Thoughts and Observations

It’s A Cats life….

Brian — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:21:58 +0000

Yesterday Texas had it’s Primary/Caucus. Depending on which party you declared. Though I have been voting Republican lately, I had to vote for Obama in the Primary. Sorry to see him lose the popular vote. But I think McCain will have an easier time beating Obama.

But what does this have to do with a cat’s life? I am glad you asked. I have two cats, Snickers and Princess. I have had, or better, they have had me, now going on 9 1/2 years. I adopted them when they were 6 months old. They have moved with me around the country. All they care about is a clean litter box, fresh water and food, having plenty of toys and of course a great comfortable place to sleep.

That is all they have to worry about. To them it doesn’t matter who is in the White House. It doesn’t matter to them that the economy is in the dumps. It doesn’t matter to them that someone just walks randomly into a fast food joint and shoots up the place.

As long as the basic things in life are met, they care content. The biggest issue I think they have is who gets to sleep where. Usually, they end up wanting to sleep in the same place.

Why has our society gotten so complicated? When did this happen?

Are you familiar with The Solow Paradox? If not, the quick and simple explanation is this: You can see the computer age everywhere you look, except in productivity.

What does this mean? Simply stated, in my opinion, is that we have come to think that computers can handle everything. That we as humans do not have to be as proactive anymore. But this is simply not true. Most computers today are still simple machines built by humans. They can’t think for themselves and live by strict rules that can’t be broken. But yet we think just cause we press “enter” all is taken care of.

Think about it. We need computers and computer programs to monitor what our children watch on tv and see on the internet. We need computers to tell us when the popcorn is done. We need computers to tell us when we should spend time with someone special.

How did people live before computers entered the home? I can’t imagine.

Luckily my cats don’t know how to use the Internet. Who knows what kind of “pussy-cat” porn they would be looking at? Slow down, enjoy life. It will be over before you know it.

Friendship

Brian — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:15:55 +0000

What is the tell of a true friendship? Is it helping one out when they need it? Is it being there to laugh with you? Is it being able to share the highs and lows of life with? What about deep dark secrets? How about celebrating special events?

As I sit here and write this at 1am the day after my birthday, I think to myself what is the definition of a true friend vs. friend vs. someone you know. I have to admit this is coming out frustration. I invited a number of people this past Sunday to join me for a happy hour on my birthday. NO ONE SHOWED UP! Only two people called.

I realize people have lives, families, work, things come up. But a birthday is something special. A time to reflect and celebrate. Even if just one person showed up would have been nice. I wasn’t looking for people to buy me a round or buy dinner. Just hang out.

But does this mean they are less of a friend? My closest friend who knows me better than just about anyone else is Lou. But he lives in St. Louis. But we talked on the phone. Lou has been there for me ever since we were 15. From watching over me when I got shit faced drunk at a party to my marriage to my divorce and everything else. We don’t see each other often. But we talk. All the time. He would have been there if he could.

I guess I am just hurt that I wasn’t important enough for anyone to even call and say hey, I can’t make it but happy birthday.

Are we that wrapped up in our own little worlds that simple courtesy doesn’t exist anymore? Are things moving that fast that we can’t slow down? Life will go right by you if you don’t slow down and smell the roses.

Why I like NASCAR

Brian — Sun, 20 May 2007 22:46:55 +0000

Many people ask me why I am such a NASCAR fan. How can I sit and watch cars go in circles for fours at a time? There is no athleticism in it. It is just advertising.

But it is more than that. It is a “thinking man’s sport”. There is the unexpected. The surprises. So let’s break it down.

1) The thrill of the sport.

We all like speed. The thrill of going faster than we should. Well these men (and some women) get to do this week in and week out. The thrill of watching three cars go through a turn at 190 mph side by side in a area big enough for two cars. It is watching two cars trying to be the first across the line at the end, and only being .010 seconds apart. The thrill that you know something is going to happen. Someone is going to crash. When? Where? How? It just happens. At Talladega and Daytona this is known as “The Big One”. The Big One can take out half of the 43 cars that started.

2) The mental part.

All auto racing is a thinking game today. With multiple engineers on the team, they can approximate the amount of fuel they will need down to within 1 lap. They can determine how to adjust the tire pressure according to what the driver is telling them during the race. When to pass, when not to pass.

3) The people

Drivers are very accessible to fans. They won’t say no to giving an autograph. They don’t charge exuberant amounts to attend a function. They drive for the love of driving. Yes, they make a lot of money, but you will never see NASCAR having a strike because of revenue sharing or contracts. Everyone gets a piece of the pie. You very rarely hear about a driver getting into trouble. They don’t beat their wives, aren’t into drugs or driving around with a small armament in their cars. They also have to be some of the most athletic people on earth. Have you ever tried driving 190mph for 4 hours in 130 degree heat with no a/c? Once you have done that then you can make a comment about the drivers not being athletes.

