There are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:29 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a look at renewed tensions between the religious right movement and the political party that ostensibly fights for its interests.

The Republican National Committee this week unveiled a lengthy report, providing an "autopsy" of what went wrong in 2012, and offering a blueprint for how the party can get back on track. The RNC's vision covers quite a bit of ground, detailing possible plans on procedure, tactics, strategy, outreach, and just a pinch of policy.

But to an almost surprising degree, the Republican National Committee's plan is entirely secular. The "Growth and Opportunity" report uses the word "Reagan" six times, but there are literally zero references to God, Christianity, and/or the Bible. For a party that has spent several decades claiming to be the arbiter of morality and "family values," the RNC's secularism was unexpected.

And for the religious right, disappointing. McKay Coppins had an interesting report on this, asking, "When the great Republican resurrection comes to pass, will conservative Christians be left behind?"

To many religious conservatives, the report was interpreted as a slight against their agenda and the hard work they have done for the party.

"The report didn't mention religion much, if at all," said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association. "You cannot grow your party by distancing yourself from your base, and this report doesn't reinforce the values that attracted me and many other people into the Republican Party in the first place. It just talks about reaching out to other groups."

Sandy Rios, an Evangelical radio host and Fox News contributor, said the RNC report's proposals amount to a "namby-pamby" abdication of religious values, and warned that the party could soon lose the grassroots engine that has powered its electoral victories for decades.

"They should be deeply concerned they're going to be alienating their base," Rios said, adding, "It seems to me that the leadership of the party is intent on that course. Most Christian conservatives are not going to be party loyalists over principle, and so the GOP has a lot more to lose than Christians."

The RNC's Sean Spicer defended the report, arguing that the report ignored the religious right because the movement has "always done a fabulous job," so the party doesn't see this as an area in need of attention.

The truth is more complicated, and for the party, more politically perilous.

Reince Priebus has spent a fair amount of time lately reflecting on 2012, and it seems clear that he sees the Republicans' culture war as an electoral loser -- the American mainstream, and especially younger voters, just don't hate gay people, reproductive rights, and the separation of church and state the way the GOP base does. To grow the party, Republicans won't just have to change the way they talk about issues, they'll very likely to have to change which issues they're talking about.

It's why the RNC's report also makes no mention of "abortion," "marriage," "religion," or even "pro-life." These aren't the issues that will help the party become more competitive on a national level.

But this is where the Republicans' identity crisis gets tricky. Reince Priebus wants to use religious right activists as the party's grassroots base -- there just aren't enough oil company lobbyists to work phone banks and engage in door-to-door activism -- but also wants to pretend the religious right agenda isn't at the core of the party. For the movement, this isn't good enough.

Reince Priebus also wants to signal to the American mainstream that his party isn't dominated by culture warriors, and the GOP's support for a right-wing social agenda is purely superficial, but Republican policymakers -- at the state and national level -- continue to focus on reproductive rights and gay rights, either out of sincere beliefs or motivated by a desire to pander to the religious right movement the RNC is content to ignore.

It's an untenable, unsustainable dynamic. If Republicans continue to obsess over social conservatism, they'll struggle as a national party. If they don't, they'll alienate the voters they need to compete. The RNC's report hasn't papered over this problem; it's helped put a spotlight on it.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* Immigration reform advocates pick up faith-based allies: "A coalition including some of the nation's largest evangelical Christian organizations said on Monday that Congress should include 'clear steps to citizenship' for illegal immigrants in any bill to overhaul the immigration system."

* Fox News is shifting its attention from the imaginary "War on Christmas" to the equally-fanciful "War on Easter."

* Not a good sign for the Roman Catholic Church in L.A. "In an acknowledgment that new revelations in the priest abuse scandal have tarnished the church's image, lawyers for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are seeking to postpone upcoming sexual abuse trials or relocate them to a courthouse 200 miles away because they don't believe they can get a fair trial in Southern California" (thanks to R.P. for the tip).

