Quote

"There is but one god and goddess, but many are their powers and names: Jupiter, Sol, Apollo, Moses, Christ, Luna, Ceres, Proserpinfa, Tellus, Mary. But have a care in speaking these things. They should be hidden in silence as are the Eleusinian mysteries; sacred things must needs be wrapped in fable and enigma." Konrad Muth (1471-1526)

Professor Daniel Wojcik: Spirits, Apparitions, and Traditions of Supernatural Photography

This article was published online in September 2010. Written by Daniel Wojcik, folklore professor at the University of Oregon. Wojcik was one of my favorite professors at the U of O when I was studying folklore. In this article, he looks at the history of spirit photography, including the Bayside apparitions caught on camera. Link to pdf: Spirits, Apparitions, and Traditions of Supernatural Photography.

Greg Taylor: The Cult of Mary: How Supernatural Apparitions and Miracle Healings Led to Veneration of the Mother of Jesus | The Daily Grail

Nice review by Daily Grail's Greg Taylor on National Geographic's current piece on Marian apparitions. I haven't read the item yet, but looking forward to doing so. Naturally, I was curious if the article would address the Fortean aspect; Taylor says this about that:

The Cult of Mary: How Supernatural Apparitions and Miracle Healings Led to Veneration of the Mother of Jesus | The Daily Grail: One aspect unfortunately not covered in the story is the Fortean interpretation - are these apparitions actually Christian/Islamic, or are they something else, simply being interpreted through that lens? Jacques Vallee covered some of these thoughts in his book Passport to Magonia, in which he discusses VM apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, and another at Knock in Ireland, and how some elements also match those found in sightings of other strange phenomena, such as UFOs and 'fairy folk', throughout history. (I also specifically covered the similarity in 'sounds' heard during these sightings in my article "Her Sweet Murmur: Exploring the aural phenomenology of border experiences".) From spinning disks to falls of 'angel hair', there are some distinctly strange aspects to a number of 'Virgin Mary' apparitions. (Greg Taylor, The Daily Grail)

Speaking of Taylor, if you haven't read his "Her Sweet Murmur: Exploring the aural phenomenology of border experiences"  you can find it here.

Daily Beast: "Inside Virginia’s Creepy White-Power Wolf Cult"

Don't know anything about this group, other than what I've read in the article linked below. One thing is very clear, this is a group that gives neo-pagans a bad name. And wolves.

Inside Virginia’s Creepy White-Power Wolf Cult - The Daily Beast: Wolves of Vinland is a small but increasingly well-connected group based outside Lynchburg, Virginia. Members of the group—as well as their admirers in the white supremacist Internet-sphere—are surprisingly candid about their practices, beliefs, and goals. Some of the group’s activities are par for the course, at least as far as neo-pagans are concerned. But other elements of their community are deeply disturbing, especially in light of the recent arrests of two neo-pagan white supremacists who lived just two hours north of them and allegedly conspired to bomb black churches. (Betsy Woodruff,Daily Beast)

---

Chicago Tribune Report: "Nordstrom pulls controversial Hanukkah sweater"

From the "What were they thinking?!" department, this faux pas from Nordstrom's:

Nordstrom pulls controversial Hanukkah sweater after Facebook firestorm - Chicago Tribune: The festive blue women's sweater by Faux Real features a large menorah and the words "Chai Maintenance" across the chest. The Hebrew word for life, chai is pronounced "high." The characterization unleashed a flood of negative comments on Nordstrom's Facebook page.

"I'm very disturbed by this sweater and the negative stereotype of Jewish women," said one poster, calling it anti-Semitic.

National Geographic: 500 Years of Virgin Mary Sightings in One Map

Thanks to The Daily Grail for the link -- National Geographic's map of BVM sightings, and mention of MiracleHunter, which I posted about yesterday:

500 Years of Virgin Mary Sightings in One Map: MiracleHunter.com keeps a catalog of sightings. The map below shows where the sightings have been reported, and how they've been classified by the church. You can read about how the Virgin Mary has become the world's most powerful woman in our latest magazine cover story,and see how obsession with Mary can be taken to extremes on Explorer: The Cult of Mary,which premieres Sunday, December 13, at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CST) on the National Geographic Channel.

