Saturday, 6 October 2012
PERCEPTION
If North America had been colonised by aggressive, empire building nations from sub-Saharan Africa and they had enslaved Europeans to work on their plantations, then Barack Obama would be the first white president of the United States of America.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Thursday, 4 October 2012
AND THIS ONE, DOUGAL,
WILL SOON BE FAR AWAY
From INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES:
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams compared Occupy protesters outside St Paul's Cathedral to hapless TV priest, Father Ted. Speaking at an event hosted by think-tank Theos, Williams said anti-capitalist demonstrators lacked clarity of purpose. He called their message about capitalism in crisis "so general as to be undemanding".
"Rather like that episode in Father Ted where the priests demonstrate outside the cinema with a placard saying 'Down With This Sort of Thing'," said Archbishop Williams.
Well, yes, maybe. But at least they did something. They didn't sit around in little groups behind closed doors for ten years discussing what they might do and then give up the idea of doing anything the moment somebody with a loud voice threatened to throw a sulky fit.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams compared Occupy protesters outside St Paul's Cathedral to hapless TV priest, Father Ted. Speaking at an event hosted by think-tank Theos, Williams said anti-capitalist demonstrators lacked clarity of purpose. He called their message about capitalism in crisis "so general as to be undemanding".
"Rather like that episode in Father Ted where the priests demonstrate outside the cinema with a placard saying 'Down With This Sort of Thing'," said Archbishop Williams.
Well, yes, maybe. But at least they did something. They didn't sit around in little groups behind closed doors for ten years discussing what they might do and then give up the idea of doing anything the moment somebody with a loud voice threatened to throw a sulky fit.
THE DELUSIONS START NOW
From THE TELEGRAPH:
The Archbishop of Canterbury last night defended his 10 years in office, insisting that despite splits in the Church over sexuality and women bishops it was a better place than when he found it.
This had me well confused for a while. How could the Grand Tufti possibly believe that the Church is better now than it was ten years ago? Then it struck me. He's referring to the fact that the Bishop of Newcastle managed to give me the sack and in such a way that I would never work again. So he does have something to feel happy about. It might even take his mind off the knife in back of friend incident.
The Archbishop of Canterbury last night defended his 10 years in office, insisting that despite splits in the Church over sexuality and women bishops it was a better place than when he found it.
This had me well confused for a while. How could the Grand Tufti possibly believe that the Church is better now than it was ten years ago? Then it struck me. He's referring to the fact that the Bishop of Newcastle managed to give me the sack and in such a way that I would never work again. So he does have something to feel happy about. It might even take his mind off the knife in back of friend incident.
PARADISE REGAINED - AND YOU CAN
THANK TEH GAYS FOR THAT
WARNING: The following news item contains extremely offensive material that may (should) upset many of our readers.
From MOLDOVA.ORG:
Orthodox Church in Moldova asks the lawmakers to amend the Law ensuring Equality of Chances in order to avert homosexuals from working in education, health services and food industry. Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti publicly said on television that the Law ensuring Equality of Chances “opened the door to homosexuals creating a paradise here."
According to him, 92% of homosexuals are infected with HIV/AIDS.
During the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the pastors expressed their anger that some TV channels broadcast advertising and TV shows with sexual content. They are going to request the Broadcasting Coordination Council to prohibit such messages.
The small nation state of Moldova dropped out of a wormhole linked to the early Ninth Century A.D. two years ago. Since then European countries have been trying to stuff it back in but they have been unsuccessful because the race of non-linear living superior beings who live in the wormhole don't want the Moldovans going anywhere near them ever again.
From MOLDOVA.ORG:
Orthodox Church in Moldova asks the lawmakers to amend the Law ensuring Equality of Chances in order to avert homosexuals from working in education, health services and food industry. Bishop Marchel of Balti and Falesti publicly said on television that the Law ensuring Equality of Chances “opened the door to homosexuals creating a paradise here."
According to him, 92% of homosexuals are infected with HIV/AIDS.
During the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the pastors expressed their anger that some TV channels broadcast advertising and TV shows with sexual content. They are going to request the Broadcasting Coordination Council to prohibit such messages.
The small nation state of Moldova dropped out of a wormhole linked to the early Ninth Century A.D. two years ago. Since then European countries have been trying to stuff it back in but they have been unsuccessful because the race of non-linear living superior beings who live in the wormhole don't want the Moldovans going anywhere near them ever again.