* Speaking of the Roman Catholic Church: "Pope Francis suggested in an interview last year that the Catholic Church's rule that priests be celibate 'can change' and admitted he was tempted by a woman as a young seminarian."

* The Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is so engaged in the right for equality that it won't perform marriage ceremonies for anyone until it can also perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.

* And in one of my favorite Pat Robertson stories ever, the radical TV preacher warned his viewers this week to be fearful of "scamsters in religious garb quoting the Bible. I mean run from them."


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/23/17428633-this-week-in-god?lite

Fox News is shifting its attention from the imaginary "War on Christmas" to the equally-fanciful "War on Easter."


Just ask monster. I predicted this a month ago in the other place. LOL

Oh, I found it here: http://currenteventsii.yuku.com/reply/2 ... ply-282629

Post #3. It was over a month ago.......ha

There are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:21 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is an interesting fight over "religious freedom" legislation in Kentucky, which isn't quite what it appears to be.

As in every state, residents of Kentucky already enjoy religious liberty under the First Amendment, but conservatives in the state legislature decided to craft a proposal that would empower Kentuckians with "sincerely held" religious beliefs to disregard state laws and regulations. In effect, if a law conflicted with the tenets of your faith as you interpret them, your conscience would trump your obligation to follow the law.

This wouldn't mean folks could just run red lights and tell the police their "sincerely held" beliefs trump traffic lights -- the legislation has a few safeguards, though critics argue they're overly vague -- but as my friend Rob Boston at Americans United for Separation of Church and State recently explained, the Kentucky proposal could carry widespread consequences.


The bill nevertheless passed the legislature, largely with Republican support, but also with the backing of some conservative Democrats. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) then vetoed the measure, citing "serious unintentional consequences that could threaten public safety, health care and individuals' civil rights," and the need to avoid "costly litigation" the state would likely lose.

In response, the legislature overrode the veto this week, and it will become state law in 90 days. Religious right activists who lobbied aggressively for the measure have vowed to "move along with the rest of the country," taking their proposal to other states.

Expect some interesting lawsuits to soon follow.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* Pope Francis is causing a stir in Roman Catholic circles by breaking with some of Benedict XVI's agenda of reviving the pre-Vatican II traditions. The AP reported yesterday, "Francis' decision to disregard church law and wash the feet of two girls -- a Serbian Muslim and an Italian Catholic -- during a Holy Thursday ritual has become something of the final straw."

* Speaking of the Catholic Church, a suspended Roman Catholic priest in Connecticut is facing criminal charges after allegedly taking in more than $300,000 from sales of methamphetamine (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).

* The American Family Association's Bryan Fischer generally opposes government intervention in private enterprise, but argued this week that viewing pornography "ought to be against the law."

* And President Obama this morning devoted his weekly address to extending Easter and Passover well wishes, adding that this weekend can be a "chance to embrace loved ones, give thanks for our blessings, and help those less fortunate as we celebrate our individual traditions as well as the thread of humanity that connects us all."


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/30/17529345-this-week-in-god?lite

The Bishop of the the diocese we live in (Bishop Morlino) issued a directive to priests: No Washing women's feet! It's men's feet, or just skip the ritual. But no women's feet, goddammit! (This is a paraphrase)

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Apr 6, 2013 10:18 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a curious story out of a Virginia college, where guns and religion are intersecting in a rather unexpected way.

You may be familiar with Liberty University, an evangelical school in Lynchburg, created by the late Jerry Falwell, who spent many years as one of the nation's most prominent and most extreme televangelists. The restrictions placed on Liberty's students are the stuff of legend -- its code of conduct dictates that students are prohibited from seeing R-rated movies, listening to music that is not "in harmony with God's word," drinking alcohol, dancing, or kissing. Women on campus are prohibited from wearing dresses or skirts "shorter than the top of the knee."

At one point, Liberty even banned students who wanted to form an on-campus Democratic Party group.

