If you’re planning to take a pilgrimage to Medina, you might want to make sure that you’re practicing “Islam” the way the locals want you to. That’s a lesson a Canadian Imam by the name of Usama Al-Atar learned rather painfully, as he was singled out from a prayer group, strangled, beaten, and then taken to jail.

According to CTV, he’s been released, but details are extremely sketchy. The police claim that he assaulted someone, but according to witnesses, the religious police found his praying to be “inappropriate” and quickly mobilized to silence him.

Let’s remember that Saudi Arabia is still the only country on earth where women aren’t allowed to drive or vote (although this is supposedly changing in 2015). Typically, this isn’t a very positive sign. Are we really that surprised that they would also mistreat foreign visitors, accuse them of crimes they didn’t commit, then lay bogus charges on them? What the fuck did this guy expect when entering one of the most religiously conservative countries in the world?

I hope this serves as a lesson for any other Muslim thinking of travelling to the country for a pilgrimage: in their eyes, you’re probably worshiping wrong, and they’re going to do something about it.

Spread the outrage

A few months ago, TGA reported on a story so shocking, it was hard to believe it had actually happened: for over 4 decades, the fascist government of Francisco Franco (along with the Catholic Church) had faked the deaths of ten of thousands of babies in order to traffic them. After the collapse of Franco’s government, the Church continued the practice well into the 1980′s (presumably it was too profitable to shut down). Now the BBC has finished filming a documentary about this tragedy, as the families try to track down their loved ones, all without the help of the government, who refuses to launch an investigation. See, it’s not just America that’s got a shitty government. Spain’s was literally doing some evil shit for political power and money. It doesn’t get more fucked up than stealing babies.

Spread the outrage

Fan of the show William is beaming with pride, and with good reason: he’s a member of the Reno Coalition of Reason, and they’re celebrating the erection of this billboard, asking: “are you good without God? Millions are!”. It’s great to see how effective atheists have gotten at organizing and spreading the word that non-believers aren’t a fringe group. We’re much larger than anyone imagines, and we’re getting pretty sick and tired of religious people shoving their religion (among other things) down our throats.

Congratulations on getting the job done, boys and girls!

Spread the outrage

Hi gang,

Some of you may have noticed a slight drop in content recently. I’ve been trying to get a new site going, which will include a bunch of very exciting new features, including forums, social media integration, and achievements (and most importantly of all, it’ll fix all the little nagging issues the current site has). In a few days I’ll be launching a very rough beta. What I’d like are volunteers that would test the site, make helpful suggestions, fill in their profiles, etc. If you’re interested in helping out, then please leave a comment. I’ll be contacting you as soon as the beta is live.

NOTE: I ran into some troubles early on, so I’m instead focusing on the design this month. The beta is being pushed back until December, but all of you will be sure to get notifications in advance. Sorry it’s taking so long, but I am a one man show.

Spread the outrage

About a year ago, Carisa recorded Nate Phelps’ presentation “On the Grayness of Life“, in which he recounts his life as a member of America’s most notorious family, the Phelps. Truth be told, I kind of forgot about the whole thing (since blog turnover on content is so quick), but it seems as though the matriarch of the family, Shirley Phelps-Roeper, actually bothered to visit the site and ensure that Nate knows exactly what will happen to him for escaping his father’s abuse:

Nate should be grateful that my father never did what it says in Leviticus 20:9 – “Any person who curses his father or mother shall therefore be put to death. Since he has cursed his father or mother, he shall be stoned to death.”

He’s still going to burn in Hell for all eternity, so the Lord will have his revenge against his decadent, rebellious ways.

Thanks for dropping by Shirley. We’ll be sure to let Nate know that your diseased mind is fantasizing about him burning in Hell for all eternity.

Spread the outrage

Just how big was Jesus’ foreskin? Well, according to the Librarian of the Vatican, his leftover skin after circumcision is what gives Saturn its distinctive rings. That’s why Jesus didn’t have kids: his massive cock would have torn apart even Wonder-Woman’s vagina.

NOTE: My 100% non-gay crush on Brian Cox continues unabated…

Spread the outrage

Here’s part 2 of the very popular “Bible Stories” episode featuring Moses and his wacky attempts to “free” the slaves. If you love this video, be sure to spread the word about it!

Spread the outrage

I’m digging this new satirical, lampooning Thunderfoot. I’ve read some chatter about how this Youtube giant should stick with his old bag of tricks, but I think the science stuff was getting a little stale by now. We don’t have a lot of arguments left to win against Religion (today’s challenge: try and name one). The best solution so far is to spoof their crazy bullshit right in their faces. I say if you’re going to believe in nonsense, I’m going to make fun of you for it. I’m a dick, and I’m loving it (as is the Religious Antagonist).

Spread the outrage

If you’re unfamiliar with the insanity of Cindy Jacobs, I have the misfortune of introducing you to a special kind of crazy bitch. Imagine if Marcia Gay Harden character in the movie “The Mist” had somehow found a way to traverse the fantasy barrier and crossed over into the real world (yes, I know it’s a terrible movie plot, but someone should have said that to Arnold Schwarzenegger) In January of 2011, she claimed that the mysterious death of thousands of migratory birds was the result of God punishing the world (through animal proxy, of course) for gays being allowed to serve in the military. Here she’s opposing the “Occupy Wall Street” protesters, claiming that all of this is really the work of the devil, who intends to try and take rich people’s money away.

It’s ironic that she talks about class warfare when her own organization’s aims sound very much like that of a paramilitary group, or the kind of mission statement you’d expect from a super-villain group:

Generals International is an international movement that thrives to reform the nations of the world. We are achieving societal transformation through intercession and the prophetic. Together, the staff works to expand the Kingdom of God by bearing the vision of Generals International to reform the nations of the world through the ministry of the prophetic.

The irony in all of this is that Jacobs and her ilk are attempting something similar with their 40 days 40 nights campaign (let’s call it “Occupy Washington”) in order to transform it into the “District of Christ“. It’s ok though: they’re doing it for the Lord;  not a bunch of lazy bums that blame all of their problems on rich people (well, the ones that stole their pensions, anyways).  When you’re working for the Lord, you’ve got an important job to do:

While many want to wear the label of intercessor, few are willing to pay the price to hear the still small voice of God. The intercessor petitions the throne of God with the desires of God for His people. It is not about asking God for selish desires that can be used on our own lust, it is about discerning the will of God and then giving Him agreement and petitioning Him to implement His will on earth. A true intercessor prays God’s Word back to Him. Since God seeks voluntary lovers, we have the opportunity to cooperate with Him to implement His will on Earth. “Your will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven” is not an empty platitude; it is the vision statement for God’s original intent for mankind.

What bugs me about these kinds of power hungry madmen (or madwomen) is this idea they have that their crazy ambitions are a kind of desirable piety. It’s all for someone else in their eyes, you see. So every dollar they embezzle in their little “world reformation” plan is regarded, unquestioningly, as the will of Jesus (who is going to eventually show up any moment and claim the place, but they’ll gladly take the keys in the meantime).  And Lo it’s a miracle! Their savior believes in precisely the same things they do. Hallelujah!

(via Right Wing Watch)

Spread the outrage