Thursday, August 30, 2007

GodTube.com -





Not to be outdone by YouTube Christian Evangelicals have set up GodTube in order that Christians become better informed & share their beliefs & experiences to counter act the pernicious message of the "secular humanists "- The site's mission statement lays out the basic doctrinal beliefs of those who created the site: They believe in the virgin birth & Jesus' Resurrection as well as in the Trinity & in Biblical inerrantcy & of course evangelizing to the world as in The Great Commission -but one needs to note this is not a website for those outside the Christian Evangelical Fundamentalist brand of Christianity -as part of the logo is Broadcast Him with a cross for the " T " so it is not an attempt to reach out to people of other faiths except in the sense of trying to convert them to their brand of Christianity -

Here's a bit from an article in Newsweek about GodTube:Broadcast HIM:
BeliefWatch: GodTubeBy Lisa Miller Newsweek

March 26, 2007 issue - What would Jesus download? One of the hottest sites on the Internet is GodTube.com, the Christian answer to YouTube. It's a goofy, fascinating window into the world of Christian youth. There's a clip of Ray Comfort, the popular evangelical preacher, demonstrating the perfection of God's creation with an actual banana. It's hard—OK, impossible—not to see it as an (unintentional?) dirty joke. Another clip sends up the hip-hop anthem "Baby Got Back": This version is called "Baby Got Bible" and contains hilarious lyrics like "Bless me, bless me and teach me about John Wesley."


GodTube is the brainchild of Chris Wyatt, an excitable 38-year-old student at the Dallas Theological Seminary and former television producer and Internet entrepreneur. In 1999, he says, he "hit a bump in the road, and my mother told me I had to get to know the Lord." Within six weeks he had found Jesus, and in the years that followed, he tried his hand at various Christian enterprises, including a Christian version of Netflix. After moving to Dallas last year, he started working with a Christian marketing firm. Hoping to demonstrate to his clients, the mostly technophobic leaders of megachurches and ministries, all the cool stuff the Internet could do, he paid $400 for the GodTube name and built the site as a demo. A test version went up in January. The site gets between 50,000 and 60,000 unique users a day and it hasn't officially launched yet.

and from ABC NEWS:

ABC NEWS: Godcasting
By JAKE TAPPER and HILLARY LEFEBVRE April 9, 2007


The popular video-sharing Web site YouTube.com is known for allowing its users to post a wide range of content -- Marshall McLuhan meets Andy Warhol meets TV's Funniest Home Videos. The narcissism is its raison d'etre; the site's motto is, after all, "Broadcast Yourself."

A new Christian Web site, however, has taken the idea behind YouTube and given it a religious makeover. GodTube.com allows members to upload Christian videos, blog with other users, and encourages them to "Broadcast HIM."

'The New Face of Christianity'

Chris Wyatt, the CEO and co-founder of GodTube, told ABC News that "the Web site hasn't even launched" -- it's set to be born on May 1 -- "and we're already the number one Christian Web site in the world."

Wyatt, in his second semester at Dallas Theological Seminary and a former CBS News producer, said, "What you're looking at here is the new face of Christianity. Millions of Christians out there -- tens of millions of them that age anywhere from 20 to 40 -- that are out there already on the Internet, and GodTube really supplies a unique place where they can get together, where they can exchange ideas and spread the Gospel worldwide. And nothing like that exists right now."

The company censors contributions all the time, Wyatt said. "As you can imagine, we get a lot of people uploading objectionable material. We do have to sort through that, unlike a lot of the other video-sharing sites. Day by day, we have a bank of theologians, certainly, that's headed up by a doctor friend of mine who's a theologian himself, and we look at every clip."
The website also includes clips of Christian News Daily from GodTube & Premiere TV

Here is an example of what you will find on GodTube:

Videos on GodTube to fill us all with the fear of GOD since only those who believe in the whole End Times Rapture Dispensation scenario are true believers & will be saved- all others including most Christains who do not believe in the Rapture besides all those of other faiths are damned to live through a period of Tribulation & then are destined to Hell except for the few who see the light as it were-



And here's a Christian Evangelical music video " Life is Good... Eternal life is better" by
Stellar Kart - so what's the message it all sounds innocent but it remind one of those young Muslims who also believe that Eternal Life after martyrdom is so much better -to do what play shuffle board in Heaven for all eternity (ala Kurt Vonnegut )to only listen to sweet syrupy easy listening music - played by a bunch of tin -eared white humorless Holy Rollers who have no sense of rhythm ...




from Battle Cry Ministries we get this bit of militant uncompromising Christian Evangelical call to arms - is it metaphor or is it talking about taking up arms against the non-believers as in Iraq Afghanistan Iran etc or in the local school or university which teaches in their view the heresy of Evolution etc.

" I come not to bring peace but a sword " Jesus
Battle Cry at GodTube

About the Video: "This video depicts the attitude that the body of Christ needs to embrace for these days that we are living. To be offensive in the advance of the Kingdom of God. A masterpiece put together by White Stone Motion Pictures."

Added:
08-03-2007



Take care,
GORD.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Crusade Watch Proselytizing & Human Rights

Arcade Fire song Intervention from their album Neon Bible- The video is quite inventive in using a clip from Eisestein's 1925 film Battleship Potemkin with this piece of music-
from YouTube user justsomeboy so enjoy but does it fit with today's topic !



The Conversion Agenda

Any protest against religious conversion is always branded as persecution, because it is maintained that people are not allowed to practise their religion, that their religious freedom is curbed. The truth is entirely different. The other person also has the freedom to practice his or her religion without interference. That is his/her birthright.


The quote is from the ineresting & thought provoking
The Conversion Agendawhich you should check out
Crusade Watch



" The Dalai Lama recommends a moratorium on proselytizing in order to give cooperative pluralism a chance. Likewise, Gandhi wrote: "If I had the power and could legislate, I would stop all proselytizing." Conversion belongs to the times of colonialism. No society has advanced, spiritually or materially, by converting from one faith to another. It can be proven that the economic progress in Europe happened only when the hold of the Vatican was reduced. When Christianity accepts the right of other people to follow their own beliefs and creeds, then only will Jesus Christ's spirit truly radiate in the world "
RAJIV MALHOTRA

In my last post I talked about an Evangelical Proselytizing organization The Jesus Film Project so In this post I'm going to talk about an anti-proselytizing organization called Crusade Watch which provides information about the questionable strategies & techniques used by groups proselytizing on behalf of various religions though especially Christian or Islamic organizations.

