…and this is a 
30 September is going to be International Blasphemy Day, and I suspect Donohue will be turning purple while his head twirls around on his neck. It should be entertaining: he's already sending out press releases to complain.
BLASPHEMY DAY TARGETS CHRISTIANITY
The Center for Inquiry will launch the first International Blasphemy Day on September 30, the anniversary of the 2005 publication of the Danish cartoons that so inflamed Muslims worldwide. Billed as a free speech event designed to oppose such things as a Muslim-sponsored U.N. resolution banning criticism of religion, the day has drawn the support of people like PZ Myers. Myers, a professor at the University of Minnesota known for intentionally desecrating a consecrated Host, says the day was established to "mock and insult religion without fear of murder, violence, and reprisal"; he wants every day to be Blasphemy Day.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue spoke to this event today:
The Center for Inquiry is factually incorrect to say that "Free speech is the foundation on which other liberties rest." Freedom of conscience is the first liberty, and it is inextricably linked to freedom of religion. Moreover, the whole concept of inalienable rights presupposes a belief in the Creator. In other words, atheists have the right to mock religion because our Christian Founding Fathers afforded them human rights.
They are all such phonies. The stated purpose of Blasphemy Day has nothing to do with any religion but Islam, yet there is not one scheduled event insulting Muslims. We can only guess why. So who have they chosen to mock? You guessed it--Christians.
Artist Dana Ellyn will wander to Washington, D.C. to show her masterpiece, "Jesus Does His Nails," a portrait of Jesus polishing a nail jammed into his hand. In Los Angeles, there will be a film about a gay molesting priest and another about a boy who is so angry about being sent to bed that he asks God to kill his parents. Oh, yes, American Atheists will conduct "De-Baptisms" in New Jersey.
Nice to know that even the atheists know that Christians can be counted on to react to their antics like good Christians. Which is why there will be no violence.
Ol' Bill really doesn't get it. The purpose of the day is to jeer at religion, not to do his dirty work of attacking just one sectarian slice of the whole pie of absurdity. In the US, we'll tend to poke fun at Christianity more than Islam because it's Christianity that's in our faces every day of the year. Islam also lacks a histrionic spokesman like Donohue to make entertaining facial spasms for us.
I'm hoping there will be no violence, but I can't say the same for those "good Christians." I get a lot of threats from those people, inflamed by affronted polemicists like Donohue, and I can also count on the Catholic League to pine for opportunities to turn Muslims loose on atheists.
Comments
Posted by: avsn
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September 28, 2009 3:50 PM
Have fun I guess. I just ignore juvenille nonesence such as this.
Posted by: Chiroptera
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September 28, 2009 3:53 PM
I just ignore juvenille nonesence such as this.
You just did it wrong.
Posted by: skeptical scientist
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September 28, 2009 3:55 PM
The "our Christian Founding Fathers" line makes me want to gag.
Posted by: avsn
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September 28, 2009 3:56 PM
Chiroptera first off you're batty. second I mean I won't be celebrating on wednesday.
Posted by: Chiroptera
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September 28, 2009 3:57 PM
In other words, atheists have the right to mock religion because our Christian Founding Fathers afforded them human rights.
Heh. I get the sense here that we atheists are barely being tolerated. Anyone else get that sense?
Posted by: SEF
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September 28, 2009 3:58 PM
Any news on the one case you did bother to turn over to the police?
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 3:58 PM
I expect to have a special tribute to Crackergate in honor of both the anniversary of said event, and to celebrate Blasphemy Day.
I've been working with FSMDude to get all of his consecrated wafer desecration vids up on crackergate.com to celebrate.
should have it all arranged by tomorrow
http://www.crackergate.com/
He's already adding some stuff to the front page.
Posted by: Insightful Ape
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September 28, 2009 3:59 PM
Good ol' Billy needs to move to North Korea. I hear they have a government that very much shares his views on freedom of conscience and expression.
By the way does I'm sure it would have been too much to expect of him to have heard about Jefferson and Paine's deism.
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 4:01 PM
second I mean I won't be celebrating on wednesday.
no shit??
color me shocked.
seriously, you announcing your plans here means SO much to us.
seriously.
Posted by: Glen Davidson
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September 28, 2009 4:01 PM
A particularly dumbass response to Blasphemy Day, by Bill Dembski on UD:
Or more to the point, fuckwit, why would we have Darwin as our god considering how many things he said with which we (most of us, anyway) disagree? Only IDiots and the like actually care about that, because they don't care about the science, only about non-causal associations.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p
Posted by: AJ Milne OM
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September 28, 2009 4:02 PM
Well, it's nice of ole' Bill to remind us... I mean, I might have forgotten, otherwise...
