I want to mention that another young person over here has committed suicide as a result of having been bullied. I offered a BRIEF POST about it on one of my blogs.
While reflecting on this horrible state of affairs, I was aware in a very focused way of how I have been subjected to bullying myself. But I realized, chillingly, that I was never bullied in school and I was never bullied in the secular workplace. The only place I've ever been bullied has been in the Church.
Something's wrong, dear sisters and brothers in Christ. Something is very, very wrong.
Friday, 4 June 2010
REST IN PEACE BEAUTIFUL ONE
From THE DAILY NEWS:
Miss Ellie, a cock-eyed Chinese Crested Hairless dog who took top honors at the Animal Planet 2009 "World's Ugliest Dog" pageant, died Tuesday after a long career in show business and years of do-gooding for animal shelters. She was 17.
"It was not unexpected even though she had been doing well," owner Dawn Goehring told The Mountain Press.
Goehring rescued Ellie eight years ago from an owner who no longer wanted her - and has since entered the loveably ugly pup in several competitions to raise prize money for animal shelters and the Humane Society.
To honor Ellie's charity efforts - she raised over $100,000 for her community over the years - the mayor of her town has proclaimed Nov. 12 "Miss Ellie Day." Goehring will pay respects to Ellie by raising money for a new animal shelter. "I am going to make that my driven goal to do in her honor," Goehring said.
"It was not unexpected even though she had been doing well," owner Dawn Goehring told The Mountain Press.
Goehring rescued Ellie eight years ago from an owner who no longer wanted her - and has since entered the loveably ugly pup in several competitions to raise prize money for animal shelters and the Humane Society.
To honor Ellie's charity efforts - she raised over $100,000 for her community over the years - the mayor of her town has proclaimed Nov. 12 "Miss Ellie Day." Goehring will pay respects to Ellie by raising money for a new animal shelter. "I am going to make that my driven goal to do in her honor," Goehring said.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is far, far easier and less painful to learn from the sins of your past than it is to learn from the sins of your present.
LOUD FRIDAY
PRAVDA started in 2004, and after many adventures and heroic gigs released the acclaimed debut album "A L'OUEST" in 2007. The band shortly split in 2008. Former singer Sue left the band to go "solo". In 2009 the story resumes: Mac (band founder, guitarist and producer of the band) hires furious art-rocker Nina Roberts as lead vocalist. Photographer and acclaimed book-writer, Nina is the enfant-terrible of french media and the very stuff legends are made of. Together they are currently busy recording new songs and delivering live shows for your unique pleasure. (MYSPACE)
Pravda's WEBSITE
THE BITTER TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE
After all the claims that Barack Obama was going to be a new type of American president, after all the optimism throughout the world that he would be more internationalist in his policies than his predecessor, it now appears that for those of us who do not live in the USA it is business as usual. Like John F. Kennedy before him, Obama may appear at first glance to be an American president who seeks partnerships rather than master/slave relationships in his foreign policy, but, also like Kennedy, when push comes to shove, he wants to make sure the US gets its own way throughout the world as fervently as any GOP American patriot.
In the last few weeks, Obama has engineered the downfall of the duly elected Japanese government and the ruination of the political career of the Japanese prime minister because he didn't want an American military base in Japan moved to another location in Japan, which the Japanese people had demanded when they elected the first liberal government for forty years less than a year ago.
Obama has also called for an increase of American influence throughout the world because some of the developing countries are beginning to have influence beyond their own borders and are becoming less reverential of the US and its mighty dollar.
Of course, all this is just politics and what one would expect from any national leader. Putting your own country first is not only natural for such people but also extremely sensible if they wish to be reelected.
The leader of the Episcopal Church in the USA, Katharine Jefferts Schori, has been in the news, and on most US based Anglican blogs, this week for, "at last," standing up to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and telling him, in no uncertain words, to bog out of TEC's business. I hope her letter puts a stop to Williams' meddling in the sovereign provinces of the Anglican Communion. But, I also hope that the irony of this situation is not lost on, at least, Anglican Americans.
The reason why American episcopalians are so annoyed with Williams is that he has consistently acted like an American president. He has claimed the role of head honcho of the whole Anglican Communion in the same way that US presidents have, in the recent past, claimed the role of head honcho of the world. Of course, under existing rules and regs neither actually possess the authority or mandate to legally take on such roles. They have got away with their usurping of power simply because they are the biggest bully in the playground.
It is right for TEC to resist the interference of foreign influence in their democratic policies. But making such a fuss about being victims of some foreign oppressor is a bit rich coming from Americans. It is all rather hypocritical.
So, keep fighting, my American friends. But do so with humility and learn the lesson of your situation. And perhaps your new knowledge of the reality of international politics, whether secular or ecclesiastical, will lead you to demand that your secular government develops a less gung-ho attitude towards the other nations of the world. All TEC is asking for is a bit of respect. But remember, Prime minister Yukio Hatoyama could have done with a bit of respect, from Barack Obama, for his democratically sanctioned office. Those who demand to have their cake and eat it too do sometimes end up choking on it - no matter how big their mouths are.
In the last few weeks, Obama has engineered the downfall of the duly elected Japanese government and the ruination of the political career of the Japanese prime minister because he didn't want an American military base in Japan moved to another location in Japan, which the Japanese people had demanded when they elected the first liberal government for forty years less than a year ago.
Obama has also called for an increase of American influence throughout the world because some of the developing countries are beginning to have influence beyond their own borders and are becoming less reverential of the US and its mighty dollar.
Of course, all this is just politics and what one would expect from any national leader. Putting your own country first is not only natural for such people but also extremely sensible if they wish to be reelected.
The leader of the Episcopal Church in the USA, Katharine Jefferts Schori, has been in the news, and on most US based Anglican blogs, this week for, "at last," standing up to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and telling him, in no uncertain words, to bog out of TEC's business. I hope her letter puts a stop to Williams' meddling in the sovereign provinces of the Anglican Communion. But, I also hope that the irony of this situation is not lost on, at least, Anglican Americans.
The reason why American episcopalians are so annoyed with Williams is that he has consistently acted like an American president. He has claimed the role of head honcho of the whole Anglican Communion in the same way that US presidents have, in the recent past, claimed the role of head honcho of the world. Of course, under existing rules and regs neither actually possess the authority or mandate to legally take on such roles. They have got away with their usurping of power simply because they are the biggest bully in the playground.
It is right for TEC to resist the interference of foreign influence in their democratic policies. But making such a fuss about being victims of some foreign oppressor is a bit rich coming from Americans. It is all rather hypocritical.
So, keep fighting, my American friends. But do so with humility and learn the lesson of your situation. And perhaps your new knowledge of the reality of international politics, whether secular or ecclesiastical, will lead you to demand that your secular government develops a less gung-ho attitude towards the other nations of the world. All TEC is asking for is a bit of respect. But remember, Prime minister Yukio Hatoyama could have done with a bit of respect, from Barack Obama, for his democratically sanctioned office. Those who demand to have their cake and eat it too do sometimes end up choking on it - no matter how big their mouths are.
ANOTHER ISRAELI LAND GRAB
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
It has taken him more than a decade, but Italian-Israeli archeologist Prof. Emmanuel Anati now believes his controversial view that the biblical Mount Sinai is in Israel’s Negev desert rather than Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula will soon be adopted by the Vatican.
