Arky51's Blog

Folks are always saying: “Don't talk about Religion or Politics in Polite Company.”

Now, I ask you, why is that? I personally believe it is because others might be swayed to see a sensible truth in the course of Conversation, which possibility far outweighs the risk of an altercation. The “dark side” is oh so happy when people follow after fables and half-truths, and so, the above admonition is probably the oldest known instance of “politically correct” instruction.

Well, I say “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!” It is nothing better than a gag order on truthful statements and information; a tool of destructive propaganda. If anyone is paying attention when the “politically correct” mongers are taking the stage, you might very well notice how they DEMAND that you be tolerant of their views, as they ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to be tolerant of any opposing views.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend to see Nationalism as a divisive evil, rather than a unifying call to rally? With them, “Patriotism” is less important than a High School Mascot.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend toward a “Peace At Any Price” philosophy. That is the very same philosophy that led women who had previously expressed a profound love for the land of their birth, to sleep with enemy soldiers – not with any trepidation or compunction, but actively seeking to be on what they believed at the time would be “the winning side.”

So, again I say, “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!”

So, back to the subjects of Religion and Politics, I give you the following video:

Folks are always saying: “Don't talk about Religion or Politics in Polite Company.”

Now, I ask you, why is that? I personally believe it is because others might be swayed to see a sensible truth in the course of Conversation, which possibility far outweighs the risk of an altercation. The “dark side” is oh so happy when people follow after fables and half-truths, and so, the above admonition is probably the oldest known instance of “politically correct” instruction.

Well, I say “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!” It is nothing better than a gag order on truthful statements and information; a tool of destructive propaganda. If anyone is paying attention when the “politically correct” mongers are taking the stage, you might very well notice how they DEMAND that you be tolerant of their views, as they ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to be tolerant of any opposing views.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend to see Nationalism as a divisive evil, rather than a unifying call to rally? With them, “Patriotism” is less important than a High School Mascot.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend toward a “Peace At Any Price” philosophy. That is the very same philosophy that led women who had previously expressed a profound love for the land of their birth, to sleep with enemy soldiers – not with any trepidation or compunction, but actively seeking to be on what they believed at the time would be “the winning side.”

So, again I say, “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!”

So, back to the subjects of Religion and Politics, I give you the following video:

Folks are always saying: “Don't talk about Religion or Politics in Polite Company.”

Now, I ask you, why is that? I personally believe it is because others might be swayed to see a sensible truth in the course of Conversation, which possibility far outweighs the risk of an altercation. The “dark side” is oh so happy when people follow after fables and half-truths, and so, the above admonition is probably the oldest known instance of “politically correct” instruction.

Well, I say “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!” It is nothing better than a gag order on truthful statements and information; a tool of destructive propaganda. If anyone is paying attention when the “politically correct” mongers are taking the stage, you might very well notice how they DEMAND that you be tolerant of their views, as they ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to be tolerant of any opposing views.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend to see Nationalism as a divisive evil, rather than a unifying call to rally? With them, “Patriotism” is less important than a High School Mascot.

Have you noticed that the vast majority of people who embrace “politically correct” tend toward a “Peace At Any Price” philosophy. That is the very same philosophy that led women who had previously expressed a profound love for the land of their birth, to sleep with enemy soldiers – not with any trepidation or compunction, but actively seeking to be on what they believed at the time would be “the winning side.”

So, again I say, “Curses upon politically correct and the jackass it rode in on!”

So, back to the subjects of Religion and Politics, I give you the following video:

Unfortunately . . . though he seemed reasonably educated, he was not intuitive enough to catch my meaning in that answer.  So, I explained, my wife had insisted on reading that paper, even though their reporting on crime made her afraid to leave the house.  But, now she is dead.  I went on to explain that I don't read the Saint Petersburg Times, myself, because it is no better than the New York Times, which I consider to be the equivalent of Pravda West.  He asked me, then, what papers I would read, and I mentioned New York Post and Washington Times as being more palatable presenters of the news.

With that, he asked my opinion of the Russian action in Georgia.  My first comment: “Russia has always been our enemy and they always will be our enemy, because they always have been, and always will be an anti-Democracy regime.”

Undaunted, he countered with, “But, the Georgian government attacked South Ossetia.  Ossetia is part of Russia.”