Blog Find: The Jinn

Found this site while surfing UFO Mary type items:

Jinn/ djinn/ jinns - UFO, alien, spirit, demon, ghost, Grey, poltergeist, Ascended Master, Fairy, incubi, Men in Black, reptilian, nephilim, doppelganger, space brother, monster: The JINN are beings with free will, living on Earth in a world parallel to mankind. The Arabic word means to conceal. They appear to include juvenile pranksters as well as powerful superior beings with an agenda we don't understand.  They have influenced mankind's religious and cultural beliefs from antiquity to the present. Jinn can create UFOs, hallucinations, psychokinetic effects, cattle mutilations, crop circles, apparitions and other paranormal phenomena. (The Jinn.net)

 "The Fisherman and the Genie," by Dulac, 1907

There is a lot there! Much to explore. I'm not sure where the person is coming from --which perspective he or she has, or what religious, if any, beliefs they have -- but it's an interesting collection of articles and links referencing Vallee, Keel, Crowley, Parsons, and many others.



In the post below where I linked to the article on the use of 1900's military technology to manipulate religious beliefs and political agendas, I commented that this human interference in affairs, under the guise of the supernatural, seems to be a reality. That doesn't mean that the supernatural doesn't exist however. Both exist, and both interact. Who manipulates whom? The answer seems obvious...

"Our Lady of the Stereopticon"

From Haunted Ohio Books, very interesting piece on early 1900s visions of holy figures and other apparitions in the skies above war torn lands. Were these truly supernatural events, or projections created with military technology? From the article:

Our Lady of the Stereopticon - Haunted Ohio Books: In Przemysl and the surrounding country there are thousands of persons, many of them claiming to be eye-witnesses, who are positive that visions of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child repeatedly appeared in the sky above the beleaguered city, and who are convinced that these visions were of supernatural origin. It is believed, however, that the officers in charge of the defenses simply took advantage of the latest developments in flying craft and projection apparatus to spread the conviction through the ranks of both armies that the city was under divine protection. (Chris Woodyard)

While this is probable and in fact, no doubt true in some cases (it's my opinion that the military-industrial complex has long been aware of, not only the "superstitions" of the masses, but the presence of supernatural elements, including entities, and manipulates both for their own purposes) but sightings like these go back centuries. Well, the Trickster, Cosmic Joker, "super spectrum" as John Keel called it, knows how to mix things up and present us with muddled, multiple choices.

Zombie Nativity Offends, City Threatens Legal Action.

Ohio town threatens legal action against ‘zombie’ baby Jesus Nativity scene on man’s lawn: man in Ohio is facing legal action if he does not take down his Nativity scene that features zombies instead of traditional biblical characters.

Jasen Dixon told WXIX that he manages 13 Rooms of Doom haunted house, so he already had the zombies, including one resembling the baby Jesus. (raw story.com)

Zombie Nativity; Image Source: Review Journal

Ohio is highly offended by the zombie nativity scene on Dixon's lawn. The Sycamore Township in Ohio is citing a city code concerning size of structures on private property. No doubt that is an excuse. Personally, I don't dig the zombie thing -- vampires are more my taste. And there is something to be said about stirring up spirits with exploitive and gratuitous shenanigans. Beside the point however.

Seems like the good Christian citizens of Sycamore Township should relax with a comforting and warm cup of java in a cozy red cup at the local Starbuck's.

The Red Cup, proving that Starbucks is out to destroy Xmas

Religious children are meaner than their secular counterparts, study finds | World news | The Guardian

Not surprising. I find it amusing that the researchers presumed most of us assume religious kids are naturally empathetic as a "common sense"perspective:

Religious children are meaner than their secular counterparts, study finds | World news | The Guardian: Harriet Sherwood 

Children from religious families are less kind and more punitive than those from non-religious households, according to a new study.

Academics from seven universities across the world studied Christian, Muslim and non-religious children to test the relationship between religion and morality.

They found that religious belief is a negative influence on children’s altruism.

“Overall, our findings ... contradict the commonsense and popular assumption that children from religious households are more altruistic and kind towards others,” said the authors of The Negative Association Between Religiousness and Children’s Altruism Across the World, published this week in Current Biology.

Maritan Folk Art

I just love this . . . thanks to Lesley Gunter, who posted this on her FB page. 

