Life is a Journey, Why Not Share it?

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck hosted a rally in Washington D.C. today that more closely resembled a religious revival than a political rally. Beck urged the large crowds at his “Restoring Honor” event  to “turn back to God” and return America to the “values on which it was founded”. I was fairly certain that freedom of religion was one of those values.  I am also quite certain that freedom of religion includes freedom from religion.

In a bout of religious rhetoric, Beck told participants at the rally “Something beyond imagination is happening… America today begins to turn back to God. For too long, this country has wandered in darkness.” Empty words, from a political opportunist who presumes to speak for America. I for one say that if Beck were to be the face of the American Citizenry, I would proudly stand-up and sing “Oh Canada”.

Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" Rally resembled a religious revival

The rally rightfully drew fire for its timing and location.

People filled the park by the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, on the anniversary of the most pivotal civil rights address in America’s history — the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which was delivered at the same location 47 years ago.

Although he denied it, and denied that the rally was political in nature, Beck clearly tried to usurp the day for his own political gain. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was quoted by CNN saying Beck was mimicking King and “humiliating the tradition.” Beck insults the intelligence of all of us if he expects us to believe he is absent minded enough to have picked this date purely coincidentally.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, perhaps the perfect antithesis for Beck & certainly an intellectual equal, and his “National Action Network” gathered nearby with a “Reclaim the Dream” rally. Participants in this rally marched from a high school in northwest Washington, D.C., to the site of the future Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, just a few blocks from the Lincoln Memorial.

Beck said the site of his rally was appropriate to reflect on the legacy of King, “the man who stood down on those stairs and gave his life for everyone’s right to have a dream.”

Beck repeatedly claimed his rally was nonpolitical and its mission was to honor American troops. But as a veteran of Iraq & Afghanistan, and an open atheist, I can tell you this rally did little for me other than make me ashamed of the direction our country appears to be heading. I was saddened to see how many people actually rallied to support this mad man.

Beck struck a spiritual tone throughout the day, saying his role was to wake America up to the backsliding of principles, values and most importantly, faith. Earlier, he said “God dropped a giant sandbag on his head” to push him to organize the event.

Beck, keenly aware of his critics, opened the rally shortly after 10 a.m. with the national anthem and immediately drew attention to the large crowd that stretched for six city blocks from the Lincoln Memorial along the parks surrounding the reflecting pool.

“I have just gotten word from the media that there are over 1,000 people here today,” Beck said sarcastically.

“We are humbled that you are here,” he said. “The reflecting pool holds about 200,000 people. This field back here holds about 250- to 300,000 people. They are not only full here, they’re full in that field, they’re full behind me, and they are now across the street approaching the Washington Monument.”

Tea Party activists from across the country attended the event. Turning out in what was surely one of the most manufactured and insincere events ever held in this historical location.

Speakers included former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who said she came to speak not about politics but as “something more” — as the mother of a soldier. She said America’s men and women in uniform exemplified the virtues and values of America.

“Say what you want to say about me, but I raised a combat vet and you can’t take that away from me,” she said to a crowd that broke out in chants of “U.S.A! U.S.A!”

She also noted the anniversary of the famous civil rights speech, saying, “We feel the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Beck had been heavily promoting the event on his Fox News Channel program and on his radio broadcasts. He claims that the timing of the rally wasn’t intentional. But that seems like a pretty big coincidence to me…

“Whites don’t own Abraham Lincoln. Blacks don’t own Martin Luther King. Those are American icons, American ideas, and we should just talk about character, and that’s really what this event is about. It’s about honoring character,” Beck said.

Lenny McAllister, an African American Republican, was asked by the Tea Party to speak at Saturday’s rally but declined. He said the rally was disrespectful to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I cannot sit on stage and co-sign on this irresponsibility,” he said. “I made sure I wore my elephant pin today. I am a proud Republican but I am also a proud African American man.”

I for one think anyone who honestly believes this rally was not political in nature is deluded. It’s no coincidence Sarah Palin was there, this is all apart of her build up towards her 2012 campaign. It’s just sad to me that people like Palin and beck will stoop so low as to use the troops as a back drop for their political aspirations, and tarnish the anniversary of such a pivotal moment in civil rights history.

The proposed Mosque two blocks from ‘ground zero’, originally named “Cordoba House”, has stirred quite a debate across the country. I have expressed my opinions here previously, and I have shared some enlightening videos from Pat Condell who I think really hits the nail on the head with this issue. However, there have been some extremists chiming in on the debate, and I feel the need to clarify my own position.

