tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836698131381803402024-03-14T03:10:38.223-05:00Bill's Corner watch for trolls.Bill advises reading only two of his things at a sitting or they can damage your brain. Bill's brain is already damaged but notice his halo in the photo. He got it from his favorite god, Poseidon.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-33557683013611836272015-06-07T16:29:00.000-05:002015-06-07T16:29:12.175-05:00<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">A recently discovered Chaucer Manuscript intended it seems for his Canterbury Tales</span></div>
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<span class="s1">[I found it crumpled under his bed. I regard it as authentic but then I am no scholar so let each judge it as they may]</span></div>
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<span class="s1">THE PRIEST’S NUN’S TAIL</span></div>
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<span class="s1">A fine and worthy prelate</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Of Engelond there was withal</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Attentive was he to his several priestly duties </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And as well to his many secular affairs also</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This clerical man, yeclept Roger, </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Was nat extraordinary of stature nor of bearing</span></div>
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<span class="s1">And his garb was certeyn somdeel shabby blak</span></div>
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<span class="s1">He laboreth afteral in the vineyards </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Of his Lord’s chruche </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Oft in the soil to its murky depths </span></div>
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<span class="s1">So what might ye expect after al </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Certeyn his frock was noot as pure </span></div>
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<span class="s2">A</span><span class="s1">s was his own veray soul forsooth</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Although somdeel learned a man he was</span></div>
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<span class="s1">He dorste not show it over free </span></div>
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<span class="s1">As it was only of lowly order</span></div>
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<span class="s1">And might be kenned by those of loftier degree</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Full many a Sunday found him deep in prayer <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Before his Holy Lady Lord </span></div>
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<span class="s1">But of a Monday and throughout the week also </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Was he knelt before the several ladies of his ward</span></div>
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<span class="s1">He saw to the sacred needs of his flock </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And as well did he attend their worldly wants</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Soothly he knew how their fleshly longings to <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>amend</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thus did our prelate his beste </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Ay the wenches and ladies to sate </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Lest they defiled be to some unchristian fate</span></div>
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<span class="s1">It was his duty playne and never would he shirk it</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Specially his attention waxed strong</span></div>
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<span class="s2">F</span><span class="s1">or his several nuns anon</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Tho they married to Christ Jesus sikerly were</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Yet wayleth and wepeth they</span></div>
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<span class="s1">That their solemn Lord faileth them al pryvely,</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In His husbondly duties pleyne</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thus our parfit and compassionate priest <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Endeavorth to aid al ladies in need </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And for his Lord to fill in best he kan</span></div>
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<span class="s1">And truth to say he filleth them all full well indeed</span></div>
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<span class="s1">But epecially his eye fell on a particular nun pardee</span></div>
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<span class="s1">That he chese to warm his bed at night alway</span></div>
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<span class="s1">So glad she was of his especial devotions</span></div>
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<span class="s1">That she satisfieth him full oft too as well</span></div>
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<span class="s1">So in his parish al were saf in heaven’s perfit delit</span></div>
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<span class="s1">That no oon mowe complain nor deem him nat <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>aright</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Al that is save some sour husbonds few</span></div>
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<span class="s1">But what could they seye as they faileth</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In that ilke fashion as did their Lord Christus Jesu </span></div>
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<span class="s1"> Alas and Amen of that</span></div>
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<span class="s1">So as al koude ken, many a jolly tale had this wight</span></div>
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<span class="s1">On their journey to Canterbury</span></div>
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<span class="s1">For everichon's delit</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thus the Priest’s Nun’s Tail contented was evermore.</span></div>
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-72364214632670807612015-04-16T15:20:00.001-05:002015-04-16T15:20:36.429-05:00Our guide and mentor, Pudenda Wilson, requests the following be added to her Almanac.<br />
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In case of a persistently barking, yapping or howling neighborhood dog it is better to inform the police than to use poisoned hamburger, though the latter is quicker and more convincing.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-75785407902728928902015-04-06T14:36:00.000-05:002015-04-06T14:37:27.908-05:00<div class="p1">
<b>Subject: Consumer Quandry</b></div>
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I have asked consumer's reports and the better business bureau to report on the conflicting offers of the catholics, prots, jews, morons, and the rest. </div>
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I have had excellent comparisons for toasters, vacuum cleaners and detergents but so far no survey of the afterlife promises nor of the actual prayer value of the ‘legions. This should be easy to test in some certified lab. Competitive prayers with measurable results could be listed along with promptness of delivery and warranty value. Now that should be straightforward. Gods could be listed in order of satisfaction. </div>
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Golly, why is everyone so touchy about testing the 'ligions? Oh sure, in the olden days folks could be burnt or tortured then burnt or thrown out of windows (see Defenestration of Prague--Wikipedia for a fun episode involving windows.) But now that we have freedom of and from religion in America, what is their hang up? Yeah, their children could be abused by priests and such but that is just part of 'ligious education, isn't it?</div>
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Seems you can get a swell afterlife with the right cult but how are we to choose without guidance from the experts? Some 'ligions offer a warm afterlife on an equatorial shore with the nice white sand, the clear pale blue water with the lovely naked bar-tendernesses. I want to go there and lounge in aeternum with fine beers and tasty martinis and be coochie-cooed by those eternal lovelies. But of course the problem remains, which ligion should I pay dues to? Where are the letters, emails or post cards reports from the ‘saved’? </div>
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Wikipedia has not helped for this nor Scientific American nor the New York Times so I say until I have some definitive data to go on, I will just keep my funds for my favorite atheist, freethinker pals and organizations. They are the only ones that have ever helped me. Lots of them, R, Dawkins, D. Dennett, S. Harris, C. Hitchens and the ffrf, Atheists for Human Rights and Lake Superior Freethinkers have suggested that there is a scam going on here that I should avoid. Best advice I have had so far.</div>
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That would mean a void afterlife on that warm beach; I suppose it would be boring after a while and the sand fleas! But also no taxes, no anxiety, no rent, no fear so I will donate to the atheist groups until a reliable report is available.</div>
