I have spent a lot of time in church. I grew up in the Catholic Church, I was confirmed, (John, in case you're wondering,) and after I left the Catholic Church at 15, I started attending again at age 20, but I got into Evangelical religion, specifically the charismatic/pentecostal movement... I became quite passionate about religion, and I began to minister in churches in Northeast Arkansas. I used to attend a church in a little town called Pocahontas, (true story) and I ministered occasionally on Wednesdays, and sometimes on Sunday nights. I also ministered in Walnut Ridge, AR, at Sister Becky's church, I guess that's where I "got my start." We had pieces of plywood covering the holes in the floor of this dilapidated shack owned by another preacher that charged an absolutely outrageous price for this dump, somewhere around $500 a month(extortion!).
So, I was thinking about the times that I have been on the platform, speaking, disseminating the knowledge that I had, the points that I had studied in the scriptures, points that I had spent agonizing hours of prayer and fasting to ensure I was tuned in...
The point is, at no time did I ever think my own life could have been in danger as a result of my personal beliefs. (Believe me, at the end of my preaching run, I was beginning to focus solely on reform in the church I attended and almost no one was interested in that.)
Again, at no time was I ever concerned about some whacko stepping into the church and open firing because of my personal beliefs, my politics, etc...hell I preached on January 15, 1991 the day my precious daughter was born, and the day the U.N. prepared the way for the invasion of Iraq the first time, which began just a few short hours later-shout out to my precious New Year Baby! I also had a key my pastor, Bro. Grey gave me, and I made it a habit to go to the church an hour or so before work to meditate and gather my thoughts for the day.
Which is why I find it so disturbing that this doctor, Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in church, where he served as a deacon, and as I understand it, his wife was in the choir at the time of his murder.
I have been involved with Fundamentalist Christianity for more than 20 years. I can say decisively, that although most will not admit it publicly, most will say this "baby killer" this "murderer" got exactly what he deserved.
This is not the first time a right wing terrorist invaded a church (remember Jim Adkisson, Knoxville TN? My family and I lived in Knoxville, he said he did it to kill liberals) and it will not be the last. We will see a trend. The "Christians" (in truth the "Anti-Christians") have gone nuts, and they celebrate killing in the name of God.
This is what concerns me most about the right wing and the Republican Party: they will kill if necessary, and they will do it in the name of God. Does anyone else see a connection between Islamic extremism and Right Wing, Republican extremism? I know you do.
The right wing and the Republican Party are completely responsible for this man's murder, this act of terror. They kill and hate and murder in the name of God, and they are too fucking lazy to get off their asses and approach the legal practice of abortion legally, and make changes to the law.
Let me reiterate and expand: The right wing, Fundamentalist Christianity, and the Republican Party are absolutely responsible for this man's murder.
It is time for systemic change in the United States.
Peace-
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
WASILLA HILLBILLIES AT IT AGAIN; THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THE SECOND FAMILY?
While downing a protein shake this morning and working on my abs, I came across the article below. I'm glad this made the news. It is nice to see that some news gathering organizations cannot be strong armed into burying stories about prominent politicians family members that violate the law and people's civil rights...learn from this, Jonesboro Sun.
Palin sister-in-law accused of breaking into home
By RACHEL D'ORO – 1 day ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Police say Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's sister-in-law is accused of breaking into the same home twice to steal money.
Deputy Wasilla Police Chief Greg Wood says 35-year-old Diana Palin was arrested Thursday after she was confronted by the homeowner in the governor's hometown of Wasilla. She faces two counts of felony burglary and misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and theft.
Wood says tire tracks and shoe prints tied Palin to another break-in Tuesday in which $400 was taken. Police have not tied Palin to another burglary at the home last week.
Governor spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton says Palin is the half sister of the governor's husband and the family has no comment.
Diana Palin's husband says his wife has a court-appointed attorney.
