A blog entry from the future ...

WARNING:  This is a prediction-based fake entry, one that you might see in 25 years given our "progressive" trajectory.  Progressive ... such an interesting word.  You can progress toward anything, even toward and ultimately over a cliff.  If this entry shocks anyone - good.  It's where we are heading.

Senator Sarah Silverman
New Babylon (formerly Washington D.C.)

Re:  A letter requesting your "tolerance" and asking for further "equality":

Your Luminatory Eminence,

I am a 35 year old man living in this current year of 2039, a modern-thinking world where old, tired ideas like capitalism, faith-based thinking, and objective morality are a thing of the past.  When I ponder that the founders of America tried to press upon us Christian values through their oppressive laws and "Bill of Rights" (ha!) almost 300 years ago, I get queasy.  I'm so glad we got past that.  20 or so years ago, we finally got past this "same sex marriage" issue and, as a result ... since it's now legal ... it's now assumed to be completely normal ... as it should be.  Just like drug use, stealing when "necessary", and same-day divorce.  Also, we can now do great things like terminate babies post-birth (up to 3 years post-birth - thank you so much for signing that into law - it really is the parents' decision), a man can marry one or more other men or women or a combination thereof, and our great government takes care of us all with our 80% income tax and "Don't You Worry About a Thing - We've Got Your Back" platform.  Thank Hawking for our indefinite President, Chelsea Clinton.  She's done great things in the 10 years she's been our Grand Imperial President.  Here's to 10+ more years!

But I'm writing in the spirit of further "progress".  I am in love with someone, but everywhere we go we are looked upon with judgement, especially by his overbearing parents.  How dare they judge me and my 10 year old boyfriend.  They say it is not "judgement", but rather they are simply conveying truth about what is right and wrong.  What a silly idea.  Again, old and tired thinking.  Truth is different for everyone.  They say things like, "Well, Hitler had his ideas on right and wrong that were subjective, too", but I just ignore them.  Not sure who this Hitler is, really, anyway.  They probably made him up.

Anyway, my relationship with Timmy is fully consensual, he returns my love, and we wish to be married.  Why can't we?  Who are the lawmakers to define marriage in such a narrow way?  They can't say it's based on anything solid - I mean, that went out the window when Hillary Clinton FINALLY federalized gay marriage back in 2017, making it legal across our great country, The United States of Chinerica (now 51% owned by our great mother country, China).

As a lawyer, I know that - once precedence is set - the doors are swung open for other steps of progress, like anti-age gap marriage legislation as I'm discussing here.

I am asking for you to vote "yea" for the Freedom of Marriage Act coming through the Senate this month for your vote, Ms. Silverman.  It will open up such freedoms I am requesting, as well as Same-Immediate-Family Marriage, and Human-Pet Marriage that are LONG overdue.

Let's progress together!  All Hail Clinton, and all Hail Imperial Mother China!

In Hawking,
Jack Bowers (although I go by Jackolyn from Thursday through Sunday)


Sidenote:  This is simply a prediction-based sattire.  I love all people, including those with homosexual inclinations.  I have inclinations of my own - different, but no less an issue.  Let's be clear:  Gay people are already equal in all ways.  They simply can't legally commit to one another and call it "marriage" since the only objective definition of marriage is, "Between one man and one woman."  That's marriage as defined by our Creator.  If two same sex individuals would like to commit to one another, another word must be chosen.  All of that said, once the doors are open to this word's definition, anything is fair game.  Just a thought worth considering, presented in a unique way.

Tele-Evangelism vs Actual Evangelism

You've seen them.  The over-the-top Televangelist on stage, with a sparkly suit and a chicklette grin, pa-raisin' Jeee-sus!  These "pitch men" are one of the reasons why I used to find the idea of Christianity repellent.  It kept the barrier up between Greg the "Comfortable Agnostic" and Greg the "Seeker of Truth".  I was talking to my Pastor the other day and he conveyed a story about a guy in Seminary with him who was not in any way an actual believer, but said he was a seminary because, "there is money in this religion thing."  Horrible, but not surprising given the world we live in ... and the greed-centric country we live in.  To use something pure and good for power and money is nothing new, though.  But that disgraceful reality needs to be separated from true "evangelism".

