Tuesday Meme
2/22/2005
Today's meme is completely original, inspired by no one and hopefully will be spread far and wide.
Is Christianity really Stupid?
Yes. it is. And communism is good! If you don't believe me, ask Reverend Pirkle himself.
(screencap of Reverend Pirkle, the man who made the phrase "Christianity is Stupid" as popular as, well, Peanut Butter and Pickle sandwiches).
The phrase that everyone will forever associate with my favorite 'band' Negativland was harvested from the 1971 hicksploitation shockumentary If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? It's basically a 75-minute bitchfest on the evils of Communism, with attacks on such satanic things as cartoons, drive-in theaters and (gasp!) dancing! This movie is a meme unto itself. And it can be rented at Greencine!
I stole the screencap here, a good review of a pretty nauseating film.
Should organized religions be taxed?
Absolutely. They peddle a product just like anyone else. God isn't something you can buy and sell on the market, but they offer a service: making their audience feel good.
Preachers are like sports commentators for an invisible game. They are wordsmiths and vaudevillians (villains as well). They are stand-ups and clowns and use lots of props. They sell tee-shirts and CDs and 'christian' this and 'christian' that. Of course they should pay.
Churchgoers want quality for their money, just like car buyers or restaurant-goers. If that sermon is more than an hour, its value begins to dwindle. People want to feel good; they don't care whether the preacher is divinely inspired or not, just as long as they are spouting something that will make toes jingle and hearts pound. Many of those very same organizations assume the divine right to condemn science as heretical, and many of them back politicians in the effort to push corrupt policies onto the populace. Make them pay their fair share if they are going to assume the role of political lobbyists.
Giving tax-exempt status for charitable work is one thing. But the charitable work that comes out of most Christian organizations is often tainted with the desire to spread fear and loathing.
They peddle their wares and they should pay Uncle Scam like everyone else.
Here's an article at diesm.com about this very subject.
posted by Edward Svengali @ Tuesday, February 22, 2005,
