The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters
Monday, the Supremes announced two decisions related to the issue of religion in public. In one, they ruled that the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in Kentucky courtrooms. In the other, they ruled to allow the display of the Ten Commandments on the Texas State Capitol grounds.
Read moreAfter attention was drawn to a Tennessee based “Ex-Gay” residential treatment program by a blog from a teen forced to attend the program, Tennessee authorities are not investigating the program for possible child abuse. In addition, it appears the program would require licensure by the State, but oops, seems they didn’t bother.
Read moreA divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people’s homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights
Read moreThis email arrived a few minutes ago from the Bishop of Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The VA Conference Bishop has also written George.
Read moreHere’s a boycott the conservatives don’t want you to know about. Apparently, in 1999, a group of conservative organizations called for a boycott of military enlistment. Their excuse, Wicca. So help me God…
Read moreThe success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language of Christianity has led many people to become generally wary of religion in the public sphere and of Christianity in particular. The Religious Right has used the language of Christianity to promote an extreme and divisive political agenda that has helped polarize our nation. But foundational Christian values like compassion, justice and peace are largely absent from our political discussion. And there are millions of Christian Americans who share progressive views, or, at a minimum, are increasingly turned off by the extreme rhetoric and political agenda of the Religious Right.
Read moreThere’s a lot of people who staked their political capital and professional credibility on the idea that Terri Schiavo was not a vegetable, that she could be healed, that Jesus loved her that much. Well, tough shit. They went all in on that bet, and now it’s time to make these pay. Turns out that science was right, and their kind of sick twisted faith was wrong.
Read moreI haven’t said much about the Downing Street Documents so far. It’s getting plenty of coverage in other blogs (and since its not a postitive for the Chimp ‘n Chief not much coverage in the main stream media). However, I thought it was time to take a crack at the topic. To listen to the blather storm of media and right wing spin about the Downing Street Memos, the uproar is merely the dying “told-you-so” bleatings of crazed antiwar protesters.
Read moreReviving a major plank of his re-election campaign, President Bush called for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage Tuesday. It’s like a broken record, ain’t it? You’d think by now that Chimpy’s pious, brain-dead following would wake up and smell the giant pile of cowdung that their Dear Leader is shoveling at them. But alas, no.
Read moreI’ve sent a series of letters to U.S. Methodist Bishops trying to get them to pay attention to U.S. Government sponsored torture. I finally convinced two out of fifty to do something.
Read moreA story in the NY Times reports the Social Security Administration provided the Department of Homeland Security with access to thousands of files. And some of you want the Patriot Act expanded. There goes Government being the “servant” of the people.
Read more