LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY curtainlady)

A Safe Place

I would guide you through the, uh, beauty, of this site, but it's horrorsloveliness is something that you should examine for yourself.

A Safe Place is a Christian refuge for people suffering from 'addictions'.

Included in it's list of addictions is homosexuality and pornography. That's right, you can go there to learn to not be gay!

Included in it's program rules -

LIA wants to encourage each client, male and female, by affirming his/her gender identity. LIA also wants each client to pursue integrity in all of his/her actions and appearances. Therefore, any belongings, appearances, clothing, actions, or humor that might connect a client to an inappropriate past are excluded from the program. These hindrances are called False Images (FI¹s). FI behavior may include hyper-masculinity, seductive clothing, mannish/boyish attire (on women), excessive jewelry (on men), mascoting, and "campy" or gay/lesbian behavior and talk.

No discussing therapeutic issues at home. Keep conversations positive.

Clients must gain permission through C.O.C. to make or receive phone calls from friends and family members outside the program.

No cell phones, beepers, computers, or e-mail/internet access at. Exceptions by C.O.C. approval only.

No visitors from out of town without permission via C.O.C.

No television viewing, going to movies, or reading/watching/listening to secular media of any kind, anywhere within the client¹s and the parent¹s/guardian¹s control. This includes listening to classical or instrumental music that is not expressly Christian (Beethoven, Bach, etc. are not considered Christian).

Heh. There are no words to describe how awful this is.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

thedemonprist pointed out this very interesting article to me. I didn't want to dissapear without comment into the aether uncommented upon, so it's featured here. It's about Tom Monaghan's "Ave Maria" project, a specifically Orthodox Catholic city being built in SW Florida. Some excerpts:

If Tom Monaghan knows this history, he doesn’t care. It’s a Saturday in March, and Monaghan — founder of Domino’s Pizza, former owner of the Detroit Tigers, and self-appointed savior of American Catholicism — is addressing an overflow crowd packed into BC High’s gymnasium for the first annual Boston Catholic Men’s Conference. Monaghan doesn’t seem like a revolutionary: his voice is gentle, his graying hair mussed, and he leans against the podium for support as he speaks. But his rhetoric is incendiary. Catholic schools are failing, Monaghan announces; on key issues (religious observance, sexual behavior, opposition to abortion), graduates of Catholic colleges and universities are actually less orthodox than their co-religionists who attend secular institutions. The problem is especially bad at elite schools, which are academically rigorous but spiritually impoverished. Yet Monaghan brings good news as well. At Ave Maria, the university he’s building in southwest Florida, things will be different. In a few years, the median SAT score will be higher than that at any other Catholic institution; even better, the dorms will be single-sex, a quarter of the classes will be taught by "wholly orthodox" priests, and students will be urged to become priests and nuns.( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

There's an indie movie just out called " Heart of the Beholder". Its a true story about a video store owner oppressed and driven out of business by censorious religious fanatics.

It was made by donated funds, and is finally finished and available on DVD. It's gotten some good reviews, too.\

Stories like this remind us of what our country might be like should we let the fanatics take over. This incident took place in the 80s. If you think that the pickets, boycotts and protests of video businesses have stopped, you're wrong.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY allisburning)

.

-- This post from iteration_x


********************************************************

number of days until Bush is out of office = infinity

A House bill has been introduced that would change the 22nd amendment and enable George Bush to remain President for the rest of his political life.
http://www.infowars.com/articles/ps/bush_new_bill_make_president_for_life.htm

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
(Introduced in House)

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.J.RES.24.IH:

i dont think it will actually pass,
but its more interesting than mj

********************************************************

http://www.livejournal.com/users/iteration_x/82218.html

.

(posting this, even though I noted it already in a response to another thread)

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/06/family-research-council-and-ku-klux.html

The head of the Family Research Council, one of the major dominionist groups in the US, has been actively supporting racist groups (including the Council of Conservative Citizens, a white supremacist group, and also contributing over $80,000 to the campaign of Klansman David Duke for Louisiana Governor).

Also, the Southern Poverty Law Center (a major clearinghouse for education and fighting against hate groups--among other things, they successfully have fought neo-Nazis and "Christian Identity" racialists in court) now officially lists three dominionist groups as hate groups and is raising the alarm regarding dominionists targeting gay/les/bi/trans individuals (many dominionist groups which are not yet listed as "hate groups" are being listed as groups of concern).

The full report, along with other side articles, is here: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=862

The three dominionist groups that are officially listed by SPLC as hate groups include American Vision (profile: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=870#3), the Family Research Institute (which is the source of much of the "de-gaying therapy" bull...profile: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=872#9) and Chaldecon Foundation (aka Rushdoony's own group that has been promoting the "Christian Reconstructionism" brand of dominionism for upwards of fifty years and is also the promoter of textbooks such as "Our Providential History" used in dominionist homeschool curricula...profile: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=870#4)

Other groups of concern listed are the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, Coral Ridge Ministries, Focus on the Family, and the Traditional Values Coalition (in other words, a veritable who's who of dominionist groups nowadays).