Sarah Palin and her extended family could have been the Second Family of the United States, if the Right Wing would have prevailed in the past election. This again shows the complete lack of intelligence and integrity of the right, especially the Christian Right.
Tying an individual like Diana Palin to the Governor and linking the two would seem unfair to some as Diana Palin is 35 (and should know better) and responsible for her own behavior. Sarah Palin can't control what her husband's sister does.
I agree with part of that, Palin can't control what her sister in law does any more than she can control what her daughters do (apparently.)
But let me put this idea out there to chew on: After watching Sarah Palin in the campaign season, and seeing the lack of intellectual curiosity, learning her brand of Christianity (and recognizing it for what it is) and the bumbling way she, as well as her staff and family conducted themselves during the campaign, the lies from Palin, with the bible in her hand and scripture in her mouth (next to the bullshit) I believe, after thoughtful consideration, that this is how they conduct themselves as a family.
Allow me to elaborate: This is just how they do things. It is not abnormal behavior for any of them. This is just how they, and others like them, conduct themselves in their day to day walk of life. They lie, they cheat, they rob, they steal, they harm, and on Sunday they go to Church. They blame almost everyone else for their misfortunes and use religion to justify bad behavior, invoking God and vowing to pray for you while they are calling you a nigger, or trying to break into your home to kill you, or wishing harm on your child, good stuff like, "I hope your kid gets hit by a bus."
Heard that last little gem before, actually that was in an email from my son's Uncle, Mrs. Searcher's brother. (Actually, I have experienced all of the above.) Real classy relatives Mrs. Searcher has. Mrs. Searcher embodies class, intelligence, beauty and smarts. There is no way in hell she is the product of her mother and the person that gave her her maiden name. That is not meant to disrespect her mother, may she rest in peace. It does, however, reflect her good judgement. I will forever maintain that as truth.
Work to ensure Palin stays in Alaska, and continue to shine light on the right, especially the christians.
Onward!
Palin sister-in-law accused of breaking into home
By RACHEL D'ORO – 1 day ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Police say Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's sister-in-law is accused of breaking into the same home twice to steal money.
Deputy Wasilla Police Chief Greg Wood says 35-year-old Diana Palin was arrested Thursday after she was confronted by the homeowner in the governor's hometown of Wasilla. She faces two counts of felony burglary and misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and theft.
Wood says tire tracks and shoe prints tied Palin to another break-in Tuesday in which $400 was taken. Police have not tied Palin to another burglary at the home last week.
Governor spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton says Palin is the half sister of the governor's husband and the family has no comment.
Diana Palin's husband says his wife has a court-appointed attorney.
Sarah Palin and her extended family could have been the Second Family of the United States, if the Right Wing would have prevailed in the past election. This again shows the complete lack of intelligence and integrity of the right, especially the Christian Right.
Tying an individual like Diana Palin to the Governor and linking the two would seem unfair to some as Diana Palin is 35 (and should know better) and responsible for her own behavior. Sarah Palin can't control what her husband's sister does.
I agree with part of that, Palin can't control what her sister in law does any more than she can control what her daughters do (apparently.)
But let me put this idea out there to chew on: After watching Sarah Palin in the campaign season, and seeing the lack of intellectual curiosity, learning her brand of Christianity (and recognizing it for what it is) and the bumbling way she, as well as her staff and family conducted themselves during the campaign, the lies from Palin, with the bible in her hand and scripture in her mouth (next to the bullshit) I believe, after thoughtful consideration, that this is how they conduct themselves as a family.
Allow me to elaborate: This is just how they do things. It is not abnormal behavior for any of them. This is just how they, and others like them, conduct themselves in their day to day walk of life. They lie, they cheat, they rob, they steal, they harm, and on Sunday they go to Church. They blame almost everyone else for their misfortunes and use religion to justify bad behavior, invoking God and vowing to pray for you while they are calling you a nigger, or trying to break into your home to kill you, or wishing harm on your child, good stuff like, "I hope your kid gets hit by a bus."
