Counterplay.

What then must we do?

To counteract the corrupting and deceiving voices in our popular culture we must cultivate virtues and principles in line with the goodness of God.

These include non-materialistic values like: generosity, charity, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, non-violence, and unconditional love.

We must turn away from death and darkness and seek Light, Life, and Love. 

Rock music is the devil's music.

So listening to sacred classical music will help.

Addictions to sports, gambling, and sex can be countered by volunteering and moderation.

Studying scripture and prayer connect us with the Divine that is the source of Light, Life, and Love.

Sincerity and integrity will lead you to the Living God.

And He will show you His Salvation!

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Satanism.

Satanism is not the insignificant fringe phenomenon that most people think it is.

Satanism saturates our popular culture.

It is based on the concept of death.

This is the death to God of St. Paul.

And its allies: darkness, night, shadows, hate, and evil.

These things dominate modern entertainment: rock music, movies, novels, sports, comedy, reality TV etc..

But because most of this takes place in the subconscious most people are unaware of it.

But it is there!

And it poisons our minds.

So don't just take things at face value.

There may be malice and evil hidden beneath.

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Light.

Light is at the center of the galaxy.

Stars and planets revolve around the Light.

There is no center to the Universe.

The universal center is everywhere.

So we only have the model of the galaxy.

And, as with the Solar System, Light is at the center.

This symbolizes the Reality that God is at the center of everything.

And God is everywhere.

The Light shines and is not diminished.

When stars die new stars are born.

This is the eternal cycle of Life. 

And if gravity is Love then everything is bound by Love.

For God is Love.

And Love leads us to the Light.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Black.

Remember when everything went black?

Clothing, electrical equipment, sunglasses, cars, humor, movies, novels, science, hearts.....everything!

And the uniform for corporate workers became all black.

And it still is.

This is no accident.

Black is darkness.

And darkness hides things.

What it hides is the corruption and exploitation of corporations.

And the materialism and cupidity of Generation X. 

But that is not all that is hidden.

Right-wing plutocrats and politicians use scapegoating methods devised by the Nazis to boost their support and blame their opposition.

Left-wing liberals and gays and lesbians* are charged with the blame for Satanism in rock music and all the evils of society.

This was popularized by Ronald Reagan who called the Hippie Generation "Unconscious agents of the devil." and demonized his political opponents.

This created what Hitler called "Moral Ease" for the Right.

But this is not all.

Big business and their sporting allies have used black magic and Satanic methods in the hope of boosting their sales and popularity and reversing the blame.

Satanic magic is backwards and upside-down and this is what has happened.

Satan is the Prince of Darkness.

And what the darkness hides is evil indeed.

(*Gays and Lesbians are obvious targets because of the fear and hostility created by AIDS.)

Photo Credit: zillow.com

Peace.

Today is the International Day of Peace and our church is decorated with hundreds of paper cranes.

This is to commemorate the story of Sadako and the Thousand Cranes.

Sadako was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

She developed leukemia and folded a thousand paper cranes in the hope of being healed.

Unfortunately she died some years later.

But the thousand cranes were placed in the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.

And they are still there today.

Now more than ever our world needs peace.

Conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine disturb us daily.

Myanmar and Kashmir have seen armed revolts.

Even the United States is on the brink of violence.

So pray for peace.

And do what you can to bring peace in our world.

Photo Credit: AU$100.

Moderation.

"Moderation in all things."

Hesiod 700 BCE.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Progressive Christianity.

I am a Progressive Christian.

I am also openly gay.

And I am a full member of the Uniting Church in Australia.

I do not subscribe to the traditional theology of the Fall of Humanity through Adam and Eve and our Redemption through Jesus' death on the cross.

I believe that the story of Adam and Eve is a myth.

It is not true literally, and it is not true metaphorically. 

It is just one of many explanations for life on Earth as we experience it.

I do not believe that Jesus' suffering and death were required by God to expiate our sins.

I believe that the powers of this world were threatened by Jesus' miracles and his popularity and that they put him to death as an example to anyone who dared to challenge their authority.

These powers were the ruling power of Rome and the established authorities of Judaism in Israel.

So what do I believe?

I believe that the inmost nature of God is Love.

God loves all His children like a Father/Mother.

Think of your mother's love for you and magnify it.

God is wholly good.

God is merciful and forgiving.

God is compassionate.

God is Light, Life, and Love.

There is no fear in God.

God does not judge or punish us.

God loves us.

Photo Credit: eskipaper.com