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-60942157394961766532014-07-09T11:44:00.000-05:002014-07-09T11:44:21.817-05:00As Popes go........As popes go, and they should, Pope William I, the Apostate would be an improvement. We have lots of talk now about how different Pope Francis is from his predecessor clowns. Still he has not dumped any of the catholic magic nor prosecuted any abusers nor protectors that I know of. But we need to think out of the confessional box and wonder: What would a suitably different pope be like: Look no further. I am glad to offer my services a Pope William the I-th. Couldn't get much differenter that that.<br />
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No problem with my apostical beliefes. We had Pope Leo X in the Muddled Ages saying something like, "We all know how profitable this fable of Jesus Christ is for our company." He should know. And he had lots of company among his buddy con artists. Back then they actually did make ordinary guys with some kind of useful clout into popes. So I should be good to go, which is what all popes should do - go away, far, far away. Hit the road, hack, and don't come back no more.<br />
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Could happen. Maybe next if this Francis guy doesn't pan out or is poisoned in the honored tradition. And I've had inquiries from the curia. They want to know of my clothing needs when they elect me. To be suitably different, I would need a different suit. I have some faded yellow cord trousers but they are warn thin where I crossed my legs before I got my arthritic hips from a former god. But I don't want to prance about in Judy Garland's ruby Slippers and all the skirts and trash that popes are fond of. Oh, and I do love the turtleneck, long sleeve,waffle weave shirts for winter here in Minnesota where my new papacy will be installed with barrels of champagne, beer, martinis and community consentual lusty dancing girls or men if you like. I don't but to each his or her own.<br />
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I will pontificate big time. For zample; you CAN have any erotic lust you enjoy as long as no one is abused and that includes priests and nuns who will be able to do whatever the hell they want if no children are troubled. NO, you cannot bugger children any more, boys or girls and you can not tell them any lies about imaginary, magical two, three four or more part gods in the sky.<br />
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What the hell, I will eliminate the nastiness altogether and reserve hell for eternal vacations on pure white sand with charming pale blue water where everyone comes for retirement in their peak condition or better, in many cases. <br />
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My pontifical motto will be Chacun A son Gout -- for everyone according to her/his taste long as no one is abused.<br />
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Those who disobey will be straightway dispatched to heaven where they will be condemned to sing gawawfully long praises eternally until their throats are destroyed and then they play a harp until their fingers wither. Oh, but then they will be forced to kiss the ass of Jesus and god until they die of infection or puke out their guts, whichever is last.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-81069389931158032392014-03-05T13:48:00.002-06:002014-03-05T13:48:21.496-06:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 32.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">FINDING TRUTH THROUGH HUMOR</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">A BEDTIME READER FOR THE RELIGIOUSLY CURIOUS</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">WITH OTHER STORIES TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">BY ME, BILL VAN DRUTEN</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">INTRODUCTION</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">How and why did a nice guy
like me become religiously challenged and the founder of the Lake Superior
Freethinkers?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">It all started when I
became a fetus in 1932 CE. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">No one asked my permission for
that construction job. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Then, on the early side of nine
months, I was “untimely ripped from my mothers womb” (thank you Mr.
Shakespeare, whoever you are). </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Again, I was not consulted when
they hauled me out of my warm, if cramped, headquarters. I don't remember it,
except that, as most babies, I was unprepared and sharply offended. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Then a
big person in a white clown suit attacked my plumbing equipment, also without
my signed consent. Everything was a shock or a curiosity from then on. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">What the
hell is going on here”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">were my exact words. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Yet I
adapted and gradually learned a language and such stuff as you did, too. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 32.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">My parents had post high
school educations at Stanford; Dad, an MD, Mom, a nursing degree. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">It was
depression time in San Francisco. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">We ate
some very boring foods: Purple potatoes were cheaper, purple from iodine in
soil, carrots, peas and some chicken if my father got paid in chickens. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Lunch was
usually a homemade apple sauce sandwich on soggy white bread. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I never
knew it was depression. It was just the way things rolled then, haltingly.
Though educated, they told me precious little of how the world worked and
nothing about religion. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Thus, I was entirely
unprepared for the horrendous news from my playmate, Eileen Farley. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">She told
our playgroup that because we were not Catholic, we and our parents would be
going to an agonizing place, and forever, after we died. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">But you
can read all about that in my essay, "Do you know what happened to Eileen
Farley?" </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">If you don’t buy my book and read
that cautionary story, likely you will go to the same agony place. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Just a
kindly warning!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> The book is so reasonably priced
and has so much worthwhile bed time reading inside the covers, (that is where
the good stuff is). </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">As a cub scout age nine to
twelve, I learned even more about religions. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">We were
polished up and brought to this or that Sunday Ceremony. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Exceedingly
boring there, but I discovered more shocks. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Some
amazing stories were told in these sessions and even more astonishing, the
adults seemed to believe whatever they were told even though the stories and
various plans for when they would get dead differed wildly. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I should
never have listened, but rather squirmed and poked my pew mates as they did. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Pew? </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Sorry,
that is their word for the harsh plank we wriggled on for an hour. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Well, you
can read what happened to me in my essay, "Revelations 9-13, (years
old that is)".</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> Now you see why you bought my
book. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">You will be much improved by reading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though actually, you don’t have to read
it; just buy it for MY sake and tell all your friends to buy it, too. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Tell
them how wonderful it is; lie if you need. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I am 81 years well ripened now, I can still use
the proceeds - if any. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">All this and much more
learned information is now available to you but I warn that it is best to take
it in small doses. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Me, Bill</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">FORWARD BY <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the
real, ME, GOD</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">After I created this
entire shooting match for you, I rested. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Then I
split up the corporation into three divisions, which is to say, me at the top
of course, a baby named Jesus and a ghost. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I can’t
remember why I made that ghost nor what it does now to earn its keep. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I only
used it once,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">that was to tell the cute little
Jewish gal, Mary, that she was to be the uterus for my boy. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Perhaps
you believe she was grateful, as all the photos and statues show. But no! She
