So that you'll have plenty of time to consider some faith-based books for holiday giving this year, I thought I would use this weekend's blog entry to give you a list of newly published volumes you might want consider.
Just as a reminder: I list these books because I think they're interesting and think you should be aware of them. I don't list them because I agree with everything each author writes.
* America's Religions: From Their Origins to the Twenty-first Century, by Peter W. Williams. This is the third edition of this excellent work. The author, who teaches comparative religion at Miami University in Ohio, has written a thorough historical account of the religions that have shaped America in countless ways. This is not a Cliffs Notes view of the subject but a long and scholarly but highly readable account of history many Americans don't have a clue about but should.
* The Church: The Evolution of Catholicism, by Richard P. McBrien. The author, who teaches theology at Notre Dame University, is a widely published and quoted expert on Catholicism. But he is far from a favorite of conservative Catholics who have struggled with and against the reforms instituted by the Second Vatican Council. So this is a book that both explains and challenges some Catholic doctrine. It could have been written only by an educated insider who loves the church but dislikes some of what the church has done.
* Being Catholic Now: Prominent Americans Talk About Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning, by Kerry Kennedy. Lots of famous people with connections to the Catholic Church have contributed to this book by talking about Catholicism because the author, daughter the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, asked them to do just that. Here you will find evidence that Catholicism in America is not unified in its thinking. Some of the contributors are angry at the church, some feel deeply indebted to it. The book will give readers a better sense of the wide variety of voices associated with Catholicism in America, from Nancy Pelosi to Bill Maher, from Anna Quindlen to Bill O'Reilly.
* Cesar Chavez, the Catholic Bishops, and the Farmworkers' Struggle for Social Justice, by Marco G. Prouty. The author, a career foreign service officer, has drawn on some previously undisclosed material from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to fill in gaps in the story of the ways in which the bishops supported Chavez and his movement. Talk about religion and politics -- this is an inside story about that subject.
* The Third Floor Window: A True Story of Secrets, Survival and Hope, by Colleen Spiro. When the priest sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church broke a few years ago, the author was forced by her memories to confront the years of sexual abuse by her father she experienced as a child. It's a terrible story of pain and questioning, but as she began to write about it, she found her way to hope by finally realizing that she's a precious child in God's sight. A wise voice speaks in these pages.
* Absolution, by Paul Martin Midden. As you may know, I usually don't list many books of fiction here, there being too many good non-fiction books to try to mention. But this one relates to the previous book at least a little in that it's about a Catholic priest -- not one struggling with sexual abuse of children but, rather, one who is secretly married and who is trying to move the church toward rethinking its rules about celibacy. If fiction helps you understand reality, this book may offer some important insights about the priestly world to you. The author is a psychologist who has worked primarily with Catholic priests and others in religious orders.
* An Introduction of Islam for Jews, by Reuven Firestone. As something of a follow to his earlier book, Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Judaism for Muslims, Firestone has produced this timely and important work. The author teaches medieval Judaism and Islam at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles and seeks to help Jews understand Islam better so they can deal sensibly and accurately with such crucial matters as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I suspect most Muslims would find this book both fair and enlightening.
* The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony, by Stephen Schwartz. How much do you know about Islam's mystic path, Sufism? And why should you care? Well, whether you know much about the Sufis or not, you should care because Schwartz makes the persuasive argument that they are a natural ally with whoever is seeking to defang international terrorism. This is a plea for peace through understanding and respect, and it helps all of us understand more fully that Islam consists of more than just the Sunnis and Shias.
* Messiah: The Life and Times of Francis Schlatter, by Conger Beasley Jr. The author, a gifted Kansas Citian who has written many books, tells here the story of a fascinating 19th Century man who, many believed, had the gift of healing. In Beasley's capable hands, the tale unfolds in a captivating way and raises all kinds of questions about whether individuals really can be channels of divine grace that leads to healing.