"One night I camped in the mountains, and some extraterrestrials appeared to me. First I got scared but then, while the martians were looking for plants in the forest, I felt very peacefully. But when they flew away, the fear came back. I rushed to the tavern in the nearest village. I thank the Blessed Sacrament for the martians didn’t take me with them."

http://retablos.ru/en/martianos-monte/

Nuns Gone Wild: Vintage photos of sisters letting their habits down | Dangerous Minds

I went to Catholic school, remember the nuns dressed in the heavy black habits, but never acting this way; great photos: Nuns Gone Wild: Vintage photos of sisters letting their habits down | Dangerous Minds

Why The 'Apparitions' Of The Virgin Mary In This Small Bosnian Town Are So Controversial

While we await the Pope's verdict on the Vatican's stamp of approval concerning the legitimacy of the BVM at Medjugorje, there's this short think-and-do type of article on the who, what, why from the Huffington Post:

Why The 'Apparitions' Of The Virgin Mary In This Small Bosnian Town Are So Controversial: Why are they controversial?

Although the church has approved other Marian apparitions in the past, the ones at Medjugorje are widely contested. The local bishop has stated that he does not believe the visions to be authentic, descrying the "lies that are at times put into the mouth of the 'Madonna.'"

A new expose of Mother Teresa shows that she—and the Vatican—were even worse than we thought � Why Evolution Is True

New study reveals what many, though not enough, have known about Mother Teresa. Not the saintly being so many bought into:

A new expos of Mother Teresa shows that she—and the Vatican—were even worse than we thought   Why Evolution Is True: Two-thirds of the people coming to these missions hoped to a find a doctor to treat them, while the other third lay dying without receiving appropriate care. The doctors observed a significant lack of hygiene, even unfit conditions, as well as a shortage of actual care, inadequate food, and no painkillers. The problem is not a lack of money—the Foundation created by Mother Teresa has raised hundreds of millions of dollars—but rather a particular conception of suffering and death: “There is something beautiful in seeing the poor accept their lot, to suffer it like Christ’s Passion. The world gains much from their suffering,” was her reply to criticism, cites the journalist Christopher Hitchens. Nevertheless, when Mother Teresa required palliative care, she received it in a modern American hospital.”

Wiccan High Priestess Delivers Invocation At Iowa House of Representatives - Now The End Begins : Now The End Begins

Good news, one for our side. But I can't help also feeling frustrated and rattled by the outrageous ignorance and hypocrisy of many Christians who insist on maintaining their woefully stupid understanding (or lack of) pagan-wiccan traditions:

Wiccan High Priestess Delivers Invocation At Iowa House of Representatives - Now The End Begins : Now The End Begins: EDITOR’S NOTE: The first time this happened in American government, almost two years ago, it made all the headlines for days on end. But not anymore. In an amazingly short time, we have gotten used to having occult, pagan prayers being offered up to Satan at the highest levels of local, state and federal government. America is collapsing while we watch. America is being inundated with demonic spirits, and is doing very little to counteract the attack. What America needs is some old-fashioned street preachers with a King James Bible and some gospel tracts. Get back in the game, Christian…to the FIGHT!

Many citizens stood outside and prayed while the invocation was presented, and others inside turned their backs in protest. Still, it's a start.

Shroud of Turin/ Jordan Codices - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

Tonight's Coast to Coast, on Easter Eve, is, of course, about the Shroud of Turin:

Joinning Richard Syrett in the first half, Barrie Schwortz, an expert on the Shroud of Turin, will discuss the latest updates on the Shroud and new evidence that may prove that the burial cloth is authentic. Followed by Samuel Zinner, a multidisciplinary researcher, who'll update us on the the Jordan Codices-- seventy ancient metal books that might change the world’s view of biblical history and prove not only the existence of Christ, but his resurrection too. at Shroud of Turin/ Jordan Codices - Shows - Coast to Coast AM:

Column: Religious Discrimination in the Workplace | The Wild Hunt

From Manny Tejeda-Moreno, at The Wild Hunt, on workplace "micro-aggressions" in the workplace towards pagan co-workers.

Column: Religious Discrimination in the Workplace | The Wild Hunt: For me, this raised questions about the experiences of Pagans in the workplace. Pagans are, essentially a rarer find in the social fabric of faith where the most common thread is Christian. In other words, when an individual says “I’m Christian” in the United States, most people think some variant of “you and 260 million other Americans.” With less common faiths, such as Judaism, individuals may be marked by stereotypes, but are also recognized as present in the mainline religious experiences.

