Religious @ MindSay

There seems to be a terrible promotion going around the radical Religious Right circles these days to use the Scriptures to cast an 'evil spell' and work 'black magic' (which is really what they are doing)on our president. We Americans who believe in separation of Church from State, and the right to have our religions or Not to have any,are basically getting fed up with radicals from any religion, who try to use their god ( who is in many respects in their image) against others they do not agree with. I know that Christianity and Islam for that matter, when applied right is a loving and tolerant religion, most Christian and it would seem many Islamic people are positioned somewheres in the middle of the 2 extremes of this faith.In Christianity, the Liberals who seldom consider Jesus or the Bible to be more than myth and metaphor, and the Middle who believe that Jesus is all the Bible says he is, but considers the bible to be inspired only in the original writings,and are a revelation of Jesus Christ and only understood rightly by the Spirit of God giving illumination to the Word. Those on the Right however are stuck in time, they have failed to grow up and are still hanging on the ways of the Old Testament and Old Covenant.They see every word and period in the Bible as literal and fail to come away from their bible reading or study with the true spiritual essense of the teaching. These people just like Radical Islam are still in the stone ages where every dispute or disagreement means death to the infidel. Personally I wish they would evolve already and get with the program.

What our government needs is for those concerned in the path that our government is taking should instead of cursing them, should pray FOR them, to light a candle FOR them, to send positive energy FOR them, not against them, they are a mirror of pretty much of our society, and yes they need alot of prayer and candles and good vibes and energy sent their way so that they too can evolve and get with the program. The old way of doing things DID NOT WORK, wars DO NOT WORK. Minding every other nations business is not the job of our government, our nation and it's health IS. Yes we must be a strong nation, yes we should protect our nation, but let it be towards the real enemies, and not the ghost in some ones fear based thoughts.

It would seem based on the articles below that some have had , a change of heart? Apparently those over them are waking up to this vomit they are spewing and telling them to change there talk........it may not change their minds, but hopefully they will listen and do what is right. Because this kind of HATE speech is inexcusable and must stop, this kind of talking will get some one killed, and that would indeed be a great injustice and tragedy for all of us.

blessed be

and shalom



The Christian Science Monitor

By Tracey D. Samuelson | Contributor/ November 16, 2009 edition



Biblical anti-Obama slogan: Use of Psalm 109:8 funny or sinister?
Psalms 109:8 says, 'Let his days be few; and let another take his office.' The citation is being passed around the Internet as a rallying cry against President Obama.

There’s a new slogan making its way onto car bumpers and across the Internet. It reads simply: “Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8”

A nice sentiment?

Maybe not.

The psalm reads, “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.”

Presidential criticism through witty slogans is nothing new. Bumper stickers, t-shirts, and hats with “1/20/09” commemorated President Bush’s last day in office.

But the verse immediately following the psalm referenced is a bit more ominous: “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.”

The slogan comes at a time of heightened concern about antigovernment anger. Earlier this year, the president’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, said that Tea Parties could lead to something unhealthy. In September, authorities shut down a poll on Facebook asking if President Obama should be killed.

Still, that doesn’t push the Psalms citation into the realm of hate speech, says Chris Hansen, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The use of Psalm 109:8 is ambiguous as to whether its users are calling for the President to serve “only one term, or less than one term,” he says.

Deborah Lauter, director of civil rights at the Anti-Defamation League agrees that the bumper sticker falls within acceptable political discourse.

For it to be considered hate speech, it “would advocate actual violence or cite scripture that was more clear in its message.”

But that doesn’t mean that it’s completely innocent.

“Are we concerned about real hostility towards [President Obama]? Absolutely,” says Ms. Lauter. “Is this a part of that movement? It may be, but in terms of this message itself, we would not criticize it.”

“The problem is you don’t know if people who are donning that message in a shirt or on a bumper sticker are fully aware of the quote or what follows. Obviously that message makes the ambiguity disappear. If they’re just referring to him being out of office, that’s one thing. If they’re referring to him being dead, that’s so offensive. It’s protected speech, but it’s clearly offensive.”

For many, the slogan is just a humorous way express disapproval for President Obama. It’s been tweeted and retweeted by Obama critics with messages like “too funny” and “an excellent prayer for America.”

Twitter user Cheri Douglas felt compelled to share the psalm with others. Reached by phone, she said she found it on website while searching for Bible passages relating to leadership – a topic on which she writes, speaks, and consults for a living.

Ms. Douglas was unaware of the verses that followed the ones she referenced and doesn’t think that those who shared the psalm wish the President harm.

“I don’t believe there’s Christians who wish him ill will,” she says.

But Douglas does say she’s unhappy with the president and used the psalm to convey that she’d like him to serve only one term.

