Thursday 31 January 2019

A Philosophy of Goodness.


If you watch T.V. you will be inundated with shows which push a philosophy of competition, treachery, and evil.

Everyone is expected to sacrifice all principles in order to win.

This dog-eat-dog philosophy is the child of Satanism and Plutocracy.

We are expected to lie, cheat, and steal in order to win the prize.

This philosophy is bad.

It corrupts.

And it leads to untold suffering.

But God's philosophy of goodness transcends this low-life propaganda.

A philosophy of goodness encourages us to show: virtue, mercy, consideration, generosity, and love.

We are to deal honestly with others and adhere to the truth at all times.

We are to wish the best for others.

And bless them in their endeavours.

This is the philosophy of goodness that comes from God.

We are to follow it always.

And pray for others to see God's goodness and Love.


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Wednesday 30 January 2019

The Religion of the Future.


Rather than the dead, oppressive, regressive religion of fear that has haunted our past.

Progressive Christianity presents as a viable religion of the future.

All over the world progressive religious teachings are liberating people from unreality.

Creeds and traditions and doctrines and dogmas are being cast aside for the simple teachings of the heart.

Love God and love your neighbor.

This is the religion of the future.


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Tuesday 29 January 2019

Sex.


Many Church people have a phobia about sex.

They neuter Jesus.

And they neuter God.

God is to them a disembodied spirit.

But how could the omnipotent creator of the universe be less than us.

The world is full of sex.

Humans, animals, plants and flowers, birds and bees.....

Sex is everywhere.

How could this be if God is anti-sex.

They may then say that sex should be only within the confines of marriage.

But God did not invent marriage.

He did not marry Adam and Eve before saying: "Be fruitful and multiply."  Genesis 1:28 (NRSV)

And "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good."  Genesis 1:31 (NRSV)

It is natural for young men to sow their wild oats before settling down with one partner.

We see this in nature.

And we see this in humans.

That's the way it is designed.

But excessive promiscuity has always led to sexually transmitted diseases.

So moderation is advised.

But sex is not bad or banned.

God invented it after all.

And He created some of us homosexual.

So don't try and put us in the closet.

And don't try and neuter us.


[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.

Monday 28 January 2019

Beautiful Men.


One of the women at church complained about me putting photographs of beautiful musclemen on my blog.

I tried to explain to her that I did this on purpose in order to indicate that you can go to church and still have an active sex life, even if you are homosexual.

You can be gay and spiritual.

Later I sent her an email in which I reminded her that Michelangelo had the same problem when he painted beautiful naked musclemen in the Sistine Chapel.

So much so that they painted veils over the offending parts while he was away.

Michelangelo was furious!

Many Christians neuter Christ and sanitize his religion.

I will not be censored!


Photo Credit: Jay Cutler.

Sunday 27 January 2019

Pragmatism.


After the violence of the 1980s we were forced to accept the proposition that pragmatism was a superior method to idealism.

Reluctantly we consented to allow the powers of the world to try.

Unfortunately this turned out to be a gross deceit.

After 40 years of pragmatism the world is a darker, more violent, more unequal place than ever before.

And we are powerless.

My remedy is to return to the idealism of the 1960s and 1970s without dismissing the practical advantages that come from pragmatism.

Things like economic development projects in developing countries, sustainable development goals, carbon emissions targets, preservation of marine parks etc......

These can be linked to idealism and peace initiatives in order to turn the world around.

We must accept that pragmatic economic ideology has failed.

The world is not a better place. 

We must return to the ideals of ethical socialism in order to regain what has been lost.

Practical idealism is not only the basis of a balanced political solution it is also the basis of a viable religion of the 21st Century.

So resurrect your ideals and your spiritual values and link them to practical action.

Then we may make the world a better place.


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Saturday 26 January 2019

Back in Black.


After the disaster of the 1980s the Hippie Generation experienced something of a revival in the mid-1990s.

Unfortunately what happened was that the rock stars of the 1960s returned to something of their former prominence but the idealism and aspirations of the Hippie Generation were not restored.

They were merely Back in Black.

Now they just enjoy themselves as others do.

Holidays, shopping, must-see T.V., sports, and nostalgia are all that is left.

Some of their children have inherited their ideals and become active on the Internet.

It is up to us to support them and revive the social movement that is dormant among us.


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Friday 25 January 2019

Healing.


Rather than condemning a whole generation for taking drugs we should follow the lead of Jesus and pray for healing and wholeness.

The Hippie Generation were betrayed by their rock stars into lives of drugs and degradation.

This was done deliberately by superstars who had sold their souls and practised Satanism and black magic as taught by Aleister Crowley.