* Illegitimate: How a Loving God Rescued a Son of Polygamy, by Brian Mackert, with Susan Martins Miller. The author grew up in the FLDS Church (the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), the off-shoot Mormon sect that was raided earlier this year in Texas. This is his story of how he eventually felt the need to be free of this polygamist, fundamentalist community and how he found his way into traditional Christianity. It's a rollercoaster ride. And, just so you know, he has precious little good to say about either the FLDS or the regular Mormon Church, the LDS.
* Invitation: Billy Graham and the Lives God Touched, by Basyle and Aram Tchividjian. As the nation's best known evangelist prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday next month, his grandsons have put together a small, well-illustrated testimonial to his life and ministry. If you're a big Graham fan, you'll want this in your collection.
* Maimonides: The Life and World of One of Civilization's Great Minds, by Joel L. Kraemer. This clearly is the definitive biography of this incredibly interesting 12th century physician, philosopher and law giver. The author, an emeritus professor at the University of Chicago, has spent much of his academic career studying Moses Maimonides (a Jew, but was he once a Muslim?) and uncovering what made him tick. The life of Maimonides is one that needs to be recovered and studied for our time. This is the book to do that.
* A Time to Every Purpose: Letters to a Young Jew, by Jonathan D. Sarna. In remarkably readable prose, the author, who teaches American Jewish History at Brandeis University, writes to his daughter about the holidays on the Jewish calendar and what they mean for her, for other Jews and for the world. This would be a good introduction to Judaism for any non-Jew, too.
* From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, by Arie Kaplan. Who knew? Well, you will after reading about the ways in which Jews have helped to create some of the comics that have marked our culture. They were especially prominent in the comics business in the 1930s and '40s. You'll learn here about Jewish connections to and inspirations behind Superman, various Marvel comics, Mad Magazine and others. And the cool thing is that the book is full of comics and other illustrations. Even the foreward is done as a comic.
* My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith, by Benyamin Cohen. The author, son of an Orthodox rabbi and husband of a Christian minister's daughter, spent a year hanging around Christians trying to figure out what ideas he could borrow to enliven his own commitment to Judaism. For Christians, this is a chance to see themselves through the clever and observant eye of a non-Christian. For Jews, the book offers ideas to make Judaism more engaging. Plus, it's just fun to read.
* Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, by Alex and Brett Harris. This book has some definite religious sensibilities but is not an overtly religious book. And yet in a time when faith communities are struggling with how to motivate and keep the interest of young people, the teen-age author brothers have an important message to parents: challenge your children to achieve things they don't imagine themselves to be capable of achieving. When parents let children drift in a sea of low expectations, they're hurting their kids, these boys say. A refreshing view.
* Jesus Christ: The Jesus of History, the Christ of Faith, by J.R. Porter. This is not another thickly written academic book, though the author is an emeritus professor of theology at the Univrsity of Exeter in England. Rather, it's a well-illustrated, careful explanation of lots of topics related to the life and ministry of Jesus. Among the lovely paintings and photographs is almost encyclopedic coverage of events, developments, theories and theological points. It's quite a lovely reference book, though each topic could be expanded on in other books (as, indeed, each has been).
* Simple Gifts: One Man's Search for Grace, by Bill Henderson. From having been raised in the church, the author drifted into booze and a search for meaning, finally returning to the old hymns he used to sing and love as a child. They were his entry back to faith. In this charming little book, Henderson writes about the stories behind some of those old hymns as he tells about his own faith in transition.
* Next, to more from "The Complete Idiot's Guide" series: Early Christianity, by J. Michael Matkin, and Christian Mysteries, by Ron Berrey. Don't be put off by the silly title of this series. They're generally quite well done and quite readable. These two contain lots of helpful information, but both make the mistake of not making it clear that the Apostle Paul -- first as Saul, later as Paul -- always considered himself a Jew, though, as Paul, one who believed the Jewish Messiah had come as Jesus. The Early Christianity book calls Paul "the first great missionary of the Christian faith," despite the fact that Christianity did not yet exist then. It would have been more accurate to say Paul was the first great missionary of the Jesus Movement within Judaism (or, even better, within the several Judaisms of the day). The Mysteries book goes so far as to make the error of saying that Saul converted to Christianity, even though, as I say, there was then no Christianity to which to convert. How scholars handle Paul and his transformation from Saul is telling. Without getting Paul right, they may not get other matters from this period right.