... Say, you don't suppose that would make him an accessory or anythin' in my blasphemy, would it? Wonder what the divine punishment for such enabling of the godless would be? Stoning, I should expect, at least...
(/I mean, it's that for most things, right?)
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 4:05 PM
Oh, btw, for those who don't know who FSMDude is:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/08/watch_out_for_that_flying_spag.php
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/10/youtube_chickens_out.php
that latter is one of the reasons I actually set up crackergate.com, btw.
Posted by: amphiox
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September 28, 2009 4:05 PM
At the rate Donahue's going, he's going to have to invest in carbon credits to offset the CO2 emissions produced by these rants.
Posted by: amphiox
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September 28, 2009 4:09 PM
"why would we have Darwin as our god considering how many things he said with which we (most of us, anyway) disagree?"
We should turn this on their heads by having a "Dunk Mr. Darwin" carnival booth. The big red target will be his theory of heredity, and assorted little targets can be reserved for any of the things he said about barnacles and coral reef formation that turned out to be inaccurate.
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 4:09 PM
Islam also lacks a histrionic spokesman like Donohue to make entertaining facial spasms for us.
something tells me that there probably IS, it's just that we don't hear/read those screeds much in these parts.
Posted by: amphiox
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September 28, 2009 4:11 PM
"because our Christian Founding Fathers afforded them human rights"
Funny how Mr. Catholic League Prez doesn't appear to remember how anti-catholic most of these Christian founding fathers were.
Posted by: Insightful Ape
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September 28, 2009 4:18 PM
Chiroptera, Mr. Donohue is all green with fatwa jealousy.
Incidentally while he claims that freedom of conscience is a legacy of the Christian fathers, his own views seem to be closer to the Holy Inquisition. There's the good catholic for you.
Posted by: Susan
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September 28, 2009 4:18 PM
Hunh. He says that like it's a bad thing.Posted by: Q.E.D
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September 28, 2009 4:20 PM
Is it Blasphemy if its true? I would like to kick off Blasphemy day a bit early with the following:
Pope Benedicte XVI is a co-conspirator in an international criminal conspiracy to 1) aid and abet child molestation and 2) obstruct justice in to the investigations of such crimes.
More here:
http://www.secularism.org.uk/vatican-stung-by-nss-child-abuse.html
and here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/19/184327/493
Q.E.D
Posted by: Smoggy Batzrubble OM4Jesus
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September 28, 2009 4:26 PM
SB: Dear Jesus, Smoggy here.
JESUS: Hello, servant Smoggy. How can I help?
SB: Jesus, I'm very worried about this upcoming "International Blasphemy Day".
JESUS: You are, why?
SB: Well...'cos...it's "blasphemy", and isn't blasphemy bad?
JESUS: Only if you're not the deity being blasphemed?
SB: Say what?
JESUS: This is a very big event in the various Pantheons, Smoggy. We've got all our divine blasphemy meters fine-tuned, and we've got independent arbiters, and Dad's got a bet on with Krishna that us Three-in-One will score more blasphemy directed at us than all the Hindu deities combined.
SB: So...so...this is a good thing?
JESUS: Shit yes! Imagine being a deity that no one blasphemes. You just become a myth that everyone derides as fantasy. The Nordic Gods, the Ancient Greek Gods, the Roman Gods, the Egyptian Gods all take it very hard. They think because people are still a bit interested in them that they should be accorded some respect as real. Odin, Zeus, Amun Re, Thor, Hephaestos and a shit-load of others tend to get really drunk and have a huge brawl further down Pantheon Alley. Here in the Christian Heaven we've got blasphemy-cred and standards to uphold, so if anyone wants a good fight or a good fuck in time-honoured deistic tradition, then they have to sneak over to one of the other Kingdoms of the Gods. It's a hard time for Dad of course, seeing as He's a split personality at the best of times. He wants his Judeo-Christian "God/Yahweh" persona to attract the most blasphemy because He's put a lot of work into that personality, and those followers have most of the worldly wealth and nice treasure and they're usually selfish arseholes. But He's very fond of His Allah personality too, and a bit of good solid blasphemy towards His Islamic side might stir up a bit of full-on murder and mayhem, which still gets Him excited, even though the Christians pretend He's now a loving God?
SB: God isn't a loving God?
JESUS: You're asking the wrong person Smoggy--He let me be crucified, remember? All I'll say to your question is...have you seen any pink-spotted leopards lately?
SB: So blasphemy day's a good thing?
JESUS: Shit yes! If we're being blasphemed, it means we're still annoying people. Those atheists will know their cunning plans are working when nobody cares whether or not we deities are blasphemed anymore, and cock-knobs like Bill Donohue are laughed out of court as deluded losers.
SB: You don't seem very worried that one day nobody might want to blaspheme you Jesus.
