caught somewhere between real life, simple faith, & raw emotion
In The News
Grace Over Karma…And Is U2 A Christian Band?
213 years
If you are trying to be a ‘cool’ Christian, you have to like U2. I mean really like U2. In addition, whenever talking about good and evil, you have to work in mentions of Mother Teresa or Hitler. This is especially true of Christian writers and speakers. Yes, I do all this in my first book. What can I say…it works! And yes, I really like U2. In fact, I’d say they’re my favorite band of all time. Hey, they always have been!
Christians are often perplexed over whether or not U2 is or was ever a Christian band. For example, there’s no doubt when listening to October that there are is an overt Christian theme running through each and every song. Now, Achtung Baby is another story. So when we can’t figure it out, we wonder whether some of the members of U2 are at least Christians.
Here are some very interesting and compelling comments from Bono taken from an interview captured in the book Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas
Bono’s comments deal with the difference between the grace of God and karma. It is the difference between legalism (earning your place with God) and forgiveness (accepting the place He has given you because he simply loves you).
Here are some of my favorites:
- There’s nothing hippie about my picture of Christ. The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe that’s why they’re so relatable. But the way we would see it, those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend. When you’re a child, you need clear directions and some strict rules. But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross.
- … at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
- if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
- I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
- No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going:OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched
Very interesting and revealing words from Bono. They are thoughtful, concise and accurate. In fact, he gives me, a Christian since my teens, a run for my money in his understanding of the deep theology in all this. You can read more of the interview here.
Forget about karma, it’s all about grace.
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Debt Ceiling Explanation For Dummies
113 years
I usually like to post something lighthearted going into the weekend. Not this time. This is kind of important.
I don’t know anything about this Congressman, but he does a bang-up job of explaining the national debt and debt ceiling problem in a way that is understandable. Definitely worth watching in order to understand current events surrounding this issue.
Have a great weekend, if you can after watching this.
Summer Camp For Atheists? Yup.
013 years
So wondering what to do with your kids next year? Maybe you want to send them to the atheist summer camp Camp Quest. I have some thoughts below after all this. From their website, Camp Quest is:
…the first residential summer camp in the history of the United States aimed at the children of Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Brights, or whatever other terms might be applied to those who hold to a naturalistic, not supernatural world view.
Their purpose is:
…to provide children of freethinking parents a residential summer camp dedicated to improving the human condition through rational inquiry, critical and creative thinking, scientific method, self-respect, ethics, competency, democracy, free speech, and the separation of religion and government.
Through their programs they seek to:
Build a community for freethinking families
Foster curiosity, questioning, and critical thinking
Encourage reason and compassion as foundations of an ethical, productive and fulfilling life
Raise awareness of positive contributions made by atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheistic people to our society
Promote an open dialogue about metaphysical questions that is marked by challenging each other’s ideas while at the same time treating each other with respect
Demonstrate atheism and humanism as positive, family-friendly worldviews
I watched their training videos for volunteers at the camp. It was interesting to hear them imply that religious people are ‘jerks’. Is that the ‘positive, family-friendly’ worldview they’re talking about? Maybe I heard it wrong, but seems like that’s what I heard in this video.
This is their answer to things like Vacation Bible School. Good for them. I am not afraid of questioning and challenging. But it seems that if you are a person of faith, you are automatically the opposite of all the things they seek to do. That’s simply not true.
Although there are hypocrites on both sides, just because I believe in Jesus doesn’t mean I’m not free-thinking, curious, compassionate, reasoned, open, critical-thinking, or believe in democratic principles. Gimme a break!
Limited thinking like that is like me saying moral relativists can’t have ethics or be moral, logically speaking of course.
Let’s all get over ourselves a little bit.
Go THEISM!
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Good Without God?
013 years
See this ad? What do you think? It’s from an atheist group called Central Arkansas Coalition of Reason (Central Arkansas CoR), which is affiliated with the national group UnitedCoR, and they want to run a slew of ads like this in the public transit in Arkansas.
