A blog post at Christianity Today suggests that Evangelicals should reevaluate the moral legacy of Margaret Sanger. Rather than judge her as a founder of abortion front group Planner Parenthood, ethicists are urged to also consider the good that has accrued as a result of families not conceiving more children than they could afford. But in light of the millions that have been aborted as a result of her movement, isn't that akin to extolling Hitler for his appreciation of Germanic culture and efficient railroads.
Isn’t “Dancing With The Stars” fostering heteronormative stereotypes by partnering NFL washout Michael Sam with a woman rather than a man? Interesting how those insisting upon how broadminded they are in regards to fundamental human relationships cling to bigotry and prejudice when it comes to superfluous entertainment.
The local town paper is certainly a propaganda sheet. I've lived here 41 years and don't recognize the hamlet described. The editor laments of his friends living in a Virginia townhouse development over a year and yet to have met any neighbors. He assures things are not that way in his city where two neighbors introduced themselves before he was able to step into his domicile. The editor ruminates that his is because this community is rooted in compassion that accounts for the town's sticking power where some residents remain for decades. Let me assure you, most that have been here that long are here because they don't really have anywhere else to go. I guess it was this community spirit that prompted my neighbors (ironically the only two I know by name as I doubt it was the Mexicans) that turned me in about cats two years ago.
It's fascinating how a town can sprout up along a railroad over the course of a century and once the beatnik hipsters designate it as a hovel that they are drawn to for some inexplicable reason that the railroad is supposed to come to a screeching halt.
On The Slap, given the way the urchin is behaving in light of his beatnik parents, you will almost find yourself cheering that someone backhands the brat.
In a sermon, is was suggested that one should not say ouch upon receiving a bodily injury but instead “Praise the Lord”. But is the saying of “ouch” a curse against God or rather a psycho-biological reflex created by the Lord as a mechanism for dealing with pain? And even if you condition yourself to verbalize “Praise the Lord” rather than the more generic “ouch”, are you really praising the Lord or merely covering over one reflex with another conditioned response. If so, how does this differ from the “Oh God” most Christians would consider a violation of the commandment against using the name of the Lord in vain? Are we really required to wear our religion on our sleeve to this extent?
Starbucks is threatening to berate and harass customers regarding their views on race. Should I decide to frequent such an establishment, I am there only to procure the advertised product. I am not there for social indoctrination. Operating in a free market system, an establishment can propagate any message it desires. However, the establishment should not be outraged should customers decide to take their business elsewhere. Interestingly, the same ones likely applauding this effort on the part of Starbucks would insist that Chick Fillet ought not be allowed a similar opportunity to promote causes cherished by corporate management.
Mitt Romney is scheduled to take on Evander Holyfield in a charity boxing match. Shouldn't this be condemned as an example of civilization's decline as was categorized Fox celebrity boxing featuring bouts between Barry Williams of the Brady Bunch and Danny Bonaduce of the Partridge Family and between Tonya Harding and Paula Jones?
In reading a response to Vice President Biden's remarks that those in orange would not be welcome at a St. Patrick's celebration (in essence insinuating no Protestant's allowed), WMAL broadcaster Larry O'Connor did so in an Irish accent. Will he read similar remarks from Middle Eastern leaders sounding like Apu from the Simpson's? Will he sound like Speedy Gonzalez when reading remarks attributed to an Hispanic individual? When conveying quotes uttered pertaining to developments in Ferguson, maybe he can imitate Mush Mouth from Fat Albert.
PCUSA churches have voted to authorize gay marriage. Hopefully, that will be the proverbial straw that breaks the back of that denomination with any solid believers in that denomination withdrawing their congregations to join more theologically solid ecclesiastical organizations.
The PCUSA is announcing an alteration in the denomination's official policy by recognizing marriage as a relationship between two people. What a bigoted and hate-filled definition. One can speculate how long that standard will last. Who are ethicists to limit love in relation to other species, artificial intelligences, or inanimate objects?
Hydrogen cars are being touted for that fuel's low emissions. I am sure that would be a comfort to the victims of the Hidenburg.
The April 2014 issue of The Atlantic asked a panel whom they thought was the most influential teen in history. Harvey Cox missed what should have been a grand slam for someone that professes to be a Christian theologian. The Harvard professor went with David when the shepherd lad slew Goliath. But shouldn't this honor have been extended to Mary and perhaps even Joseph? We are, after all, approaching the Easter season.