* Economic Parables: The Monetary Teachings of Jesus Christ, by David Cowan. This will be a great study group book in Christian churches as people try to sort through the current world economic crisis. The author, a pastor and former journalist, considers some of Jesus' parables having to do with money and economic matters as a way of getting readers to ponder how to live Christian lives that are authentic no matter what the economy is doing. Study questions after the chapters help guide readers through the primary issues.
* Charting the Course: Values for Navigating Life in the Marketplace, by Bruce Howard. Here, too, is help for people of faith trying to wrestle with the machinations of the economy -- especially such questions as how to use an economic system to produce good, constructive products instead of products that degrade and exploit people. As the author, a professor of business and economics at Wheaton College, notes, markets are morally neutral. But the people who use markets aren't. The writing here is clear and accessible.
* The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine, by Matthew Fox. This author, once a priest expelled from the Dominican order, has been stirring things up in the Catholic Church for decades. In this book he draws on his deep and wide familiarity with Eastern religious traditions to provide some help for males who are struggling against a culture that seems to promote one view of masculinity, a view that makes little room for spirituality, he argues. If you love Fox's work, you'll want this book. If you find him insightful but too willing to color outside the lines, you might want to take a pass.
* What in the World Is Going On? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore, by David Jeremiah. I think that in many cases people trying to interpret biblical prophecy today are off key. That is, in some cases they find it a useful tool to use to sell books (like the "Left Behind" series of novels). In other cases, it stirs up support for TV ministries. And every few years what they wrote has to be rewritten because it was so obviously wrong. I'm not accusing Jeremiah of any of that. Still, you will find this book is based on a biblical worldview that is commonly held by people who would call themselves conservative or fundamentalist Christians. It's a view that reads the Bible much more literally than many Christians in other traditions do. So if you want to know what a pastor who thinks the ancient words in the Bible spell out what will happen in the next few decades, give it a read. It's intereting stuff, but if you study history you discover these kinds of interpretations of prophecy have been offered for century after century and each age thought the Bible was writing about that age.
* Words of Wisdom, by Lama Surya Das. This Buddhist leader has put together a small volume in which each page is a simple and brief thought designed to invite the reader to spend time unpacking its many possibilities. You may find some of these a little bumper-stickerish, but others require a lot of reflection, which is the point.
* The Green Bible, with a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. HarperOne has taken note of the "creation care" movement by producing a Bible on recycled paper with soy-based inks that uses green highlighting to show more than 1,000 passages that reveal God's love for creation. Just be aware that this is not the only book with this title. A 2002 volume is not a full Bible but, rather, a compilation of verses about ecological matters. The new book uses the New Revised Standard Version translation.
* Evolutionists! We Love You, But. . .: Creation. . .as Plain and Easy as it Gets, by Billy D. Thornton. The writer lives in Butler, Mo., south of Kansas City and offers here his personal take against evolution. He writes columns about his faith that you can read by clicking here. It's intriguing to me how passionate some people get about some of these subjects -- passionate enough to produce books like this. To get a copy, you'll have to e-mail the author at musicman37@embarqmail.com.
* Grandpa Told Me. . .: Things Your Father Meant to Tell You, by Joe Baker. This author also lives in the Kansas City area -- in Independence, Mo., and the link on the book's title here will get you to the author's Web site. The book is full of old-fashioned folk wisdom, including a section on religion.
