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- Preaching is an Extended Conversation
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All Comments (28)
My God doesn't anyone know its not about us or what anyone thinks. You call yourself a Reverand and have the odasity to say a few tired Biblical verses. You will die and go to Hell for leading your people with such peversity. You put yourself beside Martin Luther King with such perverse stuff as this. I think you ought to step down and stay out of ministry. Your deceiving people and sending them to Hell
June 23, 2008 4:30 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 23, 2008 16:30
REMEMBER: Voting for HilLlary Clinton, is same as re-Voting for Prez B. Clinton.
This is 'illegal' , aka PROXY President by Nepotism! Presidential 'Term-Limits' are being violated. Do not be Stupid! The Communist have infiltrated Sweet Sweet U.S.A's Government of 'THE PEOPLE!
So, Please do not vote for 'Hillary & Bill Clinton! Thank You!
IMPORTANT , Sweet Sweet America:
A Russian Communist Conspiracy in Sweet Sweet America "i" now EXPOSED!
HARK Humates of America!:
BEWARE:
Senator 'Chuck Schumer' (of N.Y., a 'Senior Senator) is been "BRIBED' by the RUSSIAN-INTERNATIONAL-MAFIA! Example:
He, Mr. Schumer et al, via "L*U*K OIL" got money from them, (via ex-'GETTY gas station(s) moguls, now turned "Russian Mafia Government Front" as Owners in America. Please call FBI & CIA!] and of Which "Chucky-Boy' Senator SCHUMER promoted , knowingly in such a great 'COMMY' Conspiracy!
Forgive me, but it is true!!!!!!!!!!
ATT: You get pais per "CLICK' , then pay 'US' [free Spirited Bloggers] for Stealing OUR ideas/Writings!
Note: You must Post [ALL & not SENSORED] or repost {hours of WORK (free, but NO more!) thinking & typing) what You-Failed to post. There was No Cuseses. Everything was acoording to 'YOUR' rules, not mine.
Yes, 34,000 people a year in AMERICA , the sweet, comit Suicide. So Better they Volunteer for Army & die Protecting the great REPUBLIC & FEDERATION of "Space-Ship" Planet EARTH against SuperStupidStitious Pre-Apocalyptic BIBLIO, QURANO, GEETAO, MANIACS.
WE "i"nellegent "i"ntellectuals "i"ndividuals. aka, HUMATES (not Humans, as JOKTANIAN, not PELEGIAN,Sporades (Wom) & Mavorites (Man)) Live on space-Ship Earth! aka S.S. GAIA, S.S. GEOID, S.S. TELLUSng Something instead!!
So please post ALL that you have sieved/selected & sensored! Not jus "i", but many many Bloggers!
NOTICE: "NEWS-WEEK" & WASHINGTON POST & CO, et al,;
IT is about your ten 'FACE's. not about our one honest Face's!
You will be sued , in 'Class' like, in Federal Court very very Soon!
not just "i" , but to many you say,
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VOTE:
'NO' to News-Papers Company's owning {your Kids minds future & yours too] against them owning T.V Stations & Satellite Station!
SAY: 'NO' , via F.C.C., to News Paper Company's! 'NO' Broad Casting! Say or Vote, No!
And, Say 'NO' to allowing Religious Satellite Televangelical(s) to broadcast their 'EVIL' Anti-Society Story's & Behavior's too!
Thanks, Eclati-On (nevr Off's) American Mon's & Monsa's!
Take Back your almost Hijacked Nation! Take back Sweet sweet America! Now!
< ?: +)/ Ya Ya!
December 16, 2007 10:12 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 16, 2007 10:12
It's a great achievement for Islamic leaders and scholars as well as Newsweek and the Washington post to present this imperative opportunity for inter cultural and global philosophical dialogue. What's important is that by exchanging our ideas and comments regarding inter religious relations and world events that affect our views of each other as fellow human beings. Since the advent of humanity, We strove to make sense of the world we live in and the lives we've experienced. Worldwide curiosities to learn the true nature of life and our universe is an exceptionally rare virtue upon life on Earth. In other words, we're the only known species on the planet who've pursued to unravel these great mysteries and developed written philosophies based upon our understanding of the world around us.
