I do follow Scripture!!!

This is a copy of letter of response that I posted in a local newspaper. The letter that I wrote was in support of Abortion and Same-sex marriage. It had some responses in turn, but one stated that I did not follow scripture in my ideas or that I was too influenced by modern culture.


In approving of abortion and homosexuality, I am not departing from scripture. I am just interpreting scripture with the tools that I have been afforded by modern scholarship. I agree with Mr. Pynaker in that “God’s does not change” but I will have to add that our understanding of Him/Her does as we are only human and continue to evolve.

With this being said, scripture does not specifically condemn abortion. What we have are scripture verses condemning murder and out of this we conjecture that God wants us to protect the life of a fetus, but nothing outright reproaching what we have as the modern practice of abortion.

It is with this understanding that I cannot condemn the practice of abortion. As a Christian, I am required to love the person who has had an abortion, to meet her needs and give support in any way that I can. I do this because we are all sinners and I have no right to judge or condemn anyone because they do not live up to my own standards of what I deem to be righteousness or better yet self-righteousness.

As for homosexuality, scripture is very ambiguous as to its condemnation. It is unfortunate that we have to rely on those who translate scripture to interpret the vague words into an English equivalent. There is no word in Hebrew or Greek for our modern understanding of the practice of homosexuality. The words that are used could best be translated as, male temple prostitute or one forced into submission by another male. All forms of condemned homosexual practices in scripture have to do with Temple worship or rape; there is no modern understanding of homosexuality condemned in scripture.

Yes, I do admit that my interpretation of scripture meets the needs of a post modern world but this has been done throughout the history of theology started by the apostle Paul and carried on by Luther, Schleiermacher, Tillich and more recently Brueggemann.

As we gain more knowledge about our world, we need to be willing to move forward and meet the needs of humanity surrounding us. If we are not willing to change, Christianity will die. But if Christianity continues to breed ignorance, prejudice and hatred, maybe, just maybe this might be a better thing for humanity.

Because of my love for the church, I will continue in my search for truth, love and acceptance.

God the Devil and Bob

Do to some good old fashion right-wing Christian pressure this evil show only aired four episodes in the US. But fear not good followers God the Devil and Bob can be found online. Check out this video and tell me what you think.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v409449GAEyZWJ8

Comic Books Best

Do to the recent nonsensical success of one of the worst comic books movies that has ever touched the screen (Spider Man), I thought it prudent to give my list for
"The Best Comic Book Movies Ever Made".


20) Dick Tracy

19) Constantine

18) Batman (1989)

17) Blade II

16) Howard the Duck

15) Robo Cop

14) The Crow

13) Road to Perdition

12) V for Vendetta

11) Ghost World

10) Blade

9) American Slender

8) X-men

7) Sin City

6) 300

5) Blade Trinity

4) Batman Beginnings

3) History of Violence

2) X-Men 2

1) Donnie Darko

LIMBO

Pope Benedict XVI has recently reversed centuries of traditional Roman Catholic teaching (though never an official position) on limbo. This new examination came about due to the high number of miscarriages and abortions in the world today. While the new decision does bear some weight and in fact calls into question the Church’s traditional acceptance of baptism being a “wiping away of original sin” the Pope now sees original sin in a new light; namely that we are also born into grace. But where some have suggested a complete reversal this does not really seem to be the case.
Most interestingly this new proclamation does not altogether reject any of the official beliefs of the papacy but instead suggests a heightened awareness for the possible forgiveness and acceptance for lost children by their Heavenly Father. Rather than a complete reversal the announcement suggests that instead of waiting at the boarders of Hell (in limbus) there is “hope”. While many Catholics now see the official finding of the Vatican council a relief they may be jumping the gun a bit. In truth this is not as a wholesale rejection of Limbo but rather a moving of people from the boarders of Hell to the boarders of Heaven (at least as far as Limbo is seen). Through vaguely stating these new finding it seems that Limbo is in fact in limbo itself. But what the Catholic church has now successfully done is that it has engaged itself in the mysteriousness of Gods ways. No matter what else is said in the next few days, it is reassuring to see that the Church sees grace in a whole new light.

The Book of Moron (i)

On April 26, 2007 the Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City Utah printed an extremely important article. It seems that a Utah County Republican Don Larsen presented a resolution asserting that loose U.S. boarders and the highly publicized immigration problems are in fact “the work of Satan”. In his resolution Larson claimed that illegal immigration is the devils “plan to destroy the nation”. What is even more interesting though is that after personally distributing nearly 1,500 copies of his presentation Don Larsen seems not to have lost any political backing. Because of this Larsen is not backing down. In an interview given to the Tribune Larsen stated, "In order for Satan to establish his 'New World Order' and destroy the freedom of all people as predicted in the Scriptures, he must first destroy the U.S.,".

Larson, you sir are right on the money. I believe that is an exact quote from the book of dumb, dumb. Maybe that’s in the Mormon book of Moroni but I can’t say that I’ve ever read that verse before.

Beer

35 billion gallons of beer sell worldwide each year. It is over a $330 billion industry. And yet… one must be the best. But which one is the best of all? It is an interesting question; no doubt personal perception plays a role. Still, is the most popular beer really the best? How many people do you know that have tried Speckled Hen or Hop Head (and these are just some of the easy to pronounce and more popular ones)?

Certainly popularity does play a role, but people that are limited by few experiences should recognize the restrictions or their scrutiny. If Coors or Molson is the most exotic beer you’ve tried in the last few years you might just have to admit your limitations. And while I am not the most erudite of drinkers I do think that I have something special to offer you and I do believe that I have explored this world to an extinct far more diverse than is the average. And what precisely do I think I might have to offer my good readers? Well… faithful followers I, HaKohen have come to the following conclusion - Innis & Gunn – Oak Aged Beer is my personal favorite and is perhaps more importantly the greatest beer in the world.

In my humble opinion, you may not be able to find it at your local store, but you should certainly take a look.

Check ‘em out at http://www.innisandgunn.com/index.htm

It is well worth it!

He'Brew

Sorry to say that this one isn't available in Canada just yet! But that hasn't stopped these guys from shipping throughout most of the US. Perhaps soon we too can get a taste of thie new Jewish Beer... or as they call it He'Brew.

http://www.shmaltz.com/