Crusade Watch argues that proselytizing isn't merely a nuisance but that it is an activity when done aggressively or through subterfuge & stealth etc. is an issue of Human Rights - People have the right to their own religious beliefs & the practices of those beliefs & that they shouldn't be harassed , badgered, or manipulated in an offensive manner or made to feel that their religion is something evil & dirty which they should be ashamed of - And further that conversions which are brought about through undue pressure & propaganda especially when people are vulnerable & in need is unethical in the least & should be considered a crime as it ignores the human rights of others-

I'm sure if a Hindu or Muslim were to stand outside a Christian Church on a Sunday morning during service or at a Synagogue on a Friday & these Hindus or Muslim's were to shout & harass people going in & out of the church calling them evil & dirty & shameful because they are practicing a religion which these people believe is not sanctioned by the one true God or even a host of other Gods. Or if a group of Atheists were to badger & harass calling the Christians or Jews or whatever various derogatory terms - this would be seen as going beyond reasonable & acceptable behavior on the part of those with differing religious beliefs .

These sorts of actions would not help to build bridges between the various world's religions that is if we are interested in creating a pluralistic & a more tolerant & compassionate society.Tolerance though isn't enough because what is necessary is understanding & acceptance of other peoples belief systems . This is all well and good unless there is another human rights issue which means that certain beliefs might lead to activities which are unacceptable & that might be considered unethical & possibly criminal . For example an individual who's culture or religious beliefs allows for the mistreatment of women or children then other human rights values take precedence over the those religious or cultural beliefs .

Here are some samples from Crusade Watch in which the writers point out what they see as the flaws of Christian Evangelical Fundamentalist Proselytizers :



From Crusade Watch
Christian Fanaticism in Sri Lanka
Thursday, 09 August 2007
By Meredith De Silva

The arrival of Christianity to Sri Lanka was marked by violence and bloodshed. In contrast to Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, which arrived on the island in a peaceful manner, Christianity arrived with sword in hand. The native Buddhists and Hindus were slaughtered, their temples destroyed and looted, and their priests killed - all in the name of Jesus Christ. For close to 500 years the people ofSri Lanka were subjugated and Christianity was forced down upon the populace with an iron fist.

Buddhists and Hindus were forced to convert to Christianity to get an education, and their marriages were not recognised by the Christian rulers. In order to gain any position of importance, one had to convert to Christianity. Buddhist and Hindu religious observances were prohibited in areas controlled by Christians and churches were built upon the destroyed remains of Buddhist and Hindu temples. Buddhists and Hindus who refused to convert were either killed, harassed or relegated to second class status. Men and women were paid by Christian groups to produce books and go from village to village attacking the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism. In this manner, Christian fanaticism was brought into full force inSri Lanka.

Today, even after independence, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims are still being targeted by Christian extremists. While foreign Christian groups have set up shop in the island, many of the most fanatical followers are actually locals who care naught for religious diversity and pluralism. ExtremistSri Lankan Christians have attacked Buddhist temples, destroyed Buddha statues and beaten up Buddhist monks who have dared to stand against their aggressive and unethical methods of proselytism. In the eastern city of Trincomalee militant Christians have tried to convert Hindus by planting crosses near Hindu temples and handing out inflammatory pamphlets that attack Hindu Gods and ask people to convert to Christianity to supposedly escape the caste system. The driving force behind this fanaticism are both foreign andSri Lankan Christian priests, who have been brought up to hate non-Christians and non-Christian faiths.

- for instance the site has a list of complaints against evangelism & fundamentalist in particular- here are a few which are serious indictments for which there are is ample evidence -

Evangelism is a Pseudo-Religious activity

The pseudo-religionist (evangelical), loves his theory above everything else. It is his baby. He raises it up, applauds it, and makes it the standard by which everything else should be measured or interpreted. It is his idol. He tries to save it from refutation at all costs. And because it is the theory first and truth second a pseudo-religious movement is wedded to such incorrigible bedfellows as falsehood, dogmatism, and delusion. This difference in attitudes marks the essential demarcation between true Religion and pseudo-religious movement.irrefutability is not a virtue of a theory as people often think, but a vice.

Conversion destroys Social & Communal Harmony
A non-Christian who viewed the society as one entity after conversion to Christianity begins to see the society as two categories 'us' vs. 'them'. 'us' being the 'saved' and 'them' not worth living. He develops hate and ill will towards everything 'them' reveres.

Christianity promotes Racism

Racism is rooted in the founding Christian belief that all non-Christians were servants/soldiers of Satan, the relentless and cunning enemy of the Christian god and all morality (1 Cor. 10:20 21, Gal. 4:8 9, John 8:44 for examples). Christians considered pagans who converted to be morally cleansed and purified. Christians called pagans and Jews who rejected conversion obstinate, atheists, and an infection in the world, and treated them as a constant threat to Christian purity.

Church Fundamentalism is against Science

USA, which produced the world's top inventions and scientists is under siege due to Christian fundamentalism. These fundamentalists are opposed to scientific development because most of the scientific findings contradict Bible.


Other headlines on the website Crusade Watchinclude:

* Mother Teresa: In Heaven or Hell?
* Missionary arrested for converting 40 Hindu families to Christianity
* Creating a Set of Laws for All Religions, Like Asimov's Laws of Robotics
* Torture and sex abuse in church school: Nuns nabbed
* Not so fast, Christian soldiers
* Sikh girl may convert for place at UK school
* Christian groups up in arms
* Girl Dragged in Christian Boot Camp - Air Force Evangelism in Action?



Take care,
GORD.

Monday, August 27, 2007

The Jesus Film Project - SIX BILLION SERVED

Photo from Jesus Film Project






As America turns the world into a war zone - as they destroy whole countries whether it is Vietnam, Cambodia , El Salvador , Iraq or next Iran or Pakistan or Syria because Americans need more oil or because Americans are just in love with power - there is no greater high than World Domination - the Brits , the Spanish , the Romans they all loved it & they are all unapologetic for the millions who died whether natives to those countries or aboriginals or first nations they didn't give a damn for all those peoples were the Barbarians , the Savages , the Kafir , gooks, haj the primitives who spoke gibberish which were languages that these great world civilizers in their minuscule intellects couldn't conceive of let alone try to understand Heaven forbid that they should recognize humanity in those who were not of their own tribe whether it be British, German, Dutch, Spanish,French or Roman or American- so here's a little piece combining Ginsberg & Apocalypse now etc. which I found on YouTube so enjoy -


Photo of Allen Ginsberg almost cubist style:









