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Reuben
@yobigrube.bsky.social
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“I have given many talks on religion and sex and cannot count the number of times I have received emails and phone calls from people saying how liberated they felt after recognizing and challenging their religious programming.” — “Sex & God”, by Darrel Ray

#Books #BookSky #Sexuality
Book excerpt from “Sex & God” by Darrel Ray: I have given many talks on religion and sex and cannot count the number of times I have received emails and phone calls from people saying how liberated they felt after recognizing and challenging their religious programming.
January 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
yobigrube.bsky.social
Continuing exploration of Religion and the US military with this 2005 article from NPR News:

www.npr.org/2005/06/02/4...
Article snippet: Air Force Academy Embroiled in Religious Controversy JUNE 2, 2005 • 12:00 AM ET HEARD ON MORNING EDITION Jeff Brady The Air Force Academy says it is taking measures to address concerns that Evangelical Christians exercise too much influence at the school and are trying to force their religion on others. Article snippet: RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs yesterday graduated 906 cadets. (Soundbite of marching band) MONTAGNE: A controversy over religion dampened the celebration for some. Just a day before graduation, the academy's top cadet sent an e-mail containing Biblo passages to 3,000 of his colleagues. This comes on top of complaints that evangelical Christians seem to have a hold on this school and that they're trying to force their religion on others. The academy says it's addressing the problem. NPR's Jeff Brady reports. JEFF BRADY reporting: A team from Yale Divinity School visited the Air Force Academy last summer during basic training. Professor Kristen Leslie was disturbed by what she saw. Evangelical Christianity was present in ways she didn't expect. Leslie says her team watched a young woman involved in an exercise high up on ropes. Article snippet: JEFF BRADY reporting: A team from Yale Divinity School visited the Air Force Academy last summer during basic training. Professor Kristen Leslie was disturbed by what she saw. Evangelical Christianity was present in ways she didn't expect. Leslie says her team watched a young woman involved in an exercise high up on ropes. Professor KRISTEN LESLIE (Yale Divinity School): And she was scared and was not able to move, and so the other cadets in a way to cheer her on were trying to support her but yelling very evangelical, Jesus will be with you. Jesus will save you,' and that struck us as odd as a way to motivate someone in an environment that is not intended to be a religious environment. BRADY: During a Protestant church service, Leslie says chaplains urged cadets to proselytize their bunk mates and warned that if they didn't turn their lives over to Jesus... article snippet: chaplain, an officer and a lawyer. Near the end of the training, they opened up the floor for questions. Mr. DONALD ANDERSON (Instructor, Air Force Academy): How do you go up the chain of command when the further you go up the chain of command, you have people who want to promote religion? BRADY: Academy instructor Donald Anderson pushed for answers from Air Force lawyer Harold Akers. Mr. ANDERSON: Our acting commander was talking to us in public about his personal relationship, sending out e-mails with religious quotes on it and telling us that the Lord had a plan for us. How are we at the grassroots supposed to deal with that? Mr. HAROLD AKERS (Attorney, Air Force Academy): Well, I think in the way that we did deal with it, we pointed it out in a survey that gave rise to this program that should take care of that problem. BRADY: But the program has itself become
January 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
yobigrube.bsky.social


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Article screenshot: TOM BEARDEN: At her invitation, a delegation from the Yale Divinity School spent a week at the academy with cadets and faculty during basic training of freshmen in the summer of 2004. Their job was to assess and report on the climate at the academy. REV. MELINDA MORTON: One of the matters that had kept coming up over that summer was the Yale team began to comment on what they saw was a particularly overt and strident emphasis on Christian evangelical proselytization of the cadets in the field by chaplains and, frankly, by others in leadership positions. TOM BEARDEN: Specifically, the report said the cadets
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Article screenshot: And their goal is to see a spiritually transformed military with ambassadors of Christ in uniform. TOM BEARDEN: Weinstein says some evangelical Christians have used the authority of their rank to intimidate other service members, telling them that they need to be Christians if they're to succeed professionally in the Air Force. Rev. Melinda Morton is a Lutheran minister who was an Air Force officer for 13 years. The last three were spent at the academy. REV. MELINDA MORTON: I felt that that was a very important place to be in order to serve people that - for whom I had a great appreciation and felt that they had to fill a need in the military. Article screenshot: And their goal is to see a spiritually transformed military with ambassadors of Christ in uniform. TOM BEARDEN: Weinstein says some evangelical Christians have used the authority of their rank to intimidate other service members, telling them that they need to be Christians if they're to succeed professionally in the Air Force. Rev. Melinda Morton is a Lutheran minister who was an Air Force officer for 13 years. The last three were spent at the academy. REV. MELINDA MORTON: I felt that that was a very important place to be in order to serve people that - for whom I had a great appreciation and felt that they had to fill a need in the military.
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Article screenshot: TOM BEARDEN: Weinstein filed a federal lawsuit to halt what he called illegal proselytizing and evangelizing throughout the Air Force. MIKEY WEINSTEIN: There's been an attempt to have essentially an evangelical coup in the military. You have the vast majority of the chaplains corps and laity, meaning anybody else who is not a chaplain, who now view the military as a missionary field. And their goal is to see a spiritually transformed military with ambassadors of Christ in uniform. TOM BEARDEN: Weinstein says some evangelical Christians have used the authority of
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Article screenshot: This is the latest attempt by the U.S. Air Force Academy to combat a perception of religious intolerance on campus. It's called the RSVP program, Respecting the Spiritual Values of all People. The mandatory classes are designed to help students and faculty who are 80 percent Christian better understand people of other faiths. Junior Lindsay Thomas is Jewish. She said she didn't have to imagine a scenario of religious insensitivity; she was confronted with one last year when a major training event was held on the first night of Passover.
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Religion & the US military:

