A marriage built on illusion will crack when tested by reality if the partners are not friends. Dr. Gayle Kimball
Each and every gift that has been sent from God is vital and should be given full expression, no matter how, or what vehicle God elects to send it through. Rev. C. Solomon
The feminine principle is so badly needed in a male-dominated culture. R.L. Van de Castle
Definition of Egalitarian: Affirming, promoting, or characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.
To females by poet June Jordan: 'We are the ones that we have been waiting for'!
From the Rev: Don't forget to ask God to help to free you from male oppression and suppression!
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Our Theme - Ought to be - To pursue different passions - For Different People
Rev. C. Solomon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction: The physical encounter that took place between Reverend Bynum and Bishop Weeks recently is indicative of a more pervasive problem that is taking place within the American culture, especially the church: just consider Mary Winkler, the former 'Church of Christ' pastor's wife, who shot her Church of Christ pastor-husband last year. And how about the recently announced separation and pending divorce of TV church personalities Bishop and Reverend Paula White?
The questions that I will attempt to answer are where are we headed, and whether or not we will be able to meet the challenges facing us head on? Will men be able to co-exist alongside empowered women? Has one voice been muted for too long, while the other voice has had full expression? And what are the implications of not hearing from the neglected voice over the years past and present? Will there be retribution from women (over the next 5000 years), as payback for what men have done to females over an equal period of time, oppression and servitude? Is this the end of male dominance, or will both sexes eventually enter into a period of mutual respect and encouragement? Should we seek balance, or should the male voice be silenced for a period of time?
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I have never met either of these individuals; however, both of them have my deepest sympathies. The problem, as I will refer to it, preceded these two individuals by several millennia. Clearly, the pronouncement to Eve in the Garden of Eden account, speaks to where the problem began, God spoke to Eve saying, "...because you have done this (her part), he (the transmogrified Adam) is going to rule over you from a power first perspective".
What that suggests to me is that prior to what we refer to as 'the fall' in Christendom, when the first couple, co-jointly, disobeyed God's command and partook of the forbidden fruit, males would not likely have been in most instances, it would seem, the oppressive and draconian rulers that we have all mostly turned out to be, particularly when it comes to our dealings with women, especially our companions. Instead we would have been more of a 'beneficent complimentary head', and a loving companion to our God-given bone-of-our-bone, and flesh-of-our-flesh help mates, as well as to women in general.
Who would disagree that since the initial act of disobedience occurred in the Garden of Eden, that the war between the sexes has persisted (well beyond Adam's over 900 year reign), even until today, where the revolution is currently taking place among God's spirit-filled elect.
Have Men Been Unusually Harsh To Women? There are countless cross-cultural examples, some recorded, throughout history depicting vicious and cruel male brutality and mistreatment of women, even those women whom men purportedly loved and who were submissive to them. And we should not overlook the more subtle forms of discrimination and the suppression of women by most males, all of whom devalue women's status and consider females to be weaker and composed of inferior or weaker substance. Of course in many matrilineal societies, female heads of families and tribes could be just as controlling, if not equally as brutal as their male counterparts turned out to be.
Just over a decade ago, I intended an affair held at Kennedy auditorium, on the campus of Stanford University where I was previously an administrator. Betty Freidan, one of its principal founders of the modern day feminist movement in America, was the keynote speaker. The audience was mixed. There were a few males in attendance, however, as you can probably imagine, the audience was comprise mostly of female audience members. The female audience members consisted of women of various stripes and with varying opinions about the sad state of women's affairs in America and what should be done about it (social inequities, equal pay and outright discrimination against women).
Dr. Freidan was kept on the defensive throughout most of the evening as she defended the positions of the feminist movement that she helped to create, to the more radical feminists' that were in the audience. Some of these women did not like being referred to as feminists, and they wasted no time in letting Dr. Friedan know it. One young woman, to the satisfaction of her cohorts sitting close by said, to Dr. Friedan, I am a [womanist], I do not have to be feminine"!
Dr. Freidan went on to defend the movement and men in front of her more radicalized audience members. She explained that from all empirical evidence to the contrary, men have shown improvement in several areas over the past 30 years, such as doing more household chores, helping with the children, changing diapers, cooking and all. She also explained that there was still more to be done however. The more radicalized [womenist], in the audience, weren't having any of it. They made it clear to Dr. Friedan and the other audience members that the feminist movement was too conservative for their tastes. For them, empowerment meant more than having men participate in household chores and helping with the chir'ren. In other words they weren't interested in hearing about how men were helping with what had been historically considered, 'women's work'.
Dr. Friedan countered that the goal of the feminist movement was not to destroy male-female relationships; rather one of their primary objectives was to solidify the positions of women in society in general, as well as to procure an equitable and respected place for women within male-female relationships. In other words, women want respect and for their voices to be heard, and for their cherished wisdom and unique contributions to be honored and appreciated. For as far too many men are concerned, women have done only what they were supposed to have done in the first place, to serve him. The more radicalized females in attendance made it known that they were not excited at all about the prospects of entering into a concomitant male-female relationship anyway - even if men had participated in doing a few chores than usual of which they still considered to be women's work, anyway. And factually, can you blame them? I am a man, and I know that we have improved in some areas, but in others, we still have a long way to go.
Why was the Reverend present? I wanted to learn more about the male-female dynamic, particularly from an empowered woman's point of view. I also attended this affair in order to learn more about the message that women were trying to convey to men (a message that we were obviously not getting). I was not in attendance in order to be a cynic; instead I was there to learn. Like most male baby-boomers I was raised at a time when the roles for men and women had been defined in a completely different context from what we are being told today. In other words, I was to be 'the man', 'the Lord and King of my castle'. But suddenly, there was a paradigm shift and everything changed. I never did find my humble and submissive little woman!
My quest for knowledge did not end with this forum either, I am proud to say, for I have continued my personal quest for knowledge and understanding to this day with regard to women's disaffection, disenfranchisement and second and third class status in America, if not the world. In addition to dialoguing with many women and reading many books on the subject, shortly after this affair ended, former President of Spellman University, Dr. Johnetta Cole appeared and was the headline speaker during a Dr. Martin Luther King week celebration which was also held at Stanford - I also attended that affair.
Not only did I attend the affair I went to the mike during the question and answer period and raised the issue of 'empowerment' as a concern of mine. I asked, isn't this what all of the disparate groups in America are really fighting about, a sense of a lack of empowerment, respect and full citizenship for individuals and different groups? I went on to ask Dr. Cole, whether or not the ambitions of most of these groups were in contradiction to what Dr. King believed in (albeit most self-interested empowerment groups in America were inspired by the civil rights movement of the 60's and 70's).
Dr. King believed in equity and social justice for all - over select group empowerment. Well, having said that a female member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference reported in one of our more intimate sit-down meetings at Stanford that Dr. King was a male-chauvinist himself. At SCLC meetings and gatherings, women were expected, according to her, to fix the coffee and to be foot soldiers, completing the more mundane tasks. I asked Dr. Cole, what if we were all to simply follow the Golden Rule: that is to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, wouldn't everyone's problem be solved, and the problems of the disenfranchised, disaffected and other underserved groups in America be eliminated?
Women Have A Right To Be Angry With Men (And I Am A Man):
One thing that I have learned as a result of my own experience of being looked upon as a minority in America is that suppression usually results in either overt or masked anger on the part of the sufferer, and a desire to overcome one's oppressor, if not a desire for retribution. I learned from reading books like Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique, Robin Morgan's 'Sisterhood is Powerful', and other books and tomes, that what women have experienced throughout their history in practically every culture on earth is tantamount to, and the moral equivalent of what blacks and other groups have fought to overcome and eliminate in America, bondage, slavery, racism, sexism and second-class citizenship status.
I don't believe that any individuals in their right minds would want to occupy the position of slave, at least not the pernicious kind of slavery that persisted up to just over a century and a half ago (which was replaced by bitter racism and discrimination) in America. Draconian slavery limited one's mobility, took away one's freedoms, rights, abilities and aspirations; and certainly the slave was not compensated for his or her labor. The human spirit is also doused and drowned within a spirit of servitude, the slave's purpose, it would appear, was simply to satisfy the wants, desires, lusts and needs of the master. Having said that, some Americans still believe that other Americans are not entitled to their divinely endowed rights, even those that are guaranteed by the American Constitution, if not by the creator.
As an aside, I cannot tell you how eye-opening it was to visit Mt. Vernon in Northern Virginia several years ago. Mt. Vernon, available for touring, was the plantation home of America's first president, George Washington. During the tour I had an epiphany. I could not help but think of George Washington as anything other than a 'slave pimp', given the over 360 slaves who were forced to work on his plantation and fulfill the whims, and desires of his 4 to 8 family members who frequented the plantation (according to the docent) from time to time.
The remains of approximately 90 slaves are still buried at the rear of the property as a lasting reminder of the type of man George Washington really was, a subjugator -a slave master. Folks, those people, I reiterate, were enslaved in order to satisfy the lusts, needs and desires of his small family, and to help him to enjoy an affluent lifestyle as they continued to languish in poverty for generation after generation. The docent pointed out that while George, ordered some of his garments, tailor-made, from England; the slaves got by on their clothing allotment, which usually consisted of one change of clothing per year.
Some black individuals that I have spoken with recently have even tried to defend slavery during that period, saying that during that period in early American history slavery was the norm. They said it so matter of factly, just as too many men do today (in order to defend their right to enslave and dominate women). Forgive me, but as I recall didn't George Washington have the choice of being a subjugator or a liberator, just as other human beings who rejected slavery during 'that period' had? Did someone hold a gun to his head and force him to be a slave master - even then, he still would have had a choice (I hear the voice of abolitionist John Brown saying in the background).
John Brown (not a president) died, trying to stop what too many presidents like George Washington believed in; I gave tribute to his memory during my visit to West Virginia. Isn't it ironic that even among the so-called enlightened individuals of today (some black), that a white slave-master receives more empathy than the innocent individuals that he enslaved? I reminded my challengers and apologists for 'slavery as a social condition of that era' that I have spoken with, that factually the majority of colonists during 'that period in America history' believed that slavery was inhumane. And I am certain that the slaves, if they could speak, would have had a hard time accepting the rationalizations that some of their own descendants are making today with regard to their plight. The first president notwithstanding; the larger group decided against owning other human beings. The first president helped set a precedent for like-minded individuals by engaging in the trafficking of human chattel.
Given that he was the President of the United States of America, his behavior gave aid and comfort to the feelings of some humans that they were superior to others, and it was their manifest right or destiny to oppress, suppress and enslave men, women and children who were perceived to be of inferior stock. The lack of conscience that was portrayed by the first president and several other founding fathers and those who followed after him is still so much a part-and-parcel of the black and white American male-psyche 230 years later. By the way, don't bother to visit Monticello in southern Virginia, home of former President Thomas Jefferson, well that is unless you don't mind seeing more of the same. Poor Sally Hemming and others who were pimped by yet another American president!
Many women today have made it clear that being married to a man even in the year 2007, is tantamount to being enslaved or imprisoned by a modern day slave master. Is this what God intended? I think not! In addition to American slavery, slavery is also recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures portion of the Christian Bible. Even Joseph, son of the Patriarch Jacob, who was free born, was a victim of African slavery as a consequence of the actions of 'his brothers', who voluntarily and surreptitiously sold him into slavery. And later his own people, the Hebrews, who grew into a nation as opposed to an extended family of just over 70 individuals, spent over 4 centuries enslaved (or indentured some prefer) by the Africans. And like too many women today, Joseph spent years trying to figure out how to escape from bondage as well as the prison where he found himself unjustly incarcerated.
Just as some women believe and others have experienced in more recent times that getting involved with a man means she can forget about her dreams, visions or desires - just ask entertainer Melba Moore of Purlie fame if that is not the case? Joseph, it appeared at the time would not achieve his purpose in life or fulfill his God-given destiny (which was shown to him beforehand in a vision that foretold his destiny). Ironically, the vision was by and large the reason that he was sold into slavery and incarcerated in the first place. Many women share that same fate. They know that they should not speak out too loudly about their personal visions with men being present, particularly if their visions might surpass or be interpreted as usurping the vision of her male counterpart(s). In terms of occupations, I can still remember when the occupations that had been set aside for women who insisted on working outside of the home were either in nursing or teaching. Perhaps that is why Rev. Bynum was beaten, she had apparently stepped out of her element, whereby failing to submit to her husband. And apparently if the woman does not submit then it is okay for men to beat them back into subject (er herm)!
Most men refuse to understand why a woman needs to have a vision, apart from his vision, anyway. I agree with the women's position with regard to the suppression and denial of their God-given rights. And I find it hard to understand how a black male, in particular, knowing what both he and his ancestors suffered could subject another human to similar conditions. Confinement, discrimination and the mistreatment of any individual, needs to be fully done away with - even in a sexist culture. It would appear from all indications that the spirit of the slave master was simply passed along to the black male, making him no better than the white slave masters of old. The author of: All God's Children, touches on this theme in his story of the Bosket's, and the descendants of whites and blacks from Edgefield South Carolina. Edgefield South Carolina is the home of the late white racist senator, Strom Thurmond (and the ancestral home of another infamous civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton).
