Religious Freedom: The Separation of Church and Your Paycheck

     The supreme court is looking into a case of whether or not the mandate in Obamacare that demands certain corporations to give access birth control violates their religious freedom. The two businesses, Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Woods Specialties are both Evangelical Christian companies seeking an exemption to the mandate using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as. This isn't the first time we heard the words religious freedom and it being intruded on. Not too long ago, we had two bills introduced in both Kansas and Arizona that if passed, would allow businesses to not serve people based on their religious freedom. This was controversial since the bill was targeted not only to gay people, but people of other religions. Kansas' bill was defeated and Arizona's bill was vetoed. According to the first Amendment they do have the right to practice their religion, but to what extent? Where does the border of them practicing their religious freedom infringe on my freedom?
     Religion is the core of a person's belief. I understand that people who hold their religions in a high regard attempt to take their beliefs everywhere they go and it should be implemented in everything, like education and our judicial system but, they cannot because there are certain limits on where they can practice their religion. We have limits to our freedoms to ensure that our society functions properly. We have free speech, but we cannot go around yelling fire or unjustly slandering a person's character because that hurts our society. What supporters who claim that their religious freedom should realize that they do have right to practice their religious freedom, but not the expense of someone else's rights. Their religious freedom doesn't trump everyone else's rights. We are a nation that is comprised of people that practice different religions, or choose not to and for those reasons, the Constitution also establishes a separation of church and state to ensure that religion isn't influencing any laws in order to benefit everyone.
       Let's not forget that these companies and the people who feel that their religious beliefs should exclude them from certain policies are businesses that are open to the public. Their rights as human beings come before their religious freedom. They are going to deal with people that don't share their religious beliefs and practices. That would not be very fair or ethical to turn them away or deny them services. So, proponents of freedom of religion, you will have to make wedding cakes for gay people and give the "whores" their birth control.

Fred Dropped Dead

   

     The founder and former leader of the Westboro Baptist Church Fred Phelps has been pronounced dead. For those who haven't heard of Phelps or the Westboro Baptist Church, it is a church that was led by him and his family members. The Westboro Baptist Church is notorious for picketing soldier funerals, damning 9/11 victims, and spreading anti-gay rhetoric declaring that "God Hates Fags." The church is very vocal about what God apparently hates, which isn't only exclusive to dead soldiers and "fags", but America, celebrities, the world, and pretty much everything else you or they can think of. Looking on the last few years of his life you get a perspective that for a majority of it he has wasted it by being an example of ugliness and bigotry and choosing to hold hate in his heart for anyone that wasn't like him.
     Hate isn't a healthy thing to have in your life. Hate is like an anchor. It holds you down, sinking you beneath the waters leaving you to drown. It prevents you from being human and enjoying life. As being the loving Christian he claims to be, it would have been more productive if Phelps had spent most of his life loving God's creation instead of trying to find ugliness in everything and spend every waking moment despising everything based on your narrow view of the world. Life is too short and wonderful to spend most of it focusing on what you see as wrong. You have to let that hate go in order to truly live.
    I should be shouting to the top of my lungs Ding Dong Fred Phelps is dead. But, I won't. That would be what he wanted. That would be what his congregation which thrives on hate and hating others in order to live would want and inspect. I will not give them that satisfaction. As a gay man, I should hate him. Fred was the face of homophobia in religion. He was the guy that tells you that you are an abomination because it's what the bible says. He was the reverend that tells your parents you are no longer deserving of their love and that they should be tossed aside like trash for not living up to God's standards. He was the person represents the serious flaw in religion and why many are turning their backs from it. He was what the people who claim they just hate the sin, not the sinner really are inside. Fred represented the ignorance and how evil people can twist what is suppose to be good into their own sick ideas and agendas. Instead, I will just pity him, reflect on sad his life was, and try live mine for the better. Let Fred be an example that you should love your fellow man like God says, instead of condemning them, treating them like they are less than human.