JESUS: Worried? Smoggy, it can't come quickly enough. I'm shackled to Dad's ridiculous Divine Plan for this insignificant world in this pathetic little solar system. Stop believing in Us, and perhaps I won't have to go through this stupid Rapture/End-Times/Seven-Seals/Tongue-like-a-Sword crap. There's a whole infinite universe out there I could be exploring. Think of the countless other beautiful alien species that might fancy a bit of divine rumpy-pumpy. I think I'd quite like a sex-tour of the universe.
SB: So what should I do, Jesus?
JESUS: Blaspheme, Smoggy. Blaspheme with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength. Only you blasphemers can free me from God's stupid plan. Only blasphemy can set me free!
SB: Ulp...I find praying to you very unsettling these days Jesus (you sad figment of a collective delusion) [sob].
AMEN
So there you have it, atheists. Christ wants you to blaspheme. But don't blaspheme for reason's sake... blaspheme for Jesus' sake!
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, Quel Dommage
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September 28, 2009 4:28 PM
avsn #1
If you ignored it, you wouldn't have posted about it.
BTW, the words are juvenile and nonsense. Please make a note of this.
Posted by: ERV
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September 28, 2009 4:29 PM
Catholic League Empress ERV spoke to this event today: "Bill Donohue is a dick. So speaketh the Empress."
Wow this ERV chick sounds pretty cool! Not like that Donohue douche, releasing a press release in third-person, when its him writing the press release.
Posted by: academidae.wordpress.com
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September 28, 2009 4:32 PM
I wonder why Bill never makes that argument; I'm beginning to suspect that he prizes a biscuit over a best seller.
What is it with these New Conservatives - why can't they engage with the real desecrative issues?
Posted by: Smoggy Batzrubble OM4Jesus
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September 28, 2009 4:36 PM
Dear Brother/Sister AVSN @1,
Thank you for your snide, vacuous and poorly-spelled post, with retarded follow-up snipe. You are clearly a fundamentalist Christian of the first order and you will be rewarded with 2.5 Jesus points for your efforts. Please come back and post some more so that God is glorified and the atheists will have someone to laugh at.
Yours in Christian chuckles
Smoggy
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 4:36 PM
There's a whole infinite universe out there I could be exploring. Think of the countless other beautiful alien species that might fancy a bit of divine rumpy-pumpy.
smoggy... are you sure you haven't got your communications wires crossed?
sounds more like you were talking to James T Kirk.
:P
Posted by: se-rat-o-SAWR-us
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September 28, 2009 4:40 PM
our Christian Founding Fathers afforded them human rights
FAIL 1: “Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?” —John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson (May 19, 1821).
FAIL 2: “What could be invented to debase the ancient Christianism which Greeks, Romans, Hebrews and Christian factions, above all the Catholics, have not fraudulently imposed upon the public? Miracles after miracles have rolled down in torrents.” —John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson (December 3, 1813).
FAIL 3: “God is an essence we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is gotten rid of there will never be any liberal science in the world.” —John Adams, cited in Jonathan Miller. (2004).
FAIL 4: “The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity. Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find in Christianity.” —John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson.
FAIL 5: “The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity. Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find in Christianity.” —John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson.
FAIL 6: “Cabalistic Christianity, which is Catholic Christianity, and which has prevailed for 1,500 years, has received a mortal wound, of which the monster must finally die. Yet so strong is his constitution, that he may endure for centuries before he expires.” —John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson (July 16, 1814).
FAIL 7: “In the middle ages of Christianity opposition to the State opinions was hushed. The consequence was, Christianity became loaded with all the Romish follies. Nothing but free argument, raillery & even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.” —Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Religion (October, 1776).
FAIL 8: “During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.” —James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785).
FAIL 9: “Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of it's consequences. If it ends in a belief that there is no god, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort & pleasantness you feel in it's exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you.” —Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr (August 10, 1787).
FAIL 10: “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” —Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence (1776).
Posted by: the_naturalist
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September 28, 2009 4:40 PM
One wonders how self-evident these rights were, and where this supposed Creator was, when our Japanese citizens were rounded up for internment camps during World War II.
Those rights seemed perfectly alienable to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Posted by: Shadow
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September 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Bill's upset that there is a day to mock mass psychosis?
Posted by: Smoggy Batzrubble OM4Jesus
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September 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Jesus is a trekkie!
Posted by: robinsrule
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September 28, 2009 4:42 PM
Interesting that he mentions violence. What happened to the "peace that passeth understanding?"
Posted by: shonny
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September 28, 2009 4:48 PM
Ugh, what's the big deal? Blasphemy should be practised EVERY day, in particular to annoy any and all of the superstitious.
And PLEASE, the latest pope is SIEGHEIL 2! Benedict, my ass!!
