"Institutional Christianity will die of boredom long before it dies of controversy. Controversy is indeed a sign of life." - Bishop John Shelby Spong
Monday, 25 April 2016
Still Around
I'm still around, still growing spiritually and loving my God and my life. Just haven't had much I wanted to write publicly about.
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Extra-Marital and Non-Marital Sexual Love
Modern dictionaries define words as they are currently used. In
using a modern dictionary to define an old or ancient word can lead to error or
confusion. Examples in the King James Bible. the word amazement meant terror;
bowels meant heart or emotions; and careful meant anxious. Today's meaning is
quite different for those words and many others. The Bible seems to be very
specific in the use of adultery and fornication. I wanted to delve deeper into
the definitions and determine if they are or are not interchangeable.
In the Old Testament, the word "adultery" comes from
the Hebrew word "niaph" and my Bible dictionaries gave several
meanings: a person who had (a) sex with a married woman; (b) a married woman
who had sex with a man other than her husband, (c) idolatrous worship or (d) to
apostatize.
The New
Testament Greek words "pornea"
is often translated "fornication;" and akatharsia is
often translated "uncleanness." According to B. A. Robinson, " By simply
defining the words in a narrow or wide sense, religious liberals and
conservatives can totally change the meaning of the Bible." Whoa!
That's a weighty thought as I want to properly understand the Word of
God without making it too wide or too narrow but accurate.
Although the Victorians told us fornication means premarital
sex, it does NOT specifically or exclusively mean that. According to several
Bible dictionaries, the Greek word,
"pornea" can be translated to mean (a) pornography, (b) fornication, (c)
idolatry, (d) whoredom; (e) harlotry and comes from the root word "pernaō,"
that means to "sell off" something. It can also mean having sex with
a temple prostitute. (1 Cor. 10.8)
Originally, the term fornication
was derived from the Indo-European word gwher. It means "To heat, warm."
Derivatives include brand,
brandy, forceps, furnace and fornicate. I was curious how forceps made it into the
list; the simple answer is forceps were originally used to carry hot coals. In Roman
times, brothels were called "fornices." In 1303 the word came to mean
a person who paid a prostitute for sexual services; the prostitute was not a
fornicator but a prostitute.
Now that we know a bit of the word history, let's dig back
into the Bible and see what it says about sexual immorality. Leviticus 18 gives a long list of what is
considered sexually immoral. Premarital sex is not on the list. That chapter
might be worth reading in case you're curious. The word nakedness comes from
the word "pudendum." The
medical term pudendum is defined as "elating
to, occurring in, or lying in the region of the external genital organ."
In the Old Testament (Leviticus 20:10), adultery (sex between
two people where one or both were married or engaged to another) was treated as
a capital crime - a stoning to death offense. Since God often compares
faithfulness to Him with faithfulness to a mate; and compares loving God with
loving our partner - it's not surprising that adultery is considered a sin with
capital punishment. God's law makes strong boundaries to help people see how
important faithfulness to Him and to a marital partner is.
Pre-marital sex on the other hand, required the male lover to
give the father the "bride price" since he had robbed the father of the
value of a virgin and shamed the family; plus, at the father's choice, was
required to irrevocably marry the girl. (Exodus 22.16-17) While the man in this
situation, could not divorce the woman, the Old Testament law allowed her to divorce
him if he did not provide adequate, pleasurable lovemaking, clothing or food.
(Exodus 21.7-11) Thus, non-marital sex (neither partner was married) was
treated as a civil matter based on devaluing the father's "property",
NOT as a criminal offense.
Thus, am I stating that promiscuity is Biblical? Absolutely not! To follow Jesus's Great Commandment of Loving
God and Loving Others (Matthew 22.36-38); sharing a loving, sexual bond is not
a sin. A Biblical test for a loving relationship
follows 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't
jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It
doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of
wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.
Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping,
never gives up. Love never comes to an end." If an unmarried couple can have an intimate
relationship that is based on that loving scripture, then I don't see it as anti-Biblical.
In summary, Adultery was treated as a "sin"
resulting in death by stoning. The Bible didn't state "Yes, non-marital
sex is okay" but the law treated it as a human situation, not as a crime.
Rather surprising since the law was given about 3,400 years ago! Comments by
other Bible writers about fornication can't change the fact of what God said.
In the Bible, God comes as a fire or is compared to a fire
that burns away the chaff. Since the root word for fornication has many
derivates meaning fire or burn. And since Paul says it is better to marry than
to burn. Could that be interpreted that a couple who has pre-marital or non-marital
sex, rather than just satisfying their sexual desire should marry or at least
live together so their intimate relationship causes them to burn away some of
the chaff in their life and learn to be less egocentric and more giving and
compassionate and to be more like Jesus. That would fit with what my priest
alluded to on the Maundy Thursday sermon.
I interpret the Bible as explaining non-marital sex is
permissible and holy when shared in a loving, committed relationship with the
goal of being more Christlike; however, sex to "scratch an itch"
without love, commitment or a goal for greater holiness could be emotionally or
spiritually damaging to the individuals. Persons who still hold the sex until
marriage is the only Biblical way to enjoy the delights of sexual intimacy,
would do best to follow Paul's teaching in 1 Timothy 1:19 " Cling to your
faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have
deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been
shipwrecked."
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
Gospel Reading: Luke 3.1-6. I chose vs.
As I start to type, I'm concerned my thoughts are either very egocentric or possibly they do bring glory to God. I hope they bring glory to God and hope to my few readers.
I'll start with my definition of the wilderness. A place I go to get away from it all: the busy-ness of life, the telephone, the dishes in the sink that beg "wash me!", the routine that binds me, my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes I go to the wilderness of my own free will because I know it's good for me and I desire that; and sometimes I'm (as some versions translate in Matthew 4) that Jesus was driven by the spirit. Tonight I don't think it's as important how I get there but that I use my wilderness time to connect with The Holy One. For me, that means dying to self, dying to self-talk, letting go of expectations, just resting in God.... so much easier typed than done. I'm addicted to thinking and often over-thinking and re-thinking and pre-thinking and post-thinking (words to explain fear, hope and worry). So, meditating and contemplating on God - the nothingness packed full of Everything.... my all in all.
