I remember as a child in grade school, we had decorated boxes on our desks to receive valentines from the other kids. Our parents bought us packet of card to write names of our classmate and drop them into the boxes. We gave every child a card, boy or girl. As we got older the Valentine became more sophisticated and personal. But all of them asked one question, "Will you be my Valentine?" Each was an expression of love.
Aw, love, that is the subject. The question has been asked, what is love. I have heard many replies to this question. Most referred to the affection of one gender toward the other. (Let me digress here a little to say that the satisfying a sexual desire is not LOVE!). The Bible talks of three kinds of love.
The first is the word "phileo", from which the word Philadelphia comes, and means a brotherly kind of love. This would be the bond of close friendship. When in college, I had a roommate that was especially close. We would be together as often as possible. If I needed any thing that he could help me with, he would. I would do the same for him. We had a close bond, not sexual, but close friends. Another, close friend contacted me recently, after many long years. He let me know that he has cancer. I love those guys. My heart rejoices when I hear from them, and my heart aches to know that one has cancer. He lost his wife a year ago. This is a love for our fellow man. If we do not have this kind of love, we truly miss something.
The second word is "Eros", from which we get the word erotic. This is the attraction of one gender to the other. This is a physical love, and a love that is not to be abased. This word was so perverted that it is not used in the New Testament. This kind of love is reserved to a husband and wife. This kind of love is forbidden outside of marriage.
The third is the word "agape" which is a self-sacrificial love. This is the kind of love God has for us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." Some have rightly said that agape love is a God love. Only God can give us this kind of love. This is the ultimate love that God desire that each of us would have for Him. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love (agape) me?" Peter answers, "Lord, you know I love (phileo) you." This was asked three times. Oh, how Jesus would have loved to receive the answer - I phileo you!
This is the kind of love that compels us to tell others of Jesus. In Revelation 2, the letter to Ephesus Jesus tell the church that they lost their first love. They were doing good things, the church attendance was good, and it seemed that all was well, but they had lost their zeal for Jesus. We need to regain the love for others about Jesus, but this will not happen unless we regain our agape love for Him. It is our love for Jesus that drives us to obey His command to "Go and make disciples...."
This Valentine's day and every day, lets reclaim our first love!!!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year's Journey - What to Take
A New Year is dawning for each of us. To some this doesn't seem to be a big deal. Some it is a fresh beginning. We may or may not look forward to a new year, but there it is looming right in front of us. Many of us think of it as just another day; another year. Others look forward with anticipation. I, for one have always considered it a "same-oh, same-oh". That is until recently as I began to reflect on the past few years and saw that each year brought changes to my life.
Each year was different than the last. Last year there were those that are no longer in my life (that is on this earth). I have been to more doctors, had more illnesses. There is less hair on my head and those that are there are more gray. My body does not react to what my brain tells it to do ( I can not do what I used to do and what I would like to do). My brain does not function as it used to. The political world is ever changing, some to the good and some to the worse. I think, mostly to the worse, (but that is my opinion). The morals are deteriorating before our eyes. Each of the past years were different than the last, yes, it is a new journey.
I began to think of the new year as a journey I am to take. What lay ahead of me I really have no idea. I remember that when Joshua began to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, God told him that the way ahead was where they had traveled before. “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” It is certainly advisable to follow God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. These are not something to take,They are to be followed. They are there all the time. We just need to follow them. God has a plan for your life, Jesus gives us the way to fulfill this plan and the Holy Spirit helps us to follow the plan. If we follow them, the way will be better and more rewarding.
When we begin a trip that we have not traveled before, we want to know what to take. I have a few thoughts along these lines. They are as follows:
First, you need God's Word,(the Bible). God's Word gives us a sense of direction. The Psalmist said that he would - hide the word of God in his heart in order that he would not sin against God. He would make it a lamp unto his feet. The Bible tells us that we can be cleansed of our unrighteousness by the washing of His Word. The word of God helps us to have the right perspective on life. Paul tells Timothy, For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths." Jesus used the word of God to dispel Satan's temptations. To be on the right path, we need to read the Bible and follow the truths. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
Second, take along a prayer life. Prayer is the most powerful weapon, beside the Bible, that we have available to us. Prayer is the way we reach God Himself. Jesus says that whatsoever we ask in His name, God will grant. In prayer we ask the Holy Spirit to protect us from the wiles of Satan. In prayer we give praise to the Father. In prayer we intercede for the lost. In prayer we intercede for the sick. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous person avails much. A Christian needs to be in prayer constantly to stay in touch with God. Paul tells us to pray unceasingly.