Heard that last little gem before, actually that was in an email from my son's Uncle, Mrs. Searcher's brother. (Actually, I have experienced all of the above.) Real classy relatives Mrs. Searcher has. Mrs. Searcher embodies class, intelligence, beauty and smarts. There is no way in hell she is the product of her mother and the person that gave her her maiden name. That is not meant to disrespect her mother, may she rest in peace. It does, however, reflect her good judgement. I will forever maintain that as truth.
Back to Plain and her Alaska (arkansas) family:
These aren't your run of the mill trailer park rednecks; these are rednecks with money and real power in the state in which they live.
This combination is especially dangerous because with money and influence real damage can be done to people's lives, often with little or no consequence. There are some common threads running through these types people and their families:
1. Parent or sibling is in an elected position, or one of influence in business.
2. Family has established ties, generational in the area.
-Family attends prominent church in town, one or more teaches Sunday school or is a deacon, etc. Highly likely that one or more are involved in extra-marital affairs.
3. History of legal issues, not necessarily prosecutions or charges, but a history of lawlessness, and an inherent belief of being above the law. I have noticed this especially with children of elected officials, especially ones that have been in office for an extended period of time. Oh, say 22 years or so...I also think that this is mostly learned by watching the parent/sibling fuck around and manipulate the law and people.
4. History of legal issues covered up, not reported, paid off, etc.
5. As a result of little or no consequence, lawlessness escalates until behavior is
so out of control it cannot be ignored any longer, unfortunately, this is often
after a violent crime such as assault that is severe enough to be reported, burglary, rape, murder, etc. I
Work to ensure Palin stays in Alaska, and continue to shine light on the right, especially the christians.
Onward!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE COCK IN HAND SYNDROME
I caught this vid on FunnyOrDie:
We need systemic change in the United States...
Peace-
Mike
LUKJ
UPDATE: The video isn't working, so here is the link...
UPDATE2: I redid it so maybe it'll work now.
See more Adam "Ghost Panther" McKay videos at Funny or Die
We need systemic change in the United States...
Peace-
Mike
LUKJ
UPDATE: The video isn't working, so here is the link...
UPDATE2: I redid it so maybe it'll work now.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Hurricanes, Barracudas, and Christianity
I'm watching CNN. The weather report is regarding Hurricane Ike that is about to slam into Cuba. It is already hitting Haiti, I think, and is on its way to Cuba. Haiti just got through dealing with Gustav that created quite a bit of damage and death.
Watching the footage of people fleeing to higher ground in Haiti, I am struck by the living conditions between Haiti and the U.S.
Enter a memory triggered.
When I went to a church much like Sarah Palin goes to currently, I remember the Pastor talking about Haiti and the extreme poverty there.
He taught along the lines of generational curses. Generational curses have become popular in the charismatic churches, the teaching basically goes like this: At some point in your (insert either family, country, wife's family), history, someone did something that God didn't like and a curse was place on your family, but it is laid at your feet: you allowed a Demon in and it has total influence over your mind and actions. According to their doctrine, a demon now has control over your family and that grip of demonic power has to be broken. Usually by a pastor or someone in the hierarchy of the church, or by direction, a large group of people will gather around you and lay hands on you and begin to scream "rebukes to the Devil". It is a good way of keeping the gullible attending.
So to sum it up, regarding Haiti, at some point in its history, some people went to the top of a mountain in Haiti and sacrificed a pig to the devil and that is why Haiti has so many problems. The congregants were instructed to pray and break that generational curse against the island and it's people, to break the demonic hold on the island.
Of course, (in the minds of the congregants), the oppression on the island has nothing to do with greater world powers exploiting and oppressing the people, and it certainly would have nothing to do with Anglo America.
One of the frightening things about a lot of these people in the right-wing Evangelical movement is their lack of education, their fear of others, and their closed minds. As well as their guns.
