A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…
Death Sentence Should Not Be Based On Biblical Precepts, Says Americans United
A Florida man on death row did not receive a fair sentencing trial because a prosecuting attorney presented explicitly religious evidence to the jury and repeatedly cited the Book of Romans, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed today before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Americans United and other groups assert that Anthony J. Farina’s sentencing was prejudiced because prosecutor John Tanner pursued a “biblical strategy” during Farina’s penalty phase. Farina had been found guilty of murder, and Tanner argued that the Bible – specifically the Book of Romans –called for the death penalty.
Tanner cross-examined a minister who had counseled Farina in prison, arguing with him over questions about the nature of the Bible, the crucifixion of Jesus and the Christian concept of forgiveness. Tanner asserted that the “infallible word of God” mandates capital punishment.
“Portions of this trial read like a medieval debate on the nature of God, not a proceeding in a secular American court,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Punishment for crimes should be based on what the law allows, not what someone believes the Bible mandates.”
~Mooglets
The bible is not my guide for morality
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Vatican ‘probes Legion of Christ priests over child abuse’
The Vatican is reported to be investigating seven priests of the Legion of Christ order in connection with allegations of child abuse.
In a statement to the AP news agency, the Mexican order said seven cases had been referred to the Vatican’s department that deals with sex crimes.
The Legion of Christ’s founder, Marcial Maciel, sexually abused many boys and young men over a period of 30 years.
He was disciplined by the Vatican in 2006 over the abuse.
One of the cases being investigated in relation to the seven priests is recent, while others date back several decades, the order said in the statement given to AP.
The investigation will be handled by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that investigates allegations of sexual abuse.
While it is under way, the suspects will be kept away from children.
‘Immoral acts’
“Over the past few years, in several countries, the major superiors of the Legion of Christ have received some allegations of gravely immoral acts and more serious offences… committed by some legionaries,” AP quoted the statement as saying.
The order has previously insisted that Fr Maciel was an isolated case.
The BBC’s Alan Johnston in Rome says that if these new allegations are proven it will show that the rot in the order had spread beyond its disgraced leader.
In 2009, the Church launched an investigation into the order after Fr Maciel, who died in 2008, was also revealed to have fathered a daughter by a mistress.
A year later, Pope Benedict XVI appointed an envoy to implement a complete overhaul of the Legion of Christ, saying it had to be “purified”.
The previous pope, John Paul II, long held up Fr Maciel as a model to the faithful, despite persistent allegations of sexual abuse, which were later proven.
In recent years, the Church has been rocked by cases of paedophilia by priests, and accusations that it did not do enough to investigate the allegations.
A Response to ‘Five Reasons Christians Should Continue to Oppose Gay Marriage’
We’re at a point when even a notable Republican pollster is warning the party that it’s to their own detriment to fight equal rights for gay people. You would think Christian groups would come around to that way of thinking eventually, too, but that may take another generation or two. Most Christian leaders refuse to accept the fact that gay people just aren’t a problem for most people, including younger Christians.
The Illinois Family Institute, a SPLC-certified hate group, offers five reasons Christians should continue to fight against gay marriage (written by Kevin DeYoungof The Gospel Coalition). When you read their list, it’s clear they’re out of ideas. They know they’re fighting a losing battle, and they’re clinging to whatever bigotry might still go unchallenged by their members:
A holy war over gay marriage In North Carolina, two churches face off over an upcoming vote on whether to constitutionally ban same sex marriage
When North Carolina voters head to the polls on May 8, they will be asked to decide on a constitutional amendment – known as “Amendment One” – that prohibits marriages between same-sex couples. Same-sex marriage is already illegal by statute, but N.C. is the only state left in the Southeast without a constitutional ban.
So this is quite a showdown. There’s much talk of liberty, lifestyle and family — and a whole lot of talk about God. As opponents and supporters target churches all the way from Appalachia to the Outer Banks, religious leaders are flooding the airwaves to share their views on a hot button issue that throws core values into stark relief.
Growing up, I attended a church in Raleigh that is deeply involved in the current debate. And I can tell you that the fault lines are deep – and often surprising – to folks in other parts of the country.
Christian Bus Ad Advises Child with Druggie Parents to Pray, Not Call for Help
Dear Jesus, My mom and dad do drugs at home and it scares me. Will you help them stop? Thank you for hearing my prayer.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”
What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuck.
~Mooglets
“Regarding the Archbishop’s sermons against same-sex marriage, my 14-year-old daughter said: ‘Well, Jesus had two dads and he turned out all right, didn’t he?”
Allan Davidson, Scotsman
