News Roundup On Follow Atheist Friday

Why is it that when Team Atheist is in the news...it is always a bad negative thing. Oh well, any publicity is good publicity, right(?). Any who, Elevatorgate was the feature article in my favorite religion news aggregator, Religion News Service. The awesome sauce thingy about elevatrogate is that as a community, Team Atheist did address sexism and we are game to combat it within our own ranks. We need the ladies so much in the sciences, in the atheist blogosphere and in skepticism movements. BTW, RNS has a pretty fair amount of ladies writers reporting the news, so bully for them. Check it out.

Yesterday I wrote about how Islamophobia is being taught to the F.B.I., the armed forces and law enforcement. Today the F.B.I. has announced that it is dropping those programs (should never have happened in the first place). Check out yesterdays posts there are good links to Mother Jones and Slate. For those keeping track of the Christians that want to take over the world, known as dominionist, there is lot's of info for your score cards.

So, it is totally bad for authorities to teach Islamophobia and it is also super bad and wrong for uneducated and super stupid citizens to go old school and try their hand at vigilante violence. 9/11 is also the anniversary of stupid heads that attacked a peaceful Sikh dude because they thought he was...Muslim. So frackin' stupid, but I geuss that is what bigotry is-stupid. It is like when a loser calls me a 'chink' or a 'Jap' when I'm 100% brown hunky Filipino. At least get it right.

In the City by the Bay, the city that brought us OJ Simpson and your truly, 2,000 dirty stinky unimmunized kids were sent home from school because they did not receive the whooping cough vaccine. Gee I wonder if the deadbeat parents subscribe to the Jenny "I've killed many kids" McCarthey's philosophy of vaccines are bad bad bad, or are they not versed in the understanding of science, medicine (hello, herd mentality), or is it...all of the above. Regardless, keep your dirty stinky not-immunized kids away from me. I don't want to die of a disease that is easily preventable. Really.

Keeping with the pseudoscience-y stuffs...Dr. Oz, the multimillionaire that thrives off of selling bogus products with no medicinal value to people that really need help, has been called out for yelling "fire in a crowded theatre." Oz said that apple juice has too much arsenic in it and is hazardous to children. Basically the test he used was for something else (wastewater) therefore the results are no good, arsenic occurs naturally in lot's o' things, like, water, and I don't know this fo sho, but dude is probably selling the cure to apple juice arsenic (phobia) poisoning. Dude, scam much. Sheez.

I don't have too much info on this one, but my skeptic meter is going off. Authorities report that a young boy has emerged from the woods in Germany...speaking English. I don't know if this is a case of mysteriously speaking a foreign  language (skeptics dictionary) or an Ishi thing. I just know it sounds fishy and is a job for Team Skeptic.

Lastly, Christians at Vanderbilt U infiltrated a frat party with hidden microphones demanding that they repent.

That is all folks.

Really, honestly, I'm not attracted to stupidity. I don't care what the 'packaging' is. Awesome, sweetheart, atheist, skeptic lady, that is totally smart-n-stuffs...I'm still waiting and still available (and I don't care what the 'packaging' looks like. I way better than that. Hope to c'ya soon...whoever you are, Kriss.

Pointing The Finger

It's slate...get it.

Ok then, let's see if I can squeeze a quickie post in before I go to the #atheistcafe. I was reading the super good Slate magazine online. There is an article about how the F.B.I. is teaching Islamophobia in some of it's training courses and how there is one dude in particular that is very Muslim Hate-y-ish.

Slate is reporting on a piece from  Wired's Danger Room Blog, who reported that American mainstream Muslims, or Joe Average Muslim (really it should be Muhammad Average Muslim) is a terrorist. Yes, it's true. The F.B.I. is teaching hate-y hate to it's agents specifically directed at lay American Muslims (if the same happened to an average lay Christian there would be outrage). The agents are taught that normal average peeps that happen to be
Muslim that give donations to their temple...are probably funding terrorism. Once again, if that accusation was made against Christians, that when they give to the church it automatically funds really bad stuffs, then there would be outrage. To complete the Islamophobia the agents are shown a "pseudoscientific" chart that clearly shows how Christians and Jews are peaceful peoples, while as history progresses the Islamic peeps has become more and more violent (brainwashing anyone.sheez).