The fans are the other part of the people equation. The fans of NASCAR are known as the “NASCAR NATION” and I am proud to call myself a member of this nation. NASCAR is not a redneck sport anymore. It is hard to explain the fans of NASCAR. You really need to go to an event to experience it first hand. There is nothing like going to a race with 250,000 other fans of every socio-economic background.

The fans are very dedicated to their driver. There is no rooting for a team because they won. You are either a Chevy, Ford, Dodge or Toyota person. No switching back and forth. You are either a 24/48 fan or an 8/3 fan. There is no switching. You virtually wear your team dedication on your sleeve. (For me it is 8/3/42).

And to answer the question about the marketing part, yes, NASCAR has to be the greatest marketing machine ever created. With millions watching every week in addition to the 250,00 at the track, the exposure is great for a sponsor. For their $20 million investment every year they expect something back for their money. The NASCAR Nation is so dedicated that they will buy their favorite driver’s sponsors items. No question asked. These company can tell you exactly how much they made in profits from sponsoring a team.

So, hopefully now you have an insight into why I like NASCAR so much. There is much more I could say about the sport, and I will in future blogs, but for now I just wanted to get to the point.

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity Boys! Let’s Go Racing!

Brian — Tue, 15 May 2007 03:16:16 +0000

I am always amazed at people and how they think they know what is best for others. What gene is it that causes thinking? Where is it written in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence?

Recently it was announced by the MPAA (the people that rate movies) will look more strongly at hard rating on movies if there is any smoking. I am not condoning smoking, I for one am a smoker. But it is the fact that this group of people think they know what is right for the American Public. How is this going to stop people from smoking? Or from starting? It isn’t. Doing things like this just want to make people do it more. If you aren’t interested in seeing a movie for various reasons that is fine. That is your choice.

But it is bigger than just the movies. It is everything that people are doing to regulate us. To me, this is going against everything America stands for.

We as Americans, more than that, as humans have freewill. It is our decision on what is wrong and right. Good or bad. I am not saying we need to be lite on all things. I am for DUI laws, sex offender laws, etc. BUT to tell me what I can and cannot watch, or eat or say, is just not right. The guidance is fine, but that is it. Guidance.

I don’t have kids. But most of my close friends do. And I have to say, I am very upset with things I hear and read. Parents and Parent groups wanting the government to control what the media produces and what toys are made and control the Internet. It is NOT the government’s job to babysit your kids. It is your job. Grow up. Teach your kids morals and proper behaviors. It is your responsibility to raise your children, not the governments, not mine, not your neighbors. YOURS!

Where in the Constitution does it let these people have the right to set the rules of what is right and wrong for all people. If you don’t like something that is said, or printed, or produced in any form, that is your choice. But I may not agree. And vice versa.

We are we going to grow up? When are we going to realize that we can make our own choices? When are we going to tell our lawmakers to lay off and concentrate on things that matter?

It is time to step up and stop these people from telling us what we can and can’t do.

End of Days Pt 2

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:10:18 +0000

While researching about the Jewish view of end of days, and using the always useful, Wikepdia, I discovered all about other faiths beliefs of end of days. So, using Wikepdia, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology , I decided to give the “Cliff notes” Version of this entry and a give my opinion on each one. Again, the opinions are mine and mine alone. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone.

Buddhism

Buddha himself believed that his teaching would only last 500 years. But sometime during the Middle Ages, this was expanded to 5,000 years by believers. Buddha believed people would fall into an amoral world of sin, crime, poverty, and so forth. For the most part, he right. A large number of people have followed an amoral life. But as with all other beliefs, Buddhist believe in cycles and this is just another step in the cycle of life.

Christianity

The only way I can tell you about this view is just show you what is written in Wikepdia. NOTE: This in no way is my belief or opinion. It is just what Wikepida has to say on the matter:

