The problem is that since the 1980s, when everyone from ailing sporting institutions to individuals desperate for work turned to the corporations for support, the brutal and ruthless practices of the corporations have permeated everything.
Now they own everything from small businesses to football, basketball, and cricket.
Anything that makes a profit or has influence is owned by the corporations.
This is why you hear the constant refrain "work harder" from all your sporting heroes.
This is our corporate masters cracking the whip.
Of course all of this is done by stealth in order to maintain a veneer of innocence.
Everyone is aware of what their bosses require of them at work.
But they cannot control us at home.
More and more people are using the internet to express their ideals.
This is a kind of protest against the brutal philosophy of our corporate bosses.
The anonymous nature of the internet makes it possible for individuals to amass collective power without risking reprisals.
And the corporate powers can do nothing to stop it.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Forgiveness of Sins.
Jesus continually said, "your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5b (NRSV)
Why did he say this?
What did he know?
The most likely answer to these questions is that Jesus himself had been forgiven by God.
This, of course, contradicts the orthodox assertion that Jesus was without sin - the lamb without spot.
But how would Jesus have known that God forgives people's sins unless his own sins had been forgiven by God?
Contrary to the orthodox position I believe that Jesus was an ordinary human being like you or me. An ordinary human being with sins like any of us who drew close to God. And this experience caused him to say "your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5b (NRSV)
And he says it to everyone.
"'For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.'" Matthew 9:13b (NRSV)
"'For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.'" Luke 19:10 (NRSV)
It is unlikely that Jesus would have had so much sympathy for sinners unless he had sinned himself.
"'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'" John 8:7b (NRSV)
"'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.'" Mark 10:18 (NRSV)
"forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations" Luke 24:47 (NRSV)
(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.)
Why did he say this?
What did he know?
The most likely answer to these questions is that Jesus himself had been forgiven by God.
This, of course, contradicts the orthodox assertion that Jesus was without sin - the lamb without spot.
But how would Jesus have known that God forgives people's sins unless his own sins had been forgiven by God?
Contrary to the orthodox position I believe that Jesus was an ordinary human being like you or me. An ordinary human being with sins like any of us who drew close to God. And this experience caused him to say "your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5b (NRSV)
And he says it to everyone.
"'For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.'" Matthew 9:13b (NRSV)
"'For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.'" Luke 19:10 (NRSV)
It is unlikely that Jesus would have had so much sympathy for sinners unless he had sinned himself.
"'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'" John 8:7b (NRSV)
"'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.'" Mark 10:18 (NRSV)
"forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations" Luke 24:47 (NRSV)
(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.)
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Millennium.
According to most astrologers Jesus birth star was the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction in the sign of Pisces.
This dates from 7 BCE.
So the millennium was really in 1993.
This is logical because 1993 saw the first conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn - the first of the Aquarian aspects which were to last until 2011.
So , if the Age of Aquarius starts at the millennium, it began with this conjunction in 1993.
This dates from 7 BCE.
So the millennium was really in 1993.
This is logical because 1993 saw the first conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn - the first of the Aquarian aspects which were to last until 2011.
So , if the Age of Aquarius starts at the millennium, it began with this conjunction in 1993.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Heaven.
The mystery that we on earth have failed to comprehend is that God is wholly good.
God only acts in a way that is beneficial to us.
There is no harm is God.
He forgives even the most heinous sinner.
And acts in a way which is beneficial to everyone.
God seeks to maximize the benefit in any situation for the maximum number of people.
God can bring good out of unfortunate events.
So do not fear God.
There is nothing to fear.
God only wants what is best for us.
And when we pray, "'Our Father in heaven.'" Matthew 6:9b (NRSV)
Know that it is heaven because God is there.
(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.)
God only acts in a way that is beneficial to us.
There is no harm is God.
He forgives even the most heinous sinner.
And acts in a way which is beneficial to everyone.
God seeks to maximize the benefit in any situation for the maximum number of people.
God can bring good out of unfortunate events.
So do not fear God.
There is nothing to fear.
God only wants what is best for us.
And when we pray, "'Our Father in heaven.'" Matthew 6:9b (NRSV)
Know that it is heaven because God is there.
(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.)
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Flames.
While we were watching television on Christmas day a video of a famous singing group appeared.
What was extraordinary about this live performance was that behind the four singers, who were all dressed in black, was a huge video screen, and on this screen were flames. Fire rose and spread across the whole of the background.
This did not appear to have anything to do with the song that the four men were singing.
And it kept returning.
These are the flames of Hell that famous singers use in their concerts.
These singers have sold their souls to the devil and use their performances to spread what they believe to be the devil's work in the hope of a reward.
This may seem incredible in 2012 but I can assure you that this is what is happening.
Others may use images of the Beast or 666 or death or darkness.
All rock musicians are involved so don't be fooled by their image, which is like a mask of respectability, even goodness, that hides their true intent.
They sell their souls for fame and fortune and they poison and curse their fans.
But there is no Satan.
He cannot reward them.
It works like subconscious sabotage and propaganda.
And the harm remains.
What was extraordinary about this live performance was that behind the four singers, who were all dressed in black, was a huge video screen, and on this screen were flames. Fire rose and spread across the whole of the background.
This did not appear to have anything to do with the song that the four men were singing.
And it kept returning.
These are the flames of Hell that famous singers use in their concerts.
These singers have sold their souls to the devil and use their performances to spread what they believe to be the devil's work in the hope of a reward.
This may seem incredible in 2012 but I can assure you that this is what is happening.
Others may use images of the Beast or 666 or death or darkness.
All rock musicians are involved so don't be fooled by their image, which is like a mask of respectability, even goodness, that hides their true intent.
They sell their souls for fame and fortune and they poison and curse their fans.
But there is no Satan.
He cannot reward them.
It works like subconscious sabotage and propaganda.
And the harm remains.
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Christmas.
I believe that Jesus had a normal conception and birth.
I don't believe that Mary and Joseph knew that he was to be the tutelary spirit of the age.
I don't believe that Jesus himself knew until his ministry began.