So what's the "preparing the way of the Lord" stuff? He made the earth, so it seems He can do whatever He wants without my approval or help. But the Bible reminding me to "prepare the way of the Lord" is a reminder I was designed to have free will. The choice I can make to prepare a place inside my life and schedule to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46.10) is up to me.
Make his paths straight. It seems like in the desert and all that sand that it wouldn't be hard to walk straight paths. But when I'm in the mountains or beach (and I have both here), roads are crooked (designed prior to the Louisiana Purchase with one-mile grid organizing the landscape and roads). So there are crooked roads, narrow roads, hidden curves, hidden driveways, going up the hills, down the mountains, along the edge of the ocean, guard rails to stop from driving off cliffs into the ocean. Toto, I'm not in Kansas any more. I understand the geography of paths, valleys, mountains and rough ways. I could interpret that as terrain; but it's also the terrain of my mind and heart at times. Yet, it seems when I'm consistent in doing my part - going into the silence of the wilderness, ignoring the fear of going deeper within myself, and holding onto what I know of a loving God, then the valleys and mountains and crooked and rough even out. No more drama mama; few fears, minimal stress about the valleys and mountains of life, and I don't think I get crooked (grumpy) very often and life and relationships seem to go smoother. Not saying I don't have room for improvement - but it's easier to behave in line with the inner me, the Christ-in-me (Colosians 1.27) and I feel God is going to continue developing that in my life. When I realize at the depth of me is God; and I access that through silence and/or stillness, life just works better when I practice that discipline of quiet.
"And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Of course, my knee jerk reaction is universal salvation; but need to study more to come to that conclusion. But hopefully those who have a relationship with me see God and/or salvation by the changes that occur as I mature. Or maybe I just serve as a bad example and warning to others. ;-)
Off topic: I've been thinking the right way for me to read my Bible is through the lens of John 3:16 and/or the Great Commandment. See it through eyes of Love. Since I've often heard God is a gentleman and won't shame, guilt or bully us; then His Word, would be the same: show us His love and not bully, shame or guilt us.I'm grateful to serve such a loving and wonderful Father God.
Shalom.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
As I start to type, I'm concerned my thoughts are either very egocentric or possibly they do bring glory to God. I hope they bring glory to God and hope to my few readers.
I'll start with my definition of the wilderness. A place I go to get away from it all: the busy-ness of life, the telephone, the dishes in the sink that beg "wash me!", the routine that binds me, my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes I go to the wilderness of my own free will because I know it's good for me and I desire that; and sometimes I'm (as some versions translate in Matthew 4) that Jesus was driven by the spirit. Tonight I don't think it's as important how I get there but that I use my wilderness time to connect with The Holy One. For me, that means dying to self, dying to self-talk, letting go of expectations, just resting in God.... so much easier typed than done. I'm addicted to thinking and often over-thinking and re-thinking and pre-thinking and post-thinking (words to explain fear, hope and worry). So, meditating and contemplating on God - the nothingness packed full of Everything.... my all in all.
So what's the "preparing the way of the Lord" stuff? He made the earth, so it seems He can do whatever He wants without my approval or help. But the Bible reminding me to "prepare the way of the Lord" is a reminder I was designed to have free will. The choice I can make to prepare a place inside my life and schedule to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46.10) is up to me.
Make his paths straight. It seems like in the desert and all that sand that it wouldn't be hard to walk straight paths. But when I'm in the mountains or beach (and I have both here), roads are crooked (designed prior to the Louisiana Purchase with one-mile grid organizing the landscape and roads). So there are crooked roads, narrow roads, hidden curves, hidden driveways, going up the hills, down the mountains, along the edge of the ocean, guard rails to stop from driving off cliffs into the ocean. Toto, I'm not in Kansas any more. I understand the geography of paths, valleys, mountains and rough ways. I could interpret that as terrain; but it's also the terrain of my mind and heart at times. Yet, it seems when I'm consistent in doing my part - going into the silence of the wilderness, ignoring the fear of going deeper within myself, and holding onto what I know of a loving God, then the valleys and mountains and crooked and rough even out. No more drama mama; few fears, minimal stress about the valleys and mountains of life, and I don't think I get crooked (grumpy) very often and life and relationships seem to go smoother. Not saying I don't have room for improvement - but it's easier to behave in line with the inner me, the Christ-in-me (Colosians 1.27) and I feel God is going to continue developing that in my life. When I realize at the depth of me is God; and I access that through silence and/or stillness, life just works better when I practice that discipline of quiet.
"And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Of course, my knee jerk reaction is universal salvation; but need to study more to come to that conclusion. But hopefully those who have a relationship with me see God and/or salvation by the changes that occur as I mature. Or maybe I just serve as a bad example and warning to others. ;-)
Off topic: I've been thinking the right way for me to read my Bible is through the lens of John 3:16 and/or the Great Commandment. See it through eyes of Love. Since I've often heard God is a gentleman and won't shame, guilt or bully us; then His Word, would be the same: show us His love and not bully, shame or guilt us.I'm grateful to serve such a loving and wonderful Father God.
Shalom.
Sunday, 29 November 2015
First Sunday of Advent
My Understanding of Advent:
In the 5-6th century, Advent was a 4-week time of self-reflection, penitenance and prayer that converts went through before they were baptised on Epiphany. By the 6th century, the definition changed and it was the 4 week period to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, which has connotations of appeasing a stern judge and us preparing for the trial. It was also the time to recognize our need for a Saviour and to come to unity at our Jewish roots who were looking for their Messiah's coming. In the middle ages, it switched once again to remembering the incarnation; I wonder if Saint Francis had an impact on that since many perceive him as the first advocate for Christmas as celebrating Jesus coming as incarnate diety? Jesus coming in human flesh does so much to offer us dignity as human beings.
The advent wreath has the outer circle of 3 purple/lavendar candles, 1 pink candle and the center is a white candle. The purple symbolizes the advent colour; the pink represents Mary (who humbly said 'yes' to God) and the white is lighted on Christmas.
