What Type of Blogger Are You?

Here's an interesting classification scheme for blogs. I think that I'm mostly #3 and #6.

Hat tip.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Derek Tang

Derek Tang of Live on Two Legs

Why do you blog?

I blog because it’s a good personal space for me. It allows me to share thoughts I don’t always necessarily get to share with those at the church I serve at. Other than those people, there’s really not many acquaintances I have in my immediate vicinity, but on the flip side, I do have a lot of close personal friends whom I keep in touch with via email and IM and chats. It’s a good place for me to vent some frustrations as well as thoughts I may have about issues/events that I may not be able to otherwise engage in conversation with anyone about.

What has been your best blogging experience?

When I was down in Mississippi this past October doing some Katrina relief work, I was completely blown away by the scale of the destruction. Seeing it on the news was one thing, but actually BEING there to experience the sights and sounds and smells was another. I had to share what I was going through, and even though I probably ticked a couple of people off waiting in line behind me to use the one computer we had available for Internet access, I could tell from the many responses I got that what I “wrote” down touched a nerve with a lot of my friends. The response I got to the one about burning the flag was totally unexpected, and I appreciated it.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?

Do it as often as you can, and don’t get too caught up in trying to be too deep and profound each time. I’ve fallen into that trap, and realized that my attempts at the time did not match my frame of mind, and if a blog is going to be a true reflection of your thoughts/feelings/etc., it needs to be transparent, not forced.

If you could only read three blogs a day, what would they be?

The Wesley Blog, because I am a cradle Methodist (heck, I’m a PK), Locusts & Honey, and my friend Todd’s blog. If my fiancée blogged more at hers, then it’d be on the list, too!

Who are your spiritual heroes?

Hmmmm…………….well, I won’t go for the obvious Biblical persons answer, and try to put a bit more thought into this. I am definitely my father’s son. As I mentioned above, I’m a PK, and he has truly inspired a lot of my own personal theology as well as influencing my answer to The Call

John Wesley, for obvious reasons.

Pope John Paul II. Yeah, people have issues with the RCC, but you’d be hard-pressed to deny that this man was a great example for many of us who struggle with our daily faith walks. My fiancee’s Catholic, and she was really saddened during his last days, and we both started researching and reading up more about his history. Truly an amazing person.

What are you reading at this moment?

Honestly? This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, the one with Joe Pa on the cover. I’m truthfully not much of a reader, and the last theological book I read was Mike Yaconelli’s “Dangerous Wonder.”

What is your favorite hymn and why?

“Christ The Lord Is Risen Today.” I love it because it is such a powerful and inspiring tune on what I think is the most powerful and inspiring day in our year.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?

Partisanship. I have tons of respect for anyone who can justify their opinion on anything, regardless of if I agree with them or not, but the political landscape in this country has become an utter disgrace. While the left and right continues to bicker, it’s the people who PUT them there in the first place who lose the most. I firmly believe that all Senators and Congressmen should only come to Washington D.C. for one week per month, and spend the rest of their time in their constituencies—serving the people as they are supposed to do.

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?

The one that equates the First Amendment with wiping the mere mention of the name “God” out of the public square completely.

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?

See answer to #8. I also think that anyone who wants to obtain a driver’s license or become a parent should be subject to an I.Q. test and a psychological competency test.

If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?

Clear declarations on the following issues: abortion, homosexuality, and everything that Joseph Sprague tried to “challenge” a couple of years ago. Gee, you can’t tell I lean conservative, can you?

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?

Tossup between “Live your life—it’s the only one you’ve got for now” and “That which does not kill me makes me stronger.”

What, if anything, do you worry about?

The constant coddling of the younger generation today. Public schools. Rampant secularism, along with the silent majority that almost always seems to be reactive, not proactive. Teenage issues. People blaming the entertainment industry for the ills of the world.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?

I’d like to be a couple of inches taller.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?

Seeing as how my fiancée doesn’t move out here until August, I’d like to be out in Southern California.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Blog, post on message boards, play with my cat.

What is your most treasured possession?

My computer. Life would certainly be rather boring without it. My sweet Master Replicas Lightsaber is up there, too LOL

What talent would you most like to have?

The ability to read music and thus play the guitar or the piano.

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?

Pele, JFK, and Bono. Should make for some interesting conversation. My backups would be Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Pope John Paul II, Gandhi, Mao, Johnny Cash, and Marx.

The Lawson Stone Drinking Game

Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Dr. Lawson Stone (right) of Asbury Theological Seminary -- and blogger -- has inspired me to devise a drinking game in his honor.

The first step is to acquire a sufficient amount of refreshing beverages before you go to class. If you are on the Kentucky campus, this means bourbon; if the Florida campus, then tequila.

