There's been so many things going on lately that just boggle the mind and leave you in a state of shock that have been going on in fundamentalism lately, and 2 of the 3 are happening right here in the US.
Kentucky church apologizes for Blackface skit:
An Independent Fundamental Baptist church in Lexington, Kentucky, called Clays Mill Road Baptist church is apologizing for a humor skit at a youth conference where a church staffer put on black face paint, apparently trying to portray 70's actor Mr. T, while in a fake boxing match with a man playing Curly of the 1930's comedy The Three Stooges.
According to the Lexington Herald, their pastor claims he was unaware of the skit's content before until after the fact, and says the church staffer meant no harm by it, and didn't realize people would be offended.
It's hard to imagine that an adult in the American South would be ignorant of how people would be offended not only by skit itself, but how it's eerily reminiscent of the highly racist minstrel shows of the 1800's.
The IFB survivor's blog Stuff Fundies Like has a video of the offensive skit up right now, this picture of the church staffer should give you an idea how awful it was:
As much as fundamentalists have been encouraging extremism in developing countries, such as the Family Research Council's support of efforts to criminalize homosexuality in Uganda, which unfortunately passed recently, making homosexuality punishable by up to life in prison, I just have to wonder if American fundamentalist groups were behind this as well.
Kentucky church apologizes for Blackface skit:
An Independent Fundamental Baptist church in Lexington, Kentucky, called Clays Mill Road Baptist church is apologizing for a humor skit at a youth conference where a church staffer put on black face paint, apparently trying to portray 70's actor Mr. T, while in a fake boxing match with a man playing Curly of the 1930's comedy The Three Stooges.
It's hard to imagine that an adult in the American South would be ignorant of how people would be offended not only by skit itself, but how it's eerily reminiscent of the highly racist minstrel shows of the 1800's.
The IFB survivor's blog Stuff Fundies Like has a video of the offensive skit up right now, this picture of the church staffer should give you an idea how awful it was:
Paducah, Kentucky church brings in people with gun giveaways:
NPR recently had an article on a church using giveaways of donated guns to bring people to services. Participants must sit through the entire service, altar call included, in order to receive a free gun. Ironically enough, though the guns are free (after passing full background checks), the Bibles on display aren't free, they're for sale
The article quote Kentucky's executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention, who thinks this is a great way to bring in people to the church. Regardless of how you feel about guns, this does come across as rather bizarre, and a cheap gimmick. The irony of free guns, but Bibles for sale is also kind of hard to escape.
Horrific new sexual assault bill proposed in Mozambique:
Amnesty International is calling attention to a new bill bill in Mozambique that would legalize rape if the attacker marries the victim , and remains married to them for at least 5 years. Amnesty is saying that it's already a well established social custom there, but this would make it official by federal law.
Before anyone mentions Islam, the nation is actually 56% Christian, and only 17 % Muslim. Apparently this seems to be inspired by the Old Testament "Mosaic" law.
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (NIV):
28 If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay her father fifty shekels[a] of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.
As much as fundamentalists have been encouraging extremism in developing countries, such as the Family Research Council's support of efforts to criminalize homosexuality in Uganda, which unfortunately passed recently, making homosexuality punishable by up to life in prison, I just have to wonder if American fundamentalist groups were behind this as well.
Wow, guess Mozambique takes there biblical laws literally. Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteAbout the guns and the bibles. I am highly amused, its so wrong that the religion of love would be giving away guns in the first place but then to make people pay for the bibles......I feel this is almost an Aprils Fool joke gone online to early.
If it is an April Fools joke, NPR fell for it. I'm hearing that gun raffles as fundaisers are common in southern churches.
DeleteNothing inherently wrong with guns themselves, but it seems highly tacky to say the least to mix guns and church, and then to use guns like that as a cheap marketing gimmick to get people in the door.
I heard about all three stories, and amazed that our species has made it this far.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you didn't make a parody or a "This Is Purgatory" post about any of these stories.
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