Regarding a local arts organization, the acting director said in the community newspaper, “Our role is to serve the community and not everyone is coming into out doors.” Maybe not everyone likes the arts. Furthermore, perhaps others enjoy the arts but don't like it when these forms of expression are utilized to promote leftwing causes.
So regarding this mandatory voting: will the Amish and Jehovah's Witnesses be punished also if they are negligent in exercising their franchise?
Larry O’Connor of WMAL exuberantly gushed that he was honored to have African Americans in his listening audience. Will similar praise be lavished upon European Americans, referred to in common parlance as White folks?
Of the seven siblings that died in a New York fire, fuss is being made that they were Orthodox Jews. Would careful delineation of their ethnic and religious backgrounds been announced if they were ordinary White Protestants? If the fire was the result of their religious practices, the incident certainly serves as a warning as to the dangers posed by a religion based upon works.
If you leave your hot plate on overnight because you can't turn it on during the Sabbath, that's not religious devotion. That's just outright stupidity.
In a commercial for housing loans for veterans, it is said that character is more important than credit scores. However, often a credit score is a reflection of character. So if we are to automatically assume that veterans possess good character, does that include Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols?
The White House held a science fair. Did President Obama stroll among the projects, bluntly reminding the young contestants that, despite their effort and hard work, “Hey, you didn’t build that.” The purpose of the event was to highlight the role of women in science. But does the objective experimental methodology take into account whether the researcher possesses a penis or a vagina?
Ted Cruz enunciated an exquisite vision at his Liberty University campaign kickoff. Thing is, if elected will he implement any of it?
Pundit Charles Krauthammer does not find Ted Cruz qualified to be President as a first term senator. Using a similar standard, on what grounds is Krauthammer qualified to determine whom is qualified to hold elected office given that Krauthammer himself has never held elected office?
Would conservatives having little issue with students forced by campus administrators to attend the Liberty University Ted Cruz campaign rally be as amicable regarding a school forcing students to endure a similar ideological assault on behalf of leftwing candidates such as Obama or Hillary?
Minions from the Obama regime denounced the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. I am not really a proponent of secession. However, applying this logic, does Obama intend to denounce Union occupation of the Confederacy? And while we are at it, if self determination is to be elevated to the highest priority, why aren't Christian bakers allowed to determine for themselves whether or not they will bake gay wedding cakes? If the President is such an enthusiast for self determination, why does he allow interference in jurisdictions that have already settled through plebiscite the issue of gay marriage?
It was said in a sermon on ordination that one denomination required seminary, an internship and 13 examinations before bestowing this ecclesiastical status. What is to stop people from just forming their own churches and ministries in order to sidestep so many hoops? You might not be allowed to minister through that particular church. However, salvation is granted through belief in the risen Christ, not through compliance with a particular regulatory body. As such, it cannot be revoked if you set to preaching on your own or pursue ordination through a ministry that is not as stringent in terms of its requirements.
A Lutheran pastor discussing who is your neighbor criticized monastics for neglecting their vocations intended by God by attempting to select for themselves whom their neighbors would be. But unless one possesses the omniscience of God, how does one not know that it wasn't God drawing these individuals together for the purposes of ministering to one another? Furthermore, how would those holding to this criticism apply it to our own day? Would a church forbid someone from moving from moving from an undesirable area because doing so would be an attempt to leave the situation in which God has placed you? The minister arguing for this position made it sound like one's opportunities in life are divinely circumscribed by the COMMUNITY in which one happens to find oneself. As such, would it be a violation of God's will to marry someone that does not happen to be from one's own hometown?
A Lutheran pastor discussing who is your neighbor remarked that the Christian ought to be careful of going beyond those God has placed the believer among in the attempt to discover one's purpose. But what if those you find yourself among hinder you in the pursuit of actualizing what one believes to be one's vocation or from exercising the spiritual gifts one believes with which one has been granted to achieve this potential calling?
Frederick Meekins is an independent theologian and social critic. Frederick holds a BS in Political Science/History, a MA in Apologetics/Christian Philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a PhD. in Christian Apologetics from Newburgh Theological Seminary.
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