The only cow in a small town in Ireland stopped giving milk. Then the town folk found they could buy a cow in Scotland quite cheaply. So, they brought the cow over from Scotland. It was absolutely wonderful; it produced lots of milk every day and everyone was happy. They bought a bull to mate with the cow to get more cows, so they'd never have to worry about their milk supply again. They put the bull in the pasture with the cow but whenever the bull tried to mount the cow, the cow would move away. No matter what approach the bull tried, the cow would move away from the bull, and he was never able to do the deed. The people were very upset and decided to go to the vet, who was very wise, tell him what was happening and ask his advice.
"Whenever the bull tries to mount our cow, she moves away. If he approaches from the back, she moves forward. When he approaches her from the front, she backs off. If he attempts it from the one side, she walks away to the other side."
The Vet rubbed his chin thoughtfully and pondered this before asking, "Did you by chance, buy this cow in Scotland?"
The people were dumbfounded, since no one had ever mentioned that they had brought the cow over from Scotland.
"You are truly a wise Vet," they said. "How did you know we got the cow from Scotland?"
The Vet replied with a distant look in his eye: "My wife is from Scotland."
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
LOVELY LISA THE SCAT EXPERT
The CHANGING ATTITUDES blog has posted a report of Anglican Mainstream's recent gay hate fest (revealing entitled "The Lepers Among Us: Homosexuality and the Life of the Church"). The homophobic harpie, Lisa Nolland, was on fine form:
We were then treated to what can only be described as a lip-quivering and blazing-eyed rambling rant from Ms Nolland about the evils of sex education. She seemed set on outdoing all previous speakers in the smearing of the LGBT community. We had already heard about gays as paedophile child molesters, gays as threats to the family and marriage, gays as spreaders of disease.
But now Ms N was going for gold with her bitter denunciation of LGBT organisations, and especially the Terrence Higgins Trust, for producing perverted and obscene curriculum materials intended to corrupt the innocence of children. Apparently gay activists have conned their way into schools to tell kids that ‘eating faeces’ is great sexual fun (Lisa taught us to call this ‘scat’) and to teach them how to do ‘cock and ball torture’ really well (Lisa said we should refer to this as ‘kink’).
Ms Nolland is also an enthusiastic advocate of the spurious slippery slope argument: tolerate homosexuality and we will be engulfed by all manner of perversions and we will drown in vile pornography. She distributed several ‘information’ sheets including a list of the most popular acts advertised and depicted on the internet such as ‘double anal’ in which ‘a woman is penetrated anally by two men at the same time’, ‘multiple men ejaculating onto a woman’s face’, ‘a penis thrust so far down a woman’s throat that she gags’ etc etc.
Ms Nolland seems to be a world class scaremongerer, alarmist and demoniser. Her presentation was very ugly indeed. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. I suspect that even amongst her own constituency there was embarrassment about a lack of balance which appeared to border on pathological obsession.
It doesn't sound as if Ms. Nolland is into scat herself, but she can certainly talk shit.
But now Ms N was going for gold with her bitter denunciation of LGBT organisations, and especially the Terrence Higgins Trust, for producing perverted and obscene curriculum materials intended to corrupt the innocence of children. Apparently gay activists have conned their way into schools to tell kids that ‘eating faeces’ is great sexual fun (Lisa taught us to call this ‘scat’) and to teach them how to do ‘cock and ball torture’ really well (Lisa said we should refer to this as ‘kink’).
Ms Nolland is also an enthusiastic advocate of the spurious slippery slope argument: tolerate homosexuality and we will be engulfed by all manner of perversions and we will drown in vile pornography. She distributed several ‘information’ sheets including a list of the most popular acts advertised and depicted on the internet such as ‘double anal’ in which ‘a woman is penetrated anally by two men at the same time’, ‘multiple men ejaculating onto a woman’s face’, ‘a penis thrust so far down a woman’s throat that she gags’ etc etc.
Ms Nolland seems to be a world class scaremongerer, alarmist and demoniser. Her presentation was very ugly indeed. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. I suspect that even amongst her own constituency there was embarrassment about a lack of balance which appeared to border on pathological obsession.
It doesn't sound as if Ms. Nolland is into scat herself, but she can certainly talk shit.
SAINT VALENTINE WOULD TURN IT HIS GRAVE
From NBC10 PHILADELPHIA:
A Valentine’s Day contest by St. Joseph’s University’s Alumni Association to share the stories and photos of some alumni who met on Hawk Hill is finding the small Catholic university in the middle of a controversy that the school is discriminating against some alumni due to sexual orientation.