Advent concludes on December 24 when Christmas begins. Christmas ends at Epiphany; thus 12 days of Christmas. The song came from that doctrine and not the doctrine from the song. As Anglican, we celebrate several weeks of Christmas Sundays with a break for Epiphany; and at Easter we celebrate Easter each Sunday until Pentecost. I accept that as what we do, but it still makes me want to giggle but I accept Incarnation and Resurrection are to magnificnt to try to corral into one day or even into words - they have to be lived out in daily life so the weekly reminder is a way to remind me, "Debbie, pay attention - this is important stuff for your spiritual growth."
So what does Advent mean to me at the start of this season? I am asking God to open my heart to accept more of His love and with that love to love myself with greater authenticity and to love others with more of the fruit and gifts of the spirit, with less of my egocentricity. He's a big God, I can ask Big miracles from Him.
First Reading:
Jeremiah 33: 12-14.
The portion that spoke to me is, "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The LORD Our Righteousness."
This is part of a prophecy of the root of Jesse or talking about when Jesus will come to earth. When read in context of the "fire and brimstone" of the rest of the reading, my first thought was Jesus missed the right time because Israel and Judah were under Roman occupation and crucfixion was a common practice, taxation was atrocious and that scripture couldn't have been talking about the time my Saviour walked on earth. No way. My next thought was it couldn't be talking about the time since 1949 and the restoration of Israel as a nation because they haven't had peace. So, I thought about extrapolating that to when we get to heaven; but I don't see us landing in heaven as citizens of various countries (although the 12 tribes names are inscribed over the 12 gates of Revelation 21.) Nations are mentioned 12 times, but that depicts where we are from historically - from earth. The Kingdom of God is not an Empire of various nations; but one Kingdom under God's sovereignity. Thus, to me, this is talking about a spiritual happening and not a current events, historical or future happening. It's an inner work of living in Christ and recognizing Him living in us; when we live there we lived saved and securily.... as branches grafted into the Vine.
Psalm:
Psalm 25. 5, 8 and 10.
The portion that spoke to me is, "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long."
When my oldest son started working about age 14, he was on wait-staff of a large buffet restaurant; by age 18, he was assistant manager of this establishment with 75 employees that seated 325. I remember we were eating family supper and were talking about "waiting on the Lord." I thought wait meant twiddling my thumbs while God taught me patience and tarried or was outright tardy. My son looked at me in puzzlement and said (paraphrased), "When I wait on people at work, I may stand silently and inobtrusively nearby, but I'm standing there alert, observing, mentally involved and can be there to tend their needs at the first sign I can be useful." What an eye opener. I've kept that definition as I like it better then bored patience. I decided to look deeper and found Strong's dictionary gives this definition of wait, "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." I was very excited to read the "bind together". It seems that definition fits well in this text. As I wait on God, I am bound together and that is what empowers me to let His love flow through me. Unitive Love of God for me and me towards all - even those who don't agree with me, or maybe that's especially those who don't see eye to eye.
Second Reading:
1 Thesselonians 3:12-4.2
The portion that spoke to me is, "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father"
The first part is a reminder of the Great Commandment to "Love God and Love others." Yet, this rendering comes with a promise. We do the Great Commandment and we will be strengthened to be found perfect and holy before God. Whoa! Of course, I have to caution myself not to add this to a list of do's and don'ts; as it is easy for me to fall into that type of legalism where I can feel "holier then thou" instead of realizing my holiness is in Him alone. I also like that it shows it's the LORD who makes our love for one another and for all people to grow. It's not something I can achieve, but something I surrender and participate with.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 21. 25-28 and 34-36.
The portion that spoke to me is, "when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near."
I use to listen to hours of teachings on the end times and what current events and battle strategies were going on that would fulfill the militant interpreted scriptures. How can I be so egotistical that I think God is talking about me or my generation? To me, that is the height of pride. I no longer follow that - God showed us He is not violent by sending His Son who showed us what God is like - peace, joy and love. The fruit of the spirit lived fully in one incarnate being, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Until I find a different way to understand those scriptures, I'll read them and 'wait" on God to show me. I know some scholars say these scriptures were fulfilled in 70AD at the fall of Jerusalem.
I can accept the Kingdom of God is something to come when we die; but I also accept the Kingdom of God is already in my heart and life. Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17.21) He doesn't say it will be in believers in the sweet by and by; but that it is there NOW. Hallelujah!
Paul elaborates in Romans 14. 17, "For the kingdom of God is ...... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That I can chose to have now, even if watching the news looks like the rest of the gospel reading for today full of fire and brimstone. I can live above it and ride on eagle's wings and not get bogged down in fear of the future that paralyzes my now. I repent for having been bogged down in current events recently - although after years of not knowing or not caring what is going on in the world, the atrocities and anti-Christlikeness both appalled and intrigued me.
____________________________
Update from yesterday's entry of being hurt but not dwelling there but forgiving and moving deeper into God. I decided not to detach but not to push for a resolution. To stay close to God and continue to trust Him to find the correct resolution or for me to be content without resolution. I reread my blog on the cruciform cross and nail one side of the issue to Christ's left hand and the other nailed to His right hand - and I can hang in the balance like He did and accept and possibly embrace the dissonance. I'm not saying I may not need to guard my heart so I don't react out of the pain and anger stages of grieving the losses; but that is more to protect them from me; than to protect me from them. Yeah, that's do-able for me.
Thank you for reading my blog. ;-) May God bless you today.
In the 5-6th century, Advent was a 4-week time of self-reflection, penitenance and prayer that converts went through before they were baptised on Epiphany. By the 6th century, the definition changed and it was the 4 week period to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, which has connotations of appeasing a stern judge and us preparing for the trial. It was also the time to recognize our need for a Saviour and to come to unity at our Jewish roots who were looking for their Messiah's coming. In the middle ages, it switched once again to remembering the incarnation; I wonder if Saint Francis had an impact on that since many perceive him as the first advocate for Christmas as celebrating Jesus coming as incarnate diety? Jesus coming in human flesh does so much to offer us dignity as human beings.
