The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Slog: Religion

The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Slog: Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/ Seattle's #1 Weekly Newspaper. Covering Seattle news, politics, music, film, and arts; plus movie times, club calendars, restaurant listings, forums, blogs, and Savage Love. en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. editor@thestranger.com (The Stranger Editor) webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Sat, 25 May 2013 23:00:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Faith Is Truth? http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/faith-is-truth http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/faith-is-truth Brendan Kiley <p>Seen on the street a couple of days ago:</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/f5e0/1369433321-darwintruth.jpg" alt="darwintruth.jpg" title="" width="500" height="441" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">ts</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>Kierkegaard wrote that truth is subjectivity and subjectivity is truth—as someone on the internet explains it, "while objective facts are important, there is a second and more crucial element of truth, which involves how one relates oneself to those matters of fact."</p> <p>Somehow I don't think this is about that.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/faith-is-truth#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16866081&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Life Religion Books http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/faith-is-truth?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16866081&id=comments 24 Faith Is Truth? ts Fri, 24 May 2013 15:29:58 -0700 The Stranger All Atheists Go To Heaven? http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/all-atheists-go-to-heaven http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/all-atheists-go-to-heaven Paul Constant <p>At 5 pm tonight (Seattle time), I'll be appearing on a <a href="http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/pope-says-atheists-who-are-good-get-redeemed/519e30bafe344475a30001b3">Huffington Post Live </a>stream to discuss Pope Francis's recent statements about atheists. (<a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/22/the-pope-doesnt-understand-the-point-of-atheists">I Slogged about it</a> for a bit earlier this week, and here's <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/05/23/pope-francis-atheists/2355935/">a slightly more impartial story</a>.) If watching some folks talk about God (or the lack thereof) and the relative niceness of the new Pope as compared to ol' Ratzi sounds like your idea of a great way to kick off Memorial Day Weekend, you should<a href="http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/pope-says-atheists-who-are-good-get-redeemed/519e30bafe344475a30001b3"> tune in to this site at five</a>.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/all-atheists-go-to-heaven#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16865584&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion Teh Internets http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/24/all-atheists-go-to-heaven?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16865584&id=comments 8 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:20:26 -0700 The Stranger Glenn Beckwatch: CNN's Atheist Plot, Revealed! http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/glenn-beckwatch-cnns-atheist-plot-revealed http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/glenn-beckwatch-cnns-atheist-plot-revealed Paul Constant <p><a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/21/there-are-no-atheists-in-foxholes">Yesterday, Dan showed you</a> the awkward footage that ensued when CNN news-idiot Wolf Blitzer accidentally asked an atheist if she thanked the Lord for delivering her from the tornado. </p> <p>Today, <a href="http://christiannightmares.tumblr.com/post/51164159357/glenn-beck-wolf-blitzer-interview-with-atheist">Christian Nightmares notices</a> that Glenn Beck thinks the whole scenario smacks of a conspiracy. He begins, "I really like Wolf Blitzer, and I think he's a good man," but "that questioning was peculiar, even for Wolf, who I think is a religious man." Beck concludes that Blitzer was set up by a producer who is "<strong>sympathetic to the atheist plight</strong>" or "just doesn't like Christians." That producer knew the woman was an atheist but hid the information and told Blitzer to ask the question about God in order to raise awareness of atheism. "That was there for a reason," Beck says, knowingly.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U1t48BB1H9E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/glenn-beckwatch-cnns-atheist-plot-revealed#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16858337&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Media Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/glenn-beckwatch-cnns-atheist-plot-revealed?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16858337&id=comments 20 Thu, 23 May 2013 16:34:39 -0700 The Stranger Michele Bachmann Says God Will Perform a Miracle to Free Us All from "the Yoke of Obamacare" http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/michele-bachmann-says-god-will-perform-a-miracle-to-free-us-all-from-the-yoke-of-obamacare http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/michele-bachmann-says-god-will-perform-a-miracle-to-free-us-all-from-the-yoke-of-obamacare Paul Constant <p><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/05/22/2048161/bachmann-god-obamacare-repeal/">ThinkProgress reports on the latest stupid thing Michele Bachmann said</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>“I think the President will ultimately be forced to repudiate his own signature piece of legislation because the American people will demand it,” [Bachmann] told an evangelical radio host Tuesday. “And I think before his second term is over, we’re going to see a miracle before our eyes, I believe God is going to answer our prayers and we’ll be freed from the yoke of Obamacare.”</p></blockquote> <p>Presumably, this is because God believes people should not have access to quality medical care if they can't afford it. I'm sure there's some Bible verse somewhere that backs up Bachmann's claims.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/michele-bachmann-says-god-will-perform-a-miracle-to-free-us-all-from-the-yoke-of-obamacare#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16854037&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Politics Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/michele-bachmann-says-god-will-perform-a-miracle-to-free-us-all-from-the-yoke-of-obamacare?