Woo Central, aka, Yahoo! News

Yahoo! News posted an interesting little item recently:

The bit that caught my attention was this:

The photo has surfaced on several Mayan doomsday discussion forums. But was the light beam a sign from the gods — a warning about Dec. 21, 2012, the date that marks the end of the Mayan calendar cycle, and when some people fear the world will end? Or is it simply the result of an iPhone glitch?

According to Jonathon Hill, a research technician and mission planner at the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, which operates many of the cameras used during NASA’s Mars missions, it is almost definitely the latter.

“Almost definitely?” Seriously? An ASU big shot thinks there’s room for doubt on this “question?” The explanation of the physics behind the image doesn’t leave much room for doubt. But, in the United States of Jesustan, neither reporters nor scientists dare hint, let alone say outright, that goddidit is not a good answer to any question. Nope. Fair and balanced reporting in the USA requires that religion almost always gets a free pass. In this case, rather than calling out the religious interpretation for the bullshit it is, the reporter just ignored it politely. Thus, religion wasn’t promoted, but it wasn’t criticized either. That’ not good reporting. It’s not even “fair and balanced” reporting. It’s simply allowing people to read the story and retain unchallenged the assumptions with which they began. News reports like this allow Americans to remain only marginally better informed than illiterate peasants. They are a large part of the reason our society is on a fast track to cultural and economic irrelevance.

Welcome to Jesustan. It’s a hell of a place.

 

3 Approaches to Religion – An Illustrated Post

The first illustration shows how the gullible, vulnerable and indoctrinated view their dogma:

The second approach illustrates a pragmatic approach. This is better than the first one, and it’s tempting sometimes, but it can render one vulnerable to hucksterism and manipulation (see first illustration):

The third approach is the one I recommend – read carefully and widely, and think critically about everything you read:

Thus endeth today’s illustrated sermon.

P.S. – the sermon applies to politics too.

– the chaplain

 

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

This picture paints more than 1,000 words about Christian superstition.

And I’ve busted another Irony Meter.

– the chaplain

 

…In Which I Defend Muslims

Yes, you read that title correctly. Today, I participated in a brief but bizarre conversation in which I defended Muslims. Here’s the story.

A co-worker (a conservative, evangelical Christian) was praising the mechanic who recently serviced his car. After reciting a fairly lengthy list of  services rendered and the incredibly low prices he was charged for those services, he paused for a second or two, looked astonished, and said in a voice full of wonder, “And he was a Muslim!”

I immediately said, “What does that have to do with anything?”

He responded, “Of all people, you think they’d be the least likely to be like that.”

I said, with astonishment, “There are something like a billion Muslims in the world and most of them are not terrorists. The vast majority of them are good, honest people.”

When he looked at me like I’d grown a second nose, I said, “Imagine a group of Muslims sitting together at lunch – like we are – talking about a business transaction similar to yours. Now imagine the speaker ending his story by saying, “And he was a Christian!”

The guy sitting next to the conservative Christian chuckled and said, “Touche.”

The conservative Christian grinned sheepishly and said, “Yeah, I see your point.”

Will the conservative Christian change his mind about Muslims? Probably not very much. He’ll continue believing they’re all going to hell because they don’t worship the right deity. But maybe the next time he does business with a Muslim he won’t be so astonished when his religious, cultural and ethnic prejudices are disconfirmed.

– the chaplain

 

The Great Debate: Football or Baseball?

With the Super Bowl fast approaching, it’s time to examine the critical question of which sport is superior – football or baseball. Since this is a significant matter, I’ve enlisted two experts to assist us in our deliberations.

First, Bill Maher will present his point of view.

Next, George Carlin will give us another perspective.

Now, it’s time for you to decide. Which do you prefer, football or baseball?

– the chaplain