LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY shapeshft)

I found this recent article very disturbing in that private communications companies can and apparently have prevented groups they don't agree with from communicating with their members. The end of the article puts the issue this way:

In a sense, the Verizon episode raises questions about what can happen when companies allow corporate ideology to influence the services they provide. What's to stop other telecom companies from censoring materials they deem offensive or simply disagree with?

"This doesn't violate the 1st Amendment because it involves private entities," said Marvin Johnson, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "But it certainly violates the spirit of the 1st Amendment."

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY crazyjane13)

Like many people, I suspect, I've been following dogemperor's DailyKos essays on aspects of Dominionist life with equal parts horror, nausea and outrage.

After today's essay on Dominionist child abuse and (urgh) "Purity Balls", I started following a bunch of links and found Stop the Rod, a Christian site that is actively trying to raise awareness about the terrible things going on in Dominionist homes under the name of "Christian discipline".

One thing they asked visitors to the site to do was to read quotes from some of the more infamous books by Dominionist "child training" authors, and write reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This seemed like a fine idea to me, especially after reading over 100 quotes that pretty much confirmed everything that's already been said about these dangerous lunatics, so off I trotted to Amazon and wrote my own reviews.

There are a few people who have done this, it seems. The trick is getting the tone right and not letting the (entirely justifiable) anger swamp the review. What disturbed me, though, were the number of positive reviews from people extolling the virtues of authors who advocate sleep deprivation, beating, humiliation and all sorts of torture as a good way to bring up kids.

So here's my suggestion - go take a look at Stop the Rod and read the quotes and excerpts. Or go to Amazon and use the "look inside" on people like Lisa Whelcel, James Dobson and their ilk. Then write a review that spells out for anyone browsing exactly how dangerous it is.

Yes, it's a small thing, and there's no way to know how effective it will be. But it seems to me that - as informed, concerned people who are truly scared and disgusted by what's going on - we can make a real point here. And if it puts one person off buying the book and giving those psychos any more royalties, it's worth it.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY cold_poet)

Hi all, it was requested when we made our entry posts to mention what we're doing to combat Dominionists, so I hope I'm correct in thinking this post has a place here.

I keep an eye on the AFA so I know what they're up to and can try to negate some of their efforts by doing the opposite, and encouraging others to do the same - and also because they are very kind about providing me with lists of politicians who support gay rights and letting me know when to send Ford Motor Co. a THANK YOU letter for supporting gay rights. *G*

I just got another call to arms for the Ford boycott. THIS is a link to BoycottFord.com where they detail the many sundry ways Ford has supported the "homosexual agenda." *rolls eyes*

An earlier post regarding doctors who won't provide certain care mentioned concern over making a list of doctors who DO NOT deny care on a religious basis, out of fear that they would be targeted and harassed. It's a very well founded fear, I think.

The best way I can think of to respond to these kinds of actions is to respond in kind. SUPPORT the companies, tell them you appreciate what they are doing. I was dead serious about sending thank you notes, I do, every time I get one of these notices. I would HATE to see Ford, or any other company, give in to this kind of pressure because these people managed to affect their bottom line. The domino-effect that could have would suck. If the risk to profit is shown to outweigh the karmic points, other companies won't be so eager to step up and support organizations like PFLAG, either.

( Customer Relationship Center Address )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY nebris)

On July 29th, 1994, Paul Hill boldly defended 31 babies from unspeakable violence by killing a paid assassin and his bodyguard. He was arrested, given a sham trial, and executed as a martyr. On the 13th anniversary of Paul Hill’s act of love and mercy, memorial events will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to honor him as God’s man and our hero.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Here's a very interesting Flickr photoset on evolution outreach.

Evolution Outreach

The battle is on between the teaching of science and the assault of religious pseudoscience. These pictures can be used in pro-science talks. As the author says, do it for the children!

