Since moving to
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Open-minded congregants & pastoral staff (Christians come in multiple varieties – creationists, evolutionists and theistic evolutionists – and guess what? It’s okay!)
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Socially Savvy (Insulting other denominations, religions, or cultures will immediately eliminate you)
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Politically Tolerant (Voting handouts not allowed at church – we will all decide based on our own convictions… and do we really need to hang such huge flags showing loyalty to the Empire?)
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Uncompromisingly Ethical (Being pro-life is more than just being anti-abortion – war, genocide, famine, disease, environmental concerns, and barriers preventing equality are moral issues)
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Intelligent Sermons (Fancy PowerPoint displays aren’t necessary, but pastors do need to demonstrate that they should be on the pulpit and that they’ve thought about the historical context and universal application of those passages being read… and for the love of God… please do not recite the ABC’s of salvation…ever!)
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Meaningful Worship (The tempo of the music matters less than the joy with which it is sung)
On Sunday we visited a church for the second time in a row. Last week we were only there for part of the first service, and despite a few warning signs, I thought we could spend this week trying out the later service. The truth is I was sucked in by their nicely designed website, beautiful stain glass windows and welcoming parking lot (visitors got the best spots). I should’ve known better…
Despite the offering blessing which lasted a good three minutes, which I thought might lead into an intercessory prayer meeting – things went smoothly until the sermon began. Halfway through it I nearly walked out – I only stayed out of sheer morbid curiosity for what all he would say. (Jay thanks for letting me text you with the play-by-plays of the train wreck.)
Sermon points included:
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Alcoholic beverages are debaucherous (that word was actually used)
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Scientific theories of evolution are schemes of the devil
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Music is not a form of entertainment, it is either worshipping God or Satan. All non-Christian music (and forms of Christian music that sound too much like non-Christian music) are evil. That radio better get turned off when the Christian station goes out of range!
and most memorably…
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Muslims/Arabs (which of course are one & the same thing) are savage and violent by nature because they are mistakes of Abraham and Hagar.
My mouth literally dropped open. I quietly heckled throughout the rest of the sermon. If I were more motivated I’d write the church a letter of complaint. In all honesty, I don’t feel like I’m asking for too much.
I just want a church I wouldn’t be afraid of inviting others to.
Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel… luckily
City of Blinding Lights – U2
In the 39 years since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza, history has delivered a few fundamental lessons, which neither side at the moment is in any mood to absorb.
The most important lesson for Israel is that force does not work.
It can deliver some tactical advantages. The assassination of many of the leaders of Hamas, for example, was a severe blow to the movement. But did it kill it? Not even slightly. Hamas can still kill Israelis, and it has expanded its operations to winning elections.
The most important lesson for the Palestinians is that force does not work. 
It can deliver some tactical advantages. Resistance to occupation, at the moment, is popular. But has it ever threatened the existence of the Jewish state? Not for a second. And is it bringing the creation of an independent Palestinian state any closer? Not by an inch.
I can already hear supporters of the Palestinians and the Israelis protesting that they have tried making political concessions and have had them hurled back on a tide of blood. But the alternative to not trying again could be another generation of bloodshed, and who wants that?
If this crisis escalates further, Israel may well be tempted to topple the Hamas government. But what will happen after that? Would there be more or less chaos in the territories?
And Hamas may be tempted, if this crisis escalates, to kill Israeli civilians. But would that make the Israelis get out of Gaza? No: It would encourage them to stay longer, and to use more force.
Even if the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians agreed with this interpretation of the use of force over 40 years, it will not help this time round. The Gaza crisis is doomed to run its course, in the same way that Palestinians and Israelis are doomed to live alongside each other.
But eventually, their only chance of creating a decent future for their children is to make a political agreement about sharing the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean that is acceptable to both sides.
To do that they will both have to recognise that peace has a price. Up to now, in all the years of negotiations, neither side has been prepared to pay what is needed in lost dreams and hard choices.
You cannot do peace on the cheap. But the alternative is much more costly, for everyone.
-BBC, Middle East
Ok, for those of you who don’t know my boyfriend Nick – this post can be completely discarded. For the rest of you – this is a classic that can’t go unreported. Since the story has already been posted on xanga by our friend Pete, I’ll just direct you to his site.
Hats off to you, sir!
