Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Preparing a speech
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
Peace and Freedom
We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
as quoted on the Hunger Site
as quoted on the Hunger Site
Bible Knowledge 29
These statements about the Bible were written by children
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony*.
* monogamy
Law and love
Are we interested in the law of love, or are we obsessed with love of the law?
- Johannes P. Heath
as quoted by Monika Pensar-Granroth
as quoted by Monika Pensar-Granroth
Bible Knowledge 28
These statements about the Bible were written by children
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
St. Paul cavorted* to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony**, which is another name for marriage.
* converted
** matrimony
Jesus and the forms of divorce
A week ago, I blogged about a GLBT Study Bible I've come across. As I said even then, it contains interesting new ideas about certain concepts we've become accustomed to take for granted. At the time, I mentioned the mistake of taking the word arsenokoites to mean homosexual.
Another (though minor) example is the profession of Joseph, Mary's husband. Traditionally, the Greek word tekton has been rendered as "carpenter" in Matt 13:55 and Mark 6:3, but according to Dr Ann Nyland, it actually means "skilled craftsperson" - including carpenters, to be sure, but also metal workers, sculptors, people working in horn etc.
An interesting bit of information is divulged in the notes to Gospel passages where Jesus discusses divorce (Matt 5:31-32, 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18). I quote from the note in Luke, p. 126:
Another (though minor) example is the profession of Joseph, Mary's husband. Traditionally, the Greek word tekton has been rendered as "carpenter" in Matt 13:55 and Mark 6:3, but according to Dr Ann Nyland, it actually means "skilled craftsperson" - including carpenters, to be sure, but also metal workers, sculptors, people working in horn etc.
An interesting bit of information is divulged in the notes to Gospel passages where Jesus discusses divorce (Matt 5:31-32, 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18). I quote from the note in Luke, p. 126:
In Matthew 19:3, the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it legal for a person to divorce his wife on the grounds of 'Any Matter'?" The Rabbis were asking Jesus about his interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1. The "Any Matter" is a technical term from Jewish divorce law, a form of divorce introduced by the Rabbi Hillel. The other type of divorce, on the ground of "General Sexual Immorality", was available to both men and women, both of whom were able to divorce their partner on the specific grounds based on Exodus 21:10-11. This traditional divorce was becoming rarer by the start of the first century, being replaced by the "Any Matter" divorce, which was for men only, and popular as no grounds had to be shown and there was no court case. For an "Any Matter" divorce, the man simply had to write out a certificate of divorce and give it to his wife. My Jesus' time, the "Any Matter" was the more popular form of divorce, but the rabbis were still arguing about the legalities of it. The disciples of Shammai were particularly opposed to it. [...]If this is accurate, it would for sure mean a world of difference to many people. Divorcés who despite tremendous effort weren't able to save their marriage, and on whom those more fortunate are looking down their noses, could now raise their heads and show this as an example of how Jesus' tolerance, acceptance and love far outshines that of his most ardent followers. Which (sadly) isn't news.
Jesus replied that a divorce on the grounds of "Any Matter" was not legal, that "whoever divorces his wife, unless it's on the grounds of 'General Sexual Immorality', and marries someone else, commits adultery". Jesus is simply saying that if someone divorces by a form other than the grounds of "General Sexual Immorality" form of divorce, they are not properly divorced and thus not free to remarry, and so are committing adultery if they do. He is continuing his statement that he disagrees with the "Any Matter" form of divorce.
It is most important to note the significance of the above. The way the passage has traditionally been translated implies that Jesus was asked the question, "Is it ever legal to divorce?" and he answered, "No, except on the grounds of sexual immorality." This is not the case. Jesus was asked if it was legal to divorce on the grounds of "Any Matter" and he answered, "No, only on the grounds of 'General Sexual Immorality'". In other words, he was disagreeing with the form of "Any Matter" form of divorce. He certainly wasn't saying that at that time, or in the time to come, people were never to divorce except for sexual immorality.
Protection
Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.
- Stewart Udall
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
Our responsibility to preserve
It is our collective and individual responsibility [...] to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.
- Dalai Lama
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
What God holds together
It is a blessed thing to know that no power on earth, no temptation, no human frailty can dissolve what God holds together.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
as quoted on God's Politics
as quoted on God's Politics
GLBT Study Bible
Ann Nyland: Study New Testament For Lesbians, Gays, Bi, and Transgender. With extensive notes on Greek word meaning and context. Smith and Stirling, Uralla, N.S.W. 2007. 422 p.Dr. Ann Nyland, a Greek lexicographer, not a theologian, has translated the New Testament into English. Her translation, called The Source New Testament, or TSNT, was published in 2004. Now, she has worked it into a "Study New Testament", with extensive notes and commentary. One point that she works into the notes is that homosexuality is, in fact, not forbidden in the Bible.
