Banana Nightmare

Why as Christians (and I'm looking at you, youth leaders in particular) do we constantly feel the need to follow the latest cultural trends. Why is it every time a successful brand develops in the world, we can't resist going ahead and make our own Christianised brand version of it? A "Christian" version which more often than not is an appalling insult to the intelligence of people outside the church. Do we really expect our children to be real leaders and have an impact on the world by protecting them from groups and ideas that are not intrinsically Christian? Why can't the church be the alternative to the culture that people are looking for. Why can't the church stand for enduring principles rather than short-term cultural appeal? Don't we stand to win more people working within existing cultural and social frameworks, rather than creating our own ill-conceived ones? What is the purpose of Godtube for example? Sure there may be some great exegesis and apologetics out there- but doesn't that actually prove the point that Christians should be shooting it on Youtube? Doesn't it actually force you, as a Christian, to come up with something powerful, meaningful and coherent to say- rather than having a safe 'playground' to expose your crackpot theology without criticism? From Godtube: The Atheist I can't be the only one who had wrong images in my head when he was using that banana, and how would he explain a pinapple? But if Godtube is a dumb idea, Conservapedia is even dumberer. Set up, I kid you not, with Wikipedia's MediaWiki engine, because "...that the article on the Renaissance does not give any credit to Christianity, that many Wikipedia articles use non-American spellings even though most users are American, that the article on American activities in the Philippines has a distinctly anti-American bias, and that attempts to include pro-Christian or pro-American views are removed very quickly... Wikipedia is six times more liberal than the American public." (Wikipedia) So here is a random sample article from Conservapedia on Indie Rock: "Rock music made by independant bands. or people not involved with the record industry. Usually with a liberal bias." Conservapedia Entry: Indy Rock (sic) Just for comparrison, here is Wikipedia's entry on Indie Rock: "Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent underground music scene. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with underground music as a whole, though more specifically implicates that the music meets the criterion of being rock, as opposed to indie pop or other possible match-ups. These criteria vary from an emphasis on rock instrumentation (electric guitars, bass guitar, live drums, and vocals) to more abstract (and debatable) rockist constructions of authenticity. It is however not uncommon to see a variety of instruments that are rarely used in other rock genres, such as the violin. "Indie rock" is shorthand for "independent rock", for many of its artists are unsigned or signed to independent record labels, rather than major record labels. It is not strictly a genre of music (although the term is often used to reference the sound of specific bands and the bands they have influenced), but is often used as an umbrella term covering a wide range of artists and styles, connected by some degree of allegiance to the values of underground culture, and (usually) describable as rock music. Genres or subgenres often associated with indie rock include lo-fi, post-rock, sadcore, C86, and math rock, to list but a few; other related (and sometimes overlapping) categories include shoegazing and indie pop. Indie rock artists place a premium on maintaining complete control of their music and careers, releasing albums on independent record labels (sometimes their own) and relying on touring, word-of-mouth, and airplay on independent or college radio stations for promotion. Some end up moving to major labels, often on favorable terms won by their prior independent success." Wikipedia Entry: Indie Rock Feeling that liberal bias yet? I have one request for the people behind GodTube, Conservapedia and other proponents of 'christian' subcultures. Please, please stop. Now.

Islampic Bid

I was sent this by a friend the other day: Dear All Take a second to cast your vote in the Evening Standard online poll to determine public opinion about whether a mega mosque should be build for the Olympics. The vote so far is 62 % in favour. It looks like the Muslim community is casting its vote in droves, and as usual the Christians are burying their head in the sand. After voting, forward this to as many people as you can (using the BCC field to avoid spam). Here's the link: <http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/poll/poll-18791-details/ques-18669-id/%C2%A31 00m+mosque%3A+Vote+now/poll.do> http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/poll/poll-18791-details/ques-18669-id/%C2%A310 0m+mosque%3A+Vote+now/poll.do I can't really understand why there are still some people out there that will forward these kinds of things on. Personally if there was any choice I'd prefer to see the whole Olympics ditched. Sorry, Londonland does not deserve the Olympics much less a mega-mosque. In fact, I'm probably the only person who'd prefer to see a mega-mosque than an Olympic park to be honest.