100 Years A Slave Movies (A Black History Rant)

    Nick Cannon posted this tweet a few months ago, upset at the recent Hollywood trend of making slave movies like Djano Unchained and 12 Years A Slave. You get that he is frustrated and he's right to be. Whenever Hollywood decides to do a movie about black history, they either do a slave movie or a movie and civil rights. These are important issues in our history. These movies showcased how we as black people, suffered due to prejudice and were able to overcome those hard times. These movies are not necessarily bad, but need more. We need movies that has to dig deeper into our history.
    We are a people that were descendants of great civilizations. We came from kings and queens that not just ruled the in Egypt and had empires like the Mali empire and the Ethiopian empire. We came from scientists, and scholars. We had expeditions to other countries like America before Columbus. We come from architects that constructed pyramids and other monuments in other countries, but you never know that because Hollywood never shows that. We can go all the way back to 10 million B.C. and tell the story of Troy, and Pompeii to tell white history, but we just can't seem to get past slavery? Hearing these stories of African history and getting a since of who we were and where we came from will do more to inspire and motivate our people more than 12 Years A Slave ever could. But, how do we get Hollywood to make these movies? Do we get them interested by motivating our black directors and producers to make these movies? That is the question. I would like to hear what you think should be done.

Lookin Ass Niggas Lookin Mad

   
     Female rapper Nicki Minaj released a video for her upcoming album, The Pink Print, titled "Lookin' Ass Niggas." Nicki has decided to make a female anthem criticizing those bum guys who think they are God's gift to the world where in truth, they're not even that crappy last second gift from your nearest dollar store. These are the lyrics are of a woman angry and fedup.

"Look at y'all lyin' ass niggas
Talkin' 'bout "It's paid off" but it's financed, lyin' ass nigga
Bunch of non-mogul ass niggas
Frontin' like they got a plan, Boost Mobile ass nigga"

     The song has caused a bit of controversy. Some men are in an uproar of the content in Nicki's new song. Her male critics have gone so far as accusing Nicki of male bashing. Of course they can be upset and make their case, if it's reasonable, but the question is should they be mad at her for male bashing or are they really mad for her being too honest? Again, based on the lyrics, Nicki is mad about dealing with those type of bum guys and who can blame her? I see and deal with guys like that on a regular basis and I cringe everytime I'm in the same radius with them. The way they look. The way they act. I can see why no wouldn't even bother with them. I think to myself. You all need to do better.

    These "men" want to claim that they are men, but honestly, they have no idea what a man is. A few black men have a false idea what qualifications they must have to be a man. They think that if you sleep with enough women and if you look like you have money, you're a man. That is not the case. Being a man is not putting up a facade nor is it based on what you have or how many you sleep with. Being a man is carrying your self in a respectable manner and dealing with your actions. Back in the day, you had men who took care of their own. If they had a baby, they own up to that action and commit to raising the child. Their word and their actions spoke louder than anything else.

     There is a major issue we have today with our black men that needs to be fixed ASAP. We need our black men to stop pretending to be man and BE men. We need some of our men to really be about money instead of just saying it and trying to look like they got money. We need our men to be more responsible and to have a bit more respect for themselves and others. We need our men to actually take care of our women and their children. Nicki has opened up the flood gates and raised the awareness of this issue that will be looked deeply into, perhaps in another blog.

What are your thoughts on the song and its content? I'm looking forward to hearing it.

(Bad) Tips on Surviving Being Single on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the day where you spend time with your love one. You prepare to go all out to show that special someone how much you love them. It is a time to go all romantic. Taking you beau out to a romantic dinner, take them to a move, shower them with roses, or even give them a adorable teddy bear with a card saying how much you "wub" them. It is great day to love or be loved, except you're not. Valentine's Day can really suck for the single and lonely. You don't have anyone to call your own and you can hear the world laughing at your. It sucks, but it doesn't have to. So, put down that Romantic Comedy DVD and don't adopt any cats just yet. Here's what you can do to bitch slap Valentine's Day.

