This was the scene today in Civic Center, where hundreds of Coptic Christians rallied for religious freedom and an end to the recent violence in Egypt.
Details at 40 Going On 28.
Posts Tagged ‘religion’
Hundreds of Coptic Christians Rally in San Francisco for Religious Freedom in Egypt
Friday, January 29th, 2010Belief in Ridiculous Handheld Cell Phone Law is California’s State Religion
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Oh how they’re mocking us in New York. Why? It’s ’cause of our stupid cell phone law (California Vehicle Code Section 23123), the one that’s not based on scientific study, the one that says there’s a great deal of difference between handsfree cell phone calls and regular old cell phone calls when driving. Are there powerful forces conspiring to prevent an outright ban on cell phone use for drivers? Yes.
Is the National Highway Safety Administration afraid to raise the issue of how it doesn’t matter if you use hands-free technology? Yes, pretty much.
You’re cold busted, legendary film producer Irwin Allen. After seeing this, my first impulse was to run up on you and do a Rambo, but then I realized that even if you had hands-free technology back in 1973, using it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway:
(Yes, this is a Rolls Royce. Thanks for asking!)
Would Maria Shriver be safer with a hands-free connection when she yaks away behind the wheel? No.
Oh well.
This MUNI Bus Commands San Franciscans to “Imagine No Religion”
Saturday, September 5th, 2009The Freedom From Religion Foundation has a message for you.
As seen on Divisidero:
Click to expand
Isn’t the stained glass theme a little sacralicious? Mmmmm.
Anyway, the bus ads match the billboards. Let’s hear from the FFRF:
“Without religion, Prop 8 would not have passed. It is a fact that organized religion was responsible for revoking marriage equality in California. Proposition 8 was conceived by the megachurches and church leaders, bankrolled by donors from denominations such as the Mormons and religious-right groups, and vociferously promoted from the pulpits of Roman Catholic, fundamentalist Protestant and Mormon churches,” added Gaylor.
The Quasi-Unconstitutional Prayer Book Cross of Golden Gate Park
Monday, July 13th, 2009Just look at this monstrous cross, complete with rune grafitti, on govmint land in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park:
“The Prayer Book Cross was erected in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1894 as a gift from the Church of England. Created by Ernest Coxhead, it stands on one of the higher points in Golden Gate Park. It is located between John F. Kennedy Drive and Park Presidio Drive, near Cross Over Drive. This 57 ft (17 m) sandstone cross commemorates the first use of the Book of Common Prayer in California by Sir Francis Drake’s chaplain on June 24, 1579.”
Didn’t the City have to sell off the similar Mount Davidson Cross (Yelp-rated) after a lawsuit back in the 1990s? Yes it did. So, do you think the Prayer Book Cross creates an “appearance of governmental endorsement of religion” as well, particularly considering that we’re living in a post-Everson world?
Do these trees help to make this cross kosher, cause fewer people see it? Potentially, yes. Click to expand:
In other words, does the City’s ownership and maintenance of Prayer Book Cross violate the No Preference Clause and the Ban on Aid to Religion Clause of the California Constitution and the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution?
Or maybe it’s all good, because the cross communicates “primarily non-religious messages” ala the shorter Mount Soledad Cross down in Fun Diego County? This is a close call.
Read all about the Mount Davidson case here, where the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit lays down the law. It’s pretty accessible.
You see it on the right here, as seen back in the day, during the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. Electric Tower at Night, with Search Light on Prayer Book Cross in Golden Gate Park:
The PB cross was a big deal back in the 1800’s, even making the New York Times.
But should it be on government land today?
Just asking…
“Presented to Golden Gate Park at the opening of the Midwinter Fair, January 1, A. D. 1894, as a memorial of the service held on the shore of Drake’s Bay about Saint John Baptist’s Day, June 24, Anno Domini 1579, by Francis Fletcher, priest of the Church of England, chaplain of Sir Francis Drake, chronicler of the service. Gift of George W. Childs, Esquire, of Philadelphia. First Christian service in the English tongue on our coast. First use of the Book of Common Prayer in our country. One of the first recorded missionary prayers on our continent. Soli Deo sit semper gloria.”
“Transit First” Goes Out the Window Every Sunday in San Francisco – Church Parking
Monday, May 25th, 2009It’s official policy to not ticket double-parked vehicles during Sunday services in some areas of San Francisco. (That’s not to say it’s written down anywhere or anything, it’s just official policy, that’s all.)
So, when prayer fails, just park wherever the Hell you want, the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause be Damned.
But look out, “fat, ugly, lazy specimens of humanity,” somebody’s gunning for you on the Yelp.
“Psychiatry: An Industry of Death” at the Scientology Clubhouse, 839 Howard
Monday, May 18th, 2009What’s that? You’ve missed out on seeing “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death” at the Church of Scientology Clubhouse on 839 Howard betwixt 4th and 5th Streets? It’s just a stone’s throw from the American Psychiatric Association convention – let’s take a look.
Now this was the scene in front of the APA convention Saturday, when members of Anonymous protested against the Scientologists, who were protesting against the psychiatrists. Click to expand:
But then the action moved a block over. Can you see the building? It’s betwixt the AFL-CIO and our Buca Di Beppo.
