This is reposted from the following article:
Vandals Glue Locks on Church Doors Shut
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — You could call it a stick-up of a different kind. Vandals put glue in the locks of several churches in Philadelphia’s Tacony and Mayfair sections, making it difficult for parishoners to get inside for Sunday services.
At least eight churches of various denominations were targeted on and near Tyson Avenue.
In some cases, the vandals broke off keys inside locks.
Worshippers at one church used a drill to get their doors open. At another church, a member brought a blow torch from home.
Pastor Arthur Johnson says his Tacony Baptist Church was among those affected. He calls it “really comical.” He says the “devil is trying to tell us we are doing something right for the Lord.”
Lt. Frank Vanore says police are investigating. No arrests have been made.
Since I have been on a morality kick lately, I’m going to take issue with Pastor Arthur Johnson’s response to the vandalism. This was the perfect opportunity for Pastor Johnson to address issues of vandalism within the constructs of his Christian-based morality. He could have addressed the abuse of public property. He could have shown that vandalism is not the best way to address differences of opinion. He could have even referenced turning the other cheek to show that his congregation can easily side-step this type of abuse. There were a hundred things that he could have been quoted in saying, that would have raised opinions on faith-based morality. Instead, Pastor Johnson decided to play on the mystical ideas of good and evil and show that he and his congregation were stronger than the “devil” and truly followers of Christ.
Within our societies, things like vandalism should never be written off as “really comical.” Whether this was a bunch of crazy kids wanting to have a bit of dangerous fun, a truly vindictive, anti-religious gang, or just a random act of vandalism, the time should be taken to address the issues that it raises, so that all of society can benefit from awareness raised and lessons learned.
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Sex scandal hits Atlanta-area megachurch.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071119/ap_on_re_us/preacher_paternity
This is just a little bit more proof that accepting Jesus Christ as your lord and savior and receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit, don’t actually change your mind, heart, or actions, but give you the ability to scapegoat your misdeeds towards the heavens, embracing hopeful forgiveness while never truly forming a strong, universal morality.
I’m starting to think that Christians don’t really believe in the existence of hell, or at least have tricked themselves into believing that they are immune to their own imaginary punishments. I know so many in the ranks of the faithful (even those in the high orders of the church) that keep their “sins” and transgressions quietly hidden away in the secret places of their personal lives, yet still feel as though they uphold a holy and righteous morality. If your god is omnipotent and almighty, do you really think that your charlatanism is going to be overlooked?
Why live a life constantly beating yourself over the head with commandments and principles of an ancient sect of desert wanderers? Do you really need an external supervisor praising and condemning your every thought and action? We are not children anymore. We don’t need holy parental figures. We need to realize that our actions have consequences, but not of eternal judgment towards paradise or damnation. Our actions have very real, physical consequences that can invite suffering into our lives and the lives of others.
It’s well past the time to stop using religion and faith as an excuse for personal imperfection. It’s well past time to stop using religion and faith, period.
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Imagine you’re an atheist. I know, how in the world could you imagine that you are an evil, child molesting, money laundering, denying closet homosexual, drug addict!?! Wait, I didn’t say imagine you are the leader of a Christian mega-church! I said imagine you’re an atheist! Now that we’re on the same page, let’s take this imagination a bit further. Pretend that you’re engaged in a discussion on the origins of biological life, the influence of religion on these ideas and their role in modern society… with a Christian apologist. Personally I have found myself actively taking part in this type of imaginary scenario, inside of reality, over and over again in the past few months, and well, it was to be expected… Atheism is hot right now! They gave me my atheism free with the purchase of a sweet new LaCoste polo shirt!
Usually what is going to take place in this type of discourse, is something like the following:
Christian Apologist: “Amen, hallelujah, amen, holy God, blippity-boo-bah, halleholyamenallujah, my God is good, my God is great, my God is a Godly God and no other god is God except my God, named God, God, God, God, you should capitalize God, cause it’s his name, his almighty name, he poofed everything into existence you know, sure did, poof, poof, love, God, love-love, holy love, God.”
Atheist: “Well, while I’m sure you personally benefit greatly from your faith, there is just no evidence to support that biological life was created into existence by an intelligent supernatural higher being. Do you have evidence for this belief?”
Christian Apologist: “Bybel sayz it! Holy God words!”