And everyone has observed the legacy of pernicious racism and discrimination in our black urban centers where a spirit of nihilism is still so pervasive among all of its inhabitants. So I ask again, how could a man given his own victimization and the exploitation that he has been through, subject another human being to the same conditions or similar? Women are still trying to escape!
A former colleague of mine at Stanford, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, although I do not agree with her politically most of the time, found a way to escape and to successfully pursue her vision. She apparently believed that she needed to remain single in order to pursue her visions, and to accomplish her objectives. Many women believe that in order to accomplish their objectives, they had better do so before getting intimately involved with a man. Dr. Rice was provost at Stanford, during the time that I was member of the Executive Board for Afro-American Staff and Faculty at Stanford. Dr. Rice was also a previous advisor to President George W.H. Bush, as well as a subsequent Head of the NSA and she is America's current Secretary of State.
According to divine law, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap, it is written in scripture. If that is the case then, one could easily surmise that the current backlash against men in terms of gender warfare is more a consequence of male comeuppance for having subjected women to servitude, harshness and cruelty for all too long as opposed to radical feminism. Men attribute women's attitudes and behaviors to the latter; those radicals simply do not want to remain in their places.
That reminds me of the attitude and position that the Reverend Billy Graham took over 4 decades ago, when he was invited to speak at the 1963 March on Washington at the occasion of Dr. King's infamous, 'I Have A Dream Speech". Can you imagine the impact that it would have had on this nation if Dr. Graham would have stood on that stage with Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial and co-signed Dr. King's message that racism and discrimination was wrong? Well, you will never know for not many individuals know that Dr. Graham declined the invitation. In fact he confessed later that he declined the invitation given his feelings that Dr. King and those who participated in the civil rights movement were the trouble-makers and the reason for of all of the trouble in the first place. At the time, he like so many others had done blamed the victims for opposing the oppressive attitudes and behaviors of the white (mostly Christian) oppressors.
Reverend Graham eventually learned from his mistake however, given that years after the assassination of Dr. King, he confessed that it had not been his finest hour; Governor George Wallace (er herm) also had a similar realization at just about the same time. However, prior to Rev. Graham's enlightenment he, like the disciples of Jesus Christ did while Jesus was crucified, hid and permitted Dr. King to be crucified on the cross, while he and other ministers like him turned their backs on him and ran away and hid. The late Reverend Jerry Falwell did the same thing when he was sent as an envoy to the Republic of South Africa on a fact-finding mission during the Ford Administration.
Upon his return from South Africa the late Reverend Falwell reported that the most egregious thing that he witnessed while there was that Bishop Tutu was a phony. He had little to say about the systematic discrimination and the gross economic disparities between the black majority and the white minority (the former group that was being dominated by the latter group in the American supported South African apartheid system). Hmm!! Jerry turned his back on Anglican Bishop, Tutu!
Even well known and respected even in the black community, Pastor Jack Hayford of Southern California confessed his bigoted past. He explained that when he used to play basketball against black teams, presumably, in the Los Angeles area that after shaking hands with black players at the conclusion of the game, he would race to the shower as quickly as possible and wash his hands. Rev. Hayford reminds you of the Apostle Simon Peter of scriptures who also had trouble even conceiving of partaking of an 'unclean thing'; Paul confronted him later with regard to his duplicity. Jeremiah also had some concerns about the Ethiopians ability to change his skin color, albeit it was a black man who rescued him from the miry dungeon where he was imprisoned.
My point is that just as the Apostles, and many ministers in recent times have been guilty of and actually supportive of slavery, racism and segregation, not to mention the harboring of other wrongful attitudes and participating in venal behavior(s) towards other people; some men today, are just as guilty of harboring similar attitudes, and engaging in similar innocuous behaviors towards females -just as their predecessors once did. And frankly those men often rely on some of the same source materials (including the Bible) in order to justify their evil praxis' towards women. Most men today blame the victims and consider them to be the problem, just as Graham did with Dr. King and the Civil rights workers.
In other words the reactions by 'the oppressed' are to be blamed more than the attitudes and behaviors of their oppressors which caused the reactions of the oppressed in the first place. The problem today, from the point of view of too many males, is directly attributable to the attitudes and behaviors of those 'uppity women' who won't stay in their male-defined roles. Now black men, where have we heard the use of the term uppity before?
Males are guilty of overlooking the real reasons for a female's need to do something about her historical plight of being oppressed by males. These females know that if they were to wait on their knights in shining armor to free them or to treat them with a modicum of respect, it will never happen. Frankly, I have known observed many relationships in which the kindest and most submissive females were still treated with the least amount of respect! So I have concluded based upon my own observations and empirical evidence that supports my conclusions that whether a female has been radicalized or whether she is more passe, that she will likely still end up being mistreated by domineering males. In fact the more submissive that she appears to behave at times often results in her complete devastation and mistreatment by power-driven males, even men at church.
By the way, the U.S.A. might want to reconsider its own venal policies of domination, as a result of the reaction that it is receiving those nations and people which it insists on oppressing, Muslims and Arabs. Reactionary Muslims and Arabs have made it clear to the United States that they will no longer accept American imposition, interference and interventionism in their private matters. In America, we customarily refer to those individuals that resist American hegemony as 'terrorists"! And for a country that claims to believe in freedom and individual human rights, we have a lot to answer for not only with respect to how we treat the Muslim and Arab nations, but with respect to how we mistreat our greatest internal treasure - American women! With respect to America's mistreatment of Middle-Easterners, Christians should not overlook the fact that the Angel of the Lord spoke with Hagar, the mother of the Arab and Muslim nations, just as he did with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. We must be careful how we treat all of God's children.
How Do We Confront And Rectify This Problem?
Some women might be shocked to find out that men are afraid given the current political climate wherein some women are standing up and seeking to regain self-respect. Other women are not shocked at all over the prospect of male fear. The latter know that the greatest fear of the oppressor (which explains the male members of the species' need to hold onto power), is that one day the two might change places. If that were to happen, then the former oppressor would become the oppressed and the male-oppressor of today fears that the most and finds the likelihood of such an occurrence to be wholly unacceptable. However, oppressive policies will always lead to some kind of reaction, if not rebellion or even a revolution.
The culture including the church is about to be torn apart because of the insipid war between the sexes and the revolutionary actions being taken by empowered females in America (men are responsible for that), including the church - in their quest for personal empowerment, power which men still do not intend to yield or share. The male misogynists are simply trying to hold on to the power, and they are not against invoking scripture, fighting or doing whatever it takes to hold on to power. And sadly, the same males are doing so by making every conceivable attempt to hold on to power by holding women in a state of subjugation. If we should have learned anything from the sad state of racism and discrimination in America, it is that it is unfair to force or hold another human being in place, in order to stand upon their shoulders so that one can use the other in order to pursue his or her own personal dreams or destiny. I hear the women's voices in the background singing and saying to, 'Fight The Power'. God never instructed men, to do what they have done or are doing to women! And if the same were done to men, men would also be fighting back.
Along with the noticeably high divorce rate among Christians, there are an increasing number of homosexuals, lesbians and same-sex relationships emerging from within the American landscape of late, and gay individuals are making a strong showing within the American church. Isn't this phenomenon also a direct result of the failure of male-female relationships, and females being turned off by the prospects of entering into servile-relationships with their male gender counterparts, and males not wanting to be bothered with empowered women?
Regarding personality theory (and keep an eye on this growing phenomenon): The fact is that in psychological studies today, test results show that the sexual identies of many Americans are incongruent with their outward gender appearances. And as a result, there is often incongruence between cultural and societal gender expectations and who some individuals truly feel that they are on the inside. Some Americans are male-male and female-female, yet others are male-female, and vice versa, female-male. From a religious point of view, we simply condemn these individuals. However, from a clinical or phenomenological point of view social scientists are more curious and sensitive to what is transpiring individually and collectively between males and females within our society. This is a sensitive subject; however, layman need only consider the number of intersex individuals that are being born. In those instances parents oftentimes choose the sexual identities of their newborns and attempt to raise by their selected genders. In some instances surgery is employed to modify or remove the newborn's genitalia.
Writer Terry McMillian, learned recently that her husband was actually homosexual. And that makes me somewhat nervous, given that Terry used to live not too far from me and she has a son named Solomon. Many other women, and men for that matter, are finding out that their mates have been on the down-low for some time now. It cannot be ignored, the feminization of men and the masculization of women that is taking place in our society today.
Has it been this way all of the time? Probably, however, conditions appear to have worsened given today's social climate where more and more individuals are simply letting it all hang out (no pun intended). Consider Ted Haggard, former President of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Republican Senator from Idaho, the Honorable Larry Craig, who was caught in a bathroom in Denver Colorado, allegedly seeking male-sex, and caught during a police sting operation. Both of these gentlemen, religious and public servants declare that they are not gay, and both have been married for years. One's sexual identification, underneath, and being outwardly gay then are not mutually exclusive. What is on the inside of people, more and more is coming out into the open!
Father George Stallings Jr. founder of the African American Catholic Congregation in Washington, D.C. aka Imani Temple, appeared on campus to speak at a scheduled event. At the end of his presentation, he was questioned about his sexual preferences (in front of a modest audience of about 100 of us). A young man in the audience asked him if reports were true or not with regards to Father Stallings actually having slept with some of his young male parishioners. Sartorially dressed in his priestly attire, collar, Rabat and all - Father Stallings replied: "...I will do whatever I have to do in order to get my nut". The audience members gasped, most of us were shocked and aghast at the comments that came from this man of the cloth. The apparently gay members in the audience, a few seated up front on the floor, loved his reply, and proceeded to give each other high fives.
In addition to a need for empowerment by females, the basis for most of the antipathy that seems to be taking place between the sexes today has to do with anger. Both sexes are actually angry, if not fearful and sorely disappointed in the other, particularly where there is a need for the other to be a partner or peer or to co-exist within a shared relationship, especially a joint union. In today's Christian economy, more women are seeking full enfranchisement, and becoming preachers and pastors (to the chagrin of men), and outside of religion women are more and more seeking political office and becoming politicians to the chagrin of the majority of men, and even some women. The sacrosanct pulpit and other local, state and national offices that were once the bastions of male-dominance are more and more being occupied by females.
And, there are scriptures, depending on one's interpretation that suggest that only males should be preachers or leaders in the church, while others clearly show God's intent, per the Prophet Joel and others, to pour out his spirit on all flesh, including female flesh. Joel says that females would even prophesy. The Greek meaning of the term prophesy meaning to 'forthtell and to foretell". Should a male then attempt to hinder or stop a female from prophesying, when it is the Spirit that is actually giving utterance, through her, in the first place? In other words should dominant males even attempt to quench or dominate the spirit of God, just as they have for years quenched the female animus? It makes you wonder, what would have transpired if Adam had partaken of the fruit, and Eve had skipped out on the meal? Would women have 'ruled' over men, and turned out to be like the real or mythical 'Amazonian women' that we have read about in history.
Why did God in effect feel that it was necessary to make this pronouncement in advance through the prophet Joel. This is mind boggling when you think about it, given how males had previously dominated women throughout history in all things. Was God announcing a course correction that was about to take place, something akin to another advent? In other words, was God announcing the reinstatement of 'the female principle', that principle that has been squelched since Adam and Eve's fall?
Let's think about it for a moment. When Eve was knocked 'off-line' so to speak given her punishment in the garden, the feminine principle apparently went off-line with her given the impending onset of male dominance. Therefore the universe from that time has experienced an imbalance. What was apparently intended to be more of an egalitarian relationship between the sexes including full participation by women, turned into something else in effect, a world driven and controlled by testosterone and male animus.
From the book: The Goddess Within by Jennifer & Roger Woolger, we learn the following.
Our whole culture... with its endless violence, homeless people on the streets, colossal nuclear arsenals and global pollution is sick.
It is sick because it is out of harmony with itself; it suffers from what the Hopi Indians call 'koyganisqatsi', "crazy life", life in turmoil, life out of balance.
What is missing is the feminine dimension in our spiritual and psychological lives; that deep mystical sense of the earth and her cycles and of the very cosmos of a living mystery.
We have lost our inner connection to that momentous power that used to be called the Great Mother of us all.
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Folks, we need the female voice to be heard again from church pulpits, state capitals and even the White House. God apparently had enough when he inspired the Prophet Joel to speak and inform the world that the 'feminine voice' would be returning. God knew that prideful men would never make the change voluntarily. So God announced, 'fellars', a change is going to be made, i.e., the reintroduction of the female principle!!
In many of America's churches today, women make up the majority, and just as they are required to do at home - they do most of the work at church while men continue to fight, maneuver, inveigle and negotiate in order to hold on to the positions of power. In a majoritarian society, it is well known that the majority rules, and women are demanding what they believe is their proper place in the societal order. A similar trend is already taking place on American college campuses where female students, in dramatic numbers, are beginning to outnumber males.
