The recent decline in Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s poll numbers sheds some light on a disturbing trend in American politics — the re-emergence of religious bigotry.
Although Romney’s political platform is identical with the Religious Right’s on abortion, homosexuality, etc., conservative Christian evangelicals will not vote for him solely because of his faith. Robert Jeffress, a Baptist pastor from Dallas, said recently — and quite dispassionately — “Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult.” Theological conformity trumps political agreement. Is this the extent to which our political discourse has evolved over 231 years?
I wouldn’t vote for Romney, not because he is a Mormon, but because of his political platform. Find me a candidate who pledges to rescind this immoral war, to restore America’s reputation in the world, to place environmental protection on par with corporate profits and poor people on par with wealthy donors, to let women decide their own reproductive fate, and who thinks freedom of religion means any — or no — religion, then I wouldn’t care if he (or she) was Mormon, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, atheist, or Presbyterian. I might even vote for him if he were — dare I say it? — an evangelical Christian.
W. Craig Heymann
Dec 26, 2007
Dec 10, 2007
Perverse Amendment per Craig
Perverse amendment
Voters need to understand some things about Rick Jore and his Constitution Party’s proposed “right to life” constitutional amendment.First, the initiative proposes changing the phrase “All persons are born free…” to “All persons are created free…” — unmistakable language revealing the underlying inspiration. Courts strike down legislation on First Amendment grounds if the intent or effect is to promote religion. The religious intent here is clear. One would think a “Constitution” Party would know this.Further, in declaring that a “person” is “a human being at…fertilization” and “has a paramount…right to life,” this amendment throws privacy into turmoil. Would medical decisions affecting pregnancies be subject to criminal inquiry? Is a pregnant woman drinking wine with dinner serving alcohol to a minor? Could illegals claim citizenship for a child they claim was conceived in Montana? This initiative is a legal can of worms. (Incidentally, Jore’s original bill said “that the ‘right to life’ does not affect the death penalty,” making one wonder what “right to life” really means.)It’s easy to just sign their petition, let them have their vote, then assume they’ll quit after losing. They won’t. When you’re on a mission from God, defeated initiatives and constitutionality are irrelevant.
W. Craig Heymann
Voters need to understand some things about Rick Jore and his Constitution Party’s proposed “right to life” constitutional amendment.First, the initiative proposes changing the phrase “All persons are born free…” to “All persons are created free…” — unmistakable language revealing the underlying inspiration. Courts strike down legislation on First Amendment grounds if the intent or effect is to promote religion. The religious intent here is clear. One would think a “Constitution” Party would know this.Further, in declaring that a “person” is “a human being at…fertilization” and “has a paramount…right to life,” this amendment throws privacy into turmoil. Would medical decisions affecting pregnancies be subject to criminal inquiry? Is a pregnant woman drinking wine with dinner serving alcohol to a minor? Could illegals claim citizenship for a child they claim was conceived in Montana? This initiative is a legal can of worms. (Incidentally, Jore’s original bill said “that the ‘right to life’ does not affect the death penalty,” making one wonder what “right to life” really means.)It’s easy to just sign their petition, let them have their vote, then assume they’ll quit after losing. They won’t. When you’re on a mission from God, defeated initiatives and constitutionality are irrelevant.
W. Craig Heymann
Dec 9, 2007
No Proof? per Hansen
Muddled thinking, believing in global warming a religion? I had to reread this letter several times to try and understand what this guy's point was. I can only guess he is another thiest who does not understand how the scientific method is supposed to work. I can probably safely assume this guy doesn't believe in Evolution either. When I am asked if I believe in Evolution, my response is always, I don't "believe" in Evolution, but I "support" the theory of Evolution.
I read with great disappointment the editorial in the Independent Record on Sunday, Nov. 25. Science is not based on “consensus.” It doesn’t matter if 10 percent of scientists believe something, or 99 percent do, it still does not mean it is true.The scientific method is described as starting with a hypothesis, and then trying to either prove or disprove it. Beliefs have nothing to do with it. This smacks of a religion to me.
