COMMENT: It doesn't say in the article which of the holy men of God has the two wives and which just one. Perhaps they just share the three between them.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
POLYGAMY RETURNS TO
ANGLICAN CHURCH IN UGANDA
From NEW VISION (Uganda):
COMMENT: It doesn't say in the article which of the holy men of God has the two wives and which just one. Perhaps they just share the three between them.
COMMENT: It doesn't say in the article which of the holy men of God has the two wives and which just one. Perhaps they just share the three between them.
HUGELY RECOMMENDED
For a complete camp overload, check out the photographs of the posers on parade at Dragon*Con 2010!, posted at the truly excellent (all things sci-fi) website, io9.
The costume on the left is typical of the divine creations on view. By the look on her face she's probably my guardian angel.
FOOL IF YOU THINK IT'S OVER
From THE GUARDIAN:
The HIV epidemic in Europe, including the UK, is being fuelled by the risky behaviour of young gay men, according to research published today. Public messages and campaigns about the dangers of unsafe sex do not appear to be getting through to men who have sex with men, the researchers say – particularly the young ones.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA), which monitors HIV numbers in the UK, warns every year of the rising rate of infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). In its last full report, for 2009, it said that the rate of infection among gay men remained high, even though there had been a slight overall drop.
HIV infection can go unnoticed for years, but the HPA report said one in five of those diagnosed had become infected within the previous six months – suggesting recent risky behaviour was to blame.
The Belgian researchers, Kristen Chalmet and colleagues from the Aids Reference Laboratory at Ghent University, found one "striking and alarming" cluster of cases. Over the nine years of the study, 57 men acquired genetically very similar viruses, they say. Eight of them did so in the last year. "Members of this cluster are significantly younger than the rest of the population and have more chlamydia and syphilis infections," they write today, in the open access journal BioMed Central Infectious Diseases. Even excluding that group from the study, there was still a relationship between HIV infection and contracting syphilis, which suggested risky sexual behaviour.
"We clearly demonstrate that, despite the existence of prevention programmes, easily available testing facilities and a supposedly broad public awareness of the infection and its possible routes of transmission, MSM still account for the majority of local onward transmissions," they write.
The HIV epidemic in Europe, including the UK, is being fuelled by the risky behaviour of young gay men, according to research published today. Public messages and campaigns about the dangers of unsafe sex do not appear to be getting through to men who have sex with men, the researchers say – particularly the young ones.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA), which monitors HIV numbers in the UK, warns every year of the rising rate of infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). In its last full report, for 2009, it said that the rate of infection among gay men remained high, even though there had been a slight overall drop.
HIV infection can go unnoticed for years, but the HPA report said one in five of those diagnosed had become infected within the previous six months – suggesting recent risky behaviour was to blame.
The Belgian researchers, Kristen Chalmet and colleagues from the Aids Reference Laboratory at Ghent University, found one "striking and alarming" cluster of cases. Over the nine years of the study, 57 men acquired genetically very similar viruses, they say. Eight of them did so in the last year. "Members of this cluster are significantly younger than the rest of the population and have more chlamydia and syphilis infections," they write today, in the open access journal BioMed Central Infectious Diseases. Even excluding that group from the study, there was still a relationship between HIV infection and contracting syphilis, which suggested risky sexual behaviour.
"We clearly demonstrate that, despite the existence of prevention programmes, easily available testing facilities and a supposedly broad public awareness of the infection and its possible routes of transmission, MSM still account for the majority of local onward transmissions," they write.
HERE I STAND . . . AND HERE I STAND, AND HERE I STAND, AND HERE I STAND, AND HERE I STAND, AND HERE I STAND, AND HERE I STAND . . .
From ENI NEWS:
Eight hundred colourful miniature figures of the 16th-century Protestant Reformer Martin Luther on display on the central market square of Wittenberg, where he lived and worked, are causing offence. The installation by German artist Ottmar Hörl is part of the Luther Decade celebrations commemorating the period between Luther's arrival in Wittenberg in 1508 and the beginning of the Reformation in 1517. Visitors have been walking around the market place between the black, green, red and blue figures, picking them up and placing them in other parts of the town.
