Load

So, I was doing an evening office yesterday, from a neat site online called dailyoffice.org I believe. Anyway, the Gospel reading was Jesus saying that his yoke is easy and his load is is light. It got me thinking again about the law, and how, maybe, his burden is light because he released us from the law. His yoke is easy because we simply have to follow him.

Camps

I had a thought last week, about the forces of republicanism and the forces of Christianity in society. It can mean very different things to those who are in both camps. For instance: If God is the most important thing in your life, then democracy and civil liberties are a gift from God, and we are lucky to be able to--have the right to do so--practice our faith in a free and democratic country given to us by God and through those who sacrificed for it; if republicanism is the most important thing in your life, religion--in any shape or form--is a force that attacks the heart of the republic/democracy from within, trying to impose it's values on all members of society.

Jesus Again

I was reading part one of the 107th Psalm the other day and I saw Jesus again. Look at the following two passages:

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'
He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:28-30 (NIV)

Not So Sure

So the other day I was talking with a gay guy at work. I was telling him all about how St. Paul said that Jesus had released us from the law. I said that Christians can be some of the most judgemental people in the world. I guess I was feeling pretty good about the things that I'd said and that I'd done my job for the day. Then, I went home and the next office I did had a scripture reading from the new testament, from the 5th chapter of Matthew. The part about the least of the laws not being done away with really gave me a kick in the pants. Read Matthew 5:17-20 if you'd like. Am I to be the least in the kingdom of heaven? This whole issue would be so simple if God didn't exist. It would be a snap. By human standards: It isn't fair; it's not right; it's not equality; it's not 21st century; it allows hate to grow; it permits discrimination; it's archaic; it's backward; it's close minded; it's wrong. All I can think of is the Psalm that states God's ways are not our ways and try to work through it, but it's not very comforting.

Faith and Running

I find that your faith is a lot like running. It's hard to run and it can be hard to believe. There are times when you are out of shape, and your faith is weak. You can pray and you can exercise. There are times you think you can't do it. There are times you think, "I can't go any farther." "I just want to give up." But, if you want to you will. If you believe, you can.

JCS

Cindy took me to see Jesus Christ Superstar here in Stratford this summer. I can see why it was controversial when it first came out. But, I loved it. Best play I've ever seen. It was more than a little emotional for me at times too. Very powerful.

Passing

I've been sitting on a few posts for a long time, and I'll post a few here now starting with this one.

A friend of Cindy's died this summer. She was 32. She used to think I hated her. To be honest, I didn't hate her; I just found that she had a very abrasive personality. She dated my brother for a while off and on and opinions formed. You can't like everybody I always say. But, you can love everybody. There is nobody in this world that I hate. God willing, it will always be that way. Anyway, to the point of the post: I took her death hard; I don't mean that I was weeping and in morning. I was in shock and maybe feeling a little guilty, but very much in shock. Shock and disbelief. My own mortality also stuck me like a wet bail of hay (you'd have to be a farmer). The whole thing hit me hard and had lasting and reoccurring affects. It caused memories and affects to resurface from the car crash a few years ago too. It really bothered me more than I would come to understand while I was at the wake, which was very sad and surreal.

Yet Another Explanation

I constantly feel the need to explain my increasingly super unpopular view on homosexuality. I feel I haven't been clear, or haven't communicated my view effectively. So, here goes another try. I'm not saying that homosexuality is wrong in society; I'm saying that it's Biblicaly wrong. If you aren't a Christian, then no big deal anyway. Christianity aside, there's nothing wrong with it (without getting into the nature argument). Gays should not be persecuted or discriminated against and our democracy will run the way it should with all its citizens enjoying civil liberty.

Now, I've talked a great deal about what is wrong for the individual and about St. Paul's writings. I insist that this is not relativism; because, it is not subjective (to the will of the desires of the individual). It is however, subject to the intent--the heart--of the Christian believer and God's mercy. St. Paul said that all things were acceptable. That certain days being celebrated as special were to be decided by the individual and that those who felt differently were not to argue with other Christians so as not to set up a stumbling block and cause them to sin. He said that no food is unclean, and that anything can be eaten if thanks is given to God. He also said that we are not to eat food that is prohibited in front of one who believes it can not be eaten. And, he says to eat what is placed before you by one who eats it. He also says of the law: Jesus has released us from the law; why would we want to place ourselves back under it? So I say, "What's in your heart? What's your intent?" Who are we anyway to judge a servant of the master? What's in a gay person's heart is known to God. What ever is going on in their life and in their heart, it's between them and God. So, as I've said before, I'm not even sure anymore if it's wrong for everybody.

It is wrong for me. And, this creates a problem for me. In a changing society (and I like that these people can live free and without persecution--or as much--now) and Church that embraces homosexuality--because the changes in the Church wouldn't have come without the changes in society first (as the Church changes as it struggles to remain relevant in an age of the god science)--I am now the one being marginalized (I could loose my job or be ostracized by my Church for expressing my opinions, I could even be charged with a hate crime--freedom of speech and expression?). I've thought, "What if a gay friend invites me to his/her wedding in a Church?" I would be sinning in my heart if I participated. To participate would be to say that I condone the rite and also that I believe that is is good and Holy before God. Although, I wouldn't have an issue attending a civil service outside a Church. In a way, a stumbling block would be set before me. I would not tell the gay person my views however, for fear of setting a stumbling block before them. And, I have no desire to have a millstone tied around my neck.

Future readers may look back and say, "Look at how he struggled with the topic that was so front and center in society in the time period in which he lived. Look at how he rationalizes. See how he tries to reconcile the tenets of a dieing faith with the new view of right and wrong in society." They may just say, "Look at the writings of this pathetic bigot!"

Sad

This is sad. This is not what I want. I don't like Rick; he's a liberal crusader. The story though is sad. I don't advocate persecution or bullying. The fact that this kid was pushed to the point of taking his own life is tragic. It can't be allowed to continue. Persecution is wrong. Gays should not be persecuted. Gay and lesbian people should be fully equal in society, as citizens of our great nation, with all the legal rights that go with it. All I want is my religious freedom for me and my Church, and the freedom and equality of all.

Acting Christian

C.S. Lewis, a 20th century Christian writer wrote something that caught my eye today. I'm reading The Screwtape Letters. I'm sure this won't be the last post from this book:

"All mortals tend to turn into the thing they are pretending to be. This is elementary."

