Right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders launched his film Fitna today in which he accuses the Koran of inciting violence. Not quite sure where he got that idea ;)

Anyways, take a peek for yourself. It’s a mere 15 minutes so you won’t waste too much of your time :)

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This outstanding song from Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life answers any questions one might have with respects to the Catholic Church’s perspective on masturbation and contraception.

The sketch is about a Catholic couple, played by Michael Palin & Terry Jones, and their 63 lovely children. Unable to support their large Catholic family, the parents decide to sell their children for medical experimentation purposes.

When word reaches the children, they are none to pleased to say the least. They ask their father why they don’t use contraception or sterilization. Dad of course breaks in to song and explains that:

Every sperm is sacred,
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

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Ever wonder what you’d get when you take Easter, a sacred Christian holiday, and mix in a little San Francisco? Well you get the Hunky Jesus competition of course! Complete story here.

San Franciscans have flocked to Dolores Park in the city to compete in, or watch, what has become an Easter Sunday tradition - the “Hunky Jesus” competition.

Officiated by a gay charity group known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which has been active in San Francisco since 1979, the contest pits costumed and usually scantily clad men against each other for the distinction of being declared the most attractive Jesus.

This year there were several entrants such as Double-Cross Jesus, Hula-Jesus, 2nd Coming Jesus, Hunky Chessus, and Michael Angelo Jesus. The Hunky Pope even paid a visit :)

Needless to say, the Catholic community was not pleased, calling the event blasphemous. But the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence say that it’s a harmless pageant meant to “promote universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt”.

You can judge for yourself by watching some clips from this year’s show!

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Here’s a video clip shot by a US Navy photographer on Good Friday in the Philippines. If you thought the Ashura was a misguided celebration, just watch these overly devout Roman Catholics reenact the suffering of Jesus.

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The Leprechaun Brothers would like to wish everyone a very happy St. Patties Day. This is by far the best rendition of Oh Danny Boy thanks to the inspiring performances by Swedish Chef, Animal, and Beaker. Enjoy!

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I received an email today from Jan Paul Lindner, one of our European readers. Jan is in the United States till June for work and would like to meet up with some of you! Check out his email below and let’s see if we can get a few people to show Jan around :)

Jan wrote:

Hi gasmonso,

My name is Jan; I’m a semi-regular reader of your blog. Usually I reside in Europe, but currently I’m in Santa Barbara, California and I was wondering if any of your readers are in the vicinity. I came here not only to work (at UCSB) but also to meet Americans and get to know this society. Well, at least the Californian fraction. How about a transatlantic cup of tea with atheist gossip? Would you mind asking for that in a blog entry? Anyone may contact me at

Thanks and have a good one!

Jan

Last weekend, Norway’s capital city Oslo hosted a fashion show in honor of International Women’s Day. And what better way to celebrate women’s rights than with the Burka, the lovely Islamic garment that has adorned Muslim women for centuries. Here a choice few selections from the show.

We start things out on a festive note with a little number that I like to call The Burkaclaus. This will have every Muslim husband wondering if the one he loves has been naughty or nice ;)

Next up we have a burka that is sure to be a hit with the the kids. I like to call this playful piece The Burkalloon. Move over Bozo, here’s the Burkalloon!

When playtime is over, be sure to step in to this luxurious burberry burka or Burkaberry as I like to call it. This simple yet sophisticated burka is sure to be popular with chavs everywhere.

Lastly, I’d like to introduce to a more functional burka known as the Burkaflage. Let’s face it… times have changed. With all the violence and unrest in the world today, it’s no wonder that the Burkaflage has become so popular. With it’s urban camouflage print you can rest assure that when the shit goes down in your city, you’ll be ready!

In yet another attempt to justify its existence and keep their followers in check, the Vatican has come up with a modern list of the seven deadly sins. For those of you in the dark… the original seven deadly sins are pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth. Pope Gregory the Great penned these in the 6th Century. Short, sweet, and to the point! Complete story here.

Here’s the long-winded new list:

1. “Bioethical’ violations such as birth control
2. “Morally dubious” experiments such as stem cell research
3. Drug abuse
4. Polluting the environment
5. Contributing to widening divide between rich and poor
6. Excessive wealth
7. Creating poverty

Right off that bat I see a few problems…

By condemning birth control, mainly condoms, the Vatican has put many impoverished people in a tough situation. On one hand they can use a condom to avoid an unwanted pregnancy and/or STD, but risk going to hell and burning for all of eternity. On the other hand, they can please God by having unprotected sex, but risk pregnancy and/or STDs. Not a very easy choice to make for God’s flock of sheep to make :(

I find it ironic that by condemning birth control, the Vatican is actually helping poverty and STDs flourish. Way to to go Pope!

No news if David Fincher, director of Se7en, will create a sequel ;)

For those of you who haven’t seen this video (myself included) you’re in for a real treat. SNL did a great job on this “trailer” for Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. Enjoy!

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