DOES HE MEAN US?
From NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER:
Catholics should rejoice, and not be jealous, when other Christians succeed in doing the work of the Lord, Pope Benedict XVI said.
"God can do good and even amazing things outside the circle" of the Catholic church, the pope said Sunday, commenting on the day's Gospel reading during his midday Angelus address.
Patronising old git.
And what gospel reading is he on about? The one which mentions the Roman Catholic church? I don't think so.
Catholics should rejoice, and not be jealous, when other Christians succeed in doing the work of the Lord, Pope Benedict XVI said.
"God can do good and even amazing things outside the circle" of the Catholic church, the pope said Sunday, commenting on the day's Gospel reading during his midday Angelus address.
Patronising old git.
And what gospel reading is he on about? The one which mentions the Roman Catholic church? I don't think so.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
From THE BBC:
Pope Benedict's ex-butler, on trial inside the Vatican, has complained of mistreatment after his arrest on charges of stealing documents from the pontiff's private apartment. Paolo Gabriele said his cell was so small he could not extend his arms, and the light was kept on permanently. The judges have ordered an inquiry into his allegations.
Poor bloke. I bet he was really surprised when the Vatican police started mistreating him. I mean...
altogether now...
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Pope Benedict's ex-butler, on trial inside the Vatican, has complained of mistreatment after his arrest on charges of stealing documents from the pontiff's private apartment. Paolo Gabriele said his cell was so small he could not extend his arms, and the light was kept on permanently. The judges have ordered an inquiry into his allegations.
Poor bloke. I bet he was really surprised when the Vatican police started mistreating him. I mean...
altogether now...
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
THEY WOULD SAY THAT
From NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER:
News organizations which cover the Catholic church should not give weight to viewpoints from Catholic organizations not officially aligned with church structures, Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the U.S. bishops, wrote in a blog on the bishops’ website Wednesday morning.
News organizations which cover the Catholic church should not give weight to viewpoints from Catholic organizations not officially aligned with church structures, Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the U.S. bishops, wrote in a blog on the bishops’ website Wednesday morning.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY (3)
From THE OKLAHOMA DAILY:
Good. It's about time this came out into the open. OCICBW... has been receiving emails from frightened churchgoers for some time now. They are telling us that they are constantly being bullied at candlelight vigils and other evening services. Whenever they mention this to other members of their churches they are told not to be a snitch, that it's difficult to get a new priest nowadays because of the shortage and that they will just have to put up with Father pulling their hair and throwing rolled up balls of ink soaked paper at them whilst they are trying to pray.
This has to stop! Although a little bit of name calling during divine worship is to be expected and brushed off, there has to be a limit. The Church authorities need to define what is gentle ribbing and what is full on bullying. And, if priests continue to act like playground bullies, especially around naked flames (which is very dangerous) they should be called to the bishops office and be read the riot act.
Good. It's about time this came out into the open. OCICBW... has been receiving emails from frightened churchgoers for some time now. They are telling us that they are constantly being bullied at candlelight vigils and other evening services. Whenever they mention this to other members of their churches they are told not to be a snitch, that it's difficult to get a new priest nowadays because of the shortage and that they will just have to put up with Father pulling their hair and throwing rolled up balls of ink soaked paper at them whilst they are trying to pray.
This has to stop! Although a little bit of name calling during divine worship is to be expected and brushed off, there has to be a limit. The Church authorities need to define what is gentle ribbing and what is full on bullying. And, if priests continue to act like playground bullies, especially around naked flames (which is very dangerous) they should be called to the bishops office and be read the riot act.
THE ENGLISH ARE COMING!
From THE GUARDIAN:
If he's referring to English tourists I really resent it. We don't resemble drunken herds - we are drunken herds. If he actually meant to use the word "resemble" then he must be referring to the Scottish tourists. Bunch of posers.
If he's referring to English tourists I really resent it. We don't resemble drunken herds - we are drunken herds. If he actually meant to use the word "resemble" then he must be referring to the Scottish tourists. Bunch of posers.
FROM ETHNIC CLEANSING TO GAY BASHING -
SERBIANS SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOURS AGAIN
From THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:
Serbia's police on Wednesday banned a gay pride march in Belgrade, citing security concerns but also complying with a request from Serbia's Christian Orthodox church. Last year's gay pride march also was banned by authorities.