On Friday, he presented his theory in the form of a new book at a seminar at the Theological Seminary in the northeastern Italian city of Vicenza.
“Actually it’s not a theory, it’s a reality. I’m sure of it, Anati told The Jerusalem Post by telephone from his home in Capo di Ponte. “My archeological discoveries at Har Karkom over many years and my close reading of the Bible leave me with no doubt that it is the real Mount Sinai. I’m now sure that Karkom is the real mountain of God.”
In 2001, Anati published the English edition of a book that was first issued in Italian two years earlier and titled The Riddle of Mount Sinai – Archaeological Discoveries at Har Karkom. In the book, he postulated that Karkom, 25 km. from the Ramon Crater, was probably the peak at which Moses received the Ten Commandments – and not the summit in southern Sinai where Santa Catarina (Saint Catherine’s Monastery) stands.
“I know this is revolutionary,” he conceded. “I’m not only changing the location, but I’m moving Mount Sinai to Israel, and I’m sure it will anger the Egyptians. But Israel should be proud of this. The Negev is empty and should be developed.”
“I’m also changing the date of the Exodus from Egypt to some 1,000 years earlier than previously thought,” he added. “I know this will drive everyone crazy. But I am right. I’m sure of it.”
COMMENT: Rubbish! Codswallop! The man is a charlatan!
Every archeologist in the world, worthy of the title "archeologist," including, I am 100% certain, Mr Harrison Ford himself, accepts that the Mount Sinai, mentioned in the Bible, was, in fact, the hill now known as Scafell Pike in the English Lake District. And I have this photograph to prove it.
It has taken him more than a decade, but Italian-Israeli archeologist Prof. Emmanuel Anati now believes his controversial view that the biblical Mount Sinai is in Israel’s Negev desert rather than Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula will soon be adopted by the Vatican.
On Friday, he presented his theory in the form of a new book at a seminar at the Theological Seminary in the northeastern Italian city of Vicenza.
“Actually it’s not a theory, it’s a reality. I’m sure of it, Anati told The Jerusalem Post by telephone from his home in Capo di Ponte. “My archeological discoveries at Har Karkom over many years and my close reading of the Bible leave me with no doubt that it is the real Mount Sinai. I’m now sure that Karkom is the real mountain of God.”
In 2001, Anati published the English edition of a book that was first issued in Italian two years earlier and titled The Riddle of Mount Sinai – Archaeological Discoveries at Har Karkom. In the book, he postulated that Karkom, 25 km. from the Ramon Crater, was probably the peak at which Moses received the Ten Commandments – and not the summit in southern Sinai where Santa Catarina (Saint Catherine’s Monastery) stands.
“I know this is revolutionary,” he conceded. “I’m not only changing the location, but I’m moving Mount Sinai to Israel, and I’m sure it will anger the Egyptians. But Israel should be proud of this. The Negev is empty and should be developed.”
“I’m also changing the date of the Exodus from Egypt to some 1,000 years earlier than previously thought,” he added. “I know this will drive everyone crazy. But I am right. I’m sure of it.”
COMMENT: Rubbish! Codswallop! The man is a charlatan!
Every archeologist in the world, worthy of the title "archeologist," including, I am 100% certain, Mr Harrison Ford himself, accepts that the Mount Sinai, mentioned in the Bible, was, in fact, the hill now known as Scafell Pike in the English Lake District. And I have this photograph to prove it.
ANIMAL LIVES!
Check out the drummer on this vid.
Paul(A) reckons he's fun to watch
(which may be the understatement of the week).
Me? I wonder what he's on and where can I get me some of it.
Paul(A) reckons he's fun to watch
(which may be the understatement of the week).
Me? I wonder what he's on and where can I get me some of it.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I am Capitalism your God–the spirit of the American Dream – who brought you out of the Great Depression, who brought you from poverty and a mere speck on the map to being the greatest empire on earth. You shall have no other gods before me.
(From "Capitalism Is A Jealous God"
posted on the BEN GRIFFITH blog)
Thanks to Tracie the Red for sending in the link.
(From "Capitalism Is A Jealous God"
posted on the BEN GRIFFITH blog)
Thanks to Tracie the Red for sending in the link.
CANADA GOES FOR FUDGE
From THE MONTREAL GAZETTE:
The Anglican Church of Canada has agreed to disagree when it comes to the fractious debate over gay marriage.
When priests, bishops and laypersons gather Friday for nine days of debate and discussion as part of the church's tri-annual General Synod in Halifax, the approach will be much different than three years ago, Archdeacon Paul Feheley said.
"This synod, we're approaching it not so much from the form of a winner-takes-all resolution," he said. "We're approaching it from a kind of conversational route and hoping by the end of synod, after numerous conversations and meetings . . . that the synod may come up with a statement on where the church is on this matter."
COMMENT: Well, if any country can live comfortably with two complete opposites sitting side by side, it's Canada. I mean they are a bisexual country - or is that bilingual? Same thing really - it's all to do with tongues.
The Anglican Church of Canada has agreed to disagree when it comes to the fractious debate over gay marriage.
When priests, bishops and laypersons gather Friday for nine days of debate and discussion as part of the church's tri-annual General Synod in Halifax, the approach will be much different than three years ago, Archdeacon Paul Feheley said.
"This synod, we're approaching it not so much from the form of a winner-takes-all resolution," he said. "We're approaching it from a kind of conversational route and hoping by the end of synod, after numerous conversations and meetings . . . that the synod may come up with a statement on where the church is on this matter."
COMMENT: Well, if any country can live comfortably with two complete opposites sitting side by side, it's Canada. I mean they are a bisexual country - or is that bilingual? Same thing really - it's all to do with tongues.
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL
I'm rather pleased with today's mix. It starts off on a groovy trip. Then there's some contemporary soul from Anthony Hamilton, one of the few modern R&B singers whose voice doesn't make me hit the stop button immediately. After that is a sizeable slice of real R&B and the session ends with a northern soul classic. Something there for everyone who has the soul inside of them.
The last five tracks are ripped from some very old vinyl discs and come complete with authentic scratches and hiss. A bit like Grandmère Mimi.
The cartoon was kindly supplied by Skittles. Thanks Skittles.
CHOCOLATE CHERRIES - SWOOP UNIT
CLOSER I GET TO YOU - MTUME
DON'T BURN NO BRIDGES - THE CHI-LITES
CORNBREAD, FISH & COLLARD GREENS - ANTHONY HAMILTON
DO RIGHT WOMAN - DO RIGHT MAN - OSCAR TONEY JR.
CLOWN SUIT - TERRY SINCLAIR
DANCE LITTLE GIRL - CLAY HAMMOND
CRACKED UP OVER YOU - DANNY WHITE
DAY BY DAY OR NEVER - BOBBY TAYLOR & THE VANCOUVERS
COMPARED TO WHAT - MR. FLOODS PARTY
STUPID AFRICAN MALE MASH UP
This is a dance remix of an anti-gay speech given by Dr. Martin Ssempa.
MadPriest says: "Fight back with satire. Make the haters eat their own poo poo. And don't feel guilty just because it's so easy."
