Pure Religion

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

I’m saddened by the success of Amendment One that passed yesterday in North Carolina, making gay marriage unconstitutional in the state.  I am most horrified by how much of the political process was driven by churches. The campaign was fought from the state’s pews as an unmistakable, naked, politicized religious battle.  The upside came today of course when Barack Obama (at long last) endorsed gay marriage.

I suspect that in the not-so-distant future, those who opposed gay marriage yesterday will be looked upon as bigots.  Fifty years from now, my grandkids will shake their heads, much as we do today over how certain people were treated in the days of Jim Crow.  This graphic captures the essence:

This says it all

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Observational Hiatus

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

I stopped writing on the blog for a while.  I needed a break to focus on writing about some other topics.

But I missed a lot.  Every day over the past few months I have heard some new (and to my ears painful) flare of silliness at the intersection of church and state.  The Catholic Church has continued to lose its mind over birth control, politicians continue to compete to to be pastor in chief, and political leaders manufacture a “war on religion.”

Even as a casual watcher of American rhetoric on cable news, radio and the internet, I noticed how often religion was not only discussed, but had turned into the absolute center of political discourse.  The GOP primary fight may be over, but if anything, the conversation has highlighted the aggressive, creeping religiosity that is growing every more angry and pushy in America. Continue reading →

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You Win, Anti-Birth Control Fanatics

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

I am willing to concede to the outrage from (mostly) Catholics at the demand from the government that religious “institutions” must cover birth control.  I agree that the government shouldn’t make a group violate deeply held beliefs; however, in return, I demand that the government not give not another fucking penny of public money to any church or affiliated organization again, ever.

Religious colleges, organizations, intuitions and hospitals should get zero public dollars.  For fiscal year 2005, more than $2.2 billion in competitive social service grants were awarded to faith-based organizations just from the White House Office of Faith Based Initiatives alone.  Nonprofit organizations can perform those services just as well and without the religious strings that are so often attached.  Often “services to the poor” from some religious charities comes with demands for prayer, Bible study or church attendance.  That’s not charity, its coercion that violates the conscious of poor people with little choice.  If we can get churches out of the way, perhaps our lazy government can build the hospitals and homeless shelters.  Even if the government can’t do it, there are innumerable secular nonprofits perfectly willing to fill the void. Continue reading →

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The Gospel of Moe

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

I have discovered a long lost book of the Bible, and it is totally amazing! — Edwin

Jesus descended the hill following his Sermon on the Mount.  Basked in an otherworldly glow, he faced his disciples.  “What did you think of that my sons?”

“You the man, Jay,” piped up Judas.  Forever a kiss-ass, Judas was always first with a compliment.

“Fuckin’ Aye,” said Luke, high five-ing Peter.  “That kicked some ass.  Let’s parte’.”

“The lord might tolerate a celebration of a well delivered sermon,” Jesus smiled, without a hint of smugness.

“Right on, my savior,” yelled Peter.  “Toss me a cold one Matt,” he said to Matthew, standing over the beer cooler.  In one motion, Big Matt reached down and hurled a Zima over to Peter.  In his haste, Matthew aimed too low, and the clay pot slammed Peter hard in the balls.  The near giddy disciples erupted with laughter as Peter fell to the ground holding his bruised testicles. Continue reading →

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Jesus+America Diminishes Both

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

After blogging for over a year, I thought I might run out of things to say about politics and religion—enter the Republican presidential primary.   I have never seen so many bold demands that America become a Christian theocracy.  Here is a reminder of what these people believe, directly from the latest frontrunner, Mr. Newt Gingrich:

The fact these candidates (or would-be theocrats) do not realize is that the combination of America and Jesus diminishes both.  I don’t personally care if Jesus takes a hit, but I hate to see America reduced to government coerced superstition.  There are two types of voters that these candidates are specifically trying to woo with religious talk.

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God Helps Those Who Get Off the Couch

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Edwin Lyngar

Introducing guest blogger Michael Lytoris:

In my religious Christian youth, I often heard this statement repeated: God helps those who help themselves. I heard it with remarkable frequency from believers. Long after maturing into a man, I re-examined my youthful indoctrination and my lifelong adherence to Christianity, and I held it up to reason, and reason won out (thank you, I Corinthians, 13:11). I became an atheist.

And that line kept coming up, and I kept hearing it, and I examined it closely. I found myself baffled that the phrase was so common between believers, because it is so obviously a declaration from believers that they don’t actually believe. Does a mystical invisible superman with a flowing white beard secretly love you? Sure, sure he does. He loves you a whole bunch. In ancient times, did the invisible man do lots of amazing things, and prove his existence to people again and again? You bet he did, bummer there are no solid records.
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