The Crucifix

"The case was brought by Soile Lautsi, a mother of two who claimed public schools in her northern Italian town refused eight years ago to remove the Roman Catholic symbols from classrooms. She had maintained that the crucifix violates the secular principles the public schools are supposed to uphold, and the right to offer her children a secular education.
She filed her case with the European Court of Human Rights in July 2006, after Italy's Constitutional Court dismissed her complaint. Her efforts to rid public schools of religious symbols in a country that is predominantly Roman Catholic had not been welcomed.
Lautsi, who is of Finnish origins, and her husband, Massimo Albertin, said they were satisfied.
"We believe the ruling is a positive signal from Europe to Italy, which seems to increasingly lose its secularism," Albertin was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency from his home in Albano Terme. "The crucifix creates discrimination."" MSNBC

We here in the US complain about the 10 commandments, at least they cover three religions. The crucifix on the other hand is "very Christian" and cannot be mistaken as inclusive. Good for Lautsi! a good woman and mom.

Heaven bound

Atkins, California's longest-serving female inmate, was suffering from terminal brain cancer. Since she entered prison in 1971, she became a born-again Christian who worked to help at-risk youth, victims of violent crimes and homeless children, among others

It appears,Atkins a Manson co-hort killer will now be in heaven. Please explain this to me.

Found a job

Since I have found a job, I will see about letting this blog go back on the search list. I turned it off, afraid if anyone googled me, it might hurt my job search. You never know. So to be on the safe side I have laid low.

I start Monday, I will wait and see what kind of co-workers I will be dealing with. I will be working at a state department. I am now one of those evil government workers my father in-law would like to see blown up. hehe

I will be working with a lot more people than my last job and hopefully will find a friend or two who shares my views.

Wish me luck.

Controversial Atheism Bus Ads Pulled

DES MOINES, Iowa --

CNN "The atheist advertising signs on Des Moines Area Regional Transit buses that created a storm of controversy when they first went up on Aug. 1 have now been taken down."

A typical response from Christians is "I am sick of atheists shoving thier beliefs down our throats!" If they only knew how it's mostly the opposite case. A few brave athiests stand up for thier rights and all hell breaks loose.

Here are a few of the comments concerning this issue.

Of course mine first

"Try this for controversy, a protestant church ad that says, 'Don't pray to the Virgin Mary'? You're not alone."

Then I said, "I'm sorry, which God are we talking about?"

Then I said, moonlightmomma, who said, "We can't pray in public or speak about GOD in the school" That's not true. Kids can bring a bible, pray before eating lunch. It's the teachers and administration that can't push their religious beliefs on the students. I would think Christians would think that was a good policy. I am sure most would be upset if a teacher of a different religion tried to convert their kids. All hell would break out. (CNN did not like the word HELL, I find that very funny.)I had to resubmit my comment without it.

BigSky: "Try this for controversy, an ad posted by a protestant church saying "Don't pray to the Virgin Mary"? You're not alone." ROFLCOPTER!!! Best laugh of my day so far!

Aug. 6, 2009 9:40am CDT from alsotiredoffools

moonlightmomma, see my earlier comment. You can pray in school - the PUBLIC SCHOOL just can't sponsor that prayer, because that's state endorsement of a religion. You can talk all you want about god in public - you just can't have the GOVERNMENT - which necessarily has to represent everyone equally - endorse your religion. Why do religionists continually MISREPRESENT the law? If you have to misrepresent the thing you're arguing against in order to have an argument - doesn't it occur to you that you're on the wrong side of the argument?

Aug. 6, 2009 9:38am CDT from alsotiredoffools

Which God answers (Hysterical) go guys!

porcelain
Aug. 6, 2009 9:35am CDT from nosympathy
Doesn't the Messiah live in a big Whitehouse in DC?
Aug. 6, 2009 9:34am CDT from racefan88
Brahma of course. Is there any other?
Aug. 6, 2009 9:33am CDT from TheZed

lol why am i not surprised there are over 15 pages of comments already on this topic... welcome to the bible belt of America I guess. I understand the concept that this is a business decision but that doesnt void the fact that it doesn't matter where these signs would be posted, the opposite faction (believers) would totally protest them and demand they be removed. Hypocracy at its best. I cant drive 2 miles without seeing a church with their billboards out front slamming non believers. My favorite was during easter that read: "Did the easter bunny die for your sins?" - give me a break. Have your beliefs, fine, but dont shun others beliefs.

I am impressed, I would say most comments were against having the ads removed. Even a few Christians pitched in. Yeah!

This could go on all morning, I got to stop this and get some things done around the house. Hehe.

One more

I'm tired of Christians who say they are tired of Atheists standing up for their rights.

Aug. 6, 2009 10:07am CDT from BigSky

happyjack83: As D-U-M dumb as it is, it's not really censorship, because the bus company isn't the government. It's just civil stoopidity on their part, resulting in bad publicity for the bus company, and more exposure for the atheist group than they could have probably afforded to pay for in the first place. Their goal in the first place being clear in the ad - to reach out to atheists who may feel isolated and alone (no surprise!) - is being achieved at no cost! Win!
Aug. 6, 2009 10:02am CDT from alsotiredoffools

A Cynical Christian

Foolish people
By Jerry Lamping - IR Letter to the Editor - 08/02/09
This may come as a shock for some of you, but you cannot save this planet. Scientists have produced some pretty convincing evidence that the planet can be spared.

We have evidence that far surpasses their research. The One who created this rock won’t even try to save it. God told Adam and Eve after they disobeyed that because of their transgression the earth is cursed! Do you know what happens to a planet that is cursed? It becomes susceptible to fire, floods, earthquakes, droughts, timber beetles and climate fluctuation.

Men cannot overcome the curse, Jesus was here for 30 years and He could do nothing. God has a plan to stem the destruction of the curse. When John was given the Book of Revelation, he saw a new heaven and a new earth descending from heaven itself. God is giving us a complete planet makeover. Only a fool or someone who has no faith in God would try to save something that is cursed.

If you think you can save this rock help yourself. As for me and my house, we are looking for the new heaven and new earth.

Jerry Lamping

P.O. Box 637

Reader Comments:

purple wrote on Aug 3, 2009 8:33 AM:

" [rinnie]

You might want to ask al-gore and the rest of the global warming chicken little society that question because they were the ones who STATED very clearly what global warming would do.

