The Religious Right Is Wrong

James Madison, fourth President of the United States, in his Federalist Papers No. 10 explained that factions, alliances, were the natural state of man, that the like minded would form in groups.  But he warned of the inherent danger when these Factions turned political to the detriment of the public interest. 

The adherents of the Religious Right focus on the “me” society rather than the “we” society.  Therein lies a major conflict with the Bible: Matthew 25:45 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  

The Religious Right is an exclusive group choosing the phrases in the Bible exclusively to further their prejudices.

Another difference between the members of the Religious Right and mainstream Christian Churches is the former are political, and Republican.  The so-called christians who subscribe to the various groups do so willingly knowing the positions that the hate groups stand by, albeit refuse to identify them as hate groups.  Moreover, these groups claim to be christian but they take passages out of context from the Bible and twist the meaning to further their agenda: money.

Here is an example of an un-christian religious ceremony introduced and promoted by Randy Wilson.  At public display, the father ceremoniously marries his daughter to hold her to swear before God her virginity which the father swears before God to hold until she marries his choice.  Totally sick and creepy!  This religious ceremony is against the Bible and a sacrilege:  

Matthew 5:34-37  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James 5:12  But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath:  but let you yea be yea; and you nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

There are many issues with so-called Religious Right Christian views.  The Jews are going to hell as one Religious Right person told me years ago.  These mis-directed sycophants are carrying on the same instilling of hate towards the Jews carried on generation after generation since the Diaspora of ancient time to the Holocaust of the 20th Century.

In his acceptance of the Ecumenical Council of 1960-1965, Vatican II, Pope John Paul II asserted that as a descendent to the throne of St. Peter, the true message of Jesus was all inclusive, that all people of the world were saved.  I believe all main-stream Christian Churches believe the true message of Jesus was love for all religious communities since all mainstream religions believe and practice the same love. 

But let’s not forget the Evangelical Religious Right homeschooling who believe that it is the parents right to instill in their children the need to save this country from the Jews, Catholics, the LGBT, the Liberals, and anyone who does not believe in the views of Mike Pence.  Let’s take back the Country for Christ.

Here’s what Mike Pence stands for:  He’s very pro-gun; he’s very anti-abortion. As Governor of Indiana, he signed a law mandating funerals for fetuses; he’s hostile to LGBT rights; he supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); he wants to cut taxes for the rich.

The LGBT community is the target of Focus On The Family and has made anti-LGBT activism a cornerstone of it’s “pro-family” cause.  The millionaire James Dobson is not an ordained minister of the pulpit, but a graduate Psychologists who discovered the propensity to make money selling religion to the vulnerable.

It is one thing for a person to hold his opinions to him self but for a person to act out his prejudices by pursuing organizations that cause harm to others is wrong. 

Former President Jimmy Carter, who in 2000 officially severed ties with the Southern Baptist Convention after the SBC declared its opposition to female pastors and reiterated its calls “for wives to be submissive to their husbands.”   He condemned the mistreatment of women by religious leaders, writing: “the words of God do not justify cruelty to women.”

In an opinion piece published “Losing my Religion for Equality.”  President Carter said that a “twisted interpretation of the word of God” taught by male religious leaders has been used to justify the oppression of women:  “The truth is that male religious leaders have had — and still have — an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter.”

There are phrases in the Bible that exalt women and here is just a sample of many:  Romans 16:1New International Version (NIV) Personal Greetings 16 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae”; Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”; Romans 2:11 “For God shows no partiality”; Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”.

How can this faction be morally right when its leaders, like Franklin Graham, James Dobson, Pat Robertson do not condemn President Trump in his relationship to racism and white supremacy, but praise him and campaigned for him?  Christian Right leader Jerry Falwell owes his claim to fame fighting to uphold segregation with his sermons on how integration was offensive to God.  

President Trump pandering.  The Christian Right’s plan is simple: Dominate the courts, state legislatures, and push their twisted morality on all of us.

I refuse to live in their world.  A world where men are superior, where women are subordinate, controlled, and relegated to motherhood.  A world where anyone different from me are not only shunned, but pursued.  

What’s right is St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  The Bible is replete with God’s message of Joy and Salvation for all religious communities of the world. Inherent in a gift is there is no payment in return.

Hope

The profundity of faith  compared to coincidence is in the eye of the beholder.  

While stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in the Army Basic Training many years ago, I attended church regularly.  Basic Training for this 20 year old soldier, and for all the other soldiers, was grueling and physically draining, especially in the cold winter of January - I literally watched a water puddle freeze while standing in formation. 

We had Saturdays and Sundays off and the $79.00 per month salary in the early 1960’s left you pretty much broke by the end of the month.

On the last Sunday of the month while attending church, I had a decision to make as the donation platter was being passed among the pews.  I only had one nickel in my pocket, the only one nickel before payday. 

It was a difficult decision because as a routine we all lined up at the candy machine outside the barracks to soothe the hunger before bedtime - a Snickers Bar was 5 cents.

With the theme of most church services sermons Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive ” the collection plate came closer. 

