Wednesday, May 07, 2008
If I ever have to go to prison, I can only hope that the recreational coordinator is as brilliant as the one at this prison!
Redemption through disco!
Redemption through disco!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I think CPS is overreaching with the FLDS people. I've thought it from the beginning, and I think it now. If I had been CPS in Texas, I would have done these things BEFORE I came in and took babies from their mothers:
1. Send a notice to every person on the YFZ ranch stating WHAT the law is, as it stands. Give the state and federal laws that may apply to them- spanking or physical abuse laws, bigamy laws, and marriage statutes. Tell the people WHAT the consequences of violations are, and that they will be enforced.
2. Then have a "town meeting" with the local sheriff, townspeople, and CPS workers.
3. Investigate each situation completely, and do the DNA testing ON the ranch or as a day trip. Coordinate the DNA tests with photos, family photos and genealogy trees and Ranch records.
4. Then, and only then, take the children who are still in unsuitable homes.
Don't get me wrong... I am TOTALLY against forced marriage of underage girls. I think in no uncertain terms the underage marriages needs to stop. I think they should enforce the laws, even bigamy. But to go in and take ALL the children when so few were products of underage marriages is ridiculous. That's like taking all the kids in Littleton, Colorado to foster care because a few parents produced mass murderers.
The FLDS is strange, but this seems excessive. I feel so sorry for the kids.
CPS has WAY too much power in America (or at least in some states)... When it comes to CPS a lot of constitutional rights do NOT apply. The laws are pretty invasive and the case loads of workers is insane. The goal is to protect children, but honestly there are SO many American children that are worse off than these kids it's pathetic.
If someone calls your home a "compound," watch out because your constitutional rights are about to go down the tubes!
Video of FLDS Parents
Honestly, who knows what to believe in this situation. But doesn't it seem like the FLDS are an easy target?
1. Send a notice to every person on the YFZ ranch stating WHAT the law is, as it stands. Give the state and federal laws that may apply to them- spanking or physical abuse laws, bigamy laws, and marriage statutes. Tell the people WHAT the consequences of violations are, and that they will be enforced.
2. Then have a "town meeting" with the local sheriff, townspeople, and CPS workers.
3. Investigate each situation completely, and do the DNA testing ON the ranch or as a day trip. Coordinate the DNA tests with photos, family photos and genealogy trees and Ranch records.
4. Then, and only then, take the children who are still in unsuitable homes.
Don't get me wrong... I am TOTALLY against forced marriage of underage girls. I think in no uncertain terms the underage marriages needs to stop. I think they should enforce the laws, even bigamy. But to go in and take ALL the children when so few were products of underage marriages is ridiculous. That's like taking all the kids in Littleton, Colorado to foster care because a few parents produced mass murderers.
The FLDS is strange, but this seems excessive. I feel so sorry for the kids.
CPS has WAY too much power in America (or at least in some states)... When it comes to CPS a lot of constitutional rights do NOT apply. The laws are pretty invasive and the case loads of workers is insane. The goal is to protect children, but honestly there are SO many American children that are worse off than these kids it's pathetic.
If someone calls your home a "compound," watch out because your constitutional rights are about to go down the tubes!
Video of FLDS Parents
Honestly, who knows what to believe in this situation. But doesn't it seem like the FLDS are an easy target?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
I thought people might be interested in knowing about other polygamists in America. I am blown away with how "normal" some of these people are! I still feel sorry for the kids though because how could you be as close to your dad this way. Anyway, enjoy the link...
This is SO interesting! Oh and keep a look out for the drinking fountain in the kitchen! That's a pretty good idea actually... it would cut down on dishes!
Plural Family in Salt Lake City
This is SO interesting! Oh and keep a look out for the drinking fountain in the kitchen! That's a pretty good idea actually... it would cut down on dishes!
Plural Family in Salt Lake City
Saturday, April 19, 2008
I just had to post that Lucy is officially walking now. She is so cute! She pushes a little hippo that I bought her at a yard sale last summer... it's fun to see her finally use it.
Andy had his first t-ball game and hit the longest drive (is that what they call it in t-ball?) of the team! He's really into hitting things hard, so t-ball's great for him.
Noah is so cute and yesterday came up to me and matter of factly stated, "You might like going in a Zumble-zay." This was his adorable way of asking me to read Marvin K. Mooney to him.
So our house is COMPLETELY torn up... we've got 12 different paint samples on the walls, things in storage boxes, furniture pushed aside... it is a complete and total mess. Because we are starting the process of spring cleaning and redecorating/freshening things up. We've not done this for *a while* so it's *pressing*.
