Case for Christianity April 12, 2009

Today is Easter Sunday and I am typing this out and post it for the whole world to read. **May edit later for clarity and typos, keep your thoughts coming**

The title of this post is so hackneyed and at least one Christian apologist (who was ‘saved’ after his Atheism got a kick in the ass by Biblical truth) Lee Strobel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Strobel) has written a book with this title. I believe that an intellectually honest faith is a true and healthy faith. Generally there are two equally unpalatable camps regarding Christianity, one is of course of fundamentalist Christians who believe in the inerrancy of Bible and want schools to teach biblical Creationism and so on.

The other camp is full of bitter, mocking and fundamentalist atheists like Richard Dawkins. Unfortunately many literary figures have also tried their hand from time to time at Bible bashing for example Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer etc. It is easy to do so today than when writers like D.H. Lawrence did so and got banned everywhere. And in the case of what many consider father of the great American novel and great humorist Mark Twain, he considered it wise to keep his heretic and dissenting writings about Christianity in the closet. It was only recently that it was discovered how passionately Mark Twain rejected traditional Christian faith. (See this link for introduction of Twain’s views against organized religion:http://www.twainquotes.com/Religion.html )

Then there are lapsed Christians like former nun and now ‘secular’ writer Karen Armstrong(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Armstrong). Naturally she feels her years were robbed by Christianity and now by writing books that reveal the fallacies and contradictions in the Bible she is settling the scores in a way. And why shouldn’t she. She has every right to express her opinions and she is a very competent and engrossing researcher, scholar and writer. But then she also writes books on Islam, Koran and Mohammed and she gets into appeasement gear and takes sides and glosses over Muslim fundamentalism. This is hardly what can be remotely called intellectual honesty. This is deception, this is pandering. You punch holes in Christianity because Western world gives you the freedom to do so but you go soft on Islam because you fear backlash. That makes you- and others of your ilk- intellectually dishonest cowards.

Tolstoy’s Confession (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Confession) is a great resource about someone going through the crisis of faith and trying to find intellectually honest answers that agree with one’s conscience . It’s full text can be found for free on the internet from many sources including this one: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Confession. Another great Russian writer Dostoevsky dealt with issues of faith in his novels. I have not read Brothers Karamazov but love this quote ‘If there is no God, everything is permissible.’ It always rings true for me. I also love Kant’s quote ‘Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more seriously reflection concentrates upon them: the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me.’ Bible agrees with this kind of thought in a few places like in Luke 17:21 ‘‘Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold the kingdom of God is within you.’’ (English Standard Version of Bible).

To cut the long story short in order to have an intellectually honest faith I find myself reading Bart D. Ehrman’s book ‘Misquoting Jesus: The story behind who changed the Bible and Why’. He is a Bible scholar who has extensively studied (and taught) Bible (especially New Testament) in original languages for years. This book’s content is not original but has been presented in a very easy to grasp format for a layman who wants to do some honest investigation into the Biblical text and history of the very early Christian church. One review of the book fired a passionate debate on Amazon.com and you can access it from this link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3L9D4Y81NNVGY/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0060859512&nodeID=283155#wasThisHelpful

This only proves how Christian faith means different things to different people. I personally believe in being intellectually honest but at the same time agreeing with Immanuel Kant and Luke 21:17, the Ten Commandments, teachings of Christ to love all mankind and to love God. I also believe that the theology presented in the Book of Romans is a good introduction to Christian faith. I believe objective scholarly resources should be used only to have a healthy faith, for a progressive and open minded Christian.

This I Believe October 30, 2008

I just posted a comment on the Atheist blogger’s (mentioned in my last post) post about my personal belief in people’s right to freely believe or disbelieve. I figure my comments pretty much describe what I believe. So, here is my confession of faith before you make a marriage proposal or a thousand dollar (OR MORE) donation to me.

I would be one of those Libertarians who are pro Christianity for many reasons. I’ve heard D’Souza. He is toxic. But I’ve also heard many interviews with Hitchens. He is equally prejudiced and nuts. Yeah, well, I believe in true objectivity which means seeing the bad as well as good in everyone.