Posted by: se-rat-o-SAWR-us
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September 28, 2009 4:50 PM
I double counted Donohue FAIL 5. Insert this FAIL:
FAIL 5: “[W]hen the clergy addressed General Washington on his departure from the government, it was observed in their consultation that he had never on any occasion said a word to the public which showed a belief in the Christian religion and they thought they should so pen their address as to force him at length to declare publicly whether he was a Christian or not. They did so. However [Dr. Rush] observed the old fox was too cunning for them. He answered every article of their address particularly except that, which he passed over without notice. Rush observes he never did say a word on the subject in any of his public papers except in his valedictory letter to the Governors of the states when he resigned his commission in the army, wherein he speaks of the benign influence of the Christian religion. I know that Gouverneur Morris, who pretended to be in his secrets & believed himself to be so, has often told me that General Washington believed no more of that system than he himself did.” —Thomas Jefferson, the Anas (February 1, 1800), on George Washington's absent Christianity. Published in The Works of Thomas Jefferson in Twelve Volumes, Federal Edition, Paul Leicester Ford, ed., New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1904, Vol. 1, pp. 352–353.
(All quotes from the terrific Wikiquote Christianty page!)
Posted by: Sastra
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September 28, 2009 4:50 PM
Donohue wrote:
Note what he did here: he deliberately substituted one concept for another. Freedom of conscience entails that you are free to be religious -- or not. Either way. But he's apparently using the phrase "freedom of religion" as if it meant freedom to be religious only. We are free to follow our consciences and choose religion. Which of course leaves atheists out in the cold.
No, the concept of human rights does not presuppose a Creator King handing down privileges as if they were gifts from above, through divine revelations. You have rights, and you have rights, and maybe that group over there doesn't. The king grants, the king withholds. That's no basis for equality as a principle.
Human Rights came out of the Enlightenment. The Founding Fathers were, for the most part, Theistic Rationalists whose Nature's God could be understood by studying the evidence of the world. Natural rights and obligations were rationally discernible by studying the similar needs and desires of all people, and entailed in the fact that human nature is basically the same. They are secured not through divine mandate and miracle, but through the authority of mutual agreement. We the people.
How dare Christianity -- which is nothing but a series of hierarchy of master and subject from top down -- try to appropriate a ground-up value like human rights, and claim it as its own. Many Christians at the time of the Revolution argued that God put earthly kings in place, that we might learn to be obedient subjects to the divine king. The Original Sin was rebellion against our Ruler. Even today, the idea that our Heavenly Father orders us to follow a democracy and rule ourselves, is a contradictory mess.
Posted by: Alcari
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September 28, 2009 5:07 PM
So, the Deistic American Founding Fathers made it possible for European, Asian, Australian, African and South American atheists to mock religion?
Thanks Bill, I didn't know that.
Posted by: Shadow
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September 28, 2009 5:20 PM
@27:
Having a spouse who was born and raised in a little town in Japan --Tokyo, and a grandmother and her sister who lived in areas where there was a large Asian population during WWII, much of the reaction was motivated by greed and, to some extent, racism (not that this would have been admitted). There wasn't the same treatment of German or Italian descended citizens. Businesses and lands were seized (not to be returned), lives destroyed, due to a hellish mixture of fear (see the 9/11 Muslim round up), greed, and racism. All to remove the 'other.'
The excuse was to protect America (as always) and military assets/movements because 'you can't tell' who was a spy -- same issues with the European Axis members, you could easily distinguish the Asian from their neighbors. Harder to pick out a German or Italian descended American.
In many cases, it is pompous A$$es like Bill D who were behind the internment. Without the push to DO SOMETHING about the 'Yellow Peril' Roosevelt may not have authorized the internment camps.
Posted by: Matt "Nora" Penfold
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September 28, 2009 5:34 PM
Bill must have a very thick head.
Given how apoplectic he becomes at the slightest provocation (or even none at all) it is truly remarkable his skull is still intact.
Unless it really does keep exploding and a tame neurosurgeon keeps putting it back together. That might explain his lack of cognitive ability.
Posted by: Glen Davidson
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September 28, 2009 5:39 PM
One problem for ignoramuses like Donohue is that they don't understand that criticizing Xianity is already a criticism of Islam, since Muslims generally accept the Bible (including the NT) as a holy book and Jesus as a prophet. While it's true that many blasphemers won't know that, I rather suspect that most would consider the hit at Islam to be a bonus.
The point being, really, that it's all nonsense. Xianity is focused upon for a number of reasons, most of all probably because it's the best-known example of the baselessness of religion.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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September 28, 2009 6:14 PM
Apparently, "freedom of conscience" doesn't extend to those of us who don't belong to criminal organizations dedicated to providing both protection and more victims to child rapists.