Third, I say to take along your church family. It our church family that gives us support. We can take our problems and prayer concerns to them. God's word tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. If you don't belong to a Bible believing and Bible teaching church, find one and become involved. It will bless greatly.
There are other things to take with you, but time does not allow. I believe that if you take these you will find the others are already there. Paul says that in you journey, press toward the high calling of God. Holiness!!
Happy New Year and may God bless each and every one of you.
Each year was different than the last. Last year there were those that are no longer in my life (that is on this earth). I have been to more doctors, had more illnesses. There is less hair on my head and those that are there are more gray. My body does not react to what my brain tells it to do ( I can not do what I used to do and what I would like to do). My brain does not function as it used to. The political world is ever changing, some to the good and some to the worse. I think, mostly to the worse, (but that is my opinion). The morals are deteriorating before our eyes. Each of the past years were different than the last, yes, it is a new journey.
I began to think of the new year as a journey I am to take. What lay ahead of me I really have no idea. I remember that when Joshua began to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, God told him that the way ahead was where they had traveled before. “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” It is certainly advisable to follow God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. These are not something to take,They are to be followed. They are there all the time. We just need to follow them. God has a plan for your life, Jesus gives us the way to fulfill this plan and the Holy Spirit helps us to follow the plan. If we follow them, the way will be better and more rewarding.
When we begin a trip that we have not traveled before, we want to know what to take. I have a few thoughts along these lines. They are as follows:
First, you need God's Word,(the Bible). God's Word gives us a sense of direction. The Psalmist said that he would - hide the word of God in his heart in order that he would not sin against God. He would make it a lamp unto his feet. The Bible tells us that we can be cleansed of our unrighteousness by the washing of His Word. The word of God helps us to have the right perspective on life. Paul tells Timothy, For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths." Jesus used the word of God to dispel Satan's temptations. To be on the right path, we need to read the Bible and follow the truths. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
Second, take along a prayer life. Prayer is the most powerful weapon, beside the Bible, that we have available to us. Prayer is the way we reach God Himself. Jesus says that whatsoever we ask in His name, God will grant. In prayer we ask the Holy Spirit to protect us from the wiles of Satan. In prayer we give praise to the Father. In prayer we intercede for the lost. In prayer we intercede for the sick. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous person avails much. A Christian needs to be in prayer constantly to stay in touch with God. Paul tells us to pray unceasingly.
Third, I say to take along your church family. It our church family that gives us support. We can take our problems and prayer concerns to them. God's word tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. If you don't belong to a Bible believing and Bible teaching church, find one and become involved. It will bless greatly.
There are other things to take with you, but time does not allow. I believe that if you take these you will find the others are already there. Paul says that in you journey, press toward the high calling of God. Holiness!!
Happy New Year and may God bless each and every one of you.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
After Thoughts
It has been a while since the shootings, the media is still talking about it and so are others. There has been numerous blogs and comments about the why. A number of people have asked, "Where was God?" Many have tried to answer that question. I think the best answer I have heard is that He was at the same place He was when His child was killed.
There has been much speculation as to the remedy to these kinds of situations. Some, maybe most, think that gun control is the answer. Some think that armed guard are the answer. There are other ideas out there I am sure, I just haven't heard all of them yet. I don't have the answer, nor am I writing to give an answer. I just want to make some observations.
I have lived in this world for a few years now, and have seen many changes. Some were good and some were not so good. I remember as a child, the churches in the communities had a better attendance than now. Of course, they were not as full as the preacher would like for them to be, but there were more than now. I remember that people, even those that did not claim to be "religious" had respect for the church and those that tried to live their lives according to the teachings.
