BS: Happy Blasphemy Day

Subject: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: bobad
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 11:15 AM

"Blasphemy Day International is a campaign seeking to establish September 30th as a day to promote free speech and to stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to challenge, criticize, and satirize religion without fear of murder, litigation, or reprisal. The event was created as a reaction against those who would seek to take away the right to satirize and criticize a particular set of beliefs that have been given a privileged status over other beliefs."

http://www.centerforinquiry.net/events/international_blasphemy_day

"Irreverence is the champion of liberty." –Mark Twain

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Royston
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 11:59 AM

God damn it Bobad, why the hell can't you leave the religious folks alone, for Christ's sake. Anyway, did you hear the one about the Priest Rabbi and Imam...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Alice
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:01 PM

You mean it is Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster day?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Alice
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:02 PM

Life Of Brian is checked out of all the video rental stores.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:07 PM

I met an old guy many years ago at Hyde park Corner. He had spent his life in secularist platforms, and was perhaps the last person to be charged with blasphemy. His crime, referring to the father, the son and the holy bogey.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:18 PM

I haven't seen any 'events' advertised. (Not sure what they'd do, anyway...'durn folks to heck'?

I think I'll just stick to MY campaign for basic reason and common sense. If that works out, blasphemy will be irrelevant.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:28 PM

Um, you might want to know that irreverence and blasphemy are not at all the same thing. I'm irreverent all the time, but blasphemy is serious. However, I can appreciate that sometimes exaggeration is helpful to get people unstuck, so go for it! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 12:56 PM

My dad was blasphemous, quite often, and passed it down. We still refer to the "Holy Pappy in Rome" AND wear orange on St. Pat's day!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: olddude
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 01:25 PM

Mudcat has a very diverse group of people, that is one of the appeals, all walks of life, all types of faith, even no faith is a faith. Nothing wrong with that, makes life a lot less boring. However, and this is the however, many of your friends here are people of deep faith including some of the old masters. They are your friend that are the first to show up and the last to leave when you get into trouble. And your friend who drop to their knees when you or your loved ones get ill. Hurting feelings or mocking their faith, well if it makes you feel good then go ahead I guess. Myself, I think it is wrong. Susan's husband Hardi is an ordained minister and one of the kindest people you will ever meet like Susan and many others here. There is a vast difference between religion like the "religious right" and faith. Don't confuse the two. People of faith do not jam it at others, they keep it inside.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 01:25 PM

Since it is advertised as INTERNATIONAL Blasphemy day:

Any volunteers for Muslim countries?

I`d be interested if they would last the whole day there....

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Royston
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 01:52 PM

Oh Ernest, it couldn't possibly take long for someone to bash the Muslims could it now.

We still have blasphemy laws in this country (UK), in 1922 John William Gott was the last Brit to go to prison for blasphemy for comparing Jesus to a circus clown. Plenty of prosecutions have been brought since then but not since the 1998 Human Rights Act was passed have any guilty findings been reached.

I don't know about US law, or Canadian law - UK, USA and Canada being the home-countries of most 'catters.

In this country we've had Christian zealots protesting against theatre plays and films, campaigning for the right to discriminate against and abuse lesbians and gays and single mothers. In the USA you get Christians who murder doctors and you get Tim McVeigh who was at least partly inspired by his faith.

So there's no real difference between Muslim countries and the religious West. What's your point - that Blasphemy laws are all wrong and should all be removed, or that we should strengthen ours to match your stereotype of the Middle East.

As someone who lives in the UK but has travelled extensively in the Middle East, Iran and USA, I can say that I have found the worst and the best that people of faith can offer in all regions and religions.

My view? I am a person of faith. I would never denigrate, mock or insult another person of faith. That is just wrong a level of basic human decency. If others do so then I tend to pity them, frankly.

Am I 'offended' by people criticising *faiths* or *religions*: certainly not, never. If one's faith is so weak as to be shaken by that sort of thing then one has some more searching questions to ask of oneself.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:00 PM

Life Of Brian is checked out of all the video rental stores.

Is there anything blasphemous about this film? The bits which do touch upon the life of Jesus Christ (The Nativity and Sermon on the Mount) are done with a respect approaching reverence.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:14 PM

'Most' of the good folks and friends I know who are religious are not intimidated or upset (at least overtly) that I am not. We respect each others view, and mostly talk of other things.
As old dude says, Susan & Hardi are great folks just to be around (says Bill, knowing that nags to come back & visit again are semi-regular *grin*) (I know, Susan...I know)
If more 'religious' folks took their attitude, silly events like 'blasphemy day' would seldom arise.