On the other hand, I know considerable amounts of people in these churches with advanced degrees and money but are just as gullible and xenophobic as their less educated counterparts, whom they look down on,(and the less educated envy the other and so on and on it goes.)
It goes farther. This generational curse crap is also used to explain why people in the US of African decent are poor and oppressed. It is taught that the oppression is spiritual rather than physical, that is by whites or the white government, and in order to prosper like the so-called mainstream you must accept Jesus, you must be baptized, you must interpret the Bible as it is taught by X,Y,Z church.
Blacks in the US, it is taught in these churches, have curses placed upon them because of their ancestors in Africa practicing their native religion. In other words, they are DESTINED, according to evangelicals, for poverty, strife, sickness and disease because of what their fore-people practiced spiritually, despite the christian doctrine and Jesus preaching that believing on him would set you free. It is a ploy to divide, oppress, and dominate. As well as create fear among people that "This could happen to you." It plays into long-simmering racial feuds as well as other issues.
This is another example of oppressive Christianity, (not Jesus' Christianity) as well as the ridiculous nonsense of pre-destination, or pre-ordaining of a certain people, usually white Anglo right-wing christians. Again. This is NOTHING like the real teachings of Jesus.
As time goes by I am going to search my past to articulate what I learned in these right-wing evangelical churches. Their doctrines are largely the same, and they are quite radical. Senator John McCain NOT Candidate McCain said it right when he called them (evangelicals) the "Agents of Intolerance". This is who Sarah Palin is in regards to her religion. I am well versed in the cult like hold the evangelicals have on their followers, and I know how easy it is for the same to ostracize, humiliate, embarrass, or punish individuals for perceived transgressions, or violation of their dress codes, etc.
Keep Palin out of the White House!
Watching the footage of people fleeing to higher ground in Haiti, I am struck by the living conditions between Haiti and the U.S.
Enter a memory triggered.
When I went to a church much like Sarah Palin goes to currently, I remember the Pastor talking about Haiti and the extreme poverty there.
He taught along the lines of generational curses. Generational curses have become popular in the charismatic churches, the teaching basically goes like this: At some point in your (insert either family, country, wife's family), history, someone did something that God didn't like and a curse was place on your family, but it is laid at your feet: you allowed a Demon in and it has total influence over your mind and actions. According to their doctrine, a demon now has control over your family and that grip of demonic power has to be broken. Usually by a pastor or someone in the hierarchy of the church, or by direction, a large group of people will gather around you and lay hands on you and begin to scream "rebukes to the Devil". It is a good way of keeping the gullible attending.
So to sum it up, regarding Haiti, at some point in its history, some people went to the top of a mountain in Haiti and sacrificed a pig to the devil and that is why Haiti has so many problems. The congregants were instructed to pray and break that generational curse against the island and it's people, to break the demonic hold on the island.
Of course, (in the minds of the congregants), the oppression on the island has nothing to do with greater world powers exploiting and oppressing the people, and it certainly would have nothing to do with Anglo America.
One of the frightening things about a lot of these people in the right-wing Evangelical movement is their lack of education, their fear of others, and their closed minds. As well as their guns.
On the other hand, I know considerable amounts of people in these churches with advanced degrees and money but are just as gullible and xenophobic as their less educated counterparts, whom they look down on,(and the less educated envy the other and so on and on it goes.)
It goes farther. This generational curse crap is also used to explain why people in the US of African decent are poor and oppressed. It is taught that the oppression is spiritual rather than physical, that is by whites or the white government, and in order to prosper like the so-called mainstream you must accept Jesus, you must be baptized, you must interpret the Bible as it is taught by X,Y,Z church.
Blacks in the US, it is taught in these churches, have curses placed upon them because of their ancestors in Africa practicing their native religion. In other words, they are DESTINED, according to evangelicals, for poverty, strife, sickness and disease because of what their fore-people practiced spiritually, despite the christian doctrine and Jesus preaching that believing on him would set you free. It is a ploy to divide, oppress, and dominate. As well as create fear among people that "This could happen to you." It plays into long-simmering racial feuds as well as other issues.