The advent wreath has the outer circle of 3 purple/lavendar candles, 1 pink candle and the center is a white candle. The purple symbolizes the advent colour; the pink represents Mary (who humbly said 'yes' to God) and the white is lighted on Christmas.
Advent concludes on December 24 when Christmas begins. Christmas ends at Epiphany; thus 12 days of Christmas. The song came from that doctrine and not the doctrine from the song. As Anglican, we celebrate several weeks of Christmas Sundays with a break for Epiphany; and at Easter we celebrate Easter each Sunday until Pentecost. I accept that as what we do, but it still makes me want to giggle but I accept Incarnation and Resurrection are to magnificnt to try to corral into one day or even into words - they have to be lived out in daily life so the weekly reminder is a way to remind me, "Debbie, pay attention - this is important stuff for your spiritual growth."
So what does Advent mean to me at the start of this season? I am asking God to open my heart to accept more of His love and with that love to love myself with greater authenticity and to love others with more of the fruit and gifts of the spirit, with less of my egocentricity. He's a big God, I can ask Big miracles from Him.
First Reading:
Jeremiah 33: 12-14.
The portion that spoke to me is, "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The LORD Our Righteousness."
This is part of a prophecy of the root of Jesse or talking about when Jesus will come to earth. When read in context of the "fire and brimstone" of the rest of the reading, my first thought was Jesus missed the right time because Israel and Judah were under Roman occupation and crucfixion was a common practice, taxation was atrocious and that scripture couldn't have been talking about the time my Saviour walked on earth. No way. My next thought was it couldn't be talking about the time since 1949 and the restoration of Israel as a nation because they haven't had peace. So, I thought about extrapolating that to when we get to heaven; but I don't see us landing in heaven as citizens of various countries (although the 12 tribes names are inscribed over the 12 gates of Revelation 21.) Nations are mentioned 12 times, but that depicts where we are from historically - from earth. The Kingdom of God is not an Empire of various nations; but one Kingdom under God's sovereignity. Thus, to me, this is talking about a spiritual happening and not a current events, historical or future happening. It's an inner work of living in Christ and recognizing Him living in us; when we live there we lived saved and securily.... as branches grafted into the Vine.
Psalm:
Psalm 25. 5, 8 and 10.
The portion that spoke to me is, "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long."
When my oldest son started working about age 14, he was on wait-staff of a large buffet restaurant; by age 18, he was assistant manager of this establishment with 75 employees that seated 325. I remember we were eating family supper and were talking about "waiting on the Lord." I thought wait meant twiddling my thumbs while God taught me patience and tarried or was outright tardy. My son looked at me in puzzlement and said (paraphrased), "When I wait on people at work, I may stand silently and inobtrusively nearby, but I'm standing there alert, observing, mentally involved and can be there to tend their needs at the first sign I can be useful." What an eye opener. I've kept that definition as I like it better then bored patience. I decided to look deeper and found Strong's dictionary gives this definition of wait, "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." I was very excited to read the "bind together". It seems that definition fits well in this text. As I wait on God, I am bound together and that is what empowers me to let His love flow through me. Unitive Love of God for me and me towards all - even those who don't agree with me, or maybe that's especially those who don't see eye to eye.
Second Reading:
1 Thesselonians 3:12-4.2
The portion that spoke to me is, "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father"
The first part is a reminder of the Great Commandment to "Love God and Love others." Yet, this rendering comes with a promise. We do the Great Commandment and we will be strengthened to be found perfect and holy before God. Whoa! Of course, I have to caution myself not to add this to a list of do's and don'ts; as it is easy for me to fall into that type of legalism where I can feel "holier then thou" instead of realizing my holiness is in Him alone. I also like that it shows it's the LORD who makes our love for one another and for all people to grow. It's not something I can achieve, but something I surrender and participate with.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 21. 25-28 and 34-36.
The portion that spoke to me is, "when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near."
I use to listen to hours of teachings on the end times and what current events and battle strategies were going on that would fulfill the militant interpreted scriptures. How can I be so egotistical that I think God is talking about me or my generation? To me, that is the height of pride. I no longer follow that - God showed us He is not violent by sending His Son who showed us what God is like - peace, joy and love. The fruit of the spirit lived fully in one incarnate being, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Until I find a different way to understand those scriptures, I'll read them and 'wait" on God to show me. I know some scholars say these scriptures were fulfilled in 70AD at the fall of Jerusalem.
I can accept the Kingdom of God is something to come when we die; but I also accept the Kingdom of God is already in my heart and life. Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17.21) He doesn't say it will be in believers in the sweet by and by; but that it is there NOW. Hallelujah!
Paul elaborates in Romans 14. 17, "For the kingdom of God is ...... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That I can chose to have now, even if watching the news looks like the rest of the gospel reading for today full of fire and brimstone. I can live above it and ride on eagle's wings and not get bogged down in fear of the future that paralyzes my now. I repent for having been bogged down in current events recently - although after years of not knowing or not caring what is going on in the world, the atrocities and anti-Christlikeness both appalled and intrigued me.
____________________________
Update from yesterday's entry of being hurt but not dwelling there but forgiving and moving deeper into God. I decided not to detach but not to push for a resolution. To stay close to God and continue to trust Him to find the correct resolution or for me to be content without resolution. I reread my blog on the cruciform cross and nail one side of the issue to Christ's left hand and the other nailed to His right hand - and I can hang in the balance like He did and accept and possibly embrace the dissonance. I'm not saying I may not need to guard my heart so I don't react out of the pain and anger stages of grieving the losses; but that is more to protect them from me; than to protect me from them. Yeah, that's do-able for me.
Thank you for reading my blog. ;-) May God bless you today.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Humbled by Life and by the Heavens
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)
"Every Christian
has a choice between being humble or being humbled." (Charles Spurgeon)
I think God is trying to get a message to me. Three times in
the last few days, the wind of adversity almost brought me to tears. Yet, I'm resilient
and my Lord helps me. This is about me; so don't be trying to guess who I'm
talking about or seeing yourself in my examples.
