Police arrest Indian "holy man" over sex scandal
Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:07am BST
BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - Police have arrested a Hindu holy man with thousands of followers across India and abroad after video footage emerged last month allegedly showing him frolicking with two women.
Nithyananda Swami, whose devotees include politicians and movie stars, was arrested in the resort town of Shimla in northern India late Wednesday, police said Thursday.
Swami, head of Dhyanapeetam, or "knowledge centre," was forced to resign last month after the video that was allegedly shot in his centre outside the southern city of Bangalore.
The leaked video aired by news channels angered hundreds of devotees who ransacked his centre and tore down his posters, forcing him to go into hiding. ...
There's no faker like a fake fakir.
Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:07am BST
BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - Police have arrested a Hindu holy man with thousands of followers across India and abroad after video footage emerged last month allegedly showing him frolicking with two women.
Nithyananda Swami, whose devotees include politicians and movie stars, was arrested in the resort town of Shimla in northern India late Wednesday, police said Thursday.
Swami, head of Dhyanapeetam, or "knowledge centre," was forced to resign last month after the video that was allegedly shot in his centre outside the southern city of Bangalore.
The leaked video aired by news channels angered hundreds of devotees who ransacked his centre and tore down his posters, forcing him to go into hiding. ...
There's no faker like a fake fakir.
ahem Amen.
The Mormon leadership demonstrates their clarity of vision
Category: Politics • Religion
Posted on: October 13, 2009 9:56 PM, by PZ Myers
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Mormon Church has made some interesting remarks.
In an interview Monday before the speech, Oaks said he did not consider it provocative to compare the treatment of Mormons in the election's aftermath to that of blacks in the civil rights era, and said he stands by the analogy.
"It may be offensive to some -- maybe because it hadn't occurred to them that they were putting themselves in the same category as people we deplore from that bygone era," he said.
Did you get that? He thinks the Mormons, who are trying to deny a civil right to another minority and reserve it to themselves, are exactly like a minority that were denied a civil right and had to fight to get their equality recognized.
I'm not offended. I've just determined that the elders of the Mormon Church are a collection of antiquated, dumb old bigots. ...
Category: Politics • Religion
Posted on: October 13, 2009 9:56 PM, by PZ Myers
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Mormon Church has made some interesting remarks.
In an interview Monday before the speech, Oaks said he did not consider it provocative to compare the treatment of Mormons in the election's aftermath to that of blacks in the civil rights era, and said he stands by the analogy.
"It may be offensive to some -- maybe because it hadn't occurred to them that they were putting themselves in the same category as people we deplore from that bygone era," he said.
Did you get that? He thinks the Mormons, who are trying to deny a civil right to another minority and reserve it to themselves, are exactly like a minority that were denied a civil right and had to fight to get their equality recognized.
I'm not offended. I've just determined that the elders of the Mormon Church are a collection of antiquated, dumb old bigots. ...
... Mr Garlaschelli reproduced the full-sized shroud using materials and techniques that were available in the middle ages.
Scientists placed a linen sheet flat over a volunteer and then rubbed it with a pigment containing traces of acid. A mask was used for the face.
The pigment was then artificially aged by heating the cloth in an oven and washing it, a process which removed it from the surface but left a fuzzy, half-tone image similar to that on the shroud. He believes the pigment on the original shroud faded naturally over the centuries.
They then added blood stains, burn holes, scorches and water stains to achieve the final effect. ...
Scientists placed a linen sheet flat over a volunteer and then rubbed it with a pigment containing traces of acid. A mask was used for the face.
The pigment was then artificially aged by heating the cloth in an oven and washing it, a process which removed it from the surface but left a fuzzy, half-tone image similar to that on the shroud. He believes the pigment on the original shroud faded naturally over the centuries.
They then added blood stains, burn holes, scorches and water stains to achieve the final effect. ...
September 17, 2009
End blasphemy law in Pakistan say campaigners
A programme of religious re-education is needed in Pakistan says the former Bishop of Rochester
Bess Twiston Davies
The former Bishop of Rochester has led calls for a repeal of the Blasphemy law of Pakistan.
