Twinky

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

I don't know if this is the right place for this thread. I started in in Questioning Faith, more for atheists, but moved it here. What this woman does, really, is question accretions around Bible dogma or theology and point out historical facts or logical fallacies/hypocrisy. I don't know whether she has beliefs in any doctrinal position; but she does call out (let's be kind) misunderstandings, from a Biblical point of view.

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(Content Moved elsewhere) (I can't see how to delete a thread started in the wrong place)

Oldies' video... Woh, all the hair gone, but sporting a moustache now. I wouldn't have recognised him. Interesting that he is preaching and has translators acting immediately. Maybe that will slow down his histrionics, his disgusting rants, his foulmouthed insults. Got to be a good thing! One wonders who is the target audience.

Nice to see you, Belle. It's been a while.

3,000 participants. Does that include, I wonder, all the staff pressganged to work on the event? Limb coordinators, etc (if such still exist), dragged in? Together with spouses and children? I'm almost surprised that there'd be 900 non-staff present. And 900 "ambassadors"? In their dreams!

I also found this woman who makes some good arguments to counter "Christian nationalism." And I can tell you - the way she looks would not be acceptable at all to TWI. But what she says - well, neither would most of that either. So? (3) Facebook As she says - refute it from the Bible - if you can. LoL.

This just popped into my Facebook feed: (3) Facebook - a clip by one Pastor Paul Drees, about power (and abuse thereof) in Christian Nationalism

I don't know about TWI being Christian Nationalist, but here's my take. A thing about TWI was that mostly they simply didn't regard others as having a valid viewpoint. Our way or the highway. So little regard for others that they didn't even notice them. There was a big oval table in the auditorium. Inlaid countries of the world. Lovely. Where was New Zealand? And what other countries were missing? Other countries have different cultural traditions, including Christian traditions. But no. You will do it our way. Even if it was culturally offensive or ineffective. Disclaimer on this : in Christian Etiquette, Mrs Allen taught how Americans should eat, how to handle a knife and fork, etc. She made the point that this was American etiquette and urged people from other countries to follow their style of eating. Good - because in my countries, eating American-style is poor manners and only used by children learning to eat properly!! Might be used casually but never in "polite society." I have lived in two other countries for very long periods and visited many others, and I have a number of friends who have been missionaries in other countries. American ways are often viewed with suspicion. Solutions to problems can be imposed, rather than reached in consensus with locals. (As an aside: You only have to look at the world situation now to see how "solutions" are trying to be imposed without taking into account the views of others involved - but no more of this, least it be deemed "political.") But I don't know if this was just TWI, or if it was American culture generally, that thought the American way was the only way worthy of living. I doubt that any such culture would have been recognised in the middle east, where Christianity was born. It certainly isn't in line with Jesus's teachings. Certainly TWI dismissed other Christian traditions without considering the merits thereof, any spiritual help those traditions gave to others, and neither did they consider whether their own "brand" was really helpful to people from any cultural background. USA is such a huge country with so much diversity. One size does not fit all. Well. That's a cult for you.

Yeah, right, it's definitely on my To Do list. NOT!!! Got some important things to do in my life right now. That are a million miles from TWI's ex-plans for my life.

And also my Muslim friend, who started a little local charity collecting surplus food from supermarkets and distributing it to people on significantly low incomes in our neighbourhood.

Sounds intriguing. Usually people just got shoved out of the door with scarcely time to grab their coffee mug. Were they actually going to give you some paperwork of some description? Or were you waiting for a spouse to actually agree to leave with you?

Again! Congratulations! Raf, how many do you have now? How many of your own natural children, and how many adopted? What huge hearts you and your wife have, to give a wonderfully loving home to kids with such poor starts in life.