As the USA heads toward another election the virtual enslavement of candidates to "the religious problem" is frankly disturbing. Yet whilst we associate "Christian Fundamentalism" with the religious right the issue isn't quite so simple. "Fundamentalism" and the "Religious Right" are not the same creature and it's wise to be certain of where threats to democratic values arise on "home soil".

Original settlers brought with them an Apocalyptic vision that assumed Armageddon would rage at New England. These Protestant fundamentalists were fleeing religious persecution in England and Holland in particular. Following the failure of Oliver Cromwells 1658 Revolution these settlers puritanical hopes turned to New England.

These new "chosen people" became the citizens of the United States who would enjoy "a thousand years" of religious and civil liberty. Their version of todays Neoconservative ever present enemy was Old World Catholicism and the tyranny of English rule. It is this residual aspect to the American psyche that leads to absurd claims the USA is founded on Christian values, that has tainted USA foreign policy for centuries and is rabidly exploited by the politically motivated extremist "religious" right today.

This episode Firesnake looks at just which aspects of fundamentalism pervade USA politics and have had the shockingly corrosive effects on "a once great nation". Contrary to mainstream perception it is only the modern Pentecostal and Evangelical movement that has the ear of the highest office in the US. Most fundamentalist groups are disinterested in "worldly affairs" and care little for political posturing. Pentecostalism in all it's multi-coloured, surround sound, flashy dental, iron-haired glory, is not traditional fundamental Pentecostalism. It attracts scorn and disdain for its "heretical" and theologically offensive make it up as you go, Charismata riddled magic working trickery from almost all other denominations.

We look critically at the demonstrably fallacious claims that the USA is founded on Christian values or that the Founding Fathers were "Christian" if even religious at all. Not only have the modern Pentecostals misrepresented the deeper driving forces of Christian fundamentalism - resulting in appalling erosion of educational standards, general knowledge and sound public health policy - but have practically slandered everything the Founding Fathers fought to keep out of USA politics. Deists and atheists these men have left an utterly unambiguous opinion of religion behind and as no others before or since, articulated the very malignancy of enforced conformity to a mode of thought. Human reason, not religion is what motivated these men and what "founded" the USA value system.

The bizarre erection of mammoth crosses and anti science billboards in the USA punctuates the steady downfall of their economy, knowledge base, world power and international respect. Perhaps John Adams' quote will at the last come back to haunt the charlatans who mislead and offend those on either side of belief with such grotesque spectacles.

Looking closely it seems we have long past the time of accepting this is "about religion" - something we should tolerate. Today the effect of US foreign policy cannot be ignored [see table below]. As the cry of "God did it" continues to rise, consonant with an apocalyptic and revolutionary - not evolutionary - approach to global challenges, every human alive is subject to the whims of this Divine Guesswork.

We look at the disparity in emphasis placed on Obama's "minister scandal" compared to Palins own "sermons" and her close buddy Pastor who insists Jesus wants his followers to die, and indeed one cannot follow Jesus without wishing to die for him. Jesus, Palins pastor claims would be "in War mode" if alive today [and was during his life, anyway] just as every good Christian must now be. It is this very same intellectual repugnance that exposes this trendoid approach to scamming ones fellow citizens and that draws the condemnation of most of Christian USA and fundamentalist USA.

From Alaskan Pipelines to dying in Iraq, Palin "can only do so much" unless her followers are "right with God". Also we examine the absurdity and hypocrisy of Creationist Sarah Palin and wonder if she solves, what was becomming, McCain's Evangelical Problem. Perhaps those obsessed with seeing a woman in the White House care little for the character beneath the skin. Yes, the new star of female rights who miraculously expunged the "pregnancy scandal" whilst pledging herself as a pious, chaste, "servant of God", has fooled the devout already.

Can the USA afford to make the same mistake again? Well, in the humble Firesnake Holeplex we do have an opinion... or two.

History of the use of early Apocalyptic Psyche' in US Foreign Policy

- Source: The Chosen Nation: The Influence of Religion on U.S. Foreign Policy. John B. Judis [page 3].

Some quotes supporting the 'christian heritage' of the Founding Fathers:

"History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose."
-- Thomas Jefferson to Baron von Humboldt, 1813.