However,if someone says “I’m a witch,” most people – almost exclusively those unfamiliar with Paganism — are just left with Halloween imagery or TV episodes as a way of understanding the statement. That left me with questions about the kind of discrimination potential that could occur when someone discloses their Pagan faith. In other words, what happens when someone’s actual identity collides with the identity society expects us to have? (Manny Tejeda-Moreno, The Wild Hunt)

John A. Keel Quote

"God may be a crackpot." ~ John A. Keel, The Eighth Tower

Bogus history Ancient Aliens Debunked: No UFOs in ancient art

(cross posted at Orange Orb)



Point goes over head in this bit of debunkery.Debunking the ufos in art theory: Bogus history Ancient Aliens Debunked: No UFOs in ancient art. Playing devil's advocate (yes, pun,) we have the language used in this debunkery: the ufos in art as "…prey to ufo enthusiasts" and (paraphrase) "no art historian would fall for such an idea…" the usual set-up to let us know Ancient Aliens and those entertaining such connections and ideas are silly and uneducated.



Referring to  the ubiquitous symbols of the moon and sun in such art -- and much mistaken "UFO" --- the narration informs us that these symbols meant the moon and sun were witness to Christian events. And, that they were taken from pagan belief structures. Which raises the question: why the sun and moon, planetary and "supernatural" (of the heavens) entities, as well as their place in paganism?

The Crucifixion, 1350, artist unknown

Citing another famous ufo-in-art painting, the Name says the image mistaken for a UFO is simply representative of angels. This passage from the bible is then quoted:

Madonna and Saint Giovannino,  15th Century Filippo Lippi.

Luke 2:8-14King James Version (KJV)8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

If one is of the opinion that sacred texts such as the Bible are records of supernatural/alien (sheesh, ever read the Book of Mormon?) events, the above is not proof of any debunking but in fact, gives support to the "ancient alien" idea.



Angels, moon, sun, clouds, lights from the skies, beams, voices, non-human entities: all acknowledged by this debunker and yet, according to him, these represent religious beliefs of the day and nothing more. Just couldn't quite make the leap from angel-light-beam-in-sky to alien-ET-non-human interfering entity. Like, God, would be one example.



So what's the source for this debunkery -- who is he? No citation. Simply "Brass Check TV.com, Anceitn Aliens Debunked." No name given for this art historian expert who narrates the video. From my brief look at the site, it seems to be a both religious and conservative site.

VIDEO: Muslim "Shariah Law Patrol" Stops Woman on the Street, Does Something Sickening

Yes, quite frightening. If you need to have it explained to you why it's so damn frightening well, you're an idiot. The following, is the least of the fanaticism, it only gets worse:

VIDEO: Muslim "Shariah Law Patrol" Stops Woman on the Street, Does Something Sickening: If you have any doubts about what the radical Muslim agenda could mean for American civil liberties, this video should cure you of those.

“Ultimately, I want to see every single woman in this country covered from head to toe, I want to see the hand of the thief cut, I want to see adulterers stoned to death,” an Islamist told a reporter in this video posted to YouTube last month.

US Judge Refuses to Bow Down to Shariah Law, Slaps Down Muslim Woman's Insane Demand

US Judge Refuses to Bow Down to Shariah Law, Slaps Down Muslim Woman's Insane Demand: Under Pennsylvania law, oaths must be sworn on the Bible or be non-religious in nature, but still considered binding.

The woman is now challenging that law, arguing that it discriminates against her religious beliefs. 

The husband, meanwhile, swore his oath on the Bible without incident— perhaps because under Islam, oaths sworn on books other than the Quran are not considered binding.

Well, we have: a religious fanatic, self righteous and not getting what culture they're in. We also have the crazy contradiction of supposed religious freedom in this country, yet, state law mandates one choose an either or set-up. You're either a Christian -- swear on the Bible -- or you're basically an atheist, because state law also mandates you swear on the Bible or swear on something "non-religious in nature." Which implies that if you're not a Christian, your religion doesn't count.  Screwed up on all accounts.



So what is the agenda of the unnamed Muslim woman? Obviously political as well as shoving her religious beliefs upon others. Still, the state is wrong as well. It's not a Christian versus everyone else world, as much as many would like it to be so. The good that can come of this is that the state if found to be wrong.

