Believe it or not, the above image is from a book published in 1914. More here, via Journalista.

What's equally fascinating about the work are the layers of disguise: the author is a woman pretending to be a man; the book consists of her own Sufi-inspired poems presented as translations of originals from India. And for my money, there really oughta be a book or band called Fragments of Sappho, which these poems were seen as evoking.

(Thanks for the suggested links, folks--they're coming up next!)

A UK charity has sparked a religious war with a comic strip aimed at promoting tolerance. The latest issue of Who Cares? Trust magazine Klic! features Standing Up For What You Believe In, in which a cross-wearing Christian bullies a Muslim girl for wearing a hijab. The key scene (image above):

In a cartoon strip, a boy wearing a large cross around his neck is shown telling a friend that a smiling Muslim girl in a veil looks like a terrorist.

He later confronts her and shouts: "Hey, whatever your name is, what are you hiding under your turban?"

She replies that the garment is called a hijab and that it is part of her religion "like the cross you wear".

The girl is then shown standing up for another boy, who is being bullied, and her behaviour is contrasted with that of the boy wearing the cross.

Some Christians are in an uproar over being stereotyped as bigots, and the fact that the charity receives a substantial amount of funding from the government is only stoking the fire.

The charity's intriguing response: the cross is not a reference to Christians.

Who Cares? Trust chief executive Natasha Finlayson described the cross as "bling" rather than a religious symbol.

Via Robot 6

This quilted Jesus-with-rifle is one of several images that led Jo-Ann Fabrics to ban the latest issue of Quilter's Home from its stores.

The Pope's recent assertion that condoms exacerbate the AIDS crisis has reportedly made this papal protest condom all the rage in France. Akimbo has the scoop; more here. One commenter testifies to the product's effectiveness:

I completely believe this is an effective form of birth control.

One look at Pope B16 and I lose all interest in sex . . .

Does the Bible teach that women are prohibited from cutting their hair? Does wearing long hair endow a believer with spiritual power? Here's a blog dedicated to opposing folks who answer "yes" to both questions.

In this AP photo, two women shop for jewelry at a gold fair in Riyadh. Look carefully at the woman in the hijab on the right--note the stylish lining, the sleeve adornment and the watch. Even in what appears to be plain black textiles, the transformation impulse shines through.

Resurrected and it feels so good! The BofG is back after an extended time wandering in the purgatory of less-than-ethereal work. While we've been away, spiritual design nonetheless continued to work its magic, creating higher meaning and keeping teens from getting frisky.

Memento mori in icing, one of several passive-aggressive Cake Wrecks

Sukkur Blues., originally uploaded by Commoner28th..

I'm in the midst of an intense writing week, which is why posting here has been sparse. Meanwhile, here's a work of art that deserves a lot of attention, so use the extra time to take a closer look! The photographer explains:

This ruined place is called "Satyen jo aastan" or "Abode of seven virgin maids". Located near Rohri town of Sindh on the east bank of Indus is a spectacular historical place. It's a legend that there were seven sisters when captured here by a Raja, prayed to God to protect them and before anything could happen to them, miraculously they were engulfed by the earth. The story may not be plausible but still there is a room here, housing seven graves prohibited for the males to visit but permitted only for females.

In his house at R'lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming--and smiling!

Via Cake Wrecks.

Crystalle Charmer provides this explanation:

The Pagan Priestess wears this unique, OOAK, handmade clear quartz amulet, which has been charged and carefully designed as an amulet/ talisman for self-empowerment. With that honor of power comes great responsibility, and the colors of the amulet reflect these qualities. The amulet is covered with composite gold leaf, then adorned with a Pentagram, a Celtic spiral, and a Crescent Moon, all symbols of the Mother Goddess. The black satin cord is echoed in the designs on the amulet, which appear to be made of elegant satin as well.

The Priestess knows that all Power comes from the Mother Goddess, who wants the highest and best for Her children. She feels the Power of the Mother Goddess flowing through and around her, and as She performs the rituals, she knows that she has been empowered by the Goddess to perform Her Will.

This Goddess of Power pendant measures approximately 1 1/2" not counting the bail, and the cord measures app. 18 inches. Buyer may request a different length.

These controversial Passion for Christ t-shirts have understandably been making the rounds of the blogosphere.

Also interesting--ex-porn-star Nadia Stiles gets baptized:

Nihil obstat imprimatur is a familiar phrase to anyone who has read a lot of Catholic literature. Basically, it reflects that assessment of the church book censor--honestly! the "censor librorum"--that "nothing should get in the way" of it being published, followed by the bishop's command, "let it be printed." Of course, as this Catholic review of the marks indicates, even then the faithful need to be discerning.

Which brings us to the evangelical mark that adorns the book listing above. "Please Read With Discernment" is a trademark of Lifeway Christian Stores, and it indicates that the book in question may not toe the doctrinal line. The Friendly Atheist rounds up revelatory links & responses.

Via Eyeteeth

Via Ads of the World