Blog Against Theocracy, Easter 2008

You know, I'm having a hard time writing this post. I am an active member of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) which is, for all intents and purposes, a Christian denomination. Yet I was raised in the Unitarian Universalist tradition by atheist parents. So spiritually speaking, I'm a little confused about how to define my beliefs. Quakers put it kindly when they say I am a "seeker."

From time to time the Blogosphere seems to erupt into heated debate over religion. Frequently it gets framed as a debate between "believers" vs. "non-believers", and it is often quite painful. I was discussing all of this with my spousal unit this weekend. While he believes wholeheartedly in religious (or a-religious) tolerance, he also sees why atheists feel so threatened by expressions of belief. Even if religious fundamentalists -- those who wish to impose theocracy -- are a relatively small minority, they are feeling remarkably empowered in these times. And sometimes even well-meaning people operate under the assumption that we all "speak the same language" (religiously speaking.)

It seems that the religious beliefs of our presidential candidates are being put under the microscope as never before. I mean, we knew that John Kennedy was Roman Catholic, Richard Nixon was a Quaker (huh?), and Jimmy Carter was Southern Baptist. But that is where it ended. Perhaps the reason for that was the general assumption that everyone was some Christian denomination, so perhaps it is a good thing, in a way, that it is being discussed on a deeper level. But for some, it takes on the tone of the Spanish Inquisition.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. And seriously now, nobody should want the Spanish Inquisition. The founding fathers, flawed humans that they were, were also absolutely clear on the subjects of religious tolerance and separation of church and state.

As I contemplated what I would write today, I thought I would turn to my favorite author, the brilliant British satirist Terry Pratchett, who actually has a lot to say about about religion. He is the creator of (among others) Om of Omnia, Blind Io, Offler the Crocodile God, and Annoya -- goddess of things that get stuck in drawers. His book Small Gods is a small masterpiece.

So I leave you with a few Pratchett quotes, and a link to one lengthy passage.

In Thud! the dwarf Bashfull Bashfullsson explains that the dwarf creator, Tak, “wrote the World and the Laws, and then He left us. He does not require that we think of Him, only that we think”.

From Small Gods: "The trouble with being a god is that you've got no one to pray to."

"Gods don't like people not doing much work. People who aren't busy all the time might start to think."

From Sourcery: "I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
"CATS," he said eventually. "CATS ARE NICE."

Go in peace.
Coexist.
Namaste.

What the Hell Are the Democrats Thinking?

Today's vote in the house, "Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith," upsets me about as much as anything those good-for-nothings have done lately. 9 representatives voted against it. 9 had integrity. 40 were cowards and didn't vote. 195 Democrats voted for this frivolous, this jingoistic, this anti-American bill ... including Dennis Kucinich, and yes, Wisconsin's own Tammy Baldwin. I am truly disgusted with their pandering to whatever the Hell it is that they pander to. Shame on them!

Oh, Gods ...

Two excellent posts about church/state separation, theocracy, and religion in the last couple of days, one from Blue Gal and one from the good Doctor Monkey von Monkerstein.

On a related note, I am a huge fan of the novels of British satirist Terry Pratchett (and here I have to credit Mr. Ether, a.k.a. Enriched Geranium, for turning me on to them ... or he will hound me mercilessly.) I'm in the middle of the newest one, Making Money, where he takes on banking institutions, and I particularly liked this passage. (Note: Moist is the name of the protagonist.)

If we build it, wilt thou comest? he thought. But the hoped-for god never came. It was sad but, in some celestial way, a bit stupid. Well, wasn't it? Moist had heard that there were maybe millions of little gods floating around in the world, living under rocks, blown about like tumbleweeds, clinging to the topmost branches of trees ... They awaited the big moment, the lucky break that might end up with a temple and a priesthood and worshipers to call your own. But they hadn't come here, and it was easy to see why.

Gods wanted belief, not rational thinking. Building the temple first was like giving a pair of wonderful shoes to a man with no legs. Building a temple didn't mean you believed in gods, it just meant you believed in architecture.

Pratchett's books are full of this kind of thoughtful irreverence toward dogma. I consider myself to be both a human being trying to be spiritual and a spiritual being trying to be human,
and his writing often "speaks to my condition" (that's a Quakerism) plus it makes me laugh out loud. A winning combination!

Theocracy? No Thanks! pt 2

I missed the most recent "Blog Against Theocracy" swarm, but anyone who is concerned about this issue should go here and read John Nichols' excellent column, published in response to the "Christian" outcry over a Hindu prayer offered this week in the U.S. Senate chambers.

Sci-ence

OR what we have to look forward to in our brave new theocratic world OR what happens to you when you bang YOUR head against a tree 400 times per second .

I have tried, in vain, to post this wonderful video on my blog. Apparently the Goddess Annoya (she who rules things that get stuck in drawers) or perhaps Offlar the Crocodile God are blocking it. So instead, I will link to it and you can go to GodTube (yes, GodTube!) to view this glorious episode of Chatting With Charley.

Theocracy? No Thanks!

I'm sitting here on my least favorite holiday of the Judeo-Christian tradition, having driven 12 hours yesterday, gotten up too late to do yoga this morning and eaten a healthy breakfast consisting of malted milk ball Easter eggs with a side of jelly beans ... mmmm, feeling really good right about now. It's April 8th, and all my delicate spring flowers that were coming up when I left in 80 degree weather less than a week ago -- the bleeding hearts and the tulips -- are frozen and laying on the ground. Resurrection, anyone?

This is the weekend of Blog Against Theocracy. I have been trying to think of something profound to say about a topic that has ramifications that many of us are not even aware of, so much do we take our Constitution for granted ... and nothing is coming.

Except this: My vacation reading consisted of Mark Kurlansky's book Nonviolence: Twenty Five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea. (I sure do know how to have a good time. But of course, part of my vacation was spent in Pittsburgh so what do you expect? Not exactly anyone's idea of tropical beach paradise.) It's a powerful book, and Kurlansky does readers the favor of listing the 25 lessons at the end (just in case you didn't pick them all up from your reading.) Most pertinent to our discussion here, he says,

"It is often not the largest but the best organized and most articulate group that prevails."

Think about the last 25 or so years in this country. (If you're old enough.) The quiet, but steady growth of the Christian Right. Think about the language that has been continually used in the so-called "War on Terror." The language used by the television and radio mouthpieces of the current administration. And the flames of conflict that are being fanned between "believers" and "nonbelievers" among progressives. (Wake up people; The fomentation of that conflict is classic divide and conquer tactic. It's a paper tiger.)

And here is what first came to my mind when I sat down to write this post, a bumper sticker that says it so concisely:

"The last time we mixed religion and government people were burned at the stake.

Remember ... NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! And we're not there yet, but it is essential to stand up for each and every person's right to believe -- or not believe, to worship -- or not, in the manner which they choose. It is one of our basic freedoms.