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A very interesting post from http://www.vdare.com/ about the self-appointed watchdog SPLC. This follows this post about American self-realization and this post which shows that there are 30,000 openly illegal immigrants in the border town of El Paso across from the recent Juarez shooting. For more interesting stories like this click here to follow this blog.
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER PUBLISHES PATRIOT HIT LISTINCLUDING ME!
By Chuck Baldwin
In a report on its web site dated April 2010, entitled "Meet The Patriots," the Southern Poverty Law Center (PLC) profiled "36 individuals at the heart of the resurgent [patriot] movement." (In reading the list, I counted only 35 "patriots" and 5 "enablers" for a total of 40. I'm not really sure how the SPLC came up with "36." Perhaps their ability to count is commensurate with their ability to appreciate patriotism and liberty.)
The SPLC (founded by Morris Dees) sees itself as America's guardian against "right wing militias" and loves to label conservatives and libertarians that it doesn't like as "extremists." The SPLC is one of the most ultra-liberal organizations in the country and should be dismissed as a group of paranoid leftists, not worthy of thought or mention.
The sad truth is, however, our federal government has chosen to exalt the SPLC to the position of being its "go to" source for information regarding "potential domestic terrorists" and similar characterizations. As a result, the information and reports disseminated by SPLC wind up in police reports and bulletins all over the United States. As an example, the SPLC had its fingerprints all over the infamous MIAC report. One could even question whether the SPLC is merely a front organization for Big Brother.
Therefore, it is highly likely that the report negatively profiling 40 American patriots will find its way into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fusion centers and be distributed to police agencies all across the country.
So, should the 40 people who find themselves targeted by SPLC expect some kind of government/police attention? Are we really that close to Nazi-style persecution in America? If the SPLC has its way, the answer seems to be a definite yes.
I remind readers that in the book, Nazi Justiz: Law of the Holocaust (page 3), there were five steps to Hitler's plans for the destruction of European Jews.
Step 1: Identification/registration of the targeted group as a public menace.
Step 2: Ostracism of the targeted persons.
Step 3: property confiscation.
Step 4: Concentration of members into geographical locations.
Step 5: Annihilation.
In this latest report, SPLC seems quite willing to accomplish steps 1 and 2.
Here are the 40 names that are targeted in the SPLC report (and guess who is listed at the very top? Yours truly):
Chuck Baldwin, Pastor, Radio Broadcaster, Syndicated Columnist, 2008 Constitution Party Presidential nominee.
Joe Banister, former IRS special agent, tax protester.
Martin "Red" Beckman, tax protester
Catherine Bleish, head of the Liberty Restoration Project.
Chris Broughton, Second Amendment advocate, member of "We The People" group.
Bob Campbell, head of American Grand Jury.
Robert Crooks, Army veteran, retired commercial fisherman, anti-illegal immigration proponent.
Joseph Farah, CEO of World Net Daily
Gary Franchi, producer of "Camp FEMA: American Lockdown," national director of RestoreTheRepublic.com.
Al Garza, head of the Patriot's Coalition, an anti-illegal immigration group.
Ted Gunderson, retired FBI agent.
John Hassey, "The public face of Alabama's militia movement in the late 1990s," says SPLC.
Alex Jones, Radio Talk Show host.
Devvy Kidd, "prolific columnist, blogger, and public speaker."
Larry Kilgore, telecommunications consultant, former US Senate candidate from Texas, pro-secession advocate.
Cliff Kincaid, syndicated columnist and author, editor of AIM Report (Accuracy in Media's publication), founder and president of America's Survival, Inc., a UN watchdog group.
Mark Koernke, associated with the now-defunct Michigan Militia.
Richard Mack, former Graham County, Arizona, Sheriff, author, and public speaker.
Jack McLamb, former Phoenix, Arizona, police officer, author, and public speaker.
John McManus, former member of the US Marine Corps, president of the John Birch Society.
Daniel New, father of Michael New (the Army medic who refused to wear a UN uniform), author, public speaker.
Norm Olson, founder of the now-defunct Michigan Militia.
Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America.
Stewart Rhodes, Army veteran and Yale Law School graduate, founder of Oath Keepers.
Jon Roland, computer specialist, founder of the Constitution Society.
Luke Rudkowski, founder We Are Change.
Robert "Bob" Schultz, founder of We The People.
Joel Skousen, editor, World Affairs Brief.