Were Jesus and Buddha Aliens? BBC Program Debates the Idea

From CP Entertainment, the following religious debate:

Were Jesus and Buddha Aliens? BBC Program Debates the Idea: "We believe that various religious leaders from history have an inter-planetary origin," said Mark Bennett of the Aetherius Society.

"We believe that Jesus and Buddha came from Venus, that Sri Krishna came from Saturn, that Saint Peter came from Mars, and so on."

Others on the panel disagree. I found the following insistentice from a scientist amusing:

"It's very clear if you look at the gospels that there are only three answers as to who Jesus is," said the scientist Liz Weston.

"Either he's mad... or he's bad, he's trying to deceive us [and] his power comes from the Devil, or he is actually who he claimed to be and he is the son of God... none of those say that he was from Venus." 

Boycott American Women, Because They MIght Be Witches, or Terrorists, I Guess...

Awhile ago, I posted an item regarding TIME magazine's comparison of witches to terrorists. 

Checking the comments, this pond scum swilling troglodyte left the following spam packed spew. I haven't edited the following much, just left off his link info.

I do believe the misogynistic buffoon had left similar messages on my various blogs through the years. Seems familiar. I know I've come across this insipid, vapid and limply shallow rant before. Anyway, enjoy:

I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don’t know how to cook or clean, don’t want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women?

American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least.

This blog is my attempt to explain why I feel American women are inferior to foreign women (non-American women), and why American men should boycott American women, and date/marry only foreign (non-American) women.

What this has to do with TIME magazine equating those who practice witchcraft or wicca to psychotic terrorists is a wonder. But then again, this man obviously has a few bulbs missing from the string.

"I'm Not Charlie" Apologists

Update:
Someone wrote a letter to the Eugene's Register Guard in response to my letter, mentioning me by name and then listing the obvious yet disingenuous points about how one being born into a culture/religion is not by choice, you're born into it. If you're from a Hindu culture/region, no doubt you'll be born Hindu and raised Hindu, etc. Yet, the letter writer concluded, one should not go to such lengths as the terrorists did in France to protest insults to their beliefs. Duh.

As I said.

The point does seem to be missed. Once you're all grown up and all, with enough intelligence to travel and think and you know, stuff like that, then you're responsible enough to know that your beliefs do not give you any rights over anyone else. It's that simple. Pedantically explaining how "cultures" and "regional religions" are impactful upon a human being ignores the issue.

Letter I wrote, published Sunday, Feb. 1st in the Register Guard:

Letters in the editor’s mailbag from Sunday’s print edition | Opinion | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon: Don’t blame victims of terrorism

Almost as frightening as the psychotics who murder in the name of their god are those who put the onus of terrorist acts on the victims. The two simply do not merit comparison — vicious killers filled with a crazed thirst for death defending a god vs. those who mock or criticize that god.

Apologists attack the victims of Charlie Hebdo for being ... well, it doesn’t matter what they were being. What they weren’t being was murderous in the name of a god. 

Letter writers to The Register-Guard have used analogies to support their stance that they are “not Charlie”: Don’t poke a hornet’s nest and expect to not get stung; don’t walk in the woods and expect a grizzly not to attack, etc.

Expecting humans to quell their creativity or suppress their disagreements because it might upset someone is naive.

Those other humans — the ones who kill in defense of a belief — have a choice. Unlike the folksy comparisons of hornets or grizzlies that were born as such, they can choose what to believe. They have a choice on how to behave. They have a choice on how to respond to expressions and opinions different than theirs, regardless of any inanity in those opinions.

Those who don’t see the horrors of humans who thirst for control and think nothing of slaughtering humans so they can gain that control (which is thinly disguised as defense of religion) are complicit in those horrors.

Female Muslim Student Admits Kill the Jew Lust

CIA's Secret Alliances Includes the Vatican: Coast to Coast

Tonight's Coast to Coast:

CIA's Secret Alliances - Shows - Coast to Coast AM: Author, researcher and investigator of the various causes supported by the CIA, Paul L. Williams will discuss the facts behind a secret alliance forged at the close of World War II by the CIA, the Sicilian and US mafias, and the Vatican to thwart the possibility of a Communist invasion of Europe.