Under the law, section 295c of the country’s penal code, those accused of blaspheming against the Prophet Mohammed may be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. They are fined in addition.
“The law is sometimes used for a personal agenda that has nothing to do with blasphemy – eg an interest in a neighbour’s property” [Ed. Note: Oh, you mean like the Yurpeen witch-hunts, during which zillions of acres changed hands?] said Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, who last weekend stepped down as bishop of the Kent diocese of Rochester.
His comments follow a wave of violence in August in which eight Christians were burnt alive, and a further 20 attacked when a 3,000-strong Muslim mob attacked the Eastern town of Gojra. Two days earlier, on August 3rd, gangs in the nearby village of Korian set fire to more than 70 Christian homes and two Protestant churches. The attacks, condemned by religious leaders including Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, were rated among the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history.
“I have always said this was a bad law,” said Dr Nazir-Ali. “Muslims who take their tradition seriously say that when the Prophet of Islam was insulted he forgave those who insulted them, so how can their [sic - Retrograde Mercury] be a law like this in his name?” ...
End blasphemy law in Pakistan say campaigners
A programme of religious re-education is needed in Pakistan says the former Bishop of Rochester
Bess Twiston Davies
The former Bishop of Rochester has led calls for a repeal of the Blasphemy law of Pakistan.
Under the law, section 295c of the country’s penal code, those accused of blaspheming against the Prophet Mohammed may be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. They are fined in addition.
“The law is sometimes used for a personal agenda that has nothing to do with blasphemy – eg an interest in a neighbour’s property” [Ed. Note: Oh, you mean like the Yurpeen witch-hunts, during which zillions of acres changed hands?] said Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, who last weekend stepped down as bishop of the Kent diocese of Rochester.
His comments follow a wave of violence in August in which eight Christians were burnt alive, and a further 20 attacked when a 3,000-strong Muslim mob attacked the Eastern town of Gojra. Two days earlier, on August 3rd, gangs in the nearby village of Korian set fire to more than 70 Christian homes and two Protestant churches. The attacks, condemned by religious leaders including Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, were rated among the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history.
“I have always said this was a bad law,” said Dr Nazir-Ali. “Muslims who take their tradition seriously say that when the Prophet of Islam was insulted he forgave those who insulted them, so how can their [sic - Retrograde Mercury] be a law like this in his name?” ...
[funny suthun acceynt, y'all]Yup! Them Brits is some clevah folks! Hee-yuck![/funny suthun acceynt, y'all]
Ta much, dear Anneliese
Ta much, dear Anneliese
Swedish mourners seek damages over 'drunk' pastor
A Swedish family is seeking damages of nearly 30,000 euros (£27,500) after a Protestant pastor performed a funeral service in an apparently drunk state, the Church of Sweden said on Friday.
03 Oct 2009
The pastor also raised eyebrows for apparently flirtatious behaviour towards the dead man's family members. He kissed the hand of the deceased's daughter and gave an exaggerated hug to the 20-year-old granddaughter, the family said in a letter to the former state church.
"Everything seemed to go perfectly well until this pastor came in mumbling for 30 minutes," the family said in the letter, complaining that he had alcohol on his breath. "Nobody, among his servers or in the audience, understood what he was saying." ...
Classy guy.
A Swedish family is seeking damages of nearly 30,000 euros (£27,500) after a Protestant pastor performed a funeral service in an apparently drunk state, the Church of Sweden said on Friday.
03 Oct 2009
The pastor also raised eyebrows for apparently flirtatious behaviour towards the dead man's family members. He kissed the hand of the deceased's daughter and gave an exaggerated hug to the 20-year-old granddaughter, the family said in a letter to the former state church.
"Everything seemed to go perfectly well until this pastor came in mumbling for 30 minutes," the family said in the letter, complaining that he had alcohol on his breath. "Nobody, among his servers or in the audience, understood what he was saying." ...
Classy guy.