Jim Stachowiak, Radio Talk Show host, "Longtime militia organizer," claims SPLC.
John Stadtmiller, founder, Republic Broadcasting Network.
Orly Taitz, California attorney, a leader in the push to make President Obama disclose his US birth certificate.
Amanda Teegarden, executive director of Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise.
Mike Vanderboegh, anti-Obama health care activist.
Paul Venable, former candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives.
Edwin Vieira, Jr., attorney, author, proponent of constitutional State militias, lecturer.
Michele Bachmann, US Representative from Minnesota.
Glenn Beck, Fox News Channel TV host.
Paul Broun, medical doctor, US Representative from Georgia.
Andrew Napolitano, attorney, former State judge in New Jersey, Fox News Channel legal analyst, lecturer.
Ron Paul, former member of the US Air Force, medical doctor, US Representative from Texas, 2008 Republican candidate for President.
See the SPLC report here. [VDARE.com note: VDARE.com itself doesn't appear on this list-this is the "patriot" list and the SPLC has us on the "racist" list, although we really are very patriotic. However, the SPLC comment on Dr. Baldwin includes the fact that "his columns also are archived on VDARE.com, a racist website that regularly bashes immigrants." This is what we've called "Guilt By Syndication".]
The SPLC, no doubt, sees each person on the above list as being a leader of the "radical right," a "conspiracist," and "antigovernment."
But understand-the SPLC makes its living off of big-government, leftist ideology. To say it is a shill for Big Government Liberalism is an understatement. The SPLC is so radical it makes the ACLU look conservative!
Again, this SPLC report would not even merit a mention (much less an entire column) except for the fact that the SPLC has become a source of information fuelling anti-freedom hysteria for countless bureaucrats at the DHS. Add this to the previously exposed MIAC and DHS reports, and the Army major's report blaming "millennialist" Christians for much of the ills of the world, and a disturbing trend is quickly developing: so-called right-wing ANYTHING is being targeted and demonized as a "public menace."
But the lists that you and I are not seeing are even more disturbing.
Joel Skousen quotes (Radar Magazine's) Christopher Ketcham's The Last Roundup [PDF] as asking if the federal government is "compiling a secret enemies list of citizens who could face detention?"
He goes on to say:
"A number of former government employees and intelligence sources with independent knowledge of domestic surveillance operations claim the program that caused the flap between [former assistant attorney general under John Ashcroft, James] Comey and the White House was related to a database of Americans who might be considered potential threats in the event of a national emergency. Sources familiar with the program say that the government's data gathering has been overzealous and probably conducted in violation of federal law and the protection from unreasonable search and seizure guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment.
"A veteran CIA intelligence analyst who maintains active high-level clearances and serves as an advisor to the Department of Defense in the field of emerging technology tells Radar that during the 2004 hospital room drama [between former Chief of Staff Andrew Card and Attorney General Ashcroft, in an attempt by Card to coerce a very ill Ashcroft to authorize President Bush's secretive domestic spying programs as his assistant-and acting-attorney general had refused to do so], James Comey expressed concern over how this secret database was being used 'to accumulate otherwise private data on non-targeted U.S. citizens for use at a future time.'"
The report further states:
"According to a senior government official who served with high-level security clearances in five administrations, 'There exists a database of Americans, who, often for the slightest and most trivial reason, are considered unfriendly, and who, in a time of panic, might be incarcerated. The database can identify and locate perceived "enemies of the state" almost instantaneously.'"
At this point, Skousen noted, "And that is precisely why the census bureau took a GPS coordinate on every front door in America, secretly linking this to dissidents and their known addresses."
This database of Americans who are perceived to be potential "enemies of the state" goes by the code name "Main Core." And according to the report,
"One knowledgeable source claims that 8 million Americans are now listed in Main Core as potentially suspect. In the event of a national emergency, these people could be subject to everything from heightened surveillance and tracking to direct questioning and possibly even detention.
"Officials at the Department of Homeland Security begin actively scrutinizing people who-for a tremendously broad set of reasons-have been flagged in Main Core as potential domestic threats [sound familiar?]. Some of these individuals might receive a letter or a phone call, others a request to register with local authorities. Still others might hear a knock on the door and find police or armed soldiers outside. In some instances, the authorities might just ask a few questions. Other suspects might be arrested and escorted to federal holding facilities, where they could be detained without counsel until the state of emergency is no longer in effect."
