Civil Commotion

The North Carolina General Assembly is about to meet in special session to consider a bill — not yet released to the public — which according to those who have seen early drafts rescinds Charlotte’s recent enactment of a bill extending employment and housing protections to LGBT people.

The Associated Press reported that it obtained a copy of one draft of the bill. That draft, according to The AP, “would appear to pre-empt completely what Charlotte added to its non-discrimination ordinance and prevent local governments from passing similar acts.”

Because, you know, all right-minded Tarheels are Southern Baptists, and that’s what the baby Jesus would want them to do.

So there. North Carolina is once again safe for the godly, who will not be expected to treat others with ordinary human decency.

A Super PAC operating on Ted Cruz’ behalf released yesterday a photo of Melania Trump — a model — taken years ago for GQ.

This is low, utterly indefensible, and I don’t fault The Donald for reacting angrily. I go further: There is something seriously amiss with the man who doesn’t want to sock the creator of this ad.

But, being nothing but a well-dressed white-trash bully, The Donald swung at the wrong party.

He will “spill the beans” on Cruz’ wife? Seriously? This is the man that Republicans — mainly nutjob evangelicals and blinking-neon racists, nowadays — think ought to be the next President of the United States? There is nothing left for sane and decent people to do but hope that Republican dysfunction leaves them incapable of mounting an effective campaign after the convention.

A former pastor regrets living as a ‘good’ Christian should.

While these memories remind me of the fact that I did spend time with my beautiful wife and children, I find myself saddened by the fact that I should have spent a lot more time with them, but didn’t. Southeast Ohio is a place of beauty, yet I rarely took the time to enjoy the scenery. Enjoying life was for those who didn’t take seriously the commands of Jesus. As the Apostle Paul centuries before, I wanted my life to be a testimony of single-minded devotion to Jesus. Better to burn out than rust out, I thought at the time. Some day, I will enjoy the scenery of God’s eternal kingdom! Did not the Bible say, prepare to meet the Lord thy God? There will be plenty time later to relax and fish along the banks of the River of Life.

My children and Polly have long since forgiven me for not giving them the time they deserved. They understand why I worked like I did, but I have a hard time forgiving myself for putting God, Jesus, the church, preaching, and winning souls before my family.

The Christian teaching about marriage — your marriage can make-do with Jesus’ leftovers — is the teaching of the cult. Anybody who puts the pleasure of an invisible friend ahead of spouse and family is — psychologically, at least — not married at all.

UPDATE:   A portion of a striking comment left on the post I linked to:

Christianity serves those who need denial in their lives. It offers a structure for lifelong self-harm. It enjoys the support of society and being a preacher means social status of a sort. Bruce, I admire that you have followed your human heart and told the truth about Christian ministry. It does my heart good to hear my own experience as a preacher’s son confirmed by a preacher dad. Thank-you for having the heart to share openly, to admit what bullshit you embraced …

Devout Christianity is a sickness, and it soils whatever it touches. No deference, ever.

This is true — totally, absolutely, positively, 100% true.

Sarah Palin to be a new ‘Judge Judy’ in courtroom-based reality show

It saddens more than surprises, I suppose, that the Republicans are beating their chests about this morning’s indecencies in Belgium.

Sen. Ted Cruz reacted to the terrorist attacks in Brussels today by saying that the U.S. should “empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized,” a vague proposal with troubling civil liberties implications.

What does this actually mean? Is Cruz proposing that Michigan’s Governor Snyder call-out the National Guard and place Dearborn, Michigan under martial law?

Does Cruz not know that, albeit indirectly, Snyder has played a part in poisoning far more Americans than the most ambitious jihadist?