It's fun to think about. I'm going totally cheap these days... I'm planning on buying an Ikea Ektorp sofa, loveseat, and chair (don't know which pattern yet). I am also buying an armoire (for a homeschool nook) and painting a bunch of our existing furniture. We're going to make Noah a little learning area, sensory area, and playroom out of our *primitive* basement! And then Lucy will have her own room, but that won't be until summer. I still like having her with us, and really she's not having it any other way right now... oops! So we're repainting the living room, dining room, kitchen, and stairs/hall area. The other rooms upstairs might get refreshed, but that's not until later. Then it's deep cleaning, organizing and steam cleaning all the furniture and carpets. I might even try to clean the outsides of these ridiculously difficult to clean old windows... we'll see.
So, we'll be busy!
I'm giving myself a deadline of a month because we'll be having lots of company over Memorial Day! I'd like to sit back and enjoy it.
Andy had his first t-ball game and hit the longest drive (is that what they call it in t-ball?) of the team! He's really into hitting things hard, so t-ball's great for him.
Noah is so cute and yesterday came up to me and matter of factly stated, "You might like going in a Zumble-zay." This was his adorable way of asking me to read Marvin K. Mooney to him.
So our house is COMPLETELY torn up... we've got 12 different paint samples on the walls, things in storage boxes, furniture pushed aside... it is a complete and total mess. Because we are starting the process of spring cleaning and redecorating/freshening things up. We've not done this for *a while* so it's *pressing*.
It's fun to think about. I'm going totally cheap these days... I'm planning on buying an Ikea Ektorp sofa, loveseat, and chair (don't know which pattern yet). I am also buying an armoire (for a homeschool nook) and painting a bunch of our existing furniture. We're going to make Noah a little learning area, sensory area, and playroom out of our *primitive* basement! And then Lucy will have her own room, but that won't be until summer. I still like having her with us, and really she's not having it any other way right now... oops! So we're repainting the living room, dining room, kitchen, and stairs/hall area. The other rooms upstairs might get refreshed, but that's not until later. Then it's deep cleaning, organizing and steam cleaning all the furniture and carpets. I might even try to clean the outsides of these ridiculously difficult to clean old windows... we'll see.
So, we'll be busy!
I'm giving myself a deadline of a month because we'll be having lots of company over Memorial Day! I'd like to sit back and enjoy it.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I found an answer about the Creation/Evolution debate in Orthodox terms. This is what I believe too... and I didn't have to go and write it all... I can just Cut and Paste!
The Holy Orthodox Church teaches that the Old Testament's purpose is NOT to record literal history, but to explain the relationship of God and man. What is critical to our Faith is in the Creed and all it says about Creation is that God the Father is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible and that He did so through His Son, Christ Jesus. It does not say, nor does it require us to know HOW God created, but simply to know that God created.
All this controversy has arisen in relatively recent times because of the Protestant concept of Sola Scriptura. When they discarded the wisdom of Holy Tradition, all they were left with was the Bible itself and this creates a certain logical dilemma: with nothing concrete to guide you, how do you know what is literal and which is not, unless you treat it ALL as literal? Orthodoxy, happily, does not have that problem to contend with. We can freely accept the Old Testament as largely allegorical or even "legend" in the sense as expressed by the noted Anglican theologian G. K. Chesterton who wrote: "A legend as a matter of fact ought to be treated more respectfully than a book of history. The legend is generally made by the majority in the village who are sane. The history book is generally written by the one man in the village who is mad."
Holy Scripture is not a history book, it is so much more than that. As the Holy Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Not a word about "history" is there? Even if Holy Scripture is NOT a history book, doesn't it accomplish the above anyway?
I used to be concerned about this too, for the very reasons you state, but time and patience has allowed me to see what the Church seems to say: don't get too worked up over the things that things are NOT critical to salvation, work on the things that are.
Your servant,
Herman
Here's a follow up answer too. I'm not sure I think that ALL young earth creationists think the way Herman thinks they might... but I think many do.
