Fortean Times: Madonna Mania

From Fortean Times on-line:Madonna Mania

TED HARRISON looks back at the strange summer of 1985, when statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary all over Ireland started to move – at least according to the thousands-strong crowds who flocked to see these modern miracles. But what was going on? Optical illusions? Mass hysteria? A religious revival for hard times? Or something very strange indeed?

The summer of 1985 was a strange time to be in Ireland, as rumours of miracles and extraordinary events swept the country.

It was the summer when I went to Ireland and saw for myself a solid, inanimate statue of the Virgin Mary appear to sway from side to side.

The moving statue epidemic started in February that year. By September, almost 50 separate claims of moving statues and other strange phenomena had been reported at religious sites across the country. It was the year of Madonna Mania! [see FT45:6–7, 30–34]

Bill Maher Takes Heat Over Tim Tebow Tweet | ThePostGame

I like Maher, though he irritates me sometimes: his views on women, sex and appearances are shallow and I'm not a fanatical atheist like he is. But overall, he's okay in my book, even if he did refer to Marilyn Monroe as a "pie wagon." He's in trouble again, this time for his tweet on the prayerful Tim Tebow. One Fox pundit even called Maher "disgusting vile trash." Wow. There are lots of "vile disgusting trash" out there: child molesters, animal abusers, serial killers, war mongers, etc. but a comedian making fun of religion? Yep, goes right at the top of the list.

So what did Maher say anyway? He tweeted:

"Wow, Jesus just [screwed] #TimTebow bad! And on Xmas Eve! Somewhere ... Satan is tebowing, saying to Hitler "Hey, Buffalo’s killing them,"

I also like the way Maher's "beliefs" are lumped in together:

Maher, a proud atheist who supports legalizing pot, same-sex marriage and is a board member for PETA,

As if being an atheist isn't bad enough (and to many in this nation, it is, remember the recent poll that put atheist's on the same level as rapists?) supporting one's right to smoke herbs of your choice is added to the list, along with "same sex marriage" (oh you heathen, Bill Maher!) and then, lastly, "board member for PETA." As if animal rights and welfare is also suspicious.

Bill Maher Takes Heat Over Tim Tebow Tweet | ThePostGame

Alien Nativity

 Aliens and a  Shamanic Santa, created by a Portland, Oregon artist:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jeff Belanger: Santa is a Legend Not a Lie

I love this article by Jeff Belanger: Santa is a Legend Not a Lie

I don’t care if you’re Christian or not. I’m a paranormal guy. I believe in possession. In Judaism there’s the concept of the “Dybbuk,” which is a type of spirit possession. This possession can be a bad thing: like if you’re inclined to drink too much or do drugs, a spirit that did that in life may cling to you and push you over the edge; or it can be a good thing: you’re trying to get healthy and exercise and a spirit who did that in life may be drawn to you to help. We get possessed by good ideas, gut instincts, and inspiration all of the time. We also get inspired by great legends… like Santa Claus.

Santa’s legend and story has spread throughout the world. Each Christmas we get inspired… nay, possessed by this good spirit. I’m thrilled my daughter is eagerly awaiting St. Nick visiting our house. I want her to know the magic this figure holds.

By carrying on these traditions which were based on a real man, I become a part of the legend. I write myself into the story. I write my daughter into the story in the hopes that one day she too will become possessed by the spirit of Christmas. That she will be reminded to behave because someone is out there watching, that she will feel the urge to give to charities a little more, that she will know there’s still magic in the world.

This same perspective can be used for UFOs, Marian apparitions, etc. which is what I try to convey, but Belanger did it more articulately...

Holiday Cheer and Fear: Santa, St. Nicholas, Odin, Sinterklaas, and Krampus : Extraordinary Intelligence

From Natalina at Extraordinary Intelligence: Holiday Cheer and Fear: Santa, St. Nicholas, Odin, Sinterklaas, and Krampus a detailed and very good article. Enjoy!

In many parts of the world, St. Nicholas Day is far more important and more ardently observed than Christmas, although in some areas, both dates are enjoyed as holidays. Children will often set their shoes out by the fire or in a main living area, and on the eve of St. Nicholas day, their shoes will be filled with treats. St. Nick is usually depicted in his traditional Bishop’s garb, and while he is said to be kind and generous, he is also a firm believer in discipline. Kids might be given presents, or they may find that St. Nick has left his parents a rod or branch to spank the children who’ve been naughty.

While traditions vary from region to region, the gift giving elements stay relatively consistent. It’s the creative means of discipline that makes each Nation’s St. Nick story unique… and at times scary! And while Santa Claus doesn’t really have a sidekick, unless you count his reindeer or his elves, some Countries have given their versions of St. Nick a helper or two… and no example is more bizarre than that of the Netherlands’ Sinterklaas.

You Pagan Christian Pagans, You

Another Christmas is the devil's work vid from the same people who gave us Santa is Satan (see previous post.) Love that Darth Vader-Monty Wooley impression though. (Who's Monty Wooley? If you don't know, he was a great actor from the golden era of films. Watch the clip :)

"Santa is Satan"

I think they're actually serious, despite the Darth Vader voice:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Mich. Residents Receive Letter Calling Christmas Lights 'Pagan' - Yahoo!

Image source here

Mich. Residents Receive Letter Calling Christmas Lights 'Pagan' - Yahoo!

Homeowners in Hudsonville, Mich., have been singled out for displaying what an anonymous letter-writer calls "pagan" lights and decorations on their properties.

The letters start out on a friendly note, with "Hi Neighbor, you have a nice display of lights." But the self-described "love note" quickly changes tone, explaining how the "pagan tradition" of putting up lights began.

Religious Folk Art: "Sacrifice Beads" (St. Theresa)

At the local St. Vincent de Paul's the other day I noticed something new: lots of religious folk art items on a small display rack. I was surprised and delighted at the cost: this one was $1.00. St. Theresa Sacrifice Beads, with instructions.

A small plastic baggie, with a yellow piece of paper with instructions and blurb about St. Theresa:

St. Theresa Sacrifice Beads

St. Theresa medal on beaded string

St. Theresa (The Little Flower) used beads like these to count her "presents" to God Every (sic) day. Pull one bead for every sacrifice, good deed, or anything you do for the love of God. children can also count sharing, obeying their parents, being helpful, etc. They are also especially good for training children. Offer each "present" to God for souls and ask St. Theresa and Our Lady to help you pull many beads each day!

