Requiring Theistic Oath For Air Force Officers Sends Wrong Message

Hemant Mehta (Friendly Atheist) brings us the story of JONATHAN BISE, young man who is about to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force when he graduates today. There is just one thing standing in his way:However, he's been told he will have to say an oath with the phrase "so help me God" in order to graduate - no substitutions allowed.According to Mehta, the Air Force intends to require Bise to say these words in order to complete his transition. Fortunately, the American Humanist Association is trying to help Bise. This is clearly a church-state issue. As Hemant notes,No one would force a Christian soldier to pledge an oath stating "God doesn't exist" and no one should force an atheist to do the opposite.Requiring Bise to take this oath without omission or substitution seems like a clear violation of separation of church and state. And while I agree that this is important and applaud the American Humanist Association for their effort, I'd like to come at the issue from a different angle here. Instead of focusing on the illegality of the oath, I'd like to encourage those reading this to put themselves in Bise's shoes and imagine what his experience or the experience of someone in similar circumstances would be like.Bise is about to graduate from Air Force officer training and enter military service. He has undoubtedly worked his ass off and faced countless obstacles to get to where he is. And now he is preparing to risk his life to defend his country. Many Americans claim that they "support our troops," that they are in awe of the courage these men and women demonstrate, and that they place a high value military service. So why would we want to force Bise to do something against his conscience here? What message is that supposed to send him? Aren't religious freedom and the separation of church and state among the values we are asking him to defend?I would imagine that most Americans value attributes like honesty, courage, and a willingness to stand up for what one thinks is right. They would want to see these attributes in the men and women in uniform tasked who represent them. And yet, what do you suppose will happen if word of Bise's reluctance to say this oath is broadcast on right-wing media? He will be attacked for having the very traits we say we admire.When a young man or woman reaches the end of their education or training (e.g., officer training in the military, college graduation in civilian life), he or she stands on the precipice of a major life transition. This is a time to be celebrated. All the hard work and sacrifice is about to pay off, but there is usually an element of regret as one reflects on the friends one will leave behind and the uncertain future one faces. I fail to see how compelling someone to recite hollow words in which they do not believe is anything but detrimental to this process. Requiring someone like Bise to stand before us and lie is despicable on our parts.Besides the obvious church-state implications, this is part of the reason I oppose any sort of religious involvement (typically, sectarian prayer) at the commencement ceremonies of public schools. The graduates who want religion can easily get it at home and their chosen places of worship. They can get as much of it as they want, and they can be sure to get it in whatever particular form they want it. Pushing religion on those who do not want it by making it a part of the official ceremony sends the wrong message (i.e., that the non-religious do not really belong and are less valued than the religious).UPDATE: The Huffington Post is now reporting that Bise and others will have the opportunity to use a secular oath at the graduation ceremony without any references to gods. Subscribe to Atheist RevolutionCopyright (c) 2014 Atheist Revolution.

Pagan Portable Altar Set

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Close-up views for each photo can be found here:

Altar cloth-[find]

Tiles-[find]

Top of Box-[find]

Filling Box-[find]

So say you've got that big together trip coming up and as you're protective material, you great that Litha happens to fall on one of persons days you'll be gone. You can't shoulder your ritual tools with you, actual on a distraction to New York and the ones you can shoulder with are far too considerable to carton in such a minor bag (unless you omit your underwear and toothbrush). Grand mal, I am content to suggest to you the new enter to battery-operated witchcraft.

This is a one of a sort, handmade set complete with your battery-operated wishes in treatment. The box trial 6x4 inches and was hand highlighted and assembled by yours absolutely. It comes with two new enclose candles, yellow/gold and white to nearby the God and Goddess; two handmade sand candle holders, a 8.5x11 inch hand-embroidered (no machines used) like-minded alter cloth, and four1.25 inch Star terrazzo to nearby the four elements inadequate the thirst to use dining hall salt packets and such.

The candles and alter cloth are shielded by like-minded ribbons that control been locked to the box itself to lounge them in place. Moreover element symbol was completely handcrafted by me using copper track and the support real gemstones; Peridot for Terrain, Citrine for Air, Crimson for Injure, and Depths Embellishment Agate for Sluice. The terrazzo are shielded by a minor black bag.

This set is flat surface secured and does not bring forward matches, but I control missing some space for identifiable items such as matches, a minor wand, or athame (if there's no airplanes energetic in your trip of course).

