My Sunday Thought for 07102016: Religious Oppression of Women

"Anyone who argues that men and women are fully equal must not study religion very closely. While most contemporary religious views support equality of the sexes, there still exist plenty of traditional religious sects and organizations which teach otherwise. In some cases, this unequal treatment is justified with statements such as “women need to be protected for their own good”. In others, they are sheltered in a supposed effort to preserve the “moral integrity” of society. No matter the justification, these perverse attitudes and policies are hardly distinguishable from outright oppression."

-- ULC Visionary (July 2016), Religious Oppression: A Female Struggle

For the most part I agree with the opening quote, above, with some minor, personal, observations, like India still struggling with their own oppressive beliefs.  I begin this post looking at the first sentence.

Study religion, not even that closely, and you might see how the Abrahamic religions all approach women from a male's egotistical, superior agenda of control and submissiveness.  It would seem Hinduism also has a problem moving into the 21st century with any mature, civilized sense of humanity. The problem with scripture taken from multiple sources is continuity.  The problem with scripture taken from verbal history is that "history" tends to reflect the agenda of the storyteller.  The problem with scripture written by one person seems to rely on which faction of the family in control of the writings is interpreting the intent of the deceased author.  But, then, this all has to do with the historical treatment of women and why that maltreatment has followed mankind into the 21st century.

"Most contemporary religious views support equality of the sexes," primarily because women no longer "need to be protected for their own good."  Even Judaism understands that women in combat are a formidable and necessary component in their armed forces, and the multi-religious United States is relaxing its own rules on women volunteering for combat roles.  Without much research, I can take wild guess that women in other religions either voluntarily opt out of combat, or the men are scared to death of arming them for obvious reasons, not the least of which is that payback is a bitch.

There was a time, in the far distant past, when survival dictated that women not only needed to be protected for their own good, but for the survival of the species.  But that was also a simpler time, and I will not besmirch the memory of our Neanderthal ancestors by assuming they disrespected their women.  Men did what men always do, we took something meaningful, necessary, and beautiful if you think about it, and we turned it into something ugly.  Did religion have a role in this cruel heresy against the mother of life?  The way mankind has twisted that as well, I would have to say yes. 

In today's world mankind can ill afford to leave women in a poorly conceived role of subservience to any man.  They have proven themselves, time and again, in strength, bravery, tenacity, creativity, and intelligence, and many while also performing the dual role as mother and homemaker.  Most governments and their respective legal systems protect women's rights to pursue their own lives and happiness right alongside their male counterparts.  If these countries evidence a monetary disconnect in comparative salaries, this should be addressed with women admitting that "maternity leave" does present a definite difference in one's ability to perform the same job without causing a hiccup down the road.  That being said, what of men?  We still excel at grunting and bringing home the bacon, but women are catching up fast and filling the shoes of management more frequently, and for good reason.

I'm not certain how one can make an argument in modern society that women need to be "sheltered in a supposed effort to preserve the 'moral integrity' of society."  The only "moral integrity" being protected would be the man's selfish, imagined, carnal right to take the woman at will.  When it comes right down to it, the author of this piece is totally correct in saying, "No matter the justification, these perverse attitudes and policies are hardly distinguishable from outright oppression."

People wish to immigrate into the modern era of the First World.  They want a better life for their family and more opportunities.  They wish to bring along their rich culture, and this is a good thing for all of us.  But, the civilized societies of the first world have laws which need to be abided.  If culture runs contrary to civilized law, you must adjust your culture; you must adapt.  In the United States we also have cultures.  We have cultures of rich heritages which have been brought to our shores for over 200 years; cultures of religion, business, and personal belief.  For the most part, these cultures, our own cultures, have been adapting to our ever changing society and laws.  We, also have a bit of a journey ahead of us.  

Mankind needs to learn from history.  We need to understand that laws, rules, requirements, religious edicts, are put into place to ensure order and survival.  But as order and survival are ensured, we find these laws, these edicts, are outdated and have no use.  The rules we put in place to ensure our ability to move forward end up holding us back in our pursuit of life, happiness, and knowledge.  There is no reason, in today's market why Jews cannot eat pork, other than tradition.  There was no reason for Catholics to eat fish on Friday, other than tradition.  Men don't need to have women subservient to them when the women in their lives can make both their lives so much richer when she is set free and seen as the equal she has certainly earned the right to be.  No one is going to die anymore, and nobody is going hell for abandoning outdated traditions which have no purpose in the modern world.  We need to praise God for the sage advice which has kept us safe in the past, when we needed it, and learn to move forward, which is really all God wants in the first place. 

Just saying...  

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

Women - Be the Pedestal

On the darkest days, when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy,
I remember whose daughter I am and straighten my crown.

I have published, on numerous occasions, posts concerning women.  I've talked about their concerns over weight, looks, men, stress, and my own belief that there is not a pedestal high enough to put them on, or safe enough.  They keep falling off.  From what I've seen and heard, falling off their lofty pedestal has much to do with self-image.  That self-image seems to be driven by actions and words of the caring, loving people around them, as much as by media and society.  Maybe women need to listen less to people that haven't walked a mile in their shoes, and start listening more to their own heart.

