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.

Jesus the Child-killing Dragon-tamer? � Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Jesus slew dragons in a cave: Jesus the Child-killing Dragon-tamer? Universal Life Church Monastery Blog.

Awesome or Off-Putting: The Vatican Will Be Destroyed This Coming Wednesday | Hecklerspray

From the blog Awesome or Off-Putting: The Vatican Will Be Destroyed This Coming Wednesday | Hecklerspray:

"When Vatican City was established by a treaty between blah blah blah and blah blah blah way back in 1929, well – they may as well have not even bothered. That’s because according to a small group of believers – the whole thing is going to topple to the ground this coming Wednesday.

We don’t really buy it though. After all, the thing has already withstood the rapture, why would it crumble down now?

Because the Virgin Mary said it would in a vision to three children, that’s why. "

Demonic Possession and Psychiatry: An Interview with Paul Schroeder | Paul Schroeder

Demonic Possession and Psychiatry: An Interview with Paul Schroeder | Paul Schroeder