Yessirree Bob…. A Great Big ‘Ole Quiver Full Of ‘Em!!
How does one build an entire sect around just a few verses of the bible anyway?
We exalt Jesus Christ as Lord, and acknowledge His headship in all areas of our lives, including fertility. We exist to serve those believers who trust the Lord for family size, and to answer the questions of those seeking truth in this critical area of marriage.
Far be it from me to try and interpret the word, or the intentions, or the methods, of the big guy himself….. but don’t you think it’s just possible that the first guy who figured out where babies actually came from, and pulled out at the appropriate moment was divinely inspired?
In case there’s any money in this sort of thing, and there usually is……is anyone interested in helping to form “The Sect Of The Wet Abominable Dream” based on Deuteronomy 23:10?
If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:
Or maybe Deuteronomy 22:11?
Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.
Oh…. I see those sinners walking the streets of Ottawa every day, it’s a fair abomination I tell ya.
So do they have 45-second perfunctory intercourse every day in between diapering and feeding the rest of the quiver, just in case Jesus decides it’s a good day to get pregnant? It’s a good thing that the washing machine liberated women so much. That’s a LOT of laundry.
Hey! What’s wrong with garments of the divers’ sort? What does the Lord have against neoprene and compressed air??
@balbulican – You are not allowed to question HIS edicts, it should be enough that HE said, “thou shalt not where divers garments”, now quit being a sinner and take up a sport that won’t get you sent straight to hell — HE never said anything about kick boxing did he?
The next session in the dojo is Wednesday evening, I’ll let you give me a ride as part of your penance
In fairness, I think MOST sects are built around a small number of verses. Plus:
“Far be it from me to try and interpret the word, or the intentions, or the methods, of the big guy himself….. but don’t you think it’s just possible that the first guy who figured out where babies actually came from, and pulled out at the appropriate moment was divinely inspired?”
According to Genesis, God killed that guy (Onan).
Religion is a mental impairment for the human race, and sect are a deranged counterpart.
“Most of the sects and fundamentalist groups originate in protests against an organized religion, which they accuse of corruption, artificiality, over-complexity, hypocrisy.”
(Mary Douglas, British anthropologist / born 1921)
“But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes.”
(John Adams, 2nd US President (1797-1801) / 1735-1826)
Religion is a mental impairment for the human race
Not to worry, once the buses are all covered with the ads, it won’t be long until it’s gone for good. Then we can start focussing on getting rid of love and family loyalty. Think of all the pain and confusion we could prevent. I mean, talk about mental impairments!
According to a segment on CNN the other night these sorts of fundamentalist loonies comprise 20% of the American population – America may becoming less Christian and less religious but I doubt it’s because any of that 20% is falling off the wagon, and that (IMO) bodes ill for the American Christian belief structure which will end up becoming more and more radicalized if the trend continues.
I agree. It’s that extremist 20% that is taking credit for defining what US Christian values mean. Mainstream Protestants and lapsed Catholics don’t give a damn if a President refers to scriptures when making policy or punctuates speeches with “God Bless”. They are not obsessed with controlling women’s bodies, condemning homosexuality, replacing science with faith, etc. And yet that vocal 20% demand that their State Legislatures and Federal Houses heed their demands and introduce ridiculous propositions and policy shifts.
Whooee! Them 20% loudmouth loons multiply their political power by makin’ sure every politician knows they are 100% voters. When only 50% of those eligible show up to vote, 100% of 20% is 40% of the total electorate. That’s enough for a majority gummint here in Canada and a good piece of a majority in Merka.
Politicians pander for votes and some think if they can sway 40% of the voters with some regressive-repressive-republicanism, it’s good panderin’.
JB
Peter, you can opine that religion has more to do with love and family loyalty than does secular humanism, but since I will now opine the opposite, consider our opinions cancelled.
You opine too hastily, sooey, as that wasn’t what I was opining at all.
Now, Peter, such snark ill becomes you. We the godless, when we get silly, paint religious believers with the colours of Jim Phelps, the Crusades, and Jihad. The godful respond by suggesting with equal silliness that by questioning the existence of god or the value of religion, we’re somehow taking a stand against puppies and chocolate and birthdays.
Perhaps Peter was making assumptions about socialists, then, such that when we aren’t being godless, we’re all about “getting rid of love and family loyalty”.
I think I’ll throw a wrench in his assumptions by being both socialist and godful now.
balb, I can’t thank you enough. We faithful of mettle have been trying to decide on counter-signs for buses that are more robust than the anodyne United Church pap about how there is probably a god, so relax and enjoy your life. Hardly worthy of the martyrs, wouldn’t you agree? But you have cracked it for us. Puppies! Watch for “Go to church this Sunday or we’ll shoot this puppy!” on the transitway next week. Let’s see what Dick the Dawk has to say about that.
My point was not that religion promotes love, family values and chocolate more than secularism, but rather that it (or at least spirituality) is as natural a part of the human condition as they all are. The fact that there are always some cranky rationalist heathens like SL and sooey and bitter old ladies like Aunt Bertha who spent her life trying to deny kids chocolate is just a timeless sideshow.
Whooee! I’ll concede that spirituality is part of the human condition. Religion, however, does not equal spirituality. Religion is the politicization of spirituality. In most cases, religion uses spirituality to bestow political power on individuals and groups. I would argue that religion actually diminishes spirituality and is not an inherent part of the human condition.
JB
Religion is the politicization of spirituality. In most cases, religion uses spirituality to bestow political power on individuals and groups.
Except that it is just as natural to want to express that spirituality with family and community, which is arguably where it all starts. The Vatican didn’t just appear out of nowhere as a power play by a bunch of patriarchs. Even New Age spiritualists like to gather together to bay at the moon or whatever it is they do. It’s a little like eating. Modern rational dietitians may tell us we’d all be better off with six light meals a day consumed in solitude, but somehow we keep on being drawn to that hearty family dinner. Mmmm…dessert! We had them daily as kids and I treasure the memory, although they sure bestowed a lot of political power on Dad.
Anyway, I’m not suggesting organized religion as we know it is “natural” or inevitable, nor is any particular theological belief. But I think a sense of submissive reverance and the urge to celebrate it in community are, and I think they may also be more the source of morality that anything in scripture.
I reckon we’re pretty much singin’ from the same hymnal except I get a sense you see religion in a more positive light than I do.
Since I seen so many of the bad sides of religion, I’ve rejected it and don’t feel inhuman or lacking in spirituality. I get my dose of submissive reverence when I go out in a snowstorm or look up at a starry sky or experience the solitude of an old growth forest. I can get my fill of community celebration when I’m out in the park with my neighbours or goin’ to a concert of local music or spoutin’ off at a town hall meeting or raising awareness/money for a good cause.
I like puppies and chocolate and family gatherings and huggin’ the grandkids, too… even without fallin’ on my face in front of some Judeo-Christian invention.
JB
— so we don’t get to get in on the love, family values and chocolate gig?
The Pagans and Buddhists among us might take exception to that idea.
Plenty of room for pagans and Bhuddists, SL. Haven’t you heard the Treaty of Westphalia is now interpreted inclusively? It’s those angry Dawkins materialists that are the concern. I’m worried they will accuse JimBobby of child abuse or subverting biology by grooving spiritually on the starry sky.