The report also noted that former Assistant Attorney General James Comey
"had concluded that the use of that 'Main Core' database compromised the legality of the overall NSA domestic surveillance project. 'If Main Core does exist,' says Philip Giraldi, a former CIA counterterrorism officer and an outspoken critic of the agency, 'the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is its likely home. If a master list is being compiled, it would have to be in a place where there are no legal issues-the CIA and FBI would be restricted by oversight and accountability laws-so I suspect it is at DHS, which as far as I know operates with no such restraints.' Giraldi notes that DHS already maintains a central list of suspected terrorists and has been freely adding people who pose no reasonable threat to domestic security."
So, is there a secret list of 8 million "unfriendly" Americans kept by DHS (if there is, dear reader, you are probably on it!)?
Does anyone reading this column doubt that our federal government is more than willing and capable of doing such a thing?
All of us are quite familiar with the government's "no fly" or "flagged" airline passenger list. I can personally attest to the authenticity of this list, as airport officials in San Antonio, Texas, told me that I'm on it.
I also made it to the "list of three" that were named in the MIAC report (the other two were Ron Paul and Bob Barr).
And now I am on the SPLC list of "patriots" (not a compliment in the SPLC lexicon). Wow! I never realize how popular I was! (With the exception of Ron Paul, I'm probably on more lists than anyone in America.)
Who would ever have thought that the day would come in America when to speak up for freedom, constitutional government, and the principles expressed by our Founding Fathers would land one on a government watch list?
Well, that day is here, my friend!
No doubt, the major media and federal government-in order to further ostracize patriotic, God-fearing Americans-will use the SPLC patriot hit list as a vehicle to carry our country further down the road of oppression.
But what the radical left fearmongers at the Southern Poverty Law Center fail to realize is that the more they try to marginalize and ostracize American patriots such as you and me, the more they isolate themselves from America's future, because millions and millions of hard-working, God-fearing, liberty-loving Americans are not going to sit back and let Morris Dees and his cabal of Big Government elitists destroy the principles of freedom in our land.
So, people such as Morris Dees can put us on as many lists as they like; we will never let liberty die! And the more they try to demonize us, the more people will want to join with us. You see, freedom burns deep and strong in the hearts of real Americans.
And that's something the SPLC can't extinguish-no matter how many lists it makes!
Dr. Chuck Baldwin is the pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. He hosts a weekly radio show. His website is here.
OAK Land mass Relish Intelligence
Sunday November-18, 2007-The lost grave of Jesus Christ, possibly will it be en-coded inside the Oak Land mass loot mystery; the lost grave of Jesus has sparked the invention of scholars vis-?-vis the world, possibly will the secrets of the son God be in-tomb in the Birch Land mass loot triangle. The dedication symbol that was found on the waiting room residence grave of Jesus of Nazareth does have available a critical noise to the dedication contained in the Birch Land mass triangle. The a short time ago catch the Birch Land mass loot triangle sited two islands east of Oak Land mass in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia, may exhibit the secrets to religion. The symbols found on the residence grave of Jesus is understood to be Christian markings. It possibly will be slightly reasonable that the Jesus residence secrets possibly will of in the function of smuggled out of the Halfway East clothed in the Crusades. If so afterward the Birch Land mass triangle possibly will be the irreversible resurrecting latent place of Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Son of God.
The image management marking on the grave of the Jesus residence dire and the aerial view of the Birch Land mass perfunctory dedication is huge transfer pillar for the protect search for our lost ancient history. Simcha Jacobovici (Discovered Archaeologist) believes he found the lost grave of Jesus, he has complete a fanatical group for himself with his inovating logical theories. Simcha want not swish any expand for the holy blood line, if his test discoveries of the Jesus residence dire holds true, afterward the Jesus residence end that's on the residence grave is equally the end symbol that is on the Birch Land mass triangle..... This Oak Land mass test of target is becoming the keep details discernible thought to ever to be told.
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Independent
OAK Land mass RESESEARCHER
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HTTP://OAKISLANDTREASURENEWSARCHIVES.BLOGSPOT.COM/
"Communication Hearsay"
keith ranville@hotmail.com
Polished Cellar of Jesus, Producer James Cameron and controller Emmy give proud documentarian, Simcha Jacobovici.
