Friday, February 16, 2007
'Homophobia Defense: Church Views'
SATIRE ALERT
The original, from Citizen Link Daily Update, is in the first comment because I couldn't figure out how to link to it.
For something historical to compare with Christian views against homosexuality, see Eric L. McKitrick, ed. Slavery Defended: The Views of the Old South (Emglewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall Inc., 1963).
Begin satire:
Black Group to Protest Christian Colleges
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Activists object to schools' racial codes.
Black-activist group RaceForce is organizing protests of Christian colleges because of their codes that forbid racial miscegenation.
This is the second year in a row for the so-called "Equality Ride," and this year RaceForce plans to double its efforts. Two busloads of protesters, one for each half of the country, will target 32 Christian colleges and universities.
Brad Lau, vice president for student life at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., which is scheduled for an April 5 protest, said the activists disagree with the university's stand that God intends for the races to be separate.
"That would exclude not just racial being" he said, "but racial intermarriage and other social contact, blacks depicted in movies and other media -- all those kinds of attitudes and perspectives."
George Fox students, faculty and staff, Lau said, are preparing to meet the riders with the love of Christ.
"While we clearly disagree," he said, "our goal is not to be mean-spirited, but to engage in a civil discourse characterized by humility, love and grace -- and also firmly planted in truth."
Phillip de Haan, director of media relations for Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., said his campus will be well prepared for an April 24 protest.
"This is the second year that we've had what we call a racial series, which addresses all kinds of issues, including the issue of Negroes," he said. "That had been planned even before we knew about the Equality Ride visit."
In addition to preparing students for the inevitable discussions that will occur about God's plan for the races, the college is inviting protesters to the school's Sunday night worship service.
Caleb Price, racial-issues analyst at Focus on the Family, said students on campuses along the route should be prepared.
"If you see your school, or your child's school, on the RaceForce itinerary, find out how officials intend to respond," he said. "Make sure students are armed with the facts."
Activists will tell emotional stories, and they'll twist Scripture to fit their agenda, Price said.
"Students need to find out what Scripture truly says about the issue of race," he said. "They need to be ready to dispel myths -- such as that of the black gene -- with facts."
--ER
The original, from Citizen Link Daily Update, is in the first comment because I couldn't figure out how to link to it.
For something historical to compare with Christian views against homosexuality, see Eric L. McKitrick, ed. Slavery Defended: The Views of the Old South (Emglewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall Inc., 1963).
Begin satire:
Black Group to Protest Christian Colleges
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Activists object to schools' racial codes.
Black-activist group RaceForce is organizing protests of Christian colleges because of their codes that forbid racial miscegenation.
This is the second year in a row for the so-called "Equality Ride," and this year RaceForce plans to double its efforts. Two busloads of protesters, one for each half of the country, will target 32 Christian colleges and universities.
Brad Lau, vice president for student life at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., which is scheduled for an April 5 protest, said the activists disagree with the university's stand that God intends for the races to be separate.
"That would exclude not just racial being" he said, "but racial intermarriage and other social contact, blacks depicted in movies and other media -- all those kinds of attitudes and perspectives."
George Fox students, faculty and staff, Lau said, are preparing to meet the riders with the love of Christ.
"While we clearly disagree," he said, "our goal is not to be mean-spirited, but to engage in a civil discourse characterized by humility, love and grace -- and also firmly planted in truth."
Phillip de Haan, director of media relations for Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., said his campus will be well prepared for an April 24 protest.
"This is the second year that we've had what we call a racial series, which addresses all kinds of issues, including the issue of Negroes," he said. "That had been planned even before we knew about the Equality Ride visit."
In addition to preparing students for the inevitable discussions that will occur about God's plan for the races, the college is inviting protesters to the school's Sunday night worship service.
Caleb Price, racial-issues analyst at Focus on the Family, said students on campuses along the route should be prepared.