 "...especially good for training children." Scary. Inside the bag, along with the yellow paper, is a string of plastic blue and clear pony beads, and a medal of St. Theresa.

St. Vinnie's had several of these, along with rosaries and other saints, ranging in price from $1.00 to around $10.00, I think. I am going back for more!

Reverse side of St. Theresa medal

Vatican Astronomy - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

Brother Guy Consolmagno, astronomer at the Vatican's Observatory, guest tonight on Coast To Coast: Vatican Astronomy - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

Saudi Morality Police Propose Ban on “tempting” Eyes | Beauty - Yahoo! Shine

Saudi Morality Police Propose Ban on “tempting” Eyes | Beauty - Yahoo! Shine

According to an article in the Daily Beast, the CPVPV hasn't said what attributes define a "tempting eye." An anonymous Saudi journalist conjectured, "uncovered eyes with a nice shape and makeup. Or even without makeup, if they are beautiful, the woman will be in trouble." What really constitutes a pretty peeper is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so the new law could essentially be a tool to arbitrarily control and harass any woman in public.

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Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of 'sorcery' - Yahoo! News

What can one say about this, except the obvious: sick bastards:Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of 'sorcery' - Yahoo! News

The London-based al-Hayat daily, however, quoted Abdullah al-Mohsen, chief of the religious police who arrested the woman, as saying she had tricked people into thinking she could treat illnesses, charging them $800 per session.

Article added that a "female investigator" was involved, in an attempt to distance everyone from the barbarism of this crime.

Claudia Santini: Now Hiring Online: Nuns

At the Huffington Post, Claudia Santini writes about the cloistered sisters in Italy who use the internet to recruit new nuns: Claudia Santini: Now Hiring Online: Nuns

"Cloistered life in Naples is enjoyable and cheerful," they say, "This is a daily extraordinary adventure, even if we know that, being stared from the outside, our lives seem different. There are many young women bringing vocation in their heart, but they are not aware of it."

Parasociology: Marian Apparitions at El-Zeitoun and Social Psi (part 4)

A well researched post from Eric Quellet at Parasociology on Marian apparitions, including the Zeitoun appiritons in 1968-1971: Parasociology: Marian Apparitions at El-Zeitoun and Social Psi (part 4)
(I've often wondered, and have commented in various blog postings, if those particular apparitions weren't some kind of human caused manifestation, and I still argue that they very likely were.) As you can see from the title this is "part 4" -- be sure to read the rest!

Parents Outraged Over Teacher Removing Word ‘Gay’ from ‘Deck the Halls’ | Trending Now - Yahoo! News

Parents Outraged Over Teacher Removing Word ‘Gay’ from ‘Deck the Halls’ | Trending Now - Yahoo! News

Ignorance during the holiday season.

Believers view atheists as untrustworthy: study

AFP: Believers view atheists as untrustworthy: study

I went off on a rant, then said, screw it. Sigh. The arguments as to why this is so disgusting are obvious.

After uproar, Ky. church revisits interracial ban - Yahoo! News

After uproar, Ky. church revisits interracial ban - Yahoo! News
However, racism has nothing to do with this, according to Melvin Thompson, the person behind voting for such a resolution and "former pastor" (!):

"I am not racist. I will tell you that. I am not prejudiced against any race of people, have never in my lifetime spoke evil" about a race, Thompson said earlier this week in a brief interview. "That's what this is being portrayed as, but it is not."

5 Reasons the Religious Right Should Stop Whining About Being Persecuted | | AlterNet

5 Reasons the Religious Right Should Stop Whining About Being Persecuted | | AlterNet:

I’ve been writing about the Religious Right for nearly 25 years now, and one thing that never ceases to amaze me is when the leaders or supporters of these organizations claim they are being persecuted. Really? In a country that has a strong Christian culture and where at least 75 percent of the population professes some form of Christianity, it would seem odd that Christians would be persecuted. Yet the claim is made, constantly.

Lawsuit over 'Jew or not Jew' iPhone app dropped after Apple removes it worldwide - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Lawsuit over 'Jew or not Jew' iPhone app dropped after Apple removes it worldwide - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

In context -- France's history with Jews, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, etc. -- understandable outrage. On the other hand, I remember playing "Jew not a Jew" as a kid, and dh and I still play it. It was with pride: Danny Kaye, Jew. etc. The app in question was developed by a Jew. Still, offense was taken, and app removed...

New Mass translation launches in American parishes - Yahoo! News

Quote of the day:

New Mass translation launches in American parishes - Yahoo! News:

"It's confusion. All it's doing is causing confusion," she said. "You want to go to church and be confused?"

Cross revealed inside tree trunk at church - ktla.com

Cross revealed inside tree trunk at church - ktla.com:

Landscapers chopping down a pine tree at an Escondido church discovered the shape of a cross throughout the trunk.

"I was like wow we stumbled on something here," said owner of Star Landscaping Jim Rants. "It's God and mother nature working together."

Pamela Anderson as Virgin Mary

On the surreal misogynist and throw back henryMakow.com the following:Pamela Anderson as Virgin Mary: Catholics Outraged

Controversial “anti-Semitic” vodka billboard taken down in NYC | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News

Controversial “anti-Semitic” vodka billboard taken down in NYC | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News

A billboard for Wodka vodka in NYC has been taken down and destroyed after complaints that the advertisement's message is anti-Semitic. The New York Times reported that the billboard featured a long-haired dog wearing a yarmulke and another dog wearing a Santa hat with the words, "Christmas quality, Hanukkah pricing," alongside the photo.

Putin Confidant Brings Virgin Mary’s Belt to Moscow � Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion

Putin Confidant Brings Virgin Mary’s Belt to Moscow: Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion

(Thanks to The Daily Grail for link.)

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Could you tell the difference between an alien visitation and being touched by an angel?

Could you tell the difference between an alien visitation and being touched by an angel?

Not all alien visitations look like a giant saucer descending from the skies. Sometimes aliens just look like visitors of a different kind, as in this classic story by Pat Cadigan. The other day, we featured Cadigan's essay about loving the Other — now here's her story "Angel," as featured in the new anthology Alien Contact.