"Lighthouses are more useful than Churches"
-- Benjamin Franklin

I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church."
--Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason, 1794

The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?"
--John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 20, 1815

"Man is fed with fables through life, and leaves it in the belief he knows something of what has been passing, when in truth he has known nothing but what has passed under his own eye."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Cooper, 1823

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect."
--James Madison, letter to William Bradford, April 1, 1774

". . . no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."
--Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1779

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter, 1787

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see, but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity, though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequences, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and observed, especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure."
--Benjamin Franklin, letter to Ezra Stiles, March 9, 1790

All references touched on are here.
Music thanks to Garageband.

Gags.
52 min. 20 MB.

Al-Qaeda has come under criticism from noted jihadist prosecutors and thinkers within Islam itself. The indiscriminate killing of Muslims has drawn vocal contempt from Bin Ladens "battlefield comrade", Mu'man Bin Othman. He joins a growing list of noted radical clerics and revered jihadi authors to attack what is an inescapable religious hypocrisy, within al-Qaedas strategy.

The compelling dynamic for nations facing the threat of Islamic Extremism, is that these same critics have contributed to the rise of violent jihad. Bin Othman is a former Libyan jihadist, survivor of the Afghanistan war with communists and has attended al-Qaedas Afghani summits. Sayyid Imam produced the edicts al-Qaeda leaders have used to motivate young Muslims and design their strategy. Known as "Dr. Fadl" the noted ideologue has renunciated violent jihad with specific reference to his mentor: Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri. Arguing against resorting to violence and stressing rebellion against a Muslim leader is forbidden, Sayyid Imam wrote directly to Muslim youth from jail in Egypt:

The "de-redicalisation" of Muslim youth and Islamic extremists in this way is based upon fundamental Islamic jurisprudence. Whilst there is no doubt radical Islamic schoolers are concerned over the levels of violence, they are equally concerned about the Koranic doctrine as it pertains to prosecuting a Just and Holy Jihad. Actual violent jihad is traditionally arrived at only after considerable introspection. It is this concept of internal struggle, or jihad, that underscored years of fierce clerical debate within Islam prior to 9/11. Bin Othman himself remains a strident critic of Western policies from his London base and includes the UK government in his blame for the rise in potential British Muslim extremists. He tells BBC security correspondent, Frank Gardner [audio here]:

He's referring to al-Qaeda "mastermind" Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has a personal knack for usurping the jurisprudence of jihad prosecution. We've watched him "mature" since taking the role of spokesman "to the world" for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, as we'll hear, after they assassinated Anwar Sadat in 1981, for failing to wage a Just jihad and breaching fundamental Islamic rules. He's no doubt the real brains behind al-Qaeda atrocities - their Islamic strategy - but the point on which this turns is the fact that "Islamically", these techniques lack authoritative credit. The crisis for Islamic purists is that alienation and oppression motivate todays jihadists; not theology for which they have little time. Al-Qaeda is exploiting this for their own ends whilst insulting Islamic law, as Sayyid Imam clearly states above.

Bin Othmans logic is quite right. However this does not mean those facing possible attacks from Islam are significantly safer. Nor does it criticise indiscriminate killing of Westerners in Islam or elsewhere. The killing of infidels is entirely sanctioned and permitted by Islamic jurisprudence. Yet nothing in Koranic doctrine, the Hadiths or centuries of in depth and complex debate on how to kill the enemies of Islam, sanctifies killing Muslims. Ex Muslims most certainly, but not true Muslims. Insurgents have been more than vocal in accusing those they kill of being either infidels or fatally flawed in interpreting Islam - using revised archaic Sharia Law in particular.

Furthermore, the attraction of violent jihad has arguably polluted the pool of emerging influential identities with rank amateurs. Increased "conversion" and immigration has lent a vocal and savvy twist to centuries old dictates that embellish only violence. From the life of the prophet, to the 1000 year expansion of Islam via violent jihad to modern day authors who inspired the surge in radicalism, there is no precedent. More so, there is no chance of Martyrdom for a jihadist killed in the act of killing Muslims [believers in Islam]. Islamic law is clear on whom Allah deems a threat to the expansion of the Ummah and how to treat them. It doesn't take much empathy to see that senior clerics would perceive, for example, Muslim rappers in ski masks bragging about 9/11, threatening torture and death in the nations that educate, protect and support them, as little more than opportunistic groupies.