"If you see your school, or your child's school, on the RaceForce itinerary, find out how officials intend to respond," he said. "Make sure students are armed with the facts."
Activists will tell emotional stories, and they'll twist Scripture to fit their agenda, Price said.
"Students need to find out what Scripture truly says about the issue of race," he said. "They need to be ready to dispel myths -- such as that of the black gene -- with facts."
--ER
Labels: Christianity, gays, smart-aleckiness
Talk about Signs and Wonders!
Green Baptists!
DALLAS (AP) -- Texas' largest Baptist group is taking a rare step into environmental advocacy, working to block Gov. Rick Perry's plan to speed the approval process for 18 new coal-fired power plants.
The Christian Life Commission, the public policy arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is mobilizing Baptists against the coal-fired plants and urging the convention's 2.3 million members to voice their opposition to state lawmakers.
The money quotes:
Paynter said Texas Baptists' involvement stems from concern over how dirty air is affecting the health of church members.
That's a start!
"We have a longer-term goal, which is about the stewardship of creation."
Amen, and Amen!
"I don't think it's an anomaly, but I really wonder if it's going to gain much traction any time soon," he said. "It would take a reorientation of how we Baptists understand our place in this world, and enlarging our whole definition of what salvation is."
Ha go je ki la ma fa so la ti da ha ha ha -- ahem! (Sorry! I got so excited I spoke in tongues! ... [Settle down. It's a joke, son.])
Read all about it, from The Associated Press via NewsDay.
Note on "Signs and Wonders" for non-Charismatic Christians, nobelievers and run-of-the-mill infidels: "Signs and Wonders."
--ER
DALLAS (AP) -- Texas' largest Baptist group is taking a rare step into environmental advocacy, working to block Gov. Rick Perry's plan to speed the approval process for 18 new coal-fired power plants.
The Christian Life Commission, the public policy arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is mobilizing Baptists against the coal-fired plants and urging the convention's 2.3 million members to voice their opposition to state lawmakers.
The money quotes:
Paynter said Texas Baptists' involvement stems from concern over how dirty air is affecting the health of church members.
That's a start!
"We have a longer-term goal, which is about the stewardship of creation."
Amen, and Amen!
"I don't think it's an anomaly, but I really wonder if it's going to gain much traction any time soon," he said. "It would take a reorientation of how we Baptists understand our place in this world, and enlarging our whole definition of what salvation is."
Ha go je ki la ma fa so la ti da ha ha ha -- ahem! (Sorry! I got so excited I spoke in tongues! ... [Settle down. It's a joke, son.])
Read all about it, from The Associated Press via NewsDay.
Note on "Signs and Wonders" for non-Charismatic Christians, nobelievers and run-of-the-mill infidels: "Signs and Wonders."
--ER
Labels: Baptists, Christianity, environment, smart-aleckiness
Thursday, February 15, 2007
GloriaWilliams whacks ER (and feels better)
:::EDITS THROUGHOUT (BOLDED IN GLORIA'S REMARKS IMMEDIATELY BELOW) AND ADDITIONS AT BOTTOM:::
Is this true?
GloriaWilliams said...
And who called you to that, Redneck? (The Spirit of Christ calls me to oppose all forms of Fundamentalism.) It sure wasn't God despite all your bellowing about your special personal relationship to Him. (Bellowing? I hide neither my faith nor my sins on this blog). You go around telling people to not judge when you do it everytime you comment anywhere. You go on about love but can't show it anyone who disagrees with you. (Sometimes this is true, but rarely, actually, in the overall scheme of things.) As always, I find myself descending to your level. What a talent that must be to drag someone down. Do you notice that Slim -- an openly gay man -- doesn't say the world should be filled with more Christians like you? Despite the fact you use your blog to defend his lifestyle every chance you get. (This is not what Slim said. And I have said virtually nothing about "lifestyle."). Why is that? (Ask Slim.) And yes, I consider his lifestyle wrong, but I don't force my view on him or ask him to change, believing that God and true Christians (!!!) like Tech will help him grow spiritually.
