Religious Freedoms Cross The Line

Recently, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that churches cannot be held liable for trauma arising from an exorcism, whether forced or voluntary. The reason behind this majority ruling was the idea that exorcism is a part of the church's doctrine or is one of their core beliefs and under the First Amendment, certain religious freedoms are protected.

That's fine, but when those freedoms cause harm or suffering to human beings, whether they accept the beliefs or not, those freedoms should not be protected. If every religious belief is granted the same protection just because it's a "core" belief or principle of a certain church then polygamy should be protected under the First Amendment too. As should a parents' right to decide whether their children get life-saving medical care or not. If these things were protected like the "exorcism" nonsense, then the State wouldn't have indicted Ava Worthington's parents, who died from pneumonia and a blood infection. Instead, her parents opted for faith-healing; basically praying for her to get better.

Emotional trauma is not as serious as death, but where do we draw the line when it comes to religious freedoms. Religion is not supposed to harm or kill and yet it happens every day and the courts just point to the First Amendment and turn the other cheek.

When people start dying because of their religious beliefs, then you know something is fucked up and steps should be taken to prevent this sort of thing.

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Abstinence Only Programs Losing Ground

Shocking, right? Abstinence-Only sex education doesn't work? Who knew? Well, I for one never expected it to work. I'm just surprised it lasted as long as it did. Billions of wasted dollars spewing religious propaganda. Abstinence until marriage. Give me a break. That's not a solution. Even if people did wait until marriage, that doesn't immunize anyone from contracting STD's. Given the fact that half of all people who do get married, eventually divorce anyway. So, waiting until marriage is ridiculous. Besides, it is nearly impossible for people to wait that long. Young people are postponing marriages until they are older and I'm not sure what the median age of marriage is these days, but I doubt it's in the early twenties. Not many are going to wait to have sex until they get married, except for the very religious. So, since the reality is that a large number of teenagers have sex, why not try and make it as safe for them as possible by giving them all the information they need and thus let them make an informed decision. I know many teenagers don't exactly have a reputation for clear thinking but still it would be better that they know all their options than raising them to be ignorant of human sexuality.

There are many options. It's hard for me to imagine that most teenagers who own a TV have never heard of condoms or the pill or even abortion. And if there are those who do not know, then it's very critical that they do. Virginity pledges and abstinence groups or whatever is not going to significantly reduce teen pregnancies. It's been studied and the results of abstinence-only programs is that it just doesn't work.

Thankfully I went to high school in Canada and was not taught this nonsense but I knew it was going on in U.S. high schools and it just made me laugh. No abstinence-only sex ed program would have prevented me from having sex. I knew what to do if I got pregnant accidentally and I also knew the best precautions to take to minimize that happening. First of all, using condoms was paramount as well as being on the pill or using the patch. Second, I knew if I had unprotected sex that I could go to the hospital or a clinic and ask for RU486, or the "abortion pill" as it is known. And if I encountered a doctor who refused to give it to me, I wouldn't leave until I got one. I would scream bloody murder until I was given that which I have a right to be given. Lastly, if all else fails, I would get an abortion. But that's just me. Abortion is not such a politically charged issue here as it is in the U.S. No doubt, due to religious fundamental evangelicals and the Christian Right. Of the top ten states with the highest rate of teen pregnancy, 6 of them are in the "Bible Belt." The other four are Nevada (ranked number 1), Nebraska (right behind Nevada at number 2), New Mexico and California, placed 4th and 7th respectively. So much for the theory that Hollywood is a bad moral influence. Georgia was right behind California and came pretty close to a tie. In the words of Christopher Hitchens, religion poisons everything.

So, I guess it would be harder for teenagers in the U.S. to prevent pregnancies given the religiosity of politicians and lawmakers and no doubt religiously-inspired programs like the abstinence nonsense. Not to mention the high cost of abortions there too. In Canada and Europe, abortion is covered under medical plans or national health plans. Also, in Canada the rate of teen pregnancies has been steadily declining since the mid '90s.

