Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1945

Will Child-Abusing Former Nuncio Receive Secular Justice in the Vatican? Dominicans Aren’t Holding Their Breath

Since we last wrote about Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski (below), almost a year ago, he’s been through some changes. You may remember that Wesolowski, the papal nuncio (ambassador) to the Dominican Republic, was recalled to Rome after allegations surfaced that he’d been sexually abusing Dominican boys for years.

True to its word, the Catholic Church began an investigation into the archbishop’s sordid past. Two months ago, that probe reached its conclusion:

[O]n June 27, he was defrocked by the Vatican, reducing him to the status of a layman.

But Wesolowski’s troubles are far from over.

The Vatican, which as a city-state has its own judicial system, has also said it intends to try Mr. Wesolowski on criminal charges — the first time the Vatican has held a criminal trial for sexual abuse.

Interesting. But that doesn’t mean the Catholic Church can now wash its hands of the affair. After all,

[F]ar from settling the matter, the Vatican has stirred an outcry because it helped Mr. Wesolowski avoid criminal prosecution and a possible jail sentence in the Dominican Republic. Acting against its own guidelines for handling abuse cases, the church failed to inform the local authorities of the evidence against him, secretly recalled him to Rome last year before he could be investigated, and then invoked diplomatic immunity for Mr. Wesolowski so that he could not face trial in the Dominican Republic.

The New York Times opines that

When it comes to removing pedophiles from the priesthood, the Vatican is moving more assertively and swiftly than before. But as Mr. Wesolowski’s case suggests, the church continues to be reluctant to report people suspected of abuse to the local authorities and allow them to face justice in secular courts.

The Times piece suggests that father Jozef’s morality was even more corrupted than that of most pedophiles. What to make of something as craven as this: one of Wesolowski frequent victims was a 17-year-old boy whom the nuncio wanted to “help”:

The 17-year-old had epilepsy, and the nuncio gave him medicine for his condition in exchange for sexual acts, starting from when the boy was 13, the district attorney said.

It takes a special person to accept the money that Jesus-glorifying Catholics around the world contribute for the spread of ostensible good and then withhold it from a sick teenager who can’t afford his medication — unless he agrees to be sexually assaulted.

“This is the most terrible case that I have ever seen,” said Ms. Reynoso [the district attorney of Santo Domingo]. “He was abusing kids who were living in extreme poverty, in exchange for pills for a boy’s illness. It’s very perverse.”

How badly the Vatican — the city-state — wants to put Wesolowki on a successful criminal trial remains to be seen:

The Vatican sent someone to the Dominican Republic last October to look into the case, but they made no contact with the district attorney or anyone in her office, Ms. Reynoso said.

While Wesolowski may never see the inside of a Dominican courtroom, some local comeuppance is assured.

“The people used to say, ‘I want my child to go to a Catholic church,’” said the Rev. Rogelio Cruz, a Catholic priest here. “Now they say, ‘No child of mine is ever going to a Catholic church.’”

 

How Not to Be an Atheist Asshole

The folks at Absence of Clothing have some advice for all of us:

Good advice. Poor rock…

If you’re unaware of the company, when you buy apparel from their online store, “50% of all profits go to charity or non-profit organizations that benefit the world in some way.” Check them out if you haven’t already!

“In God We Trust” Signs Will Go Up in Isle of Wight (VA) Schools

In 2001, shortly after 9/11, the Republican-controlled Virginia legislature passed a bill saying that all public schools had to put the statement “In God We Trust” somewhere where everyone could see it. They didn’t even refer to it as the “national motto” until later versions of the bill, which suggests this was all about pushing religion in the schools and had little to do with patriotism.

In Isle of Wight, school district officials say they were unaware of the legislation. (Like many bills that push religion in schools, the politicians don’t really care about enforcement; they just want to be able to say to voters that they were able to pass the legislation.) But they’re aware of it now. They received a donation of signs from a local Veterans of Foreign Wars and plan to put them up when the school year begins:

(Ryan Murphy – Daily Press)

Gotta love that fine print, right?

IN GOD WE TRUST*

(*We swear this is purely patriotic.)

Even the Republican who sponsored the bill, Bob Marshall, says:

… the bill was drafted out of a feeling of patriotism following the Sept. 11 attacks and in response to instances of religious images, like the Ten Commandments, being removed from public property around the nation.

It’s the same sort of 1950s-style reasoning that led to “Under God” being inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” being placed on our currency. It’s unnecessary and just another way politicians try to merge church and state under the guise of unity.

The ACLU understands that:

Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said posting the motto in schools is different from, for example, printing “In God We Trust” on money or posting it in courtrooms, because of the environment.

“Children may be unaware of the context and read the motto differently than adults and not understand its meaning outside of the religious context,” she said.

This sign sure as hell won’t help them see anything but a religious context.