Going it Alone

In Church today, parts of a prayer jumped out at me. On page 129 of the BAS, it says, in effect, that we need God's help; so true!

"We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone."

Amen

Chip

I've probably already condemned myself in the eyes of every liberal and progressive out there, but an idea or thought that I had the other day deserves posting (even just for the sake of being honest).

I had a sort of epiphany, not to do with faith; I realized that I have a chip on my shoulder. I was at a Bible study at Church last week. The conversation turned down the women's rights/inclusion ideology path. I think it was person's day. There was mention that we should refer to God as mother (something that bothers me and makes me uncomfortable as I'm a bit of a literalist) more etc.... So, here it comes. Ready? I am so sick and tired of hearing how men kept/keep women down. When ever I hear it, it makes me resentful and angry. I want to lash out and strike back. These feelings are strong. I didn't do anything. I always promoted equality.

And, I understand where they are rooted; it's a feeling I have developed over time due to life experiences, such as dealing with people like my high school math teacher and also from missed opportunities because of affirmative action programs. I'll explain both a little in the following two paragraphs to give you a better view into my head.

I remember getting into an argument with a math teacher in high school, a teacher who later failed me with a grade of 49% I believe. God forgive me, but that lady was nasty. We got into a conversation one day about affirmative action programs (what does that have to do with math?) in our math class. I said, "But that's wrong!" She lamented how hard it had been for her to get a job as a high school teacher being a woman. She said something like, "Do you know how hard I had to fight?" My budding liberal mind (yes, yes, I was a liberal--green to boot) was horrified. How could anybody defend treating certain groups of people different? My view of modern Canadian society equality was shattered. She believed men should be denied the jobs...at least until there was a balance, maybe longer. Society seemed to practice this; even in college it seemed like my instructors were all either old gray haired men or young women. I sometimes thought that we shouldn't put our names or age on resumes, just a number and qualifications. That's all they should be looking at anyway.

I have also had missed opportunities due to affirmative action programs, and it hurts. Even in college (which is where I suspect conservatism really took root), I watched as women were given two extra minutes for the OPC test timed mile and a half run. I always had a very hard time with the run, even when I was in shape. I remember thinking, "If they are saying that I have to be in at least this physical condition to be competent in the position, why do they have a lower standard? Are they not good police officers then?" Now, I said it at the time (I worked with women in the security field), and I'll say it again: Women are every bit as capable of doing the job as men. But, I could have used those two extra minutes man! If the job can be done by an officer who runs a 14 minute mile and a half, give me the extra time! I was actually turned away from the Toronto Police Service (after passing all the tests and doing all the paperwork) because of an affirmative action program. I swear to God. I still can't believe the officer said it to my face. Part of me now wonders if the officer in question was trying to incite me to file a complaint. But, I was not a boat rocker; I turned around and walked away. From the time I was a little boy, I knew I was going to be a police officer or a soldier.

Yeah, I'm angry. I'm p1$$ed. I have that chip there. I know it's there. Now, I have to try to act Christian and keep my friggen mouth shut. Ahhhh!

I even thought about getting my band card to gain employment as a minority; I thought, "No, I want to earn it." I was such a naive idiot! Now, my daughter, who I love dearly, has been told by me to fight for equality. Want some irony? I've also told her that there was a time when I would have told her not to use the fact that she was a woman to gain a position. But, I have told her, "Use what ever advantage you can and anything in your favor; don't even think about it."

Reaching Out

I was thinking today; it's getting to the point where those who are pro gay marriage have taken over the Church. Maybe it's time they drop the hostile anti orthodox rhetoric and reach out to traditional Christians who are being persecuted and pushed out of the Church.

Free Speech

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Tolerance has become censorship. How did liberals go so wrong, and why are we as a society going down this road? Voltaire, the great liberal demigod, said that he would defend to the death your right to speak freely the things which he disagrees with.

Acting

I hate when people say "Christians are phony," or are putting on an act. It's not an act; it's an effort. As in, I'm making an effort to be what I am not--what I'm called to be. I'm not putting on an act. Give it a try.

Hard Words to Hear

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/15/defending-free-speech

Two Masters

Sometimes I think that the liberals in the Church are serving two masters. They love their liberal ideals and hate God's law....

Relativism

More on relativism, or not. I read a verse someone posted online a while back, and it spoke to me. It said, at the time, if something is wrong for you then it is a sin. So, I wanted to blog it here. I looked it up days later, and just didn't see that anymore. Not at all. But, here's the verse.

"So then, the person who does not do the good he knows he should do is guilty of sin." James 4:17 (TEV)

So, Voltaire is a plagiarist. :)

Gay Lunch

One of my crusading Facebook friends posted something the other day that I again found inflammatory. It said something like, "I support Gay Marriage, or as I like to call it, marriage; because, when two gays have lunch, it's not gay lunch. It's just lunch." I get the message, but it's not that easy. And, it makes me angry that they are so intolerant. So, is the Gay Pride Parade just Parade? Are gay rights activists fighting for gay rights, or just rights for all? I don't think this is really about civil rights; this is just about having the freedom to choose to live how ever you want to live. Don't hide behind civil rights. Gays are not a race or nationality. Maybe history will look back and label me a bigot, but there are truths here. The meaning of life, as my Darwinist friends like to believe, is to procreate. If this is true, then homosexuality is counterproductive. There's evidence to support people being genetically predisposed to being alcoholics. That doesn't then mean that it's good for people to drink their lives away. Nature says it's wrong, the Bible says it's wrong (according to some anyway), and most people feel it is wrong (although they are now too afraid to say so--you could loose your job). It's much like the Bolsheviks leading the communist revolution in Russia; nobody knew how close run a thing it actually was. They were in the minority, but they held all the power. I suspect that if we had a referendum, it would go the same way it did in California. And, they may even blame the "blacks" for it (which seems to be very ironic when fighting for "civil rights"). I don't know if it's genetic, biological, or learned behavior. I don't. I don't even believe 100% that it's wrong (for everybody) anymore; read my older posts. I don't even care if gay people want to live together and be "married". They should have all the legal rights (and tax breaks) of any other person. My feelings change though when we get into the area of the religious rite or sacrament of marriage. But, please, lets have dialog here; listen to and respect my beliefs before you just write me off as a bigot. Separate Church and state people.

