Secularists do not desire to drive religion from the public sphere. A society's expression of faith is one that defines the fabric of that society. How our society treats those who are spiritual in any form defines the people of that society.
But also consider this: it is important that while individuals are free to express their faith, it's also important that your faith no dictate your decisions in public policy. Using faith to justify public policy exclusively is harmful to society, and blurs the veil that separates church and state. The church and state argument derives from Thomas Jefferson's belief that there should be a wall between the government and the churches. He saw the corruption that existed in the UK where the Church of England is a public church, funded by tax payers. The government and church both engaged in highly questionable political and religious interactions, trading power and money for offices of worship and spiritual guidance.
Consider also the 500s through the 1700s, where for 1200 years, the Catholic Church actively interfered or in some cases even outright ruled nations using faith to instill fear, suppress the spread of education, and demanding full and unquestioned fealty, or face persecution by the Church. It was a dark age in Europe where science was dismissed and condemned, and questions glared at with disgust. The only people who benefited from that system was the Church, and it was the state that suffered at the hand of the Church.
So when I say I favor the separation of Church and State, I base that view on the history of interactions between church and politics. It's important that we understand that the separation of Church means keeping the judgments of churches out of governance, but not your expression of faith from guiding you as an individual. Christianity extols the values of ethical conduct, righteous administration, and servant-based leadership. It begs people to fight injustice, to expose the dark areas, and to bring judgment to those who commit wrongs.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Coming Out on Many Fronts - The Mini-Memoir of Me
I don't know if you'll share this but, I thought I'd make a stab at it anyway. When I was very young, I was not sure why I was drawn to men. I didn't understand it, I was confused about it, and honestly, women never did anything for me in any form. When I was a teenager I tried to pretend I was attracted to women, had a girlfriend in High School and in College. I came from a rather conservative and fundamentalist background, accepting the words they taught up to a point. I was anti-gay, anti-gay marriage, anti-gay anything for a long time because I was told that’s how things were supposed to be if you wanted to be a “good Christian man”, even though I myself knew to some degree what I was. I even got to chatting with a few guys online, deluding myself that I was just looking for friends, when, in fact, I was looking for a boyfriend, but didn't quite realize it. I kept this facade up for a long time.
But alas, it was so not meant to be. What did it for me was me and her were at a restaurant eating a late dinner. One of the cooks came up to me and we chatted it up for about 45 minutes. I felt real bad afterword cause she was left there in a dumbfounded silence as I engaged this guy (who was very attractive) in a rather intense conversation about theater and food. Sadly he wasn't gay, but the experience opened my eyes quite a lot. I had felt infinitely more comfortable talking to him and engaging him in discussions than I did with her. And it wasn't because I didn't
care about her, but because the connection wasn’t there.
Also during my 2nd year at LCSC in Lewiston, ID…I had resided in a house where about 30 people lived. It was an old convent turned into a dormitory with kitchen and common area. Most the people were nice and quite reasonable to be around. I had a roommate who was a unique character to say the least but, he was good at brightening my spirits with invitations to come drink and the occasional driving him for his weekend imprisonment for a few slaps on the hand things he did. A few other friends lived there as well. But one day when I was walking back from class, it was about October or November, and I had left my window cracked to let air in. I had noticed something that wasn’t on my seat last time I drove. I remember it quite vividly. Something designed to embarrass you or expose you before you’re ready or intimidate you never really goes away. Someone had decided it would be funny to drop gay porn into my car. And brightly as in front of God and everyone, had been a gay porn DVD. Never in my life had I felt more dread and intimidation than that moment, knowing someone had decided to behave so insensitively. Now I know this doesn’t compare to others’ experiences, but, this was truly something I could never forget. I grabbed the DVD and quickly deposited it into the dumpster outside the dorm, and brushed it off like it was nothing. I continued on my way as I normally do, but now with a twinge of dread in the back of my mind. I asked myself questions like “Is this the start of something? Is it going to get worse?” Thankfully it didn’t…but it easily could have. |
| Courage: 90% of resistance is cautionary. ~Shigeo Shingo |
After that, I slowly worked up the courage to start coming out to people. My friend, Barbara was the first
one I came out to, telling her I was Bi, partially cause I was still confused, but knew enough that I liked men, but still wasn't sure if women were off the table. Then finally about a year after that, I and a guy met onlin
e. We decided to drive 8 hours to meet each other. Oh we felt such a chemistry with each other, our chats were passionate, we loved each other’s pictures, and so, we decided to meet in the middle. After finally meeting in our Motel, it literally was love at first sight. We spent two amazing days together talking and cuddling and truly expressing our feelings to each other. When we parted, I felt like he took a part of me with him, and him with me. For a few days after that, every time I touched my arm, it felt like he was touching me, like the way we caressed in bed together. We carried on with each other from a distance for eight months until we finally broke it off. Neither of us could get away to see each other, and he was still closeted. It broke my heart for a while…but I gathered my strength and moved on. We still talk on occasion, but, I’m not expecting us to try again anytime soon.
