Whoa!! Chris Lee! Kinda Cute, But That Deer-In-The-Headlights Look Does Help!

Yes, Christopher Lee is rather cute. But dumb. Very, Very dumb. 

In His Quest For A New Inquisition, Is Bryan Fischer Leaving A Trail of Tears?

In all the discussions about the European settlement of the New World, one feature has been conspicuously absent: the role that the superstition, savagery and sexual immorality of native Americans played in making them morally disqualified from sovereign control of American soil.

- Bryan Fischer, Feb. 9, AFA blog

The American Family Association has had to apologize for its statements on just about everyone: Jews, gays, African Americans and Muslims. It was, therefore, just a matter of time before they said something derogatory about Native Americans. 

Bryan Fischer's diatribe on Native Americans is almost in the same class of religious intolerance as his statements about Muslims (especially how it would be the "compassionate" thing to do to deport all of them). And while some academics argue that the primary gifts of the missionaries to the Natives in the New World were measles and syphilis, Fischer will have you think that his latest admonition, is somehow truly, er,  Christian. Yes, people, it is truly a WTF moment!

Some responders to his latest broadcast/blog:

This can't be a legit article. It really can't. I'm not saying nobody could come to the pathetic conclusions that the author did, but to publish it on a site associated with family values? Did we skip ahead to April 1st?

"Grandson, there are too many White People, and not enough Human Beings." ~ "Little Big Man"

So people who killed Indians were doing the Lord's work, clearly. Is it still OK to kill Indians? Please let us know ASAP so we know how to proceed...

And this, from young conservative (American Family Association  blogger and radio host!)  Elijah Freideman:

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it

COMPARISONS


In the past, Bryan Fischer has shown himself to have the basic philosophy of "Only white Christians need apply," denigrating  people of color, gays and Muslims. Appearing on his daily radio talk show (sponsored by the American Family Association) has become a badge of honor for some Right Wing proponents who are not afraid to state their views, even if those views are tinged with bigotry. Ever since Tony Perkins (Family Research Council) gave Fischer his imprimatur by having Fischer speak at the hallowed Values Voter Summit, the extreme Right has dared to make forays into dark territory on Fischer's show.


There are some odd parallels we can see in Fischer's philosophy: Queen Isabella and Michele Malkin:

Queen Isabella of Castille, under direction of her confessor, Torquemada, enabled the horrific Inquisition and expelled Moors and Jews from Spain. Operating with a "convert or die" dictum, Isabella was quiet, but ruthless: thousands died during her reign and 200,000 Jews were exiled. More than anything, however, the  torture and murder were power grabs by her and her husband, King Ferdinand, in their religious zealotry to make the kingdom "one nation, one religion." Isabella may have felt like a latter day Constantine*, for she was never bothered by the carnage that resulted.

Michele Malkin must have certainly been in agreement with Fischer (no word as yet from her, but there surely will be). She was, after all, as disgusted by the reference to Native American religions at the Tucson memorial:

"Native American gives rambling speech while holding a feather. His remarks are frequently interrupted by whoops and cheers. He gives a shout-out to his son serving in Afghanistan. Brags about Mexican background. Babble about two-legged and four-legged creatures and the feminine energy that comes from Mother Earth. Mercy."

The other rather oxymoronic(sic) trait by Malkin is that, although she herself could be considered an anchor baby (parentage originated in the Philippines), she despises other ethnic groups: her book, In Defense of Internment: The Case for "Racial Profiling" in World War II and the War On Terror, re-envisions the Japanese Internment camp Manzanar as a voluntary, fun-filled resort. And given Malkin's propensity for torture, she too would love to see a latter-day Inquisition for anyone she does not consider "American" enough.