Finally, I want to repeat mention of a book I wrote about in my column a few weeks ago: Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith, by Joe Eszterhas. It's a compelling read by a famous Hollywood screen writer and how he found faith and got his own life back.
NOTE: For my previous blog book column, which appeared in August, click here.
* * *
PLUMMETING VALUE, RISING VALUES
The current economic crisis, says this writer, makes the values religion promotes more appealing. Well, there are eternal values and then there are mutual funds. Take your pick.
* * *
TAKING A SAUDI PROPOSAL SERIOUSLY
I've mentioned here before the proposal for interfaith dialogue and understanding that has come, perhaps surprisingly, from the king of Saudi Arabia. Now the United Nations plans to talk about that proposal next month, this report says. Good. The more talk about this the better.
To read my latest Kansas City Star work, click here. (My Saturday column this weekend talks about the death of a young friend who was an associate pastor of mine, and what she taught all of us.)
It's no coincidence that the latest Fed Chariman Bernanke has this expertise: the Great Depression and negative inflation (deflation).
NEGATIVE INFLATION
As banks pull back from giving credit, we have the situation that there are fewer dollars in the system chasing the same goods. Prices spiral downward. Soon, the price of everything is falling, and nobody wants to buy now because it will be cheaper tomorrow. People will not borrow, even at 0%; few businesses are started. Everything contracts or stagnates, and the situation feeds on itself. NOBODY knows how to deal with the effects of negative inflation. You can't lower interest below 0%. What can you do? The prevailing thought is that you must prevent it. Japan has suffered with deflation for almost 20 years.
VIRTUAL WEALTH DESTROYED
We have created 'virtual wealth' over the past 30 years through borrowing. One way new wealth is 'created' is by deregulating banks' cash reserve policies. We didn't have widespread use of credit cards 30 years ago, and now we have the appearance of so much more wealth, but it's fake. The average family has about $10,000 on credit cards. People were able to buy houses a few years ago with nothing down and paying interest only. Many businesses cannot make PAYROLL without credit! This is all risky behavior for a society, but financial institutions are willing to fund it during good times. Government allowed it, even encouraged it.
No matter how much Government pumps into the system, banks are NOW conservative when it comes to credit. They're fearful. Faux wealth through loose credit is being destroyed, and we are contracting. If this continues, we could end up with deflation, and a VERY long period of contraction where we must learn to live within our means without much credit.
Posted by: Just Thinking | October 11, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Connecticut has OK'd gay marriage.
Congratulations to our gay brothers and sisters (also those in Christ) for obtaining equal rights. Recent surveys indicate that nearly 50% if not more of Americans don't have a problem with gay marriage.
This goes in stark contrast with 80-90% of Americans being Christians. No matter what most denominations of Christianity say about homosexuality being an abomination, the tide is slowly turning in favor of reason and rationality.
More and more data becomes available that gays/lesbians are "naturally" produced with the timely hormones and chemicals playing role. Hence, in "normal/rational" speak it is "natural", in "religious speak" - god makes them, but then god goes ahead and condemns them.
Which god likes to do all the time WITHOUT EXPLANATION - or as one would say - without rhyme or reason, or in "plain speak" - god is frigging crazy. Just like he condemned Cane for bringing him his hard earned products of tilling the soil. If you start reading Genesis WITHOUT any preconceived notions, just like it's written, you'll figure out that god never gave a reason why he was cross with Cain. One can say that Cain had a bad heart bringing the fruits and vegetables he grew, but it is apparent that he became angry ONLY AFTER god rejected his gift in favor of a fat piece of meat.
Some religious people will deny it, but it is reality. Read the Bible, you Bible Thumpers! :o) Delusions of religious proportions at work.
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 11, 2008 at 07:32 AM
The front page of www.KCFreeThinkers.org has been redesigned to reflect the importance of keeping politics out of Johnson County courts. We'll keep it this way till Nov 4th elections and hope that people visiting the site (over 1,200 so far) are aware of the issue and vote "NO!" on this proposal on the ballot.