Ignore the bells and the smells and the lovely Raphaels, the Pope's visit to Britain is nothing to celebrate
Tanya Gold
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Save us, O Lord, save us all. Save us from the Pope. Joseph Ratzinger is coming to Britain. Gordon Brown is "delighted". David Cameron is "delighted". I am "repelled". Let him come; I applaud freedom of speech. But no red carpets, please. No biscuits. No Queen.
In his actions on child abuse and Aids, Joseph Ratzinger has colluded in the protection of paedophiles and the deaths of millions of Africans. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Pope John Paul II's chief enforcer), it was Ratzinger's job to investigate the child abuse scandal that plagued the Catholic church for decades. And how did he do it? In May 2001 he wrote a confidential letter to Catholic bishops, ordering them not to notify the police – or anyone else – about the allegations, on pain of excommunication. He referred to a previous (confidential) Vatican document that ordered that investigations should be handled "in the most secretive way . . . restrained by a perpetual silence". Excommunication is a joke to me, perhaps to you, but to a Catholic it means exclusion and perhaps hellfire – for trying to protect a child. Well, God is love.
He also waved aside calls to discipline Marcial Maciel Degollado, the Mexican founder of the global Legion of Christ movement. Allegations of child abuse have stalked Maciel since the 1970s. His victims petitioned Ratzinger, only for his secretary to inform them the matter was closed. "One can't put on trial such a close friend of the Pope as Marcial Maciel," Ratzinger said. Two abuse victims sued him personally for obstruction of justice, but he claimed diplomatic immunity.
Eventually, when the allegations could no longer be denied, Ratzinger apologised, and sent Maciel off "to a life of prayer and penitence". Why not prison? He didn't say. "It is a great suffering for the church . . . and for me personally," was Ratzinger's comment about the wider child abuse scandal. Great suffering? I thought to be raped as a child was great suffering. To be exposed as complicit in a cover-up is surely merely . . . embarrassing?
Ratzinger added that he believed the Catholic church had been the victim of a "planned" media campaign. By whom? By gays? By Jews? By Jedi? He instructed that prayers be said in perpetuity for the victims – thanks, I feel better now! – along with a push to ensure that men "with deep-seated homosexual tendencies" do not enter the priesthood, thereby turning all responsibility for the scandal into – the laps of the evil gays! ...
Tanya Gold
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Save us, O Lord, save us all. Save us from the Pope. Joseph Ratzinger is coming to Britain. Gordon Brown is "delighted". David Cameron is "delighted". I am "repelled". Let him come; I applaud freedom of speech. But no red carpets, please. No biscuits. No Queen.
In his actions on child abuse and Aids, Joseph Ratzinger has colluded in the protection of paedophiles and the deaths of millions of Africans. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Pope John Paul II's chief enforcer), it was Ratzinger's job to investigate the child abuse scandal that plagued the Catholic church for decades. And how did he do it? In May 2001 he wrote a confidential letter to Catholic bishops, ordering them not to notify the police – or anyone else – about the allegations, on pain of excommunication. He referred to a previous (confidential) Vatican document that ordered that investigations should be handled "in the most secretive way . . . restrained by a perpetual silence". Excommunication is a joke to me, perhaps to you, but to a Catholic it means exclusion and perhaps hellfire – for trying to protect a child. Well, God is love.
He also waved aside calls to discipline Marcial Maciel Degollado, the Mexican founder of the global Legion of Christ movement. Allegations of child abuse have stalked Maciel since the 1970s. His victims petitioned Ratzinger, only for his secretary to inform them the matter was closed. "One can't put on trial such a close friend of the Pope as Marcial Maciel," Ratzinger said. Two abuse victims sued him personally for obstruction of justice, but he claimed diplomatic immunity.
Eventually, when the allegations could no longer be denied, Ratzinger apologised, and sent Maciel off "to a life of prayer and penitence". Why not prison? He didn't say. "It is a great suffering for the church . . . and for me personally," was Ratzinger's comment about the wider child abuse scandal. Great suffering? I thought to be raped as a child was great suffering. To be exposed as complicit in a cover-up is surely merely . . . embarrassing?
