Welcome To 1984, Folks…...

 George Orwell was just a few decades off, but…

"... this week, religious tyranny came to Michigan, with House Bill 5958, The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). This bill legalizes a Christian extremist’s religious freedom to discriminate, and commit other breaches in law and social mores. The law makes it legal to refuse service, deny employment, housing, and violate other citizens’ rights, any rights, if a theocrat claims it violates their religious freedom and objects on religious grounds."

http://tinyurl.com/o2jjyod

It has been reported by several outlets, yet this one goes into details that may have been glossed over..…and probably been hailed a "conservative Christian victory" on FOX. And it will be interesting to see what Justice Scalia has to say if Michigan's law is tested by the SCOTUS, since at one time he stated: "it would be “courting anarchy” to create exceptions every time a religious group claims that a law infringes on its religious freedom."

Right Wing media has turned reality on it's head, as usual. 
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/02/19/nbc-declares-war-on-christians/

There is no war on Christians or Christianity….it's just their war on everybody else…..

Color me surprised……the conservative SCOTUS led by Judges Scalia and Alito,  ruled again for the corporations of this country. At least the fundamentalist Christian ones. And not helping women again. On one issue, but just wait for the flood gates to open when all these lawyers (with the sign of the fish at the bottom their yellow page ads…) get ahold of enough clients who are being "forced" to go against something-or-another.

While those on CNN, FOX and all the other rightwing outfits are hooping and hollering about "beating down that Obama"…their main aim all along anyway….there is another side to all of this.

“One way to look at it is this: The whole point of establishing a corporation is to create an entity separate from oneself to limit legal liability,” he  (David Gushee) writes. “Therefore, Hobby Lobby is asking for special protections/liability limits that only a corporation can get on the one hand, and special protections that only individuals, churches and religious organizations get, on the other. It seems awfully dangerous to allow corporations to have it both ways.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/30/3453598/no-a-win-for-hobby-lobby-is-not-a-win-for-religion/

"..might be good news for the wealthy private business owners like the heads of Hobby Lobby, but for millions of religious Americans sitting in the pews....their sacred and constitutional right to religious freedom just became compromised."

Just one more step in erroding the rights and privileges of many of us in this country, but maybe it will also make people take another look at how they view the role of corporate/religion in their everyday lives. Seems like all the "democracy and liberty" the Repubs want to risk more lives for in the Middle East are slowing being yanked from us here at home. It is one thing to believe, pray, and worship a certain way. (I was raised a Southern Baptist myself…) It is quite another to think everyone else must do so also. 

To quote Justice Ginsburg in her dissent: “Workers who sustain the operations of those corporations commonly are not drawn from one religious community,” Ginsberg pointed out. “Indeed, by law, no religion-based criterion can restrict the work force of for-profit corporations.”

Another insightful take on this subject: http://southernbeale.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/religion-is-dead/

"Way Down South In The Land Of Dixie....."

Living in the South..in the state of Tennessee exactly.....can be a mixed blessing. The Smoky Mountains are a whole world unto themselves, any time of year. People are friendly and hospitable. Food is wonderful and music of all genres is everywhere. Families have lived here for generations...even those who have lived in other states always seem to return.

But how do you explain the absolute thoughtless, heartless, selfish, and of course politically motivated, moves such as these:

Take food away from families if a child gets bad grades:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/320-80/16764-tennessee-advances-bill-that-would-tie-welfare-to-childrens-grades

Refuse to counsel troubled students:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/tennessee-bill-allows-christian-counselors

Don't accept state-issued college ID for voting:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/apr/04/bill-wont-allow-student-ids-for-voting/

Refuse to obey any federal legislation:
http://www.thepiratescove.us/2013/02/26/kentucky-senate-passes-gun-nullification-legislation/



And then what was my personal favorite:
http://news.msn.com/us/lawmakers-want-state-religion-in-nc-defying-first-amendment

Which has been topped by THIS:
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/04/03/North-Carolina-bill-would-tax-parents-of-college-students-limit-college-vote/6961365017546/

Rally 'round The Chicken, Boys


You've got to hand it to those on the Right: they certainly know how to throw an anti-protest. Just mention FOOD and they're all there.....

Anybody in this country can have a business. Anybody can have any point of view they want....be it religious or political. Where it gets tricky is when you openly state those views and make it known where you monetary support goes...you know that money that you make from that business you own.
This is where the politics of the situation shows it's ugly head.
The right, sensing a gain to made from this...exploiting again their "Christian family values" and the fact that the entire country must be "Bible-based"...had the likes of Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and others take the helm. The left, on the other hand, was simply standing up for their belief that all people are equal. With Fox along for the ride you see how that turned out:

"American Christians are facing uncertain times. Our nation’s values are under assault. Religious liberty has been undermined. We live in a day when right is now wrong and wrong is now right.

The vicious left-wing assault against Chick-fil-A should serve as a wakeup call to people of faith. It’s not about a chicken sandwich. It’s about the future of our country.