This art show has, however, been heavily criticised by prominent theologians such as Friedrich Schorlemmer from Wittenberg. In August, he told the Leipziger Volkszeitung, "This is theological and aesthetic rubbish. Martin Luther cannot be mass produced."
COMMENT: On the other hand
- it could have been useful back in the day:
Eight hundred colourful miniature figures of the 16th-century Protestant Reformer Martin Luther on display on the central market square of Wittenberg, where he lived and worked, are causing offence. The installation by German artist Ottmar Hörl is part of the Luther Decade celebrations commemorating the period between Luther's arrival in Wittenberg in 1508 and the beginning of the Reformation in 1517. Visitors have been walking around the market place between the black, green, red and blue figures, picking them up and placing them in other parts of the town.
This art show has, however, been heavily criticised by prominent theologians such as Friedrich Schorlemmer from Wittenberg. In August, he told the Leipziger Volkszeitung, "This is theological and aesthetic rubbish. Martin Luther cannot be mass produced."
COMMENT: On the other hand
- it could have been useful back in the day:
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
During an excruciatingly dull evening on a blind date, a man was relieved when his mobile phone finally rang. He'd arranged with a friend to call him so he could have an excuse to leave early if the date was a disaster.
He took the call and when he ended it, he lowered his eyes and with a grim expression announced, "I've had bad news. My grandfather has just died."
"Thank heavens!" his date replied. "If yours hadn't, mine would have had to."
"I'M SORRY, WE CAN'T AFFORD
TO FUND YOUR POST ANYMORE"
My fellow (although, very much, from the other camp) pain in the arse, George Austin gives us some interesting facts in a letter he wrote to the press (probably "The Times") recently.
CHRISTIANS RUIN DEBORAH FINLAY'S VIEW
From (THIS IS) TOTAL ESSEX:
More than a hundred travellers' caravans descended on the small village of Bicknacre over the weekend – and more are still arriving. The travellers claim to be a Christian mission, and Mr Richardson (the farmer who has rented out a field to them) went to one of their services on Sunday.
"They hold daily services – it's very different from your traditional Church of England service but I really enjoyed it. They're very nice people and it was a great experience," he said.
But some local residents remain unconvinced about the sincerity of the travellers' spiritual message. Peter Phillips, who lives in the village, said: "One resident who lives alone feels so nervous that she has had to ask a relative to move in until the travellers move on.
"We are living in fear, as there are far more of the travellers than there are local residents. They have a crude sign hung on a lamppost suggesting they are on a mission, but they look and sound like typical travellers to me," said Mr Phillips.
And Deborah Finlay, who lives opposite the field, said: "It's absolutely spoiled my outlook – which is what we bought the house for. It's just ruined the whole atmosphere.
"I do hope they don't stay long."
COMMENT: This is pretty much the same reaction that the first Greenbelt Festival evoked from local residents when it descended upon a pig farm outside the village of Charsfield near Woodbridge, Suffolk over the August 1974 bank holiday weekend. But those NIMBY locals were afraid of smelly hippies rather than smelly gypsies. There were probably more police at the first Greenbelt than festival goers. There was no trouble at all that year, but local residents were right to be apprehensive. The festival turned out to be the work of SATAN INCARNATE and would, in the future, invite Peter Tatchell to speak to young people about AIDS in Africa, thus destroying civilisation as we know it.
So OCICBW... fully backs the local residents in their hate campaign against these travelling ne'erdowells. We say, "Stop those God-bothering gypsies now, before they start doing what Jesus would do all over our beautiful, English countryside."
"They hold daily services – it's very different from your traditional Church of England service but I really enjoyed it. They're very nice people and it was a great experience," he said.
But some local residents remain unconvinced about the sincerity of the travellers' spiritual message. Peter Phillips, who lives in the village, said: "One resident who lives alone feels so nervous that she has had to ask a relative to move in until the travellers move on.
"We are living in fear, as there are far more of the travellers than there are local residents. They have a crude sign hung on a lamppost suggesting they are on a mission, but they look and sound like typical travellers to me," said Mr Phillips.
And Deborah Finlay, who lives opposite the field, said: "It's absolutely spoiled my outlook – which is what we bought the house for. It's just ruined the whole atmosphere.
"I do hope they don't stay long."
