Comment Archives: stories: News: Pith in the Wind
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
"But too many liberal churches tend to forget that members, however prosperous or seemingly happy, have real personal problems."
Many conservative churces tend to forget this as well, especially when the only "sexual sin" that is talked about in the pulpit is homosexuality.
I'd also point out that most Christian denonominations are declining, not just the Mainline ones. And Zoombah partially shows us why with his inane "War on Evangelical Christianity" comment. Evangelical Christians shares way more of the blame for it's decline than do all the sinister secular forces out there combined. And I'm a Christian. The politicalization of Christianity is largely responsible for turning off many, especially Generations X and younger, IMO.
Re: “Bill Haslam and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week”
Besides what is listed above, this Governor (and I do use that term very loosely) has overseen the downfall of three state departments (Labor, Children's Services, and General Services) in a little over two years. You also don't mention above the restraining order that was placed on the Governor this week for failing to comply with his own law that he shoved down the throats of long time state employees. In a nutshell, you appear to have a Governor (daddy's boy) who has always gotten his way because of the family's money, and he doesn't understand that you can't just do what you what you want others be damned. And, as usual, it appears his office and staff are made up of a bunch of "yes" men and women who will do what he wants because they don't have the balls, or the millions of dollars to fall back on, to stand up to him. This is a sad administration and appears to be more incompetent than Sundquist's regime, and that is saying a lot.
Re: “Tennessee Isn't Getting Marriage Equality Anytime Soon”
A broader more inclusive law banning ANY discrimination based on sexual preference or identity would IMHO be preferable, but that just may be a pipe dream given the current ownership of congress by business interests and religious based organization.
Re: “BREAKING: Local Magazine Refocuses Its Mission on Left-Wing Lifestyle”
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
zoombah's obvious keyboard courage aside, I find myself in partial agreement with Mark Rogers, in that conservative churches can and sometimes do good deeds. My issue with them is that they most often cancel those good deeds out by their hateful rhetoric on all things political and marriage equality. Now I realize that more liberal churches are involved in political influence, and yes that is contrary to their tax status. My solution would be to remove any and all tax benefits to churches with the possible exception to their charitable contributions.
That being said, offering to show someone the business end of their 12 gauge if they knocked on their door, especially if they are gay, just might qualify as some violation of good internet discussion etiquette. I just wonder if the Posting Etiquette and Legal Violations Marshall, Donna Locke, will rear her busy and talented head to render her little buddy, the zoomer, a well deserved correction and whack his.............
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
"But for xray and his fellow homophobes, they get stuck on the buttsex aspect of it and simply are not evolved enough to get beyond that."
There's more? If you know so much maybe you can tell us why so many (17%) of them have HIV/AIDS.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
Haw! Did you puff your chest out after typing that, tough guy?
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
"Now open wide so both barrels will fit."
Thanks for proving how unbelievably STUPID you are.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
Don't worry, you're not going to hurt my feelings, fuckface. Y'see, you are here to provide cheap laughs at your expense-- thanks for falling into the trap again!
Now open wide so both barrels will fit.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
"So Zoombah...are you saying that you would murder a gay person that knocked on your door or merely demonstrate just how widely you can open your stupid fat mouth? I can't wait for your response! I'm sure it will be a real knee-slapper!"
Oooooooo look! He got his widdle feeeeewings hurt!
I said nothing about shooting them, you idiot.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
Mark P., You're assuming "Mr. Twelvegauge" is a firearm.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
So Zoombah...are you saying that you would murder a gay person that knocked on your door or merely demonstrate just how widely you can open your stupid fat mouth? I can't wait for your response! I'm sure it will be a real knee-slapper!
Re: “BREAKING: Local Magazine Refocuses Its Mission on Left-Wing Lifestyle”
"[1] Move magazine offices to Nashville Peace and Justice Center"
Ha!
Now that would shoot right on past merely left wing and land squarely on full blown communist.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
The war on evangelical Christianity is alive and well...
And it's a good thing gay couples don't go door to door, since they would be introduced to Mr. Twelvegauge at my house.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
What agenda is the "gay lobby" trying to force on anyone? I can't recall in any of my years any gay couples going door to door trying to get me to join their club, believe what they believe, come to one of their meetings (I'm sure a lot of people are positive they have weekly meetings), or practice what they practice. Churches on the other hand...
If refusing to be treated like a second-class citizen is an "agenda," then force like hell!
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
Most intriguing element in that AP story: The Alabama pastor who says of gay kids, "Let's bring them in, show them what real biblical manhood is about and love them."
I look forward to insight from the Pith commentariat on the meaning of "real biblical manhood."
Re: “BREAKING: Local Magazine Refocuses Its Mission on Left-Wing Lifestyle”
Ha! I think I may stand alone in the Venn diagram of those who have worked with (and enjoyed doing so) both of the Barrys in question.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
Kosh,
just because a Church or a denomination talks a good game does not mean that their activities really help. Conversely, many churches do a great deal of good in their communities and elsewhere without lots of self-promotion.
Having worked with a number of conservative and evangelical churches on issues like child abuse and early education, I can tell you that many of them do amazing work.
Sometimes people who look to criticize 'conservative' churches miss an important point. You can feed the poor and protect the environment and visit prisoners but if you neglect the spiritual needs of members, something that cannot be done by telling someone to go help at a soup kitchen, then you might as well close the church and go work for the Red Cross.
Christianity is about helping those who need it. Christ is clear about that. But too many liberal churches tend to forget that members, however prosperous or seemingly happy, have real personal problems. How to deal with tragic loss, the prospect of death, deep spiritual depression and so forth are also part of the mission of a Church.
That is why so many theologically traditional and evangelical churches are growing while the mainstream Presbyterians and Methodists and Episcopalians are declining. Talk to people who left those churches and you will hear about a sense of loss of religion. Similarly, the Southern Baptists seem to be suffering from the same problem but from the other side. Too much politics and not enough religion.
Re: “Tennessee Isn't Getting Marriage Equality Anytime Soon”
There is no such thing as "easily fixed with legislation."
A better, more elegant, non-discriminatory solution, would be to simply declare bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, that way the word "spouse" in current legislation would be gender neutral.
Re: “The Southern Baptist Convention Walks a Fine Line”
"And I'm a Christian."
Sure you are.