I was pointing out the FALACY of the global warming chicken little society's fear mongering. "



The Walrus wrote on Aug 2, 2009 9:23 PM:

" Revelation 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. "



Socrates wrote on Aug 2, 2009 8:27 PM:

" How representative is Mr. Lamping's world view among conservatives? "



marencolleen wrote on Aug 2, 2009 6:45 PM:

" jesus christ i am going to be smited!?!?!?!?!?!?! maybe if i pray hard enough the aliens will take me.... "



MtMadeMan wrote on Aug 2, 2009 4:29 PM:

" It seems the left and right have found common ground they can agree on. "



rinnie wrote on Aug 2, 2009 3:45 PM:

" OMG purple: Are you psychic and can read into the future? Who knows what is yet to come.

End of days Mr. Lamping? Shall we all then converge in Alaska and wait for it to come? :-/ "



Socrates wrote on Aug 2, 2009 1:37 PM:

" Mr. Lamping,

If your view is that 'If [the rest of us] think [we] can save this rock help yourself,' then would you mind if the rest of us at least tried to so, since we all have to live here in the meantime?

You wouldn't have to help, but how about just not getting in the way since, for you, it is futile exercise anyway? "



goldfishcastle wrote on Aug 2, 2009 1:15 PM:

" And therefore, because we have the power to try and change, given to us by "God", we should thwart God's will and do nothing. It is easier to just keep living your quiet tidy, hated and sinning life. I think I'll live happily and try to the best I can in the world, trying to leave it a little better than when I left it. I guess I'll work doubly hard for you. :) "



Socrates wrote on Aug 2, 2009 12:55 PM:

" 'Jesus was here for 30 years and He could do nothing.'

Jesus did nothing while He was here? "



blueman13 wrote on Aug 2, 2009 12:02 PM:

" Anybody else find this letter just a little creepy? "



skooter wrote on Aug 2, 2009 11:04 AM:

" Holy + Guacamole! "



thedukeofhelena wrote on Aug 2, 2009 10:44 AM:

" Yeah, we sure can save the planet. As humans, we can stop destroying/depleting everything around us and polluting the land, seas and air. We are considered intelligent, so we're capable. I don't think God has anything to do with it. I'm sure He/Her/It washed He/Her/It's hands of humanity long ago, when we murdered He/Her/It's son. Just my humble opinion. We're all entitled to our own, for sure. Actions do speak louder than words, though. Anything is possible. Curses were made to be broken. "



gln wrote on Aug 2, 2009 9:19 AM:

" jerry- you should have your well water tested,,,,, quickly. It is too bad the area is so short of psyc's, there seems to be a growing need. "



PaulCohen wrote on Aug 2, 2009 9:17 AM:

" Amen, Jerry, God has promised us a new heavens and new earth. Does that mean we should trash the current joint? Maybe that is not your attitude, but one could have that impression from your letter.

Question for you: Why would God give you a new planet if you didn't take care of the old one?

As for Jesus, He did exactly what He came to do, which has paved the way for the restoration of all things. It begins with repentance and turning to God, keeping His commandments and loving your neighbor. How can you truly be said to be loving your neighbors, for example, if you support chemical agriculture, which poisons them?

Paul Cohen "



MTRICH wrote on Aug 2, 2009 8:48 AM:

" Wowweeee....
I have know people who don't believe Jesus was the messiah. I know people who dont believe he was real. I know of people who think all religion is false and those who think theirs is the only right one...but this is the first person I have seen who thinks Jesus was a failure. Just what Bible are you reading? Must be one interesting read. "



IceQueen wrote on Aug 2, 2009 8:00 AM:

" Whoa, take a chill pill ok!

first off if you are going to complain, you should have a solution.

Also please try to respect others beliefs here! we all may not believe in the same god (if any god).

If you feel so strongly about this why don't you go out and DO something about it in a way that does not offend others.

yeesh "



waterman wrote on Aug 2, 2009 7:27 AM:

" I'd give it a "0", but "1" is the lowest rating allowed. "



jvrba wrote on Aug 2, 2009 7:17 AM:

" Maybe Santa Claus will step in at the last minute and save the day. "



purple wrote on Aug 2, 2009 5:49 AM:

" During July over 3,000 communities NATION-WIDE set new LOW TEMPERATURE records for the month of July.

The hurricane season runs from 1 June through the end of November every year. Thus far, we've gone through two months of that season WITHOUT one single tropical storm.

Didn't the leadership of the Global Warming Chicken Little Society [and their merry minnions] claim that global warming would result in MORE hurricanes which would be MORE INTENSE than anything we've experienced in the past? I remember them claiming that Katrina was but the FIRST of those more intense hurricanes yet to come. Strange how we haven't seen any of that happen. Even funnier is that there has been a DECLINE in the number of hurricanes since Katrina. Funnier yet, WHERE IS AL GORE and his ranting and raving about global warming? Strange isn't it how he has been SO QUIET. "



getaclue wrote on Aug 2, 2009 5:41 AM:

" ROTFLMAO! Sorry to hear this bad news, thanks for the heads up Jerry!
But.......as long as we are all all doomed, I think I will grab some beer and party for a while and watch it all end!

Some people I tell ya.............. "



out_2_lunch wrote on Aug 2, 2009 2:08 AM:

" Mr. Lamping, this may be true in faith. However, you cannot go around treating the world as your trash can. This is my home and I prefer not to have 'timber beetles' cause devastating fires to people and their homes. Best of luck to you on this one.... "

Hypnotist Shows

At the local county fair was a hypnotist show. I find it amazing how one can find so many people to do as he commands. I did notice there were one or two people in the group of 10 victims that didn't seem to follow along and they were removed from the show (quickly with no objections)

This show reminds me of the time back in 1987 at the University of Montana, as a freshman in psychology, we were hypnotized in mass one day in class, they wanted to see how many of us could be hypnotized and those who could were asked to stay behind for further study. Let’s say I was not one of them. I was sort of disappointed.

What kind of person does it take to be hypnotized? Today during my long walk I thought maybe it was because I was a rational person I was not able to be hypnotized. Maybe that explains partly why only one or two people in the show could not be hypnotized, maybe they were too rationalistic to fall for it? Out of ten that is 10, 20 percent each time. Could that be why there is only less than 20% of the population that is not gullible?
If you want help to find the truth go see James Randi
http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/hypnotism_hypnosis.html

Here I cite a webpage that tries to explain what hypnotism is?
Harris, Tom. "How Hypnosis Works." 07 August 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. 29 July 2009.

Followers

Just to inform my favorite (only) 3 followers, I don't know what happend but I can no longer see you on my page. When I sign on to post it shows I still have 3, but then on the blog itself your missing. Bummer.

