Kansas Satanists forced to admit under oath they don't possess Eucharist for 'black mass'

[bluebird1 (Robin)]

That’s another way of putting it. Pride was his downfall (so to speak).

[EastwoodDC (Dan Eastwood)]

@St.Roymond

@EastwoodDC

Thus the much publicized satanic Christmas displays

I keep expecting a Christmas display with the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

I’m pretty sure that has happened, too busy to google for myself just now.

@St.Roymond

A Flying Spaghetti Monster statue would have made the point better, I think – though I suspect there aren’t any organized FSM churches.

There is at least one person who has a driver license photo wearing a calander on his head as “an expression of his religion.”

[jpm (Phil McCurdy)]

I just wish someone would propose posting The Beatitudes in classrooms. It would be interesting to watch state legislators squirm in voting it down.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[T_aquaticus]

@jpm

I just wish someone would propose posting The Beatitudes in classrooms. It would be interesting to watch state legislators squirm in voting it down.

It reads like a clear violation of the 1st Amendment unless equal access is given to all religions. Even then, it involves a lot of entanglement between government and religion which courts have viewed poorly in the past. I don’t think it is the role of government to tell children that if they don’t see the Christian God it means they aren’t pure of heart.

[jpm (Phil McCurdy)]

That is true, but not less so than the conflict caused by posting the Ten Commandments. In fact, the Beatitudes make no mention of Christ himself, and the references to God are somewhat generic, though referring to the Jewish God of course, as his audience was Jewish.

[Randy]

@T_aquaticus

I’m not above enjoying a bit of snark and malicious compliance.

I’m agreeing from my point of view. My only concern is where, as Haidt would put it, the reverence for the sacred outplays the tolerance portion–witness Charlie Hebdo and the riots after the video about M a few years ago. I know of some folks who were pretty badly hurt in Africa.

It’s a hard one. Where does one stop? My wife and kids talk try to talk often about how we need to vigorously defend others’ right to disagree with us.

[T_aquaticus]

@jpm

That is true, but not less so than the conflict caused by posting the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are just as problematic because it is telling children they can only worship the God of the Bible, can’t belong to religions that worship idols, etc. What are children who are raised Hindu supposed to think of such a display? Will they think they will be treated fairly by the public school system? What about children who have no religious beliefs? When it comes to public schools and children, I think the best policy is to err on the side of leaving religion for the household they are coming from. In more adult settings I think there is much more leeway.

@Randy

I’m agreeing from my point of view. My only concern is where, as Haidt would put it, the reverence for the sacred outplays the tolerance portion–witness Charlie Hebdo and the riots after the video about M a few years ago. I know of some folks who were pretty badly hurt in Africa.

I think it’s a case of knowing your audience. Christian society in general is much, much more tolerant of criticism and parody. For example, most Christians I know would find the humor in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. However, I doubt a similar film based on Islam would be met with the same tolerance.

[St.Roymond]

@jpm

I just wish someone would propose posting The Beatitudes in classrooms. It would be interesting to watch state legislators squirm in voting it down.

It would fail because the words “God” and “heaven” are included.

[nathansmart (Nathan Scherer)]

This is probably one of my favorite topics to discuss and sadly one that hasn’t really ever gone away.

[Randy]

@T_aquaticus

I think it’s a case of knowing your audience. Christian society in general is much, much more tolerant of criticism and parody. For example, most Christians I know would find the humor in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. However, I doubt a similar film based on Islam would be met with the same tolerance.

I think that’s right, at present. I hasten to add that every time I think of someone that I am concerned about in that way, someone in my history has the same problem; I wouldn’t want to go back to the Troubles in N Ireland or the Civil War in England, or the Magdeburgian or Byzantine, or Servetus type persecution. Maybe it just takes time. I’ve met very compassionate people (who put me to shame) in all religions (and lack thereof). Thanks.

[James_MC]

Phil McCurdyModerator

6d

I just wish someone would propose posting The Beatitudes in classrooms. It would be interesting to watch state legislators squirm in voting it down.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

That would be an excellent idea, and a very valuable corrective to various false ideas.

[St.Roymond]

@James_MC

That would be an excellent idea, and a very valuable corrective to various false ideas.

I’ve only ever encountered one street preacher who so much as referenced the Beatitudes. He recited them in a way that got attention, and that almost never failed to get people stopping to listen.