Black Woman Thinks...Religion, Politics, Race, Atheism and more...

Is the Universe Fine Tuned for Life?

2009-11-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

Although I write about religion and atheism and so on - sometimes I am bored by the idea of people believing in the supernatural. There's not much I can do nor want to do to change minds.

My previous post caused a bit of a stir as I stated my views about the hysteria surrounding climate change, but I chanced upon this video which I would like you to watch and let us all know what you think.

Carl Sagan - 'Pale Blue Dot'

2009-11-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

If ever we need to put things into perspective...

Panic, Panic: Global Warning

2009-11-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Am I the only one who views the hysteria about 'climate change' as nothing more than a cynical way for people in power to make money whilst scaring us either to death or to spend some money?
I don't buy it and I couldn't care less about the whole issue.
Humans think there is something special about us, don't we? 'We were created in God's image'....blah,blah,blah. The fact is Earth has been through tremendous climatic changes for millions of years and no doubt will continue to do so long after we cease to inhabit this planet. I am not worried about this overpopulated planet and I don't think you should be either - at least not to the extent that we are going to panic about the future. Who cares if in 20 years time sea levels are going to rise? Big deal.

Harsh, maybe, but I am not going to rush around buying carbon credits (what a classic con!) or switch to solar panels (tried that for 2 years and hated it, plus you need a bank of batteries which themselves are not 'eco-friendly') - so Al Gore won prizes for 'An Inconvenient Truth' which should be taken with a pound of salt - this man (and his ilk) makes money from scaring us into making choices which fatten the wallets of himself and his cronies.
Yes, our focus should be on creating new alternative sources of energy which are easy for people to use but until that time I will continue in the way I always have. This means I don't fear death and therefore whatever happens happens. It's called 'shit happens'.

You don't have to agree with me, but you could let me know what you think!

Leap of Faith

2009-11-02T02:29:00.000-08:00

Child Abuse - (5)

2009-10-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

Quote of The Week: - 'Do Not Pass by My Epitaph, Traveller'

2009-10-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

From an ancient Roman tombstone:

"Do not pass by my epitaph, traveller.
But having stopped, listen and learn, then go your way.
There is no boat in Hades, no ferryman Charon,
no caretaker Aiakos, no dog Cerberus.
All we who are dead below
have become bones and ashes, but nothing else.
I have spoken to you honestly, go on, traveler,
lest even while dead I seem loquacious to you."

Texas execution looms after jury consult Bible - Amnesty USA

2009-10-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to know how some humans are completely unintelligent then read the story below.
Bear in mind the jurors are alleged to have consulted a book of fiction to determine the man's fate.
A book of fiction!
Please let me know what you think:

"A Texas man who faces execution after jurors at his trial consulted the Bible when deliberating his fate should have his death sentence commuted, Amnesty International said on Friday.

Khristian Oliver, 32, is set to be killed on 5 November after jurors used Biblical passages supporting the death penalty to help them decide whether he should live or die.

Amnesty International is calling on the Texas authorities to commute Khristian Oliver's death sentence. The organization considers that the jurors' use of the Bible during their sentencing deliberations raises serious questions about their impartiality.

A US federal appeals court acknowledged last year that the jurors' use of the Bible amounted to an "external influence" prohibited under the US Constitution, but nonetheless upheld the death sentence.

Khristian Oliver was sentenced to death in 1999 for a murder committed during a burglary. According to accomplice testimony at the trial, 20-year-old Oliver shot the victim before striking him on the head with a rifle butt.

After the trial, evidence emerged that jurors had consulted the Bible during their sentencing deliberations. At a hearing in June 1999, four of the jurors recalled that several Bibles had been present and highlighted passages had been passed around.

One juror had read aloud from the Bible to a group of fellow jurors, including the passage, "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death".

The judge ruled that the jury had not acted improperly and this was upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

In 2002, a Danish journalist interviewed a fifth juror. The latter said that "about 80 per cent" of the jurors had "brought scripture into the deliberation", and that the jurors had consulted the Bible "long before we ever reached a verdict".

He told the journalist he believed "the Bible is truth from page 1 to the last page", and that if civil law and biblical law were in conflict, the latter should prevail. He said that if he had been told he could not consult the Bible, "I would have left the courtroom". He described himself as a death penalty supporter, saying life imprisonment was a "burden" on the taxpayer.

In 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found that the jurors had "crossed an important line" by consulting specific passages in the Bible that described the very facts at issue in the case. This amounted to an "external influence" on the jury prohibited under the US Constitution.