The current ban was announced after Patriarch Irinej, the head of Serbia's Christian Orthodox church, urged the government to prevent Saturday's march. He said in a statement that such a "parade of shame" would cast a "moral shadow" on Serbia.
Serbia is seeking membership of the European Union. In fact, in March, after promising to be good and not to go around massacring people who are not like them anymore, they were given official candidate status. I hope that our Mr Cameron and other heads of EU states where they don't allow unelected churchmen to run their police forces, will now veto any further attempt by Serbia to join our little democratic club. They should remain outside the E.U. along with that other homophobic, tyrannical European State that completely ignores international human rights legislation, the Vatican.
Serbia's police on Wednesday banned a gay pride march in Belgrade, citing security concerns but also complying with a request from Serbia's Christian Orthodox church. Last year's gay pride march also was banned by authorities.
The current ban was announced after Patriarch Irinej, the head of Serbia's Christian Orthodox church, urged the government to prevent Saturday's march. He said in a statement that such a "parade of shame" would cast a "moral shadow" on Serbia.
Serbia is seeking membership of the European Union. In fact, in March, after promising to be good and not to go around massacring people who are not like them anymore, they were given official candidate status. I hope that our Mr Cameron and other heads of EU states where they don't allow unelected churchmen to run their police forces, will now veto any further attempt by Serbia to join our little democratic club. They should remain outside the E.U. along with that other homophobic, tyrannical European State that completely ignores international human rights legislation, the Vatican.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY (2)
Heck, I'm all for women's liberation and all that but I think this is going a bit too far. We still have a few uses ladies and not just as ingredients for one of Nigella Lawson's recipes.
NICE TRY
From YAHOO NEWS:
Students at Growing God’s Kingdom, a preschool in northwest Arkansas, will soon sing “God Our Father,” repeating the line, “God, our Father, we thank you for our many blessings,” before lunch every day. This wouldn’t be a problem if the daycare was private. But it’s not. It receives state funding.
Owner Justin Harris, a state representative in the Arkansas legislature, describes his daycare on his website as “a faith-based preschool.” Therefore, he says, singing is in compliance with a new rule banning religious activity in state-funded preschools. While prayer is clearly defined as a religious activity under this new regulation, it allows religious music under limited circumstances, such as in a holiday pageant. By using this supposed loophole, Harris has said he can still receive money under a state-funded preschool program for low-income families.
Legal scholars say he is pushing boundaries.
I have more than a suspicion that I wouldn't like Mr. Harris. But, as a Christian anarchist, I do like his style.
Students at Growing God’s Kingdom, a preschool in northwest Arkansas, will soon sing “God Our Father,” repeating the line, “God, our Father, we thank you for our many blessings,” before lunch every day. This wouldn’t be a problem if the daycare was private. But it’s not. It receives state funding.
Owner Justin Harris, a state representative in the Arkansas legislature, describes his daycare on his website as “a faith-based preschool.” Therefore, he says, singing is in compliance with a new rule banning religious activity in state-funded preschools. While prayer is clearly defined as a religious activity under this new regulation, it allows religious music under limited circumstances, such as in a holiday pageant. By using this supposed loophole, Harris has said he can still receive money under a state-funded preschool program for low-income families.
Legal scholars say he is pushing boundaries.
I have more than a suspicion that I wouldn't like Mr. Harris. But, as a Christian anarchist, I do like his style.
A MADPRIEST ORIGINAL
Two men walk into an Anglican church. The vicar asks them what they want. They tell him they want to get married.
"Oh no," says the vicar. "I most certainly cannot allow that. Neither of you is wearing a tie."
"Oh no," says the vicar. "I most certainly cannot allow that. Neither of you is wearing a tie."
THE UNBROKEN CIRCLE
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers longstanding friend of OCICBW..., Prior Aelred. On Tuesday he posted the following on his Facebook wall:
For those of you who have missed the news, I received a telephone call today from my brother that our mother had died unexpected. She was 90 years old and still living in her own home. After my father died, almost two years ago, she was so very lonely. This is the dark side of sixty years of a happy marriage. I am told that the last thing that my father said before they put him in a coma to vent him was, "We've been married for sixty years and I love her and she loves me."
