A Welsh View

Video: Black Pastor Rants About Black People

Spot The Atheist

Video: Catholic Charity Worker Rants About The Dangers Of Condoms

Don't you just want to punch her? (interview from 2:40)

Monk Leaves Footprints Ingrained In Floor

These footprints belong to Hua Chi, a monk who has been praying in the same spot for almost 20 years.

In his early days he was praying 2,000 to 3,000 times a day but now can only manage 1,000 a day (or 500 in winter). Link

Westboro Baptist Church: God Hates The UK

I wrote earlier in the week that the Westboro Baptist Church were planning on coming to the UK to protest at an anti-homophobic play. The play was showing tonight and Fred Phelps and his daughter won't be doing any protesting. The Home Secretary has banned them from entering the UK.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The home secretary has excluded both Fred Phelps and his daughter from the UK. Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities.

"The government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms. We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country … regardless of their opinions and beliefs."

On the one hand it's good that we don't allow people like these into the country to incite hatred but on the other hand I wanted to see how people reacted to them.

Fred Phelps has posted a video response to the announcement of him being banned from this "stinking little island".

Westboro Baptist Church To Tour UK?

The Westboro Baptist Church is planning on picketing an anti-homophobic play at a school in Basingstoke, England on Friday. It will be their first picket in the UK. Bring it on! The Telegraph has a transcript of an interview with Shirley Phelps-Roper.

Letters To God

Letters supposedly written by children and 'sent' to God.

Proof That God Exists?

There's a story that goes with this photo. Not sure if it's true.

Gunnison County's Jason Crawford was angry at God for taking the life of his brother John, so he decided to take it up personally with the "Big Guy in the Sky."

Crawford was seen with both middle fingers raised high toward the angry clouds for "a good twenty minutes to half an hour," as an onlooker described. Apparently, he was standing in the middle of an open field during a thunder storm during his open act of defiance.

In a later statement by Crawford, he explained more in detail the events that took place that evening:

"It melted my gold chain and crucifix. I was a little drunk and pretty pissed off at God when I decided to give him my ... special message."

The good news is that Jason's faith has been renewed and he now regularly attends church.

"My brand new testimony will be sure to convince a lot of young hearts that Jesus is real and watching their every move." He laughed and said "you don't want to mess with Jesus."

"I'm convinced God had his reasons for taking my brother and won't be testing my faith again any time soon."

Link

Dinosaurs Helped Build The Pyramids

At least that's what Vince Fenech, Evangelist pastor and director of a Creationist institution believes. He also believes that the universe was made in 4004BC and this is how he proves it:-

“When man landed on the moon (in 1969), they expected the landing module to sink in a deep layer of dust. But the layer was only a few inches deep. This proves that the universe is still young!”

Fire At Westboro Baptist Church - Update

Here's Westboro Baptist Church's response to the fire. Watch out America, God still hates you.

They've also blamed God for this church fire in Baltimore. Their headline says "You Tried To Burn Our Church - Now God Is Burning Down Yours!" even though in this post they say an arsonist set their church on fire. The arsonist, in their words (PDF), was "no doubt the work of fags or fag-sympathizers".

I find them so hypocritcal. They say that God, their God, hates America yet continue to live within that country and they say judges are to blame for the arson yet expect the assistance of the Department of Justice.

Perhaps what I wrote in a previous post was an off the cuff remark, but I consider the leaders of the Westboro Baptist Church to be evil people.

I respect people's right to free speech and the right to protest but this church clearly crosses the boundary between freedom of speech and hate crimes.

Fire At Westboro Baptist Church

There was a fire at the Westboro Baptist Church on Saturday night. Unfortunately, nobody was injured. Raw video here.

See update.

The Chapel of St. Martin

Could the Chapel of St. Martin be the world's smallest church? More photos at the official website. [via]

The World Will End Tomorrow!

Make sure you enjoy yourself today as it may be your last day on Earth. At least that's what self-proclaimed prophet Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins is predicting. He is predicting that nuclear war will be declared either today or tomorrow which will result in the end of the world.

According to this report, his followers are standing by with hundreds of truck trailers loaded with food and water on the group's 44-acre compound in Abilene, Texas.

This is not the first time that Hawkins has predicted the end of the world. Back on September 12th, 2006 he also thought the world was going to end but obviously was wrong and hundreds of his followers in Kenya who were hiding out in bunkers removed their gas masks and walked home in humiliation. Link

"Thank God for the Great Killer Earthquake"

The image below is a press release from those evil people known as the Westboro Baptist Church. They also thank God for the cyclone in Myanmar, tornadoes in Oklahoma and for downing a medical helicopter in Wisconsin. That last one is because Wisconsin didn't like the WBC protesting in its state.

Priests Brawl At Bethlehem Birthplace Of Jesus

Seven people were injured on Thursday when Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests came to blows in a dispute over how to clean the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Following the Christmas celebrations, Greek Orthodox priests set up ladders to clean the walls and ceilings of their part of the church, which is built over the site where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born.

But the ladders encroached on space controlled by Armenian priests, according to photographers who said angry words ensued and blows quickly followed.