However, it concluded that under the "highly deferential standard" by which federal courts should review state court decisions, Oliver had failed to prove that he had been prejudiced by this unconstitutional juror conduct. In April 2009, the US Supreme Court refused to take the case, despite being urged to take it by nearly 50 former US federal and state prosecutors."

Amnesty USA.org

Black Hair Documentary

2009-10-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

Black women spend an unbelieveable amount of money on our hair and this documentary (thank you for bringing it to my attention Mama Asid), although focused on black hair and the African-American community, could be about Jamaica, England, Nigeria, Kenya or anywhere else. The principle point is that black women spend a lot of money on our hair and don't seem to care who has control of an industry making billions each week. Made me think.

A Little Girl called me a 'Nigger' Today...

2009-10-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

As I walked past a house a young child, probably 7 or 8 years old, white with blonde ringlets, jumped around near the front gate and then stopped. And looked at me with a fierce expression. I half smiled and as I walked past her I heard her say, 'Nigger!'
It stopped me in my tracks as I thought of how much poison had probably been poured into this child for her to see me, a black woman, as nothing more than 'a nigger'.
In that split second my mind raced around for me to decide on some proper response, be that to walk away and say nothing as this child is a product of her environment; or say something to the child, but what exactly? Was it offensive to me and if so why? What could I say to the child that would be age appropriate?
What did I do? I walked back to the gate and said, 'I'm sorry but I heard that.' She said, 'Heard what?' and then it hit me that I was doing the wrong thing, talking to the child about it was not correct. It didn't feel right.
I almost called out to the shadowy adult who could be seen through the multi-coloured strips hanging at the open front door. Then I walked away. As I walked on she shouted, 'I never called you that word!' She knew and I knew and I felt sad.

Is there a 'right thing to do' in this situation?

Neil Young - 'Harvest Moon'

2009-10-07T03:40:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to this song and I love it. It is simple and beautiful.What do you think?

Looking at the Bible in Detail...

2009-10-04T02:29:00.000-07:00

Since I am focusing on the Bible for the moment I thought you might be interested in looking at the actual meaning on some of the teachings of the 'Holy Book'.
I am strongly of the opinion that not many Christians have actually read the book. By reading I mean sat and studied it with the same amount of scrutiny as you would any historical account on any other subject. SO why do so many people believe it?
It is a laughable collection of ignorance and horror, in the main. To think people are being murdered, raped, tortured, disenfranchised, enslaved, abused, mis-educated, starved, are self-harming, being ignored, discriminated against all based on the written words of a book!
We need sites like The Skeptics Annotated Bible. I recommend it, especially if you are someone who has been indoctrinated to believe the inerrancy of the Bible. Please let me know what you think.

Quote from the Bible (1) - How to Treat a Slave

2009-10-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

"When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property."
~ Exodus 21:20-21

Roman Polanski and the Cosa Nostra Pope

2009-09-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Currently on this blog I have a series of images which highlight child abuse - all in the name of religion. Yet there is something in the news at the moment which confirms even more (if further confirmation is required) that we are not smart animals. This whole issue with Roman Polanski, who pled guilty to "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor" - with a 13-year-old child, i.e. raped.
You either know about the story, (so I won't bore you with the details) or you don't (you can read it HERE).
Now, correct me if I am wrong but when did these polticians and Hollywood-types believe they needed to defend a self-confessed paedophile? The law appears to be made only for those who are plebs. The thing to do is commit a heinous crime, escape justice but make your name as a person of note in the arts and people who made money via you will ensure you are protected and stage protests and appeal to the relevant authorities to overturn any decision to place handcuffs on you many years later.

The mindset of those clamouring for him to be released from Swiss custody is very difficult to fathom. Not one of those people would say the same thing had it been their 13 yr old who had been sexually abused. It is worrying when there are so many abusers watching how this will play out and persons in position of responsibility, who are held up as role models, are protecting and playing down the fact that Roman Polanski abused a child. If he wasn't a famous person, would they have supported him?

Then, if that wasn't enough, the Pope, yes, the head of the original Cosa Nostra has through his 'crime family foot soldiers' issued a statement regarding the large numbers of people who criticise the Catholic Church but don't realise that the church is very busy and in any case there are other religions where more cases of sexual abuse occurs and people don't seem to give them a hard time. Incredible. Maybe now people will start to wake up to the greatest con which enables people with sick minds to cover themselves with a religious cloak as they abuse relentlessly. Hopefully they will all argue over who has the most sexual predators and the flock will start to think for themselves.

History will judge us very badly. We are truly living in The Dark Ages.

Respect the Other Fellow's Religion...

2009-09-23T05:08:00.001-07:00

"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart."

