ISLAM For The Western Mind

I'm reading ISLAM--Understanding Muhammad and the Koran for the Western Mind by Richard Henry Drummond. I've been picking it up and putting it down for quite awhile and for some reason I keep forgetting what I've read so I don't really have much of a sense yet as to whether I like the book or not. But something that the author wrote that I do resonate with is one perspective on human nature.

"There is a great deal of quiet goodness in the world, among all peoples in all periods of history. This conviction is born partly of faith, partly of long observation and experience. This quiet goodness works in the midst of, and in spite of, the horrors of human mistreatment of others. It acts in slow but healing contravention of these horrors and puts the lie to theological doctrines of "total depravity." If such were not the case, I believe that our societies would explode en masse. I believe, in particular, that there is very much "quiet goodness" in the world of Islam, past and present, even as I make my appeals to both "them" and "us" for more honest and rigorous corporate and individual self-criticism.

Californians Vote Yes on Hateight

While I'm estatic about the presidential election results:

Barack Obama wins!

I'm sorely disappointed in the results of Proposition 8 posted at 8:19 this morning by The National Ledger:

08 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
YES: 5,195,136 52.1%
NO: 4,779,297 47.9%

If this does pass, and it looks like it has with something like 98% of the votes in, the proposition will change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.

This is a hateful proposition and it makes me very sad that a majority of California's (a least the majority who voted) are so fearful as to think that same-sex marriages will somehow harm their own heterosexual union. As I heard Barbara Boxer say the other day, and I paraphrase her loosely, "If your marriage is threatened by same-sex couple's right to marry, there is something wrong with your marriage." Some people are so closed hearted and insecure that they fight tenaciously, pushing their beliefs onto others with a fierce willingness to take away the rights of anyone who thinks or lives differently than them.

From queerty.com:

"...While organizations like the Church of Latter-day Saints and the Knights of Columbus are getting gay flack for their roles in pushing Proposition 8, which would overturn gay marriage in California, there's one man who deserves more public outcry: Howard F. Ahmanson.

The reclusive banking heir has given more money than any other individual - $800,000. And his mission's far more insidious than simply destroying same-sex marriage rights. He's looking to establish an entire Christian nation.

While Ahmanson once resided in a mental institution in Kansas, he now occupies a position among the Christian right’s power pantheon as one of the movement’s most influential donors. During a 1985 interview with the Orange County Register, Ahmanson summarized his political agenda:

“My goal is the total integration of biblical law into our lives.”

Blumenthal goes on to explain that Ahmanson, has been heavily influenced by Armenian theorist R.J. Rushdoony, who wanted nothing more than to collapse the division between church and state:

Describing his philosophy as “Christian Reconstructionism,” Rushdoony painstakingly outlined plans for the church to take over the federal government and “reconstruct” it along biblical lines. He provided detailed plans for how it would provide health care, pave roads and reorganize schools, and how it would mete out justice..."

These people are fucking scary. Reminds me of Jesus Camp.