For a quarter of an hour bearded and robed priests laid into each other with fists, brooms and iron rods while the photographers who had come to take pictures of the annual cleaning ceremony recorded the whole event. Link (w/ video)

Jesus and Mary Appear in Pancake

A Florida woman has struck it lucky and found not only Jesus, but also Mary in her pancake! The woman managed to get $29 for it on eBay. Link

Man Spends Year Following Every Rule In The Bible

Newsweek has an interview with a man who spent a year following every rule in the bible - more than 700 of them.

GodTube - Broadcast Him

GodTube = YouTube for Christians.

Bible Spoiler

Apologies for spoiling it for those who haven't read it. [via]

Floods Are Judgment On Society, Say Bishops

Over the last couple of weeks, parts of Britain have suffered from severe flooding caused by what is likely to have been the wettest June on record.

Some will say say that it's 'just one of things' others will speculate that it's a side effect of global warming but the Church of England say the floods were a result of 'God's judgment on the immorality and greed of modern society'.

One Bishop even what as far as saying that the introduction of pro-gay legislation angered God who then caused the floods to teach us all a lesson.

"In the Bible, institutional power is referred to as 'the beast', which sets itself up to control people and their morals. Our government has been playing the role of God in saying that people are free to act as they want," he said, adding that the introduction of recent pro-gay laws highlighted its determination to undermine marriage.

"The sexual orientation regulations [which give greater rights to gays] are part of a general scene of permissiveness. We are in a situation where we are liable for God's judgment, which is intended to call us to repentance."

On a lighter note, this is how one police force coped in the floods.

The Face Of God?

Is this the face of God? These people in a Memphis church think so.

Canada's Only Welsh Language Church Turns 100

The only remaining Welsh language church in Canada is celebrating its 100th birthday.

Dewi Sant Church in Toronto, Ontario, is believed to be the only church in North America still holding regular services in Welsh.

Eisteddfods, folk dancing and banquets are being organised throughout the year to mark the centenary.

The church was set up in 1907 by two Welshmen - one from Anglesey and one from Denbighshire.

Dewi Sant, which has more than 100 regular worshippers, holds a Welsh language service on the first Sunday evening of every month.

Two years ago, Reverend Deian Evans emigrated from Criccieth in Gwynedd, to become the church's minister. Link

Video: "Hey Mom, I'm An Atheist"

A mother cancels Christmas after she learns that he's an atheist. No presents for Christmas is a great way of dealing with that situation. [via]

Video: The Most Hated Family in America

Louie Theroux investigates the most hated family in America aka the Westboro Baptist Church. [Thanks Samantha]

20 Foreigners Sentenced To Prison And Lashes For Partying

I know you have to abide by the rules of a country but these are some harsh rules.

A Saudi Arabian judge sentenced 20 foreigners to receive lashes and spend several months in prison after convicting them of attending a party where alcohol was served and men and women danced.

The defendants were among 433 foreigners, including some 240 women, arrested by the kingdom's religious police for attending the party in Jiddah.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which it bans alcohol and meetings between unrelated men and women.

The religious police, a force resented by many Saudis for interfering in personal lives, enjoys wide powers. Its officers roam malls, markets, universities and other public places looking for such infractions as unrelated men and women mingling, men skipping Islam's five daily prayers and women with strands of hair showing from under their veil.

Bible Quiz

How well do you know the Bible? [via]

Atlas Of World Religions

This chart shows various religions plotted on a map of the World as well as the percentages of believers and non-believers. There is also an accompanying article. [via]

History Of Religion

5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds. [via]

Who Has Killed More, God Or Satan?

According to this guy that tallied up the number of people killed in the Bible, God has killed 2,038,334 and Satan has killed 10. [via]

The Big Religion Chart

A huge list of religions and information about their origin, the number of adherents and their beliefs. [via]

Related: Bible Diagrams

15 Steps To Creating Your Own Religion

15 handy steps to creating your very own religion. [via]

Video: I Come In The Name Of Jesus...Biatch!

A very funny clip from an LA open access show aired in 1997 (at least that what Break.com says). The clip stars a gangster preacher who uses language most Christian's would find offensive. Before watching, prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. The clearly drunk cameraman has just discovered the zoom function on his camera and can't stop using it.

Video: Banana Proves God's Existence

A guy explains how a banana disproves the whole theory of evolution. Now that he's explained it like that I'm converted! The clip is from a longer video called the 28 Minute Way of the Master. [via]

Devotees Nailed To Cross In Philippines

At least 11 Filipino devotees were nailed to the cross during Good Friday reenactments of Christ's final hours.

The Lenten ritual, opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines, is an annual tradition in this farming village about 45 miles north of the capital, Manila.

The Roman Catholic devotees were crucified in batches, their palms and feet attached to wooden crosses with four-inch nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection.

Read

Obscene Cartoon Involving Jesus Does Not Cause Outrage

A student newspaper in Canada has caused a stir by publishing a cartoon of Jesus performing a sex act on a pig. How come this hasn't made the headlines around the world? How come this hasn't cause outrage and anger around the world? I don't need to explain why.

