Love vs. Fear - Volume 18

Breaking with tradition, today's article comes from the 9-23-04 edition of Sojomail. Sojomail is produced by Sojourners; an evangelical journal, and calls itself a 'weekly email-zine of spirituality, politics and culture.' I personally object to their use of the term spirituality, because they are decidedly Christian oriented. For them to replace the word 'spirituality' with the word 'Christianity' would be a lot more accurate. I do feel that the good people at Sojourners do have very wonderful intentions. I just wish they didn't feel the need to route all their efforts through Christianity, to the exclusion of billions of the earth's inhabitants.

I'm also uncomfortable with the four core beliefs of evangelicals. Here they are; 1) The Bible is without error (that alone is enough to stop me), 2) Salvation comes through faith in Jesus and not good deeds (so cancel all those good deeds you had in mind), 3) Individuals must accept Jesus as adults (is there a cut-off age for that, is it 18 or 21 or what...?) and 4) All Christians must evangelize. To evangelize means to 1) Preach the gospel and 2) Convert to Christianity.

Christianity says that you HAVE to claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior in order to get in to heaven. Where does that leave all the Buddhists and Muslims and all the other non-Christians of the world? Spirituality says that EVERYone goes to heaven. Spirituality says that God loves unconditionally. That means that God loves everybody; not just Christians! Spirituality is all-inclusive, whereas Christianity, and most other major religions are exclusive. Either you belong to our club, or you're out. No heaven for you!

Anyway, the article in Sojomail is entitled; "Jimmy Swaggart tells congregation he'd kill gays." Isn't that nice!? Here we have a self proclaimed Christian 'man of God' telling a global audience that "If one ever looks at me like that I'm going to kill him and tell God he died." To which he receives laughter and applause from his audience. This is not a movie, this really happened, on Sunday; 9-19-04! I honestly can't believe this! How could a man who claims to be a 'man of God' preach something so un-Godly!? Mr. Swaggart quotes the biblical passage where God says that homosexuality is an 'abomination.' There's just one, of the MANY proofs that the Bible is WITH error! Any passage in the Bible that contradicts the truth that God is unconditionally loving, is false. Those ideas came from some man or men with the agenda to control us through fear.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; there are a lot of 'homo-phobes' out there. Many people see gay peoples' differences as justification for hating them. This hatred is based in fear; "I don't understand them, therefore I don't like them, and I'm gonna kill them." A more Godly response would be; "I see their differences, and I may not understand them, but I will embrace them anyway, as they are also God's beloved creatures, as am I."

We've got two role models to choose from today, folks; God & Jimmy Swaggart. Take your pick...

PEACE!

John Ford - Life Coach
(512) 657-1584
http://www.HappinessForSale.net

Your questions and/or comments are welcome and encouraged! Please feel free to pass this on, in its entirety, to everyone you wish. If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe, please let me know at John@HappinessForSale.net. Also, please know that your email address will never be bought, sold, traded, folded, spindled or mutilated, for any reason, by anyone. Thank you.

About The Author

John Ford

I live in Austin, Texas; where I have lived over half of my life. I am a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Accounting & Marketing.

I have always been interested in personal development, and have studied many books and tape programs over the years. I have read over 50 books on the subject in the last 3 years alone. I also have the CDs to many of the books I've studied, which I am constantly rotating through the CD player of my vehicle whenever I am driving. I have applied many of the concepts I've learned, to my own life and business, and have developed a "real world" knowledge of what works and what doesn't.

I began the rewarding and fulfilling career of being a full time Life Coach after 20 years of being a certified public accountant for a wide variety of numerous businesses. I knew in my gut the first time I heard about the coaching profession, that I had always been a coach in my heart and that this was my new career. I enrolled in coach training programs and learned what I needed to know to get started, but my education continues constantly. Self development is an ongoing, life-long process.

I am PASSIONATE about Life Coaching because it enables me to serve mankind in the most useful way that I can spend the days of my life. Not only do I greatly enrich the lives of my clients, but I get to benefit as well. As I coach my clients to greater happiness in every area of their lives, I also get to receive the gift of having provided that service! Nothing else in my life has ever given me greater fulfillment and satisfaction, than helping others dramatically improve their lives.

John@HappinessForSale.net

---

Leaving Storyville

One of the most difficult barriers... Read More

Stepping Into the Darkness

One of the "loopholes" in my philosophical belief system when... Read More

The One Who Heals

It's late. But it's usually those words that you cannot... Read More

Connect with Spirit

Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One... Read More

Psalms For Prosperity

The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest... Read More

The Divine Throne-Chariot

The following fragment was found in Qumran along with the... Read More

Slow Leak

In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More

What Is Wrong With Being Common?

The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More

Ten Soul-Tending Principles for Women

Feeling restless? Is part of you calling out for change,... Read More

Motivated By All The Wrong Reasons

Sometimes trying to be spiritual holds us back from actually... Read More

A Fine Line between Heaven, Hell and Astrology - Angelic Governors of the Zodiac

Have you ever wondered which Angel governs your sign? And... Read More

The Star of Bethlehem

It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More

Mind, in Time and Space

One cannot make a decision in the moment of now.... Read More

Life After Life - Death Is Merely a Changing Room

Since I awoke from my three month coma in August... Read More

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Did you ever see something go wrong around you and... Read More

Living Successfully - Spiritual Answers for Modern Day Desires: Part 1

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More

Astrology & The Bible: Age of Aquarius

The normal Aquarian preoccupation with rational science is clearly seen... Read More

Negative Disturbances

Whenever we have the opportunity to make human assessments, the... Read More

Its Always Divine

So I met a friend recently and we went to... Read More

Universal Meaning of Celtic Knotwork

In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More

Understanding the Tarot Card Deck - Part 2

Tarot card reading delves into an individual's psyche and thus... Read More

Bringing Heaven to Earth: Becoming a Spiritual Scientist

Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More

I Am Not An Island or What Does God Have to Do With Animals?

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More

Karma: Is It Good or is It Bad? You Decide!

We hear this word so often and have one thing... Read More

Creating Your Soul-Centered Community

Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More

Jesus Birthday: Sacred Children Series - 2 of 3

I had visions of my daughter for about five years... Read More

A Crash Course In Tarot For Newbies #1 - All About the Cards

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More

Seeking the Sacred

People have always sought the sacred. It is the Divine... Read More

Bringing Heaven to Earth: Looking for the Good

Everyday I am challenged to find the good in things:... Read More

Sacred Space, Sacred Time

We all need space, we all need time to ourselves.In... Read More

Wear the Message of Grace: A Work Weeks Devotions

As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More

KABBALAH OF LOVE: The Secret Power of Ego

The Key to True Love...Do you long for love?Most of... Read More

5 Steps to Passing Life Exams

An exam is a test that is given at the... Read More