Women look in the mirror too much.  Put on some makeup, if you must, brush your hair and move on, but many will stand there and critique themselves against some asshole's off the cuff remark or some article about society's new view on what makes a woman beautiful or what men find attractive.  When did women start listening to men?  My view is there are enough female asshole's out there judging women without listening to some dumbass man's viewpoint.

I think it is marvelous that over the past few years "plus-sized" women have been the new vogue.  Those actresses, singers, and other popular entertainers are emphasizing that it is okay to feel good about you.  It is all about a makeover; dress, makeup, personality, poise, and your outward attitude toward life in general which makes you beautiful to those around you.  I'm all about staying healthy, and if you can manage that while carrying a few extra pounds, hey, if you're happy, why not?  Too many people spend way too much time finding all new ways of dipping our "ugly bags of mostly water" into hard candy shells of societal acceptability.  Large is becoming the new beautiful, so get used to it.

What do I find attractive in a plump woman?  Other than a vivacious, happy personality, the ability to speak intelligently, and kindly, is a big plus.  I'd think that, of all women that should know the damage done by throwing stones, overweight women would be more tolerant and understanding of others, being extra cognizant to not offend.  But, there are those women who would be well served to sew their pie hole shut because opening it usually does more harm than good to themselves and whatever cause they're commenting on.  Joyce Behar, co-host of The View, and comedians Roseanne Barr and Rosie O'Donnell, are a few of my least favorites.  They open their mouths and we are assaulted by the current "party line" from the League of the Perpetually Offended.  Instead of being great role models for gay, overweight, or the politically opinionated, these women prefer to alienate all of their potential fan base save those of like mind that buy into the star's ever changing lines of bullshit.  Where they could be attractive role models, they settle for being seen as just another woman offended at herself for not being able to measure up to their own sad view of society's expectation.  They seem to be forever in denial that they could be beautiful souls by simply being... well, beautiful souls.   

Of course, I feel this way about all role models.  If you are in the public eye, you are a role model and our children will be watching you.  If you don't want to be a role model, go crawl back into the madding crowd that is the rest of us.  Sports figures, actors, entertainers, should all be censured for acting like morons in front of our children.  If you elect to be an entertainer, then shut up and entertain me.  I don't want to hear your political views, that you think white cops should die, or why you slapped your wife around on video.  If you want to talk smack about crap you know nothing about then give up acting and take on the mantle of divisive activist, like Al Sharpton, and make your money off the multitude of perpetually offended people stupid enough to buy into your particular line of crap.

I think that all agents for entertainers and sports figures would be well served to put handlers on them until they prove they can act like responsible adults.  Handlers can head off most irresponsible acts like beating on the paparazzi, assaulting women, or removing your clothes in public.  Tempering making offhand statements the press will get hold of or stupid statements around microphones they assume aren't active is a task which even presidents and their handlers find difficult.  These so called "role models" have enough money to stay out of public scrutiny by hiring a car and driver if they want to get shitfaced while out on the town for heaven's sake.  They least they can do is try to act like responsible adults.

Anyway, I digress.

“She was of exactly the same essence as Adam. She was in no way an inferior character, but she was his spiritual counterpart, his intellectual coequal, and in every sense his perfect mate and companion.”

-- Pastor John MacArthur, teacher, author

I love women; short, tall, skinny, fat, freckles, lesbian, I really don't care.  Hell, I love lesbians, if for no other reason, because they also love women!  Those that know me or read my posts know I put women on a pedestal.  Women are the mothers of our species.  I don't expect more from them, they live with enough genetic expectations without other folks ladling helpings of extra crap onto their already full plate.  I think they need to expect more from themselves, love themselves, and be the very best at what they are.  For me, this is what makes a woman beautiful... this is what makes anyone beautiful.  I have great respect and admiration for anyone that gets up off their dead ass, cleans themselves up, dresses nicely, has a happy, outgoing attitude, and treats other people with the same respect they, themselves, seek.  There is nothing that turns people off more than someone being in a state of constant complaining about being miserable because they're too damned lazy to be anything but.  Life is not as bad as they would make it out to be.  Life is generally bad due to our lack of trying to make it better.

“And I shall be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says THE LORD JEHOVAH, The Almighty.”

-- 2 Corinthians 6:18

I put women on pedestals.  Does that piss you off?  Fine, then climb down and be offended.  You don't have to thank me for opening the door for you, offering to carry your bags, paying you a compliment, or sacrificing my umbrella for you when it starts to rain.  I don't require your thanks; it was the way my mother brought me up.  I do it because I was taught to respect women, protect them, be polite, and put them on that damned pedestal.  It is what real men do, just because.  Does this define me as a sexist?  I'll take that as a compliment, then, even though I think women are as at least as capable as men to perform most tasks, if not more so.  I can live with your offense at my respect and love for you.  

The only thing I ask of you is that you hold me when I cry.