was pissed because she had the hots for a local guy named Joe! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> Plus she
objected to being stoned to death by the ME-fearing Jewish crowd - as most
unmarried girls that got preggers were. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Oh, just
read about; it is all</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">in my book. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> After
that, I</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">made a whole bunch of officers: angels, archangels,
thrones, dominions, powers, each with a salary and perks. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">And I had
another son, Satan, brother to Jesus, who has my permission to generally raise
hell with you earthlings. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Yes, I made hell for you too. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">All that
was all a ton of work, and frankly folks, I was pooped. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 32.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">My only mistake was that I
made Bill. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> No ghosts or virgins used on that job, just the
ordinary system. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Satan doesn’t bother him as Bill
makes plenty of problems for me on his own. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">You all
should be grateful to me and stop already with the prayers; you know I don’t
even read them! Can’t you just let me sit here in my battery</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">heated
clouds for a couple of eternities without twerps like Bill pestering me?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">To be fair though, Bill
makes some very good points in this book, which you had best buy quickly before
I have my fellow god up here, THOR, crisp up Bill and his book and you with exciting
bolts of electric current.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">God</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-31409823917056851292014-01-04T15:34:00.000-06:002014-01-04T15:34:33.768-06:00A POSSIBLE BUT UNLIKELY CONVERSATION OF A CHILD AND A GRANDFATHERChild: What religion should I be grandfather?<br />
Grandfather: What an important but unusual question! <br />
<br />
C: Why is it unusual?<br />
G: Because almost all children assume the religion of their parent without checking any of the other possibilities.<br />
<br />
C: Yes, but you know that my father is a Mormon and mother a Jehovah's Witness.<br />
G: Sure and I see your problem. <br />
<br />
C: I can't see the difference and they won't talk about it. And it seems wrong for me just to pick one. Which is the real one grandfather?<br />
G: Yes, it might upset one of your parents if you chose the other's religion. <br />
<br />
C: And I have heard of some other religions. My playmate Eileen says her religion has the only real god and that my parents and I will die and go to a horrid place where we will be tortured for ever. Is that true?<br />
G: I see that you have thought and worried a lot about this so lets think it over together. In the end though you are free to and must decide for yourself and there is no hurry at all.<br />
<br />
C: But what is your religion grandfather and what do you think? I would like to be what you are.<br />
G: I will tell you what I think later but first I will say that I go by the best evidence that I can find and even then I am still curious and ready to change my mind if I learn of better evidence.<br />
<br />
C: But you are old and you know a lot that I don't. How do I find what you call evidence?<br />
G: Evidence is information or experience that you have collected and checked to see if it is real and fits with other things you know. <br />
<br />
C: That will take a long time for me and it seems hard and I will always be in doubt.<br />
G: Yes, that is right but it is the only way I know and it has worked very well for me. If you start now you will be on your way and ahead of most of your friends.<br />
<br />
C: Do all the other adults do that?<br />
G: Some do it, some do it a bit, but most just follow any leader or believe any teacher or priest or doctor. So any one that does it the way I do, always, as a habit is rare I think.<br />
<br />
C: Eileen says I should just have faith in her god that is the best and real one. But then she said that her god is really three gods all in a bundle. <br />
G: I see that as a puzzle too and have made up my mind about it. But if that three in one god should appear in person and tell everyone that would be evidence and I would reconsider it against other evidence that I know.<br />
<br />
C: I think I would do that too. <br />
G: Good. See, you have started. But you can also check out Eileen's god with other evidence you know already. What else does Eileen tell you?<br />
<br />
C: She says I should pray to her god as she does but she never shows me how that worked for her, except you ask god for something in a polite way and you get always it. I have never seen anything she got.<br />
G: Well, ask her what she got. And you can do as she said, try it. Pray nicely to her god or to the gods of mom and dad and see what happens. That would be real evidence. Ask the god to bring you something in a day or to move a mountain that you can see and then say that you will believe it.<br />
<br />
C: She says I need to have faith first. What is faith grandfather?<br />
G: A famous author said that, "faith is believing what you know ain't so". I means skipping the evidence part and flat out believing something even if there is good evidence against it.<br />
<br />
C: Do you use faith?<br />
G: I never use faith. Sometimes I can't get enough solid evidence and need to go with the probabilities or the odds of something being true. But that is because there is no other choice yet I can change my mind later.<br />
<br />
C: Will you tell me how you did that?<br />
G: Yes, Sometimes I need to cross over a lake or river on a bridge and there is heavy fog and I can not tell if the bridge is really there. The evidence I have was that it has been ok where the fog is before and I have not heard that the bridge fell down or had bad rust and might fall soon. So go with the best chances and it has always worked but some day it might not. <br />
<br />
C: Do you do that often?<br />
G: As little as possible. You know that airplanes crash and people are killed but when I need to get somewhere I will get on a plane. The odds are very, very good that it will land safely. Still, I know that if I flew enough one day I might crash and be killed.<br />
<br />
C: I like talking with you grandfather. You tell me real things; my parents only shrug me off about the important things. It puzzles me that there are so many gods and so many churches and some are the first church but I never see a second church. How many gods are there?<br />
G: No one knows but I have read that there are at least 2000 and that is just for now. Most people have had so many gods over the years that they are uncountable and I will tell you a secret. There will be gods invented in the future to replace the ones we have now.<br />
<br />
C: You said invented. Does that mean you think they are just made up by people?<br />
G: Well, yes, I let the cat slip out of the bag I guess. Yes, I think they are all imaginary and invented by people. <br />
<br />
C: I thought that might be how you think and I want to know why but I am full of things to think over for now. Can I ask you more later grandfather?<br />
G: Absolutely, yes. When you are ready just ask. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-20094445679414182552013-12-26T10:11:00.001-06:002013-12-26T10:11:19.367-06:00testwhere is my blogBill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-30294626259204593602013-07-27T15:03:00.001-05:002013-07-27T15:03:29.372-05:00Churches should pay their share of property tax<div class="section_header" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; margin: 15px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 7px 10px 5px;">
<h1 style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1em; margin: 15px 0px 5px;">
Printed in Duluth News Tribune 27 July 2013</h1>
<h1 style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1em; margin: 15px 0px 5px;">
Reader's view: Churches should pay their share of property tax</h1>
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“Stop those who take advantage” by avoiding property tax payments, the News Tribune opined on July 18. Not mentioned, though, was the avoidance by nonprofit institutions, religious and otherwise.</div>
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By not paying their share, religions and other nonprofits force citizens of all sects and non-religious people (about 30 percent of the population) to pay for their fire protection, road maintenance, public health and human services costs and much more.</div>
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It is estimated that $213 million of religious property in St. Louis County is not taxed, according to county Tax Division Manager Brandon Larson.</div>
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Religious institutions are nonprofit and thereby avoid federal taxation as well (which is also unconstitutional).</div>
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As St. Louis County Auditor and Treasurer Donald Dicklich noted in a commentary in response to the News Tribune’s editorial, it is up to our state legislators to set property tax boundaries.</div>