COMMENT: This is pretty much the same reaction that the first Greenbelt Festival evoked from local residents when it descended upon a pig farm outside the village of Charsfield near Woodbridge, Suffolk over the August 1974 bank holiday weekend. But those NIMBY locals were afraid of smelly hippies rather than smelly gypsies. There were probably more police at the first Greenbelt than festival goers. There was no trouble at all that year, but local residents were right to be apprehensive. The festival turned out to be the work of SATAN INCARNATE and would, in the future, invite Peter Tatchell to speak to young people about AIDS in Africa, thus destroying civilisation as we know it.
So OCICBW... fully backs the local residents in their hate campaign against these travelling ne'erdowells. We say, "Stop those God-bothering gypsies now, before they start doing what Jesus would do all over our beautiful, English countryside."
CAPTION COMPETITION
The above was sent in by longstanding friend of OCICBW..., Scott (A for "Animal") Gunn. It is one of many excellent photographs taken at the first performance of the ballet, THE CONSECRATION OF BISHOP GRINNING SOUL (choreography by the Reverend Ann Fontaine). Off you go then, do your worst!
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
Today's overload of cuteness has been sent in by the original "soppy Sheila," Cathy. She writes:
This is Bruno the big old dawg who lives at Peinmore House, the B&B Mimi and I stayed at on Skye. He made great friends with both me and Mimi. He seemed to like hanging out under the desk in the hall a lot. At one point I was playing on the hall floor with Toby the cat and Bruno suddenly burst out towards us, giving Toby a wee fright so he ran off down the hall a short way. Bruno then lumbered over and sat on me heavily, so that I had to pay attention to him instead.
Toby looks like a terrible bruiser in the pic but he was a real sweetie. He helped me do some of my packing by hiding under the chest of drawers in my room and knocking about scrumpled up bits of packaging.
There was also an elderly boxer of uncertain temper and bladder who we only saw the once, rolling her eye at us with a skeptical air as she was ushered hastily into the back garden.
This is Bruno the big old dawg who lives at Peinmore House, the B&B Mimi and I stayed at on Skye. He made great friends with both me and Mimi. He seemed to like hanging out under the desk in the hall a lot. At one point I was playing on the hall floor with Toby the cat and Bruno suddenly burst out towards us, giving Toby a wee fright so he ran off down the hall a short way. Bruno then lumbered over and sat on me heavily, so that I had to pay attention to him instead.
Toby looks like a terrible bruiser in the pic but he was a real sweetie. He helped me do some of my packing by hiding under the chest of drawers in my room and knocking about scrumpled up bits of packaging.
There was also an elderly boxer of uncertain temper and bladder who we only saw the once, rolling her eye at us with a skeptical air as she was ushered hastily into the back garden.
Monday, 6 September 2010
"Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words."
Only the USA would celebrate their Labour Day on the 6th. September so that it doesn't get confused with the real thing (true - I checked it out on Wiki).
From Tracie:
This is for all those workers who, over the decades upon decades, have worked and struggled and in some cases fought and died for workers' rights (yay unions). Today we tip our hats to the working man.
CHICAGO by Carl Sandburg
Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse. and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
And this one is from me, for all the reds under those American beds. Your day will come because you have God on your side.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
From THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK website:
Two questions:
1) On what?
2) Who the heck does Bishop Atkinson think he is to lecture the Blessed Saint Francis on anything?!!!
Really. Such arrogance!
Two questions:
1) On what?
2) Who the heck does Bishop Atkinson think he is to lecture the Blessed Saint Francis on anything?!!!
Really. Such arrogance!
Sunday, 5 September 2010
THEY'LL STONE YOU JUST LIKE THEY SAID THEY WOULD
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
The Vatican on Sunday raised the possibility of using behind-the-scenes diplomacy to try to spare the life of an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned for adultery. In its first public statement on the case the Vatican also decried stoning as a particularly "brutal" form of capital punishment.
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted in 2006 of adultery. In July, Iranian authorities said they would not carry out the stoning sentence for the time being, but the mother of two could still face execution by hanging for adultery and other offenses.
Her son, Sajad, told the Italian news agency Adnkronos that he was appealing to Pope Benedict XVI and to Italy to work to stop the execution.
Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, told The Associated Press that no formal appeal had reached the Vatican, but hinted that Vatican's diplomacy might be employed to try to save Ashtiani. He said in a statement that the Holy See "is following the case with attention and interest."
"When the Holy See is asked, in an appropriate way, to intervene in humanitarian issues with the authorities of other countries, as it has happened many times in the past, it does so not in a public way, but through its own diplomatic channels," Lombardi said in a statement.
The Vatican on Sunday raised the possibility of using behind-the-scenes diplomacy to try to spare the life of an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned for adultery. In its first public statement on the case the Vatican also decried stoning as a particularly "brutal" form of capital punishment.
Her son, Sajad, told the Italian news agency Adnkronos that he was appealing to Pope Benedict XVI and to Italy to work to stop the execution.
Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, told The Associated Press that no formal appeal had reached the Vatican, but hinted that Vatican's diplomacy might be employed to try to save Ashtiani. He said in a statement that the Holy See "is following the case with attention and interest."
"When the Holy See is asked, in an appropriate way, to intervene in humanitarian issues with the authorities of other countries, as it has happened many times in the past, it does so not in a public way, but through its own diplomatic channels," Lombardi said in a statement.
OUR BEAUTIFUL ANGLO SAXON/VIKING HERITAGE
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
Beer-swigging, rudeness and terrible dress sense have all helped British women come out on top of a poll of the world’s ugliest women. British women won 22.4 per cent in the survey conducted by the Real Holiday Reports website, followed by American women with 16.7 per cent. The results suggest that while many British women are attracted to the ladette image, the rest of the world does not share their opinion.
Respondents to the survey complained that British women were unladylike, not shy about belching or passing wind in public. They are also unashamed to let their fat hang out of their clothing and often wear bikinis that are “too tight”. Specifically, respondents said British women were “rude”, “drink pints of beer like men” and “end up drunk in the gutter”.
Germany came in third place with 15.7% - which is probably entirely due to Our Erika's behaviour down her local on a Friday night.
Beer-swigging, rudeness and terrible dress sense have all helped British women come out on top of a poll of the world’s ugliest women. British women won 22.4 per cent in the survey conducted by the Real Holiday Reports website, followed by American women with 16.7 per cent. The results suggest that while many British women are attracted to the ladette image, the rest of the world does not share their opinion.
Respondents to the survey complained that British women were unladylike, not shy about belching or passing wind in public. They are also unashamed to let their fat hang out of their clothing and often wear bikinis that are “too tight”. Specifically, respondents said British women were “rude”, “drink pints of beer like men” and “end up drunk in the gutter”.
Germany came in third place with 15.7% - which is probably entirely due to Our Erika's behaviour down her local on a Friday night.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
According to people who know about such things, there is not enough observable matter in the universe to account for the gravitational behaviour of the universe. In fact, we can't account for 80% of the matter that should be out there. They call this "dark matter."
Some theorists propose that this dark matter exists in dimensions that we cannot see.
If that which we call "spiritual" exists it will consist of something, otherwise it won't exist. WHAT IF the dark matter of the universe exists in that dimension the religions call "heaven."
Some theorists propose that this dark matter exists in dimensions that we cannot see.
If that which we call "spiritual" exists it will consist of something, otherwise it won't exist. WHAT IF the dark matter of the universe exists in that dimension the religions call "heaven."
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Quantum theory seems to indicate that everything is undecided until it is observed. But we have a problem here. We know that the universe existed in a decided state at a time when there was no intelligent life in the universe to observe it and, if we are the only intelligent life in the universe, it is very likely that the parts of the universe that we cannot observe also exist in a decided state. Quantum theory, as far as I know, doesn't propose that we can observe backwards through time and the decided state of the universe as we see it is very obviously dependent on it having undergone a definite (decided) development in the past that allows it to be as we observe it now. Therefore, there must be something within, or apart from, the universe that is observing the whole universe, and has been doing so from very early on in the life of the universe. This observer is continually creating the universe by intervening in it as the observer's observance is the catalyst through which everything is decided. This observer must be all seeing or there would be regions of undecidedness in the universe.
Perhaps we could call this observer, "God."
Perhaps we could call this observer, "God."
Saturday, 4 September 2010
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
An older gentleman was On the operating table Awaiting surgery. He had insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation.