Megan Edwards and Katie MacTurk say they entered their photo and story about how they met during their senior year at St. Joe’s in hopes that they would earn the most “Likes” by Feb. 14.
They were hoping to win the "How I Met My Hawk Mate" contest and a $100 restaurant gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice.
They say they never got their chance. Edwards and MacTurk claim that the Jesuit school's alumni association refused to use their photo on the alumni group’s Facebook page because they are a lesbian couple and that, when pressed, the alumni association claimed the decision was made because the Catholic Church doesn’t recognize same-sex relationships.
On Thursday afternoon Saint Joe's Alumni Association responded to their original decision not to post the photo:
"Saint Joseph’s University fully supports and is in agreement with the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage. As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Saint Joseph’s is a welcoming, inclusive community. Our focus is on respect and caring for all individuals as individuals."
But by 2.50 p.m. they had caved in to pressure, much of which came from Saint Joseph's University Alumni:
UPDATE: Around 2:50 p.m. Thursday, the Saint Joseph's Alumni Association posted the "Hawk Mate" photo of Edwards and MacTurk to Facebook. It had more than 330 likes in less than one half hour.
At the time I popped over to their facebook page and clicked on "like" the figure had risen to 1145.
Thanks to whiteycat for keeping me up to date on this story.
A Valentine’s Day contest by St. Joseph’s University’s Alumni Association to share the stories and photos of some alumni who met on Hawk Hill is finding the small Catholic university in the middle of a controversy that the school is discriminating against some alumni due to sexual orientation.
Megan Edwards and Katie MacTurk say they entered their photo and story about how they met during their senior year at St. Joe’s in hopes that they would earn the most “Likes” by Feb. 14.
They were hoping to win the "How I Met My Hawk Mate" contest and a $100 restaurant gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice.
They say they never got their chance. Edwards and MacTurk claim that the Jesuit school's alumni association refused to use their photo on the alumni group’s Facebook page because they are a lesbian couple and that, when pressed, the alumni association claimed the decision was made because the Catholic Church doesn’t recognize same-sex relationships.
On Thursday afternoon Saint Joe's Alumni Association responded to their original decision not to post the photo:
"Saint Joseph’s University fully supports and is in agreement with the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage. As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Saint Joseph’s is a welcoming, inclusive community. Our focus is on respect and caring for all individuals as individuals."
But by 2.50 p.m. they had caved in to pressure, much of which came from Saint Joseph's University Alumni:
UPDATE: Around 2:50 p.m. Thursday, the Saint Joseph's Alumni Association posted the "Hawk Mate" photo of Edwards and MacTurk to Facebook. It had more than 330 likes in less than one half hour.
At the time I popped over to their facebook page and clicked on "like" the figure had risen to 1145.
Thanks to whiteycat for keeping me up to date on this story.
NOT SO STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
Good to see that the AmmoLand blog is getting behind the Roman Catholic bishops. Though why a bunch of redneck blood sports enthusiasts would be so interested in the sanctity of life is beyond my understanding. It's like the British National Party sticking up for the Race relations Commission.
WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S
HOLY COMMUNION
THE PRESENTATION
OF CHRIST IN
THE TEMPLE
OF CHRIST IN
THE TEMPLE
CANDLEMAS
All are welcome to join me in taking communion.
There are no exceptions.
There are no exceptions.
The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.
If you want to physically partake of communion you will require a small piece of bread and a small amount of drink (preferably made from grapes and containing alcohol). How you view the nature of this part of the service is completely up to you.
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MP3 File
The administrator of this site is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is a Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer. At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at OCICBW...
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Wednesday, 1 February 2012
MADPRIEST STICKS HIS POOR PAW OUT AGAIN
It's the first of the month again and, as usual, I am appealing to your generosity in helping me pay those damn bills.
Unfortunately, I haven't sold anywhere near as many "New Words For Holy Communion" downloads as I had pessimistically hoped. Not that I'm giving up. I'm working on a new website and getting my project on a couple of major book trade sites. My friend, Viv, warned me that it would take some time to get up and running and she was, of course, right about this. But, in the meantime I am in the usual dire straights financially. So here is the usual blurb:
The administrator of this site is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is a Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer. At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at OCICBW...