But their request and ads have been rejected.
My main problem with atheism is that it most often the tactics are destructive and condescending. So often it seeks to destroy faith through mocking and ridicule. It is even an encouraged tactic by people like Dawkins and Hitchens. Although atheists claim to be guided by reason above all, there is usually not a reasoned approach when engaging the community of belief. No, the free exchange of opposing ideas between equals is no where to be found. The ‘Socratic Method’ dies to immature personal attacks, because people of faith do not deserve such respect.
That being said, this ad doesn’t bother me. In fact, I think it’s a fair and reasonable way to make the point. If I was driving by a bus with this on the side and one of by kids asked, “What does that mean?” I could engage it and present the opposing view to them with respect, since it is presented intelligently–and not as an attack ad.
So why has CoR’s ad campaign been rejected by the transit authority? Allegedly because the state requires $30,000 in insurance from the atheist group due to expected vandalism from such an ad.
Whatever the case, I am all for conversations, so to speak, framed like this.
And by the way, I’m good with God.
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God Banned At Funeral
013 years
So I am easing back into the saddle with posts. Good to be back and I hope you’ll stay tuned. I’ve been on a family road trip for the past two weeks. I have been getting several requests… Don’t worry, a highlight video is coming soon.
Although I have been pretty out of touch with the news and currents events (this was vacation after all), I couldn’t help but notice something going on in Texas. This article reports:
Attorney Jeff Mateer… says the cemetery director won’t allow the use of “God” or “Jesus” unless the family submits the prayer in writing for her approval.” In addition, director Arleen Ocasio has stated the National Memorial Ladies cannot tell families ‘God Bless,’ they cannot communicate in writing or orally,” says Mateer. “And that violates the U.S. Constitution.”
So let me get this straight, veterans fight to defend our Constitution and now they can’t exercise their First Amendment Rights? They once risked their lives to fight for our country and now they have to fight against it in court? What the heck!
This is a clear violation and overreach of the whole “separation of church and state” thing. And it is shameful. Allow these families to grieve and heal however they derive comfort. And if that is through faith, then so be it.
Even stranger is that this isn’t Connecticut or California. This is Texas. Shame on you Texas!
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Death Blow
213 years
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW
Okay, today is going to be serious. This week some pictures came out that will turn your stomach. I have included them below for your benefit. Why will you benefit from these?
Because you should know that the FDA has mandated that the following images appear on every single box of cigarettes sold or every ad that cigarette makers run as a warning.
Now, I hate smoking, but I think this is ridiculous. I have some thoughts on this. But before I say what I think, take a look at the photos:
I find this outrageous. Why? Because it makes no sense.
Here’s are my questions:
Will the government mandate pictures like this for the states that are legalizing marijuana?
The effects of pot are far more destructive than smoking cigs. The carcinogens are much higher. In fact, they are up to 70% higher than cigarettes. And the peripheral affects on personal behavior via addiction and mental health are much much worse.
My guess is no, the FDA won’t do that for pot.
Why doesn’t the government mandate woman who are considering abortions view pictures of the different stages of growth of a fetus? Or even pictures of an aborted fetus? (Here are some pics if you’d like to see them. I just couldn’t bear to actually post them.) Or perhaps even of what it looks like when it is happening? Or pictures of the effects of depression that so often follow an abortion?
Not bloody likely. This would be ‘offensive’ and ‘insensitive’, right? Not to mention, it would be politically incorrect because it would be a statement about the morality of the decision and the laws protecting it…and we’re not a ‘theocracy’ after all.
But don’t smoke darn it!
What a warped sense of morality the government tries to legislate. That’s why I say GOVT- MYOB!
Just a thought.
