Fear of Hell.

Fear of hell (which is fear of God) may be the driving force behind radicalization.

When we introduce liberalization and freedom there is often a backlash.

This backlash is motivated by fear of hell.

Usually more conservative religious people are terrified that we will all go to hell.

So they use violence and hatred to force us to return to moral purity.

But this violence and hatred betrays its origins in fear.

God does not use violence or hatred.

God loves us.

And "perfect love casts out fear"  1 John 4:18a (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.]

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Priests and Ministers.

When I say that those who have sold their souls to the devil will be exonerated because they were told by their priests and ministers that God was a sex-phobic moral dictator, you may ask then what becomes of those priests and ministers?

Although the ultimate responsibility for these things lies with priests and ministers it is not really their fault either.

They have an understandable belief in natural justice which they project onto God.  They also have a belief in tradition and these things have been handed down from generation to generation from ancient times.

But these things do not correspond to the reality.

God does not punish us.
He does not punish sinners and He does not punish priests and ministers - even if they are corrupt and selfish.

He gives everyone another chance.

And this includes the Pharisees and Sadducees.


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A Voice in the Wilderness.

"'Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.'"  Luke 3:11b (NRSV)

John the Baptist recommended honesty in dealing with money (Luke 3:12-14) and communism in dealing with possessions.

This was practised by Jesus' disciples (Acts 2:44,45 & 4:32)

But you don't hear this preached in church very often.

It is indeed "'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness.'"  Luke 3:4b (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.]

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Hallowed.

The Lord's Prayer begins with these words:

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name....."  Matthew 6:9b (NRSV)

Note that it says hallowed be your name not hallowed is your name.

And because the name of a god indicates his essential nature this is an important distinction.

Too often this has been understood as hallowed - i.e. holy - is your name - i.e. your essential nature.

But this is not what it says.

It says hallowed be your name - i.e. blessed and respected be your name.

So God is not distant, sacrosanct, and separate.

God is approachable.

And the name of God 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.]

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Evil Unmasked.

Rock legends, sporting heroes, superstars, divas.....
Movie stars, famous directors, writers, T.V. personalities.....

Many among these have sold their souls and secretly practise Satanism and the dark arts.

It is from here that much of our suffering comes.

They have betrayed us.

They have stabbed us in the back.

They have sabotaged our spiritual quest.

But modern Satanism wears a mask:

They pose as saviors and prophets.

They say, "We are gods."

But they are dogs (gods backwards).

See beneath the mask.

Beware of any dark or wicked words.

Avoid any deathly or hellish images.

And know the truth at at last.


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Global Village.

We now live in a global community.

No longer can we see only as far as our borders.

The Glass Curtain works both ways.

We can see out but they can also see in.

Issues like: modern slavery, land grabs, persecution of gays and lesbians, economic oppression, corruption, war, and starvation are global concerns.

And those who would build walls to block our sight cannot win.

Globalization has reached its final phase - people.

And we can escape our responsibilities no longer.


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Desire.

Some say that desire is the source of suffering.

But desire plays an important part in the perpetuation of life.

If we had no desire the human race would die out.

But like many things in life if desire is taken to extremes it becomes destructive.

So moderation is important.

I see little point in banning desire altogether.

Or developing a guilt complex about the inevitable.

So desire in moderation is a good thing.

And it is not to be feared.


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