Yet, just as it is happening in corporate America, and in most American households today, there is still a sense among many Americans that males are the coronated heads of all American institutions, and it is the males manifest destiny to hold on to the power - even if females outnumber the males. A former member of my church shared an interesting story that had to do with a man who explained to her that in summary: MEN WEAR THE PANTS. She agreed then to take off her pants and give them to him so that he could wear them. He replied that he would never wear women's pants. Er herm!
One can only wonder if men have forfeited their right to lead, just as Esau forfeited his birthright when in exchange for something to eat he gave his birthright to his brother Jacob in exchange for something to eat. Men, we have to ask ourselves, have we forfeited our birthrights - given our innocuous and recalcitrant behaviors and our failures to be the kind of leaders that Christ was - one who gave himself for the church? We want women to be submissive to us, however, have we been submissive, ourselves to what is right or are we instead driven by the need for power?
Moving right along, interestingly, women can no longer invoke what was their minority status, based on gender, in America's system of jurisprudence - given that women (like slaves once were in S. Carolina and other areas mostly in the South) are currently the majority in America society. Females also represent the majority in most American churches. And similar to the way that it was in the South African Apartheid system, where blacks were the overwhelming majority - a minority group of white males ruled the country. In American society, the minority gender, comprised of males, is fighting to hold on to power!
Many women in America, not all, have changed their attitudes, with respect to who should be in charge. Just consider Hillary Clinton who is making a serious run for the presidency, Nancy Pelosi, our current Speaker of the House and several female Supreme Court justices to name a few. Still many men have not changed their attitudes for the most part with regard to who will ultimately remain in charge. For most men, nothing has changed since the time that God told Adam, reportedly, that 'men rule'! I really believe that God was conveying to Eve what was going to take place, not that God was desirous of men becoming cruel 'rulers!
Along with female anger and women's demand for justice, there is a gradual change taking place. Females in the church are standing on what the ever evolving Apostle Paul wrote (in the inerrant word) following his conversion from the days when he was a practicing Pharisee in a male-dominated society. In Galatians 3:26 and 27 Paul wrote, that in Christ: God's children are neither Jew, Greek, slave, male nor female. In other words, in Christ neither gender, race, nor status matters. Women in Christ have picked up on his message. And they are using Paul's words to explain God's true purpose for men and women, while pointing out in effect that men are simply dictators. It is the men, they say, who have not submitted to God's word despite their insistence that females submit to them.
Is the male member of the human species capable of sharing power? Isn't it his divine and manifest destiny, as most males believe, if not a divine requirement for him to be in charge of all aspects of God's creation, and to rule over it - especially his female counterpart(s) and particularly his union partner? If so, what happened to the Golden Rule? How should women be treated then? It kind of gives new meaning to the New Testament scripture that reads, One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism. Was man intended to be Lord, particularly over females? And some are thinking, well, Sarah called Abraham Lord.
I am neither an apologist for Abraham nor Sarai, however, isn't it interesting that like many men will do today, Abraham slept with another woman and was willing to sell Sarai out, in Egypt, in order to save his own skin even though she called him Lord? And Abraham's need to save his own skin gets even more interesting when you consider that the divine promise that his blessed progeny was to come through Sarai's womb - a woman and a womb that he almost forfeited in order to save his own skin. Factually, both of them offered to give the other up sexually on two separate occasions!
A friend of mine, Professor Dolores Carpenter was appointed the first female head of the Homiletics Department at Howard University Divinity School, in Washington D.C. several years ago. Professor Carpenter is a very capable, teacher, pastor and department head. She also pastors the affluent and burgeoning Michigan Park Church in Washington D.C., the church sits just across the street from the HUDS campus. She is brilliant, and she is not a [womanist]; she's gorgeous too!
Shouldn't someone have intervened in order to prevent her from assuming what had historically been a position reserved exclusively for males? Shouldn't someone have intervened in order to keep her back from the spirit of error? Who were these men at Howard University Divinity School anyway that betrayed the brotherhood and placed a woman in a man's position? Shouldn't they be brought to the public square and scourged, or at least be kicked out of the boyz club for such an egregious error? Or, on the other hand should we consider and join in with in with the spiritual as well as the social dimension of Christ's ministry, and set out to liberate 'the captives' and to bind up the broken-hearted-women, just as Jesus once did with each one of us?
So men, what do we do given that our hold on power is slipping away? Some of these women aren't asking they are simply taking the power. Can the genie be placed back into the bottle? Won't God be mad at us if we let them take the power? Shouldn't we at least try to reason with them, and point out all of the problems that they are causing in society (consider the condition of our wayward children today) and at the church because they have abdicated their roles and strayed away from the place that God intended for them within 'HIS' cosmic plan. For certainly the problems facing our society today have nothing to do with the number of males who have abandoned their families and skipped out on their responsibilities to their families, at least some men would have you to believe that.
Solomon are you crazy, some men would say: if women were to become fully empowered, whose gonna' tend to the young'uns, prepare our meals, do the laundry, wear skimpy outfits and satisfy our lusts? We don't need any more Vashtis' running around do we? God intended for us to 'keep women in check', isn't that written in the Bible somewhere as one of the fruits of the Spirit? What is wrong with the women of today? Or, on the other hand men, are we overcome with pride and fear, and are we power-driven? Shouldn't we set our pride aside, 'enter in' and seek God for his direction, confessing that we lack the wisdom to understand, cope, acknowledge and deal with what is taking place in our relationships with women? Have we been too harsh? Do we still view women as property? Should women be manumitted, as we were once manumitted from our former slave masters?
In the minds of most females, the ideal relationship will be based on love and mutual respect. However, from the perspective of most males, the ideal relationship will be based upon his counterpart submitting to him within the position of power, that is the condition if he is to be happy in a relationship with a female. After all, what does love have to do with it? The two positions obviously seem to be odds with each other.
Having said that, and despite all that has taken place before, most women will still tell you that if her man would simply love and treat her fairly; she wouldn't care about him being the head of the house. And in addition to that, most women still expect the man to be the head of the household! Women still desire that men be their protectors, leads them, drive the car, open doors for them and earn a living for the household. So, I ask you, is it the women who are the problem or is it the men who have the problem. What a conundrum. Frankly, I have seen the kindest and most submitted females, being completely lorded over and mistreated by their male counterparts. If all that a male wants is submission from his woman, then why does he still mistreat women who submit to him? Clearly males want more than submission - men want absolute power - men want to rule!
I attended a dramatic performance about 25 years ago on the campus of Kent State University located in Northern Ohio. The play ran concurrently with another play that was being touring American theaters: For Colored Girls Who Have Committed Suicide When The Rainbow is Enough. The Play at KSU, 'The Ebony Woman', not only explained but attempted to offer a solution for the problem of black male and female relationships in America. At the time, women headed about 50% of the households in black America - today that figure has grown to about seventy per cent of black American households.
The solution that was proposed by the playwright was simple, perhaps oversimplified in that it spoke to the effects that slavery and discrimination alone had on relationships between black men and women, while ignoring other factors that should have been considered. In effect the moral was that black men and women needed to realize that 'they were not each others enemies and that the two needed each other and the two ought to get together and work through their differences and learn to love each other again. A great book to support this conclusion is entitled: Black and Single, by Larry E. Davis, formerly of Washington University in St. Louis Missouri. Although his book was directed towards blacks, it would be beneficial, I suspect, for men and women of any hue. Having said that however, it would appear that all too often we still behave as if we are each other enemies - except for the occasional time out for lovemaking.
Also, remember Tony Morrison's book, and the scene from the subsequent movie version that followed which was produced by Oprah Winfrey: Beloved. Baby Suggs, the old woman in the woods who by the way reminds me of my late aunt who was a preacher with graying locks just like hers? She preached, "Oh my people, they do not love your hands. Those they only use to bind, chop off and leave empty. Love your hands. Raise them up and kiss them. Ha, ha, ha, ha!""they don't love your hands...they don't love you".
Baby Suggs was referring to the historical and pervasive attitude of white hatred and the denigration of blacks by white Americans; however, we could extrapolate and apply the same standard to the black community in terms of how we feel about each other. Men, is this how we see women, someone who is there for utilitarian purposes, there to bind up, then chop off and leave empty? I suppose the question that follows should be, why haven't we learned to love ourselves and each other? Is the need for power more important than love itself? Or should love create within the other the desire to help to empower the other? From what I can see, it would appear that it is not simply the phantom, 'them' who don't love us?
Too many Americans (including Christian Americans) are more in love with power, and insist on their right to power based on outdated gender biases and pride, and not always the most accurate scriptural interpretations and western cultural traditions that encourage and support a self-aggrandizing rational male empowerment ethos, over and above everything else. For too many American males, power is far more important than seeking and growing a wholesome loving relationship with a member of the opposite sex. The underlying theme of Christ's teachings had to do with humility and in fact 'the theology of submission'.
He chastised his disciples on one occasion as they debated who would be in charge after Jesus' departure. He also chastised his select group of male disciples on another occasion for trying to anticipate and inveigle a position of power once they got to heaven - each wanting to assume the position of power sitting right next to Jesus once he ascended to his throne. All of us had better get used to living without that kind of power in earth, for certainly we don't expect to have that kind of power in heaven. Men, we don't like bossy women, then how can we expect our partner to live with our bossiness across most of her life-span?
Back to Stanford, as I questioned Dr. Cole during the question and answer period: I asked, whether we could all simply learn to love each other, and to treat each other as we wanted to be treated, would there be a need for any empowerment groups of any kind in the world? For after all, isn't what is really taking place today in our churches and our culture at-large today, the formation and amalgamation of one gigantic female empowerment group that has organized itself to offset the draconian power of the male dominate minority-substrate power group? Should power be derived from physical strength and gender, or should it be conferred on individuals or groups as a result of respect?
When men love women, they do not suppress them nor treat them as if they were slaves. In fact, a loving man would want his mother, daughter, sister, wife or friend to reach their full potential and to live fulfilling lives - partner or not, just as he aspires to do when pursuing his goals. Love is self-effacing, so we men ought to be saying to the women in our lives, how can I assist you to achieve your goals? Too many men still want women to help them (the males) to pursue and realize their dreams as well as to achieve their goals; however, they cannot imagine why a female needs to have a dream of her own other than helping males to get to where they need to get to over his life-cycle.
The challenge for women today in America, given their legacy of being treated poorly (as 3rd class citizens or children), is how does a woman love and trust a man who is likely to attempt to suppress her if she were to enter into a partnership of any kind with him? Frankly, I have observed many women who seem to fare better once they are divorced or after their male counterparts have passed on. Why is that? Why do some females fare better when their purported 'covering' has left them or gone on to be with the Lord?
Just as an aside, one of the more radicalized females in the audience went to the mike and asked Dr. Cole, whether or not she was gay? Dr. Cole refused to answer, explaining that her personal life remained within her own domain. What was that young woman truly after, I wondered? Have some women simply written the male portion of the species off?
Affirmation Healing and Reconciliation:
As I wrote at the beginning of this paper, the Bynum-Weeks issue is just a tempest in a teapot, and is indicative of a more pervasive problem that persists and is growing in America, if not the whole world. Just consider the divorce rate in the church, and the domestic abuse that is taking place in America's homes and pulpits, those that have been made public. The problem: how will America transition itself to a new, fair and even paradigm that takes into consideration the needs of both sexes? Will it require a dramatic change in American and Christian social policy? Otherwise, men and women will continue the showdown that is taking place in all of America's institutions, including home and the church.
Can we manage a peaceful transition and sharing of power, as not to destroy our society, or eliminate the gift of companionship that was bestowed upon us by our creator? Or will we settle this matter in Hotel parking lots in Atlanta, or behind closed doors at home or at the church? For black men, we seem to be cursed with the same attitudes of our white counterparts in America who for so long held onto their racist notions (and subjected blacks to slavery, racism and discrimination) so that in a similar fashion they could hold on to economic and political power. And much of what we are getting back from females today, is a consequence of our legacy of cruel male-domination, and a long-held disrespect for women's place at the top (our having ignored her contribution to humanity and to society in general). And just as Abraham's promised blessing was to come through the womb of Sarai, who would men have to lead anyway, if it were not for the presence of females who give birth to our societies?
Is there anything more important to humans than intoxicating power? Is the need to hold on to it merely a result of unresolved pride issues? We don't have to rumble in parking lots. If God is in us, we can work this out - and reverse all of the unfair historical precedents and learn to live together and to love each other again. For it is apparent that radical feminism is simply a reaction by the oppressed to the behaviors and actions of the male-oppressors. Does the Rev have it all worked out, and how about roles what part do they play, and where do they fit into the discussion?
No, the Reverend is still learning not to be a male chauvinist himself and to respect the beauty and the difference that God has inculcated within the female spirit - I'm working on it!
And, I can assure you from what I have learned already that love is the most important thing over and above everything else- far more important than the culturally imposed power versus powerless gender roles that have been imposed within male domination systems - God did not intend for that to happen!
In Conclusion: Two decades ago, the Rev was asked to come and pray for a woman who had been previously hospitalized. At the time that I was asked to come, I neither asked why the woman required prayer nor did I inquire about her condition; I simply agreed to go and pray for her. Upon my arrival, I learned that this young woman had been beaten into her current vegetative state by her husband. He had also beaten her on previous occasions, and prior to her last beating she consulted with a pastor at the church where she attended. She felt that she should not return home, given that he had already informed her that he was going to beat her once she returned that evening.
