What is it About Gays Anyway

Fairyhedgehog posted about a serious matter on her blog. The title of her post is: Death Penalty for Gays.

She is citing a New York Times article about Uganda possibly passing a law which institutes the death penalty for gay and lesbian people.

The issue of being gay/lesbian - or one of the other labels attached to people of sexual preference - is a serious one. It's one the world has to deal with. Historically, Uganda's proposed solution is not far from the way the people of the world have dealt with the issue.

The Bible seems to speak against it. And yet there are those who say the verses used to support this claim are being taken out of context. It is certainly true that Jesus is never recorded voicing an opinion one way or the other regarding homosexuality. Apparently, whether it was sin or not sin, he did not consider it worthy of his time.

And yet how many of us Christians invest tremendous emotion and activity regarding it? We openly condemn the gay community. We seek to pass legislation to inhibit gay rights, or revoke legislation which supports it.

We invest so much of ourselves in matters of sex - whether we admit it or not. We descry the unwed mother, unmarried live-in couples, and a host of other sexual related acts and attitudes.

I'm not saying the things we descry are not sin. What I am saying is this: Why don't we invest the same energy crying out against injustice? Intolerance? Stealing? Slander? Ignoring the poor? Speeding? Or anything else which constitutes sin? Why pick out sexual things as though they were the worst sin one could commit?

There is ONE sin, and ONE sin only which cannot be forgiven: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

"And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And every one who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." Luke 12:8-10 Revised Standard Version

Can a gay man or lesbian woman be a Christian?

Many Christian talk as though that were impossible. They're wrong.

What makes a Christian? Our behavior? Are we Christians because of how we behave? Or do we behave because we are Christians? This is an important question. Are we saved by faith, or by works?

O foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3 Revised Standard Version

Are you a Christian? Have you committed adultery? Fornication? Theft? Have you been prideful, intolerant, unloving, drunk with alcohol or high on drugs? Have you idolized someone, or something? Have you been disobedient to your parents?

The world is filled with sins. And Christians commit all of them. No Christian commits all of them, but all Christians commit some. And here what the Bible says about ANY sin.

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10 Revised Standard Version

We are ALL guilty. NO ONE is going to get to heaven without first being forgiven for who they are, what they are, and what they have said, done, and felt in their heart.

So how should Christians treat gay and lesbian people? How should we treat anybody?

I find that as I grow older I am less concerned with what is and is not sin. What matters is forgiveness. And treating others the way Jesus wants them to be treated. We were never called to punish those we believed to be "sinners". If we were, we should begin with ourselves and not move on to others until we are sinless.

In the meantime, we should raise voices in oppostion to what Uganda wants to do with the same righteous indignation that we have in condemning gays and lesbians. Leave them alone.

We are all Fools, And We Continue to Go Astray

It's been a while since I've posted. Posting here has become difficult. As much because this blog gets so few hits as because of weariness. But I just read something this morning which bothers me to no end, and I have to post about it. What is it? What else?

Religious Intolerance acting in the name of Christ.

If you are curious about what I read you may find it here. The blog is maintained by Lee Wind. It is a blog supporting the Gay->Bi-sexual->Lesbian->Transgender segments of society.

This hatred in the name of Christ has to be the most disgusting thing on the planet. It's worse than pedephilia, terrorism, murder, rape, or any other crime you can think of. Why? Because if you accept this kind of hatred - hatred in the name of God - then you are capable of ALL of those crimes - and much more.

Who in the Bible did Christ hate?

NOBODY!

He didn't even hate the Pharisees and Sadduces who plotted to kill him. He wept for them because of the horrors which were coming.

So how can anyone who claims to have Christ's spirit in them hate so much?

I was reading in Romans today.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 Revised Standard Version

When we focus our attention on banning books, or withholding social rights to others are we not focusing on the flesh?

When we create entire political action organizations using the name of Christ, have we not set our minds on the things of the flesh?

We do these things and we claim we are doing them for God. We claim we are representing God.

THAT IS A LIE!

Read what Jesus Christ himself said about governments and politics.

He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 Revised Standard Version

The laws of our society are NOT Christ's concern. How much, or even whether, we pay taxes. Where should speed limits be set? What books should be allowed here or there? These are the things of the flesh. They are NOT Christ's concern.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. That slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put you rsword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup with the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11 Revised Standard Version

Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 18:36 Revised Standard Version

We are NOT to fight. That is a direct order from Jesus himself. If he refused to allow it when he went to the cross, how much more will he refuse to allow it over the matter of books?

This is what Paul says.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashpemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version

I hilighted the portions which come to mind when I see and hear people who talk and act like Christian Conservatives.

I can't think of a single person on the planet who associtates Christian Conservatism with love.

What did Jesus say to the church of Ephaesus?