Current biblical scholarship, particularly form criticism, tends to view the apocalyptic language in the Bible as being addressed to events at the time of the authors of its various books. Revelation, for example, is interpreted as a polemic against Rome, and a deep theological expression about the futility of temporal power in the face of faith in God. Similar non-canonical works previously accepted as valid by the Christian Church, such as the Apocalypse of Peter present a variety of apocalyptic scenarios and may have originally been intended as spiritual allegories.Such readings of scripture typically dismiss attempts to find apocalyptic prophecy or codes in the Book of Daniel, the so-called mini-apocalypse in Isaiah, and in Revelation. Scripture, in their estimation, does indeed have significance today but its historical and cultural basis cannot be ignored. If the texts were addressed to a disaster many millennia away, it makes little sense that the prophet speaking would have any audience at all. It is a great deal more likely that the prophet was addressing the situation of his people in that moment. Over time, essential truths continued to be spoken by the Scriptures, but their underlying purpose is seen, in this mode of exegesis, to have little to do with the end of creation and more to do with the failings of secular institutions and the emptiness of a life without faith.Still other Christians anticipate that biblical prophecy will be fulfilled literally, as it has in the past. They see current world and regional wars, earthquakes, hurricanes and famines as the beginning of the birth pains which Jesus described in Matthew 24:7-8 and Mark 13:8

I do agree with this last paragraph.

Look at all the major natural disasters of the last fifty years: The San Francisco Earthquake in 1989, various earthquakes in the Middle East and Asia Minor, massive wildfires in the United States, and the Tsunami of 2004.

Hinduism

Hindus do not believe in end of days or damnation of the humans. They, like Buddhists, believe in cycles. Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirva Bhavathi Bharatha, Abhyuthanam Adharmaysya Tadatmanam Srijami Aham’.Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7)“Whenever there is decay of righteousness O! Bharatha And a rise of unrighteousness then I manifest Myself!”Hindus believe that humans will fall into an amoral world lead by an evil leader. Once this leader has passed; humans will come back to a moral lifestyle.

Islam

Again, like Christianity, I can’t put into words what Islam believes as the end of days, so here is the text from Wikepdia: In Islam, it is believed that on the Day of Reckoning, God will judge the dead, sending the righteous to Heaven and unrepentant evildoers to Hell.Some Ahadith include a Muhammad-like holy warrior, the Mahdi (whom Shi’a equate with the long-lived Twelfth Imam), who will be accompanied by the Prophet Jesus to fight the Antichrist, various Beasts, the Gog and Magog tradition, angelic heralds with trumpets, civil war, natural disasters and signs in the heavens, and a clash between Jesus and the Antichrist.Mahdi will fight Antichrist; but it will be Jesus who kills him at the gate of Ludd. Then Gog and Magog will appear from all directions, drink all water. Jesus and the believers will go to the mountains; Jesus will pray to God Almighty and He will send worm like creatures that will attack Gog and Magog on their necks. Then huge birds with camel like necks will carry their corpses away. The earth will be washed with rains. There will be peace on earth for 40 years. Jesus will marry and pass away at the end of the 40 year period. He will be buried in Medina right by Prophet Muhammed and his companions. And then corruption and disbelief will become common again; the beast of earth will appear; and the sun will rise from the west which would be signaling the final hour. Then there will come a wind that will take all believers and leave earth full of disbelievers and the trumpet will sound for the final destruction. Judaism

I have spoken in specific about the Mashiach coming back as a mortal, but here is the exact five things that will happen according to Jewish Tradition: Those living during the end times will see:

1.      Ingathering of the scattered Jewish exiles to geographic Israel,

2.      Defeat of all of Israel’s enemies,

3.      Building of the third Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and the resumption of the sacrificial offerings and Temple service,

4.      Revival of the Dead (techiat hameitim), or the Resurrection,

5.      At some point the Jewish Messiah, will become the anointed King of Israel. He will divide the Jews in Israel into their original tribal portions in the land. During this time Gog, king of Magog, will attack Israel. Who Gog and the Magog nation are is unknown. Magog will fight a great battle, in which many will die on both sides, but God will intervene and save the Jews. This is the battle referred to as Armageddon. God, having vanquished this final enemy once and for all, will accordingly banish all evil from human existence. After the year 6000 (in the Jewish calendar), the seventh millennium will be an era of holiness, tranquility, spiritual life, and worldwide peace, called the Olam Haba (“Future World”), where all people will know God directly. The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah has many identical aspects to the Islamic belief in Qiyamah, such as the title of, “Day of the sounding of the Shofar“

Mormon

The Mormons’ believe that the end of days will be at the start of the Millennial Era and G-d and Jesus will appear in the Second coming. Which of all places is to be modern day Jackson County, Missouri.

The Mormons’ believe the following will happen:

While the exact time of Christ’s return is not known, certain signs are accepted as pointing to his return:·         The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, Isa. 2: 2-3.

·         The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel, Isa. 5: 26 (2 Ne. 15: 26-30).

·         The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not cause her light to shine, Isa. 13: 10 (Joel 3: 15; D&C 29: 14).

·         Men shall transgress the law and break the everlasting covenant, Isa. 24: 5.