I remember in School, we stood every morning and said the pledge to the Flag of the United States. We, the students, stood at attention with our hand over our hearts. Not a single one of us would talk or move about, we had respect for that flag. Not because the flag was sacred, but that it stood for the country that we loved. I don't ever remember knowing a person that did not respect our country. Of course there were probably some, I just didn't know them. Then there would be a prayer said by on of the students. This was even said over the loud speakers where all could hear. Also, I remember in school we had respect for our teachers. I don't mean we liked all of them, but we had respect for them. We were taught that by our parents. I remember my dad saying that if we got into trouble in school we would be in trouble at home. I know by experience that he meant it. When I was in school, and a teacher called our parents, our parents did not take our side and chew out the teacher. I think you can guess what would happen then.
I remember our home life. I suppose mine was a normal on, and I realize that not all were this way. We certainly were taught to respect our parents and all other adults. We would say, yes sir, no sir etc. We were taught not to interrupt someone when talking. We took our hats off in the house, and especially at meals. We were at home when we were supposed to be. At home is where we learned good manners and to respect others.
In those years, I don't remember any mass shootings in schools, churches or other places like these. We were not afraid to walk in the evenings after dark. We were not afraid to sit in the car waiting on our parent while they shopped. We didn't even roll up the windows in the summertime. There are many other things, but not enough time to mention them all.
These thing are not true today. What happened?
There has been much speculation as to the remedy to these kinds of situations. Some, maybe most, think that gun control is the answer. Some think that armed guard are the answer. There are other ideas out there I am sure, I just haven't heard all of them yet. I don't have the answer, nor am I writing to give an answer. I just want to make some observations.
I have lived in this world for a few years now, and have seen many changes. Some were good and some were not so good. I remember as a child, the churches in the communities had a better attendance than now. Of course, they were not as full as the preacher would like for them to be, but there were more than now. I remember that people, even those that did not claim to be "religious" had respect for the church and those that tried to live their lives according to the teachings.
I remember in School, we stood every morning and said the pledge to the Flag of the United States. We, the students, stood at attention with our hand over our hearts. Not a single one of us would talk or move about, we had respect for that flag. Not because the flag was sacred, but that it stood for the country that we loved. I don't ever remember knowing a person that did not respect our country. Of course there were probably some, I just didn't know them. Then there would be a prayer said by on of the students. This was even said over the loud speakers where all could hear. Also, I remember in school we had respect for our teachers. I don't mean we liked all of them, but we had respect for them. We were taught that by our parents. I remember my dad saying that if we got into trouble in school we would be in trouble at home. I know by experience that he meant it. When I was in school, and a teacher called our parents, our parents did not take our side and chew out the teacher. I think you can guess what would happen then.
I remember our home life. I suppose mine was a normal on, and I realize that not all were this way. We certainly were taught to respect our parents and all other adults. We would say, yes sir, no sir etc. We were taught not to interrupt someone when talking. We took our hats off in the house, and especially at meals. We were at home when we were supposed to be. At home is where we learned good manners and to respect others.
In those years, I don't remember any mass shootings in schools, churches or other places like these. We were not afraid to walk in the evenings after dark. We were not afraid to sit in the car waiting on our parent while they shopped. We didn't even roll up the windows in the summertime. There are many other things, but not enough time to mention them all.
These thing are not true today. What happened?
Sunday, December 16, 2012
I'm Baaaaack
Several years ago, my wife and I had a food booth at the Tri-State Fair in Amarillo, Texas. Our main item was elephant ears, a yeast dough that was rolled or pressed out and deep fried and then powdered with powdered sugar. We also had German sausage on a stick, sausage sandwiches, nachos, limeades, and soft drinks. We did this for about 20+ years. It was really a lot of fun until we got to old to keep up with all the long hours. We would start about 9 am and close around 12 pm, then two hours to clean up.
The carnival was directly behind our booth. ever so often I had (or took the time) to wander around the ground to check out our competition to see their products and prices. Many time I would look at the exhibits and different show (free ones of course). There was one particular attraction that really caught my attention, I would go to see it every chance I got (which was usually once a day).
