Here’s one for the Islamophobes who are perpetually pointing out there are no Christian churches in Mecca — According to the Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem is rocked with controversy over an apparent rumor that a statue of Buddha might be erected in a traffic circle.
Agon Shu, a Japanese Buddhist organization that promotes world peace, was invited by the city of Jerusalem to beautify a traffic circle. But the religious establishment in Israel went ballistic over the possibility that a statue of Buddha or other Buddhist symbolism might be publicly displayed in their country.
Ahead of the Sculpting Committee meeting – scheduled originally for last Sunday but postponed for reasons unrelated to the volatile agenda – councilman and committee member Yossi Deitsch of United Torah Judaism spoke out strongly against allowing “actual idolatry†in the city’s limits. This sentiment received wide resonance in the religious and haredi media.
“There is a Japanese group that wants to place some sort of Buddha statue in the city. This is actual idolatry. We should not have such things,†Deitsch reiterated to The Jerusalem Post late last week regarding the Agon Shu proposal. …
… In a later conversation with the Post, Deitsch explained that he was basing his stance on what the municipality’s art adviser David Suzana had written in a letter about the Agon Shu traffic circle. According to Suzana, the proposed design contained religious and ritualistic Buddhist elements, and the art adviser objected to it on those grounds.
“I cannot agree to have Buddhists arrive to conduct religious ceremonies at the site,†asserted Deitsch, who will be seeing the plans for the first time when the committee convenes.
The architect designing the traffic circle says there is no plan to erect a Buddha. They are planning an “abstract design,” he says.
Apparently it’s OK to display religious symbols, such as a Christian cross, in Jerusalem, but a Buddha statue is too much like a graven image. In fact, generally a Buddha statue is regarded within Buddhism to symbolize enlightenment or some other principle, such as wisdom or compassion, and it not considered to be a god.
Elsewhere — Robert Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute says that
Nearly 6-in-10 Americans affirm American exceptionalism, that God has granted America a special role in human history. Those affirming this view are more likely to support military interventions and to say torture is sometimes justified.
Some people might want to remember that the meek, not the “exceptional,” will inherit the earth.
I commandeth of Thee, as Thy Lord God, that Thou shalt not under any circumstances desecrateth a Holy Traffic Circle with any graven images – other than ME, of course.
Nor shalt Thou alloweth any graffiti to be painteth upon that Holy Traffic Circle. Epecially not-eth one arrow that pointeth in one dircection that sayeth “Yahweh,” and another arrow pointething in another that sayeth “My Way!” For that wouldeth be sacrilegious.
As wouldeth another exampleth of graffiti that pointeth from that Holy Traffic Circle towardeth a Temple that sayeth “Yahweh,” and another pointingeth to a major roadway saying “Highway.” For that, too, soothe, shall be sacrigious. Also, too! Any graffiti, PERIOD!
THUS SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA!!!
This beingeth ME, Zoroaster. Thou did knoweth it was ME, didn’t you? WHAT? Thou thought it waseth that Judeo-Christian amateureth newbie? Damneth Thee to wherevereth it is Zoroastorians (Zoroastrians? Zoroastran’s? Crapeht, I can never remembereth what you calleth Thyselves. Anyway, whatever…) damn peopleth to!!! DAMN THEE!!
Note it – for this is the Mark of Zoro-astor!
On the plus side, it’s nice to know America doesn’t own the monopoly on religious crazyosity. Of course, it would have to be Israel, wouldn’t it? How come you never hear about Canada whenever religious crazyosity is mentioned? Never mind, I know.
I wonder if AmericaNeoClown will come up with another “Sasquatch Israel” comment on his stupid and insipid blog because of this creeping Buddhism?
In case you missed that all-time great new classic, take a look at it. And if you’ve read it before, it’s worth a rereading. AmericaNeoClown’s assholishness knows no limits.
Enjoy: http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/33231.html
Excellent debate on cspan today (recorded 11-26) “is religion a force for good in the world”. Christopher Hitchens mopped the floor with Tony (Earl of Arabia) Blair. Hitchens seems to be recovering from his cancer treatment well and has not lost a step, it was really enjoyable to watch, check your C-Span schedule.
“Yossi Deitsch of United Torah Judaism spoke out strongly against allowing “actual idolatry†in the city’s limits”
Does this mean that all crosses and stars of David are to be taken down as well?
The bigger question is whether Christopher Hitchens is a force for good in the world. I’m skeptical.
No, they’re fine with symbols, including non-Jewish symbols. Symbols in the shape of people set them off, though.