1) A dear friend has stopped answering e-mails, text or
voice mails. I am hurt as this was a dear friend. Since this is a friend, our
communication had been active, transparent and validating. I wish I knew what
was going on and if I've done something that has hurt the friend. But my mind
reading skills are minimal and I'm not into coercing or manipulating the truth
from people. So I have to not take it personally and leave it in God's hands.
Yes. I feel humbled by this; my ego is
taking a relational beating.
2) I signed up for an online organization that I pay so much
per month and then I can buy gifts with that. I went to order Christmas gifts on
Wednesday and discovered the approximately $900 that I'd sent to this e-store
has expired and I get nothing for it. I had received no notice the money would
expire, so presume it was in the small print. I feel stupid and question if I
have the mental resources to lead my life without beng taken advantage of. So I
have to not take it personally and leave it in God's hands. Yes. I feel
humbled by this; my ego is taking a financial
beating.
3) I'd given a large
amount of money (large for me anyway) to an organization to be used on a
specific project within a specific time frame. That money has not been used and
I have tried for several months to discuss this with the head. I have been
ignored. I feel betrayed and belittled and
question if I have the ability to recognize safe people without beng taken
advantage of. So I have to not take it personally and leave it in God's hands.
Yes. I feel humbled by this; my ego is
taking a trust beating.
Where I am now:
1) I talked to God about my friend ignoring me. At first I
wanted to push my friend to talk to me; but God said He often has to wait days,
years or decades before people will talk to him. So I realized God was
strengthening me to do what he does.
2) I talked to God about the e-company. At first I wanted to
make an anti-that-company web page, and do social media to shame them and to
warn people to not use that company. God reminded me that vengeance doesn't
hurt them, it hurts me and my reputation. I asked God to forgive me and he did.
3) I talked to God about this organization. I had no desire
to shame them. I just wanted them to do what they said they would do and treat
me humanely and let me know what is happening, listen to my concerns and help
me see things from their view. God reminded me that He often goes days, weeks,
months, years or their whole lifespan without people even wanting to see things
from his view; and I can wait patiently or just forgive and move on. I forgave.
Forgiving to me means letting go of the drama and pain and letting go of my
desire to control the outcome but trusting God to do the right thing.
"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His
craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after
night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their
voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the
earth, and their words to all the world: God. (Psalms 19.1-2)
I looked at the planets on Google Earth and see how vast God
made Creation. If I was sitting on a "cloud" at the edge of creation,
I'd see so many planets that I couldn't count them. Yet God knows every one,
every cell, molecule and quark of every plant, animal, mineral that he's put on
each planet and even the location of every spec of every space rubble, too. He
knows the wars, the poverty, the inhumanity, the fears, the egos, the hopes of
everything. What an awesome God.
When I see life from that position, my three little gripes
seem very small. My life feels like a grain of sand on the edges of a mighty
ocean being rocked by the waves, but with a cycle of peace as the tides change
and I rest.
Empire, to me, is fighting for your "right" to be
right. The Bible tells us the Kingdom of God is "righteousness, peace and
joy" (Romans 14.17). I chose to
live in the Kingdom rather than the Empire. I chose to turn the other cheek
like my Saviour did. I chose to back off and watch God move or not (His choice).
He promises to be a "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows" in Psalms 68.5. So I can leave
it there, knowing his loving hands not only hold me; but hold the full
situation and the huge, magnificent universe.
That doesn't mean I'm not backing off until my emotions are
stable and I don't slip into accidental hurtful words or revenge. And, since I'm
just a small grain of sand, my non-participation with the three issues that are
humbling me can be viewed in the same light - just little things that happen.
It's wonderful to trust God and step-back from the situation
and cuddle into God's love while I learn to not fall into the old knee-jerk
reaction of getting upset, holding grudges and seeking ways to revenge.
Thank you, Father God, for your Holy Spirit who guides and
teaches me and directs my steps. Thank you for this triple humbling experience
because it is helping me grow and see things from your view. Thank you for
loving me enough to keep working with me to mature me. Thank you for your love.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Does John 1.1 State We Should Worship the Bible?
I'd posted a quote from Brian Zahnd on my Facebook page. Rev. Zahnd said:
"Jesus is God. The Bible is not God. The Holy Trinity is Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit -- not Father, Son, and Holy Bible. To elevate the Bible
(not to mention your interpretation of the Bible!) to divinity is
idolatry. God is perfectly revealed in Jesus...and only in Jesus! Jesus
is the icon of God (Paul). Jesus the exact imprint of God's nature
(Hebrews). Jesus is the only way anyone has ever seen God (John). The
Bible points us, not to itself, but to Jesus. God is like Jesus. The
technical theological term for this believe is "Christianity." Selah"
A friend questioned it; and this is my elaboration on why I like Zahnd's quote.
I love the scripture from John 1.1. John is my favorite New Testament author and
his gospel is outstanding in showing the Jesus of love, grace and truth. His
comprehension of Jesus is phenomenal and often brings me to tears as I read it.
LOGOS:
According to Strong's concordance, the term used
for "word" in that passage is "logos." To the early Christian writers including John, the term "word"
had a different meaning than "Bible". I'll start with some definitions and history.
"Word" Prior to the Reformation:
From 600 years prior to Christianity and at the
time the Bible was written, and until the Reformation, the definition:
"Logos is the Greek term meaning “the Word.” Greek philosophers like Plato
used Logos not only of the spoken word but also of the unspoken word, the word
still in the mind -- the reason. When applied to the universe, Greeks were
speaking to the rational principle that governs all things. .. Thus, John used
a very special word -- Logos -- that was meaningful to both the Jews and the
Greeks during the first century AD." (from AllAboutPhilosophy.org) Note: the written word is not mentioned in that list.
Current Bible Scholars Definition:
Strong's concordance defines logos as,
"something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject
of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a
computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression
(that is, Christ)" Note: Divine
Expression, not Divinity. Again, the term written word is not in the list as that term used 51 times is graphe.
GOD:
The word for God is theos and Strong's defines it
as, "Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;
figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: - X exceeding, God, god [-ly,
-ward]."