When I hear a man verbally or physically abusing a woman, it just pisses me off.  First of all it makes all men look bad.  Secondly, why in God's name has she hung this situation long enough to be subjected to abuse?  I'm not sure what grinds my ass more, a man that has no control or a woman who excuses him.  There is no excuse for being an insensitive asshole, not in my book, and certainly not when it concerns a woman or a child.  Better they remove themselves from the abuse and surround themselves with loving, caring people, and an environment where they can grow and flourish.

Take comfort there are still men that put you on pedestals.  Enjoy the men treating you like porcelain dolls that need protection.  Sure, you might not want or need it, but it makes us feel good to do it.  I think God was first to put women on pedestals.  God created Eve to be the mother of all mankind and Mary to be the mother of mankind's salvation.  Men have tried to reinterpret Abrahamic scripture so women are viewed as subservient, yet they come off as revered in scriptures of the Abrahamic faiths.  Men should recognize and respect this special role offered to women, and women should be the pedestal, as well as be on it.  They are, after all, the marble foundation of man's life.  Maybe you don't want or require the attention, but you might, at the very least, relax and try to bask in the attention we feel the need to shower upon you.

The only thing we ask in return is that you hold us when we cry, and there will be those days.

As for the opening quote, I found this more complete version online, and still have no idea of the author:

"More than a conqueror Loved by the King of Kings Righteous by the blood of the Lamb Child of God.

I am God's daughter and He is my Heavenly Father. He is the King of kings. I am Jesus' sister and He is the Prince of Peace. My royalty gives my immunity from Satan, the prince of darkness

Sometimes on dark days I think "nobody cares and nobody's coming." Then I remember who sends thoughts like that... and I straighten my crown. 

On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my Crown! I Love This So Much!! I Love My Father Jesus Christ So Much! 

On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my Crown! Happy Mother's Day! 

On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my crown! I know this is probably a Christian sentiment but I am my father's daughter and THAT is what I need to always remember."

Who am I to judge?

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

My Sunday Thought for 07032016: Gays and Christianity Revisited, Yet Again

"The questions is: if a person who has that condition, who has good will, and who looks for God, who are we to judge?"

-- Pope Francis

So, on the question of gay Christians, Pope Francis comments, "The questions is: if a person who has that condition, who has good will, and who looks for God, who are we to judge?" But, Most Holy Father, is not stating they have "that condition," in itself a judgment? Let's be fair, any statement we make can be interpreted as something other than what we intended, but as gracious as His Holiness tries to be, we all know he must, at the end of the day, toe the ecclesiastical line. But, does he? He is certainly a pope of a different "habit."

Once called the "Emergent Movement," these progressive Christians sought to challenge traditional Christian faith and practice. Many assume these folks were a flash in the pan and have quietly faded into the background of mainstream Christianity. We need only look to our current political administrations misinformed arrogance in their analysis of ISIS capabilities, to understand the incompetent mistake of assuming a "religious" group has faded into the background. The big problem I see with disavowing new thought is that it's based in large part on new findings and understandings of scripture. Just because something was misinterpreted during one of many translations between languages which do not directly translate, by a monk with questionable linguistic ability, being supervised by clergy living the good life off the sweat of the faithful (re: hidden agenda), why does it necessarily follow that we must continue to do that which we know is questionable, and possibly heretical? Take "The World Christian Movement" report, as example:

“We have all been aware of the ecumenical drive toward a one-world religion, or at least a global Christianity embracing all expressions of what may pass for faith in Jesus Christ. With this writing, however, I believe we have touched upon the specifics of that ecumenical drive which will fit into the New World Order. The individuals and organizations involved in it are well respected in the churches. And the connections go to the Vatican and even to the United Nations. And while espousing faith in Jesus Christ, the ultimate end of the Movement is to question whether that faith is really necessary after all in determining one’s salvation.”

-- Al Dager on “The World Christian Movement” report

According to the article I read, this report "documents that this movement is twisting scripture, perverting the Great Commission with a “cultural mandate” of political and social action to Christianize the world, and perhaps ultimately preaching a false gospel."  A false gospel?  This ranks right up there with telling me any gospel written by fallible men could ever be construed as the one true Word of God.  And how many books of the Bible do learned scholars now think were written by one apostle, that wasn't even an original apostle, nor was he alive when Christ walked the earth, yet conservative Christians cling to this written word like a life vest.  Is their faith in God so fragile?

God help them all if they ever lose the precious book, for they make it seem God and their faith would be nothing without it, and yet they continually apologize for contradictions, and other inadequacies of the scripture.  When one understands what it took, historically, to arrive at the "accepted" collection of works, scripture, we refer to as "The Bible," it is mind boggling that the book exists at all, much less that it is accepted by so many as the unerring Word of God.

"I think that the Church not only should apologize... to a gay person whom it offended but it must also apologize to the poor as well, to the women who have been exploited, to children who have been exploited by (being forced to) work. It must apologize for having blessed so many weapons."