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love.Revelation 2:2-4 New King James Version

God does not want us wasting our time hating other people who are different from us. Not even if we are absolutely convinced they are horrible, sinful, people. Because is that not what we are without Christ? Nobody is holy and pure except that God, through Christ, forgives their sins. There is no degree of sin to get in or be excluded from heaven. One sin. Any sin. Keeps us out. And we have all sinned. God says so.

You worried about worldly influences on yourself, your family, your children? Don't be. Hear what God has to say.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Revised Standard Version

Spend less time worrying about the "don't" and more time on the "do's".

The "do's" of God are love and forgiveness.

Please, Please, Please remember that. I wish I could only make the Political Religious understand this.

Wolf or Prophet

I was having a discussion with someone recently about my concern over how everyone is so filled with hatred, intolerance, and general animosity, that it's quite depressing to see. The topic of cults had come up and he had related that in his studies he had learned there were a frightening amount of cults just in the United States.

Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?

He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.

The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.

I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.

Am I a wolf?

I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!

Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version

It Turns Out God Made Them After All

There are many divisive issues confronting us today. They range from race relations to religion to matters of law and even sexuality. For a person who grew up with very precise definitions of sex and sexuality I am a Johnny-come-lately to the discussion. There was a time I held a stance and was quite dogmatic about it. I wasn't willing to hear anything which didn't agree with what I had already decided.

But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.

The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.

I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version

I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.

Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version

So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.

So where does that leave us with regard to God?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version

Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.

How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?

Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.

Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version

Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?

That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?

But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.

So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?

I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.

Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version

People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.

We Are the Reason We Should Be Ashamed

Yesterday I brought my son to Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, for his saxophone lesson. While there I found a copy of the July, 2009, edition of Minnesota Christian Chronicle. On page 4 I found a short editorial by Carl Nelson who, as it is explained at the end of the editorial, is president and CEO of the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals.

I won't take word-for-word excerpts from the paper (as I would probably find myself sued for copyright infringement), but I will give the gist of what Mr. Nelson wrote.

Apparently, Pew Research did a national survey and found that "62 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe 'the use of torture against suspected terrorists to gain important information' to be often or sometimes justified." The greater frequency of church attendance and the more likely this was true.

Now, Mr. Nelson is against this trend. In fact, he writes that he added his name to the National Religious Campaign to Ban Torture, and participated in a speaking event at the Center for Victims of Torture. He gives a web address: www.evangelicalsforhumanrights.org. Good for Mr. Nelson.

So many of us Christians get self-righteous about the fact the the world hates us so much. And let's be honest - the world does hate us. But when we support torture, hatred, intolerance, exclusionism, imperialism, and a host of other evil practices, I don't think we have much to be proud of. In fact, we are in danger of hell fire.

One of the main biblical themes God gives us in Holy Scripture is the the concept of sowing and reaping. "As a man soweth, so shall he reap." Spew out hatred, and that is what you will get in return.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

If you are in favor of torturing suspected terrorists in order to gain information, think about what it is you are in favor of. What if someone - anyone - suspects you of something? What you are saying is that they should torture you in order to find out about it. This is true whether you know anything or not.

You say these people would not be in custody if they weren't guilty? What are you saying? Think about it. This means if anyone thinks you are guilty they should put you in prison and torture you.

Carry your thoughts through, people! Don't base your actions on fear. We live in a culture of fear. We are constantly being told by all kinds of people that we should be afraid. Politicians want us afraid so we will vote for them. Merchants want us afraid so we will buy their products. News and weather people want us afraid so we will watch/listen to/read their reports. Preachers want us afraid so we will come to them for guidance.

People. God is NOT about fear.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 New King James Version

Jesus set us the example when he was here. How did he react to sinners? And I mean real sinners, and not just people who were different, or hated him. The woman caught in adultery is probably the finest example Jesus gave. (I still find it amazing that only the woman was brought. It takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery.)

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 Revised Standard Version

So, what am I saying? We should do nothing with these suspected terrorists? Yes. I guess so. Without proof, we are as evil as the evil we purport to fight if we hold them. With proof, we should deal with them according to the law - the real law and not invented law based on fear. Real law forbids torture.

People, the saying is true. God started it, but it has been modernized. "What goes around, comes around." Whatever we unleash on others will eventually come back to us. It's a boomerang.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Revised Standard Version

We live in a world of fear. Jesus told us it would be so. Let us learn to relax in God's will and in the truth that God is in control. It is a learning experience, and it takes effort as well as time.

Luke Chapter 21 (emphasis mine)

[8] And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.

[9] But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immeidately."

[10] Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

[11] And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and tehere will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to th synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

[13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

[14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

[15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

[16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

[17] And you will be hatd by all for My name's sake.

[18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

[19] By your patience possess your souls.