However, he likes to eat occasionally and his blogs cost quite a bit of money to run. So, in true Anglican style a collection plate is being made available for your donations (via PayPal).
You do not need to have a PayPal account to subscribe or donate via the buttons below.
GIVE US A JAIL BREAK!
From THE LOCAL (Sweden):
A 31-year-old woman who is serving a life sentence for murder in a Swedish prison has demanded that she be allowed to take out holiday days. In February 2010, Natalia Pshenkina was transferred from a prison in Hinseberg to a facility in Ystad in southern Sweden where she took a job inside the prison. Now, after nearly two years on the job without a break, Pshenkina thinks she is due some time off.
“I've asked the head of production about which times during the year the prison allows vacation time for inmates. The answer was that the prison doesn't have any vacation time at all,” she wrote in a complaint filed with Sweden's Chancellor of Justice.
Pshenkina closed her complaint by claiming she is due compensation for the paid vacation days she's been denied over the last two years, arguing her job is covered by laws guaranteeing Swedish workers the right to 25 days of paid vacation per year.
But Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) spokesperson Anders Annerfalk explained that inmates are covered by different laws than those governing the employment conditions of normal Swedish workers.
"They aren't employed by us and therefore laws about vacation time don't apply” he said."
COMMENT: Now, where have I heard that "They aren't employed by us" excuse before?
“I've asked the head of production about which times during the year the prison allows vacation time for inmates. The answer was that the prison doesn't have any vacation time at all,” she wrote in a complaint filed with Sweden's Chancellor of Justice.
Pshenkina closed her complaint by claiming she is due compensation for the paid vacation days she's been denied over the last two years, arguing her job is covered by laws guaranteeing Swedish workers the right to 25 days of paid vacation per year.
But Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) spokesperson Anders Annerfalk explained that inmates are covered by different laws than those governing the employment conditions of normal Swedish workers.
"They aren't employed by us and therefore laws about vacation time don't apply” he said."
COMMENT: Now, where have I heard that "They aren't employed by us" excuse before?
BECAUSE IT'S WORTH CHEATING
From THE LOCAL (France):
British regulators banned a magazine advert for an anti-ageing moisturiser by French cosmetics company L'Oréal on Wednesday after upholding a complaint that the image of the model, actress Rachel Weisz, was misleading. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had upheld a complaint by Jo Swinson, a lawmaker for the junior government coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, and a campaigner on improving body image.
"We considered that the image had been altered in a way that substantially changed her complexion to make it appear smoother and more even. We therefore concluded that the image in the ad misleadingly exaggerated the performance of the product in relation to the claims 'Skin Looks Smoother' and 'Complexion Looks More Even'," an ASA ruling said.
Swinson welcomed the ruling, under which L'Oréal must not publish the ad in its current form again, saying: "The beauty and advertising industries need to stop ripping off consumers with dishonest images."
It is rumoured that future L'Oréal adverts will use the new slogan, "You may be worth it, but our products certainly aren't." However, they have rejected the suggestion that they start using models with wrinkles in their anti-ageing cream adverts.
British regulators banned a magazine advert for an anti-ageing moisturiser by French cosmetics company L'Oréal on Wednesday after upholding a complaint that the image of the model, actress Rachel Weisz, was misleading. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had upheld a complaint by Jo Swinson, a lawmaker for the junior government coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, and a campaigner on improving body image.
"We considered that the image had been altered in a way that substantially changed her complexion to make it appear smoother and more even. We therefore concluded that the image in the ad misleadingly exaggerated the performance of the product in relation to the claims 'Skin Looks Smoother' and 'Complexion Looks More Even'," an ASA ruling said.
Swinson welcomed the ruling, under which L'Oréal must not publish the ad in its current form again, saying: "The beauty and advertising industries need to stop ripping off consumers with dishonest images."
It is rumoured that future L'Oréal adverts will use the new slogan, "You may be worth it, but our products certainly aren't." However, they have rejected the suggestion that they start using models with wrinkles in their anti-ageing cream adverts.
ONCE A BARBARIAN ALWAYS A BARBARIAN
The bloody Vikings are at it again. In Norway, the government has agreed to allow officially licensed psychopaths to kill 157 cats this year. There are only about 470 elusive lynxes in Norway, one of the world's most underpopulated countries, and yet the human inhabitants find it impossible to share it with the wildlife who were there before they arrived. It's not as if they eat the cats as Norwegians live on a diet of open fish sandwiches and nothing else.
