I heard the story a couple of nights ago that really make me want to scream at some so called "Christians" of which I say I'm one but unlike these Christians; I must have being cut from a different cloth. Seriously, I don't get some of these Christian folks. The story is about the late Jerry Faldwell's college - Liberty University which shut down the Students Democratic club a week ago and the reason? It doesn't support their "moral views."
Do these Christians read their Bible carefully. It is a complex book; that's why Paul said you should "rightly divide the Word of Truth so you won't be ashamed." When you don't do so, that's why people shake their heads to wonder what in the world were you thinking. This is a university right? So you guys should be able to discuss opposing views and have critical thoughts without any repercussion. That's what you do in college. Oh, it also happened in the Bible A LOT.
Even the disciples had opposing views on how they saw different things especially with ordinances. Did you read anything on Paul reprimanding Peter on his views about the Gentiles? Did you read anything about Christians who felt more superior because they didn't eat pork or "unclean thing" than other Christians who did?
You, Liberty (what irony, more like bondage) University officials are in the wrong and acting like a cult to shut down a club for some flimsy excuse of moral values and anyone who questions your views. Might I add that the so-called Republican Club you want to be the only one on your campus took us to a fictitious war, tarnished our good name (your Bible says something about that) around the world, and mutilate folks with harsh techniques all in the name of getting information. And I want to know if all those actions justify morality just because you think another party (Democratic) is pro-choice and support gay rights?
Tags: Liberty University Bans Democratic Club
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Couple Of Musings Before I go
Guys, this is what you get when I've been in hibernation, a bunch of postings. I needed a few laughs Thursday night and my guys at Comedy Central - Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert helped me out. Laughter is good medicine especially when it's intelligently done.
The Year 2050: I alluded to this year during last year's election about the year Whites will stop being the "majority." So the guys at the Daily Show had some fun with it especially since we have our first African-American President.
I love that the Daily Show crew parodied last year's CNN "Black in America" graphics. And did you see my boy, Robin Thicke (LOVE HIM) teaching the kids not to be sentenced to a life of "whiteness?" Disclaimer: to my white readers, love you! It's all in fun.
The National Day of Prayer: Hey guys, did you miss last Thursday's National Day of Prayer? Well some folks at Fox (my fave - NOT) didn't let us forget it because the President said it should be a moment in privacy to offer prayers for our country. I would love to go to the brilliant satirical character of Stephen Colbert on if this critique of how we pray is warranted.
Have a good weekend . . .
The Year 2050: I alluded to this year during last year's election about the year Whites will stop being the "majority." So the guys at the Daily Show had some fun with it especially since we have our first African-American President.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| White in America - The Children | ||||
| ||||
I love that the Daily Show crew parodied last year's CNN "Black in America" graphics. And did you see my boy, Robin Thicke (LOVE HIM) teaching the kids not to be sentenced to a life of "whiteness?" Disclaimer: to my white readers, love you! It's all in fun.
The National Day of Prayer: Hey guys, did you miss last Thursday's National Day of Prayer? Well some folks at Fox (my fave - NOT) didn't let us forget it because the President said it should be a moment in privacy to offer prayers for our country. I would love to go to the brilliant satirical character of Stephen Colbert on if this critique of how we pray is warranted.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Clasp Your Hands Say Yahweh | ||||
| ||||
Have a good weekend . . .
Friday, April 10, 2009
Happy Good Friday!
Hi Everyone, and happy Good Friday. Though I'm not sure everything going on in our world really foster "happy" thoughts. But as some say, happiness is a choice. So here is one thing on my mind I want to hit on during this holy week.
Jesus, Interrupted: That title is that of a book by Bart Ehrman who was on the "Colbert Report" last night to promote his book. And I'm so glad Stephen Colbert gave him some grind about this book which conveniently gets released and promoted during a critical time for both Christians and Jews.
For those of you who didn't know, Colbert with all his brilliant satirical character is a real life Sunday school teacher. So he could hold his own in this complicated book we call the Bible and its central figure Jesus Christ. Well here's a clip of last night's episode:
Ehrman's theory was that the Bible is a big fat lie and why it contradict itself. Granted, many folks use the Bible to fulfil their own lusts or selfishness. But just don't go ahead and say it is a lie when millions have placed their faith consciously on the teachings of the book for thousands of years.