Does anyone know how to fix that? Did I get hacked?

The Mojave Cross

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/mojave.asp
I love Snopes, but
I read the snopes article about the law suit over the Mojave cross. It was a very good one, trying to stay neutral until the very last sentence.

In the lawsuit the ACLU they properly state that the cross violates the establishment clause. Its specifically a Christian symbol and does not apply to all those whom it ostensibly represents (war memorial) Being a war veteran myself, I agree. Not all veterans are Christian and I will be pissed if they put a cross over me when I die. My husband should know better. (what if I die in a car crash will the Legion put a cross where I bit it whether or not I want it?)

Of course this is very controversial and very unpopular. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to the Christian majority. Who it seems will do anything to win. What about the native Americans in the area, they should also be offended.

In the last sentence of the Snopes article it says "It will be up to Obama administration lawyers to defend the Interior Department's right to maintain the cross".

The department's right?! That is the whole point of the lawsuit. The Government is not supposed to have it on public land in the first place. They don't have the right to maintain a religious monument for America's war hero's.

It drives me crazy, I don't care if the Christians have their own crosses, or whatever else on their private land, but they insist on being un-american and ignore the 1st amendments protection of their very own beliefs. The battle continues everywhere because its popular for politicians and the clergy to look good by standing up to us godless people whether its right or wrong. It does not matter to them, it means an angry flock and votes.

Suggested Reading

It was suggested to me, if I like to read books that I should read the Holy Qur'an. I do have a copy I picked up in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the many holy books I have collected over the years. It's a pretty book, but I have no time to read it. Nor do I want to make the time for that matter. Life is to short to spend time reading something someone else thinks I should. Now if I was a religous scholar maybe then I would have to read all of them and study them. That is a lifetime in itself. And give me a break, theologians can't agree what means what in them.

I have not, like most American's, have read the Holy Bible all the way through.(thats what the clergy does) I have read about and heard enough pieces and parts of it to know it's an ancient book for people who like to use it to beat people over the head with, knowing full well very few people really know what is in it.

I started to read it once after I became a Born Again Christian years ago and put it down shaken after I read about the genocide (still going on) the Old Testament God commanded. I tried to continue but gave up halfway through the list of begets.
I actually would like more people to try and read the whole Bible or Qur'an. Sometimes when a modern person reads it, they are horrified by what’s in it (like me) and lose faith. I don't think today’s enlightened, kind and compassionate humans could possibly accept what is written in the so called Holy books and still think they’re a good moral guide.

For sectarian folk I suggest reading "Asimov's Guide to the Bible" for the secular, "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong.
For those of you who don't read any books, to my consternation, try the web page "Athiest Guide to the Bible" http://www.atheistguide.com/

Marriage

Buffy from the Atheist Nexus hit the nail on the head.
Marriage is about rights, privileges and responsibilities.

I agree, marriage is a social contract between two people. Being married myself, it is important for my husband and I to remember what being married means. If one cannot and does not want to live by the rules of what really holds a marriage together than they should not marry. I'm not talking about the traditional rules of marriage, such as the woman staying barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I am talking about mutual respect within a domestic partnership. Recently I had to "talk' to my husband about our marriage. I told him I needed a husband more than a handyman/boyfriend. He has been spending more and more away doing things by himself to the point it was as if I was a single mom. We have two kids and felt I needed to remind him he was a father and a husband, not just Jason. He agreed. I had to remind him that he is part of a family, whom he does love but just got too busy living his own life. Marriage is not easy; I think that is why so many don't work out. Very few people seem to be able to compromise and make the necessary sacrifices to make it successful. A happy marriage is between two people who love each other even if sometimes they don't like each other some of the time.

Palin

poll by USA Today/Gallup indicates that seven in 10 Americans say Palin's decision had no affect on their opinion of her.

Bet on a losing horse! maybe.

Top Ten Reasons why Beer is Better Than Jesus

An old joke but a good one.

10. No one will kill you for not drinking Beer.9. Beer doesn't tell you how to have sex.8. Beer has never caused a major war.7. They don't force Beer on minors who can't think for themselves.6. When you have a Beer, you don't knock on people's doors trying to give it away.5. No body's ever been burned at the stake, hanged, or tortured for his brand of Beer.4. You don't have to wait more than 2000 years for a second Beer.3. There are laws saying Beer labels can't lie to you.2. You can prove you have a Beer.1. If you've devoted your life to Beer, there are groups to help you stop.

Clarification for e-theists (again)

This is not a discussion forum.

You have the burden of proof.
I don't make outrageous claims, I point them out.

I don't care what you believe, but how you act on those beliefs.

Tornados and God

Running away, toward and from a tornado is fun, but sitting in the bathtub or the basement waiting for one to run over you is not. Been there done that.
It seems in Nebraska, if one runs over you and you survive, it's by God's Grace.
I have never been killed by one, so by that logic, God is watching over me. NOT
I always feel sorry for those killed by a tornado, God ignored thier prayers or didn't care. You don't hear people saying they must have deserved it, or else God would have saved them. But that would be cruel. Couldn't God come up with a better way of killing people if he had a 'better plan for them' in heaven.

Its amazing how primitive we still are as a species.
Not everything happens for a reason. It just happens. Wrong place at the wrong time.

minister charged with killing wife

BILLINGS, MT
"A former Billings minister was arrested Friday on a charge that he killed his wife during a hunting trip near Red Lodge in 1990."

(life insurance /policies and a mistress were involved, typical reasons to murder a spouse no matter who you pretend to be)

I used to be surprised when clergy killed, I wonder how can that happen if they were good Christians. But, now I realize that a large percentage of the clergy are not true believers. I have met many ex-clergy members who are now active atheists. The ones that walk away are the good guys, who admit the truth and want to live their lives honestly. Those who no longer believe and continue to preach knowing full well that god does not exist, especially the biblical god. They are the ones that can not be trusted.

'thought police"?

Say ‘no’ to HR 1913 and ‘thought police’
IR letter to the editor - 05/26/2009
The Senate will be voting soon on the “Hate Crimes Bill,” (HR 1913). Crimes and criminal law are and have always been the prerogative of the states under the Constitution. This bill would be a huge power grab by the federal government.

People could be prosecuted for their thoughts. Religious leaders and others who express their constitutionally protected beliefs should not be silenced out of fear. The 14th Amendment provides equal protection for all citizens and does not recognize special classes of citizens.

We don’t need thought police and we don’t need this law. Tell our senators to “Just say NO”!

