We in America had reached a level of maturity and courtesy that allowed us to express our thoughts and opinions intelligently and from our intellect. It would seem that since the navel-gazing '60's, we have been reverting to our animal instincts and emotional sentiment to express ourselves. Even joking and laughter have become barbed and are quite often at the expense of others, often ridiculing those who are "different" from ourselves: the obese, the aged, the homosexual etc. One example is the cry "racism" whenever someone you disagree with happens to be a different color from you. Another is the attack on abortion from the emotional and instinctive inner drive to protect the young of our species; and of others. Everyone loves puppies and kittens, but when they grow up.... well, that's different. The same with babies. They are cute and defenseless, but when they grow up and don't turn out right, well.... we should kill them and rid the streets of the "likes of them". And it's OK to use them NOT FOR SELF-DEFENSE, but to win oil rights and gain control. How do you find goodness in any of these?
Most "pro-lifers" are illogical and inconsistent. They will vote for a woman/man who believes in capital punishment, war, inhumane torture and imprisonment as long as they are anti-abortion. Truly pro-life people who believe in the Gospels will not accept anything less than the sacredness of all human life... "from conception to NATURAL death". Jesus Christ said to beat swords into plowshares and even let himself be killed. WHAT IS THERE ABOUT THIS PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND?
We have been graced by God in this country by opportunity, intelligence, and resources, but we still have not learned how to love and not hate. Anyone who doesn't see the writing on the wall for our nation needs to read "The Emperor's New Clothes".
God doesn't punish people - we punish ourselves, and the universe self-corrects as God intended.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Rumor #4
It seems that Jesus Christ appeared recently to an ecumenical council of Christian leaders, and brought them some troubling questions. A Catholic archbishop who declined to be identified, claims Jesus stated that "he thought he had rid the temple once and for all of thieves and money mongerers, and accused me of living like a Roman Provincial governor rather than one of his apostles, in fact he restated to me his words about spitting out the lukewarm". An Anglican priest said: "When He asked us which one of us taught that the most important laws were to love God and your neighbor as yourself, most of us assembled began to squirm uncomfortably. Unlike Jesus' teaching that "the law was made for man" and not vice-versa; most of us present admitted to enforcing laws with no sense of judgment or logical reason. Then he quoted his account of the donkey that fell into a pit on the sabbath.... We were all somewhat speechless".
One Lutheran Scripture scholar said He reminded them of the woman at the well who admitted to having seven husbands. And He reminded them that He had no wrath for this woman; rather brought her the light of His love and helped her see things differently, not by threatening her with hellfire. And he also asked them how many times he had to tell them that 'IN THE KINGDOM, THERE IS NO MALE AND FEMALE AMONG YOU .... and what it takes to achieve the "kingdom of heaven"... He accused many of them as being fork-tongued by opposing abortion and approving war and killing... It seems that it wasn't a very pleasant meeting for all concerned, and went on for some time. More people are being interviewed and an update to this story will be posted shortly.
One Lutheran Scripture scholar said He reminded them of the woman at the well who admitted to having seven husbands. And He reminded them that He had no wrath for this woman; rather brought her the light of His love and helped her see things differently, not by threatening her with hellfire. And he also asked them how many times he had to tell them that 'IN THE KINGDOM, THERE IS NO MALE AND FEMALE AMONG YOU .... and what it takes to achieve the "kingdom of heaven"... He accused many of them as being fork-tongued by opposing abortion and approving war and killing... It seems that it wasn't a very pleasant meeting for all concerned, and went on for some time. More people are being interviewed and an update to this story will be posted shortly.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
RUMOR #3 - THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS WEALTH AND POWER - THEN HAPPINESS SHALL FOLLOW....
PREMISE A. If we build things too well, they will last and last, leaving their builders out of more work. Therefore, unlike the Romans who built roads and aqueducts and sewers (plumbing and sewerage) that remain to this day, our roads and plumbing have a very short life span before needing to be replaced. Some would argue that the Romans used thousands of slave laborers to do very hard work in creating these. I say that we have machinery now that does very hard work, and usually one human working and 2 humans observing. Enough on that.
