Thursday, July 9, 2009
Hello!
We're just getting started, so if you have any suggestions as to how to improve our forum, please let us know! If you have topics you want to discuss, email them to us! We will discuss just about any topic, as long as it is not x-rated! Our email address is anythingbutwrestling@yahoo.com.
Was Michael Jackson an American Hero?
Flags flew at half-staff this week in California's state Capitol. No, not for Michael Jackson. For Private First Class Justin Casillas.
Pfc. Casillas died in a suicide bombing attack on his Army base in eastern Afghanistan on the Fourth of July. While Americans enjoyed fireworks and Hollyweird mourned the "king of pop" with wretched excess, the family of Pfc. Casillas learned that the 19-year-old paratrooper with the U.S. Army's Alaska-based 509th Airborne had given his life for his country. His father told the Woodland (Calif.) Daily Democrat that Justin just "wanted to do his part."
The family has a legacy of service: Casillas' grandfather served in the Pacific theater during World War II; his father served in Vietnam. But the death of Pfc. Casillas didn't make front-page headlines. His funeral won't receive wall-to-wall coverage on cable TV.
Instead, it's been all MJ, all night and day: Nurses! Nannies! Doctors! Drug raids! Custody battles! Casket rides!
Jacko fever spread to the Beltway, where the House of Representatives held a moment of silence for the entertainer. President Obama sent a highly publicized letter of condolence to the Jackson family. And topping them all, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, drafted a 1,600-word congressional resolution that "recognizes Michael Jackson as a global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises; and celebrates Michael Jackson as an accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security."
Jackson-Lee laundry-listed every charitable act and donation by Jackson in the House resolution -- and would have included all the times he said "thank you" and "God bless you" if there had been more room. Is it too much to ask our lawmakers to restrain themselves from acting like Entertainment Tonight spokesmodels and Tiger Beat correspondents?
I stand with GOP Rep. Peter King of New York, who rightly skewered these celebrity-worshiping warped priorities as "an orgy of glorification." Jackson could sing and dance. But he was no American hero. In a YouTube video over the weekend, King lambasted the media circus:
"All we hear about is Michael Jackson. Let's knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert...and to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? ...I just think we're too politically correct. No one wants to stand up and say, 'We don't need Michael Jackson!' He died, he had some talent, but fine, there are people dying every day. There are men and women dying every day in Afghanistan, let's give them the credit they deserve."
Question: Was Michael Jackson an American hero? Has all the publicity and media coverage his death has generated been blown way out of proportion? Did MJ give and sacrifice as much for our country as Private First Class Justin Casillas did?
Pfc. Casillas died in a suicide bombing attack on his Army base in eastern Afghanistan on the Fourth of July. While Americans enjoyed fireworks and Hollyweird mourned the "king of pop" with wretched excess, the family of Pfc. Casillas learned that the 19-year-old paratrooper with the U.S. Army's Alaska-based 509th Airborne had given his life for his country. His father told the Woodland (Calif.) Daily Democrat that Justin just "wanted to do his part."
The family has a legacy of service: Casillas' grandfather served in the Pacific theater during World War II; his father served in Vietnam. But the death of Pfc. Casillas didn't make front-page headlines. His funeral won't receive wall-to-wall coverage on cable TV.
Instead, it's been all MJ, all night and day: Nurses! Nannies! Doctors! Drug raids! Custody battles! Casket rides!
Jacko fever spread to the Beltway, where the House of Representatives held a moment of silence for the entertainer. President Obama sent a highly publicized letter of condolence to the Jackson family. And topping them all, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, drafted a 1,600-word congressional resolution that "recognizes Michael Jackson as a global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises; and celebrates Michael Jackson as an accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security."
Jackson-Lee laundry-listed every charitable act and donation by Jackson in the House resolution -- and would have included all the times he said "thank you" and "God bless you" if there had been more room. Is it too much to ask our lawmakers to restrain themselves from acting like Entertainment Tonight spokesmodels and Tiger Beat correspondents?
I stand with GOP Rep. Peter King of New York, who rightly skewered these celebrity-worshiping warped priorities as "an orgy of glorification." Jackson could sing and dance. But he was no American hero. In a YouTube video over the weekend, King lambasted the media circus:
"All we hear about is Michael Jackson. Let's knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert...and to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? ...I just think we're too politically correct. No one wants to stand up and say, 'We don't need Michael Jackson!' He died, he had some talent, but fine, there are people dying every day. There are men and women dying every day in Afghanistan, let's give them the credit they deserve."