American Evangelical Christians are dedicated to what they call " The Great Commission " to spread the word of Jesus to every last living soul on earth in order to Christianize the world - to make converts of those who already have a religion of their own . But these other religions or religious beliefs whether Hinduism , Islam, Buddhist , Sikh ,Shinto , Zoroastrian all are doomed & damned to eternal Hell-Fire if they do not accept Jesus as their savior & accept a Evangelical Fundamentalist version of Christianity which includes the belief that the Bible is the inerrant infallible literal word of God & including the laws of the old testament which are God's Commandments which must be followed -

There are at least two outcomes of the completion of the Great Commission- one theological view is that once everyone on earth has heard & understood Jesus' message then will begin the End-Times & all of the bizarre prophecies of the Book of Revelations will come true ending with Jesus descending & establishing a thousand year period of peace etc. or the saved will merely be raptured taken up bodily into Heaven while the world descends into chaos & 144,000 Jews will see the light & convert to Christianity - but first Israel would need to re-establish its boundaries as they existed in Ancient Judea before the Roman invasion & the Jews will also need to rebuild The Temple in Jerusalem & other pesky details like finding a pure red heifer cow to sacrifice & so on & so forth. This is why the Evangelical Christians are somewhat fanatical in their support for Israel & so claim that since Israel plays a crucial part in God's plan for the end of days Israel therefore cannot be judged or critiqued in the way that other countries can be. It is not because they care about the Jewish People or Israel in a pure good-hearted Christian sense -it is rather that they need Israel to bring about the Rapture, the Apocalypse or whatever . But to further complicate matters there are those Christians who believe that the New Millenium would be established in which there is a thousand year period when Christians will rule the earth & at the end of this period Jesus will return -

How far would these evangelicals go if they were to be in a position of power & authority to change the laws of a nation to make these laws more in tune with God's laws as found in the old testament. Would they require the death penalty for Gays & Lesbians, for adulterers , for blasphemers, for those accused of practicing witchcraft & for all so called heretics & pagans , would they re-institute slavery etc. They would surely insist that abortion be completely outlawed & that those who performed abortion would be executed along with the women who have an abortion & they would insist that women take their rightful place of being subservient to men - in the home the wife would be under the rule of her husband who would be permitted to discipline her as he would also be able to discipline the children as harshly as they see fit-

With the help of President George W. Bush & the Neocons these Christian Evangelicals have been given a great boost in their efforts to spread their message around the world as the Bush regime has poured billions into these Faith Based Relief & Educational organizations as NGO's while other secular even less militant Christian NGOs are seeing their funding slowly drying up-

When the Red Cross or Red Crescent go into a war-zone or disaster area they do not preach or sermonize trying to win converts to Christianity or to Islam - the injured & those in need no matter what their religion or lack of religion they receive the medical assistance & food & clothing & shelter etc.

But these new Faith Based organizations always serve a sermon with the soup or gruel - they claim to offer it freely but it comes with a price for the unsuspecting vulnerable one who are in need who may have just escaped death during a natural disaster or because of war or an insurgency or a genocide - the compassion of these do gooders is tempered with a religious agenda to add more souls to their brand of Christianity - One of these groups the Jesus Film Project which has been around since 1979 & since Bush came to power has grown in leaps & bounds & is no longer restricted by those pesky regulations which might have interfered with their real mission which is to bring more people to Christianity & they are not respecters of other peoples religions or cultures except as they can be used to help in the Conversion process

On their website they claim that like MacDonald's they have served their fast-track to conversion to six billion people served world wide & some 200 million have converted -so is their mission to really to convert everyone on earth or just to make the attempt as vigorously as possible to end the world as we know it or to speed up Jesus return to earth or to create a world wide Theocracy -

Here's a sampling from their website where you can watch the entire film about Jesus which is based upon the Book of Luke which along with the Book of Revelations tend to be a hit with Evangelicals & whatever they can glean from the Bible to defend their intolerant , racist, sexist, homophobic & bigoted view of the world - I do hope you visit their site it is disturbing & a bit of a hoot - also check out GODTUBE the Christian answer to YouTube with unbelievable goings on -

"JESUS" Film Teams Start 2,000 Churches

[2003] More than 200 “JESUS” film teams have participated in the church planting strategy in 2003. These teams committed to starting 10 new mission churches each through the “JESUS” film ministry in 2003. These teams have reported starting 2,096 new mission churches this year (reports for November and December not in yet).

With the goal of planting 10,000 new mission churches by 2010, JESUS Film Harvest Partners desires that the Church of the Nazarene will be Jesus to a world that is seeking truth and peace. Dr. Louie Bustle, World Mission Department Director says: “We are excited about our new mission church plants and have already exceeded our goal for this year. This refocus has been of the Lord. When we talk about new mission church plants, we are talking about new groups holding regular services each week. The “JESUS” film is bringing new believers into these new church plants. Keep on praying that our field leadership will nurture and bring these church plants to maturity.”

"JESUS" to Speak 1,000 Languages

Soon to reach its 1,000th translation, the “JESUS” film remains the most translated and widely distributed film in cinema history. With more than 6 billion exposures globally, “JESUS” tops Oscar greats such as “Gone With the Wind,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

Shortly following the film’s United States premiere in October 1979, requestspoured in from around the world for additional translations, as people yearned to hear Jesus speak their heart language. Using stopwatch technology, Campus Crusade for Christ staff produced the first 30 translations of “JESUS” in 1980. This began the film team strategy, a major evangelism thrust for Campus Crusade, which continues to the present time.


October 2005 marked the completion of the 900th translation—Arifama-Miniafia—for Papua New Guinea’s 2,147 speakers. During the 19 years between the 100th Tok Pisin translation and the 900th Arifama-Miniafia translation, the people of Papua New Guinea experienced God’s grace and transforming power as 165,000 of the 722,391 “JESUS” film viewers prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. As the 1,000th translation milestone nears, more than 6 billion viewers throughout the past 28 years have watched the “JESUS” film, and more than 200 million people have indicated decisions for Christ. With the completion of the 1,000th translation, India’s more than 1 million primary Ho speakers will have the opportunity to hear the gospel in their heart language. By the grace of God, “JESUS” film leaders plan to continue producing the film in additional languages, focusing on those with more than 100,000 speakers. As the day of Christ’s glorious appearing nears, we praise God for the privilege of participating with you in the amazing task of preaching the gospel worldwide through the “JESUS” film.
On the other hand there are sites like Crusade Watch which provides information about the questionable strategies & techniques used by groups proselytizing on behalf of various religions though especially Christian or Islamic organizations.
Crusade Watch argues that proselytizing isn't merely a nuisance but that it is an activity when done aggressively or through subterfuge & stealth etc. is an issue of Human Rights - People have the right to their own religious beliefs & the practices of those beliefs & that they shouldn't be harassed , badgered, or manipulated in an offensive manner or made to feel that their religion is something evil & dirty which they should be ashamed of - And further that conversions which are brought about through undue pressure & propaganda especially when people are vulnerable
& in need is unethical in the least & should be considered a crime as it ignores the human rights of others-
More about Crusade Watch next time-

take care,
GORD.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Bush Comparing Iraq War to Vietnam War & Execution for Whistleblowers