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jehovahsfitness)

I've also got some good news for Texans. I discovered the Trinity Foundation a year ago before I joined this community. Don't let the name fool you, these guys are actually opposing the likes of the Trinity Broadcasting Network and other televangelists. They're ashamed of the bad name that the likes of Hinn, Falwell and Robertson give to Christianity, and they're fighting back. They're also heavily involved in helping Dallas' homeless.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY wyldraven)

Emerging Christian Left To Challenge The Right

( Excerpt )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY helenangel)

Has anyone else visited the Wikipedia entry on Dominionism and realized that a dominionist came in and changed the article to make it appear like it's just a term used by a bunch of leftist liberal crazies?

If someone on here has a Wikipedia log-in, they should correct the article. It's about as "fair and balanced" as Fox News.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY kiji_kat)

...but I would be interested in getting some opinions and feedback. Lent has always been a season of mixed emotions for me; there are both positive and negative aspects I associate with it, as you'll see from the entry. This year, I want to make it as positive as possible.

If you're interested, the entry is here.

(This post can be taken down if it's inappropriate. Sorry!)

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY mizliz)

...using its own vocabulary and concepts:

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. On this day when all Christians are enjoined to emulate Christ and undergo a 40-day period of reflection and penance, I invite Christian America to do just that. You wish to follow Jesus? Let’s begin.

Go ye into the wilderness and meet the demons of the desolate places. Leave the comfort of your climate-controlled homes and learn what it is to go without water or food. See those bleached bones? Do you imagine yours would look any different, or do you envision them as gold-plated? Climb up that mountain. The Prince of High Places is waiting for you. He speaks from his white mansion and spreads the bounty of the earth before you, if you will but follow him. Do you hear his voice? It’s telling you to trust him, to sanction his will, to do his bidding. Listen. War is peace. Ignorance is strength. Weren’t you supposed to go into all the earth and make converts of all nations? Maybe this is what was meant. Ask yourself your own question – what would Jesus do? Do you think he’d believe the Prince of Lies even if that Prince claimed to speak in Jesus’ very name? Would he sanction what you have sanctioned? Would he be tempted by the fear, the uncertainty, and the lust for power as you are being tempted? Would he yield to it? Do you truly want to follow Jesus? It’s time to look in the face of the lying angel beside you and realize that it’s not the Christ you say you believe in.

Shall you follow Jesus? Then repent. Repent of your pride, you arrogance, your Pharisaic bigotry and complacency. Shall we grind your nose into the mud and dust of misery, despair, hunger, oppression, war, hatred, death? Jesus knew all these things. Follow him and learn the darkness in your own soul. Do you think you are blameless? Sightless eyes gaze out from rubble world-wide, rubble you sanctioned as surely as if you had guided the bombs and the bullets with your own hand. Do you think you don’t need forgiveness for what you have done? So tonight, go to your churches, and be marked in oil and ash. And this year, maybe for the first year, consider what it means. When the greasy black soot is crossed upon your forehead, imagine how much the consistency resembles that of the flesh of children buried in flame from the skies, how much the ash is akin to the ash of death and destruction. The priest will say, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” That day is coming for you, as it is for everyone. Do you believe you will be held to judgment after death? If so, your repentance had better begin now. You have much to answer for.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

The power of the internet meets the power of the blogswarm.

Seems that the Speaker of the Indiana House got an earful after the blogswarm spreading his high-handed behavior to the world got back to him. His horrid behavior towards a Jewish delegation protesting secterian prayer in the statehouse really got around.

More here.

The bottom line: blogswarms work!

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY inkedgeekfreak)

Reading CNN and stumbled on an article about the Patriot Guard. It's a group of bikers that arrive at soldiers funerals to counter the protesting of Phelps and his gang. Basically the bikers hold flags to block the grieving fmailies view of Westboro's members and chant USA to drown out the incessant droning of the baptists. Read the article

Personally think this is an ingenious way to counter their absurd notion that soldiers die because the USA houses queers. But then again, I think most of what comes our of their mouth is absurd.

