Fewer than half of all Americans now claim any kind of religious affiliation, and yet somehow getting religion involved with government is going to fix the country's ills? The people who would break down the barriers between church and state always seem to operate under the assumption it will be their particular tribe calling the shots for everyone else. They should be imagining the tribe they hate most having control over their lives because that will definitely be someone's reality. Conservative religion and authoritarian government are natural allies. It is a symbiotic relationship that has dealt humanity nothing but misery.
What kills me is that believers are constantly saying that Jesus is the answer, yet I doubt they can point to a single instance where that "answer" actually WORKED!
The conservatives have spent decades courting White Christian votes. They went into their churches and slowly replaced their idea of Jesus (whatever that be) with some sort of twisted version of masculinity, hatred, and narcissism that turns out is actually Donald Trump.
Their journey from theological conservatism to today is kinda like yesterday’s story about the young woman’s who went from Bible study to being sexually abused. If people could see only the beginning and the ending of those journeys but not all the intermediate steps, they wouldn’t believe it was really themselves at the end.
Indeed. Thing is, if a new Dark Ages were to befall the US, I would be dubious that such an event wouldn't impact those who think their bucks would insulate them from it.
These idiots can't think past their greed ... and that would COST THEM.
I thinking that the elite members of the Christian fascist movement should read up on the French Revolution, remember what happened to the aristocracy and the monarchy!
This is terrific news. It may also make up (somewhat) for Mitch McConnell's utter gaffe in putting Tony Perkins on that same commission! It is long past time that a strong advocate for State / Church separation was a part of it, especially considering the presence of people like Vicky Hartzler.
I fully expect the fur to fly in some of their meetings. Probably about time it did!
Republicans pander to the preachers while viewing human decency as a character flaw and something to be ashamed of. They do not want their religion in government because it is actually going to make the country better, but because of the authoritarianism of the institutional churches.
Religion always was a totalitarian dictatorship under a sadistic tyrannical god. You do as it demands or burn in hell for eternity. And it claims this is "love." That god has set itself up as the ONLY ENEMY we will ever need.
Jesus was added cuz he promised eternal punishment for finite sins. This fear locks billions into religious superstition.
I am proud of Chuck standing up for his principles in a situation that has little to no consequences, and nominating the correct person to a committee with little actual responsibilities.
God's plan for me is in its book of evil atrocities against mankind.. I am to be murdered, then I am to burn in hell for eternity cuz that god made me Gay.
With god, mankind has every enemy it will ever need
Ever see "The Comic?" Co-written, co-produced and directed by Carl Reiner. It a was a comedy-drama where DVD got to showcase his versitility by playing a hyper-talented schmuck.
A fave of mine with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl based on a children's novel by, of all people, Ian Fleming (Bond producer Cubby Broccoli was CCBBs producer. And Gert "Goldfinger" Frobe turns up).
A separate governmental commission re: international religious freedom isn't really necessary (that should be the purview of The State Department), but if there is going to be one, it's nice to see church-state supporters like Laser on it to balance out Christian Nationalist weirdos like Hartzler.
"Nearly 20,000 scientists with Chinese origins (judged by their names) departed America between 2010 and 2021, according to research by Yu Xie, a sociologist at Princeton University in New Jersey. They have been leaving for China at a faster rate since 2018 (see chart). That is the year that the Trump administration launched its China Initiative. This aimed to crack down on alleged technology theft by targeting researchers for suspected fraud, conspiracy or espionage. Nine in ten of the defendants were ethnically Chinese. Two-thirds of Chinese scientists leaving America went to China in 2021, compared with less than half in 2010. It is increasingly clear why. China’s spending on research and development has increased 16-fold, in real terms, since the start of the century. And the country has long-established programmes that shower returnee scientists with goodies."
They really do think that a potential rise in the national level of epidermal melanin is a graver national security threat than brain drain is- specifically, loss of access to, and influence over, promising young minds from abroad (and in particular those hailing from adversarial powers like China). Their thinking truly goes no deeper than "𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘳 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦."