As he was about to get the anaesthesia, he asked to speak to his son.
"Yes, Dad, what is it?"
"Don't be nervous, son. Do your best and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife...."
As he was about to get the anaesthesia, he asked to speak to his son.
"Yes, Dad, what is it?"
"Don't be nervous, son. Do your best and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife...."
IF THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD . . .
Genesis begins with the phrase: "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth." The word "beginning" is always defined by us in relation to time. So we must conclude that God "created the heavens and the earth" at the beginning of time. For God to do this God must have been apart from time, existing outside of time.
The Gospel of John begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Should we read the non-stated phrase, "who was with God apart from the beginning," into this sentence or is the God, who is the Son of God, a person of time? Was God the Son begotten of God the Father at the beginning of the beginning or apart from that event, when time did not exist?
The Gospel of John begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Should we read the non-stated phrase, "who was with God apart from the beginning," into this sentence or is the God, who is the Son of God, a person of time? Was God the Son begotten of God the Father at the beginning of the beginning or apart from that event, when time did not exist?
Friday, 3 September 2010
Thursday, 2 September 2010
AMAZING RECORD SLEEVES OF ALL TIME
MUGABE'S BUDDY SUFFERS THE
LITTLE CHILDREN FOR HARD CASH
From THE ZIMBABWEAN:
Defrocked Anglican bishop Nolbert Kunonga has infuriated members of the church by turning a church building here into a school while they are forced to conduct services in the open.
Investigations by The Zimbabwean showed that the church building at Zengeza 2 is now a crèche known as ECD Pre-School. The new name has been emblazoned all over the security wall, which has also been decorated with fancy cartoon characters advertising the school, much to the chagrin of church members.
The members accuse Kunonga of using the organization’s properties for personal profit since he forcibly took them over with the help of armed police and allegedly biased courts. Kunonga is a strong ally of President Robert Mugabe and is still asked to conduct prayers at national events even though he no longer belongs to any church group.
During visits to the centre, this paper was told that the school caters for anyone who can pay, but members of the bona fide Anglican Church led by Bishop Chad Gandiya are not allowed to send their children there.
“What Kunonga is doing is not only criminal, but evil. We are being forced to meet for services in the open, with children in this cold, yet he is using God’s building to make money. This is very bad,” said a woman who asked not to be identified.
Defrocked Anglican bishop Nolbert Kunonga has infuriated members of the church by turning a church building here into a school while they are forced to conduct services in the open.
Investigations by The Zimbabwean showed that the church building at Zengeza 2 is now a crèche known as ECD Pre-School. The new name has been emblazoned all over the security wall, which has also been decorated with fancy cartoon characters advertising the school, much to the chagrin of church members.
The members accuse Kunonga of using the organization’s properties for personal profit since he forcibly took them over with the help of armed police and allegedly biased courts. Kunonga is a strong ally of President Robert Mugabe and is still asked to conduct prayers at national events even though he no longer belongs to any church group.
During visits to the centre, this paper was told that the school caters for anyone who can pay, but members of the bona fide Anglican Church led by Bishop Chad Gandiya are not allowed to send their children there.
“What Kunonga is doing is not only criminal, but evil. We are being forced to meet for services in the open, with children in this cold, yet he is using God’s building to make money. This is very bad,” said a woman who asked not to be identified.
PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE
FROM ELLIE:
Deo gratias!!!
Subject: My grand nephew improving
My niece is able to hold her baby now for 20 minutes every 3 hours. They have removed all the lines except one little IV. We are hoping he will get to come home this weekend.
Deo gratias!!!
Subject: My grand nephew improving
My niece is able to hold her baby now for 20 minutes every 3 hours. They have removed all the lines except one little IV. We are hoping he will get to come home this weekend.
BIBLICALLY BASED SEXUAL ABUSE
From THE BRISBANE TIMES:
Chris Firman was an assistant chaplain and teacher at the Whitsunday Anglican School when he took nude photos of a 15-year-old female student.
He befriended the troubled teenager, showed her semi-nude pictures of women in two photo albums at his home, and raised the issue of nudity with her.
“He said Adam and Eve in the Bible were naked and we were not supposed to be worried about it and it wasn't something to be ashamed of,” the girl told the District Court in Mackay yesterday.
