Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
You don't need crowded mega-churches to pray or worship your god -- you are told to do it quietly, privately, or in even small groups. This is based on the Bible (KJV); is there some other writing that demands large gatherings in a specific location? So what's up with the demands to open the "houses of worship"? The social gathering is something most people are missing in these days of SARS-CoV-2, from chess clubs to book clubs to the Met... anywhere you spend more time with other people than a quick pop to the grocery. Why, why, why are so many churches violating or demanding special exceptions to the health recommendations? It appears to me that the separation of the "church leaders" from their collection plates is what's to be avoided at all costs. There may also be the concern by the "church leaders" that the members read or learn beyond the doctrine they preach -- that could be a disaster in the eyes of those church authorities.
The current occupant of the White House forcefully ejected peaceful protesters from public space yesterday to give himself a photo opportunity in front of a local church. That church had remained closed. TheOrangeBuffoon decided it would be a good idea to pander to his right wing and evangelical base by waving a bible around in front of a (closed) historical church (without permission to be on church grounds?). Someone handed him a bible because he didn't have one. He did have an entourage with him, willing or not is hard to tell. TOB did not read any passages, make any soothing comments to the public, nor "pray" for peace or "grace" or guidance for the nation. He chose to again display his narcissism and insecurity in terms of using "overwhelming force" against the American people. Much like a "tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood" (ST-TOS fans will recognize the phrase). This is not what we need as leader of the free world. This is exactly what we don't need. Those who support this stain, this so much more than a blemish, this blot, this plague on our society are equally guilty.
1 Corinthians 6-8
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened...
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Even the bible teaches a fresh start is required in this event. It surely doesn't just apply to adultery, does it?
Though I don't believe the bible to be anything more than stories by our (male) ancestors trying to explain the world they did not, could not understand I am aware that some people think it is more than that. Please read this as if written by someone who knows the bible, because I do. I've read it many, many times in many, many versions over many years. I think everyone should, cover to cover. There are some interesting stories, metaphors, and parables. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+5&version=KJV or https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/5/1-Corinthians-5-7.html I find it fascinating from a mythology point of view.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
You don't need crowded mega-churches to pray or worship your god -- you are told to do it quietly, privately, or in even small groups. This is based on the Bible (KJV); is there some other writing that demands large gatherings in a specific location? So what's up with the demands to open the "houses of worship"? The social gathering is something most people are missing in these days of SARS-CoV-2, from chess clubs to book clubs to the Met... anywhere you spend more time with other people than a quick pop to the grocery. Why, why, why are so many churches violating or demanding special exceptions to the health recommendations? It appears to me that the separation of the "church leaders" from their collection plates is what's to be avoided at all costs. There may also be the concern by the "church leaders" that the members read or learn beyond the doctrine they preach -- that could be a disaster in the eyes of those church authorities.
The current occupant of the White House forcefully ejected peaceful protesters from public space yesterday to give himself a photo opportunity in front of a local church. That church had remained closed. TheOrangeBuffoon decided it would be a good idea to pander to his right wing and evangelical base by waving a bible around in front of a (closed) historical church (without permission to be on church grounds?). Someone handed him a bible because he didn't have one. He did have an entourage with him, willing or not is hard to tell. TOB did not read any passages, make any soothing comments to the public, nor "pray" for peace or "grace" or guidance for the nation. He chose to again display his narcissism and insecurity in terms of using "overwhelming force" against the American people. Much like a "tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood" (ST-TOS fans will recognize the phrase). This is not what we need as leader of the free world. This is exactly what we don't need. Those who support this stain, this so much more than a blemish, this blot, this plague on our society are equally guilty. 1 Corinthians 6-8
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened...
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Even the bible teaches a fresh start is required in this event. It surely doesn't just apply to adultery, does it?
Though I don't believe the bible to be anything more than stories by our (male) ancestors trying to explain the world they did not, could not understand I am aware that some people think it is more than that. Please read this as if written by someone who knows the bible, because I do. I've read it many, many times in many, many versions over many years. I think everyone should, cover to cover. There are some interesting stories, metaphors, and parables. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+5&version=KJV or https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/5/1-Corinthians-5-7.html I find it fascinating from a mythology point of view.
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