(thanks to Tina Sena for link)

Vatican takes legal action over Benetton pope kiss ad | Reuters

Vatican takes legal action over Benetton pope kiss ad | Reuters

The Vatican said on Thursday it would take legal action to stop the distribution of a photo montage in an advertisement by the Italian fashion firm Benetton showing Pope Benedict kissing an imam on the mouth.A statement said the Vatican had told its lawyers in Italy and around the world to "take the proper legal measures" to stop the use of the photo, even in the media.

Sister Joan Chittister, OSB: In Search of the Divine Feminine

Via the blog Mystic Politics, this article on the Divine Feminine at Huffington Post:

Sister Joan Chittister, OSB: In Search of the Divine Feminine: Where does this notion of the Divine Feminine come from? Is the question of the Divine Feminine simply a current fad? A silly notion of even sillier feminists? Or could it possibly have deep and ineradicable roots in the tradition itself?

However much we mock the idea, the truth is, ironically, that every major spiritual tradition on earth carries within it, at its very center, in its ancient core, an awareness of the Divine Feminine. In Hinduism, Shakti -- the great mother, the feminine principle -- is seen as the sum total of all the life-giving energy of the universe. She is the source of all. In Buddhism, Tara is seen as the perfection of wisdom, and in Buddhism, wisdom is life's highest metaphysical principle! Tara is considered the light and the prime source of Buddhahood and so of all Buddhas to follow.

20 Most Evil People of the 13th Century CE | Francis of Assisi

Interesting, but both Jewish and Catholic bigotry. Who knew St. Francis of Assisi was Jewish, for example.20 Most Evil People of the 13th Century CE | Francis of Assisi

Giovanni Bernadone Morosini (Moriconi) (aka Francis of Assisi and aka Marino Morosini) was born in Paris as one of several children to powerful Jewish Sephardic Venetian trader/banker Pietro Bernadone Moriconi and Pica de Bourlemont from France.
The name "Francis" is a nickname and was never his proper name--simply meaning "Frenchman" -- on account of his birth in Paris. Similarly, "Assisi" is a deliberate corruption of the ancient word for the location Ascesi meaning "(he) has ascended". Therefore the fuller nickname "Francis of Assisi" properly translates to "the Ascended Frenchman".
And the rest at link.

Contrary to revised history, the Venetians had not yet seen any compelling reason to convert to Christianity until this period, so Giovanni was almost certainly Jewish. By the end of the 12th century, the Morosini family banking and trading empire in wool, fine cloth, salt and grain stretched from England to Constantinople. However, events leading up to the Treaty of Venice and the expulsion of Venetians from France in 1182 and Byzantine in the same year which ruined the family fortunes.

Young Women Nabbed In Bloody Satanic Sex Ritual | The Smoking Gun

In another news item, that I posted yesterday on Animal Forteana, the crimes were said to be partly inspired by the idea of invoking were wolf spirits. Here, in The Smoking Gun, more details, with the Satanic sex angle as focus: Young Women Nabbed In Bloody Satanic Sex Ritual | The Smoking Gun:

Two young Milwaukee women were arrested this week after an 18-year-old Arizona man--who traveled to Wisconsin by bus after meeting one of the suspects online--told cops that he was held captive in the duo’s apartment for two days and slashed and stabbed more than 300 times as part of an apparent satanic sex ritual.
A Milwaukee Police Department search warrant for the East Knapp Street apartment where the man was held details his ordeal. The warrant authorized cops to seize an assortment of items from the residence, including “knives or other cutting instruments,” blood and DNA evidence, duct tape, restraining devices, and “Books or literature relating to Satanism or the occult.”

Vatican tells Roman Catholic priests to spice up their sermons with scandal | Mail Online

Vatican tells Roman Catholic priests to spice up their sermons with scandal | Mail Online

Roman Catholic priests have been told to inject 'scandal' into their sermons by a senior official from the Vatican.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said priests needed to liven up their often 'dull' sermons with the scandalous parts from the Bible.

Cardinal Ravasi, the Vatican's most senior cultural officer, added that if priests did not change their ways sermons risked becoming 'irrelevant'.

Cardinal Ravasi is a possible candidate for the next Pope. Besides urging the use of scandals and spice, Ravasi thinks social media is a helpful tool to inspire:

"...congregations were 'the children of the television and the internet'. . . The advent of televised and computerised information requires us to be compelling and trenchant, to cut to the heart of the matter, resort to narratives and colour."

'We need to remember that communicating faith doesn't just take place through sermons. It can be achieved through the 140 characters of a Twitter message.'

Lastly, look within the Bible for spicy ingredients:

The Cardinal added that the Bible was 'crowded with stories, symbols and images.'

Indeed.

Vatican stunned by Irish embassy closure | Reuters

This is quite a big gesture out of Ireland: Vatican stunned by Irish embassy closure

Catholic Ireland's stunning decision to close its embassy to the Vatican is a huge blow to the Holy See's prestige and may be followed by other countries which feel the missions are too expensive, diplomatic sources said on Friday.

The closure brought relations between Ireland and the Vatican, once ironclad allies, to an all-time low following the row earlier this year over the Irish Church's handling of sex abuse cases and accusations that the Vatican had encouraged secrecy.

Ireland will now be the only major country of ancient Catholic tradition without an embassy in the Vatican.

In turn, the Vatican is "extremely irritated" by this action.

Devil found in detail of Giotto fresco in Italy's Assisi

Devil found in detail of Giotto fresco in Italy's Assisi - Yahoo! News

ROME (Reuters) - Art restorers have discovered the figure of a devil hidden in the clouds of one of the most famous frescos by Giotto in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, church officials said on Saturday.

The devil was hidden in the details of clouds at the top of fresco number 20 in the cycle of the scenes in the life and death of St Francis painted by Giotto in the 13th century.

The discovery was made by Italian art historian Chiara Frugone. It shows a profile of a figure with a hooked nose, a sly smile, and dark horns hidden among the clouds in the panel of the scene depicting the death of St Francis.

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Vatican and ETs | UFO Digest provides video proof of ufos, alien abduction and the paranormal.

Vatican and ETs | UFO Digest provides video proof of ufos, alien abduction and the paranormal.:

It has generally gone unnoticed in mainstream Catholic literature that over the last two decades or so, the Vatican has publicly turned its attention to the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects and the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life on other planets. It is known that both Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI were given secret information about the existence of extra-terrestrial beings during their meetings with USA presidents, and maybe that is why the Vatican appears to be preparing itself to handle the biblical fall-out from the possible public disclosure of the reality of non-earthly intelligent entities.