(Thanks to Brian for the link)

Flint, Michigan Officials May Spread Scientology to Save the City

In Flint, Michigan, city council members will take any help they can get. So when Scientologist Monika Biddle showed up at their meeting earlier this week with a solution to their problems, they were eager to hear it. Her plan involves the distribution of a book called The Way to Happiness:

The booklet briefly describes 21 principles, including: “Take Care of Yourself, Be Temperate, Don’t Be Promiscuous, Love and Help Children, and Honor and Help Your Parents.”

“I think it’s a good deal, yes,” Police Chief James Tolbert said of the program. “From the information I’ve seen, apparently it works. I’m for anything that works.”

…

… some council members said public service announcements that reinforce messages like, “Do not murder, Don’t Do Anything Illegal, and Do Not Steal,” can’t hurt the city.

Biddle suggested Flint officials investigate “The Way to Happiness” programs in St. Louis and Compton, Calif., for guidance about how the program can help make cities better places to live.

…

[Biddle's] group suggests police officers give the book to members of the community, to neighborhood watch groups and those involved in community policing; get “The Way to Happiness” public service announcements played for youth groups, schools, after-school programs and detention centers; and get educators using the booklet in tutoring and mentoring programs.

On the surface, it sounds like a longer, secular version of the Ten Commandments. It probably won’t help anyone since it just reiterates common sense ideas, but that’s not such a bad thing, right?

Well, when you take a closer look at the book, you realize it’s not as great as it seems.

For example, check out Precepts #17: Be Competent:

The test of any “truth” is whether it is true for you. If, when one has gotten the body of data, cleared up any misunderstood words in it and looked over the scene, it still doesn’t seem true, then it isn’t true so far as you are concerned. Reject it. And, if you like, carry it further and conclude what the truth is for you. After all, you are the one who is going to have to use it or not use it, think with it or not think with it. If one blindly accepts “facts” or “truths” just because he is told he must, “facts” and “truths” which do not seem true to one, or even false, the end result can be an unhappy one. That is the alley to the trash bin of incompetence.

That’s… complete bullshit. Facts are facts, whether you like them or not. If they make you uncomfortable, deal with it. The evidence may be absent or contradictory for the things that are “true for you,” like miracles or Creationism. And why should a city promote ideas that aren’t evidence-based?

There’s also this weird running thread throughout the Precepts about how life is all about “survival”:

Your own survival chances will be bettered in the long run since others, influenced, will become less of a threat. There are other benefits.

…

In an age of intricate equipment and high-speed machines and vehicles, one’s survival and that of one’s family and friends depends in no small measure upon the general competence of others.

…

If those around one lie to him or her, one is led into making errors and his survival potential is reduced.

Creepy…

And don’t forget this fantastic piece of advice:

The way to happiness does not include murdering or your friends, your family or yourself being murdered.

Thank you for that nugget of brilliance, L. Ron Hubbard.

Okay, so the book is a little strange, but it’s otherwise harmless, right?

Actually, it can do plenty of damage if it steers people into Scientology, and that’s precisely what the book is designed to do:

Critics of Scientology, including some former officials, argue that “The Way to Happiness” is primarily a recruiting tool for the church. According to Vicki Aznaran, who once served as inspector general of the Religious Technology Center, the church’s highest ecclesiastical organization, The Way to Happiness Foundation is “a front group to get people into Scientology” and the book is designed “to make Scientology palatable to the masses.”

Flint officials don’t need The Way to Happiness to teach moral character, just like they don’t need to put up a Ten Commandments monument in front of the local courthouse. They sure as hell don’t need to steer citizens to a cult that’ll take away the relatively little income many of them have.

The only reason they’re supporting this book is because they really don’t understand its history, purpose, or specific contents. So contact them and let them know that there are better ways to spread common sense than to adopt Scientology’s introductory playbook. Even if it’s free, it’s just not worth it.

(Thanks to Tom for the link. Portions of this article were published earlier.)

Why Are Taxpayer-Funded Charter Schools in Texas Involved in a Christian Athletic League?

The Texas Christian Athletic League was formed in 1991 with a very specific purpose:

[It was formed] with a heart toward providing high school student athletes with a competitive sports arena within a Christian culture… It has been a road paved with ups and downs, and though our league is young we have learned a vast amount and improved a great deal. Our future is bright because we can accomplish all things through Christ and through your support.

The by-laws even state that schools can be terminated from the league for failing in the area of “Christian conduct.”

Now, that’s perfectly fine for a group of Christian schools. They can compete against each other while forming friendly rivalries, they can have their pre-game prayers, they can attend chapel services together.

But why the hell are more than a dozen public, taxpayer-funded charter schools on their list of members?

That’s what the Freedom From Religion Foundation would like to know after receiving a complaint from what seems to be a parent whose child attends one of those charter schools. Attorney Sam Grover sent a letter to the schools warning them that further involvement could lead to a church/state entanglement. So far, two schools have done the right thing and dropped their membership. But only two.

The league’s director, Darryl Crain, says the religious aspects of the league are optional for the charter school members, but let’s face it: students would reasonably assume their schools are promoting Christianity through participation in the league.

In a letter to member schools, Crain described the group of mostly small Christian schools and home school leagues as being “persecuted by radical elements of our society.” He wrote that the silent majority is being bullied.

