Santa is white!

You can always count on Fox News for a laugh. On her show the other day, Megyn Kelly was talking about a story by an African-American person saying that Santa shouldn't just be white anymore. Maybe she wants there to be a black Santa too. But the author did suggest a penguin Santa as well. Personally, I don't care if there's a black Santa and a white Santa. After all, both are pretend. But  Megyn Kelly seemed to have a very real problem with the suggestion of Santa being anything other
than white...

The first thing to note is that if you actually read Aisha Harris' article, it is obvious that Fox misrepresented her story. It wasn't a story claiming that it is racist for Santa to be white, as Kelly initially mused. Instead it is a story suggesting a new holiday icon. That's where Penguin Claus comes in.

Personally, I can't pretend to understand how a white Santa caused her emotional pain as a child. But then again, I'm a white man, so I'm coming from a different place. Society has historically been stacked toward my favor and privilege. I did have plenty of black teachers in elementary school though. Black women no less. Yet, I didn't feel like I was somehow left out because our skin was different tones. I suppose that's not a perfect comparison though, since my teachers weren't an ever present symbol like Santa is at Christmas time. That said, back to the crazy talk from the Fox news talking heads...

By the way, for all you kids watching at home, Santa just is white but this person is just arguing that maybe we should also have a black Santa. Santa is what he is and just so you know, we are debating this because someone wrote about it, kids.

Jesus was a white man, too. He was a historical figure. That's a verifiable fact -- as is Santa. I just want the kids watching to know that. My point is, how do you just revise it in the middle of the legacy of the story and change Santa from white to black.

Historical paintings of the real St. Nicholas, and the facial
reconstruction commissioned by the Vatican.
Conclusion: Not white.

Jesus is a historical  fact just like Santa Claus? Considering that there is no Santa, I'll agree that Jesus is equally as real as Santa. This is about the point that one of the other talking heads stated that "you can't just twist the facts to fit a political agenda". What!? Isn't that the sole reason that Fox news even exists? Add that to the statement that you can't just revise the story right in the middle of it. Um, it already has...

Part of the inspiration for Santa Claus comes from the historical figure St. Nicholas (not to mention the Norse god Odin). Nicholas came from a part of Greece that is now Turkey. Not a region known for it's whiteness. Likewise, Jesus is said to be from the middle-east. That means that the Caucasian image of Jesus isn't an accurate one as well. The image of both figures have already been changed to match the cultures of those adopting them. They are also the product of what markets better and helps sell more goods. Remember, if it weren't for Coca-Cola, the popular image of Santa would likely look much different.

Left: Jesus made into a European white man to fit in.
Because middle-eastern is scary. White means he's just like me.
Right: What someone from that region at that time frame
would have actually looked like. Again, not white.

I just find it hilarious that what St. Nicholas and Jesus really would have looked like, means that most
conservative would feel uncomfortable sitting next to them on an airplane. So yet more fake outrage and manufactured controversy from Fox. How long until they have to have a disclaimer on the bottom of the screen, I wonder?


-Brain Hulk

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I'll pray for you

As an open atheist, I've had many Christians tell me that they would 'pray for me.' On one hand, I usually don't mind too much. They mean well after all. In their belief system, they think they are helping, and that this is the way to show that they care. So whilst I don't feel that their prayer will make any difference, I understand that their heart is in the right place and this is the way they know to
express that sentiment.

However, there are those that utter those words with such conviction and attitude, that they are basically giving you a verbal middle finger. In those cases, they might as well be saying "What? You say you don't believe? Well, you're so wrong, and I'm so right and you're just too stupid to get it. So there, you stupid dummy!" Um... Okay. Way to be loving Mr. Christian. I could retort to those people  "Well, I'll think for you." But what's the point? If they already have that type of hostile attitude to the situation, they will never listen to reasoned arguments. And I'm no fan of just getting into an insult war.