-- Pope Francis

And, this brings us back to gays and Christianity, or more appropriately, LGTBQ+ and Christianity.  What, one might be asking, is LGTBQ+?  Well, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning are all initialisms we are familiar with.  The "+" allows for the inclusion of anyone left wanting, like the transsexual, two-spirited, intersexual, asexual, ally, pansexual, agender, gender queer, bigender, gender variant, and pangender (Aha!  I knew Peter would show up in here at some point).  We all use the term LGTBQ because it is shorter and more user friendly.

If you are trying to put your best foot forward and be respectful by using the correct terminology for one of these folks in a given situation, good luck with that. I applaud your effort, which is probably more recognition than you'll get from the majority on the list. Understand that I have nothing against this community of people, this segment of our society. I grew up amongst them and some were good friends. I have worked with them in the corporate environment, and in the military. There have been a few that are the salt of the earth and I have stood for them and risked my career to protect them and befriend them. However, there are also those that have a life membership in the League of the Perpetually Offended. Understanding this means that, no matter how hard you try or what you say, you will forever be an outsider because they have no intention of ever finding middle ground with you. If you finally do reach an understanding, or the aforementioned "middle ground," you might find constantly walking the razor's edge of the ever changing sense of propriety to be a bit tedious. Thank God not all in the community have a chip on their shoulder. This would be the same attitude many hardline Christians take with them, however, so I can only assume you deservedly get what you give. What would Jesus do? 

Into this intolerant mix, enters the gay Christian.

There was a time when what clergy said the congregation echoed.  This time is passing.  I don't think we can call the current Christians progressive in the Emergent Movement sense, but they are cognizant of changing times and kinder, gentler attitudes.  They see the benefit of finding common ground and moving forward instead of beating the same dead horse for years on end.  Our society is becoming more tolerant and acceptant of the gay community, more gay Christian groups are cropping up, and we are finding that the scripture we are all taught was infallible might have simply been clergy interpretation and personal agenda, not the Word of God (someone is going to hell).  The pope is mindful of Church teachings that gays "should not be discriminated against. They should be respected, accompanied pastorally."

"We Christians have to apologise for so many things, not just for this, but we must ask for forgiveness, not just apologise! Forgiveness! Lord, it is a word we forget so often!"

-- Pope Francis

Pope Francis is a man of God living, fully, in the present, mindful of the past, and concerned about the future of man and the Christian Church. His Holiness sees the changes in society and understands scriptural contradiction, interpretation, and the tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness which are Christ. Many hardline Christians find the pope's comments much too tolerant. I guess my recommendation to these naysayers would be to put their Bible away and start practicing the spirit of the Word and stop trying to interpret it. God wrote the Spirit of his love on our hearts and on our minds so we would never have to interpret scripture again. The most important of these commandments was to love each other as we would love ourselves, and to praise God with all our heart. These two commandments are the foundation for the rest, and it is no wonder. Yet we seem incapable of practicing the very simple which God has asked of us.

Francis is touted by the gay community as being "the most merciful pope towards them in recent history," and he has paid for his tolerance, love, and understanding by enduring the criticism of conservative Catholics "for making comments they say are ambiguous about sexual morality." It never ceases to amaze me what we don't learn of history and, therefore repeat. The pope is the living Word of God on earth and, yet, his own congregation questions, publicly and at great length, comments he makes. Heresy? By any definition I would have to say yes, but I would also have to say these are the same people that place their faith in a book which should never have been compiled, according to God's own second covenant, because it would not be needed.

These are the same people that violate their own book by worshipping in public, in a church which was never required in scripture, built by clergy that forgot to give up everything they own and follow Christ... per this same scripture. So to these naysayers of Pope Francis I say, let he who is without sin cast the first stone, and since their own condemnation and judgment is, itself, a sin, they might think about shutting their ignorant pie hole and toeing the line as it is laid out before them. 

If there are members of the gay community, or any community, wishing to worship our Lord and find a path to salvation, then who in God's good name are we to judge whether they have the right to do so? Who gave us the right to be so arrogant? It certainly wasn't my God, nor was it my Christ. I can, then, only assume it was the God of those who, through their own feeling of self-importance, find some sick pleasure in judging and condemning the least of us. These are the same people who have passed judgment on the least of us down through the centuries and before Christ walked the earth. We have learned nothing.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

Wolves in Wolf Clothing

"Specifically, the growing threat that sexual predators pose to our Nation's children and their families represents an area where our criminal justice system has failed the American people."

-- Paul Gillmor (1939-2007), Congressman

"Our criminal justice system," is a crock.  It basically means the exact opposite of what one first thinks.  The criminal's rights are protected against those that seek retribution for crimes the criminals perpetrate against society.  Criminals have become, like the wolf, a protected species. Nowadays they boldly walk out of the shadows into plain view, a wolf in wolf's clothing, daring us to usurp their God given right to treat everyone else like Dog pooh.  Oh, we find a way to cull the pack, occasionally lulling society into a false sense of security, but most of us feel safer with a fully loaded semi-automatic weapon in our picnic basket when we venture into the concrete jungle.  We rely on our finger jerking in spasm from the emotion of the moment, firing off nine rounds before we realize what our instinct for survival has allowed us to get away with, ensuring our attacker meets God's judgment and saves society a costly trial for determining guilt.  We also sidestep the civil suit we might face for injuring the sick, criminal bastard and preventing them from plying their trade on some other unsuspecting rube.  Isn't it better that we blow the miserable sociopathic waste of human flesh away? 

