Belief in "split" brain patients

In "split" brain patients the right-hand hemisphere believes in God, the left-hand doesn't. These findings have apparently raised hardly a ripple in the theological community despite raising the most challenging questions yet about the intrinsic nature of religious belief.

New Blasphemous Art Exhibition opens in Ireland

Originally intended to challenge the new blasphemy law which came into force in January, the exhibition has been somewhat overtaken by events. Owing to the effective campaign against the law the Justice Minister now intends to hold a national referendum to enable its repeal. This exhibition therefore has become somewhat of an early celebration of the principle of freedom of expression.

Respect

A believer recently told me they "respect" my lack of faith. I was distinctly underwhelmed by this. For one thing it seemed slightly patronising; for another you can't choose to 'not believe', its just the default position for anyone who insists on credible evidence before accepting a proposition as true. It seems to put non-belief and belief on opposite sides of the same coin. Believers would like to think this, but they are in fact on different coins, one critical thought, the other unquestioning acceptance.

Jesus and the Raisins

Evidently Jesus only copped for one raisin in paradise and came back for another try.

quedula's note: with regard to the five & twenty virgins promised to islamic martyrs the word "virgin" is widely thought to be a mistranslation for 'raisin".

Jesus in a Raincoat

Annual re-enactment of the crucifixion in Brighton

From the Argus; 3:50pm Friday 2nd April 2010

• By Ruth Lumley »

A torrential downpour did not stop a community gathering outside for an annual re-enactment of the crucifixion.

The congregation gathered on the green in The Avenue, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, for the traditional Good Friday event clutching soggy hymn sheets, with only umbrellas to protect them from the elements.Representatives from churches including St Andrew's, in Hillside, Mouslecoomb and the Salvation Army turned out for the service.

Matthew Burnham took his place on the cross to play Jesus.At noon he carried the cross on his back from St Andrew's Church to the tree on the green where the crucifixion story was acted out.

Father John Wall, who led the service, said: “I think it is the soggiest Good Friday that we have had but well done for turning out in what are pretty horrible conditions.“Because it's so soggy, we cannot actually use the electrical equipment to run the keyboard so I hope you are all going to be noisy.”


quedula is lost for words . . . . .

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