John 1.1 Using Those Definitions:
Using the most common definitions of the word
logos and theos, that scripture could as easily be read or translated: "In the beginning was the Reason (of
God), and the Reason (of God) was with Deity, and the Reason (of God) was Deity."
I believe in the Bible; but also believe we have
to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) I believe and
love the Bible because it teaches me about the Triune God, but I do not worship
the Bible, nor do I see a Biblical mandate to worship it.
Plus, for me, I can't take that one text and massage it to make it state I'm required
to worship the Bible. Even if I felt it did state that; it has to be out of the mouth of "two or three
witnesses" (said several times in the New Testament, and by Jesus in
Matthew 18:16).
2nd Timothy 3:16 says, "All scripture [graphe] is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:" That scripture does not
state the Bible is to be worshiped or deified; but limits how we are to use the holy scriptures.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Reading: Battlefield America: The War on the American People by John W. Whitehead (published April 2015)
This book was a major eye opener. I'd read a little and check the Internet to assure what I was reading was grounded in facts. I read this book a few weeks ago and was so overwhelmed emotionally that I had to wait to be able to write about it. The emotional horror is starting to wear off and my logical side is taking over. Half way through the book, I realized the back 44% of the pages are references and links showing this was a scholarly work that was well researched. I feel like the blinders are off. Part of me is glad they are off but the other half wants to go back into my safe cocoon of naivity where I felt safe and protected in my original country.
There were five parts to the book, so I'll try to keep it to a paragraph for each.
Part 1: A Declaration of War
There is a lack of respect and trust between the citizens and the government. As that gap widens, the US is becoming more of a police state where the Bill of Rights is being ignored. The people sue and the courts find mostly in favor of the government. It's a slow ride like the "frog in water" - the frog swims along and as you turn up the heat, the frog doesn't realize it's in trouble until it is boiled and dead. The author felt the Boston Bombing that was possibly a government planned event to see if the populace would go along with losing their Bill of Rightst. Would they allow curfews? Invasion of their home? etc? The author had studied history and discovered all totalitarian regimes have started similarly. The author says the difference of the outcome of the Boston Marathon vs the outcome at Ferguson, Missouri, was not the different tactics of the police but the response of the people. The author says of the two events that both, "employed SWAT teams, armored personnel carriers, and men in camouflage pointing heavy artillery." The author writes about the founding fathers who were aggrieved because of how Britain treated them; and the best way to understand the magnitude of that is delineated in the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights. He gave examples; one of the most shocking things I read was police stopped a woman with no police record for a minor traffic violation and they did a body cavity search, removed a tampon while on the side of the road with no privacy and her small children in the car watching. Another mother and daughter had a body cavity search after a rolling stop at a traffic sign and it was again public and the police used the same glove for the searches on both women. Other people stopped for minor traffic violations have had roadside body searches and the police decided to do more invasive tests, like barium enemas or a colonoscopy to assure there's no contraband hidden - the "victim" has to pay for the medical exam - even if the person is innocent or not given a citation. And the big shocker, is no warrant is required for such a search since the Patriot Act.
A Northwest and Princeton study of 2014 shows that the US Government is ruled by the rich and powerful and not by the people who elect them. Another chapter in this section talks about the FBI rescuing and hiring many of Hitler's henchmen to work for the FBI. He talks about confiscation without a warrant, the nanny state (surveillance of citizens), two-tiered system of government, or a lady in Florida for living off-grid and collecting rain water being arrested for it. Further, he puts part of the blame privatization of prisons.
The author says for a country to change from democracy to fascism or oligarchy, the people have to believe something is fearful: terrorism, etc. As for fear of terrorism, the author says, "You are 17,600 times more likely to die from heart disease than from a terrorist attack. You are 11,000 times more likely to die from an airplane accident than from a terrorist plot involving an airplane. You are 1,048 times more likely to die from a car accident than a terrorist attack. You are 404 times more likely to die in a fall than from a terrorist attack. You are 12 times more likely to die from accidental suffocating in bed than from a terrorist attack. You are 9 more times likely to choke to death in your own vomit than die in a terrorist attack. You are 8 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than by a terrorist."
Part II: The War on the American People
Originally the police were to serve and protect civilians; however, now they are being given military equipment - to use against whom? Apparently the law-abiding American people as NSA and TSF are the arms of government to round-up terrorists. He gives pages of examples of police breaking into homes, often incorrect homes where people are living their mundane lives, and shooting the civilian until dead. The author does not blame the police but the training they receive. He has had older police call him and talk to him about their concern that young police officers are not taught the constitution, especially the 4th Amendment. The author states, "the fatality rate of on-duty patrol officers is reportedly far lower than many other professions, including construction, logging, fishing, truck driving, and even trash collection. In fact, police officers have the same rate of dying on the job as do taxi drivers." In fact, police kill FIVE times more civilians then civilians kill police. Unfortunately, when police use deadly force (which happened for one 14-year old because he gave a "dehumanizing stare" at the police-person; however, if the surviving relatives take it to court, the Supreme Court upholds the rights of the police to kill whoever they want and even if the police-person doesn't know the law, they are forgiven by the courts; yet civilians who do not know the law can still get arrested. Statistics show that the US police kill 1,100 people per year; in pre-Nazi police only killed an average of 8. Hummm. In Britain and China with 191 million population; there was no police killings.
Part III: The American Police State
In 1980, there were 3,000 SWAT team style raids by police in the US; in 2001, there were 45,000 and for the past few years there was more than 80,000 per year. SWAT teams have grown in the federal level, too: the Consumer Product Safety Department, NASA, Dept of Education and Dept of Health, Education and Welfare. I've known for about 25 years that IRS has their own swat team that is used to confiscate computers to prove people didn't file their taxes properly; or to catch crime rings for tax fraud because the appropriate organizations can't figure out how to catch them for drug running, pimping, money laundering, etc. What amazes me is crime in the US is at an all-time low; yet the police are expanding their militarization. Los Angeles has 469 police per square mile - and other cities aren't far behind. The courts are upholding the police when they breech of the Bill of Rights; even to the point police no longer have to read you your Miranda rights (right to remain silent) if they question you prior to arrest - and they no longer have to arrest you to detain and question you thanks to the Patriot act. The courts have upheld the right of the police to stop, search, seize and arrest somebody for driving with "stiff posture." The courts have upheld that any person can be strip searched no matter what the "crime" - even minor traffic violations. The courts have upheld police no longer need a warrant to break in and search a home - even if it's the wrong home. They've also upheld a minor child can be interrogated without a parent, guardian or parent in litium present. The Department of Homeland Security started after 9/11 and now has over a quarter million employees. The US military has 250 rounds of ammunition per soldier where the DHS has 1,200 per officer; and in addition to those, requisitioned 1.6 Billion more rounds. We should feel really, really secure, eh?
