There’s been a lot of talk over the past two weeks about preserving “religious liberty” – at least that of old white male Catholics who believe sex is a dirty thing. Most everyone who bangs, on the other hand, thinks birth control is a completely cool thing, as noted by their lack of ten children. By now you’ve seen the widely circulated statistic that 98% of Catholic women have used birth control in their lives and 2% are virgins and liars.

Now conservatives who don’t think Muslims should be able to build a mosque in New York City think a war is being waged on freedom of religion. While they claim this mandate is not about birth control itself and merely respecting the religious beliefs of others, it really is about birth control, because the moral objection to birth control is rooted in wacky superstition, sex shaming, and controlling women’s bodies. And the only reason that it remains church doctrine is because women are actively barred from having any power in the organization.

So priests are still free to think Catholic women care about a single word they have to say on birth control, but once a church decides to become a giant non-profit corporation that employs thousands of people, many of whom aren’t even religious or completely disagree with a few old farts in Rome, we’re getting a little abstract about just whose religious views are being violated by shifting some numbers on a computer to pay for something.

Female naughty bits are OK and even quite awesome I’d be inclined to say. Women should totally be in charge of running the show down there and birth control and condoms should be given out like candy. Would that encourage sex before marriage or sex for pleasure? I certainly would hope so.

Rick Santorum, before people were paying attention:

One of the things I will talk about that no President has talked about before is I think the dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea. Many in the Christian faith have said, “Well, that’s okay. Contraception’s okay.”

It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.

This whole debate is not simply a religious objection by the Catholic Church to paying for birth control. It is about the very idea of contraception itself. It is 2012 and there are people running for president who think women are nothing but baby factories.

…if you can take one part out that’s not for purposes of procreation, that’s not one of the reasons, then you diminish this very special bond between men and women, so why can’t you take other parts of that out? And all of a sudden, it becomes deconstructed to the point where it’s simply pleasure.

Sex for pleasure. Can you imagine?

Based on Axe’s reporting from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, Army Of God  explores the history of the LRA and what is now one of the worst ongoing humanitarian crises in the world. Based on eyewitness accounts from captives and those working to stop the destructive militia, each chapter focuses on a different person and their role in the saga. With stark black and white artwork from Tim Hamilton, each character’s chilling account is brought to life, from diplomats to LRA soldiers to the women and children directly impacted by their campaign.

The first chapter recounts the Congo’s long history of colonialism, corruption, and strife that have set the stage for the conflict of today.

“The situation in Congo is changing rapidly in some regards, and in others it’s not changing at all,” says Axe. “Corrupt president Kabila just won re-election, most likely through massive voter fraud. His hold on power will be a stumbling block to improved security. But growing awareness of Congo’s problems, and a new U.S. military mission to help fight the LRA, offer some hope.”

This is a follow up of sorts to my comic on SOPA. The Komen foundation imbroglio was another example of how pulling some bullshit can blow up in your face in the internet age. The whole people-paying-attention-to-you thing is kind of a strange feeling.

Friday: birth control sharia

26% in the 1-5 partners range? Get on the ball, people!