The next chapter of my adult life started in 2009, when I entered Evergreen to finish my Bachelor’s degree. The Evergreen State College is renowned with having one of the most active and vibrant college gay and lesbian groups in the nation. As a centerpiece of social justice, I was drawn to the discussions about social justice. Even bombarded with messages about full equal rights for LGBT Couples, I still sharply questioned the position, trying to be one of those (in my mind) people who take the road of least resistance and wanted to build a bridge between the two opposing viewpoints. Looking back on the position, I can see now why I was so wrong in its viewpoint. Though I don’t feel I was wrong for trying to find common ground.
 |
| Evergreen actually took this picture and made it a postcard |
was politically active for the Republican Party, believing 100% in the views that given the freedom, the market will provide and everyone will have everything. I voted fervently for most of the Republican candidates on the ticket in 2010 (trust me, I STRONGLY regret it to this day), and continued to try to build bridges of common view. I argued fervently that government isn’t evil, but it should back off, and just let things work that can work, and control things it should control. With the recent tea-publican menace worming its way into the party, such views were not accepted easily.
In addition to coming out to my parents as gay, I also came outto them as a 100% Dark Blue Liberal...which I think actually was harder for them to understand than me coming out as gay. Looking back on my life, my experiences, my interactions with others, and finally, my faith…I understand more than ever why equality is important to me. To me, coming out was the way that I could be truly an individual. An individual with pride about who and what I am. Throughout the last few years, I have continuously buried myself in history, in culture, and in science as best as I can understand it, to better understand what it means to be Gay. To break it down to the simplest of explanations: Being Gay is nature’s way of creating uniqueness in an otherwise homogeneous world. Instead of women, I love men. And by love men, I mean I desire their companionship, their presence, their passion, their touch, their shoulder, their voice, their eyes, and finally, their unconditional Love. Not “Love Because” or “Love IF”, but “Love PERIOD.” Love without limit, reason, purpose, or condition. The kind of love that would thrust me into a gunshot or throw myself on top of him. The kind of love that Jesus gives us every day: “Love Period.”
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Speaker of the House Philosophy
 |
The Right-Honorable John Bercow
Speaker of the British Parliament, Elected 2009
No Party Affiliation
|
Speaker
Boehner has worked himself into quite a pickle.
On one side, he has right-wing extremists who threaten his speakership
if he concedes to Democratic demands to pass a clean Continuing Resolution…while
on the other hand he’s facing a very angry electorate who will ultimately dump
him like a bad habit if he doesn't pass a clean C.R.. So what ever should he do?
 |
The Right-Honorable Sir Arthur Guinness
Speaker of the House, New Zealand, 1911
|
Well,
before I answer that question, let’s look at what a speaker SHOULD be as
compared to the speaker we have now. The
Speaker of the House is the 3rd most powerful man in the US
Government. He’s 3rd in line
for the presidency, he’s autocratic leader of the entire Lower House of
Congress, and he pretty much has the power to do whatever he wants in regards
to the House business. When looking at
other types of speakers of the house in other systems of government, the
speaker often elected by the entire body of legislators. The Speaker of the United Kingdom Parliament
is often one who is regarded as fair and entirely equitable, having no party
affiliation or loyalty during his time in as the speaker. He mediates disputes and maintains the house
rules and delegates which members can speak at which time. He’s also a non-voting member of parliament
and does not vote except in cases of a tie.
And in even in that circumstance, the rules of voting while the speaker
are very strict as to maintain a non-partisan status.
 |
John Boehner,
Speaker of the House
Republican, Elected Jan 2011
|
The
role of the speaker, in my view, is to serve as a servant of the houses
factions. He should be one who organizes
the agenda proportionally, allowing all members to vote on whatever piece of
legislation either side wishes to present.