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Nonprofits pay for water and electricity; they ought to pay for other services, too. That can be accomplished if fees for services in lieu of taxes were established. If legislators would do that it would bring religious institutions into compliance with the Minnesota Constitution’s Article I, Section 16 (“Nor shall any man be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship,” it reads. “Nor shall any money be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious societies.” Currently, both these restrictions are being violated.</div>
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Actually, there is no constitutional reason for religions to escape any taxation, so fee-for-service is really not needed.</div>
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All state citizens will see a reduction in their taxes if we call on our city, county and state officers and legislators to set the tax laws straight.</div>
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And morally, religions will want to pay for services they receive.</div>
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William Van Druten</div>
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Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-64026886363119452112013-06-04T12:20:00.000-05:002013-06-04T12:20:11.316-05:00Tornadoes and other natural forces don't obey a god or man's beggingPublished as Local Editorial View in the Duluth News Tribune, 4 June 2013<br />
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Our News Tribune published an editorial from the Oklahoman newspaper, headlined, "Another storm, another prayer for God's mercy on Oklahoma." This was on May 22 in the wake of a deadly tornado.<br />
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The editorial implored, "Have mercy__once again__on Oklahoma __oh, Lord!" The editor apparently wanted a god (he didn't say which) to undo the destruction that this god and its forces caused.<br />
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Tornadoes often are viewed by scientifically ignorant folks, such as opinion editors, as acts of their particular all-seeing, all-knowing, all-causing god, who can be nasty or nice. In this case, the "show of celestial fury" was nasty, but the editor begged for nice. He stated that we are at the mercy of "forces that do not answer to man"; then he wrote that we can ask for mercy from the forces if we "stay attuned to a Greater Power that rules our lives and calls forth nature."<br />
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His Greater Power called forth nature's storm, so it did what it intended doing to our lives__no more, no less. Asking a god to refrain or relent is impudent defiance of that god's will. Such pretzel thinking.<br />
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It wasn't stated which of the world's several thousand gods was involved with the Oklahoma tornado. But America has plenty; alas, they deny and despise each other. And their devotees carry out their commands to kill and burn.<br />
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Consider the word of one god. "If a man not abide in me he is cast forth as a branch...and men cast them into the fire, and they are burned," it reads in the New Testament gospel of John.<br />
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Consider this god's report in the gospel of Matthew that he will cause "brother to deliver up the brother to death...and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death." Or, also in Matthew, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father."<br />
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And, of course, according to this god, we must put to death homosexuals, supposed witches and believers in other gods.<br />
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Consider another current god whose holy book, the Quran, in its chapter of Sura, declares, "Allah is an enemy to unbelievers, ...Slay (unbelievers) wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter, ...Fight against them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme."<br />
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So much for the "religion of peace."<br />
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Consider the Boston Marathon bombing, New York's 9/11 tragedy and President George W. Bush's god telling him to bring shock and awe and death from us to innocents in Iraq. Christianity vs. Islam vs. Judaism: needless slaughter.<br />
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Wake up and wise up, folks. Natural forces do not obey anyone's gods or human begging. Wasting thought, energy and money appeasing gods is gross ignorance. We have important work to do. <br />Rather, let us help the injured, console the grieved and rebuild more sturdy structures, perhaps with storm cellars a la Dorothy's home in 'The Wizard of Oz." Didn't we learn from that fine movie that the god guy in the green palace is a fraud?<br />
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Most adults gave up Santa and the Tooth Fairy, even if not their invisible frauds in the sky.<br />
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Ask your religious leaders to tell the truth to you and the children. Many of them want to tell the truth but believe you expect them to endorse god magic. So they present the nice parts of their holy books. Help your leaders tell it all in truth, and have them see what they can do to help humanity past tribal ignorance. Jews, Muslims and Christians needn't hate and kill. Stop frightening children with hell. Tell them of our evolutionary animal origins, with urges we must control, and of our developed brains that can help us cooperate and thrive.<br />
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DR. WILLIAM VAN DRUTEN of Duluth is a retired psychiatrist and founder of the Lake Superior Freethinkers.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-89618368355503794432013-05-14T09:38:00.000-05:002013-05-14T09:38:20.079-05:00BREAKING NEWS<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS BULLETIN: Foreskin of Jesus found at Lester Park in Duluth, Minnesota. Incredible as it seems, fishermen found the wrinkled thing and were going to use is as bait when a label was noticed on the underside. Translated from Canadian French it read, "Property of Jesus ben Joseph, if found please return to the nearest Moron Church. </div>
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Historians now believe that Mr. Jesus was born in New York and later went to Quebec and that his father was Joseph Smith, founder of the Moron Church. It seems that fur trading frenchmen had snatched his thingamabob in a religious massacre and sold it to indians who worshiped it as a piece of the GREAT BOOGA BOOGA, (the indian earth god ). A scalp found nearby may be associated with the thingamabob. </div>
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We await further developments in this amazing story.</div>
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-74167326491681336882013-05-14T09:37:00.000-05:002013-05-14T09:37:31.857-05:00ADDENDUMBHold it! Hold the presses on the last one! Not just the foreskin, but a substantial part of the larger organ was attached. Yes, it did belong to Jesus as earlier stated. We know that because of the 'Return Requested' label. But it now seems not to have been a circumcision. We experts think that a distant relative of Lorena Bobbitt was involved. Likely some kind of revenge for Jesus' messing around with Mary Magdallane. <br />
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On another matter: After my scholarly article on Adam and his Belly Button*, a reader asked if Adam had ever married Eve. WHAT A STUPIT QUESTION! Who the hell was available to do the ceremony? Oh, sure Satan could have but he was just in a gross laughing spasm over the entire show. The snake had caused enough trouble already. So the frisky pair were out of luck marriage-wise. Didn't bother them at all cause marriage and alimony hadn't been invented yet.<br />
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*see Compendium of Higher Criticism, Vol. 44, pgs 75 to 844. But skip the ads and girlie pictures for a change, you letch!Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-81716307749887502502013-05-14T09:36:00.000-05:002013-05-14T09:36:04.510-05:00Please GranFrogger, Tell us about Crispness and Cheesie<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Now children settle down with your blankets and stuffed bunnies and GranFrogger will tell you all about Chrispness.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">You know that most of your little friends believe in Slanty Claws and in Cheeses too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is because their parents are sillies and have lied to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is sad of course but GranFrogger tells the truth because it is better for you and will make you happier and not feel cheated when you later would learn the truth anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have already noticed that Slanty in his red suit and fake whiskers and whiskey breath appears in scads of stores at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miracle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Trickery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And any one that corpulent, (that means sloppy fat) can’t get down any chimneys and not get roasted and all sooty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes it is make believe like the easter egg bunny and Tooth Ferry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">It all can be a fun story and Chrispness can be fun too if we know the difference between pretend and truth; presents, milk and cookies for Slanty on the mantle and all, even pretty lights and music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">But now to the most silly part of Chrispness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of groan up people claim to believe that Chrispness is all about Cheeses and a virgin mommy (never mind the virgin part; I’ll explain that later when I tell you about fucking and the real way babies get started).