It can’t be proved, but people sure can believe in it.Real scientists would find out, one, if global warming is happening, and two, if man is part or all of the cause. Man’s activities affect less than 10 percent of all the carbon dioxide expelled into the atmosphere. We need to examine all possible reasons for any global warming that may be occurring.By the way, global warming and climate change are not the same thing. There is absolutely no proof that global warming has anything to do with climate change. Climate change has been occurring since day one and no matter what we think, we will not be able to affect the change in the climate. It is exactly the same as trying to change next week’s weather.
William Hansen
I read with great disappointment the editorial in the Independent Record on Sunday, Nov. 25. Science is not based on “consensus.” It doesn’t matter if 10 percent of scientists believe something, or 99 percent do, it still does not mean it is true.The scientific method is described as starting with a hypothesis, and then trying to either prove or disprove it. Beliefs have nothing to do with it. This smacks of a religion to me.
It can’t be proved, but people sure can believe in it.Real scientists would find out, one, if global warming is happening, and two, if man is part or all of the cause. Man’s activities affect less than 10 percent of all the carbon dioxide expelled into the atmosphere. We need to examine all possible reasons for any global warming that may be occurring.By the way, global warming and climate change are not the same thing. There is absolutely no proof that global warming has anything to do with climate change. Climate change has been occurring since day one and no matter what we think, we will not be able to affect the change in the climate. It is exactly the same as trying to change next week’s weather.
William Hansen
Dec 6, 2007
Under God!?
Hello!!!, has no one told him where the phrase under god comes from?! I am beside myself over this tonight. Ignorance reigns in the Republican Party
IThe former Massachusetts governor also sought to use the occasion to sound a call for greater religious thought in daily civic life.
"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God," Romney said.
"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust," he added.
"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God," Romney said.
"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust," he added.
Teen birth rate
I am surprised no one mentioned abortion. Either the abortion rate has stayed the same or increased and therefore not mentioned concerning the increase in teen pregnancy?
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- In a troubling reversal, the nation's teen birth rate rose for the first time in 15 years, surprising government health officials and reviving the bitter debate about abstinence-only sex education.
The rise in teen births may be a statistical blip and not the beginning of a new upward trend, officials said.
The birth rate had been dropping since its peak in 1991, although the decline had slowed in recent years. On Wednesday, government statisticians said it rose 3 percent from 2005 to 2006.
The reason for the increase is not clear, and federal health officials said it might be a one-year statistical blip, not the beginning of a new upward trend.
However, some experts said they have been expecting a jump. They attributed it to increased federal funding for abstinence-only health education that doesn't teach teens how to use condoms and other contraception.
Some key sexually transmitted disease rates have been rising, including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. The rising teen pregnancy rate is part of the same phenomenon, said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.
"It's not rocket science," she said.
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- In a troubling reversal, the nation's teen birth rate rose for the first time in 15 years, surprising government health officials and reviving the bitter debate about abstinence-only sex education.
The rise in teen births may be a statistical blip and not the beginning of a new upward trend, officials said.
The birth rate had been dropping since its peak in 1991, although the decline had slowed in recent years. On Wednesday, government statisticians said it rose 3 percent from 2005 to 2006.
The reason for the increase is not clear, and federal health officials said it might be a one-year statistical blip, not the beginning of a new upward trend.
However, some experts said they have been expecting a jump. They attributed it to increased federal funding for abstinence-only health education that doesn't teach teens how to use condoms and other contraception.
Some key sexually transmitted disease rates have been rising, including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. The rising teen pregnancy rate is part of the same phenomenon, said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.
"It's not rocket science," she said.
Dec 5, 2007
Mass Production of Pot?
I have been listening to various free thought pod casts and during one there was discussion about legalizing pot. I am against it.
Not because I think it’s a "sin" but to put it on the market is as bad as what has happened with alcohol and cigarettes. If you look back not too far in the past, one couldn't walk into a convenience store and buy a case of beer and a carton of cigarettes. It’s too easy now a days to get large amounts of what’s bad for you. And some people think that’s what we should do with pot?!
I think not. I have another idea.
Legalize pot, but allow no one to mass produce and sell it!
Grow it yourself for personal use only. This should also include alcohol and tobacco. Make your own beer and wine. Then people would tend not to drink or smoke so much if it’s not so convenient. It’s how it used to be. I had a friend who made his own beer and it was very good.
These Vices have become big business and the corporations do not care if cheap beer and cigarettes is killing people.