***************************************************

Bob senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

Wiley Drake lifts call for 'imprecatory prayer' against President Obama By Bob Allen Friday,

November 20, 2009 BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) --

A former Southern Baptist Convention officer who made headlines in June when he said on national radio that he was praying for Barack Obama to die now says he wants to see the president live long enough to stand trial for treason. Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., was second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006-2007. Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., issued a press release Nov. 19 calling for an end to "imprecatory prayer" -- words of judgment from the Book of Psalms prayed back to God, directed toward Obama. Drake said he is now "calling for all of God's people and prayer warriors to cease the imprecatory prayer, and pray for Mr. Obama's protection until he can be properly tried for treason." Drake attributed his change of heart to "spiritual counsel" of James David Manning, pastor at ATLAH World Missionary Church in New York, contained in a 16 1/2-minute video recorded Nov. 18. "I have asked men everywhere please do you no harm," Manning said in remarks he addressed to "Barack Hussein the long-legged mack daddy Obama." According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "mack daddy" is slang for a slick womanizer or conspicuously successful pimp. "I do not want to see anyone attempt, dream about, think about or ever discuss assassinating you," Manning continued. "It is most important to you and to my savior Jesus that you live, and that you live a long life, but that you live that we might be able to bring you to trial. You see if someone does you harm, and you are not able to be brought to trial, then we lose the opportunity of proving our statements that you are not the president of the United States of America. You are not. You are an illegal alien, a usurper." Manning preached a series of harsh sermons last year against then-candidate Obama that prompted Americans United for the Separation of Church and State to ask the IRS to investigate him for violating rules governing tax-exempt charities against electioneering. He says he was visited by officials from the Department of Homeland Security after a recent video message in which he advised people who strongly oppose Obama to "be ready to die." Drake, who was second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006-2007, said he was also questioned in his home by the Secret Service after he said in a Fox News Radio interview June 2 with Alan Colmes that he was praying for Obama to die. Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention criticized Drake's comment and said that most Southern Baptists believe it is their duty to pray for the well-being of government leaders. In June the SBC passed a resolution praising the election of America's first African-American president while criticizing a number of Obama's policies. Drake, a third-party candidate for vice president from the American Independent Party on the California ballot in the 2008 presidential election, recently lost a round in an ongoing legal battle challenging the legitimacy of Obama's presidency. U.S. District Judge David Carter dismissed a lawsuit filed by Drake and other plaintiffs Oct. 29, saying the Constitution does not give federal courts, but only Congress, the authority to remove a sitting president. Drake said his attorney, Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation, filed an appeal in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 16. -30-

Bob senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

It's been just 2 days since I have been born again. Yes my heart and soul have been changed forever, I give all praise and thanks to.....my new headphones! :p

Being a person who has a passion for music, I have always been a avid headphone user. I wear them on my bus ride to and from work, when I go out for a walk/run, and especially at night while in bed or watching a late night DVD so not to disturb anyone. I think it's the best way to truly enjoy and appreciate music since it lets you hear so many things you can't hear from regular home speakers.

Well after my 3rd pair of headphones started to play their final song due to a short in the wire, I decided I wanted to invest in a high end pair. I have used the average $20 types that have good all around sound and was fine, but this time I wanted a well built pair that would last more than a couple of yrs. of everyday use.

The hunt began about a month ago and let me tell ya, it was quite a fascinating experience. I started with the well known brands like Sony and Panasonic, but within a couple of hrs. (literally) of doing searches and reading reviews of headphones I soon found myself in the world of high end names like Sennheiser, Grado, and Audio Technica. All of which had solid reviews on sound and construction quality, unlike reviews of the well known types. The down side was these all range from $60-over $1000! Yikes.

It took about 2 weeks, but I finally decided on a pair made by Stanton, a company that only makes audio equipment, and mainly for DJs. No bad review (except for a couple of people who thought they felt tight on their head, and I have a small head so I wasn't too concerned) and it came with a free carrying bag which was a nice touch since I put headphones in my backpack. These also had a crazy low end frequency response of just 3 hz which is way below what the human ear can hear! Most pairs usually run about 18-20 hz on the low side.They sell for $69.99 retail, but Amazon had them for $20!! Thannnnk you Amazon! Lol!

So, long entry short, they arrived 2 days ago and I am just amazed at the difference it makes in my mp3s! I am hearing notes and sounds in almost every song that I never heard before. Seriously, the wide dynamics and quality of the speakers make the music so much more rich and...real. The classic 'Like your really there' idea. Oh, and DVD's...wow!...watching any action movie (especially with THX) is better than going to see it at a theater.

So, I have listened to about 1/2 of my 1,200 + songs now, and should be done in 2 more days...and may start all over again after! :)

I fail to see why people can’t worship their own way without feeling a need to congregate, form a hierarchy, make up a lot of capricious rules, and proselytize to others who are not interested.