Ratzinger added that he believed the Catholic church had been the victim of a "planned" media campaign. By whom? By gays? By Jews? By Jedi? He instructed that prayers be said in perpetuity for the victims – thanks, I feel better now! – along with a push to ensure that men "with deep-seated homosexual tendencies" do not enter the priesthood, thereby turning all responsibility for the scandal into – the laps of the evil gays! ...
psilanthropism
"the teaching that Jesus was entirely human," c.1810, from Gk. psilanthropos "merely human," from psilos "naked, bare, mere" + anthropos "man" (see anthropo-).
"the teaching that Jesus was entirely human," c.1810, from Gk. psilanthropos "merely human," from psilos "naked, bare, mere" + anthropos "man" (see anthropo-).
Darwinists Strike Again With T-Rex Eating Ichthus Fish Eating Darwin Fish Emblem - The Holy Observer
Epic (Dar)win! from dear DontheFox
The Count Me Out website is a source of information for those considering leaving the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). For some, simply not attending mass does not provide sufficient emotional satisfaction; a clean break is needed.
In 3 simple steps this site produces all the documentation you need to leave the RCC. Why might someone wish to take this action? Read some of our reasons or consult the Frequently Asked Questions for general information & answers to the most common queries we hear.
BRAVO!
In 3 simple steps this site produces all the documentation you need to leave the RCC. Why might someone wish to take this action? Read some of our reasons or consult the Frequently Asked Questions for general information & answers to the most common queries we hear.
BRAVO!
Stupid; don't wanna insult cows; etc
Wake up and smell the tea, folks! Don's servin' it up fresh and hot of course, and Grinny sprids the boord.
PS: How many places can you think of, Gentle Categorian, where theocracy has actually worked? Please hip me should you know of some.
I can think of only two. Ancient Egypt pretty much held together (other than the 1st, 2nd and 3rd 'Intermediate Periods,' during which no true central gov't existed) for a few thousand years; and Tibet was doing allright. Seems to me the current Dalai Lama would have gently and sanely brought Tibet into the 20th and 21st Centuries; far better than mao's murderers.
Granted, someone of a Communistical bent may not approve of such arrangements on basic grounds (see mao above): the Commie layman simply wants to see th' aristocracy of all stripes living in thatched mud huts; while a potential high party official wants the palaces and fancy vehicles for himself and his friends, tsar-like (see Russia, Romania, etc).
PS: How many places can you think of, Gentle Categorian, where theocracy has actually worked? Please hip me should you know of some.
I can think of only two. Ancient Egypt pretty much held together (other than the 1st, 2nd and 3rd 'Intermediate Periods,' during which no true central gov't existed) for a few thousand years; and Tibet was doing allright. Seems to me the current Dalai Lama would have gently and sanely brought Tibet into the 20th and 21st Centuries; far better than mao's murderers.
Granted, someone of a Communistical bent may not approve of such arrangements on basic grounds (see mao above): the Commie layman simply wants to see th' aristocracy of all stripes living in thatched mud huts; while a potential high party official wants the palaces and fancy vehicles for himself and his friends, tsar-like (see Russia, Romania, etc).
... The Pope is isolated and fails to adequately consult his advisers, said a Vatican source with 20 years' knowledge of the Holy See.
Another Vatican insider described Pope Benedict's four-year-old papacy as "a disaster", recalling the pontiff's previous inflammatory remarks on Islam and homosexuality.
"He's out of touch with the real world," the Italian insider said. "On the condom issue, for example, there are priests and bishops in Africa who accept that condoms are a key part of the fight against Aids, and yet the pope adheres to this very conservative line that they encourage promiscuity. The Vatican is far removed from the reality on the ground." ...
Well, whaddya expect from an ignorant, kiddie-fiddling-encouraging, dress- and Prada shoe-wearing ex-nazi?
Another Vatican insider described Pope Benedict's four-year-old papacy as "a disaster", recalling the pontiff's previous inflammatory remarks on Islam and homosexuality.
"He's out of touch with the real world," the Italian insider said. "On the condom issue, for example, there are priests and bishops in Africa who accept that condoms are a key part of the fight against Aids, and yet the pope adheres to this very conservative line that they encourage promiscuity. The Vatican is far removed from the reality on the ground." ...