Oddly, most Christians don't understand why some atheists take issue with someone saying that they'll pray for them. How would they feel if they were talking with someone, and they told them, "Ill pray to Allah for you."? Chances are, they'd be at least slightly annoyed. They may say that they are Christian, not Muslim. That they do not want them praying to a 'false god' in their name. Or even state that they are wasting their time, because the Christian god is the only true god.

But when an atheist responds like they might to a Muslim, they act like we have the attitude or are
being unreasonable. How is that we are acting 'inexcusable', while their reaction to the Muslim is considered fine? The situations are actually identical. The one party simply does not want the other party trying to force their beliefs on them, whatever they may be.

So if you want to show that you care, just tell me that you care. If you want to pray for me, but not appear to be pushy, then just don't tell me. Heck, the Bible say to pray in private anyway. I couldn't care less if someone wants to pray for me. Have at it! I don't think it will make any difference, but it's your time. So if you feel like spending a few minutes a day talking to you ceiling fan, who am I to say you can't? It's your time, so spend it wisely. Personally, I think that actually doing something or actually helping would be a better use of my time. But maybe that's just me.


-Brain Hulk

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Critical Christianity

In my area of the country, it's not too uncommon to see Mennonites from time to time. A short drive north, and you will find many more Mennonites, and not much further, you will find yourself in Amish country. Sure they dress different than you and I, and lead different lives. But there is

something I've noticed. Some people are quick to make fun of, or question why they live like they do. And more often than not, these questioners are Christian.

They may mock the wearing of bonnets by the women. Wonder why they seem so meek and reserved. Question why the dress so plainly or always have long hair. And the answer to those questions is that they follow the bible more closely than most Christians.

They wear no jewelry because the Bible says that jewelry is a no-no. Why the long hair? Biblical rules on how to hair should be cut. Heck, it even says that braided hair is off-limits. Why the bonnets? The Bible says that woman need to wear a hat when at worship... and they believe they should always be at worship, thus the ever present bonnet. It is also a nod to the Biblical call for female modesty. Why are the women so quite and reserved? Because the Bible says that the female is to be subservient to her husband and/or father. In the Bible, women are considered second-class citizens in comparison to men. So these groups tend to hold to that Biblical tradition. Oh, and the women all wear dresses, because the Bible forbids women to wear men's clothing, and they interpret that mean that pants of any form are disallowed.

And for some reason, the majority of the mentions I hear locally, is about the Mennonite women for some reason. Perhaps that's because when you see them at the store, it always seems like a whole pack of the women tend to go out together (usually with a male 'sitter'). Plenty of locals mistake them for Amish, and are left confused when they see them pile into a car rather than a horse and buggy. The Amish and Mennonites are different groups, people!

They may be similar in ways, but they are also different in others. Also, Mennonites seem to cast a wider net than the Amish do. While there are more traditional Mennonites (like the ones being discussed here), there are also more liberal ones that look, dress, and act pretty much the same as anyone else you come across.

The oddest critique I've heard from more common Christians and Mennonites is that they force their kids into that system. They don't give them a choice and just teach them that 'this is the way it is'. Um... How is that any different that most other Christian parents. Most Christian parents I know don't give their child a choice either. If it's a Catholic family, they are taught that Catholicism is 100%
truth. If the family is Methodist, they teach that the UMC is the true church of God. So when a Mennonite family 'passes on' their beliefs to their children, they are doing nothing different than the one taking issue probably did.

I am not a parent, but if I was, I wouldn't force my atheism on them. I would wait until they were of an age that the can understand the theological question. Then when they had questions, I would tell them that some people believe this, other people believe this, you mom believes this, and this is what I believe and why. Arm them with information and choices, and let them wear whichever label they find to fit them best.

It's not my place to force my beliefs on another, so I shake my head when I see believers doing it, or even taking issue with other believers for doing the same. It is rather funny though. To see Christians mock a different Christian group for being 'better' Christians by actually following the bits of the Bible they choose to ignore.