One such philosophy that lasted throughout the ages of humanity is commonly known as religion and spirituality. Ever since our early belief in the Sky God and the God Mother from ancient Pagan times, we vigorously pursued to unravel the truth about our most profound questions. As any educated person would know that religion and their core beliefs or faith have evolved over time. Paganism, Monotheism and Polytheism have been influenced by humanity as these great philosophies have influenced our perceptions and decisions in life over the ages. Over time humanity has embraced diverse religious faiths and spiritual convictions that continue to influence our behavior in our times and most likely beyond.
What's vital for humanity's progress and even survival is to know the true nature of faith itself. To understand the true origins of faith. But most of all, is to accept the truth for whatever it may be. Each one of us will learn the absolute truth once we die. But until that time comes for anyone of us to depart this world, we really don't know the answer to God's existence nor do we have the absolute truth in regards to the true nature of God. Besides if we did possess the truth, there would've been only one religion on Earth with no diversification of any way, shape of form. There would only be one holy scripture written throughout human history.
Considering one's religious faith to be absolute, while considering others to be false would be ethnocentric at best. While collectively searching to unravel the mysteries on nature, life and the universe through sincere reasoning and serious research would be enlightening at its worst. Most importantly, we must accept the fact is that none of us have conclusive evidence to confirm our core beliefs and there's always an immanent change that our most cherished beliefs could be wrong. Our greatest challenge would be to tolerate the truth no matter what it may ultimately be. With such an open mind, we would be able to overcome any future discovery that would contradict our faith regarding the true nature of life, spirituality and divinity.
Humanity does have the ability to achieve such a social achievement. However, it's solely up to humanity and not any other entity or groups of entities to decide our destinies. Each one of us has a choice to make; either hopelessly engaging into meaningless inter cultural conflicts or combine our scientific and cultural gifts to thrive into an enlightened global civilization that could ultimately expand beyond our solar system. The choice is yours, and the time to make it is now!
August 5, 2007 1:25 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on August 5, 2007 01:25
Many folks have a personal relationship with their partiucular God.
Trouble is some folks try to rudely interrupt it...
July 23, 2007 9:11 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on July 23, 2007 09:11
Those who believe they are God's mouthpiece may prefer to look at others than themselves; so let me them direct them to Wikipedias take on one of the deadly sins:
"In almost every list Pride is considered the original and most serious of The Seven Deadly Sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to give compliments to others though they may be deserving of them, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor."
Those who wish to set themselves up to judge on the basis of their own ...
"Wrath may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. These feelings can manifest as vehement denial of the truth, both to others and in the form of self-denial, impatience with the procedure of law, and the desire to seek revenge outside of the workings of the justice system (such as engaging in vigilantism), fanatical political beliefs, and generally wishing to do evil or harm to others. The transgressions borne of Wrath are among the most serious, including murder, assault, and in extreme cases, genocide. (See Crimes against humanity.) Wrath is the only sin not necessarily associated with selfishness or self interest (although one can of course be wrathful for selfish reasons, such as jealousy). Dante described Wrath as "love of justice perverted to revenge and spite".
I believe the difficulty of dealing with the hatred and lack of moral conscience whose God is one of radical hatred is related to the fact that those who wish to side with the victims of this ignorant mailice can so easily fall into the same trap. Goodonya Rev.
June 4, 2007 12:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 4, 2007 00:49
Thank you for being a perfect example of
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New International Version)
3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
This perfectly complements Matthew 7:21-23
(New International Version)
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
I expect is this is posted, it will be deleted quickly as it doesn't agree with the popular views. In that I can take comfort from the Matthew 7 in it's entirety. Suggest you read it sometime.