People tend to want to have someone to look up to, who can tell them what’s right, and what they should do in any given situation.  A leader that they can turn to in times of need, who might have the answers they seek.  Usually this person has a great deal of charisma, and has an air of being in control.  It can be likened to a father-figure-type situation, with scared children looking to their father for guidance and answers.

As humans, we compartmentalize everything.  “A place for everything...”  We hate to deviate from that, so we organize, find someone to follow, and create regulations to keep people in line.  Organized religion is no different.

Why does one need an “invisible deity in the sky” to tell them to do the right thing?  We should all do the right thing simply because it’s right.  (Personal beliefs must always be taken into account here.  What do I care if you do something illicit, as long as it’s not hurting anyone?)  We should do what’s decent not because we’re promised salvation if we do, or threatened with Hell if we don’t.  In fact, I find that more than a bit insulting.

None of this is to say that I don’t have my own religious beliefs; they just can’t be easily labeled, and folded neatly into a box.  I took some time and care to cultivate my beliefs, not to mention a lot of my own research.  My beliefs are still evolving, and I’m proud of all of it.  That’s what is so great about constantly learning.  You’re never done!  “If you’re not learning, you’re dead.”

I’ve studied a vast array of the world’s religions for years – Christianity, Zoroastrianism, various Pagan paths, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism – just to name a few, and I keep coming to the same conclusion.  No one has it completely right, but no one’s completely wrong either.  I believe it’s the height of arrogance for us, with our tiny human brains, to think that we have religion and the cosmos all figured out.  What’s worse is “sentencing” someone to “eternal damnation” simply because they disagree with you.  Haven’t you ever been wrong before?

Being a somewhat logical, carbon-based life-form, I’d be remiss if I ignored science.  There are just so many things that make too much sense to dismiss.  For instance, I truly believe in the Big Bang Theory.  I just don’t know who or what was the catalyst, and no one else knows either.  We plainly can’t comprehend it.  I guess we’ll know for sure when we die, right? 

I do know one thing, though.  Our souls are made up of energy, and energy never dies.  It only gets recycled.  Where our souls go after this is really anybody’s guess.  Just don’t be so quick to chastise someone else for disagreeing with your beliefs.  Recognize that you’re both travelling to the same destination; you’re just on different journeys.  Who cares how you got there, just as long as you show up?

Until Next Time,

Danielle

Well, I probably lost another friend this morning but I'm damn sick of it....emails full of hate.
A  religious , republican friend sent me an e-mail blasting gays, Obama, health care etc...in a very hateful way. They make me sick!
He was my friend but is no longer. I do not want to associate with closed minded, bigoted, hate mongers who hind  behind a mask of Christianity spouting words of Gods love out one side of their mouth and hate with the other! They make me sick! I have lost the respect I once had for this person and many others who do the same thing.
I am so glad I don't call myself a Christian because if the is a God I would rather be judged as a "non believer " than as a "believer" who  talks like the devil....whose  words have  do not reflect their Christ at all.

  " Matthew 12:37   For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
Do Christians ever read their book??

They talk all day long about how non believers are all going to hell. Well I say, fine then....move over and make some room cause it's going to be really crowded down here with all you Christians in the way!

S.T.A.T.A.N= Stop talking and take action now!

It's time for those of us still in control of our brain to stop talking and take action. We our losing our freedoms and America is falling on it's ass because of the Republican religious right.

Their adgenda is to control us like "puppets" or "sheep" and they will stop at nothing to accomplish their mission.

They want you to think it's what "God" wants , but believe me it has nothing to do with God.

They are trying to control your thoughts and actions under the guise of religion...don't be fooled! They are the "Christian Taliban".

Sheep do not question, they follow blindly. Don't be a sheep!! Study,read, listen, think , learn. Don't be afraid to step outside the "box" of religion!!!

From the begining of time man has used religion and the fear of the "gods" to control men. It's all a smoke screen!

Listen, if your God is real you shouldn't be afraid to seek the truth.Look at the lives of the priests, preachers and evangelists. They live high on the hog, drive expensive cars and live in mansions, they wear fine linens and jewelry while the poor are homeless and starve!  Is this what your bible teaches you is the right thing? Have you ever seen the vatician? The crystal cathedral ? And then they tell you anyone who says different from them is the "anti-christ" to keep you from seeking the truth!

And those Right wing politicians....they know religious people don't stand up and fight for whats right. They are finely tuned, blinded zoobies who will go along with whatever they say and do!

Don't take my word for it...study....find out for yourselves!!!

WAKE UP!!!! WAKEUP!!!!WAKE UP!!!!