Thanks to DVBB for finding this incredibly
well crafted and righteous attack on ignorance.
MadPriest says: "Fight back with satire. Make the haters eat their own poo poo. And don't feel guilty just because it's so easy."
Thanks to DVBB for finding this incredibly
well crafted and righteous attack on ignorance.
MORE OUT OF BACKSIDE THEOLOGY
From CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC DAILY:
Bishop Daren Williams, leader of the Diocese of the West of the traditionalist Anglican Church in America, has called an extraordinary synod for July 1 at All Saint’s Anglican Church in Fountain Valley, the diocese’s cathedral parish, “to gather for prayer and discussion regarding the opportunity for the Diocese of the West to enter into communion with the Roman Catholic Church under the structure of a Personal Anglican Ordinariate.”
“In recent times the Holy Spirit has moved groups of Anglicans to petition repeatedly and insistently to be received into full Catholic communion individually as well as corporately,” says the opening paragraph of the apostolic constitution. “The Apostolic See has responded favorably to such petitions. Indeed, the successor of Peter, mandated by the Lord Jesus to guarantee the unity of the episcopate and to preside over and safeguard the universal communion of all the Churches, could not fail to make available the means necessary to bring this holy desire to realization.”
COMMENT: You know, one day I am going to have to buy myself a copy of this other Bible that is so popular with the hating denominations. I expect it's expensive as it obviously contains a lot more than the bog standard Bible that ordinary Christians tend to read.
Bishop Daren Williams, leader of the Diocese of the West of the traditionalist Anglican Church in America, has called an extraordinary synod for July 1 at All Saint’s Anglican Church in Fountain Valley, the diocese’s cathedral parish, “to gather for prayer and discussion regarding the opportunity for the Diocese of the West to enter into communion with the Roman Catholic Church under the structure of a Personal Anglican Ordinariate.”
“In recent times the Holy Spirit has moved groups of Anglicans to petition repeatedly and insistently to be received into full Catholic communion individually as well as corporately,” says the opening paragraph of the apostolic constitution. “The Apostolic See has responded favorably to such petitions. Indeed, the successor of Peter, mandated by the Lord Jesus to guarantee the unity of the episcopate and to preside over and safeguard the universal communion of all the Churches, could not fail to make available the means necessary to bring this holy desire to realization.”
COMMENT: You know, one day I am going to have to buy myself a copy of this other Bible that is so popular with the hating denominations. I expect it's expensive as it obviously contains a lot more than the bog standard Bible that ordinary Christians tend to read.
CARNAGE IN CUMBRIA
From THE BBC:
Twelve people have been killed and 25 injured by a gunman who opened fire in west Cumbria. A body thought to be that of the suspect - taxi driver Derrick Bird - has been found in the Boot area.
The first fatality was in Whitehaven before the gunman drove south, apparently shooting people at random. Witnesses said the suspect drove through the town with a gun hanging out of his car window, before heading south through Gosforth and Seascale. A GP in the town of Seascale said he and a colleague had later certified two other people dead. BBC Look North Chief Reporter Chris Stewart said a farmer is also believed to have been killed in the Gosforth area.
After the shootings, detectives said 52-year-old Mr Bird drove to the central Lakes in a Citroen Picasso, then abandoned it in the Boot area. People living nearby were urged to stay indoors for their own protection. Soon afterwards, Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: "I can confirm that we've found a body in a wooded area near Boot which we believe to be Mr Bird, together with a firearm.
The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in west Cumbria closed its gates as a safety precaution and afternoon shift workers were being told to stay away, though the site has since reopened.
The Whitehaven victim, believed to be a colleague of 52-year-old Mr Bird, was killed at 1035 BST. A local taxi firm boss, Glenda Pears, said: "We just don't know what's happened.
"The lad that's been killed was friends with him. They used to stand together having a craic on the rank. He was friends with everybody and used to stand and joke on Duke Street."
Sue Matthews, a telephonist at A2B Taxis in Whitehaven, said the Mr Bird was self-employed and lived alone. She described him as a "quiet fellow".
COMMENT: This sort of incident happens in the UK about once every decade. What surprises me is that it doesn't happen more often.
We live in a world where the majority of people don't believe in heaven and hell, and those that profess a faith in God tend to reject the idea of eternal punishment. Yet, when people are driven to their wits end, for whatever reason, and their lives seem no longer liveable, or when people face certain death because of terminal illness, they very rarely decide to take other people with them, even those who may have made their lives hell. They don't believe they will be punished if they do so, yet the thought of killing other people is still not an option for all except a few people, most likely suffering from mental illness.
Whatever, fundamentalist Christians may claim, people are not basically evil. They are basically caring. We are tempted into sin, not born sinful. The more people that are involved the more likely the chance of evil being committed. Which is why we should fear the powers and dominions of this world. Even when individuals do evil things it tends to be as a result of the influence of the powerful, or because they find themselves slaves to sins caused by the powerful.
When you consider how shitty people can be to each other, the tendency of inclusive minded Christians to see the good in everybody may appear to be a naive way of viewing other humans. But, the evidence shows that, individually, most people will overwhelmingly choose to act according to accepted moral standards, even when they have nothing to gain by doing so.
The question is, will this situation continue? Are people moral creatures because of the religious beliefs of their predecessors or because altruism is our natural state with or without the concept of our being punished or rewarded for our actions. I am unconvinced by the claims of atheists that morality can be divorced from religion. But I accept that may say more about my reasons for trying to be good rather than the true situation for most people.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL AFFECTED BY THIS TERRIBLE EVENT.
Twelve people have been killed and 25 injured by a gunman who opened fire in west Cumbria. A body thought to be that of the suspect - taxi driver Derrick Bird - has been found in the Boot area.
The first fatality was in Whitehaven before the gunman drove south, apparently shooting people at random. Witnesses said the suspect drove through the town with a gun hanging out of his car window, before heading south through Gosforth and Seascale. A GP in the town of Seascale said he and a colleague had later certified two other people dead. BBC Look North Chief Reporter Chris Stewart said a farmer is also believed to have been killed in the Gosforth area.
After the shootings, detectives said 52-year-old Mr Bird drove to the central Lakes in a Citroen Picasso, then abandoned it in the Boot area. People living nearby were urged to stay indoors for their own protection. Soon afterwards, Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: "I can confirm that we've found a body in a wooded area near Boot which we believe to be Mr Bird, together with a firearm.
The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in west Cumbria closed its gates as a safety precaution and afternoon shift workers were being told to stay away, though the site has since reopened.
The Whitehaven victim, believed to be a colleague of 52-year-old Mr Bird, was killed at 1035 BST. A local taxi firm boss, Glenda Pears, said: "We just don't know what's happened.
"The lad that's been killed was friends with him. They used to stand together having a craic on the rank. He was friends with everybody and used to stand and joke on Duke Street."
Sue Matthews, a telephonist at A2B Taxis in Whitehaven, said the Mr Bird was self-employed and lived alone. She described him as a "quiet fellow".
COMMENT: This sort of incident happens in the UK about once every decade. What surprises me is that it doesn't happen more often.