Meanwhile in Sweden a hunter has the audacity to complain that being attacked by a bear his dog had just woken up from hibernation was like "a slaughterhouse." Yes, well now he knows what it feels like to be an inedible, furry non-human in Scandinavia. The bear has been duly punished for being disturbed by a man intent on killing him. Police gave orders for the bear to be tracked and killed, and the municipality’s specialist hunter with the help of local hunting teams succeeded to fell him on Sunday.
Here's a photo of the dead bear which will now never wake up from hibernation ever again. Human beings are bastards.
Meanwhile in Sweden a hunter has the audacity to complain that being attacked by a bear his dog had just woken up from hibernation was like "a slaughterhouse." Yes, well now he knows what it feels like to be an inedible, furry non-human in Scandinavia. The bear has been duly punished for being disturbed by a man intent on killing him. Police gave orders for the bear to be tracked and killed, and the municipality’s specialist hunter with the help of local hunting teams succeeded to fell him on Sunday.
Here's a photo of the dead bear which will now never wake up from hibernation ever again. Human beings are bastards.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
TV is just troubled people being booed these days.
(Jon Ronson in "The Psychopath Test")
(Jon Ronson in "The Psychopath Test")
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
BISHOP'S BOWELS ON SHOW
For more details, including where you can view this Anglican relic, check out BOINGBOING.
Thanks to Paul(A) who came across this item on a recent trwl through body parts listings on Google.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A wise person who makes one foolish mistake causes far more damage than a fool who never gets anything right. This is because people listen to a wise man whilst most ignore the fool.
This is as equally true for archbishops as anybody else and is why I never begin certain posts with "x is a very clever man" as some people feel compelled to do. If I did I feel I would only be adding to the hurt no matter how warranted the accolade.
This is as equally true for archbishops as anybody else and is why I never begin certain posts with "x is a very clever man" as some people feel compelled to do. If I did I feel I would only be adding to the hurt no matter how warranted the accolade.
NOT ALL TOTAL IMMERSION BAPTISTS
ARE WET BETWEEN THE EARS
From CHARLOTTE OBSERVER:
North Carolina already has a law against same-sex marriage. But it will be the last Southern state to vote on putting the ban into its constitution. Last week, groups continued lining up on both sides. Money has poured in from out of state. Some 30 states have voted on a similar amendment; all have passed.
For 20 minutes at the 11 a.m. service at Myers Park Baptist, last Sunday, the Rev. Steve Shoemaker gave a sermon he called "The Opposite of Love." In it he made his case for North Carolina to break from the pack. He said the amendment contradicts Baptist root doctrine of personal and religious freedom. He also argued that it contradicts North Carolina's long tradition for individual liberties (the state wouldn't sign the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added).
On a day when the lyrics of the hymns and the words of the Scripture readings spoke of loving and accepting your neighbor, Shoemaker said the amendment "reinforces cruel and harmful attitudes about gay people and their families," and "builds discrimination into the fundamental legal document of our state."
"I am troubled when religious people seek to turn their interpretation of their sacred scriptures into civil law," he said, part of a sermon that drew a round of applause at its close. "The tyranny of a religious majority can turn a democracy into a theocracy. A religious institution should define 'holy matrimony' for its members. It is another thing to encode their interpretation of scripture into the law of the land."
North Carolina already has a law against same-sex marriage. But it will be the last Southern state to vote on putting the ban into its constitution. Last week, groups continued lining up on both sides. Money has poured in from out of state. Some 30 states have voted on a similar amendment; all have passed.
On a day when the lyrics of the hymns and the words of the Scripture readings spoke of loving and accepting your neighbor, Shoemaker said the amendment "reinforces cruel and harmful attitudes about gay people and their families," and "builds discrimination into the fundamental legal document of our state."
"I am troubled when religious people seek to turn their interpretation of their sacred scriptures into civil law," he said, part of a sermon that drew a round of applause at its close. "The tyranny of a religious majority can turn a democracy into a theocracy. A religious institution should define 'holy matrimony' for its members. It is another thing to encode their interpretation of scripture into the law of the land."
MAFIA THREATENS PRIEST
From THE MAIL:
Mobsters have dumped the severed head of a pig on the doorstep of a brave crime fighting priest, it emerged yesterday.
Father Ennio Stamile made the grim discovery as he left his house for morning Mass and it was the second time he had been targeted after his car was vandalised last week. Detectives are convinced he is being singled out after he started to regularly condemn the criminal activities of the local mafia known as the 'Ndrangheta during his weekly parish sermons.
