Bananas

This is not a parody. But this is. The Wikipedia entry shows how "god made" wild bananas actually are.

If you find this amusing, Google them to find footage of their "Coke can" proof that god exists.

Battlestar Galactica

I feel like a geek eulogising about a Sci-Fi show, but this is just fantastic. No. Seriously. Fantastic.

The ensuing TV series was pretty good too, but dragged a bit.

Beat global warming

I don't know if it was the intention but it's very relevant to the current issue about the Chinese becoming the world's biggest polluters.

What is Godly Play?

Please can someone tell me what this means?

Teaching with time

Through the regular, predictable shape of each Godly Play session, children are implicitly introduced to the importance of and need to set aside and structure our time when we prepare to come close to God. This patterning of time allows not only for preparation and a period dwelling on being in the presence of God through Scripture, but also allows time for discerning a personal response to such experience as well as time set aside to journey on from this intimate experience back into 'everyday' life. The patterning of time helps the child to recognize safe enough ways of risking the emotional investment to become deeply engaged and open to God and to themselves. Children are helped to recognize the significant personal thresholds that need to be crossed as we do this. They are indirectly taught the spiritual strategies of entering and leaving devotional time.
A 'lesson' adopts the established pattern of Christian worship. Entering the playroom is the first threshold, marked by a personal greeting at the door. Preparation both individually and collectively occurs as the children gather in a circle around the storyteller, sharing news and settling down in expectation of the day's presentation. Next, God's word in the form of a story is presented as something to which a special kind of attention is paid by both adults and children alike - a mysterious gift rather than as narrative entertainment or platform for a teaching point. Time follows for 'collective response' as the group of children and adult(s) wonder together about the many meanings and resonances for them in the presentation. Then time is allowed for individual response and further discovery of meaning as the children each choose for themselves ways to work/play using a wide variety of art and craft materials, or the story materials themselves 'in their own way'. Typically this personal time ends with re-forming as a group, as a community, and a 'feast' (of juice and biscuits) is shared together to mark this period. The session ends with a word and or gesture of personal blessing for each child as they both leave behind and take with them something of their experiences.

Please tell me what this means! Ryan is being taught this bullshit. And I genuinely don't know what to do. Should I withdraw him from all RE (as is my right)? Should I bite my lip?

The school's vicar is from Kenya. His wife is a convert from catholicism. They are very nice people.

Banning circumcision

Another good e-petition, IMHO. There is another one, with more signatories, but I prefer the sentiment here.

"Female circumcision is already proscribed in UK Law.

Male child circumcision is a traditional practice within some religious communities. Surgeons and Muslim Groups pressure for it to be performed on the NHS.

Everyone has the right to manifest religious belief, but that right is not absolute. It may be limited to protect the rights and freedoms of others. The rights of the parents to circumcise their children are however in conflict with the rights of the child to autonomy, privacy, dignity and protection from cruel inhuman or degrading treatment.

Male circumcision removes a normal body part with mechanical, sensory and immune functions. The government has a right, if not a duty, to take steps to abolish it even though to do so would be in conflict with the rights of the parents.

Male child circumcision may be performed for therapeutic reasons where strictly justified to treat disease."

I was shocked to learn of how many times this procedure leads to serious complications, sometimes fatal. What exactly are the medical qualification a (religious) circumciser must attain beforehand?

Ideally, I would prefer a more general petition "Ban religious tolerance"...

Wheelchair man gets highway ride

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Wheelchair man gets highway ride

Yet another story that must surely be a hoax.

Bear robot rescues wounded troops

Surely a spoof?

Bear robot rescues wounded troops (BBC)

Of course, it won't be ready for Iraq, or they would have made it look like a pig, to scare of the insurgents...

One for my Christmas list

I thought this site was a spoof at first, but now I'm not so sure (it links through to a real PayPal payment page)

I love this bit:

Disclaimer: These Cilice belts are intended as collector’s items for display purposes only. Cilice belts have the potential to inflict discomfort and/or harm to the individual if used and it is the individual (purchaser or user) that must accept responsibility for any harm inflicted. Use of these belts is entirely at the purchasers/users risk. Cilice.co.uk cannot be held responsible for subsequent harm. All purchasers must be at least 18 years of age. By clicking the ‘buy now’ button, you are accepting these terms and conditions.

Catholic education.

I suffered from this sort of bullshit. Look at me now. I'm fine.

Ben at Lamb Ale Festival