We live in a world where the majority of people don't believe in heaven and hell, and those that profess a faith in God tend to reject the idea of eternal punishment. Yet, when people are driven to their wits end, for whatever reason, and their lives seem no longer liveable, or when people face certain death because of terminal illness, they very rarely decide to take other people with them, even those who may have made their lives hell. They don't believe they will be punished if they do so, yet the thought of killing other people is still not an option for all except a few people, most likely suffering from mental illness.
Whatever, fundamentalist Christians may claim, people are not basically evil. They are basically caring. We are tempted into sin, not born sinful. The more people that are involved the more likely the chance of evil being committed. Which is why we should fear the powers and dominions of this world. Even when individuals do evil things it tends to be as a result of the influence of the powerful, or because they find themselves slaves to sins caused by the powerful.
When you consider how shitty people can be to each other, the tendency of inclusive minded Christians to see the good in everybody may appear to be a naive way of viewing other humans. But, the evidence shows that, individually, most people will overwhelmingly choose to act according to accepted moral standards, even when they have nothing to gain by doing so.
The question is, will this situation continue? Are people moral creatures because of the religious beliefs of their predecessors or because altruism is our natural state with or without the concept of our being punished or rewarded for our actions. I am unconvinced by the claims of atheists that morality can be divorced from religion. But I accept that may say more about my reasons for trying to be good rather than the true situation for most people.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL AFFECTED BY THIS TERRIBLE EVENT.
CHECK THIS OUT!
Viv, at ZEN AND THE ART OF TIGHTROPE WALKING, has, personally, taken a photograph of Jesus Christ.
I kid you not.
And she claims that it "beats all the Jesus in a tortilla pics you have ever seen." A claim I cannot dispute.
So pop over to her blog and be amazed.
This is not a joke.
I kid you not.
And she claims that it "beats all the Jesus in a tortilla pics you have ever seen." A claim I cannot dispute.
So pop over to her blog and be amazed.
This is not a joke.
THE PRAYER LIST
Posted by Kirstin at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING:
WEDNESDAY: Some of you know I had a mass removed from my abdominal wall last week. They told me it was a lipoma; harmless something like 99% of the time.
My pathology report came back today, consistent with metastatic melanoma.
That is literally all I know. I expect my oncologist in Oakland to call me tomorrow; I'll do a phone consultation with him. And see the oncologist here (Stockton) who is not the one who tried to kill me two years ago. The very least it means is scans and probably more surgery. I don't even know the protocol, if interferon would be done a second time.
I don't know what it means for my ministries in Sacramento. I know I want to continue doing everything I can. And I know that right now, I feel physically fine.
Keep praying.
THURSDAY: I'm restless and I can't sleep. I'm nervous about the unknown; I'm not really afraid of sickness or of dying. It's... oh shit, here we go again. I know that I can do whatever this asks of me. I'm emotionally healthy and strong, and at least for now I feel physically well. I've done this before and I can do it again, though I won't know until tomorrow (at the earliest) what the protocol might be. I have no clue what my prognosis is. I can do interferon again if I have to--but I don't think that's a repeat choice. I've never been irradiated. The idea of radiation skeeves me, but I'll do it if it's what's in front of me. That's how you get through this: the next thing, and the next thing, and the next.
I know this is very hard to treat. I don't know what the treatment even is. And I know that I will never know I'm clean, again.
I feel like I'm betraying my body, if I don't trust it. But right now I don't know how to trust it. Body wisdom sounds like a lovely idea. My community flooded me with prayers tonight. I trust my people to be there. I trust God, though not for any specific outcome. I know I'm held and grounded in love.
I know I have now. That may be all I ever know.
I've been here before. I learned things that I will forever be grateful for; found strength that will help me through what is to come. But still. Fucking cancer.
***
Posted by Di at THE KITCHEN DOOR:
I'm struggling with an unbloggable situation, and as I've been holding a few friends in the Light, I realize we're all sharing one common need: courage. A specific kind of loving courage. One that lets us take care of ourselves.
***
Posted by Arkansas Hillbilly at HILLBILLY MUSINGS:
I spoke with Fr. Roger again today about going to see Bishop Benfield about starting the official discernment process. His answer? We're forming a pre-discernment committee to meet a couple times before approaching the Bishop. More red tape. Well, nothing worth doing is done quickly, I guess. It is frustrating. I mean I've spent the last 18 months working on the degree to get to this point. Well, if I can get my 4 year degree in 18 months while holding down a full time job and with a wife and two babies at home I think I can make it to the next step.
In the meantime, please pray for me that no matter what happens I accept whatever it is Christ has in store for me.
Money raised so far for charity = $14.30.
Don't forget it is up to you to give your part of this to the charity of your own choice whenever you feel like doing so.
Please note: The charity bit is purely voluntary. Do continue to click in the first box even if the second box is not relevant to you.
O sacred banquet,
wherein Christ is received,
and a remembrance of
his passion is recounted!
The soul is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given.
WEDNESDAY: Some of you know I had a mass removed from my abdominal wall last week. They told me it was a lipoma; harmless something like 99% of the time.
My pathology report came back today, consistent with metastatic melanoma.
That is literally all I know. I expect my oncologist in Oakland to call me tomorrow; I'll do a phone consultation with him. And see the oncologist here (Stockton) who is not the one who tried to kill me two years ago. The very least it means is scans and probably more surgery. I don't even know the protocol, if interferon would be done a second time.
I don't know what it means for my ministries in Sacramento. I know I want to continue doing everything I can. And I know that right now, I feel physically fine.
Keep praying.
THURSDAY: I'm restless and I can't sleep. I'm nervous about the unknown; I'm not really afraid of sickness or of dying. It's... oh shit, here we go again. I know that I can do whatever this asks of me. I'm emotionally healthy and strong, and at least for now I feel physically well. I've done this before and I can do it again, though I won't know until tomorrow (at the earliest) what the protocol might be. I have no clue what my prognosis is. I can do interferon again if I have to--but I don't think that's a repeat choice. I've never been irradiated. The idea of radiation skeeves me, but I'll do it if it's what's in front of me. That's how you get through this: the next thing, and the next thing, and the next.
I know this is very hard to treat. I don't know what the treatment even is. And I know that I will never know I'm clean, again.
I feel like I'm betraying my body, if I don't trust it. But right now I don't know how to trust it. Body wisdom sounds like a lovely idea. My community flooded me with prayers tonight. I trust my people to be there. I trust God, though not for any specific outcome. I know I'm held and grounded in love.
I know I have now. That may be all I ever know.
I've been here before. I learned things that I will forever be grateful for; found strength that will help me through what is to come. But still. Fucking cancer.
***
Posted by Di at THE KITCHEN DOOR:
I'm struggling with an unbloggable situation, and as I've been holding a few friends in the Light, I realize we're all sharing one common need: courage. A specific kind of loving courage. One that lets us take care of ourselves.
***
Posted by Arkansas Hillbilly at HILLBILLY MUSINGS:
I spoke with Fr. Roger again today about going to see Bishop Benfield about starting the official discernment process. His answer? We're forming a pre-discernment committee to meet a couple times before approaching the Bishop. More red tape. Well, nothing worth doing is done quickly, I guess. It is frustrating. I mean I've spent the last 18 months working on the degree to get to this point. Well, if I can get my 4 year degree in 18 months while holding down a full time job and with a wife and two babies at home I think I can make it to the next step.
