If you are going through hell, keep going.
- Winston Churchill
Sure sign of intelligence
Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.
- Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes)
"Behead all gays," says Gambian president
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African continental mainland and is bordered to the north, east, and south by Senegal, and has a small coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The country, with an area of 10,380 sq.km. and a population of 1,7 million, is ruled by president Yahya Jammeh (born in 1965). He took power in a bloodless coup in 1994 and was elected president two years later.
The president likes to be portrayed as a devout Moslem, and has done some interesting stunts to prove his spiritual worth. The most dangerous of these are his alleged healing of people with AIDS and his recent threat to behead any homosexuals that hadn't left the country within 24 hours.
To my knowledge, his threat hasn't been fulfilled - yet - but it can't have any positive impact on the human rights situation in his country or in Africa in general. Moreover, if he goes ahead with his homophobic plans, the Gambia's economy will suffer, with a decline in foreign aid, in trade, and in tourism. Two Spanish tourists have already been arrested.
But that hasn't stopped madmen before. What remains to be seen is whether president Jammeh is one or not.
The president likes to be portrayed as a devout Moslem, and has done some interesting stunts to prove his spiritual worth. The most dangerous of these are his alleged healing of people with AIDS and his recent threat to behead any homosexuals that hadn't left the country within 24 hours.
To my knowledge, his threat hasn't been fulfilled - yet - but it can't have any positive impact on the human rights situation in his country or in Africa in general. Moreover, if he goes ahead with his homophobic plans, the Gambia's economy will suffer, with a decline in foreign aid, in trade, and in tourism. Two Spanish tourists have already been arrested.
But that hasn't stopped madmen before. What remains to be seen is whether president Jammeh is one or not.
Sources:
President plans to kill off every single homosexual (Afrik.com 19.5.08)
President Jammeh Gives Ultimatum for Homosexuals to Leave (Gambia News 19.5.08)
Doom awaits gays in Gambia (Gambia News 21.5.08)
Gambias president tar bladet från munnen (Antigayretorik 21.5.08)
Gambias president hotar döda landets homosexuella (Dagen 22.5.08)
Gambia gay death threat condemned (BBC News 23.5.08)
Two Spanish caught in the Gambia after President called for the death of Homosexuals (Afrik.com 2.6.08)
Two Alleged Homosexuals Arrested (Gambia News 2.6.08)
Update 5.6.08: The Spanish tourists have been released, Advocate News reports.
Protesting injustice
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
- Elie Wiesel
Good Methodist news and bad
Ecumenical News International (ENI) reported on May 1st:
This is bad news, as far as gay Christians are concerned. They still won't have full and equal rights within the Methodist church - or in the Lutheran church for that matter - which I think is sad. But given time, perhaps...
The United Methodist Church, meeting for its once-every-four-years church-wide gathering has approved an agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for full communion between the two U.S.-based denominations. At the same meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, the 12-million-member United Methodist General Conference, its main governing body meeting from 23 April to 2 May, turned down efforts to change denominational rules on homosexuality.This is good news, in that the two churches are coming together. The same process is underway here in Finland, too, and I welcome that.
This is bad news, as far as gay Christians are concerned. They still won't have full and equal rights within the Methodist church - or in the Lutheran church for that matter - which I think is sad. But given time, perhaps...
More news:
United Methodist Church Adopts Full Communion Proposal with ELCA (ELCA News Service 30.4.08 - more links there)
"Diskussionerna gick över gränsen" (Dagen 9.5.08)
The biggest fool
The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him.
- Stanislaw Jerszy Lec
Bonhoeffer on a moral society
The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
as quoted on the Rainforest Site
Luther's tree
If Christ were coming again tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.
- Martin Luther
as quoted on God's Politics
as quoted on God's Politics
Honesty gets you through customs
A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked the priest beside her, "Father, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course. What may I do for you?"
"Well, I bought an expensive electronic hair remover that is well over the Customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?"
"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie."
"With your honest face, Father, no one will question you." When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?"
"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare."
The official thought this answer strange, so he asked, "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?"
"I have a marvelous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused."
