We know a lot about the Romans because they wrote stuff down, and other people wrote about them. There is no record of the Roman Empire ever having conducted a census that required people to return to the city of their birth to be counted. What would be the point? It's much more likely the gospel writers were trying to shoehorn the Jesus story into ancient prophesy to lend it credence. In spite of this, countless Christians take it as unquestionable truth. It's funny how people who claim to be in possession of absolute truth are so easily triggered by anyone who attempts to call that claim into question.
A census that, if it happened, would have taken place at least 9 years after the death of Herod. So, Jesus, having been born during the reign of Herod, was at least 10 years old when he was born.
Also, the theory of that tale was they had to go to Bethlehem to be counted because Joseph was a descendant of the house of David. Just one problem: Joseph allegedly wasn't the father, so no descent from the house of David 'in fulfillment of the prophecy.'
Welhat I'm pretty sure actually happened is that the true history of Jesus, where in Jesus was the priest king descended on both sides of his parents from King David, Mary being the priest and Joseph being the king, got confused with the story created by the magic men. Once you understand that, all of the nonsense of the Bible begins to make sense, except that it doesn't
Of course, the claim that Jesus was descended from David "on both sides" becomes meaningless when you remember Joseph was his stepfather, not his father. But this is just one of many logical absurdities in this idiotic book slapped together by halfwits.
What I was trying to say, but didn't wish to say at length, is that there are two histories in the New Testament. There is the actual history of Jesus, which I think is there, but that assumes that Jesus existed, of course. But I tend to think he did.
But then, the magic and mystery men got hold of him, and they constructed a God along the lines that God's were usually constructed.
But I can't prove it. It's just years of reading on the subject that led me to the conclusion that I came to..
The process of shoehorning the Jesus story into ancient prophecy occurs all throughout the New Testament. One of my favorite examples is the story where Jesus commands his disciples to fetch a donkey, and the writer of the Gospel actually admits that the whole stunt was done to fulfill a prophecy. (Matthew 21:4) Never mind that all the *important* parts of the prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) are ignored, and the meaningless "donkey" part is the only one they "fulfill"! Appalling stupidity on the part of the charlatans who wrote this trash -- yet Christians revere it like it's something amazing.
Hmm…. You have me thinking it might be fun to write new lyrics to a well known Xmas song. The lyrics would, of course, highlight biblical errors and inconsistencies.
I think it is interesting that True Believers always have to wreak the havoc - their all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful gods are always busy... busy being undetectable.
Close, but not quite a cheroot. Lots of things are invisible, from something as simple as air and any number of colorless gases to electromagnetic waves, outside the 4000-8000 Angstrom range. They do, however, MANIFEST in a variety of ways, as William Herschel realized when he discovered infrared light.
Yeah, I know: I'm splitting hairs here. Had some believer try to tell me once that we knew nothing about air, yet we knew it was there. She didn't know she was talking to a retired engineer. Her mistake.
I must have learned it incorrectly because I thought it was “the undetectable and the non-existent…..”. (Probably picked it up from some engineer.). ;-)
Great, they just broke the vessel the imprisoned the soul of Baphomet. Now the great evil is free and allowed to spread his obscene socialist agenda of universal health care and reasonable capital gains taxes. The maleficence of this demon will spread across this country like an efficient mass transit system. We as a society are now doomed. Thanks, Obama.
I'd like to know more about this "obscene socialist agenda of universal health care and reasonable capital gains taxes. The maleficence of this demon will spread across this country like an efficient mass transit system," please. I find I'm in the market for better heath care these days, and Jesus just isn't handing out the miracles he used to. Does Mr. Baphomet also have some ideas for resolving the national debt and current inflation issues?
The purpose of placing the Satanic Temple display isn't 'to offend christian grandmothers' but rather to represent the significant part of the NH population which isn't christian and which has an equal right to display its beliefs in the public square as do the christians. As Rep. Read said, at least 1/3 of NH's population are non-christian, if not non-religious all together. Those folks have just as much right to have their views represented on public grounds as any other religion.
It's clear that the people behind the destruction of the Satanic Temple display are christians who have their panties in a bunch over having their christian privilege challenged. When those people talk about 'religious freedom', they do NOT mean non-christians.