There may have been wise men who studied the stars and predicted the birth of such a spirit but it is unlikely that they were present shortly after his birth.
There is biblical evidence for this.
"When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, 'He has gone out of his mind.'" Mark 3:21 (NRSV)
Why would Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters try to restrain him if they knew that he was to be the Messiah?
They would not have believed that he had gone out of his mind.
They would have encouraged him.
So Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters could not have known that Jesus was the tutelary spirit of the Age of Pisces.
This throws a different light on the whole of Jesus' life.
He was not a perfect human being.
He was not God incarnate.
He was a normal human being who made contact with God.
As such he was a teacher.
His death on the cross was not a ransom for the sins of the world.
It was a tragedy that saw the light leave the world.
For no one after Jesus had the same level of contact with God.
The crucifixion itself was triggered when Jesus became a threat to the established powers - the Pharisees and the occupying Roman forces.
It was not an act of God at all.
(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.)
I don't believe that Mary and Joseph knew that he was to be the tutelary spirit of the age.
I don't believe that Jesus himself knew until his ministry began.
There may have been wise men who studied the stars and predicted the birth of such a spirit but it is unlikely that they were present shortly after his birth.
There is biblical evidence for this.
"When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, 'He has gone out of his mind.'" Mark 3:21 (NRSV)
Why would Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters try to restrain him if they knew that he was to be the Messiah?
They would not have believed that he had gone out of his mind.
They would have encouraged him.
So Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters could not have known that Jesus was the tutelary spirit of the Age of Pisces.
This throws a different light on the whole of Jesus' life.
He was not a perfect human being.
He was not God incarnate.
He was a normal human being who made contact with God.
As such he was a teacher.
His death on the cross was not a ransom for the sins of the world.
It was a tragedy that saw the light leave the world.
For no one after Jesus had the same level of contact with God.
The crucifixion itself was triggered when Jesus became a threat to the established powers - the Pharisees and the occupying Roman forces.
It was not an act of God at all.
(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.)
Fear of God.
The greatest problem in the world is fear.
Prejudice, oppression, violence, hatred, war - all these things spring from fear.
If we could get people to see that it is fear that motivates them, then we could begin the process of removing those fears.
Beginning and ending with the fear of God.
You have nothing to fear from God.
The fear that you feel in respect to God is fear of your own father, who punished you, or fear of an authority figure who threatened you.
You have nothing to fear from God.
God loves you.
God does not punish His children.
The Great Work begins.
Prejudice, oppression, violence, hatred, war - all these things spring from fear.
If we could get people to see that it is fear that motivates them, then we could begin the process of removing those fears.
Beginning and ending with the fear of God.
You have nothing to fear from God.
The fear that you feel in respect to God is fear of your own father, who punished you, or fear of an authority figure who threatened you.
You have nothing to fear from God.
God loves you.
God does not punish His children.
The Great Work begins.
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
God.
The problem is that most people's image of God is wrong.
The idea that God is mighty and powerful gives birth to the notion that God wins by asserting might and power.
This is incorrect.
God enlightens us.
When we see the truths which God asserts we change our minds and we change our behavior.
God is not a punisher of men and women.
Neither does He use force or violence.
God is not an enforcer of moral rules.
God is our lover.
He forgives and encourages us.
God sees good in us.
Until we change this false image of God things will not change.
The idea that God is mighty and powerful gives birth to the notion that God wins by asserting might and power.
This is incorrect.
God enlightens us.
When we see the truths which God asserts we change our minds and we change our behavior.
God is not a punisher of men and women.
Neither does He use force or violence.
God is not an enforcer of moral rules.
God is our lover.
He forgives and encourages us.
God sees good in us.
Until we change this false image of God things will not change.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Peace.
In recent times there has been a return to the idea that peace can be achieved by violent means.
From the coalition in Iraq to blue helmets at the United Nations the global military machine grinds on.
Peace keeping forces and foreign armies are merely band-aids which do not address the root causes of war.
It is an observable fact that crime increases with injustice and oppression in a country.
This also applies globally.
Third world countries feel as if the west will not give them a chance so they resort to violence in order to gain power in their own countries so that they can compete.
World War 2 would never have happened if the powers had not tried to crush Germany after World war 1.
It is noticeable that, after World War 2, the victorious powers rectified the earlier mistake by economic aid to Germany and Japan.
This was a successful strategy.
Peace was the result.
So if the west continues its oppression of third world countries it can expect more wars.
The way to break the cycle of violence is not to retaliate but to address the causes of war, usually economic inequality.
Increasing aid and commitment to diplomatic means is a start.
Oppression is fear.
We think that if we give them an equal chance they might outdo us so we don't give them a chance.
We use our military machine to intimidate and oppress all other nations on earth.
This is militarism.
Both Barak Obama and Julia Gillard have cut military spending.
This is a positive step.
The wars are ending and the troops are coming home.
Now we need to address the cause of war: economic inequality (greed) and oppression (fear).
If we can commit ourselves to these goals and strengthen our commitment to diplomacy we can make major advances towards world peace.
From the coalition in Iraq to blue helmets at the United Nations the global military machine grinds on.
Peace keeping forces and foreign armies are merely band-aids which do not address the root causes of war.
It is an observable fact that crime increases with injustice and oppression in a country.
This also applies globally.
Third world countries feel as if the west will not give them a chance so they resort to violence in order to gain power in their own countries so that they can compete.
World War 2 would never have happened if the powers had not tried to crush Germany after World war 1.
It is noticeable that, after World War 2, the victorious powers rectified the earlier mistake by economic aid to Germany and Japan.
This was a successful strategy.
Peace was the result.
So if the west continues its oppression of third world countries it can expect more wars.
The way to break the cycle of violence is not to retaliate but to address the causes of war, usually economic inequality.
Increasing aid and commitment to diplomatic means is a start.
Oppression is fear.
We think that if we give them an equal chance they might outdo us so we don't give them a chance.
We use our military machine to intimidate and oppress all other nations on earth.
This is militarism.
Both Barak Obama and Julia Gillard have cut military spending.
This is a positive step.
The wars are ending and the troops are coming home.
