tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post3231943882216994805..comments2023-06-22T05:36:56.840-07:00Comments on Cosmic Therapy: Micro-visionchiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04426775131776281207noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post-5066195891674205562007-06-06T14:00:00.000-07:002007-06-06T14:00:00.000-07:00Chip,This is one thing that Scott has helped me to...Chip,<BR/>This is one thing that Scott has helped me to see clearly. The issue that Mr. Inhoffe has grabbed onto involves fear and self-defense. <BR/><BR/>People (all humans) have a general propensity to believe that defense of self is the highest "natural law". [I would contend that it’s a very low "carnal law."] <BR/><BR/>The preamble of the USA Constitution establishes "self defense" as a goal, value and duty, with the words "provide for the common defence." <BR/>To <I>self defend</I> means one thing..., 'God you can't do the job. I (we) must provide for the common/self defense. So, Lord, you’re being replaced with nukes; they pack a bigger carnal punch.'<BR/><BR/>God has called on each individual to trust God's good intentions and abilities, rather than self-will and the power of self-defense.<BR/><BR/>People don't like this fact though. They talk about the "real world", and say that 'God expects people to use good common sense'. <BR/><BR/>The principal with Mr. Inhoffe is that he is afraid <I>(read: he has fear)</I> that he will be taken advantage of, by the shyster's from south of the border. The concept says that 'different people are no good, so we need to block them from...' You can fill in the blank. But, the issue for disciples of Christ should rather be; <BR/>Can God supply me with what I need? <BR/>If the "shady characters" do take my money, can God still feed me? <BR/>If the "different people" do supplant the North American language, can God still understand my prayers? <BR/>If the foreigners do <I>kill me dead</I>, can God still raise me to a new life?<BR/><BR/>The fact is, that God expects us to <B>not</B> defend our self, but rather to stand in the gap for those who are powerless or just are simply meek.<BR/><BR/>But, I could be wrong. Nine out of ten Americans tend to disagree with me.<BR/><BR/>God bless,<BR/>DSMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post-6521137253493809662007-06-05T12:21:00.000-07:002007-06-05T12:21:00.000-07:00Chip, Great post, I can't agree with you more. S...Chip, <BR/> Great post, I can't agree with you more. Surprisingly, I was thinking about asking if you had read, "The Myth of the Christian Nation", but Rachel beat me to it, anyways, I think you should, in fact, I've thought that it should be one of the readings assigned in Sr. Bible because it addresses both Christian Nationalism and Christians & Violence. You should give it a read sometime. Well, the fourth of July is quickly approaching so I'm getting ready to sing America the Beautiful and other such 'hymns' which have snuck their way into our "Hymns to the Lord" books...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thoughts, <BR/><BR/>Zane McGeeUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03146637748285243646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post-43499235227735251422007-06-04T21:03:00.000-07:002007-06-04T21:03:00.000-07:00Ann-- I've wondered at how the "on the ground" age...Ann-- I've wondered at how the "on the ground" agencies handle those issues. Glad to hear we're more compassionate at that level. The newspaper report, though, indicated the bill had a good chance at passing. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on the part of the Daily OKman.<BR/><BR/>Rachel, thanks for the note. I haven't read that book, but will look it up soon. Have you read Richard Hughes, "Myths America Lives By" (University of IL Press, about 2004)? It's a wonderful book -- very compelling, well written. Hope you'll get a chance to look at it.<BR/><BR/>ckchiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04426775131776281207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post-49479981605550181642007-06-04T10:40:00.000-07:002007-06-04T10:40:00.000-07:00Have you read The Myth of a Christian Nation by Gr...Have you read The Myth of a Christian Nation by Gregory A. Boyd? It's a short, easy read, addressing the very subjst you address in your final paragraphs on American Christians. I find it refreshing to find others with this perspective.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09874990839459489076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768103.post-9999086650252485472007-06-04T05:36:00.000-07:002007-06-04T05:36:00.000-07:00This touches on a pretty big part of both my caree...This touches on a pretty big part of both my career and past experiences, being an ESL teacher and having been an immigrant in two other countries. <BR/><BR/>Inhoffe is an old pro at making asinine, grandiose statements to get publicity. And I don't doubt he actually believes in the measures he supports. But I would be shocked and amazed if the English only bill passed. I work in a government office that relates mostly with residents of this country who don't speak English, and it would be utterly impossible for us to one day say, "No, you must speak/read/write English to receive services." Especially when those services relate to the education of their children. <BR/><BR/>I have to admit that in some ways I've been impressed with the government's handling of ESL education. Proof of citizenship isn't necessary to enroll students in school, and the school system-- in theory but I think also in practice-- is a safe haven where parents won't be ratted out for being undocumented. The teachers and the people in our office really want to see these kids succeed and thrive in an educational environment, and also serve parents as much as possible through adult education and school involvement. It's far from perfect, but it goes beyond what I imagined it would. <BR/><BR/>English speakers are just plain lucky. Lucky us that the world's second language is English and so when we are abroad there are people to save our butts on every corner. <BR/><BR/>And about nationalism. I hate the whole Manifest Destiny religion as much as you do, but I still believe this isn't an issue uniquely American. It's just that we currently have a lot of the $$$ and power to back up the theory. Pride comes before the fall, huh?annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com