Tuesday 31 December 2019

Household.


The basic social unit in the ancient world was the household.

Commerce and productivity were based in the family dwelling.

Workers and slaves were employed by the Master of the House.

"Peace to this house and all who dwell in it."

This was the blessing of Jesus' disciples.

When the master or mistress of a household was baptized as Christian their whole household was baptized with them.

It would seem that the Blessing of God was not just individual but extended to the whole family and even to servants and slaves.

So.....

"Peace to this house and all who dwell in it."


Photo Credit: Squiggle Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Monday 30 December 2019

The Heart of Aquarius.


The Egyptian hieroglyph of a jar (ab) means the heart.

The Water Jar of Aquarius is your heart.

And the water is love.

So pour out your love over your beloved.

And you will find that the source of love in your heart is infinite.

The more love you give the more love there is to give.

This is the secret of the enigmatic symbols of Aquarius.

And the new revelations coming into the world now.


Photo Credit: edenpictures Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Sunday 29 December 2019

Gay Love.


Homosexuality is love.

We experience attraction and tenderness in the same way as heterosexuals.

We admire him immensely.

We desire him intensely.

Our love is subject to the same exigencies as heterosexual love.

And we long for companionship and faithfulness in the same way.

Homosexuality occurs in nature.

So you cannot say it is unnatural.

And homosexuals go to Heaven.

Of this there is no doubt.


Photo Credit: Catherine Coden Flickr via Compfight cc

Saturday 28 December 2019

Gay Martyrs.


The first recorded gay martyr was Saint Sebastian.

But history has crucified gay people to this day.

From Oscar Wilde to Matthew Shepard we have witnessed the persecution, torture, and death of gay people in modern times.

The coming of the AIDS Pandemic heightened and hardened a prejudice which was already present in our conscious and unconscious minds.

But none of this justifies the hate speech put out by small Christian Churches like Westboro Baptist Church and the Truth of Jesus Christ Church.

Hate speech inspires and justifies violent crimes against gay people.

It is unacceptable and it should be banned.

Talk of religious freedoms should not justify the vilification and persecution of gay people.

Not all Christian Churches believe that gay people go to hell.

The Episcopalian Church in America and the Uniting Church in Australia allow gay marriages in their churches.

It is clear that God does not discriminate.

Those tortured and killed because they are gay will be remembered as gay martyrs in the future. 


Photo Credit: Scooter Lowrimore Flickr via Compfight cc

Friday 27 December 2019

Relationship.


In the 1980s when I was experiencing problems a colleague said to me: "The problem is your relationship with God."

By this he meant my homosexuality.

But I now realize that my problems were not the result of a poor relationship with God but of my relationship with Satan.

By this I mean my involvement with rock stars who were secretly Satanic.

This hidden influence was the cause of much of the problems associated with disturbed youth.

Our addiction to rock music ensured that our minds were constantly fed with negativity, darkness, and evil.

Since swearing off rock music my mental and emotional condition has improved dramatically.

I have even experienced the joy and peace that comes from God.

The cause of my problems was not homosexuality but rock music.

So unplug your earphones and delete your rock music.

Pray to God.

And He will release you.


Photo Credit: Discogs.

Thursday 26 December 2019

Good News.



God does not punish us.

God does not judge us.

God loves us.

He is our loving Father.

He loves us better than our mother.

There is no devil.

There is no hell.

Sex is good.

Homosexuality is O.K. with God.

God is transcendent.

God is sublime.

God is all good.

God is Love.


Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Wednesday 25 December 2019

The Birth of the Light.


Jesus is the Light of the World.

And his birth is celebrated on the day that was called the Birth of the Sun which is three days* after the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is not a literal event but a symbolic one.

Jesus was not enlightened when he was born.

The stories in Luke and Matthew are pretty fairytales designed to establish Jesus' divinity.

The Gospels differ in their declaration of the time that Jesus became the Son of God.

From adoption at his baptism in Mark to the beginning of time in John.

But there is no doubt that Jesus was a highly enlightened person.

And the celebration of his birth is a delight in the Light coming into the world.


(*The Sun is stationary for three days.)

Photo Credit: debbiemcdougall Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Panentheism.


Panentheism says that God is in all things.