Roaring with laughter, the official said, "Go ahead, Father. ... Next!"
"Of course. What may I do for you?"
"Well, I bought an expensive electronic hair remover that is well over the Customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?"
"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie."
"With your honest face, Father, no one will question you." When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?"
"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare."
The official thought this answer strange, so he asked, "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?"
"I have a marvelous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused."
Roaring with laughter, the official said, "Go ahead, Father. ... Next!"
Thanks to MadPriest.
A reason for everything?
Hate has a reason for everything. Love is unreasonable.
- V. Raiuhes Ahaefvthe
Living in harmony
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
- Marcus Aurelius
St. Francis on preaching
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
- St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis on exclusion
If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
- St. Francis of Assisi
You cannot diminish God's glory
A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
- CS Lewis
Some of my best friends...
"I have nothing against black people (or homosexuals or Jews or whatever) - some of my best friends belong to that group of people."
That is an argument one can hear from time to time, but it is false on the face of it. If the person using the argument actually spoke the truth, they wouldn't behave in a way that made using the argument necessary.
Of course, your friends can rely on you and my friends on me. The important question is, can your friends trust me or mine, you?
And how would it feel to have the tables turned, I wonder?
That is an argument one can hear from time to time, but it is false on the face of it. If the person using the argument actually spoke the truth, they wouldn't behave in a way that made using the argument necessary.
Of course, your friends can rely on you and my friends on me. The important question is, can your friends trust me or mine, you?
And how would it feel to have the tables turned, I wonder?
Ecclesiastical lightbulbs 6
Q: How many Greek Orthodox priests does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: What do you mean, "change"!?
A: What do you mean, "change"!?
To know how to run the country
Too bad all the people who know how to run this country are busy running taxicabs or cutting hair.
- George Burns
100Revs and Mardi Gras
In February, I blogged about the Australian movement calling itself "100Revs"; the movement has a blog at 100revs.blogspot.com. The Pride marches in other parts of the world have an equivalent in Sydney's Mardi Gras. When I've taken part in the Helsinki Pride together with people from Yhteys-Gemenskap, we've been greeted with wrath by certain Bible-thumping extreme elements calling themselves Christian.
The Revs in Sydney had similar experiences when they marched. PinkNews reports (27.3.08):
I'm so sorry for that. In my small way, I'm working to change the situation, but it seems to be an uphill struggle at the moment.
The Revs in Sydney had similar experiences when they marched. PinkNews reports (27.3.08):
... an anonymous clergym[a]n who marched in the parade spoke about his career being under threat.I know what he's talking about. And combining "gay" and "Christian" seems to be equally difficult from both sides of the issue, as some of the comments on the Sidney Star Observer show - see here and here. This is regrettable. There seems to be a long way yet to go. But most of the blame for this must be laid at the churches' doorstep because of our homophobia, past and present.
While he stopped short of admitting his job was on the line, he spoke about future repercussions:
"It's very untalked about," he said.
"It's things like the revocation of opportunities for future ministry [positions].
"The conservative side were very upset. I still underestimate the level of political sway they have. I've definitely made a few enemies."
I'm so sorry for that. In my small way, I'm working to change the situation, but it seems to be an uphill struggle at the moment.
Judgement and experience
Good judgement comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgement.
- Mark Twain
The bravest
One day during WWII the leaders of various axis nations met and debated who had the bravest soldiers.
Mussolini from Italy said: "Oh wait and see!" He climbed to fifth floor of a tall building and ordered his bodyguard to jump down. The bodyguard said: "Si, duce!", jumped and broke a leg.
Hitler from Germany said: "Oh wait and see!" He climbed to the tenth floor and ordered his bodyguard to jump down. The bodyguard said: "Jawohl, mein Führer!", jumped and was killed.
Mannerheim from Finland said: "Oh wait and see!" He climbed down to the second floor and ordered his bodyguard to jump down. The bodyguard spat, looked at the spit falling and said: "Jump yourself, you old fart!"
So Mannerheim won.
So Mannerheim won.
Source: Seri's Lair
To laugh in heaven
If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.
- Martin Luther
Opinions and facts
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
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