All of these obstructions to safe sex contributes to the high rate of teen pregnancies in the United States. It's time for the U.S. government to realize that what they're doing to reduce teen pregnancies is not working and maybe look to other countries' solutions who have managed to reduce the number of teen pregnancies.

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It's A Crime To Insult Jesus

Is it a crime to insult Jesus? Apparently so, in Australia anyway. Oh and England too. Maybe it's a crime in Canada too, since it was once British and still has some weird ties to the Mother Country. Probably not since Canada actually has a Bill of Rights, unlike the people down under. Still, Canada's Bill of Rights can be easily manipulated under certain clauses. One can play the "incitement to violence" card in regards to just about any statement one finds offensive or doesn't agree with. An example would be the MacLeans article.

Anyway, since when is blasphemy illegal in secular countries? Why not charge anti-religious books and novels with "offensive behavior"? 'Cause that's what an Australian kid was charged with while wearing a shirt that defamed Jesus. Was he charged with defaming Jesus ben Sirach? Jesus ben Pandira? Jesus ben Ananias? Jesus ben Gamala? Which Jesus was it? Apparently there were a countless number of them. Does it even matter? Did the Christian Jesus even exist? I highly doubt it.

It's time to stop punishing religious dissidents and accord them the same freedom of speech that religious people enjoy.

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Atheist Blogroll

I have joined Mojoey's Atheist Blogroll. It's a place for all atheist and agnostic bloggers. As of this writing there are over 700 member blogs listed. So, if you have a blog with an atheistic or agnostic perspective, consider joining the Atheist Blogroll.

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Religious Drug Use Ok, Medicinal...Not So Much

I find it hard to believe that some religious people can get away with using illegal drugs while cancer patients who use marijuana for relief of nausea get charged and convicted. Medicinal marijuana use is illegal in the US while in Canada, it is not. The debates still rage among medical professionals and scientists as to whether marijuana is more harmful or beneficial to cancer patients, those with glaucoma, AIDS, MS, etc. Still, I think that people suffering from these diseases should be allowed to decide themselves whether to use marijuana or not. If it helps some people ease their suffering, why not let them? Marijuana, in my opinion, is no worse than alcohol. In fact, I believe that alcohol is far worse and far more damaging to our society than marijuana ever will be. And if you are one of those people who believe that marijuana is a gateway drug, then you'd be wrong and it would do you good to do some research.

It is more than a stretch to say that the legalization of marijuana would lead to legalization of cocaine or heroin; it's a bloody leap.

Among Christians in the US, opinion seems to be divided on the whole issue of marijuana legalization. Both sides can point to passages in the Bible to support their stands. But is this really the best way to decide whether to legalize marijuana? I think not. The Bible is notorious for contradictions and by using it to decide whether something should be legal or not in the 21st century is absurd. Killing disrespecting children is condoned in the Bible; it's actually the proper punishment. So, should we look to the Old Testament to decide what is allowable here and now? The New Testament, perhaps? How about neither?

The Bible is not the moral law of the United States, though many would like it to be, and as such it should have no bearing deciding the legality of anything. Religion just muddles things up.

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Faith More Important Than The Life Of One's Child

I don't understand moderate religious people, much less Jehovah's Witnesses. Most people probably don't either. An Irish woman who happens to be a Jehovah's Witness, a cult of Christianity (all religions are cults in my book), was quoted saying that she would let her daughter die before consenting to a blood transfusion. I would understand if she wouldn't consent to a blood transfusion for herself but what gives her the right to decide whether her child lives or dies. When a medical situation is dire and a blood transfusion is necessary to save the life of the patient, I think it is pretty fair to say that the chances of survival without the transfusion are minimal or at least a lot less likely than with a transfusion.