Today he posted an icon of Saint Francis as it is his feast day. In Francis we see the love that God has for all creation. We pray that our brother, Aelred, and his family will be comforted and sustained by our loving God in their time of grief.
For those of you who have missed the news, I received a telephone call today from my brother that our mother had died unexpected. She was 90 years old and still living in her own home. After my father died, almost two years ago, she was so very lonely. This is the dark side of sixty years of a happy marriage. I am told that the last thing that my father said before they put him in a coma to vent him was, "We've been married for sixty years and I love her and she loves me."
Today he posted an icon of Saint Francis as it is his feast day. In Francis we see the love that God has for all creation. We pray that our brother, Aelred, and his family will be comforted and sustained by our loving God in their time of grief.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
PAUL(A)'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
At heart, our Paul is just one big softie.
I watched "Mermaids - The Body Found" the other day. I got all the way through to the final credits before I realised it was a spoof. My grip on reality at the moment is a bit iffy.
YOUNG MEN TRYING TO LOOK
TOUGH ON RECORD SLEEVES
They think they look well hard.
I think they look constipated.
I think they look constipated.
THE TYRANNY OF CONTEMPORARY DEMOCRACY
I stated in a post, yesterday, that the new Islamic democracies are, more likely than not, doomed to failure. But it is not only in Islamic countries that democracy is being perverted into something much less than true democracy. It is happening throughout the world, most especially in the USA, and because of exactly the same reason, namely that most people believe that democracy is about the majority ruling it over the minority. In other words, you vote "yes" or "no" and one side wins and one side loses. But that was not the original definition of democracy. Okay, there are elections and one party gains more votes than the other(s). But a democratic state always consists of 100% of its population. After an election it does not consist only of the 51%, or whatever, who won the election. It is always the duty of the majority to make sure that they do not alienated, ignore or abuse the minority. So, even if you voted for "yes" and the "ayes have it" that does not mean that "yes" has to happen without compromise and alteration, and if it does then it must not be put into effect triumphantly without any consideration for the losers.
So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
It is a major modern irony that it is so-called Bible-based Christians in the old democracies who are insisting on the absolute rule of the majority over the minority, who are lording it over those without power. My greatest fear is that instead of the citizens in the new Islamic democracies aspiring to become true democrats always mindful of the other, what will actually happen is that the citizens of the older democracies will adopt the "no compromise" ideology of the burgeoning elected theocracies and the "other" will end up completely excluded from the political process. This, of course, will lead to civil war and bloodshed.
So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
It is a major modern irony that it is so-called Bible-based Christians in the old democracies who are insisting on the absolute rule of the majority over the minority, who are lording it over those without power. My greatest fear is that instead of the citizens in the new Islamic democracies aspiring to become true democrats always mindful of the other, what will actually happen is that the citizens of the older democracies will adopt the "no compromise" ideology of the burgeoning elected theocracies and the "other" will end up completely excluded from the political process. This, of course, will lead to civil war and bloodshed.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
CAN ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY
EVER SHACK UP TOGETHER?
From ABC NEWS:
An Egyptian court has upheld a six-year jail sentence for a Coptic Christian school teacher convicted of insulting Islam and the country's new Islamist president in postings on Facebook. The case is the second this month in which a Coptic Christian has been detained for posting material considered anti-Islamic on social networking sites.
Can a truly democratic, predominantly Muslim, state ever exist? I don't think it can. Turkey is probably the nation that has got nearest to achieving it but it has done so by severely restricting many freedoms that Western, secular democracies regard as sacrosanct. The problem is that Islam is a theocratic religion at its very core.
Of course, Christianity is quite capable of being just as theocratic. Christendom was no different politically to the Islamist theocracies of today. There are still plenty of powerful Christians who would love to see a return to "the good old days" when kings bowed down to religious leaders. In Russia, the Pussy Riot case is a case in point. The Pope is getting increasingly aggressive in his attempts to control the domestic politics of countries all over the world, including some of the most traditionally democratic. In the USA,"Bible believing" Christians spend a lot of their time and vast amounts of money trying to impose their religious beliefs on everyone else. But none of these attempts to usurp secular authority have any justification in scripture, at least, not in the New testament. In fact, "Give unto Caesar" is a central tenet of Christianity. Not so with Islam. The core texts of the Islamic faith insist on theocratic rule and the conversion of the world to Islam by any means, most definitely including conquest and the suppression and oppression of all other philosophies. For a muslim to give authority to anyone outside of the cult would be apostasy which is regarded as such a sin in Islam that it demands the death penalty as punishment.