What happened to "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," Cristers? If your ever-fragile deity is so offended by this, then let HIM take it out.
But he can't, can he? It always falls to the schmucks who believe in him to do it. Either your god is not omnipotent, or he doesn't exist. My money's on the latter.
I've said it many times: something that doesn't exist has a tough time TAKING ACTION ... which is probably why the followers of that "something" have a tendency to fill in for it and take the action themselves. 😝
The story of the first unveiling of the big Baphomet statue is hysterically funny. TST pwned protesting christians, who even dragged around a statue of an angel, secured to a trailer with chains, lol. And requiring people to sign over their souls (return upon demand, lol) was hysterically funny and a brilliant tactic. Kept the christers out of the celebration!
Time to get brilliant again to catch these vandalizing bible thumpers! Like, I dunno, make them think there's a spell on the display that anyone who harms it will go straight to Hell. They believe that kind of stuff.
Put a camera and a glitterbomb, like the guy did who wanted to see who was stealing people's packages when they were delivered, from people's doorstops. When it went into motion it emitted a horrible stench, then became a glitterbomb.
Christian privilege is damned near EVERYWHERE, to the point where many people don't even notice it until it's brought to their attention. I had to do that with my city government, back in 2019, when they published a calendar with a December display rife with Jesus images and text. I wrote the mayor, pointing out what was obvious and noting that it was problematic from an Establishment Clause perspective, and, shock and amazement, HE AGREED!
However, 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑒: this is northeast Ohio and NOT the Bible Belt.
When I paid mom's property taxes in Florida, I got a 2025 calendar with photos of breathtakingly beautiful outdoor locations for each month...and a Bible verse printed at the bottom. SIGH....
Love this. Bears! Actions - or no actions - have consequences. Common purpose, not strict individualism (which only exists if you are a hermit), is the only way for more than one individual residing in any community to co-exist. Not everyone "doing their own thing" all at once, because that is unsustainable chaos.
We had a couple incidents of vandalism around here and of course everyone said "Immigrants!!11" The video released soon after showed very white high school kids.
I would suggest that when one display is vandalized, they all then must go away. What’s done to one is done to all. Then maybe such shit would stop. Of course, better yet, keep any and all “religious” trappings off of all PUBLIC property. Put them up on your own churchy property.
Reading the statement of cornerstone action it's like reading a fairytale where in the infinite forces of the infinite universe are arrayed against the poor and humble Cobbler who only wants to make shoes For his poor, humble, hungry, shoeless, And motherless children on a cold Christmas night..
"The Satanic Temple are not Satanists." Well, I'm glad we've got that cleared up, so what's the problem then.
"They have no religious belief in any Satan figure." But you do apparently, so why are you criticizing them for that?
"They are normal..." Maybe that's the problem ?
"atheist feminists who use Satanic imagery as a legal tactic, to fundraise through media exposure..." as Opposed to the theistic misogynists tell women to Shut up and make the coffee for the mens.
'and because offending Christian grandmothers..." an awful lot of assumptions there mostly in the area of "look at those mean atheist beating up on grandmas. Grandmas I tell you!
"brings a sense of meaning to their sad lives" Actually, they seem pretty happy to me. You're the ones that seem to be upset and sad, possibly because grandma is getting attacked by a gang of thugs. And the statue of grandma is getting attacked by a gang of thugs who were tearing it down. Oh wait, that was a goat. .
"They see themselves as conquering the town square for secularism by driving
the last nativity scenes and other Christian imagery from public view. " but of course, that isn't what is happening at all. No one is attempting to drive nativity scenes or other Christian imagery from public view, but the intolerance of the so-called Christians may well succeed where the imaginary atheist effort fails. The only solution may be to ban all such displays on public property.
The lack of ability to perceive themselves and what they are doing underline that yet one more time, every accusation coming from the far right, especially the Christian right, is simply A confession about what they are about and who they are. They say this as they drive a non-Christian imagery, except that it is Christian imagery, Very much so Christian imagery, from the public Square.