My thought was donate or candy, donate or candy.  If it was Snickers, God would understand.  The collections plate was handed to me and donate won.

The Ft. Leonard Wood church was a white painted wooden chapel, as were most of the barracks made of wood, left-overs from WWII.  I exited the church walking down the 3 wooden steps and grabbing the white wooden hand rail, watching my foot steps down the stairs. 

And, to my amazement at the bottom left on the ground was a nickel.  

Beyond Rude, Absurd

 

List of characters:

  Old Man

  Old Man’s Wife

  Son

  Son’s mom

  Daughter-in-law

                                                   Daughter-in-law’s mom

                                                   Daughter-in-law’s dad

Old Man and his wife rescued Son from his depression, no job, apartment in disarray.  They spent the day cleaning his apartment so that he could get his deposit, then invited him to live with them.  After a year, and finding a good paying job, the Son successfully ‘flew the coup”.

Old Man, his wife, and wife’s mom at the Wedding Reception were seated at the last table next to the kitchen.  One would think that a generous monetary wedding gift would rate a better seating, at least a seating for the honor of being parents.

Also at the Wedding Reception party, Son's mother-in-law confronted Son's Uncle, saying "What are you doing here?  You were not invited. Please leave." After the Son's Uncle gave a $200 gift.  How low can a person go?

“Well Old Man, you have a business degree so you must know about Amortization Tables”. said Daughter-in-law’s mom sarcastically. 

The Visitor Baton was passed between the two friends of Daughter-in-law “ok, it’s my turn” as this game went on for quite a while as they waited to see mother and child. Daughter-in-law mom sat there and watched this charade.

With their newly purchased house, they came over to help clean and were completely shunned by daughter-in-law mom, her husband, and all of their friends.

They pulled into the driveway for the diner invitation, and as they walked up the sidewalk, they noticed daughter-in-law mom and husband jump from their parked car to rush ahead of them saying nothing but giving a dirty look.

While sitting in the waiting room at the hospital, daughter-in-law mom sat there knitting, and when Old Man asked about her husband, she scornfully said “you know that my husband does not like hospitals!”

They attended the baby’s baptism and were motioned to sit with family, but were shunned by daughter-in-law mom since they  took her seat.  “Well Old Man, since you’re in my spot, heres my camera, you’re in charge of taking pictures…”

As Old Man stood in her driveway smoking his cigarette, daughter-in-law drove up, got out of her car, and while approaching Old Man he gave congratulations on the Baptism. She gave the Old Man smart aleck remark “Piff”. 

The Old Man and his wife gave his son their three year old refrigerator, which they gladly accepted for use in the garage.  After a bitter winter's use, the moister tubes in the refrigerator busted.  The daughter-in-law's dad claimed that the Old Man gave away a bum refrigerator.  

Old Man’s wife to Daughter-in-law: maybe your husbands mom could take care of your child while you work.  Daughter-in-law responded:  “i don’t want that fuc**** cripple taking care of my child.” as her husband sat in chair saying nothing.

They heard that the baby was sick, throwing up, fever.  Old Man’s wife, RN, talked on the telephone to recommended pedialyte, and absolutely no milk.  Daughter-in-law mom interceded and said to give the baby lots of milk.

Old Man’s wife’s mom died and Son did not acknowledge even though she loved him like a grandchild.

Old Man and his wife were not notified of the birth of their second grandchild of Son. Heard about it thru the grape vine a week later.

The Old Man and his wife agreed that obviously one can’t choose family, but what’s the excuse for disrespect bordering on hatred? 

Draining Good Health

Perhaps the best part of the potato is the potato water, packed full of added nutrients extracted from the potatoes themselves! Nutrients like vitamins B and C, potassium and fiber, and phytonutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids which are thought to promote good overall health.

The potatoes release their starchy goodness into the water as they are boiled or steamed. The potato water can then be used as a substitute for tap water in your bread making recipes for example, or as a thickener in other recipes that is naturally gluten-free.

Want to show even more love and care in the form of great-for-you vitamins? Use the water that you used to boil or steam your vegetables instead of pouring the water down the drain, as I see in so many TV cooking programs.  

For example broccoli, kale, spinach, to name a few, are packed with vitamins, minerals, containing potent antioxidants, bioactive compounds that contribute to reduced inflammation, protect against cancer, and support a healthy heart. 

Repurpose that liquid left in the pot after cooking or steaming, avoid wasting any part of food byproducts.  Think twice when boiling or steaming.

The Love of Animals Gives a Wider Window to Life

Our little Spunky.  Wonderment. Loving. Mischievous sometimes, but grateful. Would rather play than eat.  

She was an orphan, abandoned in the woods, rescued and delivered to us.

Crying, disheveled, flea infected, but Spunky.  

The only cat not afraid of surrounding dogs at the rescuers home, but would climb the side of their brick house to reach the rescuing tree limb for her safe haven.  

Seventeen years, deserving more than just comment.  That “Window to Life” did shine for 

us with her existence,

Yes, we can be amazed by the phenomenal, incredible spiritual exuberance of little creatures, big and small. Psalm 104, verses 24 and 25: "Oh Lord, how manifold are thy works!

