Ok so this post will be directed towards all you “Christians” out there.
I recently was involved in a couple of different debates. Both of these involved people who call themselves Christians. Unfortunately they also both show the problem that people see when they look at “Christians” and why some judgements are passed on us all because of your actions.
First my conversation on Facebook. A friend of mine posted an issue regarding the preferential treatment some religions get, in the military, over Christianity.
Her point was a valid one that needs to be opened so others can talk about it. But one of her… “less religious” friends took exception to the idea. Her view point was one that unfortunately is prevalent today. “Christianity needs to be more accepting of other religions, after all, all religions are equal.”
This is a concept that first has to assume that all religions ARE equal. Any “Christian” should be able to refute, easily. But so often “we” can’t seem to. Why is that? Simply because we, first, do not know what it is that we believe in. Second, we do not live our lives by the standards set by that faith.
An excellent example would be my second conversation. I was standing near a pair of men who go to my church. They are active in the church and they were, in fact, there to participate in a ministry opportunity. The conversation involved politics, more specifically it involved the issue of Taxation… Flat tax verses progressive tax. Both the other gentlemen preferred the idea of a flat tax because “those people who are NOT paying taxes are benefiting and living off the fruits of other’s labor.
Now here is a sound argument right? I pointed out that many of those who are not paying taxes right now CANNOT afford to pay taxes. They are already stretched to the limit. When I made that point their responses were… (1) They need to budget their money better. And, (2) They could always go out and get a better job or an education so that they could have better pay. And (3) if they were paying taxes the economy would be better and that would solve their problem.”
Here is the problem with those arguments… in reverse order.
The problem with the last point is that the economy didn’t go south because of people not paying taxes, it went down because banks were playing loosey goosey with the financial market and made bad loans and then the government tried to bail them out. This increased the burden on a desperate, GLOBAL, society and caused panic and devastation for a lot of people in all walks of life. Rich, poor and middle class!
Second point, I challenge these gentlemen, or any other Christian, to tell me how it is that someone who cannot afford to pay a 10 percent tax, on their $200 a week pay, ($20) might be able to pay 20-50 THOUSAND dollars instead. All so that they can get an education so they can get a better job.
I have tried to get an education and I got part way through college before the money dried up. The federal government will not pay a full tuition. So I have to make up the difference. How am I to do that? There are only so many grants and scholarships, they are all being fought for by LOTS of people, and most of those won’t cover even half of the cost that is left after the Government assistance. So in order to cover the whole cost I would have to either get a really AWESOME scholarship, or compete and HOPE that I can get enough of the smaller scholarships in order to cover the cost/s.
OR I could try to get a loan right? First leaving aside today’s economy, where it would be difficult to get a job after school, is it really in the best interest of these people to go into debt when they are not sure if they are going to ever be able to get out of it again? After all that happens often enough to be a concern. And that is assuming that they have the credit score to get those loans; that their credit wasn’t already damaged because they had to try to make ends meet and they couldn’t so they defaulted on their car payment or rent.
So an education might not be the best viable solution… unless we mandated and paid for (with our tax dollars) free college for everyone. But doesn’t that add to the problem?
So finally we get to address that first point. Budget their money better… yeah that is right it is all the fault of these poor people that they are poor right? I wonder how many of you “Christians” have considered that Jesus (you know the reason for Christmas) was born poor? Based on the argument that these poor people need to just budget better then aren’t we in effect saying that it was Mary or Joseph’s fault that Jesus was born in a stable? After all if they had only budgeted their time better they could have arrived early enough to get that room in the inn. Or if they had budgeted their finances better they might have been able to convince the innkeeper to kick out another guest in favor of the higher rate, or even let them stay in his own room while he and or his family made due elsewhere.
Come to think of it isn't the Gold Frankincense and Myrrh of the Wise men's gifts, really the FIRST form of welfare?
While that was not a point I made at the time, because there was no time. (And I didn’t think of it until much later) I pointed out to them that I had been there myself, and there are people out there who are on so limited a budget there is no room in that budget for ANY give. I pointed out that at the time I had NO tv NO movies NO Internet NO phone NO car... etc.
All I was paying for was rent, utilities, and food. (not even enough give in my budget to buy clothes.)
One of the guys in this conversation said, “ and you were probably happier too!” the sheer audacity of that statement floored me.
He thought I should be happy that I was holding down three part time minimum wage jobs, trying to pay for college, having to walk up to 10 miles a day, no time to do homework, nothing to distract me from problems or concerns. No chance to rest or recuperate, no entertainment, no special moments in my life.