[20] But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee t othe mountains, let those who are i nthe midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

[22] For thse are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

[23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.

[24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

[25] And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

[26] men's hearts failing them from fear and the expecation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the hevens will be shaken.

So, When Do We Fight

One thing I come across, or am confronted by, on a regular basis when talking/listening to Christians talk is this concept that we need to "get angry". People are advocating laws which go against Biblical teaching. People are trying to remove God from schools, city offices, and anything else they can think of. We need to get "angry". We should be grossly indignant.

Wrong.

The Roman Empire was hardly a godly civilization, and yet that was the civilization in in place where Jesus walked the earth. So what did Jesus have to say about the godless nation in which he lived? I'm only aware of Jesus making one reference to the government.

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". Matthew 22:21 Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not concern himself with the government. He obeyed the government, but he did not try to influence policy. Even when he stood before Pilate he made no arguments. When asked if he is a king.

"My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 19:36 Revised Standard Version

Too often we humans get to thinking God somehow needs our help in matters he has told us to leave alone. God does not need our help. What is more, he does not want us trying to help. Certainly, he does not want us getting angry and acting out in anger.

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with is brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire." Matthew 5:21-22 Revised Standard Version

Personally, I think there are several things going on. Take your choice where you fall, if you are one who is prone to get angry at those who behave other than you think they should.

First, there are people in power who seek to use religion and religious zeal and fervor to further their selfish aims. Get people worked up. Get them afraid. Such people are easy to manipulate, for they are not thinking.

Second, there are people who are worked up and afraid. They desperately want to serve God, but they're afraid they're not doing enough. They're so afraid God is angry with them for not doing enough they are willing to follow any charismatic leader, even if those leaders lead them into anger, hatred, and murder.

Third, there are people who aren't sure they really believe. These people react angrily, and even violently when anything happens which threatens their well-being. They're afraid they can be made to cease believing because they aren't even sure they believe in the first place. These people do not understand what faith is. They think it's how they feel about things. It's what our society teaches. Our preachers don't say it, but so many imply it with the words they use. They keep talking about the senses. Faith has nothing to do with the senses. Faith is a decision. It's an act of will. That's why someone who is completely terrified can act in faith.

Allow me to try and explain.

My son used to be terrified of thunderstorms. He would become so frightened he would physically shake. He wanted to run, but I told him to relax and trust me. I would take him in my arms and he would hang on to me tightly. He trusted me - but he was still afraid. Acting in faith will banish fear - eventually. Just as acting in fear will banish faith - right away. The two are mutually incompatible.

Sometimes, we are like the father who sought Jesus' help when the disciples were not able.

And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes that's all we have: faith in the midst of fear. Sometimes, to act in faith is to do nothing at all. God is not violence. We are taught from our youth that he is. But God is not violence. Read what happened with Elijah.

And there he came to a cave, and lodge there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, sand said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

We like to say that God is in nature. According to the Holy Scriptures, that is not true. God is not in earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, firestorms, and other forms of destruction. God is quiet and gentle. Those other things are tools in God's hands. They are not God.

Do not fear because there are powerful elements seeking to remove God from existence. They cannot succeed. For one thing, as long as you believe God will have people here. Right? So you keep believing. Do you not understand that NO ONE can make anyone believe - or not believe - in God? Only the Holy Spirit can touch someone's heart.

So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and yo do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (emphasis mine) John 10:24-28 Revised Standard Version

No matter what happens, you cannot be made to not believe. So do not fret over what others are doing. Just continue believing. Do not get angry. That only confirms in the minds of others that you are a hypocrite. And it takes away your reward in heaven.

Keep the faith. Keep the peace. Let God deal with those who would try to get rid of him.

PSALM 2

[1] Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

[2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and teh rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

[3] "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."

[4] He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.

[5] Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

[6] "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."

Murder is Not the Way of God

Was checking one of my email accounts on Yahoo and saw a link to a disturbing news story.

Abortion doc George Tiller Gunned Down at Church.

Now, to be honest, I'm not all that thrilled about people having abortions for reasons other than health but, guess what? It's the law of the land. That means it's legal people. You don't like it? Then ask the government to change it. They won't? Then live with it. And let others live with doing it!

The people who have been sinned against with this one hateful act are manifest.

There is George Tiller himself. Murdered.

There is his family, some of who probably witnessed it. There are the people who were in attendance at the church. There is society itself. And let's not forget God, which the murderer so clearly did. God is not happy when anybody commits murder. And doing it in His name doesn't make it any better.

Writtenwyrdd recently posted on her blog about banning books. (She's against it, by the way.) The general feeling of those who commented was that people who are in favor of such fascist thinking are people who do not live the faith they purport to support. And they're right.

Consider Jesus. Just yesterday I read in John 8 how religious hypocrites brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus for judgment. This is the account.