Anyhoo, I'll get out of the way, the video was an intelligent conversation between two brilliant minds but I agree with Colbert. Erhman may get muddled up with the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and each of those disciples account of Jesus. But here's the thing, each of those guys related the story of Jesus according to the way each of them saw HIM. It doesn't mean they contradicted each other - they just focused on different parts. And that is my faith talk for a while . . .
Jesus, Interrupted: That title is that of a book by Bart Ehrman who was on the "Colbert Report" last night to promote his book. And I'm so glad Stephen Colbert gave him some grind about this book which conveniently gets released and promoted during a critical time for both Christians and Jews.
For those of you who didn't know, Colbert with all his brilliant satirical character is a real life Sunday school teacher. So he could hold his own in this complicated book we call the Bible and its central figure Jesus Christ. Well here's a clip of last night's episode:
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Bart Ehrman | ||||
| ||||
Ehrman's theory was that the Bible is a big fat lie and why it contradict itself. Granted, many folks use the Bible to fulfil their own lusts or selfishness. But just don't go ahead and say it is a lie when millions have placed their faith consciously on the teachings of the book for thousands of years.
Anyhoo, I'll get out of the way, the video was an intelligent conversation between two brilliant minds but I agree with Colbert. Erhman may get muddled up with the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and each of those disciples account of Jesus. But here's the thing, each of those guys related the story of Jesus according to the way each of them saw HIM. It doesn't mean they contradicted each other - they just focused on different parts. And that is my faith talk for a while . . .
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Vicious Cycle of Abuse
Yesterday, Chris Brown was arraigned for assault and making threats against Rihanna - that wasn't a shock. But what seems to be a shock with most folks (especially in the Media) is that Rihanna apparently took Christ Brown back.Can I just say this wasn't a surprise to this blogger. One in four women is abused in this country in less than a minute and most stay in those relationships regardless of their status. So why is it a shock to the Media Rihanna is doing the unthinkable by not pressing charges and wanting Chris Brown back?
Now some folks in the media are using this relationship (which is a picture of thousands of relationships) as a way to question Rihanna's judgment especially after the horrific details of the abuse was released. I wish they (the Media) took the time to really focus their attention to many without a voice or recognized face like Rihanna. Rihanna is a celebrity who happened to show what millions of women are dealing with everyday. I wonder how many times members of the Media have looked the other way when a woman with bruises in their neighborhood seeking domestic shelters was not highlighted because it wasn't the "Juice" of the day.
Here's what I know for sure: Unless a woman finds a place in herself to know she deserves more than some flashes of affection from her boyfriend, fiance, or husband, she will keep staying in the emotional, mental, or physical abusive relationship regardless of how many people tells her to get out. I've seen the scenarios play out on a college campus, in my former place of work, and with a few friends.
Another thing I know for sure is that men need to take domestic violence more seriously because that could be their daughter, sister, aunt, or mother someday. Just like some whites had to sacrifice their lives for the cause of civil rights, men have to put these guys in check and stand up against violence against women. I'm yet to see a man wear a T-Shirt for V-Day (a day to stand against violence against women). Can you imagine what a powerful sight that will be?
Not all men are guilty of this; some men have highlighted this case on their show (i.e. Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden) and shown their outright disapproval and I say kudos to them. But you have a guy like Sean "Diddy" Combs lend his Miami home (reportedly) to Chris Brown and Rihanna for some "R & R" - WHY??? You have Usher say something honest in an off-the-cuff moment reprimanding Chris Brown for jet skiing in Miami last week only to retract his statement with a weak politically correct statement "to wish all parties all the best." ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?
I wonder how many Pastors who are overwhelmingly men would do the bold thing and start preaching against this horror from their pulpits instead of relegating it to a "private" counseling session where the woman feels guilty to return to the house of torment.
Until these solutions start happening, we'll continue seeing these cases and some that will lead to deaths; and that is what I know for sure.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Don't Be Alarmed, We're Negroes
I said the title of this post under my breath (for the ears of the person walking beside me) sometime last year. This companion was an African American friend and neighbor and the situation that brought about my reaction was some new neighbors who were looking around their new neighborhood as we were walking out.
One of the new neighbors stopped dead (not literally) in his tracks when he saw both of us and just stared at us if he wasn't expecting some "chocolate" in the sea of milk. So I said "don't be alarmed, we're Negroes" and my friend who noticed what I meant laughed out loud (which confused the onlooker since he wasn't in on the joke).
