Rachel Ford is a programmer, and since 8:00 to 5:00 doesn't provide enough opportunity to bask in screen glare, she writes in her spare time. She was raised a very fundamentalist Christian, but eventually "saw the light." Rachel's personal blog is Rachel's Hobbit Hole, where she discusses everything from Tolkien to state politics.
Answers in Genesis’ Avery Foley has discovered something shocking. Truly shocking. But before I elaborate, please take a moment to ensure that there are no children nearby who may glance over your shoulder and inadvertently be exposed to such horrors. Okay, now that that’s done… Avery has discovered — brace yourself — that monogamy isn’t for everyone. Read more
With the Zika virus spreading through Latin America, the UN and other organizations have called on impacted countries to loosen their bans and heavy restrictions on abortion. Since the virus can cause severe birth defects in children, people are starting to realize the importance of allowing women to make the reproductive choices that are right for them. This is particularly pressing for women and families who, if forced to carry through a pregnancy, would not be able to adequately care for a child born with microcephaly. Indeed, the problem has gotten so bad that women with Zika have taken to pleading for abortion pills online, since they’re unable to receive the care they need in their countries. Realizing the enormous health crisis facing Brazilian women and families, anti-abortion forces in Brazil are pouring all their resources into assisting parents who ultimately “choose life” for afflicted fetuses. No, wait, scratch that. They’re actually focused on important stuff like figuring out how to increase punishments for women and doctors who abort. Read more
The idea of empowered girls who understand their biology is not something that seems to sit well with the Archbishop of St. Louis, Robert Carlson. In a letter to local priests, scout leaders and parishioners, he advised … each pastor that allows Girl Scout troops to meet on parish property to conduct a meeting with troop leadership to review these concerns and discuss implementing alternative options for the formation of our girls. Read more
After comparing gay people to animals earlier this month, boxer Manny Pacquiao offered a half-apology, noting that he was just exercising his faith and that he would pray for gay people. After that, Nike dropped their sponsorship of him. At that point, Pacquiao doubled down on his homophobic beliefs, posting a Bible verse that calls for putting gay people to death (along with a verse that reflects on being hated for God’s sake). And then, after a while, he took it down. When Olympic medalist and former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey was asked about the comments, she offered a far different religious perspective than Pacquiao’s: Read more
Wisconsin Governor and fallen presidential tribute Scott Walker has made no secret of his extreme anti-abortion views — being so fanatical that he can’t even bring himself to support abortion exceptions to save a woman’s life, because, you know, “pro-life.” So it’s little wonder that he chooses extreme anti-choice people as political appointees. But if you think that stops at abortion, you would be very much mistaken. These “pro-life” champs are so opposed to women’s reproductive freedom that they also crusade against the one thing that is actually proven to reduce unplanned pregnancies (and abortion): contraceptive use. Read more