God is in all things and all things are in God.

There is no dark side, no death, no devil, no dark powers, no hell.

All exists in the life-force that is God.

And all exists in the Love of God.

God is transcendent - beyond dualism.

God is all Life.

God is all Light.

God is all Good.

God is all Love.


Photo Credit: Charles Patrick Ewing Flickr via Compfight cc

Monday 23 December 2019

Hypocrites!


The church I go to is like a holiday camp for the rich.

They spend their time swanning around the world on million dollar cruise ships while people are starving.

They cash in on the good points while ignoring the message.

They neglect their own congregations while claiming spiritual superiority.

They lock the church doors and shut their own doors to fellow Christians.

They claim the credit for others' deeds.

And they will not broach any criticism.

They make excuses when challenged.

And they threaten any dissent.

They give lip service to the Gospels.

And they avoid inconvenience.

All the while congratulating themselves on their good works.

They are hypocrites!

And someone should say so.


Photo Credit: davidseibold Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Sunday 22 December 2019

In League With the Devil.


The right-wing political machine is in league with devil-worshippers in rock music and entertainment.

Corporate plutocrats own all of our media and use it to further their own interests.

They are allied with Satanists in the music and entertainment industries and use them for their own ends.

This is why no one can fathom what is happening.

The media controls our conscious thoughts and Satanists controls our unconscious thoughts.

But right-wing politicians and moguls are implicated in the evil that devil-worshippers do.

They will not expose them because they are too useful to them.

But if you try to use evil to win it will be evil which uses you.

"And the devil claimed his soul."*


(*The final words of Faust.)

Photo Credit: ffiloo Flickr via Compfight cc

Saturday 21 December 2019

The Wall.


All around us there is a wall.

A wall beyond which we cannot see.

It is built by the media.

They don't show you anything they don't want you to see.

They hand out rationalizations.

They justify what they want you to think.

They demonize the poor, minorities, and immigrants.

They sow fear and hate.

They distract you.

They conspire with evil.

All for money.

And the power of the rich.


Photo Credit: chrisinplymouth Flickr via Compfight cc

Friday 20 December 2019

Signs of Life.


The Baby-Boomers are dead.

Meaning our attempts to change the world and find spirituality have been defeated.

But there are signs of new life.

Activism on the Internet is gaining momentum.

Progressive Religion is growing in our world.

This is the Light of Aquarius manifesting.

So do not wallow in darkness and negativity.

Do not cling to materialism and trivia.

Life is about more than that.

Life is about love and justice and compassion.

Give love to everyone.

Give generously to the poor.

Show compassion to the suffering.

We are all in this together.


Photo Credit: Aproximando Ciência e Pessoas Flickr via Compfight cc

Thursday 19 December 2019

Evil.


We live in a beautiful garden.

Life is all around us.

But in the realm of humanity we encounter evil.

The only real evil in the world is those who have internalized the Churches' traditional image of God as a harsh judge and punisher of humans.

To some this God is a heartless, insane, torturer and dictator.

And Satan's contract seems relatively reasonable.

So they sell their souls and do the devil's work in the world.

But they are sorely mistaken.

There is no devil in reality.

And no dark powers.

Their power comes from taking drugs and practising yoga in the way set out in the writings of Aleister Crowley.

And their domain is the unconscious.

Anything backwards or upside down is Satanic magic.

Or so they believe.

But the damage done is extreme.

Unconscious suggestion and subliminal images corrupt and curse us.

Black, death, darkness, night, bad, filthy, wicked, vice, sin.....

All these things and more have turned us to the dark side.

The time has come to reverse the damage.

And the only way to do this is to pray to God.

He will hear you.

And turn on the lights.

So that you can see what they do.

Rock music, movies, T.V., sports, entertainment, literature.....

All these things contain Satanic suggestion.

They drag us down.

And they turn us away from the light.

Once we have seen this we can seek out the light.

Day, life, goodness, ideals, honesty, truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion.....

All these things come from the Light.

But most of all:

Love.


Photo Credit: Charming Potion Flickr via Compfight cc

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Non-Violence.


How can non-violence defeat evil?

The answer is that God knows what is at the root of evil.

And that is fear.

So if God's Love casts out fear evil will disappear.