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16854037&id=comments 19 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:35:45 -0700 The Stranger A Pope at Peace With Atheists? http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/a-pope-at-peace-with-atheists http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/a-pope-at-peace-with-atheists Eli Sanders <p>I am no <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/worst-popes-ever/Content?oid=4179994">expert on popes</a>. However, this quote from the new Pope Francis, <a href="http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/05/22/the-pope-and-atheists/">via Sullivan</a>, seems interesting:</p> <blockquote><p>We all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.</p></blockquote> <p>Another thing Pope Francis said <a href="http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/05/22/quote-for-the-day-207/">yesterday</a>, and perhaps more relevant to yesterday's news: "To say that you can kill in the name of God is blasphemy."</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/a-pope-at-peace-with-atheists#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16849436&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/23/a-pope-at-peace-with-atheists?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16849436&id=comments 19 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700 The Stranger The Pope Doesn't Understand the Point of Atheists http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/22/the-pope-doesnt-understand-the-point-of-atheists http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/22/the-pope-doesnt-understand-the-point-of-atheists Paul Constant <p><a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445">Here's something </a>that Pope Francis said today:</p> <blockquote><p>The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! </p></blockquote> <p>Um, gee. <strong>Thanks, I guess?</strong> But maybe keep your unicorn juice to yourself? It's kind of weird to go spilling magical blood on a bunch of people who don't believe in it.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/22/the-pope-doesnt-understand-the-point-of-atheists#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16844577&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/22/the-pope-doesnt-understand-the-point-of-atheists?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16844577&id=comments 36 Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:01 -0700 The Stranger Youth Pastor Watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/20/youth-pastor-watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/20/youth-pastor-watch Dan Savage <blockquote><p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:112px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/0324/1369081094-1369081074_tmp_ypwyoon.jpg" alt="1369081074_tmp_YPWYoon.jpg" title="" width="100" height="159" /></div><a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/San-Leandro-Youth-Minister-Arrested-in-Florida-Prostitution-Bust-207766001.html">CALIFORNIA</a>: A San Leandro youth pastor was among dozens arrested during a massive prostitution sweep last week in Florida, who was in Orlando for a ministers conference. Samuel Yoon, 45, who works at New Community Mission Church, a Southern Baptist church in San Mateo, was arrested May 8 as part of an undercover sting in Polk County, Fla. In all, 92 people were arrested in a span of four days. Sheriff's deputies said Yoon responded to an ad posted by an undercover detective offering women for sale. Authorities say that he was looking to have sex with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He was in Orlando at the time, authorities said, to attend a youth ministry conference.</p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/20/youth-pastor-watch#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16824091&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/20/youth-pastor-watch?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16824091&id=comments 7 Youth Pastor Watch Mon, 20 May 2013 13:21:44 -0700 The Stranger Slog Bible Study: Revelation 1:9 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/19/slog-bible-study-revelation-19 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/19/slog-bible-study-revelation-19 Goldy <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201:9&version=CEV">Revelation 1:9</a><br />We suffer because Jesus is our king.</blockquote><br />Discuss.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/19/slog-bible-study-revelation-19#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16808935&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/19/slog-bible-study-revelation-19?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16808935&id=comments 30 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700 The Stranger That's a Clown Social Networking App, Bro http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/16/thats-a-clown-social-networking-app-bro http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/16/thats-a-clown-social-networking-app-bro Dan Savage <p><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/16/184444451/twitter-users-risk-damnation-say-saudi-religious-police">NPR</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>"The head of Saudi Arabia's religious police has warned citizens against using Twitter, which is rising in popularity among Saudis," the BBC reports. "Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said anyone using social media sites—and especially Twitter—'has lost this world and his afterlife.' " International Digital Times notes that: "The news rather reminds us of the imam of the Grand Mosque who last April used his sermon—seen by millions on TV—to label Twitter as a threat to national unity. The kingdom's grand mufti (religious head) earlier at several occasions attacked Twitter users calling them 'fools' and 'clowns.'"</p></blockquote> <p>One Twitter user looks on the bright side...</p> <p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">@<a href="https://twitter.com/fakedansavage">fakedansavage</a> So when I die, I won't go to the same place as Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh? Shame, he seems like a really fun guy<br />— Alexander Colgan (@alexcolgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexcolgan/status/335025677810151425">May 16, 2013</a></blockquote><br /><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/16/thats-a-clown-social-networking-app-bro#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16782696&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion Tech Teh Internets http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/16/thats-a-clown-social-networking-app-bro?