Forgive us our warez

What do you do when your software license is posted on warez groups? You sit back and observe, noting how it spreads and who uses it.

It seems that, while condoms may be evil, homosexuals to be abhorred and stem cell research the work of the devil, software piracy is okay:

A single licence for Avast security software has been used by 774,651 people after it went viral on a file-sharing site, according to the company.

Avast noticed that a license for its paid-for security software, sold to a 14-user firm in Arizona, was being distributed online. Rather than shut down the piracy, the company decided to see how far the software would spread.

The Avast Pro licence showed up on file-sharing sites, and a year and a half later it had topped three-quarters of a million active users.

“We found our licence code at a number of warez sites around the globe,” said Vince Steckler, chief executive of Avast Software. “There is a paradox in computer users looking for ‘free’ antivirus programs at locations with a known reputation for spreading malware.”

The licence is being used in 200 countries – and has even been installed on two computers in the Vatican City, Avast added.

Avast is now pushing popups to users of the pirated software to urge them to buy the product. This also seems aimed at the Vatican City users:

While Frink had no data about exactly how many pirates had chosen to go legitimate, he said there had already been “some conversions”.

Meanwhile, PZ Myers discusses the difference between the Vatican and the Mafia (hint: not much).

Ants on crucifix. Civilisation doomed.

Christians are demonstrating solidarity with Muslims by making us join them in paying obeisance to their own particular strange beliefs. The (US) National Portrait Gallery has pulled a video because of horribly offensive depictions that have upset and humiliated Christians, belittling their deeply held beliefs and confronting them with things they just don't want to know about, labelling it "hate speech". The offending image? A crucifix with ants crawling over it.



As Blake Gopnik points out though:

Of course, it's pretty clear that this has almost nothing to do with religion. Eleven seconds of an ant-covered crucifix? Come on.

This fuss is about the larger topic of the show: Gay love, and images of it. The headline that ran over coverage of the matter on the right-wing Web site CNSnews.com mentioned the crucifix - but as only one item in a list of the exhibition's "shockers" that included "naked brothers kissing, genitalia and Ellen DeGeneres grabbing her breasts." (Through a bra, one might note, in an image that's less shocking than many moves by Lady Gaga.) The same site decries "a painting the Smithsonian itself describes in the show's catalog as 'homoerotic'. "

Ladies: don't ever touch your own breasts. God will smite you.

And 'homoerotic'? Isn't that in the eye of the beholder? There's something in the Bibble about motes and beams...

Meanwhile, in Australia politicians have been forced by a vote in Parliament to determine what their constituents want in relation to gay marriage. As if it isn't already the fundamental requirement of politicians to act on behalf of their electorates. EoR's own particularly right wing member has, so far, failed to contact him. Given that he's obviously doing his best to take over Wilson Tuckey's role as Chief Lunatic in the Parliament, EoR isn't expecting him to come calling anytime soon.



Thanks to Liz Ditz for pointing out that today is Cthulhu Day, part of the celebrations of which include "Pin the Tail on the Lurking Fear" and "Summonings of temporarily defunct deities". It's good to see that the Catholic League and Don Randall are getting into the spirit of things.

Religious extremists seeking to destroy fabric of Australian society

Lines are being drawn. The burqa is a weapon against women. Ban the burqa! When three of the more alarming Islamist apologists cannot give a straight answer to even one simple question about the burqa, repeatedly turning it instead into an attack on the West, what hope of an honest discussion on, say, terrorism?

Burqas are Un-Australian. They oppress women. They are worn by terrorists. They are used to hide bombs. They are confonting. This evil must stop — even now a group of religious fundamentalists who believes in a religiously based legal system that is "all-encompassing of the human condition" is trying to promote their beliefs in an attempt to destroy the wonderful homogeneity of our Land, and pollute our precious bodily fluids by publicly worshipping this woman:



Is this the sort of Australia you want to see? This is what our streets will look like:



Is this the sort of thing our forefathers envisioned when they settled and developed this vacant country to create the wonderful society we have today?

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Note: Yes, EoR realises that Bolt, and journalists in general, doesn't distinguish between the burqa, the hijab, the niqab and the chador.

No Muslims In Parliament! Cast The Atheists Out!

EoR has tried to stay out of commenting on the political marketing Australia is currently being subject to (and will it ever rate better than Masterchef?) but he feels compelled to note the racist and outdated views of members of the Opposition.

David Parker, a Liberal Party candidate, has been sacked after a bizarre rant against Muslims (but he's not anti-Muslim, of course).

"I'm not anti-Muslim. I believe every one should have their own beliefs," he said.

"But I don't know if we want at this stage in Australian politics a Muslim in the Parliament and an atheist running the Government."

(...)

"I made a comment that I believe God is the only way to Heaven and we shouldn't have a Muslim candidate running in that area," he said.

"I don't believe that's exactly in line with what we believe as Australians."