-Brain Hulk

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Do what's right... or don't. God doesn't really care.

Another Sunday paper, another column by Billy Graham. This week they featured a letter from someone who is regularly in and out of jail. Graham's reply? Oh, just an offer of worthless 'advice'.

God can give you a new desire to do what's right

DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I’m in the county jail for the third time this year, once again for something minor. Each time, I’ve said I’m going to do better, but then I get sucked into doing something wrong and end up back here. Why am I such a weak person? I’m about to give up on myself. — R.T.

DEAR R.T: You may be about to give up on yourself, but let me assure you that God isn’t about to give up on you! God loves you, and you’re very valuable to him, so valuable that he sent his only son into the world to give his life for you.

And because God loves you, he doesn’t want you to throw away your life, which you could easily do. Instead, he wants to help you put your feet on a different path from the one you’re now following. How can it happen? You can’t change your life on your own; you’ve already tried and failed. You need God’s help, and he wants to give it to you. The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

The first step is to turn to Jesus Christ, confessing your sins and your need of help to him, and asking him to come into your life as your Savior. When you do, he will come to live within you by his Spirit. He’ll also give you a new desire to do what’s right.

Then take practical steps to overcome temptation. For example, flee from situations and people that might pressure you into doing things you know are wrong. Instead, find a church where you can meet people who will help you. The Bible says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/04/4666532/god-can-give-you-a-new-desire.html#storylink=cpy

Sigh... It's sad to see Billy always making the assumption that someone who is not living up to his moral ideal must not have turned to Christ yet. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. Yes, RT has been in and out of jail. Does that mean he's an unbeliever? No, not even close. Remember... he's asking Billy Graham for advice. So he's probably pretty religious already. 

Statistically, RT's criminal record also makes it more likely that he is a Christian. You see, that's because Christians make up the highest percentage of prison inmates at 56.8%. And the atheists? Sorry Billy, but the chances are that RT isn't one since we only make up 0.07% of the prison population in the USA.  

Considering the fact that more Christians are incarcerated than any other religious group, it's pretty clear that Christianity doesn't provide some magic ticket to becoming a good person. 

Also, if RT is a Christian already, he doesn't have to worry about being good anyway. If salvation is the worry, the Christian god doesn't care. The price for admittance into Heaven is the acceptance of Jesus as your lord and savior. Because Jesus died for your sins, your acceptance means that your sins are washed away... or that's the sales pitch anyway. But the point is that if Jesus is forgiving all sins, it doesn't matter what kind of life you live. 

So it doesn't matter to God that RT's jail stays have all been due to something minor. He could be serving three life sentences for being a serial killer and God would be fine with it so long as him and his son are facebook friends. 

That's a real problem. If Christianity were true, it's god would be horribly unjust. He would actually be punishing people who are generally good, while rewarding some of the worst humanity has to offer. That's not a god I ever want to be associated with.

That makes sense how?

Instead, I hope that RT doesn't simply try to avoid situations where he might find himself tempted to do wrong, and instead genuinely think about his actions and choices. Don't concern yourself with  how your actions will affect the afterlife. Instead,. think about how those actions will affect the people in the hear and now. 

Our actions have real consequences and can sometimes involve those around us as well. Don't make your choices to please a deity. Instead make choices that will please the guy that runs the shop where you get your morning coffee, the nice lady you speak with on the bus, your friends, your mother, your father, and also yourself. These people, and more are the ones that will feel the result of your choices, and have to deal with the outcome. So think hard, and make the best choices you can for everyone involved.


-Brain Hulk

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Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/04/4666532/god-can-give-you-a-new-desire.html#storylink=cpy

 

 

Flea-bag boatel

I've written about the story of Noah's Ark not once, but twice prior. But I will now revisit it once more. That is because the story of Noah and the flood still believed by many Christians, even though it's so incredibly fragile. So fragile in fact, that it can be dismantled by something about 2mm in size... The common flea.