Now, I’m not saying that there should not be any order to it…but I do
believe that the issues discussed in the House should be representative of the
house’s membership. So if Democrats
control 55% of the membership and Republicans 45%...then 55% of the issues discussed
in the House should be from Democrats, and 45% from Republicans. A fair, proportional, equitable division of
the issues presented. The speaker’s role
in this regard is to make sure that the rules of order are followed, that the
time to speak be divided evenly and fairly, and that the parties behave
themselves in a civil manner. Further,
the speaker should never be a partisan in any way when an issue affecting
national issues occur. The Speaker’s
role is to ensure that the rules of the House are enforced and not to
selectively enforce them or give special preference to his or her own
party.
 |
Nancy Pelosi,
Former Speaker of the House, Democrat
Elected 2009
|
Some
changes that I would like to see in the House in regards to a speaker is a
2/3rds majority vote for the job. That a
simple majority is insufficient to elect a speaker that is truly viewed as
non-partisan. A non-partisan speaker is
essential to the functioning of the chamber and ensures a fair and equitable
exchange of dialogue between the parties.
It also would ensure that the speaker maintains a good relationship with
all parties and divides the work proportionally. Finally, a vote of no-confidence which can be
initiated by a petition signed by 1/3 of the chamber’s members. This would also keep the speaker’s
non-partisan status enforced and would ensure that the speaker appeals to ALL
members of the chamber to maintain fairness and equality to all parties and
members.
Thanks for your time, and please follow me:
Twitter: @gdgivens,
Facebook as well: http://facebook.com/GabeGivens
and http://facebook.com/TheLiberalPragmatist
Twitter: @gdgivens,
Facebook as well: http://facebook.com/GabeGivens
and http://facebook.com/TheLiberalPragmatist
Sunday, September 22, 2013
God: Sometimes a Flood is Just a Flood
Colorado had one of the worst periods of flooding in over 1000 years according to climatologists and the oral histories of various native peoples who lived in that area before we "moved" in. Immediately after that event had concluded, but before the water even had time to recede, neo-conservatives jumped to the air waves blaming gays and abortion and "The Liberal Agenda" for provoking "God's Wrath". This has the intent of inciting anger against liberals. Furthermore, it's designed to deceive others into thinking and voting a particular way.
One of the biggest lies going around right now in Christian Circles is that God punishes the whole for the actions of a few. If we are to reason that God is a just god, and that God is the greatest of judges, and that we reasonably can say that judges' roles are to be arbiters of justice...then explain to me the logic of this: I'm going to smite the whole nation because a few people do this, or a few people do that. How is that justice? How is that judgment? How is that fair? God is the god of fair, the god of just, the god of equality and reason, God is the god of rational thinking.
The 1720s, 1820s, and 1920s taught us one thing: That Christianity is about that personal relationship with Jesus, that that relationship is the centerfold of the Christian Faith, and that you literally make your own bed with whatever behaviors you engage in or do or whatever. The hell you live in is the one you create for yourself through your choices. So again, I believe 100% that God does not punish the nation because of the actions of a few. I believe it to be greatly contrary to the spirit and purpose of Christianity, as well as a viscous lie to instill fear in others. And as we know, God does not instill in us a spirit of fear.
So is it reasonable to say that the premise of God punishing our nation for whatever is a lie of the enemy to deceive and to instill fear in others? Could it be that it is used as a manipulation tactic to get neo-conservatives elected? And is it reasonable to say that such inflammatory rhetoric accomplishes nothing except to manipulate those that are less informed, less grounded, and less secure about life into voting and thinking a certain way? Yes, it is. God does not punish us. We do a pretty good job of that on our own. He (Jesus) waits there patiently for us to return TO him ready to start over. He doesn't pound us into the pavement til we say "Mercy, you win, I give up."
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Sabbath: A Different Perspective
I remember the first time I visited a Seventh-day Adventist Church. I strongly recommend one if you ever feel the desire to understand what Seventh-day Adventists believe. Though in the most basic of senses, Seventh-day Adventists believe in the same core values as any other Christian denomination. That Christ is the Savior, and that by his blood, the sacrifice of the Old Law as required in the Covenant with God as detailed in the Old Testament, was fulfilled permanently. And that Christ, on the third day of his death, rose and ascended to Heaven as the Son of God, but also God as described by the concept of the Holy Trinity.