What I find incredibly wrong is that this woman would give her daughter the "choice" to follow in her faith when she grows up while in the meantime she is bringing her up in that faith and refusing to allow transfusions. This whole religious nonsense is just wrong. Children end up dying because of their parents' beliefs. What about the child's right to life? I guess that's up to the parents.

The article I am referring to can be found here.

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Hello, My Name is 'In God'

A Lake County, Illinois man has legally changed his name to In God We Trust. InGod or In God is his first name and WeTrust or We Trust will serve as his last name. How ridiculous can people get? No more ridiculous than Prince I guess who changed his name to a bloody symbol that no one could vocalize.

Isn't it enough to believe in God and go to church anymore? Everyone he comes into contact with will no doubt know how devoted his belief in God really is. What does it matter, for fucking out loud. Maybe I should legally change my name to that of this blog. Any thoughts?

Anyway, the whole point I'm trying to make here is why people, religious and nonreligious alike, find it necessary to label themselves at all. Identity problems, anyone?

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Evolution vs. Creationism

I went online yesterday and along with reading a number of different blogs about the whole evolution vs. creationism debate, I also read some recent news articles, mostly US based. The fact that some states in the US have actually gone to court and won the right to teach creation as a scientific alternative to evolution appals me. To think that the one of the richest and supposedly most developed country in the world is not accepting of evolution is shocking.

The evidence for evolution is so extraordinary and powerful, while on the other hand the evidence for creationism is completely lacking. Scientifically lacking. So why is this stupid nonsense even allowed in public schools? To accommodate the religious freaks, no doubt, who couldn't possibly deal with the fact that their religious world view could be proved erroneous.

Religious accommodation, in my opinion, has gone too far. Why don't we introduce teachers who are willing to prove to our kids that babies are brought by storks. Surely, the evidence for this is no better than that of creationism. It's just a belief based on no evidence. Taken only on faith.
I think it's high time for religious belief to stop meddling with science.

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My Ten Commandments

After reading Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion," I was inspired to write up my own version of the Ten Commandments. Here goes.

1. Thou shalt not let the Bible nor any other 'holy' book guide thee in any way whatsoever.

2. Thou shalt not kill anyone unless in self-defense.

3. Thou shalt not tell women what to do with their bodies.

4. Thou shalt not think thyself superior to any woman. Thou art equal.

5. Thou shalt not think thine own ethnicity superior to any other.

6. Thou shalt treat every human being humanely.

7. Thou shalt not kill animals for game nor for their skin for use in thine clothing.

8. Thou shalt not purposefully hurt, defame, or slander anyone with an opposing opinion.

9. Thou shalt not prolong any undue suffering on any human or any other sentient being.

10. Thou shalt not discriminate against any human beings that are different than thou.

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Asinine Bible Passages Part II

In my ongoing search of the stupidest passages in the Bible, I give you the second installment. Below is a passage of the utmost unfairness from a benevolent and loving God.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

Exodus 34:6-7

This God believes in punishing the children of the sinful just for being the children of the sinful. The second book of Kings contradicts the above passage in Exodus.

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

2 Kings 14:6

Or maybe the passage from Exodus means punishment other than death. If so, then it's not a contradiction. It's worse. The innocent are still punished for the sins of others. This God really loves all his children, doesn't he?

Another passage from Exodus shows the intolerance of other religions that is condoned in the Bible.

Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah* poles. Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Exodus 34:10-14

*According to Wikipedia, Asherah is a mother-goddess.

God is a jealous God. Straight from the Bible. Isn't jealousy one of the seven deadly sins?

God is vengeful.

Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites and to carry out the LORD's vengeance on them.

Numbers 31:3

And a sexist murderer who condones rape.

Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

Numbers 31:17-18

God also created evil.

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Isaiah 45:7 (King James Version)

There is a discrepancy regarding the proper translation of the word evil. In the New International Version of the Bible, "evil" is replaced by "disaster" and in other versions by "calamity."

Either way, God created nastiness, so why blame people.

Human sacrifice is condoned and expected by God.