Iraq & Vietnam linking the two-

According to President Bush & the Neocons & other history revisionist the failure of the Vietnam war is now being blamed on the lack of commitment to that war on the part of some political leaders & the military & the American People & especially on the so called " liberal media " & anti-war radicals - This ignores the fact that the war in Vietnam as in Iraq is unwinable - The bush regime entered Iraq on falsified information which was then followed by a number of strategic & tactical mistakes - so here is a clip from MSNBC's Countdown discussing Bush's new stratagey of comparing the Iraqi War with the Vietnam War -up until recently Bush claimed there was no comparison between the two conflicts -

href="http://www.youtube.com/v/-LjBfQaw_fE">


and for more detail on American involvement in Vietnam here's another clip from Keith Olbermann on MSNBC COUNTDOWN when in January Bush visited Vietnam and began saying there were similarities between Vietnam & The War in Iraq:



Should Scooter Libby or whoever outed Valerie Plame CIA agent should Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld be executed for High Crimes for taking the country into Iraq based on falsified and untrustworthy intel & ignoring the Geneva Conventions because these laws were written as applicable to those uncivilized countries similar to the attitude the British had when they ran their ruthless empire and so it goes...

anyway in this clip we get a glimpse at the Neocon authoritarian mindset claiming anyone leaking classified top secret documents in a time of war is High Treason - but the duty of the people working for government is not to merely follow orders when they see something is wrong they have a higher duty to truth justice and to the people of that nation -when one blames the person leaking it says that the wrongdoing in a goveernment is its business & not the business of the people - it is also like shooting the messenger - because you might hear what you don't want to hear -ignorance is best for the citizens of any & all nations -






take care,
GORD.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Keith Olbermann -Bush's Lack of Support For US Troops

as for Bush supports the troops :
Keith Olbermann -Givem motrin
more on how Bush supports or really doesn't support the troops who are stuck in the horrifying dead-end quagmire of the Iraqi War

Bush needs to pull out troops from Iraq as soon as possible but Bush is keeping troops in Iraq so he won't be seen as admitting to the complete failure of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Bush is also refusing to do the diplomacy which would be necessary to bringing about a more stable Middle East-

In the second part of this clip includes a criticism of Bush's claim to support of the troops by having troops stay for longer & longer periods seving in Iraq or those with certain injuries such as head injuries or having psychological problems dealing with combat ie. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are often ignored or trivialized & are sent back into combat zones & do not get the help they need or if they return to US they do not receive the help they need in a timely fashion - Bush says just give them Motrin or whatever - it seems to be the old argument ie Gen eral Patton that it is just cowardliness or laziness of malingerers & not an actual illness-



Music video All Is Okay music by Seether to illustrate that many soldiers who are still fighting are not OKAY & those who survived & returned home are not OKAY & may never be the psychological impact of killing & watching others be blown to pieces or just the constant stress can break the best soldier ever:
from YOUTUBE USER :sdforpeace

Douglas Barber, an Iraq vet tried to get help from the VA for two years after his return from the Bush quagmire. Doug tragically ended his own life, but even those of us who didn't know him will remember his sacrifice, and honor his memory.


( Warning disturbing images watch if you can or move on -cause war is HELL )GORD.





And on the lighter side here's a funny & chilling item from Jon Stewart of The Daily Show about American Troops in Iraq :

Jon Stewart-operationMacho Kick ass
08/22/07




Take care,
GORD.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

IRAN - AMERICA's Next Target- More Martyrs for Bush

And the War Mongering by US Media continues as they prepare Americans for an attack on Iran based on false, questionable & misleading information but if its on FOX NEWS & CNN Americans believe that it must be true even though these networks became masters at spinning lies to convince Americans & the World that Iraq was an imminent threat to United States security- so where are the WMDs & the bogus connections to Al Qeda & to Saddam Hussein - The Bush regime mislead the American people & prominent politicians & journalists who should have known better- ah well Americans love a good war as do most humans - so there you go- watch this clip from Information Clearing House :

Manufacturing Consent For War With Iran/ Fox Attacks : Iran
3 Minute Video/ FOX are repeating the same distortions and fear mongering as they did before the Iraq war.
Manufacturing Consent For War With Iran/Fox Attacks: Iran




Anyway here is the open letter to the US Media which is found at FOX ATTACKS : WE REPLY website -

Sign the Open Letter
Tell the networks not to follow FOX down the road to war
34,238 signers

Dear ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN,

"My station was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at FOX News."

That is CNN's Christiane Amanpour explaining why the major television networks failed to accurately inform the public in the lead-up to the Iraq war, choosing instead to follow FOX's lead.

Now, FOX is beating the drums for war with Iran. Robert Greenwald's short film, "FOX Attacks: Iran", outlines the evidence from the station's own broadcasts, comparing their reporting before the Iraq war with what they are saying now about Iran.

You have a sacred responsibility to the American people to provide accurate and reliable information so we can best make the decisions which affect our lives. We urge you to accurately and thoroughly report all sides of this important story.

Please do not blindly follow FOX down the road to another war


The question for Canadians is whether we need to add our own right wing media to the list ie. CBC & CTV etc. since dear old President Harper is so gung-ho about the Bush Regime the Neocons & the Extreme Christian Religious Right as he has shown a lack of a spine when it comes to this Amereican desire for " Perpetual War " & I have never heard Harper or his Cabinet Ministers question or condemn outright & unequivocally the U.S. use of pre-emptive war & the use of illegal extreme measures such as kidnaping, secret prisons , the denial of Hepeas Corpus , unfair trials which are more like Kangaroo Courts or the Lynching of Saddam Hussein or the use of torture on POWS & the flagrant breaches of the Geneva Conventions & other International Agreements but like Bush Harper doesn't care much for the United Nations or for those pesky & silly international agreements especially in a time of Perpetual War against the Terrorists & all of Islam - let the Crusades continue seems to be the cry of most Canadians & Americans - & to dare question these basic beliefs & propaganda means that one is Un-Canadian & on the side of Terrorism - so democracy & the Open Society
becomes a mere hollow slogan -

And check out :
The Path Towards War With Iran
Ramifications of the proposal to add Iran's Revolutionary Guard to the list of terrorist organizations

By Jeremy R. Hammond at Information Clearing House



08/23/07 "ICH" -- - This month saw yet another escalation of the U.S. policy of isolating and pressuring Iran as the White House announced its intention to add Iran's Revolutionary Guard to the State Department's list of terrorist organizations. There is something to be learned from this about the nature of U.S. foreign policy if we care to examine the implications; and the ramifications of such a decision could be quite serious and potentially deadly, so it warrants a look.