1. Stay away from couples 

Being around couples on Valentine's Day can be cruel. It's like dangling a steak in front of a hungry dog. Being the third wheel is NO fun. Seriously, they get all lovey dovey, calling each other cute names, and kissing, while you're sitting there all mopey, bitter, and wanting to shoot yourself. You don't need to deal with the constant reminder that you're forever alone. Avoid place where you think couple might go like restaurants or movie theaters. You'll thank me.

2. Stay away from bitter lonely people

So, what's worst than gushy love couples, bitter lonely people. I know it might sound nice to hang out with your fellow losers in love, but it's not. Just like you don't want to be around a group of people who remind you that you are alone, you don't want to be around people that remind you are alone and then complain about why they're alone and why everything sucks. Plus, the longer you are their, they start letting out all their angry and bitter feelings and it gets awkward and ugly. Quick.

3. Alcohol is your friend

What to do when your life sucks? Drink! Alcohol doesn't judge. It's a major stress reliever. You'll need it to get through this day. Jack Daniel's is a classy gentleman and he knows how to treat you right. Just be a little careful not to be one of those people who drinks and cries, letting all their problems out with every tear (it's not cute) and drink in moderation. Jack likes to have a little too much fun at your expense.

4. Go to the club

So, you're all liquored up and don't know where to go? The club! It will do you good to have a little fun. I know there might be couples and bitter people there, but they're at a good proximity from you, so it's all good. Dance, laugh, drink more! Let all you dating life troubles and the bitterness of singledom melt away on the dancefloor. Plus, if you get to have a bit of a laugh seeing all the desperate people try to hook up and you'll maybe see some of the couples break up in one night.

5. Prepare to pillage the stores for chocolate the next day
What's the best way to end this Valentine's Day? Cheap left over chocolate stores are trying to get rid off. Stores are hell bent to get people to buy a ton of crap for V-Day and are even more willing to get rid of it for the next few days. Plus, they go well with your leftover alcohol!

OMG!! Why Did They Cast HIM?!?!

   

     So, if you haven't heard, Jesse Eisenberg is our new Lex Luthor. The actor is the recently added to the cast of the upcoming Batman and Superman movie coming out in 2015. Warner Brothers believes that Eisenburg will direct the role into "new and unexpected directions." Warner Bros' decision to cast Eisenberg is obviously due to them wanting to portray a much younger Lex Luthor to match the recent graphic novels and TV adaptations of the iconic villain which does so. Eisenberg is 30 while the previous actors that portrayed Lex, Kevin Spacey (46) and Gene Hackman (48) were in their late 40s. Bryan Cranston, who everyone wanted to be cast in the role, is 57. Reaction to the casting says that some of you are not liking this decision one bit. I'll admit it, the cast of the new Superman/Batman is turning into a big WTF of who is playing what. We have an unknown actor, Gal Gadot, playing Wonder Woman that we have no idea how good she will be with the role and nothing to critique her acting and who can forget the internet meltdown that was Ben Affleck as our new Batman. There have been a petition and tireless crying from comic book fanboys for weeks demanding that Affleck needs to go, but people complaining about who is playing their comic book faves is new right?

Heath Ledger as Joker

When it was announced that Heath Ledger was to play the Joker in the upcoming sequel to The Dark Knight, fans all over the internet had an outrage. How dare the guy from Brokeback Mountain play the Joker?!?! Much to say, Ledger's performance was critically acclaimed, silencing all who dare questioned whether he would do the role justice. Roger Ebert said "He transformed the character of the Joker, who we thought we knew so well, into a suffering, haunted being, stripped of all emotion except for ruthless self-pity."