Drive In Church

Time has a photo essay of a drive in church in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. Only n America!

Modern Religion Map

A map showing the modern distribution of religions. [via]

Poll: 9 Out Of 10 Americans Believe In Heaven

A poll has revealed that 9 out of 10 Americans believe there is a heaven with 85% of those thinking that they will actually go there. 78% think that you only exist there spiritually so there's not going to be a shortage of space. And a quarter of believers think that access to heaven is limited to Christians only.

Do you believe in heaven? Do you believe that non-christians will be barred from entering heaven? If you believe that you will go to heaven, will you go there physically or spiritually? I'm an atheist so I don't believe in any of it. When I die that's it.

Pennsylvania Bans The Flying Spaghetti Monster

BBC: 'Intelligent design' teaching ban

A court in the US has ruled against the teaching in schools of the theory of "intelligent design" alongside Darwinian evolution.

A group of parents in the Pennsylvania town of Dover had taken the school board to court for demanding biology classes not teach evolution as fact.

The authorities wanted to introduce the theory that Earth's life was too complicated to have evolved on its own.

Parents said it was effectively teaching creationism, which is banned.

Teacher To Be Flogged, Jailed For Talking About Bible

The Mirror: Flogging For Chat On Bible

A teacher in Saudi Arabia who talked about the Bible with pupils and praised Jews has been sentenced to a public flogging and 40 months in jail.

Mohammad al-Harbi was charged with promoting a "dubious ideology, mocking religion, saying the Jews were right, discussing the Gospel and preventing students from leaving class to wash for prayer".

The secondary school teacher faces 750 lashes but is to appeal against his sentence.

Video: Katrina Was God's Wrath

This guy believes that Hurricane Katrina was unleashed by God in order to punish the sinners of New Orleans. What an idiot. [via]

Muslim Woman Told To Lift Veil For Driving Licence Photo

Sun Sentinel: Fla. appeals court upholds ban of Muslim veil in driver's license photo

A Muslim woman who wanted to wear a veil in her driver's license photo must follow a Florida law that requires a picture of her full face, according to a state appeals court.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal upheld a 2003 ruling by an Orlando judge that Sultaana Freeman's right to free exercise of religion would not be burdened by the photo requirement.

Freeman's attorney, Howard Marks, said Wednesday he was considering further legal action, including an appeal. He said the decision didn't respect the state constitution's guarantees for religious freedom.

It really gets to me when people try to use religion as a way of getting out of something that everyone is required to do.

al Qaeda: Katrina Is "Wrath Of God"

Reuters: Iraq's al Qaeda says Katrina is "wrath of God"

The al Qaeda group in Iraq on Sunday hailed the hurricane deaths in "oppressor" America as the "wrath of God", according to an Internet statement.

"God attacked America and the prayers of the oppressed were answered," said the statement, which was posted on an Islamic Web site often used by the insurgent group fighting the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.

The Bible According to Cheese

The Bible According to Cheese, or a Brie History of Time. [via]

Fatwa Guide

FatwaIslam - The most comprehensive online Islamic Fatwa guide. [via]

Jesus Found On A Crisp (Chip)

A Florida woman discovered the image of Jesus - on a crisp. Yawn! The woman was about to bite into the crisp when she saw the face of Christ. Not sure what to do with it, you can bet she will try to palm it off to the Golden Palace Casino.

Related: "Jesus found on black chicks ass cheek". [via]

Beer Mats To Be Used To Recruit New Priests

Beer mats are to be used to advertise for Catholic priests.

The Church hopes to overcome a nationwide shortage by encouraging drinkers to ditch last orders for Holy Orders.

But while reformed drinkers may be considered, the Church is NOT looking for candidates like Father Jack Hackett — the boozy, swearing priest played by Frank Kelly in hit Channel 4 comedy Father Ted. - The Sun

Biblical Inconsistencies

A very large list of biblical inconsistencies. [via]

Happy Easter

I'm going to try something different today. I'm only going to post Easter related articles today. I've already posted the giant Cadbury's Creme Egg, the solid Easter egg and the world's largest Easter egg so I won't be posting them again. Hopefully there will be enough out there for me to post about.

Are Britons Turning Into Atheists?

The Mirror: Only 44% Now Believe In God

People who believe God exists are now a minority in Britain, a survey claimed yesterday.

According to a poll by YouGov, just 44 per cent believe in God compared to 77 per cent in 1968.

A majority - 81 per cent - also believe the country is becoming more secular, with fewer people going to places of worship.

But among this percentage, 68 per cent of believers and 14 per cent of non-believers, regretted that society was becoming less religious.

Only a third of the 1,981 people who took part in the online survey believe in heaven and even fewer believe in the devil. Just a quarter think hell exists. Fewer than half, 43 per cent, believed their souls would outlast their bodily life.

Young people especially are significantly less religious than older generations, with more than a third saying they were agnostics or atheists.

Among middle-aged people and the elderly, the figure is far smaller, according to YouGov.

The Telegraph has the full poll results here