Maybe God isn’t so harsh after all.
According to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), when you give to the church, you get. You get a new car. A better job. Riches:
But while many Pentecostal churches preach that God will bless those who make sacrifices — both financial and spiritual, few are as explicit as UCKG, which teaches poverty is unnecessary, and holds special “campaigns” to pray for specific “goals”, like a new car, house or even swimming pool.
They’ve got a point. Jesus must have meant that “blessed are the poor” stuff for those other Christians.
They aren’t afraid to take a page out of the Church of Scientology’s playbook if it means advancing the Word of God:
It has sued several media organizations for publishing what it says are false allegations and warned Reuters it was not afraid to use legal action to correct a “negative story”. When this reporter jotted down a few notes during a UCKG service an usher demanded to see them, and threatened arrest when he was refused.
I was kinda hoping for a Prius rather than a Navara, but beggars can’t be choosers. So to speak. Jesus isn’t going to let me be a beggar.
Reuters: Jesus wants you to drive 4×4, says S.African church
June 13th, 2007
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Posted by Donnie
Filed under Religion, Snake Oil
Drug companies constantly strive to develop new drugs for just about any malady or discomfort. Their job is not a trivial one: they must (or are supposed to) develop an effective drug, determine dosage, warn of side effects (”may cause nausea, heartburn or death”), and test whether the drug is safe in the long- and short-term.
Some newer drugs have been developed which are prescribed for child epilepsy, but have not been fully tested for long-term effects, or have not had an appropriate dosage determined for children:
Many medicines are not fully tested on children before licensing, meaning consultants have no official guidance on doses to refer to when prescribing. Instead they often have to estimate a safe and effective dose based on the age and the size of the child.
Which I’m sure is comforting to parents everywhere.
(As for my seizured self, the doctors have prescribed an “old stalwart”: phenytoin sodium, aka Dilantin. It’s been used for decades, so despite a few side effects, I’m probably not at increased risk of spontaneous combustion or offspring growing a third eye.)
BBC: Fears over child epilepsy drugs
June 11th, 2007
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Posted by Donnie
Filed under Snake Oil
If you’re like most non-parents, you’re interested in having kids someday. I count myself in this category, and have made some basic efforts to maintain a decent sperm count. Like not wearing tight jeans or not dipping it in scalding water.
Apparently, this isn’t enough, at least not according to ISA Bodywear. (Please feel free to mock their website design and “audio”.) They’ve developed underwear to ward off the evil effects of cellphone radiation. While the pocketbook won’t be happy–they’re planning to sell a pair for $25–the sperm will mightily appreciate that protective silver weaving.
The ladies need to petition ISA for an anti-cellphone bra which will, of course, protect against breast cancer. Don’t expect us males to start putting your health first.
Engadget: ISA Bodywear underwear fends off cellphone radiation
ISA Bodywear’s website
May 26th, 2007
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Posted by Donnie
Filed under Snake Oil
thank...