“Individuals have the right to decide whether or not to ‘eat mor chikin.’ But no government leader should restrict a business or organization from expanding to their district based on the personal or political views of the owners,” said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals. 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/07/31/boycott-about-so-much-more-than-chicken-sandwich/#ixzz22PPRtdlf

Yep, you can have any business you want. To say something differently is wrong...and "undemocratic."
The next part is a little tricky: 
“Such evident discrimination and attempts to marginalize those with religious values have no place in American democracy.”Those who preach tolerance – are the least tolerant of all. And I suspect Councilman Kenney spoke for many when he issued a not-so-subtle threat to individuals like Dan Cathy who support traditional marriage.

“If he really, truly believes what he believes, that is his right to do so,” he said. “But there is often a price to pay for that.

In other words, Councilman Kenney wants people with dissenting views to shut up – or else face the consequences.

Apparently they've forgotten little matters such as this:
thttp://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2011/06/07/not-welcome-documentary-on-murfreesboro-mosque-controversy-rough-cut

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/17/kt-mcfarland-ground-zero-mosque-god-september-obama-imam-feisal/

Or maybe even, as this commenter asks:

"What did you think when the American Family Association called for boycotts of Ford, Pepsi, McDonald’s, and Campbell’s Soup because of their pro-Gay stance?

What did you think when OneMillionMoms called for a boycott of Starbucks because they support marriage equality, or a boycott of J.C. Penney because Ellen Degeneres appears in their TV ads?"

Chicken and fast food aside, it all boils down to this for me:

"Denying civil rights to others in the name of Christian love has damaged our witness, alienated millions (including many younger Christians) and done nothing to address the real threats to marriage: the lack of time, energy and material resources necessary to nurture the bonds of love that hold a family together. If the church is to be faithful to Christ, then our political action should focus on what the kingdom of God is all about: .......not gays."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-j-dunn-phd/why-christian-activism-against-gay-marriage-is-not-christian_b_1509200.html

Back To The Mayflower: 2012?

Observing events and listening to rhetoric of the last four years, it seems to me that we are right back where we started some four hundred years ago. Or conversely: every year that's passed has sent us one hundred in the OPPOSITE direction. So much for progress.......

Ok, it wasn't just overnight, but what happened? Immigrants and settlers came to this country for many reasons: some to escape religious persecution or to more freely expand their beliefs. Fine. But we've gotten WAY off track here: 

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with," Romney said. "Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government."
"There is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action," Romney continued.     Romney 5/12, Liberty University

versus

  "What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society?  In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people… A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not."  --James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance, 1785 
.

Everyone in this country has the freedom to worship in whatever manner they so choose, with NO ONE Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist or government dictating how they may do so. Conversely, no religion may have ANY undue influence in  government legislation. The extremists seemed to have gotten the message a little muddled.

Nothing seems to be beyond the reach of overly "religious:"

NEW YORK — Long a lightning rod for conservative criticism, the Girl Scouts of the USA are now facing their highest-level challenge yet: An official inquiry by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

At issue are concerns about program materials that some Catholics find offensive, as well as assertions that the Scouts associate with other groups espousing stances that conflict with church teaching. The Scouts, who have numerous parish-sponsored troops, deny many of the claims and defend their alliances.

Since when does a secular, community-based, loose affiliation of young girls...those taking the time and effort to become upstanding young women, citizens, and contributors to society....have to follow approved church-based (in this case Catholic) teachings? 

And then we all know about this: 

It all follows four months of headline-making salvos that, to some women at least, have begun to feel like a bombardment of sorts. Think: Susan G. Komen ending cancer-screening grants to Planned Parenthood (quickly reversed). And disputes over laws designed to protect women against wage discrimination (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker last month signed a repeal of his state's equal pay law, while a U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan called a federal equal pay law a "nuisance.") 

Each side blames the other for the histrionics, and the end result is that  all women's rights, not just reproductive, are being whittled away. That's all well and good for those that actually believe these tenets. The rest of us SHOULD NOT be forced to bow to these archaic, unfortunate rulings, and politicians who say we do are simply pushing their own religious views.The rights of some should NOT mitigate the rights of ALL.
And don't get me started on the current treatment and denigration of unemployed workers, the poor, nonwhites, children, students, single mothers, seniors, people who don't know where their next meal is coming from, those without decent medical insurance.....

In the latest budget reconciliation package is a proposal to cut $400 million in bonus money used by states to find and enroll children who are likely to qualify for and benefit from CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)...  “The whole purpose of the funds is to make sure that children who are eligible based on state-determined standards have an easier time — getting enrolled.

And Republicans think we need to nip that in the bud.Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/gop-to-states-stop-looking-for-poor-children-to-insure.html#ixzz1u0EurxdR

People found their way to our shores from England, Spain, Ireland, Africa just to name a few. They came to escape prison, to make money and own land, start a new life, for adventure, as indentured slaves (whites and blacks), as brides for settlers already here....for all sorts of reasons. This was the Land of Opportunity. Now in 2012, life seems as if it going the other way.....are the opportunities going to be elsewhere? Where is our Mayflower?  Do we have to board a ship, take to the sea, and search for a better land, or can we make our voices heard right here?  Or SOS? The choice is ours. Make your voice heard.

