I suppose these two verses are meant to prove something, but given the contradictory nature of much of scripture I am not sure just what. I much prefer your opinion to some iron age mantra repeated robotically as if I am supposed to stand in awe of its prose or profundity. Personally I’ll take Fitzgerald’s or Dostoevsky’s prose over Matt’s and Paul’s.

If you want to trade quotes here’s some better ones:

“The caterwauling horns has reached a crescendo and I turned away and cut across the lawn toward home. I glanced back once. A wafer of a moon was shining over Gatsby’s house, making the night fine as before, and surviving the laughter and the sound of his still glowing garden. A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows and the great door, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell.”

and

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
–F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

“I meant to end it like this. When the Inquisitor ceased speaking he waited some time for his Prisoner to answer him. His silence weighed down upon him. He saw that the Prisoner had listened intently all the time, looking gently in his face and evidently not wishing to reply. The old man longed for him to say something, however bitter and terrible. But He suddenly approached the old man in silence and softly kissed him on his bloodless aged lips. That was all his answer. The old man shuddered. His lips moved. He went to the door, opened it, and said to Him: ‘Go, and come no more… come not at all, never, never!’ And he let Him out into the dark alleys of the town. The Prisoner went away.”

“And the old man?”

“The kiss glows in his heart, but the old man adheres to his idea.”

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Grand Inquisitor from the Brothers Karamazov

1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.

I wanted to echo what Mespo said. I know it must have been very difficult to leave your church of origin. You’re right about that pack mentality and it applies in JT’s post this A.M. as one part of the reason so many people will torture or root it on. Just as the pastor is committing an act of cruelty, others are only too happy to “help out” or condone it by silence.

“I can say that life is not always so cut-and-dried. People make choices the best they can according to what life hands them.”
******************

You would make a fine lawyer, if you aren’t already. Your words pretty much summarize the problem the law seeks to address. Only the fool is certain of anything.

How does breach of fiduciary duty to maintain confidences grab you?

I hope you’re right!

Common mistake!

P.S. I’d forgotten Jesus was blond haired and blue eyed, nevertheless the movie should show at the church. Maybe you send the link to the churches’ website.

(Scene at about 3:06 but worth the entire view)

That’s my idea of old time religion.

One without so many a$$holes in it.

Is “Christmas” really the reverend’s birth name or did he legally change his name later? So many of the names and situations seem to fit much too well within this blawgs’ titles and coverage.

I prefer the Kingston’s Trio “Reverend Mr. Black”

He just wasn’t as anal retentive on this stuff as the religious leaders who claim to be his ministers. Personally I think they’re just jealous because they can’t get any action themselves.

No wonder she’s having sex.

While I understand Biblical teachings about sex and marriage, this woman is almost 50 years old. She has already been through a marriage and had two kids. Having seen individuals in my own family go through a variety of “stuff” through the years, I can say that life is not always so cut-and-dried. People make choices the best they can according to what life hands them.

The legalistic pack mentality is creepy and reminds me of the short story, “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson. I pray for the continuation of mainline denominations in America that can balance out the lunacy of the fundamentalist fringe.

http://assets.mog.com/pictures/wikipedia/1620940/JeannieRileyAlbum.jpg

The Bible also speaks against gossiping….maybe those gossiping women ought to be brought up in front of the church for gossiping about others! They too, ought to be kicked out of the church.

And also any person who has been envious of their neighbor because they have more money than they do, because the Bible also speaks against envy.

Everyone is guilty of sin and those church members are not innocent by any means either

4they said unto Him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned but what sayest thou?”

6This they said testing Him, that they might have cause to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.

7So when they continued asking Him, He lifted Himself up and said unto them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

8And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9And they who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the eldest even unto the last, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing in the midst.

10When Jesus had lifted Himself up and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?”

11She said, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.”

John 8

I guess Rev. Christmas missed this passage during Sunday School.

> One lady allegedly told her “I was at your house when you didn’t >come home all night.’”

She was WHERE? I’m constantly amazed by the irony (paradox? hypocricy?) of conservatives freaking out over any kind of government involvement in business, but they sure want to allow their religion to invade the most personal aspects of other people’s lives.

The poor woman is screwed I guess. I doubt she could win a tort case over this matter, even if she wanted or could tolerate the greater attention it would bring her.

Delete please to avoid confusing people.

Thanks