In the meantime, please pray for me that no matter what happens I accept whatever it is Christ has in store for me.
Money raised so far for charity = $14.30.
Don't forget it is up to you to give your part of this to the charity of your own choice whenever you feel like doing so.
Please note: The charity bit is purely voluntary. Do continue to click in the first box even if the second box is not relevant to you.
O sacred banquet,
wherein Christ is received,
and a remembrance of
his passion is recounted!
The soul is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given.
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
I think quite a few of you are really going to like this.
Laura's WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
Laura Beatrice Marling (born 1 February 1990) is a folk singer-songwriter from Eversley in Hampshire, England. Initially prominent within the London folk scene, she has also toured with a number of well-known indie artists in the UK. Her sound is characterised by striking melodies and poetic lyricism.
Her second album, "I Speak Because I Can," was released on 22 March 2010. Produced by Ethan Johns, it entered the UK Albums Chart at Number 4.
(WIKIPEDIA)
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
CAPITALISM WILL EAT ITSELF
The countries of Europe discovered a long time ago that both capitalism and communism, if adhered to in their purist forms, will eventually destroy the societies which adopt them. This is, in my opinion, because capitalism is an economic system and communism is a socio-political system and both actively work against the type of system that they are not. At best, communism will provide enough for every citizen to live on but will never create enough communal wealth for the pursuit of happiness. At best, capitalism will provide wealth for a minority of the people and enough for the majority to survive on but will always condemn a minority to a miserable existence. Europe has responded to this fact by adopting a hybrid system of the two which is basically democratic socialism. Sometimes this is more people orientated and sometimes it is more money orientated depending on the political and economic situation at each general election. This is why, to an outsider, and often to insiders as well, mainstream, European conservative parties appear to be almost socialist in many of their policies and the left seems to adopt a capitalist approach in much of their economic strategies.
Even so, we have not yet got the balance right as the following article from THE LOCAL (Germany) shows only too well.
A new study presented in Berlin on Tuesday showed that even young children’s future hopes are affected by poverty, with 20 percent of children in Germany reporting they feel disadvantaged.
According to the second annual World Vision children’s study, most of the country's children (80 percent) between six and 11-years-old have a positive outlook for the future. But the remaining 20 percent of children, who suffered from poverty and little encouragement at home or in school, learned early not to expect a bright future.
“Children from the privileged classes can take advantage of their better chances from the beginning,” co-author of the representative study Professor Klaus Hurrelmann said.
More than 2,500 schoolchildren took part in the study aimed at finding out for the first time how younger kids see their world. Results showed that even younger children realise they are underprivileged and wish to have their voices heard. A healthy self-esteem and the experience of being an effectual person are fundamental aspects positive child development that these children often do not experience, Hurrelmann and his co-author Sabine Andresen said.
“But the lower fifth is breaking away from us,” Hurrelmann said, explaining the situation had worsened since 2007. “These children see their futures negatively and don’t trust in any successful educational system. Their daily lives are spent in large part alone in front of the television or other forms of media consumption. Boys are particularly at risk here.”
Meanwhile more privileged children not only get more support at home, they also have more free time options. While 43 percent of wealthier children reported taking part in creative and musical activities after school, only five percent of poor children did the same.
“But the bridge to this greater educational orientation currently happens through the school,” Hurrelmann said.
Other aspects of the study showed that parental attention was very important to the younger children, but not constantly desired. Instead it should be short and intensive, Hurrelmann said, adding that this should be a relief to working parents.
Most children reported having two working parents, but said this made no negative impact.
“On the contrary, the children wish for parents who are socially integrated. It’s the children with unemployed parents and little structure in their daily lives who complain about too little parental attention,” Hurrelmann said.
The researchers were particularly concerned about this in single parent homes.
“These are still massively underprivileged in our society,” Andresen said, encouraging more state spending on full-day schools with attractive free-time offerings.
From a European, social democrat perspective, this proves that not only does capitalism rarely work for the poorest in society but it works against itself by taking an increasing number of people out of the wealth creating enterprise. Poverty and lack of opportunity creates more poverty and lack of opportunity within a fixed, and expanding, underclass.
However, the answer is, almost certainly, not to ditch capitalist economics altogether. In my opinion the answer is to increase the socialist component of social democracy drastically (almost to the exclusion of the capitalist element) when addressing the problems of the poor and that this should be paid for by the rich minority. Capitalism, as this report proves, will never rescue the poor - it only ever maintains the middle class and over-provides for the already wealthy. There may be some movement between the middle class and the stinking rich but there is rarely movement between poverty and the middle class that doesn't involve some criminality, winning the lottery or being able to play football well.
I think we understand this in Europe and the only thing that is stopping us grabbing poverty by the horns and creating a society where all children can look forward to a "happy" life is our lack of will, our greed and the tenacious belief that perhaps capitalism could just work for everybody if we tweak it a little bit.
But in the United States this will never happen unless the national zeitgeist undergoes a major sea change. One of the myths of Americanism is that anybody can become rich. But, as Europe has shown, this only true in the "winning the lottery" sort of way. Some people will move from the underclass to become reasonably well off, maybe even stinking rich, but the number that do will always be insignificant and the system that promotes such a possibility will always create an underclass whose lives are dominated by poverty, unhappiness and a complete lack of hope. This is because money and human beings are two completely different types of things.
In Europe, "social" is not a dirty word. In fact, for most people, in respect of human politics, it just means "human." The people of the USA need to rid themselves of their paranoia in respect of social policy, which has, been subversively installed in them by the stinking rich through the clever manipulation of the media and the deliberate perversion of the ideology of the nations political and philosophical founders.
But more than this, the people of the USA need to drop their isolationist and downright arrogant view of themselves and learn, not just from the mistakes of the old world, such as Soviet communism, but also from the things we have done well or, at least, aspire to do well.
Even so, we have not yet got the balance right as the following article from THE LOCAL (Germany) shows only too well.
A new study presented in Berlin on Tuesday showed that even young children’s future hopes are affected by poverty, with 20 percent of children in Germany reporting they feel disadvantaged.
According to the second annual World Vision children’s study, most of the country's children (80 percent) between six and 11-years-old have a positive outlook for the future. But the remaining 20 percent of children, who suffered from poverty and little encouragement at home or in school, learned early not to expect a bright future.
“Children from the privileged classes can take advantage of their better chances from the beginning,” co-author of the representative study Professor Klaus Hurrelmann said.
More than 2,500 schoolchildren took part in the study aimed at finding out for the first time how younger kids see their world. Results showed that even younger children realise they are underprivileged and wish to have their voices heard. A healthy self-esteem and the experience of being an effectual person are fundamental aspects positive child development that these children often do not experience, Hurrelmann and his co-author Sabine Andresen said.
“But the lower fifth is breaking away from us,” Hurrelmann said, explaining the situation had worsened since 2007. “These children see their futures negatively and don’t trust in any successful educational system. Their daily lives are spent in large part alone in front of the television or other forms of media consumption. Boys are particularly at risk here.”
Meanwhile more privileged children not only get more support at home, they also have more free time options. While 43 percent of wealthier children reported taking part in creative and musical activities after school, only five percent of poor children did the same.
