Julia Sweeney Rocks, As Does Eddie Izzard

I read Julia Sweeney's blog. I admit it. Yes, she is a stream-of-consciousness writer and has a tendency to ramble. So much so, in fact, one of her commenters told her she needs an editor. How rude! Or rather, how very business-like and boring, you pedantic ass.

But Julia Sweeney has a healthy skepticism for religion and I love that about her. This quote from her latest post is just so perfect I have to include it here:

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. --Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4BC – AD65)

Let us just let that last part sink in for a moment: "by the rulers as useful." Keep that in mind during the next week or so, would you oh-voters-of-America?

Sweeney goes on to say she wants to be one of the common people. She does not want to be set apart for her views on religion but those are her views and what are you gonna do? Pretend to think like everyone else just to fit in? That's called fascism, people. Just so you know.

Hey look, Seneca was alive during that whole BC / AD changeover thing Eddie Izzard talks about in one of his early shows (Glorious or Dress to Kill, I can't remember which.) I highly recommend Dress to Kill if you are in the mood for a laugh. And some history. Eddie Izzard is the Wikipedia of comedy. He provides lots of historical information that may or may not be accurate but makes you think and gives you a jumping off point from which to do your own research should the topic so motivate you.

But I digress. Religion: used as a tool by the people in power who really don't give a rat's ass what you believe as long as you vote to put/keep them in power.

Who is the majority out there today, Bob? Christians? Oh good, that covers a nice broad range, doesn't it? Okay, I am officially Christian starting now, and we should probably include some history for me, too. Let's mention I was an altar boy. What? That's a Catholic thing? Aren't Catholics also Christians? I don't get it. Okay, whatever, just make sure people know I am god-fearing and all that. And get me some photo ops with babies and old people, for Christ sake!

Politicians. I hate them all.

Tags: julia sweeney, politicians, religion, eddie izzard, politicsvote