I believe that the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
I believe all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of kinship, love and tolerance.
I don't believe in distinction of any kind, such as
- race, colour, ethnicity, nationality
- sex, gender identity
- sexual orientation
- language, culture
- religion, spirituality
- political opinion
- any opinion
- origin (social, national or any other kind)
- age
- weight, size
- looks, beauty or lack of it
- disability or illness, visible or invisible, of mind or body
- property, wealth
- birth
- other status or identity

Friday, October 29, 2010

So it was Halliburton's fault

"Halliburton Co. acknowledged that it skipped a critical test on the final formulation of cement used to seal BP's oil well before it blew out catastrophically in the Gulf of Mexico."
- Critical tests NOT done on cement before blowout

Halliburton said “it is premature and irresponsible to speculate on any specific causal issues.”...
...“Halliburton had completed the cementing of the final production casing string in accordance with the well design,” it said. “The cement slurry design was consistent with that utilized in other similar applications. In accordance with accepted industry practice … tests demonstrating the integrity of the production casing string were completed.”
Gulf Oil Spill Halliburton Connection

"Halliburton does not care if a few Gulf shrimpers go out of business. But low cost shrimp pouring out of polluted ponds?...why that is almost like...don't say it...Rigged?...Oil spill?"
- Halliburton Gulf Oil Spill Conspiracy

Friday, October 22, 2010

Should Christians respect President Obama?

There is a piece of writing circulating on-line. I received it today. Most people spreading it refuse to answer any responses :-D Cowards, I say. Well... doesn't save them.

Firstly, it's not said nor written by David Barton. I wasn't aware that spreading rumors, urban legends and hoaxes is part of these "Judeo-Christian values of Founding Fathers", but... on the other hand... that's one part of what made Washington such a brilliant general :-D (I would like it if people removed the "Judeo" part of this, and spoke only about their own faith and values. The Jewish and Christians values are not the same.)

I read a lot about homeschooling yesterday, and one of the things that Christians wish to teach their children is respect of each other. They say:
"Teaching respect as a Christian trait requires at least seven facts.

   1. Respect is owed God for Who He is
   2. God created all things
   3. God said His creations are good
   4. Respect is owed to all God created
   5. Everything God created has value
   6. Respect recognizes value
   7. Respect is exercised by conscious choice"

Now, if this person calling him/herself Christian says s/he consciously chooses NOT to respect a man, simply because s/he disagrees with him, and about politics and money, of all issues, how do you think you COULD teach your children true respect of others. As far as I understand, these seven principles can be put simply thus:
we are to respect others because
a) God created everything, even President Obama,
b) what God created has a value and
c) that value is good, even if we cannot see it, We should trust and love God enough to not question Him.

I'm sorry, but if I was Christian, I would look at what this person says through the Bible and not through my political opinions, and realize that s/he is NOT saying things Christians should even listen to, and definitely not spread.
God has given the Christians brains and heart and the Bible. I wish they'd use those to for themselves decide what is good and what not, and don't just follow some populist orator. I am not asking anyone to agree with President Obama, but what ever he is, he IS your brother, your neighbor, your kin, God's creation and a human. As a Christian you should LOVE him for that, and that alone, and with love follows respect.
I don't think one really loves the person one calls "the embodiment of Evil!" :-D

Then about paying the taxes, what ever they are.

This is what JESUS says about that thing:
"Tell us therefore, What think you? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt you me, you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money." And they brought to him a penny.
And he said to them, "Whose is this image and superscription?"
They say unto him, "Caesar's".
Then saith he unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

- Matthew 22:17-21

If you look at any American coin or bill it says "United States of America". It's not YOUR money, it's USA's money, so give it to USA, and you know as well as I do, that USA means the government. If your elected "emperor" wants to collect taxes, give him them.
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. "
- Matthew 5: 39-42


If he wants your money, give it to him. Better to get rid of the damned thing anyway, so why not give it to someone you think is as damned... or do you really think your money is more worth than God created human being?

Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

- Matthew 19: 21-24

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
-- Matthew 6:24
And not your country and God, or your party and God, or your minister and God or... You have to choose.

and
"And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body should be cast into hell."
- Matthew 5:30

Sounds to me that who ever wrote this (and who ever is sending it on and spreading it) is trying to lure the Christian Republicans away from God, to Mammon. The whole writing reeks love of money, love of nation, country, land and love of political party...  loving earthly things more than your neighbor/enemy/next of kin/another human being. I really don't think Jesus told you to do that...
Are you going to make the same choice?
Are you going to continue encouraging your fellow Christians to follow the person who wrote this and not Jesus?

Just think about it.

To give you just a little bit more to think about: Here's Brooke Taylor's thoughts on the matter:
"I understand the frustration directed at our government. I am not pleased with the policies, decisions and directions of our president. But I have been convicted today as I read a statement that I probably used to say. A statement that made me feel (self) righteous. A statement that many Christians today are saying AMEN to. I am just not sure that it measures up to scripture."

I am sure. It doesn't.

P.S. Why do the Republicans have the need to put God's name everywhere except in their hearts? If it WAS in their hearts, they wouldn't need to force everyone else to look at it and listen to it :-D
"And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward."
- Matthew 6:5

I'll end this with Paul's words:
"But we urge you, brothers, to do this [to love one another] more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."
- 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12