Month Three: November

"They shall be stoned with stones, their blood shall be upon them. - LEVITICUS 20:27"

My favorite event in "Month Three" is when A.J. Jacobs decides that he must stone someone because the bible said so. In result, he walks around New York looking for someone to stone and how to stone them. Initially, A.J. was just going to walk by a person and throw a stone at them hoping they wouldn't notice. But, when A.J. attempted to do so he realized that the person would definitely notice him. In result, A.J. decided that he was going to decide to be clumsy and make it seem like he accidently dropped the pebble on the mans shoe, which is technically a stoning. Eventually, A.J. did this and it was just simply and awkward encounter between him self and the stranger. A.J. Said "Im sorry and then leaned down to pick up the pebble. And he leaned down at the same time, and we almost bumped heads, and then he apologized, then I apologized again."

This was my favorite part of "Month Three" because I thought this little encounter was quite comical and entertaining.

Thanks,

Pat Charles

http://news.yahoo.com/texas-judge-expected-rule-cheerleader-lawsuit-over-ban-143029413.html

In summary, this article is about how cheerleaders at a public high school in Texas put up posters that said "If God is for us, who can be against us" at a high school football game. The Freedom From Religion Foundation complained about these banners. They are saying that these posters violate the first amendment and that a public school is not allowed to suggest a religion. The Kountze High School cheerleaders sued, arguing that the ban of the posters violates there freedom of speech. State Judge Steve Thomas allowed the posters to stay up until he could issue a ruling.

My thoughts:

Personally, I believe that these posters should not be allowed at a public school. I think these posters are suggesting Catholicism and that should not be allowed at a public school. Lastly, I think the school should simply take the posters down and the charges should be dropped.

http://news.yahoo.com/report-us-protestants-lose-majority-status-040220128.html


This article does not surprise me at all. Due to the fast pace of society I think that people don't have as much time to go to church or practice there religion as they used to. Also, due to the recession I think some people may work on Sunday or there day of worship, therefore, they would not be able to attend there services.

But, I agree that there may be a little confusion for people saying they have no religious affiliation. I think that some people may just pray amongst themselves and not attend mass or a worship session.

Personally, attending church was not apart of my childhood. I am a christian but Sundays were known as "family days" or just a day to relax. I would not be surprised if the attendance of masses continues to drop in the coming years.


-Pat Charles

http://blog.timesunion.com/muslimwomen/category/current-events/



The article above summarizes and on going feud between anti-muslim posters that were posted in 10 subway stations in New York City. These posters were led to be put up by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. This group is led by Pamela Geller. Pamela Geller is known as an activist who is against the proposed Islamic community center near ground zero.

"Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, fears that the ads will “contribute to the atmosphere of anti-Islam hostility,” adding that there has been a “widespread repudiation of the hate message promoted by these ads (blog.timesunion.com). 

Personally, I agree that these posters are not appropriate for public viewing. I think they are degrading to muslims and if I were a muslim I would not appreciate such posters. 

Enjoy the blog post,

Pat C