Man: I just walked in on a grown man molesting… And I got him in a bloody puddle for you, officer.
Dispatcher: Did you use any weapons?
Man: My foot and my fist. I didn’t proceed to ask him any questions, sir. He is nice and knocked out on the floor for you. I drug him out to the living room. He stood up and his pants were around his ankles and nothing else needed to be said. I did whatever I got a right to do except I didn’t kill him. Send an ambulance. He is going to need one.

“You are damn lucky, boy, that I love my God.”

-- Father to 911 dispatcher after beating Frolander (molester of his son)

These predators seem to be, more and more, our neighbors, family, or friends.  They are our co-workers, supervisors, clergy, or a date for the evening of partying and drinking which will, without knowledge or consent of their victim, deteriorate into an evening of roofie addled gang rape and other debauchery which will no doubt end the victim's emotional or physical life.  What of the victim's rights?  Those are what the other predators, the lawyers, define for the victim.  The victim, the innocent, is always guilty until proven not.  Welcome to the American criminal justice system, wait until you meet our politicians!

"Sometimes what happens is lawmakers don't want to know the facts, or the facts don't make any difference. There really are two things that affect public policy. One is the facts. The other is the feelings and political pressure. There are legislators who will say, 'Don't confuse me with the facts. I've made up my mind.'"

-- North Dakota state Senator Tim Mathern

"Feelings and political pressure," makes it sound like the perpetually offended Al Sharpton might have a hand in this, but since he only makes his money off the gullible minorities that buy into his bullshit, I doubt this would be of interest to the "reverend," unless the offender happened to be a minority shot in the commission of a violent rape in which case he will show up, uninvited, to foment divisive racism and pleading the case that the innocent six year old brought it on themselves by wearing those seductive footie pajamas.  Sharpton and his ilk, the new slave owners of black America, know there is money to be made in fear mongering and mob violence.  Where there is no problem, Sharpton is the "Slick Willie" on scene to create one.  Everyone that knows him or seeks his counsel understands this, that's why they hang with him.

Are we waiting for the politicians to take some action to protect us?  This is like having a wolf as a sheepdog.  We are that stupid.  I don't know about everyone else but, after I've cast my vote, I just know I'm going to feel like I've been raped for the duration of their term, and they're going to smile while doing it.  It really doesn't matter what party these predators are, almost all politicians seem to be wolves in sheep's clothing.  And we look to them for protection from predators?  They can't even protect the unborn from abortion, that's how ineffective, inept, and corrupt our politicians are.  

“There is so much money to be made scaring the hell out of Americans about sexuality that no one on the gravy train can afford to slow it down. Any outsider who questions this juggernaut is immediately labeled insensitive, anti-family, immoral, or a pedophile.”

-- Dr. Marty Klein, "America's War On Sex" 

Wolves prey on the weak, the ignorant, and the young.  Like most terrorists, ISIS for instance, they are also cowardly, sociopathic, losers looking for control they can't seem to find among normal society.  They are looking for their next fix, because what the do makes them feel good and powerful when, in reality, they do this because they are cowards that feed off the emotions those that have, and what their victims have is what they want.  It is the drug which sustains the wolf.  Treatment?  Maybe, but like alcohol and other drugs, they can never state they have quit until they die; We can say they have stopped until then, but only when they have stopped for the rest of their lives can we definitively say they had quit.  

"Pedophilia is a lifelong affliction for which there is no treatment. Coupled with the particularly devastating consequences of their conduct, these offenders pose a unique - and perhaps insurmountable - challenge for conventional law enforcement techniques." 

-- Judge Richard Posner, 7th Circuit Appeals Court

The best protection against these wolves is to always be prepared.  As in the wild, prey survives by traveling in groups and watching out for each other.  Learn to protect yourself, and carry a semi-automatic pistol with a couple of extra magazines just in case the wolf is traveling in a pack.  Learn to scream loudly, even in crowded, public places, while taking pictures and declaring what the wolf is up to so everyone knows.  Very soon we'll hear about some great-grandmother, whipping out her AR-15 she's illegally converted to full-auto when she wasn't knitting a blanket, cutting loose on some scumbag with a sixty round magazine.  Now that's personal protection you can take to the bank.  

These particular human predators exist as a reminder of the evil all around us, especially in our own backyard.  Because of the bleeding hearts of our society, these wolves will be around us forever.  It is a sad reality we must always watch our children, watch our loved ones, watch those around us and always be vigilant, especially around strangers.  Never assume you really know those you think you know, even family.   

Many of the wolves still dress up like a sheep. 

"We're trying to correct the loopholes and at the same time protect the innocent people in our community, the children and seniors, from these horrible bad guys who have an awful type of disease that can't be cured."

