Kentucky Passes Short-sighted Religious Exemption Law

My religion. I'm coming, Kentucky!

There's a type of argument called a "slippery slope," and it's usually a logical fallacy (which FOX "News" and the religious right don't seem to recognize). That's because it's usually done like this: If X happens, Y will happen. And if Y happens then Z will happen. So, X leads to Z. But usually, the argument maker provides no proof for their work. They just make the logical jump past the link.

 But here's a case where the logic flows effortlessly. If you pass a law that allows for a religious exemption to law--except in the case of a demonstrable state's interest--you open the door to quite a slippery slope. For instance, let's assume you're a Rastafarian, and you really like smoking pot. Can the state Really prove a state's interest that says you can't? Or, how about you're a fundamentalist Mormon who wants several wives? Or maybe your religion dictates that you have special prayer rooms in your house or business that are against building or zoning laws? Or maybe your religion dictates that you walk around naked on every third Wednesday. Maybe my religion says I have to have 40 chickens, a goat and a milk cow on my 1500 sq. ft. suburban property. Maybe you're a cult leader, and you want to turn your condo complex into a gated, guard-patrolled compound.

Every religion is invented at some time by somebody. At any given moment, you could invent your own, and claim whatever rules (commandments) you wish. Nobody has the right to tell you that your religion isn't "real." I'm sure you can see that this could lead to chaos. Right? The fact is, when laws like this are passed, the passers only think of THEIR OWN, because to them, that is THE REAL TRUE religion. Because somehow the religion their parents instilled in them is coincidentally the correct one. They don't think that Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Rastafarians, PASTAfarians, and more will also be included. Good luck, Kentucky, you're going to need it!

[Excerpt]


KENTUCKY: Senate Passes Bill Allowing "Religious Refusal" On State Laws


The sponsor of Senate Bill 158, Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said it is designed to protect the free exercise of religion from unnecessary restriction by government. He said it would give courts "more ammunition in favor of religion" when considering cases such as the jailing of Amish residents in Western Kentucky who refused to use orange safety triangles on their buggies and Christians in Bell County who want to hold public prayer at school athletic events. . . 

Read more at: Joe.My.God.

In Praise of Pastafarianism: The Flying Spaghetti Monster

Image from source, Venganza.org

I've been meaning to write about The Flying Spaghetti Monster and Pastafarianism for some time, and was just waiting for an appropriate news story to peg the issue to.

I'm tired of waiting.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster was "created" as an illustrative point, during one of the fights to stop creationism from being taught in science class along-side evolution. Oh, excuse me, I meant to say "Intelligent Design" not "creationism," not that it matters. ID is merely creationism in fancy new clothes.

Anyway, springing from that (apparently successful) beginning, the idea seemed to catch on, for its originality, humor, and point of view.

There is some marvelously creative artwork on their web site, much of which is available for purchase. My favorite is the "Jesus Fish"-like car emblem.

Here is an excerpt of the Pastafarian doctrine.

[Excerpted from Wikipedia, see link below]

The Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts"

1. I'd really rather you didn't act like a sanctimonious holier-than-thou ass when describing my noodly goodness. If some people don't believe in me, that's okay. Really, I'm not that vain. Besides, this isn't about them so don't change the subject.

2. I'd really rather you didn't use my existence as a means to oppress, subjugate, punish, eviscerate, and/or, you know, be mean to others. I don't require sacrifices, and purity is for drinking water, not people.

3. I'd really rather you didn't judge people for the way they look, or how they dress, or the way they talk, or, well, just play nice, Okay? Oh, and get this into your thick heads: woman = person. man = person. Samey = Samey. One is not better than the other, unless we're talking about fashion and I'm sorry, but I gave that to women and some guys who know the difference between teal and fuchsia. . .

Though it is all very tongue-in-cheek, I have to wonder: will this turn into another Scientology someday? An invented religion that takes on a life of its own? It may well be on its way, as some people seem to be taking it pretty seriously.

So don't be surprised if you wander into what you think is an Italian restaurant, only to have people pray over your plate of pasta.

RAmen, brother, RAmen.

Read about FSM at: Venganza.org

and at Wikipedia.com