in Welsh parliament - and brought the world's attention to the poet and his work. So rather than supressing so called blasphemous poetry, the idiots have promoted it !! Still, three cheers for the Welsh assembly for having the common sense to allow this to go ahead !
These poems had originally been scheduled to be read in a branch of Waterstones, but was cancelled when Green threatened to boycott the event. Liberal democrat AM (Assembly Member - basically a Welsh MP in the Welsh assembly) Peter Black heard about the row, and invited Mr Jones to do the reading in the Welsh Assembly instead, creating howls of protest from Mr Green and his cronies.
The bizarre thing is, that if it hadn't been for Green and his fools shouting about this in the first place, it would ahve been a small poetry reading attended by a handful of people in a bookshop. Thanks to their ridiculous posturing, it became an event in Welsh parliament - and brought the world's attention to the poet and his work. So rather than supressing so called blasphemous poetry, the idiots have promoted it !! Still, three cheers for the Welsh assembly for having the common sense to allow this to go ahead !
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Children's Dictionary incences Christians - and me !
This one from The Telegraph - Christians are up in arms about the latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the fact that many words have been removed and relaced with more modern terminology.
For once, I am in agreement with the bible-bashers (hey, I wonder if that's in the dictionary) ? The words removed are not just religious - such as "Bishop", "Aisle" and "Abbey" - but also natural, such as "fern" and "moss". Instead, words like "MP3 player" and "attachment" have been added.
Now it is, obviously, important for kids these days to know what an attachment is and so on - our children need to understand the modern world they inhabit, but they also need to understand things like Moss and fern - and if they don't know what a bishop is, how will they know to avoid one !!
The crux of this is, I suspect, commercial. Words are taken out and replaced with other words to keep the book the same size - but that's simply not realistic. As the world changes, language expands, and an important book like this must expand with it, or we are reticting our children's view of the world.
I won't often side with religious people, as you will know if you read this blog regularly - but when they are right, they are right, and I for one will stand up and say so.
For once, I am in agreement with the bible-bashers (hey, I wonder if that's in the dictionary) ? The words removed are not just religious - such as "Bishop", "Aisle" and "Abbey" - but also natural, such as "fern" and "moss". Instead, words like "MP3 player" and "attachment" have been added.
Now it is, obviously, important for kids these days to know what an attachment is and so on - our children need to understand the modern world they inhabit, but they also need to understand things like Moss and fern - and if they don't know what a bishop is, how will they know to avoid one !!
The crux of this is, I suspect, commercial. Words are taken out and replaced with other words to keep the book the same size - but that's simply not realistic. As the world changes, language expands, and an important book like this must expand with it, or we are reticting our children's view of the world.
I won't often side with religious people, as you will know if you read this blog regularly - but when they are right, they are right, and I for one will stand up and say so.
Religion and history to be taught together ?
Firstly, I'm now back after my break for the panto. Apologies for the lack of updates for the last week or so, but I hope to catch up with the news over the next few days.
For starters, here's a story from The Telegraph - under a proposed new primary school curriculum, History and Geography will be taught alongside religious studies under the banner "human, social and environmental understanding".
This sounds worrying to me. Surprisingly, I'm not totally against religious education - I think it's important that children are brought up understanding these things, although preferably not believing in them. However, my concern is that his grouping of topics could lead to an agenda lead curriculum where history and geography take a back seat to religious indoctrination in church run schools, leading to a fall in the standards in those subjects.
Still, I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies - at least it's not religion and science !!
For starters, here's a story from The Telegraph - under a proposed new primary school curriculum, History and Geography will be taught alongside religious studies under the banner "human, social and environmental understanding".
This sounds worrying to me. Surprisingly, I'm not totally against religious education - I think it's important that children are brought up understanding these things, although preferably not believing in them. However, my concern is that his grouping of topics could lead to an agenda lead curriculum where history and geography take a back seat to religious indoctrination in church run schools, leading to a fall in the standards in those subjects.
Still, I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies - at least it's not religion and science !!
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Here comes the scism
This from the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7762110.stm) - the mooted Anglican church schism, threatened over the ordination of gay priests earlier this year - is a step closer to happenning with a new church made up of former Anglican members being set up in the US and Canada.
The new group, which consists of four diocese and about 100,000 sheep (sorry, parishioners) constitues only a small part of the US and Canadian Agnlican community, but it seems likely this is just the first step in a long, drawn out process that will see the Anglican religion ripped into two. Already, the new church is aligning itself with several African Anglican communities who are also against the ordination of homosexuals (i.e. they're bigots). The question of who owns the churhes - the actual physical assets - is yet to be resolved and could easily become part of one of the biggest legal wrangles seen for some time !