Christianity Explained

On my Twitter; responded to by someone who said, of The Daily Grail's post of the following: Illustration and caption, Christianity explained that "I think this says more about atheists than Christians. I dare you to say the same about Islam." I don't understand the atheist reference, but it sums it up for me. After all, the Christian myth is about a man, human, er, God, no wait, there's only one God, but he's up there, yet down here, .... oh, never mind. Many sacred myths predating Christianity with the same story. As far as Islam goes, they in turn took much of Christian and Judaic myth and turned into their own. As humanity does.

Lucky Mojo Curio Site

I love this site: Lucky Mojo Curio Site. It's been around for years, and still going. Have fun exploring religious, folk art and folk religious items from around the world. Truly wonderful ... Images shown: Saint Wallet Package Amulet

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Oh My God It's Real! "Jesus Ween Christian Festival"

Apparently some Christians have moved on from the "they're stealing Christmas" whine and are busy with attempts to rid the nation of Halloween. (As long as Christians continue to freak over Christmas being "stolen" while at the same time doing their best to obilerate Halloween, I'm going all out every Halloween; wherever I can, however I can. Stuffy hypocrites.) So, now there's "Jesus Ween" and it doesn't appear to be a joke. Jesus Ween Christian Festival:

JesusWeen is a God-given vision which was born as an answer to the cry of many every October 31st. The dictionary meaning of Ween is to expect, believe or think. We therefore see October 31st as a day to expect a gift of salvation and re-think receiving Jesus.

Every year, the world and its system have a day set aside (October 31st) to celebrate ungodly images and evil characters while Christians all over the world participate, hide or just stay quiet on Halloween day. Being a day that is widely acceptable to solicit and knock on doors, God inspired us to encourage Christians to use this day as an opportunity to spread the gospel. The days of hiding are over and we choose to take a stand for Jesus. “Evil prevails when good people do nothing”. JesusWeen is expected to become the most effective Christian outreach day ever and that is why we also call it” World Evangelism Day”.

I discovered "Jesus Ween" via a link in an article by Mary Valle: All Candy, No Jesus: Halloween in America. Valle is a bit sympathetic to the idea of Jesus Ween and other like minded Halloween Harvest Fest type observances, like "Trunk or treats" etc. Valle correctly points out that many Christians do participate in Halloween, as long as the Halloween part is removed. As in witches, devils, "evil spirits," etc. Because, cough, they're not "fictional characters." Valle interviews both Christians and pagans/Wiccans for their thoughts on Jesus Ween.

Valle points out that as a culture, we in the States have a huge issue with death: we don't deal:

We Americans don’t like to talk about death or the dead, though, really. Our bodies are disappearing in clouds of ash and our oldish cemeteries crumble, untended. One of my aunts recently offered to send me some old letters and a picture of her parents if I wanted them, and I was thrilled. I told her I don’t actually have a picture of my grandparents. A Catholic brother, Jeffrey Gros, told me that since most English-speaking American Catholics no longer practice the old-world customs, and “since many Protestants have difficulty with Catholic practices around prayer to the saints and prayers for the dead, our practices around All Saints’ and All Souls’ days have drifted in very different directions, leaving more space for the secular, non-religious practices around these festivals: Halloween.”

Years ago I worked at an art gallery that put on a Day of the Dead exhibit every year. School groups were invited to come and tour the many altars and related artwork, and get a bit of history on the ideas behind the Day of the Dead. We had altars created by children whose parents, grandparents and other family parents had died among the altars displayed. Of all the hundreds of children, from 1st grade on, that came, I never had a child become upset or otherwise "freaked" at the images of altars, the stories of loved ones passed on, skeletons, etc. I did have many children talk, sometimes shyly, sometimes almost happily, about the family members or friends in their lives that had died. Children loved the idea of creating altars to remember their grandparent, or other relative. Yet, as I led groups around the center, talking about the Day of the Dead, I saw many grimaces among the adults. At the end of one tour, I had a teacher come up to me, who was returning later that afternoon with another class. She asked me to "not talk about death so much" during the next tour.

As one Latina artist said to me once, about "gringos" integrating Dia de los Muertos into their lives: "Oh, we don't mind, it's great! But one thing we really wish you gringos would do: lighten up!"

(hat tip to one of my favorite blogs, Mystic Politics, for the link.)

Asherah -- God’s Wife Edited Out of the Bible

God’s Wife Edited Out of the Bible - Almost (Videos)

God had a wife, Asherah, whom the Book of Kings suggests was worshiped alongside Yahweh in his temple in Israel, according to an Oxford scholar.

In 1967, Raphael Patai was the first historian to mention that the ancient Israelites worshiped both Yahweh and Asherah. The theory has gained new prominence due to the research of Francesca Stavrakopoulou, who began her work at Oxford and is now a senior lecturer in the department of Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter.

Information presented in Stavrakopoulou’s books, lectures and journal papers has become the basis of a three-part documentary series, now airing in Europe, where she discusses the Yahweh-Asherah connection.

"You might know him as Yahweh, Allah or God. But on this fact, Jews, Muslims and Christians, the people of the great Abrahamic religions, are agreed: There is only one of Him," writes Stavrakopoulou in a statement released to the British media. "He is a solitary figure, a single, universal creator, not one God among many ... or so we like to believe."

"After years of research specializing in the history and religion of Israel, however, I have come to a colorful and what could seem, to some, uncomfortable conclusion that God had a wife," she added.

Vatican Calls For Radical Economic Reform Of World's Financial Systems

In your face, out in the open, not even trying to hide it anymore, NWO Illuminati conspiracy fodder, from the Vatican, returning to the Vatican's 2009 New World Economic Order:

Vatican Calls For Radical Economic Reform Of World's Financial Systems: VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican called Monday for radical reform of the world's financial systems, including the creation of a global political authority to manage the economy.

A proposal by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace calls for a new world economic order based on ethics and the "achievement of a universal common good." It follows Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 economic encyclical that denounced a profit-at-all-cost mentality as responsible for the global financial meltdown.