Well, whaddya expect from an ignorant, kiddie-fiddling-encouraging, dress- and Prada shoe-wearing ex-nazi?
There are many, many reasons I'm not christian; not least because I distinctly remember myself and others' being burnt at the stake after torture.
Good for her, and she's spot-on.
What is the point comparing her to de gaulle's and other presidents' wives? aids didn't exist in de gaulle's time for one thing; and for another, Ms Bruni is herself and no one else.
Whenever I hear the phrase, "[insert name here] risks offending the [insert religious group here] with these statements," all I can think is, "So what?" Why should sane and intelligent people avoid offending hallucinating weirdos who are stuck in a long-ago century? They should be offended and ridiculed until their risible and offensive ideas shift and are in tune with 21st century reality.
Women are not baby machines, and aids can only be prevented by condom use. Abstinence has never worked: all you have to do is look around you at the crowds of people to see that's true.
What is the point comparing her to de gaulle's and other presidents' wives? aids didn't exist in de gaulle's time for one thing; and for another, Ms Bruni is herself and no one else.
Whenever I hear the phrase, "[insert name here] risks offending the [insert religious group here] with these statements," all I can think is, "So what?" Why should sane and intelligent people avoid offending hallucinating weirdos who are stuck in a long-ago century? They should be offended and ridiculed until their risible and offensive ideas shift and are in tune with 21st century reality.
Women are not baby machines, and aids can only be prevented by condom use. Abstinence has never worked: all you have to do is look around you at the crowds of people to see that's true.
[Cluade Rains in Casblanca]I am shocked, shocked![/Claude Rains in Casablanca]
Church of England votes to ban BNP clergy
General Synod moves overwhelmingly to bar clergy from membership of far-right party
Riazat Butt
guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 10 February 2009
The Church of England today voted overwhelmingly in favour of banning clergy from belonging to the British National Party.
On the second day of the General Synod, the legislative body that meets twice a year, more than 300 of the 418 members gathered in Westminster endorsed a motion asking the House of Bishops to keep BNP members out of the church.
The members wanted a policy similar to that adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers, which bars police from belonging to an organisation that "contradicts the general duty to promote race equality".
The House of Bishops is now obliged to draw up and implement the policy, and needs to decide whether any change in the church's present laws is necessary or desirable.
In a 90-minute debate, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who proposed the motion and is one of a handful of ethnic minority synod members, said: "My personal experience is that the church is institutionally reluctant to take any bold measures related to racism.
"Passing this motion is a push that is seriously necessary. Without it, the day may come when the BNP will have gained significant power and the church will stand accused of having been feeble when it could have been resolute." ...
General Synod moves overwhelmingly to bar clergy from membership of far-right party
Riazat Butt
guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 10 February 2009
The Church of England today voted overwhelmingly in favour of banning clergy from belonging to the British National Party.
On the second day of the General Synod, the legislative body that meets twice a year, more than 300 of the 418 members gathered in Westminster endorsed a motion asking the House of Bishops to keep BNP members out of the church.
The members wanted a policy similar to that adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers, which bars police from belonging to an organisation that "contradicts the general duty to promote race equality".
The House of Bishops is now obliged to draw up and implement the policy, and needs to decide whether any change in the church's present laws is necessary or desirable.
In a 90-minute debate, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who proposed the motion and is one of a handful of ethnic minority synod members, said: "My personal experience is that the church is institutionally reluctant to take any bold measures related to racism.
"Passing this motion is a push that is seriously necessary. Without it, the day may come when the BNP will have gained significant power and the church will stand accused of having been feeble when it could have been resolute." ...
Holocaust-denying bishop Richard Williamson removed from seminary post | World news | guardian.co.uk
Nice one, pope nazi the foist, reinstating this idiot. You must be so proud of your decision.
Wow, man - it's that golden calf thing all over again. Are none of these witlings at all familiar with the bib-lee?
Johann Hari: Why should I respect these oppressive religions?
