freeThinkBham

Christian churches were the main proponents of Dubya’s regime of war and planet-trashing. They’re also the main opponents of certain rights for people who are LGBT, immigrants, and women. And now, in Alabama, their mission is to stop gambling. Why do these churches–claiming to be centers of spirituality–think they are the final word on what is right and wrong?

Spirituality can obviously be attained anywhere. The other day while mountain biking, I was so focused on pedaling and steering and changing gears that my lower mind just tranced out and I started connecting to and “feeling” higher truths. It’s not that I was thinking any great thoughts, but I became solely focused and completely involved in very clear thoughts. These moments of tranced-out connection can happen to everyone at any time so I know you know what I’m talking about. To give these times of truth-connection a culturally pertinent name, I’ll call them “god moments.” A great song, sewing, an Obama speech, jogging, and yes, even church can give you these god moments.

Only in the church, however, are these god moments then linked to a moral system of right and wrong. I would argue that, conversely, more spirituality (which leads you away from your own ego and outside your small world) should lead to less absolute morality as you start getting a more mean (i.e. averaged, not hostile) view of existence as a whole. And i think this is where the church is failing the world, and themselves.

Everyone knows the Ethics 101 scenarios of shooting one man to save someone else from shooting 2 men that flip our morality on its head. And then there’s the people who oppose abortion but eat the meat of animals that have actually lived on this planet, or the vegetarian who eats plants that, you’ll agree if you’ve seen a venus fly trap, show arguably more consciousness than a human fetus, and so on and so on. Throughout the course of time, humans views of right and wrong have molded to help further our species and will continue to do so. Religion shoots itself in the foot by acting like its spirituality gives it the stronghold on absolute morality at that current time, only to have to go back every so often and admit that they were wrong then but NOW they have it right (e.g. slavery, the Inquisition, punishing sons for the crimes of the father, and women’s role in society). How long can this go on without people just completely giving up on it? They’ll soon find they can get their god moments anywhere and won’t need the church anymore.

All the church needs to do is accept that they have a successful and popular means for people to tap into the power of truth and forget all about trying to play the role of the moral superior. So by all means, sing and pray while we ALL weave our way through the labyrinth of right and wrong, and perhaps I’ll watch a Herzog film, go to a Hold Steady show… or just ride my bike.

admin Living civil rights, gambling, legislation, LGBT, religion

I mean, please! Why is this his thing? Does he think he’s some hero of an overwhelming Christian constituency that views gambling as evil? Other than this “inter-faith” mob that thinks gambling is a sin, I really don’t believe that many Christians or other religious people think it’s that wrong. They invest in the stock market, right? Thats the same thing. Do they drive around knowing that cops are probably in a high-speed chase after somebody who didn’t pay a speeding ticket? Lord knows that’s a gamble.

If we’re not buying the moral excuse for his hatred of Alabama gambling, then what’s the real reason? The standard formula for solving a political riddle is simply to look at who stands to benefit financially. In this case, it’s very obviously the casinos run by the Poarch Creek Natives or casinos in Mississippi. I don’t claim to know the financial connections between Riley and these casinos–although others say the connection is quite clear–but it just seems so obvious that I can’t figure out why he’s not being called out on it more. His feigned moral high-ground is just insulting.

admin Politics Bob Riley, gambling, religion

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 24th, the AL legislature will vote on banning smoking, getting rid of the unfair grocery tax, and gambling. When did Baptists stop running this state?!? What next? Some recycling bill?

The Alabama Moderate blog wrote up a concise overview and their opinions on the bills called Gambling, Smoking, and Sales Tax! Oh My! It’s really good. Check it out.

admin Politics Bob Riley, gambling, legislation, Patricia Todd, smoking ban, vivian davis figures