The Bible and Sin

The bible and sin. Let's first of all talk about what sin is. Sin is not a list of do's and don'ts. Sin is basically doing anything that you feel is against God's will. It is a personal conviction and not necessarily constant from person to person. Also, God would be the ultimate judge of mankind and would have no need of a militant enforcement group to do his bidding in a hateful and mean spirited way. I have located 11 verses in the bible that supposedly reference homosexuality. 7 of these verses are located in the old testament and anyone who understands anything biblical would have to admit that the old testament is basically the wild west of religion and if you believe in Jesus, you would further understand that the new testament and the messiah being born cancels and voids the old testament and the contract written in it. It is not really possible to cling to a single point or cluster of verses without embracing them all. That would include clinging to a required way of living that no man could ever live up to. The new testament verses are the following...Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-10 and Jude 7. I have not included any translations because you might want to do your own research as well. What I observe in these is that these scriptures group together behaviors for the most part. There seems to have been some liberties taken with the translations from the original language with a particular mindset or outcome in mind. There can also be a case made that there is no big sin or little sin and that hypocrisy is very prevalent when the people who worry about homosexual behavior are themselves guilty of the other sins mentioned...enslavers, liars, perjurers,unholy and profane, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, the sexually immoral,who worship idols, or commit adultery,or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or that cheat people. The religious right wing of politics is filled with people who are guilty and would be condemned by the same list. I would also offer another old testament verse for all who insist on using it to bash people. Psalms 82:3- Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. In the case of the Duck people, can you please tell me who the weak or poor or oppressed is? I can assure you that it's not the wealthy family of television stars who use the bully pulpit to extract fame and fortune from their followers. Let's just be very careful before we condemn others and use any religion to further hatred or bigotry. The same excuses were made originally for slavery. There are at least 100 bible verses that deal with slavery and as just 1 example consider Titus 2:9-10- Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. In the same way that the church had to change on the issue of slavery and racism, it may also find itself at a similar crossroads with homosexuality. Only the future will tell.

The Southern Donkey 2013

The Clingers

46 years on this earth have taught me many life lessons. They have also allowed me to learn a great deal about myself as well as others. In many ways, I have transitioned from defending what I was taught religiously above the State, The Nation and the world to being open minded enough to realize that I'm incapable of having all of the answers. Politically, I made a sincere effort for some of my life to remain a neutral or independent observer but it simply became impossible to not choose a side when religion decided to incorporate with the republican party in the 80's. I found myself more and more often at odds with church people who agreed with Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell and everything the conservative political agenda had to offer. 

I have heard of religion or Christianity being referred to as a crutch and until recently, I really never fully got my mind wrapped around that analogy. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama endured lots of criticism after he mentioned how people in the rural and suburban areas find themselves frustrated and bitter with the political process and cling to their religion or guns as a result.To those who already hated that fact that a Black Man would dare run for the presidency, this was an obvious target to pin him as a secret Muslim who hated America and our "official" religion and God. It also feed the tenacious gun lobby and their mindless minions who wanted to believe that all Democrats would take away your guns. As I've pondered this statement for 5 years, I believe I have arrived at the true meaning of it...at least in my own mind.