This was a dunking booth where people would pay good money to throw balls at a target in order to dunk this clown in a tank of water. Simple enough, huh. There was one hitch, the clown was really irritating. He would insult the clients, calling them names, telling them how ugly or fat they were, how lousy a thrower they were, on and on. Nothing was off limits. Some would just laugh at him, but a lot would get so angry, they would spend a great deal of money to dunk him. Of course, they would be so angry, they could throw straight. This was his objective.
When he took a break or left for the evening, I wondered if he had to have a escort from the premises or not. He would climb back on his platform returning to work after the break or the next day. After he got settled on the platform, in a high shrill, irritating voice shout "I'm Baaaaaack". The games were on.
Well I hope I am no irritating when I say I'm baaaaack. It has been a little over a year since my last blog. I had someone ask why I wasn't writing anymore. I wasn't sure that anyone was reading my blogs and this is hard work, trying to find new and interesting things to say. This person assured me that he read them and even was now checking to see if I had written.
Well I am not an educated, nor smooth author. I don't have many original thoughts (after all every thing I know I learned from someone else). The Bible even says that there is nothing new under the sun. I do try to write using my own interpretation in my own words. Some may sound like the word of others, but some of us think the same thought. I am not sure how often I will write but will try at least once a month. The key word is try.
So if you read my blog, I would really like for you to comment on it so I will know if anyone is reading. You may or may not agree with me, I may even make some upset with me, but that is o.k., comment and let me know.
If you don't agree with me, you have the right to be wrong if you want. (lol)
May you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Several years ago, my wife and I had a food booth at the Tri-State Fair in Amarillo, Texas. Our main item was elephant ears, a yeast dough that was rolled or pressed out and deep fried and then powdered with powdered sugar. We also had German sausage on a stick, sausage sandwiches, nachos, limeades, and soft drinks. We did this for about 20+ years. It was really a lot of fun until we got to old to keep up with all the long hours. We would start about 9 am and close around 12 pm, then two hours to clean up.
The carnival was directly behind our booth. ever so often I had (or took the time) to wander around the ground to check out our competition to see their products and prices. Many time I would look at the exhibits and different show (free ones of course). There was one particular attraction that really caught my attention, I would go to see it every chance I got (which was usually once a day).
This was a dunking booth where people would pay good money to throw balls at a target in order to dunk this clown in a tank of water. Simple enough, huh. There was one hitch, the clown was really irritating. He would insult the clients, calling them names, telling them how ugly or fat they were, how lousy a thrower they were, on and on. Nothing was off limits. Some would just laugh at him, but a lot would get so angry, they would spend a great deal of money to dunk him. Of course, they would be so angry, they could throw straight. This was his objective.
When he took a break or left for the evening, I wondered if he had to have a escort from the premises or not. He would climb back on his platform returning to work after the break or the next day. After he got settled on the platform, in a high shrill, irritating voice shout "I'm Baaaaaack". The games were on.
Well I hope I am no irritating when I say I'm baaaaack. It has been a little over a year since my last blog. I had someone ask why I wasn't writing anymore. I wasn't sure that anyone was reading my blogs and this is hard work, trying to find new and interesting things to say. This person assured me that he read them and even was now checking to see if I had written.
Well I am not an educated, nor smooth author. I don't have many original thoughts (after all every thing I know I learned from someone else). The Bible even says that there is nothing new under the sun. I do try to write using my own interpretation in my own words. Some may sound like the word of others, but some of us think the same thought. I am not sure how often I will write but will try at least once a month. The key word is try.
So if you read my blog, I would really like for you to comment on it so I will know if anyone is reading. You may or may not agree with me, I may even make some upset with me, but that is o.k., comment and let me know.
If you don't agree with me, you have the right to be wrong if you want. (lol)
May you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Monday, August 29, 2011
Collateral Damage or What is the collateral for U.S. loans?