Early in the morning he (Jesus) came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery (where was the man?) and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." (parentetical pieces mine) John 8:2-11 Revised Standard Version

If you would follow Jesus - follow God - then act toward people in LOVE. Jesus did not condemn people, so you don't condemn people. Jesus accepted people for who they were/are. So you accept people - for who they are. Do they sin? Sure, they do. But guess what? So do you. And do you know what? Your sins, though hidden, might actually be worse.

Be careful about associating with those who speak hatred toward "those who sin". They are speaking against you, you know. Is that what you really want to be like? Is that how you wish to be judged? Had this man who committed this murder truly been thinking of God, and what God wants, and how God judges, I do not believe he would have done this deed. Is this how he wishes to be treated?

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give wil lbe the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eyes? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 Revised Standard Version

The message is clear. Why is it we so quickly forget it? And now a man is dead.

Who and What Should We Fear

So much of our human cultures are built on fear. We're afraid of this, that, and a host of other things.

Here is a partial list of things we fear:

• Losing our job/finances
  
• Losing a loved one
  
• Losing health
  
• Being attacked/terrorism/mugging/rape/murder
  
• Having our faith corrupted
  
• Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender people
  
• Religious fanatics
  
• Religious intolerants
  
• Pollution
  
• Governments
  

This is just a very small list, and a good number of them are valid fears. But what does God have to say about all of this fear?

I just finished going through my concordance. What I found were 284 command references to us - from God - regarding fear.

At least 112 times God tells us to NOT FEAR. This is done a LOT when prophetic events are described. Twenty-six of those admonitions occur in the New Testament. Many from Jesus' own mouth. The very first admonition about fear is to NOT.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15:1 New King James Version

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus talks about what things will be like in the years shortly preceding his return.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.(emphasis mine) Luke 21:25-26 New King James Version

When we, who claim to trust God, are afraid of these things - and I am guilty like everyone else - what we are really saying is that we do NOT trust God. If we did, we would not be afraid, because God has already told us to calm down and not be afraid. Not of these things anyway.

There is something we should fear. God tells us this no less than 172 times: 21 times in the New Testament. What is it that we should fear?

God.

If we fear God - if we trust Him - we will be less and less disposed to act out violently and irrationally against those who frighen us. For they will not frighten us anymore.

We become afraid because we become so bound to and caught up in this world that we forget this is but a short time in our existence. ALL of us are going to live forever. The question is: Where?

Do not hinder your chances of living with God by focusing on your fears - especially when those fears drive you to inflict pain, hardship, harassment, and even death to others. Focus on God. Do not be concerned about what other people are doing. It cannot happen unless God allows it. Speak out. Be heard. Make your opinions known. But do so in love and tenderness. Not hatred, fear, and violence. And trust God to keep things under control no matter how things play out.

Render Unto Caesar

Lawyers and judges always seem to be talking in double-talk. Perhaps that's why so many of them enter into politics. Politicians are always trying to say opposite things.

An historic ruling has just been made in California. Sarah Laurenson posted about it on her blog, Short Stuff. I don't even pretend to understand the legalese with which the California Supreme Court declared its ruling, but according to what Sarah says, the English translation is that gay and lesbian couples can be legally married in California. They just can't call it marriage.

While my reaction to the court is that it didn't have the guts to stand up for what it believed in, it is also possible the court doesn't believe in anything and so had nothing to stand up for.

But the GOOD news is that Sarah is still legally married. Well, no, that's not true. Sarah is still legally "wedded". She can't be married. Even though she is.

Like I said, I have trouble with legal double-talk. It's like listening to religious fanatics talk. They can take any sentence from anywhere and make it mean whatever they want. That's my opinion of lawyers, too. I don't have much faith in our judicial system anymore. But there's no other system which works better, so what do you do?

As long as people like Sarah and her spouse (we can still say that, can't we) are left alone to live their lives as they wish. They aren't out to hurt or defraud anybody. Leave them alone. I think that's what this ruling is saying. Stop harassing the innocent.

Those of you who are religiously conservative, I note that you spend a lot of time b*tching and moaning about gays and lesbians, but you haven't had a word to say about Wall Street Tycoons destroying the country with greed and avarice. You b*tch and moan because some Democrat politician supports some legislation which will take money from your pockets, descrying them as immoral and evil. But you never have anything to say about torture, civil rights, or any sins of the Republican Party.