The pastor, in keeping with his understanding of church teaching, instructed her to return home anyway, adding that God would take care of her. She returned home at the minister's behest, and sadly, she has remained in that vegetative state, to my knowledge, ever since.
Peace & Grace
The Rev
www.sealofabraham.blogspot.com
Recommended Reading: The Fear of Women, Wolfgang Lederer, MD, The 50-50 Marriage by Gayle Kimball; I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Dr. Maya Angelou; The Feminine Mystique by Dr. Betty Friedan, Sisterhood is Powerful by Dr. Robin Morgan, Black & Single by Dr. Larry E. Davis
Additional quotations by Dr. Kimball:
In Egalitarian marriages:
..requires secure individuals to withstand social pressure.
Family is given priority over, career
Husband and wife consider each other best friends
Communication skills are valued and sought out
They cope with conflict by negotiation, compromise...
Contrast with traditional patriarchal marriages in which the husband is the head, and his job is most important
Egalitarian husbands...believe in fairness and justice
There is positive regard...and the desire to nurture each other
Men fear women's expressive power
Because of their emotional dependence men fear women's power and want to control and diminish it
Opposites attract but can't live together-- we seem to be able to connect...only through sex
Aug 17, 2007
American Capitalist Church Syndrome: The Franchising of Jesus
Hear ye, hear ye, come to church, and either get saved, learn how to get rich yourself, or how to make your pastor wealthy!
I introduced this topic at a conference attended by many of America's most well-known pastors, in Hunt Valley Maryland, several years ago. I first preached on this topic, about 10 years ago at a church in Seaside California, right next door to the more scenic and familiarly known (tourist destination cities of Carmel and Monterey).
Several pastors at the Hunt Valley Maryland Conference, admitted that they were entrepreneurial pastors themselves. Some of the same bishops and pastors admitted that they believed in the scripture that read that 'the wealth of the wicked was being stored up for the righteous'.
After a lengthy discussion, most of the pastors and Bishops on the panel, conceded that perhaps the church, particularly ministers, had gone to far in terms of fundraising.
Discussion Points:
* Seed offerings, preceding the laying on of hands by ministers ($101.00 a head by one evangelist).
* America's millionaire pastors.
* Individuals who are entering the ministry, having observed the wealth and influence that can be garnered by entering into today's 'business ministries'.
* How a church is affected by the respective economic system in the country in which it resides.
*The economic system that God created for the church.
*When is enough, enough!
Bishop Hilliard of New Jersey, and others on the panel seemed a bit discomfited given my comments; however, they remained pleasant thoughout the pastor's conference, and attempted to respond to my serious query.
Bishop Hilliard has been a keynote speaker many times at MegaFest. MegaFest is a creation of Christian icon and mogul, Bishop TD Jakes. I have been deeply concerned (not jealous), about where Bishop Jakes, Bishop Long, Kweflo Dollar and others are leading the church family today. Will it be too late before anyone realizes what is really going on, or that the church has been turned into a money-making scheme by some of today's most well-known ministers?
In a conference that I attended a few years ago, sponsored by Bishop Jakes, in the nation's Capital, both Bishop Jakes and his mentors proudly proclaimed that the church was a business. And certainly, one could argue that Bishop Jakes and several others of America's well known ministers are treating the church as just that, 'a business'.
Many Christians in the nation's capital were stunned to read in the Washington Post, a day or two after the conference that I attended, that Bishop Jakes stated that the church was 'a business'. Several pastors in the nation's capital were enraged. Most Christians come from a tradition that teaches that the church, the body of Christ, is a 'spiritual organism', not an American-style business organization!
Why would Bishop Jakes be so cavalier, given his intentional usage of words, referring to the church as 'a business'? Well, I suspect that I know what he meant, however, the majority of the people who attended his conference at Mt. Calvary Holiness Church, apparently attended for networking purposes, and based on their questions to learn how to get their get rich-quick business plans off of the ground. Our churches today have become a feeding ground for entrepreneurial capitalist ministers (and laypeople), who I believe are exploiting God's flock. Just as I experienced at the Washington D.C. Conference, I was told by an anonymous source that when you visit the Potter's House, that it reminds you of the court around the temple in Jerusalem that Jesus went about cleansing of merchants, merchandisers and currency changers.
My source said that he was accosted several times before he could reach the sanctuary by members of the Potter's House who were trying to sell him books, tapes, CDs, et al. I wonder what Jesus would have said or done if it were he who had visited the Potter's House and experienced what my associate did? Would he have said, give me two of those and three of those, or, would he remind Bishop Jakes that my house shall be called 'a house of prayer'?
Before you say, well why didn't you discuss this matter with Bishop Jakes, or why are so many individuals always attacking him? I am not attacking him; on the other hand I am worried about where he and other neophyte leaders are taking the nascent American Christian mega-church movement. The mercurial rise of these ministers, all involved apparently in 'the church incorporated business' suggests to me that we should all beware, and that it is apparently time for a change of direction. Besides, I attempted to contact Bishop Jakes several times. The only response that I received were requests from his ministry for me to send money - Bishop Jakes has never responded to my queries!
Christians, how many suits, rings, Rolls-Royce's, Mercedes, Airplanes, luxury homes do our ministers require, while at the same time many of those who attend their churches languish in poverty or want? Have these folks forgotten about or ignored the 'spiritual', as well as "social" dimension of Christ's ministry? What of the chronic poor individuals who give 10% and more of their incomes to these ministries, as they continue to suffer in poverty and want? Why are the righteousness in America today so interested in garnering the wealth of the wicked? Is Godliness with contentment, no longer enough for some Christians? What if you came to church to get saved, would you have enough money to buy your way through all of the merchandizers?
If a minister were to appear today in swaddling garments (like Jesus did), or goatskins (like Elijah or John the Baptist), would today's American Christian, who has been conditioned to judge the minister by their vestiture, even listen to him or her? Many of these ministers are changing the incorporation papers at their respective 501C3 church organizations into personal 501C3 corporations that are held in their names. In other words, today's church-member, might be unwittingly be a member of a ministry, that is incorporated or founded in the name of the minister.
These new Amway-styled ministries (similar to the way that Amway products are franchised and handled by Amway sales representatives) give me great pause. These ministers seem to hold the Gospel as nothing more than a product for them to use in order to derive personal benefit, and in pursuit of their personal visions. They treat it as they will, the marketing of Jesus, salvation, prayer and comfort - and sadly, they appear to inure much of the financial benefits. I believe that this is the wrong spirit, and nothing more than the spirit of capitalism that has been surreptitiously brought into the body of Christ. And keep in mind that along with the spirit of capitalism also comes the 'politics' of capitalism. Similar to a nation that accepts gross disparities between its have and have-not citizens, we are witnessing the same, more and more, in churches that are based on 'Capitalism-Jesus' principles!
Bishop Carlton Pearson, did not make it to the conference in Hunt Valley some years ago, although he and some of his teachings were discussed. About a decade ago, Rev. Pearson confessed that given all of the needs of his burgeoning mega-ministry at the time, that he had, unwittingly, outsourced the leading of his ministry to professionals. These professionals ran the church, the TV ministry and other aspects of the church. He admitted that God's leading had been replaced by all of the professionals that he felt that he needed in order to run his ministry. And where is he today (the doctrine of Universalism aside? Bishop Jakes and others like him, need to be cautious about the direction that they are taking the body of Christ into; in my opinion they should check and see whether they are truly being led by the Spirit of God.
It appears to me that GREED has found its way into the church, and some of these ministers are giving it aid and comfort. These ministers, it would appear, from mostly lower social economic backgrounds, are accomplishing via church capitalism what they could not accomplish in the secular American capitalist business world. It begs the question then, who brought the world to church? Answer: The ministers!
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Addenda: I saw pictures of Bishop Jakes, Bishop Long and another minister on the cover of a magazine recently. I was disappointed at the show of opulence and capitalist induglence. It would have put the average pimp, or even Reverend Ike's former ways, to shame. Nothing, in the picture on the cover of that magazine reflected Christ in any way, neither the rings, watches, suits nor the ministers!
www.sealofabraham.blogspot.com
I introduced this topic at a conference attended by many of America's most well-known pastors, in Hunt Valley Maryland, several years ago. I first preached on this topic, about 10 years ago at a church in Seaside California, right next door to the more scenic and familiarly known (tourist destination cities of Carmel and Monterey).
Several pastors at the Hunt Valley Maryland Conference, admitted that they were entrepreneurial pastors themselves. Some of the same bishops and pastors admitted that they believed in the scripture that read that 'the wealth of the wicked was being stored up for the righteous'.
After a lengthy discussion, most of the pastors and Bishops on the panel, conceded that perhaps the church, particularly ministers, had gone to far in terms of fundraising.
Discussion Points:
* Seed offerings, preceding the laying on of hands by ministers ($101.00 a head by one evangelist).
* America's millionaire pastors.
* Individuals who are entering the ministry, having observed the wealth and influence that can be garnered by entering into today's 'business ministries'.
* How a church is affected by the respective economic system in the country in which it resides.
*The economic system that God created for the church.
*When is enough, enough!
Bishop Hilliard of New Jersey, and others on the panel seemed a bit discomfited given my comments; however, they remained pleasant thoughout the pastor's conference, and attempted to respond to my serious query.
Bishop Hilliard has been a keynote speaker many times at MegaFest. MegaFest is a creation of Christian icon and mogul, Bishop TD Jakes. I have been deeply concerned (not jealous), about where Bishop Jakes, Bishop Long, Kweflo Dollar and others are leading the church family today. Will it be too late before anyone realizes what is really going on, or that the church has been turned into a money-making scheme by some of today's most well-known ministers?
In a conference that I attended a few years ago, sponsored by Bishop Jakes, in the nation's Capital, both Bishop Jakes and his mentors proudly proclaimed that the church was a business. And certainly, one could argue that Bishop Jakes and several others of America's well known ministers are treating the church as just that, 'a business'.
Many Christians in the nation's capital were stunned to read in the Washington Post, a day or two after the conference that I attended, that Bishop Jakes stated that the church was 'a business'. Several pastors in the nation's capital were enraged. Most Christians come from a tradition that teaches that the church, the body of Christ, is a 'spiritual organism', not an American-style business organization!
Why would Bishop Jakes be so cavalier, given his intentional usage of words, referring to the church as 'a business'? Well, I suspect that I know what he meant, however, the majority of the people who attended his conference at Mt. Calvary Holiness Church, apparently attended for networking purposes, and based on their questions to learn how to get their get rich-quick business plans off of the ground. Our churches today have become a feeding ground for entrepreneurial capitalist ministers (and laypeople), who I believe are exploiting God's flock. Just as I experienced at the Washington D.C. Conference, I was told by an anonymous source that when you visit the Potter's House, that it reminds you of the court around the temple in Jerusalem that Jesus went about cleansing of merchants, merchandisers and currency changers.
My source said that he was accosted several times before he could reach the sanctuary by members of the Potter's House who were trying to sell him books, tapes, CDs, et al. I wonder what Jesus would have said or done if it were he who had visited the Potter's House and experienced what my associate did? Would he have said, give me two of those and three of those, or, would he remind Bishop Jakes that my house shall be called 'a house of prayer'?
Before you say, well why didn't you discuss this matter with Bishop Jakes, or why are so many individuals always attacking him? I am not attacking him; on the other hand I am worried about where he and other neophyte leaders are taking the nascent American Christian mega-church movement. The mercurial rise of these ministers, all involved apparently in 'the church incorporated business' suggests to me that we should all beware, and that it is apparently time for a change of direction. Besides, I attempted to contact Bishop Jakes several times. The only response that I received were requests from his ministry for me to send money - Bishop Jakes has never responded to my queries!
Christians, how many suits, rings, Rolls-Royce's, Mercedes, Airplanes, luxury homes do our ministers require, while at the same time many of those who attend their churches languish in poverty or want? Have these folks forgotten about or ignored the 'spiritual', as well as "social" dimension of Christ's ministry? What of the chronic poor individuals who give 10% and more of their incomes to these ministries, as they continue to suffer in poverty and want? Why are the righteousness in America today so interested in garnering the wealth of the wicked? Is Godliness with contentment, no longer enough for some Christians? What if you came to church to get saved, would you have enough money to buy your way through all of the merchandizers?
If a minister were to appear today in swaddling garments (like Jesus did), or goatskins (like Elijah or John the Baptist), would today's American Christian, who has been conditioned to judge the minister by their vestiture, even listen to him or her? Many of these ministers are changing the incorporation papers at their respective 501C3 church organizations into personal 501C3 corporations that are held in their names. In other words, today's church-member, might be unwittingly be a member of a ministry, that is incorporated or founded in the name of the minister.
