extraordinary rendition?
Published Monday, September 18, 2006 by Jac.
Okay, so the news lately has really caused me to become prolific.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14897315/
Is this legal? This involves a form of kidnapping and abuse of a most hideous kind. Can we condone this? Can we as Christians feel at peace with this? I don’t know about you, but this is getting scary. When you allow this kind of action to start, when and where will it stop?
One of my Czech students (unbeliever) last summer asked me if I, a Christian, agreed with torturing people if they are believed to be terrorists. My answer was no. He then added, if it would/could save the lives of hundreds of people. My answer was still no. It is a difficult thing, but I cannot accept that Christ would condone torture. Can anyone sit in front of me – eye to eye – and say that Christ would give this a thumbs up?
For me cruelty to prevent cruelty (Terrorism to stop terrorism) is unacceptable. How does a society of ‘good’ accept the torture and abuse of a human being because they might give information that could stop terrorism? How are we better than the ones we fight? Okay so we are not killing off hundreds of people. But is a ‘little sin’ justified to prevent a ‘big sin’? If I believe sin is sin and that to my God there is no difference, then I have to say no sin is justified.
I asked this before, are Christians really ok with the current status of the “war on terrorism”?
Darfur - will we be silent?
Published Sunday, September 17, 2006 by Jac.
Darfur – In less than 13 days, the doors will be open wide to genocide. The African union ‘peace’ forces will leave this area and leave millions of people unprotected. A recent meeting was held in the UN to ask that UN forces be brought in to help save the lives of these people. We wait and see what will happen.
During a press conference a reporter ask George Clooney what he would say to American’s who would say we are stretched and too involved in the world right now, what more can we do? Clooney’s response the question is not why should Americans, but why should human beings care about stopping absolute cruelty? As human beings how can we sit back and watch what is about to happen. Clooney also took away any future excuses that we might have by asking, are we going to stand back and 10 years from now try to convince ourselves that we did not know it would happen? His answer was “Well we do.” – no excuses! Hey folks, this is terrorism, this is where the real terror is taking place.
As Christians, we cannot be complacent. Before World War II started, when the atrocities were being reported, many Christians were aware of what was happening and did nothing. They chose to look the other way, to deny the truth, to ask what can we do. Will we do the same today? So what, can we do? Get involved in anyway possible. Start praying. Look on-line for ways to financial help organizations that are working there. Is God calling you to serve Him there? Write editorials in the local newspapers. Write the United Nations. Do something! Love thy neighbor!
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During a press conference a reporter ask George Clooney what he would say to American’s who would say we are stretched and too involved in the world right now, what more can we do? Clooney’s response the question is not why should Americans, but why should human beings care about stopping absolute cruelty? As human beings how can we sit back and watch what is about to happen. Clooney also took away any future excuses that we might have by asking, are we going to stand back and 10 years from now try to convince ourselves that we did not know it would happen? His answer was “Well we do.” – no excuses! Hey folks, this is terrorism, this is where the real terror is taking place.
As Christians, we cannot be complacent. Before World War II started, when the atrocities were being reported, many Christians were aware of what was happening and did nothing. They chose to look the other way, to deny the truth, to ask what can we do. Will we do the same today? So what, can we do? Get involved in anyway possible. Start praying. Look on-line for ways to financial help organizations that are working there. Is God calling you to serve Him there? Write editorials in the local newspapers. Write the United Nations. Do something! Love thy neighbor!
Words from a Radical Christian
Published by Jac.
I have not written for some time for two reasons. The first was that I did not believe anyone was reading what I had to say. The second was just a matter of being very busy. Well, two things have come to my attention and I feel compelled, whether anyone is reading or not, to write/express my feelings somewhere. I will address the issues in two separate blogs.
Recently, I viewed a tape of Rosie O’Donnell accusing radical Christians of being no better than Islamic terrorists. She, basically, accused ‘radical’ Christians of being warmongers and of attacking and killing people. At first, I laughed and thought how ridiculous. How in the world can she say such things and get away with it? What is her problem? Then I listened to a news program where they interviewed several people about her comment. What saddened me was that the believe that radical Christians are represented by the abortion clinic bombers, writers of death threats to doctors and nurses of abortion clinics, and to some guy who apparently goes to soldiers funerals with a sign that “God hates fags.” By my standard of Christianity and the Biblical standard of Christianity, these people are not even Christians much less radical Christians. They are using the name of Christ to propagate their agenda (hate and sin). To make things worse the program had no Christian who would explain that radical Christianity, unlike radical Islam, strives to save people not kill them. Radical Christianity gives people the opportunity to believe or not believe without threatening their existence. Radical Christians are for the most part pacifists, who look to Christ as the example of how to live and treat others.
Who spoke for Christianity on this program? A Republic analyst. Why is that? Why is it that in America today, the belief is that Republican and Christian are one in the same? How did this happen? Why are Christians allowing this to happen? When are we going to let go of the national pride crap, the conservative political crap and let ourselves be who we are…ambassadors of Christ?
