Holy (Mind) Fuck.

This week I was reading on Wired.com about the rising problem of degree mills issuing fake credentials to folks. This practice is almost as frightening as actual universities such as Liberty University, which require faculty to sign a "declaration of faith". The "declaration" includes such intellectual gems from christian mythology as

"Angels were created as ministering agents, though some, under the leadership of Satan,
fell from their sinless state to become agents of evil."

"The universe was created in six historical days ..."

"Human beings were directly created, not evolved..."

Check out the full, actual application for employment. The "doctrinal statement" on page four is where it really starts to get good:
http://www.liberty.edu/media/1312/applications/FacultyApp-0503.pdf

It would be amazing if we could draft similar declarations for state institutions, such as:

"We affirm to dispel all irrational belief, primarily, any belief that is not grounded in verifiable reality."

Why is "faith" the one area of our society where you can be a completely illogical buffoon and people will continue to "respect your beliefs"? Religion has one function, to preserve and further exaggerate social caste systems.