Category: theology
Sorry, but I AM better than you…
Written by Troglodad
Friday, 09 July 2010 08:57
1 Comment

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,"-Declaration of Independance, Contental Congress, July 4, 1776

" The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools." -Proverbs 26:7

So which is it? Are we all equals, or aren't we?

On the one hand, the United States was founded on the principle that all men were created equal. On the other, God tells us that some are not equal to others. So which is it?

I say we aren't equal- and that it isn't a bad thing. I say that I am in fact better than a crackhead or a murderer or a rapist serving time in prison. After all, I'm not in prison, I haven't done drugs, murdered or raped anyone. At the other end of the spectrum, I'm better at reaching for things off the top of the refrigerator than my wife, or anyone under 6 feet tall. Simply because I'm taller.

Better is a fact of life, yet people seem to get really upset about it.

I was watching Ghost Hunters Academy this week, and I was quite heartened by contestant Eric Baldino's remarks after he lost the contest to contest Adam Berry. He wasn't upset at all. He thought that Adam did a better job, and he (Eric) knew he had done the best he could. That's sportsmanship. That's something we should be teaching our children.

Instead, my kid often comes home from school telling me about being taught that no one is better than anyone else. The liberals like to proclaim that as well, handing out our tax money to deadbeats that won't even try to get a job. They refuse to accept the fact that people can be better than others. They stigamtize "better".

There's nothing wrong with someone being better than you. What's important is that you try your best. Like Mr. Baldino.

I'm better at getting things off tall shelves than my wife. And given her gun-phobia, I'm a better marksman than her. I'm also better at eating steak. But she has a better singing voice than me. And she surely dances better than me (not that I ever dance). The point is, why do so many people feel compelled to bring down the accomplishments of others? Why is it such a big deal that someone is better than you?

As parents, we should want our kids to be better than us. I'm thrilled when my daughter does better than me at a video game. Or that she's a better artist than me. I take pride in her accomplishment, despite the fact I have absolutely nothing to with it- it's something she has done entirely on her own.

Fanatics enjoy the abilities of professional atheletes, who are of course better than they are at playing sports. Politicians always like to throw around that they are better than their opponents. So why do we teach children that they are equals? Why do we try and convince men and women they are equal?

God (not Darwin) created us all equal, but he also gave us different gifts, and we make different choices that make us better than others in some respects.

While I know I'm overall a better person than a murderer serving time, I have very little doubt that there isn't something they're better at than me- like maybe playing basketball, lifting weights or fashioning weapons out of toothbrushes. But like Mr. Baldino, I should be a good sport- whether I'm better, or my opponent is. Better is a fact of life. We should all take pride in accomplishment- whether it's ours, or someone else's.

So kudos to you Mr. Baldino, for being a good "loser". And kudos to Adam Berry for being a gracious winner and not rubbing it in anyone's face. Unlike so many reality shows, Ghost Hunters Academy has set a positive example many of us would do well to investigate.

 
SAVE YOURSELF!
Written by Troglodad
Sunday, 10 May 2009 12:01
5 Comments

Ever wear a life preserver when you were in a boat? Ever wear your seatbelt when you drive? Ever get a flu shot?

Those are all actions that many folks choose to avoid because they’re inconvenient or uncomfortable, despite the fact they could save your life. Gambling with your life is pretty foolish. Gambling with damnation is stupid.

Chairman Maobama has declared the United States not a country of Christians, but people with "ideals." That’s very sad, as ideals won’t save your immortal soul.

I know that the whole debate of science vs religion is a heated one, but I’d say that around the world, over 80% of all human beings believe there is a life after death. Here in the U.S., the belief in the afterlife is so strong we’re in a current upsurge in Ghost-oriented TV Shows, where folks try to take pictures or record spirits at haunted sites.

So, I’m not going to argue whether or not we have souls. If you think you don’t, stop reading.

If you’re still with me, I’m going to ask you a simple question: Do you want to save yourself?

Before you get all uppity, I’m not suggesting that you log off the internet and plop down in front of Trinity Broadcasting or dash out to buy some evangelical biography. I’m suggesting you form your own opinions. And to do that, you need to go to the source: the Bible.