FISCHER'S TRAIL OF TEARS (AND INADVERTENT LAUGHTER)

The American Family Association has, for years, suffered after the onslaughts of Fischer's inane diatribes, but, since they seem to be a rather dimwitted lot, they have never attempted to remove him from his post as Chief Inquisitor. He was, of course, the sole personality responsible for the AFA being named a Hate Group by the SPLC. He has opined on the advantages of shooting bears (randomly, it seems) at Yosemite. He has mocked a man for his laxity in not paying a surtax, thus culminating in his house completely burning down while firefighters looked on and laughed. He has heartily given credence to Holocaust and Third Reich history revisionist Scott Lively. Yet he still remains and his wrists show no signs of being slapped.

How or why America takes this "convert or die" pundit seriously is actually a matter of grave concern for he really is the stuff of righteous assassination. But until this man falls into the oblivion that is self-righteousness, I suppose the only thing we can do (effectively) is to laugh at him: what surprisingly cruel, callous, bigoted thing will he say next? Will someone put together a compendium of his most ridiculous quotes? Will Tony Perkins crown him King of Right Wingnuts? 

*After Constantine recognized a certain form of Christianity (not Arian Christianity), many Christians turned on their enemies (esp. the ones who would not convert) and placed them in concentration camps, and either burned their major temples, turned them into churches, or "converted" into brothels. (Sorry) 

Trying To Go Forward While You're Going Backward: German Theologians Trash Benedict Big Time!

Take a good look at a group of German theologians hanging themselves: 

(Berlin) University theologians in Germany have called on the Catholic Church to abandon the vow of celibacy for priests, open up the clergy for women and accept gays couples.

.

A Southern Baptist Church ... In SAN FRANCISCO??

To some, the above words might be comforting, and yet, to others - a bit ominous. "Strategic partnerships" "key organizations" "impact those ...who do not attend our church."


Just to let everyone know that I'm trying to be as fair as possible concerning a certain church "premiering" here in my home town. It's a Southern Baptist church called "EPIC." Whether or not that is an acronym of sorts I'm not sure. It's certainly billing itself as the "cool" place to be on Sundays and has given itself a boost with a sort of "toys for tots" drive. The neighborhood in SF is unusual for a church - amongst the yuppies encased in glass condos and lofts, but hey, it's cool! 

I'm reserving my final judgment until after I speak with it's pastor, Ben Pilgreen. I really need to find out:

1. Is EPIC going to adhere to the "doctrine" of the Southern Baptist Convention?

2. As a "planted" church, has it been funded by the SBC or an organization, like Arizona's Vision 360?

3. Will the church be at all political?

4. If it hopes to change anything about San Francisco, what will that be?

5. What is its attitude towards gays? Will they be allowed to attend worship services? If they are allowed, will they be looked upon as living a sinful lifestyle? Will they be pressured at all concerning their lifestyle?

6. If EPIC will accept gays, will it anticipate any condemnation from SBC?  

I have called about four times and written three emails. No response. I have NOT given EPIC any cause for alarm from my questions. 

I'll keep plugging away. Wish me luck. 

Would You Go To THIS GUY'S Church?

Just when you thought you'd found a place to pray in peace...

Guns in church. Yup, why our forefathers carried guns in church. I'm sure that good ole' Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett petted their rifles when listening to a good parson's Sunday sermon. Injuns roamed the countryside  scalpin' and rapin' and they had to keep a lookout fer rogue bears, too. What ya gonna do? Things was wild back then. Mighty wild.

So, are things any different today? Since bears and coyotes seem more afraid of a church full of Christians, and since most Native American tribes were starved, relocated and thinned out for purposes of submission, what's the matter?  Yes, terrorists roam the land. Crazies own the streets. But are those reasons to arm ourselves in church? Self defense? I get it, but somehow self-defense in church seems oddly oxymoronic: did Christ shoot it out with the Romans and the Pharisees?

The video posits a good reason for a WWJD kind of thinking.

BE PREPARED! And BEWARE! Of Those Family Values Scoutmasters!!

Our thanks to Conservative Babylon for this one!

It's about time we all started to REALLY publicize and take note of all the hypocrisy out there. 

Breaking: Eddie Long, Ephren Taylor and The Church Brawl: Black Churches Assaulted by Greed and Power.

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I am guilty. Yes, guilty of chiding the congregations of African-American churches: I considered them complicit in the chicanery of their churches.