So, if we wish to end evil in our world, we should look to the fears that inspire it.

If we can remove those fears then evil will end.

If not we can pray.

What is impossible for us is possible for God.


Photo Credit: Heather Smithers Flickr via Compfight cc

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Taking the Law Into Your Own Hands.


What Fundamentalists - Islamic and Christian - do is take the law into their own hands.

Instead of leaving the dubious business of judgement to God they take it upon themselves to execute the judgement that they expect.

Needless to say that judgement falls on the heads of their enemies.

Jesus said: "'The Father judges no one.'"  John 5:22 (NRSV)

And: "'You judge by human standards, I judge no one.'"  John 8:15 (NRSV)

So all those who judge in Jesus' name or in the name of God are misguided and misrepresent those whom they worship.

They mistake aggression for righteousness.

And certainty for truth.

But the fact remains they should not take the law into their own hands.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: cattias.photos Flickr via Compfight cc

Monday 16 December 2019

Your Prayers.


When Israel Folau launched his legal action against Rugby Australia he thanked the tens of thousands of people who supported him with their prayers.

What kind of prayers are these?

Prayers of condemnation and hate!

No God worth His salt would give an ear to such prayers.

They are misguided and misinformed.

They do not know the God they claim to worship.

God is Love.

He does not discriminate.

And He cannot be manipulated by fear and hate.

So your prayers are in vain.

They will not be answered.


Photo Credit: Nick Forslund Flickr via Compfight cc

Sunday 15 December 2019

The Prophecy.


It has been prophesied by astrologers that a new revelation will enter human awareness in the Age of Aquarius.

Predictions vary about the date of this event.

But one prediction is that 2000 years from the birth of Jesus of Nazareth (7 BCE) the new revelations will begin.

This coincides with the Uranus/Neptune conjunction of 1993 which was followed by Jupiter/Neptune in Aquarius (2009) and Jupiter/Uranus in Pisces (2010).

The transits of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune through the sign of Aquarius lasted from 1996 until 2010.

So, at the very least, this is an important time of transition from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius.

And many think that the transit of Uranus through Aries (beginnings) marked the beginning of the New Age.

The entry of the Vernal Equinox into the sign of Aquarius does not occur until 2376 CE.

But it must be remembered that the Vernal Equinox did not enter Pisces until 200 years after the birth of Jesus which occurred when the Vernal Equinox entered the constellation of Pisces which overlaps the sign of Aries.

So there is a strong precedent for the assertion that the Age of Aquarius has begun.

What can we expect from this New Age?

Aquarius is ruled by Uranus which governs: equality, freedom, democracy, liberalism, humanitarianism, homosexuality, technology, psychic phenomena, the future, astrology, and genius.

But it is co-ruled by Saturn (the ancient ruler) which governs: men, the father, responsibility, self-discipline, ambition, realism, time, fate, reputation, and the past.

Both are social planets, both seek to save the world, both are other-oriented, and both represent aspects of time.

It is interesting that Aquarius governs parliament in which both conservatives and liberals are represented.

Perhaps we will see in the New Age a reconciling of these two planets in some unexpected ways.

We can note that the prominent asteroid Chiron circles between the planets Saturn and Uranus overlapping the orbits of both.

Chiron was a Centaur in Greek mythology who was a wise teacher - he was called the Wounded Healer because he could heal others but not himself.

Manifestations of Chiron energy relate to such things as a desire to help others which results from a personal wounding experience.

It seeks to heal the wounds of humanity.

Perhaps Chiron can help to heal the rift between Saturn and Uranus in the future.

The new revelations of Progressive Christianity have developed under the Uranus/Neptune influence and although Aquarius does not rule religion (religion is ruled by Jupiter and Neptune) it must be remembered that the planet Neptune is exalted in Aquarius.

This means that Neptunian concerns like religion and spirituality manifest in the best possible ways in Aquarius.

Aquarius also has a vision of a Utopian Society in the future.

This is something to look forward to.

These things are the basis of the Aquarian prophecy.

We will find evidence of them in our recent lives and in the time to come.
         

Photo Credit: WordPress.

Saturday 14 December 2019

Cry Out!


We are not forsaken.

In times of trouble and persecution we can cry out to God for help.