But this is where they give it all away when they Talk about commemorating the kingship of Jesus Christ overall society. We live in a secular republic whether they like it or not. Even a lot of Christians don't believe that Jesus is king over all of society. The only Christians that believe that are the trash Christians who's never ending quest for power, money, and religious Dominion defines their very existence, and the nature of the politicized Christianity they represent.
I have no doubt these Christians who vandalized the display think they are vigilantes, righting what they believe is wrong. We know they want us to have a theocratic government, they even push the belief that we already do. When something like the Satanic Temple display goes up against their beliefs they cry foul because to them the law is wrong. They have to right that law. They pass laws at the local and even state level that are clear constitutional violations. They get upset at a target of their anger. They do things like this.
I've had similar feelings about health care. I feel health care should be a human right. Yet in the U.S. we pay more into a system than any other first-world country and don't get the access to health care that we should. Why? Because fat cats are taking record profits out of our health care system while denying coverage.
Along comes a vigilante who makes national news taking out one CEO who represents the entire health care issue. Many people around the nation screamed, "He got what he deserved". And when the shooter was arrested his Instagram blew up. Some people even lauded him as a hero. A hero that we need right now. Just as snowflake Christians laud these vandals as heroes.
The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes change comes through violent acts but the only way to combat them is to say we are on the right side. We stand for what is right and true just as the fat cats stand for what is evil and profitable. The fight is real for both issues but we have to believe that logic, equality, and what is right will win out.
Logic has been beaten into a pretzel. Equality is a gateway to (wait for it, wait for it....) Socialism! "What is right" means whatever they say it means, and it's different for every occasion.
I'm not shocked. I live in central Iowa, where the Satanic display at the capitol was destroyed last year. What ceases to amaze me, tho, is that people--many of them logical and reasonable--continue to believe in and fear a devil. When I taught high school, I had a student who, every time she turned a corner in the hallway, was in tears, looking fearfully around for the devil, whom she was sure was waiting in hiding for her. She did the same thing when she walked into class. I can almost see (but not quite) where people believe in a god for comfort and security and whatever, but to believe in some red being with a pitchfork and horns running around on earth is worse than stupid. Same with witches, which I fear we're soon going to hear more about from Xtian nationalists after the news media (CNN, for one) ran stories about the "real" witches in Salem today and after one deluded preacher claimed that Harris used witchcraft in the hopes of winning. I won't be surprised if they latch onto the idea that witches exist in order to explain winning or losing campaigns, unexpected deaths, the next pandemic, etc. Probably be the same ones who want to ban Harry Potter books due to the wizardry and witchery content. In my opinion, none of those--devils, witches, wizards, etc.--exist, so what's the big deal if people want to name their religion after them or want to claim they practice witchcraft or wizardry? It's all totally meaningless, in other words, fairy tales. (Sorry for the length--I just shouldn't get started on some topics--like stupidity.)
The same Christians that decry sorcery in Harry Potter conveniently forget that Moses' brother Aaron engaged in a wizards duel with Pharaoh's court magicians. Snake sticks consuming other snake sticks.
Not another "crotch christian", ugh, they are so obsessive and gross. they must have been poorly potty-trained to be so obsessed with other people genitalia. I never worry about what other people have.
It’s so bloody obvious that whether someone is a man or woman (or neither) is controlled by 3 factors, genetics, genitalia, and mind. As far as we know, in 99% of humanity those 3 factors agree. But when they don’t, mind should be the decider as it is the source of a person. It is what makes us more than meat machines.
I'm a bit east of you.....in the Linn-Mar school district. Yep, we certainly do have our share of regressive religious nutters. I'm looking forward to the upcoming legislative session, the last one was such a.........show.
I don't think you could get any further away from Minnesota than me, although I have read a number of detective books set in the Twin cities. And of course there was that famous governor who was in that movie with – God help me the other famous governor – Arnold Schwarzenegger! Sorry, I'd look them up but I have to go out.
Yes, the guy who carried a small mini gun and about a million rounds of ammunition into the jungle. A generation of kids somehow think that's feasible.
It was insane, for sure. I don't know which religion she was affiliated with, but I'm sure it instilled that fear into her. So sad the harm religion can cause. Of course, her parents probably did their part, too.
If Christian symbols are allowed on these grounds, all religions have the same right. The destruction of this display is, unfortunately, another sign of the arrogancy of some Christian people who want only their views to be accepted and sadly, the hatefulness of some who claim to be believers in the God of love. Very sad.