The flea is a parasite of course. It feeds on the blood of birds and mammals. And if the story of
Noah's Ark is to be believed, there would have been plenty on the Ark. There are over 10,000 different species of bird, and over 5,000 of different mammal species on Earth. Not only that, but we are told to believe that they (and all the other species on Earth) were represented on the Ark. All cooped up in the impossibly tight confines for a full year.

But if all species were represented, that means that the flea was as well. Lets look at the pesky little flea for a moment. As anyone that has pets may know, if you find yourself with a flea problem, it can be quite difficult to control. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day. This means that by time you realize you have fleas, there could be hundreds or thousands of eggs scattered around your home. And when you do see the fleas, they can be hard to kill. They have quite robust bodies, so your pet scratching usually won't harm them. If you pick them off your pet, you also can't just squish them. You will need to press them against a hard surface with your fingernail until you hear a snap to be sure it is dead. So the best defense against fleas is a good offense. Applying flea treatment to your pets to kill them before they get a foothold, is the safest path to take.

But they didn't have topical flea medications in the time that Noah's flood is claimed to have taken place. And this is a very big deal. Remember, the flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day over their lifespan. Under ideal conditions, the entire flea life-cycle from egg to adult can take as little as 8 days. Given ideal conditions and assuming that male and female fleas are hatched in equal proportion, flea populations will skyrocket. If we start with one flea, we may have 25 female fleas in ten days. After 20 days, there could be 625 females. After a month, there could be 15, 625 females.

That's a lot of fleas. But that is just one month's of that very first breeding day. Suppose that first flea layed eggs at the same rate for that same 30 day period. Suddenly, or product from that first month may be as many as 468,750 female fleas. That is just the product of one month of optimal breeding... something that would be likely, given how packed the Ark would have been. But worse yet, the journey included a whole year at sea, once the 40 days and nights or rain had ceased. To further compound things, there are several different species of flea. So if all species were on board, our one month product could be much higher than that, considering that there are an estimated 2,500 different species of fleas! 1,171,875,000 possible female fleas from 30 days of breeding!

The lack of chemical poisons, and the cooped conditions would create a buffet for the fleas and their dramatically increasing numbers. This is a very real danger. Fleas bite and suck blood. In small numbers, this is more of an annoyance that anything else. When they aren't transmitting disease, the result is usually itchy welts were the host was bitten.

But in the numbers we would be looking at on the Ark, the dangers are much more serious. In large numbers, fleas can suck so much blood that the host becomes anemic. Anemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. Weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, heart issues and impaired neurological development. And in extreme cases death is a very real possibility to those suffering extreme anemia. Something that would likely be the case if we are to believe the Bible's flood story.

So after one year at sea, the Bile says that the Ark found land, and everyone got off safe and sound. No mention of the lesions covering the animals. No stories of how damn itchy Noah and his family

We'd be dead if we were on the Ark. :(

were the whole time. And magically, none of the species that would have been suffering from crippling anemia ended up dying (unless that's their explanation for there not being any unicorns)? Sorry, but that's just too much to swallow. The truth is that if there was an Ark, and fleas where on it, there are very many species that simply would not have survived the journey. Finding death at the hands of a legion of 2mm vampires.

There is actually very much wrong with the flood story, that easily shows it to be no more than a primitive myth. But I find it humorous, that something as little as a flea, can sink that ship.


-Brain Hulk

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A month before Christmas

Here we are, the first week of December, and already my first 'woe is me' Christmas email. You know the type... they claim that Christmas is being stolen (oh the irony), and their rights being taken away. They're wrong, of course. But why let something silly like facts get in the way? Let's take a look...

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

(YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD)  

 

Cleverly done!!!  

  Oh great... an email calling itself clever. Not off to a good start...