And, in the pursuit of creating their ideal white ethnostate, they've all but guaranteed that the future of global power rests with the very countries whose people they're so brick-shittingly afraid of diluting our precious bodily fluids or whatever.
Here’s a bit of advice from the New Testament writer Paul, who had previously been a murderer who killed believers. He clearly states it’s best to remain unmarried, like he is.
In 1 Corinthians 7:8, Paul clearly says, “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.”
Later, in 1 Corinthians 7:28, he states,
“But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.”
You’ve be hard pressed to find a Protestant church giving this advice from the pulpit or teaching children this in Sunday School.
In fact, in many Christian sects, people are encouraged not just to marry but to also have many children.
#2 The Only Reason To Marry Is To Alleviate Sexual Passion That You Cannot Control
Once again, from the writer Paul, the only reason to get married is because the couple cannot contain their burning (sexual) passion.
The King James version of 1 Corinthians 7:9 states “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
The Living Bible’s version states “But if you can’t control yourselves, go ahead and marry. It is better to marry than to burn with lust.”
Once again, it’s highly unlikely to hear this message being preached. It’s ridiculous and everyone knows it.
To demonstrate the ridiculousness of it, I’ll present a pre-marriage counseling scenario.
Counselor: Thank you both for coming in today for premarital counseling. It will be just one session – a short session. Just a couple of questions to you both and we can all be on our way. I’m sure you have lots to do between now and the wedding day so let’s get on with it.
Counselor: Thank you both for coming in today for premarital counseling. It will be just one session – a short session. Just a couple of questions to you both and we can all be on our way. I’m sure you have lots to do between now and the wedding day so let’s get on with it.
(to male) Young man, just two questions.. First share with me please. Are burning with sexual passion for this young woman?
Man: Yes, I definitely am. It’s hard to contain myself.
Counselor: Ah ok good! Thank you! Perfect! You also just answered the second question!
(to female) And young lady, I must ask you the same question. Are you burning with sexual passion for this man?
Female: Oh yes! I definitely am burning with passion – a lot of passion!
Counselor: Okay, thanks for your honesty. Now just another question. Please answer carefully. Can you control yourself?
Female: Well, it’s so hard! No, I don’t think so!
(Counselor claps hands in glee)
Counselor: Okay, this is wonderful! I am happy to say you are both fully qualified to marry! I’m sure you’ll enjoy a long and happy life together. Thanks for coming in! This meeting is dismissed and I will see you on Saturday at the wedding!
Male: I can’t wait that long. Can we move the wedding to today?
Fewer than half of all Americans now claim any kind of religious affiliation, and yet somehow getting religion involved with government is going to fix the country's ills? The people who would break down the barriers between church and state always seem to operate under the assumption it will be their particular tribe calling the shots for everyone else. They should be imagining the tribe they hate most having control over their lives because that will definitely be someone's reality. Conservative religion and authoritarian government are natural allies. It is a symbiotic relationship that has dealt humanity nothing but misery.
What kills me is that believers are constantly saying that Jesus is the answer, yet I doubt they can point to a single instance where that "answer" actually WORKED!
Come now, just the other day I pointed out that Jesus was the answer to the question about why I had so little sex as a teen. Bastard!
All those begats kinda turned me on. : )
Lousy answer!
"What kills me is that believers are constantly saying that Jesus is the answer"
Nope, "Jesus" is the question, the answer is, "No".
Stupid question!
To say nothing of the fact Christianity is the most factionalized religion on the planet.
ONLY 45,000 factions? Tota; unity!!!/s
The conservatives have spent decades courting White Christian votes. They went into their churches and slowly replaced their idea of Jesus (whatever that be) with some sort of twisted version of masculinity, hatred, and narcissism that turns out is actually Donald Trump.
Their journey from theological conservatism to today is kinda like yesterday’s story about the young woman’s who went from Bible study to being sexually abused. If people could see only the beginning and the ending of those journeys but not all the intermediate steps, they wouldn’t believe it was really themselves at the end.