When I buy somethng on credit, I have to put up something for collateral. This is the way the business world works. Several years ago I could go to my bank and ask for a loan and I could get it on my word alone. Oner day this all changed, I asked my banker for a small loan and he gave me an application to fill out. I reminded him I had done busines for years without an application. Times have changed, very few can borrow without some kind of collateral.
I began to wonder, with over 10 trillion dollars borrowed from other countries and world banks, what does our government use as collateral. I searche the net and found several answers. Most seem to think that we borrow with just our promise to pay. I think this is naieve.
We are over $10 trillion dollars in debt and we think we can borrow on our word. This is almost more than we can pay now. I wonder how hard my banker would laugh if I would ask to borrow on my word if I owed him more that a million dollars. He would think I was absurd. There has to be something he could reposess to recover his money. These countries and world bank are no different. Want to know what we put up for collateral? Just read the article below. You won't have to read far to understand the situation our country is in! Just click on the link.
http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/Whitsett_CollatralizingOurNationalDebt041709.htm
If you read the article, remember this is a US Senator. Not someone who does not know what is going on. He is not naieve! Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and let them know how you feel about this. Remind the represerntative that the word "representative" means they are to represent you and the people, not their own interest!!
Our American soil is at stake. If our creditors were to call in our note, they would own a portion of our nation larger than the state of Texas. How freightening!!
It's time to take our nation back!!!!!!!
I began to wonder, with over 10 trillion dollars borrowed from other countries and world banks, what does our government use as collateral. I searche the net and found several answers. Most seem to think that we borrow with just our promise to pay. I think this is naieve.
We are over $10 trillion dollars in debt and we think we can borrow on our word. This is almost more than we can pay now. I wonder how hard my banker would laugh if I would ask to borrow on my word if I owed him more that a million dollars. He would think I was absurd. There has to be something he could reposess to recover his money. These countries and world bank are no different. Want to know what we put up for collateral? Just read the article below. You won't have to read far to understand the situation our country is in! Just click on the link.
http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/Whitsett_CollatralizingOurNationalDebt041709.htm
If you read the article, remember this is a US Senator. Not someone who does not know what is going on. He is not naieve! Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and let them know how you feel about this. Remind the represerntative that the word "representative" means they are to represent you and the people, not their own interest!!
Our American soil is at stake. If our creditors were to call in our note, they would own a portion of our nation larger than the state of Texas. How freightening!!
It's time to take our nation back!!!!!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Social Security
Aug. 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act. This act was made to provide a retirement for those above the age of 65 yrs. The first taxes collected for this law was Jan. 1937, that was 74 years ago. The law said that the taxes were to be in an "Old Age Account" and to be invested in such investments that drew no less than 3% per annum. This was the act of 1935. If this was invested in such a fund and was placed in a trust, where is the money today.
Assuming that the fund were in a trust and kept up with the markets, there would be plenty to take care of the needs today. That is if it were paid out as outlined. But, there is no money in this account! If there were President Obama could not threaten to hold the Social Security check if we couldn't borrow the money to do so. Where is the trust fund designed to pay these funds? They aren't there! Why? Because our government, that is supposed to look out for our interest, spent it for other things. The government has been spending the money as it came in!
If the politicians had done the job they were elected to do, there would not be a shortage of funds. This money was spent on the stimulus, roads, EPA, defense, etc. (This statement is taken from and article by Craig Steiner entitled "The Truth About Social Security")
There are other reasons that I see as a default to this system. These are called entitlement programs, be paid out to those entitled. Who is entitled, according the the original act, those who earned a wage, the poor, disabled etc. that were U.S. citizens. It is hard to build a fund if it is spent on those that do not contribute.
The solution to the problem, is to elect officials from the President, congress etc that will own up to the problem and reform the system to do what it was designed to do. It would do us well to examine the canidates and email, write or call and let them what we expect.
Assuming that the fund were in a trust and kept up with the markets, there would be plenty to take care of the needs today. That is if it were paid out as outlined. But, there is no money in this account! If there were President Obama could not threaten to hold the Social Security check if we couldn't borrow the money to do so. Where is the trust fund designed to pay these funds? They aren't there! Why? Because our government, that is supposed to look out for our interest, spent it for other things. The government has been spending the money as it came in!
