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.... "