Tag: Religion
Heavenly Higgs Boson
Yesterday I read an interesting science article
Where scientists say the Big Bang theory is arguable.
They’re searching for a psion
For a theory we can rely on —
That God’s not only not omnipotent, she’s just a particle!
Let’s Make a Deal: Qur’an Burning for Manhattan Muslim Center
Mohammad Musri, of the Islamic Society, went to the church for the second day in a row Thursday afternoon, this time to make a deal. He said if Jones agrees to call off the Quran burning, he will urge Feisal Abdul Rauf, the controversial Imam behind the proposed mosque and community center near New York’s “ground zero,” to relocate the planned mosque in New York City.
No word on Jones’ decision.
It’s been a busy day for Jones, as he counts down to the fateful moment at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday when he has promised to burn Qur’ans in commemoration of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Obama: “Yeah. I hope he listens to…those better angels.”
FBI sources tell ABC News that the agents were there to brief Jones on all the death threats he’s received and to discuss how they’re going to protect him and the church on Saturday.
Protecting University of Florida Gator football fans is also a major issue, as the home team plays cross-state rival Tampa’s University of South Florida Bulls in a game that kicks off at 12:21. What with the press, protestors, and supporters flocking to Gainesville to witness the Qur’an bonfire, Gainesville police have their hands full. Add thousands of drunk football fans and who knows what will happen?
Petraeus Says Christian Extremists are Putting Troops at Risk
Plans by a tiny Gainesville, Fla. church to burn Qurans on Sept. 11 were condemned by a guy who knows how to act toward Islam. Gen. David Petraeus is pleading with the Christian extremists to tone it down or put American troops at risk.
“It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort,” Gen. Petraeus said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community.”
Hundreds of Afghans attended a demonstration in Kabul on Monday to protest the plans of Florida pastor Terry Jones, who has said he will burn the Quran on Sept. 11…
Military officials fear the protests are likely to spread beyond Kabul to other Afghan cities. In interviews with various media outlets, Mr. Jones has denied his protest will put troops in danger. Mr. Jones has been denied a permit for the demonstration but has said he plans to go forward with his protest anyway.
Meanwhile, people in Gainesville — home of the flagship University of Florida and its law school, and one of the few places in that part of the state that still elects Democrats — struggled to both condemn the 50-member church and to defend it.
This faux commercial for the event sums up the absurdity in Pastor Jones’ position.
Verbatim
Where is the fuck who is against Mother Teresa?
— Known bigot and old school Jewish comedian Jackie Mason, speaking at a protest rally at the Empire State Building. The skyscraper’s owner, Anthony E. Malkin, declined to light the landmark to honor the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth, leading anti-Islamic voices to claim a link to plans to build a Muslim community center in Manhattan.
Obama Opens Iftar Dinner at the White House
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It’s just a shame that he had to spend so much time establishing the duty to protect religious freedom. That should be a given.
“Nones” Grow While Zealots Decline
At last, some good news on the American religious front. A new study shows 15 percent of Americans claim no religious affiliation. Only 10 percent of the 34 million people who are being called “Nones” say they don’t believe in God. Rather, they don’t believe in people who believe in God. To put it another way, they think what they think and don’t need a church full of loonies to tell them how to live.
In 1990, just 8 percent of the population claimed no affiliation with a religious denomination. In terms of education, income, and marital status, Nones are similar to the general population, though they are more likely to live in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest. In Vermont, they actually make up the largest single “denomination.” Nones are, on average, younger than the general population—a factor helping to make them the fastest-growing segment of the religious landscape.
Who could blame people for turning away from churches? In recent years, the scandals outnumber the success stories. From meth addict Ted Haggard to Tony Alamo and Warren Jeffs having sex with little girls to televangelists who rip off their flocks to fruitcakes like Fred Phelps whose views are incomprehensibly twisted…who needs it?
A recent national poll found that the proportion of Americans who believe that religion can “answer all or most of today’s problems” has fallen to 48 percent—an all-time low. Many believers, says religion writer Julia Duin, “are perplexed and disappointed with God.”
I don’t think it’s God’s fault that we’re acting out some very strange behavior. But I do think it’s a healthy sign that we’re beginning to pull away from all that.
“If current trends continue and cohorts of nonreligious young people replace older religious people,” the Trinity study states, “the likely outcome is that in two decades, the Nones could account for around one-quarter of the American population.” Nonreligious citizens tend to hold more liberal political and cultural views than regular churchgoers, suggesting that a continued decline in religious affiliation could be accompanied by a rise of liberalism.
Like I said, this is not a bad thing.