Part IV: The American Survellance System
This section was amazing to me. The DHS has given grants to many cities to have surveillance systems that feed into a national database. Not just people who are suspects but all people. The DHS's grants cover traffic cameras that check car license plates, street cameras, drones, satellites, GPS, etc. I found it intriguing that one of the first methods they used to monitor civilians is Google/g-mail - both receiving and sending to a g-mail address. Not only do they use the information gleaned from what we search, they then advertise what we've viewed as marketing strategy. Starting at $80K a year salary, data analysts check for code words we type on our computers, say on our cell phone, or places we go in our GPS cell or car and catalog for future reference. Soon cars will have black boxes that will track our movements and feed it into the database; under the guise of safety and anti-terrorism and in Europe devices are being made that can remotely take control of your car; and Google is creating a car that needs no driver. If Google can chose which ads I see on social media by what I've viewed; does that mean if I'd get a car that I didn't drive that it would drive me to the drug store to buy the Lugol's Solution I'd been viewing online? As for drones, having a drone bring my pizza from Dominos so it arrives still hot sounds like a good idea; but having a drone flying 20,000 feet overhead with both surveillance gear, heat sensors to track me in my home and with weapons in case the programming decided I needed stopped - well, that's frightening. That's why I won't use a finger print for my cell phone passcode. Of course mine are on file from my time in the military, civil service and even on my children's footprint - mom's thumbprint document and my immigration paperwork. I've had my DNA taken at one time; but now police can take a person's DNA if they are arrested - not convicted; and not arrested for major crimes but even for minor traffic violations.
Part V: The Resistance
The author says, "For there to be any hope of real change, you’ll have to change how you think about yourself, your fellow human beings, freedom, society, and the government. This means freeing your mind, realizing the truth, and unlearning all the myths you have been indoctrinated with since the day you were able to comprehend language. Unfortunately, the truth, although painful and depressing, can and should be liberating."
Part of me wishes I wouldn't have read this book. Being naive was nicer then knowing. Now that I know; I have to do something about it. It has changed how I vote and what are my platform priorities. It has me hunting for petitions to sign and ready more and more. It doesn't make me want to go buy a gun; but it does want me to use non-violence and use my US 1st Amendment right of free speech.... that is shrinking yearly.
As a dual citizen, Canada's recently passed bill C-51 is similar to the Patriot Act. There has been an puny outcry and some political platform was amending this piece of trash. I pray they do it. I'm not against the government protecting its population from terrorism; however, I am against losing my freedoms from the Charter of Rights (Canada) or Bill of Rights (USA) when I haven't done anything wrong.
I encourage the few people who read here, to please check out the TPP (Trans-Pacific Pact) and see how it neatly dove-tails to these anti-freedom acts and encourage your legislators to not sign it.
If you think I'm wearing an aluminum foil hat and living in a conspiracy theory dream-world; I wish that were so - some psychiatric drugs would make it go away. It grieves me to see all the things my county of origin is doing and just pray we can all come to live in unity and peace throughout the whole world.
There were five parts to the book, so I'll try to keep it to a paragraph for each.
Part 1: A Declaration of War
There is a lack of respect and trust between the citizens and the government. As that gap widens, the US is becoming more of a police state where the Bill of Rights is being ignored. The people sue and the courts find mostly in favor of the government. It's a slow ride like the "frog in water" - the frog swims along and as you turn up the heat, the frog doesn't realize it's in trouble until it is boiled and dead. The author felt the Boston Bombing that was possibly a government planned event to see if the populace would go along with losing their Bill of Rightst. Would they allow curfews? Invasion of their home? etc? The author had studied history and discovered all totalitarian regimes have started similarly. The author says the difference of the outcome of the Boston Marathon vs the outcome at Ferguson, Missouri, was not the different tactics of the police but the response of the people. The author says of the two events that both, "employed SWAT teams, armored personnel carriers, and men in camouflage pointing heavy artillery." The author writes about the founding fathers who were aggrieved because of how Britain treated them; and the best way to understand the magnitude of that is delineated in the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights. He gave examples; one of the most shocking things I read was police stopped a woman with no police record for a minor traffic violation and they did a body cavity search, removed a tampon while on the side of the road with no privacy and her small children in the car watching. Another mother and daughter had a body cavity search after a rolling stop at a traffic sign and it was again public and the police used the same glove for the searches on both women. Other people stopped for minor traffic violations have had roadside body searches and the police decided to do more invasive tests, like barium enemas or a colonoscopy to assure there's no contraband hidden - the "victim" has to pay for the medical exam - even if the person is innocent or not given a citation. And the big shocker, is no warrant is required for such a search since the Patriot Act.
A Northwest and Princeton study of 2014 shows that the US Government is ruled by the rich and powerful and not by the people who elect them. Another chapter in this section talks about the FBI rescuing and hiring many of Hitler's henchmen to work for the FBI. He talks about confiscation without a warrant, the nanny state (surveillance of citizens), two-tiered system of government, or a lady in Florida for living off-grid and collecting rain water being arrested for it. Further, he puts part of the blame privatization of prisons.