If the politicians had done the job they were elected to do, there would not be a shortage of funds. This money was spent on the stimulus, roads, EPA, defense, etc. (This statement is taken from and article by Craig Steiner entitled "The Truth About Social Security")
There are other reasons that I see as a default to this system. These are called entitlement programs, be paid out to those entitled. Who is entitled, according the the original act, those who earned a wage, the poor, disabled etc. that were U.S. citizens. It is hard to build a fund if it is spent on those that do not contribute.
The solution to the problem, is to elect officials from the President, congress etc that will own up to the problem and reform the system to do what it was designed to do. It would do us well to examine the canidates and email, write or call and let them what we expect.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Blaming God for Mostly Man-Made Problems
I read the following article in a publication I receive. I want to share it with you, I think this is a very important read!
God is not doing very well these days. Here are four reasons. The first is that increasingly large numbers of men and women attend university, and Western universities have become essentially secular (and leftist) seminaries. Just as the agenda of traditional Christian and Jewish seminaries is to produce religious Christians and religious Jews, the agenda of Western universities is to produce (left-wing) secularists. The difference is that Christian and Jewish seminaries are honest about their agenda, while the universities still claim they have neither a secularist nor a political agenda.
The more university education a person receives, the more he is likely to hold secular and left-wing views. The secular left argues that this correlation is due to the fact that a college graduate knows more and thinks more clearly and therfore gravitates leftward and toward secularism. But if you believe that the average college graduate is a clear and knowledgeable thinker as a result of his or her time at univesity, I have more than one bridge to sell you.
A radio talk show host for 29 years, I long ago began asking callers who made foolish comments what graduate scool they had attended. It takes higher education to learn to believe that America and Israel are villians, that men and women have essentially the same natures, that human nature is good, that ever larger governments create wealth, etc.
A second reason God is not doing well among Westerners these days is that many members of the Jewish and Christian clergy decided that their primary role was not to advocate their religion's moral and religious standards, but rather (1) to make congregates comfortable ("Don't call me "Pastor" [or "Rabbi" or "Father"], call me Jerry) and (2) to promulgate the values they learned at their secular left-wing universities.
A third reason God is not dong well is that most of the men and women who are products of this secular left-wing education (meaning a large majority of Westen men and women) are theologically, intellectually, and emotionally ill prepared to deal with all the unjust suffering in the world. I will never forget a Swedish pastor's reaction to the 1994 capsizing of the Estonia, a ferry that sank in the Baltic between Estonia and Sweden, leaving 852 passengers and crew dead. He said he could not believe in a God who allowed such injustice to take place.
This pastor spoke for a vast numbers of modern Western men and women. The existance of so much unjust suffering in the world has strongly contributed to their rejecting belief in God. And undoubtedly, the devastation caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami has further reinforced many individuals' rejection of God.
Of course, none of us has a fully coherent solution to the problem of theodicy. But the problem is not exactly new - every great religion has dealt with it, and most of the brilliant minds in history retained their faith in God despite all the unjust suffering they saw.
The difference today is that life has been so good for most Westerners that suffering is no longer regarded as part of life, but as an aberration that can be done away with. Meanwhile, the liberal wings of Christianity and Judaism are too influenced by secularism to make an effective religious case for God, whom the religious left has largely rendered a celestial buddy.
The fourth reason is Islamic violence and the tepid response to it by the liberal churches and synagogues. It would seem pretty clear that a major, albeit almost never acknowledged, reason for the huge audiences for recent books advocating atheism has been the massive amount of evil in God's name committed by radical Muslims. Nothing creates atheism as much as evil done in God's name.
That is why the pathetically weak responses from within the mainstream- i.e., liberal - Christianity, and Judaism have only added to the contempt for God and religion shown by beheadings and suicide bombing in Allah's name. The liberal christian and Jewish responses have been to attack fellow Christians and Jews who have focused on Isalamist terror. Instead of drawing attention to the damage radical Islam does to the name of God, liberal Christians and Jews focus their anger on co-religionists who do speak out on this issue and label them "Islamophobes."