These new Amway-styled ministries (similar to the way that Amway products are franchised and handled by Amway sales representatives) give me great pause. These ministers seem to hold the Gospel as nothing more than a product for them to use in order to derive personal benefit, and in pursuit of their personal visions. They treat it as they will, the marketing of Jesus, salvation, prayer and comfort - and sadly, they appear to inure much of the financial benefits. I believe that this is the wrong spirit, and nothing more than the spirit of capitalism that has been surreptitiously brought into the body of Christ. And keep in mind that along with the spirit of capitalism also comes the 'politics' of capitalism. Similar to a nation that accepts gross disparities between its have and have-not citizens, we are witnessing the same, more and more, in churches that are based on 'Capitalism-Jesus' principles!
Bishop Carlton Pearson, did not make it to the conference in Hunt Valley some years ago, although he and some of his teachings were discussed. About a decade ago, Rev. Pearson confessed that given all of the needs of his burgeoning mega-ministry at the time, that he had, unwittingly, outsourced the leading of his ministry to professionals. These professionals ran the church, the TV ministry and other aspects of the church. He admitted that God's leading had been replaced by all of the professionals that he felt that he needed in order to run his ministry. And where is he today (the doctrine of Universalism aside? Bishop Jakes and others like him, need to be cautious about the direction that they are taking the body of Christ into; in my opinion they should check and see whether they are truly being led by the Spirit of God.
It appears to me that GREED has found its way into the church, and some of these ministers are giving it aid and comfort. These ministers, it would appear, from mostly lower social economic backgrounds, are accomplishing via church capitalism what they could not accomplish in the secular American capitalist business world. It begs the question then, who brought the world to church? Answer: The ministers!
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Addenda: I saw pictures of Bishop Jakes, Bishop Long and another minister on the cover of a magazine recently. I was disappointed at the show of opulence and capitalist induglence. It would have put the average pimp, or even Reverend Ike's former ways, to shame. Nothing, in the picture on the cover of that magazine reflected Christ in any way, neither the rings, watches, suits nor the ministers!
www.sealofabraham.blogspot.com
Aug 14, 2007
Shame on America: Ode To the American Presidential Election Process
Isn't it a sad state of affairs when one of the critera for being a successful American presidential candidate, is based in part on whether he or she might or might not nuke other human beings? Shame on the process, and all of the candidates who succumb to it.
The United States is being degraded more and more everyday, and I am not sure where the responsibility lies (can't blame this one on the devil even), for too many Christians today, like Jesus' disciples of yesterday, are too comfortable with the idea of 'calling fire down from heaven', in order to consume other human beings. I suspect that the world needs to keep an eye on the new American get rich Christian warhawks!
In the words of American street patois, 'This group doesn't 'Pray', get my drift - they will KILL YOU!
It begs the question, who are the real radical fundamentalists of the world, are they Muslim, Christian or Jews?
Peace, Grace & Keep Your Shields Up
The Rev
The United States is being degraded more and more everyday, and I am not sure where the responsibility lies (can't blame this one on the devil even), for too many Christians today, like Jesus' disciples of yesterday, are too comfortable with the idea of 'calling fire down from heaven', in order to consume other human beings. I suspect that the world needs to keep an eye on the new American get rich Christian warhawks!
In the words of American street patois, 'This group doesn't 'Pray', get my drift - they will KILL YOU!
It begs the question, who are the real radical fundamentalists of the world, are they Muslim, Christian or Jews?
Peace, Grace & Keep Your Shields Up
The Rev
Aug 1, 2007
Alliances Are Meant To Be As Exclusive As They Are Meant To Be Inclusive
Arms buy friends...Mr. Arkin
Re: America's latest attempt to solidify its fledgling Mid-East alliance by selling billions of more dollars in more sophisticated weapons and weapons systems (just announced to both Saudia Arabia and Egypt). The latter is purportedly being done in response to the Iranian/Islamic threat to America.
Isn't it a sad commentary with respect to just how far man has progressed from modernity (or the lack thereof) to the beginning of the 21st century - which some of the more erudite rightly (it is apparent) refer to as the New American Century? Perhaps the new century, which we have already embarked upon, should be referred to as the New American WAR Century of the persistent pursuit of greed, disproportionality, imperialism, white supremacy and selfish consumerism!
Regardless of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, region, continent or near and outer Space, America is lining up its duckets with the express intention of dominating planet Earth and Space for as long as possible, and by whatever means is necessary.
Ye 'ole Lord of the Flies mentality, has to be suppressed somehow. One can only imagine what life would be like on the apparently soon to be 'late great planet Earth', if more erudite individuals and more enlightened nations, were to have assumed the mantle of leadership and guided the world towards a greater destiny than the one's who have dominated it for just the past century alone.
Sadly, our nation has little interest in 'peace alliances', America, particularly GB43, wants more blood!
The end result of nation-state alliances that are designed more for war than anything else? The unresolved problem of division and factionalism remains in place: and one group will continue to vie against the other group!
And the end result will be that the original problem will persist which has historically resulted in acrimony, and eventually war, (even when the latest configuration will have been reconfigured) again!
The Rev
Addenda: The world continues to be dominated by fools!
Re: America's latest attempt to solidify its fledgling Mid-East alliance by selling billions of more dollars in more sophisticated weapons and weapons systems (just announced to both Saudia Arabia and Egypt). The latter is purportedly being done in response to the Iranian/Islamic threat to America.
Isn't it a sad commentary with respect to just how far man has progressed from modernity (or the lack thereof) to the beginning of the 21st century - which some of the more erudite rightly (it is apparent) refer to as the New American Century? Perhaps the new century, which we have already embarked upon, should be referred to as the New American WAR Century of the persistent pursuit of greed, disproportionality, imperialism, white supremacy and selfish consumerism!
Regardless of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, region, continent or near and outer Space, America is lining up its duckets with the express intention of dominating planet Earth and Space for as long as possible, and by whatever means is necessary.
Ye 'ole Lord of the Flies mentality, has to be suppressed somehow. One can only imagine what life would be like on the apparently soon to be 'late great planet Earth', if more erudite individuals and more enlightened nations, were to have assumed the mantle of leadership and guided the world towards a greater destiny than the one's who have dominated it for just the past century alone.
Sadly, our nation has little interest in 'peace alliances', America, particularly GB43, wants more blood!
The end result of nation-state alliances that are designed more for war than anything else? The unresolved problem of division and factionalism remains in place: and one group will continue to vie against the other group!
And the end result will be that the original problem will persist which has historically resulted in acrimony, and eventually war, (even when the latest configuration will have been reconfigured) again!
The Rev
Addenda: The world continues to be dominated by fools!
Jul 19, 2007
Should America Stand Up To Pakistan? The Rev's Reply to Mr. Arkin
Regrettably, America does not see a contradiction in demanding that every other nation of the world (including Pakistan) compromise their principles, in order to make them comport with the American belief system.
America has been asking President Mushareff to turn on his own people for years. Mushareff keeps trying to balance the demands and the pressure that he feels from both sides, the American and the Pakistani sides.
The question is which side will win out in the end. Should America stand up to Pakistan?
Answer: Shame on you Mr. Arkin for posing such a question, for Pakistan is not responsible for Osama Bin Laden or al-Qeada, that honor goes to America; we created that problem.
And, from all indications we are going to be responsible for creating even more enemies of this type in the future, if we are not willing to compromise and change our own policies (just as we are asking others to do). In other words, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, we need to make some changes ourselves in America, instead of continuing to create problems and enemies abroad that are of our own making!
The Rev
Addenda: To many individuals the Rev will sound unpatriotic. However, the Rev believes that it is important for Americans to be honest about America's contribution to its own problem. We have created many of our own enemies.
And, we should not continue to go around the world threatening nations simply because they have a belief system that differs from our own, or because some of their citizens do not believe in the American belief system. President George H. Bush got in trouble from describing black Americans who fought for their rights as 'freedom fighters'. It would appear that the tables have turned. A nation that celebrates its freedom, has been busy denying other nations of the world, and its the same right to pursue their own destiny!
The only thing America stands to loose is a bit of consumerism, and its pride in being a world-wide hegemon!
Jul 18, 2007
The Rev Regarding America & War: In Response to Peter & Bukko
The whole world can't be run like two camps - those who are with the US, or those who are with the terrorists.
Right on: peterwilliams
And when you take into consideration American jingoism, any Americans who are considering starting a family during the next decade, might want to think about it again.
For it appears that you would be raising a solider if you were to do so, one that would have to fight in the American Intercontinental Million Man Army during the New American Century. Well, that is if the Bill Kristols and others of his ilk have their way and America continues to take on the world.
And the tragedy of the latter is that the ones who are pushing for American world-wide domination through war and economic strangulation, won't go and fight themselves!
At the same time, it gives me hope to see people like The Rev., Dimitry et. al. who have some humanity. I hope your views prevail, mates!
Thank you Bukko in Australia,
Our society continues to be more marginalized, given the dominance of America's Communist (Republican) Party over the past 6 years.
However, the shades that had been pulled down over the eyes of many Americans (for the past years) are slowly beginning to be lifted. Most Americans are beginning to see that the dark shadow that prevailed over this nation, also for the past 6 years is beginning to be penetrated with light.
Even some staunch conservatives in Congress are begrudgingly coming out of the shadows in protest of the prolonged and ongoing Bush debacle in Iraq, which in a broader sense was an attack not only on Iraq, but on 'the entire world'!
-----------
And to another writer, #43 may be the Commander-in-Chief of the military, however, keep in mind that the military and the Commander-in-Chief are supposed to be subject to the will of America's civilians. Someone apparently forget to tell #43!
The REV
Addenda: I believe that people, are more important to the heart of God than nation states!
Right on: peterwilliams
And when you take into consideration American jingoism, any Americans who are considering starting a family during the next decade, might want to think about it again.
For it appears that you would be raising a solider if you were to do so, one that would have to fight in the American Intercontinental Million Man Army during the New American Century. Well, that is if the Bill Kristols and others of his ilk have their way and America continues to take on the world.
And the tragedy of the latter is that the ones who are pushing for American world-wide domination through war and economic strangulation, won't go and fight themselves!
At the same time, it gives me hope to see people like The Rev., Dimitry et. al. who have some humanity. I hope your views prevail, mates!
Thank you Bukko in Australia,
Our society continues to be more marginalized, given the dominance of America's Communist (Republican) Party over the past 6 years.
However, the shades that had been pulled down over the eyes of many Americans (for the past years) are slowly beginning to be lifted. Most Americans are beginning to see that the dark shadow that prevailed over this nation, also for the past 6 years is beginning to be penetrated with light.
Even some staunch conservatives in Congress are begrudgingly coming out of the shadows in protest of the prolonged and ongoing Bush debacle in Iraq, which in a broader sense was an attack not only on Iraq, but on 'the entire world'!
-----------
And to another writer, #43 may be the Commander-in-Chief of the military, however, keep in mind that the military and the Commander-in-Chief are supposed to be subject to the will of America's civilians. Someone apparently forget to tell #43!
The REV
Addenda: I believe that people, are more important to the heart of God than nation states!
Jul 17, 2007
Another Proposed Surge: The Rev's Response to Mr. Arkin
Surg-ical or Ethnic Cleansing...
that is what it will come down to in order for the U.S.A. to ever secure a win, in my opinion, in Iraq!
The reason the United States cannot win in Iraq, other than declaring itself the winner is because the world-wide community and most Americans cannot stomach the thought of America engaging in more surges or operations that would be tantamount to American genocide.
In order for America to accomplish its truculent and self-serving aims in that part of the world, many more lives, including many more innocent individuals would have to be snuffed out. And then what? America is simply stuck in Iraq, and Washington does not want to loose face!
The U.S.A. should declare itself the winner (Saddam is gone), reduce its number of troops, allow the Iraqi government to take the lead while the U.S.A. (or a UN force) could intervene and play a backup role. Then the troops will be free, and the U.S.A. can go and pick on another nation like Eritrea, surely they must be threatening us somehow!
Britain, is removing another 500 of its soldiers, hmm. We need to have a political surge take place in Washington DC. Ay ay surge!
The Rev
Addenda: Every American should know now just how the people of Israel must have felt when they were being dominated by Rome, the precursor of the American Republic, during the 1st century C.E..
The fact is that the U.S.A. military strength and killing power dwarfs the killing power of all of the empires that Daniel saw and referred to in the book of Daniel, put together. When you pray about your minor issues and concerns tonight, think about the conquered people of Iraq and what they are going through - for, our nation is responsible for their pain - and many Iraqis are praying to God for an answer!
that is what it will come down to in order for the U.S.A. to ever secure a win, in my opinion, in Iraq!
The reason the United States cannot win in Iraq, other than declaring itself the winner is because the world-wide community and most Americans cannot stomach the thought of America engaging in more surges or operations that would be tantamount to American genocide.
In order for America to accomplish its truculent and self-serving aims in that part of the world, many more lives, including many more innocent individuals would have to be snuffed out. And then what? America is simply stuck in Iraq, and Washington does not want to loose face!
The U.S.A. should declare itself the winner (Saddam is gone), reduce its number of troops, allow the Iraqi government to take the lead while the U.S.A. (or a UN force) could intervene and play a backup role. Then the troops will be free, and the U.S.A. can go and pick on another nation like Eritrea, surely they must be threatening us somehow!
Britain, is removing another 500 of its soldiers, hmm. We need to have a political surge take place in Washington DC. Ay ay surge!
