yayyyyyy God

[Kanada Kev]

[Kanada Kev]

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

Jesus and George

[Kanada Kev]

Now this is just plain FUCKED UP! Why is it that these groups feel free to flagrantly rip-off other peoples' art/copyright/etc? My dad tried to put on the damn Veggie Tales for my kid and it was a perfect ripoff of the Lord of the Rings (with no mention, or reference ANYWHERE on the package or credits). I guess god says it's OK to ripoff somebody else if it's going to help people see the light?

The link has an entire story. Pic below is a sample.

http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/3615790.html

[ollie]

Maybe it falls under "fair use" laws?

But would you be similarly outraged if Dawkins or Hitchens had used Archie characters to further their points of view?

How about the Dysfunctional Family Circus gags that circulate?

Be honest!

[Kanada Kev]

Did a quick bit of research on this one and it seems that these comics were on the up-and-up! Check out this passage from a bio on Al Hartley (artist/writer):

http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/hartley_pioneer.html

Then Al and the publishers had what they believed to be a God-given idea -- To create completely original comics using the Archie characters. It was, as Al put it later, "a fantastic idea for evangelism," but permission had to come from John Goldwater, president of Archie comics, who was Jewish. Al had already cultivated a relationship with Goldwater, enjoyed several conversations about faith with him, and found Goldwater to be "a man of deep moral and spiritual principles." (John Goldwater was among those who created the Comics Code Authority in 1954 to help control the way sex and violence were portrayed in comics.) Al telephoned Goldwater "with an optimism that had to come from God," and "within one minute" Goldwater had given his approval. Al always felt that it was "the Lord's timing" that they had published The Hiding Place comic just prior to his approaching the Archie publisher, because it had "showed John a side of Christianity that few Jews have seen."

And here's more on their entire series. Gotta love some of the covers down the page:

http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/series_spire.html

[djmelbatoast]

I remember having one of those Archie/Jesus comics when I was a kid and it scarred the shit out of me. It dealt with armegedon and all the characters had to repent for their character traits (Jughead glutuney, Veronica greed, Archie lust) or face a lake of fire. Fucked up shit for a little kid to be reading.

[phishtaper]

Fucked up shit for a little kid to be reading.

reminds me of another book a lot of kids are forced to read. and it didnt have pictures.

[djmelbatoast]

Fucked up shit for a little kid to be reading.

reminds me of another book a lot of kids are forced to read. and it didnt have pictures.

Ha!:laugh:

[Kanada Kev]

Want some more scary comic reading? Check out the links to the comics on this page:

http://www.truthforyouth.com/standard/main.htm

WHOA!

The artwork is pretty damn good, mind you.

[Kanada Kev]

[djmelbatoast]

Yeah, I had this one.

I think this is one where it goes through all the Archie characters at the end saving their souls from damnation.

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

I remember the book, but not the comic book adaptation. Pretty slick (in a greasy sort of way).

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

I try to like all people, really I do, but I have the damnedest time with Southern Baptists. At least they're still capable of arguing among themselves.

Baptists Approve Global Warming Measure

By ERIC GORSKI AP Religion Writer

SAN ANTONIO Jun 13, 2007 (AP)

Southern Baptists approved a resolution on global warming Wednesday that questions the prevailing scientific belief that humans are largely to blame for the phenomenon and also warns that increased regulation of greenhouse gases will hurt the poor.

The global warming debate has split evangelicals, with some not only pressing the issue but arguing humans bear most of the responsibility for the problem because of greenhouse gas emissions. Other evangelicals say talking about the issue at all diminishes their influence over more traditional culture war issues such as abortion, gay marriage and judicial appointments.

The SBC resolution, approved near the end of the denomination's annual meeting, acknowledges a rise in global temperatures. But it rejects government-mandated limits on carbon-dioxide and other emissions as "very dangerous" because they might not make much difference and could lead to "major economic hardships" worldwide.

