Swiss Ban Steeples on Christian Churches

That’s not true, but it would make you mad wouldn’t it?

They actually banned minarets, tall spires that stand near Muslim places of worship.

Still angry?

The Meaning of Freedom

The Economist rallies against the U.N. Human Rights Council’s resolution on speech that “defames religion”:

Western governments, and decent people everywhere, should try to ensure that the things they say do not entrench religious prejudice or incite acts of violence; being free to give offence does not mean you are wise to give offence. But no state, and certainly no body that calls itself a Human Rights Council, should trample on the right to free speech enshrined in the Universal Declaration. And in the end, given that all faiths have undergone persecution at some time, few people have more to gain from the protection of free speech than sincere religious believers.

It reminds me of my trip to an exhibit on free speech at the Newseum where you can take a poll that asks if you believe free speech should give you the liberty to speak ill of others religions. Shockingly, thousands said the government should ban such speech.

End of March Links

• Ten terms not to use with Muslims.

• Introducing ‘Google Classic‘

• Sasha Boren Cohen’s ‘Bruno’ slapped with NC-17 rating. It does sound like he’s gone way over the top here. If there’s more male full frontal nudity than Borat, count me out.

• The Fox Business Network/Huckabee rock band need some work.

Happy (Belated) Holi

Marissa over at Culprit 021 reminded me that Thursday was Holi, the Hindu celebration of spring. It’s a day in India in which most of the country spends the day drunk in celebration, smearing mostly toxic paint and dye over anyone who passes by. Apartment dwellers drop water balloons full of paint dozens of stories onto crowds below. Young people roam the city with giant tubs of color and punish anyone who has not celebrated to their satisfaction.

I was in India last Holi, and was attacked with led paint on the sidewalk until the police came and scattered us all with large sticks.

Cristina was mobbed by a gang of revelers, and God’s honest truth, she hasn’t been able to get the color out of her hair since. (12 months!)

It was a unique time to be in India. The Hindu festival, the Muslim celebration of Muhammad’s birthday and Good Friday all fell on the same day. Every major religion in the country was in celebration and prayer. I spent most of the night in Kolkata’s Muslim district chatting with young followers of Muhammad, talking about politics and religion, the only things I know how to talk about.

Anyhow, here are a few pictures from that wild day.

At a waterpark in Kolkata, they even dyed the wave pool pink

Happy Holi!

Hamas Legalizes Crucifixion

Caroline Glick reports in the Jerusalem Times:

Both Iran and its Hamas proxy in Gaza have been busy this Christmas week showing Christendom just what they think of it. But no one seems to have noticed.

On Tuesday, Hamas legislators marked the Christmas season by passing a Shari’a criminal code for the Palestinian Authority. Among other things, it legalizes crucifixion.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far too complicated to take an absolute side in the fight. But this is for sure:  Reason lies not within these sons of Ishmael.