One of the most significant beliefs of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is that of "The Sabbath." For those who are unaware, the Sabbath is the 7th day of the week, usually accepted as Saturday, where it is believed that God has commanded us to rest and take a day off. On such a day, it is argued that man should do no work and that nobody with the Israelites should do any work either. No the livestock or the animals or immigrants or guests or anybody. Take a day off to remember God and his wonders, provision, and gifts that He has given us. For a more detailed description of The Sabbath from a Biblical perspective, see Genesis 2:2-3, and Exodus 20:8-11.
But let me throw a little reason into the mix. From a practical, real-world perspective, having a day off is a healthy and necessary thing to maintain a healthy body. Most work cycles in our society are built around the two-day rest, five-day work cycle. To maintain a good healthy body, the body must rest from strenuous labor from time to time to heal from the strain undertaken from any kind of work, whether physical or mental. It gives the mind and body time to relax, to refresh, and for the mind, time to enjoy the pleasures of life, whatever those may be. So, when we look at scripture, and we see a great deal of emphasis being put on observing the Sabbath...what that tells me is that having a day off was very important. It also stands to reason that the Sabbath important enough to be codified with a death penalty for anyone violating it during the times of The Exodus. It was also important enough for Jesus to speak about during his ministry as accounted and detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
In the times of "The Exodus" as well as later up through even the 1800s I'd argue, the standard of living was low for many people. Some civilizations had attained a level of advancement where there was a great deal of leisure time, and others required massive amounts of labor hours to keep things even at a subsistence level. Would it stand to reason that in the times of the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, that God, and Jesus both would set aside a day for people to take a break? And not just people, but land, animals, labor, and of course anyone. Did you know, that Exodus commanded the Israelites to leave their land fallow once every 7 years. On the 7th year of a planting season, they were demanded to keep the land free from planting, and let it lie fallow. The scientific reason for this is so that the land could replenish it's natural nourishment. A real world and relatively recent example of this going wrong is the Dust Bowl of the early 1900s, where the farm lands of the Midwest were depleted of any usable value due to over use and over-planting. It resulted in a period of history where many farmers lost their farms and many people starved due to food shortages.
I personally believe that all people should have a day off. There is no question in my mind that that is a necessary and proper part of being a healthy human being. But also, do I believe the Sabbath is required as part of a Christian Walk? I am of the viewpoint that, in the Character of Christs' teachings, and in line with the consistency of walking by faith simply to walk by faith and no other reason, no. I do not believe that "The Sabbath" as defined by Judaism or by Seventh-day Adventists or any other denomination of Abrahamic Faiths is a necessary mechanism to reap the rewards of walking the path of Christianity. I do believe that its a couple of things though:
1) I believe it is a necessary biological need to have a day off. I believe that the emphasis was placed so heavily on the Sabbath was to instill with urgency that human beings cannot sustain in the long term, they're physical health, if they work continuously. A day off functions as both biological rest and as personal self-reflection or spiritual renewal. There's a reason why such Sabbath regulations in Exodus also included animals, aliens, strangers, travelers and/or other guests/non-believers. It was to ensure that you didn't make others who were traveling among the Hebrews weren't forced to work when everyone else had the day off. It was strict, and it was reasonable given the time. "Honor the Sabbath and Keep it Holy" is a very a-typical demand as opposed to the rest of the 10 commandments. Was it truly a mandated day off for all time in all generations? Or was it a command that could be more loosely observed given the way life treats you. Or is it purely pragmatic to ensure people get a day off from everything? That's the mystery.
2) I believe that as a believer in Christ or any other variation of Judeo-Christian beliefs, Judaism, Islam, and the like, that having a day of worship is a VERY good idea. That such a day should be observed for the purposes of refreshing yourself spiritually and mentally, as well as interacting with those in your faith community collectively. It also is a launching ground for civic action and services for the poor and needy. And I believe that worship, whether on a Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, or Monday or whatever day you choose to congregate with other believers are equally important. I don't see Jesus judging one because they chose to worship on Sunday rather than Saturday, or Wednesday, or whatever day. Because, I argue in Christianity, it's the motives of the heart that matter most, not the dogmatic ritual of a thing.
Overall though, you must follow your heart on this issue. If you believe the Sabbath is the literal Sabbath, then by all means, honor your conscience and observe the Sabbath as your faith and personal convictions require you to do so. I personally don't think I give a lot of credit to the strict observance to the Saturday-Sabbath. But I do believe in taking a day to rest, and taking a day to reflect on creation, on God, on the nature of the universe and to just flex those existential intelligence muscles.
