The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Let's make no mistake about it, the "religious freedom" laws being passed in this country are the 21st century's version of Jim Crow laws. While everyone is free to believe as they so choose in their private time, laws have been continually enforced in order to prevent one's personal beliefs from impeding on others' rights when in the workplace. "Religious freedom" laws, like Jim Crow laws, are allowing people's personal beliefs and biases to be carried over into the workplace, preventing certain demographics from being treated as equals in the process. For those who are supporting such legislation, claiming that these laws aren't discriminatory and are just about protecting religious freedom, allow me to run through a pair of scenarios for you... Scenario #1 Chip Beelzebub: "Hi, and welcome to The Sweetest of Cakes Atheist Bakery. How are you doing this fine day?" Mary Virgin: "Good, thanks" Chip: "Wha...

Many Christian conservatives and even atheist liberals complain that progressives like myself are inconsistent when it comes to our views and defenses of religion. They often times say, "You guys have a double-standard, where you openly mock and criticize Christianity, but oddly defend Islam. Look at how Muslim countries treat women!" I, for one, am not a big fan of organized religion. I was raised in a Christian household, regularly attended a nondenominational church with my mother and brother growing up, yet reached a point in my teenage years where I could no longer espouse myself to the typically sexist, anti-LGBT, anti-progressive rhetoric. The pastor's sermons started sounding progressively more like a Rush Limbaugh rant and it turned me off from the Christian faith, and honestly, organized religion altogether. Through my high school years, college, and even after, I found myself still oddly fascinated by the concept of religion. I read books about: Christianity...

It appears pro-confederate anti-Muslims didn't take long to come up with a lovely post-San Bernardino meme. Earlier today, I stumbled upon this post courtesy of a friend on Facebook: "if the shooting by a window licking retard with a bowl haircut in south carolina is cause for banning the confederate battle flag, removing statues of confederate soldiers and erasing southern history then the shooting by the muslim in san bernardino is cause for banning the hijab, the quran, muslim symbols and all mosques on american soil" This is of course a prime example of the fallacy known as false equivalence. Islam is a religion. The First Amendment of the Constitution provides us the right to believe in and worship as we so choose. The last time I checked, the Confederacy is not a religion, so therefore the meme is comparing apples to oranges. If the author(s) of this meme wanted to be more consistent, they could say this: "The shooting by the Muslim in San Bernardino sh...

Maybe it's all but inevitable for us to have prejudices of some kind; I couldn't be 100% certain. Then again, whenever I hear such a statement being made, I immediately think, "I wonder if he/she is trying to provide themselves an excuse for their own prejudices." But overall, even if everyone possesses some form of prejudice, I'd say a decent majority is able to typically cover such irrational, derogatory beliefs when in a public setting. That's not always the case, of course, and following tragic isolated incidents, it seems many believe this provides reason to their prejudices and leaves them more prone to making those hateful beliefs come to light. As fed up as I am hearing about mass shootings in this country, a pair of them over the past couple of weeks has helped expose this country's prejudices and double-standards. When a Christian man attacked a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing multiple people in the process, ...

Much talk has been made of Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs, even though same-sex marriage is now legal nationwide. She was then found in contempt of court and temporarily jailed before being released earlier today. Well, another such story regarding religious freedom  at the workplace was reported recently, as ExpressJet flight attendant Charee Stanley was suspended by the airline for refusing to serve alcohol on flights due to her Islamic faith. She's been placed on unpaid leave and it's uncertain at this time if she'll ever work for the company again. She's since filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After reading the entire article, Charee Stanley's case is quite similar to Kim Clark's, but not identical. Ms. Stanley's been an employee of ExpressJet for approximately three years. Two years ago, she converted to Islam and ...

While I'm not 100%  opposed to the idea of a higher power, I have long been a religious skeptic, currently refer to myself as an agnostic (or a humanist), and it seems the more I think about such matters, the more skeptical I become. Having been born and raised in the United States, and largely due to that, being exposed to Christianity more than any other religion, I have become the most skeptical of this very religion. Just the other day, I started thinking about Christianity and why it perplexes me so much. First off, the supposed hero and savior of Christianity, Jesus (Christ), his actual name was Yeshua. Not only that, but he wasn't Christian; he was Jewish. Let that sink in for a moment. Christians refer to themselves as such based on a man's unoriginal name, a man whom didn't even practice said religion. Of course, Yeshuans (or Yeshuanity) may be difficult for even the most eloquent, articulate speakers to regularly pronounce correctly, but this all still str...