The Rev
Addenda: Every American should know now just how the people of Israel must have felt when they were being dominated by Rome, the precursor of the American Republic, during the 1st century C.E..
The fact is that the U.S.A. military strength and killing power dwarfs the killing power of all of the empires that Daniel saw and referred to in the book of Daniel, put together. When you pray about your minor issues and concerns tonight, think about the conquered people of Iraq and what they are going through - for, our nation is responsible for their pain - and many Iraqis are praying to God for an answer!
Jul 9, 2007
What About Iran's Involvment in the Iraqi Conflict? My Response To Jeremy
Jeremy said: They [Iran] may not have desires to expand their borders, there ambition is much more dangerous. They wanna expand their fascist,apocalyptic and murderous interpretation of Islam
Jeremy
If that is the case, we could teach them a few things about how to expand their fascist, apocalyptic and murderous interpretation of Islam, just as we have done historically, and have been doing with Christianity - perhaps we are simply getting a taste of our own medicine and that frightens you!
If you are correct in your assessment, their desire is simply to do what Christians have been doing for centuries! America has misused Christianity for centuries, in order to spread its secular-political influence around the world.
And the only thing that America has been saying to the world of late is that we have superior military power, we are the king of the hill and just try to knock us off if you can - for we are not going to change and we are not doing down without a fight!
If that's what you want fine, but some of the rest of us would prefer to work with other nations of the world towards a just peace for all people, and for every other nation of the world!
Posted by: The Rev
Addenda:
Our current leadership in Washington has in all likelihood determined the manner in which America and its allies will probably be forced to live for the remainder of the century.
#43 told them to bring it on, and they have done just that. And now every American citizen will be subjected to monumental scrutiny by its own government, as well as 9/11 style attacks on America's streets. Why? Because our current leadership in Washington did not know the real enemy that lied within - and that enemy was not the majority of America's rank and file citizens. Also, the real enemy is not a group of so-called terrorists who reside on the other side of the world.
I do not mean to wax apocalyptic, however, America clearly needs to change course, for being the world's bully-nation is not working. It is bad enough that we have to avoid our own home-grown terrorists/criminals in and out of our homes, soon America's citizens will have to also encounter international terrorists, criminals and government agents in their neighborhoods and homes.
Further, I can recall the days, just a year or so ago, in Washington DC, when many of the District's street corners were occupied by large jovial elephant and donkey caricatures; the figures had been placed on each corner in order to create an air of jocularity in the city for Washington residents and visitors.
In that spirit, the Rev can also envision a day that is coming soon, when all over America's streets and causeways will be filled with highly-advanced and programmable Robocop type figures and drones(Remember the movie?). America's Robocops, will have been disbursed by the American government, probably via the Office of Homeland Security in order to continue the anti-terrorist fight on American streets that our current administration in Washington is bent on perpetuating. These bomb-sniffing, people watching, surveilling techno-robots will be present on street corners all over America - simply, because America refuses to change its illegal an ungodly course in the world.
America's rogue behaviors and actions in the world have come under deep scrutiny by other nations of the world, including America's historical allies. America, must also change its ways! For America's ways, are not God's ways either!
Jeremy
If that is the case, we could teach them a few things about how to expand their fascist, apocalyptic and murderous interpretation of Islam, just as we have done historically, and have been doing with Christianity - perhaps we are simply getting a taste of our own medicine and that frightens you!
If you are correct in your assessment, their desire is simply to do what Christians have been doing for centuries! America has misused Christianity for centuries, in order to spread its secular-political influence around the world.
And the only thing that America has been saying to the world of late is that we have superior military power, we are the king of the hill and just try to knock us off if you can - for we are not going to change and we are not doing down without a fight!
If that's what you want fine, but some of the rest of us would prefer to work with other nations of the world towards a just peace for all people, and for every other nation of the world!
Posted by: The Rev
Addenda:
Our current leadership in Washington has in all likelihood determined the manner in which America and its allies will probably be forced to live for the remainder of the century.
#43 told them to bring it on, and they have done just that. And now every American citizen will be subjected to monumental scrutiny by its own government, as well as 9/11 style attacks on America's streets. Why? Because our current leadership in Washington did not know the real enemy that lied within - and that enemy was not the majority of America's rank and file citizens. Also, the real enemy is not a group of so-called terrorists who reside on the other side of the world.
I do not mean to wax apocalyptic, however, America clearly needs to change course, for being the world's bully-nation is not working. It is bad enough that we have to avoid our own home-grown terrorists/criminals in and out of our homes, soon America's citizens will have to also encounter international terrorists, criminals and government agents in their neighborhoods and homes.
Further, I can recall the days, just a year or so ago, in Washington DC, when many of the District's street corners were occupied by large jovial elephant and donkey caricatures; the figures had been placed on each corner in order to create an air of jocularity in the city for Washington residents and visitors.
In that spirit, the Rev can also envision a day that is coming soon, when all over America's streets and causeways will be filled with highly-advanced and programmable Robocop type figures and drones(Remember the movie?). America's Robocops, will have been disbursed by the American government, probably via the Office of Homeland Security in order to continue the anti-terrorist fight on American streets that our current administration in Washington is bent on perpetuating. These bomb-sniffing, people watching, surveilling techno-robots will be present on street corners all over America - simply, because America refuses to change its illegal an ungodly course in the world.
America's rogue behaviors and actions in the world have come under deep scrutiny by other nations of the world, including America's historical allies. America, must also change its ways! For America's ways, are not God's ways either!
Jul 7, 2007
Regarding Iran's Alleged Participation in the Iraqi Warzone: A Query By Mr. Akrin
But are its actions [Iran's] expansionist?
Of course not, and just as America's leadership has attempted to justify to the world, America's desultory and unwarranted pre-emptive actions in Iraq (which were reportedly done to protect America's citizens from Iraqi WMDs), Iranians believe that they have the right to protect and to defend their own citizens and neighbors and interests from adventuresome America; all of us can recall how those evil Iraqis planned to attack America with phantom WMDs just over 4 years ago<(-: Although, we know now that such was not the case, on the other hand Iranians really do have something to be concerned about - America just steamrolled a country that sits on its border, and America unabashedly continues to threaten the nation of Iran!
The brazenness of America's current leaders and their lack of respect for human lives and the standard of law, reminds me of the prophecies foretold in the book of Daniel. Could the visions that Daniel saw be more universal in nature? I really do wonder about the spirit that is currently driving this nation, is it Satan or is it God?
The U.S.A. would not tolerate such an attack on its neighbors from an outside aggressor - on either of its borders (Remember the Monroe Doctrine), that is without America getting involved, in order to protect American interests. America's illegal and preemptive actions in the Middle-East have affected not only Iraq, but every other country in that region, if not the world; no nation is safe.
It would appear that from a nuanced American perspective, the so-called third world nations do not have the same privileges, or the right to protect themselves from an outside aggressor as America does.
Yes folks, we have a double-standard when it comes to what America will do, and what other nations are permitted to do!
And all of us should remember what we have read in scripture, i.e., that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people [Prov. 14:34]! Americans must ask themselves, particularly Christian Americans, should our behaviors be defined by American military and economic power, and or our fears? Or should our nation, be submitted to the will of God. I believe that as a nation, we are sinning against God, our brothers and sisters in Iraq and every other nation in the world given our nation's rogue behavior and disrespect for international law.
peace & grace
The Rev
Of course not, and just as America's leadership has attempted to justify to the world, America's desultory and unwarranted pre-emptive actions in Iraq (which were reportedly done to protect America's citizens from Iraqi WMDs), Iranians believe that they have the right to protect and to defend their own citizens and neighbors and interests from adventuresome America; all of us can recall how those evil Iraqis planned to attack America with phantom WMDs just over 4 years ago<(-: Although, we know now that such was not the case, on the other hand Iranians really do have something to be concerned about - America just steamrolled a country that sits on its border, and America unabashedly continues to threaten the nation of Iran!
The brazenness of America's current leaders and their lack of respect for human lives and the standard of law, reminds me of the prophecies foretold in the book of Daniel. Could the visions that Daniel saw be more universal in nature? I really do wonder about the spirit that is currently driving this nation, is it Satan or is it God?
The U.S.A. would not tolerate such an attack on its neighbors from an outside aggressor - on either of its borders (Remember the Monroe Doctrine), that is without America getting involved, in order to protect American interests. America's illegal and preemptive actions in the Middle-East have affected not only Iraq, but every other country in that region, if not the world; no nation is safe.
It would appear that from a nuanced American perspective, the so-called third world nations do not have the same privileges, or the right to protect themselves from an outside aggressor as America does.
Yes folks, we have a double-standard when it comes to what America will do, and what other nations are permitted to do!
And all of us should remember what we have read in scripture, i.e., that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people [Prov. 14:34]! Americans must ask themselves, particularly Christian Americans, should our behaviors be defined by American military and economic power, and or our fears? Or should our nation, be submitted to the will of God. I believe that as a nation, we are sinning against God, our brothers and sisters in Iraq and every other nation in the world given our nation's rogue behavior and disrespect for international law.
peace & grace
The Rev
Jun 28, 2007
American Hegemony (Noblesse Oblige): Response to Peter
In International Relations we have a word for what Arkin describes here:
Hegemony
The US remains the uncontested global hegemon, providing global order in security, economics, culture, and a host of other areas. Its expensive, its costly, and it tends to generate resentment, overextension, and eventual decline. But, it provides public goods and global order that everyone grudgingly admits that they need. That's how hegemony works.
There's a whole body of history, research, and scholarship on this very subject, documenting the phenomenon over the last 400 years. And its nicely summed up in this post.
Peter,
I am not an apologist for Mr. Arkin, however, what you have described here in your comments to the Washington Post, which I refer to as the purported noblesse oblige of the U.S.A, is also viewed by many nations of the world as totalitarianism and unwelcome yankee interventionism.
If the U.S.A. were to join in with other nations of the world, in a democratic fashion, and participate in all of what you have listed above, the noblesse of the U.S.A. might be understood in the manner that you have characterized it.
Until then, I agree with Mr. Arkin and have stated so myself on many occasions, it is hegemony (the dominance of one state over others) and nothing else. Hitler used similar logic, as you have stated it, in order to justify what he attempted to do - for the world's own good.
And as I recall, America joined in the fight to stop Hitler and the Third Reich. Ergo, wouldn't other nations be justified, using America's logic, in fighting back against American imperialism.
There are alternative ways to accomplish the objective of world-wide pragmatism and conviviality! What you are arguing, is what we refer to as 'categorical determinism'. You seem to believe that for every category, and no matter how the U.S.A. conducts itself, it is pre-determined that it is what's best for every one else.
Everyone else in the world, other than Americans, seem to know that. I suspect that if the shoe were on the other foot (and the U.S.A. was being forced to abide by the dictates of some other uber-power, most Americans would be equally outraged!
Patriotism is one thing, walking around with American blinders on (those that excuse American malfeasance), is another thing altogether!
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Addenda: Romans the 8th chapter reads, "...we know that all things work together for the good, to them that love the Lord, and are the called according to his purpose". Trust me, the purposes, interests and objectives of any nation are not always in keeping with the divine purpose that was formulated before the foundation of the world and human kingdoms. The book of Daniel informs us that world-wide systems and schemes, will eventually be replaced with a divine universal purpose - and all kingdoms of the world, including ours, will be brought into subjection!
Hegemony
The US remains the uncontested global hegemon, providing global order in security, economics, culture, and a host of other areas. Its expensive, its costly, and it tends to generate resentment, overextension, and eventual decline. But, it provides public goods and global order that everyone grudgingly admits that they need. That's how hegemony works.
There's a whole body of history, research, and scholarship on this very subject, documenting the phenomenon over the last 400 years. And its nicely summed up in this post.
Peter,
I am not an apologist for Mr. Arkin, however, what you have described here in your comments to the Washington Post, which I refer to as the purported noblesse oblige of the U.S.A, is also viewed by many nations of the world as totalitarianism and unwelcome yankee interventionism.
If the U.S.A. were to join in with other nations of the world, in a democratic fashion, and participate in all of what you have listed above, the noblesse of the U.S.A. might be understood in the manner that you have characterized it.
Until then, I agree with Mr. Arkin and have stated so myself on many occasions, it is hegemony (the dominance of one state over others) and nothing else. Hitler used similar logic, as you have stated it, in order to justify what he attempted to do - for the world's own good.
And as I recall, America joined in the fight to stop Hitler and the Third Reich. Ergo, wouldn't other nations be justified, using America's logic, in fighting back against American imperialism.
There are alternative ways to accomplish the objective of world-wide pragmatism and conviviality! What you are arguing, is what we refer to as 'categorical determinism'. You seem to believe that for every category, and no matter how the U.S.A. conducts itself, it is pre-determined that it is what's best for every one else.
Everyone else in the world, other than Americans, seem to know that. I suspect that if the shoe were on the other foot (and the U.S.A. was being forced to abide by the dictates of some other uber-power, most Americans would be equally outraged!
Patriotism is one thing, walking around with American blinders on (those that excuse American malfeasance), is another thing altogether!