That God is not doing well in the Western world may trouble God. But it is we humans who should be most troubled. the moral, intellectual, artistic, and demographic decline in Western Europe (people in secular countries don't even have the will to reproduce themselves) is only gaining momentum. And the consequernces of that decline will be far more devastationg than all the earthquakes that may come our way.
--Dennis Prager, Washington Times, Apr. 11, 2011, p. 32
God is not doing very well these days. Here are four reasons. The first is that increasingly large numbers of men and women attend university, and Western universities have become essentially secular (and leftist) seminaries. Just as the agenda of traditional Christian and Jewish seminaries is to produce religious Christians and religious Jews, the agenda of Western universities is to produce (left-wing) secularists. The difference is that Christian and Jewish seminaries are honest about their agenda, while the universities still claim they have neither a secularist nor a political agenda.
The more university education a person receives, the more he is likely to hold secular and left-wing views. The secular left argues that this correlation is due to the fact that a college graduate knows more and thinks more clearly and therfore gravitates leftward and toward secularism. But if you believe that the average college graduate is a clear and knowledgeable thinker as a result of his or her time at univesity, I have more than one bridge to sell you.
A radio talk show host for 29 years, I long ago began asking callers who made foolish comments what graduate scool they had attended. It takes higher education to learn to believe that America and Israel are villians, that men and women have essentially the same natures, that human nature is good, that ever larger governments create wealth, etc.
A second reason God is not doing well among Westerners these days is that many members of the Jewish and Christian clergy decided that their primary role was not to advocate their religion's moral and religious standards, but rather (1) to make congregates comfortable ("Don't call me "Pastor" [or "Rabbi" or "Father"], call me Jerry) and (2) to promulgate the values they learned at their secular left-wing universities.
A third reason God is not dong well is that most of the men and women who are products of this secular left-wing education (meaning a large majority of Westen men and women) are theologically, intellectually, and emotionally ill prepared to deal with all the unjust suffering in the world. I will never forget a Swedish pastor's reaction to the 1994 capsizing of the Estonia, a ferry that sank in the Baltic between Estonia and Sweden, leaving 852 passengers and crew dead. He said he could not believe in a God who allowed such injustice to take place.
This pastor spoke for a vast numbers of modern Western men and women. The existance of so much unjust suffering in the world has strongly contributed to their rejecting belief in God. And undoubtedly, the devastation caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami has further reinforced many individuals' rejection of God.
Of course, none of us has a fully coherent solution to the problem of theodicy. But the problem is not exactly new - every great religion has dealt with it, and most of the brilliant minds in history retained their faith in God despite all the unjust suffering they saw.
The difference today is that life has been so good for most Westerners that suffering is no longer regarded as part of life, but as an aberration that can be done away with. Meanwhile, the liberal wings of Christianity and Judaism are too influenced by secularism to make an effective religious case for God, whom the religious left has largely rendered a celestial buddy.
The fourth reason is Islamic violence and the tepid response to it by the liberal churches and synagogues. It would seem pretty clear that a major, albeit almost never acknowledged, reason for the huge audiences for recent books advocating atheism has been the massive amount of evil in God's name committed by radical Muslims. Nothing creates atheism as much as evil done in God's name.
That is why the pathetically weak responses from within the mainstream- i.e., liberal - Christianity, and Judaism have only added to the contempt for God and religion shown by beheadings and suicide bombing in Allah's name. The liberal christian and Jewish responses have been to attack fellow Christians and Jews who have focused on Isalamist terror. Instead of drawing attention to the damage radical Islam does to the name of God, liberal Christians and Jews focus their anger on co-religionists who do speak out on this issue and label them "Islamophobes."
That God is not doing well in the Western world may trouble God. But it is we humans who should be most troubled. the moral, intellectual, artistic, and demographic decline in Western Europe (people in secular countries don't even have the will to reproduce themselves) is only gaining momentum. And the consequernces of that decline will be far more devastationg than all the earthquakes that may come our way.
--Dennis Prager, Washington Times, Apr. 11, 2011, p. 32
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)