Recently, however, Liberty announced that students will be allowed to carry loaded firearms on campus (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).


So, let me get this straight. At Liberty University, students are far more likely to see someone carrying a semi-automatic than carrying a bottle of beer. Mini-skirts have been deemed inappropriate, but loaded handguns have been deemed entirely appropriate. Students can see an extended magazine, but they can't see "Django Unchained."

It's a different kind of college experience, I suppose.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* A religious right group called Morality in Media condemned Attorney General Eric Holder this week for not using law-enforcement resources to crack down on pornography. The group called Holder the nation's top "pornography facilitator."

* Alan Hays, a Republican state senator in Florida, is leading a crusade to prevent state courts from following Islamic law, which is a problem that currently exists only in his imagination. Though Hays concedes the Sharia law threat is nowhere to be found, he compares his legislation to getting "vaccinated against different diseases."

* A Cincinnati-area public school has hung a portrait of Jesus in its lobby since 1947, but took it down this week when faced with litigation arguing that the portrait is a rather blatant violation of the separation of church and state. The school district's insurance company said it would not cover litigation expenses.

* And TV preacher Pat Robertson this week heard from a viewer who asked why miracles such as "people raised from the dead, blind eyes open, lame people walking" seem to "happen with great frequency in Africa," but not the United States. Robertson said it's because Americans are more educated and "sophisticated" about science. The implicit -- and from an evangelical perspective, unfortunate -- message is that ignorance is a precondition to belief in miracles.


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/06/17629910-this-week-in-god?lite

That's correct. We also see and hear more about the work of charlatans and snake oil peddlers. Especially those dressed in religious garb, Pat.

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:21 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a strange warning from one of the religious right movement's most prominent voices.

While many faith leaders from a wide variety of traditions support new proposals to reduce gun violence, many leading evangelical Christians are doing the opposite, aligning themselves with the National Rifle Association (because nothing reinforces fealty to Jesus like opposing background checks on gun purchases). Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, went so far as to embrace a truly bizarre conspiracy theory.


So, to recap, in Perkins' mind, the military is hostile to Roman Catholics and evangelical Christians (a ridiculous claim); Roman Catholics and evangelical Christians have been deemed a potential threat to national security (an equally ridiculous claim); the federal government may be inclined to put these Christians on a watch list (still ridiculous); leading to laws that prevent Christians from buying firearms (you see where I'm going with this).

This nonsense was then picked up by World Net Daily, Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) favorite conspiracy theory website, which never saw a nutty idea it didn't want to publish.

I can understand the appeal of silly arguments like these -- they combine paranoia, fear of government, and a persecution complex, all staples of the religious right's political identity -- but the fact that conservatives are relying on them suggests they can't think of legitimate arguments based on reality. When one can't win a policy debate by sticking to the facts, it suggests the debate itself is already over.

Then again, if history is any guide, members of Congress will be repeating this argument very soon.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* Far-right provocateur Pamela Geller, who seems to make a living by hating Muslims professionally, was scheduled to speak at a Long Island synagogue this week on the "Imposition of Sharia in America." In response to public pressure, the event was cancelled (thanks to reader R.P for the tip).

* A new report was released this week on the nation's most and least religious cities. On one end of the spectrum is Burlington, Vermont, where only 17% of the population self-identifies as "very religious," while Provo, Utah, is on the other end, with 77% (thanks to reader R.B. for the tip).

* The head of the resurgent Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, said this week that "feminism was a 'very dangerous' phenomenon offering an illusion of freedom to women who should focus on their families and children" (thanks to reader R.M. for the tip). It's the 21st century. I just thought I should mention that.

* And radical TV preacher Pat Robertson argued this week that the United States should abandon the Middle East peace process, because if there's a two-state solution, it "will result in terrible suffering for people in the United States." Why? Because, in Robertson's mind, his God opposes the peace process, and U.S. officials are therefore "asking for the wrath of Almighty God to fall on this nation."