Signs

I'm getting so sick of politics in Church. This week, I've noticed signs on the lawns of two Anglican Churches in town, one being my own. They don't advocate a party exactly. They say something like, "Vote to end poverty." Sound good? Aside from the fact that Jesus said that the poor would always be with us (and I'm not getting into that here), it really says vote Liberal. Liberalism is rife in the Anglican Church these days. I don't like to mix my politics and Church. They believe that ending poverty means throwing money at the problem. But, to truly end poverty, you need to teach a man to fish. I think the answer is jobs, for everyone. Job creation, it is the answer; and, I believe that jobs are created when business thrives. Furthermore, I believe businesses thrive when government cuts red tape, reduces regulation, and cuts taxes. Tax cuts create jobs. I will be voting PC.

Bass Ackwards

Liberals are fuct; they lobby to protect aggressive anti West terrorists (at the expense of our security) and advocate the mass murder of unborn babies.

Some Rapture Thoughts for May 21st from My Facebook

William Ramier
wonders why people are all talking about this 21st of May thing.
Friday at 8:24pm via Text Message · Friends Only · UnlikeLike ·

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William Ramier It's highly improbable. Highly.
Friday at 9:18pm · Like

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William Ramier Memo? I didn't even hear about this until a few days ago. Now, it seems to be all everybody is talking about. And, it makes me a little angry too to tell you the truth....
Friday at 10:52pm · LikeUnlike
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William Ramier Well, you can have your dog dogsat now....
Friday at 11:12pm · LikeUnlike
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William Ramier It's Sunday in Oz now. Or was it on EST?
Yesterday at 10:05am · LikeUnlike
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William Ramier I don't know how anybody could accurately predict the end of the world. I think it's very sad that people are selling their stuff and giving their money away because of Harold Camping. It's enraging. Plus, this guy is making Christians look like idiots.
Yesterday at 4:40pm · Like

Atheists?

"Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not known you and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name." Psalms 79:6 (BAS)

Random Thoughts Part 5

I really need to pray more.

Random Thoughts Part 4

The apostles in the early Church warned against a herracy at the time that taught that Jesus was only a spirit and not a man. It seems that in our time the herracy is that Jesus was only an animal, thereby proclaiming that we are all only meat and every word he spoke about the Father was a lie.

Random Thoughts Part 3

My dad said something like this once:

You're better to believe in God than not. If you don't believe in God, and you die and there isn't a God, you'll be right but you won't have the satisfaction of knowing it. If you believe in God and you die and there isn't a God, at least you died happy knowing you were going to a better place. If you believe in God and die and there is a God, then you have entered the kingdom [you hope]. If you don't believe in God and die and there is a God, you're in a lot of crap.

Random Thoughts Part 2

‎"I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark." Stephen Hawking

I liked Stephen Hawking a lot; why'd he have to go and be an atheist. He seems to have only gone public with his beliefs on God recently. Or, at least it's only been recently that the media has been covering it.

Are we just meat? Is their nothing more? It's disappointing that a man who is so smart can not open his mind.

Some Random Thoughts

If there is no God, and the meaning of life is to procreate, then homosexuality is a disease.

If there is a God, and homosexuality is wrong, then they need Jesus.

If there is a God, and He's okay with homosexuality, then we need Jesus.

We all need Jesus.

For the 2011 Synod of Huron

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by your Holy Spirit did preside in the council of the blessed Apostles, and has promised, through your Son Jesus Christ, to be with your Church to the end of the world: We beseech you to be present with the Synod of the Diocese of Huron now assembled in your Name. Save its members from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of your great mercy vouchsafe so to direct, govern, and sanctify them in their deliberations by your Holy Spirit, that through your blessing the Gospel of Christ may be faithfully preached and obeyed, the order and discipline of your Church maintained, and the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour enlarged and extended. Grant this, we beseech you, through the merits and meditation of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Taken from The Book of Common Prayer.

The Way God Made Me

I was digging through some old college papers and stuff the other day, and I found an old O.B. paper I'd written, with the results of my personality type. Here is who God made me:

ISTJ



Profile:
ISTJs are characterized as serious and quiet. They become successful through their ability to concentrate and perform tasks in a thorough manner. They are practical, logical, dependable, orderly, matter-of-fact, and well-organized. They are not easily distracted and make up their own minds about how a job should be accomplished regardless of outside protest or interference. They pay great attention to details and operate well in stable environments. They do not like things that are frivolous or new, and are patient and sensible.

Attributes:
Conservative, decisive, dependable, duty-bound, factual, organized, painstaking, practical, realistic, reliable, sensible, stable, steadfast, systematic, thorough.

Preferred Work Environment:
They prefer to work in a structured, orderly, task-oriented environment that allows them to work independently and privately so that their work can be uninterrupted. They like organizations in which they have a good measure of security that will provide rewards for their steady work. They like their colleagues to be as hard-working as they are and to be interested in producing results from an analysis of the facts.

Interpersonal Style:
These people readily accept responsibility and are well-organized. When they serve in leading administrative positions, they produce a stabilizing influence and show good judgment and a memory for details. When their own needs have been firmly established, they are able to respect the needs of others.

Possible Developmental Needs:
These people sometimes need to develop a deeper understanding of their colleagues and coworkers. It is particularly valuable for them to learn to acknowledge others openly. They may need to give more attention to organizing the way they deal with the outer world and to avoid becoming too preoccupied with their inner life. Attempting new approaches can keep them from getting stuck in monotonous routine.

Jesus in Another Psalm

I was reading Psalm 68 last night, and I saw Jesus in it (old testament scripture) again. In the 29th verse it speaks of kings bringing Him gifts. In verse 31, it seems there is a Judas reference: "Trample down those who lust after sliver; scatter the peoples that delight in war." There is so much of Jesus in the Psalms; it continues to surprise me.

Religious Arguments Against SSM

As I've said before, the Bible says that same sex marriage (SSM) is wrong. Liberals will tell you that it's about temple prostitutes and not homosexual relationships. They will tell you that the Angels destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, not because the men wanted to have sex with the Angels, but because they wanted to have sex with Angels. They will tell you that the writers of the Bible were human and were influenced by their culture and time; in essence, they were ignorant and simple, not enlightened as we are today.