Many Islamists do want a Just jihad and a Just peace. But only as it applies to Islamic law and only in the pursuit of global peace under the Islamic government: the Ummah. This episode we look at exactly what this issue is about and why it is not a random fortuitous event from which the West can expect "justice". We also again raise the issue of Western misunderstanding of Islam, this time focusing on the xenophobic view multicultural nations often hold toward their Muslim citizens. Whilst the threat of Islamic extremism must be taken seriously, the fundamental interpretation of any religion cannot be ignored. Are we perhaps ignoring the problems of other religious fundamentalism and exaggerating that of Islamic fundamentalism? Seven years since 9/11 just which fundamentalists have actively or passively undermined democratic processes?

British historian Hilaire Belloc’s “The Great Heresies” written in 1938:

All articles mentioned are here.
Music thanks to Garageband.

Gags,

32 min.
14 MB.

Dedicated to Ken Bigley: 1942 - 2004.

Sharia Law has won a victory over human rights within the UN Human Rights Council, and sanctioned by the same council. In fairness to President Doru Romulus Costea, he asked that it be recorded he'd never been in a more uncomfortable situation - including when his own statements as Council President were "challenged point blank".

We cover the audio of relevant proceedings for the 8th session of the human rights council - June 2nd to 18, 2008. Webcasts may be accessed here. Driven aggressively by Egyptian delegate Amr Roshdy Hassan, who claimed Islam will not be crucified in this council, this covert jihad on the vile idea that humans - much less us soon to be gone Harbi - having more rights than Allah was fully supported by Pakistan and Iran. As council President noted it may be seen by some in the Council as "a preemptive move" on allowed statements, or as a mater of religious debate. The topic studiously avoided was the scope of the Vienna Declaration and programme of action; human rights.

This episode Firesnake looks at Islam, Sharia, human rights, human nature, Iranian hanging of drug users. We note the lack of any response from the I.N.C.B., the UNODC and global NGO's who heard the plea for help from Middle Eastern NGO's, just weeks ago. The I.N.C.B. remains silent over Irans Anti Narcotic Law, much as with Russian Narcology. This is in stark contrast to support for the lifting of stoning penalties to 300 lashes and 10 year sentences.

Despite the focus on Islam, religion and generally bad news the aim in the Humble Firesnake Holeplex is not to divide. We take the view that this is actually about Us. Excellent evolutionary data produces models that not only explain the role of superstition moving us toward complex religions, but help us understand the intractability of "belief" in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence. Rejecting the integrity of any human being based upon what they believe denies us a window into the human condition. And seeing as we're discussing human rights, let's remember we have no right to not be offended. Which sadly, is what the recent ruling seems to ignore.

We ask the question if Islam and Sharia Law may offer protection for drug users. Given ignorance toward Islam in The West is at an all time high some time is spent outlining how stupid we really are and noting Islam is a violent horrific concept, only kept in check by Muslims who can indeed entertain two disparate ideas and draw strength from both. Islam cannot deny its history, no matter how it's rationalised.

Nor can Christians deny how irrational, oppressive, passively murderous and deceptive they were and remain today. Christian morality enforced on other cultures kills and ruins lives at break neck speed. It's fueled by "really nice people" in democratic nations who have no idea where their money goes, who benefits or how many cultures are torn apart by "well meaning" senile misogynistic virgins who somehow do these "nice people" an eternal favour. The pointy end is fundamentalism. We attribute entire mindsets to 'religions' based upon fundamental interpretation, when 'faith' actually follows a sliding scale of belief and behaviour that's a function of intellect - not magic.

The problems arise when moderate theists refuse to admit their belief is flawed, because they must sacrifice something - often an assumed something. Usually the "kinda, maybe off chance I might get punished when I die". There are intellectual reasons behind both expressions and they reveal much about human nature. We actually do respect each other - we're hard wired for it. Faith often requires self delusion or suspension of analysis, to the peril of the believer. And just as faith blinds one to reality, so too does a belief in ones superiority; something we do so very well in democratic nations.