Today, Saturday, Oct 11th at 10 a.m. at Building 32 in Corporate Woods in Overland Parks, www.JusticeNotForSale.org will be giving away "NO POLITIC$ IN COURTS" yard signs. Please, stop by if you can today and pick them up and put them in your yard if you appreciate independent judiciary.
Watch Palin say "We are fighting [in Iraq] over supply of oil" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVDCXpSD6Fk&feature=related
Watch the "booing" of McCain during his rallies, his supporters tell him they are "scared" of Obama, "cannot trust Obama", "He is an Arab. He is not?" There is encouraging clapping after McCain saying Obama is a decent American, but it was kind of weak. Goes to show you that dogmatic people will be stewing in their dogma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7R-s-71csY
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 11, 2008 at 07:42 AM
City wide FreeThinking activities in KC for this upcoming weekend and week. Check out calendar http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm as events are added all the time.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
* Time: 7-8 a.m.
"Voice of Reason" 90.1 FM, KKFI, Kansas City Community Radio, also streaming audio from http://www.kkfi.org.
The Voice of Reason is the only radio program in Kansas City presented from a free thought perspective. It is hosted by Don Kemerling and Gary Purdom who present topics about philosophy, political events, free thought, humanism, atheism, agnosticism, etc. They are assisted by Lee Knox and Greg Swartz. The program can be heard anywhere in the world via the airways or streaming audio on the internet.
* Time: 10:00 a.m. - Hinduism; 11:15 a.m. - Islam
Event: Hinduism (Seeing God) & Islam (Islam at the Crossroads)
Sponsoring Organization: Community of Reason http://www.communityofreason.net; Phone: 816-561-1866
This is not your normal religious studies class that seeks to learn the "truths" of the religion. Rather we look to see if there are any truths in the various religions. We ask such questions as does it teach acceptable morals; is it historical; why are the sacred texts given such esteem? If you would like to be put on an email distribution list and from time to time receive resource materials and reminders, send an email request to greg@kcfreethought.org.
* Time: 11:00 a.m.
Event: Science & Science Fiction Book Club, Westport Coffeehouse, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
http://atheists.meetup.com/140/
This week and next the group will be reading FlashForward by Robert Sawyer. Sawyer has sold the rights to ABC which will be making the book into a series. It involves the CERN collider and an unexpected outcome to an experiment there. The group will read and discuss the first half of the book this week (up to chapter 16) and the second half next week. Check the Meetup site for up-to-date information. Check the Meetup site for up-to-date details.
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Part 2 - City wide FreeThinking activities in KC for this upcoming weekend and week. Check out calendar http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm as events are added all the time.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
* Time: 1:00 p.m.
Event: "Economics as Religion; Economics and Secular Humanism" by Dr. James Webb
Community of Reason http://www.communityofreason.net; Phone: 816-561-1866
Dr. Webb teaches in the department of economics at UMKC. Current economic theories have origins in religious doctrine meant to reconcile science with the existence of an unerring creator. Secular humanism is based on the application of systematic reasoned inquiry to human problems. What does economics look like using a secular humanist approach? Come and hear Dr. Webb's answer!
* Time: 5:00 p.m. - dinner; 6:00 p.m. - program
Event: Good Life Humanists Society Monthly Meeting
Place: Western Sizzlin' Steak House, 12300 Blue Ridge, Grandview, MO
Additional Information: Discussion is always interesting and lively, so come for the discussion if nothing else! Most have dinner, but come even if you do not want to dine.
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 11, 2008 at 08:32 AM
God's Daily Promise, 10/07/08. This week's promise: God forgives all sins, no matter how big God's gift of salvation
"Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. Psalm 130:3-4 NLT"
What does Fear God mean? Lie, Cheat, Covet, Steal, Kill, make religious and civil temples by Human Hands? Make Civil, Religious, and Family Rules, instead of God's Rules. What does 'Thou Shalt Not Kill', mean?
