Atheists can break out the champagne: there really are some wacky religious people out there. One of them seems to be Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury. In a recent speech Williams ruffled a lot of feathers--it is not Anglican custom to ruffle a lot of feathers--when he said it "seems unavoidable" that Muslim holy law or sharia is coming to Britain. Not only that, but our bearded, bespectacled cleric even thought that this would be a good thing because it would foster social cohesion.
While conceding that "nobody in their right mind would want to see in this country" some of the "extreme punishments" and "attitudes toward women" that prevail in certain Muslim countries, Williams called for a "constructive accommodation with some aspects of Muslim law." So: no chopping off limbs and no honor killings. Williams argued, however, that other issues such as marital disputes and financial matters could be handled not by the British legal system but by Muslim sharia courts. All of this would have the beneficial result, in Williams' view, of meeting the distinctive needs of Muslims. Williams argued that Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty."
Now if this sounds absurd to you, and a little dangerous to boot, ask yourself: where have I heard this before? What we are getting from Williams is not religious craziness but liberal craziness, not theological error but multicultural reductio ad absurdum. The multicultural premise is that classical liberal rules that apply equally to everyone nevertheless discriminate against racial and cultural minorities that don't want to play by those rules. Consequently equality of rights for individuals must give way to equality of consideration for groups. Otherwise minorities will feel disenfranchised even in a society where there is equal treatment for individuals under the law. This is what Williams means when he says that Muslims should not have to sacrifice cultural loyalty in order to be loyal to Britain.
So what is our woolly-headed archbishop suggesting: office breaks for Muslims to pray five times a day? Jihadist history month? Overlooking the occasional polygamous marriage in the Muslim community? No one really knows because Williams didn't really say. And when several people expressed shock at Williams' words and called for his resignation, Williams finally acknowledged that he had spoken "clumsily" and with a "misleading choice of words." Even so, he added that while he did not favor creating "parallel jurisdictions" for sharia and secular courts, he thought that "additional choices" could be opened to Muslims. On what precisely those choices might be, Williams maintained a Sphinx-like silence.
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Anglican Archbishop Embraces Sharia Law
Posted Feb 15th 2008 1:09AM by Dinesh D'Souza
Filed under: Islam, Christianity, Bizarre, Atheism
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Reader Comments ( Page 24 of 25)
346. But, know this: 'By Their Fruits, You Shall Know Them'
BELIEVERS: You should all be applauded for being patient, kind and open and honest with these non-believers. ***Please don't forget ---IF you truly love these people: PRAYER AND FASTING are the most powerful weapons.
------------------------
I agree. The best way to deal with us is to fast. Like, for two months. Just water. We'll all convert at the end of it, so don't stop halfway... If you really love your god and want to win over atheists, you need to fast for two months, starting now. And pray. Sure. Why not? Pray and fast. But don't forget the fast part. That's what will really impress us.
Godless Heathen Brian at 3:55PM on Feb 19th 2008
347. GHB... you are just so clever... I think you should try fasting too.
Shannie at 4:33PM on Feb 19th 2008
348. I'm already fast enough, Shannie.
:-) Christians are the ones that need to fast, 'cause they're so ssssslllllooooowwwww.....
Godless Heathen Brian at 4:58PM on Feb 19th 2008
349. Hillary did not campaign in FL or MI as far as I know. On what do you base your statement that she did?
m at 2:35PM on Feb 18th 2008
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Hillary was told that she couldn't campaign in Florida, but she made appearances there anyhow, as I recalled. I was sure that she had, and on looking it up, she did. See? And with Obama not making any appearances there, since HE WAS FOLLOWING THE RULES, the advantage is of course, Hillary's. It's patently unfair.
BLOG | Posted 01/28/2008 @ 01:51am
Hillary's Florida Flip
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Hillary Clinton has decided to rewrite the rules of the race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
Like other candidates, she pledged not to campaign in Florida after the state jumped ahead on the schedule of caucuses and primaries set by the Democratic National Committee. She had to make that pledge if she hoped to compete in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, as Iowa and New Hampshire zealously guard their starting status on the political calendar.
But Iowa and New Hampshire are history and, after a landslide loss in South Carolina on Saturday, Clinton needs a win.
So she has begun appearing in Florida in anticipation of Tuesday's Democratic primary there.
Clinton's move insults not just the voters in Iowa and New Hampshire who trusted her pledge but also the voters of all the states that respected the DNC's outline for the nominating process.