“But the bridge to this greater educational orientation currently happens through the school,” Hurrelmann said.
Other aspects of the study showed that parental attention was very important to the younger children, but not constantly desired. Instead it should be short and intensive, Hurrelmann said, adding that this should be a relief to working parents.
Most children reported having two working parents, but said this made no negative impact.
“On the contrary, the children wish for parents who are socially integrated. It’s the children with unemployed parents and little structure in their daily lives who complain about too little parental attention,” Hurrelmann said.
The researchers were particularly concerned about this in single parent homes.
“These are still massively underprivileged in our society,” Andresen said, encouraging more state spending on full-day schools with attractive free-time offerings.
From a European, social democrat perspective, this proves that not only does capitalism rarely work for the poorest in society but it works against itself by taking an increasing number of people out of the wealth creating enterprise. Poverty and lack of opportunity creates more poverty and lack of opportunity within a fixed, and expanding, underclass.
However, the answer is, almost certainly, not to ditch capitalist economics altogether. In my opinion the answer is to increase the socialist component of social democracy drastically (almost to the exclusion of the capitalist element) when addressing the problems of the poor and that this should be paid for by the rich minority. Capitalism, as this report proves, will never rescue the poor - it only ever maintains the middle class and over-provides for the already wealthy. There may be some movement between the middle class and the stinking rich but there is rarely movement between poverty and the middle class that doesn't involve some criminality, winning the lottery or being able to play football well.
I think we understand this in Europe and the only thing that is stopping us grabbing poverty by the horns and creating a society where all children can look forward to a "happy" life is our lack of will, our greed and the tenacious belief that perhaps capitalism could just work for everybody if we tweak it a little bit.
But in the United States this will never happen unless the national zeitgeist undergoes a major sea change. One of the myths of Americanism is that anybody can become rich. But, as Europe has shown, this only true in the "winning the lottery" sort of way. Some people will move from the underclass to become reasonably well off, maybe even stinking rich, but the number that do will always be insignificant and the system that promotes such a possibility will always create an underclass whose lives are dominated by poverty, unhappiness and a complete lack of hope. This is because money and human beings are two completely different types of things.
In Europe, "social" is not a dirty word. In fact, for most people, in respect of human politics, it just means "human." The people of the USA need to rid themselves of their paranoia in respect of social policy, which has, been subversively installed in them by the stinking rich through the clever manipulation of the media and the deliberate perversion of the ideology of the nations political and philosophical founders.
But more than this, the people of the USA need to drop their isolationist and downright arrogant view of themselves and learn, not just from the mistakes of the old world, such as Soviet communism, but also from the things we have done well or, at least, aspire to do well.
THE PRAYER LIST
***
From ELLIE FINLAY:
surgery on left hand; already have a broken finger on right hand...
ah, the little challenges that come our way!
***
Posted by Susan Gage at WAKE UP AND LIVE:
Today (1st. June) is the day that my friend, Terry Galloway, will take a brave step toward hearing. The doctors will be "turning her on" (yes, please snicker: she'd approve!) Prayers for her and her medical team as medical technology attempts to give her what medical treatment took away from her in utero.
UPDATE (2nd. June): For an hour they were fine tuning the cochlear via Terry listening only to sounds on the computer. Unlike most people who get "turned on", Terry loved (not hated) the high pitched sounds (as if she'd never heard them before, or hadn't heard them for 40 or more years, she was quite excited.)
Then they turned the cochlear on in the room itself, and Terry freaked out at the sound of the computer next to her, her own voice and the sounds of other voices. Audiologist said "speech is complicated and takes time." Audiologist then took out kid's musical instruments, and Terry was particularly thrilled at the sound of the xylophone and adored the bell.
Wow!
***
Posted by Cynthia at REVEREND MOM:My niece Madeline, seventeen years old, is facing two hip surgeries this month. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, especially you church-folk prayer angels. She's had a rough road and needs some relief. Yes, that's a huge scar on her knee from a previous surgery.
Money raised so far for charity = $13.30.
Don't forget it is up to you to give your part of this to the charity of your own choice whenever you feel like doing so.
Please note: The charity bit is purely voluntary. Do continue to click in the first box even if the second box is not relevant to you.
BLOG NOTICE
There's a load of new stuff posted on the...
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW... page,
... including some MadPriest news his
friends will be interested in.
Details of how to access CHIN WAG
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW... page,
... including some MadPriest news his
friends will be interested in.
Details of how to access CHIN WAG
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
ARCHBISHOP OKEY DOKEY HOLDS IT IN HIS HANDS
From ALL AFRICA.COM:
Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says the recent ordination of a gay Bishop in the Anglican Church in the United States of America is the height of moral decadence in the Church in particular and the world in general. Governor Amaechi said this when the new Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, led a delegation to visit him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi condemned the act, regretting the continued trend of moral laxity of people of this generation in spite of the proliferation of churches in the world.
Commending the new Primate for his elevation, the state chief executive urged him to face the challenge of redeeming the battered image of the Church frontally, saying " Primate, you have a lot in your hands; the times are not good and challenges are daunting," urging him to restore the virtues that made the Church a sacred institution.
He said, "It takes the will and grace of God for anybody to be lifted," calling on the church to collaborate with government in building a virile society, describing the Church as "the soul of the people."
Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says the recent ordination of a gay Bishop in the Anglican Church in the United States of America is the height of moral decadence in the Church in particular and the world in general. Governor Amaechi said this when the new Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, led a delegation to visit him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi condemned the act, regretting the continued trend of moral laxity of people of this generation in spite of the proliferation of churches in the world.
Commending the new Primate for his elevation, the state chief executive urged him to face the challenge of redeeming the battered image of the Church frontally, saying " Primate, you have a lot in your hands; the times are not good and challenges are daunting," urging him to restore the virtues that made the Church a sacred institution.
He said, "It takes the will and grace of God for anybody to be lifted," calling on the church to collaborate with government in building a virile society, describing the Church as "the soul of the people."
ARE THE SPANISH THE MOST EVIL
PEOPLE IN THE WORLD?
From TYPICALLY SPANISH (true):
Drunken youngsters, on the last day of the village fair in Alhaurín el Grande, beat one of the young bulls used for running through the streets of the Málaga town, to death. The torture was carried out in the town’s bullring where the youngsters tortured the animal with kicks, beatings and by pulling its neck.
The Caseta de la Juventud was open to the early hours of the morning and many of the drunk youngsters went directly to the bullring.
The police did nothing and the organisers merely released a second animal which soon underwent the same torture.
It was a festival of animal ill-treatment which ended in the animal exhausted and badly injured and having to be sacrificed, and the public who witnesses the butchery proud of the town’s young men.
WARNING:This video, put together by MadPriest, contains scenes of the actual incident reported above. Those scenes are fucking obscene and some of you may not wish to view them.
This video can be embedded via my YOUTUBE page.
Drunken youngsters, on the last day of the village fair in Alhaurín el Grande, beat one of the young bulls used for running through the streets of the Málaga town, to death. The torture was carried out in the town’s bullring where the youngsters tortured the animal with kicks, beatings and by pulling its neck.
The Caseta de la Juventud was open to the early hours of the morning and many of the drunk youngsters went directly to the bullring.
The police did nothing and the organisers merely released a second animal which soon underwent the same torture.