Explored by PBS NEWS back in 2006:

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Article Screenshot: PBS NEWS HOUR Air Force Academy Battles Accusations of Intolerance Feb 22, 2006 12:00 AM EST
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Screenshot from article: As Eden launches the chaplain program, its leaders say the school is placed in the difficult position of choosing between a theological aversion to war, and a desire to right a theological imbalance they see in the chaplain corps. "There's a feeling that you don't want to affiliate with the military for fear that such an affiliation could be seen as an endorsement, an encouragement and support for warfare," said Greenhaw, the school's president.
January 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
yobigrube.bsky.social


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Screenshot from article: Leslie, then a professor at Yale Divinity School, later filed a report saying she and her students observed cadets who "were encouraged to pray for the salvation of fellow (cadets) who chose not to attend worship" and were told that those not "born again will burn in the fires of hell." Mikey Weinstein, an Air Force Academy graduate and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has spent recent years fighting aggressive proselytizing at the academy and across the military. "These are government-backed missionaries for Jesus Christ who see the military as a mission field, fecund and fertile for proselytizing," Weinstein said. "I commend (Eden) for trying to fight back."
January 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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Screenshot from article: Military officials say chaplains are trained to support troops of all faiths, regardless of their own religious affiliation. "In these various roles, chaplains respect the rights of others to their own religious beliefs, including the right to hold no beliefs," said Eileen Lainez, a Pentagon spokeswoman. But liberal theologians and educators say the imbalance could compromise efforts to meet the spiritual needs of soldiers facing combat or the stresses of military life. And some critics go further, arguing that the military risks becoming a mission field for evangelical Christianity.
January 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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Screenshot from article: Even though just 3 percent of the military's enlisted personnel and officers call themselves Southern Baptist, Pentecostal or some form of evangelical, 33 percent of military chaplains are members of one of those groups, according to Pentagon statistics. Ind the disparity could soon widen: Data from the Air Force indicate that 87 percent of those seeking to become chaplains are enrolled at evangelical divinity schools The discrepancy is the result of a number of variables, including a post-Vietnam aversion by mainline Protestant and Catholic seminary leaders to participate in military culture, and the popularity of online chaplaincy
January 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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In thinking about the role that religion has historically played in everything from religious freedom, to the desire of many to be free from religious indoctrination or oppression, separation of church and state, and prescient concerns around violent extremism:

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www.huffpost.com/entry/evange...
Screenshot of article snippet: By Tim Townsend St. Louis Post-Dispatch ST. LOUIS - A military chaplains serves as both a religious leader and a listener - ideally one who can assist military personnel of all faiths. A frequent refrain among chaplains is "chaplain to all, pastor to some." But according to Department of Defense data, the nation's corps of chaplains leans heavily toward evangelical Christianity, failing to mirror the military it serves.
January 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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“Democrats, meanwhile, referred to veterans’ involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as an indication of extremism among service members [..]
Nearly 25% of ppl charged in connection to the insurrection at the Capitol had some connection to the military,[..]”