To which I answered, “Granted, South Ossetia is known to prefer Russia, but they are within the borders defined by international agreement (originally including Russia) as Georgia.  But, Russia sent propagandists into Ossetia, and calculatedly stirred up unrest, which the Georgian government responded to.”

That dear young man, trying so hard to sell the Saint Petersburg Times through his intellectualism, did nothing more than set me more firmly in my position. Perhaps he will see it differently when Russia goes after another country or two. That Bear is coming out of hibernation!

So, he runs from that topic, and asks me to choose another. My reply: “I really shouldn't bring this up, but their deference to the Gay Agenda grates on me, as well.  Nobody was born that way.”

He asked, “So, you have experience with that?”  To which I replied, “I was exposed to it, but didn't really become a part of it.”

“So, you could control those urges?” he asked.  “I could have, if I had known . . . "   With that, he cut me off and suddenly had to go.

Since he did not stay to hear further explanation, I will finish my sentence, and add to it.

“I could have, if I had known, as a child, that it wasn't a game they were playing; but, that I was being molested for their purpose of grooming me to be one of theirs.”  I was a little kid, and I liked what they did to that pleasured me, but I did not at all like what they did to me to pleasure themselves, and other things they wanted me to do to pleasure them.

Keep your Saint Petersburg Times. I won't subscribe to it.  You don't respect truth.

ORL

I just got off the phone with a young man who wanted me to subscribe, again, to the Saint Petersburg Times.  My first answer to him, regarding why I no longer subscribe, was, "My wife died, and I only have two parrots."

Unfortunately . . . though he seemed reasonably educated, he was not intuitive enough to catch my meaning in that answer.  So, I explained, my wife had insisted on reading that paper, even though their reporting on crime made her afraid to leave the house.  But, now she is dead.  I went on to explain that I don't read the Saint Petersburg Times, myself, because it is no better than the New York Times, which I consider to be the equivalent of Pravda West.  He asked me, then, what papers I would read, and I mentioned New York Post and Washington Times as being more palatable presenters of the news.

With that, he asked my opinion of the Russian action in Georgia.  My first comment: “Russia has always been our enemy and they always will be our enemy, because they always have been, and always will be an anti-Democracy regime.”

Undaunted, he countered with, “But, the Georgian government attacked South Ossetia.  Ossetia is part of Russia.”

To which I answered, “Granted, South Ossetia is known to prefer Russia, but they are within the borders defined by international agreement (originally including Russia) as Georgia.  But, Russia sent propagandists into Ossetia, and calculatedly stirred up unrest, which the Georgian government responded to.”

That dear young man, trying so hard to sell the Saint Petersburg Times through his intellectualism, did nothing more than set me more firmly in my position. Perhaps he will see it differently when Russia goes after another country or two. That Bear is coming out of hibernation!

So, he runs from that topic, and asks me to choose another. My reply: “I really shouldn't bring this up, but their deference to the Gay Agenda grates on me, as well.  Nobody was born that way.”

He asked, “So, you have experience with that?”  To which I replied, “I was exposed to it, but didn't really become a part of it.”

“So, you could control those urges?” he asked.  “I could have, if I had known . . . "   With that, he cut me off and suddenly had to go.

Since he did not stay to hear further explanation, I will finish my sentence, and add to it.

“I could have, if I had known, as a child, that it wasn't a game they were playing; but, that I was being molested for the purpose of grooming me to be one of theirs.”  I was a little kid, and I liked what they did to that pleasured me, but I did not at all like what they did to me to pleasure themselves, and other things they wanted me to do to pleasure them.

Keep your Saint Petersburg Times. I won't subscribe to it.  You don't respect truth.

TB

But, I am here to tell you, if a person's faith is true, they won't be walking around crying and grumbling.  They will be filled with joy and fun, as well as being interesting, even when their circumstances appear bleak.

Oh, they might cry at times, if something really hurts.  They might be sad and depressed at times, if some cruel fate has befallen them.  But, once they find their focus again on their faith, the joy will spring up again.

The only way you might not think they are fun would be if your idea of fun centers around going to excesses, getting drunk or drugged out, being mean or even cruel, or being involved in debauchery and promiscuity . . . reveling, as they say.