He will answer.

He may not respond in the way that we expect but He will answer none the less.

God has non-violent ways to defuse conflict and violence.

This is enlightenment.

And enlightenment is self-evident.

When they see they will stop.

But this takes time.

And we must wait.

And endure.

But God will answer.

And all will be well.


Photo Credit: ruifo Flickr via Compfight cc

Friday 13 December 2019

Salvation.


Why does God allow people to do bad things?

Why does God allow people to do evil?

Why does God allow people to persecute His saints?

Even Jesus was not spared a humiliating death on the cross.

Why?

The answer, in the end, is simple.

God does not condemn or punish anyone.

There are reasons why people do bad things.

There are reasons why people do evil.

Ultimately their motivation is fear.

And it was fear that motivated the Pharisees and the Romans to crucify Jesus.

"'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.'"  Luke 23: 34 (NRSV)

These were Jesus' words on the cross.

He forgave his killers.

God did not save Jesus from death.

And this is because it is God's Will that they be saved also.

No one will perish.

Even the most heinous sinners will be saved.

So God's chosen ones, His saints, may experience persecutions, even torture and death, that their persecutors, their torturers, and their killers may be saved.

So love your enemies and pray for those who abuse you that they also may be saved and experience the overwhelming Love of God.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Jen Skingle Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Thursday 12 December 2019

Why?


Why do people vote against their own interests?

The phenomenon of low-income earners voting to support policies that help the rich is spreading around the world.

Partially this is because they don't understand the policies sufficiently and they are told it is in the interests of a good economy.

But the main reason is because people no longer vote with their heads they just react to hate and fear which is fed to them relentlessly.

We are told that any socialist policies will increase taxes and ruin the economy.

And we are poisoned with hatred of individual candidates, especially women.

So while we are voting in a climate of fear and hate we will be voting against our own interests.


Photo Credit: shoehorn99 Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Wednesday 11 December 2019

Art.


It is true that art can compensate for our disappointments in life.

Edifying, educating, even interesting art can give us a lift and a focus that we would otherwise lack.

But what is art compensating us for?

Love.

If there is a lack of love in our lives it is like living in a desert.

Art is an oasis in that desert.

But the garden that we all are seeking is Love.


Photo Credit: Lorenzo Bl Flickr via Compfight cc

Tuesday 10 December 2019

Compassion.


Rather than becoming hard and tough in response to life's harsh experiences we should consider the alternative response of compassion.

Rather than making religion hard and tough like the world we should seek to make the world compassionate and merciful like true religion.

True religion is centered in the heart.

Do not let us harden our hearts.

But help us to show compassion to those who are suffering.

Life can make us cynical and bitter.

But contact with the Living God leads to Love.

Because God is Love.

And His heart is full of compassion for us.

So do not listen to those who say that God is our judge, and that He punishes sin.

God is merciful and forgiving.

He does not punish us.

Let alone condemn us or damn us.

Fear not.

Pray to God.

And be delivered.


Photo Credit: Pascal Rey Photographies Flickr via Compfight cc

Monday 9 December 2019

God's Plan.


You will often hear people talking about God's Plan.

But no one seems to know exactly what that plan is.

However I believe that God has a dream.

A dream that everyone will live in harmony and joy together.

I do not believe that God (or Jesus) will come to judge us and bless those who are good and damn those who are evil.

I believe that God judges no one.

And this is backed up by the Biblical witness.

No one will perish.

Rather God will pardon those who have harmed us.

As for evil people God will take their demons from them and make them new people.

They will be transformed by the Love of God.

Then we will want only to do good in the world and spread our love to everyone.


Photo Credit: bratispixl Flickr via Compfight cc

Sunday 8 December 2019

Fear Not Child.


Think back.

Back to when you were a child.

Back to Sunday School.

When you first heard about Jesus and God.

What did they tell you?

Did they threaten you with hell?

Did they punish and shame you?

Did they make you feel guilty and afraid?

Because none of these things comes from God.

They are human failings.

And failing to see.

God judges no one.

God punishes no one.

God is our loving Father.

And a loving father does not punish his children.

So fear not!

Your sins are forgiven.

And your soul is safe in Heaven.