·         The Nephites (ancient fallen people of the Americas, descended from Joseph of Egypt) shall speak as a voice from the dust, Isa. 29: 4 (2 Ne. 27).

·         Israel shall be gathered with power, Isa. 49: 22-23 (1 Ne. 21: 22-23; 3 Ne. 20-21).

·         God shall set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed, Dan. 2: 44 (D&C 65: 2).

·         War, dreams, and visions shall precede the Second Coming, Joel 2.

·         All nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle, Zech. 14: 2 (Ezek. 38-39).

·         The day cometh that shall burn as an oven, Mal. 4: 1 (3 Ne. 25: 1; D&C 133: 64; JS-H 1: 37).

·         Great calamities shall precede the Second Coming, Matt. 24 (JS-M 1).

·         Paul described apostasy and perilous times of the last days, 2 Tim. 3-4.

·         Two prophets will be slain and resurrected in Jerusalem, Rev. 11 (D&C 77: 15).

·         The gospel shall be restored in the last days by angelic ministry, Rev. 14: 6-7 (D&C 13; 27; 110: 11-16; 128: 8-24).

·         Babylon will be established and fall, Rev. 17-18.

·         Israel shall be gathered with power, 1 Ne. 21: 13-26 (Isa. 49: 13-26; 3 Ne. 20-21).

·         The Book of Mormon shall come forth by the power of God, Morm. 8.

·         Lamanites (Native Americans) to blossom, D&C 49: 24-25.

·         The wicked to slay the wicked, D&C 63: 32-35 (Rev. 9).

·         War will be poured out upon all nations, D&C 87: 2.

·         Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, D&C 88: 86-94.

·         Darkness to cover the earth, D&C 112: 23-24.

Now, of course these are the major religions today. But many other groups, such as Native Americans, have their own beliefs on the end of days. Again, this was just a paper to show the basics of what is believed. In no way are these personal opinions.

Understanding Islam

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:08:30 +0000

Do we really understand the Muslims or the Koran for that matter? All I know is that is the “Bible” of Islam written by Muhammed as told by Allah. I understand that it is a book of hate. But is this the truth? For research on the Koran and its history, structure, etc. I used the following website: http://lexicorient.com/e.o/koran.htm Here is what I discovered:

There are 115 chapters or suras.

No one really knows what the word “Koran” means. Theories range from “collect” or “tie together” or “recite”

The Koran is a compilation of five things:

            1)    Alleged revelations to Muhammed from 610-632

            2)    Others writing this revelations down, NOT Mohammed

            3)    Compilations continuing to 650

            4)    Stories relating to Muhammed about matters of the time

            5)    The later addition of vowels and dots to indicate different words. Original Arabic did not use these techniques.

There are seven ways to read the Koran, with 2 variations on each of those for a total of 14.

·         There is no chronological order to the Koran as there is with either the Old or New Testament. And the majority of the suras are warnings or commandments, very little is given to stories ·         Most moral and legal questions CANNOT be answered by the Koran

·         Most lay Muslims just know how to read the Koran, not interpret it. Interpretation is kept to Koran scholars. But what does this have to do with today’s Islamic Fundamentalist and terrorism? Many Muslim, especially the fundamentalist, believe that the Koran is the exact word of G-d given to Mohammed through the archangel Gabriel. They believe that the only way to make the world right is for everyone to convert to Islam. Thus bringing salvation onto themselves. But following these fundamentalist would set the world back to the stone age. Women would be for nothing. There would be no separation of church and state. ALL modern items we enjoy today would vanish. Your life would be given to Allah. No personal freedoms or expression. Did you even realize that these people want to push Sharia (Islamic Law) onto everyone in direct contradiction to United Nations Resolution 217 of December 10, 1948 which is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is so hard to put into words how to feel about these people. Anger, hate, pity. It is so hard. For the rest of this paper I have decided to just use various writing I found during my research and let you decide how to interpret them. First, the signs of fundamentalism.¹  Characteristics of Individualistic Passive Fundamentalism

1. Regular mosque attendance (five times a day)

2. Strict Observance of the Five Pillars of Islam:

       a    Profession of faith (shahadah)

       b.   Prayers (salat)

       c.   Fasting (sawm)

       d.   Almsgiving (sakat)

       e.   Pilgrimage (hajj)

3.   Strict adherence to Quranic prohibitions (such as abstaining from   alcohol and sexual immorality)

4.   Regular religious meditation, reading of the Quran, and reading of other Islamic literature.

5.   Participation in religious group activities within and without the mosque.

6.   Participation in neighborhood self-help and mutual assistance societies

7.   Growing full beards (lihya) and thin moustaches as a sign of devotion and piety.

8.   Wearing distinctive clothing (including a facial and head veil for women)

Characteristics of Individualistic Activist Fundamentalist

1.   Pursuit of passive characteristics listed above with great rigor

2.   Tendency to live together in specific neighborhoods, sometimes in physical and social isolation from passive fundamentalists.