Another question I have to ask…are Christians really okay with the current status of the “war on terrorism”? What is Christ’s example when threatened with persecution and death? What are Christ’s words about how we should relate to our enemies? What did he say about the other cheek? Do we really believe that Islam with obliterate Christianity if we take the passive standards of the New Testament? If so, where is our faith? Is it in God’s promises or man’s weapons?
Comments
Recently, I viewed a tape of Rosie O’Donnell accusing radical Christians of being no better than Islamic terrorists. She, basically, accused ‘radical’ Christians of being warmongers and of attacking and killing people. At first, I laughed and thought how ridiculous. How in the world can she say such things and get away with it? What is her problem? Then I listened to a news program where they interviewed several people about her comment. What saddened me was that the believe that radical Christians are represented by the abortion clinic bombers, writers of death threats to doctors and nurses of abortion clinics, and to some guy who apparently goes to soldiers funerals with a sign that “God hates fags.” By my standard of Christianity and the Biblical standard of Christianity, these people are not even Christians much less radical Christians. They are using the name of Christ to propagate their agenda (hate and sin). To make things worse the program had no Christian who would explain that radical Christianity, unlike radical Islam, strives to save people not kill them. Radical Christianity gives people the opportunity to believe or not believe without threatening their existence. Radical Christians are for the most part pacifists, who look to Christ as the example of how to live and treat others.
Who spoke for Christianity on this program? A Republic analyst. Why is that? Why is it that in America today, the belief is that Republican and Christian are one in the same? How did this happen? Why are Christians allowing this to happen? When are we going to let go of the national pride crap, the conservative political crap and let ourselves be who we are…ambassadors of Christ?
Another question I have to ask…are Christians really okay with the current status of the “war on terrorism”? What is Christ’s example when threatened with persecution and death? What are Christ’s words about how we should relate to our enemies? What did he say about the other cheek? Do we really believe that Islam with obliterate Christianity if we take the passive standards of the New Testament? If so, where is our faith? Is it in God’s promises or man’s weapons?
Defies belief ...
Published Friday, March 10, 2006 by Jac.
I just read an article about one of the Chicago school system's requirements for graduation. Chicago requires that all student pass drivers education prior to graduation. Here is where it gets really interesting. This requirement applies to blind students. Makes you shake your head and wonder...
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A question of our rights? Part II
Published Saturday, March 04, 2006 by Jac.
The pursuit of happiness:
I cannot deny that God wants us to be joyful/happy. The Bible is full of reference to joy and to God’s desire that we be joyful. The angels proclaimed Christ's birth as “…good news of great joy...” I believe Adam and Eve experienced perfect joy, they lived in God’s presence. The Bible is an instruction book for those who pursue ultimate joy, the guide to reconciliation with the joy giver. Old and New Testaments both address one thing, how to acquire true joy.
- David sang “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Ps. 16:11)
- Jesus said “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 14:11
Yet, the temptation to pursue a false happiness has prevailed since Eden.
- “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate.” Gen 3:6
My concern with the concept that we have the right to pursue happiness, come from the fact that man’s pursuit, as seen in Eden, is often a pursuit of happiness aside from God.
What makes us happy? Is it a good a job, a good marriage, good children, a home, money in the bank, ability to traveling, or no stress? Is happiness something that can be attained by worldly possessions? What does it mean to pursue happiness? Does the Declaration above lead men to believe that an individual has the right to pursue happiness any way he desires? And if individuals seeks their own happiness, after all it is their right, is it possible that that pursuit can lead to unhappiness for someone else? The happiness of this world is often short lived. To be truthful it is always short lived. Does the words, leave men with a false sense of their ability to make themselves happy?
God offers eternal happiness. Jesus said, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt.6:33. Yes, He was speaking of our daily needs, yet I feel He spoke of all we need for happiness/contentment. What we should be pursuing is not ‘happiness’ but “God’s kingdom and righteousness” and then we will find true happiness. C.S. Lewis wrote that humans were “half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us.” God desires that our joy/happiness be found in Him.
And, when we pursue God’s happiness for us, we can find joy even as we face struggles, pain and suffering. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.” 1Pet 4:12, 13
When we pursue happiness in God, we will reject the worldly concept of the right to life and give our lives for God. We will look at freedom and recognize that true freedom comes when we become slaves to our Lord. We will see happiness as the state of knowing that God is ("I am"), that He loves us and has brought us back into His presence through the reconcilatory act of Christ. Even though we are not entitled, it is not our right.
A question of our rights?
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” The Declaration of Independence
The words above, the foundation of the United States of America, are such an integral part of the culture that every American fights for their rights. What I find interesting is that even Christians demand their ‘rights’ to pursue a happy life. This is interesting to me because of my understanding of the word 'RIGHT'. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word ‘right’ means something to which one has a just claim: as the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled; and something that one may properly claim as due.