Nyland is critical to other translations for not taking into account recent (i.e. less than 150 years ago) discoveries of Greek text materials (including papyri and inscriptions) that shed new light on Greek vocabulary. NT scholars are well aware of this, but it seems not to have seeped through to Bible translators, who largely base their work on earlier, and by the nature of things faulty, translations.
It is, for instance, a mistake to assume that the etymology of a word is its actual meaning. An example would be the word arsenokoites. Nyland writes (p. 11), that the word
has been assumed to mean "homosexual". However, the word does not mean "homosexual", and its range of meaning includes one who anally penetrates another (male or female), a rapist, a murderer, or an extorsionist. When used in the meaning "anal penetrator", it does not apply exclusively to males as the receptors, as it was also used for women receptors. The word does not appear in any Greek literary source until the poets of the Imperial period. This late occurrence is most significant as the Greeks wrote at length on male-male sexual relationships.Not surprisingly, the book has created an uproar among right wing Christians, especially in the USA. An article in the Sydney Morning Herald (26.11.07) says that a US distributor, God's Word to Women, has banned the Australian publication, and withdrawn another Bible translation published by the same publishing house for promoting a lifestyle in contradiction of the scriptures. Two American academics have asked that their endorsements be removed from other works by Nyland, because of her authorship of the gay study bible.
The article quotes the manager of Smith and Stirling Publishing, Portia Blakely:
"Since we made the Gay and Lesbian Study Bible available to the public, leading evangelists who previously recommended our books have withdrawn their endorsements from all our books and Bibles on the grounds that we have produced a work that even discusses homosexuality.There is also an the article in Wikipedia on the controversy.
"The Christian right's unfounded treatment of gay and lesbian people is inexcusable bigotry which they blame on the God whom they worship."
Ripple On Love
Jesus reassures us that every effort to love ourselves and others more faithfully, however imperfectly we are able to do this, is a response to God’s call to love as he loved. It is a response to the two greatest commandments as they stand in relationship to one another.
- Paula Ripple
as quoted on God's Politics
as quoted on God's Politics
Turn my soul into a garden
Teach me, Lord, to sing of your mercies. Turn my soul into a garden, where the flowers dance in the gentle breeze, praising you with their beauty. Let my soul be filled with beautiful virtues; let me be inspired by your Holy Spirit; let me praise you always.
- Teresa of Avila
as quoted on God's Politics
as quoted on God's Politics
A typical Texas baby boy
A man from Texas buys a round of drinks for everyone in the bar as he announces his wife has just produced "A typical Texas baby boy weighing twenty pounds." Congratulations shower all around, and many exclamations of 'wow!' are heard. Two weeks later he returns to the bar. The bartender says, 'Say, you're the father of the typical Texas baby that weighed twenty pounds at birth, aren't you? How much does the baby weigh now?'
The proud father answers, 'Fifteen pounds.'
The bartender is puzzled. 'Why? What happened? He already weighed twenty pounds at birth.'
The Texas father takes a slow sip from his beer, wipes his lips on his shirt sleeve, leans over to the bartender and proudly announces, 'Had him circumcised.'
The proud father answers, 'Fifteen pounds.'
The bartender is puzzled. 'Why? What happened? He already weighed twenty pounds at birth.'
The Texas father takes a slow sip from his beer, wipes his lips on his shirt sleeve, leans over to the bartender and proudly announces, 'Had him circumcised.'
Many thanks to Tuija.
100Revs
A group of Australian Christian pastors (and ministers, priests etc) have published what they call "the 100 Revs Statement". In essence they apologise to the gay community for their churches' lack of welcome. The statement is published on the 100Revs blog, and says as follows:
As ministers of various churches and denominations we recognise that the churches we belong to, and the church in general, have not been places of welcome for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people. Indeed the church has often been profoundly unloving toward the GLBT community. For these things we apologise, whatever the distinctive of our Christian position on human sexuality – to which we remain committed. We are deeply sorry and ask for the forgiveness of the GLBT community. We long that the church would be a place of welcome for all people and commit ourselves to pursuing this goal.The "Revs" voice an intent to participate in the Mardi Gras event - which by all accounts should have taken place by now, since we already have entered Lent - which seems to be an equivalent of the Pride festivals of other countries, including Finland. To that extent, we have taken that step before our brothers and sisters Down Under - see here and here. Not everyone is interested in being apologised to, however. In a comment, the pseudonymous Thug says:
We ARE a group of Christian ministers who voluntarily and individually bring this apology.