NB: This widely circulated image of an "Iranian stoning" is an enactment of how the practice is carried out. However a quick search of videos should satisfy any questions.

The debacle in the UN HR Council stands yet again as another fabulous advance for The Ummah as the earth moves slowly but surely to one rule under one true God - Allah. An admirable and well won victory for Diplomatic Jihad. Our War on Terror is as useful to understanding the theological, political, social and military issues driving conflict as is Black Death to mapping the Yersinia pestis bacteria genome, in an attempt to arrest the spread of plague. As always, it is the gullibility in the West that will see Islam one day rule our planet. The old, tired and dusty standards were present. Misunderstanding over freedom, justice and peace.

In the West we associate Freedom with freedom to vote, of speech and of self expression. We have freedom to elect governments - of, by and for the people. We see Justice as peer controlled judgment ensuring outcomes are to the benefit of society: human beings. Peace of course, is the absence of war. Australia will be mumbling away like this the day we elect our first Muslim P.M. as an expression of our 'oh, to die for' concept of multiculturalism. Perhaps only when Sharia is written into Aussie law, will we wake up. Freedom to Muslims is conquest of Allahs land from the unbelievers, or reconquest of Dar al Islam from Dar al Harb [the house of war - nationhood] and Tyranny from oppressors - the West, via Jihad: Justice. Only when Dar al Islam has justified for Allah the Land of War, removed all unbelievers according to His demand, and established a global Ummah, can Peace reign.

To Dar al Islam, the 1400 year global Jihad, interrupted on September 11th 1683 at the siege of Vienna, is open for business. Now that the control of Pakistan is close to a reality, The West held fast in a Middle Eastern trap and militarily stretched too far to stand by Zion [Israel], the time for pretense is fading. What we in The West must now grasp is our concept of nationhood is a speck in history dependent upon abundant resources. We are blinded by our concept of Tolerance and in our rush to realise Equality fail to see human nature. If democracy has a self destruction mechanism it must surely be that of tolerance leading to a wall of political correctness, that will act as its trigger. Cultural and intellectual hubris has possibly sealed our demise.

We worry over "nuclear destruction", never bothering to check of all seven worlds in Islamic law, Allah may be everywhere, but resides only here. He already owns the world - it's the duty of Islamists to remove those who reject His Word. Destroying what is dictated to be ultimately devoted to his glory is unlikely, given a prior 1400 year struggle. And it's this very subterfuge the UN failed to see. Allah desires only Paradise for Muslims whose purpose it is to conquer the world for Him. Some pleasure in this world follows those who follow Him, but only as it applies to expanding the Ummah.

Humans have no rights - only Allah - the landlord. Any "rights" exist only under the Ummah which serves to oppress equality of religion. That is what Sharia Law is about. That is what Islamic immigration aims to achieve. Just as does Christianity. All the world for their idea of God - who is of course the same god; the God of Abraham, the God of the Jews - His originally "chosen people".

Payback has been a long time coming, and Islamists have patiently obeyed the lessons learned by the prophet at the battle of Uhad. To return to "the straight path" - Sharia, introspection, accepting blame, prayer, devotion to Allah - in temporary suspension of Jihad. This is required under Islamic law. 9/11/1683 signaled the decline of Islam, but it was the Industrial Revolution that dealt the 'death blow'.

At this time Dar al Islam covered more of the Earth than the Roman Empire did at its peak. The quality of life was over 500 years ahead of medieval Christian Europe, suffering miserably in serfdom and ruled by a corrupt hierarchy of Christian misogynistic megalomaniacs. Christendom grew from the destruction of knowledge and suppression of evidence. Greek science was expunged primarily due to it's "exposure" of biblical phrasing as astrological allegory - not magic. Put simply; Rome thrived on the horrific ignorance it inflicted on others. We call that time The Dark Ages. Iran is particularly pleased about its scientific success and has told us on several occasions, it will reverse the order to its prior state.