The bloodied animal head was found with a piece of cloth stuffed in its mouth outside Father Stamile's home in Cetraro near Cosenza in southern Italy and it is the mob's trademark way of intimidation and convincing people to stop talking.
Father Stamile said: 'Despite all that is happening I will continue my battle against organised crime.'
For putting his life on the line in the battle against evil,
Father Ennio is OCICBW...'s
BRICK OF THE DAY
We also pray that God will protect him.
Mobsters have dumped the severed head of a pig on the doorstep of a brave crime fighting priest, it emerged yesterday.
The bloodied animal head was found with a piece of cloth stuffed in its mouth outside Father Stamile's home in Cetraro near Cosenza in southern Italy and it is the mob's trademark way of intimidation and convincing people to stop talking.
Father Stamile said: 'Despite all that is happening I will continue my battle against organised crime.'
For putting his life on the line in the battle against evil,
Father Ennio is OCICBW...'s
BRICK OF THE DAY
We also pray that God will protect him.
YOU'RE NOT WORTH IT
From MERCURY NEWS:
Without a new kidney, Jesus Navarro will die. He has a willing donor (his wife) and private insurance to pay for the transplant. But he faces what may be an insurmountable hurdle in the race to save his life: He is an illegal immigrant.
Administrators at UC San Francisco Medical Center are refusing to transplant a kidney from Navarro's wife, saying there is no guarantee he will receive adequate follow-up care, given his uncertain status.
I can't see what the surgeons' problem is here. The donated kidney is coming from the sick man's wife. She would not be donating it to anybody else so it's not a matter of who would be the best recipient of the kidney. Therefore, the surgeons appear to be asking if it is worth their time to do the surgery.
Administrators at UC San Francisco Medical Center are refusing to transplant a kidney from Navarro's wife, saying there is no guarantee he will receive adequate follow-up care, given his uncertain status.
I can't see what the surgeons' problem is here. The donated kidney is coming from the sick man's wife. She would not be donating it to anybody else so it's not a matter of who would be the best recipient of the kidney. Therefore, the surgeons appear to be asking if it is worth their time to do the surgery.
CHRIST CENTRED
"Religion is man searching for God.
Christianity is God searching for man."
For an interview with the author of this poem, Jeff Bethke,
check out THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
Christianity is God searching for man."
For an interview with the author of this poem, Jeff Bethke,
check out THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
Monday, 30 January 2012
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
You have a choice tonight. You can either listen to the beautiful music or just gaze at the beautiful album cover. Of course, you could do both but be careful, too much of a good thing is not always good for you.
American tenor Michael Slattery makes his ATMA recording debut on La Nef’s latest offering, Dowland in Dublin. Slattery, Sylvain Bergeron and Seán Dagher worked together on these new arrangements of Dowland’s well-known airs, giving them a simple, Celtic flavor. In selecting the music for this project they decided to focus on the lighter-hearted side of Dowland, who is best known for his beautiful if sombre songs.
Michael Slattery has appeared in opera houses around the world including Lincoln Center, Royal Festival Hall in London, Châtelet Theatre and the Staatsoper Berlin. A versatile artist, he has also been praised for his performance of traditional repertoire: "Michael Slattery has a stellar career ahead of him. It's a real joy to hear this traditional music... performed beautifully and idiomatically by such a talented and serious artist." (Gramophone)
MICHAEL'S WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
HE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT
When I was young, I was taught that the purpose of religion was to foster compassion through lovingkindness, to seek peace by example, to perform with human hands the work of angels.
Then I moved to the Holy Land.
Once, on the holiday of Lag B'Omer, which falls this Saturday night, children cast into bonfires images of Adolf Hitler and others who have preached and in some cases practiced the mass killing of Jews.
This year, ahead of the Saturday night observance, professed followers of Meir Kahane have openly boasted of preparing effigies of the American president for distribution and incineration in bonfires across the country. (Bradley Burston, HAARETZ)
Then I moved to the Holy Land.
Once, on the holiday of Lag B'Omer, which falls this Saturday night, children cast into bonfires images of Adolf Hitler and others who have preached and in some cases practiced the mass killing of Jews.
