I have 5 camellia’s at my house. The best of these cannot produce a bloom like this. The camellia forest at Descanso Gardens is amazing.
Technorati Tags: Photography
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Was the Trinity added to the bible?
I was listening to a lecture called Misquoting Jesus by Dr. Bart. D. Ehrman when I heard the story of how The Trinity was added to the bible via the Latin manuscripts (in part 5) and that it had not existed in the known Greek manuscripts in any form. In the video below, the discussion starts at 9:10 and picks up with specifics about The Trinity at 10:40. The implication is that early Christians invented the concept and then added it the Christian body of knowledge via modifications to the Latin texts in order to protect doctrine.
The Trinity was one of the hardest things for me to grasp as a Christian and made even less sense after I became an atheist. I rarely argued the point though. How does one argue against a position that is irrational?
The Trinity was one of the hardest things for me to grasp as a Christian and made even less sense after I became an atheist. I rarely argued the point though. How does one argue against a position that is irrational?
Photo - A dead leaf
I visited Descanso Gardens this sunny Superbowl Sunday morning. Most of the plants are dormant, but the camellias were in bloom. I’ll post a few shots of those later. I shot this dead leaf while walking on the fringes of the camellia forest.
Green Bay just scored…
Technorati Tags: Photography
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Why are Christians investing in gaming ventures?
Looking in from the outside, I see Bishop Eddie Long as a fraud. This video shows him endorsing a man who is selling a get rich quick scheme involving online gaming. Long does this from his pulpit. The whole venture appears to be an illegal fraud that Long’s church profited from. How hard is it for people to ask, “Is this what Jesus would do?”
Seriously now folks – is this what church is?
If you can’t trust your pastor, who can you trust?
Pastor Bruce Stutzman allegedly stole from members of New Hope Alliance Church and the church itself. What bothers me is that the church does not want to press charges. Why?
The church re-branded itself as Cross Life Church. Go figure.
Technorati Tags: Fraud,Clergy Abuse
Pastor Danny O’Guin convicted
A Baptist pastor named Danny O’Guin was convicted on 8 counts of mail fraud.
Danny O'Guin, 63, the former pastor of the Parker Road Baptist Church in Florissant, was sentenced Friday to eight months in federal prison for mail fraud in a scheme that took money from his congregants from 2006 to 2009. O'Guin pleaded guilty in November. Prosecutors said he persuaded church members to make loans despite their reservations, on a false claim that the money would be used to rehab or pay off homes he owned outside Missouri. O'Guin was previously pastor at Tower Grove Baptist. U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey ordered O'Guin to pay more than $100,000 in restitution, with the specific amount still being determined.
Note to congregants – Don’t loan your pastor money to pay off that house in the next state over. It’s a scam.
O’Guin used his power and influence to compel his congregants to load him the money.
Between June 2006 and March 2009, O'Guin would borrow thousands of dollars from church members who -- according to the U.S. Attorney's Office -- felt compelled to enter the transactions with their religious leader.
Just say no. It’s easier.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
A pack of smokes and a short chat
I like to think I’m sensitive to the needs of the homeless. I feed them when I can. I rarely give money, but I’ll always buy a meal; Even if it means I go without. I stopped at a 7/11 today for a packaged sandwich and bottle of water on my way to a meeting out in Simi Valley. I only had a few minutes of spare time, and the turkey on wheat is a pretty good quick meal. As I walked out after my purchase a homeless man asked me for spare change. I said no and offered him my sandwich instead. He hesitated for a moment before declining, and then added that what he wanted the money for was to buy a few cigarettes. Apparently, a store clerk he knows sells singles on the side. I asked what brand he smoked and then walked back into the store to buy him a pack. When I returned and handed him his cigarettes, he said, “Thanks, but what’s the deal?”
I told him I was just doing my good dead for the day. The look on his face told me he did not buy it. I insisted that I really had no agenda, and that I did not want anything from him.. What he said next offended me. ‘You religious types always want something.” I flipped out a little. I’m sure my, “dude – fuck off” came off a little harsh.
He stepped back. I stepped back. I said, “I’m an atheist.” His response was interesting. He said, “But you game me cigarettes.”