One dude was singled out by the name of William Gawthrop. He has important credentials and perhaps the only thing that the prog-lib crowd needs to know is that he occasionally writes for the World Nut Daily, err, The World Net Daily (if you have never been there then go...and be shocked). What dude is all about is learning the mindset of Islamic warfare through the understanding of Islam, Qu'ran, the splinter books that are popular...It's a good strategy and all, but the thing about it is that it comes packaged with Islamophobia.

So far I haven't made a religious connection other than this Gawthrop guy was involved in the Birther movement (remember them). I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he is one of those dominionists that the atheist blogosphere and religious news sites keep talking about (we'll see, and if I'm wrong, I'll admit it).

Ok I have to go to work so let's recap: The F.B.I is teaching agents Islamophobia, if the same actions were expressed towards Christians then there would be outrage, a dude that taught these classes was also associated with the failed Birther movement and writes for WND, I9 suspect that there is a dominionist connection but I haven't explored that much yet and finally, I have to go to work at the #athesitcafe.

Kind gentle and very good looking readers...even opossums think you're awesome.

* Slate

* Article on Gawthrop

Update: Awesome, jsut got off of work and guess what I'm doing...wrong, I'm drinking beer. Also, I'm updating Pointing the Finger.

So Slate is really awesome, but ya know what...Mother Jones is awesome also. Mo Jo says that Islomophobia training is not just for the F.B.I., oh noz, it's for the local police and the armed forces too. what are they learning, only that all Muslims are terrorist and if you dress all Islamic-y, ya know in the haji, then that person is more likely to fund terrorism (really, I can't make this stuff up).

"When you have a Muslim that wears a headband, regardless of color or insignia, basically what that is telling you is 'I am willing to be a martyr," one trainer blathers (Washington Monthly)."

I really really really hope that the above picture is a joke...but it is not. This is from an actual slideshow during a training session (sessions paid for by tac dollars). So law enforcement, the armed forces and the F.B.I. are all getting dookie training that basically teaches that all Muslims are bad and out to get you. Ya think ten years into the War on Terror 'we' would know more, culturally, about the people we are engaging. Instead we are brainwashing recruits, officers and agents to hate hate hate.


Fo sho on the other side they are telling their people that NATO and the U.S. of A. are all weirdo Christians that want to take their land and whitewash (pun intended because I'm funny like that) their culture. Not all Americans are American Taliban and doninionist, but ya know what...some are, so they are not totally incorrect. 


It goes both ways. I can (kinda) see the other side spewing hate and teaching about the "imperial dogs" and their attempts at world domination, but not us. I thought we were supposed to be the good guys.


* Mother Jones article


* How We Train Our Cops to Fear Islam

* Why do the gad-darn fonts and spacing keep changing...why why why...one more time with feeling...why.

God's Love And Christian Doublespeak

Former Bishop John Shelby "I always give this guy credit" Spong kills it in his short piece in the Washington Post's On Faith. In The Contradictions Of Religious People Spong touches on the very unChristian behavior of Christians. What is that Gandhi quote, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians (ouch bro, say what you really wanna say)." We saw this kinda behavior the other nite during the GOP Teabagger debate when the crowd whole heartily clapped when Rick Perry bragged about all the people Texas execute during his reign. WTF. That's God's love(?).

The term pro-life seems like it's straightforward, but it's really a great example of Christian doublespeak and double-do. Say one thing, but mean the other. Say one thing, but do the other. Gov. Rick Perry is pro-life, but what does that mean: they want to save a cell (not a human) from being aborted, but they will approve of the killing of abortion doctors (a full grown adult). The term pro-life seems to mean the sanctity of life and of humanity, but then why did the small government people applaud Perry's 234 executions the other nite, why did they say that an uninsured person in a coma "has the right to die," and that they should die. What's pro-life about that. Seems like a pro death philosophy that does not have any regard for human life.

Everyone's least favorite and original doninionist, Pat "God causes erff-quakes because he's mad at the gays" Robertson said a Pat Robertson the other nite when he said that it is OK to divorce your spouse if they have...da da daaa...Alzheimers. Forget the sanctity of marriage and the vows "in sickness and in heath." Nooooo, fuck that shit. Loyalty means nothing to Gods party and, I guess, when it comes down to being there for the person you made that commitment with, you can just go Newt Gingrich and leave your sick/dying spouse because...because you are lonely and have needs (I don't even know why a person would do that. Can't even imagine being that selfish). So much for Family Values among conservative heteros (and to them, it is the gays that are destroying traditional marriage.sheez).