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Christian Girls Raped And Forced To Convert To Islam
413 years
There are some very disturbing reports coming out about an increasing trend in Pakistan. According to this website, Christian girls are kidnapped and raped while verses from the Koran are read to them. Finally, they are essentially sold into slavery through being forced to marry a Muslim man. It reports:
“The Christian girls are the weakest and most vulnerable, because their communities are poor, defenseless and marginalized, therefore easily exposed to harassment and threats. Often they do not even have the courage to denounce the violence” one sister told Fides (a Mission Organization).
Fides said in a society that tolerates discrimination of religious minorities, especially of women, the dominate religion and related social position are used to impose tyranny.
What horror.
It sounds strange and foreign to us over here. Remember, in many regions of the world the law is fast and loose and hardly enforced. And it really makes you wonder what is happening with the between $1-2 billion we give Pakistan every year in aid. This is our ‘ally’.
Is there nothing they can do about this increasing trend in their country with our money? Just wondering.
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VIDEO: Blue Like Jazz Movie Trailer
013 years
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is a book I read several years ago. I loved it–but it made me mad. Real mad. Why? Because at the time I was outlining notes my own book 10 Things I Hate About Christianity and he said many things I wanted to say. So it was back to the drawing board to figure out what I needed to change or what I felt still needed to be said. Anyway, the book has been made into a movie. Here is the trailer. It looks low-budget in an indie sort of way. Although I generally despise ‘Christian’ movies, this looks 1/4 decent. I’ll see it one day and review it. Here is the trailer:
Don’t Be A Weiner!
713 years
If you’re totally unplugged, then you’ve missed the fact that over the last week Congressman Anthony Weiner has been in the news. It’s not for some groundbreaking legislative ideas or being promoted to some mega-important post in the President’s cabinet.
Congressman Weiner is in the news for sexting back-and-forth online with about 6 woman (that’s the number so far) and sending them risque pictures of himself. The pictures are weird and creepy. In fact, in one you can see in the background a picture of his his wife, his kids, and one with him Bill and Hillary Clinton. Most of these exchanges were young woman–and a couple were porn stars.
There are basically 3 problems with all this:
Problem # 1? He’s married.
Problem # 2? He’s a sponsor of KIDS Legislation (Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators).
Problem #3? He’s a member of Congress.
Regarding problem #1, that’s something between him and his wife. She’ll have to deal with that.
Regarding problem #2, that’s just weird being that he solicited these young woman (you can read the legislation text here on the actual government’s website). You can also view the screenshot from Congressman Weiner’s official website just in case all this gets taken down. I imagine it eventually will due to the irony of all this. But I want to drill down on Problem 3 a bit more.
Although I wish all the best for him and his problem, I think Congressman Anthony Weiner should resign because of what he did and all the lying he did about it up until now.
At this some people will say things like:
- Oh, this is just a personal matter.
- It doesn’t affect how he does his job.
- Hey, we all have a skeleton or two in our closet.
- Don’t judge!
Of course, we all know that if he was a Republican Congressman everyone (media, other members of Congress, etc.) would demand his resignation–and he would have a week ago. And that would be right, but that is another subject.
The point is, Congressman Weiner is a leader and leaders are held to a higher standard.
Government officials, military, ministers (priests, pastors, clerics, etc) are in areas of public leadership and should be held to a higher standard. For example, don’t we all get angry when some official has hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of dollars in unpaid taxes? Anyone one of us regular little people would go to jail for this. But people like Congressman Charlie Rangel or Treasury Security Timothy Geithner get a pass. How about when a pastor embezzles money from his church or cheats on his wife with some hooker? That sure makes us mad. It makes me mad, and I am happy to see them take responsibility and step down, otherwise I feel like they are just a sham of a leader. That is truly taking responsibility. This is taking full responsibility. And Weiner refuses to this and is refusing to resign.
Leaders must live above the fray because at the core leaders tell us how to (or how we should) live, especially members of Congress. No, leaders aren’t expected to be perfect. But they should take responsibility when they aren’t.