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The virgin part <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">is fako too so just ignore it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any way the story is that one of the gods came down and knocked up (that means got her belly full of a baby) a young woman named Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that was Mary’s story and she has stuck with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her lie probably saved her life because in those days the gods<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(they are imaginary too) commanded that girls that got preggers before they were married or after marriage by some sly devil they were not married to, must be killed by having plenty of bolders thrown at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">So yes, she became famous and so did her son, Maurice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For effect Maurice changed his name to Cheesie Crispy and manufactured crackers for a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured he would sell more crackers if he made them out of his hair and fingernail clippings with pieces of foreskin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he declared he was part god yet fully god but it didn’t sell and he got fixed good for it, crucifixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means they hung him out to dry and think about what he should do otherwise next time only he got dead before next time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that gets into the ether story which I will tell about later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to Chrispness, that is a big whoopee about how he was born to be a manager, no, born in a manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is all kind of forgery about the story which was stolen from the stories of many other imaginary gods before the Cheeses god.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">So what you need to know about it all is just to shut up for now and enjoy the fun parts and ignore the other children’s baloney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later when you are groan and cram full of wisdom like GranFrogger you can tease the sillies about…….. Hey, wake up you little shits: I’m not here just to jabber into the fireplace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look down the chimbley with a plop, its fricassee of reindeer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-68529957497659415032013-05-13T15:22:00.001-05:002013-05-13T15:22:46.196-05:00KEEP RELIGION OUT OF OUR GOVERNMENTThis editorial point of view was printed in Duluth News Tribune, September 3, 2003<br />
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We should not expect out Constitution to protect us unless we are willing to protect it from those who would subvert it.<br />
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Our constitutional religious freedoms are under assault by many groups locally and nationally. They would remove protections for all religions in order to capture America for their version of religion. They are eager to shatter Thomas Jefferson's Wall of Separation between church and state.<br />
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Recent News Tribune letter writers, for example, want biblical creation myths taught in the public's schools. Their pressure parallels the Bush administration pressure to usurp our government for its style of religion. Such efforts are utterly opposed to the spirit of our Founding Fathers and to the values of thoughtful Americans today.<br />
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The founders endowed us with a Constitution that forbids any religious test for public office and requires that government may take no part whatever in establishing any religion. It is a Constitution without any mention of any god. It has strict separation between church and state so that each person may have whatever god is his or her choice or the choice of no god whatever.<br />
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From its adoption, that Constitution has been the pride of Americans and the envy of freedom-loving people of all nations. It has spared America for the most part from the interreligious terrors so prominent in European history.<br />
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Those who want creationism taught in public schools defy the Constitution. They would teach outdated mythology as truth to everyone's children. They cannot accept our knowledge gained from biology, geology and astronomy and insist that the Earth is the center of the universe and everything was created in a six day period. Nor do they accept that evolution with mutations and competitive survival over billions of years has produced complex things and the human eye or the Rolex watch.<br />
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Evolutionary development of eyes and much more is explained for us by Richard Dawkins in his book, "The Blind Watchmaker." He shows how eyes evolved independently in many species because even the slightest sensitivity to light can provide significant survival advantage. It requires only more evolution over ages of time to produce a complex eye from simple light-sensitive organic molecules in very primitive organisms. And yes, the Rolex too is an evolutionary product. It is a consequence of evolved human brain function. Snails produce shells, birds produce nests and people produce watches with evolved neural equipment, brains.<br />
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Most savvy religionists have retreated from biblical ideas of an Earth-centered universe, miracles, virgin births, etc. They do not urge the Genesis stories as fact. But some hang onto a hope that their god must have been the initial designing agent of the universe. <br />
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The faulty intelligent design concept requiring a creator, is fashionable now but it has problems. Ask what or who designed the intelligent designer and you produce a useless infinite reqression of designers of designers. In any case such a remote designer would never fit the description of man's many gods, past or present.<br />
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Apart from considerations of intelligent design or creationism or evolution, it is the religious Americans who should be the most emphatic in resisting religion in schools and government. Indeed some religious people, such as members of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, led by the Rev. Barry Lynn, are strong supporters of the Constitution.<br />
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They know that freedom to practice their religion depends on freedom for all religions. That is because believers will never agree on whose sect of which branch of what religion should teach their child or wield federal powers. But many religious people do relish government power.<br />
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Some Catholics would, for example, but they are under obligation to a foreign Pope who sometimes exercises his authority over American government officials who are Catholic with threat of excommunication and hell. And would Episcopalians accept rule by Mormons? Would Baptists accept rule by Adventists or Lutherans? Of course not! Religious rule is a proven formula for hate and bloody slaughter.<br />
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When religion strives for ethical principles based on realistic understandings of the universe and of human nature, it is a boon. But when it is entrenched in superstition and resistant to new knowledge, it is a great evil. Most religions demand belief in a one-and-only true god for all people and all times. That belief generates zealots who feel righteously above civil law and are obliged to eliminate rival god believers. Alas zealotry often trumps rational thought and behavior. <br />
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And Christian zealotry is no different from Islamic or any other zealotry. <br />
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Another flagrant abuse of the Constitution is the emplacement of religious monuments and rituals on civic property. Some Duluth churches use public parks for their services of worship. In Alabama Judge Roy Moore installed his version of the Ten Commandments in his state's judicial building, showing us clearly the extremes to which some people will go to make our government subservient to their religion. <br />
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Moore has stated, "To do my duty I must obey God." But in accepting government office in America, he has sworn to uphold our Constitution with its separation of church and state. His duty is to set aside his religious choices and compulsions in order to be a fair judge of all citizens of any and no religion. Some people, like Moore, claim that their religion will not allow them to make such a decision. If so, those people are dishonest in seeking American civic office. They should excuse themselves from government duty.<br />
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All of these situations threaten erosion of our American religious liberties. Those liberties, which Washington, Jefferson, Madison and others established for us, are precious but they also are precarious. Real patriots know we have a duty to protect the Constitutions from all enemies, foreign and domestic.<br />