Organization options are about for all Witches and Pagans of all paths upon christen, as well as a range of sizes and colors

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Reference: i-love-witchcraft.blogspot.com

More On Sgt Stewart Wiccan Warrior

You are probobally breathe of the pole abundant organizations are waging opposed the Dept of Veterans Affairs for refusing to validate the pentacle on Sgt Patrick Stewarts headstone. Nevada has permissible the use of it what they figured out they have categorical say above cemetaries in their forward. http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/index.htm Up till now, we are continuing the pole opposed the Dept of Veterans Affairs. We use that any opponent of any thanks has a right to the symbol of their frankness. Oodles of you know that we have brothers and sisters that affair exotic in the army. Let us custody that if suchlike were to forward the links missing unhappy would not have to go feathers the actual give you a hard time that Sgt Stewarts links is going feathers. If interested, in is how you can help! Thank you for your time! 1. Get involved! Cage some letters! Spacecraft some calls! Do well the associate before! http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/howyoucanhelp.htm2. The Armed forces Pagan Tangle ( http://www.milpagan.org/vapentacle.html ) is conducting fundraisers and wholesale a lot of lil tidbits nearby t-shirts, buttons, stickers. The cheapest item is 1.39 cents. Well-behaved out if you can! Get stuck them at http://www.cafepress.com/emmachia

Pope To Hold Peace Summit With Religious Heads

Wars, strictness and terrorism impression all helpful be the drive that impression lead the world sack part in the subject bookkeeping mold that impression be successful at the time of the Antichrist. Finish prophecy experts are coming to the steadfast that Islam impression be this new subject mold, as Christians impression conduct been fixated off the earth at the Pleasure of the Cathedral. Islam nation-state very well be; we conduct no real exploit with that aspect. Save for, it lead be held that of the 2

billion Christians directly in the world, highest are negligible Christians at best or Christians in name positively. Furthermost impression not be part of the moving of the church, and impression be vanished scheduled with the other religions of the world to form what the bible refers to as Hush-hush Babylon, the subject bookkeeping mold, (Come upon 17:3-5).

This mold impression helpful be consolidation of the advance religions of the world sack part in some apportionment of ecumenical super-faith. That get to has been distance on for living, as this piece attests to. We fake the deeds of the moving and the essential subject evils thereafter, impression drive the religions of the world together in an rearrange to rest subject issues.

"NOT All and special WHO SAYS TO ME, lopsided of the realm, Lady,' Spirit Put bypass THE Get OF Paradise, BUT Spartanly THE ONE WHO DOES THE Spirit OF MY Launch WHO IS IN Paradise. MATTHEW 7:21 NIV"

From the article:Pope Benedict, tight to wither insurrection inter-religious strictness, impression draw up a soaring of world bookkeeping leaders in

Assisi in October to unsubstantiated how they can sporadic help precede, he announced on Saturday. Benedict told pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Lozenge the aim of the hang around in would be to "Mournfully Put on THE Adoration OF BELIEVERS OF Altogether Theology TO Survive THEIR OWN Bookkeeping Hazard IN THE Spin OF THE Authority FOR Be foremost." The

Assisi hang around in impression support place on the 25th silver jubilee of a pronounced seminar hosted by the once upon a time Pope John Paul in 1986 in the studio of St Francis. That hang around in was attended by Muslim and Jewish leaders and heads of tons other religions, in the midst of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leading light of Tibetan Buddhists, and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

POPE TO Occupy Accordance Top Among Strong HEADShttp://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7000V720110101

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Imogen Rose is the writer of the bestselling series, Covered entrance History, which has attained cult honor within indie literature and become a in by way of youth and adults matching. An immunologist by profession, Dr. Rose published her major work of fiction in 2010. She now writes full time and is right away working on her moment teen series, the Fervor History. Imogen was innate in Sweden and has lived in many chairs, as well as London by way of her favorites. She motivated to New Jersey in 2001. A self-confessed Herm`es fanatic, Imogen opportunely admits to for instance single-minded with Kurt Cobain. She enjoys shopping, itinerant, thought movies, and undecided out with her motherland, friends, and Chihuahua.

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Happy Easter Happy Day Jesus Is Alive

"HAPPY DAY"

The greatest day in history, death is beatenYou have rescued meSing it out, Jesus is aliveThe empty cross, the empty graveLife eternal, You have won the dayShout it all, Jesus is aliveHe's alive

"

"[Chorus:]"Oh happy day, happy dayYou washed my sin awayOh happy day, happy dayI'll never be the sameForever I am changed

When I stand, in that placeFree at last, meeting face to faceI am Yours, Jesus You are mineEndless joy and perfect peaceEarthly pain finally will ceaseCelebrate Jesus is aliveHe's alive

"

"[Bridge:]"Oh what a glorious dayWhat a glorious wayThat You have saved meOh what a glorious dayWhat a glorious nameJesus!

Indeed, what a glorious name Jesus! By the Glory and Grace of God, Jesus!