What to say to VERY religious folks who want religion to be a controlling force in our society and base their politics, friendships and alliances ON perceived religious bases? *sigh*...Depends on the circumstances. I see the Supreme Court is about to get into the mess again....now I have to fret about possible ramifications.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: gnu
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:26 PM

olddude... you are quite correct. I have been guilty of using foul language herein, usually when I felt it portrayed a certain humorous aspect or when peeved at somebody. I was, of course, wrong and I have mended my ways SOMEWHAT, except when really peeved. Then, I don't hold back. I shall never shed my Wildebeeste side but I am working on keeping it in check a bit better.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:30 PM

How fun! Aargh! Oh, no, that's the Sept 19th silly holiday...

You can find one for any day, apparently. But I like this one...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:31 PM

My favorite blasphemy: Well, I'll be sodomized on Christmas! From Chef, on South Park. Can't remember what he was so startled about...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 03:13 PM

I said it in the mind blowing thread and I will say it again here

I am composed of the matter which I created.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 04:19 PM

Not picking on you Mrr.

Well, I'll be sodomized on Christmas! is a fine irreverence (I may borrow it), but it's not blasphemy.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 04:30 PM

oh blast

mine is not blasphemy either

it is heretical though. does that count?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: bobad
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 04:41 PM

blas·phe·my (blsf-m)
n. pl. blas·phe·mies

1.a. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.
b. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.

2. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 04:51 PM

The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.

WooT! then i did do a blasphemy. yippeee.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 05:52 PM

Those are secular, not religious meanings of the term. The Bibbical term is a little more narrowly defined, especially when one considers language-of-origin scholarship and hermeneutics. Bandy the word on, but do be aware that it is most likely that it will not always be taken the way one meant for it to be taken.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: gnu
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 05:53 PM

I am sure I have, no matter the details.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Alice
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 06:14 PM

Bibbical?

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 07:26 PM

Yup, Bibbical. That's the perfessional term, you know. '~)

(I'se an Ecupalian.)

PM for other terms.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 07:56 PM

Okay, folks... I been waitin' a long time to cut loose my Top Ten:

10. Donnie Osborne is the father of folk music...

9. Eric Clapton is the father of the blues...

8. Jimmy Traficant for President...

7. Even if Jesus had been playing quarterback this past weekend the Redskins would have lost to the dreadfull Detroit Lions...

6. Joe Offer's mom wears combat boots...

5. Beer ain't all 3 food groups...

4. Kendall really doesn't like women... 'er Scotch...

3. Shanty songs are hazaedous to your health...

2. Chongo is a closet cross dresser...

and...

1. Folk music to be played in elevators in 2010...

There, that ougtta do it... Fir now...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:18 PM

Dictionaries are fine, but onlr recored usage, however misguided. The 'utterance' definition offered above has common curency, and is the basis of the law, but has no theologigal foundation.
'The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God' is however the original meaning, and was why Jesus was pushed to the top of a cliff after saying 'today , in your presence, this prophecy has been fulfilled' inna synagogue.
    Blasphemy is truly awful, both Bush and Blair should have been burnt at the stake for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Joe_F
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:58 PM

All you people who do not believe in Gosh will go to Heck, where you will be tormented forever by the Dickens -- also known as the Prince of Inadequate Lighting and the Father of Prevarications.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 09:03 PM

All you people who do not believe in Gosh will go to Heck, where you will be tormented forever by the Dickens -- also known as the Prince of Inadequate Lighting and the Father of Prevarications.

Gonna steal THAT one, too. :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 10:16 PM

Well, out here in Idaho we don't have any laws against blasphemy. Deviation from the Republican Party might, however, get you burned at the stake (of public opinion).

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 11:44 PM

If I were to blast a phemy I would only do so during open season. Those damned phemies are hard to find but I know that they are out there somewhere! What's the bag limit?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: SharonA
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 08:48 PM

The Bible says that Jesus said that blasphemy of the holy spirit (capitalize the name if you wish but I'd rather not) is the only unforgivable sin. I take that to mean "to thine own self be true". In other words, don't claim that the spirit is in you if it's not -- don't sing hymns in church if you don't believe the words -- don't be a "whited sepulchre", etc. Am I on the right track here?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 09:13 PM

"Never laugh at the other person's religion -- it's no more ridiculous than your own."