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16782696&id=comments 26 Thu, 16 May 2013 06:51:17 -0700 The Stranger Soros Open Society Foundation Gives a Grant to One of My Favorite Local Scholars http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/14/soros-open-society-foundation-gives-a-grant-to-one-of-my-favorite-local-scholars http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/14/soros-open-society-foundation-gives-a-grant-to-one-of-my-favorite-local-scholars Brendan Kiley <p>Today, the Open Society Foundation announced its <a href="http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about/programs/us-programs/grantees">Soros Justice Fellows</a>—a prestigious award with a hefty stipend to do a yearlong project:</p> <blockquote><p>The new fellows include Maureen Barden, a former federal prosecutor, who will seize upon the opportunities provided by the Affordable Care Act to ensure that people returning home from prison and jail have meaningful access to health care; Kylee Sunderlin, a graduating law student, who will combat the unconscionable practice of <strong>leveling child abuse and neglect charges against pregnant women based on their enrollment in methadone maintenance treatment</strong>; and Tyrone Werts, an activist who spent two decades as president of the “lifers” organization at Pennsylvania’s maximum security Graterford Prison, who will work with other formerly incarcerated men to address the problem of crime and violence.</p> <p>Other 2013 Soros Justice Fellows include Luis Trelles, an investigative journalist, who will explore the dramatic contradictions surrounding Puerto Rico’s emergence as the “death penalty capital of the Caribbean;” and Calvin Duncan, who during nearly 30 years of wrongful incarceration at Louisiana’s notorious Angola Penitentiary became a renowned “jailhouse lawyer,” and who will now help others assert their post-conviction rights.</p></blockquote> <p>Among the winners is <strong>Dr. Tanya Erzen</strong>, who studies American religion's high-pressure points of contact with other aspects of American culture: she started with "ex-gay" conversion therapy and has recently been studying how <a href="http://rap.wustl.edu/tanya-erzen/">our nation's prisons are becoming increasingly evangelical Christian institutions.</a> That has all kinds of weird and sometimes deeply screwed-up effects, such as giving preferential treatment to prisoners based on their faith—or how well those prisoners fake their faith to get the benefits. She also wrote an ethnography of female Twilight fans titled <em><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=HARDCOVER:NEW:9780807006337:24.95&page=excerpt">Fanpire</a>.</em> (I think it's about how some women look wistfully at <em>Twilight</em> characters as masculine ideals they wish their own partners would embody, but I haven't read it.)</p> <p>She and I have also had lively conversation about <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/church-or-cult/Content?oid=12172001">Mars Hill church and the phenomenon of "macho Christianity."</a></p> <p>And, of course, she spoke at last year's <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/09/14/the-fourth-smoke-farm-symposium-september-22">Smoke Farm Symposium.</a> Details about this summer's Symposium—our fifth so far—are coming soon.</p> <p>Anyway: <strong>Congratulations, Tanya!</strong></p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/14/soros-open-society-foundation-gives-a-grant-to-one-of-my-favorite-local-scholars#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16763591&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/14/soros-open-society-foundation-gives-a-grant-to-one-of-my-favorite-local-scholars?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16763591&id=comments 0 Tue, 14 May 2013 12:32:25 -0700 The Stranger There Is No Goldy http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/there-is-no-goldy http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/there-is-no-goldy Goldy <p>I was listening to NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday morning as host Rachel Martin interviewed singer/songwriter <strong>Amy Grant</strong> about being <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=182956768">"unabashedly spiritual."</a> And I know I probably shouldn't have let it bother me, but one brief exchange kinda did:</p> <blockquote><p>GRANT: ... But probably underlying all of my intention about making music, because I grew up in a family surrounded by people of faith, I've always seen music as the - it seems like the easiest way for people to bypass their preconceived notions of God, religion - all those things - and it's deeply affected spiritually. And I think <strong>that's the one thing that all people on Earth have in common, is our spiritual life.</strong> Somehow, just always having that potential to say is it possible in the right song to say something that would make somebody pause and imagine <strong>where they fit in the epic plan of God?</strong></p> <p>MARTIN: You just talked about trying to tap into <strong>something universal, something that everyone can relate to</strong>, everyone can feel something a little bigger than themselves.</p> <p>GRANT: Right.</p></blockquote> <p>Except, no Amy and Rachel, it's not universal and it's not something we all have in common. Some of us aren't spiritual. At all. <strong>We're just not born with the spirituality gene</strong>, however we might have been raised. And the notion of having a "spiritual life" is as alien to us as our absolute atheism must seem alien to you.</p> <p>I don't doubt Grant and Martin's good intentions. But it kinda irks me when people of faith unselfconsciously take on this air of open-mindedness while pretending that people like me just don't exist.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/there-is-no-goldy#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16747468&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/there-is-no-goldy?