The Hazards of Belief

skyscraperblue · 13-06-2009 10:13PM

Goduznt Xzst wrote: »

Man I love how worked up the reporter is getting in this interview

http://www.clipstr.com/videos/BrianFlemmingOnFoxNews/

I thought the news was supposed to be impartial?

He kinda loses it. I always wanna scream at these people and tell them that atheists are in fact not the devil, and yes, you know what, they really are capable of actually doing good things in the world, just as much as Christians or members of any other religion. (Although I'm not sure screaming would really enforce that idea all that much.)

robindch · 17-06-2009 11:33PM

A religious couple who spend the weekends in a flat in Dorset say they're being discriminated against by the apartment's management company which has installed motion sensors which turn on and off the hallway lights. Under the rules of their religion, they're not allowed to start fires on a Saturday, and electricity causes sparks which are "fire" (huh?). This means that once they enter their flat on a Friday evening, they're stuck there until Saturday evening, since opening the door will cause the lights to come on.

They're seeking £5,000 in damages too, which, if it's awarded, will have to be paid by their neighbors. More on this here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8103581.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6513866.ece

Some of the comments on the Times' website are worth reading.

Zillah · 17-06-2009 11:56PM

If those damages are paid I'm firebombing something.

No I kid, I'll just write a book. It's the militant atheist way!

Dades · 18-06-2009 08:56AM

"It is not going to inconvenience anybody, especially if [the Colemans] have offered to pay for the override switch themselves. A small consideration offered in an atmosphere of give and take would help to make the world a better place.”

People giving up their bonkers ideas and entering the real world would be a better move, tbh.

Tyler MacDurden · 18-06-2009 03:15PM

But Chanie Alperowitz, the director of Bournemouth Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish group, said: “On the sabbath there are 39 forms of creative activity which are forbidden. Among them is the prohibition of lighting a fire.

“When using electricity, one causes a fire as there are sparks created by the electricity. If the light is switched on by someone stepping outside their door, their actions have caused it to happen.

By this logic, pulling your favourite woolly jumper over your head is forbidden too, lest you ignite The Fires of Hell static sparks. And Yahweh forgive anyone who shuffles across a carpet and reaches for the brass doorknob.

robindch · 18-06-2009 04:26PM

Tyler MacDurden wrote: »

By this logic, pulling your favourite woolly jumper over your head is forbidden too, lest you ignite The Fires of Hell static sparks.

There was a comment, I think on the Times' website, yesterday from another orthodox guy. He said that the couple concerned were being a bit silly and said they should try to come up with something more workable.

So he gave the example of hisself and his wifey who were forbidden from turning on the telly on saturday, but wanted to watch something anyway, so they used to set a timer on Friday evening and then hang around until it went off and the telly came on.

God must have given a brain to these fine people so that they could figure out how to get around his laws

Galvasean · 19-06-2009 07:50AM

Pretty sad state of affairs:
'Catholic mother killed newborn baby from 'shame' after giving birth alone'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5565706/Catholic-mother-killed-newborn-baby-from-shame-after-giving-birth-alone.html

On a lighter note however, a group of witches accuse Catholics of prejudice forr not letting them use thei club:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8107260.stm

Zillah · 19-06-2009 09:21AM

Galvasean wrote: »

Pretty sad state of affairs:
'Catholic mother killed newborn baby from 'shame' after giving birth alone'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5565706/Catholic-mother-killed-newborn-baby-from-shame-after-giving-birth-alone.html[/url

That's one of the more depressing stories I've read of late.

Dades · 24-06-2009 09:00AM

Being 'forced' to quit your job could be a Hazard of Belief!

Devout Catholic nurse resigns over hospital crucifix ban

In the last 12 months two relatives of mine caught MRSA in hospitals and have seen how easily it can happen. I don't think it's being unreasonable that she not have her beads dangling around every patient. It sounds like a sad case of needing to 'display' her faith rather than simply have it.

Sympathy = zero.

5uspect · 24-06-2009 09:43AM

Apparently copper kills the MRSA bug. Would a copper cross be acceptable?

EDIT: Then again they would claim it cures MRSA and start rubbing big copper crucifixes on the patients...

robindch · 03-07-2009 09:47AM

Life continues on the other side of the fence:

Arguably uncharacteristically, one RCC outlet is heeding medical advice from doctors. A cynic would suggest that it's because it's their health at stake.
http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local_wlfi_lafayette_H1N1_prompts_changes_in_Catholic_church_20090628

Sally Kerns, of the Oklahoma state legislature, blames the economic downturn on a bunch of things including -- you guessed it -- gays and porn. Issues a splendidly silly Proclamation for Morality to suit. This happens some months after police catch Ms Kern carrying weapons into the State Capitol.
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/sally-kerns-proclamation-morality

Trailer-park peeps will be trailer-park peeps, even if they call themselves "Manna Christian Mobile Home Park":
http://www.news-press.com/article/20090628/CRIME/90628021/1075

Texas prelate ignores church-state separation. Engages with state trooper enthusiastically. Gets hisself tasered and his flock pepper-sprayed.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/national/Texas_Police_Taser_Pastor_Helping_Driver_in_Traffic_Stop_17304254

pts · 03-07-2009 11:10AM

"Thrown pig leads to religious riots in India"

CNN wrote:

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Three people have been killed in religious rioting in southern India between Muslims and Hindus, police said Friday.

Widespread violence broke out in Mysore Thursday after somebody threw a dead pig into the compound of an under-construction mosque, city police commissioner Sunil Agarwal told CNN.