Line up your drinks and wait for Dr. Stone to begin lecturing.

Take a shot whenever Dr. Stone:

• Reminds you that he went to Yale
• Makes a reference to the Old West
• Does his "grumpy old man" impersonation

Tookie Williams' Fate

Here's a rhetorical gem in the current Jack Dunphy column, in regards to the upcoming execution of gang leader Tookie Williams:

He has even, his supporters are quick to point out, been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. (The fact that even a crazed, murderous thug like Yasser Arafat actually won such an award has not deterred them from trumpeting said nomination.)

Odds, Ends

1. Jeff the Baptist has an excellent post on swearing.

2. If John Wilks ever comes up to you and says, "guess how many body piercings I have below the waist" change the subject immediately.

3. Before you start yelling at Andy, I want to point out that The Book of Discipline never says that chaps must be worn with pants.

4. One of you Nashville bloggers -- please slap Gavin for me.

The Manolo, He Has Issued a Political Manifesto

2) Manolo loves the Capitalism! Nothing is more worthy of the ridicule than the fashion sense of the dictators, politburos, autocrats, and tyrants. For the example, the most horrible, deadening, life-sucking piece of the fashion ever invented, it is the Mao suit, for it reduces the individual to the mere cog in the ideological machine. Happily we live in the system in which the marketplace it is free to deliver to the peoples the beautiful clothes, enabling each individual to dress in the manner he or she chooses.

Read it all, for it is good. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Joe Tiedemann

Joe Tiedemann of Pondering Perfection

A brief bio about me… I am an out of the box, idealistic, dreamer with a traditional flair that firmly believes God can do anything and provides perfect opportunities for each of us to become more than conquers through Christ. The title of my blog, Pondering Perfection, expresses my desire to understand and move toward Wesley’s concept of perfection. I have three wonderful children (all under the age of 5) and an awesome and beautiful wife, who are all helping me to rediscover laughter and fun in life. I find beauty in the challenge of discovering God’s grace in the steps I take as I journey through life with God.

Why do you blog?

As a spiritual discipline. I like to journal, but can’t seem to do it for extended periods of time. Blogging keeps me accountable to people in my church and elsewhere to daily journaling. Plus, it is a great exercise in public expression of theology.

What has been your best blogging experience?

There is not just one because I cherish every comment I get back. Every time I get a comment, I thank God for the opportunity to be read.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?

Stick with it and develop your own style, be safely transparent and minister through the web.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?

I only read Locusts & Honey, but I have heard that Will Willimon, Beth Quick, Untied Methodist are great. The amount of information (regardless of theological persuasion or agenda) is simply incredible.

Who are your spiritual heroes?

Aside from Christ – Thomas because he was honest enough to state his doubts and humble enough to receive correction. Paul because he was awesome in the way he articulated the gospel message in different cultural situations effectively. Dorothy Day because she had it all and gave it up to help the poor, not only help, but to boldly live with her daughter among those she was called to serve.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg
Re-reading - Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster
Re-reading to teach - Power Surge, Michael Foss

What is your favorite hymn and why?

It Is Well with My Soul because my life was (and at times continues to be) such a mess and I really connect with the words of comfort about God’s peace in the midst of storms.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?

Monogamous lifelong homosexual relationships

What intellectual thesis do you think is most important to combat?

I think that the whole concept of credit and capitalism needs to be revisited. Interest bearing debts are causing poverty to explode. I am not economically savvy enough to even know the name of the intellectual terms, but in practical (theological terms are clear about interest and property in the Bible) the banks are able to get away with enticing people to spend and offering too high limits. Now with interest only 40 year home loans and 7 year car payments, it is becoming absurd and unless something changes in the near future many people will be enslaved to the corporations that own their debt. On a global scale it is obvious how interest is literally killing children and adults alike through the perpetuation of poverty..

If you could effect two major changes in the governing of your country, what would it be?

No more lobby money.
Balanced budgets for federal, state, and local governments.

If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?

Mandate Equal Compensation (including pension and health benefits) based on years of service and local cost-of-living at the global level. I don’t think it is fair to be a global, connectional church and allow socio-economic bias, among other things.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?

You can never count God out!

What, if anything, do you worry about?

My childrens’ future.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?

There is so much that I did that I regret, yet God has claimed what I have surrender for the glory of the Kingdom. Although, there was this instance when I bought my wife’s engagement ring and thought that the diamond was not set quite right. I took it back to the jeweler two times and it still looked off. So, I fixed it myself with a pair of pliers. I didn’t think you could crack a diamond… until that fateful moment. I had to get another one.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?

Norway, Iceland or Canada.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Spare time? What’s that! When I am not in the Pastoral role, I make time to spend with my wife, play with my kids and train for triathlons.

