More on hypocrisy....I guess I'm on a roll tonight.

I have posted before on this.   The subject of Marriage and what should and should not be legal.  The more I have thought about this and talked it through with Jenn I have a greater clarity on my thoughts.  

My bottom line is that the Government has zero place in "marriage".   A marriage is something that a Church has the right to ordain.   If the Government has to be involved, which I think for taxes, and to allow the rights of people to be fairly accounted for it probably does there should be another legal term.   Civil Union, sounds hokey, but, it is the best I can do.  

All the arguments we hear political are totally based on hypocrisy.   A marriage is between one man and one woman and that is all that should be legal, because that is how God created it.  Ok.   A Church can say that. the Government not (separation of Church and State for one.)

Now, looking into the issue deeper.   Those that espouse this "legal marriage, as I will describe it because that is how it is today claim that, as I said, the only marriage should be between a man and woman.  Ok.  But, and there is a very big but, you are going to use a legalized Scripture approach as your definition of a marriage the chances are there would be very few, if any marriages that would meet such high standards.   Why?   No sex before marriage, no lustful thoughts, no divorce (except abuse), no adultery, no sexual impurities, one sexual partner.   In the Old Testament many of these could lead to being cast out of society or even stoned to death.    If this was the criteria for marriage this would be mute point, because like I said so few, if any would qualify.   An even crazier situation is those who are Atheists or Satanists can get married and everyone is happy with that as long as they are the same sex.   Get the point?   Hypocrisy, hypocrisy, hypocrisy.

Now, some would say we are no longer doing this because we were "living in Sin" and because we got married we now aren't, or have repented.  All good.   Now, come to the New Testament and Jesus teaching.  He came to move a way from the legalistic establishment or a Jewish Country to teach on Love, forgiveness and peace, just to name three.   So, great you have repented of your sins (although going from a non-married sexual relationship to a married one seems to be a very weak justification) what about Christs love for everyone?   He loved the major sinners in His day, in fact spent his time with them not the religions elite.   Above all, what about the commandment not to judge unless you have no sin yourself?   Heck, I wish I was perfect and truly sanctified, but, alas I am not.   Also, who has the right to be God and say really what He wants?   It is simple really.   Love everyone, be peaceful, gentle, kind, patient displaying all the fruits of Christlike life.   Only God Himself has the right to judge and condemn.  This has got so lost in the modern day Church.  It makes me angry.  

I am not a theologian and may be Utopian, but, the hateful rhetoric of so many right-wing, Conservative Christians does not represent me or the teaching of Christ.  They have the right to their opinions and I try very hard every day not to judge and to love them, but, that is tough because of the misrepresentation of Jesus' life and as I have already stated make me very, very angry.   The best analogy I can come up with is what would you do if someone denigrates the person you love most in the World.  Yup, very, very angry.

-Richard

Does the religion of a candidate in an election matter?   In the United States General election it seems to, at least from one side.  

I have heard, read, seen posted time and time again how this Country needs to move back to God, Satan is in charge, The President is a Muslim, we need to move back to our Christian roots, the President is a false prophet or anti-Christ and on and on and on.   Unbelievable hate and ignorance.  

• The President claims to be a professing Christian.   That is not for I or any one else to judge.   If he was Muslim and followed the Constitution would it matter?  
• This Country was founded on the Separation of Church and State.   Many of the founding fathers were NOT Christian, certainly nor practicing, believing Christians.  
• Those that create the biggest noise on this are the so called right-wing evangelical Christians.  The Christ of the new Testament quite clearly time after time teaches not to judge, pay to Caesar (a secular Government) what is theirs to love and not hate and I can go on and on.   This group are the new Pharisees.
• Finally.... these folks who are so anti- the President and make these claims have a Candidate for President who is of course an Evangelical Christian.  NO!!   He is of the Mormon faith recognized by all major religious scholars and theologians to be a cult.   If they have a problem with Islam why not Mormons who have changed the Bible to their interpretation claiming it is Christian.   Islam have their own Holy Book, but, never made those claims.   If there is to be a false prophet or a great deception by Satan perhaps it could be argued that this acceptance of the Mormon faith to be mainstream could be it?   

Let's keep it real and say it as it is.   You hate the President because he is different, has a different political ideology and perhaps you just hate.   Stop misrepresenting my faith, my God and the Bible.   Have a different opinion I'm all for that, but, ignorance and fear is hypocrisy of the highest order.

For the record as Christian I would love a true Christ centered President, but, it is not essential by any means.   My vote will always go to those who stand for tolerance, peace, fairness and the people.  Whatever religion they claim to be, that, is Christlike policies.

-Richard

America

They call it the land of milk and honey,

But life is fast and furious,

Children brought up priorities wrong,

Money and possessions are number one.

Your love, however is still there

That people dedicated to spreading

The right aspects of life

Teaching the kids that You are first.

Thank you Lord for Your workers.

I pray that You’ll keep them safe

As year by year they strive

To share You to this land.

August 1989, Camp Tecumseh, NJ, USA.

-Richard

Friends I

That special hug

In times when you’re down.

A special word

When you’re all alone.

A special gift

When life doesn’t seem worth while.

Thank you God
For that special friend. 

August 1989, Camp Tecumseh, NJ, USA.

-Richard