What I didn't expect was thinking that to myself in my place of worship last Sunday. Last Sunday was also the day I "officially" joined the church as a member. After the service, I was in the lady's room touching up with three other Caucasian ladies - one senior citizen, two teenagers (who seem to be friends).
I guess the teenagers felt the ladies room was the only quiet place they could have a discussion, so one of them started telling her "adventure" to her friend. I'll call this girl "Jane." So Jane started telling her friend about a community service she needed for her volunteer hours in her high school.
This was how it went: "OMG! (Think Valley Girl) I was the only white person at this place, and I was soooo afraid . . . It was like so ghetto and I don't know like how I'm going to finish my hours, like . . ."She kept on with some of the most stereotypical things I've heard about black people. But I guess she thought I was "non-threatening" or not the "ghetto" kind so she could say whatever she wanted about my race.
These girls were behind me in the mirror and I was thinking to myself "welcome to the house of God! What a day to join the church! " The white senior citizen who was beside me at the other sink kept glancing at me with the uncomfortable conversation happening behind us before she left and I guess Jane's friend noticed the weirdness of the situation (by glancing in my eye), so she took Jane's arm and walked her out of the lady's room.
I was left alone and I kept wondering how I should have reacted to the situation. I went out to ask some info about a function at a booth when I saw the two teenagers at a wall (no doubt still talking about the black people at Jane's volunteer program). Then I thought I should confront the situation.
Me: Hello, I'm M_, I'm quite new here and I couldn't help listening to your conversation about your volunteer program. I just want to say that was a very uncomfortable moment and if ...
Jane: Oh I'm not racist or prejudice (why do white folks think that when you confront them about a subject of race?)
Me: I didn't say that . . .
Jane: It will be like if you were the only black person in a company . . .(can someone tell Jane she has a knack for interrupting, so I decided to play her game)
Me: I have (her shock was written all over her face and it seemed to silence her for once), but I don't have a problem with it unless my white counterpacts want to keep bringing my skin color up. You see I was raised in a home with a father that had a very unique job which exposed me to all kinds of nationalities. From a young age, I knew not to judge a person by the color of his/her skin.
Jane: I'm really not racist (I detected some sincerity in her voice), it's just that this place I'm supposed to have my community hours . . .(her voice trailed off), they look at me funny you know.
Me: I don't think you are (a racist). I believe you're a great person actually (relief washed over her features) but maybe those students of yours might also be afraid of you (like prejudging them) and it might help if you could start by showing the kind person you are; they'll come around.
Jane: Ok
Me: Nice meeting you. (And I made my way out to prepare to hang out with friends and family for the Superbowl).
Jane: You too.
One of the new neighbors stopped dead (not literally) in his tracks when he saw both of us and just stared at us if he wasn't expecting some "chocolate" in the sea of milk. So I said "don't be alarmed, we're Negroes" and my friend who noticed what I meant laughed out loud (which confused the onlooker since he wasn't in on the joke).
What I didn't expect was thinking that to myself in my place of worship last Sunday. Last Sunday was also the day I "officially" joined the church as a member. After the service, I was in the lady's room touching up with three other Caucasian ladies - one senior citizen, two teenagers (who seem to be friends).
I guess the teenagers felt the ladies room was the only quiet place they could have a discussion, so one of them started telling her "adventure" to her friend. I'll call this girl "Jane." So Jane started telling her friend about a community service she needed for her volunteer hours in her high school.
This was how it went: "OMG! (Think Valley Girl) I was the only white person at this place, and I was soooo afraid . . . It was like so ghetto and I don't know like how I'm going to finish my hours, like . . ."She kept on with some of the most stereotypical things I've heard about black people. But I guess she thought I was "non-threatening" or not the "ghetto" kind so she could say whatever she wanted about my race.
These girls were behind me in the mirror and I was thinking to myself "welcome to the house of God! What a day to join the church! " The white senior citizen who was beside me at the other sink kept glancing at me with the uncomfortable conversation happening behind us before she left and I guess Jane's friend noticed the weirdness of the situation (by glancing in my eye), so she took Jane's arm and walked her out of the lady's room.
I was left alone and I kept wondering how I should have reacted to the situation. I went out to ask some info about a function at a booth when I saw the two teenagers at a wall (no doubt still talking about the black people at Jane's volunteer program). Then I thought I should confront the situation.
Me: Hello, I'm M_, I'm quite new here and I couldn't help listening to your conversation about your volunteer program. I just want to say that was a very uncomfortable moment and if ...