Freezing in the winter because I could not afford good clothes that would keep the cold out, boiling in the summer because I couldn't afford to go buy an air conditioner, And he says I ought to be JUMPING for joy over this. I wasn’t and, honestly, looking back I don’t think I should have been.
It was a trial that came right at the moment when I had first accepted Christ as my savior, one that was VERY difficult. To be honest had anyone said the things to me then that they were saying the other day I might have felt like just giving it all up, then where would I be today?
I would have definitely reconsidered following Christianity if I had had to face such accusatory and hateful attitudes. But that is exactly the issue that some supposed, self proclaimed “Christians”, are doing every day today.
My question for you is… Are you doing this? Are you trying to reach out to people? Are you trying to show them the love that Christ did? Or are you going to whine that you have to pay taxes and someone else doesn’t?
When Jesus was asked about his attitude on taxes he said “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” not complain that your burden is greater than another’s.
When Jesus addressed how to treat the needy, he never said make them pay their fair share. He said “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was naked and you clothed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. In that you did this for the least of these my children you did it also unto me.” Oh and by the way Jesus also never added the caveat that we could only do this when we were sure that the food clothing or money we give isn’t going to be used for alcohol or drugs. Jesus never said give to the poor and needy as long as you know they won’t use it for wine.
So If, and when, the tax code changes to include the impoverished I will expect them to help foot the bill. But the fact of the matter is that we need to focus on being good Christians in attitude and deed and to show Christ’s love, which does not mean complaining! It means reaching out as well as you can to those in need.
To that measure I would advise you all to go out right now, find someone out there who is hungry or thirsty or cold. Give them food or a blanket or money pray for them, tell them about the excellent programs your church may offer to help them get on their feet. And leave the rest up to God.
By doing these things you will show the world the potential of the love of Christ. By doing it without judgement you will be showing exactly the love Christ showed when he hung on the cross for your sins.
December 17, 2011
September 28, 2011
the voucher system
I recently read a post, by a public school teacher, in Facebook about how school vouchers are evil. And I had to wonder. I used to work for a public school system myself and I have to say that as a father AND as a former public school employee I would rather have the opportunity to send my children to a school where they would receive the best education possible.
In fact I probably would be against putting my kids in a public school system in many places; and judging by the broo ha ha coming out of Ohio at this time I think that state would be one of those where I would rather seek alternate education for my kids.
Let me explain a little better… You see my daughters are important to me. And as a parent I feel I have an obligation to get them the best opportunities I can. That means that I want to send them to a school where they will get the best education possible.
More than that I want to send them to a school where they will get the education that emphasizes the teaching I want them to receive!
If I want them to have more emphasis on art then that is where they will go, if I want them to have more emphasis on science where I would rather have them go is a school with that emphasis.
If I want them to have more access to physical teaching like sports or more socialization opportunities then that is the choice I will make.
But there are people in Ohio, most notably in the public schools, who seem to be adamant in stating that it is “unfair” for people to have that opportunity. And I have to wonder, why?
I want the best for my kids, and when I worked for a public school system that is how I worked. The kid/s always came first. The school system is supposed to be there for the KIDS not for the teachers, not for the administrators not for the janitors and not for the bus drivers. The whole focus of ANY school system needs to be on how to do the best for the KIDS and, I am sorry, but as I see it a voucher system, properly administered, does EXACTLY that.
A voucher system would first allow parents to go out and find the absolute BEST education for their child/ren, based on the standards that the parent has. (And let’s face it, the parent is usually going to have more interest in seeking the best for their little darling then some stranger sitting in an office a hundred miles away.)
Second of all it would cause schools, public AND private, to start becoming more competitive with each other which in turn means ALL students will benefit. After all the schools will seek to improve the way they teach in order to draw more parents, and their kids, to those schools.
But I still see these teachers and other school officials fighting the idea. And, at the risk of being redundant, I have to wonder why?
I guess we need to address how I see the voucher system. As I understand it, a voucher system is where the government takes the tax dollars and, instead of giving it directly to the schools, instead assigns the monies, in the form of vouchers, to the parents of the student. The parents then get the option of using those vouchers to take their children to the school of their choice.
So with that understanding, I have to believe that the more these people fight the idea of a voucher system the more they are trying to hold onto a status quo that is apparently failing.
If you, as a teacher, are arguing against a voucher system because it will take money away from your school, I have little sympathy.
No offense intended but frankly I do not care about your school, neither do I really care about your job. What I am concerned about is MY CHILD’S FUTURE and honestly I want my child to go to a school where they are not going to whine about their jobs but rather they will fight for the right/s of the children.
In fact if you are arguing that you will lose your job because you or your school cannot compete in an equal environment with another school then, even more, I will want to pull my child out of your school because you are basically admitting you are incompetent and useless.