'Twas a month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police

Had taken away

The reason for Christmas -

No one could say. 

The 'PC Police' took away the the Earth's axial tilt? How the heck did they manage that? Oh, wait... You don't mean the real reason for the season. You mean the one made up by your religion. Also, the 'Christmas issue' is not a PC issue at all. But more on that later.

Not a Christian praying? Have you gone out on a Sunday in America? Every church I pass by looks packed. So I'm guessing there's plenty of praying going on in there. Also, there are plenty of Christians that say they are going to pray for me...

Christians not taking a stand? I'm guessing you haven't been watching much Fox 'News'. They are regularly taking stands against issues that don't even exist. 

The children were told

By their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men

And Angels and things. 

Huh? No one said that you can't mention those things. Just that the schools can't promote only those things. The First Amendment means that schools can't legally promote Christmas and only Christmas. If they want to talk Christmas, they have to give equal time to other religions as well. But no one is telling the kids what they can and can't say. If the kids want to talk to each other about angels and wise men during lunch, they are more then welcome to do so.  

It might hurt peoples' feelings,

The teachers would say

December 25th is

Just a 'holiday.'

The reason schools can't focus on Christmas and only Christmas has nothing to do with hurting anyone's feelings. The reason they can't is a little thing called the United States Constitution. Perhaps you've heard of it?

And December 25th is just a holiday. Actually it's many holidays, and one holiday at the same time. You see, what we not call Christmas is actually a conglomeration of many Pagan traditions that have been stolen, renamed and claimed as Christian. The truth is that very little of Christmas is Christian at all.

Yet the shoppers were ready

With cash, checks and credit -

Pushing folks down to the floor

Just to get it!

Yup, it's a commercial wet dream for business. The Black Friday stuff is a disgusting display, I'll give you that.

CDs from Madonna,

An X-BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing,

Something quite odd!

Madonna?! How old is this email? Is she still relevant? 

Retailers promoted

Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books

By Franken & Fonda.

Um... What? I've been around for a while now, and I've never walked into a store to see Ramadan or Kwanzaa displays. And why would Ramadan even be included in a Christmas email? Do you even know what Ramadan is? It is the ninth month in the Islamic calender. A holy month celebrated by way of fasting. Due to the difference in calenders, Ramadan started June 28th this year (2014). So it's hardly a 'competitor' to Christmas this year. In fact, Ramadan hasn't overlapped with Christmas since 1999 and 2000, and won't again until 2031.

Books by Franken and Fonda? Best I can tell, Al Franken hasn't published a book since 2005, and Jane Fonda hasn't been published since 2011. Tell me again how there's some active ploy to get their books sold...

As Targets were hanging

Their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas 

Was nowhere to be found. 

What?! Has the person who wrote this ever been to a Target? My local Target started putting Christmas decorations up for sale in September. And it wasn't much longer before the before the Christmas displays hit the store full force. And what if they did have a problem with 'Christmas trees'? The Puritans banned them in the United States until 1681 due to the celebration's pagan origin.

Christmas is nowhere to be found at Lowe's? I'm guessing you've never gone to a Lowe's during the festive season or been on their website, because it is definitely very present in sore and on their homepage. 

At K-Mart and Staples

And Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas,

It won't touch your ears.

Same with K-Mart. It's right there in their stores and website as well. I don't usually shop at JC Penney's or Sears, so I can't comment on their in-store displays, but their web pages are currently touting their 'cyber deals' and generic holiday messages. Staples... same as Sears and Penney's. But office supplies is pretty much the last thing I think of when I think 'Christmas'.

But the claim that 'Christmas' won't touch your ears, in these stores is a straight lie. In years past, when I've walked through these stores, Christmas music was all they played on the radio. And when I've walked by them in the mall this year, I'm sure I've heard the familiar Christmas tunes on the radio. So tell me, why does it matter that the signs in some of these stores read 'Happy Holidays', when all of them they all play almost exclusively Christmas music?