That “Window” showed exuberance for life, Always Spunky.  And, in our quietude she would gently come to ask, with her little swipe of her paw to ask for a “scratchy, scratchy”, putting her little head forward.

Undaunted, in the days, if not weeks, before she became gravely sick, 

she asked for a little further attention.  It was a signal for the Love of Animal’s Window.

She knew.

“Do not go gentle into that good night”.  

The first Vet’s shot only wagged her tail.  Vet came 20 minutes later with stethoscope, Spunky said “wahangh don’t touch me”.

 “Do not go gently into that good night”.

 The second shot closed our Window to Little Spunky.

Spunky’s loving memories gives the Window full circle to life.

Left to Loving Memories.  Spunky.

The Profoundest Of Numbers Is 7

The world’s favorite number is Seven. 

We have the Seven Hills of Rome, Seven Hills of Istanbul. Seven days in a week, Seven Seas, Seven Continents, 7UP, 7-Eleven, James Bond 007, The Seven Year Itch, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the 7th Inning Stretch to name just a few …

Alexander the Great brought 70 Greek scholars from Athens to Alexandria Egypt in 300 BC to translate the Hebrew Bible to Greek called the Septuagint (from the Latin meaning 70).  

Profoundly, Seven is the number of completeness and perfection being tied directly to God’s creation of all things. The word “created” is used 7 times describing God’s creative work: Genesis 1:1, 21, 27 three times; 2:3; 2:4. St. Paul had his epiphany 7 years after the Crucifixion of Jesus. 

God's Sabbath is on the 7th day of the week. 

The Christian Bible was originally divided into 7 major divisions: 

1. Law
2. History
3. Psalms 
4. Prophecy of the Old Testament 
5. General Epistles 
6. Epistles of Paul
7. Revelation

This profound number has always been in my thoughts and research since my travels through Asia Minor, Greece, while serving in the United States Army Security Agency stationed in Ankara Turkey 1963-1964. 

Just a few thoughts on the number seven from a numbers person who was a business school graduate working with numbers my entire life.

And, this proud father was blessed with a daughter Renee, born 7-7-77 and watched the Delivery Nurse look at the wall clock to record 7:14 AM.

And God Made The World

And God Made The World

“Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Jew.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Pope John Paul II in his Address to young Muslims in Morocco, August 19,1985 said: “Christians and Muslims, we have many things in common, as believers and as human beings. We live in the same world, marked by many signs of hope, but also by multiple signs of anguish. For us, Abraham is a very model of faith in God, of submission to his will and of confidence in his goodness. We believe in the sane (rational, balanced, stable) God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection.” 

In his acceptance of the Ecumenical Council of 1960-1965, Vatican 2, Pope John Paul II asserted that as a descendent to the throne of St. Peter, the true message of Jesus was all inclusive, that all people of the world were saved.

The religious xenophobia so pervasive in our society today is born out of ignorance. In his tremendously brilliant lectures on comparative religion, Professor Charles Kimball reveals the vast similarities of the 5 basic world religions, all faith based: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. 

I particularly like Dr. Kimball’s example in his lecture to a Muslim audience, and the question put to him was that he must be a Muslim because he preached all of the tenants of Islam and that Muslims believe the all inclusive that if you do no harm that you will be rewarded. Dr. Kimball’s answer was that he was a Christian.

Another example from his lectures came from a Hindu, who stated, to the effect,“the other 4 basic religions are really Hindu, they just don’t realize it!”

And, most people have heard the name Dali Lama. This Buddhist Monk’s world views mirror the other four basic world religions. This beautifully enlightened Buddhist Monk said: “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them”. And another famous quote from this brilliant religious leader: “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

The Judaeo-Christian culture is self evident to the Western World with its revelations of hope, kindness, forgiveness, jubilee, and more. Perhaps Judaism, going back to time recorded, is the genesis of the other religions, since Jesus was a rabbi born in the days of Herod the King.

Buddha was a prophet in 600 BCE, and Mohammad, self-proclaimed the last of the prophets, around 600 CE, but Hinduism has no founder and goes back to unrecorded antiquity, to the days of “oral tradition”. Perhaps the questioning Hindu in Dr. Kimball’s audience was correct.

With the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, 701 BCE, and if the Assyrian army proceeded to destroy Jerusalem, would there be Judaism, Christianity, Muslim religions?  This question reveals the historical, special connectivity of these three religions.

The only differences between the religious communities is diversity and cultural manifestations, but the common thread is, to use Dr. Kimball’s phrase, the “human capacity for self transcendence”. 

The human species has been religious from time recorded, from the Ancient Greek Gods of Poseidon, Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, and more. I think that the human experience is in our DNA to be religious with the brain manifestations of delight in prayer and self reflection. 

Scripture is replete with God’s message of Joy and Salvation for all religious communities of the world. Inherent in a gift is that there is no payment in return.

My prayer is for everyone to know of the vast religious similarities of all religions, instead of hearing the vast reporting of the religious xenophobia promoting the “fear factor” of religious differences.