What should the penalty for death be?

The good thing about dogma is that employed properly you can remove all traces of thought from a process.

I like the fact that this clip demonstrates just how little consideration you need to put into your position as long as you're convinced the big fella ordains it.

I have my own opinions on a lot of subjects, some more controversial than others. But I've got more respect for the person holding a polar opposite opinion that has a well reasoned position that stacks up, than somebody who agrees with me with a badly formed argument featuring holes you can drive a bus through.

But hey that's just me I enjoy the cut and thrust of the debate, and all the skills therein - I admire some people's skills even if I abhor their position (did somebody say George Galloway?)

In that spirit, sidestep the subject matter - one of the most divisive ever, and enjoy the amount of thought the protesters have put into their position.

Religious Book Seller Struck By Lightning

A man making a trip from Puerto Rico to South Florida to raise money for his religious education remains hospitalized Monday after he was struck down by a bolt of lightning which flew from clear blue sky on Sunday. He was selling religious materials when he was hit.

more details

Does this still count as a miracle? I'm a bit hazy on the whole miracle thing... is it just when unlikely stuff happens or does it have to be nice things happening that are unlikely?

Happy Sunday!

Alright, you godless heathens.

If a story about a mathematically-gifted dog on an evangelical mission doesn't convince you of the error of your ways, there is simply no hope for you.

Man, I'm so thickly coated with full of the holy spirit after reading that article that I think I might start speaking in tongues.

(Article link courtesy of Effect Measure.)

Christian Activists Disrupt Hindu Chaplain In The Senate

Today was a historic first for religion in America's civic life: For the very first time, a Hindu delivered the morning invocation in the Senate chamber — only to find the ceremony disrupted by three Christian right activists.

What's in a name?

A Catholic school in Australia is refusing to enrol a five-year-old unless he changes his surname.

St Peter Apostle School in Melbourne suggested that Max Hell would only be admitted if he used his mother's maiden name. His father initially agreed. But when it came to signing the enrolment forms Alex Hall decided to defend his family's name.

Mr Hell, a Catholic father of three commented "So what if I've got a name like Hell? That's my family history and my name." Mr Hell, 45, who is of Austrian heritage, said his surname meant light or bright in German. "It's 2007, not 1407 - it's not the Dark Ages."

"I've had enough. I was ridiculed as a child... I want him to be accepted as Max Hell, but obviously he's not," he said.

Yeah, well it's all very well laughing at the school authorities now - but what if this kid does indeed turn out to be some form of anti-christ eh? Who'll be laughing then?

The school board also expressed some concern over a pupil from Woolamaloo, Bruce 'Schism between the Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon' Bailey.

Jesus of the Week

This particular Jesus seems more like a Jackie Treehorn production than the Son of G. However, the Jesus of the Week site provides many that may be more to your liking.

He turned me into a newt - I got better.

When Robert Kubica emerged from a spectacular high speed crash in Montreal with nothing more than a slight concussion and a sprained ankle fans of Formula 1 were quick to praise the high standard of safety mandated in the design of grand prix cars.

It seems that we may be giving these so called designers a little too much credit, apparently the reason Kubica fared so well is a miracle. A miracle performed by the late Karol Józef Wojtyła, or Pope John Paul II to you.

And the evidence for this intervention? Kubica hails from Krakow, the late pontiff's home city.

Oh well, when you put it like that.

Kubica is remaining admirably tight-lipped about the claims. They crop up because the complicated rules governing the canonization of saints mean supporters of the canonization must acrue a body of 'evidence' of heroic virtue and a posthumous miracle. These folk are keen to fast-track Karol, 'cause he was a stand-up kinda guy.

You know what? Fuck it, make him a saint. It's your game and your ball do what you like, it's not going to make any difference to the rest of the planet if you decide that he's to be awarded the honorific Grand high Duke of Kickass. What makes me chortle is the incredibly prim and serious business of collecting evidence, like there's some kind of methodology behind this superstitous claptrap.

Oh, and don't think I've missed the irony of them spending the rest of their day ignoring truckloads of scientific evidence that disagrees with their odd beliefs.