Some of you may not want to read the Bible. You’ve gotten a pretty distorted vision of what Christianity is from television preachers, out to make you donate your hard-earned cash, until it hurts. Or you’ve seen preachers like Jesse Jackson stick their nose in politics and offer sermons that seem counter to what they claim Christianity is. This may have even driven many of you to read the Koran, or the tales of Confucius, or maybe L Ron Hubbard’s greatest work of fiction.

But have you read the Bible?

Up until a few hundred years ago, most folks couldn’t read the Bible, or the Koran, or any religious text. Illiteracy was wide spread. Instead, folks had to go to Church, temple, etc., and listen to someone tell them what was in there.

But you can read.

Have you ever read the Bible? How about just the New Testament? The first Four Gospels? One of the Gospels?

You’ve read novels. Maybe you’ve read stereo instructions or the manual that came with your new car. You clearly read a lot on the internet. Are any of those readings going to save your immortal soul?

When it comes to Christianity, it strikes me as just such an amazing bout of laziness for people to not read the Bible, at least once. Instead of listening to what one person tells you what you have to do to be saved, why not find out for yourself?

I would love to pose the question to our "President" from Kenya. "Have you ever read the Bible?" We know that he is thoroughly familiar with the Koran, having been educated in a Islamic schools as a child. But did he read the Bible himself, or just sit in Reverend Wright’s church for 20 years listening to what is allegedly in the Bible?

Finally, here’s something else to consider. People get life insurance, "in case" they die. People wear seatbelts, "in case" they have a wreck. Fighter pilots wear parachutes, "in case" they have to eject from their aircraft. What if the Bible is right? What if your immortal soul will spend eternity damned unless you follow some simple Bible teachings?

I know that Americans tend to let others do their thinking for them these days — who to vote for, what clothes to wear, and even what foods to eat. But when it comes to something as important as where you’ll be spending eternity, don’t be a slacker. Read a Bible at least once.

No one else can Save you — you have to Save yourself.

 
Know Any Good Ministers?
Written by Ray Robinson
Monday, 09 July 2007 22:02
No Comments

By Ray Robinson
MTW contributing writer

My wife and I faced one major hurdle on our way to wedded bliss – who would perform the ceremony? I'm a Christian and she is not, and neither of us were interested in changing, nor were we asking each other to change. A church wedding was out, as was the Justice of the Peace, and this ceremony was too important to be handled by a stranger.

Fortunately, one of our friends was ordained online, and we asked him to officiate.

Before you dismiss online ordination as “fly-by-night” or “Vegas-like schlock," take a moment to consider some of the facts. The largest online ordination site is the Universal Life Church, boasting 20 million ministers ordained since 1959. Their beliefs are simple: ensure for each of their ministers the absolute right of freedom to practice their religion in the manner of their choosing, and to encourage their ministers to do that which is right and in accord with their government's laws.

Universal Life doesn't stop with granting licenses. They offer online training for those wishing to become the best minister they can be. They also offer basic sermons and ceremonies the minister can use as a template to build from. There is also a chat forum so ministers can assist each other with ideas and guidance. Finally, they offer products, such as clerical robes and literature, for the minister to utilize in his or her work.

Do they have some people sign up as a joke? Certainly! Universal Life asks only that their members “Do only that which is right” and leaves it up to the individual to determine that course.

When I approached Gary about officiating our ceremony, he told me up front that he takes his role as a minister seriously. He was not about to do anything he didn't feel was appropriate for such an important occasion. I responded “that's one of the reasons we want you to do this for us!” Over a couple of dinners, the three of us worked together to come up with a ceremony that included scripture, handfasting, and a unity candle. Even the staunchest Christians in our families were moved to tears, and many commented it was the best ceremony they had ever witnessed.

So if you're having trouble finding an appropriate minister, maybe a good friend would willing to step up and fill that void. It may be all you need to make the big day even more special! For more information on the Universal Life Church, go to <a href="http://themonastery.org">