C. Getz


Comments:

My Comment;
Clarence is incorrect

Section 10 - The Rule of Construction (the last item of the bill) says, "Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution."


Reader Comments:

marencolleen wrote on May 26, 2009 6:45 AM:
“I just skimmed through the bill and I didn't see a single thing about the police going after you for thinking that discrimination is the way to go. It gives assistance to state, county, city, and tribal leaders to prosecute hate crimes that are physical. (Never mind that there are more damaging things than being hit)
I don't see what the fuss is, it seems like it's just another measure to stop people from getting physically hurt by other people just for being who they are. "

Proof God Exists

I tired of people saying they have proof for a god, then give something like, just look around at the natural complex world. Fine if they are diest, but one can not then turn around and say Jesus is that god that designed the universe.

I am 99.9% sure there is no supernatural god or gods
I am 100% positive neither Elohim, Jesus nor Allah exist.

The Hippocratic Oath

A letter to the Editor
The recent letter from Bob B (M’s ruling is courageous) missed the point. The real issue in that ruling is the lack of exemption to those in our health/ care .services to honor their religious convictions and the Hippocratic Oath to “Do no harm.” Under this ruling, as it was drafted, all doctors would be required to facilitate suicide, and that flies in the face of many fine doctors. This makes no more sense than requiring a seriously ill person to commit suicide. Under the Democrats’ proposed universal health care initiative being debated in Congress at this moment, that is the next step in the debate. Care will be rationed as the ony viable way to reduce costs. The old and infirm will be denied essential services. McCarter should be ashamed of herself for failing to consider both sides in this issue. Or, perhaps, she is conceited enough to believe that the only valid opinion is hers. If it is worth bringing up, shouldn’t the fine citizens of Montana have the right to debate and vote on this issue, rather than having an activist judge legislate the issue from the bench?

My comment in reply to this letter

I suggest all of us need to study what the Hippocratic Oath is really about.
In the classical oath it says to 'keep from harm' (preventative) not the popularly misquoted statement 'do no harm'. That's beside the point. No one uses the classical version today. Also, no one is required to take an oath and if they do it is not legally binding.

Here is the opening paragraph to the classical oath.

"I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:....."

I can only imagine why this is not used today. Americans forget our Western Civilization began long before Constantine ruled.

Christian Compassion & Africa

A local Christian nonprofit has installed a well or two at remote african villages. Now the children born will have a better chance of living past their first year. Only to starve later, to die in a civil war, to suffer and struggle to survive every day? Uneducated, unemployed, and later angry and ungrateful.

One result, The Ugandan’s Lord’s Resistant Army

Africa Altruism

How many religious organizations have sent people and resources to this part of the world. Has it made a difference? It does not appear it does. I don't know if throwing more aid at them will ever help. It seems to make it worse not better.

Of course the Christians are not really concerned as long as souls are saved and they feel better about themselves.

Maybe it would be better to leave them alone and nature will take its course.

I really don't know.

Nemenhah & Awakening the Dreamer

More native religions high-jacked by a white people

Nemenhah is against modern medicine and prefer so called natural healing

Don't they realize that the historical life span for a native was 35 years max? Most children born died before their first birthday!


Today ..."Life expectancy for humans has doubled over the last 150 years as a result of progress in medical science."



Awakening the Dreamer is coming to Helena this weekend. From what I can tell after a bit of research, its a group of environmentals formed by a white woman who hung out in the Amazon for too long. Think I might go check this out.

Going Native seems to be today's religious fad.

Headless Chickens in a Tree

The Helena IR reported that a hiker made a disturbing discovery recently when she found seven headless chickens hanging from a tree.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff said they cut them down and threw them off the trail.”

He called the incident “worthy of note” and said it was posted on the department’s bulletin board. "This is kind of out of character. It could be a ritualistic thing, or it could be that someone living off the land stored them up there.

Reader Comments:

Jack Ruby wrote on May 13, 2009 9:23 AM:
" Someone should check Purple's alibi "

thedukeofhelena wrote on May 13, 2009 8:43 AM:
" One word - Santaria "

Joe Coffee wrote on May 13, 2009 6:59 AM:
" Weirdness. "

Murder Suicides

Would men who commit murder-suicide

still kill their children if they did not believe in Heaven?

Supreme Court Position Open

Opinions on the left are

the next justice should be

Chinese American or Hispanic,

Jewish or Buddhist

and for sure a gay woman

I would say an atheist would be better but a secularist would do.

Ohio Trip

I meet someone very interesting in Ohio. Ramzy is an Eastern Orthodox Christian, Mason, Arab speaking man from Lebanon. He has lived in the US for the last 30 years. Go figure. America is great.

The sexual double standard is alive and well.

The Purity Myth” by Jessica Valenti
“A woman’s worth lies in her ability — or her refusal — to be sexual. And we’re teaching American girls that, one way or another, their bodies and their sexuality are what make them valuable.
A world that could peg me as a bad person for sleeping with a high school boyfriend while ignoring my good heart, sense of humor, and intelligence.
The purity myth in America underlies more misogyny than most people would like to admit. Women are led to believe that our moral compass lies somewhere between our legs.

It seems to me;
Boys who have gotten lucky will call the girl a slut and whore while bragging at the same time about his sexual promiscuity. I was lucky and unlucky and did not find love in High School. When I did lose my virginity, I planned it, and proceed to rid of it almost mechanically. I did not see marriage in the future anytime soon and thought now that I am grown and on my own, it was time to become a woman. Today I am lucky enough to enjoy a very satisfactory sex life with my husband, with no worry of infidelity from either him or myself. So far anyway… after 15 years. Our positive Sexual confidence has been key to our successful relationship. Too many married couples have hang ups in my opinion.

My 12 year old daughter is gorgeous and will struggle with boyfriends unlike me. We have already had discussions and I told her she is the one in control. I did not tell her sex was bad, but I did warn her of the double standard, and other dangers of sex. I told her the longer she can wait the better. No sex is safe sex for teens. I am sure this discussion is far from over and will be sure she feels she can come to me for anything.

In my experience in the Navy a female sailor was either a Bitch if you didn’t put out or a Slut if you did.

I remember the big ta do over the “don’t ask no tell” policy about gays in the Military. I remember talking about this with fellow male sailors and how most of them were creeped out that a guy would be looking them over in the shower. I laughed at them; said women are used to being looked over all of the time. They can too. A look but don’t touch policy so to say.