It looks like you are probably better read on the topic than I am. I am not sure how much more I can add to the subject, other than to say that the debate is not really about "evolution" per se, but about God, because the "young earth" people have managed to allow "scienceism" the philosophical high ground. The atheists have been allowed to reduce the terms of the debate to: "if there is evolution there can be no God, if there is God, there can be no evolution". We have attempted to place God into a box, which you and I know is impossible. Since the terms of the debate are flawed, then the debate itself is flawed. Orthodoxy teaches that this is NOT about God against science, it is about science trying to explain something that it has no business doing. God created science but is outside Creation. Math is the language with which God wrote the Universe. His Will is what makes the physical laws of science constant. Science is fine and dandy at explaining Creation, but that which is Uncreated is beyond the ability for the scientific method to explain or prove. How do we measure God? Science can explain the relationships in a closed ecosphere, but it cannot explain the relationship between man and God. The Bible is not a science or history textbook, it is a textbook about relationships, how man was created in God's image and likeness, but turned away, and how God works through His Creation to call all of it back unto Himself. It is not about HOW we got here, it is about WHY we are where we are and HOW we get BACK to where we need to be. To paraphrase our Lord's words: "Render unto science that which belongs to science, and render unto God, that which belongs to God." As for me, I do not believe that Holy Scripture is a literal documentary of exactly what happened, nor is that it's purpose. I also do not believe that evolution answers all the questions of how we got here in a satisfactory manner. When you try to use something for a purpose it was not meant for, there are problems. The followers of scientism, in my mind, show a much greater "faith" in things unseen by believing that they do NOT exist (and evidently do not exist until they are "discovered") than those of us who prefer to withhold judgement until more evidence is put forward. Who then, has the open mind? Those who refuse to believe anything until it is "proven," or those who accept that things can exist even if we are not aware of them, and that Something can exist outside of Creation?
Sad point of fact for the atheist evolutionists; in their zeal to "believe" in evolution, which is, to point a fact, unproven, they create a more rigid dogma and embark on a greater Inquisition than Torquemada ever dreamed of. They manufacture "facts" and "proofs" at will to justify themselves and to "disprove" God, which makes them no more than modern-day Adams, trying to be BE God. But I suspect I am beginning to ramble.
Your rambling servant,
Herman
I think that this topic alludes to a greater one written about in the current issue of Touchstone. I can't find an online copy of it, but when I do I'll post the link.
Anyway, the article talks about how when we teach our children the infallibility of a church or denomination or set of beliefs... when they grow up and find flaws (as they inevitably will) they will throw it all away. So my goal as a parent (we'll see if I can accomplish this) is to continually point everything back to God. Theology is our best attempt (and I believe often supernaturally driven) to explain the point of the human existence. And generally the older the doctrine is, the longer we've had time to clarify it and throw it out if the churches and councils do not accept it as truth. So new doctrines or interpretations or clarifications take time to become part of the collection of doctrine that we deem to be "truth." It's a huge mistake to teach our children to accept without question our faith. The questions are very important! These questions help children to grow up and make faith their own. It is NEVER wrong for a child or adult to question things. I think it's important even that we question authority over us. I think for too long, I made the mistake of feeling like I needed to accept EVERYTHING an authority over me thought and taught. This is simply not true. And I don't think we should test things simply with scripture as many different interpretations can arise, and it becomes impossible to distinguish people led by the Holy Spirit or people led by their intellect. It also turns us all into judgmental characters forever examining people by their fruit!
And we should NEVER EVER make the mistake of looking to other Christians to prove the authenticity of our own faith... because you know what? They could be acting. And there are some pretty good actors out there!
Anyway, just a thought this morning I had... guess I'd better go prepare for the day! Gotta start school at 9:00! There are so many other people who know so much more than I do on this subject, it seems silly for me even to write my little blog/journal entry about it. But for any of my friends and family who worry or wonder about me... this is my belief system.
The Holy Orthodox Church teaches that the Old Testament's purpose is NOT to record literal history, but to explain the relationship of God and man. What is critical to our Faith is in the Creed and all it says about Creation is that God the Father is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible and that He did so through His Son, Christ Jesus. It does not say, nor does it require us to know HOW God created, but simply to know that God created.
All this controversy has arisen in relatively recent times because of the Protestant concept of Sola Scriptura. When they discarded the wisdom of Holy Tradition, all they were left with was the Bible itself and this creates a certain logical dilemma: with nothing concrete to guide you, how do you know what is literal and which is not, unless you treat it ALL as literal? Orthodoxy, happily, does not have that problem to contend with. We can freely accept the Old Testament as largely allegorical or even "legend" in the sense as expressed by the noted Anglican theologian G. K. Chesterton who wrote: "A legend as a matter of fact ought to be treated more respectfully than a book of history. The legend is generally made by the majority in the village who are sane. The history book is generally written by the one man in the village who is mad."
Holy Scripture is not a history book, it is so much more than that. As the Holy Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Not a word about "history" is there? Even if Holy Scripture is NOT a history book, doesn't it accomplish the above anyway?
I used to be concerned about this too, for the very reasons you state, but time and patience has allowed me to see what the Church seems to say: don't get too worked up over the things that things are NOT critical to salvation, work on the things that are.
