I know the question may seem ridiculous. But, Liberty University latest of inviting Mitt Romney, a Mormon, to speak at their commencement should have the alleged "Christian" university up in arms. Giving a graduation stage to a non-Christian to promote his ideas of the world, seems very hypocritical of a "Christian" university. You would think they would invite a Christian, like President Obama or Jimmy Carter to give the commencement speech.
But, when you think of Jerry Falwell and the "moral majority" and Liberty University, Christianity will take a back seat to politics and obtaining political power. Now, I can't find anything in the Bible that says to hide your Christianity and suck up to another religion to obtain power and then promote Christianity. Maybe someone can find that verse for me, but I doubt it. A long time ago, Falwell put political power ahead of Christianity. So, it makes sense that Falwell's university would allow a non-Christian to speak at commencement. It is not about Christ, it is about earthly power.
Liberty has also had other "Culture Warriors" such as Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and the lunatic Glenn Beck (another Mormon). So, it seems Liberty is interested in having relationships with rightwing lunatics who have one particular hatred or another. It seems they tend to forget God's and Jesus message of love. Anyway, there are many Muslim Imams who would fit in quite nicely as culture warriors along with Liberty University and with the Romneys, Becks and Gingriches of the world. Perhaps next year they can get an Imam from the Middle East to speak at commencement!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The "Right" to Bully
I am just not amazed anymore how some rightwing "Christians" are just hateful fearmongers. And by that, I mean they aren't Christian at all. They may claim it to make themselves feel good or have tax exemption status, but I would put a paycheck that they won't enter God's Kingdom and will be many of those "wailing and gnashing their teeth".
The latest information on Mitt Romney's assault on a gay student when at Cranbrook brought back recent stories about how rightwing "Christians" are against any, ANY, legislation that would prevent gays being singled out and harrassed and abused. State or Federal legislation that would help to prevent or stop bullying of gay students is fearmongered as making all of our children gay, or teaching the homosexual lifestyle, blahblahblah. All the Student Non-Discrimination Act does is make an attempt to stop bullying gay kids. Whether you agree or not with a "gay lifestyle", it is here and won't go away. If you are a Christian and are supposed to "love your neighbor" why would it be OK to have an open season of hate against one particular group? Do you think God will approve of your hatefulness?
Why not go and bully all the adulterers? Pornographers? Liars? Cheaters? Etc.? I would suspect because many rightwing "Christians" fit into one or more of those categories and probably many more are gay themselves. But it is easy to bully something that is different and icky. God's challenge is we would get over that. Many a rightwing "Christian" has told me when they disagree with what someone or a group of people are doing to "love the sinner, but hate the sin". When it comes to "the gay" it is "hate the sinner and hate the sin". And that makes it easy for the rightwing alleged "Christian" to bully and hate and feel they have God's approval. Well, if I am reading the Bible correctly, God doesn't approve.
The latest information on Mitt Romney's assault on a gay student when at Cranbrook brought back recent stories about how rightwing "Christians" are against any, ANY, legislation that would prevent gays being singled out and harrassed and abused. State or Federal legislation that would help to prevent or stop bullying of gay students is fearmongered as making all of our children gay, or teaching the homosexual lifestyle, blahblahblah. All the Student Non-Discrimination Act does is make an attempt to stop bullying gay kids. Whether you agree or not with a "gay lifestyle", it is here and won't go away. If you are a Christian and are supposed to "love your neighbor" why would it be OK to have an open season of hate against one particular group? Do you think God will approve of your hatefulness?
Why not go and bully all the adulterers? Pornographers? Liars? Cheaters? Etc.? I would suspect because many rightwing "Christians" fit into one or more of those categories and probably many more are gay themselves. But it is easy to bully something that is different and icky. God's challenge is we would get over that. Many a rightwing "Christian" has told me when they disagree with what someone or a group of people are doing to "love the sinner, but hate the sin". When it comes to "the gay" it is "hate the sinner and hate the sin". And that makes it easy for the rightwing alleged "Christian" to bully and hate and feel they have God's approval. Well, if I am reading the Bible correctly, God doesn't approve.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Donating Blood
Whenever I donate blood, it is another way in which God connects me with the rest of humanity. One donation can help up to three people. That is impressive. I was never big into giving blood and didn't have a good reason not to donate. I am glad I was finally convicted into donating. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half, but most of that time is waiting and processing. Typically, the blood donation part of it is less than 15 minutes (some get it done in 5 minutes--drink plenty of water!!!).
