Christian Socialism.

Once we have seen the diabolical nature of rock music and much of our popular culture we emerge into a minefield of competing interests.

The main players in this arena are Fundamentalism and Orthodoxy.

They are the strongest and most aggressive.

They will try to force you to accept their authority over you and you will lose your freedom and your psychological independence.

But these are false prophets.

They represent the conservative establishment which is the modern equivalent of the Pharisees.

And it is no coincidence that their allies are the corporate plutocrats because as the dominant power in the world they are the modern equivalent of the Romans. 

But there is an alternative. 

Progressive Christianity is a modern, intelligent, liberal religion that does not expect you to check out your intellect at the door.  

It is a form of Christian Socialism.

Now any mention of Liberalism or Socialism will encounter screams of Satan from the Fundamentalists.

This is because they associate any left-wing political philosophy with Godless Communism which is the devil himself to many American Christians.

By default they think that Capitalism and wealth are signs of God's favor.

But this is Mammon - the worship of money - not the worship of God.

John the Baptist and the early Christians practised a form of Socialism that is seldom mentioned in church.

Mary's Magnificat lauds the downfall of the mighty and the uplifting of the humble poor.

This echoes the Old Testament prophets who advocated for the poor, the destitute, and the alien.

This is God's true manifesto.

So don't be fooled or forced into accepting conservative control.

Progressive Christianity is a form of Christian Socialism.

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Heartless Threats.

Despite what some in the Church may tell you gay men and lesbians will not go to hell.  

Bigotry and prejudice thinly disguised as moral superiority is no longer credible.

As for extremists making statements on behalf of Christians they don't have the authority or the right to spread hate in the name of Jesus Christ.

And if we criticize their statements about homosexuals we are not persecuting them.  

It is our right to oppose their views and inform the public that there are other Christians who accept and affirm gay people.

So do not take their heartless threats to heart.

Gay men and women will go to Heaven.

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Viceland.

The latest Satanic curse is Viceland.

This is designed to corrupt you. 

And it is no coincidence that it contains Satanic rock shows and cartoons.

These are vehicles for Satanism in our world.

If you watch it you are being poisoned and cursed.

Turn it off.

And turn to the goodness of God. 

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Asceticism.

 

It is clear that St. Paul retained some of the Asceticism that he learned in the strict sect of Pharisees in which he was trained.

Asceticism in the ancient world taught that abstinence from sex was necessary for spiritual development.

And this influence can be seen in Paul's writings.

But Jesus said, "'For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, "He has a demon"; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"  Luke 7:33,34 (NRSV)

This indicates that John the Baptist was an Ascetic.

But Jesus himself is definite in his statement that he is not.

This is consistent with the scriptural assertion that the Way of Love which Jesus taught is greater than the Way of Asceticism or Self-Denial.

John the Baptist himself says, "'I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.'" John 1:27 (NRSV)

This inferior way survives as the Christian tradition of mortification of the body.

But this practice derives from the writings of St. Paul not the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus way is the Way of Love.

He did not practise or recommend Asceticism.

So Paul's writings about the body and sex, including his condemnation of homosexuality, can be dismissed because they are not consistent with the Way of Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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Fear.

Fear makes people do strange things.

Fear makes people attack (fight).

Fear makes people flee (flight).

Fear makes people use violence and force (war).

Fear makes people hate.

Fear makes people hard and cold.

Fear makes people anxious and irritable.

Fear inspires avarice.

Fear engenders jealousy.

Fear triggers anger and revenge.

We learn fear as children.

And we bring it to our adult lives.

Until we find love.

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Invested.

It is clear that those older people who have remained in the Church have invested their lives in good works.

The Way of Good Works which leads to Heaven and avoids hell was the standard teaching of the Church.

So it is no surprise that they have internalized it.

But the new teachings of Progressive Christianity maintain that the Way of Love is greater than the Way of Good Works.

And this is confirmed by scripture.

But the older generation are so firmly entrenched in the Way of Good Works that they will try to tell you you are wrong.

Their fear of hell is too great.

It is not for me to deny them their place in Heaven.

But I will not be diverted from the Way of Love.

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A Community Dinner.

Something that could be done to counteract racism in our society is a community dinner.

Families from each of the ethnic groups in our society - Chinese, Indian, Arabic, Israeli, Italian, Greek - could be invited to join us in a communal dinner. 

Australians could help to warm the hearts of those who feel left out in the cold.

This is true multi-culturalism.

If we can find a place for each of them in our hearts we may be able to make for them a true home.

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Emotionalism.

Emotionalism is not Spirituality.

Although Spirituality may elicit an emotional response Emotionalism is not the same as Spirituality.

Many modern Churches use Emotionalism in their worship using music and emotive language to manipulate their participants.

But this is not Spirituality.

Spirituality is calm, peaceful, and joyful.

Real Spiritual experiences leave you tranquil and positive.

Many people confuse love and emotion.

But love is not an emotion. 

Love is a unique experience that is neither mental nor emotional.

Love is something that we feel in our hearts.

And spiritual experience is all about love.

So don't be fooled by preachers who prey on your emotions.

The chances are they are not the real thing.

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Fear.

What is it that makes people corrupt themselves and conspire with evil?

Contrary to popular belief that it is greed and lust for power I believe that it is fear.

Fear that if they act honestly they will lose out.

Fear that without cheating they will fail.

Fear that good won't succeed.

Fear that truthfulness is foolishness.

Fear of failure.

Fear of poverty.

And it is no coincidence that the generation which designed this disaster is the generation who were born during the Great Depression.

The unconscious fear created in small children during the Depression is the cause of their cynical corruption.

And their allies in Generation X have inherited that economic fear and added a fascination with evil.

They dance with the devil and they side with Satan.

All fed by rock music and reality T.V..

But the darkness has reached its limit.

The pendulum has begun to swing back.

The older generation is dying.

And the younger generation - the Millennials - is good.

Their activism is waking up the Baby-Boomers.

And their politics is left-wing.

But our enemy is not other generations. 

Our enemy is fear.

The only way to defeat evil is to address the fear that created it.

Once that fear is gone evil simply disappears.

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The Enemy.

Our enemy is not a person or an organization.

Our enemy is not any being - supernatural or otherwise.

Our enemy is fear.

God's Love takes away our fear.

Our fear of each other, even our fear of ourselves.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Love even your enemies.

Then there will be one world and one Family of God.

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(The image has been slightly modified.)

Love.

Love is the universal panacea.

Love makes us happy.

Love makes us warm and friendly.

Love makes peace.

Love inspires sacrifice.

Love engenders respect.

Love shows mercy.

Love leads us to the other.

Love helps.

Love cares.

Love banishes fear.

And the more love we give away the more love there is to give.

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Spring!

Spring!

And the blossom trees

Flower in abundance.

A warm glow

Fills the air.

And the bees 

Are busy in the garden.

The calls of the birds

Make melodious music.

And we venture out once again

In the sunshine. 

Photo Credit: Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Peace.

"Too long have I had my dwelling 

   among those who hate peace.

I am for peace, 

   but when I speak, 

   they are for war."   Psalm 120:6,7 (NRSV)

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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