We ARE NOT official representatives of our churches or denominations.
We ARE NOT making a statement on the biblical position on gay and lesbian relationships.
We ARE recognising the lack of hospitality, care and welcome that the churches have offered the gay and lesbian community.
Christians are swimming in a sea of blood they've spilled from innocents. No apology that fails to address the magnitude of Christian crimes against GLBT humanity is acceptable.Maybe so. Sadly so. But it is a start.
A Racist Story
The following story, alleged to be true, is passed along as a chain letter on Facebook. In principle, I refuse not to break chain letters. This story, however, is worth repeating; therefore I choose to do so here.
The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. This is a true story.
A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a Black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
"Madam, what is the matter," the Hostess asked.
"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a Black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm, please," the Hostess replied. "Almost all the seats on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another seat is available."
The Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later. "Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy class. I spoke to the Captain and he informed me that there are also no seats in the Business class. All the same, we still have one seat in First class." Before the woman could reply, the Hostess continued: "It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting." She turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First class."
At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.
If you are against Racism, please send this message to all your friends. Please do not delete it without sending it to at least one person. "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
Bible Knowledge 26
These statements about the Bible were written by children
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
and have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
Merton on Resisting Evil
Merely to resist evil with evil by hating those who hate us and seeking to destroy them, is actually no resistance at all. It is active and purposeful collaboration in evil that brings the Christian into direct and intimate contact with the same source of evil and hatred which inspires the acts of his enemy. It leads in practice to a denial of Christ and to the service of hatred rather than love.
- Thomas Merton
as quoted on God's Politics
as quoted on God's Politics
US Primaries
The Political Compass website has made an analysis of the candidates in the primaries to the Presidential Elections in the USA. From a European point of view, the results are interesting - more than half the spectrum is missing!
I might mention that I myself - and most of my acquaintances - placed much lower and further left than any of the candidates...
I might mention that I myself - and most of my acquaintances - placed much lower and further left than any of the candidates...
Still the same idols
In the Bible, we discover the prophets and Jesus struggling against the same idols that dominate many of our churches.
"Christianity = Anti-homosexual"
A survey in the United States conducted by the Barna Group between 2004 and now has found that both Christians and non-Christians have a 'bad impression' of Christianity.
The religion is also waning in popularity with a rapid increase in people describing themselves as 'non-Christian' since the same poll was conducted in 1996.
91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers said "anti-homosexual" describes Christianity.
Further research found that both groups said that Christians "show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians."
Young Christians told researchers that the church has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else and not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.
Overall, the Barna found that the younger generation is much more sceptical and critical of Christianity today, whether they are or are not believers.
Christianity's 'image problem', as Time magazine describes it, is in need of a major overhaul.
The Barna research was highlighted in a comment piece on Christian website Ekklesia.co.uk by commentator Tim Nafziger, who said it raised profound questions for churches.
"A whopping 80% of non-Christians surveyed had spent at least six months attending church," he wrote.
"These are not casual cynics, jaded by the media. They are people who have tried Christianity and found it wanting. In other words, all of us Christians are responsible.
"We can't just point our fingers at some other part of the church or secular society. Where have we failed to model the radical hospitality of Jesus?"
The religion is also waning in popularity with a rapid increase in people describing themselves as 'non-Christian' since the same poll was conducted in 1996.
91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers said "anti-homosexual" describes Christianity.
Further research found that both groups said that Christians "show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians."
Young Christians told researchers that the church has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else and not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.
Overall, the Barna found that the younger generation is much more sceptical and critical of Christianity today, whether they are or are not believers.
Christianity's 'image problem', as Time magazine describes it, is in need of a major overhaul.
The Barna research was highlighted in a comment piece on Christian website Ekklesia.co.uk by commentator Tim Nafziger, who said it raised profound questions for churches.
"A whopping 80% of non-Christians surveyed had spent at least six months attending church," he wrote.
"These are not casual cynics, jaded by the media. They are people who have tried Christianity and found it wanting. In other words, all of us Christians are responsible.
"We can't just point our fingers at some other part of the church or secular society. Where have we failed to model the radical hospitality of Jesus?"
