The Pastoral Urbanite

AGREED GREAT LINE "I believe that our commandment ...

2009-07-18T22:45:32.364-05:00

AGREED GREAT LINE "I believe that our commandment is to love God and then others and that anything that takes away from that is abject failure."

Wow, Mike! That last paragraph left me floored......

2009-07-16T15:35:06.208-05:00

Wow, Mike! That last paragraph left me floored...bravo and thank you for putting it into words. I think a lot of us are feeling the same way.

You said it perfectly...Christian's seem unable to adapt. And there are some who would argue that truth is truth and it never did change. But I think as we all continue to live, learn, and love that truth is better revealed to us... We've got a long way to go and the solution is *not* to close in and collapse on ourselves.

"anything that detracts..." I like that a lot!

This has given me many things to ponder ;)

Bravo! I'm in my mid-40s and in the process of sh...

2009-07-16T13:02:30.740-05:00

Bravo! I'm in my mid-40s and in the process of shedding so much of what those around me thought I should do/think/be/believe. The sense of freedom is a heady experience but at the same time, the condemnation emanating from family and some friends is palpable.

I've been planning to write a blog post about this very thing. When I do, I will be linking to your well-written post. Thank you for your courage.

Btw, I think we live in the same town.

Kind of like the old saying that a goal without a ...

2009-07-16T12:18:53.180-05:00

Kind of like the old saying that a goal without a plan is a dream.

Popular was not the word I was meaning... Actually...

2009-06-22T15:53:57.059-05:00

Popular was not the word I was meaning... Actually I really agree with your statement "Laws should change to produce the greatest amount of freedom possible without trampling on the rights of others in the process." Although morally I am against the act of homosexuality, those who perform it should have equal rights under law. Personally I would prefer to see government set a flat tax and remove any benefit for married couples (Heterosexual or Homosexual) since that is unequal to singles.

My initial thought was no, but they really are rel...

2009-06-22T14:45:29.055-05:00

My initial thought was no, but they really are related on a basic premise. Most Christians are more interested in making the Bible say what they think it should say, than simply letting it speak for itself.

Popularity is not at issue. Laws should change to ...

2009-06-22T14:42:02.188-05:00

Popularity is not at issue. Laws should change to produce the greatest amount of freedom possible without trampling on the rights of others in the process. Homosexuality isn't "ok" now that people accept it. It was always a choice individuals should have had but society wasn't prepared to deal with it. Just like civil rights were not created by the Emancipation Proclamation.
Pedophilia is categorically different as it takes advantage of individuals that are unable to give consent and by definition would violate the rights of another person.

That depends on your definition of "evil" and "abn...

2009-06-22T13:55:55.917-05:00

That depends on your definition of "evil" and "abnormal" since homosexuality was largely grouped into those words 50 years ago. So according to you laws should eventually change to those who perform pedophilia when it becomes popular?

And I answer, certainly they have. Most assuredly ...

2009-06-22T13:44:38.761-05:00

And I answer, certainly they have. Most assuredly sexual beliefs and customs have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. And they should. And the laws of the country should mimic that change in belief. Change will certainly encourage all those who desire more change. However, the possibility that change might motivate those who desire evil is not a justification for continuing to hold a minority unequal before the law. Secondly, your question still assumes that homosexuality and abnormal sexual desires are on the same scale, which they are not. The progress made in legalizing homosexual marriages will do more for rectifying the tax, legal, and social inequality faced by homosexuals than it would ever do to promote sexual perversions, such as pedophilia.

Does this go along with the belief that some Chris...

2009-06-22T13:04:10.428-05:00

Does this go along with the belief that some Christians (and I mean 'few') that dinosaurs were planted by Darwinian hoaxters? And elderly woman I used to know at church when I was younger believed that.

In response to your comment about Homosexual marri...