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16747468&id=comments 67 Mon, 13 May 2013 09:28:20 -0700 The Stranger Youth Pastor Watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/youth-pastor-watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/youth-pastor-watch Dan Savage <blockquote><p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:112px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/7ebf/1368453915-1368453887_tmp_ypwfortner.jpg" alt="1368453887_tmp_YPWFortner.jpg" title="" width="100" height="140" /></div><a href="http://www.kcbd.com/story/22222018/levelland-youth-pastor-in-custody-for-enticement-of-a-minor">TEXAS</a>: A youth minister at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Levelland is in federal custody for attempted enticement of a minor. Trevor Jacob Fortner, 25, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before a federal judge on Friday.... According to court documents, a detective with the Lubbock Police Department was working undercover online as a 15-year old female named "Katy". On Tuesday, Fortner encountered "Katy" online and began sending her text messages, including sexually explicit images. Fortner asked "Katy" to send him explicit pictures of herself as well. The affidavit states Fortner and "Katy" spoke about meeting up and he told her he wanted to have sex with her. Fortner told "Katy," "If we were to do something you wouldn't try to get me into trouble for anything would you? I could be labeled as a sex offender and put in jail and what not. I just want to make sure."</p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/youth-pastor-watch#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16752076&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/13/youth-pastor-watch?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16752076&id=comments 11 Youth Pastor Watch Mon, 13 May 2013 07:07:40 -0700 The Stranger Slog Bible Study: Luke 19:23-27 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/12/slog-bible-study-luke-1923-27 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/12/slog-bible-study-luke-1923-27 Goldy <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:23-27&version=CEV">Luke 19:23-27</a><br />Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest."</p> <p>Then he said to some other servants standing there, "Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much."</p> <p>But they said, "Sir, he already has ten times as much!"</p> <p>The king replied, "Those who have something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have anything. Now bring me the enemies who didn't want me to be their king. Kill them while I watch!"</blockquote><br />Discuss.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/12/slog-bible-study-luke-1923-27#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16742567&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/12/slog-bible-study-luke-1923-27?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16742567&id=comments 25 Sun, 12 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700 The Stranger Desperately Needed Christian Version of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's "Thrift Shop" http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/desperately-needed-christian-version-of-macklemores-thrift-shop http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/desperately-needed-christian-version-of-macklemores-thrift-shop Dan Savage <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/30vyrdhiwwQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Um... <em>okay</em>.</p> <p>Confused by the moment when these "awesome Christians" throw a stack of Bibles on the floor. Is that how the faithful roll at soulless, exurban evangelical megachurches? Because the nuns at St. Jerome's would've decked anyone who pulled a stunt like that. In an unrelated matter: I would <em>totally</em> put my <strike>dick</strike> faith in that rappin', shaggy-haired pastor—right after I tithed him to the bed. (Via <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/">The Friendly Atheist</a>.)</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/desperately-needed-christian-version-of-macklemores-thrift-shop#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16729244&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Music Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/desperately-needed-christian-version-of-macklemores-thrift-shop?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16729244&id=comments 37 Fri, 10 May 2013 09:15:36 -0700 The Stranger The Source of Morality Isn't God http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/the-source-of-morality-isnt-god http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/the-source-of-morality-isnt-god Charles Mudede <p>It's maternal care. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/health/lifes-work-de-waal/index.html?hpt=hp_bn17">Frans de Waal</a>, a famous primatologist and author of a new book called <em>The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates</em>: <br /><blockquote>CNN: How would you say that ethics or morality is separate from religion?</p> <p>De Waal: Well, I think that morality is older. In the sense that I find it very hard to believe that 100,000 or 200,000 <br />years ago, our ancestors did not believe in right and wrong, and did not punish bad behavior, did not care about fairness. Very long ago our ancestors had moral systems. Our current institutions are only a couple of thousand years old, which is really not old in the eyes of a biologist. So I think religion came after morality. Religion may have become a codification of morality, and it may fortify it, but it's not the origin of it.</p></blockquote> <p>Later:<br /><blockquote>CNN: Tell us more about the origins of empathy.</p> <p>De Waal: We think that the origin of empathy, in the mammals at least, has to do with maternal care. So a female, whether you're a mouse or an elephant, you need to pay attention to your offspring, you need to react to their emotions when they're cold, or in danger, or hungry, and that's where we think the sensitivity to others' emotions come from.</p> <p>That also explains why empathy is more developed in females than males, which is true in many animals, and it's true for humans, and it explains the role of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a maternal hormone. If you spray oxytocin into the nostrils of men and women, you get more empathic (empathetic) reactions from them, and so the general thinking about empathy is that it started in the mammals with maternal care, and then from there it spread to other relationships. So men can definitely have empathy, but they on average have a little bit less of it than women.</blockquote><br />The question is this: Why does the idea of religion exist in the first place? Or, better yet, why did we have to codify something that was already natural, something we had to do (help, live, and work with others) anyway to survive. We are a social animal; we have social bodies. How did religion get into this picture? My guess is that religion has really never been about morality but control, which is why it appeared at around the time agriculture revolutionized human social relations. The main problem with huge human settlements may have never been about civility but simply the distribution of the surplus that large-scale human cooperation made possible. It is only here that the religious picture of God begins to make sense.