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WILLIAM VAN DRUTEN<br />
is a member of the Lake Superior Freethinkers.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-41752747059875337812013-05-07T17:49:00.003-05:002013-05-08T07:24:28.695-05:00MY RESPONSE TO A MEDICAL COLLEAGUE 1998After my retirement from medicine, psychiatry, I attend and gave classes to a group of elders at the University of Seniors at University of Minnesota, Duluth. At one such class: ATHEISM, IS IT FOR YOU, a physician colleague our sectarian medical facility accosted me to which I responded in writing to him as follows:<br />
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At the intermission of class in ethics you said that I was, in your opinion, "a malignant, viscous atheist or agnostic"<br />
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I disagree with the adjectives but you certainly may have your opinion.<br />
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As for the nouns, I am properly described as a freethinker. We are of the tradition of Jefferson, Madison, Washington, Edison and Mark Twain, etc. <br />
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Using experience, science and reason (in place of superstition, religion and sheep like following of tradition) is an enormous help in approaching ethical matters.<br />
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I am always happy to discuss this; just phone me.<br />
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Bill van Druten<br />
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HE NEVER DIDBill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-12783656181626677292013-05-07T17:05:00.001-05:002013-05-31T16:57:15.879-05:00INVASION OF IRAQ SIMPLY A FAMILY FEUD--Letter to editor Aug 2002Does anyone else suspect the pending invasion of Iraq is more of a Bush-Hussein family feud than a strategically wise endeavor? It is my impression that more, not less, terrirism of America will result from an invasion of Iraq. Whatever terror weapons Saddam has are likely safe in some sympathetic country by now, and would'nt Sadam love a reason to use them! And when did the president get the authority to take us to war? Congress, not the president, is empowered to make war on behalf of the American people.<br />
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William van DurtenBill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-58511566072124872792013-05-07T17:00:00.000-05:002013-05-31T16:59:43.449-05:00RATIONAL PEOPLE DON'T WASTE TIME ON RELIGION --LETTER TO THE EDITOR 2010We know a lot about the character of gods from incidents such as the Tucson massacre ("and acts of god" such as hurricanes, famine, earthquakes, etc). Either gods do not know what is going on or they don't care or are powerless to be of any help or wanted the tragedy to happen, or most likely gods are fictional.<br />
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It's more rational to view humans as evolutionary animals with all our plusses, minuses and illnesses. Some mentally disturbed people goaded by aspects of free media and religion can produce mayhem. That is relatively common. From my psychiatric standpoint, the management of such people can require infringements of their liberty in the name of protecting our community. It is often a difficult balance, on that tilted the wrong way in Tucson.<br />
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We are each on our own together to seek the best outcome that nature and our natural minds (also nature) can devise. Effort, time and money for prayer and the like is wasteful and distracts from useful activity. Community commiseration and support are beneficial if they do not advance the superstitious religion media government complex. <br />
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William van Druten,<br />
the writer is founder of the Lake Superior Freethinkers.Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-27026522655491756412013-05-07T16:45:00.000-05:002013-05-31T17:00:51.451-05:00SCIENCE PREVAILS YET AGAIN<br />
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Now we here at Lake Superior Freethinkers (major branch of ffrf) have put our thinkers and scientists to work big time. And we have come up with the secret sign that unsanctifies any edifice or hospital and decaffienates any beverage. Oh, while at the same time enhancing the beverage quality of all beers and ales. </div>
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Our lab worked real hard on the project but got no where until I strode in there with all my spendor and regalia and demonstrated the special sign: Make the sign of the cross upside down and poof, everyone is as safe as a Freethinker. </div>
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Oh, no need to send me thanks. Send MONEY, lots of it here to LSF. Checks made out to LSF are good. If you send credit cards that is nice too but risky as we are frisky about our alms. </div>
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Bill van Druten, flounder of Lake Superior Freethinkers and LLMFFRF* </div>
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* Live Life Member Freedom from religion Foundation. </div>
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Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-79123771488703186342013-05-07T11:35:00.002-05:002013-05-31T17:02:29.180-05:00LETTER TO EDITOR 2002 RECOGNIZE RELIGION AS TRIBAL SUPERSTITIONNow that the vile behavior of roman catholic priests, bishops and cardinals has become so notorious, catholics must question their financial support of that system lest they share the guilt.<br />
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It is a good time as well to examine church dogma. Is a pope really infallible? If so, why does he oppose contraception? Is contraception really an offense? If so why do catholics use it so freely? Is prayer real? Then why are prayers for the popes health so useless? Does wine really become blood? If so why is wine still wine under the microscope? <br />
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And what about protestants? If religion is really a base for morality, why do their clergy behave as badly as catholic clergy? (See Black Crime Blotter," Freethought Today.)<br />
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If fact, now that religious hate and warfare are so event worldwide, it is time for us all to recognize religion as a degraded vestige of tribal superstition. Stop and think about what you are pretending to believe! Humanity must do better or perish!Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-21946937457714614922013-05-07T10:03:00.000-05:002013-05-08T08:46:36.299-05:00EDITORIAL PIECE IN DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE 2008<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ATHEISTS ARE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS-------HAVE MUCH TO OFFER THE WORLD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The News-Tribune has provided viewpoints, letters, and
news stories recently that refer to religion in public life and to secularism,
atheism, freethinking, and humanism.
There have been some misunderstandings that need clarification. The following should help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Who are</b> <b>atheists</b>?
We are your friends and neighbors.
About ten to fifteen percent of Americans are atheists, approximately
thirty-six million of us. No doubt you don’t believe in ALL of the currently
worshipped gods. We agree but do not find reason to believe in ANY gods,
spirits or devils. That is all there is to atheism; there is no doctrine, no
militia and no war plan. As with people of faith, some atheists are good, some
are bad. Atheists experience joy,
warmth, morality, celebration, art, music, friendship and family as do
religious people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Who are secularists?</b> In
America today we uphold our secular nation as planned by Jefferson, Madison and
other founding fathers. They were almost all secularists. With grim awareness
of Europe’s bloody religious wars, they purposefully established a proud new
nation free of religious domination and equally tolerant of religion and
non-religion. Our Constitution has no mention of gods and specifically states
that there be no religious test for public office. Being sworn into office on a Bible or Koran is unofficial, a
personal preference. However using a religious document can seem rude, suggesting a religious partiality inappropriate to public office that was
designed to represent all constituents. From the beginning many Christian sects
sought to deny our nation’s secular character and to erode the
constitution. We must remember
that Congress under George Washington asserted in an official treaty that The
United States “is in no wise founded on Christianity”. And secularists are
proud of our Minnesota State Constitution. Article I, Section 16 states that “no preference to be given
to any religious establishment or mode of worship … nor shall any man be
compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any
religious or ecclesiastical ministry, against his consent ……nor shall any money
be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious societies or
religious or theological seminaries”. (Duluth City Council’s support of the Kroc Religious
Center seems in violation of Article I.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What about Freethinkers? </b>We
assert the right of everyone to think and decide for her or himself based on
reason and evidence. We deny
the automatic validity of ‘holy’ books.
