LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY memorygilded)

So I just got kicked out of a Christian forum for expressing my views on evolution through natural selection, and common descent.

I must say, I shouldn't be too surprised considering it was the maintainer I upset. (I asked him why he held science to such impossible standards, but not the Bible. He promptly told me that my foolishness would land me in hell.) I guess this just goes to prove that, despite the kindness and openmindedness of some Christians, there will always be that one radical asshat in a position of power.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent a little. I'm not a Christian in the popular sense; I don't believe in a literal interpretation of God or the Bible. I see the Bible as a collection of inspiring parables, poetry, and a revealing look into ancient culture- nothing more. And sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in the world who views it that way, but still gains much joy when reading it. Explaining it to people is easy- I say, "I love the Bible like you love ____insert favorite book_____." I think the historical context is fascinating, the imagery beautiful, and the stories invoke a lot of emotion.

Is there anyone else out there who feels that way? Any communities that might be more suited to my beliefs?

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY dkmnow)

By Max Blumenthal -- The Nation

Excerpt:

Before The Path to 9/11 entered the production stage, Disney/ABC signed David Cunningham as the film's director. Cunningham is no ordinary Hollywood journeyman. He is in fact the son of Loren Cunningham, founder of the right-wing evangelical group Youth With A Mission (YWAM). According to Sara Diamond's book Spiritual Warfare, during the 1980's YWAM "sought to gain influence within the Republican party" while assisting authoritarian governments in South Africa and Central America. Cunningham, Diamond noted, was a follower of Christian Reconstructionism, an extreme current of evangelical theology that advocates using stealth political methods to put the United States under the control of Biblical law and jettison the Constitution. Cunningham instilled his radical ideology in young missionaries by sending them to "Discipleship Training School." A former student of Cunningham's school claimed "similarities between cult mind controlling techniques and the [Discipleship Training School] program instituted by YWAM."

full article at:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060925/path_to_911

or

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20060925path_to911

* * *

Scary.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY wyldraven)

Sunday Night Football Bulls Past 9/11 Programs
By Lisa de Moraes
The Washington Post

About 13 million viewers tuned in to ABC Sunday night to watch Part 1 of ABC's highly controversial two-part 9/11 . . . um, what the heck is it anyway --

Docufictiganda?

Propadocumiction?

Fictipropamentary?

Whatever. Anyway, ABC called it "The Path to 9/11" and it pulled in not a whole lot more viewers on its first night than did CBS's competing Sept. 11 program -- a third broadcast of its documentary "9/11," which clocked nearly 11 million viewers.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY ellid)

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/sep/12/leaked_memo_details_strategy/?elections_2006

Thanks to the Daily Kos for the link.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY gairid)

I most certainly do not wish my taxes to go toward such a program!


September 12, 2006

Federal Funding Of 'Bible-Based' Marriage Program Violates Constitution, Says Americans United Lawsuit

Legal Action Raises Questions Over Role Of 'Faith-Based' Groups In $500-Million Bush Effort To Fund Marriage Counseling

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that seeks to block taxpayer funding of a Vancouver, Wash., program that offers "Bible-based" marriage education.

( Read more... )

www.au.org