Posted by: Chiroptera
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September 28, 2009 6:26 PM
Dear Mr. Donahue,
I can totally see how it may seem a bit unfair to target Christians at this year's Blasphemy Day -- your concern for the poor folks stuck in other countries with their own nuts is inspirational indeed. But we only have a small amount of time and resources, so we decided to focus one this one particular brand of nuttery. As this type of nuttery decreases in importance in social affairs, we will shift our focus to the other forms of nuttery. Perhaps if and when you finally pull your own head out of your ass, you can help us to assit those trapped among the other deluded fools? We all hope to eventually arrive at a nut-free world by-and-by -- or at least reduce the number of nuts to a level where they cease to pose a threat to our safety and to good public policy!
Posted by: truebutnotuseful
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September 28, 2009 6:26 PM
Does Donohue realize that every time he bites into a nice juicy hamburger he is blaspheming against Hinduism?1
That every time he enjoys a sip of communion wine, he is blaspheming against The God of Mormonism's Word of Wisdom?
That every time he sneezes, he blasphemes against Our Great Crespuscular Lord, the Spotted Crake of Creation?2
1. At least the grain that goes to make the communion wafer doesn't have to be slaughtered with a pneumatic spike to the brain.
2. Sneezing only technically counts as blasphemy if you sneeze with your eyes closed. For the Spotted Crake of Creation intended for mankind to see His Marvelous Creations at all times.
Posted by: Stewart Cowan
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September 28, 2009 6:39 PM
"International Blasphemy Day"
And you really think you are making the world a better place, do you?
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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September 28, 2009 6:46 PM
"International Blasphemy Day"
And you really think you are making the world a better place, do you?
How is it making the world a worse place?
Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
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September 28, 2009 6:49 PM
you think blasphemy is a bad thing?
Posted by: Kobra
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September 28, 2009 6:52 PM
I just sent this to PZ, but in case he's too busy to mention it elsewhere: I'm holding a "Blasphemy and Heresy Art Contest" between now and September 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM EDT. Send me your most offensive works of art, so that we may look upon them and laugh with scorn at the fervor and zeal of the batshit insane.
More info: http://www.kobrascorner.com/etc/blasphemy-contest.php
The prize for the best and most blasphemous work is $50 USD.
Posted by: Chiroptera
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September 28, 2009 6:53 PM
Stewart Cowan, #41: And you really think you are making the world a better place, do you?
Well, I'm not sure that this will necessarily make the world better, but I think that demonstrating that such freedoms exist is a nice demonstration that the world is not as bad as it could be.
Actually, anything that reminds people that crypto-fascists like Donahue is lurking in the underbrush is probably a good thing.
Posted by: Burlesque
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September 28, 2009 7:17 PM
Blasphemy Day. Now there's a name that rolls trippingly off the tongue. If it gets people like Donohue in a twist, then the mere name itself has done good service.
And I agree with Dr. Myers's assertion that Christian are more prone to violence than us good ole atheist fellas.
This post may not be very substantial, but that's because I'm just testing the waters as a brand new poster here (but a long time lurker).
Posted by: Tammy
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September 28, 2009 7:17 PM
Just wondering... how many Muslim people have tried to convert any of us lately? They aren't usually standing on the corners at universities telling us we're going to hell. They don't want US in their religion... So why make fun of them? They leave us alone.
Posted by: Burlesque
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September 28, 2009 7:19 PM
Do they now?
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler
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September 28, 2009 7:23 PM
For those who can't wait until 9/30 (or who don't intend a pilgrimage to DC): a sneak preview of Jesus Gets His Nails Done (at the mall).
(Gee, Donohue got the name wrong - who'da thunk?)
Posted by: truebutnotuseful
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September 28, 2009 7:24 PM
Stewart Cowan wrote:
Stewart: Right now, the (presumably) mundane details of your daily routine (whatever they may be) and even your very existence, are blasphemous against the religious beliefs of somebody, somewhere.
There's no way to avoid blasphemy. So why not enjoy it?
Posted by: Naked Bunny with a Whip
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September 28, 2009 7:31 PM
And you really think you are making a cogent point, do you?
Posted by: E.V.
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September 28, 2009 7:36 PM
I just blew snot, thanks Tammy.No, Islamism is not a particularly kumbaya evangelical religion - especially the fundamentalists. They're more of the "convert or die, infidel!" school of thought for gathering believers. (Remember those 72 hawt virgins waiting for their infidel-killing priapic martyrs?) Perhaps, if you had a glass navel you wouldn't be prone to blindly posting naive statements out of your ass.
Posted by: Snoof
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September 28, 2009 7:40 PM
Blasphemy, n. a victimless crime
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 28, 2009 7:41 PM
Stewart Cowan wrote:
Stewart is celibate (by choice?).
need I say more?
