One of the many things I want to do before I die is go to a festival in the desert of Nevada called “Burning Man.” This tripped out party that celebrates the summer solstice begins the Monday before Labor day and ends on Labor day every year. The ritual has only one rule, and that is that everyone there must “express themselves.” “Burning Man” is basically one of the largest annual art shows in America, with attendance topping 50,000 this year. Some of the art and expression is amazing. The festival ends with the burning of a 104ft. wooden statue of a man. So basically, this is one of the coolest things in America.
Author: smackyjackjack
Faith
A new study suggests that Atheists, or somebody who does not believe in the existence of God, know much more about religion than people who are religious. The study says that this happens because atheists usually like to know more about religion, and why they do not believe.
But the greater reason is because once somebody starts to believe in religion, then they stop questioning their faith. This is a very dangerous concept because one cannot blindly follow a religion that they know nothing about.
Obama the Muslim!
President Obama announced this Tuesday that he is a Christian “by choice.” It’s kind of sad that Obama still has to prove himself to the American public. Almost two years after the presidential elections, and some people still either a) don’t believe that he is Christian, and/or b) think that he is a Muslim.
Right, because Obama has the middle name “Hussein,” and that his dad was from Kenya means that he is a Muslim extremist who wants to kill America and all of it’s values.
Fear. AH!
Ah! Spiders! These are just one of the many things that scare the heck out of me. The way they walk, with their slow intimidating prowl. Their black hairy bodies, and their small, freaky, eyes. I hate to be scared of something so small, but come on, have you even seen a tarantula? An elementary school in San Diego has just been infested with Black Widows. I pity those poor people. Apparently, one third of all classrooms were infested. If I went there, oh God, I wouldn’t just leave the school I would leave the city.
But apart from spiders, I have one other big fear: heights. Planes are the worst. I know that I’m perfectly safe in a plane, and that I’m not going to crash. But come on, like a 700,000 lbs. metal tube should stay in the air. The most scared I have ever been is when I’m in turbulence on a plane, and when I was on a gondola in Japan. Gondolas are the stupidest things. Who wants to be suspended way above the ground, hanging from a thin wire? I know that I don’t. My comfort zone ends at about 3 feet off the ground.
Texas did it again
On Friday, the Texas State Board of Education put an end to all “Islam references” in Texan World History textbooks. The resolution passed to put an end to the Islam bias in the textbooks. Supposedly, there are too many textbooks with too many lines devoted to the practices of Islam, and not enough to the practices of Christianity. Terri Leo, a Texas school board member, said that the resolution sends a “clear message to publishers that it should not happen in the future.”
Okay, first of all, I fail to see how any world history textbook can accurately teach history without making references to Islam. If we want school children to even vaguely understand the war in the Middle East, then they have to learn about Islam. Secondly, there is no way the Texas Board of Education can favor one religion over another. School is supposed to educate kids, not to brainwash them into thinking that one religion is better than another. By saying that Christianity is better than Islam is ridiculous. They are almost the same. One God, one messenger, holy scriptures, etc. 1.5 BILLION people are Muslim. The Texas Board of Education managed to insult nearly 1/5 of the world’s population by one silly, and very racist resolution.
When will Lindsay Lohan Learn?
Wow wow wow, everybody stop what they’re doing. I just found out that Lindsay Lohan just got out of temporary custody. This is huge news. I’m so happy that websites like “The Superficial” (whose slogan is “Because you’re ugly”) report on important matters just like this one. Now the issue is not that celebrity gossip websites like “The Superficial” reporting on “news” like this. The problem I have with it is that some people visit these sights religiously and treat them like they are news. If anyone can justify that Snooki was just on The David Letterman Show as front-page news, then something is wrong with him.
I personally get my news from “The Los Angeles Times,” because I find it to be a reliable news site. But just today, it pulled a “Perez Hilton.” Along with news about who is wining the race for Governor and the current state of Mexico’s drug war, was the story about Lindsay Lohan. I was so disappointed to see this. I always try to have my news 100% gossip free, but there it was. The same story that I saw in “The Superficial.” Not to discredit this website, and countless others like it, but I really have to ask the question: “Who cares?”
Reyna Marisol Chicas, and the Armageddon
Just today, the members of a small religious cult that went missing were found in a small park in Antelope Valley. The group had left letters with their loved ones telling them that they were awaiting an apocalypse and a sighting of Jesus Christ. The group contained eight children and five adults. Along with letters, the group also left behind deeds to their property and cell phones. A woman named Reyna Marisol Chicas, who is being hospitalized and mentally evaluated, was leading the group. She showed definite signs of being mentally ill. When she was being questioned, she gave a false name and denied that she had any children. The kids were right next to her.
These people involved in this cult were mislead into believing that there was going to be an apocalypse. The investigators conducted psychological analysis on the members of the cult. But there may not have been much wrong with them. Believing that there will be an apocalypse and that Jesus Christ will miraculously appear and save you is no different than what most Christians believe. Most major religions have a belief that some sort of messenger will appear and start the apocalypse. The only difference is when they believe it is supposed to happen. The members of the cult believed that the apocalypse was but moments away. Christians, for example, believe that this will happen in the far future. They say it will happen when four horsemen appear out of the sky. The Muslims call it the Al-Malhama Al-Kubra. So when you get right down to it, what was the difference between the cult and mainstream religion’s beliefs on the Armageddon?
Find the full story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-missing-cult-members,0,7900407.story
UCLA
In about three days, I have a brother who is leaving for UCLA. My whole family is really excited about this. My grandpa attended UCLA and my grandma worked in the student services office, so she is very proud to see another generation following in their footsteps. While growing up, my brother and I watched two teams battle for the top ranking position in their sport. One was the Los Angeles Lakers, and the other being the UCLA Bruins’ football team.
The UCLA football team has been one of the most decorated college football teams in history. Recently, however, the team has not been doing too well. The football team went down in a 35-0 loss against Stanford last weekend and some are calling the team one of the worst in L.A. history. Another part of UCLA sports that has gone downhill recently is the closing of Pauley Pavilion. The Pauley Pavilion is where the UCLA basketball teams play, and also the home of the late John Wooden. Aside from that, it is also a magnificent sight from the outside. But, as luck would have it, it is being closed this year for a three-year renovation. In combination with the woes of the football team, these two factors are a bit depressing for my family. However, it is still exciting that my brother will be going there. I hope he has a superb time at UCLA, and I wish him luck nonetheless.
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