For information on blood donation--
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types
For information on blood donation--
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types
The End of Society
President Obama supports marriage equality. That means he supports gay marriage. To many who claim they are Christians, this is the end of society as we know it. I disagree. If we are talking about sex and the breakdown of marriage, that happened a long time prior to this announcement. Divorce rates in the USA have been over 50% for awhile (greater than 50% for people who claim they are Christians). Add onto this that the most Red leaning Christian states (and Mormon Utah) have the highest rates of watching and buying pornography. There are numerous (allegedly straight) sexual predators, rape and sexual crime against women that have been going on for a long time and in many instances these crimes have been covered up or the victim was blamed. Add onto that one major church that was involved in a pedophile scandal. So, I am not buying that it was this week in history that society ended.
If we really want to get into a debate on the end of society, let's talk about funding priorities. Tax breaks for the rich and cutting programs for the poor, seniors, orphans and the disabled. Other funding priorities such as feeding the defense budget while letting social budgets starve to death. You don't have a society by destroying the society and then bemoaning a separate issue as the "reason" that society is dead. If this is the end of society, don't blame the gays, society was killed a long time before Obama's statement.
If we really want to get into a debate on the end of society, let's talk about funding priorities. Tax breaks for the rich and cutting programs for the poor, seniors, orphans and the disabled. Other funding priorities such as feeding the defense budget while letting social budgets starve to death. You don't have a society by destroying the society and then bemoaning a separate issue as the "reason" that society is dead. If this is the end of society, don't blame the gays, society was killed a long time before Obama's statement.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
1 in 6 Americans
A poll just released by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) show that 1 in 6 Americans still believe President Obama is a "secret Muslim". Despite the President stating he is not a Muslim and is a Christian on numerous occasions.
It is hard to believe that 16% of the population will continue to believe something that is untrue. But, that's what the pollsters found out. On top of this, Evangelical Christians are very supportive of Mitt Romney, a Mormon, by a split of 68% for Romney and 19% for Obama. To me, this is amazing in that Evangelical Christians typically seem to be the most vigilant about pure Christianity. Supporting a non-Christians would seem to be a huge sin. However, evangelicals may be most of the 16% who believe Obama is a Muslim.
For me personally, Obama had extolled Christian characteristics and virtues rarely seen in a President. Obama is a good father and husband. He hasn't appeared to lie to the public. He is honest with America and the world. He admits mistakes. Perhaps the last President who could actually claim Christianity by words and deeds would have been Jimmy Carter. Carter continues to promote Christianity by the causes he takes after he left office.
It is hard to believe that 16% of the population will continue to believe something that is untrue. But, that's what the pollsters found out. On top of this, Evangelical Christians are very supportive of Mitt Romney, a Mormon, by a split of 68% for Romney and 19% for Obama. To me, this is amazing in that Evangelical Christians typically seem to be the most vigilant about pure Christianity. Supporting a non-Christians would seem to be a huge sin. However, evangelicals may be most of the 16% who believe Obama is a Muslim.
For me personally, Obama had extolled Christian characteristics and virtues rarely seen in a President. Obama is a good father and husband. He hasn't appeared to lie to the public. He is honest with America and the world. He admits mistakes. Perhaps the last President who could actually claim Christianity by words and deeds would have been Jimmy Carter. Carter continues to promote Christianity by the causes he takes after he left office.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The biggest sin?
When I am in Bible Studies and a discussion of sin comes up, usually the "biggest sins" brought up are:
Most of the times in these studies, it seems that there are some members who are very knowledgeable about the Bible. That's why it is odd that Jesus words to the Pharisees from Matthew 22:37-40 are rarely brought up. This was when the Pharisees asked Jesus what was the Greatest Commandment and he replied:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and Greatest Commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and Prophets hang on these first two commandments."
When I think of the biggest sin, I think it would be something that contradicted the Greatest Commandments of which Jesus spoke. Are we doing all we can to follow these commandments? Quite often, the list above is used in a manner that is unloving and divisive, which according to the Bible is not Christian and further drives those who may be seeking away from Christ. Or it may just give more ammunition to those who don't want to believe.
- Abortion
- Gay Sex
- No prayers in public schools (which isn't accurate. You can pray in public school, you just can't have a state religion. So, any religious group can pray).