Atheist: “Yes, but the bible is a religious text of your faith, built on metaphorical and allegorical superstitions passed down from ancient Judaism into the formation of Christianity. This isn’t a reliable source of evidence because it requires belief in the presence of supernatural entities / forces and holds no foundation for scientific testing to establish tangible proof.”
Christian Apologist: “But, isn’t Banana designed to fit hand of man? World so mysterious! World so big! World kinda scary! Me no afraid though! Me blessed and me go to heaven when die. Where you go? Maybe you wrong with snobby nose science! Maybe you wrong, maybe you WRONG! Where you go if wrong? Huh? Huh? Just agree! You go to heaven too!”
Atheist: “Well, I’m not really concerned with heaven and hell right now, I’m talking about the establishment of the origins of biological life, defined by your religion and its place in realistic, rational thought. Can you show me any evidence that a supernatural, intelligent entity, such as your god exists?”
Christian Apologist: “You no capitalize God! *cough* (clears throat) Excuse me, brother. I deeply, and truly care about you and I too have had my share of doubts and moments of rebellion within my faith. I have even doubted the existence of God at times in my life. Let me assure you, my friend, that my faith is not unfounded. Christianity is a defensible faith, that stands up to scrutiny and investigation. Have you ever read any of the books authored by Lee Strobel including: The Case For Christ, The Case For A Creator and The Case For Faith? These texts transformed the faith in my mind and have given me a solid foundation of evidence for the existence of not only my God, but his creative powers as well.”
Atheist: “Well, sure, I’ve read Strobel’s books. Have you ever read any of the critiques of his works? Paul Doland does a nice job of reviewing the ideas of The Case For Faith and The Case For A Creator. Jeff Lowder also does well at addressing Strobel’s tactics and arguments with a critical eye. These texts are available freely online! It’s always a good idea to review the critical analysis of any text that might lead you to certain conclusions about your personal beliefs, so that you’re not misled by pseudo-answers that look good on the surface, but really have no true consistency.”
Christian Apologist: “But Strobel is a former atheist, who found his faith through the investigation of scienaharoalaaaaghaaaaarrrlll…….. U no know that science work! U no know that God not real! Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Pascal’s Wager, Pascal’s Wager, Prime Mover, Irreducible Complexity, grunt, grunt, grunt! U burn in HELL!”
If you haven’t experienced a conversation like this one, I can assure you, this is how it goes every time! If they don’t use Strobel, they will usually default to something via “Way of the Master.” Whatever the tactic used, it is good to remember that the apologist you are talking to believes in mystical forces and entities that exist in another plane or dimension that can manipulate the laws of physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics in order to “wah-lah” things into being. There is not and will never be proof for magic beyond smoke and mirrors; well, smoke and mirrors and a bazillion people in “agreement” (denominational sectarianism) who can’t seem to function with a moral security inside of society without depending on a father-figure construct that watches over their minds and actions, making a naughty & nice list. Speaking of Santa, one more month until X-mas! Woo presents! Thanks Jeebus!
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Are you tired of piling into your 4-cylinder, commuter-class, compact sedan to drive to church every Sunday, while your church leaders zoom overhead in private jets?
Getting sick of praying over the Sunday afternoon family lunch and simultaneously wondering how you’re going to keep it under $40 as bloated-bellied reverends and ministers feast down the road at your town’s most lavish steak house?
Do your lab-created pearls pale in comparison to the glistening diamonds adorning the fingers, neck and ears of your pastor’s wife?
Ever wonder why the toilets in the church bathrooms can’t quite seem to flush all the way, but your checking account keeps swirling down, more and more ferociously into the offering plate?
Take heed church-going proletariat! The wheels of change are being greased! We are one step closer to exposing the holy-bourgeois in ascetic clothing (well, metaphorical clothing that is)!
Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa has begun an inquiry into the financial records of 6 televangelist ministries, claiming tax-exempt status as charitable organizations. You can view Senator Grassley’s letters of inquiry at the following links.
1) Randy & Paula White - Without Walls International Church
2) Benny Hinn - Benny Hinn Ministries
3) David & Joyce Meyer - Joyce Meyer Ministries
4) Bishop Eddie L. Long - New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
5) Creflo & Taffi Dollar - World Changers Church International
6) Kenneth & Gloria Copeland - Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Senator Grassley has stated that once answers and data have been received from these ministries, the results could prompt investigations into other ministries as well.
I applaud the Senate finance committee for going forward with this type of investigation. It has been a long time coming!
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