The proposal acknowledges, however, that a "long road still needs to be traveled before arriving at the creation of a public authority with universal jurisdiction" and suggests the reform process begin with the United Nations as a point of reference.

Thanks to Mystic Politics for link.

Bishop's blog raises tensions between Jews and the Vatican | World news | The Guardian

Bishop's blog raises tensions between Jews and the Vatican | World news | The Guardian

Richard Williamson, who has previously denied the existence of gas chambers and the murder of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust, accused the Jews of killing Jesus, a charge that divided the two faiths for centuries until Pope Benedict XVI declared this year that Jews could not be held responsible for Jesus's death.

In his weekly post, Williamson wrote that "the killing of Jesus was truly 'deicide' " and that "only the Jews (leaders and people) were the prime agents of the deicide because it is obvious from the gospels that the gentile most involved, Pontius Pilate, … would never have condemned Jesus to death had not the Jewish leaders roused the Jewish people to clamour for his crucifixion."

His comments have angered Jewish leaders and Holocaust survivors, who are urging Rome to cease reconciliation talks with the ultra-traditionalist splinter group to which Williamson belongs, the Society of St Pius X. Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt of the European Council of Rabbis said: "We call upon the Catholic church to suspend negotiations with extremist Catholic tendencies until it is clear that these groups show a clear commitment to tackling antisemitism within their ranks."

Last month, Régis de Cacqueray, the head of the French SSPX chapter, also accused Jews of deicide. To the despair of Jewish groups, there has been increased dialogue between the Vatican and SSPX.

I was a little philosopher in the making when I was a kid. Jewish, attending Catholic school, yet going through the Catholic system as a Catholic -- baptism, first communion, confirmation, (so I wouldn't feel "left out" my mother told me) gave me the appreciation and fondness I have for Catholic culture. As I've stated on this blog many times, and it's in the menu on the left, I am not a Christian, or religious, and don't subscribe to any mainstream religious dogma.

But I remember this very well, of being harassed by others, including many an adult, that "you killed Jesus." I wondered and even made the horrendous mistake of asking about it in class (as I questioned many a religious story in the naive assumption discussion was invited and appreciated; something my Jewish culture welcomed.) I asked why it was that the Jews were blamed, but after all, God, that is, daddy God the father of Jesus, intentionally sent his son to earth with the knowledge he was going to be sacrificed. God set Jesus up. So wasn't God responsible for the death of his son? The usual responses I got to that varied from "What do you expect from the poor girl, she's Jewish and a convert, we just have to try harder" to "You're don't have enough faith, you need to pray harder and ask for forgiveness."

In the case of Bishop Williamson, the Vatican says it wasn't aware of his views, even though he was excommunicated in the 1980s.

Devil in a Jack O'Lantern

I like this image of an imp, devil, demon... coming up out of Jack O'Lantern. Notice how the leg adds to the pumpkin's eye. . .

Spain's Stolen Babies: An Ugly Past On a Staggering Scale - Yahoo! News

Spain's Stolen Babies: An Ugly Past On a Staggering Scale - Yahoo! News

It began in the 1930's after dictator Francisco Franco won the Spanish civil war. With his government’s approval the children of dissidents were taken from them and given to “better” families.

But as the politically motivated baby thefts receded in the 1940's they were replaced by an equally offensive form of stealing. Babies were regularly taken from their mothers and sold to other families – for thousands of dollars – by the same doctors and nuns who had delivered them.

The practice continued long after Franco died in 1975. The baby trafficking was unproven until earlier this year when two men — childhood friends — learned that their parents had bought them from a nun.

The BBC interviewed Manoli Pagador in a working-class suburb of Madrid. She has three daughters, but she’s never recovered from the loss of her son almost 40 years ago. Doctors told her he had died. She never believed that.

“Doctors, nuns?” she told the BBC. “I couldn’t accuse them of lying. This was Franco’s Spain. A dictatorship. Even now we Spaniards tend not to question authority.”

Vatican weighs in on cult-like group in Legion - Yahoo! News

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican has proposed giving hundreds of women who live like nuns within the troubled Legion of Christ order greater autonomy after a Holy See investigation found serious problems in their regimented communities.
The pope's delegate running the Legion, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, said in a letter published Monday that the problems of the consecrated women of the Legion's lay branch were "many and challenging." Of particular concern is that they have no legal status in the church.
In a 2010 Associated Press expose, former consecrated women spoke of the cult-like conditions they lived in, with rules dictating nearly every minute of their day — from how they ate to what they watched on TV — all in the name of God's will.
The women described emotional and spiritual abuse they suffered if they questioned their vocation, and of how they would be cast aside if their spiritual directors no longer had any need for them.
The Vatican ordered the investigation after word of the abuses emerged during a broader Vatican probe into the Legion, a conservative order founded in Mexico in 1941 by the late Rev. Marciel Maciel.
After decades of denying allegations Maciel was a pedophile, the Legion in 2009 began admitting to his double life: that he sexually abused seminarians and had fathered at least three children with two women.
Rest here:Vatican weighs in on cult-like group in Legion - Yahoo! News

US priest who backs women's ordination detained - Yahoo! News

US priest who backs women's ordination detained

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A U.S. Catholic priest who supports ordination for women has been detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests.

The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!"

“Paul” Versus “Grey Aliens and the Harvesting of Souls” on Truth Seeker Forum

A little bit of synchronicity in this item: “Paul” Versus “Grey Aliens and the Harvesting of Souls”Is it all True Series #203 Truth Seeker Forum. Yesterday I posted here on UFO Mary an item about demons and grays as "soul eaters."
From the Truth Seeker post:

Well the other side of the coin is a book I am now reading by Nigel Kerner called “Grey Aliens and the Harvesting of Souls,” our souls. Granted much of his book I feel is at best a theory backed by some loose data. But my gut feeling after 40+ years of personal research into non-human encounters is that I am leaning towards Kerner’s theory that these Greys are/were here to genetically modify us for their strange agendas.

I haven't read Kerner's book yet but plan to. One more to add to the ever growing list!

(thanks to Lesley for link.)

Happy Halloween!: Devil and Owl in Moon

Devils dancing with pumpkin head pumpkin and witch/crone...all underneath the moon, and an owl. The owl of course: icon of abduction stories, missing time and screen memory accounts,  and UFO encounters. . .

