Savage Love

Internationally syndicated relationship and sex advice columnist Dan Savage explains the benefits that knowledge of the bible can have in tackling religious extremists.

The dangers of Halloween candy (and sex with demons)

Meet Kimberly Daniels. She's the founder of Kimberly Daniels Ministries International and describes herself as "a recognized prophetic voice" (so she's obviously a modest, unassuming soul).

Despite the fact that she has remodelled her image on Michelle Obama to make her loony views appear more credible, Kimberley tours the USA in a 30-foot Winnebago dubbed "The Demon Buster", telling 'witches' they serve "sissy, punk gods" (whatever they are).

Now you might think that the greatest danger posed by Halloween candy is to the teeth, but you'd be wrong. Kimberley has announced that she does not buy candy during the Halloween season. The reason: "most of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches. Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store. The demons cannot tell the difference."

Kimberley goes on to point out the dangers of having sex with demons at this time!

Now you would think that the woman is clearly insane, but no, she has the backing of mainstream evangelical Christians such as Pat Robertson and Charisma Magazine.

When will everyday folk wake up to the fact that religion is in the hands of charlatans and imbeciles?

Illustrated Genesis brings revelation

A sexually explicit illustrated version of the book of Genesis is published today. The book, by cartoonist Robert Crumb, carries the warning "adult supervision recommended for minors", and is described as "scandalous satire" by its publishers. It includes illustrations of bible characters having sex, and scenes of naked men and women as well as depictions of violence.

Crumb, the book's author, is most famous for his creation Fritz the Cat, a sexually graphic "underground" comic strip; it was turned into a film that became the first animation to receive an X rating.

Crumb has said he does not believe that the bible is the word of God. "I take it all for myth from start to finish, with probably some faint relation to historical reality" he said.

"To take this as a sacred text, or the word of God or something to live by, is kind of crazy," Crumb said from his home in Paris. "So much of it makes no sense. To think of all the fighting and killing that's gone on over this book, it just became to me a colossal absurdity. That's probably the most profound moment I've had — the absurdity of it all."

A spokeswoman for the Bible Society said she hadn't seen the book but that reviews had suggested that Crumb had "really engaged" with Genesis. "It may surprise people but the bible does contain nudity, sex and violence. That's because it contains real stories about real people."

Link: The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R Crumb at Amazon.com
Link: The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R Crumb at Amazon.co.uk