How can some guy like Weiner who lies (who currently is still lying about the chain of events), is unfaithful to his wife (to some degree), and solicits relationships with young woman with the intent to exchange sexual messages and pictures. This speaks of his character–or lack of character. Now how can he tell us how to live, introduce legislation, or make deals with other members of Congress? What kind of message does this send to up-and-coming members of Congress? Or what kind of message does this send to our children? I mean, my kids laugh every time they hear his name on the news. That means I have to subtly explain why everyone is talking about him (and it isn’t easy).
This isn’t a guy with a simple little personality quirk or two (like being overly clean or a obsessive toy train collector) that made a mistake. A mistake implies something accidental or unintended. This is a hypocrite with consistently unhealthy and destructive behavior in a position of influence, power, and authority and he needs to go. Weiner needs to stop being a weiner and take responsibility for his weiner and resign. (Isn’t his name ironic, by the way?)
Don’t be a Weiner or a weiner. Be better than that. And if you are ever a weiner, take full responsibility.
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Should Prayer Be Banned At Public School Graduations?
013 years
This is something that comes up from time to time. Last week Federal Judge Fred Biery banned prayer at a High School Graduation. What’s even stranger is that it was Texas! You’d expect something like this in Massachusetts or California, but Texas?
Anyway, this article reports:
A federal judge has ordered a Texas school district to prohibit public prayer at a high school graduation ceremony.
Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery’s order against the Medina Valley Independent School District also forbids students from using specific religious words including “prayer” and “amen.” He also banned phrases like “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,”
He also ordered the school district to remove words like “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program.
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by Christa and Danny Schultz. Their son is among those scheduled to participate in Saturday’s graduation ceremony. The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony.
AHHHH….THE HORROR! Suffer irreparable harm? Are you kidding me! There’s worse things that hearing “amen” or “prayer” on primetime television or in your average pop-song found on any radio station, which I’m sure this family consumes. There you will likely here “damn” or “hell” or “ass”. You’ll probably find “loose and fast” sexual activity. Alcohol consumption will seem “normal” and “fun”–maybe even some drug experimentation. In fact, I saw part of a show last night in which a girl got an abortion. She was distraught but reasoned that it was at 6 weeks so “it wasn’t a baby yet.”
No biggie, right? All that crap is just fine. Just don’t say “amen.” That’s really unhealthy impressionable young adults.
It’s one thing to argue the point from a strictly “separation of church and state” basis, but to this whole psychological point is so ridiculous. It just shows how biased the judge is. He certainly fits the description of an “activist judge” based on his reasoning. Worse yet, he does a disservice to the legal system with reasoning like this.
It just reveals the animosity for religion that both these parents and the judge has.
I consider this a Free Speech and First Amendment issue. Sure, this may be a public school graduation ceremony, but certainly any student speaking deserves to have their own Civil Rights protected as well. In fact, and appellate court judge agrees with me. As of Friday, the decision was overturned.
Thank God inflicting irreparable harm is back on! Woops. Did I say that? Amen.
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Anti-Christian Violence Continues
013 years
In many parts of the world, particularly those that contain a Muslim majority, there is much violence against those that openly admit to being Christians. This isn’t a statement against Islam or Muslims. It is just a fact. But, honestly, I can’t help but wonder why that is?
Anti-Christian violence persists in Pakistan. Even worse, it is frequent and authorities do not take action prosecuting the perpetrators. This article reveals that recent events include:
- The gang-rape of a Christian woman and mother of three
- The desecration of Christian tombs in the Pakistani city of Faisalabad
The Pakistan Christian Post first reported the violence, including information about Muslim landowners using tractors to desecrate a Christian graveyard. Buried caskets were broken and bones of the dead were brought to the surface, the newspaper reported.
Terrible, terrible stuff. It’s important to remember these things as religious people over here in the US complain about cities like San Francisco trying to ban infant circumcision. We holler “PERSECUTION!” when things like this happen.
