Thursday 26 April 2012

This is who I want the next pope to be

Originally from The Daily Telegraph

Okay. So I was thinking of doing a post about the recent leaks from the Vatican regarding the death prediction of the current pope within 12 months, but came across a name being touted as Benedict's successor.


The papal prospect is an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church, philosopher and theologian. He is currently the Archbishop of Milan since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 28 June 2011. He had previously served as Patriarch of Venice since 2002. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2003. so his credentials are impressive.


I introduce to you, the next Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God.




Or as he will be known...

I gotta get me one of these

Hat tip to The Honest Atheist


On first impressions this realistic looking velociraptor skeleton, but upon further inspection you will notice that a couple of parts appear out of place.


Find out why after the fold.

The Amazing Meeting 2012

Source: AmazingMeeting



I just wish I had the funds to attend one of these type meetings.


May I just suggest that Cornwall is a beautiful county with numerous locations that would suit large scale conventions of this type.


I have, of course added the dates to the Secular Atheist Calendar.

World Homeopathy Awareness Week

Source: WorldHomeopathy


Okay, so I missed the actual week (April 10 - 16), but I feel that I really should make a contribution to the World Homeopathy Awareness Week. After all, it is an important area that needs the facts of its effects highlighting.

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Faith-healing Oregon accused - True Scotsmen?

Source: The Register-Guard


Six Creswell siblings became wards of the state Monday as their parents await trial in connection with the death of their teenage son, who died in December after the couple allegedly chose prayer over medical care for his undisclosed treatable ailment. 
Brandi and Russel Bellew face second-degree manslaughter charges in the death of 16-year-old Austin Sprout. But they may continue to care for their remaining children under a state-supervised “in-home safety plan,” Lane County Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Eveleen Henry also ruled in a brief afternoon hearing.
I don't think 'evil' is a word that has any functional use outside of theology. That said - with whatever knowledge of theology I have gleaned over the decades - when I look at the actions of some God-fearing people I do not see the virtuous, pious and good, I see evil in the most basic understanding of the term from a theological perspective.


Saturday 7 April 2012

Happy Eater, everybody!


The 'Charlie's Angels' of exorcism

Source: ABC Nightline



I kid you not.
"Brynne, Tess and Savannah from Phoenix are black belts in karate, expert horseback riders and avid musical theater fans. And they perform exorcisms.
"We're just normal girls who do something extraordinary for God," Brynne said. "After seeing an actual exorcism in person, led by us, you will walk away with no doubt, whatsoever."
Brynne, 17, is the leader of the pack, the one the others call the "enforcer." She is home-schooled and a regular on the beauty pageant circuit. Savannah, 20, is known as the "compassionate one," a college student who likes to shop. Finally, there's Tess, "the middle man" because the others say this 17-year-old can play both good and bad cop. She also performs in local musicals.
"There is a war going on every day, being waged against us," Brynne said. "Satan hates us. We know how the enemy is, we know what he's attacking and we can fight back."
Their teacher is Brynne's father, the Rev. Bob Larson, who says he has performed more than 10,000 exorcisms in the last 30 years."
Following in her father's footsteps, Brynne Larson and her sidekicks, have been all a flutter over the media and even have their own website.

Sunday 1 April 2012

Oh, the irony

Source: The Cornishman


In a letter sent out this week, from Mike Peters, highways manager for Cornwall Council, businesses were told to remove signs from outside their premises because they are an obstruction to shoppers. I can't imagine why this might actually be a problem...

Hmm...