It's traditional to claim there's "no such thing as a moderate Muslim". Alluding that to be Islamic is to be an extremist. It's actually very wise to acquaint oneself with the teachings of Islam and particularly Islamic jurisprudence as it has grown since the prophets death. Even more so with writings of Islamic thinkers over the last century. It is this intellectualising that brought the genocidal life of the prophet into essential Muslim teachings, gave us anti-Semitism and urges hatred and annihilation of not only Jews - 'Zionists' but all unbelievers and any who support Zion. As The Great Satan the USA supports Israel, it too is Zionist. Allah forbids nationhood, personal gain, equality between belief systems or tolerance of any non Muslims. "Wait for them, set traps for them, kill them wherever you find them".

Perhaps however, we should remind ourselves of what The West did to this civilisation if we seek to understand Fundamental Muslim psychology and the pain which drives modern day conflict. Hamas is the result of "democratic elections" in Islam. Islamic parties win because of the need to remove any trace of Dar al Harb from what was once rightfully The Ummah. The Crusades, nationhood and the 1948 and '67 Israeli victories are a crisis of faith for Muslims hinting that Allahs chosen people, are losing to his designated inferior race of "worst creatures". It's not "racism" driving anti Semitism. It is the sacrilegious assault upon the demands of the one true God.

It was the inability of European Christians to reach the Holy Land thanks to Turkish Islamists and conversion to Islam by Christians that prompted the Crusades. As for the slicing and dicing we love to blame each of these stupid belief systems for, I'd prefer to not hand out medals. It's human nature at play. Yes, religion is to blame as with all horrors in our world - either in the first instance or as a result of passive apathy. But this is about us, not magic unseen beings with different criteria to satisfy for their jollies and your eternal reward. Belief, dear reader, is a most foolish intellectual exercise. Cult psychology [religious doctrine] is about controlling others and to control ones mind is to have absolute control - particularly when eternal damnation is a possibility for engaging in free thought.

As is clearly dictated by Allah to the Prophet and recorded in the Koran, it is the sacred duty of all Muslims to wage Jihad - either covertly, violently, deceitfully... you name it, until The Ummah covers the world and all is for the glory of the one true God. In modern times the concept of Taqiyya [Def], occasionally spelled "Tiqayya", erroneously, has been amplified to include non Sharia societies and allow expatriate Fundamentalist Muslims to live alongside Gods forsaken creatures [within Democracies] without killing them as Islam demands.

Tiqayya is the lying about Islam and ones true nature, for protection of Islam and spread of Jihad for the global Ummah. It's basis is directly from the Hadiths outlining a discussion about lying to kill a Jewish enemy: "I will kill him for you Oh Prophet, but we must tell lies". "Dude, knock ya-self out [or words to that effect] you are free in the matter", replied the prophet. There is only the Ummah and the land of war, yet to become the Ummah. It's non negotiable, punishable by eternal damnation and indeed violent, brutal Sharia Law. To not behave this way is to indeed be the enemy and deserving of all tortures Allah demands for kafir - non believers, "the worst of creatures".

Indeed, it is because the world belongs to Allah that this duty exists and one may never rest - be at peace - until we all cry out his name, and profess we believe the word of a medieval warlord. As he was the last and true prophet, it's fairly clear that Unbelievers must die, submit under Dhimmitude and for some races be tortured for the pleasure of Allah. Then with Dhimmitude and control of freedom exerted over vile kafir Harbi, as per the Most Merciful Allahs Compassionate request, may Peace reign. To repeat: Islam as a "peaceful religion" is the concept of when our planet "belongs" to Allah as total Ummah. Tony Blair the noted "religious" British P.M., is an exemplary example of idiocy born of selfish faith, amusing Islamists across he globe as he led his public astray insisting Islam is a "peaceful religion". As Earth already belongs to Allah, it is merely the establishment of the Ummah He requires.

For this reason His word was revealed to the final prophet - the true prophet. The only reason the global Ummah does not exist is because the direct word of God, is as yet unfullied. The aim of the Koranic revelations are to set straight Jewish and Christian divine texts which had become garbled over time, leading to impure practices and Harbi - unbelievers - in the land that was supposed to be Allahs. The prophet was instructed to set in motion the 'final divine solution'. As Allah is God, failure to recognise that "compassion" in Islam means killing for Allah, "the Most Merciful, the All Compassionate" and observation of murderous Sharia Law practices, is exactly why the UN fell into this trap. As each Koranic chapter begins with the above phrase, all of Islamic Jihad is notated as "compassionate".