COMMENT: There have always been serpents in paradise.
He befriended the troubled teenager, showed her semi-nude pictures of women in two photo albums at his home, and raised the issue of nudity with her.
“He said Adam and Eve in the Bible were naked and we were not supposed to be worried about it and it wasn't something to be ashamed of,” the girl told the District Court in Mackay yesterday.
COMMENT: There have always been serpents in paradise.
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME BRUCE
We haven't heard from Bruce for quite a while.
But he's back, and on form, God help us!
But he's back, and on form, God help us!
AGAINST THE GRAIN
From THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis, USA):
When pastor Steve Stone initially heard of the mosque and Islamic center being erected on the sprawling land adjacent his church, his stomach tightened. Then he raised a 6-foot sign reading, "Welcome to the Neighborhood."
The issue for Stone and the 550-person Heartsong Church in Cordova, came down to one question:
"What would Jesus do if He were us? He would welcome the neighbor," Stone said.
While plans for Islamic centers across the country and just miles away have triggered vitriolic responses and divided communities, here in Memphis it's been a peaceful process. While the 4,000-square-foot mosque is being completed, Heartsong has opened its doors to its neighbors throughout the monthlong observance of Ramadan. Under a gigantic cross constructed of salvaged wood, nearly 200 area Muslims have been gathering each night to pray.
"I've got fear and ignorance in me, too," said Stone, referring to his and some of his congregants' early apprehension toward the Memphis center.
But as members of the Christian congregation take the opportunity to sit in on Ramadan prayers and meet people at the nightly gatherings, much of that mystery and fear has dissipated.
"I think it's helped break down a lot of barriers in both congregations," said Islamic center board member Danish Siddiqui.
Without a place to call home, young Muslims are more likely to seek more radical interpretation of the Quran online, says Arsalan Shirwany, a board member and father of three.
When it is finished, the new facility will be a center for the whole community, and a place for interfaith cooperation, Shirwany said. "This is what we need to fight extremism."
COMMENT: The Cordova muslims, as well as the Heartsong Christians, are avery special bunch of people. To behonest, I can't imagine that many Imams in the UK would allow their congregations to worship in a Christian church, least of all under a huge image of the "Son of God." But, of course, I could be wrong on this.
A big thank you to BooCat for sending me the link to this story.
When pastor Steve Stone initially heard of the mosque and Islamic center being erected on the sprawling land adjacent his church, his stomach tightened. Then he raised a 6-foot sign reading, "Welcome to the Neighborhood."
The issue for Stone and the 550-person Heartsong Church in Cordova, came down to one question:
"What would Jesus do if He were us? He would welcome the neighbor," Stone said.
While plans for Islamic centers across the country and just miles away have triggered vitriolic responses and divided communities, here in Memphis it's been a peaceful process. While the 4,000-square-foot mosque is being completed, Heartsong has opened its doors to its neighbors throughout the monthlong observance of Ramadan. Under a gigantic cross constructed of salvaged wood, nearly 200 area Muslims have been gathering each night to pray.
"I've got fear and ignorance in me, too," said Stone, referring to his and some of his congregants' early apprehension toward the Memphis center.
But as members of the Christian congregation take the opportunity to sit in on Ramadan prayers and meet people at the nightly gatherings, much of that mystery and fear has dissipated.
"I think it's helped break down a lot of barriers in both congregations," said Islamic center board member Danish Siddiqui.
Without a place to call home, young Muslims are more likely to seek more radical interpretation of the Quran online, says Arsalan Shirwany, a board member and father of three.
When it is finished, the new facility will be a center for the whole community, and a place for interfaith cooperation, Shirwany said. "This is what we need to fight extremism."
COMMENT: The Cordova muslims, as well as the Heartsong Christians, are avery special bunch of people. To behonest, I can't imagine that many Imams in the UK would allow their congregations to worship in a Christian church, least of all under a huge image of the "Son of God." But, of course, I could be wrong on this.
A big thank you to BooCat for sending me the link to this story.
CHARITY BEGINS IN JARROW
From THE WAY:
The bishop of Jarrow, the Rt Rev Mark Bryant (Church of England), has pledged to give his £250 winter fuel handout from the government to charity. He is calling on older people in work, who also receive the payment, to do the same.
