This week in religion, hypocrisy and democracy. Enter the House of God on this holy day, children. And wipe your feet.

Yes! Shit like this just makes our day: T.D. Jakes, the head pastor of one of those absurd megachurches in Dallas, has said in the past that he wouldn't ever hire a sexually active gay man and that homosexuality is a "brokenness." He's a real mean bigot, basically, and rumor has it that he might be getting his own TV show—the better to poison minds with. But OH! What's this? This week, Jakes' son, Jermaine, was arrested for jerking off in front of a male undercover cop, just like a gay man might. Thanksgiving's gonna be awkward!

Faith Johnson, Jermaine Jakes’ attorney, said in a written statement Wednesday evening: “We are aware of potential allegations involving Jermaine Jakes and are undertaking our own investigation of these allegations at this time. Given an apparent government investigation, we have no further comment at this time."

This, of course, is another case proving that gay people are born that way, not made by permissive parents; expect all the conservative Christians to ignore it, just like all the others.

Also: religious groups are fretting over the $787 billion economic stimulus package's ban on religion. A section of the package earmarks money for the construction of new buildings on university campuses, but with one caveat: the new buildings can't be used for religious worship or instruction. It's a very legitimate ban and is basically saying, "Don't build a church with this money," but the pious zealots are FURIOUS. This from the Baptist Press:

One of the effects would be to bar Bible studies and worship meetings by Christian and other religious student groups in facilities that have undergone repairs or modernization work underwritten by stimulus funds, religious liberty advocates say.
…
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) promised it would challenge the controversial provision in federal court if it becomes law.

Ha ha ha! Yes, "religious liberty advocates," that's exactly what the ban means: Bible groups won't be able to talk about the Bible at all in these new buildings. There's going to be armed, round-the-clock security there to enforce that. Great battle you've got here. Really fight this one with all your might.

Isn't bureaucracy a treat?