Ulterior Verse of the Day - Christian Airways

My congratulations go out to Nadia Eweida on her 'win' against her employer, BA over wearing her jewelery at work. Well done for showing them that being a Christian isn't about a life devoted to Christ, or being forgiven and set free from religion. No, instead, it's about making sure we wear a piece of jewelery to symbolise every religious thing we stand for. Now before anyone decides to leave a comment and kindly inform me this has been already been covered and is 'old news', I haven't had an Internet connection for a while and I have something to say about the matter from a born-again Christian perspective, so siddown! This is my piece- Nadia, you've sold Jesus short, you've sold us all short! You used the logic that because other religions are allowed to wear their religious articles, that you are entitled to wear your religious article! The whole point of being a Christian is being free from religion, being free from religious and sacrificial requirements! Those other religions are not free, they're in bondage because it is a requirement they wear certain articles of clothing to keep themselves pure/faithful and sinless. We are free from this bondage and so no Christian has to wear stupid jewelery or clothes! Why not take a leaf out of St. Peters book and wear an upside down cross? Peter was crucified upside down, why? No it wasn't because it had anything to do with Satanists, that's another group of dumb asses who don't know reality. It was because he requested this, he felt he was not worthy of being crucified the right way up like Christ. So question your conscience, question your worthiness. Perhaps you should be putting more effort into your character to show those around you that you are a Christian, rather than relying on a piece of jewelery. If you have to wear a piece of jewelery so people know you are a Christian, something has to be missing. Today's Ulterior Verse is dedicated just to you: "Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be happy with you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you will. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law and religious expression, you have been made one with Christ! You are fully in God’s grace. We who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by religious expression the righteousness God has promised us. For when we express our religion, there is benefit in being circumcised. What is important is expressing faith through circumcision." - Galatians 5:2-6 NLT

Repost: Gay Police Offend Religious Offenders

I've been trying to work out what it is that offends me about this advertisement that appeared in The Independent on 29th June 2006. The ad was placed by the Gay Police Association (GPA) in advance of Europride in London. Something about this ad was really getting on my nerves but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After studying it hard for a long time, I found out what was irritating me so much: "in the name of the father" - They hadn't referenced their leading bible quote properly! I just hate it when people quote scripture and don't give you the address of where to find it! Oh well, I found a scripture that's equally useful: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Now before I'm accused of being a hater, I purposely left in verse 11 for the holier amongst us. I have no problem with the lifestyle choices of non-believers. (update: sorry if that bothers any Gay cops reading this, who are looking for more Christians to persecute). But I have to ask, why do the police need a GPA? I mean, what does your sexual preference have to do with your ability to do your job? When I was 15 I wanted to join the police, unfortunately I felt discriminated against as they didn't have an SLPA (Self-Love Police Association). Tags: Dark Side of the Light Christian Satire Gay Police Association Europride In The Name of the Father Gay Police Advert Bible Quote Religious Hate Police Complaints Self Love OffenceHate Crime Homophobia Add to del.icio.us

Repost: Coulter Attacks Jesus Over Liberal Agenda!

Americas new Witchfinder General, Ann Coulter, has lambasted Jesus Christ in her latest book "Haters Get More Publicity". In the book she compares Jesus to the Godless liberals in America who love sinners and prostitutes, stand against the death penalty, war and earthly empire. "This self-appointed Messiah is a liar and a blasphemer" says Coulter of the Lord. On his stand against the death penalty for the woman caught in adultery, she calls him an "enemy of family values". She goes on to question Jesus's reputation, linking him to sinners and prostitutes. "All his respectable colleagues have deserted him." she claims. "He is also know for being soft on crime." Coulter has even attacked his war record. "When Jesus came to this earth, he promised a new Kingdom, he was pro-war and pro-empire, now we are expected to believe when he says 'My Kingdom is not of this world'?" Finally, she accuses Jesus of treason, and being un-American when it comes to his views on how to treat our enemies. She cites Jesus as saying, "But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." Luke 6:27-28 She ends with "The evidence speaks for itself, Jesus is not a patriot". We asked Jesus what he had to say in his defense: "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens skip like a lamb, if you like! For even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this." Luke 6:22-23 Tags: Dark Side of the Light Christian Satire Ann Coulter Religious Right Liberal Jesus GodGodless Liberals Church of Liberalism politics War Against Terror Forgiveness Enemies Family Values Sinners Blasphemer Prostitutes Crime Witchfinder General Add to del.icio.us