“I would have bought you beef jerky if that’s what you needed. I’m just trying to help. I have no agenda other than the fact that I help people.”
We talked for ten minutes. He smoked, I ate. He told me his story. I listened. When it was time for me to leave I asked if there was anything else I could do for him. He smiled and said no. He added that today had been a good day. I was happy. He was happy.
The funny thing is I learned to help people while I was a Christian. The man who taught me simple stated that it was our obligation as Christians to help people who needed aid. I’ve done it my whole life but I don’t think of it as a Christian act. The man who taught me explained that helping people was an act of love. Asking for nothing in return was an act of service. And most importantly, to use the opportunity as a means to minister was un-Christ like. Every other Christian pastor I came in contact with while a Christian stressed offering help as a means to minister. My helpful pastor (who no longer plays that game) stressed help as an act of love and compassion. That stuck with me.
I can buy a homeless man meal or a pack of cigarettes. I can ask for nothing in return. I can spend ten minutes (or an hour) simply listening. I do it because I can. I do it because I should. I do it because a nice man taught me about authentic love. I do it because it makes me feel good. What other reasons do I need?
THE GOD SPELL IBV 2011 CALENDAR
Another fine offering from my long time friend fishheadsalad. Watch and get your free calendar.
Technorati Tags: Atheism
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Youth pastor Drew Underwood
Youth pastor – why do you think it’s ok to solicit underage girls for sex over the internet? OK – I’m assuming it’s the internet. I could be wrong. The facts state “electronic communication system”. Youth pastor Drew Underwood has some explaining to do.
Update 11/22/2011 - All charges were dropped against Drew Underwood after it was shown that other people had access to his computer.
Underwood is a former employee of Kentucky Heartland Outreach. He posted on his MySpace page that he is a youth minister at Mt. Roberts Baptist Church. Pickard said he was also told that Underwood maintains that employment.
However, Kyle Franklin, pastor at Mt. Roberts Baptist Church, said just before press time that Underwood no longer works at his church. He declined to stay when Underwood's employment ended.I consider this type of idiocy culling the herd.
Update 11/22/2011 - All charges were dropped against Drew Underwood after it was shown that other people had access to his computer.
Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Baptists
Baptist battle royal
Every year or so we here a story about a fistfight in a church. I don’t cover them because they all seem so pedestrian. People fight all the time. Where is the conflict? I’ve been wrong though. Fistfights in church say a lot about the culture of Christians. I want to explore that in this post. In Fletcher, North Carolina, members of the Greater New Zion Baptist Church got into a fight at a church meeting where they were trying to determine if they should keep or fire their pastor.
Rice said that, because there was such a large crowd of people — about 75 — on the scene, the fact that as many as 30 officers responded was a “fairly appropriate response.”
“There were children there, and other parishioners,” Rice said, “so our primary concern was their safety and getting them away from the altercation.”
30 police officers were called to a Baptist church. Wow. Pastor LeVonia Ray is the cause of the fight. Some say he’s a womanizing lout, others say its all made up. the case is heading to court.
LeVonia Ray, 72, of Asheville, says he is still the senior pastor at Greater New Zion Baptist Church until the congregation decides otherwise. However, the church’s treasurer, Betty Garner, said in her Dec. 19 complaint that Ray entered the church without authorization.
Last Sunday at the church, a call for a vote over whether to keep Ray led to a brawl that was broken up by about 30 police officers. Ray did not attend the service, saying he didn’t want to cause friction.
My question is simple. Do they worship Christ or do they worship Ray? How is one man so important to your worship of Christ that you let him stand between you and the God you are supposed to be emulating (and worshiping)? How is this Christian? How is this in any way like what we expect a church full of Christians to act? It’s deplorable. It’s hypocrisy. But sadly, it’s conduct expected.
Surviving California’s DMV
I’m turning 50 in a few weeks so its time to renew my driver license. That means visiting California’s DMV. Few things are less enjoyable. To start the process I tried to register for an appointment online, but all appointments were at least 45 days out. Since my license expires in just a few days and I travel a lot, waiting for an appointment for what is essentially a 3 minute renewal process, did not seem wise. I chose to go without an appointment.