Question: Was Michael Jackson an American hero? Has all the publicity and media coverage his death has generated been blown way out of proportion? Did MJ give and sacrifice as much for our country as Private First Class Justin Casillas did?
Human Embryo Research (Stem Cells, etc)
The National Institutes of Health has issued guidelines for research on human embryos. One pro-family spokesman accuses NIH of ignoring the public on the matter.
The guidelines, which are based on a presidential executive order, open the door for research that pro-life groups have fought against for years. Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council tells OneNewsNow those guidelines set up a system that creates an incentive for embryonic sacrifice. He goes on to say NIH simply did not listen to the public.
"Of the 49,000 comments they got, 30,000 told them not to fund any human embryo research [using federal funds]. The acting director of the NIH said they just ignored those comments," Prentice notes. "[So] the question wasn't whether to fund it, but how to go about sacrificing embryos."
Prentice adds those figures show America is still strongly pro-life. "And [that] they want our taxpayer funds going towards successful and ethical adult stem-cell research -- the stuff that is already helping patients now," he emphasizes.
Adult stem-cell research, which does not involve killing a tiny human being, is now being used to help more than 70 documented medical conditions and diseases. Research on human embryos, in contrast, has produced no useable results.
OK - Are you for Embryonic Stem Cell Research or Opposed to it, and why?
The guidelines, which are based on a presidential executive order, open the door for research that pro-life groups have fought against for years. Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council tells OneNewsNow those guidelines set up a system that creates an incentive for embryonic sacrifice. He goes on to say NIH simply did not listen to the public.
"Of the 49,000 comments they got, 30,000 told them not to fund any human embryo research [using federal funds]. The acting director of the NIH said they just ignored those comments," Prentice notes. "[So] the question wasn't whether to fund it, but how to go about sacrificing embryos."
Prentice adds those figures show America is still strongly pro-life. "And [that] they want our taxpayer funds going towards successful and ethical adult stem-cell research -- the stuff that is already helping patients now," he emphasizes.
Adult stem-cell research, which does not involve killing a tiny human being, is now being used to help more than 70 documented medical conditions and diseases. Research on human embryos, in contrast, has produced no useable results.
OK - Are you for Embryonic Stem Cell Research or Opposed to it, and why?
Southern Baptist Minister Wants Certain Books Removed From Stores
A Southern Baptist pastor is urging LifeWay Christian Bookstores to remove a number of books from its shelves that he believes undermine key Christian doctrines.
Channing Kilgore, associate pastor of South Whitwell Baptist Church in Tennessee, introduced a motion at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting last month that called for LifeWay to remove books by teachers T.D. Jakes and John Hagee, any Catholic Bibles, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and The Shack.
SBC president Johnny Hunt ruled Kilgore's motion was not in order because it would have asked the convention to act like trustees. Kilgore says the books he wants removed from LifeWay stores are "contrary to the gospel" and the 2008 Baptist Faith and Message statement.
"For example, in The Shack, it's very unclear and muddled in a lot of its views on the Trinity, the role and person and work of Christ, and the way of salvation," Kilgore believes. "And in regards to T.D. Jakes, he will not come out and use classic, orthodox language in regards to the Trinity -- and that is a cornerstone doctrine of Christianity."
Kilgore notes that in 2005, LifeWay president Thom Rainer said that "LifeWay will not be a business, but a ministry to the church." However, Kilgore contends LifeWay is not ministering to the church by selling the books of "word of faith" teachers and authors who deny the Trinity.
Geez, seems like this guy is being a little narrow minded. What do you think?
Channing Kilgore, associate pastor of South Whitwell Baptist Church in Tennessee, introduced a motion at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting last month that called for LifeWay to remove books by teachers T.D. Jakes and John Hagee, any Catholic Bibles, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and The Shack.
SBC president Johnny Hunt ruled Kilgore's motion was not in order because it would have asked the convention to act like trustees. Kilgore says the books he wants removed from LifeWay stores are "contrary to the gospel" and the 2008 Baptist Faith and Message statement.