You who seek to be ultra conservative live your lives in fear. That's what you're all about now. God told us about you. Predicted it thousands of years ago.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Luke 21:25-26 New King James Version

Fear is the big motivator, isn't it? We're afraid of everyone and everything. Yet we claim to trust God. The truth is, if we really trusted God we wouldn't be nearly so afraid.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. but he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 New King James Version

When it comes to our faith, we need not fight. Jesus told us this.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36 New King James Version

Why do you wish to fight in the world over our faith? Jesus says the kingdom of our faith is not of the world, so the battle is not here. Stop fighting flesh and blood over your faith.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 New King James Version

Our battle is not with gay and lesbian people here on earth. They are just like us: human. They need God just like we need God. We need God just like they need God. But the only God we ever tell them about, show them through our behavior, is a God of hatred and intolerance. No wonder they want nothing to do with the God we talk about and demonstrate. I don't want anything to do with that thing either. Give me the real God. The God of love and forgiveness and acceptance.

It is said that one of the chief motivations for Judas Iscariot was impatience with Jesus for not bringing about the kingdom as Judas expected. Are we not guilty of the same sin when we attack gays and lesbians? Are we not the true sinners when we attack people for being in love? How anti-God can you get?

Partly I think we attack those who demonstrate our own sins. Look how often those who seek the demise of this person or that is secretly engaged in the same behavior?

Let us quit hating people and start living the lives that Christ told us to live. That he made possible for us to live by putting God's spirit into our hearts. Who did Jesus ever blast when he walked this earth? Religious hypocrites, that's who. He didn't even blast the Roman Empire. His word on that was, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21 New King James Version)

Caesar has said it is all right for Gays and Lesbians to be wedded. Let's put this foolishness of harrassing these people away now. We have much bigger and far more important battles to fight anyway. The real war rages in our hearts. With our own sinful natures. Let's not worry about what other people are doing. They're better people than us anyway. They at least love.

To What Does God Belong

Politics.

Jesus once said it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

Is it any easier for a politician?

I doubt it. Consider. Has not politics become synonymous with falsehood, deceit, bribery, corruption? That is not to say that every politician is guilty of these crimes, but in all honesty, who believes that many are not? It is an acceptable prejudice.

I saw a bit of a blurb on television regarding how the amount of dishonesty in financial matters is greater in New York City than in any other place in the world. A psychologist was explaining how this is so.

They had done an experiment in which they put several bills of currency in a refrigerator in a workplace. The bills were all left alone. Then they put in a six-pack of soda pop. One by one, the hidden camera showed people taking pop that didn't belong to them. Why so? The explanation was that few people will actually steal "cash", but if the money element is removed one or more places, people will steal. In this case, the money was converted into soda pop. Suddenly, it was much easier to rationalize one's behavior. That is what happens in the banking industry. People don't take money from the vaults. They take stock dividends, vacations, and other things which cost money, but are not money.

That is what happens in politics. Ideals of honesty, integrity, and openness are abandoned for some "greater good".

I knew someone who had a friend who ran for congressional office because he wanted to make a difference. He won the election. However, when it came time to decide whether or not to run for re-election the man opted to retired from public office. Why? Because the system is so corrupt that, in order to accomplish anything, he had to sacrifice what he believed was honesty, integrity, and general character.

It is no secret I have never care for, nor respected, politics much at all. It is more than annoying to listen to people spout phony words of caring and compassion. The more earnestly they speak, the less I believe them.

But what irks me more than anything is how the Republican Party has convinced so many idiot Christians that God is a Republican. That infuriates me. Why? Because of all political parties, the one which LEAST resembles God is the Republican Party.

They are mean, intolerant, hateful, unforgiving, exclusionary, uncooperative, uncaring - the list goes on.

And yet so many Christians think they have to be Republican because that party is officially against abortion. No wonder God keeps calling us sheep. We're about the most stupid things he created.

If you are upset about my blasting Republicans - good. But be upset enough to read your Bible and check out what God says. If you are honest, you will see that God is no more in favor of Republicans than he is of Democrats. And that's the other thing that torks me off. Being against one political party doesn't automatically mean I support another. In no way do I mean to state, or even imply, that I think God is a Democrat. Or has any other political affiliation. God is God. He's above it all.

But where do you see the Republicans in this?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-23 Revised Standard Version

If you want to know which verses of Scripture make me think Republican, here you go:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. (emphasis mine) 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false; I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abondoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (emphasis mine) Revelation 2:1-5 Revised Standard Version

In essence, it is my conviction that any religion/faith which is political in nature is a harlot religion/faith. God is independent of human conventions.

That is what I believe.

Well-Meaning, But Still Wrong

A couple of days ago I wrote that several of my on-line friends are lesbian, or bi-sexual. I suppose I must have been feeling a bit self-exalted for "being so compassionate". What a sickening thing for me to write, but I bet that's how I came across. And I was put in my place not long after. And it served me right.

Thinking to write something wonderful, understanding, and totally wise to one of my lesbian friends I instead wrote something, awful, insensitive, and completely stupid. She was kind enough to let me know without expressing her true indignation over my complete lack of understanding.