What is your most treasured possession?

Aside from the second engagement ring – a 1973 Mike Schmidt rookie.

What talent would you most like to have?

I’d like to be a great inspirational speaker/preacher and team builder.

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?

Past – just give me the group at the Transfiguration (oh, but that is more than three). Aside from them…
Past – Paul, Jeremiah, Augustine of Hippo (Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Wesley (and his parents))
Present - Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, Adam Hamilton
It is just too hard to narrow my list down.

Linked Without Comment

Ted Rall's latest creation.

Hat tip.

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 41

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Ben Witherington reviewed the movies Pride and Prejudice, Walk the Line and Harry Potter.

Beth Quick reviewed the movies Rent and Walk the Line.

Betty Newman thinks that true theology is simple.

Will Willimon wrote about the benefits of rural life.

At Blogging Methodists, Jonathon Norman considered what their community of bloggers might do.

Brian Russell wrote that disciples should free themselves of expectations of Christ.

Church Medic blogged about the Sony corporation spreading spyware.

At Connexions, Richard Hall wrote about ideal sermons and the new British Reality TV show about a church selecting a pastor.

Dare We Be Christians wrote about encountering a homeless woman on the way to church.

Derek Tang reviewed the movie Walk the Line.

Donald Sensing wrote about the Democratic strategy to regain control of Congress (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Steve Heyduck blogged about comforting those who suffer and a variant of Christianity rooted in fear rather than love of God.

Gospel According to the Hood wrote about the Bible says about the rapture.

Gavin Richardson portrayed himself as an abbot to his youth group.

Greg Crofford blogged about what he learned from cross-country training, lemon cars, treatment of prisoners from a Christian perspective (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), the malleability of statistics, and a new book about Wesleyan evangelicism.

Greg Lee wrote about being generous with disagreements over theology.

Growing Up blogged about a Christian perspective on garbage disposal.

Jay Voorhees wrote about the doctrine of total depravity (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and emergent Calvinism.

John Wilks blogged about the excitement of Advent.

Jonathon Norman likewise blogged about the anticipation of Advent and the church in Ohio that was shut down for not paying apportionments.

Josh Tinley grammarblogged about pluralization.

Just as I Am wrote about his grandmother and her spiritual influence and learning to say goodbye.

Larry Hollon blogged about the spread of AIDS.

Maobi wrote about the mosque that will be constructed near the Olympic venue in 2012, how the World Health Organization is responding to the Bird Flu, a police misconduct incident in Malaysia, and urged readers to do something about three women incarcerated for home-schooling some children.

Matthew Johnson blogged about what Advent means to him and teaching the liturgical calendar to children.

Craig Moore ponders whether apportionments are a tax on the local church.

Michael Daniel wrote about taking the Gospel story as accurate and pork-barrel politics.

Mike Lamson wrote about the evangelical formula for salvation (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Phil Smith blogged about Priest Idol.

Randy Graves blogged about storytelling for Christians.

Dan Gates wrote that conservative Methodists should stop being intimidated by liberals and incremental attacks on the UMC.

Theresa Coleman is dwelling in nullity. She also fondly remembered kitchen appliances.

Lorna Koskela wrote about venturing into the countryside and learning more about the Good Shepherd, the sanctity of Advent, the misuse of Scripture, the Message paraphrase, and Sabbath-taking.

Parbar West blogged about watching for Jesus, interfaith worship, and the value of Christians coming together to share fellowship.

movable Theoblogical wrote about effective small groups, Christian love for people the opposite of you, and a five-step program for Christians.

Tony Mitchell examined Advent from an apocalyptic point of view, a Christian view of taxation, and the meaning of the candles of Advent.

Jim McKay wrote about West Virginia University's basketball program.

Shane Raynor suggested foci for the UMC for the next year.

Willie Deuel wrote about a Christian view of worry.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com.

UPDATE: Misunderstood post of Maobi re-annotated.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Gavin Richardson's blog added.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Misunderstood post of Ben Witherington re-annotated.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Another post of Tony Mitchell added to the list.

ANOTHER UPDATE: John Wilks discovered even more mistakes. Sheesh, I'm falling down on the job. I hope that this doesn't affect/effect/offect my paycheck. Anyway, the mistakes in Tony Mitchell's listings have been fixed.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Greg Crofford

Greg Crofford of Eight Iron. Here, Greg congratulates one of his students who published a Bible story book for children.

I teach theology at a Bible College for the Church of the Nazarene, located in a country in the developing world. I’m married to Amy (since ’81) and we have two teenage sons.

Why do you blog?
Blogging let’s me process emotionally lots of what I read in the news. I’ve always been kind of a newsaholic anyways, so most of posts connect in some way to something I’ve read on the net.

