Today’s Thursday Thought quote is an important, yet basic, message from three of the world’s great religious leaders.
Tag Archive for Jesus
Feeding the 5000: a Slightly Irreverent Cartoon
You don’t have to be a Bible-reader to appreciate this cartoon about modern times.
A Different Look at “Merry Christmas”
Christmas is a time of peace, yet it’s the time when people get upset, insulted, outraged, and argumentative about two words. Yes, we’re into the debate of “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.” The priest in this video takes an approach (which I heartily agree with) that the Reason for the Season Himself would probably take. It’s something to consider before we start issuing the greeting in question to everyone we meet.
Jesus and Topless Dancers
I’m going to be slightly irreverent today. Read no farther if that bothers you.
I read about a pastor in Ohio whose church is near a topless establishment. He organized his parishioners to carry protest signs, take down licence plate numbers of the bar’s patrons, yell out hell-fire warning to customers, and call the topless dancers whores, prostitutes, and worse. His reasoning for this was that he takes seriously his duty to see that the “Gospel of Christ is lifted up.”
That sent me to my Bible, which I’m already quite familiar with. I especially looked at the words attributed to Jesus Christ. Nowhere do I see Him preaching against toplessness. Going back to before His time, it isn’t even in the 10 Commandments.
What I do see, though, is His teaching about tolerance and love. Even if these women were prostitutes, Jesus was known to forgive them, showing them love and support; He didn’t call them names, harass them, or condemn them.
That pastor and I have very different Bibles, as well as views on Christ’s teachings.
Gay Marriage: Leviticus Loses
An upset to the Christian world. That’s what the Supreme Court delivered today with its decisions on DOMA and Prop. 8. Lucky for the Supremes, they just had to decide on Constitutionality. The religious debate is a quagmire, sucking some into Hell, others into righteousness, and divorce lawyers into more money as homosexual couples embrace divorce.
The problem comes between the Old Testament and the New. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. clearly and vehemently state that homosexuality (therefore gay marriage) is BAD, BAD, BAD. In the New Testament, Paul is obviously no fan of it, either. But Jesus–the New Law–had His chance and blew it. He kept preaching love for one another (no, not in that way)–His main message was love. When cornered, yes, he referred to Adam and Eve, when answering a question about divorce in Matt. 19. And He touched on adultery, fornication, and sexual immorality (without details). I know that He admitted that He didn’t have time to teach people everything they needed to know (enter the Holy Spirit for that job). I just wish He had been clearer and more definite about homosexuality/gay marriage so that we didn’t have to depend on our own interpretations of passages to prove whatever side we’re on.
Jesus was Insignificant
Jesus is neither historical nor influential. According to Google. That’s what they said when asked why they posted a picture of Caesar Chavez yesterday rather than an Easter-related picture. I guess they have no historians at their office who would take note that the man Jesus really did live and created quite a stir in history. Historians, including those from major religions (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.) AND agnostics and atheists agree that Jesus has influenced millions of people. Not just people interested in him as part of their religion, but as a great teacher and example for promoting the ideas of peace and human beings caring for one another. Ask Gandhi! But don’t ask Google.