Sure, it is defending religious liberty that will preserve it. But let’s not forget to pray and do what we can to bring attention to injustices wherever they occur.
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So What About The Failed Rapture?
113 years
I’m about to talk a little religiously today due to current events. According to Harold Camping, this past Saturday (May 21st) at 6 PM was suppose to be the Rapture.
Who is Harold Camping and what is the Rapture?
Harold Camping is a Christian radio broadcaster. He is president of Family Radio. More important for dozens of years he has been a Bible teacher via the radio and a few television syndicates.
In Christian eschatology (study of the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell), the Rapture is a reference to the being caught up as referred to in the Biblical passage 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Most Christians believe that in the End Times, Christians of will be gathered together in the air to meet Jesus Christ. Probably, the primary passage used to support this idea is 1 Thessalonians 4:15–7, in which Paul cites “the word of the Lord” about the return of Christ to gather his followers:
…and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Yes, the Rapture sounds strange. For me, it is not essential Christian doctrine. What I mean is, it doesn’t affect my daily life or how I go about my desire to follow and be like Jesus. I don’t go around having long conversations talking about it. In general, I simply try to live with a sense of urgency because none of us knows how many days we have left. But since it’s made the news, I thought I’d mention it.
I also wanted to talk about what to think about all this. Most people probably think that Harold Camping is a loon at best, and a charlatan at worst. After all, many people have sent their life savings to him to help him spread his Rapture message.
But according to the Bible, it is much worse. Harold can now be considered a false teacher. He has claimed to understand secret codes and teachings in the Bible and been found wrong.
Did you know that he also predicted the end of the world to be May 21, 1988, and September 7, 1994? And since he was wrong this time, he revised his numbers again. Did he say May 21st? According to him, he misunderstood the secret code. It’s really October 21st this year.
Oh brother…what a dope!
There shouldn’t be another person listening to his programs or supporting him with their dollars. It may sound harsh, but this isn’t simply a ‘misunderstanding’. This is a guy who claims to have direct messages from God that have turned out to be totally wrong.
So leave Camping to his own demise. Don’t listen to him. Don’t send him a nickel.
I do not wish death on him or evil to come to him. I’m not gonna call his show and taunt him. I’m not gonna litter his email box with spam. I simply think he needs to be ignored now. Although, some people may want to ask for a refund of their money and I support that!
So join my movement and ignore Harold Camping and anyone like him. It’s actually what we’re supposed to do. They do a disservice to God.
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New Study Reveals Believing In God Is Human Nature
013 years
A new 3 year study by a team at Oxford University called the Cognition, Religion and Theology Project revealed that believing in God is actually part of our wiring. They studied cultures from China to Poland and the United States to Micronesia and found that every culture, no matter how isolated or not, develops some system of belief in the afterlife. The project incorporated more than 40 different studies by dozens of researchers and found that each culture assigns some purpose for existence and life.
Clearly, there are many ways to look at this. Atheists would probably say, this doesn’t mean anything. We need to just grow out our our need to believe. While people of faith might say that this inclination serves God’s purpose–that He wired us to ‘look’ for Him.
One researcher commented:
It [faith] isn’t just a quirky interest of a few, it’s basic human nature. This shows that it’s much more universal, prevalent, and deep-rooted. It’s got to be reckoned with. You can’t just pretend it isn’t there.
I think this is very interesting. And yes, I believe there is an echo in all of us that draws us to believe. To me, there is obviously a spiritual element to life. It’s something I’ve long thought.
What say you?
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Mobs Burn Churches In Egypt
013 years
Something that isn’t really making the news is the sectarian violence in Egypt. Remember Egypt? That country in which there is a powerful uprising of ‘democracy’? Yah, not so much.
The tension is between Muslims and Coptic Christians. What’s a Coptic Christian? That’s another story. But all you need to know is that they’ve been in the region since the 1st century–and they are not Muslims.
