Today's God Crimes: The Inefficacy of Prayer & The Christian Wrestling Coach

Parents of Dead Girl: Sickness was a test of faith
In Wisconsin, the mother of an 11-year-old girl who died of undiagnosed diabetes as the family prayed for her to get better testified that she believes sickness is caused by sin and can be cured by God. Leilani Neumann (l.), who was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in her daughter's death, told the jury in her husband's trial that she thought her daughter's illness was a test of her religious faith and she didn't take the girl to a doctor. Neumann's husband, Dale, who is described as a "full-Gospel Christian" by his lawyer, also considered his daughter's illness "a test of his faith".

Woman Facing 40 Lashes for Wearing Trousers
In Sudan, a woman facing 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public made her first appearance today in a court packed with supporters, in what her lawyer described as a test case in Sudan's decency laws. In an act of defiance, Lubna Hussein (r.), a former journalist who works for the UN, attended the hearing wearing the same green slacks that got her arrested for immodest dress. Hussein is using her case to campaign against dress codes sporadically imposed in the capital.

180 Hostages Freed Amid Islamist Violence
In Nigeria, police have freed more than 180 women and children from a house where they had been held for six days by a group of radical Islamists demanding the adoption of Sharia law. The group is responsible for three days of deadly violence which has killed more than 250 people and has forced more than 3,000 people from their homes.

Father Held in Brutal Honor Killing of Daughter
In the Gaza Strip, a man is being held on suspicion he bludgeoned his daughter to death with an iron chain in an honor killing. Apparently the assault was triggered by the Jawdat Najjar's discovery that his 27-year-old daughter (a divorced mother of five) owned a cell phone, which he suspected she used to speak to a man outside the family. Najjar is believed to have beat her with an iron chain, while also kicking and punching her for about 40 minutes until she died of a fatal blow to the head.

Christian Wrestling Coach Sues Muslim Principal
And finally...in Michigan, a former high school wrestling coach who is Christian filed a lawsuit against Dearborn Public Schools and a high school principal who is Muslim, saying he was terminated because of his association with an assistant (who also turns out to be a pastor) who had helped convert a Muslim student to Christianity.

Today's God Crimes: Rabbi Organseller and Obeying the Voices in Your Head

Schmuck Rabbi Accused of Illegally Selling Human Body Parts
In New Jersey, following the wake of last week's FBI take-down of a multi-million dollar money laundering operation that included the arrests of five rabbis comes the shocking news that one of the rabbis, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum (left), brokered the illegal (and lucrative) sales of human organs. Prosecutors say that Rosenbaum was trying to sell a kidney to an undercover federal agent for $160,000 and has been involved in the international black market for kidneys for 10 years.

Randy Reverend Gets Suspension After Sexual Allegations
In Boston, the Archdiocese has suspended Rev. Pedro Jose Damázio from performing any public ministry after receiving allegations against him of adult sexual misconduct. (Great, more time for the priest to be alone and doing God-knows-what!) Meanwhile, Damázio's congregation is in predictable "disbelief" and praying for him. So supportive is this bunch that one follower is prepared to excuse Damázio's --and perhaps other randy reverends' -- transgressions by saying, "They are fathers, but they are men, too...I am OK if they are going to be married." Of course! What victim doesn't wanna marry their victimizer? This is yet another reason why I'm a Yankees fan.

Perv Priest Denied Appeal for Child Sex Convictions
In Australia, a Catholic priest jailed for more than seven years for raping and sexually abusing four boys has been refused a chance for an appeal. Terrence Melville Pidoto was ordained in 1971 and began his child rape-spree a year later. To give you a sense of the depravity and brazenness of Pidoto's libido, one of his victims was a 12-year-old boy who he raped after officiating at the boy's sister's wedding.

That's Hot: Female Lawyers Must Now Wear Headscarves in Gaza
In the Gaza Strip, the top judge has ordered female lawyers to wear Muslim headscarves when they appear in court. The move is being perceived as the latest sign that Gaza's Islamic militant rulers are increasingly imposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law. I just hope there's air conditioning in the courtrooms over there.