There was a news story (maybe back in the 90s?) in south Florida about one of the many huge shopping malls that placed a Christmas tree near its main entrance every year. One year, the mall owners decided to add a menorah, because of the sizable Jewish demographic in South Florida.
Guess which demographic promptly lost its collective mind, to the point that the resulting whinefest made the newspapers? And this was privately-owned commercial property.
If only people who spent the kind of energy it takes to destroy something would put it to better use, like human rights, food security, health care. Fighting on a (non-existent) deity’s behalf does not solve anything besides getting to pat oneself on the back in self-righteousness.
“If the nativity scene had been been vandalized, would the police investigate it? If the answer is yes, then I think the police should also investigate this."
Sure, they are probably investigating. But what kind of priority are they giving the investigation? Since there is apparently footage of some of the vandalism, why aren't the police releasing at least stills of the suspect as part of the effort to track them down? We all know that if it were the Christian nativity there would have been a press conference with the chief of police and a reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect. The Christian Fucking Privilege isn't quite as strong in New England as it is in the Deep South, but it is still there underneath it all.
We know a lot about the Romans because they wrote stuff down, and other people wrote about them. There is no record of the Roman Empire ever having conducted a census that required people to return to the city of their birth to be counted. What would be the point? It's much more likely the gospel writers were trying to shoehorn the Jesus story into ancient prophesy to lend it credence. In spite of this, countless Christians take it as unquestionable truth. It's funny how people who claim to be in possession of absolute truth are so easily triggered by anyone who attempts to call that claim into question.
A census that, if it happened, would have taken place at least 9 years after the death of Herod. So, Jesus, having been born during the reign of Herod, was at least 10 years old when he was born.
Are you telling us that those stories might be wrong about some details? I can't believe that.
Okay, I can.
If you can’t trust one part of the Bible, you can’t trust any of it. (What I was taught as a kid.)
That's how I feel about the big ol' book of sheepherders myths.
You were taught well.
Indeed, as soon as I began to seriously doubt a few parts, the house of cards fell down.
It’s a miracle 😳
Also, the theory of that tale was they had to go to Bethlehem to be counted because Joseph was a descendant of the house of David. Just one problem: Joseph allegedly wasn't the father, so no descent from the house of David 'in fulfillment of the prophecy.'
I think it is Jewish tradition to track lineage through the mother's side.
That's right, so the story doesn't make sense on either count. Whoever wrote that fairy tale didn't think things through, eh?
Welhat I'm pretty sure actually happened is that the true history of Jesus, where in Jesus was the priest king descended on both sides of his parents from King David, Mary being the priest and Joseph being the king, got confused with the story created by the magic men. Once you understand that, all of the nonsense of the Bible begins to make sense, except that it doesn't
Clear as mud. 😜
I'm just being biblical!*sniff*
Of course, the claim that Jesus was descended from David "on both sides" becomes meaningless when you remember Joseph was his stepfather, not his father. But this is just one of many logical absurdities in this idiotic book slapped together by halfwits.
What I was trying to say, but didn't wish to say at length, is that there are two histories in the New Testament. There is the actual history of Jesus, which I think is there, but that assumes that Jesus existed, of course. But I tend to think he did.
But then, the magic and mystery men got hold of him, and they constructed a God along the lines that God's were usually constructed.
But I can't prove it. It's just years of reading on the subject that led me to the conclusion that I came to..
Nope!
I thought the House of David was Canada.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8nvzEqsZIGo
OMG! All the likes for The Kids in the Hall reference!
Larry David?
The process of shoehorning the Jesus story into ancient prophecy occurs all throughout the New Testament. One of my favorite examples is the story where Jesus commands his disciples to fetch a donkey, and the writer of the Gospel actually admits that the whole stunt was done to fulfill a prophecy. (Matthew 21:4) Never mind that all the *important* parts of the prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) are ignored, and the meaningless "donkey" part is the only one they "fulfill"! Appalling stupidity on the part of the charlatans who wrote this trash -- yet Christians revere it like it's something amazing.