I believe that the Bible is the Holy Word of God. At the very least, it is divinely inspired. Liberal exegesis will tell you that the Bible doesn't say what it says; when it ways gay is bad, it really means gay is good. Who was the Bible for, the common every day Christian or the PhD educated Doctor of the Church? Jesus chose fishermen. Would God try to trick us? Or, would His word be in plain language for the people? Do you have to be a history major and know all the cultural nuances of the writers of the New Testament to read between the lines? e.g. Oh, I see, when they say homosexuals, they're really talking only about the temple prostitutes that existed in pagan practices as sex offerings to the fertility god/goddess/cult.

Love, love is the other liberal argument. Love first. Love not hate, and accept gay people. Love them and accept them the way God made them. Here's the problem though: Jesus said love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; then, love your neighbour as yourself [second].

The conditions for marriage are set out in the 7th chapter of 1st Corinthians.

Why was it considered wrong by the Church for thousands of years, and now it's good? Could the Church have been changed by the world? Are we supposed to be of the world?

So, what does the Bible say? Here are some scriptures below:

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:26-27 (NIV)

"We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 1 Timothy 1:9-11 (NIV)

"Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God's Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves--none of these will possess God's Kingdom."
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (TEV)

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.'" Revelation 21:8 (NIV)

"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." Jude 1:7 (NIV)

"They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world." Philippians 3:19 (TEV)

So, why is the Church saying now that SSM is good? This scripture comes to mind: "Well, no wonder! Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light! So, it is no great thing if his servants disguise themselves to look like servants of righteousness. In the end they will get exactly what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:15-15 (TEV)

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." Jude 1:17-23 (NIV)

Let us not deceive ourselves; the Bible does say that it is wrong. Or, as St. Paul says, "Do not fool yourselves."

That being said, consuming blood is also wrong. I can't say that gay people are going to hell. First of all, I can't judge them. Second, that's between them and God. Scripture also says, "Who are you to judge a servant of the Master?" Also, St. Paul talks so much about judging others (Romans 14:1-end) and about everything being acceptable (1 Corinthians 6:12 & 10:23-end), about Jesus releasing us from the law (Galatians 5:1-end). So, I have no real answer. I believe it is wrong, but I can't force that view on a gay person, nor do I want to set up a stumbling block for them. It's a hard issue to deal with for our time. Very hard.

So, if everything is acceptable, as St. Paul says. And, if a gay person is okay with it--their conscience is clear--and they give thanks to God, then what? Is it really wrong for them? Should I eat what they set before me?

Seed

I've been thinking about this one for a while. Going back to the debate (yet again) about taking the Lord's prayer out of the provincial legislature, some believe it's for the better. They say they don't want people just repeating it that don't mean it anyway. When they say that, what I hear is, "If some of the seed is going to fall on rocky ground, don't plant at all." There's no way of accounting for the effect of exposure.

Speak

People like me better before I speak.









Somebody once said, "You've got enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something."

Hate

Hate is contagious. It's hard not to hate people who hate you. I know people who have let hate consume their soul. Father, strengthen and forgive me. Amen

--thinking specifically of failed relationships--

Just War

The concept of Just War was pioneered in the Christian world by St. Augustine, but has been around since the time of Cicero. The following principles must be satisfied to ensure the war is just: First, the damage by the aggressor must be lasting, grave, and certain. Second, everything else must be tried first to stop them before war is used. Third, you have to have a good chance of winning the war. Last, one can not cause more harm than would have otherwise occurred.

St. Thomas Aquinas, expanding on St. Augustin's theory, said that for a war to be just one must ensure that it is for a good purpose and not selfish. It must be waged by a state. And, third, peace must be the central motive (even amidst violence).

The only thing more dangerous than a warmonger, is a peacenik. If the world had attacked Hitler when he built his first treaty violation weapon, instead of being afraid of fighting, there would have been no second world war. If they had carpet bombed The Third Reich, they would have saved 6 million Jews! As I have said before, "Peace first, not peace at all costs."

Dr. King, a man opposed to violence said, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live." He also said, "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." Archbishop Tutu said, "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."

Almost as an aside, I'd like to point out a pet peeve of mine. George Bush takes a lot of heat for the post nine eleven violence the US got involved in, as does PM Harper in Canada. They are labeled warmongers. It wasn't wrong, though, when Clinton launched Tomahawk missiles at Iraq or bombed Belgrade. Nothing was said of Mr. Obama when Seal Team Six executed Bin Laden. It wasn't wrong when the Liberal government sent Canadian soldiers to war in Afghanistan. It wasn't wrong when JFK threatened the USSR during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's never wrong when a liberal is violent. But, watch out for those dangerous conservatives. Yup, them right wingens loves them a good war.

Clear

Well, gay marriage is in the news yet again: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/minnesota-lawmaker%E2%80%99s-gay-marriage-defense-goes-viral.html

This is like the Quebec referendums; the issue isn't going to go away until there's a yes vote. Then it will go away.

Let me be crystal clear about how I feel, if I haven't already. I believe in God. I don't believe that Jesus was just a good man and teacher that instigated a lifestyle philosophy. The Bible says it's wrong (gay marriage). For that reason alone, I feel it is wrong. You can't pick and choose what you like from the Bible. If you're going to bother being a Christian in today's world, why bother to do it half ass. Do I think gay marriage is wrong in society? No, I do not. I can't see a reason to stand against it. Although, permitting it causes a ton of trouble for the Church; it wouldn't be an issue in the Church if it was illegal anyway. Gay people, all people, should be equal under the law. In a democracy, nobody should be oppressed and gay people should have the same rights and privileges as anybody else. Do I hate gays? No, I do not--no matter how many hate filled liberals accuse me of being a bigot. I have no problem with gay people. I will not refuse to work with them. I will not refuse to speak with them. I will not refuse to befriend them. Although, I probably wouldn't speak to them about gay marriage, and not just because they'd viciously attack me for my views; because also, I don't want to put a stumbling block before them. I have no desire to place a millstone around my neck. If it is wrong, is it wrong for everybody? That's between the individual and God; I have no idea. Some people can't eat pork. Some people can't hold Holy Days. Some people can't have images or symbols present in a Church, even a cross. Some people can't consume blood. St. Paul said he had to be all things to all men and also any prohibited food eaten to honour God was acceptable in His sight. He said that a special day was wrong to some, but acceptable to those who honour God with it. Jesus released us from the law. St. Paul said that everything was permitted and that we are not to set up stumbling blocks for our brothers.