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/the-source-of-morality-isnt-god#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16728817&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/10/the-source-of-morality-isnt-god?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16728817&id=comments 24 Fri, 10 May 2013 08:27:23 -0700 The Stranger Lead Singer of Christian Metal Band Arrested For Attempting to Hire a Hit Man http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/08/lead-singer-of-christian-metal-band-arrested-for-attempting-to-hire-a-hit-man http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/08/lead-singer-of-christian-metal-band-arrested-for-attempting-to-hire-a-hit-man Dan Savage <p>There is no morality without religion...</p> <blockquote><p>Grammy-nominated As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis was <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-as-i-lay-dying-singer-arrested-murder-plot-20130507,0,7183759.story">arrested in Oceanside on Tuesday on suspicion of hiring a hit man to murder his estranged wife</a>, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Lambesis, 32, was charged on three federal counts—one count of solicitation to commit murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit crime.... Fans have taken to the act's Facebook page seeking more information on the incident. "I can't even imagine him resorting to this after all of the inspiration from this band," wrote one. "They have never produced a single thing that would make me believe any of them were capable of this. This would be absolutely heart breaking to hear." .... Lambesis recently posted a video on YouTube in which he and a bandmate trade "mosh calls for the lord," including such rallying cries as "crowd surf for the virgin birth."</p></blockquote> <p>Lambesis and his wife have three children.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/08/lead-singer-of-christian-metal-band-arrested-for-attempting-to-hire-a-hit-man#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16706684&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Music Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/08/lead-singer-of-christian-metal-band-arrested-for-attempting-to-hire-a-hit-man?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16706684&id=comments 16 Wed, 08 May 2013 06:53:39 -0700 The Stranger American Life League Urges American Catholic Bishops Not to Give Communion to Anyone Supporting Abortion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/07/american-life-league-urges-american-catholic-bishops-not-to-give-communion-to-anyone-supporting-abortion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/07/american-life-league-urges-american-catholic-bishops-not-to-give-communion-to-anyone-supporting-abortion Anna Minard <p>For some unfathomable reason, we are on the American Life League's press list (I guess we all know <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/06/28/excommunicate-me-the-end">it can take a while to get excommunicated</a>), and while I mainly ignore any e-mail that comes with letterhead carrying a <a href="http://www.all.org/newsroom">logo of a fetus</a>, I thought I'd share this gem with you all.</p> <p>Apparently, in late March, Pope Francis sent a letter to the bishops in his native Argentina directing them to <strong>deny communion</strong> to anyone—"legislators, heads of governments, and health professionals"—who acts in contradiction to the church's teachings on abortion. (This is one of the jillion reasons why I don't really give two shits that this wonderful new Jesuit priest <a href="http://theweek.com/article/index/242061/7-fascinating-things-weve-learned-about-pope-francis">doesn't like fancy things</a>. You could have all the palaces and Prada shoes you want if you'll just <strong>stay the fuck out of my uterus</strong>, thankyouverymuch.) The American Life League has taken it upon itself to send "the following letter to all U.S. Catholic bishops," admonishing them to do the same...</p> <blockquote><p>Your Excellency,<br /> <br />We are renewed in our joy over the election of Pope Francis. One of the reasons for our happiness is the Holy Father’s reiteration of Catholic teaching as enunciated in <a href="canon 915">canon 915</a>. The report, published May 4 by LifeSiteNews and Breitbart News, states in part: “Pope Francis has directed the bishops of Argentina, his home country, to govern the Church there following a document that makes clear that <strong>Holy Communion should be disallowed for any person who facilitates abortion, including politicians</strong>. 'These are the guidelines we need for this time in history,' the pope wrote to the bishops.”<br /> <br />We pray that these words will be an encouragement to you as well because, like Argentina, the United States has her share of Catholics in public life who persist in their support of abortion while, at the same time, receiving Christ in the sacrament of Holy Eucharist.<br /> <br />We write to ask you, in view of this recent news report, to act on Pope Francis’ call and <strong>deny the sacrament of Christ’s real presence—body, blood, soul, and divinity—to every pro-abortion Catholic in public life who has not repented of his support for the heinous crime of abortion</strong>.<br /> <br />Thank you for your consideration of our request.<br /> <br />You are in our daily prayers and we ask you to remember American Life League in your prayers as well.<br /> <br /><strong>Sincerely yours in the Lord who is LIFE!</strong></p> <p>Judie Brown, President<br />American Life League</p> <p>Michael Hichborn, Director<br />ALL Defend the Faith</p></blockquote> <p>The letter notes that "Judie Brown was appointed twice by Pope John Paul II and again by Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical Academy for Life."</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/07/american-life-league-urges-american-catholic-bishops-not-to-give-communion-to-anyone-supporting-abortion#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16697477&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/07/american-life-league-urges-american-catholic-bishops-not-to-give-communion-to-anyone-supporting-abortion?