May 17, 2007 10:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 22:44
Bible-Bred,
The citation of the Sermon on the Mount (Mat. 7) to stop Christians from judging others is a common but flawed tack. In context, Jesus is talking about righteous judging versus hypocritical judging, and the former is authorized by v. 5 (and by various other passages including Lev 19:17; Mat 18:15-20; Luke 17:3-4; Rom 2:3; 1 Cor 5; Gal 6:1; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Thess 3:15; James 5:19-20). Now, that's not to say that the way Christians have been treating GLBTs is righteous rather than hypocritical judging (cf. the Catholics' sexual abuse scandals and the Evangelicals' Ted Haggard scandal), but I don't think you can sustain an argument for modern tolerance using the Bible.
In any case, I think Tully's central point about listening is one that Christians of every opinion need to heed (compare the account of a conservative Evangelical pro-lifer listening to and dialoging with an abortion provider in TIME's cover story from Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 by Nancy Gibbs).
Conservative Christians, for instance, can be more sensitive to the homosexual community without condoning their behavior. When they insult and deride them, they are cutting them to the core, for they are telling them their deepest feelings and loves are invalid and inappropriate. Now, from the Conservatives' perspective, that may be just the substance of the message that GLBTs need to hear, but it can certainly be communicated in a more loving way than "God hates f*gs!", as some Conservatives' placards read. (It is certainly true in a sense that God does *hate* sinners, but from a biblical perspective, the fact is that he hated them so much that he himself came to redeem them and make them new creations. Now that's the kind of hate I can get behind.)
Liberal Christians on the other hand, need to hearken to their Scriptures and their Tradition and resist the winds that tend to blow them every which way. But that's an argument for another day.
March 20, 2007 12:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 20, 2007 12:53
Hurling Bible verses back and forth is in my opinion an exercise in futility. Nevertheless, I call your attention to the Parable of the Good Samaritan in which Jesus points out that it is the outcast Samaritan whose behavior is righteous. And then, take a look at the Sermon on the Mount where we are called upon not to judge one another. (And why beholdest though the mote that is in the brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?) A church that cannot love all of us is really about something other than love. From my observation, conservative churches are fine with their GLBT congregants, clergy and music directors as long as they deny their sexuality, or, in other words, their humanity. It grieves me to see the Anglican communion punish its American churches for extolling the love of God, because church is one place we all need to encounter The Other, whatever that may be.
March 11, 2007 9:19 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 11, 2007 09:19
Mike Brown, Amen brother! I completely agree with your pragmatic Christian view point. Each person is of two minds. One mind, our primitive, animalistic mind, says do what feels good. The other mind, the intelligent mind, says do what is morally right (according to the education of that mind). I think that too many times intelligent minds are educated by the popular thought of the day, and truth found in the scriptures is written off, rationalized, or forgotten.
The belief that homosexual behavior is ordained of God is absurd. I don't think anyone educated in the scriptures can say this intelligently. I think the animalistic corner of their brains are making this sound good, and they are letting their intelligent brains obey the easy, feel-good whisperings of their animal side.
Sin is allowed to happen - we are given free choice - to allow Christ to forgive us, not to be justified and swept under a rug of "tolerance". while it may be easier, or feel better, to say homosexual behavior is not sinful that doesn't mean God sees it that way. I would love it if I didn't have any reason to forgive someone. But God hasn't asked us be blind to sin, but to forgive it. God never asks us to justify sin - that is impossible, even for God.
March 7, 2007 2:06 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 7, 2007 14:06
God's call of Love:
I THINK GAYS ARE FABULOUS!
March 6, 2007 11:21 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 23:21
Rev. tully, thank you for your reminder that listening is a key component to ministry. It is so easy to forget that each and every person has a story to tell. Thank you for reminding us that we must listen
"We’ve learned, in faith, that same-sex attraction, like opposite-sex attraction, is a God-given gift arising from a complex of biological and psychological factors."
See here's my problem with that statement, in 1970's science told us that boys and girls were socialized that way and if we only socialized them differently they would behave differently. Now science tells us nope: sorry, boys and girls are genetic encoded. In the late 1800's persons of color were considered to be lower on the evolutionary totem poll. No one in their right minds would dare say that now. Science also tells us that certain destructive behaviors (murder violence) may arise from a complex biological and psychological factors. Does that mean a violent person does not need to repent becuase its genetically and psychologically determined? Rev. Tully science is an evolving changing thing, just like our understanding. All the rage now in science (the true american religion) is focused upon genetic determinism as christians we must stand against this determinism that forces people to see themselves as slaves to their genes.