Maybe a flip book of the transformation would be helpful.
Murka's kkkristers want a new Dark ages
Indeed. Thing is, if a new Dark Ages were to befall the US, I would be dubious that such an event wouldn't impact those who think their bucks would insulate them from it.
These idiots can't think past their greed ... and that would COST THEM.
I thinking that the elite members of the Christian fascist movement should read up on the French Revolution, remember what happened to the aristocracy and the monarchy!
Tribalism and primitive, backwards, thinking may be the death of us all.
This is terrific news. It may also make up (somewhat) for Mitch McConnell's utter gaffe in putting Tony Perkins on that same commission! It is long past time that a strong advocate for State / Church separation was a part of it, especially considering the presence of people like Vicky Hartzler.
I fully expect the fur to fly in some of their meetings. Probably about time it did!
Republicans pander to the preachers while viewing human decency as a character flaw and something to be ashamed of. They do not want their religion in government because it is actually going to make the country better, but because of the authoritarianism of the institutional churches.
Religion always was a totalitarian dictatorship under a sadistic tyrannical god. You do as it demands or burn in hell for eternity. And it claims this is "love." That god has set itself up as the ONLY ENEMY we will ever need.
Jesus was added cuz he promised eternal punishment for finite sins. This fear locks billions into religious superstition.
<---
https://ibb.co/rr1ZnMD
That's the reason why churches don't understand it. The word written on the other side of the fence is "noitarapes".
"Why not allow a 50-year-old man to marry a 12-year-old girl if they love each other and they’re committed?"
Ahem
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage_in_the_United_States
"Why not allow an uncle to marry his niece?"
If they are not blood related, is it really a problem ? One of my sperm donor's cousin dated his aunt. Both were widowed and around the same age.
I am now waiting for nase* johnsans and drumpster to have a tantrum and trying, illegally, to have her fired.
*Shitty/good for nothing.
I am proud of Chuck standing up for his principles in a situation that has little to no consequences, and nominating the correct person to a committee with little actual responsibilities.
Don’t hide your light under a basket.
Hartzler: "...Jesus loves them, and has a plan and purpose for their life."
Years ago I realized that Jesus had a plan and purpose for my life.... to be a radical atheist who opposed religion, especially Christianity.
Thank you, Jesus.
God's plan for me is in its book of evil atrocities against mankind.. I am to be murdered, then I am to burn in hell for eternity cuz that god made me Gay.
With god, mankind has every enemy it will ever need
OT
Dick Van Dyke turns a spry 100 today.
Dick is just astonishing in his energy, his vitality, and especially his attitude. I wish him very well, indeed!
Ever see "The Comic?" Co-written, co-produced and directed by Carl Reiner. It a was a comedy-drama where DVD got to showcase his versitility by playing a hyper-talented schmuck.
Eva Marie Saint is 101.
If you appear in television and movies and have three words in your name, you get to make it to at least 100. It's just a fact, man.
🎆Chitty Chitty Bang Bang🎆
A fave of mine with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl based on a children's novel by, of all people, Ian Fleming (Bond producer Cubby Broccoli was CCBBs producer. And Gert "Goldfinger" Frobe turns up).
Follow jesus and end up in hell...
https://scontent-ord5-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/600473325_799513309783036_9082977711344753792_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=7XymYuzTAN0Q7kNvwH74fO2&_nc_oc=Adl3MVF9ALPnyytt50FP69TnaxvyrkBUBLdDuyCmLyFujODnFuUwWHXj_DKJnML34NU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.xx&_nc_gid=_ftyfPgn9TWykcFRoCzLUA&oh=00_AfkImPJgOfGF7cM8CCaF4NVOsNztp0z7v2OGjX_d2GrYlg&oe=694355D2
Homer Simpson said it best: D'OH!!!