So, what is this "true evangelism" of which you speak, Greg?  Hey, thanks for asking, Greg.

Evangelism = Sharing incredible news to those who:

1. Are completely unaware of that news (there are so many, it's crazy),
2. Have a very watered-down or skewed version of that news in their head that they think is correct (even more of these)
3. Or to those who just need a reminder of the news (and there are a ton of these)

You say, "So what?  So, they don't know.  What's the big deal?"

It matters because it's actually the only reason we're here on this planet.  And if someone doesn't know, that's a problem on so many levels.

Imagine a stream of tubers.  By the way ... If you've not been down the Guadalupe River in a tube and you're now older than 25, I'm suggesting you cross that off your bucket list.  Gross.  Anyway, back to the stream, and YOU are one of the thousands of those tubers rushing down the river.   You make it to the side and pull yourself out of said stream to find what it's "really all about".   And you truly couldn't see it until you were out of the river.  You learn that your true purpose is over the horizon perpendicular to the river and the river you were in was actually taking you over a waterfall that will eventually drop into a bottomless pit.

What would you do then?  Would you start walking, leaving all those tubers in the river behind?  Or would you attempt to share what you know with them?  Do you care enough to turn around, face potential ridicule from the tubers who will call you crazy and to "get back in the river!"?  Do you let them rush by because, well, you don't want to bother them or make them feel uncomfortable or  be called "intolerant"?

God tells us something we already inherently know:  To care enough to share the good news, especially if it matters in eternity.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter   

Proverbs 24:11

For those who know the news, we've been loved and shown the light.  We were blind and now we see.  We are called, now, to love others.  To walk away from the stream without helping others out too because of fear of ridicule or out of some misguided, worldly pressure to be "tolerant", would be unloving and uncaring.

For those who don't know the news, be patient with us.  Hear us out.  We really do mean well and we care about you.  And - coming from someone who was blind just 5 years ago - we may have some data you need to hear and consider.  There really is a MUCH better life, there is hope, and there is so much more once our bodies are gone.  

I'll start with the "Actual Evangelism":  God created this Universe we enjoy.  He cares about us.  So much so that He sent His only son to show us the way to live and, ultimately, to die for us as a sacrifice for our sins - past, present and future.  He asks that you not blindly believe this, but look into it, think it through, then accept Jesus as your king - the one who saved you.  That's the first step.  He sent His only son so you won't ever die - not in spirit.  You'll have everlasting life.  I know as a non-believer, this sounds whacky and not at all what the world tells us every day.  But it's true.  100% true.  Please, look into it.  Swim to the bank of the river and let us help you out.

God bless.

Setting the Record Straight

There are some common misperceptions about the Christian faith that are propagated by BOTH non-Christians and people who claim to be Christians alike.  Before doing that, allow me to make a statement:

Christians are NOT Christianity.  Don't get me wrong - they should be, but many times they are not even in the same ballpark.  What I mean by that is, please don't confuse some of the flawed actions of some Christians throughout history, with Jesus or what Christ Himself asks of us.  Crazy and even evil things have been done in the name of the Christian God (think "Westborough Baptists" or the Crusades).  These things contradict what the Bible actually says.  They've been done by evil men who wanted power or wealth, and they used something that is pure and good and right to accomplish their goals.  Or - maybe worse - those actions have been done by ignorant people who didn't take the time to learn for themselves what the Gospel truly has to say.

But let's be clear.  That is not a "Christian thing".  This is true of ALL humans.  So it really has nothing to do with Christianity, but rather our flaws and imperfections as people - believers and unbelievers alike.  In short, don't blame Christ and the beauty and truth of Christianity for the actions of a percentage of people calling themselves Christian.