The church is slow to change because understanding often changes just as soon as one publication is finished. I would say our desire to accept homosexual behavior is built more upon worldy pressures than conformity to God call of love.
March 6, 2007 10:40 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 22:40
Yeah Sheridan, hoaxes are intended to reel in suckers. I see the Bible has you too. It's one thing to learn lies and something radically different to believe them. Have you, "sold all your earthly posessions and given to the poor" yet? Are you loving all your neighbors and not just the ones that have you fooled? Hell awaits those that don't do what Jesus said. Oh my! Better give hoaxbuster a closer look. http://www.hoax-buster.org freeway close with lots of free parking.
What's a grande-latte? Sounds sinful.
March 6, 2007 8:42 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 20:42
Tully, listen to me. Are you listening? We are born liars. My heart talks to me. It tells me that you are one of them.
March 6, 2007 8:02 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 20:02
Oh Bgone,
That is one of my favorite verses. I am so glad you are studying your bible.
May God bless you...and hurry up with my grande-latte if you would sonny.
March 6, 2007 7:18 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 19:18
Sheridan,
Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Does that answer your question?
March 6, 2007 6:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 18:10
Bgone,
Don't you have a job?
March 6, 2007 2:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 14:53
The Bible is a hoax and that's all he has to go on. The Bible is not God's word but may well be the word of the "other" supernatural being, Devil. Which one was that in the ball of fire Moses made the deal with?
http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul is warning enough for the wise.
STEVE: - Devil simply loves slavery.
March 6, 2007 2:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 14:49
I wonder how Ms. Reed would respond to the suggestion that left-handed folks (not on the "right-hand of God") should refrain from writing with their left hands, and only write with their right hands (or refrain from writing altogether). Historically speaking, it was only in the last 100 years that left-handedness was accepted as "normal" and efforts to convert lefties (as children) to right-handedness generally ended in the US.
Given the clear message from the literal text that right-handedness is preferred, shouldn't we be forcing left-handed children to give up their "preference." We would not be persecuting left-handed children, because they have a choice to write with the right hand. Or they could choose to forgo writing altogether (and the things that go with it).
Doesn't make much sense, does it?
An interesting sermon talking about left-handedness as a metaphor for homosexuality:
www.stmarkspresbyterian.org/stmarks/sermons/09Oct05.htm
March 6, 2007 1:18 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 13:18
Eric,
Slavery is not exactly a minor issue, then or now.
Yet it is addressed specifically in a number of verses in the Bible however slavery was NEVER condemned.
Seems like it would have been pretty simple to throw in a verse somehere along the way saying:
"BTW, thou shalt not own, buy or sell other human beings under any circumstances for it is forbidden..."
After all God took the time to make eating shrimp and lobster and abomination, not to mention a number of really really silly things.
Why no condemnation of slavery?
It's a fair and reasonable question.
Obviously we are left to deduce that there is at least a tacit approval of slavery.
I happen to find slavery abhorrent, I guess that puts me at odds with God.
I guess the South was right after all. Who knew?
March 6, 2007 1:09 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 13:09
Well Anonymous,
Why not cut it out. Christians, particularly here in America have no problem ignoring vast tracts of the Bible. Especially those concerning the worship of money. We worship money and all-things Consumerism above all.
We pick and choose everyday. Not my opinion or wish, but a fact none the less.
March 6, 2007 1:00 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 13:00
Hello E Favorite,
You're right there are scattered verses in various chapters that discuss slavery. However your premise that the bible is in favor of slavery is wrong. God does not want his people to be slaves. In fact, he devotes the Book of Exodus describing how his people become free.
March 6, 2007 12:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 12:55
Mr Tully, what part of Romans 1:26/27 do you not understand? Let's get a pair of scissors and cut that piece out of the Holy Book.