According to this article:
Muslim mobs set two Cairo churches on fire overnight during sectarian clashes that left 12 dead and more than 200 injured. The deepening religious violence in military-ruled Egypt exacerbated an already chaotic and lawless transition to democracy.
See the church in the picture to the left? Residents say Christians were hiding inside. Muslims were chanting: “With our blood and soul, we defend you Islam.” Yikes!
It seems Copts allege widespread discrimination. It relegates them to second-class citizen status, including tight restrictions on building or repairing churches that do not exist for Muslim places of worship.
Just thought you should know.
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School Bans Christian Club
213 years
According to this article, students at Hicksville High School New York wanted to start a Christian Club (called the Frontline Group) at their school. They were denied. In fact, the principal said, “I don’t want any of these Christian clubs at my school.”
Wow.
Once the school started to get some heat, the principal changed the story. Then the club couldn’t be approved because the school couldn’t afford it, even though the school sponsors 35 other clubs–including a ping pong club, a ski club, and a debate club.
Well, the students have filed a lawsuit claiming their rights have been violated. The suit is built on the premise that just because a club is religious and the school is public, doesn’t mean students don’t have a right to gather and discuss their religious beliefs.
Do you agree?
Something similar happened to me and my friends in High School. My friends and I wanted to start a similar club and meet after school to discuss our beliefs. I will spare you the dorky name our club had due to the humiliation it brings me.
We were also denied.
No, we didn’t file a lawsuit. But we did secretly meet anyway. There was about a dozen of us and we met every Thursday for three years until I graduated.
Seems like things haven’t changed all that much. Strange times we’re living in. Could one of the next big civil rights issues be against people of faith? Maybe not, but it gets me thinking when I hear things like this.
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Jesus Can’t Get A Job
013 years
Remember the movie The Passion of the Christ? It was one of the highest grossing movies of all time and has been voted the most controversial movie of all time.
Well, the actor, Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus can’t get any acting jobs anymore. According to this article:
The actor recalled Gibson’s offering him the role of Jesus in the film, then calling him back to beg him not to take it:
“He said, ‘You’ll never work in this town again.’ I told him, ‘We all have to embrace our crosses.’ ”
But the actor noted that Gibson wasn’t far off the mark when he spoke of the damage playing Jesus could do to his career.
“Jesus is as controversial now as he has ever been,” Caviezel said. “Not much has changed in 2,000 years.”
Caviezel said he doesn’t worry about the career price he paid with that film — a global box-office smash that led to fewer, not more, film offers for him. “The awards, the hall of fame” that actors get into here on Earth, he said, don’t matter to him. His reward, he said, will come in heaven.
“We have to give up our names, our reputations, our lives to speak the truth,” Caviezel said.
Pretty interesting, huh? Actually, pretty sad. If he played a gay cowboy screwing another ‘dude’ in the mountains and cheating on his wife, he’d be all set! Or if he acted more like the nut-job Charlie Sheen womanizing, cheating, prostitute-loving, drug-snorting he’d be loved by everyone and working all the time!
How dare him play Jesus…the HORROR!
He’s a great actor. What a shame. You can read the rest here. It’s a good article.
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Easter Service Shut Down
013 years
This is about the 4th year I’ve missed Easter service because most of my family was sick. This time it was 4 of the six of us. But at least we could all go if we wanted.
Imagine getting arrested for going to Easter service. That’s what happen to people who attend Shouwang Church in Beijing, China. AFP reports:
Up to 30 members of a Chinese evangelical church were arrested on Sunday for trying to hold an Easter service in defiance of the officially atheist government, a member of the clergy said.
A large number of police began to gather early Sunday in the Zhongguancun area of Beijing where the Shouwang Church had said it would hold an outdoor service to mark the holiest day of the Christian calendar.
Authorities will not recognize this 1,000 member church officially even though leaders continue to register for government approval. In fact, the government drove them out of their previous meeting place and will not let them in their new place.
So as I complain about being sick, I realize it is no big deal. At least we aren’t arrested for going to church.