Inclusive, sensitive,

Di-ver-is-ty

Are words that were used

To intimidate me.

Come again? How are those words used to intimidate anyone out of having Christmas? If you're talking about Christmas not being allowed to rule over schools, that's the law at work. So stop trying to blame the victim when you're no longer allowed to force your beliefs on everyone.

Yes, the wall to wall Kwanza and Hanukkah displays that are replacing all the Christmas displays in stores must be rather intimidating. Oh wait... There aren't any! Walk into just about any store and it's Christmas displays and Christmas music. So some say 'Happy Holidays'... so what? When I was a young Christian, I had no issue. I felt it was a lumping together of the two very close holidays of Christmas and New Year's. 'Happy Holidays' certainly is easier to say at the check stand than 'Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year'.

But even now, as an atheist, I don't get deeply offended when someone wishes me a merry Christmas, and correct them in a sanctimonious tone that they should be wishing me a happy Winter Solstice. And why would I? The holiday season has already been though so many different names. Who cares what you call it? Just enjoy it how you'd personally like. The person ringing up your purchases doesn't know if you are Christian or Jewish, so they may say 'Happy Holidays'. Basically, they're saying 'whichever holiday you celebrate, have a great one'. And what's so wrong with that? If you just so happen to celebrate Christmas, they are still wishing you a good Christmas, even if they didn't use those words.

Now Daschle, Now Darden,

Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer...on Rather,

On Kerry, on Clinton!  

Oh boy... And now the pointing of political fingers. And this email must really be old, because they didn't blame Obama for something for a change. While I don't care for many on that list, I find it telling that they're basically saying, "Yeah, you know all those politicians and pundits that (according to this email) support the following of the law? We're not them." Thanks for telling us that the conservatives are basically saying, "Piss on the law. We're above the law."

At the top of the Senate,

There arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus ,

In all public matter.

Actually, no. The Constitution gives two options for religious displays on government property. Allow none, are allow equal space to all. That means that you can't have only a nativity scene at the court house. You either need to move it to private land, or allow other displays alongside. There's no conspiracy to single-out and eliminate Jesus, just the proper application of the law. The problem is that many Christians demand exclusivity that isn't allowed by the law.

And we spoke not a word,

As they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak

Of salvation and grace.

No... not even close. People can have all the Jesus they want, they can put up lights, a tree, sing carols, etc. No one is trying to take that away. The Constitution also provides freedom of religion, and all are still free to worship the religion of their choosing. No one is forbidden to speak about Jesus or Christianity. Anyone who has spent a day or two in America should be readily aware of that fact...

The true gift of Christmas

Was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season,

Stopped before it started.

What? Are you telling me again that someone changed the tilt of the Earth and I somehow didn't notice? And if you mean the religious reason for the season, which one? Christmas is but the latest name tacked onto this December holiday.

So as you celebrate

'Winter Break'

Under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks,

Listen to me.

Winter Break? That sounds nice. The only time I get off that time of year is by way of vacation days. I'd gladly take some time off. Oh, and schools can't call it Christmas break anymore because of the First Amendment. How dare they do something controversial tike following the law.

Dream tree? Never heard that name before. But I get the feeling that this email is becoming deliberately mocking. And for the record, my wife and I put up a tree every year despite not being Christian, and are not the least bit bothered by doing so. After all, the Christmas tree isn't even Christian at all.

Starbucks... I'll pass. I don't drink that swill, or any coffee for that matter. Give me my English Breakfast Tea any day with a bit of honey and a dash of milk. Now that hits the spot.

Choose your words carefully,

Choose what you say.

Shout M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ,

Not Happy Holiday!

I will think about what I say, but I doubt I'll be saying Merry Christmas since I'm not a Christian. However, like some Christians, I won't get all pissy because someone greeted me using different words than I would have used, even though the intent was the same. Newsflash Christians, you do not own Christmas, and you never really have. And while you do have the right to celebrate Christmas, you don't have the right to make everyone else celebrate it as well, and on your terms no less... 