Four Arrested in Village Honor Killing
In India, police arrested four people in connection with the honor killing of a 21-year-old man who married a fellow clan-member despite the disapproval of her family. While venturing into his wife's village --under police escort-- to take her back with him, Ved Pal Mor was allegedly attacked by an angry mob and lynched. The four men who were arrested are believed to have "egged on" the mob.

Another Reason to Accept Jesus: 10% off at Denny's!
In Texas, if you dine at a particular Denny's and bring a copy of your church bulletin, the restaurant will donate 10% of your bill to your local church and, as an added bonus, they'll also take 10% off your bill (see right). Although I'd rather eat tumbleweed marinated in vulture excrement than dine at Denny's, this promotion is clearly discriminatory. Fortunately, the good people at the James Randi Educational Foundation are investigating.

Pastor: Obey the Voices in Your Head -- No Matter What
And finally...I came across this very disturbing column in Kentucky's Richmond Register where a local pastor, John Settles, encourages his readers to obey God when He "speaks" to them (instead of, say, seeing a shrink) and admonishes those who balk at carrying out the orders of their imaginary friend. Here is an excerpt:

"Some folks believe they would respond to God if God spoke to them in a vision. I’m not sure if they would. There are so many instances where God has made his will clear in his word, but we hesitate to follow his commands. Maybe we are waiting for a vision.

I suspect we do not follow God’s commandments for other reasons. Where God’s will is clear to us, there is no acceptable reason for us not to follow his will. We may refuse to follow out of fear. We may refuse to follow simply out of willful disobedience. Whether God reveals his will through a vision or through other means, he wants us to be guided by his will. Amen."

Now I don't expect any semblance of wisdom or profound insight from pastors but this is absolutely irresponsible and potentially harmful demagoguery. I would love to hear what Mr. Settles thinks of Jesus lovin' citizens like Jim Jones and Scott Roeder, who claim they did what they did because they were following the commands of the Almighty. Oh, that's right, that would be an unfair comparison because those motherfuckers were crazy!

Today's God Crimes: The Family that Honor Kills Together & A New Low Price for Blasphemy

Muslim Family Suspected of Carrying Out Honor Killings of Four Female Relatives
In Canada, authorities are investigating whether or not the drownings of a woman and three teenaged girls were honor killings. In the meantime, the father (far left) of the three girls (ages 19, 17 and 13), his wife and their 18-year-old son (left) have all been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. On June 30, the four women were found dead in a car submerged in a canal. (Editor's note: Although the family's religion is not identified in the above article, it is cited here.)

Muslim-Buddhist Violence Continues to Rise in Thailand
In Thailand, terrorist attacks in its southern villages are reaching an all-time high as the conflict between Muslim insurgents and Buddhists continues to escalate. Muslim militants are attacking Buddhist monks and temples while vigilante Buddhist groups are accused of seeking retaliation by targeting mosques and Muslim schools. Analysts say that schools in the area have become breeding grounds for young fighters in this conflict, which has claimed more than 3,500 lives since the insurgency began five years ago.

Evangelist Guilty of Taking Minors Across State Lines for Sex
In Arkansas, a jury convicted 74-year-old evangelist Tony Alamo (left) of 10 federal counts of taking minors across state lines for sex. According to the indictment, the founder and leader of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries (whose real name is Bernie Hoffman) transported five girls younger than 18 across state lines for sex between March 1994 and October 2005. In an interview last year, Alamo stated that "They're just trying to make our church look evil... Saying that I rape little children...I love children." Anyway, here's hoping Alamo will receive the same kind of "love" in prison.