What has been your best blogging experience?
Justin Delabar at Digital Dissent was open to my pseudonymous conservative writings as “Didsbury.” He was very affirming of my writing style, which encouraged me to eventually write under my own name, and start my own blog with a broader focus than Justin’s foreign policy format.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
Install a “site meter.” It’s fun to see where people from around the world are coming to visit. But watch out! They’re addictive.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
The Moderate Voice, Donald Sensing, and the Christian Science Monitor…OK, not a blog, but the best kept journalistic secret, and more ideologically balanced than MSNBC and CNN.

Who are your spiritual heroes?
Everyone says John Wesley, but the more I read of him, the more non-hero he seems. I think his brother, Charles, would be on the list, for his musical genius. (I’m into choir music sung well). In our day, I have great respect for Franklin Graham, but on the funny side, Mark Lowry and Chonda Pierce are good for what ails you.

What are you reading at the moment?
The Hamilton Case, a mystery by Michelle de Kresler

What is your favorite hymn and why?
“Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment” – This meant a lot to me about 9 years ago in Africa when I was flat on my back for three days with stress-related exhaustion. It was a reminder that if we rely only upon ourselves to do God’s work, we’re toast.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?
Environmentalism, I call it “Creation Care.” I recently heard the Rev. Jerry Falwell dismissing global warming as something liberals have cooked up, if you’ll forgive the pun. I used to be like him, but I figure we have nothing to lose by cutting fossil fuel emissions, and everything to gain.

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
Some would solve the theodicy issue by taking away the omnipotence of God. But I can’t look at a starry sky and call the Lord anything but Almighty. If we give up that attribute of God, then an element of doubt will forever cloud our prayers. Why bother calling on heaven, if heaven can’t do much to help?

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
No one should be allowed to be President who doesn’t speak at least two languages fluently. Write it into the Constitution, and test candidates before you let them campaign. Our rampant mono-lingualism is the greatest threat to America’s security.

If you could effect one major policy change in the Church of the Nazarene, what would it be?
I would merge with the Wesleyans and Free Methodists, and keep the name “Wesleyan.” It’s the best name of the three, and would make for a numerically more significant denomination that is simultaneously: 1) accepting of women at all levels of ordained ministry; 2) theologically conservative, and 3) globally minded.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Hey, I’m only 42! The Lord willing, I’m just about half done. But since you ask, I’d offer a little saying we use around our house when someone starts bellyaching: “Would you like some cheese with your whine?” I’ve seen pastors in West Africa with a fraction of what I possess, yet thanking God for his blessings. Use what you have; it’s more than most.

What, if anything, do you worry about?
In the country where I live, I fear my family being evacuated at a moment’s notice, due to political instability. We take it one day at a time.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
Mostly, I’m happy with my choices, but I was way too aloof from the other kids in school growing up. I was an evangelical lost in a sea of Roman Catholicism, at an age when we thought the Pope might be the anti-Christ. (Thank the Lord all that is changing in Protestant-Catholic relationships). So, I never let myself have deep friendships with Catholics, which in retrospect, was a foolish and unnecessary loss.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
Bowling Green, Kentucky. It’s got everything: a great university, friendly people, natural beauty. I’ve never visited, but my wife fell in love with it, and she’s a good judge of those kinds of things. Maybe we’ll retire there, when the time comes.

What do you like doing in your spare time?
I used to be a killer trumpeter, and I still have my Bach Stadivarius. I pick it up from time to time, but haven’t publicly performed in ages. I walk a mile or so with my wife most nights, and sometimes will jog. My boys crush me in chess, but still humor me with a game now and then. We also have a ton of movies, and some I’ll watch over and over. Of course, there’s blogging…

What is your most treasured possession?
My theological library

What talent would you most like to have?
Golf is a great way of being with people, and lots of fun, too. I wish I were good at it, and am still trying to score just once a 49 for 9 holes.

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?
Ronald Reagan, Susanna Wesley, and Jesse Owens (Olympic sprinter)

Art Blogging: What is Meaningful to You?

In the past few days, I've shared with you the art that has touched and grown me.

The fine arts are the summit of human achievement. Conceptually, to create what is beautiful, shocking, or otherwise moving is the highest aspiration for a person. We may struggle with technology or agriculture and accomplish great things in those fields, but art is what we are striving for. Art is formative -- a sort of narrative for the eyes -- that takes us on a journey into other worlds, or our own.

What art has been meaningful to your life? What works or artists give you pause -- or even take your breath away?


Image: "Song of the Angels" by Bouguereau

Kos: Wife-Beater

Rusty Shackleford:

I know you 'love' America, but your 'love' of America is like that of an abusive husband who 'loves' his wife. You 'love' America so much that you will not let any opportunity pass to belittle and abuse her. You 'love' America only when America acts in exactly the way in which you believe it should act. When America gets out of line, you pull no punches.

