Duck Dynasty?

It seems everyone has an opinion about this, recently.

Synopsis:  Duck Dynasty is a TV program on A&E about a family that lives rather backwoods and has made a lot of money from creating a duck call thing which has sold well.  The family hunting and business is much of the focus as well as how the women manage things.  The family also is Christian and before every meal a prayer is said.  It seems to be a rather popular show.

(Duane likes the program and has watched a few while i read.  I've not actually watched an entire program, but have heard it as i focus on something else.)

There have been calls from some people to make the family stop the prayer on the program, or at least edit that out.

Recently, the father Phil, was interviewed by a magazine and he made statements about homosexuality that were not complementary.  (For the record, my understanding of what was said was simply his opinion and being confused about how a man can be attracted to another man.  That is a confusion many heterosexuals would share, i think.)

So there has been a big ruckus about this.  People who don't see homosexuality as a problem are calling for Phil to be censored.  People who do see this as a problem are calling for "support Phil."  A&E has decided that Phil won't be allowed on the program any more.  As this is a program about his family, it is doubtful the program will continue.  

Here is the thing:  This country has freedom of speech.  Or it did.  There are many things that cannot be said.  You cannot protest a president where he can see you anymore.  Protesters have to be in a "free speech zone" some miles away.  You cannot shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater if there is not fire.  You cannot make jokes about bombs in an airport.  

But overall, we live in a land that largely allows you to share your opinion.  If you don't like the opinion that is stated, you have the freedom to disagree, rebut, or to boycott a TV show or business that presents opinion with which you disagree.  

I support all those things.  I support the people who want to support Phil, who want to boycott A&E, who want to express their belief he has the right to say those things and believe those things.  I ALSO support the people who disagree with Phil.  I support their right to boycott the show (tho i seriously doubt most of them watched it).  

I hear a lot from Christians these days wanting to return our nation to being a "Christian country."  Frankly i doubt that our country ever was that, but nevertheless there is much call for it.  The truth is that our Founding Fathers gave us freedom of religion.  Whether by design or by accident that means freedom for all religions, even pagan, Muslim, Wiccan, or atheist.  

This means that all such people have the right to share their beliefs/opinions, and other people have the right to disagree, rebut, or boycott.  I am concerned that there is a tendency (or it seems to be) to be biased against Christian speech these days.  None the less, free speech is free speech, no matter the opinion and freedom of religion is freedom no matter what the style.

Christians have become so militant these days.  I really don't understand.  There is so much anger in what they fight about.  And it often seems so petty to me.  

Regardless of your belief in Jesus - whether you believe he was the Christ sent by God, or a naive dreamer wandering - one thing he preached is LOVE.  To love our fellow-man.  To do good to those who would hurt me.  To help the poor, the sick, the needy, the orphan and the fatherless.  

So much of what i see Christians posting these days seems to be grounded in hate.  Hate of gays, hate of Muslims, hate of the way Christians are treated.  I really don't understand this.

Jesus said we would be known as his followers by our love.  He also said that the world would hate us.  So, folks, where is the confusion?  Why are people surprised and baffled by the the response of the world?

(BTW, i know quite well that i am severely lacking in the love Jesus promised.  I pray for it, and i strive to love, but i know that even if i don't speak it i am often critical of others and do not possess the love i should as a follower of Jesus.)

53

Horrible Incident

Yesterday there was a horrific incident at the Washington Navy Yard (D.C. area).  Thirteen people were killed, including the shooter, and eight others were wounded.  Those hurt or killed were a mix of civilian workers and military contractors.

(My commentary:  It is interesting how something like this happens so often when there are other things to distract from.  Right now the President is pushing war with Syria, and innocent people have been shot, one killed, in conflicts with the police in both New York and in North Carolina.  Also, i strongly believe that 100% of these type of shootings with multiple people shot/killed have been done by persons dosed by psychiatrists with heavy-duty psychotropic medications that really mess with people's ability to function normally.  (I have references for this belief.)  I think our gov't covers up the "legal" drug use given our military folks and uses these things to justify pushing harder for gun control.  In fact - really conspiracy theory here - it wouldn't surprise me if someone behind was coaching some of these folks to act on outrageous thoughts.)

I have a cousin in the Navy.  We are not close.  Evidently she was suppose to be stationed in D.C. for another cousin wrote this yesterday:

Hey sis, today we are thankful that God has a plan we don't understand and He made the doors to DC close and instead sent you to Hawaii.  Hope you are doing well.  Love you . . . 

I, too, am thankful my cousin was not there to be injured.  However, as always the theology behind such a statement raises too many questions for me.  If God adjusted things so my cousin would not be there to be shot, did he then PLAN for this shooting to occur and those 20 people be injured or killed?  Or if God did not plan for this man to shoot folks, why would he move my cousin out of the way, but not those other people?  (I guess that is part of the inscrutable plan i don't understand.)

I cannot live with or believe in this theology.  Which seems to put me at odds with most of the Christian community.

Strange Thoughts

We went to church this morning.  We don't go all that often any more.  We were there last week and i guess Duane promised to be there this week because after the service he was going to help Tim (the pastor) with something in planning for next week.  

Tim wasn't there.

Margaret was, however.  I enjoy her services.  At the end she had us close our eyes and imagine Jesus in front of us, arms outstretched and eyes full of love.  We were to walk to him and put our cares and worries in his hands, and then see those cares and worries disappear.

Wow.

Except when i got to Jesus i found him to be a cardboard cut out.  

Can you tell i struggle to find Jesus real in my life?

Post number 50

I just hit post number 500 at my other blog.

I hesitate to post here because my feelings about God are generally not very positive.

No one understands God, of course.  Reportedly God has revealed himself to us thru the Bible, and so everything we "need to know" is there.  Which leaves religion big, small, and in between, confusing, frustrating, harsh, blind, and with tons of different theological approaches.  The Bible is quite confusing, as well.  God is a god of vengeance  of war, of peace, of love, of justice, of harshness.  

Quite honestly, i do not believe that God interferes in our lives much at all, at least not on a physical plane.  I don't believe that God caused this person not to leave on time so that they are not in a car accident but they never know it.  BECAUSE if you believe that, then you have to believe the opposite and that God chose/caused the accidents that do happen.  It drives me to madness to hear people say, "Well, God must have a plan in all of that."  

In the same manner, prayer has me quite confused.  For as much as prayer seems to resolve anything, i might as well walk in tight circles in my bedroom and say that it helps.  I really, really do not "get it."

Now, i can see that everything, everything is a miracle.  

I do believe that there are numerous times each and every day that we each miss death by minutes or even seconds.  I do believe that God promises that all things will work out to his glory ultimately.  I do believe that prayer helps align us to the will of God - whatever that is.  Or changes our hearts somehow.  But do not expect me to believe that God causes every tiny thing or has it all planned in detail.  And if you tell me, "It must be part of God's plan," don't be surprised to hear me scream.