What Books help Killing Humans Unite in Peace? How many published Books, help explain the 'mysteries' of GOD, God, Jesus and other Prophet/Priest/King Religions?
The Early Jewish One God Christians, were not like the Trinity Catholic Christians. Protestant Christians are different, from each other, as are all other religious movements today.
What are the Characteristics of a Child of God? or a Child of Humans? In the beginning, the Lord God Reproduced not Children, but Human Equal Male and Female Clone Adults, in 'his' Physical Human Image, to be Caretakers of Life on Earth.
Why did these Perfect Equal Male and Female Clone Adult Humans, Reproduce Unequal Male and Female Children, in their Physical Human Image, that became Killer Humans?
Today Humans Travel in Spaceships. Humans Know How to Colonize a Planet, and do Reproduce Human fetus', and Clone Life in the Lab, similar to the Lord God.
It is Time to Translate All Scripture and Myth, with our High Tech Science Knowledge. Humans can Know the Truth of GOD the Creator of LIFE, not a Human, and, God our High Tech Human Ancestors, not GOD.
The Peace Equal Caretaker Clone Human Species, can have High Tech Science Eternal Physical Life After Birth, on Planets and in Spaceships.
Posted by: Dolores Lear | October 11, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I find it odd that Iggy gets so much free advertising here.
He obviously is not here to discuss; in fact, since most of his posts are not related to the subjects at hand, they are apparently merely computer generated.
Posted by: adam harrison | October 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I might add, that his meetings are sometimes amusing.
The best one was when old Norm gave a "lecture" on Islam and the Muslim students showed up and peppered him with questions.
He was reduced to incoherence.
Oh, and as long as you don't mind Iggy photographing you, whether you like it or not, you should have a good time! LOL!
I wonder what he does with all those recordings? I wonder if Dave VanAllen has any ideas on that?
Posted by: adam harrison | October 11, 2008 at 12:12 PM
By the way, Iggy, you are invited to discussions at the First United Methodist Church of the Ressurection.
Call Clarissa for details.
You have the number, you called her several times last week.
Posted by: adam harrison | October 11, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Do you have a FreeThinking dog? Of course you do - all dogs are born and are FreeThinkers!
If you don't have a dog, you are still a FreeThinking "dog" yourself, still pay attention. Join human FreeThinking "dogs" with their "freethinking canine friends" - for a FreeThinking Dog Event at a Doggy Park ****every 3rd Saturday of the month****.
If you are in Wy/LV Counties, North KC/Platte/Gladstone area, Indpendendce/Blue Springs, Lee's Summit or Grandview/Raymore area, think about setting something like this social out in your area. Contact kcfreethinkers@gmail.com for details and suggestions on venues - we have a meetup in those areas run by several people and you are welcome to set up your event as part of those as co-moderator of those groups or they'll be posted for you.
Bring your dog's favorite toy and treats so they can interact with other freethinking dogs, run around, and play. Also, feel free to bring your own brunch in a brown box - we can sit around at a picnic table and watch the atheistic beasts run around while we are chatting like we always do. We can stay there for 1-2 hours and make it just an extra meetup for those who cannot make it to meetups during regular weekdays or on Sunday.
For now, it is going to happen in Johnson County at any of the 3 doggy parks and as we are notified of more places we can add them to the list. I'll post maps and directs to the parks later as we finalize it.
#1 - 119th Street between Nieman and Quivira on the South side of 119th in Overland Park
#2 - 163rd or thereabouts and Blackbob in Olathe - East of Blackbob
#3 - Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee - North of 87 St & Renner Bvld (West side of Renner - kind of tough to find it but I'll post a map later)
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 11, 2008 at 01:32 PM
KC,
Were you shopping at Wal-Mart Sat. night around 7:30PM??
I don't know you by sight but a Russian couple with a young child were there at that time. I know they were Russian because they were conversing in it. I thought it was KC/Iggy cause the guy was a shrimp.