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/13/17733740-this-week-in-god

Well, what happens if all the sudden you are identified as an evangelical, bible-believing fundamentalist and the government decides you've got to be put on a watch list?

You mean like all those Muslims and other assorted "ragheads" and "dark-skinned people you want on a watch list?
What a concept,eh?

And radical TV preacher Pat Robertson argued this week that the United States should abandon the Middle East peace process, because if there's a two-state solution, it "will result in terrible suffering for people in the United States." Why? Because, in Robertson's mind, his God opposes the peace process, and U.S. officials are therefore "asking for the wrath of Almighty God to fall on this nation."

LMAO

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:11 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a look at the latest developments surrounding one of my very favorite examples of religious/political activism: Roman Catholic nuns, who've taken on an increasingly active role championing progressive causes, including the importance of economic justice and President Obama's Affordable Care Act.

The nuns' efforts were not well received by former Pope Benedict, but many hoped the selection of a new, reform-minded pope might lead the church to adopt a fresh perspective. Alas, that has not happened (thanks to my wife for the tip).

Pope Francis has reaffirmed the Vatican's criticism of a body that represents U.S. nuns that the Church said was tainted by "radical" feminism, dashing hopes that he might take a softer stand with the sisters.

Francis's predecessor, Benedict, decreed that the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), a group that represents more than 80 percent of the 57,000 Catholic nuns in the United States, must change its ways, a ruling that the Vatican said on Monday still applied.

Last year, a Vatican report said the LCWR had "serious doctrinal problems" and promoted "radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith," criticizing it for taking a soft line on issues such as birth control and homosexuality.

Nuns met this week with Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, the new head of the Vatican's doctrinal department, and Archbishop Peter Sartain of Seattle, who has been assigned by the Vatican to "correct" the nuns' "perceived failings." The nuns were informed that Pope Francis has already endorsed Pope Benedict's criticisms.

If recent history is any guide, we haven't heard the last of the dispute.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* A national HuffPost/YouGov poll found that 34% of Americans would favor establishing Christianity as the official state religion in their own state, while 47 percent would oppose the idea. The same poll found 32% would favor a constitutional amendment making Christianity the country's official religion. It suggests about a third of the country might need a refresher on the basics of religious liberty in the United States.

* As the climate crisis intensifies, "about 4 in 10 Protestant pastors 'believe global warming is real and man made' -- an increase from similar data collected in 2010, but down slightly from 2008" (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).

* Interesting court case: "The Virginia Supreme Court ruled for the Episcopal Church on Thursday in a bitter, multi-million-dollar property dispute with a conservative congregation that had left the denomination amid controversies over homosexuality and other issues. The panel affirmed a lower court's decision that the 3,000-member congregation, which voted in 2006 to leave the Episcopal Church, did not have the right to keep the sprawling property known as the Falls Church."

* And radical TV preacher Pat Robertson this week told his audience that Dungeons & Dragons is a "demonic" game that has "literally destroyed people's lives."


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/20/17838558-this-week-in-god?lite

Robertson's good for at least a giggle a week.

I am not a Robertson fan, but he was right on spot when it comes to "Dungeons and Dragons"....a very evil game that cost my stepson his life.

I somehow doubt a board game itself ever cost anybody's life.

Lol--no the board game itself did not cost D his life...the re-enactment of "Knights around the Round Table" (a D & D game) did...it is a Russian Roulette game, and when D declined to pull the trigger, a hyped up buddy did it for him (the buddy later confessed in his suicide note which he wrote right before he hung himself two years later.)...between the two young men's deaths several families suffered tremendously....

Not to be insensitive but, stupid is what killed him.

I absolutely agree 100%--wrong place wrong time wrong crowd--a dozen "buddies" each of whom brought black rose and laid it on the casket...I wanted to be sick--hated the funeral, hated the kids, hated it all...D had gone back to be with Mom and was headed for MIT on a scholarship that Fall...he was coming to see us the following month but stupid happened....the long trip to Tx i thought my hubby was going to die before we arrived at the funeral--there is no pain worse than burying your child...the stupidity of the death made that even more painful, as if it were possible to be more painful..