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Addenda: Romans the 8th chapter reads, "...we know that all things work together for the good, to them that love the Lord, and are the called according to his purpose". Trust me, the purposes, interests and objectives of any nation are not always in keeping with the divine purpose that was formulated before the foundation of the world and human kingdoms. The book of Daniel informs us that world-wide systems and schemes, will eventually be replaced with a divine universal purpose - and all kingdoms of the world, including ours, will be brought into subjection!
Jun 27, 2007
Peace Is The Best Solution: The Rev Responds to SFG(A)
SFG(A) said,
Did someone say peace is the best defense? Ah, if only the world was as you see it through rose-colored lenses. We are truly fortunate, living in a great country.
The Rev who wrote that, Peace Is The Best Solution, responds,
(1). If only America itself was as you see it, through rose-colored glasses. Oftentimes, we are more a part of the problem than the solution - just ask our allies, if you don't believe me?
(2). Americans like to believe that once they go in and kill a lot of people that the problem has been solved. Well, we have killed a lot of people in both Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention having sacrificed a lot of American lives, and the problem (now referred to as terrorism) is still there for the world and Americans to see. Perhaps there was another way to address the problem. Will you concede that?
(3). Americans customarily see and define 'a problem' through the prism of American self-interest and denial; ergo, from an American perspective, it is always the other guy or nation's fault. Also, Americans often overlook the law of 'cause and effect', or causation and response - if you prefer. Iraq suffered at the hands of the U.S.A. for violating laws as perceived from an American perspective. The rest of the world, including the U.N. had selected an alternate course of action in order to deal with Iraq.
(4). Seeking peace through killing, hasn't gotten us anywhere, and when you have been reared in a 'industrial military complex nation', the one that too many Americans have been raised in, what other possible solution could there be?
(5). However, There is an alternative method for we live in a multi-cultured world!
Our (America's) theme
Ought to be
To pursue different passions
For different people!
Someday, you and others like you might come to understand what I am saying, and then America will experience the likelihood of fewer of its sons and daughters (not to mention the rest of the world's sons and daughters) being slaughtered in internecine conflicts!
Having said that, and if it were to occur as I have proposed - some of you who were 'born to fight and kill' (natural born killers), might not have an army or navy to join up with in order to further your personal ambitions to kill somebody else - well, you can always create or join a militia group can't you?
And you may quote the Rev on that too -
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Did someone say peace is the best defense? Ah, if only the world was as you see it through rose-colored lenses. We are truly fortunate, living in a great country.
The Rev who wrote that, Peace Is The Best Solution, responds,
(1). If only America itself was as you see it, through rose-colored glasses. Oftentimes, we are more a part of the problem than the solution - just ask our allies, if you don't believe me?
(2). Americans like to believe that once they go in and kill a lot of people that the problem has been solved. Well, we have killed a lot of people in both Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention having sacrificed a lot of American lives, and the problem (now referred to as terrorism) is still there for the world and Americans to see. Perhaps there was another way to address the problem. Will you concede that?
(3). Americans customarily see and define 'a problem' through the prism of American self-interest and denial; ergo, from an American perspective, it is always the other guy or nation's fault. Also, Americans often overlook the law of 'cause and effect', or causation and response - if you prefer. Iraq suffered at the hands of the U.S.A. for violating laws as perceived from an American perspective. The rest of the world, including the U.N. had selected an alternate course of action in order to deal with Iraq.
(4). Seeking peace through killing, hasn't gotten us anywhere, and when you have been reared in a 'industrial military complex nation', the one that too many Americans have been raised in, what other possible solution could there be?
(5). However, There is an alternative method for we live in a multi-cultured world!
Our (America's) theme
Ought to be
To pursue different passions
For different people!
Someday, you and others like you might come to understand what I am saying, and then America will experience the likelihood of fewer of its sons and daughters (not to mention the rest of the world's sons and daughters) being slaughtered in internecine conflicts!
Having said that, and if it were to occur as I have proposed - some of you who were 'born to fight and kill' (natural born killers), might not have an army or navy to join up with in order to further your personal ambitions to kill somebody else - well, you can always create or join a militia group can't you?
And you may quote the Rev on that too -
Peace & Grace
The Rev
Jun 21, 2007
Response to Comments By Anonymous and Horrified:
Anonymous wrote about my comments on American Interventionism and genocide:
THE DIFFERENCE IS WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT US WANTING TO KILL EACH OTHER & OUR FAMILIES - THEY CANNOT.
GENERALIZATION? READ ANY NEWSPAPER OR NEWS PROGRAM , THEN SAY I'M WRONG..
PLEASE DON'T CITE WESTERN INTERFERENCE FOR THIS...IT IS A SILLY ARGUMENT.
THEIR CIVILZATION IS BEYOND REDEMPTION.
P.S SORRY FOR THE IDIOT COMMENT BEFORE. I, TOO , AM BEYOND REDEMPTION, AFTER SEEING COUPLES HOLDING HANDS JUMPING OUT OF 110 STORY WINDOWS.
BE WELL.
Posted by: | June 20
Dear Anonymous,
1) You are woefully misinformed about free speech in America. Haven't you read about all of the American militia groups that have come into existence of late within the U.S.A.? Those groups did not come into existence in order to fight or kill foreigners. And consider all of those Americans and what happened to those who spoke out over the past 6 years about Republican religious and political fascism in the U.S.A. - many were summarily destroyed.
Middle-eastern nations are not as intolerant or as totalitarian as some in our own nation who for their own prurient purposes would have you to believe, i.e, that the other side cannot not have discussions without killing each other.
Besides, we are doing a great job of killing those on the other side ourselves. And why? Simply for having a difference of opinion than that of the West. And don't forget JFK, MLK, RK and the rest who were all slaughtered in the U.S.A. because of what they believed in, and their having had the audacity to express their beliefs to the American public. And don't forget that RR almost shared the same fate. We are not sacrosanct!
2) The United Nations body politic, most of our allies, the Vatican and the majority of American citizens and others mostly agree with my 'silly argument', i.e, that the U.S.A. has gone beyond interfering in the Middle-east, we are viewed by most as an illegal invader-occupier. Even the Europeans are contemplating a strong alliance, beyond the Euro dollar, that can buttress the power of the opportunistic U.S.A.
3) You seem to be viewing the whole of the circumstances through the prism of western idealism. And the consensus of western idealists is that whatever America does is always correct, and whatever any other nation does that Americans disagree with is simply wrong. The fact is that America is also guilty of terrorism and malfeasance, and American has been guilty of terrorism around the world for over the past half-century - we simply call it something else. England and the U.S.A. have been meddling in Middle-eastern since and before the signing of the Treaty at Versailles.
We will never resolve the problem(s) and have a lasting peace with the other side until the truth is told about both sides, and when something is done about the problem on both sides.
4) The fact is that 19 individuals came to America on 9/11, and wreaked havoc on America. We said that what they did was wrong. And following a legitimate response in Afghanistan, we raised the ante and did far worse than what the 19 individuals who drove American airlines into buildings did. We went on to invade, wreak havoc, murder and maim perhaps a couple of hundred thousand individuals in once sovereign nation that hadn't done anything to the U.S.A.
We continue today to occupy the once sovereign nation of Iraq, and I am certain that your condemnation is reserved only for the 19 Saudis, who acted in the same manner in America but to a lessor degree, than the United States did in Iraq. And, both sides, justified their actions by blaming the other side.
The truth will make you free - but, you will also have to get in the real world, for the number one weapon's maker in the world has not simply been selling or warehousing those weapons - we are using them to destroy innocent lives!
And Horrified wrote,
DEAR GOD! We're just like Israel. As savage and as vile. As careless of life and as vindictive. Bombing the hell out of everything?
Who cares what new bomb we use? The degregation!
Posted by: Horrified
Dear Horrified:
Not just Israel (the Rev likes to keep the record straight), even the Apostles in the Bible wanted to call down fire from heaven on at least one occasion in order to destroy their perceived enemies.
What the Apostles were proposing would have been the moral equivalent of using manned or unmanned aerial vehicles (as America is doing today in Iraq), to fire hellfire missiles, or simply drop bombs or napalm on other unsuspecting and undeserving human beings who didn't see things the way that the Apostles did.
Jesus told the Apostles, er herm, we don't do things that way. Someone else should inform the jingoist Americans, and our leaders today - including many in the church that in a Christian nation, we shouldn't do things that way either. However, we once again are witnessing the obfuscation of God and the dumbing down of his Word, by religion and the religious - keep in mind that the majority of Israel today may be secular. Paul even noted, that Israel of his day had left the righteousness of God in pursuit of establishing their own righteousness - a righteousness I might add, that too many in religious circles today are willing to emulate.
Israel's pact today with the current occupier of 'near Babylon' the United States of America, differs very little from their 8th century B.C. pact with the ancient Babylonians! Along with the United States, Israel has simply gone back to the future! Clearly the U.S.A. has gone about to establish its own righteousness. I call it the righteousness of self-righteousness or Amero-centric righteousness. The fact that America currently occupies near-Babylon has eschatalogical implications of enormous proportions, and should frighten every biblical scholar. The implication being, that it is the U.S.A., and not the U.S.S.R., as we were once told that it would be, that is the Babylon of our day, if not of Biblical prophecy - and to boot America's form of Christianity is the religion of today's modern day Babylon!
"By the side of every religion is to be found a political opinion, which is connected with it by affinity..."Alexis de Tocqueville
The United States a Christian nation? Hee hee hee!
Peace & grace
The Rev
THE DIFFERENCE IS WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT US WANTING TO KILL EACH OTHER & OUR FAMILIES - THEY CANNOT.
GENERALIZATION? READ ANY NEWSPAPER OR NEWS PROGRAM , THEN SAY I'M WRONG..
PLEASE DON'T CITE WESTERN INTERFERENCE FOR THIS...IT IS A SILLY ARGUMENT.
THEIR CIVILZATION IS BEYOND REDEMPTION.
P.S SORRY FOR THE IDIOT COMMENT BEFORE. I, TOO , AM BEYOND REDEMPTION, AFTER SEEING COUPLES HOLDING HANDS JUMPING OUT OF 110 STORY WINDOWS.
BE WELL.
Posted by: | June 20
Dear Anonymous,
1) You are woefully misinformed about free speech in America. Haven't you read about all of the American militia groups that have come into existence of late within the U.S.A.? Those groups did not come into existence in order to fight or kill foreigners. And consider all of those Americans and what happened to those who spoke out over the past 6 years about Republican religious and political fascism in the U.S.A. - many were summarily destroyed.
Middle-eastern nations are not as intolerant or as totalitarian as some in our own nation who for their own prurient purposes would have you to believe, i.e, that the other side cannot not have discussions without killing each other.
Besides, we are doing a great job of killing those on the other side ourselves. And why? Simply for having a difference of opinion than that of the West. And don't forget JFK, MLK, RK and the rest who were all slaughtered in the U.S.A. because of what they believed in, and their having had the audacity to express their beliefs to the American public. And don't forget that RR almost shared the same fate. We are not sacrosanct!
2) The United Nations body politic, most of our allies, the Vatican and the majority of American citizens and others mostly agree with my 'silly argument', i.e, that the U.S.A. has gone beyond interfering in the Middle-east, we are viewed by most as an illegal invader-occupier. Even the Europeans are contemplating a strong alliance, beyond the Euro dollar, that can buttress the power of the opportunistic U.S.A.
3) You seem to be viewing the whole of the circumstances through the prism of western idealism. And the consensus of western idealists is that whatever America does is always correct, and whatever any other nation does that Americans disagree with is simply wrong. The fact is that America is also guilty of terrorism and malfeasance, and American has been guilty of terrorism around the world for over the past half-century - we simply call it something else. England and the U.S.A. have been meddling in Middle-eastern since and before the signing of the Treaty at Versailles.
We will never resolve the problem(s) and have a lasting peace with the other side until the truth is told about both sides, and when something is done about the problem on both sides.
4) The fact is that 19 individuals came to America on 9/11, and wreaked havoc on America. We said that what they did was wrong. And following a legitimate response in Afghanistan, we raised the ante and did far worse than what the 19 individuals who drove American airlines into buildings did. We went on to invade, wreak havoc, murder and maim perhaps a couple of hundred thousand individuals in once sovereign nation that hadn't done anything to the U.S.A.
We continue today to occupy the once sovereign nation of Iraq, and I am certain that your condemnation is reserved only for the 19 Saudis, who acted in the same manner in America but to a lessor degree, than the United States did in Iraq. And, both sides, justified their actions by blaming the other side.
The truth will make you free - but, you will also have to get in the real world, for the number one weapon's maker in the world has not simply been selling or warehousing those weapons - we are using them to destroy innocent lives!
And Horrified wrote,
DEAR GOD! We're just like Israel. As savage and as vile. As careless of life and as vindictive. Bombing the hell out of everything?
Who cares what new bomb we use? The degregation!
Posted by: Horrified
Dear Horrified:
Not just Israel (the Rev likes to keep the record straight), even the Apostles in the Bible wanted to call down fire from heaven on at least one occasion in order to destroy their perceived enemies.