Photo Credit: Cihat Ertem Flickr via Compfight cc
(The image has been slightly modified.)

Saturday 7 December 2019

The Dream.


We can easily become discouraged by world events that go counter to our wishes for a better world.

When people choose hatred and fear instead of love.

When governments make war instead of peace.

When we see oppression, exploitation, domination, and brutality.

When no one seems to be listening.

It is at these times that we need to keep the dream alive.

No matter how badly things are going we must keep our vision clear and persevere regardless.

We must never give up.

God gives us hope.

Hope for a better world.

We must keep this hope alive in our hearts and share our hope with others. 


Photo Credit: mattk1979 Flickr via Compfight cc

Friday 6 December 2019

How Can We Allay Their Fears?


Because it is fear that drives violence and force anything that triggers people's fears will result in trouble.

So how can we allay their fears?

It says in the scriptures that perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)

So how can we practise perfect love?

Love will not retaliate.

Love will not avenge.

Love will not show anger.

Love will not condemn.

Love will forgive.

Love will show mercy.

Love will persevere.

Love will reassure.

Love will make amends.

Love will give another chance.

Love will not forget you.

Love is inclusive.

Love is even-handed.

Love is tolerant.

Love is unconditional.

If we can develop these aspects of love then perhaps we can allay some of the fears in the world.


Photo Credit: The Daily Telegraph.

Thursday 5 December 2019

Settlement?


The settlement between Rugby Australia and Israel Folau left a bad taste in everyone's mouths.

What could have inspired Rugby Australia to apologize?

Folau himself took this as an admission of guilt and claimed that he had been vindicated.

He immediately invoked the religious freedoms legislation destined for parliament next year.

The role of Rupert Murdoch's Foxtel behind the scenes is murky to say the least.

And the central issue of the spiritual fate of homosexuals was sidestepped.

Confidentiality hid the truth.

And homophobia prevailed.

The tiny sect that Israel Folau represents may insist on hell for homosexuals but the vast majority of Christians no longer support this view.

Homosexuals go to Heaven.

And nothing Israel Folau can say will change that fact.


Photo Credit: Flipboard.

The World.


Jesus said: "'The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil.'"  John 7:7 (NRSV)

But I say that the evils of this world are caused by fear.

So the remedy is not to attack evildoers but to love them.

Because "perfect love casts out fear."  1 John 4:18 (NRSV)

And when their fear is gone their evil will be gone also.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Wednesday 4 December 2019

Evil.


There is no devil and no dark powers.

Evil in our world is the work of men and women in the grip of fear.

And as such evil must be dealt with as we deal with people.

There are reasons why people act in ways that we call evil.

They have been abused and threatened like the rest of us.

God does not condemn them.

He waits for them to change.

And when they are ready He enlightens them.

Darkness is not a substance or a spirit it is merely our unknowing, our ignorance.

We are not born omniscient.

We learn as we live.

It is inevitable that we will make mistakes.

But God forgives us.

And we learn.

But we are not forsaken.

If we cry out to God in distress He will answer us.

We must lay down the sword and pray.

Pray for help.

And pray for those who attack us and harass us.

For they are people like ourselves.

And they are God's children also.

Pray for Life, Light, and Love.

Then you will be like God.


Photo Credit: Resident Evil.

Tuesday 3 December 2019

Gays in Heaven.


Gay men go to Heaven.

Of this there is no doubt.

Those who say otherwise are misguided.

They do not know God.

God is good.

He is our loving Father.

He does not punish His children.

He loves us as He loves all His children.

We are His gay sons.

And we go to Heaven.


Photo Credit: Blingee.

Monday 2 December 2019

Grey Power.


In the 1980s we saw the emergence of Grey Power.

This was the re-empowerment of the older generation under Ronald Reagan.

They were conservative, homophobic, and intolerant.

But now Grey Power is the Hippie Generation and their politics is left-wing, green, multi-cultural, and gay friendly.

So the power demographic is changing.

In combination with the Millennials we may be about to see a sea-change.


Photo Credit: Lost at E Minor.

Sunday 1 December 2019

Persecution.


We are seeing the last stages of the persecution of gay and lesbian people.

Several countries are considering the death penalty for gay sex.

And many others enforce jail terms and ostracism.