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Screenshot of Article snippet: Democrats, meanwhile, referred to veterans’ involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as an indication of extremism among service members that is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Nearly 25 percent of people charged in connection to the insurrection at the Capitol had some connection to the military, and the Pentagon itself has acknowledged that white supremacist and similar fringe groups “very aggressively recruit soon-to-be veterans,” top Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said last month. But Republicans insisted that — even as they agreed extremism had no place in the military — existing Pentagon rules and limited data on the issue meant it did not warrant close attention. “I also want to root out of the military those who actively participate in vile and violent hate groups,” Rogers said, “But it’s important to remember that extremist
January 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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On extremism, including conversions around concerns about its potential of creeping into the US military and how to address that. This snippet is around discussions of some specific groups and extremist ideologies.

www.politico.com/news/2021/03...
Article snippet screenshot: It says religious extremists espouse purity through subjugation or elimination of other religions. But it also warns that “Christian extremism is often conflated with white supremacy for a joint ideology focused on racial and religious purity which they believe to be God’s intention.” Anti-feminists “openly call for the attack, raping and killing of women,” it reads. “Primary target: Women, especially women they perceive as attractive (referred to as ‘Stacys’) who sexually reject or would likely reject unattractive men; attractive men (referred to as ‘Chads’) who are not sexually rejected by women; feminists; men who don’t stand against feminism.”
January 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
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After having watched the film, very much appreciative they chose to have that trigger warning at the opening. Almost certainly will be invaluable for some folks.
Screenshot of a trigger warning message for the film “Blink Twice”: “ Trigger Warning This may be upsetting or triggering for some viewers AMAZON MGM STUDIOS”
January 2, 2025 at 4:42 AM
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Reviewing an advanced copy of “Good Sex” by Dr Candice Nicole-Hargons: “Sexual oppression has been intentionally constructed by religious, medical, educational, media, and political sys-tems. Capitalism and classism can reduce sexual functioning. Racism and sexism can degrade sexual passion.”
Book screenshot of “Good Sex” by Dr Candice Nicole Hargons. Copy reads: “ Sexual recipes, when influenced by oppression versus liberation, compromise (and sometimes eliminate) our ability to enjoy good sex. Basically, they under-season the chicken or put raisins in the potato salad. And it isn't a mistake. Sexual oppression has been intentionally constructed by religious, medical, educational, media, and political sys-tems. Capitalism and classism can reduce sexual functioning. Racism and sexism can degrade sexual passion. Heterosexism, ageism, and ableism can deteriorate reciprocity. All the isms get in the way of intimate justice and erotic equity. Intimate justice, according to Shatema Threadcraft, is focusing on fairness and care within our closest relationships as a critical site” Book screenshot from “Good Sex”, by Dr Candice Nicole Hargons: “ Sexual oppression has been intentionally constructed by religious, medical, educational, media, and political sys-tems. Capitalism and classism can reduce sexual functioning. Racism and sexism can degrade sexual passion.”
January 2, 2025 at 1:46 AM
yobigrube.bsky.social
Freed Africans in America created “Jook Joints” as a community meeting spot AND place to express joyful exuberance amongst friends and family. Joy in the face of targeted oppression is a revolutionary act!

Via Wikipedia: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juke_jo...
Screenshot from Wikipedia, cooy reads: “ Juke joint (also jukejoint, jook house, jook, or juke) is the African-American vernacular term for an informal establishment featuring music, dancing, gambling, and drinking, primarily operated by African Americans in the southeastern United States. A juke joint may also be called a "barrelhouse". Juke joints were the first secular cultural arenas to emerge among African-American freedmen. Exterior of a juke joint in Belle Glade, Florida, photographed by Marion Post Wolcott in 1941 Classic juke joints, found for example at rural crossroads, catered to the rural work force that began to emerge after emancipation.[1] Plantation workers and sharecroppers needed a place to relax and socialize following a hard week, particularly since they were barred from most white establishments by Jim Crow laws.”
January 2, 2025 at 1:03 AM
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“..Its real purpose,of course, was to discourage protesting & punish demonstrators.[..]it seems to give Floridians permission to attack protesters w/their cars…bill doesn’t exactly make it legal to run someone over, but it does shield drivers from civil liability if they injure or kill protesters..”
Screenshot from news article. Copy in the photo says: “ Earlier this week, Florida Republicans enacted a law they claimed would prevent riots in the state. Its real purpose, of course, was to discourage protesting and punish demonstrators. One of the bill’s provisions has received a fair amount of national attention, as it seems to give Floridians permission to attack protesters with their cars. The bill doesn’t exactly make it legal to run someone over, but it does shield drivers from civil liability if they injure or kill protesters on Florida roads.”
January 2, 2025 at 12:42 AM
yobigrube.bsky.social
A modern gilded age; with Robber Barons seeking to be worse than the first.
Illustration of robber barons from the later 1800’s/early 1900’s: Carnegie; Rockafeller; Vanderbelt; Cooke(?) and one more who I can’t remember. They’re all wesring gold crowns and in the graphic’s background are stacks of gold coins depicting their outrageous wealth. Illustration depicting modern robber barons of the 1% decked out in top hats like the character from the Monopoly game: Elon Musk (left), Jeff Bezos (center), and Mark Zuckerberg (right)
December 27, 2024 at 11:02 PM
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A clip from the YouTube creator @ MegaLag’s video about the Honey Paypal browser extension.