Religion seems to be man's way of reaching up to God. Most religions are very similar in that each claims to have exclusive access to God, forgiveness of sins and access to a Heaven or afterlife. Each tries to encourage behavior that is moral and beneficial to our fellow human. Most also tend to offer a punishment for not observing the rules. Reflecting back on the crutch reference, I can't help but think of many Christians that I know and have come in contact with over the years. There are those who find it necessary to believe every word that proceeds from the lips of a pastor or what they have been told is in the bible. It's not so much a true belief system but rather an obedience out of fear and motivation. It appears that there are moral people in this world and people who struggle with these issues. Many are able to retain a moral structure only when there is a threat of eternal damnation hanging over their heads. Religion and morality are not synonymous and there are plenty of moral people who have absolutely no religion. I realize that this runs contrary to everything we have been taught but do you really believe that a Nation could be formed and grow without organization or rules or laws regardless of any religious institutions? The clingers are those who are unable to function on their own and be moral. It is the fear of a deity or punishment that binds them with fellow clingers and keeps them in check in their own lives and in the way that they treat others. It is this clinging mentality that is counted on and exploited by many churches and religious establishments. The clinging mentality enables church to become a business in which people are willing to do whatever they are told, pay whatever the dues should be and to take the leaders word as the gospel without even reading it for themselves. It's a self fulfilling prophecy and a system of guilt and greed. There is nothing wrong with having a belief system. There is no shame in loving a God figure and living your life in a moral way while helping others but when you can only function as a robot being programmed or out of a guilt complex, there are severe issues and they are found within yourself. We have been told about free will and the dangers of it but we are not encouraged to be free thinkers. True religion that is not corrupted by greed has nothing to fear from competition from science and institutions of higher learning. If the product is worthy, it will stand on it's own. Clinging to guns has taken on a life of it's own. The gun lobby and manufacturers of weapons as well as ammo have enjoyed never before seen prosperity on the strength of inducing fear. Fear that the President is going to outlaw guns and send thugs to our doors to collect them. The President doesn't make laws but he makes for a great Boogeyman because high society and racist people already despise him. There are many who know full well how afraid some are and have in many ways set up a new religion...the church of the gun brotherhood. New and bigger gun shops open daily and it's almost impossible to keep ammo on the shelves. Gun prices have never been higher. Here again, there's nothing wrong with having guns for protection or even hunting but when will you wake up and realize that you are being used for greed and profit? Hatred and fear are strong emotions and bind many together because nothing unites people like a common enemy. The things that you cling to will own your soul. Wouldn't it be better to be owned by your family or your desire to help others? A strong work ethic is also to be desired but if you gain an empty wallet and a feeling of moral superiority, what have you gained in the end? 

Think for yourself and be moral for yourself and stop being a puppet for others. Spend your money and time on the things that prophet your soul and not you fears. Believe in yourself and others and cling to your family and friends and not the things that make others wealthy. 

The Southern Donkey 

Choosing Sides

Dear Republicans,

Every day you are choosing sides and in almost every instance, you're making the wrong choice. Do you realize that when you support and implement strict anti abortion laws that you're choosing the side of the rapist and the incestuous family member over the victims of these violent acts? No matter how convinced you are on a personal level about abortion being wrong, it's never in God's plan to be raped or sexually assaulted. As a single issue voter, you have also fallen into the mindless mass of sheep that the Republican powers count on to do their bidding. The anti abortion laws are also in direct conflict with the law of the land. If you find yourself an "issues" voter, perhaps a quick visit to Romans 13 would be in order. Do you further realize what a complete farce it is to call yourself pro life and yet support war and the killing of thousands of innocent civilians? Pro life and pro war are competing and opposite agendas no matter how hard you want to believe the contrary. When your chosen leaders run on moderation and then do the complete opposite they become nothing more than deceitful liars. How can you support people who you can't trust and how can you trust people who are incapable of telling the truth? 

Immigration is another area that is being used and manipulated by the rich and powerful. Do you realize that as Christians, you are obligated to protect the stranger in our land?  Leviticus 19:33-34 as well as the other linked verses should make any religious person utterly ashamed for their hate and racism cloaked in what they have been told is patriotism. When you choose to be anti immigrant, you have sided with major corporations over the human rights of those who are used and abused in the name of cheap labor. Do you not also realize that supporting massive tax breaks for the wealthiest is in turn supporting the exportation of manufacturing from the US and into the hands of foreign Countries and inhumane labor policies and wages? Patriotism is supporting a living wage for Americans and making corporations pay more to send work abroad than to keep the goods and services in this Country. Patriotism is never using the force of the military to expand capitalism in the name of freedom. 