I felt like crying. I really did. It just brings home how difficult it is to completely understand someone's pain when you don't base your understanding on a close enough pain. If you've never suffered the death of someone you love dearly it is difficult for you to wholly empathize with someone who has. You can draw upon the loneliness and hurt about being rejected, or some other hurt, but it isn't the same as losing someone you love.

I have never had anyone pass a law stating I cannot marry someone I love. No one is trying to pass such a law. Now.

There are laws, in 46 of our 50 states, which state lesbians cannot marry the women they love. In California, the law was changed so they can. Now there is a strong movement to get the law changed back, nullifying the marriages which have already taken place. Real people, some of them my friends, are having to deal with this. Their stomachs are knotted with fear. How awful to know that there are people who are seeking to make your marriage illegal. It's happening.

What shames me is that the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender community is not really mistaken about how they perceive the Christian community. The Christian community has become so exclusive it's like some horrible country club where only the very rich can be members. It certainly isn't the rich who are joining this club. The very stupid. The very very stupid. I am ashamed to be part of it.

Why? Because these "conservatives" stick up for the Bible?

No. Because they don't stick up for the Bible, but they have convinced themselves and most everyone else they do. People who spout hatred for others, and make no mistake, these people hate the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender community, don't know anything about God. I'm not even sure they all believe he exists.

Listen to what the Apostle John wrote. John was the Beloved Apostle. The only one God spared from martyrdom.

First John (chapter two) New King James Version

[3] Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

[4] He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

[5] But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

[6] He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

[8] Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

[9] He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

[10] He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

[11] But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

And who are our brothers? Read the story of the Good Samaritan.

I wish I understood my friends' pains and fears. If it were possible, I should become a lesbian in order to understand. Then I wouldn't speak foolishness and insensitivity when I only wish to encourage and uplift.

Confessions of a Reformed Hypocrite

I wonder about myself. A lot. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that should most Christians see my life as it really is, in my home, every day, my thoughts and such, they would probably wonder if I even am a Christian.

Well, if being a Christian means thinking thoughts they say I should think, and doing things they say I should do, and not doing things they say I should avoid, then I'm not. Used to be. Kind of.

When I existed in my cloister of like-minded creatures it was easy to see everything and know everything. But I slipped and fell, and in so doing left that cloister and found myself in the real world, where real people live with real problems. People have real feelings. Their hurts are no less real than my own, and often are more so.

One of my very dearest friends (whom I have never met) was hurt recently. It's been a long time (to me) since I've heard from her. I'm fearing now that I will never hear from her again. That is such a lonely feeling, despite the fact I have other friends. It brings home the parable of the lost sheep and coin.

Matthew (chapter eighteen) New King James Version

[12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

[13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

My friend has not "gone astray". She's just gone. From me. But I have no doubt she continues to live an honorable and happy life with her family, as she did before. I just miss her.

These are the kinds of things I became exposed to when I left my cloister. I fell in love with people I used to think I should not fall in love with. I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about love. Loving someone from the heart and not wishing to possess them. Only seeking their happiness and good will. I've met so many people like that. Most are women, yes. But that's just because I relate better to women. But there are men within my circle of influence.

Several of my friends happen to be lesbian, or bi-sexual. This, I know, would cause great consternation from my old cloister friends, who do not seek me out, by the way. Not since I fell. I suppose they always had their doubts about me anyway. I wonder about me, too.

But I can't bring myself to criticize gay people anymore. I've met too many now to return to what was. No longer do I view them as "those people", and talk about them as though they were characters from a novel and therefore had no feelings or spirits to concern. Now they're my people, because I call them friends. I don't know them well, but I know them. And when they cry because people stand in hatred against them and say they can't be married to the person they love, I find myself crying with them. I find myself wishing I were a lesbian so I could stand with them, arm in arm, and cry together that there is nothing wrong with love! I see their love for each other and I am ashamed of things I said a long time ago.

How can I, having spoken against real people, claim to be in God's blessing? I read from Luke this morning. It was the passage about the Pharisee and the publican. I read it and find myself wondering which man I really am.

Luke (chapter 18) Revised Standard Version

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I know which man I should be, but am I really that man? Or am I deluding myself with false humility?

What I have found in going on-line and meeting all of these people, is that I care about them. I get to know them and they matter to me. And the more people matter to me the less I find I can speak judgment over things they might be doing. For one thing, I am seeing my life as far worse than anything I can accuse others of. And I don't want to accuse others of anything. Not anymore. They're my friends now, and I love my friends. I want to make their lives better. Not by telling them what to do and not do and how to live their lives. But instead by just accepting them for who they are today, and not worry about the rest. I just want to love them, and hope that that makes their lives better. At least a little.

And when I lose them, it hurts. It hurts so very bad. And it's lonely. Too many friends are silent. And one may be gone forever now.