- Disobeying authority (this one has political overtones depending on who is President)
- Any kind of talk about equality (you are stuck with your lot, wanting more or equitability causes "problems").
- Unbelief
Most of the times in these studies, it seems that there are some members who are very knowledgeable about the Bible. That's why it is odd that Jesus words to the Pharisees from Matthew 22:37-40 are rarely brought up. This was when the Pharisees asked Jesus what was the Greatest Commandment and he replied:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and Greatest Commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and Prophets hang on these first two commandments."
When I think of the biggest sin, I think it would be something that contradicted the Greatest Commandments of which Jesus spoke. Are we doing all we can to follow these commandments? Quite often, the list above is used in a manner that is unloving and divisive, which according to the Bible is not Christian and further drives those who may be seeking away from Christ. Or it may just give more ammunition to those who don't want to believe.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Pamela Geller and Muslims
Pamela Geller was in Dearborn on April 29, 2012 to denounce the rash of Muslim "honor killings." Geller is allegedly upset about violence against women and that this is a "human rights" issue. I have no problem with being upset about violence against women and it is a human rights issue, my issue is when someone has to come to Dearborn, Michigan and single out the Muslim community when they can stay where they are at--in Geller's case, NewYork City and talk to her hearts content about this issue.
Violence against women is not just limited to the Muslim community, it is unfortunately part of every community in the USA. That is one of the reasons why "The Violence Against Women Act" was passed by Congress in 1994 and signed into law by then President, Bill Clinton.
"The Violence Against Women" laws provide programs and services, including:
1) One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
2) An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
3) 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
4) Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
5) Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
6) Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
In the Christian faith, men are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25-33)-
"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b]her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
And husbands are supposed to treat their wives with respect as 1 Peter 3:7 states: "7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
I understand that Geller is Jewish and is not bound by Christian principles and she is a disciple of Ayn Rand, who was an enemy of Christianity (see this link--http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-06-05-Ayn-Rand-and-Jesus-dont-mix_n.htm).
Why did Geller then, come to Dearborn? Maybe Geller truly feels Dearborn is the epicenter of violence against women or only that violence against Islamic women count. Tell that to the families of the over 1800 women killed in domestic violence acts yearly in the USA. They would probably disagree with Geller. But Geller has something else: an obvious hatred for Islam and Muslims. Both are an easy target in the USA because of the events of 9-11. And, Dearborn's Muslim community is being used fairly frequently as a fundraiser for rightwing extremists, a category in which Geller fits. Geller came to Dearborn for media exposure and money, that's it. She could and should campaign against violence against all women, everywhere, but singling out a minority community that is not the most liked in America, that is just a way to free money.
Violence against women is not just limited to the Muslim community, it is unfortunately part of every community in the USA. That is one of the reasons why "The Violence Against Women Act" was passed by Congress in 1994 and signed into law by then President, Bill Clinton.
"The Violence Against Women" laws provide programs and services, including:
- Community violence prevention programs
- Protections for victims who are evicted from their homes because of events related to domestic violence or stalking
- Funding for victim assistance services, like rape crisis centers and hotlines
- Programs to meet the needs of immigrant women and women of different races or ethnicities
- Programs and services for victims with disabilities
- Legal aid for survivors of violence
1) One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
2) An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
3) 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
4) Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
5) Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
6) Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
In the Christian faith, men are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25-33)-
"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b]her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
And husbands are supposed to treat their wives with respect as 1 Peter 3:7 states: "7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
I understand that Geller is Jewish and is not bound by Christian principles and she is a disciple of Ayn Rand, who was an enemy of Christianity (see this link--http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-06-05-Ayn-Rand-and-Jesus-dont-mix_n.htm).
Why did Geller then, come to Dearborn? Maybe Geller truly feels Dearborn is the epicenter of violence against women or only that violence against Islamic women count. Tell that to the families of the over 1800 women killed in domestic violence acts yearly in the USA. They would probably disagree with Geller. But Geller has something else: an obvious hatred for Islam and Muslims. Both are an easy target in the USA because of the events of 9-11. And, Dearborn's Muslim community is being used fairly frequently as a fundraiser for rightwing extremists, a category in which Geller fits. Geller came to Dearborn for media exposure and money, that's it. She could and should campaign against violence against all women, everywhere, but singling out a minority community that is not the most liked in America, that is just a way to free money.
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