Also, the SPLC reports on how the Washington Times (a newspaper which is owned by the Unitarian Church aka Moonies, and is known to be friendly to dominionist causes in general) has links with racialists: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=526

Also, the SPLC reports on how Roy Moore (yeah, as in Mr. Ten Commandments Judge Moore, as in "Author Of That Legislative Abortion Known As The 'Constitution Restoration Act' Which Establishes Theocracy Under Law" Roy Moore...yeah, *that* asshat) apparently was meeting up with known racialists in a "Tea Party" which promoted dominionist causes: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=528

SPLC officially lists "de-gaying" clinics as a form of hatred: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=327

At least one group of dominionists are now going to outright Holocaust revisionism, claiming that not only were gays *not* killed in the Holocaust but that gays *started* the whole thing: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=328

A former dominionist, who now works against them, speaks out to SPLC: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=525

This is quite historic, folks:

a) Groups are starting to call the dominionists what they are...*haters* and *unchristian*.
b) This is coming from what is probably the second most widely recognised antiracist organisation in the US (B'nai B'rith/ADL is more well known, but they too have also written articles re dominionism (either on links with known hate groups, or in context of worries re "Messianic Judaism" pushes among dominionists)
c) The SPLC's guidance is actually used in courts and police departments, and this also means the SPLC is likely to render legal help in the event of harassment by dominionists and could even work legally to stop the harassment (the SPLC is known, among other things, for having shut down at least one neo-Nazi group in past and having the group's assets given to their victims in awards).

Those of you who have specific experience in dealing with dominionists or have further documentation may wish to forward this to their contact folks:

http://www.splcenter.org/center/contact.jsp

I myself will likely be forwarding info in regards to this.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY kalibex)

"When a triumphal George W. Bush declared his intention to cash in on his “political capital” in the days after the election, he was merely reaffirming his commitment to hand over the reins of power to a higher authority than even Dick Cheney. The religious right, with its enormous political stake in the “End Times” outcome of America's latest Imperial misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, have seized upon Bush's continued pledge to transform the “Homeland” into a locked down religious theme park with the organizational zeal they had previously reserved for bilking gullible parishioners out of their social security checks.

"Like Halliburton, Christ Inc. has become the latest recipient of taxpayer largesse, having won the contract to keep the media out of the news business, and to ensure that power speaks to truth, as opposed to the other way around. Purging the “news” of news is just the latest attempt by religious Brownshirts to stamp their poisonous insignia on every major institution that they don't control lock, stock and barrel."

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY foxymoonheart)

I'm not sure if anyone's seen this yet, but say hello to The American Taliban. That site is essentially a list of quotes by various right-wing religious extremists, many of whom are presently in power in one manner or other. Makes one wonder how we can ever hope to combat such hate, illogic, and hypocricy.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY ellid)

No surprise that this is happening in Tulsa....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050608/ap_on_re_us/zoo_display

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY bennu_)

Here is a list of quotes from Christian leaders that are truly disturbing and inhuman.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY ellid)

From the Southern Poverty Law Center's web site:

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=522

A particularly relevant quote from the first page:

"The Rev. Mel White (see also A Thorn in Their Side), an evangelical writer and filmmaker who ghostwrote Falwell's autobiography, says Falwell was led to politics in part by Dr. Francis Schaeffer, a rebellious fundamentalist who had begun spreading the word about "dominion theology" and who many see as the father of the anti-abortion movement.

"Dubbed the "Guru of Fundamentalists" by Newsweek in 1982, Schaeffer believed that Christians are called to rule the U.S. — and the world — using biblical law. That meant winning elections.

"Dr. Schaeffer," says White, "convinced Jerry there was no biblical mandate against joining with 'nonbelievers' in a political cause." "




Yes, word is starting to get out. Finally.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

The Economist asks, "Why is America so prone to wars of religion?"

IN 1782, a French immigrant named Hector St John de Crèvecoeur predicted that America was destined to be a much more secular place than Europe. In America “religious indifference” was rapidly becoming the rule, and “the strict modes of Christianity as practised in Europe” were being lost. “Persecution, religious pride, the love of contradiction, are the food of what the world commonly calls religion,” he argued. In America, their absence meant that religious passion “burns away in the open air, and consumes without effect.”