Fortean Researcher John A. Keel on Demon-ology

Two quotes from the esteemed Fortean researcher John A. Keel on demonology from his book Operation Trojon Horse:

Demonology is not just another crackpot-ology. ... Thousands of books have been written on the subject, ... The manifestations and occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar, if not entirely identical, to the UFO phenomenon itself. p. 215.
   
The Devil and his demons can, according to the literature, manifest themselves in almost any form and can physically imitate anything from angels to horrifying monsters with glowing eyes. Strange objects and entities materialize and dematerialize in these stories, just as the UFOs and their splendid occupants appear and disappear, walk through walls, and perform other supernatural feats. p. 216.
    

Just today I was talking with someone about demons and religions and spirituality...how demons and the Satan myth are variations on the concept of not only negative energies and entities, but "soul eaters" which, some UFO researchers theorize, the "grays" are.

Happy Halloween!

Teeny devils and ... fruit? Onions? Drinking and running amok on the dinner table!

"Sinister Sites - St. John the Divine Cathedral"

I don't know what to make of this; obviously, a right wing uber Christian Illuminati under the bed perspective, but fascinating in spite of it all. Great photos and extremely interesting history:

Sinister Sites - St. John the Divine Cathedral | The Vigilant Citizen: This unfinished building has been claimed as being the world’s largest cathedral. It is realistic to maintain such high aspirations when your sources of funding include tycoons like JP Morgan and prominent figures like the Grand Master of the Masons of the state of New York. The completion of the cathedral was such a prized accomplishment for the Freemasons that it was featured on the front page of “Masonic World” of March 1925.

Mass genocide of Mohawk children by UK Queen and Vatican uncovered in Canada - Seattle exopolitics | Examiner.com

Mass genocide of Mohawk children by UK Queen and Vatican uncovered in Canada - Seattle exopolitics | Examiner.com: BRANTFORD, ON, CANADA - Mass graves of Mohawk children have been uncovered by ground-penetrating radar at the Mohawk Institute, a residential school for Mohawk operated by the Church of England and the Vatican before its closure in 1970.

According to Rev. Kevin Annett, Secretary of the International Tribunal for Crimes of Church and States (www.itccs.org), the Mohawk Institute was “set up by the Anglican Church of England in 1832 to imprison and destroy generations of Mohawk children. This very first Indian [First Nations] residential school in Canada lasted until 1970, and, like in most residential schools, more than half of the children imprisoned there never returned. Many of them are buried all around the school.”

It's Halloween!

October 10th, and I've been remiss in posting Halloween images. I love Halloween! I know it's not Halloween yet, but it is the season. This year I had the idea to post Halloween images with a theme for some of my blogs, hence the devil theme here at UFO Mary. (Witches at Women of Esoterica, pumpkins at The Orange Orb, bats at Mothman Flutterings. . .) I'll try to post one a day but we'll see how it goes. Everything about these vintage Halloween images are delightful; the colors, the concepts, the artwork. So enjoy and visit often to see what comes!

Indigenous Peoples' Day / Papal Bulls Burning‏ - Maoliworld

(Thanks to my friend Richard in Hawaii for the link shared on FB)

CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY!

                 14th Annual Papal Bulls Burning


In solidarity with indigenous peoples around the world, please join us for
the annual Indigenous Peoples' Day, Papal Bulls Burning ceremony in
Honolulu on Wednesday, October 12, 5:00 pm, in front of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Honolulu, 1184 Bishop St. (at the top of Fort Street Mall).

Indigenous peoples and supporters elsewhere are encouraged to organize a
small ceremonial event and symbolically burn or tear-up copies of the May
4, 1493 papal bull "Inter Caetera" in demonstration against "Columbus
Day" or "Discoverers' Day" as it's known of here in Hawai'i. The document
can be downloaded from our "outdated" website at:

http://bullsburning.itgo.com/papbull.htm

Indigenous Peoples' Day / Papal Bulls Burning‏ - Maoliworld

Ray's X-Blog: V is for Victory - for the Vatican

From Ray's X-Ray blog:  V is for Victory - for the Vatican  (scroll down a bit to get to the article):

It’s all over.

On April 16, 2008 – a day that will live in infamy – Pope Benedict declared military victory over the United States of America.

Or so says Tom Friess, host of the program Inquisition Update heard on domestic shortwave radio station WWCR. I was dialing around when I encountered his program. Tom warned that millions of Catholics were ready to obey any command from the Pope, a fifth column within our midst.

So does Ray believe this? Read it to find out! (A lot of good things over there...)

Italian Worshiper Tears Both Eyes Out at Mass | NBC New York

Italian Worshiper Tears Both Eyes Out at Mass | NBC New York

Fellow parishioners watched in horror as Aldo Bianchini, 46, used his bare hands to pull out both eyeballs. Bianchini later told surgeons, who were unable to save his vision, he heard voices that told him to do it.

"He was in a great deal of agony and he was covered in blood," Dr. Gino Barbacci told the Daily Mail. "He said that he had used his bare hands to gouge out his eye balls after hearing voices telling him to do so - to do something like that requires super human strength."

Polish Catholics see miracle in communion wafer - Yahoo! News

Jesus in a wafer: Polish Catholics see miracle in communion wafer . This is actually from 2008 but is making the news stream now because the church is celebrating the occasion:

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Roman Catholics in Poland gathered Sunday for a special Mass celebrating what they see as a miracle: the appearance on a communion wafer of a dark spot that they are convinced is part of the heart of Jesus.

The communion wafer in question developed a brown spot in 2008 after falling on the floor during a Mass in the eastern Polish town of Sokolka. Two medical doctors determined that the spot was heart muscle tissue, church officials have said.

I had to laugh at this; skeptics were of course alarmed over this event and wondered if a "murder" hadn't taken place:

A group of rationalists complained about the matter in 2008, and called on authorities to investigate if a murder or other crime was involved if human flesh was indeed found on the wafer. Police say they have no evidence of any crime.

Church Sign

New Issue of UFO Magazine

Cover painting by James Rich

I'm on the cover of the current UFO Magazine. Well, not exactly -- my husband's painting is on the cover.

He did a sketch of me in 1977 as I was reading on the deck on a summer's day, on the McKenzie River in Oregon. He kept that sketch and about three years ago painted the painting you see here from that sketch. (Can you spot the UFO?)