Just as Christian leaders are capable of having theocratic aspirations there are Islamic leaders who have been less oppressive of other religions than their religion strictly allows. Ironically, one the best examples of an Islamic nation where other religions are allowed to exist without too much fear of persecution, is Syria. That Syria is not a democracy is, I fear, further proof of my contention that there can never be a democratic, Islamic nation.
An Egyptian court has upheld a six-year jail sentence for a Coptic Christian school teacher convicted of insulting Islam and the country's new Islamist president in postings on Facebook. The case is the second this month in which a Coptic Christian has been detained for posting material considered anti-Islamic on social networking sites.
Can a truly democratic, predominantly Muslim, state ever exist? I don't think it can. Turkey is probably the nation that has got nearest to achieving it but it has done so by severely restricting many freedoms that Western, secular democracies regard as sacrosanct. The problem is that Islam is a theocratic religion at its very core.
Of course, Christianity is quite capable of being just as theocratic. Christendom was no different politically to the Islamist theocracies of today. There are still plenty of powerful Christians who would love to see a return to "the good old days" when kings bowed down to religious leaders. In Russia, the Pussy Riot case is a case in point. The Pope is getting increasingly aggressive in his attempts to control the domestic politics of countries all over the world, including some of the most traditionally democratic. In the USA,"Bible believing" Christians spend a lot of their time and vast amounts of money trying to impose their religious beliefs on everyone else. But none of these attempts to usurp secular authority have any justification in scripture, at least, not in the New testament. In fact, "Give unto Caesar" is a central tenet of Christianity. Not so with Islam. The core texts of the Islamic faith insist on theocratic rule and the conversion of the world to Islam by any means, most definitely including conquest and the suppression and oppression of all other philosophies. For a muslim to give authority to anyone outside of the cult would be apostasy which is regarded as such a sin in Islam that it demands the death penalty as punishment.
Just as Christian leaders are capable of having theocratic aspirations there are Islamic leaders who have been less oppressive of other religions than their religion strictly allows. Ironically, one the best examples of an Islamic nation where other religions are allowed to exist without too much fear of persecution, is Syria. That Syria is not a democracy is, I fear, further proof of my contention that there can never be a democratic, Islamic nation.
RUMOUR MILL UPDATE
From THE GULF TIMES:
David Cameron wants the Church of England to “hurry up” and recommend a new archbishop of Canterbury, sources revealed yesterday. The Evening Standard has learned that the prime minister is keen to get on with appointing a successor to Rowan Williams but is being held up by slow progress on a commission charged with nominations.
Justin Welby, the Eton-educated Bishop of Durham, is emerging as first choice but the Crown Nominations Commission is said to be unable to agree on a second choice to present to No 10. Insiders think Cameron is content with the process and not keen to intervene, but one said: “He would like them to hurry up.”
If they do choose Justin Welby then he may well be in the post for the next twenty four years. This is a big gamble to take. One which could go either way as far as the nature and survival of the Church of England is concerned.
From a personal point of view, the thought of having to wait another year or so for my diocese to find a replacement leaves me feeling utterly despondent.
David Cameron wants the Church of England to “hurry up” and recommend a new archbishop of Canterbury, sources revealed yesterday. The Evening Standard has learned that the prime minister is keen to get on with appointing a successor to Rowan Williams but is being held up by slow progress on a commission charged with nominations.
Justin Welby, the Eton-educated Bishop of Durham, is emerging as first choice but the Crown Nominations Commission is said to be unable to agree on a second choice to present to No 10. Insiders think Cameron is content with the process and not keen to intervene, but one said: “He would like them to hurry up.”
If they do choose Justin Welby then he may well be in the post for the next twenty four years. This is a big gamble to take. One which could go either way as far as the nature and survival of the Church of England is concerned.
From a personal point of view, the thought of having to wait another year or so for my diocese to find a replacement leaves me feeling utterly despondent.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From THE PRESS ASSOCIATION:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his outspoken record on issues such as the Iraq war and sharia law, insisting that his role is not to be "too cautious."