Stewart, I would say you of all people should spend some time blaspheming, and i mean that in the most physical sense.
or hell, if you're dead set on remaining "celibate", might I suggest a good book?
http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Sin-Blasphemy-Americas-Censorship/dp/1565840488
Posted by: waldteufel
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September 28, 2009 8:00 PM
Stewart, please tell us which bundle of horse-shit you worship, so we can suitably direct some blasphemy.
Posted by: arrakis
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September 28, 2009 8:36 PM
Redundant comment, but here goes anyway:
Most of America's founding fathers were not Christians! They were DEISTS!!!! Deists, deists, deists!
As a historian, it irritates the hell out of me when Christians make this claim, and when I am around to hear them make it I am sure to correct them. It's a thoroughly-disproved argument that refuses to go away because the facts aren't taught to most children. It's a statement every bit as true as the story about George Washington chopping down the cherry tree.
I was having a good laugh at ol' Bill until that "Christian Founding Fathers" comment. Now I need a drink to calm down...
Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/a/CoxkKJE0ro_mSac3sNN0spZuE9c7BxOsLw--#9ee78
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September 28, 2009 8:57 PM
> Puncturing religious hysteria is always a good thing.Posted by: avsn
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September 28, 2009 9:25 PM
>big sigh
it always comes to this
Tis:
I won't make apologies for English spelling being a bane of my existence. I am not ignoring the post, but the stupidity and waste of time that is Blasphemy Day.
Smoggy: gtfo, i am by no means a fundie. (and some of my previous commentary will prove that. thanks)
Posted by: Insightful Ape
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September 28, 2009 9:27 PM
Actually Stewart, I do think this makes world a better place. Criticizing religion has always been prohibited-either explicitly (when they had power-it used to be called the Holy Inquisition) or implicitly ("you should respect our faith"). Salman Rushdie had to spend ten years in hiding, because he said something the ayatollah didn't like. It is through things such as the international blasphemy day that we exercise our right of free speech- and the the Donohues of the world that they are not in control. The difference between us and you is that we don't government endorsement, as is the case for the national day of prayer.
It makes the world a better place by making it safer for Salman Rushdie, Geert Wilders, PZ Myers, etc. Anyone who dares think differently and shake off the bronze age dogma.
Posted by: Zachary Voch
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September 28, 2009 9:29 PM
Ah, I do love the incessant bleating sheep call of "we're a Christian nation" or some rough equivalent, a claim generally unaccompanied by supporting argument and obviously presupposed. It's like a mating call for homo ignoramus.
False narratives should be criticized and exposed for what they are, be they the dogmas themselves or the history attributed to them. The founders were secularists and gave us a uniquely secular system of government, all to the benefit of the nonreligious and religious alike, though despite this, many among the religious feel it more important to advance their interests above those of their peers (and hence the need for church-state separation to begin with).
In his fascist fantasizing, Donohue fails to realize that his worst enemies are those whom he supports, instead choosing to label as his worst enemy the demographic that does the most to preserve religious liberty -- the secularists. To this end, he generates support for those elements of society who would destroy him as soon as they would us, the theocratic right that has always been based in literalistic branches of protestantism. For Donohue, it is far more important to criticize substituting "Christmas" for "holiday" than to take notice of the dominionists, an ironic betrayal of claims to support "religious and civil rights". He often treats the genuinely anti-catholic protestant wing as a historical topic or at least minor in comparison to the great secularist enemy.
He fails to realize that the wall of separation he denies and so despises protects him and other Catholics. In his fevered cries for blasphemy laws, he forgets about how they may be applied against himself or his own organization. Of all people, Donohue should understand how easy it is to "offend" the religious sensibilities of others. Indeed, he is an expert in taking offense.
To Donohue, it's far more important to downplay the scale and institutionalization of the Catholic abuse scandals, to place himself in the spotlight over any controversy he can manufacture, to ally himself with those who would destroy him, all so that he can assault those who would save him. A sad pig of a man who in the pursuit of higher irony portrays himself as a defender of civil liberties, he will go down in nonhistory as yet another bloated mixture of self-martyrdom and media.
Posted by: Burlesque
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September 28, 2009 9:29 PM
The unimaginable naivíte expressed by Tammy is of course hard to counter. If he/she sincerely believes that the muslims have no agenda to take over the world, then I suggest we feed him/her in the cave where they have so obviously been hiding for, well, all their life.
Let's just leave all the things I *could* say to one side and focus on one little thing: why do all the major religions abhor prophylactics? There's only one quasi-sane reason, and that is that they want to multiply, fill up the world and dominate it. That's the smooth, nice, gentle part of Islam (and Catholicism, of course). I won't even get into the fire bombing, innocent-slaughtering tactics they use to make their belief really resound as the one true - and clearly benevolent - faith.