It was a festival of animal ill-treatment which ended in the animal exhausted and badly injured and having to be sacrificed, and the public who witnesses the butchery proud of the town’s young men.
WARNING:This video, put together by MadPriest, contains scenes of the actual incident reported above. Those scenes are fucking obscene and some of you may not wish to view them.
This video can be embedded via my YOUTUBE page.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND VATICAN
IN WORLD YOUTH DAY STD COVER-UP
With reference to my previous post:
FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UK - A WARNING.
From ALCIBIADES:
Nor does this mention anything of the cost in human terms. The night before the WYD Mass tens of thousands of young pilgrims slept outdoors at a local racecourse, from which the condom vending machines had been removed.
A doctor friend who was present as part of a public health team still gets angry when describing what he saw that night, and the next morning he and the other medics were inundated with frantic young women in desperate need of support and the morning-after pill. He's currently undertaking research into a post WYD rise in chlamydia, and battling government officials who don't want the data made public.
FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UK - A WARNING.
From ALCIBIADES:
Nor does this mention anything of the cost in human terms. The night before the WYD Mass tens of thousands of young pilgrims slept outdoors at a local racecourse, from which the condom vending machines had been removed.
A doctor friend who was present as part of a public health team still gets angry when describing what he saw that night, and the next morning he and the other medics were inundated with frantic young women in desperate need of support and the morning-after pill. He's currently undertaking research into a post WYD rise in chlamydia, and battling government officials who don't want the data made public.
Monday, 31 May 2010
BLOG NOTICE
Something is wrong with BLOGGER tonight. Some of the comments you are sending in are coming through on my email but I am unable to publish them. A few are getting through to my dashboard and I can publish them from the dashboard, but it's only about 10%. I expect it will sort itself out. The main thing is not to get paranoid and start blaming me for rejecting your perfectly fine words of wisdom etc. etc.
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL - A PASSING OVER
September 12, 1951
– May 30, 2010
From SOULTRACKS:
He was, quite simply, the Voice. The name Ali Ollie Woodson may not be familiar to large numbers of readers, but to those in the Soul music business he was known as one of the greatest singers of his generation. In a career that spanned over three decades, he worked as lead singer for the Drifters and (the post-Teddy Pendergrass) Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. He also served as guest vocalist on dozens of recordings of artists from Freda Payne to Paul Jackson, and as a backing vocalist for Whitney Houston, Rachelle Ferelle and Aretha Franklin. However, his true coming out was as the lead singer of the Temptations from 1984-1996.
By 1996, Woodson left the Temptations for good, and fans anticipated that a solo album would soon be on the horizon. Instead, he worked on a number of different projects, performing in a series of stageplays, providing backing vocals on several soul and jazz albums, touring with other former Temptations Damon Harris and Richard Street , and briefly forming a group with two former Supremes. Ultimately, he created the Emperors of Soul, a touring group covering Tempations' and other Motown hits which received positive reviews around the US.
It would be five years before Ralph Tee of Expansion Records would get Woodson back into the studio to record Right Here All Along, Woodson's long overdue first solo album. It was a solid disc, and received kudos in most Soul music publications.
Reports began circulating in early 2009 that Woodson was ill. But by Spring of that year he had released his second album, Never Give Up, on his own Ollywood Records and continued his public appearances. Sadly, he died on Sunday, May 30, 2010 of cancer. He will be terribly missed by soul music lovers.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
By constantly attacking TEC, Rowan Williams is trying to create a false "us and them" situation. This is so he can ignore the obvious fact that there are plenty of "them" much closer to his Lambeth home, including a high proportion in his own fiefdom, the Church of England.
At least ACNA has the guts to ex-communicate everybody who disagrees with them wherever they may be. Williams doesn't have the guts to attack people in his own backyard. He feels so much safer if there is an ocean between the "naughty" people and himself.
In secular Britain, Rowan Williams has completely lost any kudos he started the job with. The government, academia and the "chattering classes" regard him as either a homophobe or a coward (or a cowardly homophobe, of course). The non-chattering classes don't understand a word he says and so they just ignore him. His only supporters in the Church of England are homophobes, sycophants and snobs who think that loyalty to Oxbridge and the old boys network is far more important than their own intellectual integrity or trifling stuff like the gospel truth (yes, I am talking about you General Synod liberals and you should be ashamed of yourselves). His attack on TEC at this time is posturing that fools nobody except himself (and I like to think that somewhere inside this strange new invention that he has made of himself there is a bit of old Rowan that isn't fooled either).
Of course, if the Americans swallow his "cunning plan," which as natural born martyrs they may very well do, the quivering intellectual elite of the Church of England will roll over and show him their bellies and we all remain in something a lot less enlightened than the Dark Ages for years to come. What is actually required is for the talking heads of TEC to give Williams, Wright et al a taste of their own medicine. They lecture TEC without invitation. It's time that TEC stopped thinking only of themselves and how much money they have and started lecturing the rest of us without invitation.
TEC members complain when Tom Wright flies over to the States to "educate" them and gain disciples. But why shouldn't he? It's a free market and one invented by Americans. In stead of whinging and sissy comments about funding, they should be more American and fly over here and educate us and gain disciples for their more righteous cause.
For goodness sake, the US is never backward in coming forward when they want to export their crap to the rest of us. Why is it that when they've got some good product, like a truly inclusive church, they are reluctant to ram it down our throats? The only answer I can come up with is that they actually desire isolation and see Williams as an opportunity to gain this American default position without having to blame themselves for it happening.
At least ACNA has the guts to ex-communicate everybody who disagrees with them wherever they may be. Williams doesn't have the guts to attack people in his own backyard. He feels so much safer if there is an ocean between the "naughty" people and himself.
In secular Britain, Rowan Williams has completely lost any kudos he started the job with. The government, academia and the "chattering classes" regard him as either a homophobe or a coward (or a cowardly homophobe, of course). The non-chattering classes don't understand a word he says and so they just ignore him. His only supporters in the Church of England are homophobes, sycophants and snobs who think that loyalty to Oxbridge and the old boys network is far more important than their own intellectual integrity or trifling stuff like the gospel truth (yes, I am talking about you General Synod liberals and you should be ashamed of yourselves). His attack on TEC at this time is posturing that fools nobody except himself (and I like to think that somewhere inside this strange new invention that he has made of himself there is a bit of old Rowan that isn't fooled either).
Of course, if the Americans swallow his "cunning plan," which as natural born martyrs they may very well do, the quivering intellectual elite of the Church of England will roll over and show him their bellies and we all remain in something a lot less enlightened than the Dark Ages for years to come. What is actually required is for the talking heads of TEC to give Williams, Wright et al a taste of their own medicine. They lecture TEC without invitation. It's time that TEC stopped thinking only of themselves and how much money they have and started lecturing the rest of us without invitation.
TEC members complain when Tom Wright flies over to the States to "educate" them and gain disciples. But why shouldn't he? It's a free market and one invented by Americans. In stead of whinging and sissy comments about funding, they should be more American and fly over here and educate us and gain disciples for their more righteous cause.