Daniel Craig as James Bond

It's one thing when some Bond fans don't think you're right to fill the legendary shoes of Britain's favorite spy, but it's another when even the director thought you weren't the right choice. Before working with Craig for Skyfall, director Sam Mendes had doubts on whether Craig was worthy of the role until he saw him in Quantum of Solace. "I watched him go through that intense pressure and come through that with flying colours," says Mendes. Oh, and it doesn't hurt when Roger Moore says that you were a kickass Bond.

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman

So when news started circulating that Anne Hathaway would be donning the iconic skintight leather suit and cat ears for The Dark Knight Rises, surprise surprise, people weren't liking it. Well, they did have a reason. This was new territory for Hathaway. Most of the roles she was in were different than Catwoman. People were already comparing to Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman in Batman Returns, saying she will never live up to that role. Much to say, Hathaway's performance was great. Hathaway portrayal of  Catwoman was well met, praised by critics. A review in Washington Post stated: “Hathaway is the sensational secret weapon of this production, a tart, leggy operator who can turn on a dime from damsel-in-distress to canny kitten-with-a-whip.”

So there you have it. A short list of few actors that got a lot of criticism for being chosen to play legendary fictional characters and rose above the pressure. Will the cast of the new Batman/Superman be just as critically acclaimed? We'll see. Will everyone suck? Maybe. Will Ben Affleck be considered a better Batman than Michael Keaton or at least not as bad as Val Kilmer? The Fates will decide. What I'm saying people is give them a chance.

Sports and Homophobia

   

     On Thursday, gay activist and former Minnesota Vikings player, Chris Kluwe wrote a story for Deadspin. Kluwe makes the accusation that he was fired from being punter for the Vikings for being a LGBT activist and his support for gay rights. In the article, Kluwe states that he has been called in the office several times by coach, Mike Priefer, demanding him to stop speaking for gay rights which in a course of months resulted in his termination with the Vikings.

"It's my belief, based on everything that happened over the course of 2012, that I was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didn't agree with the cause I was working for, and two cowards, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman, both of whom knew I was a good punter and would remain a good punter for the foreseeable future, as my numbers over my eight-year career had shown, but who lacked the fortitude to disagree with Mike Priefer on a touchy subject matter."

      Further into the article, you get a story of how Kluwe was ostracized by his fellow peers (his coaches, other officials, and even a fellow teammate) for speaking out for gay rights. Reading the article, you get a look at how deep homophobia runs in the sports industry. Often, you openly hear homophobic remarks from sports fans, locker room talk among college and high school athletes, some coaches, and even some of the professional athletes themselves. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Before we can solve the problem, we must get to the root of the problem.
      One of the many factors that contributes to homophobia is gender socialization and dominance. One of the reasons some people are hateful towards gay people is because, according to them, gay people do not fit the traditional roles of masculinity. Most of the opponents of gay rights declare that homosexuality "just isn't right." Men are suppose to act a certain way and are suppose to like women and if they don't something is wrong. This is just how they think. Dominance is big in sports. You have to be the best and being stronger and better than someone is important. Once again, gender socialization rears its ugly head as the masculinity is the ultimate form of dominance. A man is the dominate being. If you don't fit the classification of a man, you are inferior. That is usually the case where people who are gay are often bullied and viewed as being "limp-wristed" and weak. One possible solution to the this problem is if we can change the views on gender socialization. These people who are homophobic need to realize that gender roles are not so very black and white and not everyone fits into these roles perfectly. If they realize that, a lot of the problems with homophobia in sports will end.
      Luckily, there have been some progress. In 2013, there have been a athletes like, Jason Collins and Sharnee Zoll-Norman, have come out that are still playing. This is huge because you would hear an athlete coming out when they were retired and not in the sports industry. It also gives hope to people who are playing sports that are in the closet by telling them that it's alright to come out. There have been some athletes like Brendon Ayanbadejo, that are publicly in support of gay rights. In April of last year, the NHL has gotten involved in dealing with homophobia in sports. There are still some huge problems with homophobia in the sports industry, but at least we are moving forward.

Do you feel like it's getting better? Please comment.