I just wrote this personal post http://emberglow.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/are-bailouts-any-good/ . I used your post on Mark Twain’s observations on religion. My post shows how we’re all in a fix of one kind or other. Religious belief or disbelief is a very very personal matter.

I have gone through super Christian phase and I have come out of it as a moderate. But that does not mean that I would even dissuade any boy or girl, man or woman from going that way. Everyone must find their own answer. As long as we respect and respectfully leave each other alone (when we totally disagree with each other) it is OK.

People must have the right of conscience and ”pursuit of pleasure” within reason without the interference of any other parties. If someone wishes to think or hold opinion that men having anal sex with men is wrong, Let them think so as long as they do not actively harm homosexuals. If some people want to hang fancy lights on a plastic Christmas tree in late December, let them do so. And if there are people with exactly opposing opinions derived from their own reason, experience and conscience, fine. That should be the golden rule.

Human beings will always bicker and disagree with each other. Divorce is one proof of that!

Added, 1^st November 2008

GodlessZone said…

Ember: Your post exhibits a certain amount of schizophrenia. You take opposite positions at the same time. You say you believe in true objectivity. But you also say: “Everyone must find their own answer.” The latter is not obejctivity but subjectivity in an extreme form.

That said, I agree with your general view that people should leave each other alone.

October 29, 2008

Ember said…

I meant objectivity as in against holding rigid and exclusive opinions. We all must have an open mind. Both D’Souza and Hitchens are so very calcified in their opinions and prejudices that they can hardly be called Objective.

I am no deep student of philosophy but I side with Kant. He wonders, ”Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more seriously reflection concentrates upon then: the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me.”

Then he’s also stated, ”Accordingly, there must be something whose nonexistence would cancel all internal possibility whatsoever. This is a necessary thing.”

It is agreeable with my instincts, sensibilities, reason, intuition etc. But then someone may find it totally hypothetical and reach totally different conclusions. I can respect that if that conclusion has been arrived at by sincere and thorough reflection. I am objective in that sense. Objective within reason.

If someone says he can rape women and children, murder people because there are no laws or no morality in this nihilistic soup of a universe, I cannot allow that, regardless of the fact it affects me or not. You may say in this sense I am subjective and hope others are too.

October 31, 2008

Are bailouts any good? October 29, 2008

Weeks ago there was this multi-billion bailout scheme going on in the U.S. and that fired up a debate whether shoddy management or business decisions should get rewarded with taxpayer’s money. I for one opposed it, be it in America, Europe or Brazil. In recent years I have subscribed to Libertarian politics and philosophy of life. I want maximum freedom to the individual and least government intervention regardless of the fact that government becomes a big brother or big nanny- just stay away and we will feed you with our taxes. I admit government is very necessary to ensure our security, conduct or facilitate our human affairs, legislate civil laws and make sure people obey them. Obeying good laws is how freedom and justice can be protected in any civil society made up of free individuals.

But beyond that basic government function I do not need a nanny state. A government IS a BIG NANNY in most Western countries except USA which harbors world’s most Libertarian state and society (though it is withering away). But anyhow, this was my logic when I said, DO NOT HELP THE FAILURES. I of course meant those fat ass money grubbing manipulative schemers. I did not mean the unemployed, people going through physical and mental handicaps, single moms and dads with responsibilities much beyond their individual needs and capabilities. It is our Christian duty to make sure they’re taken care of. I emphasize Christian because this duty is not derived for any feel good human emotions it is a divine duty-  written in the Bible ( including Apocrypha!) as  well as our Conscience- that we have towards all human beings, Christian or non Christian.

Why am I lecturing you? Well, I have every right to. Most of this year I have been unemployed or semi employed because of a number of reasons one of which was minor but recurring unlucky health problems. I am fine now. But all that time that I’ve not been employed never once I took advantage of a number of government benefits that are available to me. I rather charged my credit card to pay my rent, buy groceries, fix my ailing old car, buy an odd medicine like an odd jock itch cream {kidding }. Now for the first time in my 28 something years I am in debt and have a rising interest. BUT still, I do not want government money, despite the fact I have dutifully paid my taxes for years.

