Father John Michael Hanvey, who works at the THOMAS Organisation (Those on the Margins of A Society) in Blackburn, was horrified by a documentary called 'Baby Bible Bashers'
Recently I began to watch a documentary called 'Baby Bible Bashers' I could only stomach ten minutes of it.
What I saw was nothing less than an abuse of childhood.
Three different parents force-fed their children as young as 7 with Christian Fundementalism nonsense.
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I saw a boy of 7 taken by his father to the heart of Manhattan to preach creationism to people who could hardly contain their laughter.
It was awful to see innocence used and abused by a father who ranted on about sin and sinners and who consigned so many to the flames of hell; with a special place for gay people; probably occupying one of Dante's lowest levels in his 'Inferno', reserved by him for the clergy.
I feel that during a season like Lent we should make an attempt not to trivialise our faith who put our grey cells on hold about our beliefs.
The great medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas wrote 'faith seeking understanding'.
We often give ourselves a kick in the teeth with our trivialisation of our faith and practise.
Being a Roman Catholic Lancastrian by birth brought up on the lives of the English Martyrs who gave their lives for the faith 'ere ancient memories perish', as an old hymn said and just down the road from where I lived as well, gave a serious slant to the faith of our fathers.
Of course many protestant martyrs died for their faith too but for both it was a serious business.
Some of our religious leaders are quite gifted at many ridiculous statements and gestures.
A couple of years ago there were the 'chocks for flocks' goody bags sponsored by a north west bishop, they contained scriptural texts, local clergy contacts, times of services and a Mars bar.
One bishop in the north suggested that last year's floods were a result of God's being angry with homosexual practises.
Why God wasn't more specific with the flooding and targeted Canal Street in Manchester rather than Carlisle and Tewkesbury I don't know.
I was sent a poster from the U.S. promoting vocations for the Roman Catholic priesthood.
It showed a Matrix style tall, dark, handsome guy with designer stubble and shades in a cassock wearing a clerical colla.
Written underneath was 'the Catholic priesthood coming to a parish near you'.
At the beginning of Lent another northern bishop was shown changing a lightbulb for Lent and replacing it with an energy saving one. Ah well!
Men and women died for what we believe today and we owe society and ourselves something better than a simplistic trivialisation of our faith.
FINALLY!!!!
(round of applause)
A theologist recognises openly the evils committed in the name of religion - the same religion to which this theologist subscribes, no less.
A resoundingly christian approach, I suggest!
All the examples above were committed by people who believe that they are right because of the religious indoctrination to which they have been subjected. They believe they are doing the work of god.
Faith is the enemy of reason, to quote a well known Dawkinsism
FINALLY!!!!
(round of applause)
A theologist recognises openly the evils committed in the name of religion - the same religion to which this theologist subscribes, no less.
A resoundingly christian approach, I suggest!
All the examples above were committed by people who believe that they are right because of the religious indoctrination to which they have been subjected. They believe they are doing the work of god.
Faith is the enemy of reason, to quote a well known Dawkinsism
Posted by: simplysimon, Burnley on 4:05pm Mon 3 Mar 08
Hi Marcus,
Dawkins has made the same error as the Religious. He has mis-placed his Faith by putting it in the scientific study of the temporary Universe. Whatever created the temporary is not itself temporary. It has to be bigger than temporary (subject to time)
Any Faith in the events of the past or the future is mis-placed Faith. If He believes that the Scientific study of external matter (substance) will reveal the Eternal he is very wide off the mark.
The Eternal has to be beyond (elements of substance as all the Physical Elements of the Universe are only temporary. One day, even the sun will perish.
Reasoning without Love and Understanding is utterly futile. Reason cannot grasp the Eternal Source of Creation. Reasoning has limits. The Eternal has no limits. It cannot be measured by reason.
Hi Marcus,
Dawkins has made the same error as the Religious. He has mis-placed his Faith by putting it in the scientific study of the temporary Universe. Whatever created the temporary is not itself temporary. It has to be bigger than temporary (subject to time)
Any Faith in the events of the past or the future is mis-placed Faith. If He believes that the Scientific study of external matter (substance) will reveal the Eternal he is very wide off the mark.