Culture of Suffering

Culture of Suffering vs. Culture of Death
Social conservatives prefer a culture of suffereing. They would prefer the woman and child suffer. The woman will suffer trying to raise a child by herself and the child will suffer as an unwanted son or daughter. Society may suffer if this single mom keeps having unwanted children and one or more of them will turn to a life of crime. Social conservatives would prefer people like Mrs. Schiavo continue to suffer in vegatative states and their families suffer even more with false hope.Remember the good old days when it was illegal for a woman to use pain medication when giving birth? All because they beleive everyone are sinners and must suffer. Death is the easy way out.

Email from Hubby

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted... The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read :

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: October 16, 2008

I know you're surprised to hear from me
They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in...
I've seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.. Looking forward to seeing you then!!!!
Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is freaking hot down here!!!!

A Sunday school teacher charged with murder

An 8 year old girl allegedly raped and murdered by a female Sunday School Teacher

Why, How could this happen?

Common theist responses are

1. She was not a real Christian
2. The devil was testing her faith (She obviously failed)
3. She belonged to a cult called ______ fill in the blank with her denomination
4. She is really innocent and is only being blamed to make Christians look bad.
5. The girl was a demon and deserved it

6. The girl was sent to heaven for a reason

It’s about protection??

This is not necessarily about religion, but this man is scary

By Alan Rainey - IR Letter to the Editor - 04/09/09
Recently, while having lunch in a local casino, I asked a large muscular bartender what he would do if we had another depression. He stated, “It won’t bother me at all. I’m bigger than everybody else.”

I’m sure he isn’t the only person around that would rob and murder to survive; especially if a depression were to occur. I’m also sure that we need the gun law enacted, that is presently making its way through our Legislature to protect ourselves from just this type of individual. Note the number of businesses and homes being burglarized. It’s only a matter of time before someone is murdered.

People, let’s contact our local legislators and urge them to support this legislation.

Alan Rainey

2830 Howard Road

Reader Comments:

Clancy Coot (me)
You took this bartender seriously? I think people like you are the dangerous people. You obviously look for and see danger everywhere. Its not like you live on the south side of Chicago.


mthawki09 wrote on Apr 9, 2009 8:48 AM:

" Okay on 2nd review, perhaps this man is FOR us having guns to protect ourselves, as I have researched the gun law he mentioned. So then my previous comment is now directed at those people that don't GET that we need to protect ourselves!! Obama sure ain't goin to do it fo us! "



mthawki09 wrote on Apr 9, 2009 8:37 AM:

" Are you completely DAFT?? How do you propose to "protect" YOURSELF when you have NO GUN, and this "large muscular bartender" breaks into your home knowing that A) you have NO GUN, and B) you are SMALLER than him???? Gun laws will not protect YOU, they will protect the CRIMINALS! Wake up America! "

Countless Stories

It amazes me how everyday I can post something a stupid or down right evil thing a religiuous person or persons did to themselves or someone esle. And of course religion is perfect and only the people are not.

Bull Pucky!

Christian
CASSELBERRY, Fla. (AP) — A central Florida woman who fatally shot her 20-year-old son then killed herself at a shooting range left recorded messages that said she was the anti-Christ and that she needed to save her son.

Islam
The law, quietly passed and signed last month, has stirred international outcry over women’s rights. The law says a husband can have sex with his wife every four days unless she is ill, and it regulates when and for what reasons a wife may leave home alone.

Jewish
According to Jewish tradition, on the morning of April 8, for the first time in 28 years, the sun will be in the exact location it was when the Torah says it was created, 5,769 years ago. OMG!

Divorce

A (Republican) legislative plan to study marital and divorce problems caused lawmakers in the Montana House to themselves break into sharp argument and bitter disagreement.

An interim committee of lawmakers would study marriage laws and the problems caused by divorce and to find ways to strengthen (nuclear) families, and turn back the trend of more divorces. To study the impact of single parenting on children and the perceived problems caused by “unwed cohabitation.” (See picture for an old fashioned solution)

It was pointed out Interim studies produce very little, or no, tangible results.

I am sure there are plenty of studies out there and we don’t need politicians pretending to be social scientists. (Republicans don’t get divorced??)

Most Democrats objected that the study is slanted toward the conservative ideology dominant in Republican circles. (true)

An earlier bill would have removed the state’s no-fault divorce law — meaning people could not get divorced without a legal reason for doing so, such as infidelity. Those who objected to that failed plan argued that it could trap abused women in bad relationships.

One Democrat argued Republicans themselves are to blame for failed marriages.
He said conservative economic, tax, trade and other polices have led to an impoverishment of the lower and middle classes. He said that economic strife, and resulting marital arguments over money, is the primary cause of divorce.

The Republicans already know what causes divorce, people are not Christian enough. So, how is a study going to help? They want to get rid of divorce altogether as per the bible, that will fix everything. Look at the middle-east, they have their women under control, and see how happy everyone is!
NOT
Again this is an example of the Right playing to their conservative base, even if it doesn’t actually do anything constructive, they can say they tried.

My Comment on the IR article
We don't need another study.
There are plenty of other studies already done on this subject. Does the Republican party of Montana think this has never been considered before? I think, they think they already have the answers to what they think needs to be done. To pretend a committee of politicians could come up with a better study and a good solution is inane.

I think many people should not have gotten married in the first place. We need to prevent bad marriages. Stupid people should not be allowed to breed, but that won't happen.
More Life skills need to be taught in High School.
The kids are told to get married to have sex, so they get married to have sex, and end up married to someone they should not have married.

Easier not to Believe

Really? This is something I have heard before.

"It must be easier not to believe" another lame christian comment about something he or she knows nothing about.

Someone is :

Barking up the wrong tree
Clueless
Willfully ignorant
Spinning their wheels
Wasting their breath
in need of a reality check
heedless
better off messing with someone else
Must I go on?

Of course I am upset, life is too short to put up with such harassment. If you don't like what I have to say, go away. Jeez
This blog is for my personal use, to vent and point out things I think are interesting to me. I hate fighting and will not argue with people who really have no interest in me, but just want a soap box to stand on. I won't let that happen here.
There are plenty of other blogs and chat rooms full of people who love to argue. Go there if you want to practice your proselytizing skills.
I have noted over the years, debating people who believe in the supernatural are unable to debate fairly because they don't have to follow the rules of debate. It's "just because", "you just have to have faith", and then "I will pray for you" is how it usually ends.

This may seem a bit of an over reaction, but I feel I had to put my foot down.

Unjustly executed?

This is a quote from Pam, and the Association of Churches against the death penalty.

