Ever since Illinois legalized civil unions, Catholics Charities has been flipping out at the prospect of sending kids into the home of gay parents who want to adopt them. They were so freaked out by this, that they started to shut down in response. (A secular adoption agency offered to take in the children who would soon need a new home.) Recently, a judge ruled in their favor, meaning they could provide services (at the cost of taxpayers) despite their… Read more
Just in case there was anyone who thought otherwise, the caption writers at the New York Times set the record straight: (via @mtracey) Read more
A conversation between a medical worker whose rings marks her as a member of an unpopular religious sect and a wounded patient who needs treatment: Resident: “Is there anyone else who could do this?” Me: “[Coworker] is the only other person on the unit today qualified to do this. Is something wrong?” Resident: “Your ring. I don’t want to be touched by one of you demons. You’re a sex-crazed cult.” Me: “I am sorry you feel that way, ma’am. If… Read more
***Update***: I wrote a follow up piece to this post here. Turns out Jerry Buell hasn’t kept his beliefs private after all… … When I first heard what Jerry Buell said about gay people, I wanted to join in on the backlash. But the more I read about him, the more sympathetic I become. Here’s the story so far: Buell is a former Teacher of the Year at Mount Dora High School in Florida. He’s a Christian. And he said… Read more
Nate Phelps, the son of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, recently did an interview about his awful upbringing — it just shows that even people raised in the most extremist of environments can grow out of it. Know hope? Xtra: Was there a fear that you would become your father? NP: I lived with that fear constantly. It informed my life at every level — if my father did it this way then I was loath to do it… Read more
Well… because god doesn’t exist. I know. But Christians give a whole host of reasons for why we can’t see him. One Furious Llama rattles off a list: It’s a test, or, your time on earth is a test or tribulation He shows himself all the time you just don’t realize you’re seeing him (as in nature, apparent order) He once did, people didn’t believe, people wouldn’t believe now so he doesn’t bother Only evil people ask for a sign… Read more
I wonder how many progressive Christians out there feel as guilty as this person does: Noooooooo! Don’t ask for forgiveness! You’re doing it right! (Ok, not exactly *right*, but close enough to right that I’ll let most of the other stuff slide for now…) I guess it’s a good thing god’s never going to answer him. (via nakedpastor) Read more
Scott Carnegie and Gem Newman of The Winnipeg Skeptics made a fantastic short film with a variety of answers to that question: What would you have responded? Read more
Remember Pastor Terry Jones, the guy who wanted to burn a Koran on 9/11 last year? Looks like his church may be on the move… from Gainesville, Florida to Fort Myers, about 250 miles away: Jones acknowledged his church received a lot of negative publicity in the past couple years, and admits the church’s beliefs weren’t as accepted in Gainesville. He said he thinks Fort Myers will be a more welcoming environment. “We’re not concerned about that,” he said. “We… Read more
A poem from Shel Silverstein’s forthcoming (and posthumous) book Every Thing On It YESEES AND NOEES The Yesees said yes to anything That anyone suggested. The Noees said no to everything Unless it was proven and tested. So the Yesees all died of much too much And the Noees all died of fright, But somehow I think the Thinkforyourselfees All came out all right. (via NYTimes) Read more