The Cairo Declaraion of 1990 has been given a breath of new life and contains all the requisite points cleverly wrapped in double speak semantics, fit to fool any uncritical eye. Average Joe sees a fairly benign, if somewhat superstitiously obsessive, list of "rights". Islamic critics note immediately a document designed to enslave human beings to the very word of barbarism as demanded by Allah. The final article: Article 25- The Islamic Shari'ah is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification to any of the articles of this Declaration. Which essentially means humans have no rights other than to act as Allah demands.

Allah wants the world, "desires for you" paradise and if you can't see how darn simple this is you will die. If you're too stupid to live a pious life then die as you kill for Allah - and it's an X rated paradise for your trouble. For a psychotic warlord in the habit of consummating marriages with nine year old girls - why 9 is the legal marriage age under Sharia - who needed an army to travel and kill with a guarantee of loyalty, it's an ideal formula. In the 21st century it gives us terrorism urged by Extreme Islamic Clerics. Motivation for Jihad is fundamental interpretation of the prophets strategic mind control and "revelations".

Genital mutilation, decapitation, amputation of opposite feet and hands, eye plucking to extract information [torture] and so much more is the "emulation" of the prophet. The Borg would be proud of such hive mentality, and I hope you can see the purpose of rubbish such as this website. It's claimed the prophet "Ascended" into heaven, making his senior followers outright liars who then inherited his military state, ensuring the opportunistic genocidal "explosion" of Islam we see in history.

So, then. Remembering everyday people get caught up in drug related crime what of drug users under Sharia? Harm Reduction is documented as reducing HIV spread among Iranian prisoners, something the Iranian regime may have to acknowledge. Some Sharia may be open to interpretation. Allah changed his mind when the prophet realised no-one liked him much around the year 615-20. So, he found out God actually wanted lots of blood - not social cooperation and equality of worship, as is mirrored from earlier Koranic verses in Mecca - before the Islamic calendar begins in Medina 12 years later.

This concept of abrogation did away with the benign verses seen in other "religions". As the Koran is published from longest to shortest chapters, chronology is confusing - and this is exploited by Islamic apologists. Clarification of Koranic messages is gained from consulting the over 100 volumes of Hadiths - chronicling the prophets life. Much like no-one who ever laid eyes on Jesus ever wrote about him, the Hadiths were also began many years after the prophets death, by interfering apologists using notations supposedly gathered during his life.

Hadiths supporting care of "the oppressed" exist and are discussed as essential to Islam today. As is the more important personal ideal of inner Jihad: struggle. Open and firm discourse is needed for all minority groups in Islam and for those under influence of the Official Islamic Council.

Presently in the Middle East the socio-political climate favours an unacceptable humanitarian crisis due to the escalating influx of illicit drugs, and arguably further capital punishment. Despite the scale, despite claims of UN bodies, resolutions, promises and human rights, the level of open and honest discourse within multicultural communities is approximately zero. Perhaps in the first instance the greatest hurdle is not one of malignancy, but of widespread misunderstanding.

The concept of 'Drug User Rights' remains controversial across the world. Attenuating the human rights aspect as it pertains only to the influence of various religious beliefs and theocracies is markedly misunderstood. Despite the crucial import it remains an utterly thankless task, ignored by all institutions.

We cannot ignore the evident gulf between changes in policy outlook secured at the Beyond 2008 Forum, and the reality of UN sanctioned Sharia law specific to the drug using community in the Middle East. The need for compassionate discourse on this issue has never been greater. The opportunity for The Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Drug Demand has never been clearer.

Surely we cannot hope for integrity on the issue of human rights if we fail those in need. Certainly the failure of beneficiaries of human rights to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, is naught but intellectual and cultural hubris that must rightly attract condemnation.

All articles touched on are here.
Music thanks to Garageband.

Gags
1hr. 22 MB

Religion and money go hand in hand. Far from "spartan" conditions, or "vows of poverty" being implemented, we see palatial splendor. Firesnake looks at just why Australia seems to have an out of control monster, promising falsehoods and threatening eternal torment, funded by unwilling Australians. Indeed, we need only touch on a few - so called - "Christian" cons which are the tip of the iceberg.