So I may sleep soundly.
https://scontent-ord5-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/600199326_122156022470924257_3504093266324984859_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=XuUB3imiH2wQ7kNvwGfTu5R&_nc_oc=AdnouOnHHQZH-w4TknRvmyOUfMW6L-zmIrDeS6rWlACmMQv8D-XTeAGzzz3c7muR0-E&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.xx&_nc_gid=yb1dynlT8qA4pL4ct175rw&oh=00_AfmPOAXy209ukK3uVUKYOZCYa6ZLnxNdQZGNSjG4SY9tKg&oe=6943660E
Frankly, I'd rather Trump left the planet. Maybe Musk could get him a ride on a Falcon Heavy / Dragon launch vehicle!
It's a 4-seat capsule- send the Muskrat, Couchfucker, and Thinks-Way-Too-Much-About-His-Son's-Johnson along for the ride.
Squeeze Dogkillah in that capsule. She could sit in her orange daddy's lap.
We COULD throw in a few more, I suppose. If they don't get seats, they can fight over them during the weightlessness phase of the flight!
And they're all so used to spewing bile that they won't even notice the nausea!
Yes, I I want that.
Send him to North Sentinel Island to try and get a trade deal with them.
He may do all the talking, but they'll get their points in, if you know what I mean.
Good pun. Take a bow.
I'm sure many people would sleep even more soundly if he stayed in America but in jail.
With no phone or internet access. Or no thumbs. Whichever's more expedient.
Trump in a Jumpsuit (c)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DNNoqeAlnrM
From Dictator for a Day
Dictatorforadayshow.com
Hell yes, Trumpy and the rest of the administration can flee to Russia where they can take turns sucking off Putin!
What is in yur heart is far more important than what is between your llegs. I can live with whatever is between your legs.
https://scontent-ord5-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/600282585_1285502096954842_5045552492294195879_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=Gj1vtg8D60kQ7kNvwF0DHzb&_nc_oc=Adkym-CleYQMd6e7SUsHAd_j51VxUl_FWEduPUaPswWf1PoHrP5zmSKJjO2tMRq702w&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.xx&_nc_gid=TBshxzLbkSuDMMIRepfZzQ&oh=00_AfmqfhbcgEe6evp5uwhtF-LTJdLaBspySrn039RXbbe0HQ&oe=6943CB53
jesus the hateful
https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/600253962_25409292298699373_8446400437019910481_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=Q6InnX1rnbAQ7kNvwH1JnSC&_nc_oc=AdkK-xlUmx2gW4vnFILfDFhSrKG3VkxMnLtqXbHl5-QAC88FI7Wo46-iVC5aO3RbDPw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=7SVqrKx7VzmsHnDbXoIJ5Q&oh=00_AfmbZa1EpeEkW04OZrAVInPSSMOCXi19jSz1xaZo81PFGw&oe=6943CBC7
The irony in that comic is that a lot of the things (supposedly) said by Jesus ARE worthy of criticism.
Get on the phones, folks.
https://scontent-ord5-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/598883362_1360036179490354_222421631880801606_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=IImmm4p9tj8Q7kNvwHOdE2p&_nc_oc=AdmBg0ESXBdfdyffHvCjg56TxCjygKnFCaHMtsnG9ydTrCJReIX5aCeHvr35NBXiXOo&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.xx&_nc_gid=-v6KwkgabSIUPGTwPNsRpg&oh=00_AflQmK8nch_RnUPgDnEESQiXBHm2FyMHfsouoBUP3QgcTQ&oe=6943D8BE
This is another example of how we can fight back against this AGE OF TYRANNY/IGNORANCE!🤨
A separate governmental commission re: international religious freedom isn't really necessary (that should be the purview of The State Department), but if there is going to be one, it's nice to see church-state supporters like Laser on it to balance out Christian Nationalist weirdos like Hartzler.