I dunno who said it or where I got it. It was either a little Humanist publication I subscribed to in the '70s or one of the Haldeman-Julius "Little Blue Books" on philosophy.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: heric
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 09:30 PM

>>People of faith do not jam it at others, they keep it inside.<<

mmm . . Not so sure about that pronouncement / mandate. I am always courteous to and even appreciative of Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah's witnesses who just want to save my soul in accordance with their beliefs. Even Mormans. . . . Well maybe not so much. But I don' laugh or anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: olddude
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 09:59 PM

Heric
your point is well taken but again goes back to faith vs religion. A leader says this is what you are supposed to do and people follow. I think for so people the leader or the organization becomes the faith and not God. I like the line "I will show you the truth and the truth shall set you free" the I being God not a door knocker ...

Like I said, I don't need a building nor do I need a leader. Nor do you see any of your catter friends with faith doing it

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: heric
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 10:23 PM

True and we couldn't stay friends for long of they wouldn't let up. (When one of my best friends went to Scientology it took years to finalize a working arrangement.) And certainly living the example is the most effective persuasion. But I always thought those people who really Believed in Evangelism were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

WYSIWYG feel free to shed light on this if you feel like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: olddude
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 11:04 PM

Heric, Leave it to leaders and churches to all over to complicate the thing for sure.   A couple of things I wish all wouldsimply follow, the greatest of all commandments "love one another as you would love yourself" how much clearer can that be ... or the "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone" or the "father forgive them, they know not what they are doing"

all summed up right there. Yet I hear the TV guys railing at gays and Catholics and Jewish people etc. ... I always felt, try walking the walk and not talking the talk and where do they get this stuff and what God do that serve?... that is where we get the idea that everyone of faith is the same way and it is sad I think.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 12:09 AM

Heric, crazy-busy here and Mudcat's not the best setting anyway for what is better discussed fireside. You know me, tho, and a PM dialog is always rewarding, with you.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 09:15 AM

Heric, here's a draft of a workshop piece I am working on, that may apply to your interest. It came out of a PM exchange with a newish MudBud.

~S~

===

Re: TO         2 Oct 2009 08:37 AM
                
.... You might appreciate the following...

The Three Truths of Southern Religion.
1. Christians don't recognize Jews.
2. Protestants don't recognize Catholics.
3. Baptists don't recognize you in a liquor store.

(Actually, it's not that bad [where I live now]... except for #3. That one is true!)


My reply:

That list actually helps with a workshop I am planning, in which I need to describe how our area is LIKE the south and how it is NOT. Here, even #3 is not so true here, and I know the bar/grille where it is most manifest-- the tacit agreement not to seem to notice who is there-- because, we are SO rurally isolated that what really decides every "barrier" has to do with whether one is a person who would come to your housefire, or not.... your housefire, your flood, your death in the family, etc. ... Are you a potential helper in trouble, or are you the trouble which will need others to drop their chores to bail your stupid ass out-- and if we bail it out, will that turn you into the next helper... or will you prefer to stay stupid?

Hardi and I are the lucky flatlanders called here, who were never stupid and who only got smarter when we let them break us in to suit. They saw that when they picked him up, midwinter, off the airplane. For his interview. I think they were down to three candidates. It had been a rough year here for snow-- it happens about very 5 years, but in Chicago it's EVERY year. He got off the puddlejumper flight in dress clericals and MUDBOOTS, with a heavy drover's oilskin overcoat (black). They told him then they thought he was probably the man to come here.

But there is much here in common with our sister city in KY. South (Appalachian) mixed with hardy New Englanders, a few Philly brawlers to spice it up, and 2nd/3rd/4th gen ethnic imports for the logging and coal mines. And then inbred from the ones that could not only survive in hardscrabble dairy country when the logging and mines closed, but flourish.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Stringsinger
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 12:54 PM

Whenever you have an authoritarian domineering environment that enables bad behavior you will have child abuse.

4. Whenever you find four Episcopalians, you find a fifth. :) (That's a hoary old joke).

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Dead Horse
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 12:58 PM

If God made man in his own image, and if it is blasphemy to create an image of god, then HE started it!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Blasphemy Day
From: Stringsinger
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 01:10 PM

This brings up the question of the notion of evil and so-called doctrine of "free will".
Proposition: If evil exists in the world than god must have made it.
Then god would expect man to make a choice. So he tested man. If man fails,
god doesn't take the blame even if he created man. ". Why does god get off free of responsibility here? Where is that "free will"?

If god didn't create evil then he's not as powerful as claimed. If the devil is equally powerful, then where is god's omnipotence? Or did god create the devil or vice versa?

Happy blasphemy day.