Do Unto Others - and Wreck Healthcare Reform?

This is so guaranteed to make your head explode. When I heard the minister say that people essentially ‘get’ the diseases that their bad lifestyle choices give them, I nearly went through the ceiling. Uh, is he suggesting that my breast cancer was the result of bad lifestyle choices?

Aaarrrggghhh!

-maven

Just watched this on HD Net Dan Rather Reports.

“When Congress passed the controversial health care bill conservatives across the country vowed to fight it. But it turns out that there’s an interesting provision in the bill – one that provides an exemption for members of what are called “health-care-sharing ministries”. The ministries have been around for years as a Christian alternative to traditional health insurance, but they have suddenly become big news for those who want out of Obama’s health care law. The ministries distribute their members’ medical bills among other members – all of whom have to make certain lifestyle commitments. Members are in good standing only if they are celibate outside of heterosexual marriage and drug-free; weekly church attendance is mandatory.”

Does religious affiliation affect beliefs about global climate change - and science in general?

I think that’s a “yes” according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Here’s the question they asked 1,502 American adults:

 Question wording: From what you’ve read and heard, is there solid evidence that the average temperature on Earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades, or not? [If “yes,” ask]: Do you believe that the earth is getting warmer… 1 - Mostly because of human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, OR 2 - Mostly because of natural patterns in the earth’s environment? [options rotated]

Here are the results:

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Of course Nevadans pray. We have casinos!

I was noodling around through the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life website. It’s fascinating and the interactive graphs are truly excellent.

In so far as state rankings, Nevada ranks like this on Importance of Religion (number 34), Worship Attendance (number 40) and Certainty in Belief in God (number 40). Nevadans rank near the bottom. However, when it comes to praying, Nevada ranks right up there. We’re number 25. - just under the national average.

Duh.

We’re not sure there’s a god, and we’re too busy trying to keep the house from foreclosure to go to church, so of course religion isn’t all that important, but when it comes to prayin’ to beat the odds, we’re not taking any damn chances!

As for me, if Vermont had skiing as good as Nevada, I’d so be secularly there.

Religion: The greatest bullshit story ever told

Normally, I’d put this on the funnybone page. It is beyond merely funny. But it’s also true, and something more people should be reminded of - regularly.

George Carlin - Religion is Bullshit - watch more funny videos

Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions

Questions of good and evil, right and wrong are commonly thought unanswerable by science. But Sam Harris argues that science can — and should — be an authority on moral issues, shaping human values and setting out what constitutes a good life.

Adored by secularists, feared by the pious, Sam Harris’ best-selling books argue that religion is ruinous and, worse, stupid — and that questioning religious faith might just save civilization

Update on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 22:01 by mavenandmeddler

Apparently, Harris touched some raw nerves. The comments came pouring in and he answers them.

Happy holiday to my readers from maven

Well, we just today got the holiday greeting cards out - this year went smoother than most, since I usually send out Happy New Years cards. Since Natacha just left for a 16 hour shift at the nursing home, Ron and I will be spending a quiet evening together watching a DVD that just came from Richard Dawkins’ - “The Voices of Reason” featuring a two hour roundtable discussion by the Four Horsemen: Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett. My new egg nog recipe will be happening along the way - Yum. Get it off the Playing with Food page.

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