So, I just looked outside and noticed the world hasn't ended yet. I know, shocking, isn't it? Sarcasm aside, it's about damn time! Some conservatives, however, seem to be confused by the word oppression , in claiming that the Supreme Court's ruling is an oppression on religious beliefs. I'm sorry, but that's not oppression. People are still free to believe as they so choose. Oppression is a person being disowned by family after coming to terms with who they are. Oppression is being fired from a job due to whom they're sexually attracted. Oppression is being denied hospital visit rights of a partner. Oppression is being denied service because of who a person is. Oppression is being beaten on the streets for looking a certain way. Oppression is being withheld equal rights under the law. The LGBT community has been oppressed for far too long and it's about damn time they're provided equal marriage rights! Congratulations to all of my gay and lesbian f...

This country was not founded on "Christian" principles. When people say this, they're talking about Anglo-Americans that took this country by storm, the Founding Fathers, and the like. However, this country was "founded" when Anglos took the land from the Natives, which is in direct conflict with one of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not steal." Constitutional Christian conservatives: "This country was founded on Christian principles!" Historian: "How was this country 'founded' again?" CCC: "Well, the Natives were here and we kind of took it away from them, I guess, but whatever, you know?" Historian: "Isn't one of the Ten Commandments, 'Thou shalt not steal'?" CCC: "Well, yeah... So what?" Historian: "So, this country was founded on Christian principles, yet it was founded by you stealing the land from others, which contradicts one of the ten most cherished Chris...

In light of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Hobby Lobby contraception-mandate case, it seems that the far-right's defense to liberals' commentary about women's rights being limited is, "They (Hobby Lobby) still cover(s) 16 of 20 contraceptives. They just don't cover the abortion ones." First off, to me, that reads, "They still cover 80% of contraceptive options. That's 20% less than most such companies, but still, it's better than nothing. That'd be a solid B- in a college course. So, they'd carry with them a 3.00 or a 2.67 GPA, depending on the school they attended. So, yeah - far out, right on, and stuff." Secondly, they'd be scientifically inaccurate with the latter portion of the statement. The four contraceptives in question (Plan B, ella, and IUDs) do not cause abortions. Even leading medical authorities, such as the National Institute of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, say as mu...

According to a new Pew Research Center survey, atheists are not nearly as welcome into families as are born-again Christians. People whom took the survey were asked, "How would you feel if an immediate family member of yours was going to marry someone who does not believe in God? Happy, unhappy, or it wouldn't matter?" While just 4% said they'd be happy, 49% said they'd be unhappy (net -45%), and 46% said it wouldn't matter. Among Christians, approximately 2.8% said they'd be happy, 61.8% said they'd be unhappy (net -59%), and 35.4% said it wouldn't matter. When people were asked that same question, but with regard to born again Christians, here's how the numbers looked: Overall, 32% of the respondents said they'd be happy if someone in their immediate family married a born-again Christian, 9% said they'd be unhappy (net +23%),and 57% said it wouldn't matter. Among those whom are not affiliated with any religion, approximate...

Considering I was once called "The Dude," in reference to Jeff Bridges' character in the film The Big Lebowski  due to my laid-back demeanor, it seems pretty safe to say that it takes a lot to anger me. However, it does happen on occasion, such as once this past weekend. Over the weekend, a devout "Christian" decided it was her duty to pass judgment on me, because, well, I'm in my 30s, don't have any kids, and am not making a great deal of money. I found this to be incredibly ironic, considering the fact that in the book of Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24, Jesus supposedly said this: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." In the book of Luke, chapter 6, verses 20 through 26, he said: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 'Blessed are you who are hung...

Wanna hear a funny and ironic story? The Kentucky Baptist Convention is holding "Second Amendment Celebrations" in order to "point people to Christ," as former Pastor Chuck McAlister stated. That's right - churches around the state are giving away guns as prizes in an attempt to lure nonbelievers into being converted to the Christian religion. The next such giveaway will be taking place at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Paducah on Thursday, where a free steak dinner will be served to the 1,000 individuals whom are expected to attend. There will also be a chance for these people to win one of 25 handguns, long guns, and shotguns - all in the name of worshiping Jesus! Hallelujah! Understandably, not all of the state's pastors are thrilled with these events. Reverend Joe Phelps - pastor of Louisville's Highland Baptist Church - had this to say regarding the situation: "How ironic to use guns to lure men to hear a message about Jesus, who said, 'P...

Whenever something horrifically bad occurs in this country, it seems as if die-hard evangelicals join in unison with one another across the nation and tell people, "Well, you know why this happened, right? It's because we've turned our backs on God." Yes, whether it be Hurricane Sandy, the Newtown shooting, or a devastating tornado, many evangelicals won't point their fingers toward reason or common sense, but toward a religious conspiracy. I often times hear and read them attempt to reason with people by saying something such as this: "What would you expect? We took prayer out of schools. We took Christ out of Christmas. We've removed God from this country, so now he's had enough and is punishing us as a result." No, nevermind the belief that God gave us free will. I guess he gave us free will until the point he's so angry, he has to provide himself catharsis through destruction. Oh, what a benevolent God he is... This "rational...

For a while, I've wondered what Bible far-right Republicans and Tea Partiers have been reading. They've preached that: God grants us gun rights, homosexuals are condemned to hell, we shouldn't take care of the poor and needy, we should provide benefits and loopholes for the wealthy at the expense of the poor and middle-class, war is anything but a last-resort, etc. Having read many religious books, there's one which stood out to me as being partially representative of the modern day far-right on the political spectrum. Before giving away what this book or religion is, I'll intentionally place the word "God" in particular scriptures when deemed appropriate, so that it hopefully reads like something a Tea Party member might be prone to saying. Here we go... - "God represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates." - "God represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek." - "God repr...

On Rush Limbaugh's radio show earlier this week, the drug-addled Pillsbury Doughboy said this: "See, in my humble opinion, folks, if you believe in God, then intellectually you cannot believe in manmade global warming ... You must be either agnostic or atheistic to believe that man controls something that he can't create." First of all, how can strong religious beliefs be seen as "intellectual" in any context? Such individuals place their blind faith in a person they've never seen before, never heard, never spoken to, never met - yet they give their entire life to this invisible being in hopes that they'll be eternally rewarded after death in a land that they can't prove exists. That's about as "intellectual" as when my dog looks up at the ceiling, looks all around at seemingly nothing, and then goes outside to bark at a blade of grass. Secondly, even if one believes in God, why is it he or she can't believe in global warm...

There are several good reasons why I continually satirize the Republican Party more so than the Democratic Party (with exceptions like Anthony Weiner). As regular readers will know, I don't praise the Democratic Party a great deal, but do bash the Republican Party quite regularly. While the Democratic Party does bother me a great deal at times, it is also the more balanced of the two parties at this current juncture. I'd definitely consider myself to be more liberal than most Democrats in Congress, particularly the Senate, however, I'm cognizant of the fact most people in this country are moderate and in representing them, I'd like to see Congress reflect that more readily. That's the thing. While Democrats, especially in the Senate, are fairly moderate, to the point where it's rare to find them all agree on a bill, and are often times willing to compromise with the other side of the aisle, Republicans have been moving steadfastly to the extreme right end of the...

Very recently, I've seen some far-right evangelicals make comparisons between NBA basketball player Jason Collins and NFL player Tim Tebow. It's usually provided in the form of a cartoon, which goes something like this: Tebow: "I'm a Christian." Media: "Shut your mouth! Keep your religion to yourself!" Collins: "I'm gay." Media: "You're a hero!" First off, the bit regarding Tebow is a definite exaggeration. While the media loves to hear good soundbites and Tebow isn't really known for that, I haven't heard anyone in the media start yelling at the quarterback after he gives thanks to God. It's not like I've heard anything such as this: Tebow: "First off, I've got to give praise to God for giving me the opportunity to play...and..." Reporter Fernando Dipshitz: "Hey, Tebow! Shut the hell up! We don't give a rat's a*s about your God! Talk football, godda*mit!" No, l...

When I awoke this morning, I thought to myself, "Magicians and pastors have quite a bit in common." I must have had a very strange, yet thought-provoking dream, so profound that I can't remember it. The more I thought about this, the more I laughed. While magicians are masters of illusion and deception, at least they have something to show for it at the end. Can you imagine if a pastor treated his sermon like a magician? Pastor Whyuhere: "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the ultimate magic trick? I can guarantee that you will have never seen anything like this! Get ready!!! In my hands, I hold a book, and not just any book - The Bible...book. Within this book, it guarantees that regardless of how many times you mess up while here, so long as you ask Jesus for forgiveness and believe he's the son of God and was perfect before sacrificing himself for our sins, you will... Are you ready? Who here believes in Jesus? Who here wants to know what will happen ...

I find many dating site commercials to be humorous, but none more so than those dedicated to the site ChristianMingle.com . The site's tagline is, "Find God's match for you." Whenever I hear or read this tagline, I immediately have to laugh. Even though I don't believe in it personally, let's assume for a second that there is such a thing as predestination. Do the creators of this site truly believe that the match God has found for us wasn't in a church, at school, at work, at Bible study, but on a dating website called ChristianMingle.com ? Does this mean if one doesn't meet their match on this site, he or she is going against God's wishes? That the match they found isn't God's match? Yes, I can really imagine the following conversation occurring during the time The Bible was written: God: "It's so nice to control everything. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. Am I right, or am I right?" Aid: ...

It's people like evangelical leader Mark Driscoll who pushed me away from the Christianity and honestly, religion altogether. Driscoll is the pastor of the Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, who gave a sermon recently which has a few people talking. At this sermon, Driscoll said: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be their own husbands in everything." He wasn't done there. Driscoll added this: "If the wife disrespects the husband in front of his coworkers, will they respect the husband? No. Women who publicly disrespect their husbands, they encourage others to disrespect their husbands. And this doesn't mean you don't disagree with your husband but you do so respectfully, privately." The portion of the sermon which has garnered the most att...