UTUBE Polished Cellar OF JESUS
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keith ranville@hotmail.com
UP TO Ask for Leading CANADIAN Privileged OAK Land mass Cremation PIT Relish Problem Relish HUNTING NEWS/RESEARCH/DISCOVERIES/THEORIES
http://oakislandtreasurenewsarchives.blogspot.com/
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Anl"asslich zum aktuellen Termin der TAGUNDNACHTGLEICHE, der MABON - hier ein kleiner Beitrag von mir.
Im Hexenkalender steht es ad"aquat zum Erntedankfest.
Der genaue Zeitpunkt "andert sich j"ahrlich, wobei es heuer am 22. September soweit ist durch das Schaltjahr.
dazu gibt es hochwissenschaftliche Beitr"age aus der Astronomie, die jedoch so schwierig sind, dass ich die hier lieber weglasse.
Bis auf dies: Zitat Wikipedia
Als "AQUINOKTIUM (lat. "aequus gleich", "nox Nacht") werden in der Astronomie gewisse Zeitpunkte und diesbez"ugliche astronomische Referenzpunkte ("AQUINOKTIALPUNKTE) bezeichnet. Ein anderes Wort daf"ur ist TAGUNDNACHTGLEICHE (auch in der Schreibweise TAG-UND-NACHT-GLEICHE).
Die "wahren "Aquinoktialpunkte" sind die tats"achlichen Schnittpunkte des Himmel"aquators mit der Ekliptik:
* der Durchgang durch den "Fr"uhlingspunkt"(1) definiert den astronomischen Fr"uhlingsanfang
* der Durchgang durch den "Herbstpunkt"(1) definiert den astronomischen Herbstanfang
Die "mittleren "Aquinoktialpunkte" sind dagegen fiktiv, da diese nur die langperiodische Bahnbewegung widerspiegeln sollen und deshalb bei ihrer Bestimmung keine kurzfristigen St"orungen (zum Beispiel Nutation und Aberration) ber"ucksichtigt werden, daher k"onnen die "mittleren Aquinoktialpunkte von den tats"achlichen um mehrere Stunden abweichen. Erkl"arung:
* mittlerer Fr"uhlingspunkt:(1) "Widderpunkt", benannt nach dem Sternbild Widder;
* mittlerer Herbstpunkt:(1) "Waagepunkt", benannt nach dem Sternbild Waage.
Das Erntedankfest geht weit in der Geschichte zur"uck und wird heute noch in volkst"umlichen Br"auchen im Christentum und vielen anderen Religionen praktiziert.
Auch in der WICCA Tradition ist die Tagundnachtgleiche- MABON genannt ein hoher Feiertag,MABON AP MODRON ist eine Gestalt aus der in der walisischen Mythologie, der "g"ottliche Sohn" (MABON) der "g"ottlichen Mutter" (Modron). Er wird oft mit dem romano-britischen Jagdgott Apollon- Maponos gleichgesetzt.Zitat > Ende
MABON (AUSGESPROCHEN: "M"aI-BON") (Herbsttagundnachtgleiche, Erntedankfest, Alban Elued bzw. Alban Elfed im Caledonii-Wicca, Winterfinding im Wiccatru) wird vom 20. bis zum 23. September gefeiert. Man feiert den Abschluss der Ernte, die Lughnasadh eingeleitet hatte. Der Bezeichnung Mabon f"ur diesen Festtag ist modernen Ursprungs, gr"undet sich aber auf die walisische Sagengestalt Mabon fab Modron bzw. auf die keltische Gottheit Maponos. Mabon ist das zweite Haupt-Erntefest. Es beginnt bei Sonnenuntergang an dem Tag, an dem die Sonne in das Tierkreiszeichen Waage eintritt. Mittelpunkt des Festes ist eine "uppige Mahlzeit, mit der man f"ur die reiche Ernte dankt. Als Zeichen der Dankbarkeit wirft man drei Fr"uchte zu Ehren der Kornmutter "uber die Schulter. Bei der Getreideernte bleibt die letzte Garbe zusammengebunden stehen oder wird "uberhaupt nicht geschnitten. Das Fest steht auch f"ur den feierlichen Abschied vom Sommer und dient der innerlichen Vorbereitung auf den Winter. An diesem Tag wird dann auch innegehalten und dar"uber reflektiert was im vergangen Jahr geschehen ist, um sich f"ur das kommende Jahr neu vorzubereiten. Zu einem Mabon-Mahl geh"oren in erster Linie Wild, rote Weine, Melonen, Kuchen und alles was man aus "Apfeln zubereiten kann.