My last example of Christian doublespeak and double-do is from up North in Oregon. Yes, and by yes I really mean N000000000, that crazy splinter cell of Christianity called Followers Of Christ are on trial again for killing their babies. I reported on different instances earlier this year and for the fourth time a couple from the same church is on trial for praying for their obviously sick baby instead of, I dunno, calling 911. Because of these cases, all from the same church mind you, legislation has been passed that makes it a criminal offense to kill your baby thru prayer, err, not seek medical attention for your children. If this is part of God's plan, then the plan is fucked up I tell ya.

All god's creatures are created equal...except women, GLBT, atheists, other religions and animals. If that is not a good example of Christian doublespeak and Christian double-do, then I don't know what is. On one hand the term pro-life seems really life affirming, that is unless you are a doctor that has dedicated your life to helping people at a place where abortions are, like, less than 10% of the services provided (then they will kill you). Christian hetero marriage shows god's glory, you are doing God right by hetero marriage and having hella kids (God's work), but don't randomly get sick, or get a disease, otherwise your spouse will leave you (when you need them the most). It's OK, Pat Robertson said Alzheimer's is "like death."

Gandhi was right. Please kill me now. Sheez.

* Something to Quack About in Oregon

* Update On Abusive Faith Healing Parents

Bro-Dudes Last Stand

The last time I viewed an Intelligence Squared Debate was, like, over a year ago and AC "The Hair" Grayling and Richard "Papa Bear" Dawkins whomped all over a team of believers (I forgot what the specific topic was. Any who...). Slate magazine, on Sept 20, will sponsor an Intelligence Squared Debate and this time the topic will be "Are men finished." Y'all know that I heart heart heart the Maureen "Heyyyy, awesome lady" Dowd book "Are Men Necessary,"and it seems that this debate will continue the not oft talked about topic...the demise of men.

First of all, I'm a dude and fo sho I believe that I'am necessary, and for a variety of reasons. And ya know what, it is not necessarily about being 'necessary', it is about the changing role of the bro-dude. Thank goodness the ladies have come a long way, but in that time the bro-dudes, the men folk, have not. I'm not talking about how men used to get 9-10 jobs or 10-10 jobs back in the day and now they are getting 7-10 or 8-10 jobs...It is about the evolving role of men and men evolving as complete human beings.

One of the factors journalist and debater, Hanna Rosin, shows the reader is... da da daaa, the sitcom. Really. I don't have a TV or watch it, but apparently the new crop of fall shows fall into two categories, 1) the dysfunctional, lame, not evolved, bro-dude that is unemployed, or the 2) hard working late 20 something female that is making it in the world, working ten jobs, having a social life and being strong and feminine at the same time (helllloooo). To say that that this is a reflection of the reality of modern society is....true.

Lions, tigers and bears oh my...Is that a Jesus fish in the background, or pareidolia.

For the first time in history the women folk are more than 50% of the work force. There is some statistic out there that, once again, those awesome hard working ladies are getting college degrees at a rate of two to one compared to the men. Men make up most of the prison population and women hold families together. Women are more geared to the modern way and global economy with their superior communication skills and altruism, while men compete for factory, industry and hard labor jobs that are drying up and associated with the old economy. Just in the past 40-50 years women have evolved and shaped society, while men have been stiff and ridged and clamour of the 1950's lifestyle that may or may not have ever existed (or not evolved): complete with sexism, machismo and housewife made sandwiches.

In Oh Maureen...O, Maureen's book AMN she jokes around about artificial insemination and how in the very near future, perhaps, women will not even need men. I'll tell you this bro-dudes, we have to do more and better. The rough tough macho father husband of out fathers generation (I'm 42 mind you) is a throwback to shittier times. The world is a different place and a better place now. So we have to make our own sandwiches and do actual communicating with our g-friends (where back in the old days that was nonexistent) and show emotions and be, get this...humans, complete humans. So what. It is either that, which I think is very cool-ya know that evolving thing-or we become...not necessary.

I choose to evolve.

* The Last Days Of The American Male. Interview with Hanna "Hello, awesome lady, I'm Kriss" Rosin.

* Atlantic Monthly article by Hanna...oh, I can call you by your first name, right. Oh c'mon now, baby. Any who...very good article about the demise of the male species.

* Google Book Search and Maureen's Are Men Necessary. Maureen, it's me Kriss, I know that I've said this before, but I haven't said it in a while, "Statuesque, super witty and smart journalist, East Coast laaaaadddddyyyyy...you bet I'm necessary."