Hmm…. You have me thinking it might be fun to write new lyrics to a well known Xmas song. The lyrics would, of course, highlight biblical errors and inconsistencies.
Tell me you think you god is a pathetic weakling without telling me, fundies...
I think it is interesting that True Believers always have to wreak the havoc - their all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful gods are always busy... busy being undetectable.
𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡.
-- Matt Dillahunty
Another good one:
"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." ― Delos Banning McKown
Close, but not quite a cheroot. Lots of things are invisible, from something as simple as air and any number of colorless gases to electromagnetic waves, outside the 4000-8000 Angstrom range. They do, however, MANIFEST in a variety of ways, as William Herschel realized when he discovered infrared light.
Yeah, I know: I'm splitting hairs here. Had some believer try to tell me once that we knew nothing about air, yet we knew it was there. She didn't know she was talking to a retired engineer. Her mistake.
Count on an engineer to indulge in pedantry. ; )
😝😝😝😝😝 ... 😁
At least I SAID I was splitting hairs!
I bet that was an interesting conversation.
"things are invisible" Like in the most Holy Books its possible Delos Banning McKown was metaphorically speaking. Thanks
"But only the invisible whisper secrets to you at night." -- Jägermeister
I must have learned it incorrectly because I thought it was “the undetectable and the non-existent…..”. (Probably picked it up from some engineer.). ;-)
They never figure out that doing things like this simply demonstrates they don't have the courage of their convictions.
You're not being fair.
They do indeed have the courage of their convictions. They just don't have any convictions.
Point.
they have yet to figure out...anything!
Boom!
They made him in their image so, yes, of course.
Great, they just broke the vessel the imprisoned the soul of Baphomet. Now the great evil is free and allowed to spread his obscene socialist agenda of universal health care and reasonable capital gains taxes. The maleficence of this demon will spread across this country like an efficient mass transit system. We as a society are now doomed. Thanks, Obama.
Who else can you blame but the most powerful Muslim atheist fascist socialist of all?
I'd like to know more about this "obscene socialist agenda of universal health care and reasonable capital gains taxes. The maleficence of this demon will spread across this country like an efficient mass transit system," please. I find I'm in the market for better heath care these days, and Jesus just isn't handing out the miracles he used to. Does Mr. Baphomet also have some ideas for resolving the national debt and current inflation issues?
I am not sure. All I see is "EAT THE RICH" written in blood on the bathroom mirror.
All that fat isn't good for your cholesterol.
The purpose of placing the Satanic Temple display isn't 'to offend christian grandmothers' but rather to represent the significant part of the NH population which isn't christian and which has an equal right to display its beliefs in the public square as do the christians. As Rep. Read said, at least 1/3 of NH's population are non-christian, if not non-religious all together. Those folks have just as much right to have their views represented on public grounds as any other religion.
It's clear that the people behind the destruction of the Satanic Temple display are christians who have their panties in a bunch over having their christian privilege challenged. When those people talk about 'religious freedom', they do NOT mean non-christians.
More "War on xmas" assholes.
What happened to "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," Cristers? If your ever-fragile deity is so offended by this, then let HIM take it out.
But he can't, can he? It always falls to the schmucks who believe in him to do it. Either your god is not omnipotent, or he doesn't exist. My money's on the latter.
I've said it many times: something that doesn't exist has a tough time TAKING ACTION ... which is probably why the followers of that "something" have a tendency to fill in for it and take the action themselves. 😝
The story of the first unveiling of the big Baphomet statue is hysterically funny. TST pwned protesting christians, who even dragged around a statue of an angel, secured to a trailer with chains, lol. And requiring people to sign over their souls (return upon demand, lol) was hysterically funny and a brilliant tactic. Kept the christers out of the celebration!
Time to get brilliant again to catch these vandalizing bible thumpers! Like, I dunno, make them think there's a spell on the display that anyone who harms it will go straight to Hell. They believe that kind of stuff.
Put a camera and a glitterbomb, like the guy did who wanted to see who was stealing people's packages when they were delivered, from people's doorstops. When it went into motion it emitted a horrible stench, then became a glitterbomb.
Gee, I’m shocked!
I live in NH and it’s sickening we just can’t, “live free or die.”