Radical?Considering how many people are being arrested for DUIs and how many people are being killed by drunk drivers, the medical risks for smokers. What else can be done?
It’s only an idea.
Of course the best thing to do is not to use any of these products. But, even Christ drank wine.
Not because I think it’s a "sin" but to put it on the market is as bad as what has happened with alcohol and cigarettes. If you look back not too far in the past, one couldn't walk into a convenience store and buy a case of beer and a carton of cigarettes. It’s too easy now a days to get large amounts of what’s bad for you. And some people think that’s what we should do with pot?!
I think not. I have another idea.
Legalize pot, but allow no one to mass produce and sell it!
Grow it yourself for personal use only. This should also include alcohol and tobacco. Make your own beer and wine. Then people would tend not to drink or smoke so much if it’s not so convenient. It’s how it used to be. I had a friend who made his own beer and it was very good.
These Vices have become big business and the corporations do not care if cheap beer and cigarettes is killing people.
Radical?Considering how many people are being arrested for DUIs and how many people are being killed by drunk drivers, the medical risks for smokers. What else can be done?
It’s only an idea.
Of course the best thing to do is not to use any of these products. But, even Christ drank wine.
Dec 2, 2007
God saves (some) stray cats
Again, God gets all the credit. This drives me crazy. I had to post it. Journalists shouldn't be allowed to print these "God is Great" promotion stories. The story itselft was interesting and I enjoyed it until at the very end, in the last sentence God was given the credit! I thought in Journalism there was a ethical standard for reporting? (the truth?!?) My father was a journalist and I do not think he ever printed a soppy miracle story like this. Were are the facts? Did God send down an angel to save this cat, did he do it himself? Were there any witnesses? No, a human being or two tracked this feral cat down and rescued it!
Here is the story
Cat Survives 19 Days With Jar Stuck On Head
Family Catches Cat With Fishing Net, Removes Object
BARTLETT, Tenn. -- Tabitha Cain has fed a feral cat she calls Wild Oats for several years, but now she's thinking of changing its name to Survivor.
That's because she said the cat survived for 19 days with a peanut butter jar stuck on its head.
"We tried to get her, but being the type of cat you can't catch, she kept running and hiding," said Doretha Cain, Tabitha's mother.
The family saw the cat several times and tried in vain to catch her. She disappeared for a week, and the Cains feared the worst.
"I thought she was going to die with that jar on her head," Tabitha Cain said.
They found the once chubby cat on Wednesday, too thin and weak to escape. They caught her with a fishing net and used some oil to get the jar off her head.
They gave her water and treated her wounds and on Friday she began to eat again.
"I've heard of cats having nine lives but I think this one has 19 because she survived 19 days," Doretha Cain said.
Dr. Gerald Blackburn, a veterinarian at Gentle Care Animal hospital in Memphis, said he's heard similar stories of pets getting trapped for days or even weeks at a time and surviving.
Blackburn said the cat may have lived off of its excess fat, but Doretha Cain had another explanation.
"God will take care of animals just like people because that cat is really a miracle," she said.
Here is the story
Cat Survives 19 Days With Jar Stuck On Head
Family Catches Cat With Fishing Net, Removes Object
BARTLETT, Tenn. -- Tabitha Cain has fed a feral cat she calls Wild Oats for several years, but now she's thinking of changing its name to Survivor.
That's because she said the cat survived for 19 days with a peanut butter jar stuck on its head.
"We tried to get her, but being the type of cat you can't catch, she kept running and hiding," said Doretha Cain, Tabitha's mother.
The family saw the cat several times and tried in vain to catch her. She disappeared for a week, and the Cains feared the worst.
"I thought she was going to die with that jar on her head," Tabitha Cain said.
They found the once chubby cat on Wednesday, too thin and weak to escape. They caught her with a fishing net and used some oil to get the jar off her head.
They gave her water and treated her wounds and on Friday she began to eat again.
"I've heard of cats having nine lives but I think this one has 19 because she survived 19 days," Doretha Cain said.
Dr. Gerald Blackburn, a veterinarian at Gentle Care Animal hospital in Memphis, said he's heard similar stories of pets getting trapped for days or even weeks at a time and surviving.
Blackburn said the cat may have lived off of its excess fat, but Doretha Cain had another explanation.
"God will take care of animals just like people because that cat is really a miracle," she said.
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