For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
-- (Isaiah 64:6)

Come now, and let us reason together, saith YHWH:
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land:
-- (Isaiah 1:18)

Can the Word of God be trusted?  I have found it so.  I am a far cry from perfect, but:

I am Holy, as "Holy" is defined: "To be Dedicated to God."
I am a Saint, as "Saint" is defined as "Someone who is sanctified by God's blessing, and designated to go to heaven after death."
I am a Sanctified, as "Sanctified" is defined as "Someone whose sin is forgiven through faith by the grace of God."
I am a Disciple, as "Disciple" is defined as "A student of a particular Master."
I am an Apostle, as "Apostle" is defined as "An Envoy; someone who is commisioned to go forth with a Message

Jesus said, "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:"  (John 15:16)

BUT, (and here's the kicker); I am no more than you would be if you would believe and pursue the calling with diligent dedication.

When you peel his onion, you see that he doesn't "play" the race card, he IS  the race card, and the Limo Liberals are playing him.

Where Dr. King made progress being honest, and Christian white folks got on the wagon with him, "Big B" is playing a whole different game.  Have you ever heard of TONK?

TB

"THE JAZZ!"

So, Barack Obama has nominated Joe Biden.  Whew!
Customarily, the Democrat Party has nominated a Vice Presidential candidate which balances the ticket.  If a very liberal Presidential nominee, a moderate running mate is chosen.  If a moderate Presidential nominee, a liberal running mate is chosen.

Not this time around, bubbas and bubbettes!  Both the Presidential nominee and his running mate are rated among the top five shrill screaming and flaming liberals in the whole Congress.

What's more, boyz and goylz, a whole lotta Hildabeast supporters are madder that a rattle snake hole on the edge of Death Valley.

I dare say, if you see little white flakes coming out of Hillary's mouth when she speaks, these days, it's bits of broken tooth enamel from grinding her teeth as she's thinking about encouraging donkeys to vote for the other guy.

Let's not forget . . . this is the "We Can't" Party.
We can't win in Iraq.
We can't cut taxes.
We can't cut the budget.
We can't cut Social Programs.
We can't drill our way out of the Energy Crisis.

But, Barack Hussein Obama is selling canvas shoes that have printed on them,

 "YES, WE CAN!"

Now, Barack has likened himself to John F. Kennedy.  They say Vince Foster commited suicide.  I'm not convinced of either count, so I'll just say "Mr. Obama, if you should win this election, and you have a secretary named Mrs. Lincoln, YOU better listen to HER when she says "Don't go."

ORL

When you peel his onion, you see that he doesn't "play" the race card, he IS  the race card, and the Limo Liberals are playing him.

Where Dr. King made progress being honest, and Christian white folks got on the wagon with him, "Big B" is playing a whole different game.  Have you ever heard of TONK?

TB

"THE JAZZ!"

So, Barack Obama has nominated Joe Biden.  Whew!
Customarily, the Democrat Party has nominated a Vice Presidential candidate which balances the ticket.  If a very liberal Presidential nominee, a moderate running mate is chosen.  If a moderate Presidential nominee, a liberal running mate is chosen.

Not this time around, bubbas and bubbettes!  Both the Presidential nominee and his running mate are rated among the top five shrill screaming and flaming liberals in the whole Congress.

What's more, boyz and goylz, a whole lotta Hildabeast supporters are madder than a rattle snake hole on the edge of Death Valley.

I dare say, if you see little white flakes coming out of Hillary's mouth when she speaks, these days, it's bits of broken tooth enamel from grinding her teeth as she's thinking about encouraging donkeys to vote for the other guy.

Let's not forget . . . this is the "We Can't" Party.
We can't win in Iraq.
We can't cut taxes.
We can't cut the budget.
We can't cut Social Programs.
We can't drill our way out of the Energy Crisis.

But, Barack Hussein Obama is selling canvas shoes that have printed on them,

 "YES, WE CAN!"

Now, Barack has likened himself to John F. Kennedy.  They say Vince Foster commited suicide.  I'm not convinced of either count, so I'll just say "Mr. Obama, if you should win this election, and you have a secretary named Mrs. Lincoln, YOU better listen to HER when she says "Don't go."

