Posted inNational politics Religiosity

Christian fundamentalism behind wacko Alabama court decision on IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular way for women to have a child who have trouble conceiving in the usual fashion. A CNN story says that about 2% of births in this country are from IVF. It works this way: In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is when an egg is removed from a woman’s body and combined with sperm inside a laboratory before being implanted, said Dr. Eve Feinberg, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. To accomplish that, patients undergo eight to 10 days of fertility injections with hormones that help their…
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Posted inReligiosity

Oregonian column about Liberty University makes fun of Oregon’s moralistic football opponent

Thank you, Bill Oram. I needed your Oregonian sports section column about Oregon's opponent in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day 2024. These wintry days have been dark, drenching, and dismal recently.  Making fun of Liberty University is just what I needed from you to raise my spirits. Below I've taken the liberty of sharing the entire column, copyright law be damned.  For as many Oregon football fans as possible need to have at least a half-smile put back upon their face, given the crushing disappointment of Oregon's third three-point loss to Washington in a row, with the most…
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Posted inReligiosity

It’s godless Oregon versus godly Liberty University in Fiesta Bowl

I do my best to view sports as a refuge from divisive subjects like religion and politics. But after the bowl pairings were announced for the 2023-24 football season, it's impossible for me to do this. The main reason is that the University of Oregon, which lost last Friday to Washington (again) by a measly three points (again) was chosen to play on New Year's Day in the Fiesta Bowl. So yay, say we Oregon fans. (A secondary reason is a Florida senator, Rick Scott, wanting an inquiry into Florida State being left out of the four-team national championship playoff.) …
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Posted inReligiosity

A business sent us a Judeo-Christian Thanksgiving card. But we’re atheists.

A few days ago my wife and I got a Thanksgiving card from a business that we use regularly. This is the front of the card. The back said, "We are awed by the blessings God has poured out on us this past year. Thank you for your trust in and support of our business. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!" OK. Nice sentiments. Aside from the God parts. That didn't go over well with us, since we're atheists.  We realize that Judeo-Christianity is the dominant faith in the United States. So we're used to being exposed to all kinds…
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Posted inCity of Salem Religiosity

Awakening Ministries is The Church at Planned Parenthood

In case you're wondering who The Church at Planned Parenthood really is, wonder no more. This supposed "church" consists of moralistic busybodies who staged a protest on July 13 at the Planned Parenthood office in Salem, which resulted in a fight between Proud Boys and counterprotestors. Because, you know, Jesus-loving churches like to have their security provided by a hate group that was part of the insurrection at the nation's capitol on January 6. Here's a screenshot of where The Church at Planned Parenthood does its thing when it isn't harassing women at Planned Parenthood trying to use their services…
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Posted inBroadway Commons Religiosity

Two reports of how Broadway Coffee House/Commons discriminates against LGBT people

Someone contacted me about a year ago about how the Broadway Coffee House here in Salem refuses to allow gay people to be employees, because the business is controlled by the Salem Alliance Church. As you can read below, the pastor of the church believes this gives them a religious license to discriminate, sort of like how Agent 007 had a license to kill, even though under normal circumstances this is illegal.  According to the Oregon State Bar, it is legal for religiously affiliated businesses to engage in discrimination against LGBT people. But this doesn't make it right. Here's what…
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Posted inReligiosity

“Jesus loves strippers” sign gets Salem hot and bothered

Over on the Salem Community Vision Facebook page, a post about this illegal sign has gotten a lot of attention.   The sign is in the public right of way, which violates the City of Salem sign ordinance. So I'm wondering if Jesus loves illegal signs. Here's what the Salem Community Vision post said. THIS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU DON'T ENFORCE THE CITY SIGN CODEThere are hundreds of illegal temporary signs in the public right of way all over Salem, but this one on Mission Street really takes the cake! The signs proliferate because for years now the…
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