Grover, whose organization has more than 20,000 members, said the situation in Texas is clear-cut.

“So far all the responses we have received have been favorable, as this is a pretty obvious violation,” he wrote in an email. “We will follow up with any school that fails to respond to our initial letter and will evaluate our legal options after that point.”

This isn’t a radical action and nobody’s being bullied. The charter schools made a mistake by joining the league in the first place and the FFRF is simply asking them to correct it. But if the schools want to roll the dice and see what a judge has to say, they’re welcome to do it. But they’ll eventually pay FFRF’s legal fees if they do.

Incidentally, both schools that opted out of the league did so before FFRF’s letter arrived:

Jeanne Culver, a spokeswoman for Texas Can Academies, said the San Antonio campus withdrew from the league after receiving the foundation’s letter. That school had participated in girls volleyball and boys and girls basketball.

“The superintendent learned that this is not appropriate because of public funds,” Culver said.

Austin Can Academy was previously a league member but withdrew before the letter.

…

The principal and superintendent of City Center Health Careers in San Antonio said his school had left the league before receiving the warning letter.

“We saw several issues where there was indeed a church/state incorporation and allowed for exposure to one specific religion rather than an eclectic approach to exposure to other cultures or religions,” Michael Moretta wrote in an email.

“Our charter specifically makes clear we will not mix church and education, even in athletics.”

Those other administrators better be asking themselves what these charter schools’ leaders know that they don’t.

What Would You Do if You Were Given Ultimate Power?

In the first episode of what I hope will be a longer series, DarkMatters2525 illustrates a great thought experiment: What would you do if you were given ultimate power?

Carve out the 11 minutes you need to watch the whole thing. Definitely worth it.

Bricks Have Been Knitted; It’s Time to Show Congress

Remember how the Secular Coalition for America was encouraging people to #KnitABrick in response to the awful Hobby Lobby Supreme Court ruling?

Turns out they got a few submissions:

That’s more than 1500 bricks sent from all over the country.

Now they plan to march from the Supreme Court to Congress to let people know the wall of separation between church and state needs to be large and solid, and they’d like you to join them:

Join us as we march from the Supreme Court to Congress with our wall of separation to call on Congress to take action. Our wall will be too large to ignore. We chose to march during the the first week Congress is back in session to get this important issue on our representatives’ agenda. By joining us, you can help send a clear and powerful message to your government that secular Americans want their representatives to rebuild the wall of separation between religion and government.

They’ll gather in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 9 around 11:30a and march from 12:00-1:00p. If you can RSVP on Facebook, great. If not, no worries.

And if you can’t come, that’s not a problem either. Just follow the hashtag #KnitABrick and #KnitABrickMarch that day and you’ll get live tweets of the action.

Here’s Old Footage of a Christian Apologist Saying That If You Have Lots of Sex, You’ll Be Dead or Paralyzed

I don’t know where Honeydew Wilkins finds this stuff, but here’s an old video of Christian apologist Josh McDowell warning a whole bunch of young people to stay away from sex (while rocking a kickass sweater):

… In real life, if anyone played around as much as J.R. did sexually, they’d either be dead or paralyzed from the waist down. It’s fiction!

Yep. That’s totally how sex works. It’s always, always, always bad for you…

This is why people like him can’t be taken seriously. He sees everything in black and white. Despite saying he wants to “shoot straight” with the audience, he has to distort reality to make his point. If you can’t trust him on an issue as serious as this one, why would anyone listen to what he has to say about anything else?

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, Lord… or Something Else?

The video below, part of The Atheist Voice series, discusses if Jesus was a liar, lunatic, Lord… or something else:

A rough transcript of the video can be found on the YouTube page in the “About” section.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the project — more videos will be posted soon — and we’d also appreciate your suggestions as to which questions we ought to tackle next!

And if you like what you’re seeing, please consider supporting this site on Patreon.

Atheist Rapper Ensomniak’s Latest Song: “Believe In You”

Atheist rapper Ensomniak is back with his latest song!

It’s called “Believe In You” and it’s all about being an African-American atheist. You can see a sample of the lyrics below.

Believe In You by Ensomniak

I’m a minority/ in a minority/ where I come from
Where too many minds/ are humdrum/ and undone
And lump sums/ of funds/ are given to some bums
But here’s one son/ that won’t be a sucker/ like a Dum-Dum
Pressure’s like a stun gun/ so many freeze in their tracks
So much church in our culture/ it’s hard to leave when you’re black
Inter-weaved in our past/ so now we’re identified
As inherent believers/ they think it’s a sin if I
Ever refuse to dignify/ their superstitions and fantasies
African American atheist/ what did he say/ can it be
What about his family/ was he accepted or rejected
I was one of the lucky ones/ some disagree but I’m still respected

It’s a powerful song with great lyrics. If you like Ensomniak’s music, please consider downloading the track for a dollar and show your support for what he does!

(You can hear some of his other tracks here, here, here, here, and here.)