"For example, in The Shack, it's very unclear and muddled in a lot of its views on the Trinity, the role and person and work of Christ, and the way of salvation," Kilgore believes. "And in regards to T.D. Jakes, he will not come out and use classic, orthodox language in regards to the Trinity -- and that is a cornerstone doctrine of Christianity."
Kilgore notes that in 2005, LifeWay president Thom Rainer said that "LifeWay will not be a business, but a ministry to the church." However, Kilgore contends LifeWay is not ministering to the church by selling the books of "word of faith" teachers and authors who deny the Trinity.
Geez, seems like this guy is being a little narrow minded. What do you think?
Hate Crimes Legislation - Do We Need It?
The American Family Association, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, and other conservative activist groups are urging their supporters to call, e-mail, fax, or visit their senators today to express their disapproval of S. 909, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (Senate Bill 909). The bill would authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.
Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., a member of the conservative coalition known as the Arlington Group, says the measure would have a chilling effect on the religious liberty of pastors.
"Back in 2006, [Democratic Representative] Artur Davis from Alabama, who will be running for governor by the way in that great state, made a statement to [Representative] Louie Gohmert [R-Texas] in a [House] subcommittee meeting that a pastor could be held liable or [as] a co-conspirator of sorts in a hate crime if we found out that his preaching and teaching incited -- according to their thinking -- someone to commit a violent act against someone that is gay," Jackson explains.
In the previous Congress, Senate Democrats tried to add hate-crimes legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. Many conservative activists expect that will be attempted again before the August recess.
Do we need this bill? Should pastors be prosecuted under such law if he or she preaches against homosexuality (or anything that is considered a sin) and is accused of inciting someone to commit a violent act against gays?
Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., a member of the conservative coalition known as the Arlington Group, says the measure would have a chilling effect on the religious liberty of pastors.
"Back in 2006, [Democratic Representative] Artur Davis from Alabama, who will be running for governor by the way in that great state, made a statement to [Representative] Louie Gohmert [R-Texas] in a [House] subcommittee meeting that a pastor could be held liable or [as] a co-conspirator of sorts in a hate crime if we found out that his preaching and teaching incited -- according to their thinking -- someone to commit a violent act against someone that is gay," Jackson explains.
In the previous Congress, Senate Democrats tried to add hate-crimes legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. Many conservative activists expect that will be attempted again before the August recess.
Do we need this bill? Should pastors be prosecuted under such law if he or she preaches against homosexuality (or anything that is considered a sin) and is accused of inciting someone to commit a violent act against gays?
Should Churches Recognize Same Sex Marriages?
Six Episcopal bishops are pushing for greater recognition of same-sex marriages at a national gathering of church officials in California. Bishop Thomas Ely of Vermont says he and other bishops from states recognizing same-sex marriage will offer a resolution urging the church to adapt marriage rituals to include homosexual couples.
Ely says the resolution will be introduced at the church's General Convention, which started Wednesday in Anaheim. The convention is held every three years.
Besides Vermont, states that have legalized same-sex marriage are Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Connecticut.
OK - What is your opinion of same sex marriages? Should the church recognize same sex marriages, even though it goes against what the Bible teaches? Leave your opinions & comments below.
Ely says the resolution will be introduced at the church's General Convention, which started Wednesday in Anaheim. The convention is held every three years.
Besides Vermont, states that have legalized same-sex marriage are Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Connecticut.
OK - What is your opinion of same sex marriages? Should the church recognize same sex marriages, even though it goes against what the Bible teaches? Leave your opinions & comments below.
Prayer of Repentance is "Heresy?!"
ANAHEIM, CA - Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says it's "heresy" to believe that an individual can be saved through a sinner's prayer of repentance.
In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori called that "the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God."
The presiding bishop said that view is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus."
According to Schori, it is heresy to believe that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationship with God. "That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy."
OK - Can we be saved by praying a sinner's prayer of repentance? According to this woman, such a prayer is heresy. OK, then, if not through prayer & repentance, how? Can we be saved at all?
This should be an interesting discussion. Leave your opinions, comments, etc. as comments to this post.
In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori called that "the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God."
The presiding bishop said that view is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus."
According to Schori, it is heresy to believe that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationship with God. "That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy."
OK - Can we be saved by praying a sinner's prayer of repentance? According to this woman, such a prayer is heresy. OK, then, if not through prayer & repentance, how? Can we be saved at all?
This should be an interesting discussion. Leave your opinions, comments, etc. as comments to this post.
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