I'm not shocked at all. It may not be as in your face in NH as it is in the South, but the Christian Privilege is still there.
Christian privilege is damned near EVERYWHERE, to the point where many people don't even notice it until it's brought to their attention. I had to do that with my city government, back in 2019, when they published a calendar with a December display rife with Jesus images and text. I wrote the mayor, pointing out what was obvious and noting that it was problematic from an Establishment Clause perspective, and, shock and amazement, HE AGREED!
However, 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑒: this is northeast Ohio and NOT the Bible Belt.
When I paid mom's property taxes in Florida, I got a 2025 calendar with photos of breathtakingly beautiful outdoor locations for each month...and a Bible verse printed at the bottom. SIGH....
Bloody hell ... 🤦♂️
I’m not either, I was being sarcastic. I agree, I lived down south for a long time.
Couple that with the Libertarians who have moved there.
https://newrepublic.com/article/159662/libertarian-walks-into-bear-book-review-free-town-project
Love this. Bears! Actions - or no actions - have consequences. Common purpose, not strict individualism (which only exists if you are a hermit), is the only way for more than one individual residing in any community to co-exist. Not everyone "doing their own thing" all at once, because that is unsustainable chaos.
It so sums up the selfish, lazy, oppositional defiant disorder libertarians.
We had a couple incidents of vandalism around here and of course everyone said "Immigrants!!11" The video released soon after showed very white high school kids.
I'm betting there was a conspicuous silence following that revelation?
Remember the notorious "Nigerian Prince" bilking people? Turned out to be a 67-year old pasty white guy from Slidell, Louisiana named Michael Neu.
They finally caught the guy? Good.
Strangely enough, no.
Was it of "the kids were framed" or "the kids were just having fun" variety?
“… very white high school kids.”
I used to be one of those. And, yes, we were the prime suspects. For good reason.
(Regarding Christians, in the voice of Yoda): "Much fear in them."
As the Trump cult proves daily:
https://www.zentaur.org/memes/hate_suffering.jpg
I would suggest that when one display is vandalized, they all then must go away. What’s done to one is done to all. Then maybe such shit would stop. Of course, better yet, keep any and all “religious” trappings off of all PUBLIC property. Put them up on your own churchy property.
🎯
Reading the statement of cornerstone action it's like reading a fairytale where in the infinite forces of the infinite universe are arrayed against the poor and humble Cobbler who only wants to make shoes For his poor, humble, hungry, shoeless, And motherless children on a cold Christmas night..
"The Satanic Temple are not Satanists." Well, I'm glad we've got that cleared up, so what's the problem then.
"They have no religious belief in any Satan figure." But you do apparently, so why are you criticizing them for that?
"They are normal..." Maybe that's the problem ?
"atheist feminists who use Satanic imagery as a legal tactic, to fundraise through media exposure..." as Opposed to the theistic misogynists tell women to Shut up and make the coffee for the mens.
'and because offending Christian grandmothers..." an awful lot of assumptions there mostly in the area of "look at those mean atheist beating up on grandmas. Grandmas I tell you!
"brings a sense of meaning to their sad lives" Actually, they seem pretty happy to me. You're the ones that seem to be upset and sad, possibly because grandma is getting attacked by a gang of thugs. And the statue of grandma is getting attacked by a gang of thugs who were tearing it down. Oh wait, that was a goat. .
"They see themselves as conquering the town square for secularism by driving
the last nativity scenes and other Christian imagery from public view. " but of course, that isn't what is happening at all. No one is attempting to drive nativity scenes or other Christian imagery from public view, but the intolerance of the so-called Christians may well succeed where the imaginary atheist effort fails. The only solution may be to ban all such displays on public property.
The lack of ability to perceive themselves and what they are doing underline that yet one more time, every accusation coming from the far right, especially the Christian right, is simply A confession about what they are about and who they are. They say this as they drive a non-Christian imagery, except that it is Christian imagery, Very much so Christian imagery, from the public Square.
But this is where they give it all away when they Talk about commemorating the kingship of Jesus Christ overall society. We live in a secular republic whether they like it or not. Even a lot of Christians don't believe that Jesus is king over all of society. The only Christians that believe that are the trash Christians who's never ending quest for power, money, and religious Dominion defines their very existence, and the nature of the politicized Christianity they represent.
