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Bye, Bye Jerry Falwell
Sure, we’re a week late to the punch on the demise of Jerry Falwell, but it still bares some mention, since there are few modern examples of a “holy man” preaching this much intolerance and hate. This column at the SFGate sums it up as well as any, as did this one at Slate, but thanks to the internet, you can also read the full catalogue of Falwell’s legacy.
Our only hope is that in his passing, Falwell is remembered for his words. Nothing we could possibly say would do a better job of exposing this man for the ignorant, misogynistic, hateful, fraud he was.
Belief Means Something
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, tickets are still available for tonight’s discussion on “Religion, Politics, and the End of the World.” It is framed as a debate between our friend Sam Harris, and former New York Times Middle East bureau chief and Harvard Divinity School graduate Chris Hedges, but we’re hopeful the result will more closely resemble informed discussion.
The salient and vital fact to remember is that after the events of 9/11, it is clear that belief means something, and if we don’t understand what and why people believe what they believe, it will come back to haunt us. In a world full of differing and opposing opinions about how one finds meaning in life, the only certainty is that we must seek to at least understand, if not respect, the beliefs and opinions of others. Hopefully tonights dialogue will help.
Growing Pains
I sat in front of my computer this morning and watched, somewhat obsessively, as Kirk Cameron from Growing Pains attempted to dazzle the audience of ABC’s Nightline with “absolute, scientific proof in the existence of god without relying on faith.” As you might guess, he and author Ray Comfort were generally unsuccessful in this endeavor (although Cameron is impressively well spoken). Not only did they frequently refer to biblical passages for substantiation, but Comfort actually began his argument with a variation of the thoroughly debunked Watchmaker Analogy.
So why do we care so much? Why do we reserve such ire and rancor for this subject? Because we’ve seen that people armed with religious justification for their behavior are dangerous (and more, and more), and we think it’s time to start looking for ways to make the world less, not more dangerous.
Catching up with Religion
Sure, we usually keep pretty busy taking pot shots at Jesus around here…I mean, with a president chosen by god himself, and the forthcoming Rapture, it seems almost impossible to avoid the subject these days. But you might be thinking to yourself: What about all the lesser known religions? What are they doing, and what celebrity spokesman is ticked off by some sort of well researched and substantiated attack on their beliefs today?
Thankfully, just like in the movies, it’s John Travolta to the rescue. He’s slightly irked about a BBC reporter who’s put together a documentary critical of Scientology. Now we’ve not seen this documentary, which apparently refers to Scientology as a “brainwashing cult”, so we can’t speak to the specifics of his claims. However, based on even cursory reads of the glut of information pieced together by our friends at Operation Clambake, we think any such assertions deserve a wide audience. And frankly, anything that ticks off John Travolta seems like kind of a bonus to us as well.
What to do with $456 Billion
After seven years of suffering with George W., and almost six years since the tragedy of 9/11, we finally have the gift of retrospect. Despite all promises regarding our invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq, it’s clear we are mired in an un-winnable war which poses no benefit to the United States, nor, it seems, to the people of Iraq. On top of that, we’ve now spent enough money on our efforts there to have actually done a great deal of real good right here at home.
So what can you do with $456 billion dollars? We’re glad someone asked.
Now listening to:
Now reading:
//RECENT
Vincent Moon and Arcade Fire Walk Into An Elevator….“[T]he crowd seemed really emotionally engaged with the music.”
Water Water Everywhere…. “Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.”
- The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
An extended version of Bon Iver’s La Blogotheque Take Away Show of “For Emma, Forever Ago” with three versions of the song and some very startled tourists. I think this is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Not just that the song is so beautiful, and is so beautifully sung, but that [...]
So, This Stephen Malkmus-looking Guy Who Went to High School with My Boss Wrote a Children’s BookA man once said, “Childrens do learn.” and I believe childrens should learn to dream big dreams. Even better is to dream arty dreams like a hipster might draw. This hipster author’s name is Dallas Clayton. Although I do not know for sure that Dallas Clayton is a hipster, he looks like this: And, I [...]
Matilde UrrutiaIt isn’t simply that you are loved gloriously, or loved beautifully. But rather that a pitch perfect expression of love for you sounds and sounds, Rises into the very air. Though the love itself may fade, I do not know, The poetry you inspire ascends, ascending Becomes stars and you, who are so loved, Look [...]
//FROM THE ARCHIVES
My Epic Power Struggle With A Security Guard at BAMAs many of you know, I am working as an Usher at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) evenings and weekends. I needed to get a BAM employee ID card because, besides allowing me entrance to my place of sometimes work, the ID gets me (+1) into free movies at BAM Rose Cinemas, Film Forum, Walter [...]
Less Blood, More GoreAl Gore, winner of the popular vote in 2000, and focus of the incredibly important 2006 documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”, today was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize — along with the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — for their work to alert the world to the threat of global warming. As such, if [...]
Diary of a Smoker“Cold water tastes really good. I’m told that i’ll find a whole new appreciation for food and drinks in general once i quit…but then, every non-smoker takes that for granted anyway.”
I Fucking Hate Sex and the City“$40,000 on shoes?”
Open Letter to the Sacramento Waldorf SchoolAn excerpt from a recent letter by the SWS Development Committee: “Dear Alumni, With the present uncertainty of world events and the need to promote the growth of healthy thinking and socially conscious human beings we ask that when you read this letter you consider not ‘Will I give?’ but rather ‘How much can I [...]