The Eternal has to be beyond (elements of substance as all the Physical Elements of the Universe are only temporary. One day, even the sun will perish.
Reasoning without Love and Understanding is utterly futile. Reason cannot grasp the Eternal Source of Creation. Reasoning has limits. The Eternal has no limits. It cannot be measured by reason.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 4:30pm Mon 3 Mar 08
I am the Life. The Life in the person. Where else would you want Life to hang out. In the past? in the future? in a microscope? in a book? in a cave ?
[bold]I am Life![/bold] Your Life! Inside of You! I am bigger than birth and death. Birth and Death are mere illusions, momentary fleeting events.
What would birth and death look like without me ? I am the Life!.....ring any bells ?
I am the Life. The Life in the person. Where else would you want Life to hang out. In the past? in the future? in a microscope? in a book? in a cave ?
I am Life! Your Life! Inside of You! I am bigger than birth and death. Birth and Death are mere illusions, momentary fleeting events.
What would birth and death look like without me ? I am the Life!.....ring any bells ?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 4:37pm Mon 3 Mar 08
Hi Marcus,
Where does Life come from ? Where does it begin and where does it end?
Life is in your next Breath. It came with your first Breath and it leaves with your last Breath. Ask any mid-wife, ask any physician.
Your entire existence is being unfolded one Breath at a time. That is Life! That is your next Breath. The Creator of LIFE!
Hi Marcus,
Where does Life come from ? Where does it begin and where does it end?
Life is in your next Breath. It came with your first Breath and it leaves with your last Breath. Ask any mid-wife, ask any physician.
Your entire existence is being unfolded one Breath at a time. That is Life! That is your next Breath. The Creator of LIFE!
Simplysimon,
You never cease to confuse me! You seem somewhat 'obsessed' with 'The Eternal'. Are you an atheist, or what, because various times over this blog have you contradicted yourself in denying God, whilst promoting your apparently vast knowledge of a greater force: "I can show you your own soul"? Can you clarify, for the benefit of us all, your exact position and belief, please?? Thanks.
Simplysimon,
You never cease to confuse me! You seem somewhat 'obsessed' with 'The Eternal'. Are you an atheist, or what, because various times over this blog have you contradicted yourself in denying God, whilst promoting your apparently vast knowledge of a greater force: "I can show you your own soul"? Can you clarify, for the benefit of us all, your exact position and belief, please?? Thanks.
Posted by: john michael, blackburn on 10:36am Tue 4 Mar 08
Hi Marcus I was wondering where you were. I'v enjoyed your blogs.Not agreed with them all of course. I was not condeming the people who made the statements I quoted but just pointing out the universal silliness of men of faith or no faith. I feel believers especialy need to think more before making any statements, in particular bishops.
Hi Marcus I was wondering where you were. I'v enjoyed your blogs.Not agreed with them all of course. I was not condeming the people who made the statements I quoted but just pointing out the universal silliness of men of faith or no faith. I feel believers especialy need to think more before making any statements, in particular bishops.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 12:55pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Dear Tom,
It is understandable to be confused. All I see is the Eternal. All man sees is the temporary.
Man is here to meet the Eternal. To find and to know that which is Eternal. Man is not here to come up with labels for it. He is here to encounter the Eternal. That is why you are here.
You may subscribe to a religion. you may be a committed atheist. maybe you are not sure, maybe it is a case of a bit of both. Whatever your position. You are here to [bold]Know. If that was not the case you would not have the [bold]Ability[/bold] to know within you.[/bold]
Dear Tom,
It is understandable to be confused. All I see is the Eternal. All man sees is the temporary.
Man is here to meet the Eternal. To find and to know that which is Eternal. Man is not here to come up with labels for it. He is here to encounter the Eternal. That is why you are here.
You may subscribe to a religion. you may be a committed atheist. maybe you are not sure, maybe it is a case of a bit of both. Whatever your position. You are here to Know. If that was not the case you would not have the Ability to know within you.
