Today's Funny

This was on the bathroom wall in one of the more illustrious gay bars in Pgh. I thought it was hysterical. It's kinda hard to read, but it says:

Blow Jobs

$.50

with lipstick

$.75

with teeth marks

$1.00

without teeth

PRICELESS

BEHOLD! I BRING YOU THE GIFT OF CLEANLINESS...

Now we know why they call it PNC Park...

Syntactic Arrangement...

How 'bout I was on my way home from work the other day, cruisin along & listening to the radio...yes, radio does still exist.

Anywho...an ad came on for that new language learning system, "RosettaStone". The announcer praised the software as being, "...the fastest, most easiest way to learn a new language."

I wonder if they have a program for "ENGLISH?"

On the same note, this morning on Channel 11, meteorologist, Scott Harbaugh, remarked on the fog surrounding the city as, "...so thick, you can't even barely see."

What my ears immediately heard was, "can't heretofore, not noticeably see."

I don't know about all of you, but this really hits home. While I realize that understanding that our education system involves diverse learning styles isn't a cure-all, I also realize that it will at least begin the process of making our students better self-learners.

What do you think?

Is Gay A Sin?

I accidentally or fatefully happened upon this webpage. I found the info to be quite poignant. Whatta you think?

WHAT DID JESUS SAY?

The only place Jesus really addressed or even hinted at sexuality is found in Matthew chapter 19. Here you find Jesus, the disciples and the Pharisees discussing this very topic of marriage between males and females. It is true that God created males and females and instituted marriage. But in Matthew 19 Jesus adds another thing that many ignore or overlook because it doesn't apply to them:

Matthew 19:11-12

Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Typically a eunuch is defined as a castrated male. This is incorrect. Castration means to remove the testicles (that were already there) or emasculate. If all eunuchs were castrated males then why would Jesus say that "some were born that way?" A eunuch is a man who has no desire or ability to have sexual relations with a woman. These men were commonly used to protect the harems. Since the Word of God is for everyone we can apply the spiritual concept found in Galatians 3:28 where the Apostle Paul says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Therefore, a eunuch can be male or female in this passage.

Jesus addressed three types of eunuchs.
1. Those born that way. (That's people like me who are born gay.)
2. Those made that way by men. (Those castrated or those sexually abused people who choose to be gay as a result of this abuse rather than because it is their natural sexual affinity.)
3. Those who elect not to have a sexual relationship for the sake of the kingdom. (For example a priest or nun. This group makes the decision on their own.)

So here, our Lord Jesus states that not everyone will marry according to the custom as in male and female. He also said that not everyone can accept this. He says that those that can accept it should accept it. Can you accept what Jesus said? I can.

Hate Crimes Bill

LGBT advocates expect Congress to enact federal hate crimes legislation this year that includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity; has been renamed after Matthew Shepard.
WASHINGTON (AP)—Supporters of hate-crimes legislation said Thursday they expect Congress to enact a law this year expanding federal penalties for acts of violence against homosexuals.
They have renamed their latest proposal in honor of Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who died after he was beaten and tied to a fence in Wyoming in 1998.‘’I can’t think of a better way to honor Matthew’s memory. He was a 21-year-old college student just living his life,’’ said Shepard’s mother Judy Shepard, who now heads a foundation in her son’s name.

Asked about potential opposition from religious groups that disagree with homosexuality, Smith said that should not be a problem.
"This act is about the prosecution of crime, not prohibition of speech," Smith said. "Unless they believe part of their religion is the practice of violence against others, they should not be affected by this bill."

One of the main opponents to the bill is Ted Pike of the National Prayer Network. I'm not going to give him a whole lot of narrative, but let's say he's just another radical, conservative, evangelical, Christian fundie with a supposed direct line to God.

This is a excerpt from Ted Pike's website. I'll leave you to do the math:

EMERGENCY ALERT!!!
FEDERAL HATE LAW WILL PERSECUTE YOU
By Rev. Ted Pike30 Apr 07

The federal "anti-hate" bill, to be voted on Thursday by the U.S. House of Representatives, says anyone who verbally "intimidates" members of federally protected groups faces indictment as a hate criminal, a violator of federal law. Also, anyone who "aids, abets, counsels" 1 that criminal will face charges. This means any talk show host who interviews me could face a federal "hate crimes" trial!

Since I first sounded the alarm on the federal hate bill last November and warned of its almost certain passage in the Democrat-controlled Congress, I have been interviewed on 114 national talk shows. My message against the hate bill has probably "intimidated" two groups the federal hate bill would especially protect: homosexuals and Jews. Homosexuals are intimidated because I regularly quote Holy Scripture describing their sexual behaviors as an abomination. The Jewish Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith is intimidated by my exposure of them as architect of thought crime laws worldwide. ADL is, in fact, so intimidated they don't dare to mention my name on their website for fear tens of thousands will visit www.truthtellers.org and hear the whole truth about them. The same goes for a cluster of Jewish activist organizations presided over by B'nai B'rith International. ACLU, People for the American Way, American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, Southern Poverty Law Center, etc. rarely, if ever, mention Ted Pike. In contrast, I expose their anti-American, anti-Christian activities to the world from the highest place of attention I can find - talk radio and the internet. If H. R. 1592 becomes law, I and the 33 talk show hosts who have "aided and abetted" me since November are eminently indictable.

I've been arguing this matter for years. Freedom of speech should not include expressions of hate. Many times, these so-called spiritual leaders make such inflamatory remarks that they incite anger & aggressive behavior. Don't think for a moment that Pike's "sheep" are going to feel anything but disdain for the Jewish people after he hurls anti-semitic drivel from his pulpit.

Freedom of speech was designed to allow us checks & balances for our governing bodies. It is in place for our representatives to gage the country's attitudes & social conscience. The United States was founded on spiritual & cultural diversity. We cannot have freedom based on 1 religion's tenets & beliefs. We are a melting pot...& it just keeps getting hotter!

Holy Public Education

I wrote this a few years ago, but thought it may have some relevance now. I've been hearing & reading alot about the possible inclusion of world religions as curriculum for public schools. I'm rather divided on this one. Some of the arguments are convincing...others are questionable. I'm anxious to hear your points of view. So anyway...I thought I'd throw my hat into the arena, if not just for S&G.

There's alot of controversy about the role of prayer to God, in the Christian acceptation, in governmentally or publically established areas of society. Namely, the phrase from the American Pledge of Allegiance, stating, "...one nation under God"; as well as the opening devotional prayer before meetings of governmental depts and benedictions in public shool or college/university events.

Christians say that our nation was founded on an absolute belief in God and removing these religious ceremonies from the public will ultimately result in the removal of God from our nation.

My opinion, here, is that we need to foster and encourage our loved ones to more adamantly follow their own path to God. Why do we need government or public authority to remind us that we all come from something greater and that reverence for a Higher Power is necessary for our own spiritual well-being. No! I believe this controversy will bring others to an understanding of their own personal spirtuality.

You can ask 10 hardcore, fundamentalist, bible-toting Baptists how they worship God, and even though they have all been taught the same strict beliefs, they will still each give a different answer. Spirtuality is subjective. The path to God is a lonely one, for it must be tread alone.