Whether you 'love' America is beside the point just as whether an abusive husband 'loves' his wife is irrelevant. What I and the rest of America want is less of your proclamations of love, and more evidence of it.

From reading your blog I have come to the inevetable conclusion that you 'love' America so much that you are willing to kill it. I know you have the best of intentions for our great nation, but so does the abusive husband who really didn't mean to kill that bitch wife of his, but, you know, she just up and made him soooo angry that he couldn't help himself.

You have betrayed America with your perverse love in the exact way that an abusive husband betrays a wife. You are a traitor.

Specifically, Dr. Shackleford is displeased with Kos' recent depiction of American troops as war criminals:

Your latest screed on the use of white phosphorous by the U.S. military in Fallujah is really beyond the pale. Equivocating between the U.S. military and the Saddam Hussein regime is exactly what our terrorist enemies do in their propoganda. You say:

Saddam tortured, we torture. Saddam used WP chemical weapons against insurgents
and civilians, we use WP chemical weapons against insurgents and civilians.

Jeff Goldstein responds to your the substance of your treasonous allegations here.

Perhaps you are unaware of this, but supporters of al Qaeda read blogs like yours and take them seriously. The reason they fight us in Iraq is that they believe, like you do, that the U.S. is the moral equivalent of Saddam Hussein. Each time you publish insane theories about the U.S. using chemical weapons, they eat it up.

If you actually believe that the U.S. is as bad as Saddam Hussein regime, then I suggest you grow a backbone and join the mujahidin in Iraq. The moral implications of your statements are that we are the bad guys. If such is the case, then the inevetable conclusion for you--or an Iraqi 'fence-sitter'--is that morality requires armed resistance to the U.S.

In fact, at a jihadi forum which I frequent, the terrorists and their supporters make the exact same argument that you are making. White phosphorous has become quite the hot topic lately 'proving' that the mujahidin are in the right and that the U.S. really is the Great Satan.

Thank you for legitimizing the jihadists and their belief system. They love Americans like you and use words like yours to benefit their recruitment efforts. See, they say, even the Americans now understand that their own government must be stopped.

Which is exactly the morally correct conclusion to reach if you actually believe the U.S. is guilty of systematic torture, mass murder, and the use of WMD against civilians.

If you believe this, though, than you have made yourself an enemy of the United States of America. No, not the Bush Administration, but the United States. The country which you love, but only insofar as she acts in the exact manner proscribed by you.

Read the whole thing -- every sentence is priceless. True patriotism is, in part, critical. But true patriotism is not critical in its entirety.

Art Blogging: Norman Rockwell

Well, of course Norman Rockwell. No assemblage of great artists is complete without him -- at least from an American point of view. He was and is tremendously popular, and with good reason. He put definite and precise images to the vague concepts of the American dream and ideal image of itself.

Rockwell portrayed an idyllic America that the nation yearned for itself. A continent-sized collection of Mayberrys with white picket fences and men and women who rescued the world three times in Rockwell's lifetime.

He was the artist of America, and the artist of children. Youth dominates his subject matter, for his America is one that nurtures the happiness and maturity of its young.

Yet he did not shy away from addressing real problems in our fabled paradise, such as the specter of racism.

But above all, Rockwell gave America the image of what it should strive to be. If we're going somewhere, it's handy to have a picture of where we're going (or trying to). That destination is Norman Rockwell's America.

Image: "Top Hat and Tails"

UPDATE: Link added to ARC's bio and gallery for Rockwell.

Where is Dean Snyder?

Dean's been absent from the blogosphere for more than three weeks. That's very unusual for him, as he generally posts about three or four times a week.

I e-mailed him about a week ago, but it bounced back as undeliverable. I confirmed that I did have the correct e-mail address.

A few days ago, I called his office to make sure that he was okay. I left a message with a church staffer of some sort, but haven't heard back.

It's possible that Dean may be so dismayed over the Beth Stroud and Ed Johnson decisions that he took a break, but I'm just speculating.

Has anyone else heard anything?

Art Blogging: John William Godward

This is the sixth day in a seven-day series on my favorite artists and their works. Today's featured artist is British Neoclassicist John William Godward (1861-1922).