All that having been said, liberals are making my life difficult. Their agenda being pushed forward in society--including the Church in North America--is changing values (right and wrong). For a Church to preach gay is good is too much. In a way, they're setting up a stumbling block for me.

When I first was introduced to the issue, I thought it was all about gay rights vs. conservative religious views. Then, a friend of mine--who's a member of Essentials--said that it was just the tip of the iceberg. And, I thought, "Well, that's the only thing I've been hearing about." For the Anglican Church of Canada, gay marriage was both the tip of the iceberg and the straw that broke the camel's back. It was the symptom of a school of thought and it was too much for right wing Christians to accept. It, along with a lot of other "wrong" doctrine, was the product of a liberal system of scriptural exegeses: St. Mary wasn't really a virgin, she was a young woman; it wasn't a "miracle" that the disciples caught fish on the other side of the boat--on the angle He was on Jesus was able to see the fish through the water; scripture is not literal--it is to be interpreted through the filter of how it is relevant to the modern age; the Bible writers were living in a different society, influenced by that society, and speaking to that society; plus, they are human and flawed; Jesus may not have risen from the grave (probably didn't) so much as resurrection is a metaphor for the new life we live as Christians once we choose that lifestyle philosophy to live by; demons are not real and the disciples as well as people of that age didn't understand mental illness; the story of creation is just that, a story; Jesus is not the way--He is a way; Jesus was a good man and teacher who was put to death by conservatives (who were most likely bigots too); God is relative.

As far as my Church and I are concerned, I have two questions: First, can it move too far to the left for me to tolerate it? Second, will there be room in the developing Anglican Church in years to come for me and my orthodox views?

Upset

There have been some really p1$$ed off people on Facebook in the last few days; the reasons are the federal election and the shooting of Bin Laden. The liberals are blogging, and tweeting and facebooking their little hearts out. The "bleeding hearts" are bemoaning the killing of Bin Laden. Well, I'm sure it brings peace and satisfaction to anybody who lost a family member in the World Trade Center. So, the facebookers are posting quotes from Dr. King saying that hate can't be used to fight hate. Okay, I get that. But, I don't hate Bin Laden. I'm happy they got him though; although, I think I'd have preferred them to have taken him alive for trial and future incarceration. From a strategic and security point of view, he had to be gone after. I always say, "Peace first. Not, peace at any cost." We have to defend our selves against attack. The way I look at it, soldiers are God's gift to keep us safe. They put themselves in harm's way. Jesus said the greatest act of love was self sacrifice. They do some nasty things so that we don't have to, so that we can live in a free country. Thank God we live in the free world, in Canada. So, is violence never the answer? I think it can be an answer. It should always be the last option. But, if it's the only way to stop a mad man from leading his troops in a horrifying act of ethnic cleansing, it's our duty to save those people. If terrorists blow up high rise buildings, we have to go after their training bases and leaders. After all, David killed Goliath. God told the Israelites to kill the people in the land He was giving them. St. Peter carried a sword.

The problem is that they put being a liberal before being a christian. Anti violence is a liberal value, just like gay marriage. They can reinterpret scripture to justify that, but not violence. One is liberal, and one is not.

Politics should not enter religion. It's like when I pray for peace. There are three ways to pray for peace: The way I want it is to pray, "Father, bring us peace as only you can. We are not able to bring peace because we are flawed and imperfect." The Liberal prayer goes, "God, make those who fight see the error of their ways and give up their hate." The conservative prayer goes, "God, make it so that war is no longer necessary."

But, people insist on bringing politics into religion. It's hard not to, for me too. It gets harder every day. But, we should not try to beat our christian brother over the head because his views are wrong.

I think it's horrible when priests try to get people to vote liberal. They say, "remember social justice when you vote." And also, "Vote for the marginalized in society." But, what they're really saying is vote liberal. Well, I did vote the way my conscience told me to. The Conservative party is the party I think best protects and promotes Christianity that stands a chance of forming a government. I think they're the best for the economy. New jobs will help the poor too. BTW, correct me if I'm wrong, but I only saw one speech last night where God was mentioned, and it was Mr. Harper.

And, in my personal opinion, it was awesome to see the blue wave; it filled me with joy to see the first conservative majority government elected in Canada since 1988. We've been living under liberal rule for far too long. And, we'd be naive to believe that that has had no impact on our criminal law, economy, social values, etc...

Fear

"Fear the LORD." This is an old view now. My evangelical friends would criticize this view. They would say that God wants our love, not for us to fear him. They're right about the love part. As for the fear, I've always taken it to mean respect, revere, be awed by, and--yes--fear. Because, God is awesome. If people fall to the ground when an angel shows up, and they do, then God would make you drop a load in your pants I'd imagine. Anyway, to the point. I was reading Psalm 130 tonight. You guessed it; something jumped out. In the third verse it says that God forgives us, and that is why we should fear Him.

"For there is forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared." Psalms 130:3 (BAS)

The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to Me

In Matthew Ch 5, Jesus says that the Kingdom belongs to those who know they are spiritually poor. Lord God, strengthen my faith; I ask this in the name of your Son my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Coins

Jesus tells a parable of a man who gives each of his servants money when he goes away. The good servants invest the money and gain interest. To me, this story has always been about faith. God gave me faith (the money). I could keep it to my self (put it in the ground), or tell others (invest it). If they become believers, that is the interest gained.

So Many Good Words

As we move through Holy Week, I keep finding God speaking to me through the written word, both scripture and in the liturgy. I wanted to write a post for each one, like the scripture reading about St. Paul talking about how the cross was foolishness to those who do not believe. But, today (Good Friday) I was asked to pray for people. The words of the prayer immediately brought to mind militant atheists. I was asked to pray for those who have lost their faith, who have let sin make them indifferent to Christ, who actively oppose Christ by word or deed, who are enemies of the cross of Christ, and who persecute His disciples. There were of course other prayers. But, this is what jumped out at me. I was praying for atheists here, militant atheists. Jesus said to pray for your enemies. So, I thought this was great. God willing, their hearts will be turned.