Mr Barker says he is a Christian but is not against Muslims.

"I'm not attacking them on the basis of their faith, I'm attacking them on the basis of their ideology," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned every Muslim in Parliament is a step towards a Muslim Parliament, but I'm not against Muslims."

David Parker is not anti-Muslim, he's just doesn't think they should be in Parliament (because giving people an equal go is so Unaustralian). And it's not their faith he disagrees with (even though he seems to be under the strange delusion that there's only one — Christian — god) it's their 'ideology'. EoR doesn't know what he means be that subtle difference, but suspects it's some insinuation of taking over Australia and instituting a Caliphate. Remember: one (non-practicing) Muslim in Parliament and, before you know it, we'll have a Muslim Parliament! Stop the terror now! He has now been replaced as a candidate by the improbably named Venus Priest.

Meanwhile, over here in the West, sitting member Don Randall also believes religion is a crucial issue in this election.

The member for Canning says many people in his electorate and across the country do not like the fact Ms Gillard is an atheist.

(...)

"It's a criticism of the fact that the electorate has deep concerns about an un-godly leader leading Australia," he said.

Mr Randall says Australia was built on Christian values, which provide the basis for being a better leader.

"We expect out leaders to convey and portray good Christian values," he said.

EoR doesn't know which to fear more now: the Muslim Parliament, or the Ungodly Parliament. How on Earth could an ungodly leader be expected to lead Australia in the best interests of all without recourse to the mysterious advice of a (Christian) god?

Christian values which built this country. Like transportation.

Christian values which have served throughout two millenia to build a better society.

Christian values which have helped leaders to steer their country away from ungodly ways.

Christian values of tolerance and love.



Don Randall appears to be blissfully unaware of the place of religion in Australia:

Australia has no official state religion and people are free to practise any religion they choose, as long they obey the law. Australians are also free not to have a religion.

Australia is a predominantly Christian country, with around 64 per cent of all Australians identifying as Christians. However, most other major religious faiths are also practised, reflecting Australia’s culturally diverse society.

Religious freedom is safeguarded by section 116 of the Australian Constitution, which prohibits the federal government from making any law establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance, or prohibiting the free exercise of any religion. Individuals are free to express a diversity of views, as long as they do not incite religious hatred.

St Galileo

EoR has always been fascinated by the preoccupation with Saintly relics. Now he can make a pilgrimage to Florence and join in the celebrations, as he worships the three fingers and molar of Galileo.

“He’s a secular saint, and relics are an important symbol of his fight for freedom of thought,” said Paolo Galluzzi, the director of the Galileo Museum, which put the tooth, thumb and index finger on view last month, uniting them with another of the scientist’s digits already in its collection.

'Secular saint' is a new one on EoR, and he's not really sure what that means. Though it's probably no sillier than the 21 foreskins of Jesus (presumably some sort of circumcisory equivalent of the miracle of the loaves and fishes). Thankfully, all dissension has now ended since the Holy Prepuce has ascended into Heaven and became the rings of Saturn.

So what would Galileo be the patron saint of? Deluded self taught scientists with theories that will overturn the scientific establishment if only they would listen?

Not Superstition!

The following advertisments appeared scattered throughout EoR's local newspaper this week. The advertisements appear without any source or explanation.



A novena, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia is

A nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces. (...) Catholics know from their own experience that the novena is no pagan, superstitious custom, but one of the best means to obtain signal heavenly graces through the intercession of Our Lady and all the saints. The novena of prayer is thus a kind of prayer which includes in it, so to speak, as a pledge of being heard, confidence and perseverance, two most important qualities of efficacious prayer.

The instructions for the Novena Prayer to Saint Anthony seem long and convuluted, while Saint Theresa has a far more devil-may-care attitude:

Sometimes, just a long personal talk with St. Therese, in your own words and from your heart, is just as powerful. Therese proposes and used a very simple spirituality. While some people have proposed that certain prayers must be said at certain times and before certain hours, and connected with other prayers, this is not Therese's "little way". She took seriously Jesus' request that we not use lots of words, but rather pray to God our Father in simple, hidden and honest ways. Because a certain formula, place or time works for someone, it should not be canonized as the way to pray. Some people do a real disservice to Therese and her devoted friends by surrounding her and devotion to Therese with superstition. It is not important or even significant that a certain novena prayer be said before a certain hour or in conjunction with other prayers. This is nothing but superstition, not piety, as are chain letters, etc., which seem to be popular.

Of course, the ability to replace tubercular lungs with a shiny new fully-functioning set is not superstition. That's apparently 'supernatural' only.

What EoR finds most amusing, if these are indeed public prayers from some person of faith, is that the "make your petition here" and "mention here" references haven't been replaced with the appropriate peititon.

Since saints appear to have time to peruse community newspapers as well as curing the dying, EoR presumes they supernaturally intuit the petitioner's request. That would be a pious act. And not at all superstitious.