The debate will continue...

You may have got this in your inbox?

This is literally a 'church signs' debate, that was played out in a Southern US town, between Our Lady of Martyrs Catholic Church, and Cumberland Presbyterian, a fundamentalist church. From top to bottom shows you the response and counter-response over time. The Catholics are displaying a much better sense of humor! You get the impression that the Presbyterians are actually taking this seriously and are getting a bit upset...

DO DOGS GO TO HEAVEN?

Do animals (our loving dogs) go to Heaven?

I say no, other's say yes.

So what do the scriptures say?

Submitted by Jennifer Thomas

Biblical Quotes

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's “funny”, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend).He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Forever your fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 33

Day 4 of the quest for simplicity and a deeper commitment to giving. The fourth outward expression of simplicity is to "refuse to be propagandised by the custodians of modern gadgetry." I love this one. If you've taken the time to watch the short movie I referred you to in earlier blogs (http://www.storyofstuff.com/) you will have come accross the terms planned and perceived obsolescence.



This is a marketer's dream - basically stuff is made to break in a certain number of years (planned obsolescence) so that you will have to buy a new one. Of course, it can't be done in too short a space of time, otherwise you will undermine the consumer's loyalty to the manufacturer. You know how the washing machine always breaks a couple of weeks after its warranty has expired? That's planned obsolescence.



Then there is perceived obsolesence. This is when marketer's tell you that what you own is not good enough because the latest version has more buttons, is faster, makes ice, or generally makes your life a whole lot easier, simpler, sexier or faster. Same goes for fashion - this style of jacket is in this season, that one is in next season.



Planned and perceived obsolesence drive capital accumulation - the accumulation of more and more wealth. They also drive environmental degradation - where do you think that cell phone (not to mention all of its accessories that don't fit your new model) go to? That's right - into the rubbish dump. And are they biodegradable? Most certainly not!



So not lusting after that new phone, TV, sound system, PVR, HDTV, 3DTV, HDDVD or ABXYZ (?) is as much about our own spiritual freedom as it is about making sure that we care for our environment.



The other thing about planned and perceived obsolescence is that it drives inequality. By buying into the need to buy some new gadget or fashion accessory everytime a new one comes out, we are focusing on what we want and not on what other people in the world need.

And this brings me to the fact that today is the second tithe before easter for me - it's payday again (yippee!) and I promised to look at the social implications of tithing. As I said on day 8, tithing asks us to step out of what we need and want and to give a portion of our income to what others need.

On Day 8 I looked at the personal reasons behind tithing. Today I want to look at the social implications. In this day and age of accumulation where we are constantly feeding our own securities with new stuff tithing sharlply focuses our attention on the broader social world and what God desires for his kingdom (that's us, not what happens when we die).

You see, prosperity theology teaches that if we give we will be blessed and the more we give the more we will be blessed. I have already talked about my problems with how this has been interprested (see Day 8). But from a social perspective this makes perfect sense.

It's not about God blessing only those who give (horrible theology that as far as I am concerned undermines our understanding of God's goodness). It's about the fact that giving allows God's will to be done on earth. You see, IF we all gave what we could afford to give and IF the church used it as God intended (i.e. not on fancy cars and buildings) then we immediately free up money from our own (usually selfish) will to be used as God will. Imagine a world where every person gave something of what they earned with the intention that it should make the world a better and more equitable place. And imagine a world where the church was fully committed to that same ideal. I believe that if we got that right then we wouldn't have nearly as much inequality and poverty. We wouldn't be faced with beggars on the side of the road. We wouldn't be faced with feelings of guilt as we turn our eyes away from them. Because there would be enough money to go around to look after ALL of God's children.

Lesson 33: So you see prosperity theology does work, but in a very different way to how we've come to think it works. God doesn't bless only those who give. God blesses all of us because when we give we are providing the means to for God's will to be done.

So do you really need that new HDTV or that new pair of boots. Or do you need to see God's will be done. How you answer that question might affect how much you put in the offetory bag this week. So be careful...

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 32

Day 3 and the third outward expression of simplicity is to develop a habit of giving things away. Richard Foster says, "if you find yourself becoming attached to some posesion, consider giving it to someone who needs it or wants it."

Hmmm... This is tough. At Christmas time I always think its wonderful to ask children to give one of their favourite toys to a child who needs it more. It's an amazing lesson of giving. But asking myself to do it was a lot tougher. Day 32's lesson came up just after a conversation with a friend about a Nooma DVD that she wants to borrow. Everytime someone asks me if they can borrow it I get a bit uppity and nervous about it never finding its way back to me. I absolutely love the DVD (recommending it to everyone - Nooma Fire). So it's strange how this outward expression came up just after this conversation.

So here's the deal - Amy, I am giving you my Nooma DVD and I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me. Enjoy it!

Lesson 32: Giving away things we have become attached frees us from worry.