We were set up to fail.

And so we should not feel guilty or blame ourselves.

We should pray for a return to the peace and love that was betrayed.

The peace and love that inspired Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela.

The peace and love that was taught by Jesus of Nazareth.


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Thursday 24 January 2019

Fear and Insecurity.


So what is it that drives people to acquire more and more money?

I believe that it is fear and insecurity.

I have an aunt who grew up during The Great Depression.

She worked her whole life accumulating more and more money.

Even though her husband had a well paid job.

My mother asked her late in her life why she kept working when she had more than enough.

She said that she never felt as if she had enough.

This is extreme fear and insecurity planted in the unconscious in her childhood.

I believe that this pattern appears in most people who need more and more money.

So the answer is not to threaten them or force them but to reassure them and allay their fears.

The greatest tool we have to overcome fear and insecurity is faith.

Jesus said: "Do not fear, only believe."  Mark 5:35 (NRSV)

For Jesus knew God and God is reliable.

His Love will not fail us.

And His mercy is infinite.


[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.]

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Wednesday 23 January 2019

Sovereignty.


At the Uniting Church National Assembly we were asked to support recognition of Aboriginal Sovereignty of the land of Australia.

My initial reaction was to be concerned about the word Sovereignty.

Did this imply ownership?

Were we in for huge lawsuits claiming compensation?

Not that I oppose Aboriginal land rights but we already have Native Title.

In any case the word Sovereignty is a British word meaning ownership by the Crown or King it is not an Aboriginal concept.

I prayed fervently about this and received the answer that it was not Aboriginal Sovereignty that was the problem but the concept of ownership and materialism itself.

Our white settler Sovereignty was no more valid than Aboriginal Sovereignty.

God owns the land.

We are merely custodians.

Like the tenant farmers of early Israel.

"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine: with me you are but aliens and tenants."  Leviticus 25:23 (NRSV)

I believe that this concept is much closer to the traditional Aboriginal concept of Custodianship.

Therefore I believe that Sovereignty is an inappropriate word to use.

I support Native Title and I support a Treaty.

But I don't support Sovereignty - Aboriginal or White European.


[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.]

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Tuesday 22 January 2019

Moderation.


Pleasure is not bad or banned.

But it is not the answer.

The key to pleasure is moderation.

Rock bands push indulgence and excess.

They are uncompromising in their message.

"Just have a good time."

"Indulge in sin and fun."

But their approach will get you nowhere.

It leads to burn-out and emptiness.

And may even lead to suicide.

So don't listen to rock music's anthems of excess.

Practise moderation.

Then you will be safe.


(N.B. The motto of the Greek god Apollo was: All things in moderation.)

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Monday 21 January 2019

Pleasure.


The message of rock music is pleasure.

They may pretend to be spiritual or wise but in the end their answer is pleasure.

And this is no coincidence.

It is a deliberate ploy to move everyone to a dubious position in order to endanger their souls.

Unconscious words and images contribute to this overwhelming message of excess.

Promiscuity, drugs, selfishness, sin, wickedness, lies, evil.....

All these things lurk in their music.

Sex and drugs and rock and roll is not a spiritual message it is sabotage and Satanism.


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Sunday 20 January 2019

Pureland.


Pureland is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

The Pureland is the abode of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas.

And unexpectedly the practise of Pureland Buddhism does not involve adherence to high moral principles.

Pureland Buddhist meditation involves constantly bringing to mind the Buddha or Bodhisattva in the hope of being reborn in the Pureland.

Neither does it require abstinence from sex.

Its adherents are householders and families like any other.

So do not despair.

Help is at hand.


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Saturday 19 January 2019

Torture.


Torture is not O.K. under any circumstances.

We see gay and lesbian people abducted and tortured, some even murdered, in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia; even in a liberal country like Brazil.

But torture is not O.K. under any circumstances.

Those who perpetrate these crimes feel justified by hatred and fear.

Others stand idly by and rationalize what they see.

Some sit on the fence.

Others claim that it is God punishing them.

But torture is not O.K. under any circumstances.

God is not a torturer.

And we should not condone torture.

Because torture is not O.K. under any circumstances.


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Friday 18 January 2019

The Reality.


Satanism targets the mind.

But it cannot control the Reality, only what you are thinking about it.

So in the end it is powerless to change what God has done.

God lifts us up.

And touches our hearts.

God loves us.

And restores us to health.

Satanism may try to change what we think.

But in the long run it cannot.

This is God's Salvation.


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Thursday 17 January 2019

Temptations.


Rather than the traditional idea that temptation is all about sex I would suggest that the most damaging temptations are about power and cruelty.