I'm sorry, Tech. I knew better than to comment on this thread as soon as I saw his name. You probably will want to delete this and please do if you think it best. I feel better for having said what I've said even though I know my words mean less than spit to him. (Bitter and untrue).
I won't read this thread again, Tech. I think I'd better stay away from the blog for a time. This is certainly not good for my peace of mind or my walk with God.
Wed Feb 14, 11:16:00 PM CST
WTH? I think Gloria has embarrassed herself.
Here's the post, from TECH, that started it.
It was a very interesting, and civil, thread, right up until Gloria freaked out and jumped ugly on me.
And in case Gloria or TECH deletes her comment, or TECH disables the post, the whole thing is in the first comment.
EDIT: AT TECH'S REQUEST, I'VE DELETED HIS ORIGINAL POST FROM THE COMMENTS. THE COMMENTS ON HIS POST ARE NOW THE FIFTH COMMENT TO THIS POST -- AND IF IT'S ALL VERY CONFUSING, CHALK IT UP TO (another edit at TECH's request) TECH WANTING TO KEEP TOTAL CONTROL OF HIS WORDS.
Sheesh.
--ER
THIS JUST IN, posted at Tech's joint:
GloriaWilliams said...
I want to apologize to Tech and to the other readers of this blog. I let my personal dislike for Redneck push me into being rude to him. Unfortunately I did it in front of all of you. A moment ago, I got off the phone with Tech who assures me that Redneck has many good qualities. Perhaps so. I can't see them, but it's not my place to judge him, either. I apologize to him for attacking him and hope that both of us will continue to grow in the Lord's wisdom.
Thu Feb 15, 12:43:00 PM CST
Erudite Redneck said...
Accepted.
Me, too.
I have no personal dislike of you Gloria, BTW. And aside from one personal and mean encounter with you two years ago, I have no idea why you would personally dislike me. But hey, we each have our burdens.
Peace.
Thu Feb 15, 12:54:00 PM CST
--ER
Is this true?
GloriaWilliams said...
And who called you to that, Redneck? (The Spirit of Christ calls me to oppose all forms of Fundamentalism.) It sure wasn't God despite all your bellowing about your special personal relationship to Him. (Bellowing? I hide neither my faith nor my sins on this blog). You go around telling people to not judge when you do it everytime you comment anywhere. You go on about love but can't show it anyone who disagrees with you. (Sometimes this is true, but rarely, actually, in the overall scheme of things.) As always, I find myself descending to your level. What a talent that must be to drag someone down. Do you notice that Slim -- an openly gay man -- doesn't say the world should be filled with more Christians like you? Despite the fact you use your blog to defend his lifestyle every chance you get. (This is not what Slim said. And I have said virtually nothing about "lifestyle."). Why is that? (Ask Slim.) And yes, I consider his lifestyle wrong, but I don't force my view on him or ask him to change, believing that God and true Christians (!!!) like Tech will help him grow spiritually.
I'm sorry, Tech. I knew better than to comment on this thread as soon as I saw his name. You probably will want to delete this and please do if you think it best. I feel better for having said what I've said even though I know my words mean less than spit to him. (Bitter and untrue).
I won't read this thread again, Tech. I think I'd better stay away from the blog for a time. This is certainly not good for my peace of mind or my walk with God.
Wed Feb 14, 11:16:00 PM CST
WTH? I think Gloria has embarrassed herself.
Here's the post, from TECH, that started it.
It was a very interesting, and civil, thread, right up until Gloria freaked out and jumped ugly on me.
And in case Gloria or TECH deletes her comment, or TECH disables the post, the whole thing is in the first comment.