The announcement was preceded by yet another declaration from the Pentagon that Iran was supplying "explosively formed penetrators" (EFPs) to Shiite militias combating the U.S. occupying forces in Iraq. The weapon is basically an improvised explosive device which projects a slug of metal upon detonation capable of penetrating armor. July, the Pentagon said, was a record-breaking month for incidents in which U.S. forces were faced with such weapons.



The actual evidence implicating the Iranian government in supplying the weapons is scant and relies upon two assumptions. The first is that Iraqis are not capable of assembling such a weapon, or at least not capable of manufacturing the required components, and the devices must therefore be supplied from elsewhere. The second is that the use of components manufactured in Iran could not occur without the knowledge and blessing of the Iranian government. Both assumptions are questionable, but the claim is given much the same appearance as fact as claims of Iraq's WMD were prior to that invasion.




And here's Bill Moyers ON The Rove Legacy :
The program aired Friday, August 17, 2007.
To watch online visit: Bill Moyers Journal PBS



take care,
GORD.

Monday, August 20, 2007

CHRISTIAN JIHAD & " JUST WAR " & JESUS The Warrior King

Anyway here is some music before getting into the madness:
Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer
Featuring Futura, Tats Cru and Daze. From the album 'Continuum', released September 12, 2006.





Anyway I would like to speak a few words about the Christian notion of Just War in relation to the book Christian Jihad : Two Former Muslims Look At The Crusades and Killing in the Name of Christ (pub. 1904 ) And further I will briefly discuss the authors belief - in my view the mistaken belief - that Bush's invasion & occupation of Iraq meets the standards of the criteria of a " Just War ". Much of what follows has been discussed in more detail with numerous examples in a number of my posts over the last couple of years .

To begin here is the definition of a " Just War " as defined by St. Augustine:

JUST WAR

the most famous and lasting treatment on the subject was by Augustine of Hippo (354-430), arguably the greatest of the Fathers of the Church. In his description of the "just war," Augustine laid out basic principles of conduct:

1. The war is just in intent. There must be a high-minded reason to start the war.
2. The war is just in disposition. Hatred of the enemy is not an ingredient.
3. The war is just in auspices. A lawful authority has declared the war.
4. The war is just in its conduct. The means used are just and non-combatants are spared.



ST.Thomas Aquinas later added a couple more caveats to the notion of a " Just War ":


1. The war is authorized by legitimate authority. That is, on the authority of the sovereign.
2. The cause must be just and the belligerents must have rightful intentions.
3. The war is declared as a last resort, after other means have failed.
4. The means used in the war are just.
5. There is a reasonable chance of success.
6. The good achieved in victory will outweigh the evil produced during the conflict.



For more from St Thomas Aquinas check out his SUMMA THEOLOGICA on line at Christian Classics Etheral Library

And check out interview of Dr. Ergun Caner on the Christian Broadcasting Network :
CHURCH HISTORY
Christian Jihad: The Crusades and Killing in the Name of Christ
By Craig von Buseck
CBN.com Ministries Director
Interview with Dr. Ergun Caner at CBN.COM: one of the Authors of CHRISTIAN JIHAD


In their book " Christian Jihad " Dr. Eugene Caner & Emir Caner two brothers who were brought up as Muslims & became Christians argue that The Christian Crusades & the Inquisition & the rabid anti-semitism of Christians & the forced conversions of various indigenous peoples in the Americas & the slave trade were all unjustifiable actions on the part of Christians. But they claim that Christians need not be pacifists since they can appeal to the Augustinian argument of the so called " Just War "-

Though they seem to forget the Lynchings in southern United States or the ongoing terrorizing of African Americans by the KKK & other White Supremacists or that Segregation continued in the united States up to the late 1960's yes lest we forget the 1960's not the 1860's -
nor do they spend much time speaking about the lack of basic human rights for women in America up until the 1920s & that women were discriminated against up until recent times -

Nor do these authors see a parallel between Islamic fundamentalist & Christian fundamentalist who also wish to turn back the clock a few hundred years when it was OK to stone heretics, witches , pagans , adulterers, fornicators , gays & all so called Sodomites while denying any scientific fact which may contradict the Bible or the irrational beliefs of the Christian community.

so after going through a litany of the horrors & barbarity & cruelty & prejudice of the Christian Churches & of Christians they then argue that though much of what Christians have done was unjustified & went against the teachings of Jesus they then claim that the American led war on Iraq was justified & that the kidnapping & torture of prisoners is OK since it is being done for the right reasons - right cause & right intention - right intention is everything - so if you intend good but commit questionable acts rape, plunder, massacres, torture that's OK your intentions were good- as they say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions-

They gloss over the facts about the reasons given by the Bush Regime for going to war with Iraq- WMDs which no longer existed ; non-compliance with UN inspectors which was not true, that Saddam helped orchestrate 9/11 attack which was not true ; that Saddam presented a threat to America's security which if ever true was no longer the case after the first Persian Gulf War & ten years of crippling unjustified sanctions & that Saddam had no real connection to Al Qeda or Osama Bin Laden or any other terrorist organization -

But the Bush Regime lied about why it was going to invade Iraq which contravenes the principles of a " JUST WAR " -

& there is the question about whether or not George W. Bush was the legally elected president but we shouldn't talk about that because most Neocons & the Religious Right don't care about such legal hair-splitting since in the end Bush became president because God chose him to be or it was his destiny & Americans are told they must support their president no matter what unless he is Bill Clinton or some other liberal- note Hilary Clinton wants to be seen as a true patriot & so was very Hawkish about going to war with Iraq & these days Hilary & other pseudo-liberals want to drop a couple of Nukes on Iran to prove their loyalty to America & to the American version of Christianity-

One of the principles of Just War is that there is a reasonable chance of success but as we see with the recent video of Dick Cheney being interviewed in 1994 he said then that there would be little chance of success if the Saddam & his government were replaced by force that the country might fall apart & the United States would find itself in a hopeless " quagmire " . America would also be seen as acting as an Imperial power if it were to invade Iraq & bring down its government.