I'm posting this news here because I noticed that the issue features an article on
Malachi Martin, priest and frequent guest on Coast to Coast when Art Bell hosted. The article looks intriguing! Malachi Martin; The Priest Who Was a Spy.

Secret Codewords Of The Cult Of Jeebus

Do you "speak Christian?" And if you do, do you know what the hell you're talking about?

piglipstick: Secret Codewords Of The Cult Of Jeebus

Freedom to gather freely annulled: City threatens to fine couple up to $500 every time friends come over for Bible study

Depending on one's perception and beliefs, this is an "attack on Christianity", Big Brother/fascism, citizens vs. city hall, neighbors vs. neighbors. Probably some of all of those.

Freedom to gather freely annulled: City threatens to fine couple up to $500 every time friends come over for Bible study

Ukraine's nationalists protest Jewish pilgrimage

The protesters shouted "Ukraine for Ukrainians" at Sunday's rally.

Even if you're Ukrainian but also Jewish? That would have surprised my grandparents. . .

Back then of course it wasn't "just" the Ukraine but Russia. Another example of shifting borders and names, and identities attached to both.

Quote

Too many atheists miss the point of religion, it's about how we live and not what we believe. ~ John Gray

Thanks to The Daily Grail for the quote.

Randall Sullivan: The Miricle Detective

 "I don't think we're here to serve science, science is here to serve us." ~ Randall Sullivan

A couple of years ago, I read Randall Sullivan's The Miricle Detective. I wanted to read it because it concerned a BVM apparition in a small Oregon town. I liked the book; Randall's honesty in describing his journey from non-believer to believer was enjoyable to read.

I just discovered his television program: The Miricle Detective on the OWN network. Randall, described as "a believer" and Indre Viskontas described as "a scientist" (and not as a skeptic, which she is) in the show's opening, explore cases of a supernatural/religious nature.

Randall discussing his experiences at Medjurgorje on the Oprah show.

Chris Cunnyngham: Rick Perry and the Satanic Statue of Liberty | Esoterica | Big Think

More chilling scary wtf news about Texas Governor Rick Perry and his fanatical ways: Rick Perry and the Satanic Statue of Liberty.

Cunnygham cites specifics in his article on the origins and meanings of the Stature of Liberty and John Benefiel's crazy theories.

Texas Governor Rick Perry's August 6th prayer rally, The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis, has already garnered criticism for being a Christians-only affair that blurred the line between church and state and featured speakers with extreme beliefs far outside of the mainstream. One of these beliefs in particular caught my eye – the claim by John Benefiel, head of the Heartland Apostolic Reformation Network, that the Statue of Liberty is "a demonic idol, right there in New York harbor."

John Benefiel believes the Stature of Liberty is a satanic idol. While Rick Perry himself doesn't say this (publicly anyway, who knows what he actually believes) the fact Perry supports Benefiel speaks volumes. Not only does Benefiel believe the Stature of Liberty is satanic, but wants to rename the District of Columbia to "District of Christ." Oy.

Easy to dismiss this as silly religious nut cases running amok among us, but the fact is, there are silly religious nut cases running amok among us, and they're serious. Combined with endless energy, whipped up blood lust (the execution cheer) sensibliblies and self-satisfied arbitrators of imposed moral superiority (anyone who doesn't like what the other person likes to do, or isn't getting themselves) they're dangerous silly religious nut cases running amok among us. Don't under estimate these seeming fools. Fools they may be, but harmless they're not.

Arizona church is house of prostitution, police say - CNN.com

The Goddess Temple in Phoenix, Arizona, busted for prostitution:

The alleged brothel generated tens of thousands of dollars a month, Martos told CNN.

A history of neighbor complaints, a recent Phoenix newspaper article, and the temple's website were among the factors prompting authorities to conduct the undercover investigation, Martos said.

"What's unusual is that they were trying to hide behind religion or church, and under the guise of religious freedom, they were committing acts of prostitution," Martos said.

"We certainly respect First Amendment rights. However, religious freedom does not allow for criminal acts," Martos said.

Regarding the Goddess Temple's website, he said: "What they would talk about would seem to be religion. At the same time, they were implying or intimating that they were giving sex therapy."

The website says at one point: "Sex is a holy, sacred and divine healing force at the core (of) our beings. Once we embrace this force instead of deny it, we become successful, happy and powerful manifestors."

Can't argue with their philosophy, (the Raelians would probably agree) but seemingly, they were just bull shitting the masses. Kind of like most churches. . .

---

Folk Art: St. Maria Magdalene, Patroness of Fallen Women

About fifteen years ago, there was a local woman who sold religious folk art/outsider art items at her booth at the Saturday Market. Saturday Market is a long running street fair in Eugene (since 1970),  full of booths of hand made items, as well as food booths and lots of music.

I bought several things from her at the time and did a paper on her when I was studying folklore at the University of Oregon.

This is a beaded necklace, with a wood pendant. On the front is an image of St. Maria Magdalene. On the back is a little label: "St. Maria Magdalene Patroness of Fallen Women." This is what Books of the Times site has to say about St. Maria Magdalene:

There is a breathtaking moment in the Gospel of Philip, one of the Gnostic gospels, which were denounced by the church as heresy. The apostles witness Jesus kissing Mary Magdalene on the mouth. The apostles are horrified, jealous. ''Why do you love her more than us?'' they ask. Jesus' response is mysterious and enigmatic. ''Why do I not love you like her?'' he says.

What is the meaning of those kisses? Sexual passion? A profound friendship? Jesus anointing Mary Magdalene as his successor and as leader of the church?

Traditionally, Mary Magdalene has been seen as a reformed harlot, portrayed in paintings as red haired and bare breasted. But as Karen L. King, the Winn professor of ecclesiastical history at Harvard University, in the Divinity School, points out in her new book, ''The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle,'' nowhere does the Bible say that she was a prostitute.

I know I have that paper, with photos, around here somewhere. I also have other items that I hope to take snaps of and post. I think the woman -- a very colorful person! -- called herself "Sister Spirit" and I want to say "bear" was in there somewhere, but it's been many years and I don't remember.

She sold jewelry with decorated images of the saints and the BVM as well as Jesus. She was known for her Jesus nightlights: religious plastic nightlights of Jesus and Mary, (the kind you can buy at dime stores; I've even seen them at Dollar Store type places) painted, often with neon colors, and decorated with beads, glitter, feathers .