"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Mark 15:34 (a portion) Revised Standard Version

The words of Jesus when he was rejected by God.

It's not too unlike that to lose a friend. The Cloister will call that blasphemy.

Failing Voice

Not doing even a mediocre job of being a consistent and sound voice in the cause of women's rights, gay rights, faith rights, or any other rights for that matter.

Pity.

I guess my problem is that instead of focusing on the problem spoken of in the news, I look at how things are operating in my country and see the same thing on our horizon. My suspicion is that similar activities are going on here that get reported from other countries.

Christianity is my "religion", but I don't adhere to it so much. For me, my life has become more about faith than religion. It has changed since 1975, when I gave my life to God - to Jesus. Or maybe I have changed. Or maybe I have just become more aware. Or maybe some of everything.

Back in 1975 I began my Christian walk by attending a Baptist church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. It was far enough away that we in that community were not considered "city people". But to relatives up north we were.

The church was a small one, with an official congregation of less than 250, but seldom were there ever more than 150 there. In summer it could drop as low as 50.

The pastor was a wise man, if not a great preacher. But he preached the Truth. He preached God, God's love, and God's forgiveness. Although a conservative group (we were aligned with the Southern Baptists), I don't recall any preaching against anyone. Sin was sin, and it was condemned, but I don't recall Pastor M ever saying, publicly from the pulpit, or privately afterward, that any group of people was inferior, condemned, or any other derogatory word. He wasn't into that. Pastor M spoke of getting to know God and letting God change our lives.

I didn't notice the church cliques, but I expect they were there. That is just normal behavior for normal people. But I was young and enthusiastic. I got involved in a few things, but mostly I was afraid to do much. Although I wanted to do 'great things', I knew I was not qualified.

I guess I was in my own personal cloister, shut off from what the real world was like. Every day I hoped the end of the world would come so I could go to heaven. The idea of the horrible destruction spoke of in Revelation meant only that the end had come. The thought that real people would be suffering was outside my comprehension.

Fast forward to the present.

Preaching seems to have changed. We have two methods going, and I don't think either of them are any good at all.

On the one hand we have the Social Liberal Preachers, who don't seem to believe anything about God at all. Their god does not appear to be a real person, but rather a set of social ideas. The problem I see with this is there is no God behind it to fuel it with His Spirit.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Revised Standard Version

The other kind of preaching is the Intolerant, Self-Righteous Kind. This is the "we versus them" thing. "We" are good. Blessed by God. "They" are sinners, going to hell.

Jesus spoke against this all through his ministry. Just yesterday I posted this from Luke, Chapter Eighteen:

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Of the two I guess I lean more toward the social side than the condemnation. That does not put me in good standing with conservative Christians. But I can't bring myself to say sin is not sin (although the conservatives argue that I do, in fact, say that by not speaking out against it), which does not put me in good standing with liberals.

I worry about myself. Am I a hypocrite? Have I 'left my first love'? To listen to some talk, the answer to both questions is 'Yes'. They may be right. I can't argue. For me, it's all about God's forgiveness. I am counting on the forgiveness given through Christ Jesus. I won't argue about other ways.

Right or wrong, my message is about as basic as it can be: God loves each of us because we are us. He accepts us as we are today - complete with our sins. He forgives us. He wants us to get to know him because he knows that in so doing, we will cease to sin - in time. (An important point the ultra conservatives fail to consider.)

While that stance seems to imply a lot of things a lot of people don't care to hear, I will only say this: Who am I to not accept someone God accepts? Who am I to criticize one person's love for another? Who am I to say they should be tore apart? Who am I to judge anyone? I don't want to be judged, so I dare not judge others.

I'm not going to waste my time, or others' time, by ranting about how they're doing this or that wrong, and that God isn't happy with them. Instead, I will tell them that God loves them, and despite what the ultra conservatives preach, God very much will accept them.

There is a song, played and sung at the end of Billy Graham rallies which expresses this:

Just as I am, without one plea
but that thy blood was shed for me
and that thou bidst me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

That's my message, too. I realize this song is specifically referring to Jesus, but don't worry about that now. Don't say Jesus, then. Just say God, or whatever name you know him by. If you honestly search for him, you will find him. He wants to be found.

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 Revised Standard Version

That's what it's talking about. Finding God.

We're Not Getting Better at All, Are We

There is an ugly tendency for people of faith and/or religion to view the misfortune of others as God's judgment upon them. This was done when Jesus walked the earth. This was his response.

Luke (chapter thirteen)

[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

[2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?

[3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

[4] Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem?

[5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

[6] And he told them this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

[7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?'

[8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure.

[9] And if it bears fruit next year, well adn good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

We love to tell ourselves that "others" are offending God and that God is happy with us. Not likely at all.