The fact is that as the American occupation of Iraq grinds on day after day things have become worse in Iraq rather than better .
It is also a fact on the ground that the majority of the Iraqi people now want the Americans to withdraw .
The majority of the Iraqi people see the government installed by the Americans there as a puppet regime
which is no better than Saddam's regime & is not acting in the interest of the Iraqi people or of the country in the long run but rather are more interested in gaining more power & wealth for themselves. ( Though to be fair isn't this a good description of the Bush Regime in the United States or the Harper Neocon Regime here in Canada )

Another principle of Just War has to do with the rules of engagement in that the invading force is to act with restraint & concern with the populace as a whole & to do as little damage to the infrastructure of the country & to protect the well being of non-combatants .
But the US troops in Iraq have committed numerous atrocities & see no difference between combatants & non-combatants everyone is seen as the enemy .

And when the US military is forced to take actions against Us soldiers accused of misdeeds these soldiers are often acquitted or given small fine or minimal prison sentence & even mush of this is just window dressing to appease certain segments of the American populace since most Americans see no problem with rape, indiscriminate killings , massacres, torture , kidnappings & the use of death squads - one wonders is this just part of the American psyche or its fundamental arrogance & Imperialistic attitude towards most of the various nations, religions, cultures & peoples of the rest of the world - as US soldiers are often quoted as saying " If they screw with us then we will f..k them up " or some other bit of wholesome American wisdom -

So for instance the Us military has used indiscriminate bombing of villages towns & cities in Iraq & has committed acts of retaliation on innocent civilians .

So far the Us has been unable to reconstruct the basic infrastructure of Iraq
IE roads, water & sewage treatment plants, power stations , hospitals , police stations , fire stations, schools, universities,
or to re-establish TV or radio stations -

There is no freedom of speech or freedom of the press in Iraq except for the media which support the US occupation & the puppet regime -

Most of the country is dangerous & deadly for anyone living in Iraq - daily chores become an act of bravery & necessity .

The US military in its ongoing war to terrorize the Iraqi people now wantonly targets Mosques, hospitals & schools

The US military uses illegal weaponry like cluster bombs, Napalm , low grade uranium/ radiation bombs .

It is also true many people in Iraq & around the world question the true motives of the American occupation of Iraq- was it to topple Saddam , to capture terrorist or was it to get at Iraqi's oil fields or just to expand America's presence in the Middle East & to show the world that America is the country that calls the shots from now on -

And it is odd how Caner & Caner like other Christian Apologists & supporters of the Bush Regime do not see the horror & hypocrisy of how the US treats the people of Iraq & those who have been arrested & confined to prisons like Abu Ghraib & Guantanamo & the many secret prisons around the globe run by the USA or their proxies but that we are told is OK because we in the West are Superior to all other nations & what we do we do in the name of the TRUE GOD-

So it goes the history of Christianity has one of ignorance, prejudice, arrogance, racism & one war after another- if there is at times when reason & peace are prevalent it is more likely in spite of Christianity & not because of it - There have been those few exceptions among Christians such as Martin Luther King or Desmond Tutu as for the others they either partake in the madness & bloodshed or applaud it from the sideline or hide in their ignorance worse remain silent in the face of Tyranny & injustice .

( And remember it is not only Christianity which has over the centuries behaved badly but so have other religions at various times but the worst abuses are by those religions which claim that they must convert all of the world to their beliefs & those who refuse are to be subjugated or killed .)

take care,
GORD.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Dick Cheney Exposed

This is a video of Dick Cheney in 1994 arguing that it would have been wrong for the United States to have taken down the Iraqi government & occupy Iraq during the first Gulf War since it would have made America look imperialistic & would have resulted in a " Quagmire " & so why the change of heart -




and here's Keith Olberman on Cheney exposed & his change of heart :




and here's a bit more about attacking Iran & the possibility of using Nukes from The Huffinton Post by way of Alternet we get the following bit of horror as Bush & Co. begin to panic & need a distraction :
Cheney, Lieberman and the Iran War Conspiracy

By Gareth Porter, HuffingtonPost.com. Posted August 18, 2007.

Neocons beat the drums for another war.

We have known for a long time that Cheney wants a major air attack on Iranian nuclear sites and other military and economic targets. But an August 9 story published by McClatchy newspapers reveals that, instead of waiting for a decision to go ahead with such a strategic attack against Iran, Cheney now hopes to get Bush to approve an attack on camps in Iran where Iraqi Shiite militiamen have allegedly been trained in recent years.

The McClatchy story says Cheney proposed such a strike within the administration "several weeks ago," citing "two U.S. officials who are involved in Iran policy." The official sources say Cheney "argued for military action if hard new evidence emerges of Iran's complicity in supporting anti-American forces in Iraq." An example of such "hard new evidence," according to one of the official sources of the report, would be "catching a truckload of fighters or weapons crossing into Iraq from Iran."

The story also indicates that the same officials say Condoleezza Rice "opposes this idea" and suggest that Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates agrees with her position.

The Cheney proposal for an airstrike against three bases in Iran can have only one purpose -- to provoke an Iranian retaliation that would then make it possible to unleash a full-fledged strategic air attack against Iran. The provocation strategy would be an obvious way around the political obstacles in the way of an unprovoked attack.


take care,
GORD.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

" JUST WAR ", PEACEMAKERS & NUKING IRAN

Preemptive Nuclear War vs. Christianity
Pre-emptive War & the rejection of the Christian notion of " JUST WAR "




and Check out Michel Chossudovsky's at Global Research.ca : Centre For Research on Globalization keynote presentation at the University of Winnipeg on Canada's involvement in the war in Afghanistan & whether or not it is justified & whether it is an unnecessary war of aggression - for many Canadians even to raise this question is seen as being unpatriotic & Un-Canadian & therefore Pro-Terrorists or Pro-Taliban -

And one gets accused for instance of not caring about how women under the Taliban are denied their civil rights - of course I don't like how women are treated by the Taliban but it is odd that many of the supporters of the war in Iraq & Afghanistan are members of the Evangelical Religious Right & Neocons who would turn the clock back in our society so that women would return to what they see as their traditional & God given roles as wife, mother & baby-machine in other words ' bare-foot & pregnant ' - though as I have argued before the Neocons & Religious Right sometimes talk about the rule of exceptional cases whereby a few women because they are special would take their place alongside men in their chosen profession - this is especially true of the Neocons who are followers of Leo Strauss who was an adherent to Plato's philosophy as found in The Republic which talks about these few exceptions born into the lower classes or who happen to be born female or into a non-white race - ie. Condoleeza Rice or Alberto Gonzales or Colin Powell or an alien creature like Ann Coulter since I'm not sure what species she belongs to -


From Global Research.ca see:
Bush Executive Order: Criminalizing the Antiwar Movement
by Prof. Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research, July 20, 2007


and :
Bush Directive for a "Catastrophic Emergency" in America: Building a Justification for Waging War on Iran?
by Prof. Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research, June 24, 2007


in which he argues :
The intent is to seek a pretext to wage a preemptive war.

