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Is Ulster the Most Backward Place on Earth?
An admittedly rather simplistic (and/or misleading, depending on your viewpoint) University of Ulster study that denounced Northern Ireland as the "bigotry capital of the world" (reported at Slugger on Friday) and reminded me of some of the other rather neanderthal crap that comes out of people in Northern Ireland: from the minister who thinks Harry Potter is a dangerous "cult" to the supposed statesman who thinks the abduction and murder of a mother is "not a crime". Let's not also forget that Northern Ireland has a potential First Minister in Ian Paisely who thinks that "Line dancing is as sinful as any other type of dancing, with its sexual gestures and touching. It is an incitement to lust." Now, line dancing may be an incitement to a lot of things but I hardly think lust is one of them.
You may be surprised to find out that despite all this I'm not convinced that Ulster is indeed the most backward place on Earth. Why? No, not because we all know that's Co. Kerry, but I was led to some other interesting facts and opinions in the last 24 hours. A news story on Yahoo's US home page points out that currently there are 7 states in the USA where cohabiting, unmarried, with a partner is a crime. In fact, in North Dakota, until the law is changed, this felony is listed as a 'sex crime' up there with rape and paedophilia. I can't help wonder if we don't have something similar on the statute book.
Yesterday I stumbled on an American site called Fundies say the darndest things. As it turns out, they really do.
Follow up:
Here are a few highlights:
[about a girl being born with mental disabilities]
"This girl is like a leper so what she needs to do is try and find god. If she really believes she can be healed from this state, she will be healed from this state.
Most afflictions like this are caused by sins committed while still inside the womb. If she can repent for what she does god will embrace her and make her as human as you or me but if she chooses not to she'll always be like this"
"Evolution says that we started out simple, and over time became more complex. That just isn't possible: UNLESS there is a giant outside source of energy supplying the Earth with huge amounts of energy. If there were such a source, scientists would certainly know about it."
"I am a bit troubled. I believe my son has a girlfriend, because she left a dirty magazine with men in it under his bed. My son is only 16 and I really don't think he's ready to date yet. What's worse is that he's sneaking some girl to his room behind my back. I need help, God! I want my son to stop being so secretive!"