Now we need to address the cause of war: economic inequality (greed) and oppression (fear).
If we can commit ourselves to these goals and strengthen our commitment to diplomacy we can make major advances towards world peace.
Sunday, 23 December 2012
The Media.
The media works against God's purpose by making us more insular.
The distance and the objectivity created by news reporting in particular causes us to harden our hearts.
We don't see those on the screen as real people.
On occasion the media deliberately dehumanizes particular people or groups, sometimes demonizing them, in order to discredit their views.
This is done particularly with welfare recipients and asylum seekers. Sometimes it is done with minority groups such as gays and lesbians in order to create moral ease for a national majority.
All of this - dehumanizing, demonizing - works against God's purpose which is to develop loving and compassionate hearts.
This, combined with the Satanic influence in entertainment, works to keep people from the development which is the purpose of life.
So we should always care.
We should always see people as fellow human beings.
We should always show love and understanding, even to the least - the deadbeats, the losers, those that life has left behind.
Rather than calling for harsher penalties, we should be more lenient - looking for the causes of crime and rebellion.
If we overcome our fear we will always show love.
The distance and the objectivity created by news reporting in particular causes us to harden our hearts.
We don't see those on the screen as real people.
On occasion the media deliberately dehumanizes particular people or groups, sometimes demonizing them, in order to discredit their views.
This is done particularly with welfare recipients and asylum seekers. Sometimes it is done with minority groups such as gays and lesbians in order to create moral ease for a national majority.
All of this - dehumanizing, demonizing - works against God's purpose which is to develop loving and compassionate hearts.
This, combined with the Satanic influence in entertainment, works to keep people from the development which is the purpose of life.
So we should always care.
We should always see people as fellow human beings.
We should always show love and understanding, even to the least - the deadbeats, the losers, those that life has left behind.
Rather than calling for harsher penalties, we should be more lenient - looking for the causes of crime and rebellion.
If we overcome our fear we will always show love.
Saturday, 22 December 2012
The Wilderness.
The reason that Jesus went into the wilderness was to escape the temptations of society and the world.
Whilst you live in society it is very difficult to detach yourself from the values of the world.
So Jesus, and saints, and monks have always separated themselves from society in order to gain clear contact with God.
Far from being tempted in the wilderness by a non-existent devil Jesus successfully made full contact with God.
Jesus was called "out of the world". John 15:19 (NRSV)
This is also why most of the scriptures are a mixture of light and darkness - because they do not receive the full revelation of God, only glimpses.
As Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NRSV)
(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.)
Whilst you live in society it is very difficult to detach yourself from the values of the world.
So Jesus, and saints, and monks have always separated themselves from society in order to gain clear contact with God.
Far from being tempted in the wilderness by a non-existent devil Jesus successfully made full contact with God.
Jesus was called "out of the world". John 15:19 (NRSV)
This is also why most of the scriptures are a mixture of light and darkness - because they do not receive the full revelation of God, only glimpses.
As Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NRSV)
(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.)
Friday, 21 December 2012
John.
When the Jesus Seminar assessed the Gospels they decided that none of the sayings which are attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John were definitely uttered by him.
The Gospel of John is a highly developed piece of theology known as Christology. And the sayings attributed to Jesus are theological statements rather than the teachings and parables which appear in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
So rather than a portrait of the historical Jesus, the Gospel of John describes ideas which grew up around the figure of Jesus after his death.
That is not to say that it has no value.
But it must be remembered that the Gospel of John was written 100 years after the birth of Jesus. It differs dramatically from the other Gospels in many ways and may in fact be a less reliable guide to the historical Jesus.
The Gospel of John is a highly developed piece of theology known as Christology. And the sayings attributed to Jesus are theological statements rather than the teachings and parables which appear in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
So rather than a portrait of the historical Jesus, the Gospel of John describes ideas which grew up around the figure of Jesus after his death.
That is not to say that it has no value.
But it must be remembered that the Gospel of John was written 100 years after the birth of Jesus. It differs dramatically from the other Gospels in many ways and may in fact be a less reliable guide to the historical Jesus.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
A Misunderstanding.
Peter at Pentecost, the Gospel of John, and the Book of Acts all make the same mistake.
Or was the mistake made by subsequent generations?
They all say that believing that Jesus is the Messiah is the most important component of faith.
Later generations made Jesus the Christ (Greek for Messiah) and developed a theology based on the figure of Christ as savior, redeemer, and sacrificial atonement for sin.
But God says, ""Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay you vows to the Most High.'" Psalm 50:13,14 (NRSV)
"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV)
It is clear from these passages that what God requires of us is not ritual sacrifices or empty belief, what God requires is a change in the way we live, to become more just, more honest, more compassionate and merciful.
Jesus said, "'Why do you call me "Lord, Lord" and do not what I tell you?'" Luke 6:46 (NRSV)
Believing that Jesus is the Messiah is saying "Lord, Lord" and that is not enough.
We must do what Jesus tells us to do.
That means listening to his teachings.
There is no point in believing that Jesus is the Christ - some magical figure who will save you from damnation.
Salvation consists of listening to his words and acting upon them.
This means changing the way we live in the world so that we become more just, more honest, more compassionate and merciful.
And this would change the world.
The point of believing that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) is that you will listen to what he teaches.
At the transfiguration God says, "'This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him.'" Mark 9:7b (NRSV)
He does not say believe in him.
He says to listen to him.
Not some speculative theology based on the power of the Christ.
The Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, these are teachings about how we should live in the world.
And if we lived by these teachings we would establish the kingdom of God on earth.
And this does not mean that we earn salvation by good works.
We are not in the business of gaining enough points to avoid some threatened damnation.
Damnation does not exist.
The point of salvation, redemption, atonement etc. is not to avoid punishment.
God does not punish us.
The point is to change the way we live n the world, to make life better for those who are suffering:
the poor, the marginalized, the disabled, the refugee.
To be agents of love in the world.
(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.)
Or was the mistake made by subsequent generations?
They all say that believing that Jesus is the Messiah is the most important component of faith.
