religion

Recently a gathering of Islamic leaders in Dakar, Senegal, has brought together leaders from many countries to discuss what they described as "Islamophobia." Included in this gathering were respectable leaders from Muslim countries, a handful of despotic maniacs, and a complete desire to ignore basic human freedoms.

Is it possible that there can be no understanding between the east and the west? I, personally, do not think so, but we in the west are not the only people that have to make changes to make that possible. According to our friends in the AP:

Concerned about what they see as a rise in the defamation of Islam, leaders of the world's Muslim nations are considering taking legal action against those that slight their religion or its sacred symbols. It was a key issue during a two-day summit that ended Friday in this western Africa capital.

We are now about mid-way through America’s favorite time of the year, Allhallowedsuperhappythanksmashanukkahbowl. Yes sir! The time of year where we meld every holiday in the fall and early spring into one giant orgy of materialistic advertising and guilt in order to maximize the income of giant box stores, automobile manufactures, diamond dealers and Chinese slave-labor camps is upon us once again.

My desire to rant about it comes just about this time every year. The Christmas decorations that went up before Halloween candy was off the shelves are already gathering cob-webs. All through the Thanksgiving football games, we had turkeys selling trucks and beer, the Macy’s parade selling Macy’s, and today even has a name of its own: Black Friday. From this point forward, we are going to be bombarded with advertising everything from diamonds to kid’s toys to automobiles. Are these things that we can buy any day of the year? Of course they are!

This is the CREEPIEST Santa EVAR

It's not everyone that knows their fate, knows what will come in the end, knows the final image that will fade out of view as their heart spasms it's final sputtering beat.... but I do.

When we were young we all thought we were immortal, untouchable little horny supermen that knew it all and would never die. We'd dance on the blade of a chainsaw if the notion struck us, confident that the sun would rise tomorrow just as it had all our short lives. I knew this as well as any, but for different reasons than most. The image of my ultimate passing was plastered on my mind. Like seeing your parents having sex, it was always there... disturbingly showing me the unthinkable.

Life has a different meaning to those that know the end. The fear of failure is gone, the anxiety of life is made manageable. Yet, within this the highs are dulled along with the lows. Life all becomes a pale shadow of the vision of your demise. There is no sweet without sour, no contentment without fear.

The day I learned of my demise was in many ways the beginning of my death. Like an amputee that can no long run, a part of me was cut away, tossed into a bio-hazard bag and thrown aside. I have limped through life ever since.

In celebration of the love, compassion and gosh darn good open mindedness of Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, I offer this little diddy. Enjoy.

Well the church has once again taken a stand on the important issues of the day.... The Chocolate Jesus must GO!

I've too much to say on this particular issue for the time I have right now, but I will say, if we take the WWJD measuring stick out I'm fairly sure that "You put your middle finger at the catholic church and we broke it" wouldn't be the first thing out of the Messiah's mouth.

"Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied"

I'm sure most priests when pondering the concept of divine accession, are in fact thinking of one day walking up that golden staircase to be at the foot of the almighty to live eternally in heaven. Well, according to Reuters a certain Father Antonio Rodrigues is more apt to be thinking of ascending from 0-130 mph in his souped-up Ford Fiesta.