Originally, the measure also backed more government-funded research into global warming's causes and alternative energies to oil. But the resolution was amended to drop that language, in part over concerns that it would endorse strong government engagement in the issue.

The two-day annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination, which boasts 16.3 million members, ended Wednesday night. The gathering was highlighted by new steps to prevent child sexual abuse, calls for unity to reverse stagnant membership and a struggle over defining Baptist identity. About 8,500 "messengers," or delegates, registered to attend.

The global warming resolution acknowledges humans bear some responsibility for rising temperatures while urging caution, said Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research with the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

"It does not deny there has been a recent warming trend in average global temperatures," said Duke, who helped write the measure. "What it does do is call for more objective analysis in the data that would explain causes of the warming we're experiencing."

The resolution stands in contrast to a statement last year signed by 86 evangelical leaders that said human-induced climate change is real, and that the consequences of warming temperatures will cause millions of people to die, most of them "our poorest global neighbors."

The SBC statement frames the global warming debate as a moral issue with profound implications for the poor but does so through a different lens.

"Our concern is for the vulnerable communities as well," Duke said. "But we think if the data is being misinterpreted, and policies are being implemented to reduce the human contributions, those policies are bound to drive up the costs of goods and services for poor and underdeveloped parts of the world."

The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president of governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, said Wednesday the Southern Baptist resolution can do some good by bringing attention to the issue. However, he added: "I think we need to be careful not to craft a position that puts us out there by ourselves."

Cizik, a lightning rod in the debate over whether evangelicals should engage in the climate change debate, supports findings announced in February by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That panel said it is 90 percent certain human-generated greenhouse gases account for most of the global rise in temperature over the last 50 years.

Another resolution approved Wednesday on protecting children from sex abuse urged Southern Baptists churches and organizations to respond quickly to allegations and conduct background checks. The resolution also denounced any efforts to "cover up," ignore or condone abuse.

Victims' groups have pressured the SBC to adopt reforms in response to allegations against Baptist clergy, and another measure approved at the meeting calls for a report next year on the possibility of developing a national database to help churches root out abusers.

In a live address by satellite Wednesday, President Bush highlighted his administration's common ground with Southern Baptists on abortion, fighting AIDS and other issues.

"You're rising to meet the challenges of broken souls, in a broken world, with compassion and courage," Bush said.

Earlier Wednesday, Southern Baptists concerned about a rightward shift in the denomination claimed a victory with the passage of a motion centered on Baptist identity.

By a vote of 58 percent to 42 percent, messengers supported a statement calling the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 the sufficient standard for establishing Southern Baptist credentials.

Backers of the statement said some conservatives have been narrowing the definition of who is considered a Baptist in good standing by condemning various worship practices.

But conservatives said the motion was confusing and would not undermine the ability of trustees at Southern Baptist schools and entities to set standards for hiring.

On the Net:

http://www.sbc.net

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

In other evangelical news,

"Purity" ring case in High Court

A 16-year-old girl is in the High Court to accuse her school of discriminating against Christians by banning the wearing of "purity rings".

Lydia Playfoot was told by Millais School in Horsham, West Sussex, to remove her ring, which symbolises chastity, or face expulsion.

She says Sikh and Muslim pupils can wear bangles and headscarves in class.

The school denies breaching her human rights, insisting the ring is not an essential part of the Christian faith.

BBC News religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said a group of girls at the school were wearing the rings as part of a movement called the "Silver Ring Thing" (SRT).

Human rights barrister Paul Diamond told the High Court the school's action was "forbidden" by law.

"Secular authorities and institutions cannot be arbiters of religious faith," Mr Diamond said.

He said a question the judge would have to answer was: "What are the religious rights of schoolchildren in the school context?"

'Sexually pure'

Originating in America, SRT promotes abstinence among young people.

Mr Piggott said it was now spreading to the UK as part of a wider protest by traditionalist Christians against what they see as the secularisation of society.