More than a dozen people were injured in the clashes, he said.

Police fired tear gas and used bamboo sticks to break up the rioting, according to Agarwal.

Authorities have, for now, banned assembly of five or more people on the streets of the troubled area, according to the police.

Mysore is a city in Karnataka, India's only southern state governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata

When pigs fly eh?

robindch · 03-07-2009 11:21AM

pts wrote: »

Thrown pig leads to religious riots in India

Sounds like a bad case of Swine Flew.

pts · 03-07-2009 12:32PM

robindch wrote: »

Sounds like a bad case of Swine Flew.

ha ha, should have seen that one coming.

Galvasean · 03-07-2009 02:13PM

Dades wrote: »

Being 'forced' to quit your job could be a Hazard of Belief!

Devout Catholic nurse resigns over hospital crucifix ban

In the last 12 months two relatives of mine caught MRSA in hospitals and have seen how easily it can happen. I don't think it's being unreasonable that she not have her beads dangling around every patient. It sounds like a sad case of needing to 'display' her faith rather than simply have it.

Sympathy = zero.

A spokesman said: 'The issue is not one of religion, the trust employs a uniform policy which must be adhered to at all times.
'This policy applies to all staff employed by the trust and who wear a uniform on duty.
'Necklaces and chains present two problems, firstly, they provide a surface that can harbour and spread infections.

'Secondly, they present a health and safety issue whereby a patient could grab a necklace or chain and cause harm to the member of staff.
'As an employer, the trust has a responsibility to ensure that all staff are provided with a safe environment to be able to go about their duty.
'Jewellery is restricted to one pair of plain or unobtrusive studs in the earlobes only and no other facial piercings are permitted, including tongue studs.
'One plain ring/band is permitted on the ring finger

So she broke the rules, got called on it, then threw a hissy fit?

sionnach · 04-07-2009 10:27AM

Another heartbreaking and infuriating case where a young girl's parents asked God to heal her instead of a doctor with the usual outcome:

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2009/07/jury_hears_father_recount_fait.html

Galvasean · 12-07-2009 11:45AM

Religious protestors start riot. But wait, they're Jewish!?!?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/06/2617502.htm?section=world

lankysexybeast · 12-07-2009 05:04PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Religious protestors start riot. But wait, they're Jewish!?!?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/06/2617502.htm?section=world

"Islam is not violent.... cut anyones head off who says it is"

pts · 13-07-2009 11:43AM

Galvasean wrote: »

Religious protestors start riot. But wait, they're Jewish!?!?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/06/2617502.htm?section=world

Now with video!! Good old Faux news

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhVFJb1jFhI

Dades · 14-07-2009 09:01AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8147329.stm

a group of about 20 or 30 police officers entered the popular Khartoum restaurant and arrested all the women wearing trousers.

The mind boggles.

Dave! · 14-07-2009 09:32AM

Don't you hate pants?!

Galvasean · 14-07-2009 03:28PM

Dades wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8147329.stm

The mind boggles.

Have you noticed the corralation between the rise of aids and the fall of pants in Africa?

pts · 14-07-2009 03:33PM

Dave! wrote: »

Don't you hate pants?!

They sound like slightly evolved Underpants Gnomes to me, with a devilish clever business plan:

Collect Pants
?
Prophet

Galvasean · 14-07-2009 03:35PM

pts wrote: »

They sound like slightly evolved Underpants Gnomes to me, with a devilish clever business plan:
Collect Pants

?

Prophet

Nice Freudian slip

Skrynesaver · 15-07-2009 07:35AM

From an article in the Guardian

Today, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, advised his diocese to temporarily end the use of holy water for fear it could pass the virus through congregations.

It would appear that the traditional sprinkle of blessed water is no longer a cure-all

fitz0 · 15-07-2009 10:09AM

From the same article,

Pastoral visits to the ailing should be avoided, he added, and when needed clergy should wear sterile gloves, an apron and a face mask.

So its Dr. Priest now is it?

MrPudding · 15-07-2009 10:16AM

I don't undertand why the clergy don't trust the good lord to protect them whilst they are carrying out his work. It is almost as if they don't have faith in his all poweredness. And even if they did get it would that not mean god was calling them to him and they should be happy?

MrP

Tyler MacDurden · 17-07-2009 01:30AM

Andrea Bruce of The Washington Post won Third Place for her series on female circumcision in Iraqi Kurdistan. Pretty harrowing stuff here.

The mother of one mutilated 7 year-old said this:

“This is the practice of the Kurdish people for as long as anyone can remember,” said the mother, Aisha Hameed, 30, a housewife in this ethnically mixed town 150 miles north of Baghdad. “We don’t know why we do it, but we will never stop because Islam and our elders require it.”

There's a perpetual cycle of misery if ever there was one.

Dades · 17-07-2009 09:03AM

That whole business has to be one of the most cowardly and disgusting practices ever to hide itself under the umbrella of religion.

FFS it's the 21st century. :mad:

Zillah · 17-07-2009 10:13AM

Dades wrote: »

That whole business has to be one of the most cowardly and disgusting practices ever to hide itself under the umbrella of religion.

FFS it's the 21st century. :mad:

Oh hey we can't have women enjoying sex now can we? That's all intimidating and weird and stuff. Better to just cut pieces off of their bodies so they're inanimate sex objects instead.

*filled with more anti-religion rage than usual*

The Hazards of Belief

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