Welcome to my inaugural blog! I have chosen this format and opportunity because I think civil conversation across a broad spectrum of subjects is often missing in today's environmemt. I grew up with the advice that you must avoid discussion of religion, politics, and sex if you don't want to lose friends or make people angry. So I deliberately invite you to discuss ANYTHING as long as you are civil, courteous, and informed. I often tell my students that I value and respect their opinions if they are informed and thoughtful, otherwise I could not care less what they think. So the door is open. I invite you in. Everyone is welcome. All persons will be respected, all insights considered. The mind is like a parachute----it only works if open!
To get things started:
1) I have written a book recently---Jesus: A Would Be King---available through Amazon, Kindle, and Nook. I explore the human Jesus. I believe he was a man, a fully realized, flesh and blood man. As such he experienced human needs and emotions. He went to the bathroom and, I believe, got married and had sex. I do not consider any of that "sin." So it does not violate any theological position you might hold. I will be up front and honest; I do not believe or begin with the assumption that the Bible is factually true without error. It is the product of the faith journey of the Jews (Old Testament) and the followers of Jesus of Nazareth (New Testament).
2) This coming election IS about a choice of values. That choice is very clear. Either you begin with a value system based on economics/money and radical individualism or you begin with a value system that puts people, their needs, and the environment first before making draconian fiscal decisions that at worst destroy or at best diminish that quality of life. It is a choice of radical, selfish individualism or unselfish, corporate (group) living. Is one party all right and the other all wrong? No! But it is a question of your fundamental perspective and the soul out of which we live and relate to others in the world. Just to be clear: radical individualism/libertarianism (Ron Paul, Teaparty, etc.) is not Christian by any stretch of the imagination or careful study. The Republican Party is being taken over by an extremism and historically ignorant, anti-intellectual faction.
By now you are either angry and don't intend to ever come back OR you might be energized enough to inform yourselves and come back and share this journey.
Peace, Hal