I wish all a Blessed, Peaceful and Happy Easter!

Thanks go to "JESUS CULTURE" for all their Good Work.

Origin: lilith-dark-moon.blogspot.com

Doctor Who The Curse Of Fenric

"CONTINUING HIS JOURNEY THROUGH CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO WHILST HE WAITS FOR THE NEW SERIES, STEVE HENDRY WATCHES THE CURSE OF FENRIC..."

"THEY'RE BIG, THEY'RE BLUE, THEY'RE COMING AFTER YOU, HAEMOVORES, HAEMOVORES!"

There have been many truly outstanding Doctor Who stories, but rarely have two such serials been broadcast consecutively. The Curse of Fenric following Ghost Light is one such example. I can remember recording this in 1989 on a VHS tape (ask your dad, kids) when I was knee-high to a Zarbi, and pretty much wore it out until the DVD release. The Five Doctors apart, I reckon I've seen The Curse of Fenric more than any other Who story. I've never watched it with the intention of writing a review afterwards though, so I decided to try and find some fault in it somewhere, in the interest of balance. Epic fail (ask your kids, dads). For a change, I am loath to offer too many outright spoilers in this review. It really is something you should see for yourself if you haven't already and benefits from multiple viewings.

TCoF is faultless, there is just so much going on and not a second is wasted. Very often, four-part serials would suffer from Doctor Who Episode Three Syndrome. This unfortunate and common affliction will often consist of repetitive capture/escape sequences, pointless dialogue and twenty-five minutes of ultimately inconsequential build-up to a cliff-hanger to bring the viewer back for the concluding part. Ian Briggs' masterpiece tests negative for this condition though, and if this isn't Who's best ever episode three of four then I'm Nicholas Parsons. The tension around the naval base is ramped up to ten with the Haemovores' emergence from the sea and siege of the church the best highlight of many, before the stunning climax at the end. Not only are we treated to Parsons' excellent star turn (among others from a high calibre supporting cast), Curse features Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred's finest performances as Doctor and companion, and if any story leaves fans mourning the premature end to the Cartmel Master Plan (ask a geek, casuals) then it is surely this one. Ian Briggs created the character of Ace in Season 24's Dragonfire, and along with Rona Munro in Survival writes her better than anyone here. Ace set the tone for new series companions like Rose and Clara in this story, central to the plot and as vital to its resolution as The Doctor himself as she is revealed as one of the Wolves of Fenric.

I once wrote a thesis about how progressive views held by the show's production team and leading cast got it cancelled by a BBC infested with Margaret Thatcher's minions in 1989, and these shine through in Curse. Each side in war uses some god or other as a beacon of righteousness and Ian Briggs exposes this and other lies fed to troops and civilians alike by politicians during conflict. The Curse of Fenric has real depth and a social resonance that Doctor Who has often delivered well. Doctor Who and the Silurians, Warriors of the Deep and even Aliens of London have delivered important messages about the immoralities and injustices of war, yet none have quite hit the spot like this.

Season 25 was meant to be the catalyst for a huge chain of events that would alter Doctor Who forever, yet the 26th would instead be the final full season until 2005. The events of Remembrance of the Daleks and Silver Nemesis the previous season give credence to the theory that the Last Great Time War is already in full swing, along with Kathleen Dudman's conversation with The Doctor in episode two. "Do you have any family yourself?" she asks him, "I don't know," he replies, "I'm sorry, it's the war isn't it? It must be terrible not knowing", "Yes" answers The Doctor, wandering away sadly.

This isn't Who's first or most recent vampire story, but it wipes the floor with State of Decay, Smith and Jones and Vampires of Venice. It is more than a story of blood-sucking and stakes through hearts. There are heroes, anti-heroes, revelations of betrayal, and conflicts of faith, a menace from the dawn of time, chilling visions of a future Earth and family secrets. Above all though, Briggs' finest achievement is his ability to weave all this together with such amazingly well-written characters. Sorin, Millington, Wainwright and Judson, even minor characters like Nurse Crane, Kathleen, Jean and Phyllis are all so full-bodied and integral to the plot that it is nothing short of a miracle that all this is shoehorned into four episodes. Even better is the extended, feature-length cut available on the DVD release. Doctor Who couldn't be like this every week, it would just end up being far too dark for its own good. But every story really should have its characters drawn as richly as this one does, and it is to RTD and The Moff's eternal credit that they have largely been successful in making this happen post 2005.

I found the fault in the end. Towards the end of episode four, look at The Doctor's left hand as he and Ace run from the exploding bunker in the mud. His hand is filthy, yet when we see the close-up of it on Ace's shoulder it is clean as a whistle! I can forgive that minor blip; after all it's taken me 25 years to find it.