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16697477&id=comments 20 Tue, 07 May 2013 14:04:17 -0700 The Stranger Another Drunk Driver Who Thinks He Should Be In Charge of Your Sex Life http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/another-drunk-driver-who-thinks-he-should-be-in-charge-of-your-sex-life http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/another-drunk-driver-who-thinks-he-should-be-in-charge-of-your-sex-life Dan Savage <p>Maybe if <a href="http://www.joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/05/another-drunk-driving-catholic-bishop.html">these guys got laid</a> once in a while...</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/another-drunk-driver-who-thinks-he-should-be-in-charge-of-your-sex-life#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16685479&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/another-drunk-driver-who-thinks-he-should-be-in-charge-of-your-sex-life?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16685479&id=comments 5 Mon, 06 May 2013 10:30:36 -0700 The Stranger Youth Pastor Watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/youth-pastor-watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/youth-pastor-watch Dan Savage <blockquote><p><a href="http://newsdemocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=137601">OHIO</a>: A youth minister in Mt. Orab has been accused of having inappropriate relations with a minor of the congregation. Charles Engle, 49, has been the youth minister at the First Baptist Church of Mt. Orab on South High Street for about a year and a half. Charges were filed against Engle Wednesday, May 1, by the parents of a 15-year-old girl who claimed that Engle was inappropriate with her on three separate occasions between November 2012 and April of this year. All three incidents allegedly occurred at the church in its youth ministry house.... Engle turned himself in Thursday, May 2, and was given a $25,000 cash, surety property bond. "He has since been bonded out," Owens said, "but he is to have no contact with the victim or her family." The ruling did not require, however, that Engle have no contact with the rest of the youth group.</p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/youth-pastor-watch#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16680702&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/06/youth-pastor-watch?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16680702&id=comments 9 Youth Pastor Watch Mon, 06 May 2013 07:30:52 -0700 The Stranger Slog Bible Study: Isaiah 34:7 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/05/slog-bible-study-isaiah-347 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/05/slog-bible-study-isaiah-347 Goldy <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+34:7&version=KJV">Isaiah 34:7</a><br />And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.</blockquote>Discuss.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/05/slog-bible-study-isaiah-347#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16674475&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/05/slog-bible-study-isaiah-347?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16674475&id=comments 21 Sun, 05 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700 The Stranger So, I Finally Decided to Follow God http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/02/so-i-finally-decided-to-follow-god http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/02/so-i-finally-decided-to-follow-god Dominic Holden <p>But wait, there are people <strong><em>similar</em> to God?</strong></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/7fdf/1367513346-following_god.jpg" alt="following_god.jpg" title="" width="500" height="672" /></div></p> <p>Hear me now, Steve Martin: I shalt not worship false idols.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/02/so-i-finally-decided-to-follow-god#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16655046&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/05/02/so-i-finally-decided-to-follow-god?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16655046&id=comments 10 So, I Finally Decided to Follow God Thu, 02 May 2013 10:03:05 -0700 The Stranger What a Wonderful World It Would Be http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/30/what-a-wonderful-world-it-would-be http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/30/what-a-wonderful-world-it-would-be Paul Constant <p>Here,<a href="http://christiannightmares.tumblr.com/post/49240195570/an-animated-rapture-film-to-scare-the-jesus-into"> via Christian Nightmares</a>, is a short animated movie about the Rapture by a (presumably) Christian animator:</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="500" height="375" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KvXW57whN3E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Sometimes I like to think about a world where all the devout, evangelical Christians get sucked up to be with Jesus. <strong>Earth would be so pleasant</strong>! No NOM, no Million Moms, no Michele Bachmann, nobody left from the Bush Administration. It would be heaven down here.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/30/what-a-wonderful-world-it-would-be#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16634771&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/30/what-a-wonderful-world-it-would-be?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16634771&id=comments 43 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:24:52 -0700 The Stranger Contraceptives Are the Root of All Evil Dandelions http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/contraceptives-are-the-root-of-all-evil-dandelions http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/contraceptives-are-the-root-of-all-evil-dandelions Dan Savage <p><a href="http://onemoresoul.com/pdfs/Rose-Dandelion_Poster.pdf">Religious conservatives are coming for your contraceptives.</a> Really. They are. (Via <a href="http://jessicavalenti.tumblr.com/post/49178993155/came-across-this-gem-while-researching-a-column">Jessica Valenti</a>.)</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/contraceptives-are-the-root-of-all-evil-dandelions#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16622719&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Sex Religion The Ladies http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/contraceptives-are-the-root-of-all-evil-dandelions?