Gulag, is that goofy dorkus pictured in the Sadly, No! link the same goofy dorkus who trolls here as the fabulous critter American Eocon? If so, that explains a LOT.
Deitsch… will be seeing the plans for the first time when the committee convenes.
Yep… shriek first, find out facts later. What a baby.
I don’t know about American exceptionalism…. But I do know that….“We don’t torture”
joan,
One and the same!
AmericaNeoClown also appears once in awhile for a thrashing at ‘Lawyers, Guns & Money.” I haven’t seen him there in a while, so maybe he got the boot there, too.
That “Sasquatch Israel” is a stunning example of the thinking of people like him. Shoot your mouth off first, ask questions only when someone shows how dumb an asshole you are, and then try to turn the accusation that you were wrong into a justification where you were actually right because they called you on it. Or something like that…
This is a perfect and breathtaking example of what I once called, “The Double Putz Nutz Lutz!” Kid’s – don’t try this at home.
I kind of miss AmericaNeoClown. I wanted to give him a “Holiday” gift of a wetsuit, snorkle, KY lotion, and a thick rope. But, I don’t think anything good would have followed, so I’m glad the life I saved was…
Oh, who am I kidding! 🙂
I can hardly wait for the next AmericaNeoClown epic fail, when he goes to a strip club and photographs the stripper with the DDD-chest as she starts her act in a t-shirt, and tries to blame the Liberals when they point out that “THESETITS IS REAL!” written on it wasn’t about the ‘Mommification’ of the once tough state of Israel.
“the meek, not the “exceptional” will inherit the earth.”
I drew a picture with that caption when I was in high school, the “meek” were dragonflies and birds.I’m kinda worried about the birds.Today’s Cadets are tomorrow’s officers, we don’t need no crazy-assed military officers with nukes, oops to late…….
As regulars on this blog know, I’m no fan of Israel; Israelis are far more exceptional than Americans, just ask one.I had a run in with two Israelis in Ft. La de dah several months ago, they were not pleasant people.
I have a 300 lb Buddah from Bali in my front yard, his nose is busted off, but still beautiful. No cross, no Menorah, no crescent moons.The journey, not the destination, keeps me going.
“we don’t torture” True, we just use “special” proceedures.Kinda like that black football player with his fightin’ dawgs.
At the end of the HuffPo story are the email addresses of three high ranking officials at the AF Academy.
I sent the following email to each, individually, and CC:ed Senator Sherrod Brown on each one.
Sir:
In my opinion, there is no part of any government entity in the United States of America, especially any part of the Department of Defense, that should be promoting any religious belief, much less one Christian sect over another Christian sect.
As a person who believes in the interpretation of the first amendment of the Constitution that calls for the separation of church and state, I believe that the Warrick’s ministry should be banned and banished from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Sincerely,
“The bigger question is whether Christopher Hitchens is a force for good in the world. I’m skeptical”
I disagree with many of his views (specifically his ardent support for the war in Iraq) but I’ve never heard anyone argue the atheist point of view better. He’s smug and arrogant but he delivers his points with snarky smartassmanship that is hard to deny!
And I think he’s a biased, fanatical blowhard, so we’ll have to disagree.
If I remember correctly, there is a Jewish family who is suing the Air Force Academy because one of the sons attended and was treated abominably because of being Jewish. The treatment that was delineated was really close to torture. They wanted to convert him from Jewish to Christian. Wonder what Jesus would say about that. I guess Jesus would not be allowed at the Air Force Academy.
How about a giant middle finger pointing upwards?
I guess Jesus would not be allowed at the Air Force Academy.
I don’t think Jesus would want to attend the Air Force Academy. When he comes back in his glory he’s going to be more like a combat hardened Marine…Just kickin’ ass and taking names later. As a matter of fact I think Gulag’s last comment qualified him for a spot on Jesus’ ass kickin’ list. Somewhere in the scriptures there’s written a “wilt thou mock God?” followed by a serious ” Woe unto you,unbeliever”.
And if Jesus can walk on water I don’t think he’ll have any problems with flying, so the Air Force Academy would just be a waste of time for him.
Swami — You’re right; walking on water fits into the Marines. Maybe when Jesus comes back it will be by amphibious landing.
“Nearly 6-in-10 Americans affirm American exceptionalism, that God has granted America a special role in human history.” The special role is that you better pray REALLY hard; the cretins in the GOP will make DARN sure you get NOTHING from the Gov’t., unlike every other industrialized country.
Yeah, Swami, I’m a gonner. But there’s a pretty long damned list of “accomplishments” before this earlier comment.
A less “confrontational” atheist than Hitchens:
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/