 -- FL Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood)

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination. 

My Sunday Thought fo 06262006: The Recipe for "Good People"

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

What makes good people? What is the recipe for good people? This is a question recently put to me by a friend, and it is a question not easily answered. People are so diverse, they remind me of cookies; you may think you've found the best of the best only until a better one comes along. Even the best of us is only as good as the least of us. Our flaws are as obvious as our attempts to disguise them, and to what end? If the good people are defined by their "appalling silence" perhaps their silence is due in no small part to the deafening, "strident clamor" of the bad people of which they are truly a part.

But speaking out is much different than a strident clamor. My father gave me sage advice before I entered the military: He, who controls his voice, controls the conversation, and walk away from that over which you have no control. What makes a good person? Maybe it's knowing when to fight the good fight and knowing when to pick up your wounded and walk away from the bad. Besides, I've found most battles aren't worth fighting. Stupid can be learned, and most of us learn it well. Unfortunately, I have found it to be a tough malady to cure simply because it is so much easier to be an idiot than to practice restraint.

When I want to find good people I look to the innocence of the unjaded child. Children can teach us how to find sincerity and authenticity as they are drawn to it. Desmond Tutu once said, "Children are a wonderful gift... They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are."

If you wish to discover the truly good person, look for someone who does not have to justify themselves.  Bad people always have a justification, a reason, for what they do.  You usually find these lost souls in the League of the Perpetually Offended, and even the perpetually offended are only offended until they're not.  The few good people I have encountered, just are.  For them it is their life, it occupies them constantly, whether they realize it or not, it is enough for them, and for us - it should be.  

Our world should be as amazing as when we were children, a time when a new friend was an old friend the moment you said hello and began adventures and discovery together.  There was no color or religion, and girls had cuties but you secretly stole a glance at her and smiled.

Childhood is the world of miracle and wonder… as if creation rose, bathed in the light, out of the darkness, utterly new and fresh and astonishing. The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.

-- Eugene Ionesco (1909-1994), French playwright

What is the recipe for good people?  A good person is simply the bad person who willingly sacrificed their life to save another.  Who are we to judge?  Who are we to assign a label?  "For if he stands, he stands to his Master, and if he falls, he falls to his Master, for it is appointed to his Master to be able to establish him."  Our heroes and role models stumble and fall, sinners and hypocrites all.  Yet, in the darkest hour, there can be light.  It is the glimmer of hope, found in forgotten love, forgiveness, understanding and tolerance.  It can be found in the acceptance that other people have an opinion, and our willingness to hear them out, providing they exercise the same willingness to peacefully discuss and debate in a spirit of understanding.  If there is no control, there is no point, and it is better to wish them well, take the high road, and simply walk away.

Perhaps the recipe for "good people" can be found in the description of a mentor as a trusted counselor or guide, an advocate and teacher that seeks no reward for themselves for what they do as their actions are reward enough.  A great mentor says little and speaks volumes.  The few I have encountered can light up the room by entering, and then open the gates of happiness with their smile.   They have no real need to speak for they exude such kindness as can be felt by those around them.

 There is no one recipe for a good person, no cookie cutter sameness.  They can be found in the greatest of us and in the least; the richest of us and the poorest.  They can be found in a child with cancer or with Down syndrome.  They can be found in the eyes of the aged or those of a newborn babe.

Good people simply are.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

Verity Baptist and the Gospel of Hate

“If we lived in a righteous government, they should round them all up and put them up against a firing wall, and blow their brains out.” 

-- Pastor Roger Jimenez of Verity Baptist Church, Sacramento, CA

Pastor Roger Jimenez claims he was misconstrued when he made this statement concerning the recent, deadly attack at the gay friendly nightclub in Orlando.  I sit here reading the words; over and over, trying to construe the statement any other way than that which is so sadly obvious.  You can call me stupid, I don't see it. 

I have issues with Christian hate.  I have issues with ostracizing those in the gay community wishing to worship as Christians.  How is holding this community at arm’s length going to instill them with the love, tolerance, and the gentle understanding which is Christ?  No.  He says his words were not a call to action, and this denial is, in itself, hateful bullshit spewing from the pie hole of yet another Christian hypocrite professing to be holier than thou.  These righteous constantly, and conveniently, forget we are not to judge the servant of another, for it is to their own master they must stand or fall.  If their master is to be Christ then we should welcome them and pray that they stand tall at judgement.  It is for us to guide, not to judge; divine judgment is the purview of God, not of man.

This, so-called, "pastor" goes on to state, “As far as the Bible is concerned, they crossed a line. The sin they performed is worthy of death.”  And, again, we see another minister that reads the Bible and interprets it to meet his own agenda of divisiveness and hate.  I'm the first to admit my lack of biblical knowledge, but I am learning as I go.  Clergy who take the Bible as it is written, as the unquestioning WORD of God, should be intelligent enough to also take time out to understand what they read.  For instance, the biggest mistake clergy makes, as in the case of Roger Jimenez, is to judge:

Who are you to judge a Servant who is not yours? For if he stands, he stands to his Master, and if he falls, he falls to his Master, for it is appointed to his Master to be able to establish him.