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, Quel Dommage
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September 28, 2009 9:31 PM
avsn #58
There are such things as spell checkers
How is it stupid and a waste of time? Be specific. Show your work. Whining about juvenile nonsense doesn't count, you've got to give evidence it's juvenile nonsense.
Posted by: Don Smith
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September 28, 2009 9:35 PM
"because our Christian Founding Fathers afforded them human rights"
Sounds like he's still pissed about that!
Posted by: Smoggy Batzrubble OM4Jesus
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September 28, 2009 9:36 PM
Dear brother/sister avsn,
You're right, you're not a fundie...just the spelling confused me is all.
I admire the minimalist purity of your journal; imagine if you kept posting one line a month for the rest of your life.
Yours in Christian succinctness
Smoggy
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, Quel Dommage
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September 28, 2009 9:36 PM
Donahue is a professional victim. It's a job that pays particularly well.
Posted by: Norm
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September 28, 2009 9:41 PM
Off topic news flash - spider crawls on pope - press hails it as the most interesting pope-related news since John Paul II's death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOx045-UlBc
Posted by: gyeong-hwa
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September 28, 2009 9:44 PM
If giving people rights and a voice to reject ideas is a bad without the fear of violence is a bad thing, then you should consider living in a country with Sharia law.Posted by: Insightful Ape
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September 28, 2009 10:05 PM
avan, don't you think your own trolling the Internet is an even bigger stupidity and waste of time?
Posted by: Woof
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September 28, 2009 10:28 PM
PZ:
I do hope you're including that phase in your book!
Posted by: mtgap.wordpress.com
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September 28, 2009 10:35 PM
Isn't that the point of life, though?Posted by: NixManes
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September 28, 2009 10:59 PM
What do you wear to a blasphemy?
Posted by: Zachary Voch
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September 28, 2009 11:14 PM
Nothing, your body is an affront to God Almighty.Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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September 29, 2009 12:18 AM
Stewart the Coward has obviously run away, but should the coward return....
...How does anti-gay hatred make the world a better place but making fun of silly fairy tales make it worse?
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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September 29, 2009 12:21 AM
What do you wear to a blasphemy?
Comfortable shoes.
Posted by: DingoJack
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September 29, 2009 1:13 AM
What do you wear to a blasphemy?
Novelty Breasts. (We all know how much the Judeo-Christian god loves women). :!
Posted by: Itspiningforthefjords
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September 29, 2009 2:35 AM
"I suspect Donohue will be turning purple..."
How nice! It's likely to match well with this matchless maroon.
I can imagine without the slightest effort Bugs Bunny standing alongside the fulminating idiocy of Donohue, holding up flashcards of descriptive derision.
Posted by: candela
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September 29, 2009 3:02 AM
Oh no! Now I can't get that vivid image of Donohue out of my mind, and it's about time to hit the hay on the West Coast!!!
Posted by: Siwoti
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September 29, 2009 3:13 AM
Smoggy @20: I await the publication of "The Collected Discourse of Smoggy & Jebus" in a lather of giggly anticipation. So when is your book hitting the shelves?
~(Sister) Siwoti
Posted by: maxamillion
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September 29, 2009 3:34 AM
Surely you jest?
http://www.jihadwatch.org/
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-871902797772997781#
Posted by: Alistair Coleman
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September 29, 2009 5:03 AM
Right.
Nobody, but nobody, is to celebrate International Blasphemy Day until I blow this whistle. And I will make this perfectly clear - even if they do say "Jehovah".
Posted by: Itspiningforthefjords
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September 29, 2009 6:58 AM
#80 You're only making it worse for yourself!!!!
Posted by: Abdul Alhazred
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September 29, 2009 10:27 AM
To the True Atheist, every day is Blasphemy Day.
;)
Posted by: nuada-oz
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September 29, 2009 10:30 AM
Happy Blasphemy day from Australia.
That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah. Goddamit!
Posted by: nuada-oz
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September 29, 2009 10:33 AM
Different time zones and all, that is.
Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot
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September 29, 2009 10:37 AM
Jesus-titty-fucking-christ!
...Typekey let me through on the first try!
So it's Sept 30 here (just)... and I can't think of a single decent blasphemous act - not that anyone is going to notice at half past midnight, anyway...
maybe I'll just go quietly covet some graven images or something...doodle a quick sketch of Muhammad...
Posted by: Naked Bunny with a Whip
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September 29, 2009 11:20 AM
Masturbate while imagining Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammed having a three-way? Or perhaps I've revealed too much.
Posted by: Lynna, OM
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September 29, 2009 12:10 PM
@7 The tribute to Crackergate was fun. A good trip.