I assume this must be a different Archbishop of Canterbury to the one who has imposed every delaying tactic possible on the Anglican Communion over the last ten years.
Anyone for Indaba?
The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his outspoken record on issues such as the Iraq war and sharia law, insisting that his role is not to be "too cautious."
I assume this must be a different Archbishop of Canterbury to the one who has imposed every delaying tactic possible on the Anglican Communion over the last ten years.
Anyone for Indaba?
Monday, 1 October 2012
THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM
From THE BBC:
A theatre in the south Russian city of Rostov has dropped a production of Jesus Christ Superstar after protests by Orthodox Christians. A Russian company was due to stage the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera at the Rostov Philharmonic next month. Protesters had complained the opera projected the "wrong" image of Christ.
What on earth do they mean, "The wrong image of Christ?" In all the productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" I've come across he has had long hair, a hippy beard and he's white. How more accurate can you get?!
A theatre in the south Russian city of Rostov has dropped a production of Jesus Christ Superstar after protests by Orthodox Christians. A Russian company was due to stage the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera at the Rostov Philharmonic next month. Protesters had complained the opera projected the "wrong" image of Christ.
What on earth do they mean, "The wrong image of Christ?" In all the productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" I've come across he has had long hair, a hippy beard and he's white. How more accurate can you get?!
GNOSTIC PAPYRUS SCARES NO SEX VATICAN
From WORCESTER TELEGRAM AND GAZETTE:
The Vatican newspaper has added to the doubts surrounding Harvard University’s claim that a 4th century Coptic papyrus fragment showed that some early Christians believed that Jesus was married, declaring it a “fake.”
I'm not surprised. In fact, what does surprise me is that the Vatican doesn't condemn the New Testament as a fake as well. I mean, all those references to the brothers and sisters of Jesus and the scandalous assertion that it was James, the brother of Jesus, who founded the Church, and not Peter, are just completely unbelievable as there is no way Mary ever had sex in her life (well, maybe a bit of heavy petting with Joseph, but nothing penetrative).
But there is one thing I don't understand. How can the Holy Family be held to be the epitome of the true family by a religion that believes that you are not married unless you've copulated with each other at least once? In fact, how can that same religion claim that gay people can't get married to each other because they are unable to consummate their marriage when it spends so much time venerating a woman who, according to their own catechism, couldn't have ever consummated her own marriage.
Talk about wanting their cake and eating it too.
I'm confused.
The Vatican newspaper has added to the doubts surrounding Harvard University’s claim that a 4th century Coptic papyrus fragment showed that some early Christians believed that Jesus was married, declaring it a “fake.”
I'm not surprised. In fact, what does surprise me is that the Vatican doesn't condemn the New Testament as a fake as well. I mean, all those references to the brothers and sisters of Jesus and the scandalous assertion that it was James, the brother of Jesus, who founded the Church, and not Peter, are just completely unbelievable as there is no way Mary ever had sex in her life (well, maybe a bit of heavy petting with Joseph, but nothing penetrative).
But there is one thing I don't understand. How can the Holy Family be held to be the epitome of the true family by a religion that believes that you are not married unless you've copulated with each other at least once? In fact, how can that same religion claim that gay people can't get married to each other because they are unable to consummate their marriage when it spends so much time venerating a woman who, according to their own catechism, couldn't have ever consummated her own marriage.
Talk about wanting their cake and eating it too.
I'm confused.
NORTH POLE GAY PRIDE MARCH
IS BANNED FOR EVER
From THE TELEGRAPH:
A Russian Orthodox bishop has lowered a "holy memorial capsule" into the sea at the North Pole in an attempt to "consecrate" the Arctic and reassert Moscow's claims to the territory. The service was held by Bishop Iakov on the ice alongside the nuclear icebreaker Rossiya during a polar expedition titled "Arctic-2012", organised by the country's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The metal capsule carried the blessings of the church's leader, bearing the inscription: "With the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the consecration of the North Pole marks 1150 years of Russian Statehood." Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, who says exploiting oil and gas reserves in the North is a "strategic priority".