The author says for a country to change from democracy to fascism or oligarchy, the people have to believe something is fearful: terrorism, etc. As for fear of terrorism, the author says, "You are 17,600 times more likely to die from heart disease than from a terrorist attack. You are 11,000 times more likely to die from an airplane accident than from a terrorist plot involving an airplane. You are 1,048 times more likely to die from a car accident than a terrorist attack. You are 404 times more likely to die in a fall than from a terrorist attack. You are 12 times more likely to die from accidental suffocating in bed than from a terrorist attack. You are 9 more times likely to choke to death in your own vomit than die in a terrorist attack. You are 8 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than by a terrorist."
Part II: The War on the American People
Originally the police were to serve and protect civilians; however, now they are being given military equipment - to use against whom? Apparently the law-abiding American people as NSA and TSF are the arms of government to round-up terrorists. He gives pages of examples of police breaking into homes, often incorrect homes where people are living their mundane lives, and shooting the civilian until dead. The author does not blame the police but the training they receive. He has had older police call him and talk to him about their concern that young police officers are not taught the constitution, especially the 4th Amendment. The author states, "the fatality rate of on-duty patrol officers is reportedly far lower than many other professions, including construction, logging, fishing, truck driving, and even trash collection. In fact, police officers have the same rate of dying on the job as do taxi drivers." In fact, police kill FIVE times more civilians then civilians kill police. Unfortunately, when police use deadly force (which happened for one 14-year old because he gave a "dehumanizing stare" at the police-person; however, if the surviving relatives take it to court, the Supreme Court upholds the rights of the police to kill whoever they want and even if the police-person doesn't know the law, they are forgiven by the courts; yet civilians who do not know the law can still get arrested. Statistics show that the US police kill 1,100 people per year; in pre-Nazi police only killed an average of 8. Hummm. In Britain and China with 191 million population; there was no police killings.
Part III: The American Police State
In 1980, there were 3,000 SWAT team style raids by police in the US; in 2001, there were 45,000 and for the past few years there was more than 80,000 per year. SWAT teams have grown in the federal level, too: the Consumer Product Safety Department, NASA, Dept of Education and Dept of Health, Education and Welfare. I've known for about 25 years that IRS has their own swat team that is used to confiscate computers to prove people didn't file their taxes properly; or to catch crime rings for tax fraud because the appropriate organizations can't figure out how to catch them for drug running, pimping, money laundering, etc. What amazes me is crime in the US is at an all-time low; yet the police are expanding their militarization. Los Angeles has 469 police per square mile - and other cities aren't far behind. The courts are upholding the police when they breech of the Bill of Rights; even to the point police no longer have to read you your Miranda rights (right to remain silent) if they question you prior to arrest - and they no longer have to arrest you to detain and question you thanks to the Patriot act. The courts have upheld the right of the police to stop, search, seize and arrest somebody for driving with "stiff posture." The courts have upheld that any person can be strip searched no matter what the "crime" - even minor traffic violations. The courts have upheld police no longer need a warrant to break in and search a home - even if it's the wrong home. They've also upheld a minor child can be interrogated without a parent, guardian or parent in litium present. The Department of Homeland Security started after 9/11 and now has over a quarter million employees. The US military has 250 rounds of ammunition per soldier where the DHS has 1,200 per officer; and in addition to those, requisitioned 1.6 Billion more rounds. We should feel really, really secure, eh?
Part IV: The American Survellance System
This section was amazing to me. The DHS has given grants to many cities to have surveillance systems that feed into a national database. Not just people who are suspects but all people. The DHS's grants cover traffic cameras that check car license plates, street cameras, drones, satellites, GPS, etc. I found it intriguing that one of the first methods they used to monitor civilians is Google/g-mail - both receiving and sending to a g-mail address. Not only do they use the information gleaned from what we search, they then advertise what we've viewed as marketing strategy. Starting at $80K a year salary, data analysts check for code words we type on our computers, say on our cell phone, or places we go in our GPS cell or car and catalog for future reference. Soon cars will have black boxes that will track our movements and feed it into the database; under the guise of safety and anti-terrorism and in Europe devices are being made that can remotely take control of your car; and Google is creating a car that needs no driver. If Google can chose which ads I see on social media by what I've viewed; does that mean if I'd get a car that I didn't drive that it would drive me to the drug store to buy the Lugol's Solution I'd been viewing online? As for drones, having a drone bring my pizza from Dominos so it arrives still hot sounds like a good idea; but having a drone flying 20,000 feet overhead with both surveillance gear, heat sensors to track me in my home and with weapons in case the programming decided I needed stopped - well, that's frightening. That's why I won't use a finger print for my cell phone passcode. Of course mine are on file from my time in the military, civil service and even on my children's footprint - mom's thumbprint document and my immigration paperwork. I've had my DNA taken at one time; but now police can take a person's DNA if they are arrested - not convicted; and not arrested for major crimes but even for minor traffic violations.
Part V: The Resistance
The author says, "For there to be any hope of real change, you’ll have to change how you think about yourself, your fellow human beings, freedom, society, and the government. This means freeing your mind, realizing the truth, and unlearning all the myths you have been indoctrinated with since the day you were able to comprehend language. Unfortunately, the truth, although painful and depressing, can and should be liberating."
Part of me wishes I wouldn't have read this book. Being naive was nicer then knowing. Now that I know; I have to do something about it. It has changed how I vote and what are my platform priorities. It has me hunting for petitions to sign and ready more and more. It doesn't make me want to go buy a gun; but it does want me to use non-violence and use my US 1st Amendment right of free speech.... that is shrinking yearly.
As a dual citizen, Canada's recently passed bill C-51 is similar to the Patriot Act. There has been an puny outcry and some political platform was amending this piece of trash. I pray they do it. I'm not against the government protecting its population from terrorism; however, I am against losing my freedoms from the Charter of Rights (Canada) or Bill of Rights (USA) when I haven't done anything wrong.
I encourage the few people who read here, to please check out the TPP (Trans-Pacific Pact) and see how it neatly dove-tails to these anti-freedom acts and encourage your legislators to not sign it.
If you think I'm wearing an aluminum foil hat and living in a conspiracy theory dream-world; I wish that were so - some psychiatric drugs would make it go away. It grieves me to see all the things my county of origin is doing and just pray we can all come to live in unity and peace throughout the whole world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)