The temptation of religious people to take the law into their own hands and execute judgements and punishments on those they disapprove of is perhaps the greatest temptation of all.

And the violence and torture which follow upon their judgements are great sins.

But the temptation of those in authority to implement the carrot and stick religion of heaven and hell is equally damaging to humanity and religion alike.

To deflect disapproval of these great sins onto sexual behavior is a temptation in itself.  And ignoring other transgressions like corruption and exploitation is tantamount to collusion.

So don't accept the idea that temptation is all about sex there are greater temptations that keep our world in darkness.


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Wednesday 16 January 2019

A Father's Love.


The rich say: "What can we do to please God?"

Pay your taxes.

Do not oppress your workers.

Have compassion and consideration for them like sons and daughters.

Do not plot against your brothers and sisters.

Let no evil thought enter your minds.

Provide for others as God has provided for you.

But above all open your hearts!

Love your workers as the Father loves you.

Then you will please God.


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Tuesday 15 January 2019

Broken.


Christians often refer to the world as broken.

It refers to the imperfect nature of life on Earth.

It does not refer to God breaking our wills as some commentators have suggested.

So what does broken mean?

I believe that because love is the source and purpose of life that broken refers to our broken hearts.

And the world is the vale of the broken-hearted.

But God mends our broken hearts.

If we love God and love our neighbor God returns our love abundantly.

And it is this that makes us whole.


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Monday 14 January 2019

White Privilege.


Western white privilege is supported by a network of social conventions which hide the perpetrators of injustice while whitewashing the beneficiaries.

This has solidified into what we call the System.

Business and legal conventions combine to protect the System at every turn.

This System was established by violence and is maintained by fear.

It is now global.

Solid barriers distance us from the consequences of our actions.

Bargains do not tell you about the slave labor that created them.

Corporations subcontract to companies using slave labor and ask no questions.

If it is discovered they merely say they knew nothing about it and no one is charged.

But we benefit from the cheap goods they produce.

And we ask no questions.

We are all implicated.

But who can challenge this Behemoth?

Corporate activism is emerging. 

Shareholder activism is beginning.

But it is yet to be seen whether these moves can challenge the giants of corporate ownership.

Media moguls use the media to hide corruption and sanitize the privileged.

And anyone who dares to challenge them is hit with a beat-up hate campaign.

So we are stuck with the System.

We can only pray for change.


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Sunday 13 January 2019

Risk.


In order to grow spiritually we must be prepared to take risks.

And in order to take risks we must have courage.

So have the courage of your convictions and strengthen your integrity.

If you do this there may be consequences.

A backlash of fear, threats, even violence may follow.

But our course is set.

It is better to follow your heart than to be imprisoned by fear.


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Saturday 12 January 2019

Our Father.


God will not judge even His own wayward priests and ministers.

God is faithful.

And He knows that evil is inspired by fear.

Fear which has been handed down from generation to generation as tradition.

So do not judge those who have threatened us.

Like Judas and the Pharisees they will be forgiven.

For God is their Father also.


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Friday 11 January 2019

Threats.


Many people in the Church will act in a threatening way if you challenge their integrity or their theology.

This is because, as children, their parents enforced their ethics with threats.

And fear begets fear.

But fear is not a good motivation - conscious or otherwise.

We see this in the words of the Bible.

But there is no fear in God.

God does not threaten us.

His goodness and love are free gifts.

This is Grace.

So let go of your fear and give love. 


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Thursday 10 January 2019

Free!


Modern living makes us lonely, alienated, burnt-out, depressed, cynical, neurotic, and insular.....

But by establishing a relationship with God through prayer, study, contemplation, and love we can overcome the world.

God sets us free!

Free to live positively.

Free to let go of fear.

Free to give.

Free to love.

God opens our eyes.

And touches our hearts.

Give love to God and to your neighbor.

And you will be free!


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Wednesday 9 January 2019

Aquarius 2.


How will we achieve this?

By preaching inclusiveness.

And encouraging selflessness.

By practising charity.

And empathy with nature.

By forgiving our enemies.

And making peace.

By teaching faith and love.

And living in the Light.


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(The image has been slightly modified.)

Tuesday 8 January 2019

Aquarius 1.


Aquarius is the age when we will think of everyone.

We will break down the walls that separate us.

We will feed the hungry.

And house the homeless.

We will give to the poor.

And share our wealth.

We will put aside our greed.

And heal the Earth.

We will overcome our fear.

And give love to everyone.

We will give up our differences.

And become citizens of the world.


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Monday 7 January 2019

The Church.


Many people in the Church rely for their psychological security on the idea that they are good.