Finally, do you not understand that when you repeal and restrict the rights of others to vote that you choosing the side of the bully in the fight? In much the same way that people want to force Christianity into our politics and to force us to have a State sponsored religion, they also only want people voting who feel exactly the same as they do. Do you understand that allowing a State sponsored religion could some day mean that the National forced religion could change to a Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist or other type belief system that you would not support? Do you not realize that others might someday restrict your right to vote for the same reasons? Fairness means not always getting what you want and Democracy demands doing the will of the majority of the people and not just the wishes of the most elite or blessed among us. Health care reform is already working and will only improve the lives of the majority of Americans. When you speak of repealing, defunding or shutting down the Government to stop the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, you are choosing the side of big Pharma and the Giant Insurance Lords over the health and safety of your fellow Citizen. Smart choices always begin with being fully informed and not just doing what you are told. Make up your mind and exercise free will but do the due diligence required before jumping to conclusions or following blindly. 

The Southern Donkey Blog

The Kids are not Alright

What is easy to screw up and almost impossible to fix? The answer is children. While some find it hard to remember what it was like to be young, I remember it with blazing clarity. I come from a place with a strong mother and a father who poured himself into his work with addictive commitment. Our household was bathed in religion and filled with love. I eventually learned to form my own opinions and as my life has taken many turns, I have arrived at solid ground in my personal life. Along the path, many of my stops have involved working with youth groups and talking to kids. Below, are just a few experiences that I want to share.
David was a kid in one of my youth groups. He was raised in a broken home by a mom who often exercised poor judgement, especially with men. I took a large group of kids on a retreat and as we sat around very late one night, David began to talk. He shared that he was aware that some people considered him to be crazy and he wanted to explain what makes him the way he is. He reflected back to a time when he lived in a trailer with his mom and she had started dating a guy who wasn't very good. Although he was only 12, he tried to tell his mom that she could do much better. His mom ignored his warning and as he came home from school one day, this same guy had his mom pinned against a table in the kitchen and was yelling at her and slapping her. He went in and pulled the abuser off his mom. As a reward, the guy hit David and went back after his mom. David remembered going to his bedroom and getting a baseball bat and returning to the kitchen. He admits to blacking out as he went after the man who was hurting his mom but he also said that when he snapped back to reality, the guy was out of the house and his mom was safe. He recalled that he determined in his mind that nobody would ever be able to hurt him again (physically) and as he looked over to me...he said, and they haven't. He apologized to the other kids in the room if he had ever been rude or mean to them. Later, there was a time when a kid ran into the room where we were working with the kids and said that David was about to get into a fight outside with another kid in our group. As I arrived on the scene, the two of them were nose to nose. I ended up squeezing between them and as David said he wasn't going to back down, I said well I guess we''ll all have to fight then because you gotta swing through me to get to him. I watched as David's hard heart began to break and a tiny teardrop formed. We went from the edge of a free for all to a life changing event in an instant. David began to change and to trust people again and my last interaction with him was his announcement that he was going to be a father. I'm not sure how the story of David has unfolded since that time but one thing I've learned is that it's easy to screw a kid up but nearly impossible to repair one. All stories are not as dramatic as David's but there are tons of others to choose from. When you become a parent, doesn't it make sense to at least take care of your kids and to love them? If you want to take an only child and make them believe that the world revolves around them, you have every right to do so but they will be in for a rude awakening when real life sets in. If you insist on playing the game of favorites among your offspring, I can promise that you will set the entire group up for a lifetime of insecurity and comparisons. If you deny your kids the love and affection that they deserve, they will spend their entire lives in an empty pursuit of it. There's nothing worse than watching grown children gathered around the bed of a dying parent who has been hard, indifferent or abusive to them. The emotions wash through their faces as they flip though feelings of guilt and regret. If you're a parent, don't be lazy with your caring, conservative with your emotions or too prideful to be humble. It's never to late to start over if you've failed but the journey back is a long one.