To all the Members of the Modern Pantheon, but especially You, Jehovah/Jesus/Holy Ghost and You, Allah, because your followers are creating the most trouble these days:
Thousands of years ago humans first began to wonder about the unknown. As yet ill-equipped for rational thought (some philosophers would even say still hallucinatory), our ancestors unfortunately thought of You long, long before they thought of the scientific method. Thus, religion, a powerful force for good or evil, was born, and organized religion, an even more powerful force for human manipulation, soon followed. For most of human history, your followers have waged almost constant war against each other, at unimaginable cost to Humanity in terms of human life and suffering.
Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer here in what most of You (with one prominent exception) recognize as the greatest and most God-fearing country in the history of this planet, the United States. I missed an opportunity to speak out then, because I was distracted by the Religious, who spent the day and the days leading up to it in heated debate over which of You has the most merit. It’s time for You to take responsibility for these people, your servants, and get things under control. You have all become exceedingly passive aggressive over the centuries, hinting strongly about things like total planetary annihilation while hiding behind your human mouthpieces.
My prayer to You is that You end your rivalry and decide amongst Yourselves once and for all Who is the greatest. I suggest a cosmic ritual battle to the death, and You even have the option of worldwide broadcast of the event with all advertising proceeds (and they will be just fantastically huge, enough to build entire cities of Megachurches) going to the last God/Goddess/Spaghetti Monster standing. I think this will clear everything up very nicely and give us humans a simpler way forward, without all that messy hate speech and suicide bombing and abortion doctor murder and stuff. I’m even rooting for You, Jesus, because I think the world might just be a better place if “Love thy neighbor” wins out.
Sincerely,
Concerned Mortal
In a corporate snub to the Agape Jesus (you know, the one who urged his followers to love their neighbors as themselves), a gunmaker holding a hefty government contract is mixing guns and religion in a uniquely ultra-Evangelical way. Trijicon is putting Biblical references onto the high-powered rifle scopes they sell to (who else?) the US government. The Marine Corps pays Trijicon $600 million to supply the scopes. ABC describes the inscriptions as “secret code,” but anyone even remotely familiar with the Bible would recognize them. For instance, one code ends with 2COR4:6 (Second Corinthians chapter 4, verse 6 : “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”) The company freely admits that it places the Biblical references on the weapons. .
The inappropriateness of these references on weapons of war goes far, far beyond the separation of church and state. Has America really descended to the level of the Crusaders, who went to war with crosses on their chests and on their swords? Evangelical Christianity has become an ideological and theological front for those who would seek to convert non-believers by the sword. How is this different, really, from a jihad? The US government, in not only allowing, but actually paying for these messages, is promoting Evangelical Christianity, and opens itself up to criticism from the Arab world over its own Holy War.
I wonder if this reference shows up on any gun sights:
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. —
Isaiah 2:4 &
Micah 4:3
The Holy Family Snubs Freethinkers
I celebrated the Winter Solstice with a group of Arkansas Freethinkers on the grounds of the state capitol building. I attended out of curiosity as much as a desire to recognize their achievement in getting a Solstice exhibit on state property. I have heard that the Nativity at the capitol ranks among the world’s ugliest holiday displays, and I wanted to have a look. I was also hoping protestors would show up to prosecute the War on Christmas. I was disappointed on both counts. The Right Wingers stayed home on what turned out to be a clear, mild night, and Baby Jesus was locked up tightly. I hear from reliable sources that prior to the Freethinkers’ blasphemous display Baby Jesus was visible 24/7. I guess some may have feared that the Freethinkers would physically as well as philosophically threaten the infant and his family.
Solstice Exhibit
You, know, Winter Solstice, the holiday that the Arkansas Freethinkers “virtually” made up according to conservative blogger, Jason Tolbert. I was surprised to hear this, having long had a soft spot in my heart for this, the shortest day in the year. Coincidentally, ancient (and Pre-Christian) peoples on multiple continents also celebrated this very same day!! It must be a coincidence, after all, because otherwise we are going to have to accept that 1) ancient people were observant enough to mark the change in day length accurately or 2) Jason Tolbert is about as educated as Sarah Palin.
Tonight, the Arkansas Freethinkers are having a Solstice Celebration near their monument on the Capitol grounds at 9:30pm. I will be there. After tonight, the days will get longer, the nights shorter, and the sunshine sweeter. What’s not to celebrate?
Wouldn’t you know it, John Boozman is very interested in making sure visitors to Washinton, DC are familiar with America’s religious heritage. That means making sure our motto, In God We Trust, is engraved somewhere at the Capitol Visitors’ Center. He’s right. Everyone should know that our “motto” goes all the way back to 1956. I wonder why the Founding Fathers didn’t make that the national motto back in the 1700′s? Maybe they were just trying not to establish a national religion, or something equally fatuous.
Someone forwarded me a message urging me to participate in a survey currently being run by NBC. The survey asks one question: “Do you believe the motto ‘in God we trust” should be removed from US currency?” The sender, who will remain anonymous, urged me to send the letter to “all Christians” I know so they could vote (presumbably “no”). At the bottom of the note was this message: “This is not sent for discussion. If you agree, forward it, if you don’t, delete it.” Well, I did neither. I went directly to the survey and voted “yes.” I think it’s high time to put religion and superstition out of office in this country.
Wherever you may personally stand on this issue, here’s your chance to let NBC know how you feel.
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