I am personally, morally opposed to the construction of this mosque, and I find it’s presence to be deeply offensive. I should point out, that I would also be offended if people were building a Church there. I am aware that there are Mosques that exist in the area, and that several of them were there well before the World Trade Center was erected. I have no real issues with the preexisting religious institutions in the area. However I do take great offense to adding more.

I am also aware that my personal opinion means little, and I would NEVER advocate trying to take away these people’s right to build their Mosque, but at the same time, I fully intend to exercise my right to voice my opinion on the subject. I have been hopeful that enough of a public outcry would dissuade their actions, but it seems we’ve not cried loud enough. 9/11 should stand as a reminder of what religion, and unquestioning devotion to a god leads to. It was the act of RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS, which is why I am offended by the notion of ANY religious institution being constructed on the site. I stand by my belief that religion can ultimately only serve to divide us as a people. The fact that the religious institution being built happens to be one representing the most repressive, backwards, intolerant and evil religions practiced today only makes it worse.

Christianity, is itself a pretty heinous and demented belief system if you actually read the Bible. It too advocates outright evil, like stoning your daughter, just as Islam does. Christianity also has many strange rules such as not eating shrimp, and it makes strange claims, like rabbits chew cud. But there is one difference between Islam and Christianity that makes Islam far more dangerous… Christians cherry pick the bible. They only “believe in” and “practice” the nice bits, and the pieces they like. Whereas that certainly makes Christians incredible hypocrites, it also makes them far less dangerous. Islam is the largest religion in the world that is still openly stoning women, convicting women as criminals for having been raped, and that practices genital mutilation (only on women, of course).

This leads to my next point… People like to mention the “moderate Muslims”. Should we offend them? Should they not be given credit? My answer is simple. You are not guaranteed any protection against being offended in this nation, and I can not give credit to any group of “moderates” that are not actively denouncing the hateful actions Islam takes against women around the world. Their silence serves as quiet condoning of such actions.

I do not believe religion deserves respect. It should not have the special protected status it seems to in our world. Why is it we can poke fun at people’s race, sex, disabilities, ignorance, etceteras, but once we poke fun at religion we are told we “have gone too far”? Why should we be concerned about offense given to anyone who can read books such as the Bible or the Koran and believe they are Holy and infallible? Or worse, why should we be concerned about giving offense to those who follow these dogmas without having read the books all the way through?

Religion in any form is rapidly becoming a greater and greater blight on our society as a whole. It is high time we stop cowering behind political correctness and stand up and demand reason. I do not understand how anyone with half an education can be anything less than outraged at the construction of nearly any new religious institution, much less one intended to hail the glory of an extreme and violent religion that seeks to oppress those that stand in its way.

Three Things You Should Know About Islam

Three surprising things you probably didn’t know about Islam and the Quran. This subject may affect you in the near future, so take the chance to inform yourself now – before it does.

Parts of the text have been strongly inspired by the website
• http://www.citizenwarrior.com

Islam is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur’an, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of the one, incomparable God (Allah), and by the Prophet of Islam Muhammad’s teachings and normative example (in Arabic called the Sunnah, demonstrated in collections of Hadith). Islam literally means “submission (to God).” Muslim, the word for an adherent of Islam, is the active participle of the same verb of which Isl?m is the infinitive.

Muslims regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islamic tradition holds that previous messages and revelations have been changed and distorted over time. Religious practices include the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five obligatory acts of worship. Islamic law (Arabic:  Šar??ah) touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, encompassing everything from banking and warfare to welfare and the environment.

The majority of Muslims belong to one of two denominations, the Sunni and the Shi’a. Islam is the predominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizable communities are also found in China and Russia, and parts of the Caribbean. About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, 31% in the Indian Subcontinent, and 20% in Arab countries. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With approximately 1.57 billion Muslims comprising about 23% of the world’s population, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world and arguably the fastest growing religion in the world.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

I love listening to creationists argue for Intelligent Design. They always give examples of things like the human eye and discuss how elegant and intricate it is, and how it could not have possibly evolved, it must have been designed. I for one, believe that if we were designed, that we have been poorly designed and that a first year engineering student at a second-rate college could easily concoct a better design. A prime example would be our airway… why do we breathe, eat and drink through the same hole in our face? This makes it almost certain that some portion of us will choke to death. Is it too much to ask for a separate hole for breathing and eating? Dolphins have them! In any case, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, a personal hero of mine, makes a great argument for stupid design here… Enjoy, and please share with your creationist friends…