Posted by: Ann Slater, Blackburn on 1:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08
simplysimon- so you Simon see the Eternal and the rest of mankind sees only the temporary. Then I think that you are a very lucky man and I envy you that certainty. For myself I will continue to seek the Eternal Truth.
simplysimon- so you Simon see the Eternal and the rest of mankind sees only the temporary. Then I think that you are a very lucky man and I envy you that certainty. For myself I will continue to seek the Eternal Truth.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:41pm Tue 4 Mar 08
hello Ann,
You will find the Eternal Truth within you. I am here to help you. You have all the abilities you will ever need. You were born with the ability. You can Know with Certainty.
I am here to serve you. I am here to remove the un-certainty, the doubt, the ambiguity, the confusions and the complexities that hide that Certainty.
I am just a removal man really. I know the Eternal. I know the Eternal is within you. If the Eternal was not within you it could not be The Eternal. I know what it is. I know the address. I know the way. I can direct you to the Eternal. You can challenge it's integrity your Self. In your own way, in your own time.
Those who Truly seek the Eternal will find it. This is your Quest! Your Mission Impeccable! I am just here to be helpful. It's a privilege for me.
hello Ann,
You will find the Eternal Truth within you. I am here to help you. You have all the abilities you will ever need. You were born with the ability. You can Know with Certainty.
I am here to serve you. I am here to remove the un-certainty, the doubt, the ambiguity, the confusions and the complexities that hide that Certainty.
I am just a removal man really. I know the Eternal. I know the Eternal is within you. If the Eternal was not within you it could not be The Eternal. I know what it is. I know the address. I know the way. I can direct you to the Eternal. You can challenge it's integrity your Self. In your own way, in your own time.
Those who Truly seek the Eternal will find it. This is your Quest! Your Mission Impeccable! I am just here to be helpful. It's a privilege for me.
Posted by: Ann Slater, Blackburn on 1:55pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Simplysimon - in an earlier blog in which you used a bike as a metaphor, you stated that all the teaching manuals, instructions and guidance could not help you to reach the truth about riding a bike. By that same token do you still assert that you can help me or any other person find the Eternal Truth? Do you not believe that I need to find the path to the Eternal Truth myself?
Simplysimon - in an earlier blog in which you used a bike as a metaphor, you stated that all the teaching manuals, instructions and guidance could not help you to reach the truth about riding a bike. By that same token do you still assert that you can help me or any other person find the Eternal Truth? Do you not believe that I need to find the path to the Eternal Truth myself?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 2:16pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Hi Ann,
You are on the path. You have found the path. The Universe, the Creation is the path.
Some do not know that what they are seeking is the Eternal. They imagine they are seeking some other thing. They get distracted. There are a lot of distractions. In fact the entire outer Universe is a distraction away from the Eternal. If the Eternal One is residing within you. It has always been right there, within you.
You will Discover the Eternal your self. On this path you are on. You are already on the right path. You are Here! Congratulations!
Just like you Discovered that sense of Balance your self. You had to feel your way to it. You can feel your way to the Eternal. You can Sense it. It's Beautiful! You can feel the Gratitude! You can feel the Sweetness of it! You can Understand that feeling.
It was there before Manuals. It's always been there. Appreciate it, spend some time with it, acknowledge it. soak in it! This Journey is Perfect for you! You are welcome!
Hi Ann,
You are on the path. You have found the path. The Universe, the Creation is the path.
Some do not know that what they are seeking is the Eternal. They imagine they are seeking some other thing. They get distracted. There are a lot of distractions. In fact the entire outer Universe is a distraction away from the Eternal. If the Eternal One is residing within you. It has always been right there, within you.
You will Discover the Eternal your self. On this path you are on. You are already on the right path. You are Here! Congratulations!
Just like you Discovered that sense of Balance your self. You had to feel your way to it. You can feel your way to the Eternal. You can Sense it. It's Beautiful! You can feel the Gratitude! You can feel the Sweetness of it! You can Understand that feeling.
It was there before Manuals. It's always been there. Appreciate it, spend some time with it, acknowledge it. soak in it! This Journey is Perfect for you! You are welcome!
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 2:25pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Dear Ann,
You are coming Home! The Eternal is your Home! maybe it feels something like that. Simple to Discover though hard to put into words.