I remember watching my grandmother darning our socks with a wooden egg and what we called her "chopsticks". We never threw away a sock unless ir was chewed up by the familyi dog and out of Granny's sphere of repair. Then one time I opened my mother's Mixmaster hand-held beater because it wasn't beating. One could hear the motor whirring, but nothing was happening.
Lo and behold, amidst the metal gears and shafts sat ONE translucent plastic gear, which of course had lost all its teeth. It was that day that I learned of "planned obsolescence' in much of our manufactured materials.
I was guilty of planned obsolescence when I encouraged our high school boarding school students not to eat this wretched bread pudding being served. Well, the hope was that they would scrap the stuff, but instead the nuns were more determined that we were going to eat it. On the seventh night, as captain of the kitchen crew I announced: "Men, grab your spatulas and scrape!!!
Within ten minutes, every bowl was in the big garbage bowl and unceremoniously dumped in the humongous garbage disposal. We often thought that when a nun (they were ancient) would disappear; that machine was their transportation to the hereafter.
At any rate, various manufacturers followed suit, and products soon contained an "achilles heel" and suddenly we had a throw-away culture! Old nylons, old socks, the dark half of a turkey, radios that would quit working, (my grandfather's Philco radio played until he died; 28 some years they had it. Concern for people on the streets waned, and worst of all, throwing away unwanted children.
And as the power seekers saw it, it was critical for them to be in the decision making of what was to be"thrown away" and what had to have a reasonable life expectancy. Having a part in this meant hedging your bets financially to come out on top. Naturally, mistrust, collusion, fear, jealousy, and anger creep into this kind of developing model. Those who want to be proud of the fruit of their labor resent the short lifespan it is being given by those in authority over them. To be continued.......
I remember watching my grandmother darning our socks with a wooden egg and what we called her "chopsticks". We never threw away a sock unless ir was chewed up by the familyi dog and out of Granny's sphere of repair. Then one time I opened my mother's Mixmaster hand-held beater because it wasn't beating. One could hear the motor whirring, but nothing was happening.
Lo and behold, amidst the metal gears and shafts sat ONE translucent plastic gear, which of course had lost all its teeth. It was that day that I learned of "planned obsolescence' in much of our manufactured materials.
I was guilty of planned obsolescence when I encouraged our high school boarding school students not to eat this wretched bread pudding being served. Well, the hope was that they would scrap the stuff, but instead the nuns were more determined that we were going to eat it. On the seventh night, as captain of the kitchen crew I announced: "Men, grab your spatulas and scrape!!!
Within ten minutes, every bowl was in the big garbage bowl and unceremoniously dumped in the humongous garbage disposal. We often thought that when a nun (they were ancient) would disappear; that machine was their transportation to the hereafter.
At any rate, various manufacturers followed suit, and products soon contained an "achilles heel" and suddenly we had a throw-away culture! Old nylons, old socks, the dark half of a turkey, radios that would quit working, (my grandfather's Philco radio played until he died; 28 some years they had it. Concern for people on the streets waned, and worst of all, throwing away unwanted children.
And as the power seekers saw it, it was critical for them to be in the decision making of what was to be"thrown away" and what had to have a reasonable life expectancy. Having a part in this meant hedging your bets financially to come out on top. Naturally, mistrust, collusion, fear, jealousy, and anger creep into this kind of developing model. Those who want to be proud of the fruit of their labor resent the short lifespan it is being given by those in authority over them. To be continued.......
Monday, June 30, 2008
Rumor #2
OBITUARIES
AMERICA, U.S. The United States of America, born in 1776, died today after a long and painful illness. At the time of its birth, it was hailed as a “source of hope and inspiration” for all people who yearned for the freedom to live, work, worship and play in peace. After centuries of abuse by corrupt and evil men and women in many lands, America was born to enable those who had evolved beyond the evils of egotism and materialism to establish a system of justice, peace and freedom for all who live or who come here.
Unfortunately, the diseases of hatred, bigotry, materialism, jealousy and self-aggrandizement crept back in, as in seemingly all cultures since the dawn of recorded history. As it entered the final stages of the terrible diseases ravaging its body, poor America was in total denial of its impending death, and its poor, sick body was in apathy to the convulsions that were shaking it.
