Religion News

VIDEO: How Republicans Screw The Religious Right

11:43 am EST January 3rd, 2011 | Conservative, History, Republicans | 24 Comments

I recommend the entire series of God In America for a great look at how religion has affected American history. But I particularly recommend the final hour of the series as the religious right themselves explain the way in which Republican presidents like Reagan and George W. Bush totally used them without actually enacting the core of their agenda.

Topic: George W. Bush, Religion, Religious Right, Ronald Reagan

Pope Wags Finger Over Child Abuse

12:56 pm EST February 16th, 2010 | Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Oooh, admonishment!

The sexual abuse of children is not just a ‘heinous crime’ but a ‘grave sin’ that offends God and wounds human dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday after a two-day meeting with Irish Catholic bishops at the Vatican.

Well that should solve it.

Topic: Religion

Scientologists Scamming Haitian Earthquake Survivors?

9:21 am EST February 1st, 2010 | News | Comments Off

Based on the track record of the Church Of Scientology, this is likely to be true.

Topic: Haiti, Religion, Scientology

Swiss Voting On Minarets

2:27 am EST November 29th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 32 Comments

Just the latest bit of evidence that the far right in America does not hold a lock on stupidity or intolerance.

But the spotlight is likely to be trained on the anti-minaret proposal which was brought by a far-right party which claims that the turrets or towers attached to mosques symbolise a ‘political-religious claim to power.’

The Swiss government has asked the population to reject the call, arguing that accepting a ban would bring about ‘incomprehension overseas and harm Switzerland’s image.’

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) had forced a referendum under Swiss regulations on the issue after collecting 100,000 signatures within 18 months from eligible voters.

Topic: Religion, World

Scientology vs. Actual Religions

2:42 am EST October 26th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 27 Comments

For all their faults both in structure and execution, mainstream religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are pretty open with followers and the outside world when it comes to what the religion is all about. In Christianity, for instance, its all there in the good book – how the earth was formed, how Jesus came to be born, what his role is, and what will happen when the world ends and what you should be doing on earth in order to get a good seat in heaven. It’s all there for you to believe or disbelieve.

But in a kooky cult like scientology, the origins are all hidden or denied. The idea that the religion is descended from space aliens hidden in a volcano is not something scientologists like to talk about an apparently when church reps are asked they quit interviews.

I’m not really into making judgements about whose religion is the bestest, but I think its a good rule of thumb that if your entire framework of life, the universe, and everything can’t stand up to the questioning of a tv reporter whose biggest claim to fame was a wacky documentary with Michael Jackson it’s probably a giant pile of crap.

Topic: Religion

When Interviews With Charlatan Faith Healers Go Bad

8:18 pm EST October 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Benny Hinn is my “favorite” of the fake faith healers on TV — he’s the one who throws the holy ghost into the crowd and they all fall down. Check out his flack trying to ruin an interview when the ABC reporter gets a little too inquisitive.

Topic: Religion

Hostile Takeover By Catholic Church?

7:27 pm EST October 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 41 Comments

As someone who watches this church stuff from the sidelines as a bemused observer, this move by the Catholic Church sounds like when a corporate raider buys up an ailing corporation and absorbs their intellectual property and a few valuable assets.

The Vatican said Tuesday it has worked out a way for groups of Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith to join the Catholic Church.
The Vatican says more Anglicans have expressed an interest in joining the Catholic Church.

The Vatican says more Anglicans have expressed an interest in joining the Catholic Church.

The process will allow groups of Anglicans, including bishops and married priests, to join the Catholic Church some 450 years after King Henry VIII broke from Rome and created the Church of England, forerunner of the Anglican Communion.

Topic: Religion