I haven't been to the Saturday Market for a couple of years; but when I have gone there, I didn't notice her around. I think she left the area some time ago, or at least, stopped making her wonderful folk art.

Gaeilo, PIzza, and the Moon

Gordon Kaswell keeps a low profile in UFO World, which is too bad because he has a special knowledge and insight into the technological aspect of UFOs that is an area we can all benefit from becoming familiar with. Here's what Gordon commented on Facebook about Domino's Pizza in regards to a previous UFO Mary post: Some Catholics still insist Galileo was wrong.

 And speaking of things Catholic, for years I've found interesting/amusing the story of Domino's Pizza. (Say, what?) Really. The reason is that Domino's was started by a guy named Tom Monaghan, who is a devout Catholic. He and his brother bought a pizza parlor then called Dominick's. Monaghan bought out his brother's share, and changed the name to Domino's. The name change is intriguing because in Latin, "domino" means "lord"! Monaghan (who is quite wealthy) has been building a town in Florida named Ave Maria, and as a planned community, it's Monaghan's intention that only Catholics live there, and follow his rules (no porn, no abortions, etc.). Civil rights groups have been fighting this, but I haven't kept track of the story, and don't know the current status on the issue. Monaghan spends a lot of his money on Catholic charities, radio and TV broadcast media, etc.

Today I came across this article about plans Domino's has for opening pizza parlors on the moon. Specifically, the Japanese division of Domino's, as reported on by Discovery Magazine:

The Japanese arm of the company has announced today that it wants to build the first pizzeria on the lunar surface: Domino's Moon Branch.

"We started thinking about this project last year, although we have not yet determined when the restaurant might open," Tomohide Matsunaga, a spokesman for Domino's, told the UK's The Daily Telegraph.

Positively crazy and irresponsible of course; it's estimated the cost would be around $23 billion dollars. But, as Ian O'Neill, writer of the above mentioned article remarks, this is very likely just a publicity stunt by Domino's -- no such plans are being made. Which is a relief, of course. But pizza in space isn't new; as O'Neill points out, Pizza Hut delivered a pizza to the International Space Station in 2001.

BBC News - Child protection measures apply regardless of religious rules

Some Catholics are not happy about this: BBC News - Child protection measures apply regardless of religious rules -- new law in Ireland that mandates child abuse be reported, despite the religious position of the abuser. Cardinal Brady, who "defended the seal of the confession" and others are affronted by such laws:

Cardinal Brady stressed it was a "sacred and treasured" rite.

During his homily to worshippers at Knock shrine in County Mayo, on Sunday, the archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland said: "Freedom to participate in worship and to enjoy the long-established rites of the church is so fundamental that any intrusion upon it is a challenge to the very basis of a free society" he said.

Thanks to Boing Boing for link.

A few Catholics still insist Galileo was wrong - latimes.com

Not a majority and many are embarrassed by a small and vocal group of Catholics that insist the world does revolve around usA few Catholics still insist Galileo was wrong - latimes.com One Catholic who doesn't believe this is the keeper of the Vatican Observatory:

"I have no idea who these people are," said Brother Guy Consolmagno, curator of meteorites and spokesman for the Vatican Observatory. "Are they sincere, or is this a clever bit of theater?"

While it may seem quaint, harmless even, and of no account, they did manage to have a conference last year in Indiana: Galileo Was Wrong. The Church Was Right.

Mary and Buddha in Cellophane, and a New Tradition

The Virgin, Buddha, silver sequin, conquistador

I bought this a few years ago during Dia de los Muertos. It's very small, about 2 1/2 inches all around. Inside the little cellophane packet is an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, what I think is a horse shoe, a Buddha, what looks to be a conquistador, sequins and glitter.

I found this tucked away in the room of doom that I'm cleaning out. Glad I found it; I started a new tradition for myself last year, and am already working on it for this year. It started out with an altar during Dia de los Muertos , but then I extended it and ended up keeping the altar -- which I turned the whole mantel piece into -- through to Hanukkah-Christmas. This year, I'll have my altar up Oct 1st, and take it down when Hanukkah starts.

Back: "Hecho en Mexico: made in Mexico"

The elements in my altar are from many traditions that I either grew up with: Roman Catholic, Latino, Jewish, Celtic, or later discovered as part of my heritage: Native, pagan-Wiccan... and a bit of Halloween motifs thrown in as well.

Last year, having the altar gave me a peaceful, connected feeling. I was surprised at that, I didn't expect to have the altar up for so long or to have it resonate so deeply with me.  I'm looking forward to assembling the altar again this year.

On Brane Space: Pastor Mike Makes the Atheist Blogs!

Pastor Mike wants you! (if you're an atheist) on the National Atheist Registry.

Brane Space: Pastor Mike Makes the Atheist Blogs!

The pastor puts non-believers in the same thought-bubble (don't think of pink elephants) as sex offenders and other loathsome dregs of humanity:

Brothers and Sisters , I have been seriously considering forming a ( Christian ) grassroots type of organization to be named “The Christian National Registry of Atheists” or something similar . I mean , think about it . There are already National Registrys for convicted sex offenders , ex-convicts , terrorist cells , hate groups like the KKK , skinheads , radical Islamists , etc..

He doesn't go so far as suggesting addresses and other "known personal information" should be on the list, but photos "could be." Pastor Mike is truly befuddled as to why anyone would object:

Frankly , I don’t see why anyone would oppose this idea – including the atheists themselves ( unless of course , they’re actually ashamed of their atheist religion , and would prefer to stay in the ‘closet.’ )

So I wonder where I'd fit in? I'm not a Christan, religious Jew, or member of any traditional formal religion. I don't believe in a mono-theistic daddy god in the sky, the divinity of Christ, eternal damnation, purgatory, limbo, or a magical heaven. I am not an agnostic, as in, "Gee, don't know if there's a xian God or not.." but I'm not an atheist either. Richard Dawikns can stuff it. I guess Pastor Mike would consider me a pagan heathen New Age pawn of the Illuminati (sorry Mike, too old and hep for that) but he'd put me on the list anyway no doubt. Because, like all religious nuts, if you don't believe in their system, you're not only out, you're damned. And they'll do all they can to help you get there.