Even in Australia where gay marriage is now legal there are religious groups calling for our expulsion and threatening us with hell.

So the battle is not yet won.

It will be over when the last bastions of homophobia overcome their fears and accept equal rights for gay and lesbian people.

LGBT+ people are still persecuted in our world.

I pray that this will come to an end.


Photo Credit: Beyond Lisping.

World AIDS Day.


AIDS is over!

Doctors can now stop HIV from developing into AIDS.

And when treated HIV is undetectable - which means that you cannot pass it on to your partner.

And there's PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) which is a pill that can help prevent infection with HIV.

So AIDS is over!


Photo Credit: solanoaidscoalition.

Saturday 30 November 2019

Domination.


Jesus was killed by the domination system of his time.

Because he dared to challenge the powers of the world by proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

This was a threat to the powers of this world because the Kingdom of God was ruled by God not by men.

But God does not rule by force.

He said to them: "Do your worst."

And they did.

They crucified and killed Jesus.

And they thought they'd won.

But God is faithful.

He resurrected Jesus to Heaven.

The trouble is that since Constantine the Church has been associated with the State.

And as such it has become part of the domination system.

And so it serves the purposes of that system.

That is why the Church never criticized the powers of the world.

That is why the Church reinforced the Status Quo.

That is why the Church preached punishment for sins and judgement and heaven and hell.

This is the carrot and stick approach of the domination system.

The system is ruled by the rich and powerful.

Its purpose is to subjugate the masses.

The Church served this purpose.

And that is why, even when the churches were full, it was still "a jungle out there".

The leaders of the Christian Churches were seduced by power and privilege.

They ruled by fear and threat.

And they did not know God.

Jesus said of them: "'you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.'"  Luke 11:52 (NRSV)

God: "The shepherds also have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, to their own gain, one and all."  Isaiah 56:11 (NRSV)

So they called Jesus Beelzebub and they crucified him.   


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: The Sun.

Friday 29 November 2019

Normal.


What we think of as normal is in fact infected with hidden evil and deception.

We trust those who are not trustworthy.

We follow those who are not worthy.

We admire those who are not virtuous.

The hidden evil of Satanism in our popular culture goes unnoticed.

And the subtle propaganda of our news reporting remains unexposed.

Reality T.V., movies, rock music, sports.....

All these things contain hidden poison which curses us and induces intense suffering.

They tell us to do all the wrong things.

And they sabotage our happiness.

So, if you want to be happy in this world, stay away from the poison and propaganda in our popular culture.


Photo Credit: Improb.

Thursday 28 November 2019

Peter, Paul, and Jesus.


It seems to me that the disciple Peter retains vestiges of the Way of Good Works in his approach.

Some of his speeches in Acts and some of his writings in the Letters indicate that he favored the approach of Good Works.

While Paul retains vestiges of the Way of Asceticism or Self-Denial which includes the mortification of the body.

Paul's insistence on the enmity of body and spirit confirms this.

But Jesus' way is the Way of Love that transcends both the Way of Good Works and the Way of Asceticism.

The Way of Love leads directly to God.

And the imperatives of Love supersede the rules of Good Works and Asceticism.

Good Works seeks to gain Heaven and avoid hell by accumulating merit.

Asceticism seeks to deny earthly pleasures in the hope of gaining heavenly pleasures.

But Jesus made concessions to these rigid rules according to Love.

Love is the inmost nature of God.

And while He may accept the gestures of Good Works and Asceticism they are in no way compulsory.

Love leads directly to God.

And it is Love that God requires of us. 


Photo Credit: Nick in exsilio Flickr via Compfight cc

Wednesday 27 November 2019

How to Interpret the Bible.


The Bible is a collection of writings by a variety of authors over hundreds of years.

The Old Testament is made up of the Jewish scrolls of the Law, the Histories, and the Prophets.

It was never one document.

When reading the Old Testament we must take into account the worldview and understanding that was current at the time of writing.

Primitive understandings of God led many Old Testament writers to endorse pracitices like: polygamy, incest, scapegoating, and genocide.

They also created an image of God that was harsh, judgemental, vengeful, and violent.

Jesus challenged many of these misconceptions.