3.   Frequenting of specific mosques that cater to activist agendas.

4.   Engagement in acts of “purifying” violence directed against sinful institutions, including nightclubs, movie theatres, and governments.

Manifestations of Collective Islamic Fundamentalism

1.   Mosque building (both private and government sponsored).

2.   Radio-television programming (provides religious instruction).

3.   Observance of holidays (observed with great religious fervor).

4.   Mosque attendance (faithful devotion).

5.   The press (increase in religious instruction in newspapers).

6.   Illumination of mosques (elaborate lighting at nighttime).

7.   Religious literature (an unprecedented increase in printing copies of the Quran and books on Islamic history and religion.

8.   Displays of copies of the Quran (in public places).

9.   Religious slogans (increasingly displayed in public places).¹ Various quotes from the Koran² 17.104 And We said to the Israelites after him: Dwell in the land: and when the promise of the next life shall come to pass, we will bring you both together in judgment. 2.113 And the Jews say: The Christians do not follow anything (good) and the Christians say: The Jews do not follow anything (good) while they recite the (same) Book. Even thus say those who have no knowledge, like to what they say; so Allah shall judge between them on the day of resurrection in what they differ.5.51 O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.5.82 Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly. 9.30 And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! 62.6 Say: O you who are Jews, if you think that you are the favorites of Allah to the exclusion of other people, then invoke death If you are truthful.66.5 Maybe, his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your place wives better than you, submissive, faithful, obedient, penitent, adorers, fasters, widows and virgins 9.72 Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah’s goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement

Read enough? I have. From the small amount of reading and research I have done I believe the Koran to be the instruction book for death of all that are not Muslim. I understand better now why these people are willing to kill. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live life under Islamic law, regardless of being Jewish or not.

1 R. Harir Dekmejian, Islamic Revolution: Fundamentalism in the Arab World (Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1995), 130-151.

2 http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/ October 9, 2006

Being a Jew in America

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:07:11 +0000

What does it mean to be a Jew in
America today? Is it just going to shul every Shabbat or at least 3 days a year? Is it keeping Kosher? Is being Bar or Bat Mitzvahed? The answer is yes. And no. To be a Jew today in
America, it is also important to never forget how Jews helped build this country, and for that matter the world. You hear people say how the Jews are involved in everything. And guess what, they are right. The Jewish people have historically been go getters and, to use a Disney term, Imagneiers.

Jews figured out how to build the Great Pyrimads. Jews figured out how to make the desert bloom. But did you know a Jew helped figure out the Physiology of Neurotransmitters? Or that Jew brought television to the masses? Does it surprise you that two Jews invented the technology for you to use your cell phone?

It is not important for life to know these facts. BUT it is important to being Jewish, Jewish in
America. If the stories and success (and failures) of our heritage are lost and forgotten, we won’t have anything to build on for the future. This class is not about filling your head with empty facts, but nourshing your mind with knowledge and respect for your heritage as an American Jew.

Religious Tolerence

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:06:06 +0000

Living in Texas is a very interesting dynamic in religion and society. Having lived here now for two years, I have learned to be very willing to accept Christianity. Yes, Dallas has a large Jewish population, but like many other parts of the United States, we are still the minority. And in Texas, and Dallas in particular, the Bible Belt is alive and well. Grand monuments to Jesus Christ can be found around every corner just like 7-11’s. Their presence is noticeable everywhere. Gas stations, voice mail messages, billboards and even at the local fairs. Most of the Christians keep to themselves and don’t bother others. But on occasion, you get the “Jesus can save you” saying. I am a smoker, and I was outside my office building the other day, when a young lady approached me: “Would you like to quite smoking?” the young lady asked me.“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind”, I replied.“Then Jesus is your savior.” She says with a smile, “follow him and he can save you”“Thank, but not interested”

Little things like this show how people think that their religious ways are the only ways and all others should follow them. I am ok with what others what to believe and follow. But I am Jewish. Being Jewish is who I am. The other time is from someone I work with. He has been trying to get me read books by Jews have converted and come to Church with him. He believes in the New Testament and doesn’t believe the Jews are the chosen people. He feels that I am lost with out following Jesus Christ. It is interesting living in Baptist country. I have had many encounters. These have included Baptist, Christians, Lutherans, you name it. In fact I had a conversation with a Baptist I know and he brought up how the Southern Baptist Convention, back in 1996, declared their role to convert Jews and how it is their mission. So I decided to research this. And low and behold, he was right. During their annual convention of June 11-13, 1996, the Southern Baptist Convention developed the following resolution:

            WHEREAS, Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sine should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47); and

WHEREAS, Our evangelistic efforts have largely neglected the Jewish people, both at home and abroad; and             WHEREAS, We are indebted to the Jewish people, through who we have received the Scriptures and our Savior, the Messiah of Israel, and “they are beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Romans 11:28, B); and

WHEREAS, There has been an organized effort on the part of some either to deny the that Jewish people need to come to their Messiah, Jesus, to be saved; or to claim, for whatever reason, that Christians have neither right nor obligation to proclaim the gospel to the Jewish people; and             WHEREAS, There is evidence of a growing responsiveness among the Jewish people in some areas of our nation and our world; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in New Orleans, LA, June 11-13, 1996, reaffirm that we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16); and             BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we recommit ourselves to prayer, especially for the salvation of the Jewish People as well as for the salvation of “every kindred and tongue and people and nation” (Revelations 5:9); and             BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That we direct our energies and resources toward the proclamation of the gospel to the Jewish people.

WOW! I never knew that the Baptist felt this way. I have only had one run in with a Baptist who tried to covert me. Here is the story: I sell health insurance for a living. And I meet people at their homes. Most people are fine and only want to talk business. So, I go to see, we will call him John, to see what I can do to cover him and his daughter with insurance. As the presentation completed, John raised his hand and asked me to silent for a moment. Ok. No problem. Then he looked me squarely in the face. “Are you Christian” he asked me“No, I am Jewish” I replied, being a little surprised at the question.“Well, that is ok” he responded hesitantly, then continued “G-d and Jesus just spoke to me.”“Ok”, now starting to feel a little uncomfortable.“Do you like selling health insurance, Brian?” he asked me“Yeah, I enjoy helping people”“Then G-d and Jesus will make sure that you are successful at it. Though they would help even more if you would follow Jesus Christ as your lord and savior”

I asked John if it made a difference that I was Jewish. He told me no, but it would be easier if I found Jesus. At this point, I thanked him for his time and apologized that I was unable to come up with a plan to fit his budget and left. As I drove away, I thought about the whole meeting. John lived in near squalor conditions, not dirty, but not spotless. He told me how he was in to drugs and alcohol and how he found Jesus. And how Jesus will provide and protect him. Like I said earlier, I am ok with what people want to believe. But after leaving John’s apartment, I thought how long you can go on believing that Jesus will provide. This man had barely any food in the house, very old clothes, a very old tv. Belief in religion is a wonderful and strong mindset. But it does not put food on the table or pay the bills. How could John expect me want to follow him? After seeing his living conditions, that alone scared me off. John isn’t wrong in his beliefs. He chose as the best road for him. I respect that. But is G-d and Jesus worried about a single person’s issue or they concerned with the world as a whole? Isn’t this religious bigotry at its most basic level? Religious tolerance is built into the Constitution of the United States. I respect all religions. Why can’t some find it in there heart to respect mine?

Jews and Jesus

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 05:49:35 +0000

NOTE: The following discussion is based upon research I have done from several sources. I have done this research to not only educate myself but to educate my friends and family on the importance of modern day religion. These writings are designed to open discussion. There is no right or wrong answer. I have not altered or skewed any facts. As Kinky Friedman would say, “May you be blessed by the G-d of your choosing” Recently I have been having some very interesting conversations with non-Jewish friends of mine about religion, politics, state of the world today and many other complex issues. But the one question I have been asked and sticks with me is why do Jews not believe in Jesus? Being raised Jewish, I was never taught that Jesus was evil or bad. I was just taught that we don’t believe in him. That Jews just believe in going straight to the source, G-d himself. But why was this? What was the reasoning? I never really thought about it until recently. Where does one begin in this journey? Do you start was Jesus Jewish? Was Jesus the Mashiach (Messiah)? Did he die for our sins? So, I went where we all go today for information. Google. There I typed in “Jewish Beliefs on Jesus”. And Google came back with 9,370,000 links! So, I started at the top. Jews do believe that Jesus was a Jew. Born in Bethlehem and raised in the Galilee and finally killed in Jerusalem. Jesus spoke Aramaic, as this was the language of the time, and his Aramaic name is Yeshua. Jesus was well learned in the ways of Jewish law and scriptures. In fact, many people called him “Rabbi”. In fact, in the Jewish Talmud (The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history.¹) there is a story about Yeshua. But of course this comes with debate if this is the same person as Jesus Christ. According to the Talmud, Yeshu was the son of a Jewish woman named Miriam who was betrothed to a carpenter. “Betrothed” means she was legally married to him, but she was not yet living with him or having sexual relations with him. The story says that Miriam was either raped by or voluntarily slept with Pandeira, a Greek or Roman soldier. Miriam than gave birth to Yeshu, who was considered a “mamzer” (bastard), a product of an adulterous relationship. The Talmud describes Yeshu as a heretic who dabbled in sorcery and lead the people astray. Later, the Sanhedrin (the Jewish “Supreme Court”) ordered Yeshu stoned to death and his dead body was hung from a tree until nightfall after his death, in accordance with the ancient Jewish punishment for heretics.²Interesting interpretation. I had a hard time finding more information on this to make a logical observation, so for the time being I will just leave it up to your own interpretation. The bigger question is: Was (is) Jesus the Mashiach? In Judaism, the answer is no. But first let’s revisit what the Old Testament and the Talmud say the Mashiach is to accomplish:

A. Build the Third Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).

B. Gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).

C. Usher in an era of world peace, and end all hatred, oppression, suffering and disease. As it says: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

D. Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. As it says: “God will be King over all the world — on that day, God will be One and His Name will be One” (Zechariah 14:9). According to Christianity these will happen in the Second Coming.³But these can not happen during the Second Coming according to Jews. The Mashiach will be human. The Mashiach will be of direct bloodline back to King David and be born of human parents. And the bloodline will be on the father’s side. So, according to Christianity, Jesus was born of a virgin birth, no father, no bloodline.The Mashiach will also need to be a Prophet. But this can only happen when all of the world’s Jews have returned to Israel. According to Talmud, in 300 BCE is when the last prophets died since the Jews of the time didn’t want to leave Babylon and return to Israel.⁴

To summarize, the coming Mashiach (Messiah):

Will be born of human parents with a direct bloodline back to King David

Will bring all of the Jewish people home to Israel

Will usher in an ear of world peace and end all oppression, hatred and the such

Will spread the knowledge of one G-d to everyoneThus, the next Mashiach will complete these tasks outright.Another important fact is that Jews don’t believe in the Holy Trinity. Jews believe G-d is one and can’t not be divided into parts. This idea allows for God’s unity and uniqueness as a creative force. Thus, for Jews, God is the creator of all that we like and all that we don’t. There is no evil force with an ability to create equal to God’sJews don’t have a set group of beliefs about the nature of God; therefore, there is considerable, and approved, debate within Judaism about God.⁵

Now at this point, I am not sure where to go. So let’s head to another question. Did the Jews kill Jesus?While doing my research on this question, I became quite astonished at what I have learned. Jesus was tried on the charge of being “King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26; John 19:19). Pontius Pilate was judge, jury and executioner. But he was indeed prodded by the Jewish Priestess of the time.But in the Roman Era of Jerusalem, only Pilate had full authority to convict someone on a capital crime. Another strong point that the Romans killed Jesus is this: only the Romans used Crucifixion. The Jews used stoning for the death penalty.⁶

As in previous writings, there are some subjects that I am just not worldly enough to put into the correct context, so the following from the website: www.americancatholic.org:According to Mark 14:53-65, there were two charges made against Jesus: He threatened to destroy the Temple (14:58) and claimed to be “the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One” (14:61). Although the first charge is denied and the second charge is given an interpretation (see 14:57, 59, 62), there was surely something to these charges.⁷And the research goes on; I discover that it was only a select few Jews, the high priests and those with the responsibility to protect the Temple and Jerusalem, who pushed Rome for the death of Jesus. So would we have Christianity today as we know it if Jesus wasn’t killed? Probably not. Jesus was not the “founder” of modern Christianity. It was the Apostle Paul and his followers from Nazarene. They were the original group to spread the word of Christ and baptize the Romans to believe in Christ. This then leads back to who killed Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is killed by the Jews.But as I have shown, the Romans actually killed Christ. The New Testament was changed to show the Jews doing the work, since Paul and his followers where trying to get Rome to convert to Christianity. You can’t get a nation to follow you if you bad mouth them or portray them as killers.I would like to go back to the Holy Trinity and why Jews do not believe in it. Jews see the Holy Trinity as idolatry, one of the three cardinal sins. Every day, Jews are required to say one prayer in particular, the Shema, which can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.The Shema is very blunt and to the point. To the Jews, there is only one G-d.As I sit here and read my research and try to figure out which way I want to go with it, I become even more confused. What is important? What isn’t important? Will somebody be offended by this? Am I sounding prejudicial without trying to be?I guess the bottom line is this. We have all been given freewill. We all have the right to choose what is best for ourselves. In all aspects of our lives. In the end, we are all going to the same place. G-d loves each and every one of his children today just as he did 2000 years ago. G-d bless.