Writing in the latest issue of the Diocese of Durham's magazine, bishop Bryant wrote: "It does look as if the Winter Fuel Payment is not really working in using money to get to the people who need it most. The facts of the matter are that I - and many other people in work - simply do not need the Winter Fuel Payment. There are others who are not getting it, who need it more."
COMMENT: Of course, there is a big difference between a suffragan bishop's salary and the salary of a person stacking shelves at B&Q,* and this must be factored in to such appeals for largesse. But I like the bishop's attitude, especially that he is leading by example and not, as so often happens, excluding himself because of "special circumstances." However, it would be far simpler if the stinking rich just gave most of their earnings to the poor and left both the poor and the average waged to enjoy their hard earned cash.
* B&Q are a DIY chain in the UK who have an admirable policy of deliberately employing older people. With the exception of the pitiful wages their employees receive, as is usual in the retail sector, this positive discrimination works well for both parties. B&Q's older workers, who will have been victims of ageism in the employment market, get a job and B&Q get a whole load of workers who are wise, helpful and well-mannered.
The bishop of Jarrow, the Rt Rev Mark Bryant (Church of England), has pledged to give his £250 winter fuel handout from the government to charity. He is calling on older people in work, who also receive the payment, to do the same.
Writing in the latest issue of the Diocese of Durham's magazine, bishop Bryant wrote: "It does look as if the Winter Fuel Payment is not really working in using money to get to the people who need it most. The facts of the matter are that I - and many other people in work - simply do not need the Winter Fuel Payment. There are others who are not getting it, who need it more."
* B&Q are a DIY chain in the UK who have an admirable policy of deliberately employing older people. With the exception of the pitiful wages their employees receive, as is usual in the retail sector, this positive discrimination works well for both parties. B&Q's older workers, who will have been victims of ageism in the employment market, get a job and B&Q get a whole load of workers who are wise, helpful and well-mannered.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
ST. LAIKA'S
I expect many of you will have noticed the new link in the sidebar to a new blog page with the name "St. Laika's." Those of you who clicked through to the page today will have guessed that, despite promises to the contrary, it will not go live today. This is because I am still getting stuff together for the grand launch. I think that it will be up and running within the next week or so.
St. Laikas's is a project that the Chin Wag crew have been working on for a while. It is an experiment, a work in process. It will be an attempt to create an inclusive, fluid, worshipping, community on the internet using basic blogging tools and the skills of the people of our neighbourhood (which are many and varied). In stead of just broadcasting live services, each service will be made up of contributions from various people, much of which will come from their real life church communities and/or their own ministries (lay and clerical). There will be a separate webpage dedicated specifically to spiritual matters (meditation, prayer, that sort of stuff) which will be interactive. We will be building our own calendar of saints and feast days. There will be small groups, book clubs, and all that jazz. There will be articles and meditations from all sorts of people and, basically anything else that takes our fancy. We also hope to bring the real and the virtual worlds together by arranging things to happen outside of cyberspace, building on what we have already achieved in this respect through our blogs.
As I am unemployed at this moment in time, administrating the site will be my sole ministry for the foreseeable future. But it won't be just my show. Well, as long as you all join in, it won't.
I am looking for musicians, including singers, who have the capability to record their own performances and send them through to me. It would be really nice to have some organ music that could be played before and after worship, just like in a real church. If you can help in this respect please email me (or leave a comment below). I can give you details, if you need them, as to how to send mp3 files over the net. We are now fully licensed to podcast music on the OCICBW... group of blogs, so there is no need to worry about royalties (I've already paid them).
Also, anybody who has the facility to record their own sermons please get in touch. We will be following the Common Lectionary so we can use sermons you will be preaching in your own churches.
The main service will be podcasted each Sunday and will be eucharistic. How that will work out is something I am really looking forward to discovering.
Other than all that - just stay tuned (don't touch that dial!).