Later generations made Jesus the Christ (Greek for Messiah) and developed a theology based on the figure of Christ as savior, redeemer, and sacrificial atonement for sin.
But God says, ""Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay you vows to the Most High.'" Psalm 50:13,14 (NRSV)
"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV)
It is clear from these passages that what God requires of us is not ritual sacrifices or empty belief, what God requires is a change in the way we live, to become more just, more honest, more compassionate and merciful.
Jesus said, "'Why do you call me "Lord, Lord" and do not what I tell you?'" Luke 6:46 (NRSV)
Believing that Jesus is the Messiah is saying "Lord, Lord" and that is not enough.
We must do what Jesus tells us to do.
That means listening to his teachings.
There is no point in believing that Jesus is the Christ - some magical figure who will save you from damnation.
Salvation consists of listening to his words and acting upon them.
This means changing the way we live in the world so that we become more just, more honest, more compassionate and merciful.
And this would change the world.
The point of believing that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) is that you will listen to what he teaches.
At the transfiguration God says, "'This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him.'" Mark 9:7b (NRSV)
He does not say believe in him.
He says to listen to him.
Not some speculative theology based on the power of the Christ.
The Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, these are teachings about how we should live in the world.
And if we lived by these teachings we would establish the kingdom of God on earth.
And this does not mean that we earn salvation by good works.
We are not in the business of gaining enough points to avoid some threatened damnation.
Damnation does not exist.
The point of salvation, redemption, atonement etc. is not to avoid punishment.
God does not punish us.
The point is to change the way we live n the world, to make life better for those who are suffering:
the poor, the marginalized, the disabled, the refugee.
To be agents of love in the world.
(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.)
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Judas.
Judas was the first forgiven.
After the crucifixion, when Jesus went to his Father, Judas was the first forgiven.
Judas had committed suicide. He was the first to appear before the Father.
He was forgiven.
Why?
Because Judas had misunderstood.
He had misunderstood Jesus and he had misunderstood the Pharisees.
Jesus forgave him.
God does not condemn anyone.
The disciples constantly misunderstood Jesus.
And they continued to misunderstand after Jesus' death.
That is why Christianity developed the way that it did.
Misunderstandings.
Those who came after Jesus did not have the same level of understanding that Jesus had.
"'The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" Matthew 9:15 (NRSV)
(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.)
After the crucifixion, when Jesus went to his Father, Judas was the first forgiven.
Judas had committed suicide. He was the first to appear before the Father.
He was forgiven.
Why?
Because Judas had misunderstood.
He had misunderstood Jesus and he had misunderstood the Pharisees.
Jesus forgave him.
God does not condemn anyone.
The disciples constantly misunderstood Jesus.
And they continued to misunderstand after Jesus' death.
That is why Christianity developed the way that it did.
Misunderstandings.
Those who came after Jesus did not have the same level of understanding that Jesus had.
"'The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" Matthew 9:15 (NRSV)
(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.)
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Life is not Fair.
While we are young and without experience we think in terms of what's fair - good things should follow good behavior, bad things bad behavior.
But this does not happen.
Life is not fair.
Often the wicked prosper and the good suffer.
When we experience some contact with God, however, we begin to see things from a different perspective.
God does not reward good behavior and punish bad behavior.
God treats everybody equally.
The good and the bad.
God seeks the lost sheep, the black sheep, to redeem them.
No one is destroyed.
No one goes to hell.
God is like a father with a bad child.
He will not reject or condemn the child, he will try to help.
God sees good in us.
Even in those we call evil.
And so we stop judging people.
We stop labeling people bad or evil.
We are all equal in the sight of God.
"'Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'" Luke 15:7 (NRSV)
(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.)
But this does not happen.
Life is not fair.
Often the wicked prosper and the good suffer.
When we experience some contact with God, however, we begin to see things from a different perspective.
God does not reward good behavior and punish bad behavior.
God treats everybody equally.
The good and the bad.
God seeks the lost sheep, the black sheep, to redeem them.
No one is destroyed.
No one goes to hell.
God is like a father with a bad child.
He will not reject or condemn the child, he will try to help.
God sees good in us.
Even in those we call evil.
And so we stop judging people.
We stop labeling people bad or evil.
We are all equal in the sight of God.
"'Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'" Luke 15:7 (NRSV)
(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.)
Monday, 17 December 2012
The Islamic Bible.
At first sight the Koran appears to justify violence and terror.
On reflection, however, it is similar to the Bible.
The Bible can also be read to justify violence and terror.
As we are selective of the passages we read in the Bible so should we be selective of the passages we read in the Koran.
If we read the Koran in the same way as we read the Bible - editing out the violence and punishment - there is much to be learned from both the Koran and the Bible.
We should be looking at the positive teachings of Islam as we do with Christianity.
We should not let our fear take over.
On reflection, however, it is similar to the Bible.
The Bible can also be read to justify violence and terror.
As we are selective of the passages we read in the Bible so should we be selective of the passages we read in the Koran.
If we read the Koran in the same way as we read the Bible - editing out the violence and punishment - there is much to be learned from both the Koran and the Bible.
We should be looking at the positive teachings of Islam as we do with Christianity.
We should not let our fear take over.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
The Age of Reason.
Australia officially came into being on January 1st 1901 when the states amalgamated to form the federation.
As such Australia and its constitution are children of the Enlightenment with its emphasis on reason and its separation of Church and State.
Australia is a modernist nation.
So Australia has grown up with a mechanistic view of nature and a materialist view of life.
Government is a social contract of self interests.
We were taught in school to view the world as a mechanical whirl of dead matter. God was distant - in heaven. There was no life in inanimate objects. There was no meaning in the world.
This has led to the modern experience of alienation. The lack of meaning that the triumphant ego learns. There was no great plan. There were no supernatural beings. Everything could be explained by science.
But with the advent of post-modernism everyone seems to have become disenchanted with these answers.
No one really believes them anymore but no one knows what to believe instead.
There is a philosophical vacuum.
There are random manifestations like a belief in magic or witchcraft, which seeks to impose the ego's will over reality, but the almost universal aversion to institutionalized religion has left the masses with nowhere to go.
Idealism wells up like a flood.