A Russian Orthodox bishop has lowered a "holy memorial capsule" into the sea at the North Pole in an attempt to "consecrate" the Arctic and reassert Moscow's claims to the territory. The service was held by Bishop Iakov on the ice alongside the nuclear icebreaker Rossiya during a polar expedition titled "Arctic-2012", organised by the country's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The metal capsule carried the blessings of the church's leader, bearing the inscription: "With the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the consecration of the North Pole marks 1150 years of Russian Statehood." Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, who says exploiting oil and gas reserves in the North is a "strategic priority".
HEADLINE OF THE DAY (2)
I don't see what is new or unique about this. Most Church of England congregations achieve "net-zero energy" and have done so for hundreds of years. A rocket up their behinds wouldn't wake them, especially at the 8.00 a.m. service.
PATRIARCHAL, PATRONISING
AND AS UNCHRISTIAN AS HELL
For taking the words of Jesus Christ and perverting them in order to bully a group of young women into towing the party line, today's "Screwtape Award" goes to the Russian Orthodox Church. Well done, fellas. You doing a wonderful job of keeping the spirit of Stalin alive and well in your corrupt, failed (at the first hurdle) democracy.
From RIANOVOSTI:
The Russian Orthodox Church believes repentance will “benefit the souls” of Pussy Riot feminist punkers.
“Let us repeat again, acts like this insulting the feelings of believers must be condemned and punished, no matter what arguments may be used to justify them. This position is shared by an overwhelming majority of our citizens,” Vladimir Legoida, head of the Synodal Information Department, said in a statement ahead of the court’s sitting to hear the Pussy Riot cassation appeal.
At the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church sincerely wishes “those who desecrated a holy place” should repent because “this will benefit their souls,” he said. “Considering that the aim of punishment is correction, some words by the offenders of the law evidencing their repentance and rethinking of what their have done should be heard and they should get a chance to embark upon the path of correction,” the statement said.
"Path of correction?" I think someone has been reading the Russian translation of "Fifty Shades of Grey." That's the trouble with having power and authority. You can too easily turn sick little fantasies into reality.
From RIANOVOSTI:
The Russian Orthodox Church believes repentance will “benefit the souls” of Pussy Riot feminist punkers.
“Let us repeat again, acts like this insulting the feelings of believers must be condemned and punished, no matter what arguments may be used to justify them. This position is shared by an overwhelming majority of our citizens,” Vladimir Legoida, head of the Synodal Information Department, said in a statement ahead of the court’s sitting to hear the Pussy Riot cassation appeal.
At the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church sincerely wishes “those who desecrated a holy place” should repent because “this will benefit their souls,” he said. “Considering that the aim of punishment is correction, some words by the offenders of the law evidencing their repentance and rethinking of what their have done should be heard and they should get a chance to embark upon the path of correction,” the statement said.
"Path of correction?" I think someone has been reading the Russian translation of "Fifty Shades of Grey." That's the trouble with having power and authority. You can too easily turn sick little fantasies into reality.
ANOTHER GREAT EXCUSE
Following the recent claim by a youth pastor in the USA that he wasn't aware that it was against the law to take a minor over the state line and have sex with her, here's another "nice try," this time from the mouth of a priest in Italy.
From THE MAIL:
An Italian priest who was found carrying a gun during a security check on a ferry told police he had been given it 'during a confession' and could reveal no details. The 33-year-old priest, who has not been named by officers, said he could not 'betray the confessional box' but eventually added he had been asked to 'get rid' of the gun. Security guards called police after the .9 calibre handgun showed up during an x-ray check on the holy man's luggage - nestled between a Bible and set of rosary beads.
From THE MAIL:
An Italian priest who was found carrying a gun during a security check on a ferry told police he had been given it 'during a confession' and could reveal no details. The 33-year-old priest, who has not been named by officers, said he could not 'betray the confessional box' but eventually added he had been asked to 'get rid' of the gun. Security guards called police after the .9 calibre handgun showed up during an x-ray check on the holy man's luggage - nestled between a Bible and set of rosary beads.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
IT'S OFFICIAL - ARCHBISHOP DECISION BUMPED
From THE BBC:
The choice of a successor to Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury may not take place for several months, the Church of England has said. Officials reiterated that the work of choosing a successor could go on throughout the autumn. This follows intense speculation that the Crown Nominations Commission had failed to agree a candidate. Officials stressed that the group had all of autumn to decide, conceding only that it would want to avoid having no-one to replace Dr Williams when he steps down at the end of the year.