Godward, it is said, was the last of the Neoclassicists. The tradition's last gasps of breath sputtered out when Godward died. He was an unhappy man: scorned by critics as a cheap imitator of Alma-Tadema who produced endless reams of Greco-Roman women on canvas. His family disdained an artistic career and Godward was likely compelled to study as a third-rate local school. By 1887, he was accepted in the artistic community in London. Eventually, he achieved enough commercial success to earn a living at his craft -- barely. But by 1911, the London scene had so completely abandoned Classical subject matter and style that he fled to Rome, taking one of his models as a lover. Godward's puritanical family was disgraced by this conduct and expelled him from their association. In Rome, Godward joined the last community of Neoclassicists from all over Europe. But eventually, even that stronghold of faithful artists fell before the Modernist onslaught, and Godward returned to London in 1921 to partially reconcile with his family. Unable to succeed professionally, he killed himself the next year.

The critics were right: Godward only did one thing. His corpus of work consists almost entirely of beautiful young women in diaphanous gowns on marble porches and benches. He only did one thing -- but he did it exceptionally well. His romanticism is flawless; his idealism perfectly executed.

If you pull up large shots of his paintings, you'll see elaborate draping. Here's a good example. I've never seen any other artist that can approach his technical skill and passion with this tremendously challenging artistic task.

To the right, you'll find "Yes or No?" I guess that you may have figured out by now that I'm a romantic at heart. It shows in my choice of artwork. The young man asks; the woman dodges. How blessed am I that my wife's response came within a few seconds!

We Adore Me

Turn on your speakers and listen to this parody (or is it?) of pop Christianity.

Hat tip: Rev. Ed.

Good Manners

Here, Theresa Coleman reminds Gavin Richardson that if he borrows underwear from someone else, he should be sure to wash it before returning. That's sensible advice.

Art Blogging: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Impressionism, of course, gave birth to the pseudoart of the Modern tradition, where one could randomly splash paint on a canvas and call it quality.

But before Impressionism sank into the visual depravity of its later practicioners, it produced artists who shared the values of the Academic tradition. Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), a French painter, was one such artist.

Renoir painted with the gauzy texture of light present in Alma-Tadema, but with smoother strokes that embedded the entire canvas with endless flow. He painted a vast variety of genres, such as bourgeois life, still lives, posed portraits, and of course, naked chicks.

To the right, you will see "Girls at Piano", a commissioned portrait masquerading as a domestic scene. The content is balanced perfectly as the viewer's eyes are drawn to the faces of the girls reading sheet music. Notice how the light dances down the cascading locks of hair. Nobody does hair quite like Renoir, a feature clearly present in his other works. Observe the delicate folds of the draping in the painting -- Renoir uniquely bridged the gap between the photographic precision and idealism of the Academic tradition with the delightful vagueness of Impressionism, taking the best from both worlds as no other artist in his day achieved.

Does his work resemble that of any other artist that I have presented in this series? It should. Renoir shared the same teacher with Jean-Leon Gerome.

Interfaith service at Methodist church

From the Rocky Mountain News:

The Thanksgiving interfaith service that has drawn Coloradans for more than 100 years will be held Thursday at the University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S. University Blvd.

It's the first time the church has hosted the event, which changes locations every year.

What hasn't changed is the time, 10 a.m., and the brisk pace of the service, which is designed to last about an hour so people can get home for their family celebrations.

Three faith communities that founded the event in the 1880s - Congregation Emanuel, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church and the First Universalist Church - still participate. They have been joined by seven more, including the Tri State Buddhist Temple, Christ the King Catholic Church and a representative from the Muslim community.

I called to confirm that this was an actual 'worship' service, and [not] just a regular community meeting. A woman calling herself "Clarise" confirmed that it was. A pity that this church's leadership is confused about basic tenets of the Christian faith. Someone remind me: why do we want to remain a "United" Methodist Church?

As I recall, ancient Israel also had interfaith worship services -- there were idols to false gods in the Temple. And, if I remember correctly, God had a low opinion of the practice.

UPDATE: Tsk, tsk. Sloppy grammar on my part. I have inserted the word "not" into my first paragraph of text.

Art Blogging: Lawrence Alma-Tadema

This is the fourth post in a seven-day series on my favorite artists and their works. Today's featured artist is Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), a Dutch Neoclassicist who began drawing realistically at the age of four. He studied at Antwerp and eventually moved to Britain, where he spent most of his professional life (hence his anglicized name).

Alma-Tadema lived and painted as the Neoclassical age came to a close. Typical of the Victorian Neoclassicists, he painted breezy, ethereal portraits of the fabled, idyllic life of ancient Greece and Rome. Alma-Tadema's world is one of warm, sunny days on the porch, languishing with one's friends, pondering adoring lovers, and attending public spectacles.

"Ask Me No More", pictured to the right, is an example of his classical idealism. The young man seeks, the lady resists -- sort of. She protests his entreaties weakly, yearning to give in. "Marry me," he says. Eventually, she will say yes.

Why Did This Post Make Me Immediately Think of Homosexuality?