Why can you NOT compete on an equal playing field with equal funds with another school? Why are they providing a better service than you? You receive the same amount of money per child you have access to the same opportunities… the only excuse for you not being able to compete is simply because you are incompetent, incapable or simply substandard.
If that is true then I really do not want my child being taught by you. I want the best. Arguing you will lose students because you cannot perform as well is simply telling me that you are not the best and the voucher system needs to be employed faster and ought to have been the way we always have done it to begin with.
In fact I probably would be against putting my kids in a public school system in many places; and judging by the broo ha ha coming out of Ohio at this time I think that state would be one of those where I would rather seek alternate education for my kids.
Let me explain a little better… You see my daughters are important to me. And as a parent I feel I have an obligation to get them the best opportunities I can. That means that I want to send them to a school where they will get the best education possible.
More than that I want to send them to a school where they will get the education that emphasizes the teaching I want them to receive!
If I want them to have more emphasis on art then that is where they will go, if I want them to have more emphasis on science where I would rather have them go is a school with that emphasis.
If I want them to have more access to physical teaching like sports or more socialization opportunities then that is the choice I will make.
But there are people in Ohio, most notably in the public schools, who seem to be adamant in stating that it is “unfair” for people to have that opportunity. And I have to wonder, why?
I want the best for my kids, and when I worked for a public school system that is how I worked. The kid/s always came first. The school system is supposed to be there for the KIDS not for the teachers, not for the administrators not for the janitors and not for the bus drivers. The whole focus of ANY school system needs to be on how to do the best for the KIDS and, I am sorry, but as I see it a voucher system, properly administered, does EXACTLY that.
A voucher system would first allow parents to go out and find the absolute BEST education for their child/ren, based on the standards that the parent has. (And let’s face it, the parent is usually going to have more interest in seeking the best for their little darling then some stranger sitting in an office a hundred miles away.)
Second of all it would cause schools, public AND private, to start becoming more competitive with each other which in turn means ALL students will benefit. After all the schools will seek to improve the way they teach in order to draw more parents, and their kids, to those schools.
But I still see these teachers and other school officials fighting the idea. And, at the risk of being redundant, I have to wonder why?
I guess we need to address how I see the voucher system. As I understand it, a voucher system is where the government takes the tax dollars and, instead of giving it directly to the schools, instead assigns the monies, in the form of vouchers, to the parents of the student. The parents then get the option of using those vouchers to take their children to the school of their choice.
So with that understanding, I have to believe that the more these people fight the idea of a voucher system the more they are trying to hold onto a status quo that is apparently failing.
If you, as a teacher, are arguing against a voucher system because it will take money away from your school, I have little sympathy.
No offense intended but frankly I do not care about your school, neither do I really care about your job. What I am concerned about is MY CHILD’S FUTURE and honestly I want my child to go to a school where they are not going to whine about their jobs but rather they will fight for the right/s of the children.
In fact if you are arguing that you will lose your job because you or your school cannot compete in an equal environment with another school then, even more, I will want to pull my child out of your school because you are basically admitting you are incompetent and useless.
Why can you NOT compete on an equal playing field with equal funds with another school? Why are they providing a better service than you? You receive the same amount of money per child you have access to the same opportunities… the only excuse for you not being able to compete is simply because you are incompetent, incapable or simply substandard.
If that is true then I really do not want my child being taught by you. I want the best. Arguing you will lose students because you cannot perform as well is simply telling me that you are not the best and the voucher system needs to be employed faster and ought to have been the way we always have done it to begin with.
June 24, 2011
Hmm and so it goes
Recently I had the experience of “hearing” someone diatribe against another who believes as I do.
Some of the points made by my fellow Marriage proponent were that marriage is an act of faith, it ought to be reserved for people of the faith and so on…
I found myself in total agreement with the lady in question. Then someone responded. I have clipped some of the response and I present it here with MY rebuttal.
“Why should my rights be determined by your beliefs? You talk, you act as if gay people wish to replace opposite sex marriage with same sex marriage. As if they were in battle. We merely wish to be included. We are asking for peaceful coexistence.”
Really? All you want is peaceful coexistence? You really think there is no “war” here? Then why is it that in many places including California AND Florida, when the issue was being voted on, Homosexual activists were in the streets LITERALLY attacking people who were voting against the idea of same sex marriage? Trying to bully them into submission with your “innocent” desire for equality.
People were put in the hospital, they were spat upon, their property was damaged and they were terrorized at home at work and everywhere else. And they weren’t just young strong men who might have been considered threatening, or members of some Aryan group or what have you… they were little old ladies, the disabled and mothers.
No, you ask that I voluntarily give up my rights so that you can continue to be selfish. Gay people want to share the institution of marriage, you want it all to yourself.
