Dismantling Fascism.

Fascism is a cold, hard reaction to life's harshness.

In fact it is a fortress erected to protect a wound.

And what is that wound but a broken heart.

So the solution to modern fascism is not aggression or violence but love.

To show warmth and consideration to others will help them to dismantle their defences and open up to other human beings.

So have a warm and generous heart.

And do not judge others for their shortcomings.

There will always be a good reason for them.


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Theological College.

Jesus said that the world did not know God.

How could this be?

How could God's representatives on earth not know the nature and the will of God?

The answer is that they have all been trained to adhere to a strict orthodoxy.

Theological colleges past and present enforce an image of God which has been handed down from generation to generation.

God is seen as harsh and judgemental.
A dispenser of rewards and punishments.

Spirituality is seen as retributive.

Jesus said, "'Woe to you lawyers!  For you have taken away the key of knowledge, you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.'"  Luke 11:52 (NRSV)

Jesus was talking about Legalism - i.e. the rigid application of rules and regulations.

He contrasted this with his image of God as a loving Father.

"'And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven.'"  Matthew 23:9 (NRSV)

Was Jesus suggesting that we cut out the middle man and contact God directly?

Many people in our modern world would agree.

Could it be that the men in authority in Jesus' Churches are the descendants of the Pharisees?

It would seem so.

The blind lead the blind.

And they insult God.

So find a progressive Church.

Or go into your room and close the door.

Pray to God with all your heart.

He will answer you.

And deliver you from evil.


[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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Church.

Much of what the Church has taught in the past was sophistry.

It was centered in the mind as a set of beliefs or principles.

And it was reinforced by fear.

This led to a cold, hard atmosphere in church.

And many Church people were cold, hard people.

But God is centered in the heart.

His children have warm, loving hearts.

And this can lead to warmth in church.

To improve the atmosphere in church we must address the specious fears that harden our hearts.

We must give love to those around us.

To improve people's experience of Church we must put into practise the things that we express in church.

Only then will people return to the Church.


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The Gospels.

Mark is the rudimentary Gospel.
(Possibly from the recollections of Peter in Rome.)

Matthew is the Jewish elaboration.
(From Q and other sources.)

Luke is the Gentile elaboration.
(From Q and other sources.)

John is sophisticated Christology.
(Written later by the followers of the disciple John.)


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No Threat.

With the postal survey on same-sex marriage under way it is timely to remind people that gay marriage is not a threat.

Legalizing gay marriage will not cause any damage to society.

It will not affect existing marriages.

Nor will it discourage future marriages.

It merely widens the scope of marriage and encourages same-sex couples to commit to each other for life.

Religious people who rely on antiquated ritual purity laws in the Old Testament and the letters of St. Paul which were never intended to be applied as sacred scripture need not panic.

I can state categorically that God does not hate gay people.

He loves us as sons and daughters who will go to Heaven when we die.


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A Living Wage.

In the parable of The Laborers in the Vineyard  (Matthew 20) workers are paid the usual daily wage no matter how long they have worked.

This seems mysterious to most of us.

But what I believe that God (the landowner) is doing is ensuring that everyone has enough to live on.

The usual daily wage was a living wage - enough to live on - and each worker received enough.

This is God providing for us.

Providing enough for us to live.

And everyone receives the same.

This is a different orientation from the landowners of this world.

Most employers will pay according to the amount of work done - reward for effort.

And their motivation is to make bigger and bigger profits for themselves.

But God's orientation is to provide a living for each of His workers no matter how much work they have done.

God provides.

So why do people starve?

The earth produces enough food for everyone to live but because of our fear we hoard and even destroy it rather than sharing it with others.

God provides enough food.

But we will not share it with the hungry.

So people starve.

Business must change its orientation from personal profit to providing a living wage.

Our workers are our sons and daughters.

And God is our Father.


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Wannabes.

Our world is full of corporate slaves and wannabes.

We have been reduced to black suited work units and aspirational social climbers.

There is no idealism.

And religion is dead.

Our governments are corporate pawns.

And our media is propaganda.

Rock music is Satanism.

And our entertainment is likewise.

The only sign of hope is Internet activism.

So keep signing petitions and sending messages.

Vote against corporate puppets.

And pray!


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