"The reason African Spirituality is seen as evil or demonic was because it was the tool used to fight against oppression." pic.twitter.com/MCIjmwBc5h

— Kentah Gwanjez (@GWANJEZ) September 12, 2025

Quote of the Day: Bayyinah Bello

 

Why do you think there are more churches and Masjids, than schools or hospitals in Africa…

Chakabars pic.twitter.com/YuDd6ZJMd7

— Jean Jacques Dessalines 🇭🇹🇵🇸🇳🇪🇲🇱🇧🇫🇨🇺 (@JeanJacquesDes7) May 1, 2025

From Grok:

The X post quotes Bayyinah Bello, a Haitian historian and humanitarian, who critiques organized religion as a commercial enterprise, arguing that true spirituality cannot be taught by institutions—a perspective rooted in her extensive work in Haitian and Pan-African history through her organization, Fondation Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur Dessalines.

The post’s question about the prevalence of churches and mosques over schools or hospitals in Africa highlights a systemic issue: a 2023 UNESCO report notes that sub-Saharan Africa has the highest out-of-school rate globally (20% of children), while religious institutions often receive more funding and cultural prioritization than education or healthcare infrastructure.

Bello’s statement aligns with a broader spirituality vs. religion debate, as explored in a 2024 LonerWolf article, which suggests that combining personal spiritual exploration with religious structure could reduce divisiveness, though Bello leans toward individual spirituality as a more authentic path.

 

Is Christianity A Copy Of Egyptian Religion? | The Bisrat Podcast w/ Dr....

Jordan Peterson vs. Sam Harris on religion 2022 + analysis

Is Christianity Anti-Science?

Catholic vs Orthodox | What is the Difference?

▶ Sam Harris vs Reza Aslan Full Unedited Video - YouTube

Here is a great debate. I had a very hard time with this debate because when a Muslim debates an Atheists because it is hard to know who to root for. I mean they are both wrong in so many ways but it is interesting to see how a celebrated atheist like Harris would argue against a liberal westernized Muslim like Aslan.  They disagreed about a few things but instead focused on their differences.


▶ Sam harris vs Reza Aslan Full Unedited Video - YouTube

Can Fandom Take the Place of Religion?

Jesus in the Gospels (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 I came across the following post on Tumblr

 My Response:

It’s interesting that one can learn those morals from television and movies. The question to ask is: “How do these help you live up to these morals because you know you don’t?” You don’t need “Religion” because you need Jesus. We all do.

I like butts • doctorstarkidgames: hellsbellssinclub: ...

Related articles

• Jesus: Architect of Rational Morality
• Problems With Jesus: Morality and Family Values
• Who is Jesus Christ?

Religious Tolerance

In our society today "Tolerance" has become an excuse for not being honest about truth. People act like that you have to accept that all religions are equal and that is the only way we can coexist. This is not true. Let's look at the proverbial elephant in the room. You know the one society embraces that the blind men/men in a dark room or cave grope about each feeling apart of the elephant and coming to different conclusions as to what it is based on the information they have. Some people think that by putting these pieces together we gain more truth about the elephant. I would agree if the information and the conclusions drawn weren't contradictory. This is the problem when this approach is taken toward religion.  Whatever religious persuasion you have by definitions means you affirm that all others are wrong.  For example, there is no way any religion can be simultaneously true if Christianity is true.

Does this mean that religions cannot coexist? No it does not. We can't mistake  "coexistence" for what western civilization. It does not even mean that people of different religions can't discourse and debate and understand one another. What it does mean is that I can't flat out kill you or persecute you because you disagree with me. To coexist all various religions have to do is let them stand. No need to try to destroy them. When the time comes, the one true religion will be known by all. Even those people who go to hell will know which one was right and that they rejected it. There are many reasons I'm convinced that Jesus is the only way, but I refuse to kill others just because they don''t see that. If we all looked at it that way, we could co-exist. It's the way Christians are told to act.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. - Hebrews 12:14

Fistbump of the Day - The OTF and Mocking Christ

Does John Loftus' Outsider Test For Faith (OTF) mocks Christ? No, not directory. But I want to point out that Mariano Grinbank has managed to point out a discontinuity between how the OTF is premised as a fact and how some Atheists actually function. Recently John Loftus posted "very well-written comment EricRC, a Ph.D. student in philosophy,:" in which the OTF's fundamental premise is stated and endorsed by Loftus himself:

(1) Rational people in distinct geographical locations around the globe overwhelmingly adopt and defend a wide diversity of religious faiths due to their upbringing and shared cultural heritage. This is the religious diversity thesis (RDVT).