Atheist feminist is anathema to a religious superstition that celebrates the subjugation of women.
I have no doubt these Christians who vandalized the display think they are vigilantes, righting what they believe is wrong. We know they want us to have a theocratic government, they even push the belief that we already do. When something like the Satanic Temple display goes up against their beliefs they cry foul because to them the law is wrong. They have to right that law. They pass laws at the local and even state level that are clear constitutional violations. They get upset at a target of their anger. They do things like this.
I've had similar feelings about health care. I feel health care should be a human right. Yet in the U.S. we pay more into a system than any other first-world country and don't get the access to health care that we should. Why? Because fat cats are taking record profits out of our health care system while denying coverage.
Along comes a vigilante who makes national news taking out one CEO who represents the entire health care issue. Many people around the nation screamed, "He got what he deserved". And when the shooter was arrested his Instagram blew up. Some people even lauded him as a hero. A hero that we need right now. Just as snowflake Christians laud these vandals as heroes.
The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes change comes through violent acts but the only way to combat them is to say we are on the right side. We stand for what is right and true just as the fat cats stand for what is evil and profitable. The fight is real for both issues but we have to believe that logic, equality, and what is right will win out.
Logic has been beaten into a pretzel. Equality is a gateway to (wait for it, wait for it....) Socialism! "What is right" means whatever they say it means, and it's different for every occasion.
I'll ask it again: why is socialism a bad thing?
Because it means some of their tax money will be used to help people they thoroughly detest and deem unworthy.
That is it in a nutshell.
Because the Soviets and Chinese are socialists and they're bad so socialism/communism is bad (too many don't know the difference).
(Soviets bad, Russians good.)
Authoritarians have been scaring Joe Public with communism/socialism for 70 years now. For 50, it was the cornerstone of foreign policy.
The same people that believe "Soviets bad, Russians good" also believe "Obamacare bad, ACA good".
The only difference between religion and superstition is spelling.
Also tax-exempt status.
I'm not shocked. I live in central Iowa, where the Satanic display at the capitol was destroyed last year. What ceases to amaze me, tho, is that people--many of them logical and reasonable--continue to believe in and fear a devil. When I taught high school, I had a student who, every time she turned a corner in the hallway, was in tears, looking fearfully around for the devil, whom she was sure was waiting in hiding for her. She did the same thing when she walked into class. I can almost see (but not quite) where people believe in a god for comfort and security and whatever, but to believe in some red being with a pitchfork and horns running around on earth is worse than stupid. Same with witches, which I fear we're soon going to hear more about from Xtian nationalists after the news media (CNN, for one) ran stories about the "real" witches in Salem today and after one deluded preacher claimed that Harris used witchcraft in the hopes of winning. I won't be surprised if they latch onto the idea that witches exist in order to explain winning or losing campaigns, unexpected deaths, the next pandemic, etc. Probably be the same ones who want to ban Harry Potter books due to the wizardry and witchery content. In my opinion, none of those--devils, witches, wizards, etc.--exist, so what's the big deal if people want to name their religion after them or want to claim they practice witchcraft or wizardry? It's all totally meaningless, in other words, fairy tales. (Sorry for the length--I just shouldn't get started on some topics--like stupidity.)
The same Christians that decry sorcery in Harry Potter conveniently forget that Moses' brother Aaron engaged in a wizards duel with Pharaoh's court magicians. Snake sticks consuming other snake sticks.
Theire ntire "faith" is sorcery.
The aren't changing, they just are. Why are you so obsessed with someone's gender? What does it matter?
Not another "crotch christian", ugh, they are so obsessive and gross. they must have been poorly potty-trained to be so obsessed with other people genitalia. I never worry about what other people have.
It’s so bloody obvious that whether someone is a man or woman (or neither) is controlled by 3 factors, genetics, genitalia, and mind. As far as we know, in 99% of humanity those 3 factors agree. But when they don’t, mind should be the decider as it is the source of a person. It is what makes us more than meat machines.
Not gonna touch that imagery...I might get into trouble! :)
I'm a bit east of you.....in the Linn-Mar school district. Yep, we certainly do have our share of regressive religious nutters. I'm looking forward to the upcoming legislative session, the last one was such a.........show.
