Iranian foundation ups price on Rushdie's head

Iranian foundation ups price on Rushdie's head - Yahoo! News

Exorcism boom in Poland sees magazine launch - Story | The Star Online

Exorcism boom in Poland sees magazine launch - Story | The Star Online

WARSAW: With exorcism booming in Poland, Roman Catholic priests here have joined forces with a publisher to launch what they claim is the world's first monthly magazine focused exclusively on chasing out the devil.

"The rise in the number or exorcists from four to more than 120 over the course of 15 years in Poland is telling," Father Aleksander Posacki, a professor of philosophy, theology and leading demonologist and exorcist told reporters in Warsaw at the Monday launch of the Egzorcysta monthly.

"Our hands are full," admitted fellow exorcist and Polish Roman Catholic priest Father Andrzej Grefkowicz, revealing exorcists have a three month waiting list in the capital Warsaw.

The debut issue of Egzorcysta includes an article titled New Age-- the spiritual vacuum cleaner.

On Demons and the Subjectivity of Evil | Who Forted? Magazine

On Demons and the Subjectivity of Evil | Who Forted? Magazine

As has been alluded to in other articles, demons are the cause celebre. They are better than ghosts. They are more dangerous than ghosts. They are more exciting and fascinating than ghosts. Most importantly, they are better for ratings than ghosts. However, much like ghosts, there is a fundamental problem. There is no proof that they exist. If you would like to read further, there may even be proof that the demon as you know cannot possibly exist.

The concept of the demon is as old as time. Demons, unlike ghosts, by definition are evil. It is their core, it is their entire being. This seems to be a universally accepted notion among so-called ghosts hunters (i.e. paranormal hobbyists) and self-proclaimed demonologists. Herein lies the problem.

The Debris Field: Retablo Gift

Lesley received a wonderful piece of art from Greg and Sigrid Bishop. Why is that posted here? Read it and find out!The Debris Field: Stuff

Russian murderer (allegedly) says 'Free Pussy Riot'

Russia claims killer demands Pussy Riot freed – USATODAY.com: MOSCOW (AP) – The bodies of an elderly woman and her daughter were found in Russia beneath a scrawled message demanding freedom for the jailed members of the Pussy Riot band, officials said Thursday.

Pussy Riot members, from left, Maria Alekhina, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were sentenced to two years in prison on Aug. 17.


Pussy Riot members, from left, Maria Alekhina, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were sentenced to two years in prison on Aug. 17.

While a Russian investigator cautioned that the killer was possibly trying to mislead police by drawing attention to the punk provocateurs, the alleged link between a killer and anti-Putin protesters was immediately seized upon by Russian media and pro-Kremlin publicists.

Mormons: Okay to drink soda

Religion News Service | Faith | Doctrine & Practice | It’s Official: Coke and Pepsi are OK for Mormons

BBC News - 'Moonie' Church mourns founder Sun Myung Moon

92 yrs old when he died. The Rev. Moon, leader of the "moonies" and mass wedding overseer: BBC News - 'Moonie' Church mourns founder Sun Myung Moon

Comments Removed: Prominent Priest Defended Child Sex Abusers, Later Apologizes - Yahoo! News

No one sane supports the following comments by Rev. Benedict Groeschel, who said the following regarding sexual abusers and victims:

"People have this picture in their minds of a person planning to -- a psychopath. But that's not the case. Suppose you have a man having a nervous breakdown, and a youngster comes after him. A lot of the cases, the youngster -- 14, 16, 18 -- is the seducer,"

And, Broeschel said, Jerry Sandusky is a "poor guy," and first time sexual offenders should not go to jail.

Those comments appeared in the National Catholic Register in an interview in that paper. Broeschel's comments have been removed from the site and Broeschel's apology put up in its stead: Comments Removed: Prominent Priest Defended Child Sex Abusers, Later Apologizes - Yahoo! News

Not only did Broeschel apologize, but the editor in chief Jeanette R. De Melo -- she apologized for posting the interview in the first place. I find this very odd. Shouldn't the pathetic comments of a sexual abuser be posted for all to see? It's news. It's fact. But this is what De Melo had to say:

"The editors of the National Catholic Register apologize for publishing without clarification or challenge Father Benedict Groeschel's comments that seem to suggest that the child is somehow responsible for abuse. Nothing could be further from the truth."

