rants and ramblings of utter randomness

Interesting article by Johan Hari (whose stuff I highly rec in general) on the history and idea of Heaven (as well as a not-so-glowing review of Lisa Miller's new book Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife):


Trouble in Paradise: Why are Americans so credulous about Heaven?

"The heaven you think you're headed to—a reunion with your lost relatives in the light—is a very recent invention, only a little older than Goldman Sachs. Most of the believers in heaven across most of history would find it unrecognizable. "

Also, because I have an excuse to post it (sort of):



In other news, I have Juliana until tomorrow and need to figure out how to entertain her for the rest of the day and also clean up the place for when Mary gets home. There's also a beta to finish and a hostel to book, eep.

mijan posted a wonderful rant about the separation of church and state in the US. She linked to this article from the LA Times that says a lot of stuff, notably this:

"A purist would insist that prayers in government settings blur the constitutional distinction between church and state"

Um, they do. Prayers, being religious in nature, don't belong anywhere near the workings of government.

Yeah, I'm well aware that the Founding Fathers invoked God in session. The Founding Fathers were products of their era, and also weren't perfect. Some of them (the author of the Declaration of Independence included) even OWNED OTHER PEOPLE, but we don't hear a lot of talk about that, or about how "all men are created equal" originally applied only to white males of property (which if applied today would make a mockery of the recent federal election). I admire the heck out of the Founding Fathers for their intelligence and bravery and passion and unfailing tenacity, but hey, some perspective, here.

and this:

"Pushed to its logical conclusion, such 1st Amendment fundamentalism would forbid presidents of the United States from invoking God in their speeches or participating in the National Prayer Breakfast, a tradition that goes back to President Eisenhower."

Apparently I'm a First Amendment fundamentalist, because ITA with this idea. So WHAT if the "tradition" goes back to Eisenhower? I don't care if it goes back to George Washington. Longstanding tradition ≠ rightness, wtf?

The addition of "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance goes back to the Eisenhower era, too. It was adopted as an adjunct to McCarthyism, but hey, it's still perfectly okay, and people who want it removed on the basis of the First Amendment are accused of being God haters, anti-American, or even (*gasp!*) Communists (O HAI, GHOST OF JOE MCCARTHY!). Nobody would ever call them patriots, a term universally applied to the Founding Fathers, who did all those brave, passionate, tenacious things on the basis of religious freedom and liberty for white men of property.

In the comments to her post mijan links to this video, which might be the most disturbing thing of all:



I don't think ANY prayer belongs in government sessions, but if they are, then they ALL are. Yeah, this was heckling from the gallery, but nobody can convince me it wasn't covertly sanctioned by at least a few of the senators.

Having said all that, I'm with mijan--if someone decides to run for office on the Pastafarian platform, I'm SO there. As long as they don't do any ritual capellini-eating during congressional sessions, of course. *g*


I really want to read American Savior. Jesus runs for President. On the BEATITUDES PLATFORM. How awesome is that? I wonder if my library has it.

Whereas Pastafarianism, a religion of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated pretty much constantly by worshippers who have been Touched by His Noodly Appendage throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are countless Pastafarians in the United States, making The Flying Spaghetti Monster the Supreme Deity of A Whole Bunch of the American population;

Whereas there are a whole giant bunch more people throughout the world who revere the FSM, making Pastafarianism the coolest religion in the world and the religion of millions of geekdorks of the world population;

Whereas The FSM and his followers have contributed great and awesome stuff in every land and place touched by His Noodly Appendage

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers to complex carbohydrates;

Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ, who is a good bud of the FSM;

Whereas for Pastafarians, Christmas is celebrated with a nice meal of whole-wheat lasagna (with plenty of gravy); and

Whereas many followers of the FSM throughout the United States and the rest of the world think it's a kickass idea to serve others: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses continued support for the continued work of the FSM in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of a crusty loaf of garlic bread fresh out of the oven;

(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by a rich, hearty marinara in the founding of the United States and in the formation of a healthy meal plan;

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against followers of His Noodly Appendage, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to Pastafarians in the United States and throughout the world.

I'm not sure whether to be amused or disgusted with this. I'll pick amused, because it's better for my blood pressure.


Oh, noes!


For those interested, here are the actual

( principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalists )


The article also mentione the United Religions Initiative and the Earth Charter without explaining what either of them are.

They DO link to the UUA's website, which is here.

Hmmp. On second thought, I'm not really amused. More like annoyed. :/

Oh, and my icon is the UU flaming chalice, which has a pretty cool history.


Thanks to unitarians for the link to the article.





(note: if you are a conservative Christian, I'm not flaming your religion or your right to it. I'm flaming this article's lack of treating mine in the same manner and telling me that I'm a cultist and a liar for following UU principles.)