Also, I did not know that the Westboro's congregation is mostly extended family with little other support or ties to any bigger religious affiliation.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY mizliz)

National Council Of Churches Denounces Iraq War, Accuses Bush Admin. Of "Raining Down Terror"...

Whatever our personal beliefs (person of faith, agnostic, or atheist), we have to support voices like these. Most of humanity is affiliated in some way with a faith tradition, and if we don't help change the face of the false Christianity that American Dominionists are showing to the world, it's going to get uglier and uglier. 

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY amethyst_hunter)

I had some thoughts this past week regarding the countering of dominionist tactics. It’s clear we need a solid plan (and fast). How to go about it? Here are some ideas I cobbled together...

These may or may not make sense; I tried to be as coherent as possible given that I'm by no means a rocket scientist on a lot of stuff. I'm just a pissed-off plain 'ol American who's sick and disgusted with the handbasket our so-called government has thrown us all in.

This series will be posted in parts so as to be easily digestible, some to come as I manage to get them typed out.

( Welcome to Phase I of what I like to call Operation: Building (And Possibly Burning A Few) Bridges )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY horvendile)

I thought I'd share the letter I sent to Pat Robertson. On his website he has an "Ask Pat." page. These are questions that if selected are read on his show and he answers them. Mine was:

You suggested that Ariel's Sharon's stroke was a result of god's displeasure at his giving up holy land. You supported the claim by citing the assassination of Yitzak Rabin. If as you are assuming that death and disease in this world are the results of God's wrath what crimes do you feel that St. Peter and St. Paul committed that god was punishing them for? They must have been far worse as they suffered worse torment

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY kalibex)

'Jews for Jesus sues Google over blog'

Several people--both on Dark Christianity and on Talk2Action--have asked in part what we can do in regards to dominionists (especially in relation to the spiritual abuse inherent in dominionism).

Some have even asked how we can persuade dominionists to, well, not be dominionists.

The problem is that--because dominionism is, at its core, a spiritually abusive movement with political aspirations it isn't that simple at all...because you have to fight the programmed mindset.

( Dominionism and the cultic mindset )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY lihan161051)

War is what's left when everything, even diplomacy, fails and you are left with an enemy whose disagreements with you are so basic and so fundamental that you cannot hope to reason with him. This is important because there is no true winning or losing in a war, there is simply survival and defense of what is most meaningful to you.

And defense is the ultimate goal of any war, preserving what is important against someone's best efforts to destroy it. Even offensive tactics have a defensive goal, or at least they should.

( More.. )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY navytron89)

With the coming renewal of the Patriot Act (a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11) certain provisions have come to light. The ACLU is stepping up and letting people know about this provision which grants special powers to the Secret Service. 

Here's where the problem is in regarding the dominonists and their quest for a Theocratic America;

If and when a Theocrat get into higher political office, they gain the protection of  Secret Service and here's where than provision is a problem. 

First off, the Religious Reich could/would use this to limit press from monitoring their activities by using the Secret Service as a shield: Any controversial press people can be viewed as a potential disruptor of a political event, so basic freedom of the press would go right out the window, and only selected press representivates would be allowed in.

A nice way to control a room of followers/supporters without having to worry about media interferance.

Additionally this provision would allow the Religious Reich an extra tool against people, protestors could be detained and then listed as a possible domestic threat/suspect which would be used against them. 

After which those people can be monitored by law enforcement, including electronic investigations and warrant-less searches of homes/business, and wasted money and man-hours against the innocent citizens instead of combating real terrorists (like the dominonists themselves). 

Can anyone see the irony here??? 

This whole provision sounds rather Orwellian to me;  in the regards of this little item can be used by the Religious Reich as a tool to control people's right to protest against something unjust and unrealistic (as well as Un-American).

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY njtech)

Bibles for Porn

Say the aetheists: we're trading smut for smut.