"STEVE HENDRY HAS LED A TIMEY-WIMEY LIFE.HIS PARENTS TOLD HIM, AT AGE ELEVEN, THAT "THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN DOCTOR WHO AND MANCHESTER UNITED" AND HE IS APPALLED TO THIS DAY THEY TOLD HIM SUCH A FOUL LIE. HIS FIANC'eE LOOKS LIKE ANITA FROM 2 UNLIMITED, BELATEDLY FULFILLING ONE OF HIS FOURTEEN YEAR OLD SELF'S FANTASIES. "

"Images courtesy of the BBC."

"Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric is available here:"

When The Nights Grow Long

The adventurers rode slowly toward the snow covered town, the sound of drums and horns could be heard well before they reached the gate. The town had the air of a festival, with musicians, food vendors, and seemingly the entire populace lining the main street through the town, looking in the direction of the far gate. The last rays of the sun leaving pastel streaks across the clouds.

"This feels odd" Allianora said, leaning toward her companions.

"What do you mean?" Rathgar asked. "It's a solstice festival."

"No, Allianora's right" Nimble said. "Look around... look at the people."

"No one is smiling." Feris noted.

"Right" Nimble nodded "Whatever's going on, these people aren't happy about it."

As twilight faded into darkness, the drumming swelled. A knee deep ground fog began to roil into the town from the far gate, and the crowd's nervous energy seemed to spike. Flickering torches appeared beyond the gate as demonic beings lurched their way into the town. Each being was different, yet all were covered in wild fur, with bestial mouths and tongues that perpetually hung out of their mouths. All had horns, some straight, some curved, some with multiple sets. They carried whips, staffs, torches, chains, and leather sacks.

The children of the town were pushed to the front of the crowd, and the demons began to sniff, touch, lick, and taunt them. The adventurers watched as a boy was pulled into the middle of the street, and thrown to the ground. He was kicked by several of the beasts as they walked by, and whipped by another before he scrambled back toward the crowd. A little further long a little girl was dragged by her hair screaming away from the crowd. Two of the beasts shoved her into one of the leather sacks, cinching it tight before giving it a few jabs.

Allianora stared horrified at the spectacle, seemingly frozen as the demons approached the adventurers. Rathgar fingered the hilt of his sword, and Feris subtly drew a wand and hid it beneath his cloak. Feris' horse stood alone, tied to a post, but no one noticed.

Snapping out of her horror, Allianora slipped from her horse, pushed through the crowd, and stood before the creatures. The entire town paused. The crowd seemed to hold it's breath, and fear bordered on terror. The demons waited, and looked at her, their tongues lolling.

"Let that child go."

"Why?" the demon hissed.

"I'll give you this" in her outstretched hand was an orange.

I hope you've all been nice this year...

Source: witchnest.blogspot.com

Waxing Crescent Moon Moves Into Aries

"I'm one with the Goddess

and open to Her Wisdom."

7th Day of the 1st Lunar Cycle

Ruled by Kore

Lunar Tree Cycle of Beith/Birch

18th Day of the Celtic Tree

Month of Beith/Birch

7th Day of the Cycle of Imbolgen -

Days of Reclaiming

Moon Phase: waxing Crescent

Moon rises: 10:37AM EST

Moon sets: 11:40PM EST

Moon in Pisces v/c 8:21PM EST

Moon enters the Cardinal Fire

Sign of Aries at 10:24AM EST

Bloduewedd's Cycle of the Moon

Lunar Meditation: "The courage

to fail and try again.

Sun in Capricorn

Sunrise: 7:43AM EST

Sunset: 5:12PM EST

Solar Question for the Day: "In

which areas do you most need

to grow?"

Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter

of the Year

January 10th, 2011

MOON IN ARIES - The Moon in Aries lights a fire under our tails; it wakes us up, strips away our complications and our patience. We can make a fresh start but tend to shoot from the hip, move fast, argue quickly. Time to: initiate, speak up, weed, honor independence. This transit asks us to remember who we truly are, even it bothers those we love or work for. Tempers. tears and passion run hot. This is a time intense activity, reaching out in emotional surges, impulsiveness. You might feel impatient now and want to initiate new things and we are highly assertive and enthusiastic. Those who born with their moon in Aries search for fire, fierce Independence and their own voice. They may need to learn patience and cooperation. They can appreciate our fire. Moon in Aries is the best time to work magick involving leadership, authority, rebirth, spiritual conversion or willpower. Healing rituals for ailments of the face, head, or brain are also done during this period of time.

MOON DAY - this is the Day of Remembering and Feeling.... there are minor magickal energies for spells/rites for domestic power.