-- Romans 14:4

One article wrote that Jimenez "says the deaths shouldn’t be mourned because if the victims were gay, then the Bible calls them sinners, and they deserved to die."  Well, maybe we should first come to grips with who really wrote the Bible before we go translating it, interpreting it, and mucking up the Word of God, yet again for the umpteenth time.  But, most Christians don't want to know the story behind the Bible.  They don't want to hear about the multiple translations into languages that don't directly translate word for word, or even in spirit, the unique nuances of language and culture.  They really have no concept of the education of the monks doing said translating, or of their "creative" desire to fluff up the tales a tad.  They don't want to hear about the incomplete texts embellished in order to produce a complete document.  What they would rather do, is to have blind faith in the personal agendas of their clergy to not lead them astray.  Good luck with that.

“When he said ‘it’s unfortunate that more people were not killed at this club,’ how does that follow from any religious doctrine that more killing is what God wants?'”

-- Baker Peeples

Baker Peeples' statement, above, should be an eye opener to the very insanity that was the catalyst for the incident in Orlando.  How does the murdering of a segment, a culture, in our society follow from any religious doctrine that this is what a loving God would want?  And how does the desire to compound that killing, with yet more death, make us any different than the animal that wrought this terror upon us?  When do we, as Christians, also cross the line into heresy and commit "radical terrorism" in the name of God?  How does becoming the very evil we fear forward God's agenda of peace, love, understanding and tolerance? 

Clergy around the Sacramento area condemned the remarks made by Pastor Jimenez:

This past Sunday morning, there was a heartless and heartbreaking statement made by a Sacramento pastor to his congregation related to the shootings in Orlando. It was then posted online and broadcast on the nightly news. These comments, applauding the death of innocent people, are completely contrary to the Bible’s teaching and God’s heart. His statements do not represent Jesus nor hundreds of Sacramento pastors whose hearts have been broken and are praying for the loved ones so tragically affected by this cowardly act. As Sacramento pastors, we are united in our prayers and sadness for those who have lost loved ones and for those even now fighting for their lives. May God’s love prevail in this tragedy.

-- City Pastors Fellowship of Sacramento

So, it would seem from this condemnation by "hundreds of Sacramento pastors whose hearts have been broken and are praying for the loved ones so tragically affected by this cowardly act," that perhaps Christian interpretation of biblical scripture might require deeper thought and understanding from some clergy before spouting it from their pulpit.  Doesn't it then follow that, if clergy should be cautious of what they interpret, perhaps the congregation, the least of us, should also read scripture with an open and active mind?  It might even pay for us to review our understanding of the Qur'an, and of the personal, religious, and/or political agendas driving Islam's own heretical clergy to claim the destruction of beauty and innocence is an edict of Allah.

The world needs to understand that we all live in a state of balance.  For light there is dark, wet there is dry, good there is evil, and for love there is hate.  We live in this balance because it would be impossible to experience, understand, and appreciate, one without the other.  As much as we deplore these despicable acts, God visits them upon us so we never forget to appreciate the other side of the coin and try to keep the balance favoring the Gospel of Good over the Gospel of Evil.

Pastor Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist church fame is another hate monger which interprets the Bible to excuse fomenting his own acts of heresy and hatred upon society and Christianity.  Can we stop him?  Not legally, nor, perhaps, should we.  His ilk reminds us of who we truly are.  They make us look in the mirror of self-judgment to see if we stand tall before them and are worthy to protect the least of us against their vile hatred.  Concerning the Westboro Baptist church, someone once wrote, "But the Constitution does not empower government to decide what is legitimate in religious belief, or to censor anybody who chooses to preach a gospel of hate."

A last helping of food for thought concerning the "Gospel of Hate" as written up by the Toledo blade:

THE Constitution is a hard mistress. Those who love it must obey its toughest commands, as they are embodied in the First Amendment, which upholds the rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion. Most of the time, tolerance is easy. But it's not the easy issues that most need the Constitution's protection.

-- Toledo Blade, “Gospel of hate” (10/10/2010)

“Give what is Caesar's to Caesar and what is God's to God,” tries to come to grips with our Constitution and religious or spiritual faith.  That "hard mistress" which is our Constitution was further exercised as Sacramento rose up to show this "pastor," Jimenez, that the pendulum of free speech, the First Amendment, swings both ways.

Bravo, Sacramento!  Bravo!

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

My Sunday Thought for Father's Day: Thank You for Being a Mentor!

"I watched a small man with thick calluses on both hands work fifteen and sixteen hours a day. I saw him once literally bleed from the bottoms of his feet, a man who came here uneducated, alone, unable to speak the language, who taught me all I needed to know about faith and hard work by the simple eloquence of his example."

-- Mario Cuomo (1932-2015), 52nd Governor of New York

There is more to being a father than simply adding your genes to the biologic stew which will create a new life.  Most civilizations, societies, and religions, including the all three Abrahamic religions, have dictated there is a moral responsibility for the father to take ownership of the child to ensure the progeny, though born without sin, can weather those situations where sin might become a choice.  Although born without sin, children are born with this ability to choose sin, and a father must be vigilant and ever present to teach the child how to make the right choices so as to ensure the child's survival and ultimate salvation.  