Tell me what you think. I encourage good dialogue.
One of the most significant beliefs of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is that of "The Sabbath." For those who are unaware, the Sabbath is the 7th day of the week, usually accepted as Saturday, where it is believed that God has commanded us to rest and take a day off. On such a day, it is argued that man should do no work and that nobody with the Israelites should do any work either. No the livestock or the animals or immigrants or guests or anybody. Take a day off to remember God and his wonders, provision, and gifts that He has given us. For a more detailed description of The Sabbath from a Biblical perspective, see Genesis 2:2-3, and Exodus 20:8-11.
But let me throw a little reason into the mix. From a practical, real-world perspective, having a day off is a healthy and necessary thing to maintain a healthy body. Most work cycles in our society are built around the two-day rest, five-day work cycle. To maintain a good healthy body, the body must rest from strenuous labor from time to time to heal from the strain undertaken from any kind of work, whether physical or mental. It gives the mind and body time to relax, to refresh, and for the mind, time to enjoy the pleasures of life, whatever those may be. So, when we look at scripture, and we see a great deal of emphasis being put on observing the Sabbath...what that tells me is that having a day off was very important. It also stands to reason that the Sabbath important enough to be codified with a death penalty for anyone violating it during the times of The Exodus. It was also important enough for Jesus to speak about during his ministry as accounted and detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
In the times of "The Exodus" as well as later up through even the 1800s I'd argue, the standard of living was low for many people. Some civilizations had attained a level of advancement where there was a great deal of leisure time, and others required massive amounts of labor hours to keep things even at a subsistence level. Would it stand to reason that in the times of the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, that God, and Jesus both would set aside a day for people to take a break? And not just people, but land, animals, labor, and of course anyone. Did you know, that Exodus commanded the Israelites to leave their land fallow once every 7 years. On the 7th year of a planting season, they were demanded to keep the land free from planting, and let it lie fallow. The scientific reason for this is so that the land could replenish it's natural nourishment. A real world and relatively recent example of this going wrong is the Dust Bowl of the early 1900s, where the farm lands of the Midwest were depleted of any usable value due to over use and over-planting. It resulted in a period of history where many farmers lost their farms and many people starved due to food shortages.
I personally believe that all people should have a day off. There is no question in my mind that that is a necessary and proper part of being a healthy human being. But also, do I believe the Sabbath is required as part of a Christian Walk? I am of the viewpoint that, in the Character of Christs' teachings, and in line with the consistency of walking by faith simply to walk by faith and no other reason, no. I do not believe that "The Sabbath" as defined by Judaism or by Seventh-day Adventists or any other denomination of Abrahamic Faiths is a necessary mechanism to reap the rewards of walking the path of Christianity. I do believe that its a couple of things though:
1) I believe it is a necessary biological need to have a day off. I believe that the emphasis was placed so heavily on the Sabbath was to instill with urgency that human beings cannot sustain in the long term, they're physical health, if they work continuously. A day off functions as both biological rest and as personal self-reflection or spiritual renewal. There's a reason why such Sabbath regulations in Exodus also included animals, aliens, strangers, travelers and/or other guests/non-believers. It was to ensure that you didn't make others who were traveling among the Hebrews weren't forced to work when everyone else had the day off. It was strict, and it was reasonable given the time. "Honor the Sabbath and Keep it Holy" is a very a-typical demand as opposed to the rest of the 10 commandments. Was it truly a mandated day off for all time in all generations? Or was it a command that could be more loosely observed given the way life treats you. Or is it purely pragmatic to ensure people get a day off from everything? That's the mystery.
2) I believe that as a believer in Christ or any other variation of Judeo-Christian beliefs, Judaism, Islam, and the like, that having a day of worship is a VERY good idea. That such a day should be observed for the purposes of refreshing yourself spiritually and mentally, as well as interacting with those in your faith community collectively. It also is a launching ground for civic action and services for the poor and needy. And I believe that worship, whether on a Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, or Monday or whatever day you choose to congregate with other believers are equally important. I don't see Jesus judging one because they chose to worship on Sunday rather than Saturday, or Wednesday, or whatever day. Because, I argue in Christianity, it's the motives of the heart that matter most, not the dogmatic ritual of a thing.