It's just too simple yet so profound.
Dear Ann,
You are coming Home! The Eternal is your Home! maybe it feels something like that. Simple to Discover though hard to put into words.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 2:52pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Just like riding a bike, Nobody can compell you to Discover that sense of balance.
You will be the one to decide when you are ready to Discover the Eternal. That will always be a decision for you. It's Re-Discoverable every single day.
It has to be a Conscious Decision. That is what makes the difference.
Just like riding a bike, Nobody can compell you to Discover that sense of balance.
You will be the one to decide when you are ready to Discover the Eternal. That will always be a decision for you. It's Re-Discoverable every single day.
It has to be a Conscious Decision. That is what makes the difference.
Posted by: Confused, Blackburn on 6:42pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Simplysimon,
Who do you think you are? God Himself?:
"I am Life! Your Life! Inside of You! I am bigger than birth and death", "I can direct you to the Eternal".
"I am just here to be helpful" - you're not being helpful. You constantly talk drivel.
We've had enough of being told "I can show you the Eternal". No you can't. If you can, prove it without some enigmatic amibiguous rubbish!. I'm not joking.
Simplysimon,
Who do you think you are? God Himself?:
"I am Life! Your Life! Inside of You! I am bigger than birth and death", "I can direct you to the Eternal".
"I am just here to be helpful" - you're not being helpful. You constantly talk drivel.
We've had enough of being told "I can show you the Eternal". No you can't. If you can, prove it without some enigmatic amibiguous rubbish!. I'm not joking.
Posted by: Simplysimon, burnley on 2:25pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Hello Confused,
I don't need to proove anything to you or anyone else. You have to show me why I should show you the Eternal. What would you do with the Knowledge.
I don't have to show anyone. I am not under any obligation to anyone. I am here for those who want to KNOW. I don't have to proove anything. I am not here to impress anyone.
Those who want to Know the Eternal, with Certainty and beyond any doubt will come. I am not here to satisfy curiosity seekers.
I can Understand your Confusion. It is Understandable. You don't know. Not Knowing leads to Confusion. No Certainty is the foundation of Confusion. But WHEN YOU know, there is no room left for Confusion.
Maybe one day you will feel you need to Know. When you do and if I am around, look me up!
Hello Confused,
I don't need to proove anything to you or anyone else. You have to show me why I should show you the Eternal. What would you do with the Knowledge.
I don't have to show anyone. I am not under any obligation to anyone. I am here for those who want to KNOW. I don't have to proove anything. I am not here to impress anyone.
Those who want to Know the Eternal, with Certainty and beyond any doubt will come. I am not here to satisfy curiosity seekers.
I can Understand your Confusion. It is Understandable. You don't know. Not Knowing leads to Confusion. No Certainty is the foundation of Confusion. But WHEN YOU know, there is no room left for Confusion.
Maybe one day you will feel you need to Know. When you do and if I am around, look me up!
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 3:44pm Wed 5 Mar 08
I show the Eternal. Not just talk. I show it to People the practical way. The simple and Perfect way. Nothing vague or ambiguous or mysterious. It's not even spiritual. It is very practical. There isn't another way of doing it.
I can show it to the Blind and to the Deaf and to the Lame, Believers or non Believers. I have nothing to sell. I do not ask for anything. It cannot be bought. Nobody on Earth would be able to afford it.
I only show those who need to know. I give them the means to know the Eternal. I don't ask anyone to believe in anything.. I give the means, I show you the way to the Eternal.
On this path, nobody has ever been lost. Everyone finds The Eternal within them.
I show the Eternal. Not just talk. I show it to People the practical way. The simple and Perfect way. Nothing vague or ambiguous or mysterious. It's not even spiritual. It is very practical. There isn't another way of doing it.
I can show it to the Blind and to the Deaf and to the Lame, Believers or non Believers. I have nothing to sell. I do not ask for anything. It cannot be bought. Nobody on Earth would be able to afford it.
I only show those who need to know. I give them the means to know the Eternal. I don't ask anyone to believe in anything.. I give the means, I show you the way to the Eternal.
On this path, nobody has ever been lost. Everyone finds The Eternal within them.
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