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=276341
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:04PM on Feb 19th 2008
350. Haha... I think there may be health benefits to fasting (not to the extreme though). So maybe you should reconsider.
Shannie at 5:10PM on Feb 19th 2008
351. Mr. Hays IS indeed bright.
But, he is putting his own biased opinions out there and then supporting them with what
Science "is gonna" accomplish. Any time now.
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All throughout history the christians have been trying to say that whatever science doesn't know, is unknowable and is of God. Or just denying scientific discoveries on the basis of scripture. Like heliocentrism, for instance. But then, that darn science kept on uncovering those things and proving them, in due time, and still is, every day, and whenever that happens, the religious people look as stupid as they really are.
So don't be impatient, little religious person. Science will eventually find the answers. What's your rush? Do you WANT TO look stupid when they do?
William Hays has more intellect in his little finger than you have in your entire body. But this doesn't stop the dunces from crowing at him as if they were in his league.
You wish you were. You wish. But you're like the Scarecrow, wishing that you had a brain when all that's up there is straw.
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:32PM on Feb 19th 2008
352. 346. Haha... I think there may be health benefits to fasting (not to the extreme though). So maybe you should reconsider.
Shannie at 5:10PM on Feb 19th 2008
-----------------------
Yeah, that kind of fasting is called "not eating like a pig" and I never do that anyhow. I'm at my ideal body weight, or perhaps even a few pounds under. Plus, I get a lot of exercise, because I married a woman ten years younger than I am, and she's a nympho. So I'm good, health-wise. Mens sana in copore sano.
Real fasting is about as unhealthy a thing as you can do. But don't let that stop you, if you BELIEVE that it's good for you. I say go for it!
:-)
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:36PM on Feb 19th 2008
353. Do a google search GHB... there is some research supporting health benefits...
Shannie at 5:47PM on Feb 19th 2008
354. I just posted this to the young turks blog in response to someone saying that real christians keep their flies zipped, and Bill Clinton went to church the day after having sex with Monica. I found this GEM and had to post it in response, because it's absolutely TRUE and easily proven.
I just HAD TO post it to DD's blog. It's way too funny not to. Hope you enjoy it.
Please forgive me for the graphic nature of this post, but it's true, so there's no way to sugarcoat it for you.
Here goes:
======================================
Oh, this is RICH!!!
I guess this "blows" Bill Clinton out of the water!!!
LOLOL!!! You christians are SO funny!
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/05/06/bizarre_sex_habits_of_the_extreme_rightwing.php
Republican anti-abortion activist
Neal Horsley admitted to having
sex with a mule
(Not shitting you here, it's REAL!!!) (READ the text of the link.)
Here's my favorite part:
"however, Colmes asked Horsley about his background, including a statement that he had admitted to engaging in homosexual and bestiality sex.
At first, Horsley laughed and said, "Just because it's printed in the media, people jump to believe it."
"Is it true?" Colmes asked.
"Hey, Alan, if you want to accuse me of having sex when I was a fool, I did everything that crossed my mind that looked like I..."
AC: "You had sex with animals?"
NH: "Absolutely. I was a fool. When you grow up on a farm in Georgia, your first girlfriend is a mule."
AC: "I'm not so sure that that is so."
NH: "You didn't grow up on a farm in Georgia, did you?"
AC: "Are you suggesting that everybody who grows up on a farm in Georgia has a mule as a girlfriend?"
NH: It has historically been the case. You people are so far removed from the reality... Welcome to domestic life on the farm..."
Colmes said he thought there were a lot of people in the audience who grew up on farms, are living on farms now, raising kids on farms and "and I don't think they are dating Elsie right now. You know what I'm saying?"
Horsley said, "You experiment with anything that moves when you are growing up sexually. You're naive. You know better than that... If it's warm and it's damp and it vibrates you might in fact have sex with it."
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!
AND HERE'S THE KICKER:
His last name is Horsley.
Too much. I think I pissed myself.
Godless Heathen Brian at 7:20PM on Feb 19th 2008
355. Godless Heathen Brian-
I've got to tell you that I just read over some of your previous comments here and you know something? after a nice rasberry lemmon drop martini at California Pizza while jamming to some 80's music----I'm seriously having a ball here! You are making me laugh, man! You're crazy-goofy-funny! Now, I don't agree with your views, but, hell: you made me almost inhale my martini when I read the sssllllooooow.....thing!
LMAO on it. yeah!
you should do stand-up, dude.