For goodness sake, the US is never backward in coming forward when they want to export their crap to the rest of us. Why is it that when they've got some good product, like a truly inclusive church, they are reluctant to ram it down our throats? The only answer I can come up with is that they actually desire isolation and see Williams as an opportunity to gain this American default position without having to blame themselves for it happening.
ROWAN WILLIAMS MAY SEVER
ANGLICAN TIES WITH UNITED NATIONS
From SUNDAY TRUST:
The Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, last Thursday called on Nigeria to quit the UN, over the latter’s support for homosexuality.
Okoh said that it was regrettable that the UN was currently using human rights bodies and non-governmental organisations to ensure the entrenchment of homosexuality globally. The cleric made the call in Lagos at a reception held for him by the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
“If the UN has made itself an agent for the propagation of homosexuality globally, then it is time for us (Nigeria) to pull out of the organisation.
“This is because the UN has no right to determine for or impose moral standards on us (Nigeria). Let us stand firm and refuse to be bought over by the West,’’ he said.
Okoh promised to continue the fight against homosexuality and urge the Anglican Church to support him.
The primate reminded adherents that God had put them in this part of the world in an age where the world was continuing its rebellion against God.
He warned that the world’s rebellion against God, which started in the Garden of Eden, would culminate in the appearance of the anti-Christ and the eventual end of this age.
The Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, last Thursday called on Nigeria to quit the UN, over the latter’s support for homosexuality.
Okoh said that it was regrettable that the UN was currently using human rights bodies and non-governmental organisations to ensure the entrenchment of homosexuality globally. The cleric made the call in Lagos at a reception held for him by the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
“If the UN has made itself an agent for the propagation of homosexuality globally, then it is time for us (Nigeria) to pull out of the organisation.
“This is because the UN has no right to determine for or impose moral standards on us (Nigeria). Let us stand firm and refuse to be bought over by the West,’’ he said.
Okoh promised to continue the fight against homosexuality and urge the Anglican Church to support him.
The primate reminded adherents that God had put them in this part of the world in an age where the world was continuing its rebellion against God.
He warned that the world’s rebellion against God, which started in the Garden of Eden, would culminate in the appearance of the anti-Christ and the eventual end of this age.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
What the Archbishop neglects is that people do the exegesis. Exegesis most often follows from what the people doing the exegeting believe, not the other way around... When people accept same-sex love as legitimate, exegesis will provide the biblical foundation for it.
What Christians who approve of same-sex love need most is not more and better exegesis but to find non-exegetical ways to change hearts and minds. When that happens, the foundational and sustaining exegesis will be forthcoming. Selah!
Hint: The best, but not unfailing, way to change minds is to demonstrate the deep and immense suffering caused by the church's traditional attitude.
(Kenneth Cauthen at LIBERAL TO LEFT MUSINGS)
COMMENT: This is a hypothesis that I have put forward at OCICBW... in the past. The Bible may teach us how to do theology but, even so, only if we accept its contextual nature. But it was never intended to be the last word on every religious and moral question. If that was its intention then somebody would have done a much better job of editing it.
What Christians who approve of same-sex love need most is not more and better exegesis but to find non-exegetical ways to change hearts and minds. When that happens, the foundational and sustaining exegesis will be forthcoming. Selah!
Hint: The best, but not unfailing, way to change minds is to demonstrate the deep and immense suffering caused by the church's traditional attitude.
(Kenneth Cauthen at LIBERAL TO LEFT MUSINGS)
COMMENT: This is a hypothesis that I have put forward at OCICBW... in the past. The Bible may teach us how to do theology but, even so, only if we accept its contextual nature. But it was never intended to be the last word on every religious and moral question. If that was its intention then somebody would have done a much better job of editing it.
FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UK - A WARNING
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
The cost to NSW of hosting World Youth Day came in $64 million over budget, according to an Auditor-General's report. From an original estimate of $20 million, the global Catholic get-together in July 2008 blew out to a total cost to taxpayers of $86 million.
COMMENT: The pope is just not worth this sort of public expenditure. For goodness sake, we could book U2 for a
lot less money.
The cost to NSW of hosting World Youth Day came in $64 million over budget, according to an Auditor-General's report. From an original estimate of $20 million, the global Catholic get-together in July 2008 blew out to a total cost to taxpayers of $86 million.
COMMENT: The pope is just not worth this sort of public expenditure. For goodness sake, we could book U2 for a
lot less money.
ODDS AND SODS
From TRACIE THE RED:
This sign is located right outside the main entrance of a Home Depot just down the street from my apartment.
I don't know - with so-called "customer service" like this, I'm not sure I want to shop here!
COMMENT: I understand your reservations, Tracie. But I'm posting this advertisement as some of OCICBW...'s readers may find the offer attractive - especially those who, for one reason or another, are unable to pick up their own sods.
This sign is located right outside the main entrance of a Home Depot just down the street from my apartment.
I don't know - with so-called "customer service" like this, I'm not sure I want to shop here!
COMMENT: I understand your reservations, Tracie. But I'm posting this advertisement as some of OCICBW...'s readers may find the offer attractive - especially those who, for one reason or another, are unable to pick up their own sods.
YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
From PROJECT DARK BOOK:
Prince Charles of Wales carries the banner of a dozen Charles’ before him back to Charlemagne “Charles the Great”. Britain stems from “B’rth” which means “Covenant Man”. Should he take the throne of Great Britain, he will also assume the title “King of Jerusalem”, replacing his royal mummy who has been the self proclaimed “Queen of Jerusalem” since 1953. Antichrist will indeed be ruling autocratically from Jerusalem, and Charles controls much of the world’s natural resources and monetary wealth through his 24 honorary knights in the “Order of the Garter”. The “Garter” refers to a witch’s belt, and a supposed bloodline going back to Cain and indeed the dragon who Charles believes had sex with Eve behind Adam’s back in the Garden of Eden to produce the dragon race called “Canaanites”. He blames God for humanity’s expulsion from the Garden, and wants to lead humanity back into it. Charles is even related to Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian blood lusting tyrant who became immortalized as “Dracula”.
Charles not only reveres the Koran, he reportedly converted to Islam in a 1993 ceremony in Istanbul, was recently married in a Druid ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and is the leader of Gaea (Earth Worship), which he calls “Sustainable development”.
Prince Charles of Wales carries the banner of a dozen Charles’ before him back to Charlemagne “Charles the Great”. Britain stems from “B’rth” which means “Covenant Man”. Should he take the throne of Great Britain, he will also assume the title “King of Jerusalem”, replacing his royal mummy who has been the self proclaimed “Queen of Jerusalem” since 1953. Antichrist will indeed be ruling autocratically from Jerusalem, and Charles controls much of the world’s natural resources and monetary wealth through his 24 honorary knights in the “Order of the Garter”. The “Garter” refers to a witch’s belt, and a supposed bloodline going back to Cain and indeed the dragon who Charles believes had sex with Eve behind Adam’s back in the Garden of Eden to produce the dragon race called “Canaanites”. He blames God for humanity’s expulsion from the Garden, and wants to lead humanity back into it. Charles is even related to Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian blood lusting tyrant who became immortalized as “Dracula”.
Charles not only reveres the Koran, he reportedly converted to Islam in a 1993 ceremony in Istanbul, was recently married in a Druid ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and is the leader of Gaea (Earth Worship), which he calls “Sustainable development”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)