I haven't posted much about politics lately, since I don't think there is much point in doing so. However, I can't keep quiet on how revolting religion is in America (and elsewhere). There are those that argue I'm throwing the baby out with the bathwater whenever I refer to banning religion, but I don't see any positive aspect of religion at this point. Items:
- Jesse Jackson gets involved on the side of Terri Schiavo's parents. Sure, Jesse - go chase those television cameras, and don't bother picking an issue like the death penalty, or the drug laws, or the fact that one in five adults in America live in poverty.
- Democratic politicians like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry (as cosponsor with Santorum!) support a law that makes it easier for religious organizations, and religious people in general, to be anti-gay. We already give these people tax subisidies. Do we have to make it easier for them to avoid anti-discrimination laws too?
I see no good use for religion in America. Other civilized countries use the government to provide for the poor. They don't give large subisidies (and actual tax dollars directly) to have them provide a lot of services and healthcare for the less fortunate.
The next time I see a crowd like this:
Protesters pray during a mass outside the Woodside Hospice where Terri Schiavo is a patient on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
outside of a prison about to execute someone, or at a Army recruiting station, or protesting the war in Iraq, maybe I will reconsider, but at this point religion exists primarily as a reactionary force to be battled by all decent people.
Barry, you rule!
Not only is it the opiate of the masses, it's the evil crystal meth of the masses.
Okay, I also hate watching all the reactionary morons turn out to wail about this already dead woman dying, but dig a little deeper, won't you? Religion is like culture - there is an easy way (Britneys and 50 Cents and fries and cokes are American culture) or a harder way (Don Delillo, Lee Bontecou, Gary Snyder, etc are American culture, too.) Go to Riverside Church or something. It's not all that stupid.
one wonders why Vegetable Lady's parents don't spend more time at her deathbed & less time in front of cameras. I suspect they're angling for movie rights. maybe they'll give a share of those profits to their church. the pope will needs new rings for his burial.