TB

People from every Nation, Tribe, and Culture on Earth have some definition of Heaven and Hell; Paradise and Punishment. Many of those definitions have common elements, while some are notably diverse. As one who is ever studying, ever learning, ever thinking, I like to share my thoughts. From earliest record it was said, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

There are two base premises:

1.) There is a spirit in the human being which eternally survives the demise of the physical (and therefore animal) body.
The first point of divergence is:
a.) That spirit inhabits but one physical body, and afterward faces a judgment by the Creator. In said Judgment, the “soul” (the combination of the spirit and its life memories) is primarily evaluated on the basis of performance (behaviors, deeds) and motives.
  - If that soul is found to have met certain standards and requirements, it is rewarded with a new body, designed to exist for eternity, and a permanent avenue of communion with the Creator. (Proper motives can often trump failures in performance.)
  - If that soul is found not to have met certain standards and requirements (ungodly behaviors and evil motives), it is punished with separation from the Creator and all who met the standards and requirements. (The best definition of “hell” is “separation from God — exile from His presence.”)
b.) That spirit inhabits but one physical body, and afterward, as the result of certain defined performances, attains to a state of “enlightenment” similar to the common monotheistic definition of a god.
c.) That spirit inhabits more than one physical body, and afterward numerous reincarnations attains to a state of “enlightenment” similar to the common monotheistic definition of a god.

1. 2.) The spirit in the human being, if such exists, does not survive the demise of the physical body, and enters into oblivion; one simply ceases to exist.

Being conservative, an evangelical Christian in practice as well as profession, I subscribe to Premise #1a, and reject Premise #2 out of hand. As well, I reject points #1b and #1c. If you are one who embraces one of these, it is certainly your option, as reflected in Joshua's pronouncement, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah." (Joshua 24:15)

Going forward with the premise of humanity possessing an immortal spirit, despite the obvious mortality of our flesh, let's look at the implications.

Heaven: Mortality swallowed up in immortality; corruption displaced by the incorruptible; rest from earthly drudgery; no more sadness; no more pain; no more sickness; no more death; eternal bliss; continuous communion with the Creator; a completed sense of purpose; laboring only for an absolutely benevolent Master Who loves beyond measure.

Oh yes, I said laboring. That's not far fetched; after all, when Jesus was asked why He did certain things on the Sabbath, He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." (John 5:17) What? Did you really think I was going to talk about sprouting wings, receiving wings, and strumming a harp? Please . . . no! Not at all.

My vision (or speculation) is of a Kingdom of Priests for the Most High God, on various and sundry junkets through the limitless Universe, Envoys of Ministry to countless other worlds, as assigned by the Great “I AM.” Persons who have a compassion derived from personal knowledge of what it feels like to fail miserably, and having been reconciled and redeemed despite those failures. What a glorious occupation! Carrying the Gospel (good news) of the opportunity to rise from being simply a creation of the Author of Life, to being adopted into His Eternal Family . . . to be called “A Child of God.”

My view, by the way, is in contrast to that of many others. The Bible tells me He said He is preparing a “dwelling place” for me, and that I will be one of a “Kingdom of Priests.” Others want to see a Mansion waiting for them, where they will be kings and priests. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to be left out.

So then, let us not fail to focus on the alternative. Hell is not so much a place as it is the circumstance of “separation from God.” Jesus spoke of Hell more than any other person in the Bible. "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew 5:30) In those discourses, two pictures are painted. One picture is of being cast into a lake of fire, burning in torments, without relief, forever.

"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41)

And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)

The other is a picture of being cast into eternal darkness. My vision is of one being alive out of body, aware, naked of any physical facility, but with a sense of knowing there are others out there; of being unable to see, hear, speak, touch, taste, smell. Alone with only the events of your memories playing over and over in your mind, and the regret of regrets — “It wouldn't be like this if I had only believed, and obeyed.”

"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:13-14)

Whether or not they are convergent is not entirely clear to me. It is popularly taught that the one is incorporated into the other. However, if they are not different views of the same place, they are equally as frightening from the viewpoint of the average normal social human being. Perhaps, then, it is easy to understand why so many deny the very existence of Hell. They reason to themselves and aloud, “Mankind is too noble a creature for God to sentence to eternal punishment.” They also might say, “God is too noble to sentence any living creature to eternal punishment.”

