Twinky

Thanks, Waysider. Awesome voice and playing.

If ya know, ya know.

Might not this be better in the Matters of Faith > Atheist thread?

Hah, thanks, Oldies. I don't recall ever hearing that before, though Sedaka was big in the UK too. My intended has a big music background and has compiled lots of songs from 50s, 60s, not sure about 70s. Might be playing some as background noise for the wedding.

I think she's pi$$ed off about something: Facebook Try not to get seasick...!

He was ordained into the Methodist church and had theological differences. Left and retrained an Episcopalian minister. I think he is also having difficulties there. As we here know all too well, it's hard having to be in an environment that is so rigid to its own rules and forgets that the rules and the organisation are there to serve the people, and not the other way about.

There are some really innovative designs for RC cathedrals in the UK. Exciting to look at. Nicely done inside. A lot of Anglican churches are very old (older than the USA) (think, dating back to Norman times, 1066 and all that) and clunky outside. Might be light and lovely inside, though. FYI there is a Saxon church not far from where I live, not much altered from when it was built. Dates back to the late 600s (and no, I didn't miss off a digit). Still consecrated and still in use; though a more modern building (built around 1150) is just across the road. It's nice and modern inside. The congregation is very active in the community. As with all these buildings, it's not what the building itself is. It's what's taught inside. I have llittle truck with churchianity. What is the message, and how does it respect and work into daily life the teachings of the Bible? Is it wrapped up in dogma and church-made rules, or is it open to what the Good News really is? That's why i like this woman, Monte Mader, and also Rev Joseph Yoo (Facebook), who both challenge churchianity's entrenched and biased positions. I am coming up against churchianity at the moment. Getting married next week. The orthodox Anglican ceremony includes words and standard prayers that I really don't like. Our minister has allowed me to change some aspects but she is bound by oaths to observe certain rituals. So what do I "suck" and what can I reasonably challenge? Bless her, she is such a sweetie. It's not fair on me to compromise her oaths but she is not insisting on aspects I find naff.

Different take again, Oldies. Always we need to know something of the context, as best we can. It's very obvious that the early church recognised women as leaders too; just read the list of names of those who helped both Paul and Jesus. Stand-alone women, not adjuncts of their husbands. It's also very obvious that Jewish culture of the time was very patriarchal even though there were some powerful women. We get hints, in other prevailing regimes (Greek, Roman) but again, be careful not to read (say) Greek culture of one epoch into that of another time. Anyway, this isn't just about women in the church; I was interested in Monte Mader's (sometimes) outrageous insights into quite a lot of religious and especially Christian-nationalist hype. Especially on compassion/empathy for homeless, LGB groups, non-white groups, migrants, etc. I would love to set her on some of the TWI know-it-all "reverends"!

Faithful is only twice a month now? Did you mean that, or did you mean twice a week, more the norm when I was around.

I could say a lot about the Israel/Gaza situation, but that would start getting too political. All I'm saying is : be prepared to take another look at whatever you hear and think: the news, scripture/theology, anything you're interested in - from a different angle, perspective. I also like this guy's take on living the gospel: short, simple, and often very profound. Rev Joseph Yoo, Korean minister based in Texas Facebook

Expand your vision, people. The world is not the USA. And the vision presented by news sources in the USA is very biased, one way or the other, with insufficient apolitical reporting, and not much international reporting. There are many countries outside USA - it's true!! It really is!! There are 50 countries in Europe, 54 in Africa, 48 in Asia, 12 in South America. 195 countries altogether, sharing this planetary space. That may mean 195 different cultural outlooks, problems, benefits. Life works much better if we can work collaboratively not competitively. We are all INTERdependent. Not INdependent. So please - take the time to think of what happens elsewhere, and how what goes on in one country - your own, wherever that might be - affects those in other countries. And for those here who still profess Christianity, there's another viewpoint on top of any cultural viewpoint. See a bigger picture, folks. Monte Madder on seeing a bigger picture and on news sources: Facebook

In case anybody's interested, here's the latest Annual Return to the Charities Commission for TWI in the UK. charity-search (sorry, the page cannot be copied & pasted). Look at page 1 under Achievement and Performance. And Vern, Crommett and Lombardi are still trustees (Rivenbark has resigned) together with some puppet local trustee.

We do know that Paul took elements of Greek philosophy and turned them on their heads. I don't know if a lot of churches teach that sort of stuff. I haven't heard it taught. This woman really knows a lot of Bible and challenges so many assumptions and claims, especially about a white Jesus, white male privilege; and the oppression of weaker groups within community, specifically women, LGB communities, lower paid workers and those unable to work, and immigrants. Have a look at some of her other stuff and see what you think.

Monte Mader | Deconstructed, former Alt-Right Christian Nationalist Here's one of her snippets that popped into my Facebook feed, about 1 Cor 14 (women being silent in the church) - no way for this woman!!! (2) Video | Facebook

I thought you folks might be interested in this woman's take on a lot of so-called Christian dogma. She calls herself an "exvangelist." Monte Mader - YouTube