Suddenly it begins to appear on the internet as activist sites.
And thousands are subscribing.
This is an outlet for pent up idealism.
The collective power of the internet is able to express anonymously our desire to change things.
A desire which is denied us in our work, where we have to conform to the secular materialist philosophy of our almighty employers.
It is notable that many of these campaigns concern the environment and ways of preserving it.
This is post-modern spirituality - idealism and environmentalism.
It is individual and collective.
The internet provides an outlet for our our frustrated spirituality.
Here we can see interconnectedness, community with like minds, freedom, and action.
A new philosophy?
The collective aspects of the internet give it great power.
At last we can see the larger picture.
Is this a vision of a greater plan?
Is the new paradigm appearing here as well?
The internet empowers our idealism.
The larger, transpersonal principles appearing on the internet are:
Environmentalism.
Social Justice.
Egalitarianism.
Humanitarianism.
Compassion.
Generosity.
Human rights.
This would indicate a more political kind of spirituality - one which engages actively with the world and its powers.
As such Australia and its constitution are children of the Enlightenment with its emphasis on reason and its separation of Church and State.
Australia is a modernist nation.
So Australia has grown up with a mechanistic view of nature and a materialist view of life.
Government is a social contract of self interests.
We were taught in school to view the world as a mechanical whirl of dead matter. God was distant - in heaven. There was no life in inanimate objects. There was no meaning in the world.
This has led to the modern experience of alienation. The lack of meaning that the triumphant ego learns. There was no great plan. There were no supernatural beings. Everything could be explained by science.
But with the advent of post-modernism everyone seems to have become disenchanted with these answers.
No one really believes them anymore but no one knows what to believe instead.
There is a philosophical vacuum.
There are random manifestations like a belief in magic or witchcraft, which seeks to impose the ego's will over reality, but the almost universal aversion to institutionalized religion has left the masses with nowhere to go.
Idealism wells up like a flood.
Suddenly it begins to appear on the internet as activist sites.
And thousands are subscribing.
This is an outlet for pent up idealism.
The collective power of the internet is able to express anonymously our desire to change things.
A desire which is denied us in our work, where we have to conform to the secular materialist philosophy of our almighty employers.
It is notable that many of these campaigns concern the environment and ways of preserving it.
This is post-modern spirituality - idealism and environmentalism.
It is individual and collective.
The internet provides an outlet for our our frustrated spirituality.
Here we can see interconnectedness, community with like minds, freedom, and action.
A new philosophy?
The collective aspects of the internet give it great power.
At last we can see the larger picture.
Is this a vision of a greater plan?
Is the new paradigm appearing here as well?
The internet empowers our idealism.
The larger, transpersonal principles appearing on the internet are:
Environmentalism.
Social Justice.
Egalitarianism.
Humanitarianism.
Compassion.
Generosity.
Human rights.
This would indicate a more political kind of spirituality - one which engages actively with the world and its powers.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Be Reconciled.
Jesus said, "'there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'" Luke 15:7 (NRSV)
This is the love of God for His prodigal sons and daughters.
God does not abandon His wayward children.
He understands them.
He waits for them to change.
He does not punish them.
He treats them well.
In the hope that they will change.
So we wait.
Wait until they see.
See the goodness of God.
And are reconciled.
(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.)
This is the love of God for His prodigal sons and daughters.
God does not abandon His wayward children.
He understands them.
He waits for them to change.
He does not punish them.
He treats them well.
In the hope that they will change.
So we wait.
Wait until they see.
See the goodness of God.
And are reconciled.
(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.)
Friday, 14 December 2012
Sinners.
Jesus said, "'For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.'" Matthew 9:13b (NRSV)
Why did Jesus forgive sinners?
Jesus said, "'A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.' And Jesus said to him, 'You have judged rightly.'" Luke 7:41-43 (NRSV)
We are encouraged to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
We all make mistakes.
But God does not punish us.
No one is condemned.
It is human nature to divide the world into good and evil, us and them, right and wrong.....
But God does not see it thus.
Are the righteous any better than sinners?
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the temple, "'Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.'" Matthew 21:31b (NRSV)
Our heavenly Father will not abandon us.
He understands our decisions.
And the tyranny of fear.
Help us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
(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.)
Why did Jesus forgive sinners?
Jesus said, "'A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.' And Jesus said to him, 'You have judged rightly.'" Luke 7:41-43 (NRSV)
We are encouraged to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
We all make mistakes.
But God does not punish us.
No one is condemned.
It is human nature to divide the world into good and evil, us and them, right and wrong.....
But God does not see it thus.
Are the righteous any better than sinners?
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the temple, "'Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.'" Matthew 21:31b (NRSV)
Our heavenly Father will not abandon us.
He understands our decisions.
And the tyranny of fear.
Help us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
(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.)
Thursday, 13 December 2012
No Sides.
The distinguishing feature of the ultimate reality or God is that there are no sides.
Not only does God not take sides, He does not recognize our sides at all.
To Him there is no us and them.
So there is no profit in trying to win.
Trying to win our side against another side.
All are equal.
All are equally loved
We are encouraged to forgive.
To forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Then there are no sides.
Only imperfect human beings.
Human beings make mistakes.
Our mistakes are forgiven.
Forgive your enemies.
And be like God.
Not only does God not take sides, He does not recognize our sides at all.
To Him there is no us and them.
So there is no profit in trying to win.
Trying to win our side against another side.
All are equal.
All are equally loved
We are encouraged to forgive.
To forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Then there are no sides.
Only imperfect human beings.
Human beings make mistakes.
Our mistakes are forgiven.
Forgive your enemies.
And be like God.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Backwards.
Satanism is orthodox religion backwards.
Orthodox religion is dominated by fear of God.
This fear of God motivates rebellion.
The rebels' image of God is of tyrannical morality, violence, judgment, punishment, and torture.
But this image is completely false.
They have taken the orthodox image of God and internalized it.
So their malice, their sabotage, their violence is based on a falsehood.
They prefer Satan.
To them Satan is reliable (a contract), dominant (the way of the world), desirable (pleasure, sex, fame etc), and consistent (evil).