Don't believe it. While it is written, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9), it is also written, “He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)

ORL

People from every Nation, Tribe, and Culture on Earth have some definition of Heaven and Hell; Paradise and Punishment. Many of those definitions have common elements, while some are notably diverse. As one who is ever studying, ever learning, ever thinking, I like to share my thoughts. From earliest record it was said, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

There are two base premises:

1.) There is a spirit in the human being which eternally survives the demise of the physical (and therefore animal) body.
The first point of divergence is:
a.) That spirit inhabits but one physical body, and afterward faces a judgment by the Creator. In said Judgment, the “soul” (the combination of the spirit and its life memories) is primarily evaluated on the basis of performance (behaviors, deeds) and motives.
  - If that soul is found to have met certain standards and requirements, it is rewarded with a new body, designed to exist for eternity, and a permanent avenue of communion with the Creator. (Proper motives can often trump failures in performance.)
  - If that soul is found not to have met certain standards and requirements (ungodly behaviors and evil motives), it is punished with separation from the Creator and all who met the standards and requirements. (The best definition of “hell” is “separation from God — exile from His presence.”)
b.) That spirit inhabits but one physical body, and afterward, as the result of certain defined performances, attains to a state of “enlightenment” similar to the common monotheistic definition of a god.
c.) That spirit inhabits more than one physical body, and afterward numerous reincarnations attains to a state of “enlightenment” similar to the common monotheistic definition of a god.

1. 2.) The spirit in the human being, if such exists, does not survive the demise of the physical body, and enters into oblivion; one simply ceases to exist.

Being conservative, an evangelical Christian in practice as well as profession, I subscribe to Premise #1a, and reject Premise #2 out of hand. As well, I reject points #1b and #1c. If you are one who embraces one of these, it is certainly your option, as reflected in Joshua's pronouncement, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah." (Joshua 24:15)

Going forward with the premise of humanity possessing an immortal spirit, despite the obvious mortality of our flesh, let's look at the implications.

Heaven: Mortality swallowed up in immortality; corruption displaced by the incorruptible; rest from earthly drudgery; no more sadness; no more pain; no more sickness; no more death; eternal bliss; continuous communion with the Creator; a completed sense of purpose; laboring only for an absolutely benevolent Master Who loves beyond measure.

Oh yes, I said laboring. That's not far fetched; after all, when Jesus was asked why He did certain things on the Sabbath, He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." (John 5:17) What? Did you really think I was going to talk about sprouting wings, receiving wings, and strumming a harp? Please . . . no! Not at all.

My vision (or speculation) is of a Kingdom of Priests for the Most High God, on various and sundry junkets through the limitless Universe, Envoys of Ministry to countless other worlds, as assigned by the Great “I AM.” Persons who have a compassion derived from personal knowledge of what it feels like to fail miserably, and having been reconciled and redeemed despite those failures. What a glorious occupation! Carrying the Gospel (good news) of the opportunity to rise from being simply a creation of the Author of Life, to being adopted into His Eternal Family . . . to be called “A Child of God.”

My view, by the way, is in contrast to that of many others. The Bible tells me He said He is preparing a “dwelling place” for me, and that I will be one of a “Kingdom of Priests.” Others want to see a Mansion waiting for them, where they will be kings and priests. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to be left out.

So then, let us not fail to focus on the alternative. Hell is not so much a place as it is the circumstance of “separation from God.” Jesus spoke of Hell more than any other person in the Bible. "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew 5:30) In those discourses, two pictures are painted. One picture is of being cast into a lake of fire, burning in torments, without relief, forever.

"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41)

And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)

The other is a picture of being cast into eternal darkness. My vision is of one being alive out of body, aware, naked of any physical facility, but with a sense of knowing there are others out there; of being unable to see, hear, speak, touch, taste, smell. Alone with only the events of your memories playing over and over in your mind, and the regret of regrets — “It wouldn't be like this if I had only believed, and obeyed.”

"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:13-14)

Whether or not they are convergent is not entirely clear to me. It is popularly taught that the one is incorporated into the other. However, if they are not different views of the same place, they are equally as frightening from the viewpoint of the average normal social human being. Perhaps, then, it is easy to understand why so many deny the very existence of Hell. They reason to themselves and aloud, “Mankind is too noble a creature for God to sentence to eternal punishment.” They also might say, “God is too noble to sentence any living creature to eternal punishment.”

Don't believe it. While it is written, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9), it is also written, “He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)