CONSERVATIVE COMPASSION

If you have read any of my posts (polite rants) you are aware that while I am not a totally-absolutely- way left kind of person, I really don't buy into the absolutely selfish right wing, teaparty culture either. Both extremes are doing severe damage to this country and its future. But yesterday's responses to a major tragedy in the small island country of Haiti makes my blood boil.

How in the heck can you say a country doesn't deserve our help, because "they don't produce anything." But it's perfectly OK to send thousands of our young men and BILLIONS of dollars to a country (invade) to help them because they have oil? And of course, the people on Haiti are black while those in the Middle East are not. Well, they might be Muslim, but that's a another story for a different time. According to Rush, the administration will probably use this tragedy to raise its popularity with the "dark-skinned population." Not unlike the Republican in Congress using the "almost" bomber attack over the holiday to boost his campaign coffers.

Then there is the religious right, in the form of Pat Robertson. This man makes my skin crawl: a charlatan in the tradition of Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker, Rick Warren, and Benny Hinn. Apparently the Bible these guys read went out of print soon after I got mine. They preach the gospel of selfishness, exclusiveness, and racial and social division. That's not to say all church-goers are evil, they're not. It's the ones that have the public stage that seem to be preaching their own "religion." To say that these poor people in Haiti "made a pact with the devil, and deserve all their hardship" is ludicrous. I'm getting totally repulsed by all these men of god who are anything but godlike.

Someday, someway, somewhere God is going to get tired of all this hatred, too.

WWJD IN TODAY'S POLITICS

I overheard some statistics yesterday on CNN put forth by Jack Cafferty, as I worked my way to HGTV. He said that 49% of white people who call themselves Republicans consider themselves "religious" and 37% of white Democrats do the same. Religious means going to church once a week, he explained. A higher percentage of Black and Latino voters consider themselves very religious, and they sway to the Democratic ticket usually. Now, I find that to be very telling and a sad state of affairs today.

To me, a spiritual, religious person (member of an organized church or not) is aware of the world around him. He is in tune with the universe as a whole, and the sufferings of all its people. He does not impose his beliefs on others as he goes about his daily life trying to help those less fortunate than himself. He considers all the good in his life and family, and is more than willing to give a helping hand to build a better world for others. He uses his head and his heart to make decisions in life, and if necessary makes monetary contributions when and where it's needed. The good of the whole group is much more important than the complete satisfaction of every individual in it. He is not easily swayed by the hysteria and ranting of the unruly crowds surrounding him. He uses his head. I think Jesus was this type of person. At one time, I was a Southern Baptist.

Democrats and Republicans are two different animals. Right now I'm more than a little upset with both of groups! Repubs can motivate at the drop of a hat: get that revival feeling going, as it were. Nobody even stops to think "why", let's just go. Dems need to consider all sides, not make a show of things, and include everybody. Not much action there. Guess the better use of "religion" goes to the right wing on this count. But it's not a good thing. In a humorous book I'm reading about girls in the south (go Tennessee!) the author said 98% of Southerners said they own a Bible, but she questioned if they ever opened them.

I'm tired of having to be politically correct for right wing "Christianity" and yet not being able to let others observe their beliefs without being criticized. Why does the "party line" carry more weight than the needs of the people in important decisions? Why do Bible verses need to be used to score political points if you're playing a crocked game? Why does "You lie" seem to be the only thing you hear these days in any type of political discussion? What happened to common sense and the common good? Wars, inquisitions, Crusades, jihads, suicide bombings, Civil wars, and massacres have all be committed in the name of religion. What's the point?

OUTRAGEOUS OUTRAGE

Now that makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? A bit redundant. Maybe even overkill. But that seems to be the reaction of a lot of right wing, flag waving news personalities of late. Especially those of a religious bent, speaking from their paid-for-by-me pulpits.

On his 700 Club TV show yesterday, Pat Robertson claimed that Islam is "not a religion," but "a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination":

ROBERTSON: That is the ultimate aim. And they talk about infidels and all this, but the truth is that's what the game is. So you are dealing with not a religion. You're dealing with a political system. And I think we should treat it as such and treat its adherences as such as we would members of the Communist Party or members of some fascist group. Well, it's a tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families who suffered. But those in the Army should be held on account for the fact they let this man loose.


That is from the blog THE REACTION, which is a must-read for thinking people. Why do we condemn a whole group of people for the irrational acts of one man? Can I rightfully say that all Baptists or evangelicals are insane murderers because one blew up a clinic and killed a doctor who performed abortions? During WWII we rounded up, put in concentration camps, and tormented Japanese/American citizens because they might be spies. Yet we get extremely indignant and outraged (there's that word again) when an American citizen is singled out, ridiculed, or prosecuted by another country, rightly or wrongly. America: home of the free and the double standard.

God made man in his image, but he didn't make us all carbon copies. He made different nationalities and put us in different countries where various social and religious mores exist. He didn't leave a list stating that one was better than the other. He gave us all brains, but he didn't give us all intelligence apparently. It seems as if this great melting pot has become a boiling cauldron. Time to turn down the heat, I say.