Now wait a minute. By insisting I give up MY right to celebrate MY faith and MY ideals MY way while being forced to accept YOUR ideals, YOUR beliefs and YOUR way’s, AGAINST MY WILL! Aren’t you being just as selfish? Sounds like shades of “the pot calling the kettle” there and all that…
After all if you want me to respect YOUR rights shouldn’t you respect mine?
Seems a little hypocritical to me that you expect me to compromise MY standards so you can enjoy yours.
Some of the points made by my fellow Marriage proponent were that marriage is an act of faith, it ought to be reserved for people of the faith and so on…
I found myself in total agreement with the lady in question. Then someone responded. I have clipped some of the response and I present it here with MY rebuttal.
“Why should my rights be determined by your beliefs? You talk, you act as if gay people wish to replace opposite sex marriage with same sex marriage. As if they were in battle. We merely wish to be included. We are asking for peaceful coexistence.”
Really? All you want is peaceful coexistence? You really think there is no “war” here? Then why is it that in many places including California AND Florida, when the issue was being voted on, Homosexual activists were in the streets LITERALLY attacking people who were voting against the idea of same sex marriage? Trying to bully them into submission with your “innocent” desire for equality.
People were put in the hospital, they were spat upon, their property was damaged and they were terrorized at home at work and everywhere else. And they weren’t just young strong men who might have been considered threatening, or members of some Aryan group or what have you… they were little old ladies, the disabled and mothers.
No, you ask that I voluntarily give up my rights so that you can continue to be selfish. Gay people want to share the institution of marriage, you want it all to yourself.
Now wait a minute. By insisting I give up MY right to celebrate MY faith and MY ideals MY way while being forced to accept YOUR ideals, YOUR beliefs and YOUR way’s, AGAINST MY WILL! Aren’t you being just as selfish? Sounds like shades of “the pot calling the kettle” there and all that…
After all if you want me to respect YOUR rights shouldn’t you respect mine?
Seems a little hypocritical to me that you expect me to compromise MY standards so you can enjoy yours.
June 01, 2011
blessings
I have been thinking. I read on a friend’s Facebook status that he thought that for us to ask God to bless America was a little… self centered, selfish and or egotistical.
He thought that maybe we ought to be asking God to bless the WORLD instead and be nice.
Well that is all well and good, and I felt myself agreeing that that would be more appropriate in the grand scheme of things. Then I thought “but wait! This weekend, which is what prompted the issue, we are celebrating OUR Memorial Day! the day when we remember OUR soldiers! OUR troops who died for US the people here in AMERICA a country founded on CHRISTIAN principles. The world however is NOT doing this, so why, when I am celebrating an AMERICAN HOLIDAY should I stop to think of the REST of the world?” Why, in short, are we going out of our way to deny the country where we were born? Why should we want to dishonor the sacrifices that were made by deciding that instead we should embrace the entire world as if the entire world shares in the burden of protecting our freedoms and the freedoms of everyone else in the world? Freedoms like we see in the Bible.
The French aren’t out there protecting my freedom/s neither are the Russians, the Germans, the Italians, the Pakistanis, the Saudis, etc… so why should I ask for them to be blessed by God?
Don’t get me wrong I think that it is appropriate to pray for other countries. I think we SHOULD be asking God to bless England and Japan and France and Germany and Russia and Pakistan and Canada And Australia and Italy and… well you get the picture. But why is it that we cannot feel a little pride in our country and ask for God’s blessing specifically here?
Why do you want to make ME feel guilty for being happy to live in a country where I am free to worship how where and when I see fit.
Why do you want me to be down on myself for the wonderful opportunity God has given me in allowing this country to exist so that I can say what I want, do what I want, be who I want, go where I want and so on?
Is it really so dreadfully wrong for me to ask God’s blessing here?
When I pray for my meal my prayers are for God to bless the food I am about to eat. I do not ask God to bless the food that Australian aborigines may or may not be eating right now. I ask him to bless my food right here right now. Or when I am praying my “bedtime prayers” or devotional prayers I specify the people close to me or the people particularly on my mind to pray for. (Our troops, my family, my friends etc…)
In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches us to pray…
“OUR father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy work be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give US this day OUR daily bread and forgive US our sins/ debts/ trespasses, as WE forgive those who sin/debt/trespass against US and lead US not into temptation but deliver US from evil for thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever Amen.”
Well wait who IS the “us, our, and we” referred to in the prayer?
CHRISTIANS not Buddhists not Hindus not Wiccans not druids… the ones who have accepted Jesus, that is who we are praying for, more specifically our own selves right here ME.