My first question is to whom do we make this claim? Over the years, I have heard the phrase “God given rights,” and the Declaration above states "endowed by the Creator." A Christian can then believe that God has gifted them with these things of which they have a ‘just claim’ and are ‘properly due’. In other words, He owes us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
My second question is what does scripture say about these deserved rights that are given to us by God? When I compare God’s word to what is stated as our basic rights, I find the following –
The right to Life:
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” Matt 10:38,39
“For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1:29
“He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal” John 12:25
These verses represent only a few of the words found in the Bible, that clearly state Christians, believers, have no right to ‘life’. Christ once stated that as his followers we must anticipate that we could be treated as He was treated. He was put to death. The first century Christians fully understood what this meant. They did not have the right to life they had the right to die for Christ.
The right to Liberty:
“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or we die. We are the Lord’s.”
Romans 14:7,8
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1
“For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” I Cor 7:22-23
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus,” Philem 1:1
“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus….” Philem 1:23
The book of Acts repeatedly references the early Christians as being in prison for Christ. No thought or reference to them having the right to be free. The fact that He bought us, we are His, we were liberated from the enslavement of this fallen world and at that point, we became His. Again, I will refer to the first century Christians who, were imprisoned, enslaved and tortured to death because of their faith in Christ. Nowhere in the book of Acts or in early Church History do you read that these Christians believed their rights had been infringed upon. I am not saying that they did not desire to be free. I am saying that they did not expect it as their right and that they would rather loose their freedom for the cause of Christ.
To be continued…..
Next:
-The pursuit of happiness:
-These ‘rights’ and the Kingdom of God.
Comments
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” The Declaration of Independence
The words above, the foundation of the United States of America, are such an integral part of the culture that every American fights for their rights. What I find interesting is that even Christians demand their ‘rights’ to pursue a happy life. This is interesting to me because of my understanding of the word 'RIGHT'. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word ‘right’ means something to which one has a just claim: as the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled; and something that one may properly claim as due.
My first question is to whom do we make this claim? Over the years, I have heard the phrase “God given rights,” and the Declaration above states "endowed by the Creator." A Christian can then believe that God has gifted them with these things of which they have a ‘just claim’ and are ‘properly due’. In other words, He owes us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
My second question is what does scripture say about these deserved rights that are given to us by God? When I compare God’s word to what is stated as our basic rights, I find the following –
The right to Life:
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” Matt 10:38,39
“For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1:29
“He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal” John 12:25
These verses represent only a few of the words found in the Bible, that clearly state Christians, believers, have no right to ‘life’. Christ once stated that as his followers we must anticipate that we could be treated as He was treated. He was put to death. The first century Christians fully understood what this meant. They did not have the right to life they had the right to die for Christ.
The right to Liberty:
“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or we die. We are the Lord’s.”
Romans 14:7,8
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1
“For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” I Cor 7:22-23
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus,” Philem 1:1
“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus….” Philem 1:23
The book of Acts repeatedly references the early Christians as being in prison for Christ. No thought or reference to them having the right to be free. The fact that He bought us, we are His, we were liberated from the enslavement of this fallen world and at that point, we became His. Again, I will refer to the first century Christians who, were imprisoned, enslaved and tortured to death because of their faith in Christ. Nowhere in the book of Acts or in early Church History do you read that these Christians believed their rights had been infringed upon. I am not saying that they did not desire to be free. I am saying that they did not expect it as their right and that they would rather loose their freedom for the cause of Christ.
To be continued…..
Next:
-The pursuit of happiness:
-These ‘rights’ and the Kingdom of God.
Patriotism and Christianity.
“This world is not my home I’m just passing through…”
Should Christians be patriots? I say YES, unashamedly. Yes, if it mean we are patriotic to the kingdom of God. For me, Christians should not see themselves as British, German, African, Chinese, or American. We were born into another kingdom, when we became believers. We no longer belong to this world. Jesus said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16 The nationalities which divide humans culturally and politically, no longer apply to us. We are CHRISTIANS, and as such, we must think beyond the limits of these worldly kingdoms. We are citizens of the kingdom of God. This means we no longer hold allegiances to nations, our allegiances belong only to God and His kingdom. When we take what should wholly belong to God and give it to this world, we sin. So, you will never hear me say again, I am proud to be an American. You will here me boldly proclaim, I am proud to be a Christian!
Christians get off the nationalist bandwagons and become true patriots of your Father's kingdom.
Comments
“This world is not my home I’m just passing through…”
Should Christians be patriots? I say YES, unashamedly. Yes, if it mean we are patriotic to the kingdom of God. For me, Christians should not see themselves as British, German, African, Chinese, or American. We were born into another kingdom, when we became believers. We no longer belong to this world. Jesus said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16 The nationalities which divide humans culturally and politically, no longer apply to us. We are CHRISTIANS, and as such, we must think beyond the limits of these worldly kingdoms. We are citizens of the kingdom of God. This means we no longer hold allegiances to nations, our allegiances belong only to God and His kingdom. When we take what should wholly belong to God and give it to this world, we sin. So, you will never hear me say again, I am proud to be an American. You will here me boldly proclaim, I am proud to be a Christian!
Christians get off the nationalist bandwagons and become true patriots of your Father's kingdom.
A place for thoughts
Published Friday, January 06, 2006 by Jac.
As the New Year starts, I thought I would explore this thing called blogging. Hopefully, this will be a place for sharing thoughts and ideas about life. Can't wait to see where this leads.
Comments