FA IS OVERTUN WITH IOWANS!!!!
https://i2.wp.com/ajournalofmusicalthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Simpsons-Mr.-Burns-Excellent.jpg?fit=438%2C438
Just out of curiosity, are there any other Minnesotans here?
I don't think you could get any further away from Minnesota than me, although I have read a number of detective books set in the Twin cities. And of course there was that famous governor who was in that movie with – God help me the other famous governor – Arnold Schwarzenegger! Sorry, I'd look them up but I have to go out.
You're thinking of Jesse Ventura. 🙂
Minnesota also gave us the mighty "Mystery Science Theater 3000" as well Charles M. Schulz of "Peanuts" fame.
Yes, the guy who carried a small mini gun and about a million rounds of ammunition into the jungle. A generation of kids somehow think that's feasible.
Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Several years before I moved up here.
Sorry, I'm one of those evil coastal elites.
We like you anyway!
Hello, fellow Iowan! We live in Ames.
That poor girl needed therapy, that's insane.
It was insane, for sure. I don't know which religion she was affiliated with, but I'm sure it instilled that fear into her. So sad the harm religion can cause. Of course, her parents probably did their part, too.
If Christian symbols are allowed on these grounds, all religions have the same right. The destruction of this display is, unfortunately, another sign of the arrogancy of some Christian people who want only their views to be accepted and sadly, the hatefulness of some who claim to be believers in the God of love. Very sad.
There was a news story (maybe back in the 90s?) in south Florida about one of the many huge shopping malls that placed a Christmas tree near its main entrance every year. One year, the mall owners decided to add a menorah, because of the sizable Jewish demographic in South Florida.
Guess which demographic promptly lost its collective mind, to the point that the resulting whinefest made the newspapers? And this was privately-owned commercial property.
jesus turned water to whine.
Very sad. I call it the arrogancy of Christianity. Everything is fine as long as it is the Christian religion, but no one else allowed.
Anyone considering as good th tyrant that devised eternal torture for imaginary sins is every bit as evil as that jesus.
Edit for clarity.
If only people who spent the kind of energy it takes to destroy something would put it to better use, like human rights, food security, health care. Fighting on a (non-existent) deity’s behalf does not solve anything besides getting to pat oneself on the back in self-righteousness.
In the New Testament, Jesus sent his own followers to hell for NOT feeding, clothing and housing the needy.
That was then. Their new jesus is just like the god of the ot, only far more cruel.
Republikkkan Jesus is coming for you.
As a deity should do.
Maybe you should try slapping some sense in instead, but it’s probably a lost cause. 🙄
I missed most of the troll's posts. Besides being a transphobe what else was ze bitching about?
Basically name calling, because what else do those fuckwits have to offer?
Nothing that I've ever seen. Not even a logical sentence.
I went back to try to put it together. Something like this:
To me: someone has masturbatory self-righteousness
Me to troll: you?
Troll to me: no, you
Troll to me: still you
You can see my reply
Then Troll to Nogodz: Slaps own face at the stupidity
You can see my reply.
Troll to me: I’m not the moron
You can see my reply
His last words to me before the banhammer: armored in false virtue.
Every time a troll disappears, I think "And nothing of value was lost."
Au contraire. You are indeed a moron.
It's good of you to tell them the reality of the situation, since no one else has, or they wouldn't embarrass themselves as they do.
That, dear Lady, is a founding pillar of religion: Allowing evil persons to feel good about doing harm to others.
Well it's not like they read their damn book to know what being a follower entails.
You? 🤔
Nah, definitely you. 🤡
Nah, still you. Can’t change the facts
“If the nativity scene had been been vandalized, would the police investigate it? If the answer is yes, then I think the police should also investigate this."
Sure, they are probably investigating. But what kind of priority are they giving the investigation? Since there is apparently footage of some of the vandalism, why aren't the police releasing at least stills of the suspect as part of the effort to track them down? We all know that if it were the Christian nativity there would have been a press conference with the chief of police and a reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect. The Christian Fucking Privilege isn't quite as strong in New England as it is in the Deep South, but it is still there underneath it all.