~ H. L Mencken

The Super Sprayer

2009-09-20T04:14:00.000-07:00

The Super Spray Painter - street art is interesting and I always admire people who conjure up art right in front of my eyes. This guy is good. What do you think?

Child Abuse - (4)

2009-09-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

Mithras - Pagan Origins of Christianity

2009-09-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

In conversation with my Christian friends and family they struggle to link me with my non-belief in a deity, any deity. They know I don't steal, have no interest in harming anyone and yet I don't seem to follow any religious creeds or codes. How can that be? 'Where do you get your moral framework from?' A question I always dislike!
I suppose I give myself time and space to think and critically analyse information that passes my way. I don't believe anything I am told without giving it some thought.
Dr Robert Beckford, in this video, is a theologian who has some interesting information which I thought might get some brain juices flowing in relation to the origins of Jesus and paganism - particularly people who are theists. Unfortunately, most religions ensure their adherents are hardwired to reject anything which contradicts their teachings. It arrests human development and ensures rational arguments are not heard, whilst the abuse of children and vulnerable adults continues.

If I suggest that you watch this video you may have been told that I represent some imaginary devil and so you are more likely to turn away quickly, close your ears and encourage your children to do the same.

Remember this info is from a 'man of the cloth'!
Let me know what you think!

The Incomparable Nina Simone

2009-09-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

If you ever need cheering up then this song cannot help but enable you to appreciate the 'small' things that we can take for granted.

Enjoy!

Quote of the Week - Epicurus

2009-08-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.

Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?

Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"

~Epicurus

Child Abuse - (3)

2009-08-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Letter to My Younger Self

2009-08-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Stephen Fry has written a letter to his younger self which has encouraged a whole host of people to do the same.
If you were writing to yourself aged 18 years old what would you say? What advice would you give yourself?
I find this quite interesting and reading the contributions from and comments by other people made me think about what I would say to my younger self. I'm still (after a lengthy period!) in 'thinking mode'...

What would you write to yourself?

Prisoners of a White God

2009-08-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

I chanced upon this film which I felt compelled to post here. It is disturbing and illustrates why I consider religious indoctrination to be mental, social and psychological abuse. Watch how a community is slowly destroyed by men with rituals, fancy gowns, screwed up world views and a need to control.
Excuse the slight delays but as it is subtitled it does not take away from a sensitively presented film.

If you are unable to watch it now then I implore you to watch whenever and wherever you can - let me have your views.

'Let's Stay Together' - Al Green

2009-07-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay! I agree I must be in a soppy mood. Al Green doesn't sing this version as vocally brilliantly as some of his others I have heard but he whipped the crowd, played with the tune and sat down exhausted and was so on a high that he had to do a little jig at the end. Wonderful.
Do let me know what you think.

I dedicate this to the General. Thank you for being such a wonderful person!

P.S. Lorraine and Jonathan have commented on a previous post - Are Black People Allowed to Critically Analyse Other Black People? - and I have some further thoughts to contribute on this topic - so over the coming days you should see something posted here. I love it when people comment. Thank you all!

Child Abuse - (2)

2009-07-08T09:40:00.001-07:00

A Jamaican Poem - 'Back to Africa'

2009-06-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

I love this poem by the late great Louise Bennett, also known as 'Miss Lou'. This poem is written in the Jamaican patois and deals with Miss Mattie's yearning to go back to Africa.
Miss Lou questions this desire very eloquently. Let me know what you think.

'Back to Africa'

Back to Africa, Miss Mattie?
You no know wha you dah seh?
You haf fe come from somewhe fus
Before you go back deh!

Me know say dat you great great great
Granma was African,
But Mattie, doan you great great great
Granpa was Englishman?

Den you great granmader fader
By you fader side was Jew?
An you granpa by you mader side
Was Frenchie parlez-vous?

But de balance a you family,
You whole generation,
Oonoo all barn dung a Bun Grung-
Oonoo all is Jamaican!

Den is weh you gwine, Miss Mattie?
Oh, you view de countenance,
An between you an de Africans
Is great resemblance!

Ascorden to dat, all dem blue-yeye
White American
Who-fa great granpa was Englishman
Mus go back a Englan!

What a debil of a bump-an-bore,
Rig-jig an palam-pam
Ef de whole worl start fe go back
Whe dem great granpa come from!

Ef a hard time you dah run from
Tek you chance! But Mattie, do
Sure a whe you come from so you got
Somewhe fe come back to!

Go a foreign, seek you fortune,
But no tell nobody say
You dah go fe seek you homelan,
For a right deh so you deh!