March 6, 2007 12:40 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 12:40
Thank you, Fr. Tully, for this reflection. As a member of Integrity I can tell you that LGBT people are really tired of being talked about, talked to and talked at, but almost never, never being listened to. It's perpetual to this minute - even our wonderful Presiding Bishop is doing it now. When will the leaders of the AC understand this and start to truly listen instead of dictating??
Sue
March 6, 2007 12:23 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 12:23
Everyone plays "pick and choose" when it comes to the Bible. The Apostle Paul said a Christian should remain unmarried unless they couldn't keep their sexual urges in check and then marry to satisfy them and not sin. To him marriage was not for companionship nor procreation. He also approved of slavery and told slaves to be obedient to their masters. It's a shame that people think that their own interpretation of the Bible is "the truth" and all others are false instead of showing true humility and saying "I understand it this way but I could be wrong." Sin is between the sinner and God and Christians have the Grace of Jesus Christ to erase that sin. People should leave it to God to decide not themselves. God can forgive whatever he wants to and allow whomever he wants to into Heaven. That is his right as he is Almighty God. For people to go around feeling superior, smug and self righteous and discriminate against others for race, creed, sexual orientation and the like is NOT Christian no matter how many scriptures you quote or misquote to support your narrow ideas.
March 6, 2007 11:57 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 11:57
Eve Reed:
"In the pre-Christian era of the Old Testament, human sacrifice was not uncommon because many people believed it was necessary to prevent disaster falling on greater numbers of people. Should we now suppose that these people were simply evil for doing this? Or should we suppose that the hidden and little understood forces at work in the world produced fear in communities that led them to what they thought were acts of sacrifice that would protect the entire community."
Wow. Let's not stop at homophobia. Let's justify human sacrifice.
The key word in this paragraph is "fear." Anyone care to opine on how much homophobia has to do with fear of the different? (Dumb me, it never came to me before that this had anything to do with it. I thought it was all about disgust.)
Anyone care to opine on how much clinging to the outdated OT has to do with fear?
March 6, 2007 12:48 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 00:48
Eve Reed,
Please read Donna Freitas's On Faith essay which has just been posted.
She is a Christian.
You are not.
Please take her essay to heart and reform your life.
Thank you.
March 5, 2007 8:32 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 5, 2007 20:32
Hello, Eve
You make a case against homosexual behavior based on scripture.
What about slavery? It's my understanding that the Bible is in favor of slavery.
Do you think it was a mistake to make slavery against the law? I know a lot of people thought that at one time.
If you don't, how do you square that with what the Bible says?
Looking forward to your reply.
March 5, 2007 4:29 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 5, 2007 16:29
The issue is not about the personhood of anyone. The issue is about the decision to engage in behavior that Scripture specifically and consistently refers to negatively. It is NOT that a person who has engaged in homosexual behavior is an abomination. Only the behavior is called an abomination. The person can be forgiven of any behaviors that go against obedience to God, because in God's sight, some behavior is sinful. It doesn't matter whether or not we agree because human beings did not define sin. God did. Obedience to God is encouraged by Scripture as the best way to do what is best for both ourselves and the common good.
Consider this. In the pre-Christian era of the Old Testament, human sacrifice was not uncommon because many people believed it was necessary to prevent disaster falling on greater numbers of people. Should we now suppose that these people were simply evil for doing this? Or should we suppose that the hidden and little understood forces at work in the world produced fear in communities that led them to what they thought were acts of sacrifice that would protect the entire community. It was the work of God with His chosen people that eventually overcame the belief that human sacrifice was a necessary evil.
In this current controversy, the issue is simply with pride in behavior called sinful and with certain behavioral practices. Somehow over the past forty years, the notion came about that behavior and persons are conflated. Yet, this is not true, and if it were, repentance of sin would not be possible.
Behavior has a voluntary aspect to it that accords with a person's free will. Whether or not a person chooses to act in certain ways are under the control of the person. Only a person suffering from an addiction has lost control of his ability to control the behavior to which he or she is addicted. Plenty of otherwise lovely, good people suffer from alchohol addiction, for example. Surrendering to Christ has proven to be helpful to many such people because Christ can set us free of destructive behavior.
March 5, 2007 4:07 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 5, 2007 16:07