Bad Things Good People

One of the questions I think most people have a hard time answering--and I do to--is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Some will tell you that it is judgement. Somewhere in the New Testament, Jesus (I think) tells us that a tower didn't fall on some people because of their sin, but warns that if we do not stop sinning we too will die. Anyway, it's a hard question to answer. Why do bad things happen? At the overnight vigil after the Maundy Thursday service, there was some reading material left out for the people keeping the vigil. Well, I read an alright answer (which apparently you can find in Julian of Norwich's Showings at or about page 300). It made sense to me anyway. Check it out if you get the chance. I've often answered that Satan is the one who brings evil and suffering into our lives. Well, people will then ask, "Why does God allow it?" That question is harder to answer. Most people who read Job, especially if they are an atheist, will condemn God as being a heartless being who plays with people for His amusement. Maybe there was more to Job's story. Maybe he had boasted or fallen into the pride trap, much as St. Peter did. But, this is speculation on my part. And, maybe Job is not the best example. I really don't have a good answer I guess. But Julian of Norwich had an okay answer. If you've been reading my posts for a while, there's the shadow on the cave wall thing as well, that this life isn't reality. The next life is important. That, however, is hard for some people to take. Maybe it's to shape us. Maybe it's to form and mould us. However, in all our pain, God is with us through our suffering.

Psalms Again

As they often do, the Psalms speak to me; God interacts with me through scripture. I was reading the 73rd Psalm the other day, and I thought, "Man, doesn't this hit the nail on the head." We all envy the rich, the powerful. We really really envy them. We want their life. I guess we covet what they have. Father, forgive us. Amen.

TV Show Quote

I heard a good line on a TV show that went something like this:
"Our scars tell us where we've been. They don't have to dictate where we're going."

One or the Other

"Evolution has been accepted as scientific fact for around a century, but 14 per cent of Canadians believe humans were created by God."

Does it have to be one or the other? Can't it be both? I find this statistic misleading. What percentage of Canadians believe that God used evolution?

When is it okay?

I had an interesting/silly conversation with a young woman at work today. During conversation, she expressed her belief that it was wrong for a woman to sleep with a man who was engaged to another woman. As this is becoming a less common view, I was surprised. I decided to double check, and asked her if she believed it was wrong to sleep with somebody who was married. She replied to the affirmative, unless they were separated (so much for my high hopes). So I decided to have some fun, and it all came down to toilet paper. I asked if it would be okay to sleep with a married man, separated from his wife, if they lived in different rooms of the same house. She said that it wasn't. What about if they live in different apartments in the same apartment building. It was. Okay, what about if it's two apartments in the same house. It was. Okay, what about if the two apartments in the house share a bathroom. It wasn't. What about if there were two bathrooms (the apartments were now totally separate again), except that there was only one toilet paper holder for both bathrooms (there was a hole in the wall so that the two bathrooms shared a roll on the holder in the wall. It wasn't. What about if the man was separated from his husband. It was yuck. So, I left it there.

Think of Others

Today's reading got me thinking. A lot of atheists, especially Christopher Hitchens, claim that Christianity sets impossibly high standards that we can't possibly reach, putting others before ourselves. Today's reading, Philippians 2:1-end, tells us in the passage that we are to think of others and not simply ourselves. That sure sounds attainable to me....

Lent

Lent is supposed to be a time of preparation for Easter, a time of deeper prayer and perhaps fasting along with self reflection. For some, Lent is wrong. It's "too Catholic" or it's a pagan festival or what ever. I say, what's in your heart? What's your intension? Are you doing it to honour God? I really like Lent. For me, it's a call to prayer, to Holyness. I try to pray more. And, for the past five years or more I've given up something. Last year I gave up not running; I ran more. The year before that it was coffee (I slipped up on the coffee one). Before that it was the computer. But, the prayer is important too.

For me, prayer is a weapon (to fight spiritually), a tool (to ask for healing for others and protection and our daily bread), a comfort (in times of distress), a means of communication (to talk to God), worship (a form of devotion to God), and so many other things. Enjoy your Lent. Pax!

Some Lent Stuff:
http://www.anglican.ca/podcasts/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1550226346&sk=info http://www.lutheransconnect.com/?q=node/7

Letter

Not all of my thoughts end up in my blog here, at least not right away. Some of them are written in other places or spoken or what ever. I thought I'd post some of a letter I sent to a friend. I won't post his reply of course, but my thoughts to him are below:

"Sometimes you can't make a horse drink. Some Christians believe that they can be Christian without going to Church at all, although I've come to believe that this is a very selfish view. And, St. Paul said that we should not give up the practice of meeting together. I was surprised, as I started back to Church (I didn't go at all throughout college or for a few years after), to find so many Christians for whom Christianity is simply a lifestyle philosophy (Jesus was a good man and it could be a better world if we all follow His teachings). For some Christians, Church is just comfortable. It's what they know. Church may just be a friendly social club of “good” people. A Lenten study may help. I remember one that Fr. Ted did on the Holy Spirit that was good. I'm no theologian, but I was thinking about what I found helped me build my own faith (which I myself consider very weak, but growing). Bible study got me started, got me thinking (Who is God? What does He want?). I think about what St. Paul (I think) said about prayer being exercise for the soul. I try, although not always successfully, to set time aside each day to pray. I find the more I pray, the closer I seem to be to God. But, first, you have to want to believe. An interesting quote came out of our VIVA workshop. Dewitt Jones said in a video that he used to think, “I won't believe it until I see it”. He came to realize that, “I won't see it until I believe it.” Without a road to Damascus experience, you have to want to believe I think. My high octane evangelical friends tell me that a faith without the presence of the Holy Spirit will die; this is true. They believe that every Christian needs to have their own drunk in the Spirit Pentecost. But I think, blessed are those who believe not having seen. The more I look for God in events, in the world, the more I see Him, if I choose to see. I also find prophetic scripture helps grow my faith. Reading the Bible, the 22nd Psalm, Isaiah.... It is amazing how the scripture reinforces the fact that God sent His Son, and it was written generations before Jesus came. It's amazing. When I read them, and even when I re read them, I think, “Wow!” So, to people who actually take the time to read the Jesus prophecies, it's either amazing or it's a load of bull feathers. I choose to believe the former. Short of having a vision, I don't know how else to build up faith. I've always believed in God from as far back as I can remember, but my faith is weak; it's a paradox. I think that's why I take comfort in St. Thomas saying that he wouldn't believe until he put his hand in Jesus' side, or in St. Peter sinking in the water when he tried to walk on it (and Jesus didn't let him sink). I can really ramble on, can't I? :)