A "terrorist attack on America" could be used to justify, in the eyes of an increasingly credulous public opinion, on "humanitarian grounds", the launching of a major theater war directed against Iran and Syria.

Allegedly supported by Iran, the terrorists are said to possess nuclear capabilities. They are supposedly planning to explode "radiological dispersion devices" (RDD) or "dirty bombs" in densely populated urban areas in the US. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell had already forewarned in 2003 that, "It would be easy for terrorists to cook up radioactive ‘dirty’ bombs to explode inside the U.S. … How likely it is, I can't say..." (10 February 2003).

The sheer absurdity that Al Qaeda might have advanced capabilities to wage a nuclear attack on America is, nonetheless, pervasive in US media reports. Moreover, numerous drills and exercises, simulating a terrorist attack using nuclear devices, have been conducted in recent years, creating the illusion that "the threat is real":

"What we do know is that our enemies want to inflict massive casualties and that terrorists have the expertise to invent a wide range of attacks, including those involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological and even nuclear weapons. ... [E]xploding a small nuclear weapon in a major city could do incalculable harm to hundreds of thousands of people, as well as to businesses and the economy,...(US Congress, House Financial Services Committee, June 21, 2007).

And further: A terrorist attack on American soil of the size and nature of September 11, would lead ---according to former CENTCOM Commander, General Tommy Franks-- to the downfall of democracy in America. In an interview in December 2003, which was barely mentioned in the US media, General Franks outlined a scenario, which would result in the suspension of the Constitution and the installation of military rule in America:

"[A] terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event [will occur] somewhere in the Western world - it may be in the United States of America - that causes our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event." (General Tommy Franks Interview, Cigar Aficionado, December 2003)

Franks was obliquely alluding to a "Second 9/11" terrorist attack, which could be used to galvanize US public opinion in support of a military government and police state.

The "terrorist massive casualty-producing event" was presented by General Franks as a crucial political turning point. The resulting crisis and social turmoil resulting from the civilian casualties, are intended to facilitate a major shift in US political, social and institutional structures, leading to the suspension of constitutional government.
anyway more on the notion of the " Just War " & a bit about the book CHRISTIAN JIHAD by Caner & Caner - the author's defence of the Bush Regime as defenders of Christendom -

and so it goes...

take care ,
GORD.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

American atrocities continue in Iaq - " Kill Them ALL " in the name of Jesus...

Note : my poetry will no longer be posted to this site but will be posted to my other blogs & website:
gordscafeblog

Cafe Gordon

gordscafe website


Is this what Americans & their supporters mean by our "superiour values"- " Haji are animals " which is what the US & British & Australian soldiers call Iraqis as part of the dehumanization of an entire people as they did in Vietnam referring to all Vietnamese as " Gooks " & worse so our civilization has decided to " kill them all " & let God separate the good from the bad - This sounds like the notion of the defenders of The British Empire as it slaughtered millions in India , Africa & the Middle East & even in Ireland since God they claimed was an Englishman white & anglo-saxon & Christian & these other races were " the White Man's Burden " & so it continues...

The following clip is from :

"Excerpts: Newsnight follow a group of former US soldiers who have returned from Iraq deeply affected by the experience. As they march ... all across America to protest, shocking interviews emerge on the indiscriminate killing of Iraqi civilians. Veterans reveal they had been trained to see Iraqis as animals, shoot up the landscape and kill anything that moved. Shovels and guns were carried by patrols in order to give the false impression that innocent killed civilians were actually up to no good - supposedly killed whilst digging holes for IED's."



And here's another clip from Iraq War Veterans Speak out against the war :




Anyway here's a clip about the Haditha Massacre by US Troops:



take care,
GORD.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

as the fog rolls in










Ocean View Chalets Lunenberg, Nova Scotia






To the left:
Cabot Trail Nova Scotia







Cabot Trail in the fog






For more photos of Cape Breton see:
Cape Breton Island Hoppers Photos

Anyway here's a few lines of verse -


lines written on a porch at night in a seaside town
as the fog rolls in ( Lunenberg, Nova Scotia )


Kerouac comes out of the fog & mist
a ghost smoking a joint
offers me some
finally -


what suffering I think
to scratch out a few lines
stolen from the humming dynamo
which spins the universe -

cars pass along the low road
more pass on the higher road
red & blue lights along the horizon
disappear in the thick atlantic fog
which swallows all remaining lights
car headlights
the farmer arrives turning on the light
which floods out through the barn doors
releases the horses to wander around their corral
the big red horse moves towards the fence
eyes me wishing to speak to me
or just looking for a treat
or someone to stroke his head


a chinese flute is playing
such sad high fragile notes
as the fog rolls in
someone is teasing a tabla drum in the distance
as the fog rolls in from the grey atlantic
someone is strumming a sitar
as the fog rolls in
someone is playing a jig on a fiddle
as the fog rolls in
everything has its own theme music
from the fog rolling in
to the celestial bodies
rolling across the firmament -


an ancient voice in the distance bellows
an old god reawakening
rising out of the sea
of myths & dreams
turns into a prosaic electronic being
the fog rolls in stays for days
our world shrinks
the buzzing stars a delight
as if dying one by one
as the black curtain is drawn shut
the distant hills disappear
lights flicker on towers then fade
cars pass on the road
til the road is cloaked in the mist
horses wander around their corral
keeping me company
as they too dissolve
as the light from my porch is swallowed
sucked into the pitch blackness
as I sit smoking a cigarette at 3am
the smoke swirls & curls
as the darkness enfolds me -

take care,
GORD.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

"BRING EM HOME " BY PETE SEEGER
















Pete Seeger in 1955 being questioned by the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities( the American Inquisition as it were) when dissent of any sort was considered Un-American unless you were with the KKK or other Christian White Supremacists & other racists were considered good Christian Americans .Those were the good old days according to many in our society.