Sources:1 Wikepdia contributors, “Talmud,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talmud&oldid=77080186 (accessed September 25, 2006). 2 Katz, Lisa, “Who Was Jesus?”, http://judaism.about.com/od/beliefs/a/jesus.htm (accessed September 25, 2006).3,4 Simmons, Rabbi Shagra, “Why Don’t Jews Believe in Jesus?”, http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/jewsandjesus.htm, (accessed September 25, 2006)5 “The Difference Between Judaism and Christianity”, http://www.convert.org/differ.htm, (accessed September 25, 2006)6,7 Harrington, Daniel J. “Who Killed Jesus?”, http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/sfs/an0399.asp, (accessed September 25, 2006)

Illegal Immigrants

Brian — Sun, 13 May 2007 05:47:20 +0000

As some of you know, my past papers have been more of research papers on a couple of religious subjects. To begin my new writings, I want to inform the readers that these new writings, for the most part, are going to be opinion editorials. These will all be on various subjects. For this one I want to talk about illegal immigration. I grew up in Chicago. But for the past six years I have lived in two Border States, Texas and Arizona. I have seen the issues first hand and consequences. Let me say, I don’t have a problem with people looking for a better life. That is what America was built on. But aren’t we already stretching American Public Services enough already?

As Americans, we all pay taxes. These monies are for everything from National defense to welfare to fire and police. It is something we never get away from. We all work hard to support our families and support our nation. But the illegals’, and I will be specific, the Hispanics, are taking advantage of our system more than our own people. These people don’t want to register for Social Security numbers. They don’t want to learn English. (Which unfortunately is NOT the national language? There is no law stating what the official language of America is). We need to have everything printed in two languages. Americans are being made to learn Spanish. Just not everyday people, but teachers, police and medical professionals, just to name a few.

If Hispanics want to enjoy a better life in America, it needs to be done legally. They need to be forced to go through the same legalization process as all other foreigners coming to America. THEY need to learn English. THEY need to learn American laws. American morality. American ethics. I am not saying forget where they came from or their heritage. Just if you want to live here, YOU need to learn the native way. As the old adage goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans” You come across this border illegally, you are a criminal. It doesn’t matter if you are man, woman or child. You want Americans to help you, don’t just do it based on the theme of humanity. I have been emergency rooms in Phoenix with insurance, had was made to wait hours on end to see a doctor because of all these illegals’. Many of these people came along way through brutal conditions and that is a terrible thing. I have seen those deserts that people have had to cross in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It is not a fun place. And if you have they guts to try and cross them, you deserve basic human rights just Pows in war time. THEN it is time to go home.

IT IS TIME TO BUILD THE WALL ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. I would like to discuss a Flower Mound, Texas. Flower Mound is a small town of about 30,000 people I believe. It is what is called the North Mid-Cities between Fort Worth and Dallas. Currently on the agenda for the city council is a new law prohibiting illegal immigrants. Bottom line is that they would not be allowed inside the city limits of Flower Mound.

Business’s that are found to be hiring and employing illegals’ will be subject to fines. It will be illegal to rent to an illegal. And many other such items. I applaud Flower Mound for this measure. It is time for Americans to finally put some measures in place to protect America. Will this solve the problem? Not by any means. But it is a start. Once Flower Mound enacts this policy, more and more American towns will hopefully follow suit. Which in turn will hopefully get the Federal government to crack down.

Now while Flower Mound is getting ready to hopefully pass this legislation, there is a group called LULAC. I am not sure what it stands for, all I know is they have no idea what they are doing. They are for immigrants rights. What rights? They are just as bad as American criminals. They have no legal rights! LULAC doesn’t want these people to learn English. They don’t care if they come to America legally. They just want rights for the criminals. No one is against people wanting to improve their lives. Just do it the legal way.

The only good thing about the illegals is that they will do the work that American’s won’t do. So what does that say about us? When Americans feel they are above mowing lawns, construction and other blue collar jobs. And it all comes down to money. It is time to raise the minimum wage from $5.35. There are still many Americans, though unemployment is down, that need work. Before I get to far off track, let me get back to the issue. I will discuss the issue about American’s work ethic later.

I guess the bottom line to this writing is this: It is time to take care of America. Let’s finish up in Iraq. Let’s bring our soldiers home and have them make a difference here at home. One needs to get their own house in order before working on others. Let’s build the wall on the southern border. Let’s stop letting the Hispanics dictate American agenda. Learn English. Force them to be naturalized. Make the pay taxes. This will be much easier then rounding them up and sending them home. But we can prevent more from coming over.