Women and Homosexuality

I’m not surprised that the United Methodist Church is currently debating within itself Scripture’s modern-day stance on homosexuality. The UMC long ago chose to ignore God’s repeated command that women were to be silent when the whole church was congregated (1 Cor. 14:34, 1 Tim. 2:11) and that they were not to teach or have authority over men (1 Tim. 2:12). When the church chucks one “cultural faux pas” from the Bible, what is to stop the elimination of every other command that does not jive with the world and its culture? God’s reasoning for excluding women from positions of authority is that Adam was formed first and that Eve, not Adam, was the one deceived. This reason will not change. God abhors homosexuality and his sentiments will not change on that issue either. Allowing women to preach officially was culturally expedient for the UMC and condoning homosexual behavior would be as well. I’m waiting for the UMC to explain why some parts of Scripture hold more clout than others. Either Scripture has authority today or it does not.



My letter to World Magazine's editors in response to “4 More Years” in World’s May 22, 2004 edition.

Recycling is Waste

This article provides some excellent points on the inefficacy of recycling. One argument the author makes is that recycling paper in order to save trees might actually result in more trees being cut down, and needlessly. Balko writes,

In fact, many economists argue that conserving paper hinders the conservation of forestland by driving down the price of timber. Lower timber costs make logging and paper companies look at more lucrative ways of using land currently reserved for growing trees, such as selling it to developers. If demand for paper then goes up again, that developed land is no longer available for growing trees, and logging companies look to cut into new areas, areas not previously used as tree “nurseries.”

His section on biodegradables was comforting. The way things are packaged for landfills means that nothing "biodegrades" well in a landfill, food or styrofoam. In addition, Balko points out that man-made packaging reduces waste overall. Interesting.

Planned Parenthood Up to No Good

Scott Tibbs wrote a great letter to the Bloomington City Council regarding Planned Parenthood's dirty tactics. I highly suggest that people read this and investigate what Planned Parenthood is doing in their own communities. You might be unpleasantly surprised.

Tibbs wrote the letter urging the city council not to give Planned Parenthood taxpayer money again. Is your local government doling out taxpayer funds (your hard earned money) to Planned Parenthood, an organization with millions of dollars in annual profits that works hard to go behind parents' backs and recruit new abortion, contraception and STD treatment customers?

Probably.

Just a Joke, But Can it Be Far from the Truth?

An email I received recently gives an idea of what the DNC convention schedule might look like:

2004 DNC Convention Official Program

6:00pm - Opening flag burning ceremony.
6:30pm - Anti-war rally no. 1.
6:40pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
7:00pm - Tribute theme to France.
7:10pm - Collect offerings for al-Zawahri defense fund.
7:25pm - Tribute theme to Spain.
7:45pm - Anti-war rally no. 2. (Moderated by Michael Moore)
8:25pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:30pm - Terrorist appeasement workshop.
9:00pm - Gay marriage ceremony.
9:30pm - * Intermission *
10:00pm - Flag burning ceremony no. 2.
10:15pm - Re-enactment of Kerry's fake medal toss.
10:30pm - Cameo by Dean 'Yeeearrrrrrrg!'
10:40pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
10:50pm - Pledge of allegiance to the UN.
11:00pm - Double gay marriage cermony.
11:15PM - Maximizing Welfare workshop.
11:30pm - 'Free Saddam' pep rally.
11:59PM - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
12:00pm - Nomination of democratic candidate.

Kerry Not Favored by Military Colleagues

Guess Kerry's "war record" won't bolster him too much.