Why didn’t Jesus tell us to pray, “This world’s father who art in Heaven Give everyone living on this planet’s surface their daily bread…”
Now AGAIN I am not saying we ought to be selfish or self centered. Far from it we should pray for everyone in this world but maybe instead of saying God bless Afghanistan we should instead be saying God work in the hearts of the _______________ people and bring them to you that they might be blessed. (you can fill in the blank yourself with any country or people you want.)
When I hear people saying we need to be all-inclusive I get worried sometimes. After all even Jesus says there are those we need to distance ourselves from.
It seems like people today are saying “forget national identity. Let’s just throw open the borders and create a one-world government and give up the freedoms that so many CHRISTIANS fought for.
Think about it, do you really think that if we became part of a one-world government the teeming masses would be eager for us to retain the freedoms we have now?
I think not, in fact that is why the Taliban/Al quaeda attacked the world trade center in the first place. Because “[we] are a corrupt and soft nation. [We] allow women to vote (GASP) [we] don’t hang Homosexuals (HORRORS) and worse of all [we] are leading all the rest of the world after [us].
Time after time, throughout history, I see examples all over the place of people who are champing at the bit to take away any freedoms anyone else has. Look at Saddam Hussein, Manuel Noriega, Adolf Hitler, Hamas, NERO for crying out loud.
Every single one of these people or groups have staunchly advocated the destruction or genocide of ANYONE they don’t like (liberals, homosexuals, Jews...). They kill them, they imprison them, they starve them and they torture them. All because these unscrupulous people want to, and they have managed to get the power to do it.
Do you want slavery? Ok then I can see your point about letting these thugs take over. Do you want to be beaten for speaking your mind? Well then this is the path to follow.
Should we pray for the world? YES. Should we deny ourselves God’s continued blessing? NO. we should ask for our country to be blessed. In part at least because God HAS blessed us so richly in the past and we can be an example THROUGH his blessings of what comes to those who follow him.
Just like he did in the Old Testament with Israel. People in the old times were interested in Israel and following her ways BECAUSE of God blessing them. Did Moses pray for God to bless Egypt? Did Gideon ask God to bless their enemies? Did Elijah ask God to help the priests working against him to win? No.
But I am starting to ramble so I will be off. And I will say. GOD PLEASE BLESS AMERICA, she is my home and I want you to give me a good home. Meantime God, I ask that you will help all the rest of the world to know you, and in that knowing may they too receive your infinite blessing.
AMEN.
He thought that maybe we ought to be asking God to bless the WORLD instead and be nice.
Well that is all well and good, and I felt myself agreeing that that would be more appropriate in the grand scheme of things. Then I thought “but wait! This weekend, which is what prompted the issue, we are celebrating OUR Memorial Day! the day when we remember OUR soldiers! OUR troops who died for US the people here in AMERICA a country founded on CHRISTIAN principles. The world however is NOT doing this, so why, when I am celebrating an AMERICAN HOLIDAY should I stop to think of the REST of the world?” Why, in short, are we going out of our way to deny the country where we were born? Why should we want to dishonor the sacrifices that were made by deciding that instead we should embrace the entire world as if the entire world shares in the burden of protecting our freedoms and the freedoms of everyone else in the world? Freedoms like we see in the Bible.
The French aren’t out there protecting my freedom/s neither are the Russians, the Germans, the Italians, the Pakistanis, the Saudis, etc… so why should I ask for them to be blessed by God?
Don’t get me wrong I think that it is appropriate to pray for other countries. I think we SHOULD be asking God to bless England and Japan and France and Germany and Russia and Pakistan and Canada And Australia and Italy and… well you get the picture. But why is it that we cannot feel a little pride in our country and ask for God’s blessing specifically here?
Why do you want to make ME feel guilty for being happy to live in a country where I am free to worship how where and when I see fit.
Why do you want me to be down on myself for the wonderful opportunity God has given me in allowing this country to exist so that I can say what I want, do what I want, be who I want, go where I want and so on?
Is it really so dreadfully wrong for me to ask God’s blessing here?
When I pray for my meal my prayers are for God to bless the food I am about to eat. I do not ask God to bless the food that Australian aborigines may or may not be eating right now. I ask him to bless my food right here right now. Or when I am praying my “bedtime prayers” or devotional prayers I specify the people close to me or the people particularly on my mind to pray for. (Our troops, my family, my friends etc…)
In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches us to pray…
“OUR father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy work be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give US this day OUR daily bread and forgive US our sins/ debts/ trespasses, as WE forgive those who sin/debt/trespass against US and lead US not into temptation but deliver US from evil for thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever Amen.”
Well wait who IS the “us, our, and we” referred to in the prayer?