America is survived by women and men who mourn its loss, those who tried to help it survive despite the evil and apathy of the many. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
AMERICA, U.S. The United States of America, born in 1776, died today after a long and painful illness. At the time of its birth, it was hailed as a “source of hope and inspiration” for all people who yearned for the freedom to live, work, worship and play in peace. After centuries of abuse by corrupt and evil men and women in many lands, America was born to enable those who had evolved beyond the evils of egotism and materialism to establish a system of justice, peace and freedom for all who live or who come here.
Unfortunately, the diseases of hatred, bigotry, materialism, jealousy and self-aggrandizement crept back in, as in seemingly all cultures since the dawn of recorded history. As it entered the final stages of the terrible diseases ravaging its body, poor America was in total denial of its impending death, and its poor, sick body was in apathy to the convulsions that were shaking it.
America is survived by women and men who mourn its loss, those who tried to help it survive despite the evil and apathy of the many. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Rumor #1
Catholic Hierarchy Denies Existence of God
APT – It was revealed today by a secret source of the Vatican that the mainstream hierarchy of the Catholic Church does not believe in God or Jesus Christ. Apparently those clergy who have adopted a “humanistic Catholic” view, much like humanistic Judaism, have taken the reins of the venerable and old institution. While most of the faithful Catholics, who comprise the Church, still believe along with some bishops and many priests, it can no longer be kept a secret that the leaders do not. Many of the church members were continually asking why the Pope and Cardinals behave like wealthy royalty rather than humble servants like Jesus Christ asks of them. They also question the secrecy of the disposal of wealth “for the good of the Church”.
It would appear that they continue to operate from the premise that their “governance” provides a framework for promoting peace and encouraging the “need to worship” that anthropologists have long cited as being inherent in the human make-up. By continuing to promulgate “belief” in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and claiming ultimate authority in all things Christian, they have used fear of damnation, as though they controlled God, while not really believing in it for themselves. In reality, their structure very much resembles that of corporate America, which is built on greed, power and self-aggrandizement.
It would seem that some bishops, many priests and laypeople are aware of this situation, and have been trying to counteract and change the corruption of the original institution, but have not been very successful. Historically, Martin Luther attempted and failed, causing only a schism and new sects of Christianity.
Many people think that with this recent revelation, perhaps things will take a different turn, if Catholics have the courage to stand up against this corruption and demand adherence to the teachings of the Gospel by word and example. Most people seem amazed that Catholics have endured this dualism for so long.
APT – It was revealed today by a secret source of the Vatican that the mainstream hierarchy of the Catholic Church does not believe in God or Jesus Christ. Apparently those clergy who have adopted a “humanistic Catholic” view, much like humanistic Judaism, have taken the reins of the venerable and old institution. While most of the faithful Catholics, who comprise the Church, still believe along with some bishops and many priests, it can no longer be kept a secret that the leaders do not. Many of the church members were continually asking why the Pope and Cardinals behave like wealthy royalty rather than humble servants like Jesus Christ asks of them. They also question the secrecy of the disposal of wealth “for the good of the Church”.
It would appear that they continue to operate from the premise that their “governance” provides a framework for promoting peace and encouraging the “need to worship” that anthropologists have long cited as being inherent in the human make-up. By continuing to promulgate “belief” in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and claiming ultimate authority in all things Christian, they have used fear of damnation, as though they controlled God, while not really believing in it for themselves. In reality, their structure very much resembles that of corporate America, which is built on greed, power and self-aggrandizement.
It would seem that some bishops, many priests and laypeople are aware of this situation, and have been trying to counteract and change the corruption of the original institution, but have not been very successful. Historically, Martin Luther attempted and failed, causing only a schism and new sects of Christianity.
Many people think that with this recent revelation, perhaps things will take a different turn, if Catholics have the courage to stand up against this corruption and demand adherence to the teachings of the Gospel by word and example. Most people seem amazed that Catholics have endured this dualism for so long.
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