Christians are 'anti-homosexual' according to US poll (PinkNews 4.10.07)
Homophobia turns young people off Christianity (PinkNews 18.10.07)
Bush and the Iraqi Christians
The British blogger, Mad Priest, writes that Bush achieves the impossible in Iraq - he destroys 2000 years of Christian witness.
From the time of Jesus, there have been Christians in what is now Iraq. The Christian community took root there after the Apostle Thomas headed east.Not quite what "W." had in mind - but then, I suppose, nobody ever told him that there are Christians outside of Texas...
But now, after nearly 2,000 years, Iraqi Christians are being hunted, murdered and forced to flee - persecuted on a biblical scale in Iraq's religious civil war.
Iceland: Church blesses gay partnerships
The general synod of the Church of Iceland voted in October to allow priests to validate cohabitations between two members of the same sex, IceNews Network reports (31.10.07). This makes the Icelandic church one of the most liberal in the world in this matter. The church now waits for the parliament to change the law.
Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson is satisfied with the outcome of the decision which is perhaps the first of its kind. Although there was disagreement on the issue, Sigurbjörnsson said the congregation was able to reach a compromise.
The church had long debated the definition of marriage. Some members of the synod believe that marriage is a holy union between any two individuals while others maintain that marriage is a holy union between individuals of opposite sex only. As a compromise, the church has not changed the traditional heterosexual definition of a marriage. However, the church did allow same-sex relationships to receive some validation from the church.
Earlier this year, the priest synod of the Church of Iceland voted against a proposal regarding legalizing same-sex marriage in Iceland by 64 votes to 22. The blogger MadPriest reports this, quoting the Iceland Review (which seems to experience some technical difficulties at present).
"I’m ashamed on behalf of the State Church - and I know many priests agree with me - for the fact that the fight for gay and lesbian rights did not go further at this conference," Rev. Bjarni Karlsson told Fréttabladid.
"The priests don’t own the church; that is not the way it is. The church belongs to Jesus Christ and the church is formed by every congregation the country. So although this was rejected in one election, it is not the end," Karlsson said. "I believe all people, also those against gay rights, realize that our community and the church will eventually reach the maturity to respect all people, regardless of their sexual orientation."
Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson is satisfied with the outcome of the decision which is perhaps the first of its kind. Although there was disagreement on the issue, Sigurbjörnsson said the congregation was able to reach a compromise.
The church had long debated the definition of marriage. Some members of the synod believe that marriage is a holy union between any two individuals while others maintain that marriage is a holy union between individuals of opposite sex only. As a compromise, the church has not changed the traditional heterosexual definition of a marriage. However, the church did allow same-sex relationships to receive some validation from the church.
Earlier this year, the priest synod of the Church of Iceland voted against a proposal regarding legalizing same-sex marriage in Iceland by 64 votes to 22. The blogger MadPriest reports this, quoting the Iceland Review (which seems to experience some technical difficulties at present).
"I’m ashamed on behalf of the State Church - and I know many priests agree with me - for the fact that the fight for gay and lesbian rights did not go further at this conference," Rev. Bjarni Karlsson told Fréttabladid.
"The priests don’t own the church; that is not the way it is. The church belongs to Jesus Christ and the church is formed by every congregation the country. So although this was rejected in one election, it is not the end," Karlsson said. "I believe all people, also those against gay rights, realize that our community and the church will eventually reach the maturity to respect all people, regardless of their sexual orientation."