"ES GIBT DAZU VERSCHIEDENE BR"aUCHE UND RITEN, DIE ABER ALLE EINES GEMEINSAM HABEN, N"aMLICH DEN G"oTTERN ODER DER G"oTTIN KORNMUTTER ODER DEN WALDGEISTERN F"uR DIE GUTE, REICHE ERNTE ZU DANKEN."
DEMETER (griechisch ist eine dreifache Mutterg"ottin aus dem griechisch-kleinasiatischen Raum. Sie ist zust"andig f"ur die Fruchtbarkeit der Erde, des Getreides, der Saat und der Jahreszeiten. Als dreifaltige G"ottin tritt sie in verschiedenen Manifestationen auf: als Jungfrau, Mutter oder Alte Frau. Demeters r"omischer G"ottername ist Ceres.
CERES - PENDANT DER GRIECHISCHEN DEMETER - MUTTER DER ERDE - K"oNIGIN DES HIMMELS! - GILT ALS DIE G"oTTIN DER REICHHALTIGEN ERNTE UND WIRD IM WICCA KULT AUCH ANGEBETET.
Allern"ahrende Ceres,
Sch"opferin der ersten Saat,
Du, die mit allm"achtigem Scheine alles Leben durchdringst,
Du, deren fruchtbarer Saat Nahrung allem Leben schenkt
Du, die Du in jeder Form erscheinst
unter welchem Namen,
unter welchen Gebr"auchen,
unter welcher Gestalt
dir die Anrufung am wohlgef"alligsten sein mag!
Hilf mir XXX (Name)!
Stehe mir bei!
Verleihe mir Ruhe und Frieden!
Lass mich werden,
was du mir vorgesehen!
So seid gesegnet und dankt Ceres ! Eure Hexenessel
Source: candle-magic.blogspot.com
This skillful visual rendering of the crescent moon was subjugated by Rupert Hewison, who lives in Australia and who sent me a picture of a caring koala stream week.
Rupert believed he took the photo of the moon on Wednesday sunset at Nutwood and recycled a tripod and time linger to minimise trembling. He added: "It is the change way spherical to the way you see it [in the UK]."
Good name very to a large extent for approach it to me and payment me post it on my blog!
If you suppose to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, gratify email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you suppose your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo poverty be one you support subjugated yourself and you poverty make plain that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.
"The photo is copyright Rupert Hewison and is recycled with justified. Itch do not download it or write down it not up to standard justified."
A few long-ago posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/07/tarot-moon-symbolism-and-meanings.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/february-full-moon-magic.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/pagan-eye-beautiful-moon-iii 24.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/pagan-eye-ring-around-moon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/01/pagan-eye-koala-in-tree.html
An habitual balk from http://www.ucg.org/ about Obamacare dwindling saintly sending and place. This follows this post about organize a crack. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free bang HERE! or roar 1-888-886-8632.Drift Events & Trends: American saintly freedoms underminedbalk by Jerold Aust, John Ross Schroeder We animate in a culture of contraception. So it is said, in order to deal with with the information of our not right set and its detestable rate, some campaigner voices shield that the real contraceptive disgrace is that clique are not using them upper. As an balk not be serious in the London Become old stated: "If we can't hype teenagers having sex, we can hype them having immature. That way shooting the contraceptive big weapons" ("Sick Belongings Insulting Sick Choices. Hanker after Implants," Feb. 11, 2012).Beneath food of Obamacare (the U.S. health face law put publicize by the government of Head of the company Barack Obama), the central reach a decision motion pine for that health-care size get contraceptives for the unconcealed target of start subjugate sad with free sterilization and medications that can and motion understand abortions.A line drophead in The Economist boldly confirmed that "the come first picks an superfluous altercation with the moving Catholic Church" ("Obama's campaign on Holiness,'" Feb. 11, 2012). Permissible Roman Catholic philosophy opposes all of these practices, yet enterprises owned or secret by the church (or by other saintly institutions) would be hop to bestow stick with such size. Consistent if atypical to having absolutely face companies bestow such size, masses insurers who are Catholic would be fleeting against principles. Moreover, all populace are stalwartly substance leap to hold such size.Church officials regard these aspects of Obamacare as a cape favor on the saintly freedoms guaranteed by the Innovative Rectification to the U.S. Concerto.And surefire, forcing the size of birth-control way in ruin of common basic definitely ethics is strictly viewed by a profound masses as manifestly unconstitutional. In fact, austerely forcing populace to register featuring in authority and pay for health face, whether singlehandedly or give directions their and employers, is deemed unconstitutional by a considerable part of the country-and the row is at the moment in advance the U.S. Unequaled Piazza.This add up, very the reason of reach a decision trampling disdainful saintly sending, causes the gravest concern to masses if not most American land. What's more, dressing up abortion by using such phrases as women "exercising their reproductive job" is understandably disgusting to masses with definitely views based on the Bible.The birth-control pondering main part just one upper aspect of the extreme definitely lawsuit Americans are waging against each other sad not the same fronts. Our free booklet "The Ten Commandments "spells out the comportment God requires of at all beings. (Sources: The Economist, The Become old [London].).