EDIT: AT TECH'S REQUEST, I'VE DELETED HIS ORIGINAL POST FROM THE COMMENTS. THE COMMENTS ON HIS POST ARE NOW THE FIFTH COMMENT TO THIS POST -- AND IF IT'S ALL VERY CONFUSING, CHALK IT UP TO (another edit at TECH's request) TECH WANTING TO KEEP TOTAL CONTROL OF HIS WORDS.
Sheesh.
--ER
THIS JUST IN, posted at Tech's joint:
GloriaWilliams said...
I want to apologize to Tech and to the other readers of this blog. I let my personal dislike for Redneck push me into being rude to him. Unfortunately I did it in front of all of you. A moment ago, I got off the phone with Tech who assures me that Redneck has many good qualities. Perhaps so. I can't see them, but it's not my place to judge him, either. I apologize to him for attacking him and hope that both of us will continue to grow in the Lord's wisdom.
Thu Feb 15, 12:43:00 PM CST
Erudite Redneck said...
Accepted.
Me, too.
I have no personal dislike of you Gloria, BTW. And aside from one personal and mean encounter with you two years ago, I have no idea why you would personally dislike me. But hey, we each have our burdens.
Peace.
Thu Feb 15, 12:54:00 PM CST
--ER
Labels: Christianity, gays, unprovoked attacks
Sunday, February 11, 2007
'We do not pretend ...'
Invocation this morning at First Christian Church, Stillwater, Okla., where I visited:
"O God, we do not pretend to come to you with more faith than we have. We do not pretend to be more righteous than we are. We are all beggars here in search of bread. So feed us, we ask, that we would be filled on your grace and love and become more faithful followers of Jesus ..."
Great-Great-Grandpa Redneck and his wife were charter members of a Disciples of Christ church, meeting in someone's home in southern Indiana, about 15 years after the founding of the denomination, before they headed west to Indian Territory.
Somewhere along the way, the Rednecks turned Baptist, specifically Southern Baptist.
I could easily become a Disciples of Christ member:
"The Bible is our primary witness to the presence and activity of the living God in the world. It is the responsibility of each Christian to bring the text into dialogue with Christian tradition, experience and reason in understanding its authority for today."
And here, on a heavier note, is a bunch of crap I stumbled across awhile ago. It's what I get for reading a Focus on the Family newsletter. I present it as an indictment of itself. I think the internal contradictions and illogic are self-evident.
On homosexuality and gender, and the Bible.
A good friend jokingly asked me the other day, after seeing the topics of homosexuality and Christianity in this space a few times, "Are you gay?"
No. But gays are among the "least of these" in this society, and I've repented of judging them any more harshly than I judge myself or any others, and I've added my blogvoice to the growing chorus within the greater Church calling for openness.
--ER
"O God, we do not pretend to come to you with more faith than we have. We do not pretend to be more righteous than we are. We are all beggars here in search of bread. So feed us, we ask, that we would be filled on your grace and love and become more faithful followers of Jesus ..."
Great-Great-Grandpa Redneck and his wife were charter members of a Disciples of Christ church, meeting in someone's home in southern Indiana, about 15 years after the founding of the denomination, before they headed west to Indian Territory.
Somewhere along the way, the Rednecks turned Baptist, specifically Southern Baptist.
I could easily become a Disciples of Christ member:
"The Bible is our primary witness to the presence and activity of the living God in the world. It is the responsibility of each Christian to bring the text into dialogue with Christian tradition, experience and reason in understanding its authority for today."
And here, on a heavier note, is a bunch of crap I stumbled across awhile ago. It's what I get for reading a Focus on the Family newsletter. I present it as an indictment of itself. I think the internal contradictions and illogic are self-evident.
On homosexuality and gender, and the Bible.
A good friend jokingly asked me the other day, after seeing the topics of homosexuality and Christianity in this space a few times, "Are you gay?"
No. But gays are among the "least of these" in this society, and I've repented of judging them any more harshly than I judge myself or any others, and I've added my blogvoice to the growing chorus within the greater Church calling for openness.
--ER
Labels: Christianity, gays