Posted by: a theist | October 11, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Leave it to an atheist to compare the human mind to a dog brain!
Q.E.D.
Posted by: adam harrison | October 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Why does the Heterosexual Male seed the Female, and then Abort the Fetus, and Kill the Living Human Life they Reproduce?
Using the 'Book' of Genesis, with High Tech Science Today, Humans Do Have the Proof of Eternal Physical Life After Birth, in Purebred Male and Female Human Clone Bodies.
The Eternal Life After Death Religious teachings, is the Return of GODs Life Elements at Death, that return to the Pool of GODs Living LIFE Elements, Seen and Unseen.
GODs Elements are always there, whether Visible or Invisible, or there would be No Life as we Know it. This GOD is not a Human.
The Lord God, our Human Ancestors, were recorded as Supernatural Gods, Goddesses, and Angels.
The Lord God, did Colonize Earth and made Humans, in their Human Clone Image. The Male was first, and then the Female was Cloned from the male rib.
These 'Perfect' Physical Human Male and Female Clones, starting reproducing 'Imperfect' Humans by the Heterosexual Sex Act. Defective Human Bodies, Disease, Division, Killing, and Death began.
Today, Humans with a High Tech Womb, and High Tech 'Regeneration', can have Eternal Physical Life After Birth, like the Gods.
Why waste GODs Elements and Human Energy, to build Nuclear Bombs, to Kill All Life on Earth? It takes Less GOD and Human Energy, to Reproduce and Share Equally with High Tech Science.
Humans today, use High Tech for Regeneration of Defects, Illnesses or Accidents. Humans do have Books, about a Killer High Tech Science Atlantis Humans, not a Myth.
Humans can Prove all Supernatural Scripture and Myth, with a High Tech Science Translation of All Scripture, Myth, and Stone Tablets.
Eternal Physical Life 'After Birth', on Planets and in Spaceships, is a Fact, that can be Proven by our Science today.
Posted by: Dolores Lear | October 12, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Did you know that there is a psychic radio show in Kansas City on KKFI 90.1 FM?
I was listening this morning to the only freethinking radio program "Voice of Reason" 7-8 a.m. (every Sunday) and next program after it is this "Psychic" show.
So, I called to invite this lady "Saphira" to any of our freethinking meetups about her psychic abilities and she turned it down - she said that she doesn't want to come to any events and be debunked. She said she came to her conclusions and we came to our conclusions. She "god blessed me" and hang up on me.
They went on to discussing dowsing with a guest.
If any of you would like to call in on Sunday 8-9 a.m. and invite Saphira to any of our freethinking groups in Kansas City here is the phone # (816) 931-KKFI (5534)
Saphira
In addition to working with private clients, Saphira is Director of Psychic Services, a psychic talent agency. She is a also a Spiritualist medium, a Sufi initiate, and former columnist for the New Times. She is an Active Member at KKFI, a Mensan and a member of the Dowsing Society of Kansas City.
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 12, 2008 at 08:44 AM
I called the "Psychic" radio show on KKFI this morning and asked the guest who is a water dowser if he ever found any water. He said he never has been asked but when he lived somewhere in New Mexico he had a water dowser and he found water which was accurate.
Saphira said they are not interested in proving anything to anyone and that it's up to every individual to find their own path and hang up, but not before telling "Hawkeye" not to call this show any more.
Also, there is a water dowsing society of Kansas City and it will have a meeting on October 16. http://www.geocities.com/lbabycakesw/DSKCnews.html - I am thinking about going and visiting them - if someone is interested to come let me know RSVP to kcfreethinkers@gmail.com
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 12, 2008 at 08:46 AM
What does Human Religious Moral Values have to do, to have Equal Government for all USA Citizens, with the many Religious Beliefs, and Atheist Lifestyles? We are Good and Evil Americans, no matter what our Label.