"In light of the teachings and acts of Jesus, who was himself unjustly executed, we seek a justice based in love, not revenge. We honor the sacredness of all life, and we stand together as people of faith to end the death penalty once and for all."

Give me a break
Jesus unjustly executed???
I guess...., he was set up by his father to die for our sins, and really how much of a sacrifice was it when Jesus then went straight to heaven and become God! It was all a part of God's plan, Hello! So much for free will, the executioners had no choice, it was already decided millions (correction) Billions of years ago, that Jesus was going to eventually die for you and me.

The idea that Jesus had to die, is blantantly ridiculous. God must have wanted it to happen, not because he had to have it happen.

Like I said before, the death penalty is ineffective and that is reason enough to abolish it.

Jesus Who?

I find it very strange how some people seem to think there are actually people escpecially here in the USA who have never heard of Jesus, and his "good news'. Please, Please if you think you have a closer relationship with Jesus than me and that you actually have something new or interesting to say that I have not already heard, please do not waste your time or mine.

By the way, I found Jesus in a Casino in Gulfport, Mississippi. Nice guy.

Guilty Plea Deal

A Maryland woman involved with a group described as a religious cult pleaded guilty in the starvation death of her son, but insisted the charges be dropped when he is resurrected.

Mr. More Gavelled for God Comments

Montana House Rep. More rose to speak on the bill, and began by saying a Judiciary Committee hearing that morning on a bill to define a person as beginning at human conception had been “cut short” by the call to begin House debate on HB645.Committee members had been discussing issues of God and conception, yet then were called to the House “to the sound of money falling from the skies, for all of us to roll over in and lap up,”

More said. “I have to ask, what of this question of God? What God do we serve? Is this all pretense? (YES) The pledge of allegiance, the invocation, every time we come to the (House) floor?” (YES!)

At that point, Rep. Dennis Himmelberger, R-Billings, who was chairing the debate on HB645, told More to make sure he stuck to the subject of the bill.“I am indeed,” More said. “If you can’t grasp that, Mr. Chairman, I-”“Representative More, you are out of order,” Himmelberger said curtly, as several other House members shouted out their displeasure with More’s behavior. As More tried to apologize and continue, Himmelberger twice told him to “be seated.”

Rep. Ron Stoker, R-Darby, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, then stood up to say the human conception bill had a full hearing before the committee, and that it hadn’t been cut short.

Atheist Billboards

Atheist billboards are popping up around the country.

They are a good tool for a membership drive and are not placed to upset people. But, of course it will raise hackles, thats ok.

Freedom-equality claims false per Lawrence

IR Letter to the Editor - 03/19/09
OMG. There are still people out there who believe in Ayn Rand. The letter from Joe Coco (IR, March 9) has all the markings of an adolescent, first-time libertarian. Coco falsely frames equality and freedom as a dichotomy, claims Democrats regard inequality as immoral, and through some neurological malfunction enlists the Christian theologian, C. S. Lewis, on the side of inequality.When we speak of “equality” in democratic theory, we do not intend that the continual life circumstances of all people be equal. The reference, rather, is to equal rights under the law and to public policy that results approximately in equal opportunity. Each of these is an essential part of “freedom.” To say that promoting equal rights renders Democrats against freedom is equivalent to saying that a fixation on “freedom” as they construe it makes Republicans prone to enjoy the freedom to gambol in an unregulated capitalism that greedily plunges the world into a depression.Contrary to Coco’s assertion, what Democrats regard as immoral is government policy that deliberately shifts resources from the poor to the rich, as has been the case in the United States since about 1980. Finally, when those who falsely claim to be the party of Jesus distort the writings of C. S. Lewis on the side of ignoring the teachings of Jesus, they simply compound their lunacy with hypocrisy.
L. Pettit

Buddhism

I have taken an interest in meditation recently and therefore learning about Buddhism. I am told one does not have to be religious to practice Buddhist meditation. Good thing, looks to me they are just as crazy as any other supernatural religion.

SIDBHARI, India – As No. 3 lama in Tibetan Buddhism and 17th incarnation, a 23 year old Karmapa Lama has spent his life immersed in the Buddhist arts of meditation, study and prayer, is set to replace the Dalia Lama when he passes away. Once the Dalai Lama is gone, the process of choosing a young boy as his reincarnation means decades may pass before the new Dalai Lama is ready to assume the leadership.

It's a role that the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four streams of Tibetan Buddhism

Born in 1985 to a nomadic family in the vast Tibetan plateau, he was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa at the age of seven after mystical signs identified him as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa, who died in exile in India in 1981.

Other monks of the sect championed another boy as the true reincarnation, but Dorje's status was recognized by the Dalai Lama and also by Beijing, which hoped he might emerge as a more malleable authority they could use to weaken the Dalai Lama.
But Chinese hopes were dashed when he escaped Tibet at age 14,

Beijing has long said it brought modernity to a region where monks and wealthy landowners had long ruled over huge tracts of land worked by slaves and serfs.

His reincarnation was recognized by the central government. (Strange)

The religion's second-highest figure, the still-teenaged Panchen Lama, is inside Tibet, presumed under Chinese control.

The Karmapa's sect is Tibet's oldest and was the most politically powerful until it was supplanted by the Dalai Lama's Gelugpa School, known as the "yellow hats" 350 years ago.

Sectarian strife will ensue once the Dalia Lama dies.

Capital Punishment Ineffective

No matter how many times one proves how ineffective the death penalty is, there are people who refuse to think otherwise, such a Mr. Grimes below.


Capital punishment is protection for society
By M. Grimes - IR letter to the editor - 03/11/2009
Idaho murderer Duncan: he beat two people to death with a hammer; kidnapped two children, then brutalized, raped and finally blew the head off the little boy, then burned his body in the campfire.

Our punishment: a room and free meals for life! Would this piece of junk hesitate to pull the trigger, saying to himself n “Oh wait, I might get life for this.”

This man has no friends, he has no future, no hope n life in prison probably sounds like a welcome change.

The man who built our cabin was murdered by two pieces of scum that tied him to a tree and shot him in the head. Montana’s legal system saw fit to let them out of prison — one of them murdered again. He killed a young woman whose family sued and received an “undisclosed” settlement because we failed to protect society.

That is precisely the point — we don’t execute people for the sake of revenge or out of anger; we do so to protect society. Outcries for leniency from victims’ families are heartfelt but have no more merit than feelings of rage; the ultimate penalty must be done with sound legal judgment and without emotion. Remember, there has never been a repeat offender.