Jesus, Stop Dressing The Hot Grrls

Jesus, do I look holy in this shirt...baby.

Oh nozzzzzz, it's worse than what I reported yesterday. Jesus wants hot grrls that subscribe to the Beauty Myth, err, that shop at Forever 21. Yesterday's topic was sexism being promoted at the Beauty Myth store, but wouldn't ya know it, they want your (nonexistent) soul also.

When I get back from church...I'm a gonna make you a sandwich.

So I'm a dude and I have never laid foot inside a Forever 21 store, and I don't even know where I would find one. But after reading this article (thanks N.A. for the heads up) to quote Morissey, "I was shocked and ashamed to discover," that F-21 is all Jesus-y. It's true. Apparently they have magnificent crosses for sale decorated with rhinestones and Bedazzled (what ever that is) disguised as jewelry. Click this link to see more of the God shirts, I only pictured a couple of them. If the in your face Christianity were not enuff, then howz about putting John 3:16 on the bottom of the bags (very sneaky you proselytizing believers, you).

So we can ad Forever 21 to the list of Christian-y business' that are dookie because they shove their religion in the face of innocent consumers (and it is usually the case that the business owners support and donate hella money to stop those gays from marrying-n-stuffs). So don't eat at Chick-Fil-A, or shop at American Apparel, eat pizza at that dudes place that is running for president and now...don't shop at Forever 21, unless you want the Lord dressing you (wow, that sounds so creepy).

* Very appropriately named WTForever 21. More pictures of hot grrls in Jesus clothes.

* Secret Culty Christians on Jezebel 

* John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Sexism Is Made Of Stupid

A couple of weeks ago we had the stupid in the form of a tee-shirt for the young ladies that said "I'm too pretty to do homework..." and this week the stupid gets even more sexist (as if) with another tee-shirt. "Allergic to algebra" is aimed at...err, it was meant for, mmmm, shit, it is just plane stupid no matter what it is for.

In the SF Chron article one peep says something to the extent that it's not even about feminism, it's about being respected by male peers and not giving them a reason to think you are inferior. Well said. There is a petition, which I guess is the new thing-there is always an 'and' and now there is always a petition-here to tell Forever 21 (which is stupid in itself-beauty is only for the young, please) that they are sexist stupid heads and to not sell this shirt or the philosophy that goes with it.

Math is frackin' hard. Aprox ten years ago when I had to take algebra I, II and then Statistics, at age 33-ish, I worked so hard everyday and got C's, but I did it. Can women do math...I don't see why not except that perhaps at an early age they were told that they could not, that is for the boys, so ya better get in the kitchen and learn how to make sandwiches. WTF. No wonder there are not that many female scientists and mathematicians.

My mom hates me and wants me to be enslaved to someone that will pay my way.

* Sf Chron Algebra

* Too pretty

Much Ado Part II

On Friday Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the decision to not have clergy in official capacity during the 9/11 memorial services because it would be like the government "shoving religion down peoples throats". There was an uproar from the evangelicals because they insisted that God be present, well, guess what...God was present anyways....

Former mayor Rudy Giuliani read from Ecclesiastes, G.W. Bush read a letter from Abraham Lincoln infused with Godly language and the One, President Obama read from Psalm 46. A couple of words here...government, God...throats. It reminds me of graduating ceremonies at some rural high school last year where a student complained that to have an official prayer during graduation would violate church and state stuffs. The loophole was that they prayed individually and not in official capacity. It looks like the adults took a page outta the high school kids book.

Believers are pissed and they want their country back (as if). It is similar to white males and feminism. If back in the day 9-10, or 10-10 jobs went to white males and now, because of the women's rights movement, it is more like 7-10, or 8-10. Certainly that is not fair or equal, so what are they complaining about? The secularists gain a metric inch but in order to be fair and equal, a mile needed to be achieved. So evangelicals, the very intolerant and extreme splinter cell of Christianity, did not get invited to speak at the 9/11 ceremony, so what, God was so totally present anyways. Sheez.

Look at today's Sac Bee, one of the headlines is about religion. In fact everyday in mainstream newspapers across the country, there are articles about religion...everyday. but we can't even speak up, is that what is going on (yes). We get one little bone thrown to us (Bloomberg's decision), then there is a backlash and outrage, and then they get their way anyways.

No one ever said don't believe or don't pray. By all means believe what you want to believe and do what you want to do. But don't complain because in the interest of fairness that you had to give an inch, when to be fair....miles and miles are needed.

Sheez.