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16622719&id=comments 39 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:45:06 -0700 The Stranger Youth Pastor Watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/youth-pastor-watch http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/youth-pastor-watch Dan Savage <blockquote><p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:87px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/e322/1367242700-1367242677_tmp_ypwwarren.jpg" alt="1367242677_tmp_YPWWarren.jpg" title="" width="75" height="114" /></div><a href="http://www.kswt.com/story/22084220/youth-pastor-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crime-for-buying-sex-toys">ARIZONA</a>: "A youth pastor has pleaded guilty to a sex offense in connection to buying sex toys for a teenage girl. Robert Eric Warren, a former youth pastor, faces a maximum sentence of up to one year in prison plus three years probation. Under Warren's plea agreement he is not to have contact with the victim or the victim's family and he's agreed to write a letter of apology to the victim and her family. It all started in September 2012 when the youth pastor was accused of buying sex toys for a 14-year old girl and taking them to her house when her parents were not at home."</p></blockquote> <blockquote><p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:87px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9e78/1367242905-1367242880_tmp_ypwmitten.jpg" alt="1367242880_tmp_YPWMitten.jpg" title="" width="75" height="111" /></div><a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/latest-news/former-chesterfield-youth-minister-accused-of-sexually-abusing-girls-in/article_6e946c02-d9a6-58a1-969a-a89162efc662.html">VIRGINIA</a>: "A former youth minister at Trinity Assembly of God in Chesterfield County has been indicted on 16 felony counts of sexually abusing two underage female parishioners in the 1990s. Troy A. Mitten, 52, with [charged with] one count of carnal knowledge of a child 13 to 15 years old and 15 counts of taking indecent liberties with two underage girls. One of the girls was allegedly abused five times between July 17, 1993, and July 16, 1996; the second was allegedly abused 11 times between June 1, 1996, and Sept. 13, 1998. Police said the sexual encounters involving one girl occurred at her home and on a church trip."</p></blockquote> <blockquote><p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:87px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/04a9/1367243616-1367243590_tmp_ypwsurrett.jpg" alt="1367243590_tmp_YPWSurrett.jpg" title="" width="75" height="117" /></div><a href="http://www.wlos.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wlos_former-youth-minister-charged-11254.shtml">NORTH CAROLINA</a>: A former Haywood County youth minister is charged with taking indecent liberties with a child. 37-year-old Dallas Surrett was arrested last month for offenses that allegedly took place between March and August of 2005. His arrest warrant says he committed a lewd and lascivious act on a girl under 16 at the time. More recently, Surrett volunteered with children at Cove Creek Baptist Church in Waynesville and served briefly as a youth minister at Beaverdam Baptist Church in Canton. Surrett works for the Department of Transportation. </p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/youth-pastor-watch#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16622320&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/29/youth-pastor-watch?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16622320&id=comments 8 Youth Pastor Watch Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:54:06 -0700 The Stranger Slog Bible Study: Revelation 19:17-18 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/28/slog-bible-study-revelation-1917-18 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/28/slog-bible-study-revelation-1917-18 Goldy <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2019:17-18&version=CEV">Revelation 19:17-18</a><br />I then saw an angel standing on the sun, and he shouted to all the birds flying in the sky, "Come and join in God's great feast! You can eat the flesh of kings, rulers, leaders, horses, riders, free people, slaves, important people, and everyone else."!</blockquote>Discuss.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/28/slog-bible-study-revelation-1917-18#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16613146&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/28/slog-bible-study-revelation-1917-18?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16613146&id=comments 24 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 06:00:54 -0700 The Stranger Mark Driscoll Compares Wives to Water Torture http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/24/mark-driscoll-compares-wives-to-water-torture http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/24/mark-driscoll-compares-wives-to-water-torture Paul Constant <p>Every time Mars Hill "Church"'s "Pastor" Mark Driscoll opens his mouth, a metric shit-ton of stupid falls out. Here's the latest bale of bullshit,<a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/04/24/megachurch-pastor-compares-wives-to-chinese-water-torture/"> via Addicting Info</a>, about <strong>the problem with wives</strong>:</p> <blockquote><p>They’re quarrelsome. They’re a nag. And some women — you’re a nag. You’re disrespectful. You’re quarrelsome. Being married to you is like a life sentence, and the guy’s just scratching on his wall every day. Proverbs talks about certain women—they’re like a dripping faucet. You ever tried to sleep with a dripping faucet? Plunk, plunk, plunk, plunk, plunk. It’s what we use to torture people who are prisoners of war. <strong>A wife is like that</strong>.</p></blockquote> <p>If Mark Driscoll thinks that being married to a woman is torture, he should know that, as a Washington State resident, he has plenty of other options. May I humbly suggest that Driscoll look into <strong>marrying a man</strong>? He might find that to be a much more amenable relationship, since he hates women so fucking much. Anyway, find video of the "pastor's" little rant over at <a href="http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/megachurch-pastor-preaches-women-submit-your">Crooks and Liars</a>.</p> <p>(<em>Many thanks to Slog tipper <strong>mr herriman</strong></em>.)</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/24/mark-driscoll-compares-wives-to-water-torture#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16581278&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion The Ladies http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/24/mark-driscoll-compares-wives-to-water-torture?