I still do.


However, when you face someone who has been pummeled one too many times, you just have to commiserate with them: e.g., "Bishop" Eddie Long has come out with another beleaguered video, this time admitting that a friend had taken $1 million worth of "investments"  from his congregation. The "friend"? None other than the former boy-wizard of  entrepreneurship, Ephren Taylor.


When The Wiz Wanes


Taylor, author of the bestselling Creating Success From The Inside Out (Christian Living) was considered a "wiz kid" for inventing a video game when he was 12, becoming a millionaire by the age of 16 and then the country's youngest CEO of a publicly-traded company - City Capital.


Fame and hype can cover up almost anything: City Capital became a launching pad for other investments, as well as empowerment speaking tours. Just 6 months ago, Taylor was hawking his new book and raking in money from people who believed in Taylor's creed of  "social conscience." His company's stock soared to $20 per share. He appeared on Donny Deustch's show on CNBC on Aug. 13, 2009 and was hailed as THE brightest young thing to ever come along in years.


Curiously, Taylor resigned as CEO of City Capital in November of 2010. City Capital's stock now? Would you believe less than $.01 per share? When Taylor left, it seems a lot of his money-making secrets went with him - and his accounts too. Just as curious: his bio on wikipedia.com has not been updated since 2007.


So what has been doing lately? Evidently, Ephren Taylor has been busy - very  busy - hawking himself, mostly at churches. And now the real results of Taylor's Wealth Tour have been trickling in on the net and they're not that pretty:

I was also scammed by Ephren Taylor and his team, and the worst part of is the transition took place at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Where he presented his deal in front of the man of God, Bishop Eddie Long. I signed document for my investment and I have not been able to contact anybody since the note was due on Sept. 08,2010.

Can anybody help. And yes, they should be in jail.

and...

this guy took my 5000.00 and all i got was his behind to kiss. he has got the 2 b the biggest modern day crook out there now. he is smart, he surround himself with high dollar attorneys to help protect his riches and keep everybodies money.

While no press release has come out regarding Taylor's problems with his former clients, he did have time yesterday to come out with an official response to the Eddie Long video:

I visited with Bishop Eddie L. Long in late 2009 prior to bringing my Wealth Tour Live to New Birth, with hopes of inspiring and empowering the congregation in business through seminars and making my book, Creating Success from the Inside Out, available to all attendees. The church received a percentage of product sales, and stated their intent to sell video from the presentations. I also operated on Bishop Long’s behalf to secure certain media opportunities for him. 

Taylor goes on to say that while he parted ways with City Capital, we will see that:  "I am still in good faith honoring my commitment to assist in efforts ensuring that this matter comes to a swift and positive conclusion for all parties."

Of course, that settles everything doesn't it? 

In the meantime, over in North Carolina*

WAS CHURCH EVER LIKE THIS?

Last Sunday, the Greater New Zion Baptist erupted in violence. You can see the video here, if you haven't seen it already. We all knew that many African-American churches were joyfully physical during services, but no one could foresee a free-for-all caused by an elderly pastor's ousting. The Pastor, Rev. LeVonia Ray laments (in the video) that such an occasion as his ouster would cause congregants to become so aggressive, but one parishioner cited this:

"He had his deacons to bring in non-members to continue to vote him back in." ... "We have been trying to get rid of him because he can't preach and because of the types of people he is bringing into the church."

Another source has pointed to the fact that church finances have come under scrutiny, faulting Pastor Ray. 


It's no secret that America's Black Churches have painted over their pastor's peccadilloes involving scandals like exta-marital affairs. But lately, criminal chicanery involving church money has begun to come to the surface. A good site that is now policing such crime is Preacher Bureau of Investigations.


That the African-American church community has to resort to such monitoring of their pastors is indeed sad, but has it come too late? Eddie Long's flock needed such help a long while ago. And trust in "Bishops" "Reverends" and "Preachers" has not waned. 


Hypocrisy and deceit. They're getting to be endemic in churches across the country.










*What is it with that state lately?