Theists can be just as dumb
A spate of books in the past year has touted atheism while denigrating religion and those who practise it. Themes to which the proponents of a godless society keep returning include the irrationality of religion, its tendency to obscure and the unreasonable, often dangerous, behaviour of the faithful.
I usually yawn when I read such assertions. A religion such as Christianity, whose adherents invented the university, Newtonian physics, Mendelian genetics and Heisenbergian quantum mechanics, needs no instruction on the virtues of reason and intelligence.
Sometimes, however, the ways of the religious pass all understanding. Apparently people who believe in God can be as dumb as anyone else. For example:
Does anyone remember "flirty fishing"? This was a notion of the Children of God movement in the 1970s encouraging female cultists to have sex with lonely guys in order to "show God's love to men." I was reminded of that interesting approach to sexuality when I saw the 2008 "Men on a Mission" calendar.
For $14.99 anyone interested in the torso development of Mormon male missionaries may purchase this calendar featuring 12 artfully posed evangelists in a state of semi-undress. If you have ever wondered what walking about in a dark suit for two years does to one's abs, pecs and biceps here is your chance to find out.
Despite the buzz this display has caused on gay websites, the brains behind the effort assure us that "this calendar has a deeper story--one that can reshape perceptions, heighten awareness, and perhaps encourage and inspire a broadened acceptance of human and religious diversity."
No doubt. Skeptical readers may see for themselves at www.mormonsexposed.com.
A bizarre version of the creationism conflict centres around an undersea ridge between the south Indian coast and the island of Sri Lanka. The Indian government would like to dredge up this shallow body of water to open up a sea lane. This development would destroy a formation of sand and stone that archaeologists say is a recent natural phenomenon.
However, Hindu fundamentalists claim it is a bridge constructed millions of years ago by the divine Lord Ram and his army of monkeys. When hard-line Hindu activists accused the scientists of blasphemy and demonstrated across the subcontinent, the Indian minister of culture resigned, two archaeologists were suspended and the project remains in limbo.
Have you ever waited impatiently after a church service, lining up to talk to the pastor as he shakes hands with departing congregants, hoping to fill him in on all the grammatical, historical and theological mistakes he has just made in his sermon? I know I have.
Well, here's a way to avoid those queues and spare yourself a weekly confrontation. Just send your minister an anonymous e-mail rebuke.
This service is offered by the kind folks at "You're Not Fulfilling Your Biblical Duty," found on the worldwide interweb at http://64.147.16.238/repent/Youre_Not_Fulfilling_Your_Biblical_Duty%21.html.
Here your negligent cleric can read the following criticisms which you would have liked to level at him (or her) but were too shy to deliver in person:
"Repent! You are Supposed to Be a Christian Pastor. God Has Given You a Clear Job To Do. But, You're Not Doing It!
"The reason you've been sent a link to this web page is because your sermons do not preach that which is in accord with sound Biblical doctrine. Instead, you are preaching sermons that tickle itching ears. The Bible Warns Us About Preachers Like You...
Pastor, it is time for you to repent.
"If you will not do your Biblical duty and preach the message that you have been given to preach by God Himself then you need to step down from the pulpit because you are in sin and open rebellion against the One True God.[sic]"
That should really open up the lines of communication.
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