Thursday, November 11, 2004

Harry Potter: Gateway to Satanism?

"No - kids who read Harry Potter won't automatically become devil worshippers. But EVERY kid who reads it will open up the door of their mind - some a little, some a lot - to the whispers, influences and lies of demonic spirits."

Gregory R. Reid has been reading way too much fantasy literature.. I think he actually believes it!

Women's Reproductive Health In Danger?

I just recieved a forward that begins with these words:

"President Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager to head up the Food and drug Administration's (FDA) Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee has not met for more than two years, during which time its charter lapsed. As a result, the Bush Administration is tasked with filling all eleven positions with new members. This position does not require Congressional approval...Dr. Hager, the author of "As Jesus Cared for Women: Restoring Women Thenand Now." The book blends biblical accounts of Christ healing Women withcase studies from Hager's practice. His views of reproductive health care are far outside the mainstream for reproductive technology."


Upon further inquiry, (and another email) I learned that this is an old email that began recirculating after Bush won the election. Hager is not the head of the committee, but his position on the board was extended another year. Further information can be found at Snopes.com: W. David Hager



Sunday, November 07, 2004

Fascinating Maps.

The Democratic Epiphany

So I was in class the other day, watching people make the same tired arguments that we just need to get into the "ignorant" communities that vote Bush and provide them with a broader world view. AS IF! I hate being condescended to, and I think most people agree with me on this. Suddenly I thought, gosh, you shouldn't "go in," you should "go to." I'm sorry I didn't say it out loud in class, but I guess I was in such an academic setting, talking about going to chuch might have made me look even crazier than I usually do.

Civic minded liberals need to get out of their computer chairs and go back to Church, or Temple, or whatever. They need to reintegrate themselves into communities that still meet face to face on a daily and weekly basis, communities that are not specifically tailored to meet their needs. I know, its a terrible thing to have to move amongst people who don't share your love of feng shui and The New Republic, but if we reenergize moderate churches that are struggling to survive, or even get involved with churches that may not be so moderate, we can physically cross the divide that was so apparent in the polling booths. Perhaps we will find religious associations help to make our voices heard in a more meaningful way then simply donating to MoveOn and trying to get good advertising spots on TV.

After thinking about this, I did a search and found this article from The Christian Science Monitor.

"The political right and political left have agreed that religion equals the religious right. The right has done this because they want to own the issue, and some on the left have done this because they almost want to dismiss the issue," says Jim Wallis, editor-in-chief of Sojourners, a magazine covering faith and politics.

To make change, we must change ourselves.