"'You have heard that it was said.... But I say.....'"   Matthew 5 (NRSV)

So we can legitimately say that humankind's image of God evolves over time.

But even the New Testament cannot be taken literally.

Many of the miracle stories and post-crucifixion sightings are symbolic stories that represent a spiritual truth rather than an historical event.

Some later theological developments have been written back into the texts.

And do not get too hooked on the literal words.

The spirit of the Bible is good news for the poor, the outcast, and the sick.

It is inclusive and compassionate.

Its God is merciful, forgiving, and tolerant.

A Father to humanity.

Whose predominant characteristic is:

Love.   


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved]

Photo Credit: A W Dimmick Flickr via Compfight cc

Tuesday 26 November 2019

Trinity.


We are members of an Eternal Trinity:

I - You - God.

The soul in me recognizes the soul in you as part of God.

I, through my love, bring the Love of God to you.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Love even your enemies.

And you will be a Child of the Living God.


Photo Credit: ToGa Wanderings Flickr via Compfight cc

Monday 25 November 2019

The Bathwater.


Malevolent forces in our society are using the insights of Progressive Christianity to destroy the Church.

By reinforcing doubts about traditional doctrines they are concluding that it's all bullshit and there is no God.

But this is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

What Progressive Christians are trying to do is rescue the baby from the bathwater.

So, by challenging certain traditional teachings, we seek to reinforce our intuitive image of God as wholly benevolent, forgiving, and merciful.

God is Love.

As Jesus taught us.

So do not listen to those who mock and despise the Church.

And do not listen to negative orthodox doctrines.

God is good.

And His Love is sure.


Photo Credit: Phil-Artist Flickr via Compfight cc

Sunday 24 November 2019

The Antidote.


So if we reject the poison and propaganda in our popular culture what do we replace it with?

Rock music can be replaced by classical music, especially sacred choral music.

And we can contemplate religious and spiritual images like Michelangelo and Fra-Angelico; angels, light, heaven etc......

News propaganda can be replaced by Internet activism.

And sports can be replaced by volunteering.

Prayer, study, and charity keep us free from evil.

But there still remains the effects which come across the collective unconscious.

The collective unconscious is our link to the whole of humanity.

So there are positive influences and negative influences.

If we emphasize the positive thoughts and feelings that enter our minds and spirits and ignore the negative ones we will be heading in the right direction.

It is not possible to eliminate all of the negative influences which come across the collective but if we can identify them and name them we can pray for them to be redeemed.

God does not destroy evil people.

He redeems them through Love.


Photo Credit: Pamela P. Stroud Flickr via Compfight cc

Saturday 23 November 2019

Contradicting Them.


If you look at the songs and movies we are being fed today you will find a sinister pattern.

We are being told that we need dark powers to defend ourselves from some threat.

We are told we need evil to survive.

But this is black propaganda.

Satanists in our popular culture are deliberately telling us to embrace evil and worship the Beast.

The alternative is to worship the Lamb and non-violent non-cooperation.

We need the Light.

So do not listen to their dark propaganda.

Turn to the Light and to Good.

Cry out to God!

He will deliver you.


Photo Credit: greyloch Flickr via Compfight cc

Friday 22 November 2019

Fear 2.


In some cases people's fear is so great that they react with hate and even try to kill.

This can be seen in Africa and other places around the world where gay sex is illegal or officially condemned.

Some people attack and even kill LGBT+ people out of fear.

They feel justified by archaic laws which criminalize homosexual sex.

But these laws are obsolete.

AIDS is no longer a death sentence.

HIV is virtually cured.

So we can hope that in the future gay people will be free.

And live without harassment. 


Photo Credit: Love Wins.

Thursday 21 November 2019

Fear 1.


Fear causes some people to react aggressively.

It is the fight or flight reaction to fear.

And this was evident in the AIDS crisis.

Some people reacted violently.

They attacked gay people and blamed them for AIDS and in some cases for all the ills of the world.

This is scapegoating.

And we have seen it in Australia with Israel Folau's claim that legalizing same-sex marriage is the cause of the bushfires we are experiencing.

His fear of immorality and hell is too great for him.

And this is the basis of right-wing religious objections to homosexuality.

But God is Love.

And His Love will prevail in the end.
 