Bill Donahue's hue and cry over supposed persecution of Christians (and of Catholics in particular) is just his way of keeping the religious echo chamber resounding. If the noise stops, Donahue will experience the talking head's worst nightmare, dead air.
Posted by: Abdul Alhazred
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September 29, 2009 12:18 PM
Crackergate == Proving a dog is rabid by poking it with a sharp stick.
Posted by: Lynna, OM
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September 29, 2009 1:05 PM
According to Smoggy, Jesus craves blasphemy. I wonder if it's worth noting this little god that's doting on PZ's blog as the ultimate bastion of blasphemy run amuck? On the other hand, maybe we're all Jesus has when it comes to quality blasphemy.
A professor from Morris fields a cantankerous chorus of baying atheists who floor us with blasphemous spit on the zombie corpse of myth.
Posted by: Insightful Ape
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September 29, 2009 1:12 PM
Bad analogy, #88. No one was hurt, remember? And yet PZ got death threats for it.
We need more people to advance the cause of freedom of expression.
Posted by: Abdul Alhazred
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September 29, 2009 1:18 PM
I was referring to the death threats.
Posted by: AJ Milne OM
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September 29, 2009 1:24 PM
Alriiiight already...
Listen, it's just a bit of summer beer gut... I was just heading to the gym, honest... There's no need to get nasty about this...
(/My wife put you up to this, right?)
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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September 29, 2009 2:06 PM
Bill Donahue's hue and cry over supposed persecution of Christians (and of Catholics in particular) is just his way of keeping the religious echo chamber resounding. If the noise stops, Donahue will experience the talking head's worst nightmare, dead air.
Even simpler than that. If Donahue stops screaming, contributions stop flowing. The pig has a cash cow.
Posted by: Qwerty
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September 29, 2009 6:40 PM
On Blasphemy Eve I visited Bill Donohue's website (aka Catholic League) and watched his posted video of the Penn & Teller show he railed against. It didn't seem blasphemous at all. It seemed to be an honest, if somewhat overly theatrical, portrayal of the Vatican's dark side.
Apparently, being honest about the Roman Catholic Church is a Vatican't!
Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot
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September 29, 2009 8:06 PM
NBwaW
Not anything we haven't seen before! ;)
Posted by: Ichthyic
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September 29, 2009 10:55 PM
Looks like FSMDude has managed to upload most of his consecrated wafter desecration (CWD for short) videos at this point.
I haven't had time to pretty it up, but his comments are there at the top, and ALL the vids are in wmv format, linked as attachments at the bottom of the page.
Happy Blasphemy Day!
(yeah, we're already celebrating here in the world of tomorrow)
http://www.crackergate.com
Posted by: DingoJack
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September 30, 2009 3:31 AM
For your delectation and amusement:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/01/25/turn_jesus_on.jpg
Happy BLASPHEMY DAY! (As Bill Donahue would say)
Posted by: Ragutis
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September 30, 2009 3:55 AM
I really don't know what Jehovah's bragging about. It was chance. There, but for the bad luck of God, go I. Mary was pretty lit and ready for anything. She wanted a DP. I won the coin toss and went for the backdoor.
Ooh... nice shade of purple, Bill.
Do we really need to limit this to one day a year?
Posted by: DingoJack
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September 30, 2009 4:01 AM
"Bill Donohue", what larger blasphemy could exist? = DJ
Posted by: Ragutis
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September 30, 2009 4:06 AM
Oh, and I hope Ganesh whips out his elephantine cock and assrapes that paedo-perv Mohammed while gagging him with Xenu's eternally limp dick and cleans up the santorum with a handy pair of Mormon magic undies.
Posted by: DingoJack
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September 30, 2009 4:18 AM
Ragutis - all while eating chopped spagetti with cthulu calamari, right? ;) - DJ
Posted by: Ragutis
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September 30, 2009 4:18 AM
Actually, I'd like to retract my previous statements and apologize. They were childish, and in light of various gods' actual sexual escapades, rather tame. Now, If I really wanted to blaspheme, I'd say something like: "God is kind, loving, and just."
Posted by: Occam's Machete
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September 30, 2009 8:37 AM
To misquote Kathy Griffith:
Today is my Christmas - suck it Jesus!
Happy Blasphemy Day, one and all.
Posted by: Knockgoats
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September 30, 2009 9:53 AM
And you really think you are making the world a better place, do you? - Stewart Cohen
Yes, undoubtedly. Happy godmacerating Blasphemy Day! Why not try a little blasphemy, Stewart, just to see what it's like? You know you want to!
Posted by: DingoJack
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September 30, 2009 11:47 AM
Here Stewie repeat after me: "DEO PORCO!!" Now don't you feel - cleansed somehow? :) - DJ