So roll up, roll up, Laidies and Gentlemen. Grab a ringside seat for what could be the most entertaining story for ages - and possibly even the end of a religion - hurrah !!!
Christmas carol for atheists
Firstly, apologies for the lack of updates recently - I'm appearing in an am-dram panto this week, and work has been very busy too, so my time has been stretched to breaking point. Hopefully, I'll be back on track by next week.
In the meantime, I've put a new entry on my humourous "religiously incorrect" blog - an atheist version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - the first of a number of atheist Carols I'll be writing in the run up to the festive season.I hope you enjoy it !
Rog
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Catholic accuses Disney of child corruption
This from The Telegraph - English Catholic Abbot Christopher Jamison has accused the Disney corporation of corrupting children, in that their films "exploit spirituality" to sell their products.
Seemingly without any irony, Jamison seems to believe that Disney is bad for children in that, even though it's films promote a message of good winning over evil, they also promote materialism by marketing DVDs and spin offs. This from the church which pumps childrens' minds full of nonsense from the moment they are born (or, given Catholic dogma on abortion, from the moment they are conceived), and which officially protects those within it's ranks who molest those self same children.
The catholic Church has absolutely no right to preach to anyone about children - they have shown themselves to be totally unworthy of trust with our children - something that cannot be said of Disney, who for generations have entertained children whilst showing them the difference between good and bad - all without sexual abuse.
In an ultra-ironic post script - Jamison made his comments - comments decrying commercialism remember - whilst promoting his new book ! This man is obviously totally self-obsessed, and quite possibly mad.
Seemingly without any irony, Jamison seems to believe that Disney is bad for children in that, even though it's films promote a message of good winning over evil, they also promote materialism by marketing DVDs and spin offs. This from the church which pumps childrens' minds full of nonsense from the moment they are born (or, given Catholic dogma on abortion, from the moment they are conceived), and which officially protects those within it's ranks who molest those self same children.
The catholic Church has absolutely no right to preach to anyone about children - they have shown themselves to be totally unworthy of trust with our children - something that cannot be said of Disney, who for generations have entertained children whilst showing them the difference between good and bad - all without sexual abuse.
In an ultra-ironic post script - Jamison made his comments - comments decrying commercialism remember - whilst promoting his new book ! This man is obviously totally self-obsessed, and quite possibly mad.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Sharia eye for an eye ruling - literally
This from The Guardian - a man who attacked a woman with acid and left her blinded is to be blinded with acid himself, an Iranian sharia court has ruled.
The man, Majid Movahedi attacked Ameneh Bahrami with acid after she had repeatedly refused his romantic advances and had, apparently ,married someone else. She requested the punishment under the sharia code of qisas, so "he can realise what pain I am undergoing".
There are no winners here. No up side. Just the realisation that islam and sharia is a barbaric, evil world. The man's actions were unforgivable. The punishment medievil. Please, please don't let this canker of middle age nonsense spread any further.
The man, Majid Movahedi attacked Ameneh Bahrami with acid after she had repeatedly refused his romantic advances and had, apparently ,married someone else. She requested the punishment under the sharia code of qisas, so "he can realise what pain I am undergoing".
There are no winners here. No up side. Just the realisation that islam and sharia is a barbaric, evil world. The man's actions were unforgivable. The punishment medievil. Please, please don't let this canker of middle age nonsense spread any further.
EU court rules in favour of law over religion
Another good news story, this time from Reuters - The European Court of Human rights has ruled that a sikh man in France must comply with French law and remove his turban for his driver's license photo.
This is great news. For weeks and weeks, freedom of religion has been high on the agenda, and especially with human rights changes being pushed through by the islamic nations, I feared that we would soon be living in a world where one person's belief trumped the rights of every other person.
But here we have a story of common sense prevailing. It's only a small thing - but the law has been enforced despite religious doctrine. Hurrah !!! Let's hope this keeps up.
This is great news. For weeks and weeks, freedom of religion has been high on the agenda, and especially with human rights changes being pushed through by the islamic nations, I feared that we would soon be living in a world where one person's belief trumped the rights of every other person.
But here we have a story of common sense prevailing. It's only a small thing - but the law has been enforced despite religious doctrine. Hurrah !!! Let's hope this keeps up.
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