Australian Police Continue Search for Missing Cult Family
In Australia, police searching for a missing family linked to an internet cult have discovered a property being rented in the UK under one of their names. One of the missing family members, Englishman Simon Kadwell, 46, operated a doomsday internet forum called The Gateway, which had about 40 members around the world. Kadwell believed that the planet was on “red alert” and it was time for “awakening servers of the divine plan” to come forward. Kadwell, his girlfriend, their daughter and a friend were last seen on July 13, 2007.

So Five Rabbis Walk Into an FBI Investigation...
In New Jersey, five rabbis were arrested for their roles in a multi-million dollar money laundering scheme. According to the FBI, the rascally rabbis used their congregations' charitable organizations to launder about $3 million. One of the rabbis is an 87-year-old man who is considered the leading cleric of the Syrian Jewish community. Followers, of course, are predictably shocked and "do not believe it". However, they do believe all that stuff in the Old Testament and the Torah.

And Finally...A New Low Price for Blasphemy In Ireland
The President of Ireland signed into law a defamation bill which imposes a fine of up to 25,000 euros (about $35,522.90) for blasphemy. On the bright side, the new punishment is a hell of a lot more palatable (and affordable) than eternal damnation. Additionally, the fine replaces a law that set prison sentences for such unholy offenses. Unfortunately, abolishing the crime altogether would require a referendum which the government says would be too costly and "distracting" to organize. These things take time, folks.

Today's God Crimes: Dishonorable killings and the cure for the common gay

Man Gets Acid Poured Down His Throat

In London, a married Muslim woman is in danger of an honor killing after her lover (also a Muslim) was stabbed and beaten with bricks and had sulfuric acid poured down his throat by a gang of men. The 24-year-old victim, who supposedly "insulted" her strictly religious relatives, suffered burns on 90% of his body, which has left him blind and without a tongue. He is not expected to survive. Police have arrested 7 men in connection with the attack. But remember kids, Islam is a religion of peace.

Man Lynched For Marrying Fellow Clan Member
In India, a 21-year-old man was lynched for marrying against the wishes of his tribe-- er, I mean "community". Deemed an honor killing, the man was attacked by residents of his wife's village while on his way to get her. The marriage was opposed by the wife's family and villagers because the couple belonged to the same clan and, therefore, considered brother and sister.

Televangelist Charged with Fraud
In New York, a local televangelist is charged with fraud for ripping off investors out of $2 million for a non-existent gemstone business. Pastor Samuel (Samee) Solanky, 61, broadcasts an Asian Indian Christian program called "Vandana" (which, according to its official website, means "worship"). The site says the show's main purpose "is to communicate the love of God toward human beings and to reveal the ultimate plan for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God." Whatever.

New Jersey Diocese Named in Civil Complaint
In New Jersey, the Diocese of Trenton has been named in a civil complaint alleging sexual abuse by a local priest more than 35 years ago.

Wanna Stop Being Gay? Try Yoga!
And finally, religious leaders in India have passed a resolution opposing the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalizing gay sex, maintaining that homosexuality is against Indian culture. Here are some nuggets of wisdom from these dopey demagogues:

"Homosexuality is not allowed by Indian culture."

"A homosexual person needs a psychiatrist and they should be cured of the disease. They should follow yoga and should do pranayam.”

“Homosexuals cannot donate blood or organs, whereas a normal person can.”

Imagine idiots like this running our country? Oh, wait...

In Jordan, honor killing is not murder

In Jordan, a man initially sentenced to just 15 years for strangling his wife in an "honor killing" got his term even further reduced on Wednesday. Now the 29-year-old murderer will be serving a measily seven-and-a-half years for killing his 26-year-old wife, who he suspected of having an affair.

An official told the press that, "the court reduced the sentence to give the man a chance to repent, considering the sensitivity of the issue". I'm sorry, but who's the victim here again? With such treatment, you would think this cold-blooded killer was robbing stores to buy medicine for orphaned lepers.

Here are some fun facts: in Jordan, murder is punishable by death but exceptions are made when the murder is called an "honor killing". Between 15 and 20 women are victims of "honor killings" each year in Jordan.