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Tag Archives: religion

Apparently, it’s all in how one kneels

27 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

establishment clause, prayer, religion, right wingnuts, social media, Supreme Court, Twitter, U.S. Senate, Vicky Hartzler

Colin Kaepernick would like a word.

Vicky Hartzler (r) [2021 file photo].

Fidei Defensor:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
The Supreme Court sent a strong message today that religious freedom will not be imperiled in America.

No one should have to choose between their job and practicing their faith. #SCOTUS
[….]
10:42 AM · Jun 27, 2022

Some of the responses:

1/ Really? No one should have to choose between their job and practicing their faith.

If I firmly believe before the day begins, everyone must pray to my God so that our work is good and safe. And, people who don’t pray my way are not good people and must be fired.

2/ What should people do: if they are told this mandatory prayer is not in the interest of the company and if they insist on such a prayer they are fired, be fired for their beliefs or not follow their beliefs?

3/ In this country so far, you do not have the religious freedom to shove your beliefs down anyone’s throat and if people resist your beliefs, they should not be fired or harassed.

Sarcasm.

Correction: The Supreme Court sent a strong message today that we Christian theocrats have the religious freedom to shove our beliefs onto everyone in public places.

But he didn’t have to choose Vick, that’s the whole point. “The district said that some students felt pressured into taking part and that it offered alternative, less public places to pray after games.” Kennedy choose to defy that. Freedom comes with responsibility, period!
[….]

If I do something and my boss doesn’t like it, he tells me to stop and I do it anyway, I’m fired, that’s how it works. You GQPs made all these “at will” states and yet gripe when someone exercises it. Plus they offered accommodations, he chose to sue for 15-minutes of fame.

Fixed it:
“The Supreme Court sent a strong message today that Christian proselytizing will not be imperiled in America.”

You are a Christofascist. This isn’t your church. This is our country.

Serious question. Would you support a Muslim coach praying? Or someone else who isn’t Christian? I’ll wait.

Only yesterday she spoke our in favor of (another) Supreme Court decision that enforces Christian religious doctrine over the entire country. But you already know the answer to that.

Faith is not part of our government. Faith, civics and politics are separate entities. Can’t believe you don’t know that.

If a white man can kneel and pray in public (and be protected by a SCOTUS who CLEARLY does not represent a majority of US citizens), then so can those of us who kneel in protest. #ColinKaepernick

Pressuring students to pray with you is not religious freedom.

Kids shouldn’t be forced to pray by an authoritarian figure who decides play time

No is being denied their rights if they cant pray on a school football field – that is why we have church lady

We have entered an era of Christo fascism in this country.

Long before now.

So a white man can kneel and demonstrate what he believes in, but a black man can’t? Hypocrite. #ColinKaepernick

The problem with your position is that YOUR expression of religious freedom results in someone else’s coercion to comply (at worst) and possible shaming/bullying of non-Christian students (at best). It may be YOUR idea of freedom, but it stomps on other people’s rights.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

Performative faith.

Uh, you voiced support for DJT’s proposed Muslim ban, Vic.

“Who’s that yonder, dressed in black? Must be the hypocrites a turnin’ back.”

16 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in meta

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

hypocrites, meta, religion, right wingnuts

“…both have their advantages, ‘heaven for climate, hell for company’…” – Mark Twain’s Notebooks and Journals, vol. 3

Meta. On occasion we get comments which our system holds for approval. At times, when we’re particularly bored, we’ll take a comment that we wouldn’t normally remove from moderation and post it separately to mock it.

Today:

The thing is, is people want to go to hell then that’s their choice! Religion isn’t forced upon anyone! But christians are forces to deal with lots and lots they shouldn’t have to because non Christians rights appear more important! The Bible commands Christians to walk about the land spreading the Word! Telling the Good News!! So we do! Not our fault you’d rather not go to heaven!

We rest our case.

You’re not a particularly convincing representative. We want to be wherever you’re not.

Previously:

HB 728: the right wingnut cult of religious victimhood (April 3, 2019)

Same state, different worlds

28 Tuesday Dec 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

billboards, Corona virus, COVID-19, exclusion, inclusion, missouri, pandemic, religion, vaccination

1920s advertising technique for our 21st Century.

A series of highway billboards in east central Missouri:

“Getting back together safely…”

“…starts with getting vaccinated…”

“…We’re stronger together…”

“…Schedule your vaccine at mostopscovid.com.”

We’re all in this together.

And, a few miles to the east, another series of billboards:

“Are all religions equal?”

“Investigate the founders.”

“Only Jesus lived a perfect life.”