There's also a comedy intro with explicit language. Just so you know...

A poll in Fairfax on April 27th 2008, suggests residents of the fair city to host the Vatican's Youth Love In are not as prayerfully considerate as promotional media grabs suggest. Writing in Crikey Bernard Keane noted, "... the majority of Sydney people had got jack of the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day once they realised how disruptive it would be. While the men who run the world’s premier institution of misogyny and paedophilia should never have been allowed to hold their medievalist frolic in public in the first place, the event has undoubtedly been affected by the Iemma Government’s Sadim touch".

In God's Business - BRW June 29-July 5, 2006 - Adele Ferguson spells out the extent of religious tax exemptions. In doing so, she also exposes how opaque this self-righteous business really is. The pointy bit is this. Religious groups receive exemptions on income tax, GST, FBT, payroll tax [non-commercial], stamp duty [all property transfers], rates and land tax. Nor do religious groups pay capital gains tax from asset sales, tax on commercial businesses or observe any Banking Act rules where they would apply. As Ferguson puts it, "better still" once exemptions are granted specific to financial services. "There is no sunset clause or review by APRA of it's operations".

Excluding donations, congregation and collection income, credit card machines or income from over 200 charities and additional business, the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, Uniting, Salvation Army, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and the Pentecostal churches produced a miraculous revenue of $23.3 billion in 2005. The Catholic Church reaped a whopping  40.3%.  Pentecostalism is growing faster than any religion in Australia, generating $263 million in 2004.

Pentecostalism claims around faith healing and supernaturalism are of significant concern. It represents the pinnacle of con artistry, non critical thought and unguarded conformity. It's cost to the community is beyond significant. Hillsong are the largest earner in this fastest growing religion. Hillsong Emerge is the benevolent "arm" of Hillsong Church, once illegally using funds intended for Indigenous communities, for it's own benefit.

Remember the disturbing link between Hillsong, Mercy Ministries, Gloria Jeans coffee shops, and medieval superstition? Sheer theft of money from vulnerable and disturbed Aussie girls who were then subject to exorcisms, bible classes and glossolalian ranting to cast out the demons that made them "evil" initially. The Age reported on this appalling abuse at the time.

However, we don't need to be demon exorcising, bible quoting devotees to coerce ill people for no reason other than vague superstition. As Ferguson noted, "Hospitals run by the Catholic Church, for example, will not conduct vasectomies, tubal ligation or abortions, although they are routine in other public hospitals". Max Wallace from ANU says: “People in many parts of Australia are discriminated against by not having an alternative hospital provider.” [Page. 44] Sisters of Charity simply refuse to reveal revenue. And on the pattern goes.

Of interest is that an April 23rd shin dig put on as a "gee thanks" by Cardinal Pell for former PM John Howard, included CEO of World Youth Day, Roy Wakelin-King on the 'confidential' guest list. Held at Pell's Pad - Cathedral House - in St Mary's Cathedral precinct in College Street, it was rumoured Kevin Rudd would drop in "for a chat". Pell who lunges forward with "Be Not Afraid" as his motto is the man who smoothed things over for a resolution to this silly business of the Roman Catholic Church paying for self indulgence.

To satisfy the Jockeys Club for any manner of potential deficits from Pious partying at Randwick, Pell scooped $42 million from Howard. For the gig itself our Chief Magician appointee from Castle Vaticanus scored another $35 million. Remember this is his buddy who handed him $4 million for a Sydney campus at Notre Dame Uni. On the eve of the 2004 election. Leaked to Sunday papers, read just before the pews fill.

The really strange thing is even when we know the ultimate terminus of where this train takes us, we fail to do the responsible thing. Category 12 funding is available via the Education Department Funding Scheme for "the poorest schools in the lowest-income communities in the country", according to one of the scheme's architect's Jim McMorrow. "They were meant to be very, very poor, with very, very low income, and largish average class sizes," he said, according to Fairfax papers.