CHRISTIANS not Buddhists not Hindus not Wiccans not druids… the ones who have accepted Jesus, that is who we are praying for, more specifically our own selves right here ME.
Why didn’t Jesus tell us to pray, “This world’s father who art in Heaven Give everyone living on this planet’s surface their daily bread…”
Now AGAIN I am not saying we ought to be selfish or self centered. Far from it we should pray for everyone in this world but maybe instead of saying God bless Afghanistan we should instead be saying God work in the hearts of the _______________ people and bring them to you that they might be blessed. (you can fill in the blank yourself with any country or people you want.)
When I hear people saying we need to be all-inclusive I get worried sometimes. After all even Jesus says there are those we need to distance ourselves from.
It seems like people today are saying “forget national identity. Let’s just throw open the borders and create a one-world government and give up the freedoms that so many CHRISTIANS fought for.
Think about it, do you really think that if we became part of a one-world government the teeming masses would be eager for us to retain the freedoms we have now?
I think not, in fact that is why the Taliban/Al quaeda attacked the world trade center in the first place. Because “[we] are a corrupt and soft nation. [We] allow women to vote (GASP) [we] don’t hang Homosexuals (HORRORS) and worse of all [we] are leading all the rest of the world after [us].
Time after time, throughout history, I see examples all over the place of people who are champing at the bit to take away any freedoms anyone else has. Look at Saddam Hussein, Manuel Noriega, Adolf Hitler, Hamas, NERO for crying out loud.
Every single one of these people or groups have staunchly advocated the destruction or genocide of ANYONE they don’t like (liberals, homosexuals, Jews...). They kill them, they imprison them, they starve them and they torture them. All because these unscrupulous people want to, and they have managed to get the power to do it.
Do you want slavery? Ok then I can see your point about letting these thugs take over. Do you want to be beaten for speaking your mind? Well then this is the path to follow.
Should we pray for the world? YES. Should we deny ourselves God’s continued blessing? NO. we should ask for our country to be blessed. In part at least because God HAS blessed us so richly in the past and we can be an example THROUGH his blessings of what comes to those who follow him.
Just like he did in the Old Testament with Israel. People in the old times were interested in Israel and following her ways BECAUSE of God blessing them. Did Moses pray for God to bless Egypt? Did Gideon ask God to bless their enemies? Did Elijah ask God to help the priests working against him to win? No.
But I am starting to ramble so I will be off. And I will say. GOD PLEASE BLESS AMERICA, she is my home and I want you to give me a good home. Meantime God, I ask that you will help all the rest of the world to know you, and in that knowing may they too receive your infinite blessing.
AMEN.
May 28, 2011
Gay Marriage and family
So here is the thing.
Homosexuals cannot get married!
Why do I say that?
Is it because I am a homophobe?
Maybe it is because I am a hate monger??
No the reason is a little simpler. The act of marriage, as we understand it, falls under a religious ceremony and that is that.
I can hear it now… “HUH?????????”
Marriage is a rite performed in the confines of religion. That is why there are VOWS even in a civil ceremony there are vows.
There is no religion I know of that allows for the possibility of two men to marry one another; and while some cultures have practiced this it is often also often linked with "legalized pedophilia" in history. (As far as I am aware… Show me otherwise if you can!)
Therefore there can be no such thing as a “gay marriage” without completely throwing away all the moral codes or values that we hold as a society.
We can look back and see a lot of people who were famous, and who were Homosexual. (Or pedophiles even) But we cannot find an instance of any reasonable God or gods or religion/s, which jumped up saying, “hey let’s let gays get hitched." (the Ancient Greeks did believe that Zeus would practice homosexual/pedophile love but Zeus was also "known" for cannibalism and incest.)
Interesting to note that these pedophile relationships were allowed by the child's/ren's family to bring prestige to the family. the pedophiles were usually wealthy or powerful and could bring good favor to the family/ies.
Even so most promiscuous societies in history still stopped short of the idea of marriage between two men (or two women.)
Think about India…
A very, VERY famous book came out of India, titled “the Kama Sutra.” This book is an instruction book on how to pleasure your partner. It even gives advice for how a eunuch could “pleasure” his master. But even that manual of “sexual delights” NEVER suggests that the men involved in these acts should marry one another.
Greece, we know, was O.K. with the concept of Homosexuality, it was permitted in Rome and to an extent it was even once encouraged (STRONGLY) by the authorities in China. But in all those cases it was also joined with the practice of sexual contact with minors. (In Greece the age allowed for sex was as low as seven.)
Let’s look at it another way
What do we get out of a marriage? Well what IS a marriage?
Marriage is when two people, a man and a woman, come together “in the sight of God” and vow to be true to each other “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health until death do [they] part.”