2009-06-21T22:32:14.642-05:00

In response to your comment about Homosexual marriage not leading to pedophillia "because an entire society's definition of consent would also have to be rethought, accepted, and legislated", I ask haven't certain definitions and concepts regarding sexual issues already been rethought, accepted and legislated? Homosexuals who marry may not later engage in these acts, but the progress made will encourage those who want to practice such behavior to try to change society's thinking on these issues.

Very nice job, Michael! I couldn't agree more. I...

2009-06-19T12:53:04.886-05:00

Very nice job, Michael! I couldn't agree more.

I am continually astounded by the ability of people to care a whole lot more about what others are doing than examining their own lives.

In my opinion, until we are all equal under the law, then things like Protected Classes and Hate Crimes legislation are absolutely required.

I would also encourage you guys to lobby your Senators to get this thing moved off high-center:

Coburn: 202-224-5754
Inhofe: 202-224-4721

It's wayyyy overdue.

No where obviously, but the legality isn't the poi...

2009-06-19T11:10:35.622-05:00

No where obviously, but the legality isn't the point. Its not legal to sell alcohol to minors, or use illegal drugs, etc... but that doesn't stop it from happening. This legislation seeks condemn the action by increasing the level of punishment to an appropriate level considering the magnitude of the crime. The statement of passing the law is just as important as its actual use in prosecution.

I find it funnthro hear a preist speak about laws ...

2009-06-18T18:49:38.656-05:00

I find it funnthro hear a preist speak about laws being the same when his own faith categorizes sins into levels of severity.

Where in the United States is it legal for redneck...

2009-06-18T18:48:26.601-05:00

Where in the United States is it legal for rednecks to murder homosexuals?

I think I'd have to agree with you that the additi...

2009-06-18T15:44:55.953-05:00

I think I'd have to agree with you that the addition of "GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY" to the list of "Hate Crimes" is legitimate and therefore should be passed...
Though I would rather see Paragraph 2 removed and tell them to raise their own funds...

-Your Friendly American Classical Liberal-

My husband doesn't smoke (neither do I) but bought...

2009-06-16T09:48:21.795-05:00

My husband doesn't smoke (neither do I) but bought a beautiful zippo lighter to carry with him. You never know when a power ballad will break out.

I, too, am an Earl Grey addict. And George is als...

2009-06-16T09:36:36.824-05:00

I, too, am an Earl Grey addict. And George is also our favorite restaurant owner. My husband and I spend an inordinate amount of time (and money) at the North Lounge. In fact, I started a Facebook group called, "North Lounge, Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (Cheers reference) which now boasts 105 members. You should join. Btw, I have a brother named Michael West, too.

I addressed this very issue in my blog yesterday: ...

2009-06-16T09:30:38.397-05:00

I addressed this very issue in my blog yesterday:

http://wellgroomedhippie.blogspot.com

Sorry I reworked this content and forgot it had co...

2009-06-10T21:26:40.090-05:00

Sorry I reworked this content and forgot it had comments.

Does this blog have a Flux Capacitor?

2009-06-10T15:55:18.236-05:00

Does this blog have a Flux Capacitor?

I love this Michael...made me laugh out loud.

2009-06-09T02:00:10.659-05:00

I love this Michael...made me laugh out loud.

It's my understanding that alcohol was rampant in ...

2009-06-08T21:49:15.010-05:00

It's my understanding that alcohol was rampant in those days for a very pragmatic reason: good water filtration didn't exist! So wine was a very handy thing to have because the bad stuff you don't want in your wine (or water) dies in the alcohol...

It continually amazes me how folks manipulate and pull Bible verses out of context for their own arguments (which are usually aimed at tearing down someone else's behavior).

I have to say I'd certainly take a glass if the Man was offering some of his own vintage! Can you imagine what that particular wine must have tasted like?!?!?

Good luck with all of that.

2009-03-07T17:05:00.000-06:00

Good luck with all of that.

Hulu is the next thing that internet-savvy folk wi...

2009-02-09T12:15:00.000-06:00

Hulu is the next thing that internet-savvy folk will not do without. Like you, I am a Bones virgin and I am catching up with what little my DVR can gather. Enter Hulu. Waiting is so passe.