Your servant,
Herman
Here's a follow up answer too. I'm not sure I think that ALL young earth creationists think the way Herman thinks they might... but I think many do.
It looks like you are probably better read on the topic than I am. I am not sure how much more I can add to the subject, other than to say that the debate is not really about "evolution" per se, but about God, because the "young earth" people have managed to allow "scienceism" the philosophical high ground. The atheists have been allowed to reduce the terms of the debate to: "if there is evolution there can be no God, if there is God, there can be no evolution". We have attempted to place God into a box, which you and I know is impossible. Since the terms of the debate are flawed, then the debate itself is flawed. Orthodoxy teaches that this is NOT about God against science, it is about science trying to explain something that it has no business doing. God created science but is outside Creation. Math is the language with which God wrote the Universe. His Will is what makes the physical laws of science constant. Science is fine and dandy at explaining Creation, but that which is Uncreated is beyond the ability for the scientific method to explain or prove. How do we measure God? Science can explain the relationships in a closed ecosphere, but it cannot explain the relationship between man and God. The Bible is not a science or history textbook, it is a textbook about relationships, how man was created in God's image and likeness, but turned away, and how God works through His Creation to call all of it back unto Himself. It is not about HOW we got here, it is about WHY we are where we are and HOW we get BACK to where we need to be. To paraphrase our Lord's words: "Render unto science that which belongs to science, and render unto God, that which belongs to God." As for me, I do not believe that Holy Scripture is a literal documentary of exactly what happened, nor is that it's purpose. I also do not believe that evolution answers all the questions of how we got here in a satisfactory manner. When you try to use something for a purpose it was not meant for, there are problems. The followers of scientism, in my mind, show a much greater "faith" in things unseen by believing that they do NOT exist (and evidently do not exist until they are "discovered") than those of us who prefer to withhold judgement until more evidence is put forward. Who then, has the open mind? Those who refuse to believe anything until it is "proven," or those who accept that things can exist even if we are not aware of them, and that Something can exist outside of Creation?
Sad point of fact for the atheist evolutionists; in their zeal to "believe" in evolution, which is, to point a fact, unproven, they create a more rigid dogma and embark on a greater Inquisition than Torquemada ever dreamed of. They manufacture "facts" and "proofs" at will to justify themselves and to "disprove" God, which makes them no more than modern-day Adams, trying to be BE God. But I suspect I am beginning to ramble.
Your rambling servant,
Herman
I think that this topic alludes to a greater one written about in the current issue of Touchstone. I can't find an online copy of it, but when I do I'll post the link.
Anyway, the article talks about how when we teach our children the infallibility of a church or denomination or set of beliefs... when they grow up and find flaws (as they inevitably will) they will throw it all away. So my goal as a parent (we'll see if I can accomplish this) is to continually point everything back to God. Theology is our best attempt (and I believe often supernaturally driven) to explain the point of the human existence. And generally the older the doctrine is, the longer we've had time to clarify it and throw it out if the churches and councils do not accept it as truth. So new doctrines or interpretations or clarifications take time to become part of the collection of doctrine that we deem to be "truth." It's a huge mistake to teach our children to accept without question our faith. The questions are very important! These questions help children to grow up and make faith their own. It is NEVER wrong for a child or adult to question things. I think it's important even that we question authority over us. I think for too long, I made the mistake of feeling like I needed to accept EVERYTHING an authority over me thought and taught. This is simply not true. And I don't think we should test things simply with scripture as many different interpretations can arise, and it becomes impossible to distinguish people led by the Holy Spirit or people led by their intellect. It also turns us all into judgmental characters forever examining people by their fruit!
And we should NEVER EVER make the mistake of looking to other Christians to prove the authenticity of our own faith... because you know what? They could be acting. And there are some pretty good actors out there!
Anyway, just a thought this morning I had... guess I'd better go prepare for the day! Gotta start school at 9:00! There are so many other people who know so much more than I do on this subject, it seems silly for me even to write my little blog/journal entry about it. But for any of my friends and family who worry or wonder about me... this is my belief system.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Okay... it disturbs me that students in schools do not have the same constitutional right of no unreasonable searches or seizures. The drug they were looking for when they strip-searched her was prescription Ibuprofen. They found nothing on her body.
The search happened because another student reported her. It would be SO easy for kids to lie!
This really scares me. At the very least, they should seek parental permission first!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24008841#23981699
The search happened because another student reported her. It would be SO easy for kids to lie!
This really scares me. At the very least, they should seek parental permission first!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24008841#23981699