This year, ahead of the Saturday night observance, professed followers of Meir Kahane have openly boasted of preparing effigies of the American president for distribution and incineration in bonfires across the country. (Bradley Burston, HAARETZ)
SPINNING AN EVIL PAST
"The Bulgarian Orthodox Church will come out stronger from its ordeals after the announcing of a number of senior clergy's affiliation with ex-communist secret services, said Plovdiv bishop Nikolay."
That is such a ridiculous and just plain wrong statement and yet it is one that church authorities blurt out regularly especially after they have been well and truly caught doing something naughty. The most obscene example of this spin in recent times has been when the Roman Catholic hierarchy has used it to try and deflect sympathy away from the victims of sexual abuse (at the hands of priests) and towards themselves.
But, no. When a church does evil it does not make it stronger. It just makes people (outside of the church, at least) think "What an evil bunch of bastards." You don't get over that rap very quickly and you certainly don't grow in strength with it hanging over your head.
Full story at NOVINITE.COM.
That is such a ridiculous and just plain wrong statement and yet it is one that church authorities blurt out regularly especially after they have been well and truly caught doing something naughty. The most obscene example of this spin in recent times has been when the Roman Catholic hierarchy has used it to try and deflect sympathy away from the victims of sexual abuse (at the hands of priests) and towards themselves.
But, no. When a church does evil it does not make it stronger. It just makes people (outside of the church, at least) think "What an evil bunch of bastards." You don't get over that rap very quickly and you certainly don't grow in strength with it hanging over your head.
Full story at NOVINITE.COM.
THE AFRICAN ATTITUDE
Outgoing African Union chairman Tedoro Obiang Nguema, speaking before Ban's remarks were delivered, complained about the external criticism the continent receives.
"Africa should not be questioned with regards to democracy, human rights, governance and transparency in public administration," he told the summit.
Anyone who does will be accused of racism I expect.
Full story at YAHOO NEWS.
"Africa should not be questioned with regards to democracy, human rights, governance and transparency in public administration," he told the summit.
Anyone who does will be accused of racism I expect.
Full story at YAHOO NEWS.
FORMER BRICK OF THE DAY GOES OUT FIGHTING
Imagine being given a pair of boxing gloves by your congregation as your leaving present. I would be so proud.
Full story at THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
Full story at THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
MORE FOREIGN INTERVENTION IN US POLITICS
There are many things I admire about Roman Catholicism. Top of the list are its present day condemnations of both war and the death penalty. However, these fine principles somewhat emphasise the hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic church. As far as I know members of this denomination are not called upon to refuse to pay their taxes even when part of their contributions will be spent on war and implementing the death penalty. In this they are no different to the vast majority of Christian denominations who take a "give unto Caesar" attitude. Where they do differ is in their willingness to ignore their "give unto Caesar" policy when it suits them.
I cannot see any reason why paying for healthcare that must include subsidised contraception, sterilisation and coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, when you oppose such things, is any different to paying taxes that include paying for war and executions which you similarly oppose. Yet, the Vatican's agents in the United Staes were forced to read the following letter out in all their parishes on Sunday.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just been dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people — the Catholic population — and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers,
including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Obama Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Obama Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Obama Administration’s decision.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Alexander K. Sample
Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample
Bishop of Marquette
It's one thing (using a very recent example) for an archbishop in England to publicly argue against a government policy but a completely different thing to organise mass opposition to it which is, in essence, just electoral blackmail. If the English government called on all Episcopalians in the United States to try and bring down a US administration there would, quite rightly, be one almighty stink about it with the offence being brought up at the United Nations (and possibly the US navy heading towards the UK at a great rate of knots). Why such a jealously independent nation would allow a tiny European princedom to corrupt their political process without even uttering a tiny whimper of protest is beyond me. I shall file it under the heading "Things I just don't get about Americans." It's a very big file.
I cannot see any reason why paying for healthcare that must include subsidised contraception, sterilisation and coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, when you oppose such things, is any different to paying taxes that include paying for war and executions which you similarly oppose. Yet, the Vatican's agents in the United Staes were forced to read the following letter out in all their parishes on Sunday.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just been dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people — the Catholic population — and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers,
including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Obama Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Obama Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Obama Administration’s decision.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Alexander K. Sample
Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample
Bishop of Marquette
It's one thing (using a very recent example) for an archbishop in England to publicly argue against a government policy but a completely different thing to organise mass opposition to it which is, in essence, just electoral blackmail. If the English government called on all Episcopalians in the United States to try and bring down a US administration there would, quite rightly, be one almighty stink about it with the offence being brought up at the United Nations (and possibly the US navy heading towards the UK at a great rate of knots). Why such a jealously independent nation would allow a tiny European princedom to corrupt their political process without even uttering a tiny whimper of protest is beyond me. I shall file it under the heading "Things I just don't get about Americans." It's a very big file.