But Satan does not exist in reality.
The effects of fame and fortune happen in any case whether you sell your soul or not.
It is the result of talent and hard work not some supernatural contract.
So all the damage that they do is for nothing.
It is an enormous misunderstanding.
But they will fall at the last hurdle.
In the end there is no Satan, only God's love.
Orthodox religion is dominated by fear of God.
This fear of God motivates rebellion.
The rebels' image of God is of tyrannical morality, violence, judgment, punishment, and torture.
But this image is completely false.
They have taken the orthodox image of God and internalized it.
So their malice, their sabotage, their violence is based on a falsehood.
They prefer Satan.
To them Satan is reliable (a contract), dominant (the way of the world), desirable (pleasure, sex, fame etc), and consistent (evil).
But Satan does not exist in reality.
The effects of fame and fortune happen in any case whether you sell your soul or not.
It is the result of talent and hard work not some supernatural contract.
So all the damage that they do is for nothing.
It is an enormous misunderstanding.
But they will fall at the last hurdle.
In the end there is no Satan, only God's love.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Religious Fear.
The leaders of our world religions are full of fear.
Fear of God.
Fear of evil.
This fear has been passed down from generation to generation by those who obey their superiors.
Most see God as a rule maker.
And they assume that these rules are enforced with punishments and rewards.
They obey unquestioningly.
But they impose their fear on others by intimidation and force.
Fear begets fear.
So, rather than attacking them or threatening them, it is possible to feel sorry for them.
So tyrannized are they by fear.
We can pray for them to overcome their fear, to see God's true nature which is merciful and compassionate.
God is not a punisher of men and women.
He does not judge us.
Therefore there can be no hell.
There is no Satan to fear.
No anger, no wrath.
God is all good.
God is Love.
Fear of God.
Fear of evil.
This fear has been passed down from generation to generation by those who obey their superiors.
Most see God as a rule maker.
And they assume that these rules are enforced with punishments and rewards.
They obey unquestioningly.
But they impose their fear on others by intimidation and force.
Fear begets fear.
So, rather than attacking them or threatening them, it is possible to feel sorry for them.
So tyrannized are they by fear.
We can pray for them to overcome their fear, to see God's true nature which is merciful and compassionate.
God is not a punisher of men and women.
He does not judge us.
Therefore there can be no hell.
There is no Satan to fear.
No anger, no wrath.
God is all good.
God is Love.
Monday, 10 December 2012
The Blind.
When I look at the people of the world I see some going this way, some going that way, some leading, some following, some chasing, some fleeing.....
The blind leading the blind.
Leaders who, "'lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.'" Matthew 23:13 (NRSV)
What has changed?
The leaders do not go in themselves because they use the power and authority of their position to subjugate the masses, not to empower them or lead them to God.
"But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets." Zechariah 7:11,12a (NRSV)
These words were: "Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another." Zechariah 7:9,10 (NRSV)
This is what God seeks for us not sacrifices, songs, fasting, or long prayers.....
Outside of the Church I see people chasing after the idols of this world: fame, wealth, pleasure, status, property, possessions.....
They corrupt themselves for them.
And still find no satisfaction.
For only one thing will bring fulfillment:
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.)
The blind leading the blind.
Leaders who, "'lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.'" Matthew 23:13 (NRSV)
What has changed?
The leaders do not go in themselves because they use the power and authority of their position to subjugate the masses, not to empower them or lead them to God.
"But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets." Zechariah 7:11,12a (NRSV)
These words were: "Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another." Zechariah 7:9,10 (NRSV)
This is what God seeks for us not sacrifices, songs, fasting, or long prayers.....
Outside of the Church I see people chasing after the idols of this world: fame, wealth, pleasure, status, property, possessions.....
They corrupt themselves for them.
And still find no satisfaction.
For only one thing will bring fulfillment:
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.)
Sunday, 9 December 2012
Saturday, 8 December 2012
My Testimony.
No doubt when I am dead and I can no longer speak for myself the powers of the world will claim me as one of their own.
They will put words into my mouth and say that I supported orthodox theologies like rewards and punishments and penal substitution. They will say that I really thought like them.
This of course is a complete falsehood.
I do not support these theologies and I am certainly not going to judge anyone.
Jesus said, "'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets." Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.'" Matthew 23 :29-31 (NRSV)
The religious authorities made Jesus the Christ, thus elevating themselves to the position of absolute power.
Let this be my testimony:
I do not believe in original sin.
I do not support the theology of rewards and punishments.
I do not believe we need to sacrifice or suffer to atone for our sins.
I do not believe that God disapproves of homosexuality.
I do not believe that celibacy is necessary for a spiritual life.
I am not sexless.
I am not orthodox.
I am radical.
I believe in radical love.
And I believe that God is more radical than me.
(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.)
They will put words into my mouth and say that I supported orthodox theologies like rewards and punishments and penal substitution. They will say that I really thought like them.
This of course is a complete falsehood.
I do not support these theologies and I am certainly not going to judge anyone.
Jesus said, "'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets." Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.'" Matthew 23 :29-31 (NRSV)
The religious authorities made Jesus the Christ, thus elevating themselves to the position of absolute power.
Let this be my testimony:
I do not believe in original sin.
I do not support the theology of rewards and punishments.
I do not believe we need to sacrifice or suffer to atone for our sins.
I do not believe that God disapproves of homosexuality.
I do not believe that celibacy is necessary for a spiritual life.
I am not sexless.
I am not orthodox.
I am radical.
I believe in radical love.
And I believe that God is more radical than me.
(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.)
The Truth.
Who knows why we come into the world.
But while I am in the world I will bear witness to the truth.
And not just the truth as I discern it.
But the truth that I have heard from the Father.
But while I am in the world I will bear witness to the truth.
And not just the truth as I discern it.
But the truth that I have heard from the Father.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Three Factors.
1. Work - which is secular and pragmatic.
2. Popular Culture - which is hedonistic and anti-religious.
3. Heredity - which is idealistic.
Young people have pressure from employers directly through work and indirectly through the media (news and sport).