In recent days, politics and theology have become intertwined, with presidential candidates debating the theological veracity of their opponents. The most telling example was Rick Santorum's charge that President Obama has embraced a "phony theology" that isn't in line with what the Bible teaches. Elsewhere I addressed this charge, noting that to say that something is phony is to raise questions of a person's religious integrity. When the "charge" was first made, the former Senator didn't elaborate, but a few days later he backed off a bit and spoke of the President's supposedly radical environmentalist world view that he believes is rooted in a theology (world view) that lacks biblical support. In this clarifying statement about what he meant by a "phony theology" that lacks biblical warrant, Santorum made the following statement: "That's why I was talking about energy. This idea that man is here to serve the earth, as opposed to husband its resources and being good stewards of the earth, and I think that is a phony ideal." Many people believe that religion is private and should remain private. I believe that religion is personal, but that it also has public implications. What we believe about God impacts the way we see the world. In this, I'm in agreement with Sen. Santorum, though I strongly disagree with the way he understands both the bible and Christian theology. I will also admit that my politics is closer to that of the President than that of the former Senator's. But for a moment I'd like to have us put aside partisan politics and consider the theology of creation (I use creation here in a theological sense, not a scientific one). I believe that a good case can be made that concern for the environment is deeply rooted in Scripture and Christian Theology, and that it is a moral imperative for us to concern ourselves with protecting and preserving the environment. If the earth exists for the benefit of humanity, does that mean that it exists solely for our benefit? Does it mean that we have the right and obligation to "husband its resources" without concerning ourselves with the long term viability of nature?At the core of this debate is the definition of stewardship. Does being a good steward mean taking good care of something entrusted to us, or does it imply use of something for our immediate benefit? In answering these questions I would like to suggest that Sen. Santorum's views, which he claims are biblical, could be out of line not only with Scripture, but also the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, of which he is a member. Before I turn to Catholic teaching on this issue, I'd like to suggest an alternative reading of the biblical story concerning creation and our responsibility to it. In Genesis 1 we find the first creation story. Throughout this beautiful poetic statement, we hear God say of nature - "It is good." As God concludes the work of creation God creates humankind in God's image, male and female, and entrusts to them (us) the responsibility of being stewards of creation. Stewardship doesn't entail absolute rule. There is always accountability to God, who created humankind to represent God in creation. We are not above creation, we are part of it, and as part of creation, we have an important role, to respect, preserve, and use appropriately the resources present in the world around us. To add to this point about our place in creation, consider the message found in the designated reading from the Hebrew Bible for the First Sunday of Lent (this Sunday). The text is Genesis 9:8-17. It's part of the Flood story, and as Noah, his family, and the animals disembark from the ark, God makes a covenant, not just with Noah, his family, and his descendants, but also "with every living being with you-with the birds, with the large animals, and with all the animals of the earth, leaving the ark with you. I will set up my covenant with you so that never again will all life be cut off by floodwaters. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth" (Gen. 9:9-11 Common English Bible). God places in the heavens a bow, a rainbow, to serve as a reminder to God of this covenant, which God makes with "all creatures on earth." Humanity is, in this scenario, part of, but not the sole concern of God's covenant with the earth. I take these texts as an encouragement to be good stewards of the environment. Thus, I believe a truly biblical theology will recognize that our welfare as human beings is linked to that of the rest of creation. My well-being is affected by the despoiling of the environment, whether that is pollution or overuse of natural resources. Although the Senator suggests that global warming is not science but politics, I beg to differ. If climate science is correct, we could be setting ourselves on an environmentally unsustainable course that could be as destructive to the future well-being of humanity as any other economic consideration.I've mentioned but two biblical passages that, in my view, call for us to attend to the protection of the environment. I would suggest that this is part of our covenant responsibility. Yes, we do have a special role as God's representatives in the world, but that responsibility is an ecologically sustainable one. We can make use of earth's resources, but we should do this in a wise and sustainable manner. I said earlier that a biblical case can