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16581278&id=comments 48 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:30:15 -0700 The Stranger How Many of Your Children Have to Die Before You Stop Believing in Faith Healing? http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/23/how-many-of-your-children-have-to-die-before-you-stop-believing-in-faith-healing http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/23/how-many-of-your-children-have-to-die-before-you-stop-believing-in-faith-healing Anna Minard <p>Turns out at least two. This <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130423_Judge_rebukes_Rhawnhurst_couple_over_death_of_another_child.html">takes my breath away</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>They heard their son crying through sleepless nights, suffering with diarrhea, and when little Brandon Schaible's parents noticed his labored breathing, authorities said, they <strong>prayed over their baby until his final breath last week</strong>.</p> <p>Herbert and Catherine Schaible told a judge in 2011 that they would never choose religion over medicine again after their 2-year-old son, Kent Schaible, died from bacterial pneumonia in 2009.</p> <p>But on Monday, the Rhawnhurst couple sat together again in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, silent and somber as a judge skewered them for <strong>"grossly and disastrously" violating their probation</strong> when they watched Brandon, just shy of 8 months old, die last week.</p></blockquote> <p>The Schaibles have not yet been charged. The article on Philly.com quotes from their church's webpage on the Bible and healing (which <a href="http://www.fcgchurch.org/Messages/Pages/Healing%20-%20from%20God%20or%20Medicine.html">you can find here</a>): "Medical insurance, hospital fees, and prescription costs today are enormous, but <strong>a believer receives healing for free</strong>."</p> <p><small>H/t <a href="http://christiannightmares.tumblr.com/post/48697852448/second-child-of-herbert-and-catherine-schaible">Christian Nightmares</a>.</small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/23/how-many-of-your-children-have-to-die-before-you-stop-believing-in-faith-healing#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16568746&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Crime Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/23/how-many-of-your-children-have-to-die-before-you-stop-believing-in-faith-healing?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16568746&id=comments 39 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:20:19 -0700 The Stranger Buddhists Attacking Muslims http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/22/buddhists-attacking-muslims http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/22/buddhists-attacking-muslims Charles Mudede <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22243676">BBC</a>:<br /><blockquote>The BBC has obtained police video showing officers standing by while Buddhist rioters attacked minority Muslims in the Burmese town of Meiktila.</p> <p>The footage shows a mob destroying a Muslim gold shop and then setting fire to houses. A man is seen on fire.</p> <p>It was filmed last month, when at least 43 people were killed in Meiktila.</p> <p>Meanwhile the EU is expected to decide whether to lift sanctions imposed on Burma, in response to recent reforms.</blockquote> This is proof that even Buddhism can't escape the logic that drives all other religions—that is the logic of self-preservation, Spinoza's conatus. That terminal point of that logic is an eruption of violence against another self-preserving logic.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/22/buddhists-attacking-muslims#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16558633&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/22/buddhists-attacking-muslims?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16558633&id=comments 22 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:46:19 -0700 The Stranger Slog Bible Study: Deuteronomy 14:18 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/21/slog-bible-study-deuteronomy-1418 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/21/slog-bible-study-deuteronomy-1418 Goldy <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy%2014:18&version=CEV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 14:18</a><br />You must not eat bats.</blockquote>Discuss.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/21/slog-bible-study-deuteronomy-1418#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16548980&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/21/slog-bible-study-deuteronomy-1418?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16548980&id=comments 51 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:00:00 -0700 The Stranger Trolling the Trolls: Anonymous Vs. The Westboro Baptist Church http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/16/trolling-the-trollers-anonymous-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/16/trolling-the-trollers-anonymous-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church Paul Constant <p><a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/16/predictable-trolls-are-predictable">This morning, I told you</a> that the Westboro Baptist Church announced that they are planning to protest the funerals of people who died in the Boston Marathon bombings. </p> <p>Now, it looks like Anonymous has <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westboro-Baptist-Church/400347320041300">seized control of Westboro Baptist Church's Facebook page</a>, (<em>UPDATE: see below</em>) and they're being <strong>glorious assholes</strong> about it. (The description reads "THE OFFICIAL WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE YA'LL," and "Church Leaders" are listed as "Marilyn Manson, Anonymous, and Captain Crunch.") Special guest stars on Anonyboro's revised Facebook page include Martin Luther King Jr. and the cast of <em>Star Trek: The Next Generation</em>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westboro-Baptist-Church/400347320041300">Go check it out.</a></p> <p><small>(Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/ResidentClinton/status/324332990010363907">Slog tipper <strong>Clinton</strong></a>.)</small></p> <p><strong>UPDATE</strong>: It actually looks like Anonymous has held this page for some time. It might even be a decoy page created by Anonymous? In any case, it certainly is fooling a lot of Facebookers who are angry about the Westboro Baptist Church today, which means this is still a very good idea from Anonymous.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/16/trolling-the-trollers-anonymous-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16511890&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Religion http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/04/16/trolling-the-trollers-anonymous-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16511890&id=comments 20 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:38:54 -0700 The Stranger