John Wilks:

In today's world, judgment is often treated like a dirty word. In fact, there is a cottage industry of theology out there constantly proclaiming "the Jesus I knew would never judge or condemn anyone."

These sorts of statements stem from a profound (if misguided) appreciation for the vast and unending love of Christ.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Willie Deuel

Willie Deuel

I am a third level student at Eden Theological Seminary and a Student Licensed Pastor in a three-point charge in deep rural southern Illinois. I am the husband of one wonderful wife and the father of three awesome children. I am also a guitarist and songwriter.

Why do you blog?
It's a spiritual discipline akin to journaling. More than anything it allows me to work out my thoughts and opinions in the context of a community that doesn't always agree with me.

What has been your best blogging experience?
Receiving feedback in the hallway from fellow students when they tell me they have been reading the blog is always rewarding. Truth be known, I haven't been at it long enough to have a wealth of experiences to discuss.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
I am a novice blogger. My main advice from a novice blogger would be “update more often than I do,” and “add comments to other blogs.”

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
1. Altercation by Eric Alterman is always at the top of my list, though I like Olbermann better and he would be at the top if he updated more frequently.
2. Dylan's Lectionary Blog – Her insights are usually excellent and she has great taste in music.
3. Locusts and Honey, especially the weekly roundup.
4. Runner-up: Boing Boing because I love technology. (not always worksafe)

Who are your spiritual heroes?
Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, John Wesley, Susanna Wesley, Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Reinhold Niebuhr, Alice Walker, Clark Williamson, Schubert Ogden, and a bunch of others. I also have to give a shout-out to the “Mashed Potato Committee” at my home church – the wonderful Methodist ladies who raised and nurtured me in the faith.

What are you reading at the moment?
Of all the things I'm currently reading, these are a few of my favorites:
1. The Nature and Destiny of Man – Reinhold Niebuhr
2. Go Preach: Mark's Kingdom Message and the Black Church Today by Brian Blount
3. United Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center by Scott Jones

What is your favorite hymn and why?
“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,” because of its powerful affirmation that God is always there whether we are able to discern God's presence or not.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?
Yes. As I've grown older and more experienced, I have come to realize that race is a bigger deal than I previously understood. The sea of faces on the screen on the Friday morning after Katrina laid “white privilege” bare

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
In the church we need a more robust theology of stewardship. We need to understand that we are stewards not just of the church but of God's creation and God's children. Within the UMC there needs to be a richer understanding of the local church as stewards of the connection but also of the connection as stewards of the small, struggling local church. We need to take seriously the interrelatedness inherent in the connectional system, understanding that when one celebrates we all celebrate and when one suffers we all suffer.

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
It's about time we took seriously our dependence on oil and petroleum products. We need to take a better look at renewable resources as sources of energy. As the grandson of a corn farmer, I am a strong believer in ethanol research and the development of “flexible fuel” vehicles.

If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
I would reconsider the candidacy process for ordination of Elders, which was clearly designed for young persons who discerned a call to ministry early in life. The reality is that the average age of seminarians now is about 35 and the ordination process is relatively inflexible regarding older folks who are completing MDiv degrees.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
God loves you whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not.

What, if anything, do you worry about?
Anything and everything. My psychological profile for candidacy revealed that I am a big time worry wart (like I didn't know that!) and that I worry sometimes to the point of paralysis.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
“Well, I'd have taken better care of my teeth.” - Peggy Sue's Grandfather, Peggy Sue Got Married
I would have worried less and enjoyed more.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
In a house with more than one bathroom. Seriously, I would like to live near the mountains or the ocean. Maybe on a mountain by the ocean.

What do you like doing in your spare time?
Playing stringed instruments (guitar, bass, ukulele), writing songs, watching the St. Louis Cardinals,

What is your most treasured possession?
Probably the 1969 Fender Telecaster profiled on my blog. I treasure it because I refinished and rebuilt it myself.

What talent would you most like to have?
Honestly, I wish I could preach more like an African-American man.

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?
Bob Dylan, Hildegard of Bingen, and John Cobb, Jr. would make for an interesting party!

Art Blogging: William Bouguereau

This is the third day of a seven-day blog post series on my favorite artists and their works.
Today's featured artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau, a French Neoclassicist who lived from 1825 to 1905. I commemorated the centennial of his death in August. He was arguably one of the greatest artists who has ever lived. When the Impressionist Eduoard Manet was asked who would be known as the greatest artist of the 19th Century, he unhesitatingly replied, "Bouguereau". In his own time, Bouguereau's fame was eclipsed by no one. He was the summit of the Academic tradition, and when he died, the movement was fatally wounded.

Scorned as old fashioned and plain compared to the 'art' of Modernism, Bouguereau was confined to drawing rooms and attics for decades until a recent resurgence of interest in his creations.