I hate to toot my horn but I have been a sappy dude in the past who has contradicted his stand alone and suffer alone mentality. This was when I was actually a CHURCH GOING Christian. Now I am more like a  stay at home and enjoy the cofee on Sundays Liberal Christian or a Christian Agnostic or a Rogue Christian some might say.

Some years ago I USED TO attend services like those meant for very old and infirm. Whichever church I went to I always- shyly and blushingly- hid $10 or $20 in my fist and slid it into the donation pouch or basket (whichever one it was). I never wanted people to know how much I was giving and I was under no obligation to do so. I was poor back then too but I had no debt and small income to get by rather easily. But I did  give  secretly because I thought those churches were doing some real noble things. Years later now I know, if I was smart enough to let those secret acts of charity be on record I could at least get my tax on those dollars back. Well…..

They say what goes round comes round. Maybe it’s true. But who is the intercessor? Is it man/woman/transsexual or God? Mr. God has always been silent in my case. But I will not stop trusting Him and once in a while bitch and moan before Him and make Him very uncomfortable like some of the psalmists did. Are you listening God? It’s I!

N.B.- It was interesting to note that Mark Twain held strong objections to literal Christian faith. Some of his observations are quite witty (as they ought to be). Here’s a link from some Atheist Blogist (blogger) who has nicely aggregated Mark Twain’s Blasphemy. Fun Read.

Belief System part 3: Christian Science. August 27, 2008

Christian Science is a very-shall we say- queer form of Christianity. Here is the Wikipedia Link: Christian Science. I personally have known about this belief system as early as when I was 19 and got internet access for the first time. Internet access enabled me to explore religious faiths over the world wide web as I had no resources available offline or in library or even book shops. As a 19 year old liberal/radical I remember thinking at first, ”Christian Science? Aha! finally a religion that acknowledges that God and Science can exist together! How wonderful.” But how naive I was. This is why I call Christian Science a queer and mystical faith. It can be confusing indeed.

Rev. Ian Golligher (I had provided link to his sermon on my Seventh Day Adventist Post) states in his sermon on Christian Science- in his amusing Irish accent- the utter frustration he faced while studying this ”cult”. He found that there was nothing Christian or Scientific about it. I think I can agree with him on that one, at least literally. His sermon on Christian Science is a really informative one, from a mainstream Christian point of view. Here is the link: Christian Science – Not.

The funny thing is that even as I started my personal study of Christian beliefs about 6 years ago, I could never really pin down what Christian Science actually was! I often confused it with Scientology but that is an entirely different subject and not a Christian faith or affiliated with Christianity in any way. My not so flattering and rather satirical take on Scientology can be found here> Foggy brain and Scientology.

My occasional readings from Christian websites revealed that Christian Science is a manipulative cult. For example this site (Christian Way) exclusively belongs to former Christian Scientists who have left that belief system to become mainstream Christians. My personal observations tell me that Christian Science is not all that manipulative not even an aggressively preachy or converting religion. It’s following remains small and its ”Mother Church” is based in Boston, USA. I find it interesting that like Seventh Day Adventists (Predominently founded by Ellen G. White) Christian Science was also founded largely on the writings of an old woman called Mary Baker Eddy.

It maybe rather odd task to mention what their beliefs are but the sermon of Ian Golligher and Wikipedia link should give you basic understanding. Personally, I figure Christian Science is so much like any new Age stuff (though they strongly deny it) and supernatural healing theories thrown in. They do not really believe in Trinity as understood by mainstream Christians, they do not believe in the existence of sin as they believe that it is a state of mind. They do not even believe in the existence of material things, including us, as it is all illusion.