I am not surprised. In fact, I cannot see how any decision can ever be made concerning the next archbishop of Canterbury.
The evangelical party of the Church of England believes that it is now the most powerful grouping in the Church of England. They have hardcore members on the Crown Nominations Commission, including a shrink who believes gay people can be "cured." There is no way their representatives are going to allow the election of an archbishop who believes that sex between two people of the same gender is not a sin if it takes place within the same bounds of fidelity as sex between two people of opposite gender. The problem is that everyone else believes that, unless we are to become a fundamentalist denomination dominated by the cultural norms and prejudices of the so-called Global South churches, the full inclusion of gay people within society and the church must be achieved under the next watch. Another ten years of prevarication will lose the Church of England any residual respect it may enjoy within the wider British society. Ten years of an archbishop of Canterbury determined to impose evangelical theology and morality on everybody will end up with the Church of England becoming a sect of evangelicals plus those who just don't care about theology and the concerns of anybody else except themselves (which, let's face it, is probably the majority of the membership).
To put it bluntly, the evangelical party will not back down this time, nor will they accept an evangelical archbishop who is not 100% dedicated to turning the Church of England into a "Bible-based" sect and getting rid of "the gay problem" by getting rid of gay people from the church. Other members of the Commission, those who are not evangelicals, will be fighting tooth and nail to stop such an eventuality because the church they love will disappear completely if the evangelicals get what they want. So, no decision is possible.
It's ironic that of the people who remained within the Church of England following the Act of Uniformity, those who were most adversely affected by the imposed conformity of the act, were the Puritans, the theological and ethical forebears of an evangelical party within the church now determined to impose their own invented orthodoxy and orthopraxis upon everyone else. You might think they would have learnt tolerance from their own experience of exclusion. Instead it appears they just want revenge and their turn at telling everyone else what they should believe and how they should behave.
The choice of a successor to Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury may not take place for several months, the Church of England has said. Officials reiterated that the work of choosing a successor could go on throughout the autumn. This follows intense speculation that the Crown Nominations Commission had failed to agree a candidate. Officials stressed that the group had all of autumn to decide, conceding only that it would want to avoid having no-one to replace Dr Williams when he steps down at the end of the year.
I am not surprised. In fact, I cannot see how any decision can ever be made concerning the next archbishop of Canterbury.
The evangelical party of the Church of England believes that it is now the most powerful grouping in the Church of England. They have hardcore members on the Crown Nominations Commission, including a shrink who believes gay people can be "cured." There is no way their representatives are going to allow the election of an archbishop who believes that sex between two people of the same gender is not a sin if it takes place within the same bounds of fidelity as sex between two people of opposite gender. The problem is that everyone else believes that, unless we are to become a fundamentalist denomination dominated by the cultural norms and prejudices of the so-called Global South churches, the full inclusion of gay people within society and the church must be achieved under the next watch. Another ten years of prevarication will lose the Church of England any residual respect it may enjoy within the wider British society. Ten years of an archbishop of Canterbury determined to impose evangelical theology and morality on everybody will end up with the Church of England becoming a sect of evangelicals plus those who just don't care about theology and the concerns of anybody else except themselves (which, let's face it, is probably the majority of the membership).
To put it bluntly, the evangelical party will not back down this time, nor will they accept an evangelical archbishop who is not 100% dedicated to turning the Church of England into a "Bible-based" sect and getting rid of "the gay problem" by getting rid of gay people from the church. Other members of the Commission, those who are not evangelicals, will be fighting tooth and nail to stop such an eventuality because the church they love will disappear completely if the evangelicals get what they want. So, no decision is possible.
It's ironic that of the people who remained within the Church of England following the Act of Uniformity, those who were most adversely affected by the imposed conformity of the act, were the Puritans, the theological and ethical forebears of an evangelical party within the church now determined to impose their own invented orthodoxy and orthopraxis upon everyone else. You might think they would have learnt tolerance from their own experience of exclusion. Instead it appears they just want revenge and their turn at telling everyone else what they should believe and how they should behave.
WORSHIP AT SAINT LAIKA'S
A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
All are welcome to join me in taking communion.
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.
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.
Click on the arrow on the player to stream.
Download via the MP3 icon below the player.
MP3 File
CLICK HERE for order of service (opens in new window)
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