Then God said, Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Genesis 22:2

God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son. For what? To prove his loyalty to God. What kind of God would expect any of "his children" to kill their own for him. He sounds like a very reasonable God.

One more thing. For those parents who are deluded enough to let their children die rather than receive medical attention such as a blood transfusion, you disgust me. Any sane parent who loved their children would do anything to save them even if it meant sacrificing their own afterlife in heaven.

And one more passage. This one is very disturbing. Killing children for the most trivial reasons. (It's trivial to me. They're just ignorant kids. Give 'em a break. I thought God was forgiving.)

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths*.

2 Kings 2:23-24

*In the King James Version the youths are children, which is even worse. What do kids know.

Well there you have it. Straight from the cruel, evil, jealous, vengeful and intolerant mouth of God himself. God is male. You didn't know that?

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An Atheist Video Game

The objective of a new computer game that hasn't been released yet, will be to stop the spread of Christianity and Islam. Players try to stop the spread of these two religions by killing the Bible's authors and the prophet, Muhammad. While I strongly believe in free speech and expressing oneself freely, I am a bit worried about the consequences for the creator. (He obviously is too, since he didn't want to reveal his name fearing his safety.) Most everyone knows what happened when that Danish cartoon of the Islamic prophet came out. That's what sucks in our society. Religious fundies get so fucking worked up that it's not unimaginable to resort to violence when it comes to their religions. But it's alright to attack the faithless and nonreligious. That really pisses me off. And while not all atheists are cool and collected, at least there is no history of suicide bombings and mass killings in the name of Atheism.

I just hope religious people don't overreact and see this as a threat to their beliefs. It's just an expression of someone else's beliefs. Namely, that the world would be a better place without Christianity and Islam. You don't have to agree with it but you also don't have a right to tell others how they can express themselves either.

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YouTube Atheism Video

I found this video, 'Atheist Statistics 2008' yesterday on, well duh, YouTube and I thought it was pretty cool. Here is the gist of the video. It's mostly statistics and I'll reproduce the relevant ones below.

World Statistics

1990 - 7.5% of the population were nonreligious
2001 - 13.2% of the population were nonreligious
2008 - 16.1% of the population were nonreligious

I wanted to know the exact increase over the decades and since the population in 1990 was the not the same as the population in 2001 or 2008, I consulted the US Census Bureau for these numbers.

Between 1990 and 2000, world population had increased from 5.2 billion to nearly 6.1 billion. That's an increase of 13.2% in just one decade. The nonreligious population, on the other hand, increased by some 49% from 1990 to 2000. In actual population numbers, that means that in 1990, 400 million people identified themselves as nonreligious and by 2000 that number had grown to just over 800 million.

The current world population, according to GeoHive, is 6,671,202,855. So in the last seven or eight years, the nonreligious population has grown from 800 million to nearly 1.1 billion. Very Impressive. Christians are way ahead of us at over 2 billion and Islam has a couple hundred million more adherents than there are nonbelievers. I think that's very impressive.

Some other statistics mentioned in the video include:

Twenty-five percent of Americans between the ages of 18-29, have no affiliation with religion.

In Europe, 48% of the population does not believe in God, while 74% of Britons do not believe in a personal God. Also, among the young in Europe (ages 15-24), 56% do not believe in God. This makes me very happy since I was born in Europe. North America is still far too Christian for me.

And before I forget, divorce statistics are also included. Here are the percentages of divorces by religion/non religion (Atheism is not a religion, by the way):

Jews - 30%
Born-Again Christians - 27%
Other Christians - 24%
Atheists, Agnostics - 21%

Most importantly, a bunch of studies by someone (can't remember now), found a negative correlation between intelligence and religious belief. That is, the more intelligent one is and the more education one has, the less likely they are to hold religious beliefs. Well that makes sense. Intelligent people are harder to manipulate. No wonder religious people indoctrinate their kids while they're young.

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