Source

And then I saw a post by Mariano that explores why in Western Culture it is okay to denigrate and mock Jesus but not okay to mock and denigrate Muhammad.  Mariano observed:

Wait a moment, just when the New celebrity Atheists are attempting to get us to believe that Christianity is promulgated via nationality/ethnicity along comes Thompson claiming that Christianity has fewer ties to ethnicity. Suppose that one will let them fight it out.

Continue reading on Examiner.com BBC to mock Jesus but not Muhammad - National Worldview and Science | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/worldview-and-science-in-national/bbc-to-mock-jesus-but-not-muhammad#ixzz1o4k8sXFG

That flies completely in the opposite direction and biases any directions or conclusions you might draw from the OTF. EricRC said himself and Loftus agree that the rest of the OTF follows from this disputed premise.  Mariano further observed:

Secularists understand very, very well what blasphemy feels like to someone who is a realist in their religious belief. That is the very reason that they besmirch, condemn, manipulate the media as the BBC does, and blaspheme. In fact, many secularists (atheists by any other name) have made a living by exploiting this knowledge and encouraging their adherents to do likewise.

Continue reading on Examiner.com BBC to mock Jesus but not Muhammad - National Worldview and Science | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/worldview-and-science-in-national/bbc-to-mock-jesus-but-not-muhammad#ixzz1o4nwxV94

Mariano makes a lot of valid points!

John Cleese Responds Hilariously To Your Monty Python Questions On YouTube [Video]

John Cleese - an international treasure!!!



John Cleese Responds Hilariously To Your Monty Python Questions On YouTube [Video]

Answering Muslims: James White Responds to Kamal Saleh

Oh well, David Wood has beaten me to posting a summary on issues surrounding Kamal Saleh's Video Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus - Muslim Version. To understand what happen you have to realized that Saleh's video is itself a response to Jefferson's Bethke's poem Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus. Therefore here is Bethke's video




Now look at Kamal Saleh's video.




See it? Big difference a really big difference. Fortunately, Dr James White teamed up with a lyricist,Ivey Conerly, to rebutt Saleh's errors. Here is that video. Dr White provided the theology and historical background and Conerly put the information into a poem




James White also provided a background video for those who want to hear this information in prose.




Answering Muslims: James White Responds to Kamal Saleh

Check out how Saleh tried to copy Bethke to twist the message and how Dr White and Conerly answered his claims. Saleh had not presented anything new, but it never hurts to revisit truth.

Earlier today Ivey Conerly was a guest on James White's podcast and they discussed all of this. You can follow this link to hear it:
Today on a Special Edition of the Dividing Line

Why Loving Jesus Is More Than A Religion

Jefferson Bethke's poem on YouTube, Why I hate Religion But Love Jesus, continues to inspire people - negatively and positively. I think that most of the negative reaction spins from a misunderstanding due to people's own traditions. I want to point to two responses that show case the difference between how Bethke's worldview and Atheism and Roman Catholicism. In case you missed my first post on Bethke's poem, please watch his video below





As for A Roman Catholic version, watch this one:




I see a fundamental difference between this video and Betheke's. This particular YouTuber is arguing that the only way you can have a relationship with Jesus is through guidance from the Roman Catholic Church. This was one of the main points of contention that started the Protestance reformation and after almost 500 years it is still relevant. Did Jesus really give us all we need to get to God or do we need more? The Reformer's answer to that is question was "Yes", so is Betheke's and so is mine. And like Bethke, the Reformers were not saying Church is not necessary or important, but that we don't need the traditions of men or to be self-righteous. We don't need a chorelist of do's and don'ts because God can and will help us to obey his commands but obeying his commands is not what saves us because none of can be sinless and perfect. Jesus is the only way - not Jesus plus your keeping church sacrements and following the Pope. Betheke is simply learned that what Jesus said is true and unfortunately many church-going people, let-alone non-Christians, miss this point.

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” - John 4:23-24

As for an Atheistic comment, you can watch the following video. Be forewarned it contains profane language and is most definitely not safe for work (NSFW).




Like every atheist that I've ever encountered, this man is unable to see a difference between having a relationship with Christ and with Religion. I think Jefferson Bethke gets the difference.  Bethke is advocating not ritually attending church or working for others as a to-do-list to please other people or to earn your way into God. He's talking about surrendering your life to Jesus and putting yourself at His disposal because you love Him. I totally agree with Bethke. The closer you get to Jesus, the more you see what you are - and it's not pretty. When TheAmazingAtheist hears Christians talk of a relationship with Christ he reveals that he thinks that means Jesus is like some Pal, or Buddy, you can sit down with and "play XBox" or have brewskies with. I think a lot of people make that mistake. What the Bible teaches is that "relationship" means "Lord" and "servant". We obey and worship Him.  I don't know the last time you worshiped the dude you play XBox with, but I doubt you would. What does the Bible says that relationship should look like and on which it is based? I'd argue that all 66 books of the canonical Bible answers this question but I will offer two of those passages.

.¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
   they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:1-10

The Bible very clearly tells us that Jesus is our only way to turn away the wrath of a holy God. Who deserves eternal damnation and punishment for their sins?  ALL OF US.

 ²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.  - Romans 3:212-25

That is why we need a savior. Someone to take the punishment we deserve,. No one in your Church can do that. It's either going to be you atoning for your sins or it's gonna be Jesus. You wouldn't survive paying such a debt. It takes the grace and mercy of God to see this, understand this, let alone accept it. It goes against every fiber of human ego and self-centeredness. Was there something special about you or good in you that caused Jesus to die for you in your place? Nope (Back to Ephesians 2). God chose to do it for us even when we didn't know we need it and didn't ask Him to do it. Should you love Jesus more than anyone or anything else? Yup. But what else did Jesus say? He tells us to love our parents  and families and treat them well. I wonder if TheAmazingAtheist has read all of the Gospels? I ask because if he had, wouldn't he know that he misunderstood Matthew 10:32-29. Jesus was not saying that you should ignore or mistreat your family because you love him. How do I know?

³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ ⁵ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ ⁶ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
   ⁸ “‘These people honor me with their lips,
   but their hearts are far from me.
⁹ They worship me in vain;
   their teachings are merely human rules.’” - Matthew 15:3-9

How could Jesus, a scant 5 Chapters later chastise the religious leaders of his day for teaching people ditching their obligations to their families to perform religious ritual if that is what he had taught in Matthew 10? Let me help you: He didn't. Even the most skeptical person wouldn't really be crazy enough to try to argue that Matthew 10 and Matthew15 are contradictory and mutually exclusive and no one noticed for 2000 years - given that it was is written by the same author - regardless if you reject that it was the Apostle Matthew. Please, let's try to stay consistent. 

Religion: Can You “Hate Religion, But Love Jesus?”

Jefferson Bethke has posted a video that has gone viral in which he explains how he hates religion but loves Jesus Christ.  I think that it is more than awesome. It's not just a rant on religion. It could be a lyrical manisfesto defining what a Christian is!  It is so profound. So spirit-filled that I think it's been misunderstood by many people.  I wanted to post this video but I wanted to also post a link to an article representative of some of thing people are saying. For example, here at  Religion: Can You “Hate Religion, But Love Jesus?”, Rippa writes:

So check out the following video and tell me: can it be possible to love Jesus and hate religion at the same time? Personally, it sounds kind of contradictory to me, and presents itself to be quite the non-secular paradox. I mean let’s face it: there would be no Christianity without Jesus, no? Of course there would be no Christianity without Jesus. Which really makes me question the people who say, “I’m not religious nor do I believe in religion, but I am spiritual.” I mean, what’s the difference? No really? Aren’t they one in the same? I’ono, but wut’chu think about it tho?

I think a lot of people see little difference between being religious and being spiritual. This is what Bethke is talking about. The problem is that in our society there isn't anything different  between being spiritual and being religious. But this is not what Jesus offers us. Jesus offers us a relationship. Through out the Bible - Old and New Testament - God is reaching out for humanity. Here, please watch this!





I fully agree with everything Bethke has said.here. He is not talking about how to find God or make God do what you want. Often times when I hear apostates talk about leaving Christianity, this what they walked away from - a list of do's and don'ts - but not about leaving their relationship with Jesus. They never even had that relationship. It was missing. Without that - without the understanding that Bethke articulated, you are not a born-again Christian. This isn't religion. Religion is centered around an organization and prescribed attitudes and behaviors that people have to follow on a regular basis. The thing is sometimes you end up just going through the motions. You can be a regular church-goer, and follow all the rules and regulation and not be born-again. This is what Bethke is rejecting not the church nor Christianity. Bethke said on his Facebook page

If you are using my video to bash “the church” be careful. I was in no way intending to do that. My heart came from trying to highlight and expose legalism and hypocrisy. The Church is Jesus’ bride so be careful how you speak of His wife…. The church is His vehicle to reach a lost word. A hospital for sinners. Saying you love Jesus but hate the Church, is like a fiancé saying he loves his future bride, but hates her kids. The church is His vehicle to reach a lost word. A hospital for sinners. Saying you love Jesus but hate the Church, is like a fiancé saying he loves his future bride, but hates her kids. We are all under grace. Look to Him.

Again right on and Amen. He's right. I so thank God for giving him this poem. It's been blessing so many people and it's so powerful that it's inspired other to use the format to use their own spin. There is a Muslim version repeating most of the same-refuted-but-still-raised arguments Muslims use against Christianity. Here is such a video.