Fr. Warren planted a new Church. They started meeting in a plaza store front. He grew a tiny group of Christians who had a strong faith. They eventually bought a piece of land and rented a portable for worship while the Church was constructed (I actually helped put down the sod one Saturday). They eventually moved into their big building. However, when I went back to Barrie the last time, there seems to be nobody left from that first store front Church (nobody knew me anyway). It's too bad. You sound as though you would prefer the first century home Church. Maybe one Sunday (Sunday afternoon etc...) a month, or every other month (or every three or what ever) a congregation could meet together for worship at a volunteer's home (rotate through the volunteers) to bring back a sense of that first century home Church feeling. However, for me, there's some thing special and Holy about those big old buildings too.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not agnostic. I believe in God. I’ve met people with a strong faith. I know that my faith can be stronger. I’m not ready to drink the poison or be bitten by a snake. Peter Hitchens says in his book that a man who truly fears God, fears nothing else. I say my faith is weak because I’ve met people with a strong faith, and my faith could be stronger. I try to keep my faith fierce. And, I confront militant atheism when I encounter it in the world. I’ve never found religion to be an obstacle myself; I find that it has only been a tool to grow my faith."

Even More on Marriage

"I'm going to have the carpenter come over to hang new cupboards in the kitchen tomorrow," somebody might say. Now, when I say cupboards, I think of boxes with doors and shelves hanging on the wall in the kitchen. But, at one time, it was literally cup boards on the wall, shelves on which to put cups. Even though it is slight, the meaning has changed. English is a living language, and so words and meanings change. The Holy Ghost is now the Holy Spirit. To most people, the word catholic means the Church of Rome. Hermit means anybody who lives alone, not a monk. State means political district (New York State), not a sovereign nation. Doctor means a medical doctor, not somebody with a PhD. Breakfast means the morning meal, not breaking the night time fast (religious practice). In the 1700s a Republican was a liberal, now a Republican is a conservative. God meant Jehovah, now God means higher power/supreme being etc.... Hall means hallway. Tomahawk meant war axe, now it's a guided missile. Icon was a religious visual representation, now it's a computer graphic. Are means our in general conversation (forgive us are sins as we forgive those who sin against us).

The word marriage has come to mean anybody who cohabits in a sexual relationship. This is not what marriage means. Marriage is defined in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah were married. My definition of marriage is not the same as society's definition. Marriage is a religious rite that joins a man and a woman.

An older Lutheran man once said something to me that really stuck with me. He said that many marriages fail because they don't have God in them. He said most people think it's just two people. But, according to him, there are three persons in a marriage, husband, wife, and God. If you have God in your marriage, it will be strengthened. What God has joined together let no man....

I don't care if you want to have bigamy, polygamy, bestiality, same sex union, extraterrestrial probing, it's not marriage. Your marriage is not my marriage. You say marriage and mean sexual union and cohabitation. My marriage is so much more. My marriage is a religious rite. It is a union of a man and a woman. It is based in faith, religion, tradition, and respect, made by God. The legal definition of marriage being changed to suit others is destructive and hateful. Changing the Highway Traffic Act to make trucks include cars does not make your car a truck. No matter how much you want it, you have a car. Everybody should be equal under the law in this country. I don't care if two men want to live together in a sexual relationship. And, they should have all the same legal rights as I have. I also have my freedom of religion, in which marriage is as listed above. The government can't change that. Ralph Klein was so so right; the government needs to get out of the marriage business. They're perverting (changing and destroying) a religious rite. There should be a separation of Church and State anyway, right?

The Church changing the rite to suit society's views is sad, and a whole other issue.

Japan

Pray for the people of Japan in their time of great tragedy.

Raw

Some of my last posts have been a bit raw. It is not my intention to offend anybody; I'm just putting my thoughts down on "paper". I often keep what I think to my self, mostly to avoid conflict. However, others do not return the favor; they crusade and I, unfortunately, am their heathen.

More on Marriage

Read After the Ball ( http://article8.org/docs/gay_strategies/after_the_ball.htm ). Seriously. Liberals are associating gay marriage with black slavery and women’s suffrage. Before you write off everything I’ve written below because I’m a bigot, understand that I’ve given careful consideration and a lot of thought to the liberal point of view ( http://integritycanada.org/publications/Challenging_Conventional_Wisdom-Schuh.pdf ), and I would expect the same courtesy. But, is it a civil rights issue? Are gays not equal under the law? Can gays own property? Can gays vote? Can they run for office? Do they have to sit at the back of the bus? What about marriage? Gays have always had the right to marry. A gay man is able to marry any single woman that is willing. Fighting for gay marriage as a civil right is akin to fighting for a man's right to be treated like a woman under the law, and they’re not treated the same (infanticide, alimony, etc…). What is marriage? It is a religious rite. Legal marriage is an archaic law, the legacy of a society where everybody was Christian. Is it a charter issue, as Paul Martin was always going on about? If it was, why did it require an act of parliament to change it? Because, it isn't a charter issue. It never was, and he knows it. He was just trying to associate gay marriage with fighting for civil rights through the charter. If it truly was a charter issue, the Supreme Court of Canada would have struck down the marriage laws as unconstitutional. Paul Martin wanted gay marriage protected in statute law because it was not a charter issue. To take something that is and change it is to make it something it was not. So, gay marriage can never exist in the way set out in the Christian Bible, no matter what is changed. The most intelligent thing I have heard during the whole debate was something Ralph Klein said. He said that the government should get out of the marriage business. I whole heatedly agree.

Students (where a lot of the Facebook posts come from)think they're so smart, enlightened. But they're too stupid to recognize that educational intuitions are breading grounds for liberals. They are being manipulated and shaped and don't even realize it.