Ken at 10:13PM on Feb 19th 2008
356. "The threat I spoke to is how you take Christians and de-Christianize them to join your church and then they contribute to your wealth, etc. " Doubting Thomas
What are you talking about? I take indoctrinated Christians and de-indoctrinate them to show them the way.
I ask no one to join the Church I belong to, and I accept absolutely no money from anyone. I earn my money. Where in the world would get such a thing.
"That's all. I was speaking to the Christians to remind them that their faith in Christ is at stake when dealing with you."
Then they should listen to me. I listen to no false prophets or wolves. I stay away from Religions. I stay away from their cons. I can open their minds and help them.
"I have every right to help protect the Christians. "
Good. Lead by example. Like me.
"It just seems a little "off" the plan you have for your church, that's all. You can do what you do however you like, with no argument from me."
What are you talking about? I have no plan for the Church I belong to. When I speak at the Church I belong to, we talk about indoctrination and how they were actually let to judge and seperate versus co-existing and loving our neighbors.
If you've read a lot of the messages on here from Christians, you would understand.
And you should meet me in person. I'll enlighten you and show you FACTS that you've never considered. I know the Bible inside and out. I know what is Literal, Figurative and Metaphorical. This has been learned through Traveling and experiences.
Peace as always.
Botts at 1:52PM on Feb 20th 2008
357. Ruby (#353) - I'm not sure what Dinesh's issue is either, beyond having an opportunity to promote his books. He does this quite well as most of his postings attract a large number of comments. Unfortunately and sadly, most of the dialog becomes petty and nasty after a brief period.
My take is that he (pretends to) believe that the world is made up of supporters of Christianity and opposers of Christianity, such as atheists, agnostics, Jains, Buddhists, Pagans, Jews, Muslims, etc. Thus, any affront to Christianity is supported by its opposers.
alan at 5:45PM on Feb 21st 2008
358. Republican anti-abortion activist
Neal Horsley admitted to having
sex with a mule
A quote from the website below....
Colmes asked Horsley about his background, including a statement that he had admitted to engaging in homosexual and bestiality sex.
At first, Horsley laughed and said, "Just because it's printed in the media, people jump to believe it."
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/05/06/bizarre_sex_habits_of_the_extreme_rightwing.php
"Is it true?" Colmes asked.
"Hey, Alan, if you want to accuse me of having sex when I was a fool, I did everything that crossed my mind that looked like I..."
AC: "You had sex with animals?"
NH: "Absolutely. I was a fool. When you grow up on a farm in Georgia, your first girlfriend is a mule."
AC: "I'm not so sure that that is so."
NH: "You didn't grow up on a farm in Georgia, did you?"
AC: "Are you suggesting that everybody who grows up on a farm in Georgia has a mule as a girlfriend?"
NH: It has historically been the case. You people are so far removed from the reality... Welcome to domestic life on the farm..."
Colmes said he thought there were a lot of people in the audience who grew up on farms, are living on farms now, raising kids on farms and "and I don't think they are dating Elsie right now. You know what I'm saying?"
Horsley said, "You experiment with anything that moves when you are growing up sexually. You're naive. You know better than that... If it's warm and it's damp and it vibrates you might in fact have sex with it."
=====================
A good christian man, no doubt. And his last name is Horsley. Which is how he likes it.
Godless Heathen Brian at 8:19PM on Feb 23rd 2008
359. Sorry, accidentally posted that Horsley thing twice. Not that it isn't worth repeating.
I had written an alternate version, deleted it, and then accidentally posted it. Oops.
Godless Heathen Brian at 8:54PM on Feb 23rd 2008
360. 356. My thoughts: Religion is good in that it structures the lives of its adherents. It tells them when to pray, what to eat, what things are good and what are bad. Some fear without structure the result is chaos. Fear may lead to violence (e.g.: if we don't do things my way, all is lost). As for atheists, it seems each one must formulate his/her own rules of conduct within the norms of society. Needless to say, more thought and experience is required to do this.
Lili Archak at 6:37AM on Feb 23rd 2008
-----------------
Yes, it does take a lot more thought and introspection to be an atheist. But at least, you're an adult, and not a child afraid of breaking rules all the time. The responsibility's on you to know what's right and what's wrong. If you get good enough at it, you can easily see where the christians are doing wrong and thinking it right. They, alas, aren't capable of judging anymore for themselves.
Godless Heathen Brian at 9:03PM on Feb 23rd 2008