This time, the part of the movie that struck me most was when Evan, standing before Congress, confesses that it was “God” who told him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood… to which the leading congressman responds,

God? You talk to God?… And God is talking back?… Obviously, the stresses of this office have proven too much for you… Please have the congressman removed.

[sigh]

Wouldn’t that be a sight to see in real life: political points deducted – not added – when candidates talk about their private exchanges with God. In the latest GOP presidential debate (the “Thanksgiving Family Forum”), for instance, the Christian contenders even left their dog whistles at home.  They didn’t need whistles; the candidates were astonishly candid about their intentions should they be elected. And, since the debate was not televised nor viewed online by many, I’m wondering if those who might have been critical of what was said may be unaware that there was even a debate this weekend.

Related past posts:  ”Cain: The Reluctant Leader“; “You can’t bridge a wall that doesn’t exist“

In a speech Saturday, Herman Cain illuminated his claim that it was God who convinced him to run for president.

I prayed and prayed and prayed… I’m a man of faith, I had to do a lot of praying for this one, more praying than I’d ever done before in my life. And when I finally realized that it was God saying that this is what I needed to do, I was like Moses. “You’ve got the wrong man, Lord. Are you sure?”

meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a
n.
1. A mental disorder marked by feelings delusions of greatness

Related articles

• Cain Says God Told Him to Run for President (politicalwire.com)
• OH FOR PETE’S SAKE: Cain Compares Himself To Moses And Says God Told Him To Run For President (businessinsider.com)

Recently, I called Michigan’s SB 637 ”a wasteful, GOP-crafted distraction.” The proposed law would,

…ENSURE THAT EACH PUPIL IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL IT OPERATES IS REQUIRED TO RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES EACH SCHOOL DAY.

I assumed that the legislation was just another tiresome attempt by Republicans to pander to the Christian Right while stalling efforts by President Obama to grow the economy.  Now I’m wondering if this sudden, out-of-the-blue interest in requiring children to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag every day has anything to do with the new flag:  The Cross Spangled Banner, which “contributes to the course of history and can help bring salvation to millions.”

Obviously the flag is garish (resembling something that I’d whip up in photoshop as a joke, frankly); there’s no doubt that dragging this thing into the classroom would be unconstitutional; but, given the unfathomable hubris of Christian Nationalists, who knows how it’ll be used.  We do know that “the idea for the flag was motivated by 2 Chronicles 7:14,”

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

To read more, see Christian Post: ‘Cross Spangled Banner’ to Reawaken Forgotten Virtues of America.

Related articles

• GOP Bill Would Make Pledge of Allegiance Mandatory for Michigan Students (crooksandliars.com)
• Michigan Senate Passes Bill Requiring Pledge Of Allegiance In Schools (POLL) (huffingtonpost.com)

From Friendly Atheist’s, “This is why we can’t have nice things, America,” my first response was the same as commenter Steve’s:

So now we have to justify why evolution is taught? WTF?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be aborn of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

Did you know that those clever Mormons have found a way around this requirement? It’s true. Just ask George Carlin.  He was baptized, confirmed and initiated as a Mormon in 2010, two years after his death.

According to the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church,

(God) has made it possible for members of the Church to help people who were not baptized when they lived on the earth. We can do for these people what they cannot do for themselves.

But, I would guess that if George had wanted to be a Mormon, he would have said so during his life; on the up-side, as a dead Mormon man, he gets very own planet to populate (Fife 103) – and how cool is that?

I found this story (and others) at Famous Dead Mormons – as well as this comment left by George Carlin’s brother, Patrick.

I am George’s older brother, Patrick and I am laughing my ass off.  George would have loved this whole scene.  Religious screwballs (excuse the redundancy) have kept us Carlins laughing for a long, long time.

Down in DC for George’s Mark Twain Prize.  I was in a limo with my son Dennis and my niece, Kelly.  We saw a bunch of christians demonstrating and shouting “George Carlin is in hell.”  We laughed and Kelly said, “Dad would be so proud.”

This Baptism for the dead is equally absurd.  Right up there with throwing virgins into volcanoes.  Religion, when you just don’t want to use your brain.

Patrick Carlin

…how about a smile? How about showing a little joy? How about a word or two saying something about how this is no doubt a happy or joyous occasion for Americans? We got nothing like that at all.

Mr. Brody has it all figured out though.

It’s because his speech wasn’t so much aimed at Americans. He was being careful of how the “Arab Street” would interpret his remarks. Any hint of gloating or happiness might be rubbing it in the face of some of the crazies in the Arab World and heaven forbid we get them upset! How dare we Americans look like we’re celebrating his death! The travesty of it all! Give me a break.

Wow.  WWJD?  Par-tay, apparently.

The most recent public statement by Christopher Hitchens:

Dear fellow-unbelievers,

Nothing would have kept me from joining you except the loss of my voice (at least my speaking voice) which in turn is due to a long argument I am currently having with the specter of death. Nobody ever wins this argument, though there are some solid points to be made while the discussion goes on. I have found, as the enemy becomes more familiar, that all the special pleading for salvation, redemption and supernatural deliverance appears even more hollow and artificial to me than it did before. I hope to help defend and pass on the lessons of this for many years to come, but for now I have found my trust better placed in two things: the skill and principle of advanced medical science, and the comradeship of innumerable friends and family, all of them immune to the false consolations of religion. It is these forces among others which will speed the day when humanity emancipates itself from the mind-forged manacles of servility and superstitition. It is our innate solidarity, and not some despotism of the sky, which is the source of our morality and our sense of decency.

(continued)