Because of you, North Carolina...I Vent.

There are two things I refuse to argue about in public forums but tend to raise my blood temperature and pressure like none other.  I make a valiant attempt to steer clear of the majority of discussions that involve one or the other...and in worst case scenarios -both.  I especially avoid conversing about these things when dealing with an individual who is completely oblivious to reality and takes their Christian bullshit to an extremist level.  This is usually this case when these so-called people of faith taking that silly Bible book  - THE ultimate book of stories & fables - and using it to dictate how WE - humans - should live.  No science....just bullshit.

Example:  The Bible implies in Genesis 9:13 that no rainbows appeared in the sky before the flood of Noah.  Rainbows have actually been around as long as the sun and rain.  The color spectrum is essentially a product of the dispersed light....and the LGBT community.  Haaayyy!

Nevermind the fact that this book was written completely by men and ultimately FOR men.  That is the equivalence of teaching history today out of a textbook from the 1800s. 

Obviously, there has been some progression in the interim.  Otherwise, women and others deemed sub-human at the time would still be fighting for their right to live, work, marry, and be happy.  That is what humans do - evolve and progress.  I try so very hard to respect Christians and/or those who believe in other relatively if not completely oppressive religions to an extent, but the discriminatory and bigoted dialogue is as stale as the bread they break for communion.  Some of these Christians commonly pick and choose the passages from the alleged doctrine of life(aka the Bible) and have no qualms about it. 

Example(s):  "If a man lies with a woman during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness, he has discovered her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from her people." (Leviticus 20:18)  - Fairly confident that this occurs on a regular basis without any punishment rendered.

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property." (Leviticus 25:44-45)  - Fairly confident that this will not fly in today's society - at least in the majority of the world.

"...do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear material woven of two kinds of material." (Leviticus 19:19) - Ladies...check those tags!  You could indeed be a SINNER!

"I permit no woman to teach or have authority over men; she is to keep silent." Timothy 2:11
- Yeah right...say this to the wrong female and see what happens.

"He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord."(Deuteronomy 23:1)  - I feel as though this is a bit discriminatory against individuals with testicular issues....not to mention John Bobbitt.

By the way - if you haven't already watch Bill Maher's fantastic documentary entitled Religulous....you really, really should.  He does a far better job at pointing out the holes in the religious fabric so-to-speak.  Here's a snippet for your viewing enjoyment....

Bottom line... I strongly believe that religion - more than any other factor - divides us as humans around the globe - specifically religions that involve oppression and fear - whether it involves God or some other deity.  The use of a specific moral code and eternal damnation as punishment for breaking such a code obviously is enough to brainwash the masses.  I cannot for the life of me get my head around this.....nor can Bill Maher and millions of other inquisitive, intelligent humans.  I was raised under the Christian faith and can assure you that as I grew wiser - many red flags began to rise.  Religion and politics have no place interacting with each other nor should basic human rights ever be voted on by the general public or anyone for that matter.  Be religious and believe in whatever trips your wire all you like, but do not use it as catalyst for oppression and discrimination.  North Carolina mother fuckers....I am talking directly to YOU!

 I shall end my rant - if you will - with an appropriate and albeit simple-minded Dead Kennedys song.