The Gaytheist Agenda

Several days ago I was reading The Friendly Atheist and came across the story of Mayor Larry Langford, who was dealing with the ever-increasing rate of crime in Birmingham, AL. His answer was to pray and to pass out Bibles to the citizens.

Langford is holding a family summit April 4, where he will hand out 5,000 bibles in English and Spanish.

“I’m gonna give you something far better than a gun to protect yourself with. I’m gonna give you the word of God,” Langford said. “He is the only source of protection you’ve got. I make no apologies for it. I serve a good God and I’m glad He found me.”

Just yesterday Ebon sent me this update on the crime-fighting tactics of Mayor Langford. It seems the Bibles weren’t enough.

Mayor Larry Langford declared Friday as “It’s Time to Pray Day” in Birmingham and will mark the event with a prayer service at Boutwell Auditorium.

Langford made the proclamation Tuesday during the City Council meeting.

“We’re going to pray for a change in this city,” he said.

During the service, participants will be given sackcloth to wear and ashes to put on their skin. The practice is mentioned in the Bible of the Bible as an act of repentance and humility.

Langford ordered 2,000 of the sacks.

“Even if you get upset, we’re still going to have it,” Langford said. “This city needs to humble itself.”

…..

“The moral fiber of this community is also our responsibility,” he said.

Langford also admonished the pastors surrounding him and others not to attend the rally for spectacle, but for a religious experience.

“Do not come looking pretty,” he said. “If you’re too cute to put a little ash on your hands, stay home. If you’re too cute to pray, stay home.”

There are definitely issues with Separation of Church and State there. Beyond that, I wonder if Mayor Langford has ever seen this study from 2005 that debunks the belief that a moral society depends on faith and religiosity.

A STRENGTHENING of religious faith is often raised as the answer to society’s ills. Peter Costello has said, for example, “that a recovery of faith would go a long way” to solving many of our society’s problems. The Prime Minister, too, has publicly argued for the societal benefits of religiosity, claiming that “the Christian religion is the greatest force for good in this nation”. Labor’s Lindsay Tanner, a self-described agnostic, seems to agree, stating that “without some kind of sustained spiritual input” our society will “degenerate into a bleak utilitarian shell that debases us all”.

Many ordinary Australians share the belief that religious faith is an indicator of morality, and it is accepted wisdom that high rates of religious practice correlate with lower rates of crime, promiscuity and abortion.

However, a study published in the Journal of Religion and Society, an American academic journal, set out to test this hypothesis and found there is an inverse relationship between religiosity and public health and social stability. The study, “Cross-National Correlations of Quantifiable Societal Health with Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies”, compared social indicators such as murder rates, abortion, suicide and teenage pregnancy using data from the International Social Survey Program, Gallup and other research bodies.

“In general,” writes the author, Gregory Paul, “higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy and abortion in the prosperous democracies.”

A striking example of this is the US, which has the highest degrees of religious faith and the highest rates of homicide, abortion, STD infection and teenage pregnancy. The least religious countries - Japan, France and Scandinavia - have the lowest rates of violent crime, juvenile mortality and abortion….

He might also be interested in this study that shows prayer doesn’t work–at least not in the way intended.

Seeking to assess the effect of third-party prayer on patient outcomes, investigators found no evidence for divine intervention. They did, however, detect a possible proof for the power of negative thinking.

The three-year Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP), published in the April 4 American Heart Journal, was the largest-ever attempt to apply scientific methods to measure the influence of prayer on the well-being of another. It examined 1,800 patients undergoing heart-bypass surgery. On the eve of the operations, church groups began two weeks of praying for one set of patients. Each recipient had a praying contingent of about 70, none of whom knew the patient personally. The study found no differences in survival or complication rates compared with those who did not receive prayers. The only statistically significant blip appeared in a subgroup of patients who were prayed for and knew it. They experienced a higher rate of postsurgical heart arrhythmias (59 versus 52 percent of unaware subjects). …

It would behoove Mayor Langford to use more proven, practical means of solving his city’s crime problem. Handing out Bibles and forcing his religious faith on the citizens is not the answer. It will solve absolutely nothing, and in fact may make matters worse.

 

PageOneQ provides this assessment of American Family Association’s propaganda video “They’re Coming to Your Town”.

The town of Eureka Springs is turning into the “San Francisco of Arkansas,” warns the American Family Association, and it can happen in your town too.