Whenever a religious belief is criticised, its adherents say they're victims of 'prejudice'
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The right to criticise religion is being slowly doused in acid. Across the world, the small, incremental gains made by secularism – giving us the space to doubt and question and make up our own minds – are being beaten back by belligerent demands that we "respect" religion. A historic marker has just been passed, showing how far we have been shoved. The UN rapporteur who is supposed to be the global guardian of free speech has had his job rewritten – to put him on the side of the religious censors.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stated 60 years ago that "a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief is the highest aspiration of the common people". It was a Magna Carta for mankind – and loathed by every human rights abuser on earth. Today, the Chinese dictatorship calls it "Western", Robert Mugabe calls it "colonialist", and Dick Cheney calls it "outdated". The countries of the world have chronically failed to meet it – but the document has been held up by the United Nations as the ultimate standard against which to check ourselves. Until now.
Starting in 1999, a coalition of Islamist tyrants, led by Saudi Arabia, demanded the rules be rewritten. The demand for everyone to be able to think and speak freely failed to "respect" the "unique sensitivities" of the religious, they decided – so they issued an alternative Islamic Declaration of Human Rights. It insisted that you can only speak within "the limits set by the shariah [law]. It is not permitted to spread falsehood or disseminate that which involves encouraging abomination or forsaking the Islamic community".
In other words, you can say anything you like, as long as it precisely what the reactionary mullahs tell you to say. The declaration makes it clear there is no equality for women, gays, non-Muslims, or apostates. It has been backed by the Vatican and a bevy of Christian fundamentalists.
Incredibly, they are succeeding. The UN's Rapporteur on Human Rights has always been tasked with exposing and shaming those who prevent free speech – including the religious. But the Pakistani delegate recently demanded that his job description be changed so he can seek out and condemn "abuses of free expression" including "defamation of religions and prophets". The council agreed – so the job has been turned on its head. Instead of condemning the people who wanted to murder Salman Rushdie, they will be condemning Salman Rushdie himself. ...
Whenever a religious belief is criticised, its adherents say they're victims of 'prejudice'
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The right to criticise religion is being slowly doused in acid. Across the world, the small, incremental gains made by secularism – giving us the space to doubt and question and make up our own minds – are being beaten back by belligerent demands that we "respect" religion. A historic marker has just been passed, showing how far we have been shoved. The UN rapporteur who is supposed to be the global guardian of free speech has had his job rewritten – to put him on the side of the religious censors.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stated 60 years ago that "a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief is the highest aspiration of the common people". It was a Magna Carta for mankind – and loathed by every human rights abuser on earth. Today, the Chinese dictatorship calls it "Western", Robert Mugabe calls it "colonialist", and Dick Cheney calls it "outdated". The countries of the world have chronically failed to meet it – but the document has been held up by the United Nations as the ultimate standard against which to check ourselves. Until now.
Starting in 1999, a coalition of Islamist tyrants, led by Saudi Arabia, demanded the rules be rewritten. The demand for everyone to be able to think and speak freely failed to "respect" the "unique sensitivities" of the religious, they decided – so they issued an alternative Islamic Declaration of Human Rights. It insisted that you can only speak within "the limits set by the shariah [law]. It is not permitted to spread falsehood or disseminate that which involves encouraging abomination or forsaking the Islamic community".
In other words, you can say anything you like, as long as it precisely what the reactionary mullahs tell you to say. The declaration makes it clear there is no equality for women, gays, non-Muslims, or apostates. It has been backed by the Vatican and a bevy of Christian fundamentalists.
Incredibly, they are succeeding. The UN's Rapporteur on Human Rights has always been tasked with exposing and shaming those who prevent free speech – including the religious. But the Pakistani delegate recently demanded that his job description be changed so he can seek out and condemn "abuses of free expression" including "defamation of religions and prophets". The council agreed – so the job has been turned on its head. Instead of condemning the people who wanted to murder Salman Rushdie, they will be condemning Salman Rushdie himself. ...
If pat robertson's a good christian, I'm a millionaire whom scrabble adores.