NOT IN MY NAME
According to Terry Sanderson at THE HUFFINGTON POST, The Church of England is forming a united front with the Roman Catholic Church in England, to try and stop the British government from legalising gay marriage.
Last Wednesday a committee of leading bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales met to finalise details of a campaign against the Government's plans. Also at the meeting was the Church of England's Archbishops' Council secretary general, William Fittall.
It is a very weird feeling knowing that you belong to an organisation that is about to do something very evil. It's difficult to work out what to do about it. I am extremely embarrassed. Knowing that if I admit to someone outside of the church that I'm an Anglican priest they will pigeonhole me as someone who hates because it's traditional to hate and regard me as a hypocrite is enough to drive me to denying my faith three times before the cock crows.
Last Wednesday a committee of leading bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales met to finalise details of a campaign against the Government's plans. Also at the meeting was the Church of England's Archbishops' Council secretary general, William Fittall.
It is a very weird feeling knowing that you belong to an organisation that is about to do something very evil. It's difficult to work out what to do about it. I am extremely embarrassed. Knowing that if I admit to someone outside of the church that I'm an Anglican priest they will pigeonhole me as someone who hates because it's traditional to hate and regard me as a hypocrite is enough to drive me to denying my faith three times before the cock crows.
BOAZ'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Our Australian friend left the following comment below my post "RETIRED CLERGY SUDDENLY BECOME EXPERTS ON PSYCHIATRY." I think it is one of the most brilliant comments my blog has ever received.
I imagine people go to psychotherapists distressed with all sorts unwanted this or that. Surely the "treatment" if we use that word is to help the person overcome their distress. Let's say they are distressed at having to enter a lift. One would hardly think the cure was to say "Well you don't go near any lifts again". Or to say "Yeah you're right, there shouldn't be such a thing as lifts. Why don't we try to get rid of them?' Surely the "treatment" lies in helping the person to a better adjustment to reality. Much harder to do, and requiring a deeper understanding of the person no doubt, than just saying, "Don't do it!"
I imagine people go to psychotherapists distressed with all sorts unwanted this or that. Surely the "treatment" if we use that word is to help the person overcome their distress. Let's say they are distressed at having to enter a lift. One would hardly think the cure was to say "Well you don't go near any lifts again". Or to say "Yeah you're right, there shouldn't be such a thing as lifts. Why don't we try to get rid of them?' Surely the "treatment" lies in helping the person to a better adjustment to reality. Much harder to do, and requiring a deeper understanding of the person no doubt, than just saying, "Don't do it!"
Sunday, 29 January 2012
RETIRED CLERGY SUDDENLY BECOME
EXPERTS ON PSYCHIATRY
From PINK PAPER:
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey and the former Bishop of Rochester, Rt Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali have leapt to the defence of a psychotherapist who is facing a ban by her professional body after trying to ‘cure’ a gay man of his homosexuality.
Lesley Pilkington, a practising Christian, awaits an appeal hearing on Wednesday against her suspension by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), after she was recorded using reparative therapy on undercover journalist Patrick Strudwick at her home in 2009.
In a letter to the BACP, the clergy argue: “Psychological care for those who are distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions has been shown to yield a range of beneficial client outcomes, especially in motivated clients ... Such therapy does not produce harm despite the Royal College of Psychiatrists and others maintaining the contrary.”
The BACP board concluded last year that Pilkington “had allowed her personal preconceived views about gay lifestyle and sexual orientation to affect her professional relationship in a way that was prejudicial.” It also described Pilkington’s methods as “reckless”, “disrespectful”, “dogmatic” and “unprofessional”.
COMMENT: Respect due to the god-complexed shrink - she did manage to cure the man of being an undercover journalist even though most experts believe that people are born journalistic and that there's nothing you can do to change them.
WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S
HOLY COMMUNION
29TH. JANUARY 2012
FOURTH SUNDAY
OF EPIPHANY
All are welcome to join me in taking communion.
There are no exceptions.
There are no exceptions.
The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.
If you want to physically partake of communion you will require a small piece of bread and a small amount of drink (preferably made from grapes and containing alcohol). How you view the nature of this part of the service is completely up to you.
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