in memoriam
Labels: Memorial
11.9.10
10.9.10
The evils of christianity
«I am often accused of fighting a battle that’s already been conceded with organised religion. In fact, this is the criticism levelled at many anti-religious thinkers: basically, that we’re beating a dead horse. Religion has moved on from its horrible past. In its current form, it’s something altogether more complex and intricate. So why spend time putting new bullets into an old corpse?Unfortunately, the corpse is not really dead, is it? As recently as a month ago, there was a fanatical, right-wing Christian within spitting distance of running for the White House. There is still one in the White House. The Catholic Church continues to condemn countless thousands to the misery of life with parents who don’t want them. And that’s just off the top of my head.
So I present here a short and incomplete list of Christianity evils. Why them? Simply put, because the relative success of Mike Huckabee puts a chill in my bones. In 2008, this shouldn’t be possible. But it goes on. So it feels like it’s time to remind ourselves of all the madness this particular religion has brought into the world. Just so we can keep ourselves on course.»
Please read the rest at the Mail & Guardian online
Note: date unknown to me
Labels: Atheism, Culture, Delusion, Philosophy, Religion
More soldiers committed suicide in January (2009) than were killed by Al Qaeda
«Shocking new figures show the number of soldiers who committed suicide in January could top the number of soldiers killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan last month.In a rare move, the Army released monthly suicide data Thursday to highlight the growing problem. Last week, Army officials said its suicide rates were at their highest in nearly 30 years.
Last year, 128 soldiers committed suicide and another 15 suspected cases are pending. Last month, Army officials believe that 24 soldiers killed themselves - compared with just four in January 2008.»
Read more at the Daily News
Note: from 05 February 2009
Labels: International Affairs, Politics
Newborns Cry With an Accent
A new study has found that babies cry with an accent within the first week of life.«By recording cries of 60 babies born to French or German parents, researchers discovered that babies cry with the same "prosody" or melody used in their native language by the second day of life.
French newborns in the study ended their cries with a lilt at the end typically heard in French. German babies, however, started their cries intensely and dropped off at the end -- much like the emphasis their German parents put in a sentence, according to a study published Thursday in Current Biology.»
Read more at ABC News/Health
Note: from 05 November 2009
Gay sex decriminalised in India
«A court in the Indian capital, Delhi, has ruled that homosexual intercourse between consenting adults is not a criminal act.The ruling overturns a 148-year-old colonial law which describes a same-sex relationship as an "unnatural offence".
Homosexual acts were punishable by a 10-year prison sentence.»
Read more at the beeb
Note: from 02 July 2009
Labels: GLBT Interest, News, Sexuality
22-Year-Old Sells Virginity Online
«A 22-year-old woman is selling her virginity online — offering her body to bidders nationwide in an auction that reportedly has netted a US$3,7 million offer — and the lawRead more at Fox News
Note: from 15 January 2009