Current rating: 4.5 with 44 ratings.
I thought this story was: Not very interesting (1) Slightly interesting (2) Somewhat interesting (3) Quite interesting (4) Extremely interesting (5)

Reader Comments
clancycoot
The Death Penalty in Idaho and Montana did not prevent the Duncan murders and did not protect that Idaho family.

Idaho Date Death Penalty Was Reenacted after Furman: 7/ 1/ 73
Year of First Execution: 1994 (only 1)
Does Idaho Have Life Without Parole: Yes

Sassyone wrote on Mar 11, 2009 12:24 PM:

" All great points! I have a hard time with those bleeding heart liberals who can justify abortion yet be against the death penalty. They won't protect the most defenseless, yet scream for protection after protection for the predators.
Also, looking at the bills fiscal note and the calculations they use, it actually would cost us more taxpayer dollars to allow these horrible murderers to live than to execute them today. But the anti-penalty folks won't want you to apply any basic fourth grade math to their logic. I also agree that the process should be shortened up, perhaps to 30 days in Deer Lodge at the most. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:39 AM:

" curly - again you've proven nothing. You've thrown out a set of numbers that don't have any basis in fact. I've already stated that the [public team] is on salary. Well guess what? That goes for [public defenders] as well. Now if someone in jail wants to [hire] a lawyer that charges $300 to $500 an hour...that is their bill. We don't pay it, they do. If they can't afford an attorney...as they say...one will be provided for you. A public defender who does not get $300 to $500 an hour for their services. "
Kelly Lee Lee wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Independent woman, I agree it shouldn't be drug out found guilty die guilty. It shouldn't take months & years for someone to be taken out of the picture.

Al, If we actually executed people for murder and didn't let them live out a nice cushy lifestyle less people would be apt to get in trouble. How many people have been executed? Not many! Most judges give them life in prison, look at the two boys that killed that court recorder, they get to continue on living in prison. They didn't get the death penalty. If prison meant breaking rocks 12 hours a day or a bullet to the head that would make a point. Our court system is entirely to lenient. "

Danr wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM:

" It does not need to deter, just be justified! Speed up the process, like mentioned before, if the evidence is outstanding, fry em. I am so sick and tired of the sissification of America. These scumbags kill but have a following of supporters who believe in forgiving them. Well, I know this, my god does not forgive these murderers, he burns them, all I want to do is expedite the process!
If nothing else, let the family of the victim decide, not the corrupt justice system. You best hope you dont hurt my family, the state will not need to carry out the penalty. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:20 AM:

" " We have had the death penalty for a very long time, and it's pretty clear that it doesn't deter people from killing."

The above statement is one that the anti-death penalty croud has used for a long time. It's a bothersome statement in that it doesn't have any proof. It is based upon the [perfectionist view] that...since we have the death penalty, and since people still murder other people, it must not be a deterent.

It in itself is rather a short sighted and unprovable point of view. If even one person is prevented from being murdered by another [because of] the fear of being put to death themselves...then it works as a deterent. That is the same logic that is used in the anti-smoking, anti-drugs, anti-alcohol...anti-whatever approaches to any given situation. Which are often put forth by the same people that are anti-death penalty.

The real problem with the death penalty is the amount of time that some of these people are on death row before the sentence gets carried out. Limit the appeals process, and carry out the sentence swiftly, just like the [right to a speedy trial] there should be a [speedy conclusion].

As far as the [cost] issue that keeps getting raised...the prosecutor is a public employee, the judge is a public employee, the police are public employees. The point is they all get paid a salary. The cost of any given trial is part of their NORMAL PAY. They don't get paid EXTRA just because they have a trial to go to. So all these ficticious costs of appeals and everything else...are just that...ficticious. These people are paid a salary whether or not they are actively pursuing any given case or attending a trial. "

my2cents wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:52 AM:

" curly - I decided to do a little research on death penalty vs LWOP (life without parole). Nobody can exactly nail down that it costs more to put these people to death. From what I understood most of it was based on where you would house them (death row or max. security). But there were also some very good ideas - reusing the rope, asking for volunteer firing squads (who would bring their own gun and bullets) - none of them my idea but seem cost effective none the less.

http://deathpenalty.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1000

There are also some arguments about LWOP being cheaper if you would like to look. Hope this helps! :) "

curly wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:46 AM:

" HakonMontag, you have provided no more evidence to your argument than I have. It does cost more to execute than it does to keep them in prison for life. These people get appeal after appeal with teams of lawyers charging $300 to $500 dollars an hour. You and I are paying for this because the criminal is in jail and has no source of income. I wish it were not this way but it is.

The cost of housing prisoners varies from state to state but the average seems to be around $25,000 a year when you include medical (some are way more than this). If a prisoner spends lets say 30 years in prison before he dies of old age he has cost the state about $750 thousand dollars. To execute a prisoner (with the cost of appeals and everything) costs in excess of two million dollars.

I'm not comfortable arguing against the death penalty because I really am undecided on this, but the fact is, it does cost more to execute. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:34 AM:

" al - WOW! What a contradiction of your own words.

I guess you're trying to say in your first paragraph that the [system] doesn't work. It doesn't deter people for the simple fact that [some people] are going to kill [murder] no matter what. Some people are going to murder because they think they will never get executed in our system. Some people are simply bad.

Then in your second paragraph you almost vote for [vigilante justice] with the most troubling aspect being that of the Police simply gunning down who ever they might [think] is guilty.

I know...they could apprehend or come upon a criminal [in the act]. "

independantwoman wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:39 AM:

" Curly I see what your saying, and understand it. I do believe in the death penalty under circumstances like that of Duncan. If the crime is as heinous as this, and no amount of DNA will clear him/her then the death penalty should be used. However I do believe that the death penalty should be carried out quickly. Why does it take so long? If we only use the death penalty for cases like the Duncan case and there is NO doubt of his guilt, then it shouldn't take years, it should take a few weeks to schedule, and have justice served. "

al wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:34 AM:

" We have had the death penalty for a very long time, and it's pretty clear that it doesn't deter people from killing. There is also the troubling matter of the State having the power to legally execute people.