So, apparently, we’re not in this together.

The Gulf of Mexico?

16 Thursday Dec 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

billboard, missouri, religion

This morning along a highway in west central Missouri:

When I was a kid I got in trouble in religious school during a lesson on creation for answering, in all seriousness, “Hippopotamus” to “What had not yet been created?” In my defense it wasn’t on the list we had covered up to that point.

The beauty of social media

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

debate, missouri, religion, social media, Twitter

Representative Mary Elizabeth Coleman (r) [2019 file photo].

On Twitter:

Last night:

MaryElizabethColeman @meaccoleman
To call yourself an Irish Catholic while actively working against the teachings of the Catholic Church is …transparent.
9:07 PM · Sep 29, 2020

Well, the use of “teachings” [plural] is quite transparent.

Kyle Garner (D) [2015 file photo].

One of many series of responses:

Kyle Garner @KyleGarnerMO
Republicans “Attacking a person’s faith is off limits!”

Also Republicans:
[….]
1/
12:35 PM · Sep 30, 2020

He continues:

So let’s talk about the teachings of the Catholic Church: What does the Church say about feeding the hungry? Caring for the sick? Welcoming the stranger? Worshipping gold? Protecting God’s creation Earth? Telling the truth? Paying fair share of taxes? 2/

Using the Lord’s name for your own purpose? Following false prophets? I could go on. Now let’s look at your leader vs the man you’re attacking. Biden is a lifelong Catholic & attends service regularly. Trump gassed Americans to hold a Bible upside down and feuded with the Pope 3/

In fact, the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church you lie about following, denounced Trump as “not Christian” specifically for his violent cruelty to people. And that was before he set up concentration camps to sterilize women on our border. 4/

So spare us your pharisaical objections while you chant for Barabbas. You worship a man and elevate a Party that is the antithesis to Christianity and all Christ called us to be. end/

Wise men decided a long time ago: “…our Constitution was designed to avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings…”

This is America in the 21st Century

07 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, Joe Biden, religion

Joe Biden (d) [2020 file photo].

From Joe Biden (D):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2020

Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on His Faith

Like so many people, my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life: it’s provided me comfort in moments of loss and tragedy, it’s kept me grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy. And in this moment of darkness for our country — of pain, of division, and of sickness for so many Americans — my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us.

For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful. It’s beneath the office he holds and it’s beneath the dignity the American people so rightly expect and deserve from their leaders. However, like the words of so many other insecure bullies, President Trump’s comments reveal more about him than they do about anyone else. They show us a man willing to stoop to any low for political gain, and someone whose actions are completely at odds with the values and teachings that he professes to believe in.

My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as I would myself, while President Trump only seeks to divide us. My faith teaches me to care for the least among us, while President Trump seems to only be concerned about his gilded friends. My faith teaches me to welcome the stranger, while President Trump tears families apart. My faith teaches me to walk humbly, while President Trump teargassed peaceful protestors so he could walk over to a church for a photo op.

As I’ve said so many times before, we’re in the battle for the soul of our nation, and President Trump’s decision today to profane God and to smear my faith in a political attack is a stark reminder of what the stakes of this fight truly are.

###

There is a difference.

HB 267: Which version?

25 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House, social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Ben Baker, bible, General Asembly, HB 267, Matt Sain, Public Education, religion, social media, Twitter

King James? English Standard? American Standard? Contemporary English? Concordant Literal? Geneva Bible? Jerusalem Bible? Etc.?

In Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic?

The Missouri House third read and passed HB 267, a bill sponsored by Representative Ben Baker (r), which would allow the Bible to be taught as a class in Missouri public schools. Notwithstanding that the Bible can already be used as part of a course.

The bill summary [pdf]:

HB 267 — ELECTIVE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES (Baker)
COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Special Committee on Student Accountability

This bill allows a school district to offer an elective social studies unit on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, or the New Testament of the Bible. The course will include the contents, history, literary style and structure, and influences on society. No requirement shall be made by the district on the text translation students must use. This bill requires that any course offered shall follow applicable laws maintaining religious neutrality, and shall not endorse, favor, promote, or show hostility to any particular religion, nonreligious faith or religious perspective.

Amendments to include other religious holy books were defeated.

A point:

Matt Sain @mattdsain
Rep. Carpenter brought up a good point about how we can already do this. By having a bill that specifically gives protections and permission for one holy book is offensive to all other religions in our state.
4:31 PM – 25 Mar 2019

“…It seems trite but necessary to say that the First Amendment to our Constitution was designed to avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings…” – WEST VIRGINIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ET AL. v. BARNETTE ET AL., 319 U.S. 624

HB 837: Asserting equal opportunity to resurface their playgrounds?