But often they are not as good as they think.

They will volunteer and contribute to official Church activities but it goes no further.

It does not go beyond the church's door.

This is because their good works are inspired by fear.

Fear of damnation, fear of hell.

So they do just enough and no more.

Often they will steal the credit for others' courage and integrity - as if they had done it themselves.

This is done through the Church - we are the Church so we get the credit - even for what God has done.

This is why the self-perception of the Church has become self-deception.

But the Church is not all bad.

Church people still do good works.

But the community's perception of the Church is quite different.

The Church is seen as a bankrupt institution which bullies women and castrates men.

It has no value whatever.

This perception is no more true than the Church's self-perception.

But it persists none the less.

So we have reached a stalemate.

The Church will not face its own evils and the community will not see any good in the Church.


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Sunday 6 January 2019

Deprivation.


Our society lacks compassion.

Our society lacks forgiveness.

Our society lacks mercy.

Our society lacks charity.

Our society lacks generosity.

Our society lacks selflessness.

Our society lacks friendliness.

These are all aspects of religion.

And as our society has turned away from religion we have lost these spiritual qualities from among us.

So when you blame religion and reject God be aware that you are not only rejecting the negative qualities of religion but the positive qualities as well.


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Saturday 5 January 2019

Black and White.


How many rock stars, male and female, have we seen dressed in black and white?

This is a subliminal message that they are evil and good.

Or that is what we are supposed to believe.

In fact they are evil disguised as good.

Their dark side rules.

This duality is a blind to make you embrace evil.

As if it was something natural.

So beware of stars who use black and white.

They are deceiving you.


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(The image has been slightly modified.)

Friday 4 January 2019

He Who Deceives the Whole World.


The devil has been called "He who deceives the whole world".

And while I do not believe in a real devil I do believe that we are deceived by devil-worshippers.

Satanists in rock music, media, and entertainment deceive everyone.

They pose as saviors and messiahs but they are dogs (gods backwards) and divas (evil goddesses).

They are wolves in sheeps' clothing.

They are whited sepulchres.

They tempt you and corrupt you.

They distract you and disturb you.

They lead you astray and sabotage any spiritual quest.

This is what happened to the Hippie Generation.

Peace and love became sex and drugs and rock and roll.

Liberalism became decadence.

And our ideals were lost.

Subsequent generations have been corrupted and controlled.

Pure evil, sin, filthy, wicked, despicable.....

All these things derive from Satanism in rock music and entertainment.

So be aware.

We are being deceived.


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Thursday 3 January 2019

L.S.D.


I read on the Internet about a new play which is about L.S.D..

The author is suggesting that we need a new wave of drug taking in our world.

This is Satanism preparing the Millennials for the horrors of drug abuse.

Satanists, mostly in rock music, inspired the Baby-Boomers to take drugs and engage in promiscuous sex.

Sex and drugs and rock and roll ruined a whole generation.

And now they are doing it again.

Because the Millennials have planets in Aquarius - the negative interpretations of which are drug abuse and promiscuous sex - they have designed their hell.

So don't be fooled into thinking that drug taking is O.K..

It leads to squalor, degradation, and mental illness.


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Wednesday 2 January 2019

Extortion.


Fundamentalist Christian leaders will try to extort obedience from you by threatening to put you in the power of the devil or devil-worshippers unless you submit to their authority.

This is what Jesus accused the Pharisees of doing.

It is extortion.

And it is corrupt.

It is not the practice of God.

Fundamentalist leaders have usurped the power of God and made themselves gods over men and women.

But you can appeal to God for help.

Cry out!

Pray fervently to God.

He will hear.

And deliver you.

But God will not smite your enemies.

Jesus said to pray for those who abuse you.

This is because God will not destroy them but change them and redeem them.

So pray for your persecutors.

That they may overcome their corruption and their fears and see God's Love clearly.


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Tuesday 1 January 2019

The Chosen One.


Dune, Star Wars, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Long and Winding Road, Once there was a way, Monty Python, Rocket Man, Beauty and the Beast, It's No Game, Drugs, Mind Games, Trips, Hotel California, and many more.....

These examples of The Chosen One Goes Wrong have created suffering and damnation for innocents.

Invariably the predicted savior does something wrong and becomes an agent of evil.

And make no mistake this was done quite deliberately by rock stars, novelists, and movie directors.

It is the work of Satanists in the arts.

And it has caused untold damage and suffering.

But it is inevitable that we will make mistakes in our spiritual quest.

If we persevere through study and prayer we will find our goal.

And overcome this sabotage.

God forgives us.

His Mercy is sure.

His Love is steadfast.

And His Life is everlasting.


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