The presentation in the AFA trailer below, “They’re Coming to Your Town,” tells the tale of an uncharacteristically diverse resort town’s government infiltrated by “a handful of homosexual activists” and bent to their will through the enactment of the town’s domestic partner registry on June 22, 2007.

“Watch, and learn,” says the trailer, “how to fight a well-organized gay agenda to take over the cities of America, one city at a time.”

Eureka Springs, most recently, has gotten an honorable mention from unlikely celebrity and Oklahoma House Rep. Sally Kern, who propped it up as an example of the “gay agenda” that she has called a “death knell” and a larger threat than international terrorism, in addition to comparing such an “agenda” to cancer.

Well at least that explains where Sally Kern got some of her bigoted nonsense from. As to the video, view the trailer for the original at PageOneQ. Below is a hilarious parody created by GoodAsYou.

Now all that talk of infiltrating city councils, taking over cities, organized agendas and bending others to their will…that’s a great deal of projection on the part of the AFA. Read American Fascists by Chris Hedges and it will become abundantly clear. For now, this quote from page 151 will provide some illustration of the phenomenon:

This new, exclusive community fosters rigidity, conformity and intolerance. In this new binary world segments of the human race are disqualified from moral and ethical consideration. And because fundamentalist followers live in a binary universe, they are incapable of seeing others as anything more than inverted reflections of themselves. If they seek to destroy nonbelievers … then nonbelievers must be seeking to destroy them. …

They are seeking to destroy us, so of course we are seeking to destroy them, and by the very same means they’ve been utilizing. We are mirror images of them, the epitome of evil and perversion while they are symbols of purity and righteousness. It’s rather like life viewed through the lens of an episode of Star Trek , perhaps Mirror, Mirror or Let That be Your Last Battlefield. The idea that we just want to live our lives in peace (albeit with equal rights and protections) never enters their minds, because they can’t understand how anybody would live other than how they do–eternally fighting to gain and maintain control.

Ugh, when will it end?

 

State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago), who previously engaged in a verbal attack against Atheist Rob Sherman, offered an apology on Wednesday.

Because of Davis’ rant, she was named Tuesday night as the “worst person in the world” –a dubious award doled out daily by news commentator Keith Olbermann on MSNBC’s “Countdown” program.

Rep. Davis told atheist Rob Sherman that, “What you have to spew and spread is dangerous” and that “This is the land of Lincoln where people believe in God.”

But, after being on the receiving end of a week’s worth of public criticism, Davis called Sherman yesterday to apologize.

Sherman says Davis told him she “took out her frustrations and emotions on me and that she shouldn’t have done that.” Sherman says Davis’ explanation was “reasonable” and that he forgives her.

According to Sherman and State Rep. Jack Franks….Davis claims her outburst was triggered by learning shortly beforehand…that there’d been another Chicago Public School student killed.

State Rep. Jack Franks was chairing the hearing that day and says Davis’ outburst was uncharacteristic, adding “she was having a bad day.”

That was very noble of Representative Davis. I’ll be dropping her a message to let her know how much I appreciate her action.

 

Or maybe it’s in the water. I don’t know what it is but it’s very disturbing the way hate-filled politicians have been coming out of the woodwork of late. This time it’s not a homophobe but an atheist hater. You may have heard already about State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago) who unleashed her fury on atheist Rob Sherman recently. Friendly Atheist has the original story (see his site for important links):

Outspoken atheist Rob Sherman, who (with his daughter) filed a lawsuit that eventually put a stop to the Mandatory Moment of Silence, was back in the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday.

He was there arguing Governor Rod Blagojevich’s $1,000,000 grant to the Pilgrim Baptist Church — which was given to them via the more secular Loop Lab School. (Shadiness all around.)

Anyway, he got into an exchange with Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago).

Below is a video that includes audio of the exchange between Sherman and Davis.

What an interesting perspective Davis has. It’s dangerous for children to know atheism exists? That’s like saying it’s dangerous for them to know cold exists–for what is cold except the absence of heat? And atheism is nothing more than the absence of theism. It’s only those who lack conviction in their own, or others’, faith who fear what a little knowledge will do.

Then there was the insinuation that Sherman was wrong for pursuing cases regarding the “moment of silence” in the schools when he wasn’t addressing guns in schools. Who is Davis to talk when millions upon millions of Christians spend infinite time, money and effort on fighting LGBT rights yet none on fighting poverty, homelessness or war?