At times this "moral responsibility" is, culturally, taken to extremes which seem harsh or cruel instead of loving and tolerant.  Fortunately we live in a western culture which protects our young people with government and laws which prevent abuse.  Unfortunately these protections have grown into a nightmare which prevents, or at least discourages, a great deal of needed parenting from parents that couldn't give a damn, one way or another, and welcome any government intervention which would take the onus of responsibility, for said youth, off of them and saddle the taxpayer with the historic issues which keep getting swept under the already lumpy carpet.  Just saying...  

In today's world of parenting it is not so much about the survival of the fittest as it is about the survival of the intelligent.  We can be taught stupid, we can teach stupid, and God can remove stupid by allowing stupid to continue making questionable decisions unabated.  For gang bangers and criminals, free climbers and BASE jumpers, dopers, race car drivers and the like, it is simply a matter of time before jumping out of God's perfectly good aircraft catches up to them.  If one ignores the close calls - those warnings that life is worth living, the last thing to go through their mind might be the rocks below or a police bullet.  Father's exist to ensure kids have a fighting chance at, if they listen to nothing else, salvation.

Whoever does not have a good father should procure one.

-- Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), philosopher

But what do you do if you don't have a father?  What if your father died or has abandoned the family?  What if there has been a divorce and the father, due to overwhelming circumstances, does not have the opportunities of fatherhood which they might want?  Death notwithstanding, lack of parenting is an unfortunate trend in this country.  Parents find themselves caught up in making ends meet and their priorities get skewed to the point where children take a back seat to less important issues.  This is, of course, providing both parents were mature and responsible enough to hang around or at least try to make a conscious effort to parent if they are separated from the child.  What does a young person do when parents, in particular the father, has abandoned them or simply is not around? 

When one has not had a good father, one must create one.

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

 (1844-1900), philosopher

Most people that were raised by great fathers will testify that a father is always a father, whether it is to his children or someone else's.  A good father will easily make time to mentor, or give advice to, any young person who asks.  A good father loves to father; to teach, protect, and nurture. For many young folks, a mentor is a close to a father as they may ever get.  This is why the onus is on the mentor to be at their very best when it comes to mature advice, concern, and friendship.  The love of a father will shine through.

A mentor, like a good father, is more than a good role model.  A mentor is also a friend, coach, supporter, motivator, advocate, and a terrific listener.  This last can be tough one for us men, as we really suck at listening; ask any woman.

If you don't have a good role model in your immediate family, try simply looking around you in your extended family, a friend's parent, a teacher or even a police officer, doctor, or fireman.  The point is, there are many good parents out there to ask advice from, so there should be no excuse for not having a good role model.  For those folks wishing to do the right thing by the child, it would pay dividends to ensure you check with the custodial parent first, even if you're close family, before talking with the child.  The mother may take this proffered assistance with much gratitude, and you may want to include her in the discussion.  If she says no, the child suffers but the decision is made and parents rule - time to back away with apologies (I'd leave a bug in the parent's ear that, if the parent has a change of heart, please don't hesitate to call).

For those young people lucky enough to have found a caring family member, friend, or mentor, to replace the missing parent, I wholeheartedly recommend thanking the individual you credit with giving sage advice in your time of need.  If it happens to be a man, or a father, Father's Day might be an opportune time to show them your appreciation for being there.  It will make you both feel good.

A young woman, a friend very dear to my heart, recently informed me I was instrumental in her becoming the woman she has grown into.  I had no idea she felt this way.  The unexpected comment took me aback, just before I teared up.  Luckily she has actually grown into a woman any good father would be proud of, and thank God (whew!).  I was humbled by her gift of praise for what I, in equal humility, considered no big deal on my part, but it does evidenced that even the smallest of things we say can have tremendous impact on the lives of others.  If someone has changed your life for the better, parent or not, please let them know how you feel; it just might change theirs.

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”

-- Umberto Eco, "Foucault's Pendulum"

I've been lucky to have a good father in my life, a reflection of everything good I have stated above.  True, we have found ourselves at odds, numerous times, and even recently.  We have always managed to find some common understanding to our issues.  He has been my mentor on numerous issues throughout my life, and will continue to be, I can only hope, into the future... and beyond.  I think we both recognize the fact that I am much like him in speaking my own mind, my honesty and unyielding determination to be right, especially when I know I'm right (one can see, in this, why we have to find common ground on stuff), and, of course, in my extreme humility.  I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without his sage guidance, patriotism, and love, except to say jail time might have been one alternative.

To my dear father, Dom, and all the other fathers who embrace their responsibility to be more than just the title, I wish you all a heartfelt, Happy Father's Day!

Give me the lamp, dad; it's my turn to take point for a bit.

The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.

-- Antoine-François, Abbé Prévost d’Exiles (1697-1763), author and novelist

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.