But most controversial is their belief regarding human diseases and many illnesses. They believe death and disease is only a state of mind and Christian Science healing can cure a person. They have their own healing system and registered healers who do not have any faith in medication of any kind. Many Christian scientists refuse to be treated by doctors or in hospitals and die or exacerbate their medical condition by refusing treatment. (Interesting comparison with Jehovah’s Witnesses who forbid and refuse blood transfusion)

Apart from this all, I know Christian Science by their amazing international newspaper, Christian Science Monitor that has also won some Pulitzer prizes for its international news coverage. Indeed it has been my favorite source of international news and analysis for many years (Its link also features on my blogroll) as its coverage is very different from mainstream media. I also like its motto: To hurt no man and bless all mankind. I think this is really cool. They do not include religious preaching in Christian Science monitor, except a daily feature called The Home Forum.

As I mentioned before Christian Science has not really aggressively sought new converts in USA or even in the developing world unlike many other Christian denominations like Seventh Day Adventist, Mormon and Jehovah’s Witnesses that have gained wild popularity in the developing world. Perhaps I should also mention that Christian Science is also quite unique in their Sunday Services. As far as I know, they do silent and audible prayers and healing sessions.

They also have ”Reading Room” as part of their church where anyone can go and read Christian Science publications. I have one such church and reading room not far from where I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I might pay them a visit sometime. At least I hope to find all back issues of Christian Science Monitor that incidentally also published my letter on Israeli-Palestinian conflict not so long ago!

I would be happy to have feedback from Christian Scientists or those who have had anything to do with them. Other than that, I’m sure all of us can use some healing if it really works!

Belief System 2- Catholicism or Roman Catholic Church August 22, 2008

Once a Catholic always a Catholic– Angus Wilson (English novelist and short story writer.

You have no idea how much nastier I would be if I was not a Catholic. Without supernatural aid I would hardly be a human being– Evelyn Waugh (English Novelist)

My God, what a daunting task it would be even to give introduction to something as sprawled and universal as Catholicism. But mind you one purpose of mentioning belief systems is that to portray my own personal experiences with them as part of my journey to explore and seek God. As always I would guide you to Wikipedia link to Roman Catholic church for introduction, history and other facts about Roman Catholicism. Also it is useful to mention some other links about Catholic faith.

1. ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic

Wikipedia Link on Roman Catholic church

2.) www.vatican.va

Yep as all of you know Catholic church has its own city state and headquarters in Vatican they also have internet domain ”va”:

3.) http://www.newadvent.org/

This is a very comprehensive website that also includes links to Catholic Encyclopedia (Yep, Catholics have their own encyclopedia, first published in 1907 according to Wikipedia link)

4.) http://www.masstimes.org/

In case you’re curious about Mass Times in your local Catholic church or anywhere else on the planet.

5.) http://www.catholic.org/index.php

A very comprehensive Catholic news and information website that also provides free email accounts! I may as well have one email here. Hmmm.

Ok, let me quickly mention my own impressions as about Catholicism. As an outsider to Christianity as a kid, to me Christianity was Catholicism: Big Cathedrals, Fathers, priests, nuns, Candles, Crucifixes, existence of demons, angels, possessions of humans by evil spirits, haunted houses, Cemetery, horror novels and movies like Exorcist. In my teens as a passionate shortwave radio listener, Catholicism (Like other Christian denominations) echoed through the speaker of my many shortwave radio sets. Two notable stations were: Radio Varitas Asia (broadcast from Philipines) and Radio Vatican.

In college, as a student of English literature Catholicism was always there be it in the works of Shakespeare or many greatest writers themselves being devout or lapsed Catholics: Alexander Pope, G.K. Chesterton, JRR Tolkien, Evelyn Wough, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde- just to name a few. And then both in ancient and modern times EVERYONE or at least every second person turns out to be a Catholic (devout, Agnostic or lapsed)- from Leonardo Da Vinci to Mel Gibson and Bono. Also is equally surprising to me to notice how many unlikely people today claim to be practicing Catholics for example star perky columnist of The New York Times Maureen Dowd (who mentioned that she is a practicing Catholic in her interview to C-Span maybe about 10 years ago) and also Michael Moore (Sensationalist documentary maker: Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko) is supposedly a practicing Catholic. And then there are always high profile conversions to Catholicism like Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister. Here Read the list of famous Catholics from a secular website:

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_catholic.html

As I grew older and later when I myself freely ventured into Christian faith I got better understanding of Catholicism and protestant Christianity. And yet, Catholic church not only stood out but has always fascinated me like no other religious belief system. It also excites my imagination- so much of art and literary works being associated by it from ancient times to modern day The Exorcist novel and Da Vinci code by Dan Brown.