If ya haven’t watched it yet, definitely do. It’s worth your time.

m.youtube.com/@MegaLag
December 25, 2024 at 9:04 PM
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“I call it "Recovering" Evangelical and not "Recovered" Evangelical because, much like addiction, this stuff never really goes away.” — Mattie Jo Cowsert, God, Sex, & Rich People

Evangelical Christianity, religious-inspired sexual repression & its devastating impact.

#BookSky #PurityCulture
Screenshot from book God, Sex, and Rich People by Mattie Jo Cowsert. Page copy reads: “I call it "Recovering" Evangelical and not "Recovered" Evangelical because, much like addiction, this stuff never really goes away. I am now in my early thirties, and though I am happy to be through the murkiest trudging of my deconstruction days, I still happen upon behaviors and beliefs that stem from my Evangelical yester-ways and require self-assessing and correcting. I have spent a decade acquiring skills that help me relate to my Jesus and purity culture trauma differently…”
December 25, 2024 at 8:42 PM
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Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers!

Day 8
#BookSky 💙📚

#BookChallenge #BlackSky #BlackBooks

“CULTURE VULTURES: Conversations with Damon Dash.”, by DAMON DASH, & KENYATTA GRIGGS
Book cover for: “CULTURE VULTURES: Conversations with Damon Dash.”, by DAMON DASH, and KENYATTA GRIGGS. Cover illustration and cooy contains book name and author info; background color is a sepia/yellowish comor. With a vulture head illustration coming down from the top center (color of vulture is shaded primarily in black with hints of green and indigo [purple]) down to about 20% from the bottom edge. Its beak is the primary focus of the illustration and the only parts beyond that are visible are its eyes. The area beneath the tip of its beak are the book’s title and author names.
December 19, 2024 at 6:52 PM
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“Remember, you don't have to hit rock bottom to start improving your life and leading a satisfying day-to-day existence, but you do have to put intentional and genuine effort into creating a rewarding, happy life.”

— Stephen J. Dietrich

#SmallSteps #Quotes
Screenshot from book “Fear Dynamics”, copy reads: “Remember, you don't have to hit rock bottom to start improving your life and leading a satisfying day-to-day existence, but you do have to put intentional and genuine effort into creating a rewarding, happy life.” Citation: Stephen J. Dietrich
December 18, 2024 at 9:44 PM
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"[…] These factors lead many black males to cultivate an abusive personality in childhood. It is a defense.
Taught to believe the world is against them, that they are doomed to be victims; they assume the posture of victimizer." — bell hooks

#Quotes #BellHooks #BlackSky
Photo of a display screen with words by renowned author and icon bell hooks. The quote reads: "so many black males, especially young black males, feel that they are living on borrowed time, just waiting to be locked down (imprisoned) or taken out (murdered), they may as well embrace their fate. These factors lead many black males to cultivate an abusive personality in childhood. It is a defense. Taught to believe the world is against them, that they are doomed to be victims; they assume the posture of victimizer." Quote is written in white type on a dark bluish colored background.
December 18, 2024 at 8:49 PM
yobigrube.bsky.social
"so many black males, especially young black males, feel that they are living on borrowed time, just waiting to be locked down (imprisoned) or taken out (murdered), they may as well embrace their fate. [..]" — bell hooks

#Quotes #BellHooks #BlackSky
Photo of a display screen with words by renowned author and icon bell hooks. The quote reads: "so many black males, especially young black males, feel that they are living on borrowed time, just waiting to be locked down (imprisoned) or taken out (murdered), they may as well embrace their fate. These factors lead many black males to cultivate an abusive personality in childhood. It is a defense. Taught to believe the world is against them, that they are doomed to be victims; they assume the posture of victimizer." Quote is written in white type on a dark bluish colored background.
December 18, 2024 at 8:49 PM