See also:
Iceland: Homosexuality Finds New Acceptance (IPS 30.11.05)
News from ENI
Differ, but stay together, says gay U.S. bishop
Hong Kong (ENI 24.10.07). The first Anglican bishop to live openly in a same-sex relationship has described his consecration as a "remarkable experiment", and said it offered the worldwide Anglican Communion a chance to show that people with different experiences could coexist. "In this global village, while we have different experiences and histories, how are we going to live together?" Bishop V. Gene Robinson said in a speech in Hong Kong on 20 October. Robinson's consecration in 2003 by the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church as a bishop in the state of New Hampshire triggered the ire of many Anglican leaders particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Study by church-backed group links freer rice trade to hunger
Geneva (ENI 5.11.07). Trade liberalisation in rice has led to more hunger and poverty among subsistence farmers in at least three developing countries, the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has found in a study it carried out. The study into the effect of decisions to open national rice markets to foreign imports in Ghana, Honduras and Indonesia was released to coincide with a critical stage in world trade talks that continue in Geneva this week. "Access to adequate food and the means to acquire it are a basic human right which virtually all countries have agreed to defend," said Linda Hartke, the EAA coordinator. "This study confirms what we have suspected, that trade liberalisation has been used to create unfair conditions that directly violate this right which is fundamental for life." Anglican leaders praise religion decision by Chinese communists
Hong Kong (ENI 7.11.07). A group of Asian and African Anglican leaders recently returned from a visit to China have praised a decision by the country's ruling Communist Party to include the word "religion" in its constitution. "This is a recognition of the increasing role that the Church plays in the nation's economic and social development," the Anglican leaders said in a statement issued after their 21-30 October visit. State media said the change had been made to meet the demands posed by the "new situation and new tasks". The Communist Party for a long time discouraged religion, because it was officially atheist. In recent years, however, Chinese leaders have said that religion can play an important role in creating a "harmonious society". The term is used by the Chinese leaders to refer to the need for economic growth to be accompanied by social cohesion. Polish Protestants deplore posters denouncing Luther
Warsaw (ENI 7.11.07). Protestant leaders in one of Poland's largest cities have condemned a poster campaign denouncing Martin Luther, the 16th century German Protestant leader, as a blasphemer and heretic. "What would happen if someone hung placards outside a Catholic church attacking the 'blasphemy and heresy of John Paul II,' or the 'blasphemy of Muhammad' at a mosque? These actions are clearly illegal, yet the local council has said and done nothing," said Mariusz Maikowski, a pastor with the Seventh-day Adventist church in Lublin in eastern Poland. The posters were displayed throughout Lublin to advertise lectures by Ryszard Mozgol, an official with Poland's National Remembrance Institute, the body charged with dealing with the records of the communist-era secret police. Churches must offer hope says HIV-positive Zimbabwe pastor
Harare (ENI 8.11.07). The Rev. Maxwell Kapachawo is the first known religious leader in Zimbabwe to declare publicly that he is living with HIV and he is using radio and television to spearhead a campaign to combat stigmatisation of those who have the disease. The pastor is national coordinator of the Zimbabwe Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (ZINERELA). It has 181 members but Kapachawo is the only one to have publicly declared his HIV status.
Hong Kong (ENI 24.10.07). The first Anglican bishop to live openly in a same-sex relationship has described his consecration as a "remarkable experiment", and said it offered the worldwide Anglican Communion a chance to show that people with different experiences could coexist. "In this global village, while we have different experiences and histories, how are we going to live together?" Bishop V. Gene Robinson said in a speech in Hong Kong on 20 October. Robinson's consecration in 2003 by the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church as a bishop in the state of New Hampshire triggered the ire of many Anglican leaders particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Study by church-backed group links freer rice trade to hunger
Geneva (ENI 5.11.07). Trade liberalisation in rice has led to more hunger and poverty among subsistence farmers in at least three developing countries, the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has found in a study it carried out. The study into the effect of decisions to open national rice markets to foreign imports in Ghana, Honduras and Indonesia was released to coincide with a critical stage in world trade talks that continue in Geneva this week. "Access to adequate food and the means to acquire it are a basic human right which virtually all countries have agreed to defend," said Linda Hartke, the EAA coordinator. "This study confirms what we have suspected, that trade liberalisation has been used to create unfair conditions that directly violate this right which is fundamental for life." Anglican leaders praise religion decision by Chinese communists
Hong Kong (ENI 7.11.07). A group of Asian and African Anglican leaders recently returned from a visit to China have praised a decision by the country's ruling Communist Party to include the word "religion" in its constitution. "This is a recognition of the increasing role that the Church plays in the nation's economic and social development," the Anglican leaders said in a statement issued after their 21-30 October visit. State media said the change had been made to meet the demands posed by the "new situation and new tasks". The Communist Party for a long time discouraged religion, because it was officially atheist. In recent years, however, Chinese leaders have said that religion can play an important role in creating a "harmonious society". The term is used by the Chinese leaders to refer to the need for economic growth to be accompanied by social cohesion. Polish Protestants deplore posters denouncing Luther
Warsaw (ENI 7.11.07). Protestant leaders in one of Poland's largest cities have condemned a poster campaign denouncing Martin Luther, the 16th century German Protestant leader, as a blasphemer and heretic. "What would happen if someone hung placards outside a Catholic church attacking the 'blasphemy and heresy of John Paul II,' or the 'blasphemy of Muhammad' at a mosque? These actions are clearly illegal, yet the local council has said and done nothing," said Mariusz Maikowski, a pastor with the Seventh-day Adventist church in Lublin in eastern Poland. The posters were displayed throughout Lublin to advertise lectures by Ryszard Mozgol, an official with Poland's National Remembrance Institute, the body charged with dealing with the records of the communist-era secret police. Churches must offer hope says HIV-positive Zimbabwe pastor
Harare (ENI 8.11.07). The Rev. Maxwell Kapachawo is the first known religious leader in Zimbabwe to declare publicly that he is living with HIV and he is using radio and television to spearhead a campaign to combat stigmatisation of those who have the disease. The pastor is national coordinator of the Zimbabwe Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (ZINERELA). It has 181 members but Kapachawo is the only one to have publicly declared his HIV status.