James White is preparing a rebuttal to this video but you can read Tur8infan's rebuttal at this link: Why I Love Jesus and Keep His Commandments

Related articles

• Jefferson Bethke / Jesus>Religion Interview On US CBS Network (garyware.me)
• Why I Don't Hate "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" (kirkmillerblog.wordpress.com)
• Why I Love Religion, And Jesus (frstephensmuts.wordpress.com)
• Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus - a poem by Jefferson Bethke (rodiagnusdei.wordpress.com)
• Jesus vs. religion? (breathenetwork.org)

“Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think” - National Messianic Jewish | Examiner.com

Mariano has written a great essay about how silly it is to think that  science and religion must be at odds. As if it helps Atheism. It's not rational. It's not reasonable. It's not logical. Mariano begins:

It is fascinating to note that atheists boast that most (whatever that means) scientists are atheists. They then boast that scientific findings lend weight to atheism (whatever that means).
They appear to be un-skeptical (as is usual) that atheists would come to atheistic conclusions. They are (for some reason) convinced that these atheist scientists are unbiased and strictly truth seekers.

Read the rest of it at the following link.

“Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think” - National Messianic Jewish | Examiner.com

Related articles

• Atheists are Cowards? (breakingspells.net)
• Atheism on the radar (delirium-clemens.net)
• Atheist "Logic" (anythingbuttheist.blogspot.com)

Anti-Ninja Turtle Propaganda - YouTube

I'm all for protecting children from corruption of anti-Biblical ideals and messages, but this goes a way too far.




I think that what is bad is that these guys (keep in mind the video is form the late 80's early 90's) have no idea what they are talking about. Yes, the Bible does condemn witchcraft and using magic (and for very good reason) bur magic has nothing to do with ninjutsu or ninjas! If you are going to make an argument please base it on accurate knowledge! Unfortunately they get a lot wrong! It makes all Christians look bad. Anti-Ninja Turtle Propaganda - YouTube

Take a look a the awesome write up from Comics Alliance: Religious Anti-Ninja Turtle Propaganda from the Ancient World [Video] Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/01/18/ninja-turtles-christians-canadians-witchcraft-video/#ixzz1jsoA66Fm

Richard Dawkins: on discrimination against his atheist religion - YouTube

Cover of Richard Dawkins

I just heard that Richard Dawkins feels like he was discriminated against on the basis of religion in Michigan because a Country Club where he was supposed to be doing a book signing,Magic of Reality, canceled the event because he is an atheist. Wait: Can an atheist can cry "religious intolerance" if atheism is not a religion? Uhhhhh....shelving that for a moment, take a look at a news report on the fiasco at the following link.

Michigan Country Club Reportedly Cancels Richard Dawkins Appearance Following Fox Interview
 
Here is the interview of Dawkins by Bill O'Reilly which Dawkins clearly blames for his being rejected by the Country Club.


Unfortunately, Bill O'Reilly attitude and rhetoric makes Dawkins seem sympathetic because O'Reilly is so undesirable and even wrong about a great deal of things. Although I think Dr Dawkins' worldview is wrong, it's just as wrong to cancel his book signing no matter how stupid some of his ideas are of he indeed have a contract. Watch Marinano Grinbank's video commentary on this:




Richard Dawkins: on discrimination against his atheist religion - YouTube Religion - US Michigan Country Club Reportedly Cancels Richard Dawkins Appearance Following Fox Interview

Related articles

• Richard Dawkins Event Banned by Michigan Country Club (alwaysquestionauthority.wordpress.com)

Faceplant of the Day - Confusing Body Parts With Value of Religion

So how does the picture below perfectly illustrate what a faceplant looks like?  Comparing religion to a penis is really sad especially tying it to the way  some men misuse that part of their body to abuse others. Here is one of the issues that really make the comparison stupid: does the fact that women don't have penises mean that they can't have a religion or be proud of  their religion? Obviously they can. Also men who would misuse their bodies to abuse others do so for their own gratification. If someone shares their religion with you for their own gratification, they are doing it wrong.

Science & Religion - Where the Conflict Really Lies - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a video lecture from Dr Alvin Plantinga about the alleged conflict between religion and science.




Science & Religion - Where the Conflict Really Lies - Apologetics 315

Contra Mundum: When Scientists Make Bad Ethicists | MandM

Dr Matt Flannagan worte a really good article against the times Dr Jerry Coyne (pictured on the left) has over reached himself. Read the article at the following link.

Contra Mundum: When Scientists Make Bad Ethicists | MandM

Related articles

• Martydom of the priveliged (openparachute.wordpress.com)
• Contra Mundum Press (biblioklept.org)
• Religious theology of secularism (openparachute.wordpress.com)
• August '11 - NZ blogs sitemeter ranking (openparachute.wordpress.com)
• September'11 - NZ blogs sitemeter ranking (openparachute.wordpress.com)