06 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

General Assembly, Hannah Kelly, HB 837, higher education, Pastafarians, religion

Representative Hannah Kelly (r) [2019 file photo].

A bill, introduced yesterday by Representative Hannah Kelly (r):

HB 837
Prohibits public institutions of higher learning from discriminating against a religious student association or denying a religious student association any benefit available to any other student association
Sponsor: Kelly, Hannah (141)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2019
LR Number: 1782H.01I
Last Action: 02/06/2019 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 837
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING

The bill summary [pdf]:

HB 837 — RELIGIOUS STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

SPONSOR: Kelly (141)

This bill prohibits public institutions of higher learning from taking any action or enforcing any policy that denies a religious student association benefits available to other student associations. The bill also prohibits discrimination against a religious student association based on its requirement that leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held religious beliefs, religious practice requirements, or religious standards of conduct.

The bill also authorizes aggrieved religious student associations to seek appropriate relief in a judicial or administrative proceeding against a public institution of higher learning that violates the requirements of the bill.

This bill is similar to HB 2074 (2018) and HCS HB 642 (2017).

If Pastafarians want to hold a spaghetti dinner on campus on Talk Like a Pirate Day would that qualify? Would this exempt them from having to provide a separate sauce for vegetarians? Just asking.

Previously:

HB 696: Now you’ve gone and done it. You’ve really upset the Pastafarians. (January 23, 2017)

The United States Constitution called, it wants its First Amendment back…

14 Monday May 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Embassy, Jerusalem, missouri, Mitt Romney, religion, social media, Vicky Hartzler

“…It seems trite but necessary to say that the First Amendment to our Constitution was designed to avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings…” – 319 U.S. 624 West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (No. 591) [1943]

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].

Yesterday evening from Mitt Romney (r), via Twitter:

Mitt Romney @MittRomney
Robert Jeffress says “you can’t be saved by being a Jew,“ and “Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell.” He’s said the same about Islam. Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States Embassy in Jerusalem.
8:42 PM – 13 May 2018

Today, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
Historic day as the U.S. moves our embassy to #Jerusalem. Is long overdue to recognize Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel. God established it as such over 3,000 years ago! 2 Chronicles 6:6
7:59 AM – 14 May 2018

Some of the responses:

Hail Satan!!

Except for the fact that we should not be basing our foreign policy decisions in 2018 on a book that was written 3000 years ago!

Is that like Two Corinthians??? Still believing in fairy tales…and u are in the House of Representatives!

Waiting for the Rapture?

Every time god wanted a peace of land it was a one sided issue. Your just cashing in on something that makes you sound like you give a care about religion! Or was that not you trying to pull hlthcare away from the poorest among us? Wake up folks! #BlueWave2018

America has blood on their hands of innocent children as the result of this action! WWJD?

Freaking Clueless, people are dying today ~ right this minute bc of your party’s clueless actions! Tragic!

Awe, how cute….Vicky senses the Rapture is near…you know, when Jesus rides a dinosaur into Israel and converts all Jews into Christians.

Meanwhile:

Al Jazeera English @AJEnglish
UPDATE: Israeli forces kill at least 41 Palestinians protesting in Gaza and injures more than 1,700. Follow our live coverage:[….]
8:40 AM – 14 May 2018

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): on a roll

05 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, missouri, religion, social media, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) had something to say about London via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler‏ @RepHartzler
Disturbing London killingsTragic people believe killing others will bring them life when there’s a Savior who gave his life so we might live
6:46 AM – 4 Jun 2017

Some of the responses:

Religion itself is the problem, not the solution.

As an elected official, please keep your superstitions and myths out of civic responsibilities as it seems to confuse you. #MODeservesBetter

Not everyone is Christian.

fanaticism z tragic n any religion or belief system. We must stay true 2 our values. freedom of religion, freedom from religion

Please keep your religion to yourself. Has no place in politics or government.

A true Christian would have offered prayers and condolences for the victims. Yet you use this to push your own religious beliefs.

I am your constituent & a non-Christian. Please don’t advocate your religion on your public platform.

How ’bout instead of preaching AT people, we show them Jesus by…I don’t know…feeding the poor & healing the sick. Just a thought.

If only your actions demonstrated you understand His words.

If you are going to misrepresent us Christians could you at least form a coherent thought?

Separation of Church and State! This is inappropriate, especially from your official account.

How sad you are! #FakeChristian

There was more.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): It’s an “M” state, right? (June 3, 2017)

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