Jane: Oh I'm not racist or prejudice (why do white folks think that when you confront them about a subject of race?)
Me: I didn't say that . . .
Jane: It will be like if you were the only black person in a company . . .(can someone tell Jane she has a knack for interrupting, so I decided to play her game)
Me: I have (her shock was written all over her face and it seemed to silence her for once), but I don't have a problem with it unless my white counterpacts want to keep bringing my skin color up. You see I was raised in a home with a father that had a very unique job which exposed me to all kinds of nationalities. From a young age, I knew not to judge a person by the color of his/her skin.
Jane: I'm really not racist (I detected some sincerity in her voice), it's just that this place I'm supposed to have my community hours . . .(her voice trailed off), they look at me funny you know.
Me: I don't think you are (a racist). I believe you're a great person actually (relief washed over her features) but maybe those students of yours might also be afraid of you (like prejudging them) and it might help if you could start by showing the kind person you are; they'll come around.
Jane: Ok
Me: Nice meeting you. (And I made my way out to prepare to hang out with friends and family for the Superbowl).
Jane: You too.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Ed Young's 7 Days of Sex Challenge
I've wanted to give my two cents on the hoopla on Rev. Ed Young's sex challenge but other stuff was more in the forefront of my mind until this morning when I saw Young and his wife on TV (again)about what they gained since Young issued the mandate to the married congregants in his church. Newsflash: They could only hold up to six days of the challenge (so to speak).
If you've been a consistent reader of this blog, you can peep I'm a person of faith even though I don't wear my faith on my sleeves. And besides, this is not a "faith" blog but all (or most) things I have an opinion about. So when I heard Young's mandate last week, I imagined myself in Ed Young's church and what would have been my reaction to this juicy news.
Well, in my current stage in life (single), my first reaction would have been "why do marriage folks get to have all the fun!" Then I would have thought why couldn't Young tell the married folks this piece of news at a marriage seminar somewhere. Lastly, I wondered how the singles in the congregation must have felt; what did Young say to them while their married counterparts are planning to go on this "sexcapade" - keep hope alive, your prince/queen is coming. I'm just saying . . .
But I digress. The secular (mainstream) world found this piece of news "shocking" as one to be taught from the so-called pulpit. So Young and a few others Ministers of various faiths (I saw a Rabbi talking about this over the weekend) have had their say. Here's my take: I'm all for the idea. Sometimes, the subject of sex and sensuality have been seen as taboo subjects when the Bible CLEARLY talks about them. Anybody read Songs of Solomon lately? You'll have to do a double-take and check the back of your "Bible" just to be sure it's still the Bible and not an Harlequin novel.
Besides, it's great for Young to open up the minds of folks to see sex is not just for procreation (as I had a heated debate with some "deep" folks some years ago) but also (first) for pleasure. And that's my take . . . what's yours? (love to see your comments)
Tags: Ed Young, 7 Day Sex Challenge
If you've been a consistent reader of this blog, you can peep I'm a person of faith even though I don't wear my faith on my sleeves. And besides, this is not a "faith" blog but all (or most) things I have an opinion about. So when I heard Young's mandate last week, I imagined myself in Ed Young's church and what would have been my reaction to this juicy news.
Well, in my current stage in life (single), my first reaction would have been "why do marriage folks get to have all the fun!" Then I would have thought why couldn't Young tell the married folks this piece of news at a marriage seminar somewhere. Lastly, I wondered how the singles in the congregation must have felt; what did Young say to them while their married counterparts are planning to go on this "sexcapade" - keep hope alive, your prince/queen is coming. I'm just saying . . .
But I digress. The secular (mainstream) world found this piece of news "shocking" as one to be taught from the so-called pulpit. So Young and a few others Ministers of various faiths (I saw a Rabbi talking about this over the weekend) have had their say. Here's my take: I'm all for the idea. Sometimes, the subject of sex and sensuality have been seen as taboo subjects when the Bible CLEARLY talks about them. Anybody read Songs of Solomon lately? You'll have to do a double-take and check the back of your "Bible" just to be sure it's still the Bible and not an Harlequin novel.
Besides, it's great for Young to open up the minds of folks to see sex is not just for procreation (as I had a heated debate with some "deep" folks some years ago) but also (first) for pleasure. And that's my take . . . what's yours? (love to see your comments)
Tags: Ed Young, 7 Day Sex Challenge
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