Protestant churches continue to blast Catholicism which maybe in part due to their sheer envy for the continuous growth of Catholicism. Catholic church always features in fiery protestant (be it Baptist or Seventh Day Adventist or even Jehovah’s Witnesses) sermons as the Mystery Babylon etc. And then there are Catholic gangster movies with The Godfather trilogy being at the top of the game. I absolutely love all the three parts for the exploration of dark themes of human nature and the corruption in this world that exists everywhere. Then there are Catholic sex abuse and pedophilia scandals that continue to rock Roman Catholic Church.

I should probably mention something very personal that should give some credibility to this post. I myself tried to learn about Catholicism up and close by visiting a local Catholic church here in Christchurch, New Zealand. I asked the Father of the church several straightforward questions about Catholic views about other Christian denominations, marriage, divorce, status or Mary or Mary worship, Catholic church’s objections to contraceptives etc. I got elaborate and honest answers, if not always satisfactory.

After discussions Father of that church invited me to join soon to be started in his church the RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) program run by Catholic churches all over the world to instruct adults about Catholicism. It is something like Alpha course run by Protestant churches but is of very specialized nature, peculiar to Roman Catholic church. This initiation lasts for several months and at the end of it an individual may or may not get baptized. So I signed up.

I attended a few meetings for about 1 month that also included I being part of special church service in which they presented me a Catholic Bible amidst applause from the whole church (It was a very surreal but warm feeling- my name being announced, I walking down the aisle to the pulpit, priest saying a prayer and making crucifix gestures on my forehead and the applause….). I am afraid to say, at times RCIA meetings were very boring and I quit because: my own life was tumbling out of control, I was getting bored, I was not learning anything, I always asked tough questions which upset people leading the group, I had deep reservations about rosary, focus on Mary etc. Also, Catholic church only recently encouraged laity to read the Bible. And unlike my protestant friends Catholics did not really know their way through the Bible. Neither were they very good or thorough at Bible studies.

Just when I started writing this post I tried to remember, when it was that I attended those classes: 2007? No maybe 2006? …. then I opened the drawer and fished out the Bible that I still have. I just read hand written inscription at the beginning, the date reads: 17-10-04. I am just AMAZED that it has been such a long time. Apparently from that time to the beginning of this year life has been a nasty nightmare in a sense. I have no connections with Catholicism but I still have fondness for it. I have strong support for Catholic church’s focus on social justice all over the world and also its strong moral stances. But I disagree on many things: Rigid focus on celibacy of priests, no ordinations for women, very orthodox views on homosexuality, abortion, controlling AIDS and contraception.

Sadly, you can see the devastating effects of Catholic stance on contraceptives on a country like Philippines where Catholic church is the law of the land and government forbids abortion and strongly discourages contraceptives. Philippine’s population has grown at a breakneck speed leaving the whole country impoverished, famished and desperate. In other countries of Central and Latin America, Catholic church has often got mixed up in power struggles and corruption (how much those policies are run directly from Vatican is a matter of contention)

I can probably write hundreds of articles and posts on Roman Catholicism but I must wrap it up here and welcome any comments, feedback, suggestion or criticism. Also I might edit this piece later for clarity or correction.

God’s grace. January 22, 2008

I was just searching for some Bible verse that mentions God’s sovereign will in the redemption of humankind. Because without God’s grace we are incapable of saving ourselves no matter how much good works or Karma or righteousness we can claim to possess. It is not our ability to be good but God’s ability to be merciful that matters. Right now, I also pray to God to reach the ones who put their faith in Him and save them from stumbling doubts, the calamities of life and afterlife. Amen.