The rings are inscribed with a reference to the biblical verse I Thessalonians 4:3-4, which translates as: "God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honour."

Miss Playfoot's school said her ring broke uniform rules and ordered her to remove it.

When she refused, she was taken out of lessons and made to study on her own.

She told BBC Breakfast: "In the Bible it says you should remain sexually pure and I think this is a way I want to express my faith."

Miss Playfoot is seeking a judicial review under Article Nine of the Human Rights Act which guarantees freedom of religious expression.

She says that should protect her right to wear the ring.

In a written statement to Deputy Judge Michael Supperstone QC, Miss Playfoot said young girls faced a "moral and ethical crisis" and that other teenage girls at her school had become pregnant.

She said other pupils regularly broke the uniform code with nose rings, tongue studs, badges and dyed hair.

The only reason for banning the rings was because the school refused to "give respect to aspects of the Christian faith they are not familiar with", Miss Playfoot said.

"The real reason for the extreme hostility to the wearing of the SRT purity ring is the dislike of the message of sexual restraint which is counter cultural and contrary to societal and governmental policy," she added.

Uniform code

Lawyers for the school will insist that it is not operating a discriminatory policy because allowances made for Sikhs and Muslims only occur for items integral to their religious beliefs.

It argues that a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix.

In freely choosing the school, lawyers will also say that Miss Playfoot and her parents voluntarily accepted to adhere to the uniform code.

Miss Playfoot's first application to the High Court was turned down last year, but judges agreed to hear it today after she appealed.

Miss Playfoot completed her GCSEs last week and has now left the school.

But her father Phil, who is a pastor, said she still wanted to take the case because of its wider significance for all Christians.

"I think there's something bigger at stake here," he said.

Messages of support

Mr Playfoot and his wife Heather are part of the volunteer team which runs the UK branch of the Silver Ring Thing from their church in Horsham.

The organisers of the movement say as many as 25,000 young people have joined so far in the UK and that numbers are growing.

Miss Playfoot has received messages of support from politicians, including former Conservative party chairman Lord Tebbit and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.

She also has the backing of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship (LCF) which represents 2,000 Christian lawyers across the UK.

The case is being funded through individual donations gathered through the LCF's sister group Christian Concern for our Nation.

Pretty silly, really. Would the evangelicals mind if Shaivites left lingams and yonis on their desks? That too would be making a comment on sexuality from a religious perspective. Or how about any of these?

[Kanada Kev]

I agree. Seems kinda petty to me. I don't see how a ring is harmful in any way, especially if other students are never reprimanded for breaking the school uniform code by wearing nose rings, earrings, etc. Enforce the rules for ALL not just a few.

On the other hand, I wonder if that girl (and her pastor father who is still leading the fight) would be offended if another student came in wearing a pentagram ring, some Wicca symbolism, or a FSM ring? It's usually at that point, that they would bring up the fight that "My beliefs are more legitimate than yours!"

Treat 'em all equally ... they don't seem to want that when it's for the "other" person

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

It reminds me of all the times that evangelicals were jockeying in for equal presence (i.e. their own channels) on radio and TV airwaves in Canada, in the 1980s and 90s, in the interests of cultural fairness, but would then start whinging once they were told that they had to leave space for balanced-time programming.

[Kanada Kev]

[Kanada Kev]

He's riding with you

[Kanada Kev]

Jesus went to the PORN Convention this year!

http://www.geekarmy.com/funny/Jesus-At-Porn-Convention.html

[Kanada Kev]

Scary ... i really wonder about humans sometimes

[Kanada Kev]

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

Anybody in SoOn want to go to this and heckle him for me? I'll buy you a beer.

Evangelist Hinn Lands in Toronto under a Cloud

Benny Hinn readies for crusade and defends lavish healing ministry

Aug 17, 2007 04:30 AM

Stuart Laidlaw

Faith and Ethics reporter

Pastor Benny Hinn, in Toronto this weekend for two days of miracle cures and old-time gospel, makes no apologies for all the money his far-flung ministries take in each year.