And we’re in – nice hardwood flooring.
Uh oh, psychiatry takes a hit:
Here’s the pitch they might have used on Tom Cruise and about 10% of Hollywood. Click to expand (Frances Farmer, hello nurse.)
1. Collect receipt books.
2. ????
3. Profit!
See you there.
5/16-5/23: “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death” exhibit (downtown / civic / van ness)
Reply to: event-razzc-1157797262@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-05-06, 12:52PM PDT
May 16th to 23rd
An exhibition and documentary about the Cause of Senseless Violence in our Communities
An exhibition and documentary about the Cause of Senseless Violence in our Communities
“Psychiatry: An Industry of Death”
America has been wracked with senseless acts to violence. Mental health budgets are spiraling out of control.
In this authoritative overview, the “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death”
Exhibit and Documentary explores the roots of this violence. See the parallel between the increase in psychotropic drug usage and violence in our communities.
Warning: this exhibit documents the graphic and horrific stories of psychiatric abuse. Young children could be frightened and parental guidance is advised.
Sponsored by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (www.cchr.org)
Get the FACTS
Come see “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death”
839 Howard Street, between 4th and 5th Streets
Admission is FREE!
The exhibit is open May 16 through 22 from noon until 8:00pm
On May 23 the exhibit is open from noon until 4:00pm
info@cchrsf.org
Photos From the Great Scientology Protest against Psychiatry in San Francisco
Saturday, May 16th, 2009Who were you rooting for in this one? The cops, who had an easy, boring shift? The psychiatrists, who couldn’t really care less? The Scientologists, who bused people up from El Lay and over from Sacratomatoe? The Anonymous, many of whom appear to have personal connections to and detailed knowledge of the Church of Scientology?
You’d have to score this one as a win for the Anonymice. Small in number, but they got their point across. Let’s review.
The 470 Scientologists just before the march down Market Street. Today’s marchers generally weren’t locals. So in that way, the crowd was redolent of times when the the March for Lifers and the Chinese nationals of the infamous Olympic Torch relay fiasco bused to town and hung out around the Ferry Building:
But let’s start at the beginning. The Scilons had a marching permit and Anonymous did not. But that turned out to not matter too much. Members from both sides yacking with a patrolman:
Pointlessness. “You tape me, so I will tape you.” Hold pose for an hour and a half:
It was a hot one. A church member appearing to be upset about something or other. Black was the color of the day with the C.O.S.
“Psychiatry: Drugging Kid$ For Profit”
“I’m Glad My Mom’s Not On Drugs.”
A member of Anonymous uses Church lingo to mock the less than desired turnout from those bused in. The 2000 figure for expected marchers comes from here.
And also from Anonymous: “Google XENU.”
And there you have it.
470 Scientologists + Psych Convention + Anonymous + SFPD = Fun in the Sun
Saturday, May 16th, 2009The Church of Scientology brought it today in a march from Justin Herman Plaza to Moscone Convention Center. Also involved were 20,000 souls at the American Psychiatric Association as well as the Group known as Anonymous.
A brief showdown in the SoMA. From left to right: a column of SFPD, Howard Street, 470 Scilons (capped with about 30 Anonymice at the far end), the shutterbugs, the shuttle buses, and then the amused shrinks on the right.
Anonymous dogged what some consider a multifacted transnational corporation at every turn. The March on Market:
“CHANTS FOR MARCH”
And oh yes, the C.O.S. has a little clubhouse on Howard Street now. Stay tooned…
Supreme Master Television is Going Global
Sunday, July 6th, 2008Well, there she is – it’s the Supreme Master going down Market Street on the side of a Honda! All to announce the news that Supreme Master Television is going global. What’s that, you can’t tune into the Eurobird or the Intelsat KU-Band? Well then just check things out on the net.
Click to expand:
But whatever you do, don’t call it “cult television,” the way some people do. How wude! Would “cult television” give you a joke of the day finished off with a one-second cut showing the visage of “God’s Direct Contact” herself?
Of course, there are some downsides. Spoiler alert. Supreme Master Ching Hai has directives:
On the other hand, she raised thousands of dollars for President Bill Clinton, back in the day, and who could object to that?
Remember, “go veg, be green, save the planet!”
Scientology vs. Anonymous / Chanology in San Francisco, Round 3
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008The 1st Amendment has been getting a workout lately in San Francisco.
Round 2 plus a partially NSFW photo from this protest here.
Yesterday’s “flash raid” at the hotel where a birthday celebration was being held for L. Ron Hubbard had an appearance from L. Ron’s great-grandson, Jamie DeWolf (nee Jamie Kennedy).
Scientology is currently classified as a religion by the I.R.S., so it enjoys the right to “free exercise,” and Anonymous has the right to free speech and to assemble peaceably. Fair enough.
Yesterday’s birthday celebration/protest was ably handled at the sargent level by the SFPD. Hurray for them. Next month will see more protests in front of Scientology HQ at the foot of Columbus Street. When will this end?
A birfday party at the Hilton:
The anime-inspired icon of Chanology:
Lots of CD’s of L.Ron’s words are for sale:
Is this masked individual a menace? Depends on your point of view. So far, everything has been pretty mellow in San Francisco.
| Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. |