Despite the sect itself boasting of being "in the upper levels of the socio-economic group", The Exclusive Brethren's already notably wealthy schools continue to receive the "special" funding. A Brethren spokeswoman claims the payments were initiated under the Keating government.

Of significant concern is the decision by the Rudd government to hand over $50 million in coming years. This is despite the schools failing to meet criteria noted above. Below are schools funded via Category 12 Special needs over 2001 - 04.

• Kulkarriya Community School, Fitzroy Crossing, WA
• The Alice Springs Steiner School, Alice Springs, NT
• Nyangatjatjara College, Yulara, NT
• Bellhaven Special School, Young, NSW
• Mansfield Autistic Centre, Mansfield, VIC
• St Gabriel's School for Hearing Impaired Children, Castle Hill, NSW
• Melrose Park School, St Marys, South Australia [$$$]
• MET School, Sydney, NSW [$$$]

   [$$$] - Brethren Schools.

The Age continued;

Education Department documents also reveal that the Exclusive Brethren regarded former prime minister John Howard as their most influential supporter and ally of last resort. In 2000, the sect's elders asked Mr Howard for special assistance on school funding because of his "sympathetic support in the past and the contact with you over the years".

Federal school funding documents show that the Brethren's multi-campus NSW school, Meadowbank, and the South Australian school, Melrose Park, were funded at the same rate as "special schools", giving them the same per-student funding as Nyangatjatjara College, in the Northern Territory, the Giant Steps school for autistic students and schools for the hearing-impaired.

The Brethren's MET school in Meadowbank does not meet the criteria for category 12 funding: it is in suburban Sydney, has small class sizes, and is financially supported by a community that boasts it has no poverty. The sect's Victorian school, Glenvale, which has campuses at Glenroy, Lilydale and Melton, receives a lower rate of funding. [Source]

Other more benign disparities include the YMCA securing Recreation Centre contracts, not due to service quality, but due to tax breaks. With the above financial favour, the YMCA simply undercut non religious commercial entities, involved in the bidding for tendered contracts.

In true religio-centric character the YMCA is one of a very few organisations to ignore qualifications and experience staff bring to public health and recreation needs. Pay, for example, is in the lowest income bracket for staff who have a fitness hobby certificate and those with science degrees and years of clinical experience.

When we pay for "extra" services it's a mere marketing strategy we respond to. Ditto referrals from physiotherapists to community recreation centres. We have no idea if the individual provider at the YMCA is a professionally trained therapist or someone earning a few part time dollars. An identical national uniform serves to depersonalise the individual and add weight to the "team loyalty" con.

Occasionally, this blinds the staff themselves. Many become convinced such poor income is "a necessary part of the job", focusing on free use of facilities and "community contribution" as their noble career path. Coerced philanthropy, perhaps?

Join and we must pay by monthly or fortnightly direct debit. Stop attending and we alone must stop the debiting. In most cases it's the attrition of members that finances the centres. Fee paying members who don't attend always outnumber those who do. But that's fine as it is the accepted model in the health and fitness industry. Guilt and well meaning plans to "get fit" will ensure we do not cancel paying until long after we've stopped attending. And there's always the disincentive to stop paying in the huge joining fee we're continually reminded about.

In fact, the YMCA go after profit like a struggling business. In an age of diseases related to lack of exercise, one may wonder why this Christian group is not feeling too charitable - despite massive financial help.

A global organisation, the YMCA to probably afford to run our centres at no loss, as a favour to a sports keen nation. But such financial realities apply to all religious affiliates - great and small. It's always been about the money. Nothing but the money. Staff, clients and the Great Aussie Fair Go are used or abused to advantage in keeping ahead, as it were.

For a mere fraction of the above, religions in Australia, Pell, Baptists, Brethren Elders, Cults, Catholics, business savvy Seventh Day Adventists, "Drug Free" Scientologists/Evangelists, Harley riding con artists, Christian City, Teen Challenge, greed focused magic working Pentecostals - and more - have much to smile about. This of course, is only topped by the rise of fundamentalism in all it's lethal malignant glory.

And still, we keep on paying...

All articles touched on and other posts are here.
Music thanks to Garageband.

NB: Explicit Language at beginning.

The YouTube URL of George Calin's act is;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

Gags.
31 min.
14 MB.