"The gospels are free, but the means of delivering the gospels is really expensive," Hinn, who got his start in Toronto 30 years ago, told the Star.

Tonight and tomorrow, Hinn brings his Texas-based Miracle Crusade to the Air Canada Centre, attracting up to 20,000 to each of his three shows.

The shows are free but, as at all his crusades, donations will be sought and many buckets will be passed as the audience sings rousing hymns along with a mass choir amid a light show worthy of a rock concert. While Hinn acknowledges people come mainly to see and take part in the healing miracles, that is left to the feverish end – they will first hear him preach, pray and sing in his trademark white suit.

But Hinn arrives under a cloud after the CBC's The Fifth Estate this week challenged his claims of miracle cures and described a lavish lifestyle of fancy cars, a 7,000-square-foot ocean-side mansion and luxury travel to five-star hotels on a private jet.

In the show, reporter Bob McKeown estimates Benny Hinn Ministries takes in as much as $250 million a year in donations and proceeds from sales of such items as autographed bibles.

Hinn, who keeps his finances private, doubts the show will hurt turnout at the ACC.

"They will never stop people from coming to meetings such as ours."

Followers donate money, he says, to ensure his work, including curing the sick, continues.

"They believe that God heals and they want to see something like this go on. They also understand it takes money to rent stadiums."

Hinn's sessions have gained a reputation for sudden miracle cures for cancer, blindness, diabetes and even AIDS over the past 30 years since his humble beginnings in a church hall at Bloor and Yonge. People dramatically fall to the floor proclaiming their health after a touch from Hinn's hand.

Hinn, however, professes to having nothing to do with making anybody healthy. "The Lord has not called me to heal people," he says. "He heals the people."

After the prayers, songs and preaching from the charismatic minister, Hinn tells the crowd he is getting a message from God that people in the audience are being cured, and he asks them to come to the stage. The Fifth Estate used hidden cameras to show staff screening audience members coming forward, ensuring none with obvious physical ailment get near Hinn.

"It's always somebody that has some kind of illness that can't be readily seen" that makes it to the stage, Justin Peters, a Baptist minister in Mississippi who studied Hinn, tells the CBC.

Hinn says the cures take place in the audience, not on stage, so no one still in a wheelchair is allowed on stage. God, he says, has obviously not cured these people.

"I won't let them up, because they haven't been healed," he says.

The CBC tracked down some of the people claimed to have been cured, only to find that they were either still sick, never had the condition they were supposedly cured of, or had died.

Speaking to the Star, Hinn says he is forced to rely on the word of those coming to his crusades to tell him they are cured.

"It's not my job to claim that they are healed. I have never done that," he says. "I'm not a doctor."

Hinn defends his use of luxury hotels and a private Gulfstream jet detailed by the CBC, saying they offer greater efficiency and security.

"People in my position will have threats," he told the Star. "If you ask for a secure (hotel) floor, you're going to pay more money."

Hinn also criticized the CBC for using hidden cameras and old footage he says depicts his wife just before she had a nervous breakdown.

Link to Fifth Estate documentary here (including full video for viewing/download).

[d_rawk]

Me too! Many beers provided for heckles!

Shit, didn't he claim to heal an entire hospital the last time he was in Ontario, leaving the doctors perplexed and with nothing to do? (Tellingly, of course, nobody who works at said hospital remembers any such thing ..)

[Dr_Evil_Mouse]

I'd love to monkey-wrench his sound system at one of his gatherings. My ideal would be to get a copy of the sounds the FBI blasted into the compound at Waco and splice it into what he has playing in the speakers around the stadium - you know, sounds of rabbits being butchered, and so on, instead of the angelic choirs that he leaks into the aural environment at critically chosen moments.

Sure, I'd feel guilty the next day for the horrible trip I'd have sent people on, but it would be a helluva thing to watch .