 

Here are some verses from Jeremiah that caught my attention:

Jeremiah Chapter 32:38-41

They shall be my people and I shall be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for all time,for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them, never to draw back from doing good to them; and I will put my fear in their hearts, so that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing good to them, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

The new kind of killers: The lost kids–How to stop the bleeding? December 7, 2007

What’s up with this world? Now another public massacre by a gun totting teenager. This time in Omaha, Nebraska. This voluntary killing is mostly the Western or American trend because Iraqis etc. are obliged to do it (kill people) for reasons of religion, politics, economics etc. These new killings are unique and I don’t see any precedents in history when they happened so often. Visit This Wikipedia page on School Shootins. It documents all popular school shootings that made big news in America and elsewhere. The first one began in Austin Texas, in 1966. So you can see it is a modern phenomenon that is concurrent with the glorious and glamorous rise of pop-pulp culture and its byproducts. Now, even the Korean kids (Click to Read about the deadliest Virginia Tech massacre, killed 33) are doing it, so it’s hardly a race related deformity of mind. Outside the US, even placid Finland has gone into the history books with public killings by a teenager. (Read Jokela School Shootings)

Right now, I am reading an interesting if not a great book, ”Closing of the American mind” by Allan Bloom, published in 1987. To many young people, modernists and new agers it may sound like a classically educated grandpa trying to hand ”The collected works of Shakespeare” to modern students. I have read 100 pages so far and I might continue. But here is what really grabbed by attention on Mr. Bloom’s chapter on music and today’s youth’s love for pop and rock music.Bloom very reasonably makes a point that rock and pop is famous because it appeals to ”children’s” emerging sexuality and inflames it, causing them to rebel at an age when they don’t even know what rebellion means or what they’re rebelling against. The explicit or incendiary rock, rap, pop music, in words of Allan Bloom, ”..has one appeal only, a barbaric appeal to sexual desire- not love, not eros, but sexual desire undeveloped and untutored…acknowledges the first emanations of children’s emerging sensuality…not as little sprouts that must be carefully tended in order to grow into gorgeous flowers…” I think, sex is just one major aspect of it but such pulp culture also inflames all negative, depressive, psychopathic instincts of the human mind at a young age when human mind is most easily led or misled.

The proliferation, rave, hunger for modern pulp music with explicit lyrics is extreme, among any class, religious persuasion or group of teenagers. It is like a beloved viral infection. Of course, many teenagers will grow out of it but many will get sucked deeper and deeper. In due time, the beasts of human mind will feed on these seductions and will want to act on them. It is a well known fact that suicide rates remain very high among teenagers and young adults. It maybe baffling to many older people who always look upon youth as the much desired time of life. But the attacks of meaninglessness, nihilism, depression, loneliness, disillusionment, madness, megalomania are at their peak during younger years. The murderous teenagers and young adults of Columbine High School, Virginia Tech and Omaha mall had one thing in common: they wanted to become famous, and be cool. It is a strange paradox that they want to impress the very society they loathe so much. Again I believe it is result of pulp music (now even many books) and nihilist culture that considers it heroic if your ”life burns faster”, and in ‘’style”.



It’s not your gun but how and why you use it– Whenever these shootings take place, anti- gun lobby always starts to shout and some people make blockbuster documentaries like Bowling for Columbine. I just read another article from some expert in the field who says that it is not that this mad anger is new but that the guns have become more lethal. I disagree to a large extent. I see that the bigger reason behind all this is the will to kill (both oneself and others) and the strong motivation to do so, also the increase in anti-social behavior and mental disorders, nihilism among young people which are abused and flamed by pulp culture and the modern life.

Solutions?– Are there any solutions? I will make it very short. Go back to or restore traditional values, love for our children, respect for our elders, respect for fellow human beings and their dignity. Increased and renewed interest in good music, good literature that nurtures, heals, inspires and ennobles the mind and gives strength to deal with life’s calamities. Yes (don’t shoot me for saying it), some religion in life is not a bad thing. I personally believe in Christian ethics but I have no problem if you may want to use Muslim, Buddhist, Christian Science or whatever ethics to guide you towards strength, peace and harmony in life. But even if someone does not believe in God or organized religion, one can always have an open mind to these universal values that foster love, tolerance, friendship and good inspiration. That’s all I can mention in one single breath at the expense of being ridiculed as Pastor Ember.