Suffice to say that de Crèvecoeur has not found a place alongside Alexis de Tocqueville as an anatomist of the American soul. In Europe religion doesn't rise to the level of burning away “in the open air”; in fact, it barely smoulders. Most European politicians would rather talk about sexually transmitted diseases than their own faith in God. The hugely bulky European constitution doesn't mention Christianity.( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

There is an ongoing forum about Spiritual Progressives that has a great many interesting topics under the 'religion' category. One of them asks if we should treat Right Wing Religion as an addiction. It's a fascinating discussion.

An excerpt:

"Treat Right Wing Religion as an Addiction"
Religion Professor Says

(Kansas City, MO) In his latest national monthly column, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas, charges that much of the religious right wing is addicted to their religion. "Dealing with the right-wing's religious/political lifestyle and its evangelistic agenda," says Minor, "is like dealing with an alcoholic or hard drug user."

"Like all addictions, when right-wing religion dominates one's life obsessively, it tells people how to feel rather than getting in touch with their real problems," says Minor. "It also prevents the addicts from understanding the harm they are doing to those around them."

Minor advises readers in his "Minor Details" column that "no matter how hard this might be to accept, strategies that try to embrace, excuse, or move toward the religious right-wing are the actions of enablers." Enabling is a common response by family members to addicts that reinforces their addiction.

"While addicts are expected to be in denial about their addiction, creating a mythological view of the world to maintain it and 'protecting their stash,'" Minor said in an interview about his column, "enablers are the ones making excuses, arguing with the addict, covering up for their addiction, and refusing to do the unpopular, confrontational work of intervention."

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY thedemonprist)

This article from Salon (day pass required) sums up the filibuster showdown and what it means. ( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY rev_erock)

This is flesh-crawlingly creepy. I get these updates in the e-mail from the verichip company regularly.... Get your tinfoil hats ready!

Hi Eric,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything,
with prayer and supplication, present your
requests to God, and the peace of God, which
transends all understanding, will guard your
heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

That's from a book in the bible called Phililpians.
I wish that everytime I got worried, stressed
or uptight I remembered those verses. Unfortunately
I don't always remember them.
Philiplians is a book in the New Testament. It's
located right after Ephesians and before Galatians.

Philipians is one of my favorite books. It contains
so many uplifting and calming passages.

Chapter 1 verse 6 comes to mind along with Chapter
3 verses 13 thru 15.
Many people are concerned and worried about the
Verichip and how fast it's becoming a part of society.
Many wonder if someday they'll get forced to put a chip
of some sort in their arm, forehead, or hand.
If that's you, know that God promises us that we don't
have to worry. He wants us to trust and reach out to
Him during these times. Keeping scripture in our mind
is one way of doing that.( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY gothic_oreo)

I stumbled across a disturbing thing via the Slacktivist today.

( to save bandwidth, click for the Bushfish )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Let's talk about that Bush Fish, shall we? I see it as a surfacing of things that the Religious Supermacists have been believing in and promoting for years. Now that they finally have Their Guy in the White House- for a second term, it's time for a bit of Sore Winnership.

Personally, I think that the thing is heretical. The original purpose of the fish symbol was a code word for an acronym in Greek: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. The words in Greek spell out the word for "fish". When Christians were being persecuted, that symbol was a means for them to identify each other.

Putting the President's name in it is therefore heretical, or maybe even blasphemous, as it creates a new 'son of god' in place of the original. Religious experts, you are welcome to answer the burning question:

What would Jesus say?

Mind you, I have a 'fish' symbol that is actually a fish skeleton, and I have seen footed fishies with "Darwin", and "Sushi" (I want one of those!), and other variations on the theme, but putting the President's name into it, with all the other implications of the symbology- steps over a line that I wish wasn't there.

[Error: Invalid poll ID 493248]

And no, this post won't be deleted. I think that problem is now worked out.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY happydog)

I was a practicing fundamentalist Christian for many years until I found I could not reconcile fundamentalism with what Jesus actually taught. I hope that will suffice as an introduction.

Recently my wife alerted me to this:

http://www.forceministries.com/

In light of a recent article on the Daily Kos that talks about the recent marriage between militarism and fundamentalism, and in light of the Yurica Report, I thought that link might be interesting to some. Particularly the flash graphic, which sends quite a different message than they might intend.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Christopher Hitchens talks about the Religious Right:

Why I'm Rooting Against the Religious Right
Save the Republic from shallow, demagogic sectarians.

BY CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS
Thursday, May 5, 2005 12:01 a.m.

I hope and believe that, by identifying itself with "faith" in general and the Ten Commandments in particular, a runaway element in the Republican leadership has made a career-ending mistake. In support of this, let me quote two authorities:

* The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100%. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. . . . Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some god-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of "conservatism."( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Here's another writer who can see through the smoke-screen, and Max Blumenthal tells it like it is. Lots of great links.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY thedemonprist)

I found this tonight while browsing and found it rather chilling. ( Read more... )