St. Laikas's is a project that the Chin Wag crew have been working on for a while. It is an experiment, a work in process. It will be an attempt to create an inclusive, fluid, worshipping, community on the internet using basic blogging tools and the skills of the people of our neighbourhood (which are many and varied). In stead of just broadcasting live services, each service will be made up of contributions from various people, much of which will come from their real life church communities and/or their own ministries (lay and clerical). There will be a separate webpage dedicated specifically to spiritual matters (meditation, prayer, that sort of stuff) which will be interactive. We will be building our own calendar of saints and feast days. There will be small groups, book clubs, and all that jazz. There will be articles and meditations from all sorts of people and, basically anything else that takes our fancy. We also hope to bring the real and the virtual worlds together by arranging things to happen outside of cyberspace, building on what we have already achieved in this respect through our blogs.
As I am unemployed at this moment in time, administrating the site will be my sole ministry for the foreseeable future. But it won't be just my show. Well, as long as you all join in, it won't.
I am looking for musicians, including singers, who have the capability to record their own performances and send them through to me. It would be really nice to have some organ music that could be played before and after worship, just like in a real church. If you can help in this respect please email me (or leave a comment below). I can give you details, if you need them, as to how to send mp3 files over the net. We are now fully licensed to podcast music on the OCICBW... group of blogs, so there is no need to worry about royalties (I've already paid them).
Also, anybody who has the facility to record their own sermons please get in touch. We will be following the Common Lectionary so we can use sermons you will be preaching in your own churches.
The main service will be podcasted each Sunday and will be eucharistic. How that will work out is something I am really looking forward to discovering.
Other than all that - just stay tuned (don't touch that dial!).
AH! YOU ALL NOTICED...
It's seems that the PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY in the
UK has discovered that telling the truth doesn't always pay...
Please be assured that we will still be exploiting you?
UK has discovered that telling the truth doesn't always pay...
Please be assured that we will still be exploiting you?
DICKY DORKINS WATCH
Towards the end of the programme, magician, Darren Brown, demonstrates how one well-known con artist, managed to "magically" turn a plate of poo into a bestselling book.
THE SOPPY OLD MASON SELECTION
I tell you, Soppy Sheila fans, my good buddy, Jay, at
BAILEY'S BUDDY, has unearthed the ultimate selection. Go
visit his blog NOW!
With the exception of those of you who will find it cruel
and/or degrading, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
BAILEY'S BUDDY, has unearthed the ultimate selection. Go
visit his blog NOW!
With the exception of those of you who will find it cruel
and/or degrading, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The new style of interviewing prospective priests, common throughout most, probably all, of the Church of England dioceses (though, in practice, different in every one) does not weed out lazy, ineffectual priests, as it was intended to do. It is, in fact, weeding out priests who do not conform to a very narrow "type" of priest, that type being what non-Christians, and also many Christians, would refer to as trendy or vague or sanctimonious or wishy washy etc. There are far less bishops in the Church of England with individuality, imagination and eccentricity, or the desire to take risks, than there ever have been in the history of the church. As like employs like the church is quickly becoming in reality a parody of itself as portrayed in so many sitcoms and comedy sketches and the priesthood has become stale and downright boring.
To put it simply, there ain't going to be a John Henry Newman, Conrad Noel, Woodbine Willie, Bishop Bell / King / Beckett et al anytime in the near future as far as I can see and my church is going to be dashed on the rocks by a bunch of bank managers and trendy social workers. My guess is that, within the decade, Sunday services will be replaced, throughout the church, with seminars on "how to be church," encounter groups, group bonding workshops and book launchings.
To put it simply, there ain't going to be a John Henry Newman, Conrad Noel, Woodbine Willie, Bishop Bell / King / Beckett et al anytime in the near future as far as I can see and my church is going to be dashed on the rocks by a bunch of bank managers and trendy social workers. My guess is that, within the decade, Sunday services will be replaced, throughout the church, with seminars on "how to be church," encounter groups, group bonding workshops and book launchings.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
DIARY ENTRY 1ST. SEPTEMBER 2010
MORNING - Got out of bed at midday didn't bother to shave.
AFTERNOON - Mug old lady so I can score some hard drugs.
EVENING - Joyriding - hopefully get filmed by "Police, Camera, Action."
NIGHT - Drink cider, embarrass passers-by, fall over.
AFTERNOON - Mug old lady so I can score some hard drugs.
EVENING - Joyriding - hopefully get filmed by "Police, Camera, Action."
NIGHT - Drink cider, embarrass passers-by, fall over.
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