We subject religious assertions to scientific test. We reject coercion by imam, rabbi or
priest or anyone so that we can understand nature and humanity free of
mythology or superstition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What do Humanists think? </b>We are committed
to reason and science as the best way to understand and decide. In addition, the American Humanist
Society’s Principles also include separation of church and state, the right of
privacy, reproductive freedom, and the fullest realization of the best and
noblest of which humanity is capable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As you have noticed there is much overlap of these
thoughts; many of us are atheists as well as freethinkers and secularists and
humanists. You can be as well.
Perhaps you already are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What are the values and benefits of freethought?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You can recognize and retain what is valuable and
reject the dangerous aspects of religion. The dangerous aspects are 1. The
demand of most religions that only it is true and that others must be
eliminated; 2. the insistence that religion must be spread to every person,
everywhere; 3. the degradation of non-believers; 3. the indoctrination of
vulnerable, trusting children with religious fears and myths, 4. The claim that religion is above
criticism and immune from scientific inquiry. Those meme ideas have been extremely effective in the spread
of religion but good people recognize them as wrong and that they are a formula
for bloody civil strife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With freedom of thought you can examine every person
or situation in the light of reason without the filters of Bronze Age creation
myths. You can consider morality
on the basis of what causes pain or pleasure to sentient beings (including
primates and other animals). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The statement that people like Stalin do horrid things
because they are atheists won’t deceive you. We know atheists can do good and horrid things just
like religionists. However
atheists cannot do bad things because of atheist doctrine or sacred book
instructions as there aren’t any.
Religions on the contrary do have doctrines that require hate and
killing (jihad, Salem Witch Trials, inquisitions, Biblical commands to kill
homosexuals, infidels and to stone to death a non-virgin bride, etc).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In place of prayer as barter or pleading with a god
you can regard introspection and meditation as valuable self-reflective
thought. You can use your mental energy to determine if there is something
useful you can do to help humanity face our many problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My friends and neighbors ask me why I am so vocal
about these matters. They say religion is the private business of others. But
it isn’t kept private. The
religion of others intrudes on me and on you! Religion’s long stubborn
resistance to knowledge and science harms us all. We must all wait longer for a
cure of diabetes, for example, because of religion’s interference with stem
cell research. We all are
currently forced to contribute our tax money for religious warfare and
for the spread of religion under the guise of faith-based initiatives. We must endure Catholicism’s
restriction of legal and normal healthcare including contraception for family
planning and for prevention of disease even for non-catholic patients in their
hospital systems. Children must
die in Africa because of a religious blockade of contraception. Some religious strictures forbid a
married person with HIV to use a condom with his spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And yet religious people have done and want to do more
good things. Imagine what they
might do if they didn’t have to dodge around supposed infallibility of the
Pope, the Torah or Bible or Koran. Imagine the relief of guilt and shame for
young people who needn’t be taught that they are sinful by nature. Imagine the social support and
wholesome gatherings of people of goodwill unfettered by devotion to vacant
mythology. Imagine not having to
pretend belief until you don’t remember that you were pretending. Imagine not having to lie to trusting
children about virgin births and resurrections and heavens and hells. Imagine
humanity growing past Bronze Age ideas about the nature and origin of the
cosmos. Imagine children and
parents learning how to test reality so not to become victims of Islamic
genital mutilation or pedophile priests, or televangelists. Imagine cooperation with other
countries in place of our faith-based fears and warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I believe Jews, Moslems, Mormons and Christians <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">can</span> set aside superstition and save
from their books and traditions what is genuine and let go of the rest. Their organizations can become centers
of devotion to wholesome social value with a rational morality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That is my quest. That is why I am outspoken. Why
shouldn’t wholesome religion start in Duluth or Superior? I will meet with any group religious or
not to consider this. Ask your
religious leader to read this essay. Ask them to invite me to your meetings or
invite me yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">William van Druten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Duluth MN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-40539336829796882362013-05-07T09:50:00.002-05:002013-05-07T09:50:43.070-05:00LETTER TO A SUCCESSFUL LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE <br />
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">It
was good to have a chance to talk with you on your pre-</span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">election rounds. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">I mentioned that we should
have religious institutions pay their fair share of city, state and national
financial finances. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Of course that they do not
pay for fire, police, street repair, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">property tax, etc. puts an unfair burden on we who
do pay our share and <b>forces us to support their cause</b>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">If religious groups did
contribute it would ease our civic indebtedness. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">It might be a hard sell as
they have gotten away with it so far. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Still, for an honest lawgiver it is the right thing
to accomplish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Jefferson's
Separation of Church and State, though not explicit in our Constitution, is a
well established American tradition that follows from our various safeguards. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"> It is sometimes claimed
that churches are tax-exempt as not for profit industries because "they do
so much good". </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"> It is appreciated that in
part they do good things and perhaps that portion might be tax-exempt. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">However if they do good
things at tax payer expense it cheapens the deed and it is usually associated
with proselytism.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Alas their primary purpose
is the indoctrination and spread of various conflicting magical systems. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Simple
fairness demands that believers and non-believers be on equal footing in
government matters. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;"> The Minnesota State
Constitution is more specific in Art. I Sec. 16......"nor shall any man be
compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship............nor may
any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of
worship."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">That
religion has exemptions, does compel us all to support places of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Thanks,
Roger, for lending a ear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: HiraKakuPro-W3;">Bill
van Druten</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-27326998688434456552013-05-07T09:41:00.000-05:002013-05-14T09:13:51.008-05:00CHURCHES SHOULD PAY FAIR SHARE OF TAXES------ LETTER TO THE EDITOR 2005<br />
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">A
recent “Other View” piece, “On church’s tax status,” discussed IRS challenges
to the tax-exempt status of a few churches because of church political
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">But
all church leaders influence parishioners in political affairs directly or
indirectly. And they should
otherwise what kind of moral leaders would they be? Certainly we hope they would provide rational advice rather
than mythology and superstition.
Nevertheless parishioners will decide for themselves in the privacy of
the voting booth. We mustn’t
censor anyone’s right to a political opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">However
churches must not be exempt from paying their share of tax like any other
industry. The hordes of
untaxed money collected by churches and televangelists provide them with
enormous and unfair political clout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">It
is no constitutional violation if all sects and creeds are taxed equally as any
other industry.
Constitutional “Free exercise of religion” means freedom to practice
religion not freedom from taxation.