This is another example of oppressive Christianity, (not Jesus' Christianity) as well as the ridiculous nonsense of pre-destination, or pre-ordaining of a certain people, usually white Anglo right-wing christians. Again. This is NOTHING like the real teachings of Jesus.
As time goes by I am going to search my past to articulate what I learned in these right-wing evangelical churches. Their doctrines are largely the same, and they are quite radical. Senator John McCain NOT Candidate McCain said it right when he called them (evangelicals) the "Agents of Intolerance". This is who Sarah Palin is in regards to her religion. I am well versed in the cult like hold the evangelicals have on their followers, and I know how easy it is for the same to ostracize, humiliate, embarrass, or punish individuals for perceived transgressions, or violation of their dress codes, etc.
Keep Palin out of the White House!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
PEOPLE TALKING WAR
http://http//www.mg.co.za/article/2008-06-25-guards-say-us-to-face-tragedy-if-it-hits-iran
The above link is to an article in The Guardian. I shudder at the thought of nations talking of war with Iran. I read an article the other day that described the EU tightening sanctions against Iran. At the begining of Bush's Presidency I supported him in the drum beats to war with Iraq. Of course, I believed what the government told me about WMD in Iraq, and they had me convinced that it was a good idea.
But this idea of going to war with Iran is crazy. Haven't we lost enough children in the war with Iraq? Must we make war upon every country that we disagree with? Look at the ticker on the right side of my blog. This is the number of Iraqis dead, that is dead-never coming back. Never. Babies whose lives are over because the US government was hell bent on taking down Saddam. George Bush in particular, but the VP is to blame, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz...just to name a few.
And now Bush is talking war with Iran, using some 0f the same rhetoric he used to go to war with Iraq. Making comments like, "the choice is theirs" and the like. Treating a sovereign nation as though they were children. I think it would be a terrible mistake if we launched a war against Iran currently, and the thought of getting into a ground war with Iran is out there as well.
We have to think about the issues at home rather than continue to feed the ravenous war machine that the "war on terror" has created. The war profiteers are champing at the bit to get into Iran, it would mean billions more for their companies. Billions more funded by the Federal government. Money that could be better spent on education, health and the welfare of the people.
It is time to put and end to this madness.
Surely George Bush doesn't have enough time left in his term to actually get us into a full war with Iran.
The above link is to an article in The Guardian. I shudder at the thought of nations talking of war with Iran. I read an article the other day that described the EU tightening sanctions against Iran. At the begining of Bush's Presidency I supported him in the drum beats to war with Iraq. Of course, I believed what the government told me about WMD in Iraq, and they had me convinced that it was a good idea.
But this idea of going to war with Iran is crazy. Haven't we lost enough children in the war with Iraq? Must we make war upon every country that we disagree with? Look at the ticker on the right side of my blog. This is the number of Iraqis dead, that is dead-never coming back. Never. Babies whose lives are over because the US government was hell bent on taking down Saddam. George Bush in particular, but the VP is to blame, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz...just to name a few.
And now Bush is talking war with Iran, using some 0f the same rhetoric he used to go to war with Iraq. Making comments like, "the choice is theirs" and the like. Treating a sovereign nation as though they were children. I think it would be a terrible mistake if we launched a war against Iran currently, and the thought of getting into a ground war with Iran is out there as well.
We have to think about the issues at home rather than continue to feed the ravenous war machine that the "war on terror" has created. The war profiteers are champing at the bit to get into Iran, it would mean billions more for their companies. Billions more funded by the Federal government. Money that could be better spent on education, health and the welfare of the people.
It is time to put and end to this madness.
Surely George Bush doesn't have enough time left in his term to actually get us into a full war with Iran.
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