ENI Online - http://www.eni.ch/
Stop Capital Punishment
The following message reached me through an e-mail on a mailing list I belong to:
Of course, Iran is only one of the places in the world where capital punishment is used. But let's tackle them one at a time. Next, it's someone else's turn.
Capital Punishment is an inhuman retribution and contributes to the vain circle of violence and retaliation within society. So far, no country in the world has shown signs of decrease in crime by enforcing capital punishment, especially when totalitarian regimes use execution as a legitimate means to oppress, diminish and murder their opponents and opposition groups. On the other hand, psychological side-effects of executions, in short and long terms, are damaging to the victims’ survivors as well as to the executers of the punishments. Add to this the fact that execution reduces society’s sensitivity against violence and violent behavior. For the foundations of a civil society, for democracy and establishment of human rights, to respect the rights and the safety of alternative and freethinkers and to promote a non-violence culture, the omission of capital punishment is the first and foremost step.If you agree with this statement, you can sign the petition by going to stopexecution.net. I have already done so.
We, the undersigned of this statement, may have different political, social and cultural believes and objectives, but we all have come to agree on one point, and that is, the importance of abolishment of capital punishment for the sake of Iranian society.
We urge everyone to get involved actively in a wide spread war against capital punishment in Iran and help achieve this national goal through joined efforts of all Iranians.
Of course, Iran is only one of the places in the world where capital punishment is used. But let's tackle them one at a time. Next, it's someone else's turn.
Quiz: Theological Worldview
I took this test twice with an interval of a few hours.
The results were different but similar.
See for yourself:
The results were different but similar.
See for yourself:
You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | 86% | ||
Emergent/Postmodern | 71% | ||
Roman Catholic | 71% | ||
Neo orthodox | 68% | ||
Classical Liberal | 46% | ||
Modern Liberal | 43% | ||
Reformed Evangelical | 43% | ||
Charismatic/Pentecostal | 18% | ||
Fundamentalist | 4% |
You scored as Roman Catholic, You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Neo orthodox | 75% | ||
Roman Catholic | 75% | ||
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | 71% | ||
Emergent/Postmodern | 64% | ||
Classical Liberal | 50% | ||
Modern Liberal | 50% | ||
Reformed Evangelical | 43% | ||
Charismatic/Pentecostal | 4% | ||
Fundamentalist | 0% |
Well - at least I'm no Fundamentalist.
But I kinda suspected that already...
But I kinda suspected that already...
"The Sacramento 68"
On January 16, 1999, "the Sacramento 68", 68 clergy of the United Methodist Church (UMC), presided at the Holy Union of a lesbian couple, Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton, in Sacramento, California, USA, along with 70 additional clergy participating in absentia. As there were ministers from other denominations present as well, the list of officiants actually contains 170 names.
A complaint was filed against the UMC clergy members, a hearing was held in February 2000 and their case was dismissed. Many links pertaining to this process can be found here.
During the hearings, Dr. Mary Tolbert, professor of Biblical Studies at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, gave an Expert Testimony on Holy Unions for the UMC Clergy Committee on Investigation. This testimony offers an excellent and concise look at the New Testament evidence on homoeroticism, the New Testament analogies of disobedience to unjust religious rules and concludes with thoughts regarding the ethics of using the Bible in church debates of this nature. Since it isn't too long, it could well be worth the time it takes to read it.
A complaint was filed against the UMC clergy members, a hearing was held in February 2000 and their case was dismissed. Many links pertaining to this process can be found here.
During the hearings, Dr. Mary Tolbert, professor of Biblical Studies at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, gave an Expert Testimony on Holy Unions for the UMC Clergy Committee on Investigation. This testimony offers an excellent and concise look at the New Testament evidence on homoeroticism, the New Testament analogies of disobedience to unjust religious rules and concludes with thoughts regarding the ethics of using the Bible in church debates of this nature. Since it isn't too long, it could well be worth the time it takes to read it.
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