That churches have not paid their share is only a tradition in America
and it is time for that to change.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">It
is the tax-free status of religion that is really is unconstitutional because
non-churched citizens are forced to support religion by paying the church share
of taxation for fire police and many other local and national services for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Let
us un-gag our ethical leaders but insist that the religion industry pays its
fair share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">William
van Druten, MD </span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-40658449244306385252013-05-07T09:18:00.001-05:002013-05-14T09:23:34.182-05:00SACRED THINGS LETTER TO THE EDITOR 2006<br />
<br />
What is importent to say about "sacred" things is simply this: No one has the right to demand others respect them. <br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
In fact, sacredness, blasphemy and demand for respect are thought control devices intended to silence intelligent inquiry. Respect is something we may give or withhold: it may not be presumed or dictated; it must be earned. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Sacredness, blasphemy, taboo and hell fears are part of a complex of religious ideas that make mental slaves of us. Holy lands and holy books and holy graven images have caused endless terror and bloody strife. It is time humanity grows past its tribal adolescence. There are real problems to attend to. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Our various religious institutions can become a unifying web of human support and kindness instead of jealous sects, each with its own ancient mythology. It will start if we ask our ministers, imams, rabbis and priests to stop teaching children ancient nonsense that separates us into incompatible cults. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
It can start in Duluth. We can have open discussion of these matters in our congregations. It requires mental bravery to oppose the blasphemy taboo. But we can do it; it will liberate us.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
William van Druten MD</div>
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-12069157685536356972013-05-07T09:03:00.001-05:002013-05-16T07:49:00.963-05:00BILL'S SPARE TIME PUT TO GOOD EFFECT<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sitting here by the fake log fire in my 'cabin' it occurs to me that I aught put my leisure toward some laudable effort for your benefit. Yes, I aught. But just what would be laudable enough to disturb my peace this morning. This 'cabin' which I usually refer to as my Beer Palace, is a glassed in solarium on a deck of the warm side of my house in mid Minnesota. Oh, yes, gets nice and hot in the summer but........ It is my vacation retreat. No one allowed in without a passport. And that includes my wife. It is serene here and I read or play my brass instrument (Euphonium) here in peace. There are no critics. I do solo work here except when I play along with the Canadian Brass. They are pretty good but if they get out of sync with me I make them do it again. Lately I am working on the six Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites. They are good and I am certain that Bach intended them for Euphonium but they were mislabeled somewhere over the years. I am only on Suite II. I skipped number I as it looked too hard but I promise to get back to it later.<br />
<br />
Anyway I can say without anyone gainsaying me that my tone is very sonorous. My articulation and phrasing without peer. So why do the neighbors choose to mow their lawns or attack foliage with their weed whackers when I practice? </div>
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-79247205381616599532013-05-07T08:51:00.000-05:002013-05-07T08:51:21.490-05:00DOING MY PART IN OUR DULUTH, MN NEWS TRIBUNEWe aught all do whatever we can to help humanity grow past religious foolishness. My ways include gentle pointing out how peoples hopeS for heaven depend on their having chosen the correct god of all the past, present and future gods. And even then that there is no basis for believing the heaven myth. Also I believe that the bulk of believers got that way by accepting whatever was handed to them by trusted adults (Working Sundays, wearing mixed fabrics, not stoning to death homosexuals, etc. and etc. Most know very little of their god's commands and I enjoy pointing out how they are violating most of them. Many believers are steadfast but need to know that their beliefs are subject to critical evaluation and even sarcasm and derision. When they recognize they are out of line as the numbers of freethinkers, atheists, etc. grows, I expect they will sheepishly abjure their magic just as they have held onto it to be 'in'. One of my efforts is to wear blatent atheist pins, shirts, and so on. Ity often stimulates questions to me and I start with kindness and continue it until I see it is useless and then............... Another favorite activity of mine is writing letters to the editor one of which follows and the letter responses often show the ignorance of their writer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
VATICAN NEEDS AN EXORCIST<br />
<br />
Recently (2010) the vatican's chief exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, reported that Satan is active inside the vatican, (Yes, there really is an official exorcist and he really did say that!) I would have to guess he was referring to the pope in view of recent reports. <br />
<br />
It appears to me that parents should reconsider catholic education in matters of morals. And just maybe catholic papal restrictions of reproductive medical care at local hospitals need to be jettisoned at last. <br />
<br />
In view of this it is astounding so many in Duluth and Superior continue to fund and support such antiquated, superstitious and toxic institutions as the catholic church.<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
My comments brought the following response,<br />
<br />
LETTER WAS A VICIOUS ATTACK ON THE CHURCH<br />
<br />
I was appalled by the News Tribune's vicious decision to publish the letter, "Vatican needs an exorcist," which openly insulted both Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church. If the newspaper really does edit letters for civility, it missed the boat on this one.<br />
<br />
As a Catholic I was deeply offended by such blatant bigotry. Had the writer been referring to homosexuals of African-Americans, I suspect his letter never would have seen the light of day.<br />
<br />
I believe it is a scientific fact that abortion is the killing of an unborn child; it is not "reproductive medical care" as the letter stated.<br />
<br />
Catholic morals are based on God's commandments. one of which is, "thou shalt not kill." Apparently the letter writer's morals are derived from another source---as are the News Tribune's.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383669813138180340.post-28121841956458230552013-04-12T17:50:00.000-05:002013-04-12T18:20:38.870-05:00A BOOK REPORT FOR LAKE SUPERIOR FREETHINKERS AND CHRISTIANS TOO
I was sent, by Meghan Quinn of prometheusbooks.com, the fine book, 50 SIMPLE QUESTIONS FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN. The author, Guy P. Harrison, gives his fifty questions and plenty of commentary on them, ie, answers. He does it in a kindly way hoping that reasonable Christians might read it and be informed.
His chapters include, WHY ISN’T EVERYONE A CHRISTIAN, WHAT ARE MIRACLES, IS AMERICA A CHRISTIAN NATION?, and my favorite, IS FAITH A GOOD THING. And there are plenty more.
Freethinkers will applaud this book as we agree with the author. Alas, christians will shrug it off as blasphemy. However, I have an excellent place for this book. My college age grandson raised fundy by my son’s divorced wife is now questioning his unquestionable faith. He does listen to me on the religion question and reads my essays.
I will send him this book. And I recommend it for its clear responses to christian nonsense. Buy it, read it and pass it on to those who will benefit of it.
William van Druten MD,
Founder Lake Superior Freethinkers,
LMFFRF (Life member of Freedom from religion Foundation.
Bill van Drutenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17435519451856851175noreply@blogger.com0