They also have pressure from Satanism in the popular culture directly through their headphones and indirectly through peer pressure.
Thirdly they have an inherited idealism, which has come down to them from the hippies and baby boomers, which makes the spiritual political.
Notions of God and spirituality are vague and confused.
Most are anti-religious.
This is the fashion.
So they are at once religious and anti-religious.
Sometimes, as happens with repressed energies, this comes out in a perverted form like a belief in magic.
This is re-enchantment gone wrong.
And fertile ground for Satanism.
Because popular Satanism works on the unconscious level you may find two contradictory beliefs existing at once. For example a disbelief in God and a belief in Satan. Or anti-religious beliefs and a belief in magic (which is based on the inverse of religious doctrines).
Our task is to bring what is in the unconscious up into the conscious mind so that it can be examined and resolved. This is why I expose Satanists in the music and entertainment industries. So that people can see them for what they are and decide for themselves.
This may mitigate some of the anti-religious feeling in society and allow spirituality to engage with the Emerging Church.
2. Popular Culture - which is hedonistic and anti-religious.
3. Heredity - which is idealistic.
Young people have pressure from employers directly through work and indirectly through the media (news and sport).
They also have pressure from Satanism in the popular culture directly through their headphones and indirectly through peer pressure.
Thirdly they have an inherited idealism, which has come down to them from the hippies and baby boomers, which makes the spiritual political.
Notions of God and spirituality are vague and confused.
Most are anti-religious.
This is the fashion.
So they are at once religious and anti-religious.
Sometimes, as happens with repressed energies, this comes out in a perverted form like a belief in magic.
This is re-enchantment gone wrong.
And fertile ground for Satanism.
Because popular Satanism works on the unconscious level you may find two contradictory beliefs existing at once. For example a disbelief in God and a belief in Satan. Or anti-religious beliefs and a belief in magic (which is based on the inverse of religious doctrines).
Our task is to bring what is in the unconscious up into the conscious mind so that it can be examined and resolved. This is why I expose Satanists in the music and entertainment industries. So that people can see them for what they are and decide for themselves.
This may mitigate some of the anti-religious feeling in society and allow spirituality to engage with the Emerging Church.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
A Double Life.
Young Australians who privately admit to spirituality are living a double life.
Work dominates everything 24/7.
Work is secular, materialistic, pragmatic, cynical, and competitive.
Young people know what their employers want and they publicly adhere to their bosses' materialist philosophy.
But privately they are spiritual.
By this they mean that they are idealistic and non-materialistic.
They express their repressed goodwill by supporting internet campaigns.
To keep their jobs they tell their employers what they wants to hear.
Privately they may feel the exact opposite.
But this cannot be expressed in an official way.
Our politicians are cynical and pragmatic - as materialist as big business.
There is no room in our official culture for idealism.
Idealism is a dirty word to big business.
So we don't admit to any ideals.
But the internet sites that fight causes are growing every day.
Some politicians have caught sight of this but no one is prepared to take the risk.
So we have a stalemate.
But young people's real personalities appear on the internet.
So idealism will win out in the end.
Work dominates everything 24/7.
Work is secular, materialistic, pragmatic, cynical, and competitive.
Young people know what their employers want and they publicly adhere to their bosses' materialist philosophy.
But privately they are spiritual.
By this they mean that they are idealistic and non-materialistic.
They express their repressed goodwill by supporting internet campaigns.
To keep their jobs they tell their employers what they wants to hear.
Privately they may feel the exact opposite.
But this cannot be expressed in an official way.
Our politicians are cynical and pragmatic - as materialist as big business.
There is no room in our official culture for idealism.
Idealism is a dirty word to big business.
So we don't admit to any ideals.
But the internet sites that fight causes are growing every day.
Some politicians have caught sight of this but no one is prepared to take the risk.
So we have a stalemate.
But young people's real personalities appear on the internet.
So idealism will win out in the end.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
My Father.
As for my biological father, I now think of him more like a brother than a father.
It has been said that you become an adult when you realize that your parents are human beings just like you.
When I came to this understanding I realized that my father had done the best he could with a sensitive nature and a difficult upbringing.
For years I had blamed him for not showing us enough love and affection, but I realized that he had not been loved as a child and was incapable of loving us in the way that we needed.
I forgave him.
Now he is to me like a fellow traveler on the journey of life.
"'And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven.'" Matthew 23:9 (NRSV)
(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.)
It has been said that you become an adult when you realize that your parents are human beings just like you.
When I came to this understanding I realized that my father had done the best he could with a sensitive nature and a difficult upbringing.
For years I had blamed him for not showing us enough love and affection, but I realized that he had not been loved as a child and was incapable of loving us in the way that we needed.
I forgave him.
Now he is to me like a fellow traveler on the journey of life.
"'And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven.'" Matthew 23:9 (NRSV)
(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.)
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
What We Need.
Political activity and charity work concentrate on supplying people's material needs.
While this is important we should not overlook people's spiritual needs.
This is where the philosophy of unconditional love comes into its own.
St. Paul said, "If I give away all my possessions, and I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NRSV)
People need food and shelter to survive.
What people need to live 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.)
While this is important we should not overlook people's spiritual needs.
This is where the philosophy of unconditional love comes into its own.
St. Paul said, "If I give away all my possessions, and I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NRSV)
People need food and shelter to survive.
What people need to live 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.)
Monday, 3 December 2012
Mixing Metaphors.
In the Gospel of John Jesus says:
"'I am the bread of life.'" John 6:35 (NRSV)
"'I am the bread that came down from heaven.'" John 6:41 (NRSV)
"'I am the living bread that came down from heaven.'" John 6:51 (NRSV)
"'I am the light of the world.'" John 8:12, John 9:5 (NRSV)
"'I am the gate for the sheep.'" John 10:7 (NRSV)
"'I am the gate.'" John 10:9 (NRSV)
"'I am the good shepherd.'" John 10:11 (NRSV)
"'I am God's son.'" John 10:36 (NRSV)
"'I am the resurrection and the life.'" John 11:25 (NRSV)
"'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.'" John 14:6 (NRSV)
'"I am in the Father , and the Father is in me.'" John 14:10 (NRSV)
"'I am the true vine.'" John 15:1 (NRSV)
"'I am the vine, you are the branches.'" John 15:5 (NRSV)
There are at least 7 different metaphors.