Texas school suspends 9-year-old for making ‘terroristic threats’ with magic ‘Hobbit’ ring

When I first saw this item about the suspension of a 9 year old for talking about his "magic ring" and telling a student he could make him disappear with it, I thought it was a joke. Original source, The Daily Current or some similar spoof publication. But, no, it is sadly, all too true. Kid suspend from the fourth grade for making "threats":

Texas school suspends 9-year-old for making ‘terroristic threats’ with magic ‘Hobbit’ ring: Kermit Elementary Principal Roxanne Greer told the Odessa American that she could not comment on the suspension, because “all student stuff is confidential,” but Steward said that she told him that any and all threats to a child’s safety — including magical ones — would be taken seriously by the school.

I love the educational jargon used by the principal "…all student stuff…" it's not a coffee break with your friends, you're an educator talking to the media. Although, we are talking about a school that suspend a kid for making "terroristic threats" with a toy ring having imaginary magical powers.

Super Bowl Jesus

TRICKED BY THE LIGHT: HOW SOULS ARE PROGRAMMED TO GO TO THE SUN OR MOON AT DEATH TO BE RECYCLED AS ENERGY

“The Earth is a farm. We are someone else's property.”  ~ Charles Fort

The concept is good, and not the first to discuss this idea that we are programmed meat for the gods/reptilian overlords/whatever. On the other hand, it's just the way this is structured that makes it sound… crazy. More like just really stoned. "People or a pea pole? Peas are beans and do grow on a pea pole…semen is …referred to as seed …" that's pretty funny.



But writing style aside and the sheer breathlessness of the whole thing ignored, and he's not wrong.

TRICKED BY THE LIGHT: HOW SOULS ARE PROGRAMMED TO GO TO THE SUN OR MOON AT DEATH TO BE RECYCLED AS ENERGY: How fitting that christians are referred to as the flock and Jesus as their shepherd, or lamb of God. Human beans were placed on this plant in the garden of eatin'. People or a pea pole? Peas are beans and do grow on a pea pole in pods. It's very interesting that so many of the latest sci-fi programs depict humans in pods living a simulated life. We are said to be raised much like crops are. Semen is often referred to as seed and if someone is our ancestor they are said to be from our seed. (Tricked By The Light.com)

Brane Space: Women Have The Right To Stand Up To Oppressive Religions!

A good post at the Brane Space blog: Women Have The Right To Stand Up To Oppressive Religions! on religion's self-perceived moral imperative, and women's (and all humans) rights. On the Vatican's recent excommunication of a nun who chose to to save the life of a mother:

The Vatican's distorted morality (the same that forbids artificial contraception as "mutual masturbation") demanded that both mother and infant perish rather than allow the lesser of the beings (the fetus, not yet a fully formed person) die to save the more advanced being. But this is exactly what Harris meant when he referred to the "pious uncoupling of moral concern from human suffering". (Brane Space)

Muslim Imam Claims Women Who Don’t Wear Hijabs are “Asking to be Raped”, Arrested for Trying to Rape Woman | FrontPage Magazine

Another religious, misogynist psycho. Sigh.

Muslim Imam Claims Women Who Don’t Wear Hijabs are “Asking to be Raped”, Arrested for Trying to Rape Woman | FrontPage Magazine: An Islamic mufti in Copenhagen, Shahid Mehdi, has sparked political outcry from the left-wing Unity List and right-wing Danish People’s Party, after stating in a televised interview that women who do not wear headscarves are “asking for rape.”

“Women are not entitled to respect when they walk around without a Hijab. They are to blame for it when they are attacked,” Imam Shahid Mehdi said.

“All the crimes that occur against women is because they are not covered. When they are not covered, you have no respect for them. ”

School bus pentagram scares mom: Are kids on ‘satanic’ Wicca school bus to Hell? - San Diego Top News | Examiner.com

Seriously? Yes, seriously.

School bus pentagram scares mom: Are kids on ‘satanic’ Wicca school bus to Hell? - San Diego Top News | Examiner.com: A school bus pentagram has Christian mom Robyn Wilkins worried that Wicca occult influences are lurking in her town. Wilkins took the pentagram picture when she was in traffic behind the school bus. To her, the pattern of tiny light bulbs under the brake light’s red plastic lens looks like inverted five-pointed stars – the ancient symbol of a pentagram. Wilkins, who is from Cordova, Tenn., is angry about the symbol appearing and wants the lights replaced, reports WGNTV on Jan. 22.