This is a promise made from one to another IN THE EYES OF GOD. Thus the phrase common to marriage, “what GOD has brought together let no man take apart.”
It isn’t just a vow, a promise between the two people, it is also a promise from, AND TO, God!
God promises to watch over the married couple, the couple promises to honor God in their marriage.
So Homosexuals cannot follow that pattern, God declares homosexuality to be sinful (Leviticus 18:22, 1Cor 5:9-12). The very act of living in a relationship like that is DIShonoring God. So there can be no covenant between God and the couple so there can be no marriage.*
There are those who want to claim that they are both Christian and gay. But that is unworkable. Paul tells us it is even bad for Christians to associate with people who claim to be Christians but practice sexual immorality, let alone anything MORE than that.
So how can someone FLAUNTING a God-disapproved lifestyle be bringing honor and glory to God?
Does this mean that everyone who is married is glorifying God?
NO.
God also Hates Divorce, Infidelity, premarital sex, EXTRA-marital sex, and so on…
Fortunately we all have a choice and if we choose to do so we can receive God’s forgiveness.
By repenting, following Jesus and trying to do what God has told us to do.
There is nothing hateful in that.
There is nothing wrong in that.
Marriage is where the family starts. With God’s blessing that marriage will result in children and that, hopefully, stable marriage will result in children who are capable and know they are loved.
It is a cornerstone of the family, the family is the cornerstone of society. Without strong role models from BOTH sexes in the relationship the child growing up will miss out on the possibilities they might need to succeed.
I am not trying to disparage anyone or their lifestyle choice per se. But these points I have made are incontrovertible facts.
These points have been proven time after time in study after study.
The child who grows up missing a role model of EITHER gender is facing a hardship that does not exist in the two-parent home. (Those parents’ being opposite genders).
A girl needs a dad to teach her that she deserves respect from men and that men can be chivalrous and decent, she needs her dad to show her men should show appropriate love.
She needs a mom to teach her how a woman can be strong and loving at the same time, respecting, and loving her husband.
A boy needs a mom to teach him that a woman is not an object to be walked on or scorned, but rather to be cherished and loved.
He needs a dad to teach him that the way a man shows his wife (woman) that love and respect is through his actions and care.
Both parents can teach a child about love and care, how to give it and how to receive it graciously.
But because men and women are so different, BOTH of the views and the way they differ, as well as the way they are alike, are needed.
I would never use a flat-head screwdriver to scrape paint, I would use a paint scraper.
And I would never use a paint scraper to turn a flat head screw.
But both those tools CAN be used in those ways.
Ultimately if used that way the tools or the, wall/ screw, they are used on can be damaged.
Same with a child.
And that is why I am against "Homosexual marriage".
Well that is my thoughts on this. Have a nice day.
*There are some misunderstandings about what parts of the Bible are necessary for us to read and what parts we should follow.
Here’s the thing. ALL of the Bible is good for our education therefore we ought to read ALL of it. We do not have to fear the punishments from the Old Testament though because Jesus came to “fulfil the law and the prophets”. But we are still to strive to live as “sinlessly” as we can. (See1 Cor 6:9-20, 1 Cor 9:20, Gal 3:10-13 and Gal 3:23-25 )
So to clarify, We ought to try to follow God’s word all the way through, but we don’t worry about being punished so much as long as we are trying to follow God.
Homosexuals cannot get married!
Why do I say that?
Is it because I am a homophobe?
Maybe it is because I am a hate monger??
No the reason is a little simpler. The act of marriage, as we understand it, falls under a religious ceremony and that is that.
I can hear it now… “HUH?????????”
Marriage is a rite performed in the confines of religion. That is why there are VOWS even in a civil ceremony there are vows.
There is no religion I know of that allows for the possibility of two men to marry one another; and while some cultures have practiced this it is often also often linked with "legalized pedophilia" in history. (As far as I am aware… Show me otherwise if you can!)
Therefore there can be no such thing as a “gay marriage” without completely throwing away all the moral codes or values that we hold as a society.
We can look back and see a lot of people who were famous, and who were Homosexual. (Or pedophiles even) But we cannot find an instance of any reasonable God or gods or religion/s, which jumped up saying, “hey let’s let gays get hitched." (the Ancient Greeks did believe that Zeus would practice homosexual/pedophile love but Zeus was also "known" for cannibalism and incest.)
Interesting to note that these pedophile relationships were allowed by the child's/ren's family to bring prestige to the family. the pedophiles were usually wealthy or powerful and could bring good favor to the family/ies.
Even so most promiscuous societies in history still stopped short of the idea of marriage between two men (or two women.)