Unfortunately this is mixing metaphors.
It is excessive and confusing.
Add to these John 4:10 "'he would have given you living water.'" (NRSV) and John 7:38 "'"Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."'" (NRSV)
What did Jesus mean by these statements?
In all cases Jesus is saying that he embodies something which is essential for life.
I am conscious of mixing metaphors myself.
Aquarius is the water carrier.
What could the enigmatic waters in the jar be?
In my neighborhood there is a garden which is bordered by a street which begins as Water Street and ends as Love Street. This street takes a turn half way down where Water Street becomes Love Street.
My experience of the water carrier is like this street.
As you draw closer to God you begin to see.
This is the spiritual knowledge which the waters of Aquarius are said to be.
And it is all about love.
The epigram for Aquarius is the Egyptian hieroglyph for water.
The hieroglyph for the jar is ab which means the heart.
"'"Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."'" John 7:38 (NRSV)
This can only be love.
No further metaphors are needed.
(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.)
"'I am the bread of life.'" John 6:35 (NRSV)
"'I am the bread that came down from heaven.'" John 6:41 (NRSV)
"'I am the living bread that came down from heaven.'" John 6:51 (NRSV)
"'I am the light of the world.'" John 8:12, John 9:5 (NRSV)
"'I am the gate for the sheep.'" John 10:7 (NRSV)
"'I am the gate.'" John 10:9 (NRSV)
"'I am the good shepherd.'" John 10:11 (NRSV)
"'I am God's son.'" John 10:36 (NRSV)
"'I am the resurrection and the life.'" John 11:25 (NRSV)
"'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.'" John 14:6 (NRSV)
'"I am in the Father , and the Father is in me.'" John 14:10 (NRSV)
"'I am the true vine.'" John 15:1 (NRSV)
"'I am the vine, you are the branches.'" John 15:5 (NRSV)
There are at least 7 different metaphors.
Unfortunately this is mixing metaphors.
It is excessive and confusing.
Add to these John 4:10 "'he would have given you living water.'" (NRSV) and John 7:38 "'"Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."'" (NRSV)
What did Jesus mean by these statements?
In all cases Jesus is saying that he embodies something which is essential for life.
I am conscious of mixing metaphors myself.
Aquarius is the water carrier.
What could the enigmatic waters in the jar be?
In my neighborhood there is a garden which is bordered by a street which begins as Water Street and ends as Love Street. This street takes a turn half way down where Water Street becomes Love Street.
My experience of the water carrier is like this street.
As you draw closer to God you begin to see.
This is the spiritual knowledge which the waters of Aquarius are said to be.
And it is all about love.
The epigram for Aquarius is the Egyptian hieroglyph for water.
The hieroglyph for the jar is ab which means the heart.
"'"Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."'" John 7:38 (NRSV)
This can only be love.
No further metaphors are needed.
(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.)
Saturday, 1 December 2012
14.
At the gay marriage demonstration last Saturday we were addressed by a 14 year old schoolgirl who had come out to her peers.
She spoke sadly of the way that the word gay was used by the students at her school.
She said it meant lame.
"That's so gay."
She also spoke of being called a faggot and the homophobia of her generation.
She said that many young people at her school were locked in the closet out of fear.
During her speech the crowd was very quiet and you could sense the shock and sympathy.
When I got home I felt frustration at not being able to reach these young people.
How could I help from so far away?
So I decided to write a message here for them to read:
You must never think of yourself as lame or sick.
It may seem incredible at the moment but everyone else is wrong and we are right about the naturalness and goodness of our homosexuality.
It took me 30 years to realize this.
But it is absolutely true.
When you are attacked or abused by others it is best to think of them as driven by fear.
Homophobia means fear of homosexuals.
If you can think of them as ignorant and fearful it may help you to maintain your own self-image as a loving and worthwhile individual.
It is also important that you know that there are older people who love and support you.
It is so easy to feel alone.
There is a whole community of gay people who have worked through these issues and emerged better, stronger people for it.
My prayer is that you will do the same.
And when you see Christians on the television telling you that you are condemned by God don't believe them.
There are plenty of progressive Christians who support and affirm gay people.
God loves you.
He accepts you as you are.
You are welcome at His table.
You will enter into Heaven when you die.
And you will partake of Eternal Life.
You have nothing to fear from God.
Cry out to Him.
And He will hear.
Don't let fear win.
You are beautiful, unique people.
Each and every one of you.
Know that you are loved.
She spoke sadly of the way that the word gay was used by the students at her school.
She said it meant lame.
"That's so gay."
She also spoke of being called a faggot and the homophobia of her generation.
She said that many young people at her school were locked in the closet out of fear.
During her speech the crowd was very quiet and you could sense the shock and sympathy.
When I got home I felt frustration at not being able to reach these young people.
How could I help from so far away?
So I decided to write a message here for them to read:
You must never think of yourself as lame or sick.
It may seem incredible at the moment but everyone else is wrong and we are right about the naturalness and goodness of our homosexuality.
It took me 30 years to realize this.
But it is absolutely true.
When you are attacked or abused by others it is best to think of them as driven by fear.
Homophobia means fear of homosexuals.
If you can think of them as ignorant and fearful it may help you to maintain your own self-image as a loving and worthwhile individual.
It is also important that you know that there are older people who love and support you.
It is so easy to feel alone.
There is a whole community of gay people who have worked through these issues and emerged better, stronger people for it.
My prayer is that you will do the same.
And when you see Christians on the television telling you that you are condemned by God don't believe them.
There are plenty of progressive Christians who support and affirm gay people.
God loves you.
He accepts you as you are.
You are welcome at His table.
You will enter into Heaven when you die.
And you will partake of Eternal Life.
You have nothing to fear from God.
Cry out to Him.
And He will hear.
Don't let fear win.
You are beautiful, unique people.
Each and every one of you.
Know that you are loved.
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