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat Apr 27, 2013 10:25 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a look at crumbling nature of the religious right's "conversion therapy" campaign, once a leading priority for the movement, which continues to collapse under the weight of its own ridiculousness.

For many years, the religious right movement's main argument against LGBT rights has been that sexual orientation is a choice, and to that end, far-right groups and leaders became heavily invested in the 1990s in an effort to convince gay people that they could be "converted" to heterosexuality. James Dobson's Focus on the Family even created an "ex-gay" ministry and hosted "Love Won Out" conferences to promote the notion that Christian therapy could turn gay people straight.

The religious right even had a spokesperson: John Paulk, who told the world he'd been "cured" of his homosexuality. Whatever happened to Paulk? Katie McDonough reported that he apologized for his previous efforts this week, renounced the "ex-gay" movement, and admits his sexual orientation never actually changed (thanks to R.M. for the tip).

Former Exodus International chairman and conversion therapy "success story" John Paulk has written a formal statement of apology for his role in promoting Focus on the Family's "ex-gay" ministry and for any harm his actions may have done to other gays and lesbians. [...]

Paulk also addresses his legacy in the letter, as many Christians struggling to come out still view him as a poster boy for conversion therapy and, unaware of his current life as an openly gay man, may look to his example to "cure" themselves. Paulk asks that people ignore the two books and countless public testimonies he gave before coming to honest terms with his sexuality because "they do not reflect who I am now or what I believe today."

The "conversion therapy" campaign was a cruel and pathetic initiative, which even many conservatives now prefer to forget. Paulk's apology, long overdue, should mark the formal end of the "ex-gay" movement, and the demise of a faith-based campaign that never should have been launched in the first place.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* A Mississippi school district is now the subject of a federal lawsuit after officials coerced students to attend events that featured a fundamentalist Christian video, proselytizing, and prayer.

* A tragic story out of Pennsylvania: "A couple serving probation for the 2009 death of their toddler after they turned to prayer instead of a doctor could face new charges now that another son has died" (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).

* The American Family Association, a prominent right-wing group, has been apoplectic of late, insisting the U.S. military and the Obama administration was blocking servicemembers' access to the Southern Baptist Convention's website. As it turns out, there was a technical glitch, which has since been resolved (thanks to R.B. for the tip).

* And radical TV preacher Pat Robertson this week accused Planned Parenthood of supporting genocide and inspiring Adolf Hitler. (For the record, Planned Parenthood does not support genocide and did not inspire Hitler.)


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/27/17944770-this-week-in-god?lite

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat May 4, 2013 9:48 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a story about conservatives condemning the Defense Department for faith-based policies that don't actually exist at the Pentagon.

Fox News' Sean Hannity and Todd Starnes portrayed restraints on proselytization as proof of the Obama administration's purported "war on religious liberty in the military," despite the fact that military policy has long prohibited unwanted proselytization.

On the May 2 edition of his Fox News show, Hannity claimed that a Pentagon statement reiterating the military's longtime policy against proselytizing was proof of Obama's "war on religious liberty." Starnes added that Christians were "under significant attack" by the Obama administration, under which "we have seen a Christian cleansing of the United States military."

The more Fox News pushed this line, the more others on the right took it seriously. Breitbart.com, true to form, told readers, "Pentagon May Court Martial Soldiers Who Share Christian Faith." Then the religious right movement got involved -- AU's Simon Brown reported, soon after, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins expressed outrage that the Obama administration is involved in an "anti-Christian offensive." His colleague, FRC Executive Vice President Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William "Jerry" Boykin, added, "If this policy goes forward, Christians within the military who speak of their faith could now be prosecuted as enemies of the state."

Seriously? Christians will be prosecuted as "enemies of the state" for talking about their faith? No, not in this reality.