I know many readers may disagree with me. But I am shooting this into the Cyber world as my observation and opinion on the subject. No one can stop me, not even my jerky internet connection.

Christian Ethics November 23, 2007

Hello world and readers, this is not a religious blog, this blog does not promote ”Worship” or ”prayer” to any ”God” or gods and goddesses for the simple reason that the poor writer of this blog himself is an agnostic after years of battering and battling with many religious, philosophical persuasions. Yet, my profile says I believe in Christian ethics. Actually, many people- from all walks and talks of life- make this claim without qualifying or clarifying.

 

 

In my Yahoo RSS feed I have a Bible (ESV, English Standard version) reading feed that I rarely take a look at, but it’s there. And today I signed into My Yahoo account and maybe after months I took a look at the Bible feed which became the genesis of this post. Those Bible verses from New Testament speak for themselves as far as the Christian ethics are concerned. For your feedback, reading pleasure and perusal I quote the following from my RSS feed taken from the Book of Jesus i.e. The New Testament.

 

 

 

James 2

The Sin of Partiality

 

2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

 

 

 

Faith Without Works Is Dead

 

 

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

 

 

 

And this little piece from the Book of James, I believe, gives quite an original insight into human psyche and criminal and animal instincts

 

 

 

4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

How do you deal with Whingers and Moaners? June 22, 2007

Picture: BORRRRRINNNNNGG!!!! Leave me alone whinger.

This post asks an important question; two questions actually: Have you come across big whingers in your life that you had to deal with? What you think is or would have been the best way to deal with them?

Before I go further I would like to make it absolutely clear that like all of us I’m not a perfect human being, in fact I can be quite a pain to be with. I can be horribly stubborn, eternal pessimist with occassional over optimism… stuff like that. In short I am a despicable bastard. But before Lord’s angels throw me into hell forever I have definite positive points. I am a PROGRESSIVE. I like building people up. Last but not the least, when I don’t like people (which very often is the case) I leave them alone, rather than spending my time and energy to hurt them, burn with jealousy at their success and pray to Lord for their destruction (You would be surprised how many people actually do it!… written records can be found since the times of Psalmists in the Bible!).

I have dealt with one whinger with saintly patience, forgiveness, friendship, compassion and what I could call unselfish Christian brotherly love. I will draw a brief portrait of him as an introduction but following picture is actually quite like him when he is in his bad moods . He also has long hair like this, our lady of disgrace:

Moaner Lisa

So, how I got to be friends with such a classic case of a bitter moaner is simple. About 6 years back I started my serious forays into learning more about Christianity. That included reading of Biblical texts, meeting church leaders and memebers of different denominations, forming friendships with them, carrying out discussions, debates and sometimes having fights etc. LOL! About 5 years back while I was studying and doing an odd job over Christmas break to earn some cash I met this Moaner Lisa. He is a Christian and seemed really into it: been going to a popular church for years, owns nearly a hundred books on Christianity and related subjects etc. But he was also a sulky loner which made him more interesting for me because I would get entirely different perspective of Christianity from him. Well, as far as finding the Lord is concerned that’s entirely a different story. But I struck friendship with Moaner Lisa and over the years we have shared books, coffees, talks, chats etc. As for books and scholarship, his collection is a comforting facade that he likes to hide behind. He has hardly read ANY of the books he keeps on his shelves. If I ever picked up one of his books he would say, ”O! don’t open it completely it will leave a crease on the cover.” So, he keeps his books mostly for display purposes.