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How Do You Feel About Condoms Being Given To 11-Yr-Olds?
113 years
I’m all for education. I’m all for taking precautions. When it comes to preventing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, these are essential. But there are limits.
Brought to you by the city officials in Philadelphia:
A new campaign by Philadelphia officials to reduce sexually transmitted diseases allows children as young as 11 to receive free condoms via mail order, outraging some parents who believe that’s too early to start getting physical.
The program, offered by the city’s Department of Health, features a website that includes facts on diseases like Chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS, as well as detailed — and playful — instructions for young girls on how to use female condoms.
“Every girl is different,” TakeControlPhilly.org reads. “Figure out what position works for you. You can stand with one foot on a chair, sit on the edge of a chair, lie down, squat, or for fun, have your partner help you out.” [online source]
I can’t begin to tell you the levels of disturbing I find here. Besides sending condoms to 11-yr-olds, did you read the encouragement for girls to have fun with all this? I took a look at the site and it’s even worse than this article captures. There’s videos, diagrams, and maps on where to get yourself a condom–if you’re a child. Doesn’t that just sound sick?
At one point is this contributing to the delinquency of a minor or underage sex? And by the government no less….
I’m not prude, but this is a bit much. How about abstinence? That works 100% of the time it’s used.
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Easter Eggs Renamed Easter Spheres Because Of Religious Implications
013 years
What do you see in the picture? A basket full of Easter eggs? Nope.
Call them Spring Spheres-or else!
That’s what happened to 16-yr-old Jessica who volunteering in a third grade class in her local public school. At the end of the week of her service project she decided she wanted to bring some treats in for the kids. This article reports:
“At the end of the week I had an idea to fill little plastic eggs with treats and jelly beans and other candy, but I was kind of unsure how the teacher would feel about that,” Jessica said.
“I went to the teacher to get her approval and she wanted to ask the administration to see if it was okay,” Jessica explained. “She said that I could do it as long as I called this treat ‘spring spheres.’ I couldn’t call them Easter eggs.”
This is quite ridiculous. Is this what our civilization has come to? Besides, that teacher is clearly an idiot of an educator. Eggs are not spheres. They are ovoids. Get it right!
They should be called Spring Ovoids then. Nice ring, huh? Let me tell you something else, besides a principled stance against such stupid political correctness, I would never bring my kids to a Spring Ovoid Hunt. It just sounds dirty.
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Judge Okays I Heart Boobies Bracelet For High Schoolers
213 years
Yesterday, I mentioned a High School student who got suspended for bringing a Bible to Public School with him because it allegedly violated the “separation of church and state.” Today there is a story on the opposite end of the spectrum. The article states:
“I Heart Boobies” bracelets are sold across the nation and have been banned in many U.S schools… U.S. District Judge Mary McLaughlin sided with students Tuesday in a free-speech test case filed in Pennsylvania by the American Civil Liberties Union. She issued a temporary injunction that bars the Easton Area School District from enforcing its ban… School officials argue the slogan suggests a sexual double meaning and leads to in-school distractions… A few weeks ago, a student at Mountain Empire High School wore a bracelet to school. School administrators say the bracelet led to a “big” disruption in class and that’s why it was banned.
This is an interesting contrast to the story about the kid with the Bible. A “boobies” bracelet with a double entendre meaning in order to attract attention and awareness to the cause of breast cancer is okay, while the a religious symbol is not? It’s just ridiculous.
The bracelet doesn’t particularly bother me, although my kids won’t wear it. It’s just the contradictions that do bother me. I have to wonder if it would be okay to wear bracelets that say “I Heart Butts” to create awareness for colon cancer or “I Heart Weiners” to promote prostate cancer awareness or “I Heart Vajayjays” to promote cervical cancer awareness? Would that be appropriate? Or how about if a teacher whore any of these, would parents, the principal, or a judge be okay with it?
I’m just sayin’.
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