The truth is far more mundane than the right would have us believe. The Defense Department, hoping to debunk some of the overheated nonsense from the right, clarified this week that aggressive proselytizing and faith-based harassment among service members is not permitted -- when one soldier is constantly trying to convert another, against his or her will, it's not good for morale or unit cohesion -- but men and women in uniform are still free to discuss their religious beliefs.

"The U.S. Department of Defense has never and will never single out a particular religious group for persecution or prosecution," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen said in a statement. "The Department makes reasonable accommodations for all religions and celebrates the religious diversity of our service members."

Christensen added. "Service members can share their faith (evangelize), but must not force unwanted, intrusive attempts to convert others of any faith or no faith to one's beliefs (proselytization)."

The Fox story, in other words, was baseless, despite the eagerness with which conservatives embraced and circulated it.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* Pope Francis tweeted this week, "My thoughts turn to all who are unemployed, often as a result of a self-centred mindset bent on profit at any cost." It came a day after he condemned the "slave labor" conditions at a Bangladesh factory whose collapse last week killed hundreds. Political activists on the right were not pleased, accusing the pope of supporting "socialism."

* There was a bizarre incident in Albuquerque this week when a young man, wielding a knife, vaulted over pews and attacked a choir director he believed to be "a Mason," and that he later told police that he was "99 percent sure Alvarez was a Mason" and that Masons are a group involved "in a conspiracy that is far more reaching than I could or would believe" (thanks to R.P. for the heads-up).

* There's also a bizarre faith-based controversy brewing in Dallas, where a debate over school reforms has led one local man to reach out to 75 local pastors to see his rivals as "a fake Jesus" (thanks to my colleague Kent Jones for the tip).

* And my colleague Will Femia flagged this gem, showing a homeless man "conducting a clever exercise in behavioral economics disguised as an inquiry into the levels of spontaneous generosity as determined by religious creed or lack thereof." For the record, at last count, the atheists were winning.


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/04/18053343-this-week-in-god?lite

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat May 11, 2013 8:30 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a look at a congressional prayer event, held for the second consecutive year in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol, featuring some rather remarkable comments from a prominent lawmaker.

Take a look at this clip of Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), published by my friend Kyle Mantyla at Right Wing Watch.


For those who can't watch clips online, most of the Republican congresswoman's comments were routine -- Bachmann talked about her support for "humbling ourselves before an almighty God, crying out to an almighty God, saying, 'Not of ourselves but you, would you save us oh God? We repent of our sins, we turn away from them, we seek you, we seek your ways.'"

But pay particular attention to the lawmaker's thoughts on "judgment."


Part of the problem with this is Bachmann using her platform to promote an event organized by Joseph Farah, a right-wing activist best known for publishing the loony World Net Daily conspiracy website. But the larger issue here is Bachmann's unexpected take on U.S. national security threats -- as she sees it, both the 9/11 attacks and the Benghazi attacks are related to divine "judgment."

This is not, as a rule, what politicians usually say about terrorist strikes. Indeed, from Bachmann's perspective, Americans are at least partly to blame for the attacks themselves -- we displeased God, the argument goes, and as a consequence, we felt the pain of God's "judgment."

To be sure, Bachmann, like everyone else, is entitled to whatever theological beliefs she wishes to embrace. But it's nevertheless jarring, to put it mildly, to see a prominent politician -- a former presidential candidate and current member of the House Intelligence Committee -- argue publicly that God's judgment of Americans' sins led to deadly terrorist attacks. Members of Congress usually blame the terrorists for mass murder, not us.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said this week he heard a curious religious perspective from one of his Senate colleagues. "I was recently at a Senate meeting where I heard a member of our Senate community say, 'God won't allow us to ruin our planet.' Maybe that's why we do nothing: we're comfortable that God somehow won't allow us to ruin our planet. That seems such an extraordinary notion that I thought I would reflect on it today." Whitehouse did not identify which senator made the comments.