Sadly, Moaner Lisa has shown a consistent pattern of increasing whinging which has reached its culmination now. Under the crust of dove wings of Christian faith Moaner Lisa is- I am afraid to say- a BITTER AND MOANING person. Over the last years he has had marathon fights and rivalries with tons of people. He was fired from his job 3 years back for verbally abusing, threatning and physically assaulting an old co-worker. In his next temporary jobs all he did was to create enemies and pick fights. He absolutely loves the idea that there are people he really hates and they PAY HIM THE ATTENTION BY HATING HIM BACK. He also has imagined enemies that seem to come from his paranoia. Often when I used to visit his place for a coffee he would ask me to hush and listen to walls or ceiling or floor for signs of other tenants harassing him by creating noise: people chatting, playing video games, playing music, laughing, letting doors shut noisily JUST TO TORTURE AND TORMENT MOANER LISA. He keeps a thick Log that he bangs on the floor to intimidate his neighbours. One day, he said to me, ”My hands and wrists are sore because I banged the floor so hard and so long to shut those bastards up.”

Throughout the years I have talked to him sternly, I have used plenty of dry humor to tell him how horrible he is but to no avail. Interestingly he genuinely hates almost all his fewer friends too that include me. He hates all their little successes and is overjoyed by their failures: (job losses, personal failures, physical sicknesses or any other BAD NEWS) This is the greatest identifying sign of a Moaner: HE OR SHE HATES TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY OR SUCCEED. I mean, once in a while, bit of short term envy is experienced by all of us but MOANERS , BURN WITH JEALOUSY FOREVER.

Recently Moaner Lisa achieved another exemplary feat: he was enjoying his holidays sipping away coffee in a cafe on a nice sunny day. His bike was parked outside. A bunch of teenage Urchins (belonging to non- White Maori race, native people of New Zealand that Moaner Lisa hates, especially the men) were strolling outside ( About 3 boys and a girl). These kids were sort of frolicking about. Unfortunately, one boy- much smaller and younger than Moaner Lisa- walked past the bike and for some reason ”kicked” it. Moaner Lisa shot up in fury and ran towards this guy, pushed him to the ground and started kicking him in the ribs mercilessly while the boy’s girlfriend begged him to stop: right in the city centre. There was a cop standing by who broke it up. Lucky, for Moaner Lisa Christchurch is about 90% White and this cop was White and Moaner Lisa is White too and the guy Moaner Lisa roughed up was a Maori living on the streets.

So, no official criminal charge was levelled against Moaner Lisa. When he told me the story I said it was hardly a Christian thing to do. How ironical, he gives tithe to his church, sometimes puts things in the church’s food basket and tells me proudly that his church gives food to poor people who live on the streets: the same people he mauls himself over cups of coffee. I really wanted to write more about him as it is all coming back to me in torrents. But really, it will become a MOANING blog itself if I do that. So, I will finish right here and curiously ask those questions again, especially How do you deal with a whinger? As for me, I am leaving him alone, more or less.

Televangelist Wisdom June 11, 2007

Picture: Thus spake the Bogeyman, ”OOOOooo…! Baby Jesus is gonna get ya…..!

I just came across Pat Robertson quotes while Googling for something. Many people have already heard them sometime but I really wanted to have them documented on my blog.

Convenient and imbecile Blaming games–

1.)

“Well, I totally concur.” –Pat Robertson to Jerry Falwell following the Sept. 11 attacks, after Falwell said, “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say: “You helped this happen.” (From ABout.com)

2.)

(CNN) Friday, January 6, 2006 –

Television evangelist Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.

“He was dividing God’s land, and I would say, ‘Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,’” Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, “The 700 Club.”

“God says, ‘This land belongs to me, and you’d better leave it alone,’” he said.

3.)

This one cracked me up… one of my all time favourite Televangelist quotes:

“(T)he feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” –Pat Robertson (From about.com)

4.)

“I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected him from your city. And don’t wonder why he hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for his help because he might not be there.” –Pat Robertson, after the city of Dover, Pennsylvania voted to boot the current school board, which instituted an intelligent design policy that led to a federal trial

5.)

Playing the poor victim

“Just like what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now doing to the evangelical Christians. It’s no different. It is the same thing. It is happening all over again. It is the Democratic Congress, the liberal-based media and the homosexuals who want to destroy the Christians.Wholesale abuse and discrimination and the worst bigotry directed toward any group in America today. More terrible than anything suffered by any minority in history.” –Pat Robertson