Moving on now, Friendly Atheist has an update

Illinois State Rep. Monique Davis recently said to atheist Rob Sherman: “It’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy (atheism) exists!”

The audio of the exchange was picked up and circulated, and the story (which was brought to the public’s eye by Chicago Tribune reporter Eric Zorn) has made its way through the blogosphere.

It’s made its way to the mainstream media, too.

Tonight, MSNBC news anchor Keith Olbermann named Davis his nightly “Worst Person in the World.”

Thanks to Spazeboy, we have a video!

Visit Friendly Atheist to see the MSNBC video, which is brief but good.

Should you be inclined to contact Rep. Davis (though I’ve heard she hasn’t responded to anybody yet) you can do so at:

Representative Monique D. Davis
1234 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-9700
(773) 445-5755 FAX

 

So simple, so universal, yet we continuously fail to grasp it.

Republican Representative Sally Kern (OK) went on quite a tirade when she thought she was being heard only by an audience of 50 like-minded individuals. Little did she know that her vitriolic homophobic rant would be heard far and wide.

Can you say “Delusional homophobic whackjob”? I knew you could. If you wish to contact Representative Kern to let her know how you feel about her hate-speech you can send an e-mail to her at
sallykern@okhouse.gov . I’m sure she would enjoy hearing from you.

In reference to the murder of Lawrence King Ellen said on her show what I’ve long wished every Presidential candidate would. Just watch and listen–it’s amazing.

Listen up, politicians. I will vote for any candidate who has the cajones to say what Ellen said and to offer the policy to back it up. I’m willing to bet there are thousands, if not millions, who would do the same. Forget what the bigots will think and for once consider what is right. Consider what really matters. Equal Human Rights.

Addendum: I’ve received a comment on this entry. dara says:

i don’t like any of the candidates-to-be. ugh, i’m really disappointed with this
country. ellen for president!

I don’t either. I made it plain in a previous post that I have no use for Barack Obama. I did vote for Hillary Clinton, but only because she’s the last candidate left standing against him and I don’t want him in the G.E. (I don’t dislike HRC but I have no strong affinity for her either) My candidate of choice was Dennis Kucinich because I agreed with nearly every one of his stances, but he dropped out long ago. I then opted for John Edwards as a second choice and he too dropped out right before our primary.

I’m sick to death of having to settle every single time. This time I believe I’m going to end up taking a different path.

After throwing LGBTs under the bus in favor of the black evangelical vote last October, then continuing to associate with the “Ex-Gay” contingent even after that (at least until the media caught wind of it) Obama now thinks he can win our votes with a few ads in LGBT publications.

Does he use the ads to apologize for putting an “Ex-Gay” bigot on the stage to spew homophobic bile to the cheers of other bigots just to win himself votes and campaign cash? No, he doesn’t. Does he use them to tell us that (assuming he becomes President) he will work to implement laws that will give us the Human and Civil Rights we’ve been striving for all these years? No, he doesn’t. So what exactly does he say in these ads?

What’s with the “tear”? Is that Visine, glycerin or are you lamenting the fact that you really, really screwed up and just aren’t going to pull out of it no matter how you back-pedal? No matter what it is I find it appalling that you’d put on such a show for us, particularly after you and your supporters trashed Hillary Clinton for crying on the campaign trail.

While we have come a long way since the STONEWALL RIOTS in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do.

What’s this “we” crap? You’re not L,G,B or T. Nor did you participate in the Stonewall Riots in 1969. You weren’t even in the country at the time; you were in Indonesia. So where does this “we” stuff come in?

Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us.

Those seeking to divide us. Would that include homophobic evangelicals such as the ones you threw us under the bus for? The homophobic bigots you used to garner their votes? The preacher you continued to use after all that even though you knew he ran an “Ex-Gay” ministry?

But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans, it’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

What? The nation is supposedly going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating us with dignity and respect? How about giving us the equality that we should rightfully have in the first place? The equality that should never have been withheld from us? When is the nation going to fulfill its promise to us?

And have you ever considered that if it weren’t for the pandering people like you do to religious bigots, we wouldn’t have to be “given” dignity and respect by them. We would already have it. They are the ones who withhold it based on their arbitrary notions that we are not worthy of it, then they turn around and act as if we need to earn it back by behaving or refusing to behave in ways that they prescribe. To hell with that!

Barack Obama, your ads are far too little and way too late. There’s not a snowball’s chance in Yuma, AZ that I or any of the LGBTs I know will be swayed by those pathetic attempts to woo us. You should have saved your money or used it elsewhere. We are simply not that stupid.

Addendum. I’ve already received a comment on this post. maddiejoan says:

How fitting that Obama would invoke Stonewall in this ad, considering that his involvement with “ex-gay movement” bigots has dialed the debate on LGBT rights back to pre-1969 “Homosexuality is a sin” versus “Homosexuiality is not a sin” levels.
Disgusting pandering little man. If he’s the nominee, I’ll be sitting my queer ass at home on election day.

Well, Maddie, if he’s the nominee I’ll either be sitting home just like you, or I’ll be writing in another name on the ballot. I’ll be damned if Obama is getting this lesbian’s vote.

Peg says:

From Barack Obama’s “Audacity of Hope” regarding gay marriage.

“In years hence, I may be seen as someone who was on the wrong side of history. I
don’t believe such doubts make me a bad Christian.”

Sheesh! Just what we freakin’ need! Someone hiding behind his Christianity as an
excuse to deny equality for all.

Thanks for a great post!

And thank you, Peg! You’re right about Obama. He’s just another fool using his religious beliefs to deny equality for all. Funny how he worries more about being a “bad Christian” than a bad human being. Apparently offending his chosen deity and dogma are more unsettling to him than the harm he is causing to his fellow Americans.

Here is yet another argument for keeping religion and religious questions far away from campaigns. Just listen to the completely asinine rationales these people give to justify their votes.

These are the people who want to determine who will be running our nation? Not a single fact among them yet they’re ready to run to the polls. But then that would describe the majority of the RRRW, now, wouldn’t it?

Is it any wonder the country is as screwed up as it is?

 

Radfringe graciously allowed me to reprint this here:

It’s looking more and more like the repubs will be going with McCain. Speculation is high that McCain’s sidekick will be Huckabee.

Huckabee would bring in the fundies who are reluctant about voting for McCain. And you can bet with the huckster for a sidekick - there will be a lot of rhetoric about family values.

in the past, the family values blather is something the dems have failed to effectively counteract

the repubs have wrapped it up in a warm fuzzy blanket, it sounds good, looks good - but beyond that their actions speak differently.

Kerry mentioned it once or twice back in 2004 that I know of and Clinton touched on it briefly in one speech I saw on C-Span

and I keep bringing it up over and over again

IT’S NOT FAMILY VALUES - IT’S VALUING FAMILIES

I’ve even sent a few e-mails off to the campaigns - explaining what I mean by this, but I fear they were just put in some round file. If you work on Clinton or Obama’s campaign and have some contacts up the ‘food chain’, and agree with this perhaps you would pass it along.

here’s the premise:

reframe it as “VALUING FAMILIES”
show how the family value rhetoric is just that - rhetoric period. that for all the family value talk, nothing the repubs have done show any concern for the health of families, and tend to destroy families by favoring corporations and other big wigs. that all the blather about family values are just empty words. Words do not put food on the table, nor give people jobs, nor do they provide healthcare or education.

- the way to value families is to have a healthCARE system that puts people before profits. A healthCARE system which ensures the medications needed are available, affordable and safe

- the way to value families is to enact legislation that protects families from predatory lending practices and other financial schemes which puts their jobs and welfare at risk

- the way to value families is to have an education system which educates

- the way to value families is to have an emergency management system that is able to respond quickly and effectively. to help families in the most dire time of need (think katrina and the recent tornado outbreak)

- the way to value families is to have a veterans system which helps the the troops returning from war.

- the way to value families is to have a social security system the helps families with with their senior members

- the way to value families is to have a forward looking environmental policy to provide clean air, clean water, safe food for the current and future generation

- the way to value families is to encourage job creation here at home and not reward companies who ship jobs overseas.

- the way to value families is to have a foreign policy which focuses on peace and prosperity, not on war and destruction.

- the way to value families is to have a domestic policy that embraces all families.

- the way to value families is to have a policy that is open to science and research, not one that discourages or rewrites findings.

- the way to value families is to have a justice system based on justice not partisan politics.

- the way to value families is to respect and follow the Constitution of the United States - not by looking for loopholes or weasling around it through the use of executive priviledge or signing statements.

AMERICA VALUES FAMILIES

(too numerous to list, but after each of these points - list the legislation the repubs have defeated)