That being said, I never feel bad for killers and other violent sorts who, when cornered, meet their end via armed citizen or police action. "

barest wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:02 AM:

" I don't understand how it could cost "more" to execute a person. How much does sodium chloride, or drain cleaner or any other posionous substance cost. Look under the sink...I'm sure bleach could do harm too. Or better yet; stand the guilty up and shoot them with a bullet....costs what....50 cents? Cheap. Easy. Solution SOLVED. Maybe with this solution we might not have to build so many prisons (which are much nicer than the house I live in...and I follow all the RULES.) These people don't deserve a "free ride" with cable TV, weight rooms, free time to learn an educational trade (that they would NEVER use in prison) and never have to pay for, and get free rent and board. You commit a crime: work till you die without benefits and no luxuries or you die quickly with a bullet. Pretty simple to me, so why does everyone have to make it so complicted. Prisoners, murders and anyone in these PRISONS HAVE NO FREEDOM...hence the reason why they are locked up. Apparently prison and jail just isn's scary enough to NOT want to go there. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 7:56 AM:

" curly -

Number one - No it doesn't. You've been lied to by tainted statistics. People want to believe statistics.

Number two - That is a problem with our Judiciary/Prosecutorial and Police Investigative systems. Once they get their minds set on [who] is guilty, they quit looking for other people. They [find] the evidence they need to convince the Jury that the person before them is guilty. And don't [allow] evidence to the contrary.

Case in point. Look at how many people who are still in prison where the DNA [or other] evidence has been brought forth and the PROSECUTOR still refuses to admit they have the wrong person in prison. Even after some of these people have been let go, the PROSECUTOR still wants to find the evidence they need to put them back in prison. It's a mind set that they simply can't let go of. Admitting they were wrong. It's a black mark on their spotless records of wins. It's all about winning the case. Not finding the guilty person doesn't enter into the picture. Innocent until proven guilty...yea right. "

curly wrote on Mar 11, 2009 1:53 AM:

" I'm not for or against the death penalty, I admit that I just don't know the answer. But two things I would like to add:

Number one-- it costs more to execute a person than it does to keep them in prison for life.

Number two-- The death penalty is final, and there have been hundreds of people who were on death row that were later found not guilty by DNA evidence. "

Kelly Lee Lee wrote on Mar 11, 2009 1:10 AM:

" I agree with you ONE HUNDRED Percent. I do not believe that people who kill with out remorse or reason (such as self defense) should not get a free ride. They should not get to live out the rest of their natural life in a cell with three meals a day. They should be executed, removed from this world. The tax dollars that would be used to feed these people could go to some one who would use it, such as the VICTIMS family. Sadly the world doesn't think that way, and we waste tons of money keeping the wrong people alive. Start killing the killers & less people will be likely to kill. "

Homeless Shelters & Alcoholics

he had committed the robbery but claimed he did not remember doing so. At first, the man told investigators he only recalled leaving God's Love shelter to go to an alley to drink wine


Do homeless shelters enable alcoholics?

Free Speech Advocate

Free speech advocate
By Sherri Schofield - IR letter to the editor - 03/10/2009
I was so pleased to see that Canyon Ferry Baptist Church won their appeal in the 9th Circuit. It was a great victory for freedom of speech that will set the precedent for the future. It gives freedom to pastors across the state to speak out on the real-life political issues we face that could dramatically impact our families.

The only thing that disturbed me about this cast was that it took the 9th Circuit of Appeals to recognize the real issue: freedom of speech, and the harassment of our community establishments, such as churches, by people who want to shut down all competition.

Montana prides itself on freedom issues. Why was this subject not seen in the first place in our courts? Are Helena politics so crushingly controlling that politics overrides freedom of speech here?

Thank you, Canyon Ferry Baptist Church, for the good fight you put up in defending freedom of speech!

Sherri Schofield


Reader Comments:

Clancy Coot (me)
Then the Churches should pay taxes if they insist on being political machines and not only providing spiritual guidance to their flocks as they supposedly do. I do not belong to this church, and as an individual tax payer, do not think group/mob religious opinions should overly influence the political process.

al wrote on Mar 10, 2009 8:30 AM:
" I disagree with the court's ruling. Organized political activity should not be magically exempt from election law just because it takes place in a building with a cross out front. As evidenced on their website (http://www.cfrbc.net), Canyon Ferry Baptist Church is one of many that promotes something called "Spiritual Battle", calling anyone who does not agree with the Baptist agenda "Satan". This strategy is primarily a means to keep tithers riled-up and focused so that attendance will stay up and money will keep coming in. The ultimate goal, of course, is political power and all the worldly things that come with it. Naturally, these divisive tactics make enemies in the secular world where previously there were none. I think believers should ask themselves: is that really what Jesus would do? "

VRC wrote on Mar 10, 2009 6:13 AM:
" The front group that our now Public Service Commissioner put up to this failed effort to surpress free speech failed completely and cost a lot of money. How long will actions that are clearly in violation of our civil rights granted in the Constitution go on without being totally rejected by the first line of the judicial system. "

purple wrote on Mar 10, 2009 1:29 AM:
" Dems and libs only believe in free speech when it is THEIR speech which should be the only one heard.They proved that when they wanted a return to the fairness doctrine - they wanted conservatives to give while exempting liberals. "

1 of 4 Reject Religion

America is a less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago, and Christianity is not losing out to other religions, but primarily to a rejection of religion altogether, a survey published Monday found.

Survey finds percentage of of Americans identifying themselves as Christian has fallen over two decades.

Three out of four Americans call themselves Christian, according to the American Religious Identification Survey from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1990, the figure was closer to nine out of 10 -- 86 percent.

Non-believers make up the largest 'religious' minority in the United States.

Mean spirited Republicans

Nothing makes me more mad than when someone I know sends me really nasty emails about 'liberals'

This week alone, I have had to ask nicely two acquaintances of mine to remove me from their email contact lists. This type of behavior makes me lose complete respect for that person. Don't they realize that it makes them look very immature? It seems to me, Republicans are the most mean spirited people on earth, each and everyone of them.

They say us atheists are cynical, give me a break!
I don't forward nasty emails about conservatives to my Christian friends or Republican friends. I don't do it all for that matter. Hello!!!!! Such miserable people.

I have removed myself from contact with at least 4 negative people in the last year.
And another thing, Republicans are not funny
Politics suck!!

Montana's Death Penalty

I have always thought how strange it is that the Catholics I know are for the death penalty and pro-life?

Rome’s Colosseum lit to mark Montana death-penalty bill
By The Associated Press - 03/03/09
The ancient Colosseum in Rome was lit up Monday night to mark an event on Feb. 16 in Montana: The state Senate voted to end the death penalty in favor of life in prison with no parole.

The chamber supported Senate Bill 236 on a 27-23 vote.

The bill is now before the Montana House.

Rome’s Colosseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of the fight against capital punishment.

Since 1999, the first-century monument has been bathed in light, on the initiative of the peace activist Community of Sant’Egidio and the Council of Rome, every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment.