Fleeing darkness for darkness

Rifqa Bary is the current poster child for true Christianity. She left her Muslim family in Ohio and fled to Florida fearing for her life. She thinks her family will kill her regain its honor. An honor killing may be a possibility and would be a valid reason to remove her from her family, but what if… What if this is just the story of an immature child leaving her family a wreck in the name of religion? This is what I call the ugly of uglies, one religion fighting with another religion over a child. It sickens me.

If you have the stomach for it, watch this insane tribute video. They are fighting the centuries old war for souls with Bary as the battlefield. If you don’t believe it, Google her name, or look at the YouTube videos or recent blog activity. The war is being fought in the courts and on the internet, and it is getting nasty.

I feel for Rifqa Bary. I was her age when I left Christianity for Atheism. But then, my journey was away from ignorance and superstition. I did not trade one repressive set of beliefs for another. I was liberated, but nobody cared. But then, I was not pulling at the emotional heartstrings of Christian America.

There will come a day soon when the real issue will surface. Bary is not a citizen and her status may be in question. Will America send her home? Somehow I doubt it.

Technorati Tags: Islam,Christianity

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• 17-Year-Old Runaway Christian Convert Allowed To Stay In Florida (inquisitr.com)

Sometimes they get it right

I’ve been writing a post in my head from when Henry J. Lyons wins his re-election bid to become the next president of the National Baptist Convention. Silly me. I guess I underestimated the will of the people.

Lyons was convicted on state racketeering charges ten years ago.

Henry Lyons’ problems began in July 1997, after his then-wife, Deborah, started a fire at a $700,000 Tierra Verde home he owned with another woman. The incident set off an investigation into his finances, and Lyons was eventually convicted on state racketeering and grand theft charges.

His attempt to regain control was seen as test of the concept of forgiveness. What he learned was one can be forgiven, but trust is another matter all together. It is good to see common sense prevail.

Technorati Tags: Baptists,Crime,Clergy Misconduct

Satan, you picked on the wrong church!

It is the 10 year anniversary of the Wedgewood Church shootings. On September 15th, Larry Gene Ashbrook walked into Wedgwood Baptist Church  in Texas and opened fire on the youth group gathered for a weeknight event. He killed 7 and wounded 7 more. It was a random tragedy that made international news on the heals of the April 20th Columbine shooting.

I remember the tragedy distinctly because I was living in France at the time and could find nothing but news about the shooting on the English speaking channels for three or four days. The Europeans like to use these incidents as proof of our barbarism. And they do go on…

I would eventually read Night of Tragedy; Dawning of Light by Dan R. Crawford. Even though the book was written for a Christian audience, it tells a heartfelt story of a community coming together to help the victims of the shooting. I actually felt better for reading it.

I remember reading the phrase, Satan, you picked on the wrong church! in another article recently. I found the phrase a telling example of the fortitude expressed by the victims of the shooting. There is something about the event that give me hope. I can’t put my finger on it, but it has something to do with the people involved not acting like victims.

Technorati Tags: Mass Murder,Church Violence

The hijacker is a Christian nutball?

How did I miss this story? Fanatical Pastor Charged in Mexican Plan Hijack. I knew about the hijacking, I just missed the whole, “God told me to warn the president of Mexico about an earthquake.

Jose Flores, 44, said he was acting on a divine revelation when he claimed to have a bomb on the AeroMexico flight from Cancun Wednesday -- forcing the pilots to circle Mexico City several times before landing there. Once the plane touched down, an hour long standoff ended when police raided the jet and freed the 110 passengers and crew members unharmed.

Flores sounds like the worst kind of religious nutball. A true Christian willing to kill for his blood thirsty god.

Technorati Tags: Nutballs,Christians

Blogroll Update: Countdown to 1000 blogs

As of this fine September morning the Atheist Blogroll has 980 members. I plan to count down the last 20 members. Each blog that joins our ranks will get their own special post here on Deep Thoughts.

Please help promote the blogroll by making a post about the countdown. Or you can repost some or all of the countdown. I plan to use the  Zemanta repost feature to make reposting easy.

You can find a full list of all 980 members at the home of the Atheist Blogroll.

Are you a photographer? The 2009 Atheist Blogroll photography contest is accepting entries.

Technorati Tags: The Atheist Blogroll,Atheism

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• Blogroll Update: 900 Members

One more deal, just one more deal

Convicted pastor Rodney McGill could not keep his fingers out of other people’s pockets. He was charged with grand theft after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for mortgage fraud.

State officials said McGill in December made contact with a woman to discuss financial assistance to refinance a church: The woman was led to believe she would invest $40,000 with the promise of a $50,000 repayment within 10 days or less, the state said. The woman was unaware McGill was talking to her from the Martin County Jail because he used a third party to set up a conference call, officials said.

The man has no shame, none at all. But remember, he is a man of god and there are still people out there that think he was given a raw deal because he is a true believer. They are also known as suckers, saps, and marks.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Misconduct,hypocrisy

One in every 33 women is…

…a target of sexual advances by a religious leader. One in every 33 women, that’s huge.

The study, by Baylor University researchers, found that the problem is so pervasive that it almost certainly involves a wide range of denominations, religious traditions and leaders.

"It certainly is prevalent, and clearly the problem is more than simply a few charismatic leaders preying on vulnerable followers," said Diana Garland, dean of Baylor's School of Social Work, who co-authored the study.

hat tip Carolyn Ann

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Hypocrisy

Pastor’s conviction upheld

Pastor James Clark imported an African women and used her as a sex slave. He appealed his conviction arguing the term "Immoral purposes” was unconstitutionally vague. The appeals court upheld the verdict.

Related articles

• Convicted pastor seeks appeal
• Another sexual predator posing as a pastor in Lubbock?

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,James Clark

Photos from the 9/12 Project

Flickr photographer MeetTheCrazies posted his shots from the 9/12 project on Sept. 12, 2009 in Washington DC. I just watched the slide show. As I sit here trying to figure out why these nutballs are walking this irrational path, I can’t help but think of things in terms of us and them. These people are nuts.

 

Photo care of MeetTheCrazies.

Technorati Tags: Photography,Politics,Glenn Beck

Letting the devil in

I cringe when I hear the phrase,“I let the devil in.” It is usually followed by a horrific admission of guilt. Pastor Jody Lusk knows the phrase. He used it to explain his kidnap and rape of a 13-year-old girl.

"Me being a Christian, I know how the devil works. He attacks your weaknesses, he knows where he can get you,"

Lusk has admitted his crime. He realizes his mistake and will take responsibility for his actions. He will spend a few hard years in prison. He will need to toughen up. Teary eyed former pastors fall under the category of new meat in prison.

What is odd about this story is that Lusk has buyers remorse. He realized that trading his life, wife, and children for a sexual encounter with a child was not a good trade. The remorse for what he’s lost permeates his every sentence.  I feel sorry for Pastor Lusk’s family, and his victim.

Perhaps it is just the language of religion that drives people to blame their problems on imaginary supernatural actors. The real cause mundane. Pastor Lusk is a pedophile with an impulse control problem.

Lusk released a statement. It is full of god talk and preaching. This line caught my eye.

I think about the young lady I had the affair with and hope she will be okay and that she can renew her commitment to God.

Why did he neglect to ask his victim for forgiveness? Why did he focus on her walk with god instead of her mental wellbeing? The damage he inflicted on this young girl is enormous. The full impact will not be known for years. His priorities are screwed up. He is more worried about what he has lost then the damage he’s inflicted on an innocent your girl. He’s trying to get right with God before he gets right with his victim.

Pastor Lusk worked at the Auburn Church of Christ in Kentucky.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Pedophiles,Rape

$60 can end your career

I’ve never understood the appeal of prostitution. It certainly is not something that I’ve ever considered. Besides the obvious risk of catching some nasty STD, there is the social damage which can occur if caught in the act. Please notice that I am not saying prostitution is morally wrong. I’m aligned with the “what two adults do together is their own business” school of thinking. My lack of interest in prostitution is essentially an economic argument. The risk of a potential bad outcome is too high to risk the reward of a… good outcome.

Pastor John Kameron Erbele experience a bad outcome recently. He was arrested in a prostitution sting. He agreed to exchange $60 for an unspecified sex act. Of course the risk in this case is exposure as a person who does not live the values he preaches.

After Erbele left to lead the LifePrint Church in Minnesota, he continued to work with SHEC from afar, Luhmann said. He resigned from SHEC in July of this year.

"It's a terrible thing when someone in a trusted position of spiritual leadership betrays that trust," Luhmann said. "It's wrong, it's sinful, it's betraying, but yet it happens, and we have to deal with it."

Pastor Erbele works for Lifeprint church in Prior Lake. The church  acknowledged the problem in a special post on their website. From my experience, acknowledging a problem with your pastor is not something that typically happens in situations like this. It will be interesting to see how this case pans out.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Misconduct,Hypocrisy

Posing as a pastor for access to women

Some people will do anything for a chance at a woman. An as yet unnamed man from an as yet unnamed church posed as a pastor in training to women attending church services. He would befriend the women and then sexually assault them. The church took aggressive action when they found out about the assaults by  banning him from the church. No word yet as to how the police became involved.

This is a classic case of “protect the church.” I am sure those involved are hoping the shame of the alleged sexual assaults will fade from the news. I’ll have to keep my eye on this one. I don’t like fading.

*Update 9/14/09

The alleged perpetrator is Jihua Si, a 33-year-old resident of Markham.  We think the church is Scarborough Chinese Alliance Church. Let the witnesses come forth…

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Sexual Assualt

All in the family

Pastor Hence Hablin Jr. is the father of Michael Hamblin, a two time loser and the pedophile who was the inspiration for Nicole’s law. Pastor Hablin may join his son in prison.

Investigators say Hence Hamblin Jr. inappropriately touched a girl.

He resigned as pastor of the West Middletown Church of God on Vine Street last month.

I wonder if the father inspired the son or if it was the other way around?

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,pedophiles

GOP Conservative Christian does what now?

I had to read this story twice before I could believe it. Republic California State representative and Conservative Christian Michael Duval of Orange County ended his career this week. He told stories about a sexual encounter with a female lobbyist  over a life microphone during video tapped session. The woman was young enough to be his daughter.

"She wears little eye-patch underwear," said Duvall, who is married with two children. "So, the other day she came here with her underwear, Thursday. And so, we had made love Wednesday--a lot! And so she'll, she's all, 'I am going up and down the stairs, and you're dripping out of me!' So messy!"

He resigned today but faces an investigation. He could end up in prison if he traded sex for favors. What a stain…

Technorati Tags: Christians,Politicians,Republican Sex Scandals

Did I really hear that?

I took a year off political blogging after President Obama was elected. I promised myself no more stupidity for a year. I almost broke my silence after the inane opposition to Obama’s education speech. I could not understand any motivation for this display of un-America idiocy, but I let it pass. Tonight I listened to an inspiring speech by President Obama. I’m still processing what he said buy I can say the speech made me proud to be an American. I might not agree with everything he says, but he is trying to address our shared problems, so I’m officially cutting him a year of slack.

During the speech, after Obama said that illegal immigrants would not be covered by the health care reform bill, I distinctly heard somebody yell “Lie”, followed by a chorus of boos. It was Joe Wilson (R-SC). I think he’s stepped into a big pile of shit on this one. And he has realized it too, because he issued a quick apology.

His statement:

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

I think the days ahead will be hard on poor Joe Wilson. He earned it. I hope he enjoys the spotlight. His apponet in the next election is Rob Miller, throw some cash his way to show your outrage.

And Joe… If you are going to call somebody a liar, do it like Obama did with nutball Sarah Palin.

Technorati Tags: Politics,Health Care Reform