* In the world of religion and music, the Catholic League is angry with David Bowie over his new music video, and the lead singer of Christian rock band pleaded not guilty this week to charges he tried to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife (thanks to reader R.P. for the tips).

* A Catholic high school in Columbus, Ohio, fired one of its teachers, despite 19 years of quality work, because school officials saw the name of her same-sex partner in her mother's published obituary. Voucher proponents continue to argue that schools like this one should receive taxpayer funding (thanks to my colleague Tricia McKinney for the heads-up).

* In Beaumont, Texas, a judge has ruled "that cheerleaders at a Southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games" (thanks to my colleague Robert Lyon for the tip).

* As if Republican policymakers in North Carolina weren't doing enough damage already, the state Senate unanimously passed a measure this week intended to "clarify" the religious liberties afforded to public school students. Proponents of church-state separation noted that the measure grants "special privileges" to religious speech and "will likely invite constitutional abuses and costly litigation."

* And radical TV preacher Pat Robertson, who regularly assures his audience that he receives detailed messages from God, this week warned viewers about the dangers of false prophets. That's good advice, Pat. Good advice, indeed.


http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/11/18192028-this-week-in-god?lite

"It's no secret that our nation may very well be experiencing the hand of judgment. It's no secret that we all are concerned that our nation may be in a time of decline.... Our nation has seen judgment not once but twice on September 11. That's why we're going to have '9/11 Pray' on that day. Is there anything better that we can do on that day rather than to humble ourselves and to pray to an almighty God?"

I get furious when I hear religious leaders and others declare judgment in the Name of Christ on our country...these so called Christians completely negate what Christ did at the Cross...judgement and justification were fulfilled at the Cross...out of Love. JMO

Here is this week's installment ~ there are "live links" to more/corroborating info in the original, accessible via the end link ~ Sooz

This Week in God
By Steve Benen - Sat May 18, 2013 10:09 AM EDT

First up from the God Machine this week is a story out of South Florida, in which a mayoral candidate claimed an unusual political endorsement, which did not turn out especially well.


I've reported on developments at the intersection of religion and politics for a good chunk of my career, but I don't recall ever seeing a politician claim to have been literally endorsed by Jesus Christ. That is, before Anna Pierre, a registered nurse, made the claim in advance of this week's North Miami mayoral race.


For some reason, local voters were not persuaded -- Pierre came in seventh out of seven candidates, getting slightly less than one percent of the vote.

Also from the God Machine this week:

* The AP reported this week that a prominent American priest of the Legion of Christ religious order has decided to leave the priesthood after admitting he fathered a child years ago. The Rev. Thomas Williams, who had worked as an MSNBC religion analyst, is now eager to care for his son and the mother (thanks to my colleague Vanessa Silverton Peel for the heads-up).

* Remember Harold Camping, who gained notoriety a couple of years ago after predicting the end of the world? This California-based Family Radio ministry has apparently fallen on hard times and begun selling off assets while laying off staffers (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).

* The town of Muldrow, Okla., is in "turmoil" after the Freedom From Religion Foundation reminded the local public high school that it cannot promote and endorse the Ten Commandments. Many locals have organized large protests, but attorneys representing the school have said the religious displays will have to be removed.

* In Georgia this week, Gov. Nathan Deal (R) ordered the state Department of Natural Resources to put Bibles in cabins and lodge rooms at state parks. In a statement, Deal said, "These Bibles are donated by outside groups, not paid for by the state," adding that "any group is free to donate literature" for park cabins and lodges. I'll look forward to seeing which other groups take the governor up on the offer.

* And in Bangladesh, bloggers criticizing the abuse of religion by politicians have been labeled "atheists," and are now facing arrest and death threats.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/18/18339932-this-week-in-god

bachman is insane. 911 was not the judgement of God. it was not even the judgement of man.

See, there is a God! Praise the Lord!

Just saw this roseanne and you called it like an oddsmaker in Vegas!

LOL! I should've taken bets. I'm sure I could've suckerd a few over there.