Overall though, you must follow your heart on this issue. If you believe the Sabbath is the literal Sabbath, then by all means, honor your conscience and observe the Sabbath as your faith and personal convictions require you to do so. I personally don't think I give a lot of credit to the strict observance to the Saturday-Sabbath. But I do believe in taking a day to rest, and taking a day to reflect on creation, on God, on the nature of the universe and to just flex those existential intelligence muscles.
Tell me what you think. I encourage good dialogue.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Fundamentalists Live In Fear
So, here's a revelation that I want to share:
Conservative and fundamentalist Christians live in fear. And here's why.
1. They believe that the actions of a few bring punishment on the whole.
2. They believe that the force of law must be used to purify and unify the population to avoid God's wrath.
3. They believe in using Christianity as a Criminal code, using the verse of Paul and Simon and Peter and even Jesus to write criminal statutes because of their fear.
4. They believe that religion is sufficient to explain the natural workings of the world, and that all other perspectives are invalid because Man's understanding of nature isn't perfect...yet some how their understanding of the divine will of God is perfect for some reason.
5. They believe in the ultimate supremacy of Christianity and that all other cultures, viewpoints, and religions are apostasies and must be trampled out to protect the "moral integrity" of society.
It's true that the Bible has stories in it, particularly in the Old Testament where actions of the one or the few has caused God to turn his back on his people. However, we do not live in the Old Testament under the law of the Old Testament God. He formed a new Covenant with us, that we listen to his teachings, walk in faith, and serve man as Christ served man during his ministry.
Christ never called for nor did he ever hint at Christianity being institutionalized. Christianity was to be a private walk between you and your savior, acting on the convictions of your heart, and displaying his love and glory in your every day life and your normal, regular interactions.
Christ never called for "eye for an eye" manner of thinking. He sought fair and equitable justice for people who did wrong, and he called for mercy, compassion, and mitigation. God being a just judge, I believe, will truly be the "one-on-one" judge taking every single thought, motive, and reason into account in the end just as an earthly judge would.
Christ's whole centerpiece of ministry was to serve. To go into the masses with your gifts and be a quiet, responsible, just, kind, giving servant to man. Such acts express Christ's love to everyone.
You more fundamentalist Christians out there, you live in fear, you walk in fear, and you work in fear because you fear that if you're not perfect, God will smite you, smite the nation, and smite the people. And I tell you that it is a lie. God is not an authoritarian, Christ is not his henchman here to club you for being you.
Your walk of fear has caused you to delude yourselves into subjugating millions of people across the world, making gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgendered persons live in fear for their lives, believing that your only desire in life is to persecute them, rob them of their civil liberties, and suppress who they are as people, who they were naturally crafted to be.
You seek to suppress women by some outdated notion that women are less than men, due to an obscure event in GENESIS which you believe God said women are subservient to men. Christ broke that norm when he told men to cherish, love, and protect their women just as Christ loves, and cherishes the Church. Women are not to serve you, you and women are to serve each other as equals, partners, companions in all ventures, journeys, pains, and hurts.
1st Peter 3:1-7
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
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.
So, yes I write to criticize and oppose fundamentalism, because in of itself it is wrong in all ways. It takes 1/2 a passage, message, and purpose, and writes its own 2nd half. Tolerance, respect, love, compassion, empathy, and mercy are qualities that NO Christian should ever be without if they expect to truly serve the will of Christ, which is to serve.
1st Timothy 1:1-18
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
Conservative and fundamentalist Christians live in fear. And here's why.
1. They believe that the actions of a few bring punishment on the whole.
2. They believe that the force of law must be used to purify and unify the population to avoid God's wrath.3. They believe in using Christianity as a Criminal code, using the verse of Paul and Simon and Peter and even Jesus to write criminal statutes because of their fear.
4. They believe that religion is sufficient to explain the natural workings of the world, and that all other perspectives are invalid because Man's understanding of nature isn't perfect...yet some how their understanding of the divine will of God is perfect for some reason.
5. They believe in the ultimate supremacy of Christianity and that all other cultures, viewpoints, and religions are apostasies and must be trampled out to protect the "moral integrity" of society.
It's true that the Bible has stories in it, particularly in the Old Testament where actions of the one or the few has caused God to turn his back on his people. However, we do not live in the Old Testament under the law of the Old Testament God. He formed a new Covenant with us, that we listen to his teachings, walk in faith, and serve man as Christ served man during his ministry.