When homosexuality was seen to be a sickness (gay couples can't procreate), way back when, gay people protested and said it was a lifestyle choice. Then, the supposition that there may be a gay gene caused a change of position to, "I have no choice" or "it's the way God made me." Which is it? If it's a choice, then that's a hard position to defend. If it is a gene, then that changes the equation. And the question is "why?" Why would God create gay people?

So, assuming that it's a sin, should gay people be allowed in Church? Yes. Welcome all. Should they be allowed to be priests? Yes. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Where would we draw the line? Can liars be priests? What about adulterers? It does present a great challenge though; if it is a sin, and we should ordain them, and they preach gay is good and changes must be made to doctrine, what then?

So, what do they really want then? To be approved of and accepted? To be told that it is good and right and wholesome? Are they looking for God to tell them it's okay? Are they trying to destroy the Christian faith? Why the push to change the definition of a rite rooted in religion? Why not something distinct? Why change something that's been around for thousands of years now, from man and woman to what ever we want? Why make it something is was not? Why destroy? Why not create? Why, why, why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMUn4KEVe8

50

Wow; what a lot Psalm 50 had in it for me today. Out of Zion came God revealed in glory (Jesus). I made a covenant with Him, sealed with His sacrifice.

Then, the end, calling me to repent from my sins....

Maybe?

Maybe the liberals are getting to me. Asmodeus is truly the god of North America.

Pi$$ed Off

A lot of my Facebook friends have been posting the following on their status, and it pi$$es me off:

"Let me get this straight...Charlie Sheen can make a "porn family", Kelsey Grammer can end a 15 year marriage over the phone, Larry King can be on divorce #9, Britney Spears had a 55 hour marriage, Jesse James and Tiger Woods, while married, were having sex with EVERYONE. Yet, the idea of same-sex marriage is going to destroy the institution of marriage? Really? Re-post if you are proud to support equal rights."

First off, it's inflammatory. This is a contentious issue. Second, it's narrow minded and intolerant; anybody who disagrees or questions is a bigot. Third, the people listed above are not shinning examples of righteousness. That'd be like me saying, "let me get this straight...an apple is a fruit, an orange is a fruit, but now you're going to tell me that a grape is a fruit? Really?"

So, what to say. Should anything be said? Well, I could flip the Bible open and find where St. Paul says that it's wrong. But, if it turns them against Christ then I have failed. I don't want to set up a stumbling block. And, being right is not always paramount. Plus, I'm not 100% sure it is wrong for everybody. And, I'm not talking about relativism. If I believe it is wrong, does that mean it's wrong for everybody? St. Paul said he had to be all things to all men. He also said if you're brother believed it was wrong to eat something, don't eat it in front of him. And, if your brother believes a certain day is Holy and observes it to honour God, let him. Don't set up stumbling blocks. Food for thought?

The thing that gets my goat is liberals trying to impose their views on the Church and the whole of society. It's been "wrong" for thousands of years. Why is it right now? Is it just because society says it is? If that's the case, how can it be justified from a religious or scriptural stand point? And, is it an equal rights issue? Or, have liberals just made us believe it is through association? Have you ever read After the Ball? Give it a quick look. Is marriage a right? Where does marriage have it's roots? If it's a religious rite, and religion says it's wrong, is liberalism changing religion? Lets be clear about everything and not play mind games.

It is a very confusing and contentious issue.

39th Psalm

So I was reading the 39th Psalm the other day, and I remembered what happened between my family/Dad and I. I know who the are. I always knew. But, I couldn't hold my tongue.

Godless North America

"Help me, Lord, for there is no godly one left; the faithful have vanished from amoung us." Psalms 12:1 (BAS)

War

One of the great minds of the enlightenment, Voltaire, said that he was willing to die for freedom of speech. Maybe it's easier to cry out for freedom when you're in the minority. Why is it that in a modern liberal (I'm disliking this word more with each passing day) western society, that puts civil rights and liberty on a pedestal, am I breaking every rule when I talk about my faith? In a society that we're told values freedom of thought and expression, why can't I express what I'm thinking? There's a war coming. The opening salvos have already been fired. Most Christians don't see this. Unfortunately for us, war is a come as you are party. When the secular left make their blitzkrieg, we will be crushed. The Nazi atheist’s panzers will engage the polish horse Calvary of organized religion on the battlefield. When the firemen with their kerosine hoses come to your house to burn your Bibles and when the mention of Jesus in the home brings the CAS to interview your children, don't cry to me. Sound far fetched? Some very intelligent and influential people (who are atheists) are pushing the idea that religious instruction to children is child abuse. I guess freedom of speech is only granted to those who agree with the militant atheists.

Peter Hitchens' Book

This is what I had to say about Peter Hitchen's book after reading it:

This is the best book I've ever read. It is at least the most relevant to the times. It's frightening. Peter Hitchens has scattered ashes on the floor of the temple of the militant atheists and shown the hidden actions of its priests. I... have known in my heart that the bogeyman existed. However, it is unnerving when somebody says, “Here is a photograph of him.”, and worse still when he continues, “And, there is you in the background of the photograph sleeping soundly.” Every Christian in the Western world needs to read this book.

Family

Another subject Peter Hitchens talks about in his book is the decay of society. There was another story in the same Toronto paper about a study that shows the children of families where the parents stay together tend to have fewer problems in life. All I could think was, "Der?" How far we've fallen....

Abortion

This subject has popped up a few times in the last several weeks, in Peter Hitchens book and in a Toronto paper about a doctor in the USA that was killing babies with scissors. I've always taken the position, perceived as fence sitting, that a woman should have the right to choose and that it was also wrong. A sort of, everyone has the right to condemn themselves to hell, kind of view. I was thinking about somebody saying how pigs are a stupid animal because they eat their young. And, I thought, "Yes, and our species murders our young in the womb by the hundreds of millions."

Waxes and Wanes

I find that one's faith waxes and wanes, while (hopefully) continually growing. I'm in another waning period, a dry spell. I even find it hard to pray. Some would say that the LORD is testing me. Some would say that I am being punished. Some would say that I was never truly Christian. Some say that my sin is separating me from God. However, what ever the truth, I think we all go through this. I guess we get through it by fighting the good fight with all our might....

Gay Okay

SSB or SSM is a subject I've avoided on here for a long time. It's an issue that has been ripping the Anglican Church in two for quite some time now. This dilemma, this crisis, would be so much easier if I didn't believe in God.