In rereading the comments, I don't see how Broeschel was misunderstood. Here's more from Broeschel, according to the article:

"Well, it's not so hard to see. A kid looking for a father and didn't have his own -- and they won't be planning to get into heavy-duty sex, but almost romantic, embracing, kissing, perhaps sleeping, but not having intercourse or anything like that. I's an understandable thing, and you know where you find it, among other clergy or important people; you look at teachers, attorneys, judges, social workers,"

He doesn't see sexual abuse as a crime, but a "moral failure" and "scandalous."

And that is where the sexual abuser lives; in that state where sexually abusing others is not a crime. They are so messed up they don't get it. They can't get it. No matter, sexual abuse  is a crime, and they need to know it's a crime, and that they will not get away with sexually abusing others.

"Don't Mock the Box" The Dybbuk Box on Set of The Possession

More from Meredith Woerner (see post below), this time on the Dybbuk Box itself on the set.Why The Possession cast was terrified of the real "dybbuk box" behind the film

Dybukk Film: 'The Possession is the Jewish pop reggae version of The Exorcist'

Haven't seen the movie yet and don't know if I will, at least not in the theater. I'll probably watch it on cable -- so can't comment on the reviews. Overall it's not my favorite film genre (although, oddly, I love reading horror, authors like Koontz and Herbert, even King, Barker, etc.) But this falls into the category of religious mystical supernaturalism, with the addition of Jewish reggae rapper Matisyahu, so here's one review from Meredith Woerner: The Possession is the Jewish pop reggae version of The Exorcist

The Possession (originally titled Dybbuk Box but called "The Jewish Exorcist movie" by most of America) first intrigued the masses by casting reggae rapper Matisyahu as the religious ghost wrangler, upped the ante with this aggressive poster, and kept us interested with the promise of Jewish mysticism (an unfamiliar take on a tired movie genre) topped by Sam Raimi gore (Raimi is a producer). Alas — we've seen girls vomit bugs before, and better. The Possession crumbles under its own inability to make an original decision. Instead it retreads the steps of past exorcist movies (Jeffrey Dean Morgan actually screams "Take me" to the demon). What could have been an interesting journey into a new culture was sadly just Jewish Exorcist lite.

My Strange Frequencies Appearance and David Fitzgerald speaks about Jesus mythicism | Strange Frequencies Radio

Episode 204 – David Fitzgerald speaks about Jesus mythicism | Strange Frequencies Radio

David Fitzgerald, author of “Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All,” joined us today to talk about Jesus mythicism. If Jesus was so important and performed so many miracles during his lifetime, why was nothing written about him by those who knew him? Could it be that Jesus was just a myth?

Also, reminder that I'll be the guest on Strange Frequencies this Sunday. 1:00 pm PST.

BBC News - Mexico row as religious sect blocks schooling access

BBC News - Mexico row as religious sect blocks schooling access

The religious sect was founded in 1973 by a defrocked priest, who objected to changes in the Catholic Church, including the end of masses in Latin.

They believe their compound will be the only place on Earth spared from an impending apocalypse.

Oklahoma youngster forced to turn his Michigan shirt inside out at school | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports

This doesn't have anything to do with religion, but after reading it, I was once again struck by the pure fanatical nature of humans when it comes to beliefs. And while in this case, the belief isn't in a deity, but the actions of this school comes close. Not god or gods, but sports. It also involves a 5 year old (!) and, astoundingly, a fucking school. Turns out some schools have managed to get away with legally including in their dress codes prohibitions against other teams. Truly boggles the mind doesn't it? Oklahoma youngster forced to turn his Michigan shirt inside out at school | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports

Girl, 11, Could Face Death in Pakistan for 'Blasphemy' - Yahoo! News

Ah, no matter what the religion, humans care more about text in a book than human life:Girl, 11, Could Face Death in Pakistan for 'Blasphemy' - Yahoo! News

EBay bans sale of spells and hexes

Now this is interesting! Ebay has banned sales of spells, the ban starts in September. This ban includes "prayers" as well. EBay bans sale of spells and hexes - Aug. 16, 2012 The ban includes tarot, psychic and related readings. Magic, it seems, is not afoot on eBay.