Christ never called for nor did he ever hint at Christianity being institutionalized. Christianity was to be a private walk between you and your savior, acting on the convictions of your heart, and displaying his love and glory in your every day life and your normal, regular interactions.
Christ never called for "eye for an eye" manner of thinking. He sought fair and equitable justice for people who did wrong, and he called for mercy, compassion, and mitigation. God being a just judge, I believe, will truly be the "one-on-one" judge taking every single thought, motive, and reason into account in the end just as an earthly judge would.
Christ's whole centerpiece of ministry was to serve. To go into the masses with your gifts and be a quiet, responsible, just, kind, giving servant to man. Such acts express Christ's love to everyone.
You more fundamentalist Christians out there, you live in fear, you walk in fear, and you work in fear because you fear that if you're not perfect, God will smite you, smite the nation, and smite the people. And I tell you that it is a lie. God is not an authoritarian, Christ is not his henchman here to club you for being you.
Your walk of fear has caused you to delude yourselves into subjugating millions of people across the world, making gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgendered persons live in fear for their lives, believing that your only desire in life is to persecute them, rob them of their civil liberties, and suppress who they are as people, who they were naturally crafted to be.
You seek to suppress women by some outdated notion that women are less than men, due to an obscure event in GENESIS which you believe God said women are subservient to men. Christ broke that norm when he told men to cherish, love, and protect their women just as Christ loves, and cherishes the Church. Women are not to serve you, you and women are to serve each other as equals, partners, companions in all ventures, journeys, pains, and hurts.1st Peter 3:1-7
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
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.
So, yes I write to criticize and oppose fundamentalism, because in of itself it is wrong in all ways. It takes 1/2 a passage, message, and purpose, and writes its own 2nd half. Tolerance, respect, love, compassion, empathy, and mercy are qualities that NO Christian should ever be without if they expect to truly serve the will of Christ, which is to serve.
1st Timothy 1:1-18
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Republicans Going the Way of the Dinosaur
If Republicans hope to salvage what's left of their credibility and legitimacy, then the members of the party are going to have to take bold steps. Often times Republicans these days are characterized by their very loud red-neck cousins who have about as much good sense as a long-tailed cat who lives in a store full of rocking chairs. However, I know for a fact that there are well-meaining truly educated Republicans out there who see their party crashing and burning around them. These middle-of-the-road Republicans, or also called moderates, are the only hope for restoring the Republicans to a state where they can effectively govern and debate with Democrats.
Right now, we see a party that is literally embroiled in their own mini-culture war. There are wings of the party who teeter on economic Libertarian Fascists who value their idealism more than governing. Rand Paul, self-proclaimed Libertarian who labels himself a Republican repeatedly pushes and advocates for policy that would eliminate taxation, regulation, and public support of vital industries and ventures such as education and unemployment. Then there's This wing of the party would dismantle every single arm of the government, leaving us at the mercy of huge corporations to have their way with the public like a dog having it's way with it's stuffed animal chew toy.
There are a couple of far-fetched solutions that might bring some sanity back to the House. If the Democratic House Caucus could court 18 Moderate Republicans who are thoroughly disgusted with the Tea Party Caucus, provide them some incentives to caucus with Democrats, then Democrats could shift the balance of power into the hands of Democrats. This would allow a majority of the desperately needed legislation to pass with some bipartisan support. The speakership would be reopened to election in the House, and house committees would be reshuffled to reflect the new coalition majority with some Republicans being given chairmanships, as well as some moderate legislation being pushed to the floor for a vote. This House could salvage the extremely frayed and destroyed image of the House and restore it to the institution it should be. One that passes laws, pays the bills, and moves the legislative process forward.
There are a couple of far-fetched solutions that might bring some sanity back to the House. If the Democratic House Caucus could court 18 Moderate Republicans who are thoroughly disgusted with the Tea Party Caucus, provide them some incentives to caucus with Democrats, then Democrats could shift the balance of power into the hands of Democrats. This would allow a majority of the desperately needed legislation to pass with some bipartisan support. The speakership would be reopened to election in the House, and house committees would be reshuffled to reflect the new coalition majority with some Republicans being given chairmanships, as well as some moderate legislation being pushed to the floor for a vote. This House could salvage the extremely frayed and destroyed image of the House and restore it to the institution it should be. One that passes laws, pays the bills, and moves the legislative process forward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)