Religious people love torture

Pax Arcana
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center finds that the more people go to church, the more likely they are to support torture. And you’re never going to guess which group is most supportive of torture.
Oh, did you guess white evangelical protestants? Then I suppose I underestimated you. Please don’t waterboard me.
Roughly half [...]

May God have mercy on your seasonings

Pax Arcana
Have you ever thought that kosher salt, despite possessing a near-perfect balance of size, shape, and texture, was just too jewy or something?
If so, you’re an idiot. And congratulations, idiot, now you have options!
Meet Joe Godlewski, who was just durned tired of hearing all those fancy pants chefs on the TV recommending kosher salt:

“I [...]

Boston College is wasting valuable time

Pax Arcana
Over at the Boston Herald, Richard Weir reports that Boston College has installed crucifixes in nearly every classroom and science lab on campus. The act predictably riled up many faculty members, who see the crucifixes as insensitive to the many non-Catholic students and professors there:
In an interview with the college newspaper, The Observer, which [...]

God is losing his touch

Pax Arcana
Look, I’m not saying he should be removed from office or anything, but the bearded one has been doing the same job for at least 4,000 years. People get bored, you know? One day you’re firing on all cylinders and taking on all comers. The next day you’re hitting the snooze alarm three times [...]

Bavarian Christmas is scary

Pax Arcana
The Christmas tradition in North America is a month-long carnival of love and giving, with dozens of smaller traditions (the indoor tree, the mistletoe, the fat guy in the suit) built around those central components. Sure, we murder wassails by the thousands — and occasionally we trample minimum wage workers — but for the [...]

Jesus was eating eels

Pax Arcana
Probably the most disturbing Bible story — at least to high-minded epicureans food snobs like Pax Arcana — is that of the transubstantiation. According to mainstream Christian dogma, Jesus turned the wine and bread served at the last supper into his blood and body. (And lo did his disciples say unto him “Aw, gurrrg, [...]

The Renewed Mind is the Key

Pax Arcana
Good morning, brothers and sisters. I trust you arrived at your workplaces comfortable in the knowledge that there is a God above who loves you (unless you’re a Phillies fan, naturally).
What’s that? You’re not sure about this God business? Seems a little silly to align your entire belief structure around a supernatural being first [...]

Rick Reilly is an astute theologian

Pax Arcana
Last night I watched in awe as Josh Hamilton — a recovering heroin and cocaine addict — slugged a record 28 home runs in the first round of the MLB All-Star Game Homerun Derby. I love this guy more and more every time I see him play.
Hamilton says he was saved from his addiction [...]

The Gospel According to Ray: Credit God for the Wins, Blame Officials for the Losses

“Life is about making a stand. Making one stand that I know things won’t always be the way I want them to be, but I got faith enough to know that whatever it is, I’m OK with it because I know God is willing our mind… You don’t run from losses. You go through them, [...]

Breaking: Black people are not the bi-product of cursed Ham

Pax Arcana is a committed Pastafarian, but we are officially tolerant of all religions and beliefs. In fact, we like to praise — and repeat — the teachings of other religions when appropriate.
Like today, whereupon we come across what must be the high point of Christian philosophy (and just in time for the holidays!). This [...]