Luke (chapter eighteen)

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Last evening, on the news, I learned about a new atrocity being committed against women. This time in Afghanistan. The new regime, put in place by the Bush Administration, has just signed into law an edict which basically makes women sex slaves of their husbands. They can't even leave the house without permission. And they say they are treating their women better because now their women don't have to worry about money. I'm not sure I follow the logic. Afghanistan women are in the streets protesting - risking their very lives in the doing.

I do not know what to do to help those women, except to say to the world that it's happening.

In times of great fear and change there are always those who will seek to put under foot others, who threaten to displace them as supreme. It happens in this country. That is why our country, while more free than most, has never been free for everyone. If it hasn't been women being subjugated, it has been Native Americans, African Americans, Irish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, Japanese Americans, Gay and Lesbian Americans, Bisexual and Transgender Americans, Old Americans, Poor Americans. There are others, and if I skipped a group you happen to belong to, I apologize.

I think the fear of losing power must only be superceded by the fear of losing life.

Also on the news was the evidence that America tortured prisoners during the Bush Administration. They claimed it wasn't torture. Then let them be subjected to the treatment. That's what I say. I think they would change their minds quite quickly.

We have a lot to answer for, we who think we're better than others. We don't steal corn, and so we claim ourselves honest, despite the fact we steal wheat. We are no better than the Taliban. We just use different methods. We don't torture and murder people in the streets. We do in the privacy of prisons and internment camps. We don't make laws prohibiting women from enjoying equal rights with men. We just ignore those laws which say we must give them equality. We don't say out loud that women should be sex slaves of men. Yet look at our advertising, movies, and television shows. Not everything we're accused of is a lie or misunderstanding. Some things they got very right.

We have to be on guard in the west. We have to defend the rights of those who are different from us. For if we don't, and they lose their rights, we're next in line. Don't you understand? We hang together or we hang separately. (Forget who said that, but it's as true today as ever.)

A Tragedy That May Soon Visit Our Neighborhood

Saw this link to a news article this morning. It's about the killing of a young man and woman in Afghanistan who were trying to run off to Iran and get married. The parents had sent other villagers to intercept them and bring them back. Once back in their home village, the couple were either turned over to the Taliban by their parents, or forcibly taken from their homes. It is not known which.

The woman, 19, and the man, 21, were accused by the militants of immoral acts, and a council of conservative clerics decided that the two should be killed, said Ghulam Dastagir Azad, the governor of the southwestern province of Nimroz.

I realize some will read this story, or hear about it on the news, and see it as justification for all sorts of discriminative words and actions. I do not. Is the Taliban a dangerous organization, especially to its own people? Yes. I think so. But the Taliban are not indicative of all the people, nor of the culture in general. Still, they do remind me of another group, here in Western Culture. The Religious Right.

It doesn't take long for freedoms to be lost, taken, or given away. Especially when skilled manipulators use religion as the enticement and/or threat.

The Religious Right would take away, or at least deny, the rights of American Citizens in America. Simply because they say God doesn't like what these "others" are doing. God may not like it. In some cases, I'm sure he doesn't. But you know what? He's not that keen on most of what we do on this planet. And that includes myself and the Religious Right. (I hate that name, but I refuse to call them Christians.)

Legislating morality is one of the worst crimes any people can impose on another. It has been tried over and over and over again in human history, and every time it fails. Why? Because each culture sees morality through its own eyes and interprets it differently. The culture of the Taliban is incredibly harsh, especially against women. But the culture of the Religious Right is no less intolerant.

You may argue that the Religious Right does not take people out and shoot them. I will argue back that the only reason they don't is because they can't. If they had the power, they would be executing gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, transgenders, liberals, and who knows how many others? Basically, anyone who violated their idea of right and wrong.

They claim they represent God. Well, guess what? So does the Taliban. Neither do.

"Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'" Ezekiel 33:11 New King James Version

If you think someone is wrong. If you think they have fallen away from God. If you think they are wicked and evil. Don't think you please God by ending their life. If you wish to please God then encourage these people you believe to be wicked into following God.

Too often we think to do God's work for him. There is work, which is God's work, which he has delegated to us. Telling others about God. Showing God's love through our own actions. There is other work of God which he has not given us. Mainly because we are so incompetent in doing it. One of these works is punishment of the wicked.

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense: Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on his servants, when He sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining bond or free." Deuteronomy 32:35-36 New King James Version

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 New King James Version

When we choose to punish for God, instead of letting him handle things, we interfere with this goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, and so interrupt others' walk to repentance. And since we have already read that God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, but would rather that all come to repentance, we have only displeased God and risk his judgment upon ourselves.

None of this will help the young man and woman referred to in the article. They are dead. Freed from the cares of the world. Those of us left behind are at risk, however. For with every act such as this one, it becomes easier to repeat it again there - and someday, here.

Let us be on guard against ourselves. We are a terrible threat.