Marcus Brigstocke On Religion

This is great. Everyone should see this. A funny take on the sad truth.

I am often forced to contemplate whether or not religion is harmful inherently to our existence or if only through its misuse and abomination. These days, I cannot see the difference. The question is essentially - Is religion itself bad? Or do humans do bad things in the name of religion? What's the difference? Again, I don't see one. As Voltaire famously wrote, "As long as people believe absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities."

No one pondered and studied this question more than Thomas Paine. Fortunately for us, he wrote, with great eloquence, on the subject in The Age of Reason. Interestingly - considering the pre-Darwinian context of his writings, one stands in amazement of his insight. He knew the origin of the world around him was greater than the church's explanation. But the church's adherence to flawed explanation and its efforts to restrict further examination (one can only suppose because its fear of the truth) was the aim of Paine's dissatisfaction. Consider this passage from the above mentioned text:

"[W]hen a system of religion is made to grow out of a supposed system of creation that is not true, and to unite itself therewith in a manner almost inseparable therefrom, the case assumes an entirely different ground. It is then that errors, not morally bad, become fraught with the same mischiefs as if they were. It is then that the truth, though otherwise indifferent in itself, becomes an essential, by becoming the criterion, that either confirms by corresponding evidence, or denies by contradictory evidence, the reality of the religion itself."

All religions are built upon lies and deceit. The idea that good will eventually come from them is irresponsible. It is an idea overdue for abandonment.

Do We Ask Too Much From God?

Dear God,

Please create us in your image, shape us, shape our lives, oh wait - create the universe first, create the Earth, create the sky above us, create all the species (both living and extinct), create the seasons for us to air condition, and please God I really need that raise. Please send us your son for us to kill and ignore, no wait, for us to adore for the rest of time or until you call us up to heaven - I know it's coming soon, and please make it soon before this foreclosure goes through, did I mention that raise? Please God, how about those Saints in their first Superbowl this Sunday? You know, I have $100 on them and I already promised 10% to Rick Warren's Mega Crutch for the rest of his hair plugs - and goddamn, they're called the Saints for chrissake! (sorry, and sorry). Anyway, could you also favor the country I happened to be born in for all matters (especially wars)? Please guide our lives, tell us whom to marry, whom to love, guide me in voting for the right (Right?) candidate, guide my career decisions, habits, friendships and acquaintances. Also, please look after Grandma and her surgery, please look-after all the babies - wait not those babies, these babies. Please make the weather nice so I can go mountain biking tomorrow, please help me understand fossils and science in general. I really need that raise God. Please create other "false" religions for us to compare ourselves to, and later annihilate. And if a plane crashes somewhere with 200 people on board, please save at least 1 so we can call it a miracle and not lose faith, so help us God. In God We Trust,

Amen.

"Die stimme der vernunft ist leise."

If By Whiskey...

I came across this recently while doing some research on logical fallacies. I really get a kick out of it. It is a excerpt from a 1952 speech given by Mississippi lawmaker, Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat Jr. The speech rose out of a debate on whether or not Mississippi should continue to prohibit alcohol.

I have no idea what this guy looks or sounds like, but I can see and hear him perfectly. Try to imagine a southern gentleman with a name like Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat Jr. from the "great state of Mississippi" heralding his cause as his slow, chosen words echo through the halls and columns of a legislative building. Ha, I love it.

Anyway, here it is. Check it out.

"My friends, I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey:

If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

But, if when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crisp morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.

Mojave Cross (Salazar v. Buono)

This is pretty interesting. I like that it's located here in our backyards. I know the family of Henry and Wanda Sandoz pretty well, and I feel badly for them. I've read the oral arguments and I really don't see any way the Supreme Court could overturn the decisions of the lower courts. As much as it upsets me to think how devastated the Sandoz's will be, the cross has to come down.

I'm interested in some open debate about this. What are the LEGAL issues at hand? I wonder if we could use our armchair attorney skills to reduce this case to its basic legal questions.

Some things to think about: Do the attempts to reclassify, protect, transfer ownership, etc. made by the government remedy the Establishment Clause issue? Could those attempts in themselves be classified as extraordinary? Would the government have taken those steps to protect the cross if it had been a Star of David? A Buddha? A swastika? What about the reversionary clause in the land transfer agreement - does that serve to allow the government to retain legal control of the land even after the ownership transfer?

My favorite question from the oral arguments was from Chief Justice John Roberts. He asked, "What if the government sold simply one square foot, or whatever the area that the base of the cross is -- is resting on the ground? Would your argument be the same?"

Cool stuff. What do you think?

Gay Marriage Debate Put to End

The man in this video is Philip Spooner. He is 86 years old and a lifetime Republican. He is a living hero. He is quite possibly the bravest man I've ever witnessed. I am privileged to live in his time and in his country.

By the way, he just put an end to the gay marriage debate. As an attorney would say, the question is repetitious - "asked and answered" - 65+ years ago. If you don't believe so, re enroll in a U.S. History class. You may have missed something.

Is that D-Money?

This dude has obviously had a bad day. He really needs a drink.

Two great things about this video: 1). I think I've done a similar "loopdy-loop" thing while opening a door at a liquor store. Thank god for large handles. 2). I am reminded of the plight of the desert tortoise when I watch this guy try to flip over to his feet.

Also, I've seen Ken Hofeldt ride a mechanical bull - and it is WAY more graceful. I'm just saying.


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