Think about India…
A very, VERY famous book came out of India, titled “the Kama Sutra.” This book is an instruction book on how to pleasure your partner. It even gives advice for how a eunuch could “pleasure” his master. But even that manual of “sexual delights” NEVER suggests that the men involved in these acts should marry one another.
Greece, we know, was O.K. with the concept of Homosexuality, it was permitted in Rome and to an extent it was even once encouraged (STRONGLY) by the authorities in China. But in all those cases it was also joined with the practice of sexual contact with minors. (In Greece the age allowed for sex was as low as seven.)
Let’s look at it another way
What do we get out of a marriage? Well what IS a marriage?
Marriage is when two people, a man and a woman, come together “in the sight of God” and vow to be true to each other “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health until death do [they] part.”
This is a promise made from one to another IN THE EYES OF GOD. Thus the phrase common to marriage, “what GOD has brought together let no man take apart.”
It isn’t just a vow, a promise between the two people, it is also a promise from, AND TO, God!
God promises to watch over the married couple, the couple promises to honor God in their marriage.
So Homosexuals cannot follow that pattern, God declares homosexuality to be sinful (Leviticus 18:22, 1Cor 5:9-12). The very act of living in a relationship like that is DIShonoring God. So there can be no covenant between God and the couple so there can be no marriage.*
There are those who want to claim that they are both Christian and gay. But that is unworkable. Paul tells us it is even bad for Christians to associate with people who claim to be Christians but practice sexual immorality, let alone anything MORE than that.
So how can someone FLAUNTING a God-disapproved lifestyle be bringing honor and glory to God?
Does this mean that everyone who is married is glorifying God?
NO.
God also Hates Divorce, Infidelity, premarital sex, EXTRA-marital sex, and so on…
Fortunately we all have a choice and if we choose to do so we can receive God’s forgiveness.
By repenting, following Jesus and trying to do what God has told us to do.
There is nothing hateful in that.
There is nothing wrong in that.
Marriage is where the family starts. With God’s blessing that marriage will result in children and that, hopefully, stable marriage will result in children who are capable and know they are loved.
It is a cornerstone of the family, the family is the cornerstone of society. Without strong role models from BOTH sexes in the relationship the child growing up will miss out on the possibilities they might need to succeed.
I am not trying to disparage anyone or their lifestyle choice per se. But these points I have made are incontrovertible facts.
These points have been proven time after time in study after study.
The child who grows up missing a role model of EITHER gender is facing a hardship that does not exist in the two-parent home. (Those parents’ being opposite genders).
A girl needs a dad to teach her that she deserves respect from men and that men can be chivalrous and decent, she needs her dad to show her men should show appropriate love.
She needs a mom to teach her how a woman can be strong and loving at the same time, respecting, and loving her husband.
A boy needs a mom to teach him that a woman is not an object to be walked on or scorned, but rather to be cherished and loved.
He needs a dad to teach him that the way a man shows his wife (woman) that love and respect is through his actions and care.
Both parents can teach a child about love and care, how to give it and how to receive it graciously.
But because men and women are so different, BOTH of the views and the way they differ, as well as the way they are alike, are needed.
I would never use a flat-head screwdriver to scrape paint, I would use a paint scraper.
And I would never use a paint scraper to turn a flat head screw.
But both those tools CAN be used in those ways.
Ultimately if used that way the tools or the, wall/ screw, they are used on can be damaged.
Same with a child.
And that is why I am against "Homosexual marriage".
Well that is my thoughts on this. Have a nice day.
*There are some misunderstandings about what parts of the Bible are necessary for us to read and what parts we should follow.
Here’s the thing. ALL of the Bible is good for our education therefore we ought to read ALL of it. We do not have to fear the punishments from the Old Testament though because Jesus came to “fulfil the law and the prophets”. But we are still to strive to live as “sinlessly” as we can. (See1 Cor 6:9-20, 1 Cor 9:20, Gal 3:10-13 and Gal 3:23-25 )
So to clarify, We ought to try to follow God’s word all the way through, but we don’t worry about being punished so much as long as we are trying to follow God.
May 17, 2011
Ooopssie
I realize that there has been a hiatus from my blog/s of late.
I would like to apologize for that hiatus.
Really there were a number of contributing factors including the break down of all the computers in our house, and a lack of motivation on my part.
The good news is I am back; and while I may not be to strenuous about posting to my blogs for a while at least you know I am still here and I will be trying to get my words out there again.
I would like to apologize for that hiatus.
Really there were a number of contributing factors including the break down of all the computers in our house, and a lack of motivation on my part.
The good news is I am back; and while I may not be to strenuous about posting to my blogs for a while at least you know I am still here and I will be trying to get my words out there again.
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