Photo Credit: byb64 Flickr via Compfight cc

Wednesday 20 November 2019

Fear or Love.


There are only two things in the world:

Fear and Love.

And there are two ways that we can react:

With Fear.

Or.

With Love.

And AIDS is the perfect example of this great truth.

We can react with Fear.

Or.

We can react with Love.

And the perfect example of this is a Fundamentalist father who has a gay son.

When his love for his son is greater than his fear of sickness, death, immorality, and hell he will have learned the greatest truth in life.

And that is that God is Love.

And God loves His gay sons.


Photo Credit: Catherine Coden Flickr via Compfight cc

Monday 18 November 2019

Heaven and Hell.


The upshot of the moral panic triggered by the AIDS crisis was the claim that gays go to hell.

This was not a clearly thought-out response to AIDS but a knee-jerk reaction inspired by fear.

Other forms of disease are not associated with sin.

If your wife gets breast cancer no one suggests that God is punishing her for being a woman.

If a man gets prostate cancer he is not being punished for being a man.

So why did people say that gays were being punished by God?

It seems to me that there is a double standard here.

As for hell I don't believe that God condemns people to hell in any case.

God is our Father.

And we are His gay sons and daughters.

God loves gays.

So there might just be a Heaven.


Photo Credit: Elizabeth Noyes.

Sunday 17 November 2019

AIDS is Over.


Although they may not admit it many people, especially religious people, were afraid of AIDS.

They were afraid of sickness and death.

And this was the basis of social and religious objections to homosexuality.

It was moral panic.

But now that AIDS is virtually cured their objections are no longer valid.

Doctors can stop HIV from developing into AIDS and when treated HIV is undetectable which means that you cannot pass it on to your partner.

Also there is PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) which is a pill that can help to prevent you catching HIV.

So gay sex is safe again.

But people's minds are stuck back in the 1980s.

They think that gay sex is deadly.

And this justifies their homophobia.

But these now are in the minority.

And it is up to us to educate them.

The new reality is that gay sex is no more dangerous than straight sex.

And so their homophobia is no longer justified.


Photo Credit: Lyst.

Saturday 16 November 2019

Family.


Most people will value their own family and care for them and love them and protect them.

But they will not extend this love to others outside of their family.

They will compete and defend and even sabotage others.

Perhaps this is an instinctual thing.

But when we establish a relationship with God we begin to see that all others are His children as well.

God's family includes everyone.

And not just Christians either.

We are all brothers and sisters.

And God Himself is our Father.


Photo Credit: HuffPost.

Friday 15 November 2019

Youth Culture.


After 35 years of Generation X we are about to see a change.

Generation X wanted money, they hated ideals, they hated unions, and they hated religion, they were politically conservative, homophobic, and their god was the devil.

But we are now seeing the emergence of the next generation - the Millennials - who are politically active, left-wing, gay friendly, green, and tolerant.

Pete Buttigieg says that the influences in our world are tectonic.

We may be about to experience an earthquake.

In any case the social zeitgeist is about to change because it is based on youth culture.


Photo Credit Millennials.

Thursday 14 November 2019

Choices.


What matters in our world is not what may or may not be in our unconscious but what we choose.

What manifests in our world is what we choose.

And what we choose is subject to our will.

We use our will to discriminate between what is helpful and what is not.

There is no other way.

So we should not be concerned about our unconscious, we have little control over what may be there, but we should apply our will to choose the best options.

And we should forgive ourselves for any mistakes we may make.


Photo Credit: Videoblocks.

Wednesday 13 November 2019

Good.


Whatever happened to Good?

When I was young we were expected to be Good.

And we wanted to be Good.

And I don't mean just well-behaved.

I mean real Good.

Good to us meant being honest and truthful.

Good to us meant caring and helping.

Good to us meant peace and love.

But the next generation (Generation X) were Bad.

And they made everyone else Bad.

Now we laud corruption and praise evil.

But the generation that follows Generation X (the Millennials) are Good.

Good to them is natural.

They aspire to work towards Good.

This gives us Hope.

And it deserves our full support.

So put your faith in this generation.

And pour your blessings upon them.

For God is Good.

And all blessings flow from Him.


Photo Credit: Pinterest.