There comes a time in the life of every parent that they must welcome their newborn child to the world. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of damage that religious parents can unwittingly do to a child in the name of “love” with the teachings from their various “holy books“. There is no such thing as a Christian child, or a Muslim Child or a Buddhist Child, etceteras… there are simply children of Christian, Muslim or Buddhist parents. A child is far too young to comprehend the intricate details of a religion. I strongly feel bombarding a kid with religious mythology at such a young age is a form of child abuse, it is mental abuse. I believe it is better to remain neutral in teachings related to religion and allow the child to make his / her own decisions when they are old enough. I am an Buddhist (which is an Atheistic religion), but my children may choose to be Jews, Christians or Rastafarians… the choice is theirs. And I will support it, so long as it is informed, and well thought out.

Looks like the construction of the Mosque at Ground Zero in New York City was approved recently, despite outcries from the community. Which is a major disappointment. How is it that 10 years after 9/11 the World Trade Center still has not been rebuilt, but we are preparing to build a Mosque there?

Perhaps we should start a movement to get the building declared a historical landmark?

Saudi Girl Gets Down…

Getting Down Saudi Style…

Once again, Pat Condell hits the nail on the head with in his discussion of the ongoing problem of Islam, the supposed “religion of peace”.

Our continued dedication to being “politically correct” has made us turn a blind-eye to that which is happening right in front of us.

It seems almost unthinkable, but Islamist groups are, as we speak, hard at work creating Muslim states-within-states in the U.S. Indeed, this process has been unfolding for a long time across the Western world, through the creation of isolated Muslim enclaves in both rural and urban areas, as well as through the designation of “no-go zones” where governments admit to having little authority over Muslims living there, essentially leaving them to function as autonomous regions. (Read More Here)

But we don’t have to stand-by and just watch as we allow Muslim extremists commit atrocities around the world… We need to demand that “moderate Muslims” begin to actively speak out against the actions of the extremists. We need to write to our legislators and tell them that it is not okay with us that there is a Mosque being built at ground zero in New York! We need to be proactive.

If you think this is all extreme, then you should read about the Saudi Billionaire who boasts about getting Fox News to change their news reports. Or perhaps you should read about the movement to create a Muslim only enclave in the city of Philadelphia. Their movement is real, and must not be ignored or taken lightly.

Read the Book:

Help Stop the Stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani…

If you do nothing else. Please take a moment and sign the Petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop…
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/s…

Contact information for e-mailing the White house.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

And the President of Iran
http://cp.president.ir/en/
Currently there are only 427 signatures on the petition site. I am sure there are other Petitions out there. I think making people aware is the most important thing. That and voicing our condemnation of this sentence. Reason must prevail.

This woman needs to be released if anyone is ever to think reasonably of Islam.

It was 1977 in Miami (Dade County) when former beauty queen and singer Anita Bryant launched her infamous “Save Our Children” campaign to repeal a local anti-discrimination ordinance.

Her successful religious and political crusade against gays and lesbians led to repeal of Dade County’s non-discrimination provisions, and later that same year led to the Florida legislature’s passage of a ban on “homosexual” adoption.

Once her anti-gay campaign went national, Bryant helped set a nasty, narrow, prejudiced tone for the entire anti-equality backlash movement, which widely publicized quotes such as:

“As a mother, I know that homosexuals cannot biologically reproduced children; therefore, they must recruit our children” and “If gays are granted rights, next we’ll have to give rights to prostitutes and to people who sleep with St. Bernards and to nail biters.”

Her efforts were not without backlash as she famously took a pie in the face during a TV interview.

But she was also quite effective.  Her rhetoric and viewpoints are still cited today in political “debates” not only in Florida but nationwide. In fact, the roots of modern political homophobia and the foundations of the campaigns to ban same-sex marriage can all be traced back to Bryant.

And after years of self-imposed seclusion, Anita’s back on the national anti-gay stage – this time helping headline a “Reclaiming America for Christ” rally in Oklahoma with Focus on the Family, the Liberty Council and even former Colonel Oliver North.

Anita’s re-emergence as a icon of bigotry has prompted us to ask you – who would be the best national leader to refute the Anita Bryant types?