These days the Bush Regime & the Neocons from Bush to Condi Rice to Glenn Beck Rush Limbaugh Ann Coulter Dick Cheney & the rest of the American & Canadian & British media from The Washington Post to the New York Times to the Times Of London to The Globe & Mail to the various tv Networks all consider anyone who questions the government's policies on spying to kidnapping & torture & turning Iraq & Afghanistan into a wasteland to Nuking Iran - though it is all based on Propaganda & lies - all who dare question are unpatriotic & disloyal & should be silenced since our Supreme Rulers -Stephen Harper George Bush & Tony Blair or whomever takes their place - who talk to God on a daily basis who were chosen by God as the electorates hands were guided by God as they voted therefore are above reproach & know what is good for us & for the world-

Note: House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC or HCUA) (1938–1975) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is often referred to as the House Un-American Activities Committee. In 1969, the House changed the committee's name to the Committee on Internal Security. When the House abolished the committee in 1975, its functions were transferred to the House Judiciary Committee.









Here's a bit about Folk singer song-writer & activist Pete Seeger-
In addition to being America's best-loved folksinger and an untiring environmentalist, Pete Seeger is a national treasure. He has been at the forefront of the labor movement, the struggle for Civil Rights, the peace and anti-war movements, and the fight for a clean world. He has been a beacon for hope for millions of people all over the world. Once blacklisted from national television for being unafraid to voice his opinions, he was given the nation's highest artistic honors at the Kennedy Center in December 1994. In January 1996 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although he left Harvard during his second year, in the spring of 1996 he was awarded the Harvard Arts Medal, presented annually to a Harvard graduate who has made an important contribution to the arts. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album of 1996 in February 1997 for his Living Music recording "Pete." At the end of April 1999, he traveled to Cuba to accept the Felix Varela Medal, that nation's highest honor for "his humanistic and artistic work in defense of the environment and against racism." In April 2000, he was named one of America's Living Legends by the Library of Congress.

Above info from Pete Seeger Appreciation Page

Here's Pete Seeger on the David Steinberg tv show in 1969 singing his version of " Bring'em Home " to protest the war in Vietnam




And as for David Steinberg he is a Canadian comedian & producer etc.For more on David Steinberg check out Official David Steinberg Site

take care ,
GORD.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Study War No More

[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Bible :Romans 12:16 -12:19
The overwhelming evidence suggests that the followers of Jesus were pacifists for the first three centuries . Many early church leaders and documents underscore the unwavering commitment to non-violence. ...p.168 When religion becomes Evil Charles Kimball 2002
Christianity and war were incompatible. Christians were charged with undermining the Roman Empire by refusing military service & public office: they answered that human life was sacred to them, that they were...given over to peace, that God prohibits killing even in a just cause, without exception, that the weapons of the Christian were prayer, justice, and suffering ..."

John ferguson War & Peace in the Worlld Religions 1978
And as " Historian Roland Bainton summarized Augustine's views in this way :

The War must be just in its intent-which is to restore peace...Those wars may be defined as just which avenge injuries...The war must be just in its disposition,which is Christian love...Love does not preclude a benevolent severity ,nor that correction which compassion itself dictates...(war) is to be waged only under the authority of the ruler...The conduct of the war must be just...Faith must be kept with the enemy . There should be no wanton violence, profanation of temples,looting, massacres,or conflagration. Vengeance,atrocities,and reprisals were excluded,though ambush was allowed .

Above From Roland Bainton , Christian Attitudes Toward War & Peace 1960
Everywhere by overwhelming majorities Christian people have pronounced in word and act the same decision, viz. that to fight, to shed blood, to kill—provided it be done in the defence of one’s country or of the weak, for the sanctity of treaties or for the maintenance of international righteousness—is at once the Christian’s duty and his privilege. But only by an act of self-deception could anyone persuade himself that this is the last word the Christian conscience has to say on the matter. The power with which the decision of the majority has been—and is still being—delivered owes a large share of its greatness (I say it in no uncharitable spirit) to other factors than the calm, impartial, and considered judgment of the Christian intellect and heart. In the tense excitement and ever-increasing flood of passion called forth by a state of war, an atmosphere is generated in which the truth and reasonableness of the vox populi is not only taken for granted, but elevated into a sort of sacrosanctity, and dissent from it or disobedience to it appears to merit not toleration or even argument, but contempt, censure, and punishment.

John Cecil Cadoux, The Early Christian Attitude to War ,1919



And here's a gospel tune from The Great Mahalia Jackson - "Study War No More" - These days under the Bush Neocon Reconstructionist Regime they would consider Mahilia Jackson as anti-American & as a heretic worthy of prison or worse maybe a little stoning or whatever - This is how far from Jesus' message of love & compassion that many Christians have now come since their Christ is a warrior who would slay & exterminate all those unbelievers including men , women & children just like they did in the Good old Days of the Crusades or as the Jews did in the days of the old testament and so it goes ...



Take care,
GORD.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Armageddon Days are here again

Anyway here's another little tune from " the the"
Armageddon Days Are Here Again from Youtube user blackreaperman





Armageddon Days Are Here (Again) Lyrics
Artist(Band):The The


They're 5 miles high as the crow flies
leavin' vapour trails against a blood red sky
Movin' in from the East toward the West
with Balaclava helmets over their heads, yes!

But if you think that Jesus Christ is coming
Honey you've got another thing coming
If he ever finds out who's hi-jacked his name
He'll cut out his heart and turn in his grave

Islam is rising
The Christians mobilizing
The world is on its elbows and knees
It's forgotten the message and worships the creeds

It's war, she cried, It's war, she cried, this is war
Drop your possessions, all you simple folk
You will fight them on the beaches in your underclothes
You will thank the good lord for raising the union jack
You'll watch the ships sail out of harbour
and the bodies come floating back

If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today
He'd be gunned down cold by the C.I.A.
Oh, the lights that now burn brightest behind stained glass
Will cast the darkest shadows upon the human heart
But God didn't build himself that throne
God doesn't live in Israel or Rome
God doesn’t belong to the yankee dollar
God doesn't plant the bombs for Hezbollah
God doesn't even go to church
And God won't send us down to Allah to burn
No, God will remind us what we already know
That the human race is about to reap what it's sown

The world is on its elbows and knees
It's forgotten the message and worships the creeds
Armageddon days are here again

take care,
GORD.

Monday, August 06, 2007

The Beaten Generation

And for something a bit more up tempo to begin your week here is The Beaten Generation which is a really catchy tune
from :Video for The (Beaten) Generation from The's Mind Bomb album
.


Anyway here is another version of St james infirmary played by US troops from Camp Victory in Iraq - is this sad or what & ironic as it were & so it goes




Take care,
GORD.