What the Apostles were proposing would have been the moral equivalent of using manned or unmanned aerial vehicles (as America is doing today in Iraq), to fire hellfire missiles, or simply drop bombs or napalm on other unsuspecting and undeserving human beings who didn't see things the way that the Apostles did.
Jesus told the Apostles, er herm, we don't do things that way. Someone else should inform the jingoist Americans, and our leaders today - including many in the church that in a Christian nation, we shouldn't do things that way either. However, we once again are witnessing the obfuscation of God and the dumbing down of his Word, by religion and the religious - keep in mind that the majority of Israel today may be secular. Paul even noted, that Israel of his day had left the righteousness of God in pursuit of establishing their own righteousness - a righteousness I might add, that too many in religious circles today are willing to emulate.
Israel's pact today with the current occupier of 'near Babylon' the United States of America, differs very little from their 8th century B.C. pact with the ancient Babylonians! Along with the United States, Israel has simply gone back to the future! Clearly the U.S.A. has gone about to establish its own righteousness. I call it the righteousness of self-righteousness or Amero-centric righteousness. The fact that America currently occupies near-Babylon has eschatalogical implications of enormous proportions, and should frighten every biblical scholar. The implication being, that it is the U.S.A., and not the U.S.S.R., as we were once told that it would be, that is the Babylon of our day, if not of Biblical prophecy - and to boot America's form of Christianity is the religion of today's modern day Babylon!
"By the side of every religion is to be found a political opinion, which is connected with it by affinity..."Alexis de Tocqueville
The United States a Christian nation? Hee hee hee!
Peace & grace
The Rev
Jun 18, 2007
On Forgetting The Obvious (Response # 2 to Frank)
Frank,
I read Mr. Kaplan's well written and vivacious article, On Forgetting the Obvious. St. Augustine, if he were alive today, I am sure would agree with this brilliant narrative and many of the conclusions drawn by Mr. Kaplan.
And even though I am not Catholic, I agree with the late Pope Paul's writings on the Intersection of Faith and Reason. And just as those two polar opposites ought to be able to peacefully co-exist, certainly a civilian and military class ought to, with mutual admiration, be able to exist side by side.
I do not believe, however, that the average American is as passive, with respect to war, as the author infers, or that the American civilian has any less respect today for the American warrior than Americans did 100 years ago.
The average American has supported and continues to support the war effort as well as our warriors in Afghanistan for example. However, with respect to Iraq (and thanks for giving me some wiggle room on the Iraqi war), the average American probably believes as I do that the Iraq war is more about politics than it is about protecting the American citizen from terrorism or any other real threat to America. I have attended and participated in many Congressional sessions as well as discussions where that viewpoint has been elucidated over and over again.
I don't know of anyone, personally, who believes that America was threatened by Iraq, the late Saddam Hussein or his regime - in any way. And I believe that Americans have demonstrated in the past and in the present their sustaining belief in that old adage and scripture that 'there is a time to fight' - this simply was not the time. And truthfully, for many in the Republican Right that shipped has also sailed - many of them have publicly acknowledged, of late, that the war was a mistake. Just consider the comments by William F. Buckley, George Will and even Newt Gingrich of late, to make my point. Besides them, there are many others to date, who are expressing a similar viewpoint.
Many of us simply do not believe that fighting an obstructionist-interventionist war is by any stretch justifiable under any circumstances. The current incursion into Iraq, for many of us, simply does not meet the smell test of a just cause for war, as was posited by the late Roman monk, St. Augustine.
The Commander in Chief and the Military, most of us believe, are simply asking us to swallow too much this time. I will concede however, that perhaps some of us are placing the blame on the wrong individuals - those in the service!
Having said all of that, it is comforting to know that we have men as brilliant as you are in service of our nation.
Peace & grace
The Rev
Frank referenced:
The article written in American Interest Online July-August 2007
by Robert D. Kaplan
(See the excellent references to 6th Century BCE, Chinese warrior Sun- Tzu, and 19th Century Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz).
I read Mr. Kaplan's well written and vivacious article, On Forgetting the Obvious. St. Augustine, if he were alive today, I am sure would agree with this brilliant narrative and many of the conclusions drawn by Mr. Kaplan.
And even though I am not Catholic, I agree with the late Pope Paul's writings on the Intersection of Faith and Reason. And just as those two polar opposites ought to be able to peacefully co-exist, certainly a civilian and military class ought to, with mutual admiration, be able to exist side by side.
I do not believe, however, that the average American is as passive, with respect to war, as the author infers, or that the American civilian has any less respect today for the American warrior than Americans did 100 years ago.
The average American has supported and continues to support the war effort as well as our warriors in Afghanistan for example. However, with respect to Iraq (and thanks for giving me some wiggle room on the Iraqi war), the average American probably believes as I do that the Iraq war is more about politics than it is about protecting the American citizen from terrorism or any other real threat to America. I have attended and participated in many Congressional sessions as well as discussions where that viewpoint has been elucidated over and over again.
I don't know of anyone, personally, who believes that America was threatened by Iraq, the late Saddam Hussein or his regime - in any way. And I believe that Americans have demonstrated in the past and in the present their sustaining belief in that old adage and scripture that 'there is a time to fight' - this simply was not the time. And truthfully, for many in the Republican Right that shipped has also sailed - many of them have publicly acknowledged, of late, that the war was a mistake. Just consider the comments by William F. Buckley, George Will and even Newt Gingrich of late, to make my point. Besides them, there are many others to date, who are expressing a similar viewpoint.
Many of us simply do not believe that fighting an obstructionist-interventionist war is by any stretch justifiable under any circumstances. The current incursion into Iraq, for many of us, simply does not meet the smell test of a just cause for war, as was posited by the late Roman monk, St. Augustine.
The Commander in Chief and the Military, most of us believe, are simply asking us to swallow too much this time. I will concede however, that perhaps some of us are placing the blame on the wrong individuals - those in the service!
Having said all of that, it is comforting to know that we have men as brilliant as you are in service of our nation.
Peace & grace
The Rev
Frank referenced:
The article written in American Interest Online July-August 2007
by Robert D. Kaplan
(See the excellent references to 6th Century BCE, Chinese warrior Sun- Tzu, and 19th Century Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz).
Jun 16, 2007
Tocqueville, the American Military and My Response To Frank
Frank said: Thank God the United States is a warlike nation then.
Frank,
To expand on Tocqueville's quotation, he said, "...the army, taken collectively, eventually forms a small nation by itself, where the mind is less enlarged and habits are more rude than in the nation at large.
Now, this small uncivilized nation has arms in its possession...and...the excessive love of the whole community for quiet continually puts the constitution at the mercy of the soldiery".
```````````````````````````````````````````
His point, not to make him an expert, however, I draw a similar conclusion about our larger nation versus its smaller co-existent subset American military nation within a nation today (the latter clearly has taken on a life of its own).
For the U.S. military is larger in terms of population, land-holdings, budget... than many countries of the world today combined, not to mention that it has its own President and Commander-and Chief, whose is also the President of the greater nation at-large that elected him.
And this small military-privatism pretty much controls not only the larger American population of approximately 300 million, but must of the other 7 billion citizens of the earth in one way or another. The American military reportedly has military personnel, at present, in about 120 nations of the world as we speak - and all of us know who dominates, manipulates and controls the U.N. in deference to the will of the other 191 or so member-nations.
In my opinion, America and therefore, the majority of America's citizens are, it would appear, hostages of the smaller warlike nation that co-exists within a larger nation of civilians -approximately 300 million Americans, and a world of 7 billion - particularly with our bifurcated leader, #43.
It is neither the majority of the American people nor the majority of the people of the world for that matter who are warlike either in nature or in kind. The majority, in both instances (including many of our allies)denounce the hawks in the 'American military war drums movement' which includes so many in the defense industry (former service-connected individuals), the administration in Washington and many retired veterans who still have a taste for blood. This denouement of America, its policies and its aggressive nature have reached astronomical proportions around the world.
This small subset of 'the less enlarged minds', those that I have just mentioned along with a portion of the citizenry, I believe are incapable of contemplating a solution to a problem other than by killing people - and of late, by taking down the capitol of other nations - contemporary American war strategy, just as they have already taken over the capitol in America. Watch out Iran?
Er herm, and weren't you in the Navy? You folks in your own privations may be a warlike nation; however, the majority of the rest of us Americans neither considers nor wants our nation to be on a constant war footing. For we of the larger crania, are capable of deliberating with other people and nations, and capable of solving problems without any bloodshed - it has been done before and we know principled negotiations can still work.
The problem with war hawks is that they do not believe in principled negotiation - they believe that the other side should always 'cave in' to the whims and wishes of the ideological American war hawks!
Not to make this personal, however, you are obviously a well versed student of history and war strategy. Are you aware of all of the skirmishes that have been prevented and resolved as a result of negotiations(s), as opposed to a shoot first and ask questions later mentality?
Conclusion:
Why not bring your 'obvious genius' over to the other side and join those of us who are a part of the American majority, as well as the majority of the truly peace-seeking people in the rest of the world.
For #43 and the America military, right now, are together responsible for most of the unrest in the world today - even our allies, to no avail, have expressed their profound concerns about American interventionism, and others expansionism!
Peace & Grace,
The Rev (not St. Augustine of 'Just War theory')
Addenda: For the American 'affaire de coeur' with war and killing, renders Jesus Christ (the prince of peace) and the scriptures, useless - a warlike nation in my opinion is an uncivilized nation and an enemy of the eschatalogical plan of Jesus Christ and his kingdom whose purpose is to eliminate war forevermore! If you are correct, then perhaps we should simply stop calling our nation 'a Christian one' and remove 'In God We trust' from our creed! Frank answer this question for me, are we to be a warlike nation, or a Christian one? In my humble opinion, the two together are mutually exclusive, the one of the other.
Frank,
To expand on Tocqueville's quotation, he said, "...the army, taken collectively, eventually forms a small nation by itself, where the mind is less enlarged and habits are more rude than in the nation at large.
Now, this small uncivilized nation has arms in its possession...and...the excessive love of the whole community for quiet continually puts the constitution at the mercy of the soldiery".
```````````````````````````````````````````
His point, not to make him an expert, however, I draw a similar conclusion about our larger nation versus its smaller co-existent subset American military nation within a nation today (the latter clearly has taken on a life of its own).
For the U.S. military is larger in terms of population, land-holdings, budget... than many countries of the world today combined, not to mention that it has its own President and Commander-and Chief, whose is also the President of the greater nation at-large that elected him.
And this small military-privatism pretty much controls not only the larger American population of approximately 300 million, but must of the other 7 billion citizens of the earth in one way or another. The American military reportedly has military personnel, at present, in about 120 nations of the world as we speak - and all of us know who dominates, manipulates and controls the U.N. in deference to the will of the other 191 or so member-nations.
In my opinion, America and therefore, the majority of America's citizens are, it would appear, hostages of the smaller warlike nation that co-exists within a larger nation of civilians -approximately 300 million Americans, and a world of 7 billion - particularly with our bifurcated leader, #43.
It is neither the majority of the American people nor the majority of the people of the world for that matter who are warlike either in nature or in kind. The majority, in both instances (including many of our allies)denounce the hawks in the 'American military war drums movement' which includes so many in the defense industry (former service-connected individuals), the administration in Washington and many retired veterans who still have a taste for blood. This denouement of America, its policies and its aggressive nature have reached astronomical proportions around the world.
This small subset of 'the less enlarged minds', those that I have just mentioned along with a portion of the citizenry, I believe are incapable of contemplating a solution to a problem other than by killing people - and of late, by taking down the capitol of other nations - contemporary American war strategy, just as they have already taken over the capitol in America. Watch out Iran?
Er herm, and weren't you in the Navy? You folks in your own privations may be a warlike nation; however, the majority of the rest of us Americans neither considers nor wants our nation to be on a constant war footing. For we of the larger crania, are capable of deliberating with other people and nations, and capable of solving problems without any bloodshed - it has been done before and we know principled negotiations can still work.
The problem with war hawks is that they do not believe in principled negotiation - they believe that the other side should always 'cave in' to the whims and wishes of the ideological American war hawks!
Not to make this personal, however, you are obviously a well versed student of history and war strategy. Are you aware of all of the skirmishes that have been prevented and resolved as a result of negotiations(s), as opposed to a shoot first and ask questions later mentality?
Conclusion:
Why not bring your 'obvious genius' over to the other side and join those of us who are a part of the American majority, as well as the majority of the truly peace-seeking people in the rest of the world.
For #43 and the America military, right now, are together responsible for most of the unrest in the world today - even our allies, to no avail, have expressed their profound concerns about American interventionism, and others expansionism!
Peace & Grace,
The Rev (not St. Augustine of 'Just War theory')
Addenda: For the American 'affaire de coeur' with war and killing, renders Jesus Christ (the prince of peace) and the scriptures, useless - a warlike nation in my opinion is an uncivilized nation and an enemy of the eschatalogical plan of Jesus Christ and his kingdom whose purpose is to eliminate war forevermore! If you are correct, then perhaps we should simply stop calling our nation 'a Christian one' and remove 'In God We trust' from our creed! Frank answer this question for me, are we to be a warlike nation, or a Christian one? In my humble opinion, the two together are mutually exclusive, the one of the other.
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