Does the Fear of Death, and Killing Each Other, bother Religious Humans that accept when they die, they will go to be with their God? Do they really Care about other Citizens?
Is striving for wealth and war, and Being Haves over Havenots, more important than Equality and Life for all the Living?
Why are Citizens Pro-Life for a fetus not born? But are 'not' Pro Life for Alive Children and Adult Humans, that are Killed by Hunger and War?
How does Killing All Types of GOD Life on our Home Planet, make us Children of the Lord God, who 'said' Thou Shalt Not Kill?
If Humans would Obey God, and stopped Killing Each Other, what would happen to our Planet, with our Reproduction Practices?
Our population increased from 1 billion in 1900 to 6.6 billion, during the sexual explosion. How can we handle more Humans? Humans have reproduced faster, than War and Starvation could control. Why?
Could there be a Stop put on Reproduction? Some Type of Birth Control for the Male, would be needed. The Controls we have today for the Female, plus Abortion, Killing and War, are not working.
We do have the High Tech to reproduce a fetus in the Lab. It would not be impossible to finish making Humans in the Lab, when needed.
Do Humans have the 'Will' to Stop this Uncontrollable Heterosexual Body Birth Virus Lifestyle, with Pollution of our Eco System, and Nuclear Bombs on land and sea, of our Home Planet?
If Humans Cannot Save Us? Who Will? God? Why?
Posted by: Dolores Lear | October 12, 2008 at 10:53 AM
For those who are not awaiting Jesus' coming any time soon or within their life time, check out your car tires pressure - it can increase your fuel economy dramatically.
McCain campaign was making fun of Obama with the "Obama's energy plan" tire gauge a couple of months ago, but the reality is that it is DOCUMENTED, VERIFIED AND DUPLICATABLE that proper tire pressure increases your fuel economy by 3-10%. This is what they call "fact" vs. "fiction" or "science" vs. "fables"
Check on the driver's side door - you may have different pressure for rear and front tires or same.
This week I've upped my tire pressure on my Honda Civic Hybrid and immediately from average of 45-47 mpg I am now getting 53-55 mpg on longer trips. I have not used this tank yet, but I am already at 51 mpg on about 200 miles or so. Max rating for the tires on my car is 44 psi. I have it on cold tire reading at 40 psi while Honda recommends 32 psi. When I was filling tires up I check with digital gauge it was showing 42 in day time and after I ran the car for a while, so tires were warm. A drop of 2 psi accounts for the car's cold tire reading. So I am going to pump it up to max 44 psi and see how it goes. I'll report later when I am done with this next tank of gas.
My trip from South Overland Park to UMKC this morning was 18.5 miles on Quivira (main city street) to I-435 till Holmes and then to 52 & Rockhill - 58 mpg at 65 mph on the highway and 40-45 on main streets.
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 12, 2008 at 11:10 AM
KC, your call in to the psychic show as "Hawkeye" (and thanks for the admission by the way, Iggy! LOL!) was quite ironic since the Voice of REASON does not even ALLOW call ins anymore.
I wonder what they are afraid of?
Posted by: adam harrison | October 12, 2008 at 05:02 PM
"This week I've upped my tire pressure on my Honda Civic Hybrid...."
What a coincidence, Iggy bragged last year about his Honda Civic Hybrid and KC has a Honda Civic Hybrid.
Bill, you told Iggy he was no longer welcome on this site, yet here he is! Why?
What does his tire pressure have to do with Faith Matters?
Why are you allowing Iggy free advertising on your site?
He has no qualms about cheating, lying, stealing to get what he wants. He has NO morals whatever and you are encouraging him in the name of detente. Foolish, very foolish; PC at its worst.
Posted by: a theist | October 12, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Here's an oxymoron -
Iggy is the Voice Of Reason.
Posted by: a theist | October 12, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Prayer doesn't work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDqyYVyAAek
Posted by: IGGY - www.KCFreeThinkers.org | October 12, 2008 at 11:10 PM