So, on to setting the record straight.  A few items to point out, in short:

1. Faith in Jesus is not a "blind" faith.  Not at all.  There is much to learn for someone who thinks this.  Unfortunately, that data has been removed from our schools.
2. Christians do not (or should not) hate those with homosexual tendencies.  Quite the opposite.  God loves everyone and so should every Christian.  Period.  Don't confuse the person with the action or temptation.
3. While there are many fairy tales from ancient times, the Judeo-Christian scriptures are NOT folklore.  They are historical, and this has been well proven and documented.
4. Science and Christianity do not conflict.  They support one another.  For example, at one point in the distant past, time and space began, perhaps through a brilliant flash of light we can easily call a "Big Bang".  And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.  Genesis 1:3.
5. On that subject, the Universe is a well-balanced, well-engineered, well-architected marvel.  It did not come from nothing - I don't have enough faith to believe something that ludicrous.  Everything but the uncreated Architect had a cause.  Dawkins will say, "Then who created God?"  Great question, but the answer is self-evident.  Something had to start it all that had no cause.  That something - or someone - had to be infinite, without beginning or end.
6. Christians are greater supporters of women and women's rights than any other organization on Earth, including misguided orgs like NOW.  Don't confuse this with the "Woman's Right to Choose" campaign ... that is another subject entirely, where the focus is on the life WITHIN the woman, not the woman herself.
7. There is only one way to God and to Heaven.  That is belief in His son, Jesus.  This sounds exclusionary, I know, but all truth claims are exclusionary in essence.  Even the truth claim that there is no truth (Is that claim true?).  That said, the offer is open to EVERYONE.
8. Religion ≠ Christianity.  If your view of Christianity and belief in Jesus is one of following rules and never doing anything fun, you're confusing it with religion.  Jesus came to eradicate religion and to pay our debt so that we could be brought back to square one.  Religion is man-made.  Christianity is God-sponsored.
9. Plus, they aren't rules anyway.  They are "laws".  Forget what you think about our man-made laws today and take God's laws for what they ACTUALLY are:  truths to keep us safe, give us true life and joy, and to please Him, our Father.  Think of the law of gravity, for instance.  You can try to break that law by jumping off a building, but you will die or be harmed somehow.  That's all the laws are - to keep us (His children) from harming ourselves.  Trust me, we need boundaries and guidance.  He is simply a good Father.
10. Clever platitudes and opinions - in the end - mean precisely squat.  Unless you are willing to study all the data with an open mind - both for and against Christianity and its historicity, its truth, and its importance in all our lives - you should keep your "well, I think" comments to yourself.  That includes me, all non-Christians, and all Christians.  Everybody.  Too many Christians think they know, but they don't.  They just grew up with it and never questioned it.  Too many non-Christians think they know, but they've never ACTUALLY looked into it fully with an open mind.  To both I say, "mark this as top priority".  If it matters (which I know now that it does), it means your eternity either in heaven, with Jesus and never-ending joy ... or it means your eternity in Hell (a.k.a. without God) and the agony, bitterness, and sadness that comes with it.  Keep in mind ... YOU are making that choice, not God.  It's called free will.

I'll keep it to ten, although I'd like to go on.  Too much misinformation has been passed around, and we all seem to suck it up readily without ever peering beneath the surface.  We are a "fast information" and "yeah, that sounds right" culture.  We are easily fooled - like lambs to the slaughter.  Unless we look up, look around, and look into it, we will continue to believe untruths.  

So let's cut to the chase.  Why am I telling you all of this?  It's to plant a seed.  It's to make you think, "Hmmm ... maybe I DON'T know everything I need to know."  

But know this:  God loves you, no matter what you've done or what you currently believe.  He just wants you.  He wants to love you and shape you into the person He created you to be.  He knows you're not perfect (or even close).  None of us are.  He wants you just as you are for now.  But he won't force you.  He wants it to be a real real relationship - and that takes free will.  It takes you making a choice to love Him back.  

It all starts with a statement like the following (assuming you believe what you're saying):

God, whether or not I think of myself as a "good" person by worldly standards, I'm not.  I am a sinner, and I can't do it alone.  I need help.  I need to be saved.  I acknowledge that Jesus came to die for my sins, and by believing in Him and accepting Him as my Lord (owner of my life) and Savior (my hero), I can be redeemed - made new.  The old man gone, the new man born.  I commit my life to following Jesus Christ, to turning away from my sins, to learning all I can about His Truth, then taking action on that Truth to the best of my abilities.  I am small in comparison to God, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  From this point forward, He will increase in me, and I will decrease.  Amen.

I love you all.  God bless you and keep you.  I mean that.