I visited the Fullerton office first. My OCD kicked in when I parked my car. I counted over thee hundred cars in a tight lot. Walking in the building I found at least 600 people occupying every available open space. The greeter spoke limited English, did not want to talk to me, and simply handed be a number and a form. The clock said it would be a three hour wait. The vibe was ugly, I bailed.
Bellflower’s DMV is a short jaunt down the freeway. Their parking lot is small. My guess is it held about one hundred cars. This worked to my advantage. I bullied my way into a parking spot and walked to the greeters. Five minutes later I had a ticket and was told my wait would be 20 minutes. 20 minutes was bullshit. Hot tip - Fewer parking spots means less people.
I went tech free. No Kindle, no phone, and no iPod. My goal was to practice my focus and think through a couple of work related problems. It’s hard for me to do this in a room full of people. I gave up and started people watching instead. Hot tip – take something to distract yourself.
The people were an odd mix. 25% were disgruntled and made up of your classic rage candidates. I spoke to a few. They immediately started telling me their stories of institutional frustration. In most cases they had made some silly mistake and could not fathom the process for correcting the error. Hot tip – Don’t work at the DMV.
A large number, perhaps as much as 50%, were people who did not speak English well and wanted an identification card. These people are treated like potentially dangerous criminals and sequestered off in their own section. Getting in their queue is a bad idea. You will be there all day. For the record, that’s windows 1 to 15. Hot tip – if you want and ID card, go to a counterfeiter.
The only other advice I can give is to bring a pen, don’t drink from the water fountain or the washroom, keep your wallet in your front pocket, try not to make eye contact with the malcontents, be patient and be nice. The DMV staff is trying hard but they are stuck between new technology, budget cuts, and a million other Californians.
My DMV experience took a total of four hours out of my day including the drive time. My actual contact time with real people broke down like this:
- Fullerton greeter: 30 seconds.
- Bellflower greeter: 15 seconds.
- License renewal: 1 minute 10 seconds.
- Photo: 30 seconds.
It’s no wonder people get frustrated. All you do is wait. It’s also no wonder they employ highly visible security.
LA Times photo a day for 2011
My wife brought this to my attention this evening. Check out the LA Times Southern California Moments.
What have you seen in Southern California that was compelling enough to make you stop and take a photo? We'd like to feature these moments you captured.
Every day of 2011, we'll choose one photo to share with our readers. Photos will be posted each day on L.A. Now and on latimes.com/socalmoments. Highlights will appear on Framework.
And the photos are good.
Technorati Tags: Photography
Don’t put your faith in miracles. Trust science.
It's like watching the future.
Technorati Tags: Science
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Pastor Charles Abdelahad arrested
The Very Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad stand charged with the rape, assault and battery of a 43-year-old woman. The priest allegedly bit and beat his victim.
A statement of facts on file in court states the Rev. Abdelahad beat the woman on different occasions dating back to 2007.
The priest allegedly bit and beat the victim during at least one assault. Detectives also allege he struck her with a religious icon and bat and scratched her on the stomach with keys.
In a criminal complaint, Detective Maureen M. Siedlecki accuses Rev. Abdelahad of pulling the victim's hair, slamming her head on the floor, sitting on her and punching her in the head during one alleged assault, according to court records.
It sounds liked Abdelahad liked rough sex. Who knew? Is that good behavior for a Christian and long time pastor? I don’t think so.
Abdelahad was the pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, MA.
The Very Rev. Father Michael Abdelahad has been a beloved pastor of the St. George Cathedral family for more than 25 years. As the matter is the subject of formal court proceedings, to which the Church is not a party, it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment until these proceedings have been concluded.
St. George Orthodox Cathedral Parish Council
Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Rape
Pastor Jason Roberts arrested
Why the sad face Jason? Could it be that being arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior on a 12-year-old comes with some unwanted attention in lock up?
The victim told detectives that Jason Roberts, 36, inappropriately touched her while she was asleep. After she woke up, detectives said he immediately stopped and apologized.
The incident was unreported until the victim went to the police in 2010.
Detectives said Roberts admitted to the crime, and later told his spouse, family members and his church congregation.
I don’t understand how pastors can do this. You would think they are more inclined to protect children than violation them.
Roberts is the pastor at Christian Fellowship Church in Dade City, Florida.
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