OT
"Nearly 20,000 scientists with Chinese origins (judged by their names) departed America between 2010 and 2021, according to research by Yu Xie, a sociologist at Princeton University in New Jersey. They have been leaving for China at a faster rate since 2018 (see chart). That is the year that the Trump administration launched its China Initiative. This aimed to crack down on alleged technology theft by targeting researchers for suspected fraud, conspiracy or espionage. Nine in ten of the defendants were ethnically Chinese. Two-thirds of Chinese scientists leaving America went to China in 2021, compared with less than half in 2010. It is increasingly clear why. China’s spending on research and development has increased 16-fold, in real terms, since the start of the century. And the country has long-established programmes that shower returnee scientists with goodies."
Dumpy, our Spoiled-Brat-Temper-Tantrum-In-Chief is doing its best to destroy us forever.
Just what Trump’s boss wanted!
They really do think that a potential rise in the national level of epidermal melanin is a graver national security threat than brain drain is- specifically, loss of access to, and influence over, promising young minds from abroad (and in particular those hailing from adversarial powers like China). Their thinking truly goes no deeper than "𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘳 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦."
And, in the pursuit of creating their ideal white ethnostate, they've all but guaranteed that the future of global power rests with the very countries whose people they're so brick-shittingly afraid of diluting our precious bodily fluids or whatever.
Jina
Such a lousy god...
https://scontent-ord5-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/597929916_122161400696805080_5271206358320461225_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=ijahQ0nOY5gQ7kNvwGPFcxu&_nc_oc=AdnTiHkWBgZ5RGXjEBORhzekNzPJsyoJosO1hXxcSxe-JPxkPxvqJXIgXJOMo-r-J-k&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.xx&_nc_gid=4B4dwYDKnPiF17BazwSyTw&oh=00_AfnxvMSG1tn-wB57SbTZf2tK5j19cUy9dfOc8zrkTcy_5A&oe=69436FFB
As Paul demanded...
#1 Don’t Get Married!
Here’s a bit of advice from the New Testament writer Paul, who had previously been a murderer who killed believers. He clearly states it’s best to remain unmarried, like he is.
In 1 Corinthians 7:8, Paul clearly says, “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.”
Later, in 1 Corinthians 7:28, he states,
“But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.”
You’ve be hard pressed to find a Protestant church giving this advice from the pulpit or teaching children this in Sunday School.
In fact, in many Christian sects, people are encouraged not just to marry but to also have many children.
#2 The Only Reason To Marry Is To Alleviate Sexual Passion That You Cannot Control
Once again, from the writer Paul, the only reason to get married is because the couple cannot contain their burning (sexual) passion.
The King James version of 1 Corinthians 7:9 states “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
The Living Bible’s version states “But if you can’t control yourselves, go ahead and marry. It is better to marry than to burn with lust.”
Once again, it’s highly unlikely to hear this message being preached. It’s ridiculous and everyone knows it.
To demonstrate the ridiculousness of it, I’ll present a pre-marriage counseling scenario.
Counselor: Thank you both for coming in today for premarital counseling. It will be just one session – a short session. Just a couple of questions to you both and we can all be on our way. I’m sure you have lots to do between now and the wedding day so let’s get on with it.
Counselor: Thank you both for coming in today for premarital counseling. It will be just one session – a short session. Just a couple of questions to you both and we can all be on our way. I’m sure you have lots to do between now and the wedding day so let’s get on with it.
(to male) Young man, just two questions.. First share with me please. Are burning with sexual passion for this young woman?
Man: Yes, I definitely am. It’s hard to contain myself.
Counselor: Ah ok good! Thank you! Perfect! You also just answered the second question!
(to female) And young lady, I must ask you the same question. Are you burning with sexual passion for this man?
Female: Oh yes! I definitely am burning with passion – a lot of passion!
Counselor: Okay, thanks for your honesty. Now just another question. Please answer carefully. Can you control yourself?
Female: Well, it’s so hard! No, I don’t think so!
(Counselor claps hands in glee)
Counselor: Okay, this is wonderful! I am happy to say you are both fully qualified to marry! I’m sure you’ll enjoy a long and happy life together. Thanks for coming in! This meeting is dismissed and I will see you on Saturday at the wedding!
Male: I can’t wait that long. Can we move the wedding to today?
The USA should be on the "countries of particular concern" list.