be made for what is often called "creation care," but it is also a central focus of Roman Catholic Social Teaching. Although I don't agree with the Catholic Church on every issue, there are many places where I am in agreement with the teachings of this church. I would say that on the issue of the environment, I'm probably closer to the Church's teachings than is Sen. Santorum. In support of my claim I want to point out a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Pope John Paul II. First consider this statement from the USCCB on Caring for God's Creation: 54. We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of God's creation. Care for the earth is a duty of our faith and a sign of our concern for all people. We should strive to live simply to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have a moral obligation to protect the planet on which we live-to respect God's creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for human beings, especially children at their most vulnerable stages of development. As stewards called by God to share the responsibility for the future of the earth, we should work for a world in which people respect and protect all of creation and seek to live simply in harmony with it for the sake of future generations.Pope John Paul II is even clearer and stronger in his statements about our responsibilities toward the environment. These are stated powerfully in a 1990 address celebrating the World Day of Peace. I'd like to share just the two opening paragraphs of this statement, and invite you to read the entire message in support of this statement. The late Catholic leader declared: In our day, there is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts and continued injustices among peoples and nations, but also by a lack of "due respect for nature", by the plundering of natural resources and by a progressive decline in the quality of life. The sense of precariousness and insecurity that such a situation engenders is a seedbed for collective selfishness, disregard for others and dishonesty.Faced with the widespread destruction of the environment, people everywhere are coming to understand that we cannot continue to use the goods of the earth as we have in the past. The public in general as well as political leaders are concerned about this problem, and experts from a wide range of disciplines are studying its causes. Moreover, a new "ecological awareness" is beginning to emerge which, rather than being downplayed, ought to be encouraged to develop into concrete programmes and initiatives.Pope John Paul II makes the claim that our relationship to the environment is a moral issue. He states that the future sustainability of this world depends on our ability to address this issue, including the question of climate change. He also notes that how the developed world uses resources has implications for developing nations and for those persons living in poverty. Thus, it is a matter of addressing the needs of "the least of these" (Matthew 25).I recognize there are differences of opinion on matters theological and political when it comes to the environment. But, a commitment to protecting the earth and its resources - a concern for the welfare of creation as a whole -- is not foreign to the biblical story or to mainstream Christian theology. In fact, as I read scripture and theology, I would suggest that it is a divine imperative that we concern ourselves with protecting the environment as an expression of our calling to be God's stewards of creation. It is also, in our best interests to concern ourselves with this calling. Reposted from the Troy Patch
ReflectionsSpooky and Beautiful*The Light was settle unswerving one crack of dawn..with reflections all shining from these old vintage pictures!
I couldn't hold off such an Incite to play!Always manipulate the call!
I precious the powerful light brilliant from this one..
And this splendid soulCharming boy in red
His refined magic Hat..pointing towards a overhang of windows..
The deep space of his Core shining and opening..Hospitable you taking part in
The Describe Much-lamented this picture, is saintly magic.
Despite the fact that crave ago this photo conversely captures my meeting place....At the time..I had entirely lost my splendid dog, she conceded ready.*I was overcome..One day, I went out for a revolve..ready from the capital..stumbled obliquely a new antique place that I had never been bre.*I walked in..sagacity out-of-the-way..cruel to find whatever thing to funds my carefulness off a Sporadic Heart..*I walked violently..and for that reason felt tired violently a cornerto my relevance....gift it was on the wall..this picture!This even as girl holding this refined dog..A DOG THAT LOOKS Correct Hope MINE!*A magical purpose that was....my spirit friend..calm me witha sign..I am here!*Of course I bought it!"SOLD............TO THE Peer of the realm IN BLACK!"I gone with the Happiest Heart ever!
Senior tempting reflections..charm in mirrorsSee any translucent pumpkins and tea cups?
..they are appearing self-governing...from taking part in
I tending that was funny!( from my halloween tea post!)
Senior translucent pumpkins...such ghostly spirits lost in mid-air and in daylight!
Be interested in you enjoyed my irrational spooky reflections!Have a magical day!see the magic everwhere...and the beauty in light
Heart of a Wizardess*