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

 

Christ is the reason for the Christ-mas Season!

If you agree, please forward.  If not, simply delete. 

 Um, maybe someone was confused when they sent me this, but I'm not a Christian. However, it pretty sad that I apparently know more about 'their' holiday than they do. Christ is not the reason for the season in the slightest. If there was a Jesus, he would have been born in Summer or early Autumn, not on December 25th. That date was chosen to hijack much older Pagan celebrations that already took place at that time of the year. And those celebrations largely point to one true reason for the season... The tilt of the Earth. The Winter Solstice marks when the days stop getting shorter and the sun will start to raise higher and higher above the horizon. The rebirth of the Sun, if you will.

So no, I will not pass this errant and deceptive email on. Instead I shall pass along this corrected version. Better to spread facts than lies. And ignoring lies is sometimes not much better than spreading them. So Christians that got this into my inbox, enjoy!


-Brain Hulk

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Quoting the Bible

Sometimes in a conversation with a believer, they may bring up a point that they think is so clever. An 'ah-ha' moment where they think they have you trapped. They're wrong, of course. But good luck
getting them to understand that.

What I'm talking about is when a believer calls us out for quoting the Bible. The problem isn't actually they we sometimes quote the Bible... it's that they miss the point in doing so. It isn't because we're being a hypocrite or that we secretly believe, as some claim. Actually, I know I've sometimes quoted the Bible to show that they are being a hypocrite.

How often have you heard a Christian spouting off that homosexuality is wrong, or the birth control is wrong and cite the Bible for their stance. But it's not enough that they abstain from what their beliefs dictate, they demand that I adhere to their beliefs as well. It is often stated that the Bible is the perfect word of God, and that his law must be followed by all.

Contradictions in the Bible.

This is usually the point where I will quote a Bible passage that they don't follow. Maybe the wear mixed fabrics, don't kiss disobedient offspring, eat bacon or shrimp, have a tattoo, trim their hair the 'wrong' way, or work on the Sabbath. Or maybe they are a woman defying the command that women are not to teach, but be silent.

I mention these things to them, not because I agree with these Biblical rules... I actually don't agree with them at all. But when someone is telling me that I have to live my life by every rule in the Bible,
while they themselves ignore much of Biblical code, I will call out their hypocrisy.

Sometimes believers will claim that the Bible is without error. That it truly is perfect and more reliable than any other text. When they say this, it's time to point out verses that say that the stars are just lesser lights that can fall to Earth... That Pi = 3... That bats are birds... That the Earth is surrounded by a firmament... or any of the other things that the Bible claims as true, but anyone in this modern age knows is false.

Another situation is when the Bible is claimed to be morally perfect. There is no shortage of God commanding and committing genocide in the Bible. Offering daughters up for rape, forced marriage to your rapist, no problem with slavery, selling daughters, death penalty for just about everything, kill kids for talking back, tell a follower to kill his son to prove his faith, allow the Devil to destroy a follower's family and life for a bet... The list goes on and on. One thing clear is that the Bible is far from a moral text.

I love some of the specific claims made though. Defy gay marriage because of the Bible? Why? The Bible didn't say anything about gay marriage. The only thing the Bible speaks about is gay sex. So technically, gay marriage isn't a Biblical problem if they don't have sex. Abortion is another one. Demand that abortion is against the Bible all you want, and I will point out the verses where God demands it. Divorce? Yup, the Bible has a verse where a loop-hole is provided where divorce is fine (and in Biblical fashion, is the woman's fault, of course).

So no Christians, me quoting the Bible in the fashion I do does not make me a hypocrite, and it's rather sad that you think so. I'm actually just pointing out a problem with your claim, or that you aren't practicing what you preach.


-Brain Hulk

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