Bouguereau was noted for his portraits of classical mythology, idyllic country life, sensuous romanticism, and devout Catholicism. Pieta, on the right, falls into the latter category. I saw it at the Dallas Museum of Art years ago. It was simply amazing. The suffering of the Madonna permeates the canvas. Her face expresses that moment in grieving when you can't cry anymore and you can't be consoled. There's nothing for you to do but sit and wait for the pain to go on and on.

UPDATE: Bad links fixed.

Plastic Jesus

Billy Idol has a video of his rendition of the classic folk song "Plastic Jesus."

The World's Greatest Invention

Its origins are shrouded in mystery. Some say that aliens visited the ancient Egyptians and gifted them with this culinary delight. Others say that it was the last and greatest contribution of the people of Atlantis to their primitive neighbors. And yet others place its beginnings in Masonic rituals dating back millennia.

No matter what theory you ascribe to, the moment that you sink your teeth into this divine concoction, it is clear: the Reuben Sandwich is the greatest food to slide into the belly of humanity.

It's a zen thing. The flavors oppose and balance each other -- but more than just swiss cheese vs. sauerkraut and corned beef vs. rye bread. No, the interrelation of the parts of the sandwich is more complex, more subtle. One could spend years meditating over the mysteries of the Reuben and still not fully comprehend it. Better, one could eat it.

Hail to the Reuben Sandwich, King of the Delicatessen!

By the way, the finest Reubens (I suppose, for I have never made a pilgrimage to NYC, where portents indicate better may be found) can be consumed at the greatest deli in Birmingham, where they make the sandwich on pumpernickel. It is roughly the size of a football and costs $13.

Art Blogging: Jean-Leon Gerome

This the second day of a week-long blog post series on my favorite artists and their work. Today's featured artist is Jean-Leon Gerome, a French Orientalist who lived from 1824 to 1904. He won a Salon prize in 1847 and subsequently traveled to the Near East, where he painted scores of canvases about idealized life in the Arab world. His photographically-realistic depictions fit well into the Neoclassical tradition.

To the right, you see his most famous work "Pygmalion and Galatea." It is a simply breathtaking execution of romantic art. The canvas almost drips with passion as the sculptor embraces the newly-human Galatea. The woman's body arches with flawless anatomical depiction as stone turns to flesh slowly, from her head to her feet.

This work came with a paired canvas, showing the same scene from the opposite perspective. Together or alone, they are perhaps the summit of the visual expression of love between men and women.

Besides, any artist who will paint dueling clowns is worth a look.

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 40

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Steven Manskar wrote about Christ the King Sunday and the popular misunderstanding of church as merely a place to go.

Andy Bryan doesn't understand fiscal conservatives, got mentioned in the news, and fondly remembered toys of yesteryear.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote about how his Conference is addressing accountability and about doctrinal dissent in the UMC.

Ben Thomas wrote about how a rare illness illustrates the postmodern paradigm (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Ben Witherington blogged about Anne Rice's new novel about Jesus and about a young Israeli soldier who heard the voice of God (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Beth Quick wrote about losing track of old friends.

Betty Newman blogged about the everyday phenomenon of getting mad without good reason.

James Swanson wrote about worldly distractions that prevent the UMC from functioning as a house of God.

William Willimon blogged about the ever-changing shape of pastoral leadership.

Brian Russell argued that preachers should be able to read the Biblical languages (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and that Scripture should be read missiologically.

Bruce Alderman blogged about whether the God who seeks relationship with everyone (evangelism) is a god of pluralism.

Cole Wakefield wrote about the charismatic movement.

Church Medic questioned whether or not churches should preside over weddings.

At Connexions, Richard Hall asked if Christians, Muslims, and Jews worship the same god.

Dare We Be Christians pondered how seminary is leading her closer to God.

Dave Warnock is pleased with Ubuntu.

Derek Tang was thrown out of a soccer game.

Donald Sensing reviewed the new Harry Potter movie and wrote about the argument that Bush cooked WMD intelligence.

Gavin Richardson has been blogging the National Youth Workers' Convention.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps blogged about the resurgence of debate in the authenticity of the New Testament.

Greg Crofford gave the President advice about what he needs to do to win the war on the homefront.

Greg Hazelrig wrote about Christian hate, what the Apostle John meant when he said that God is light, and the meaning of church membership.

Greg Lee preached about keeping God present in our lives, our churches, and our denomination.

Guy Williams wrote about a special meeting of the Texas Annual Conference (which the Heyducks and Padre Complex also wrote about).

Jay Voorhees wrote that the emerging church must address diversity.

Jonathon Norman recommends a prayer method of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Josh Tinley wrote about the rubber wristbands that everybody's wearing these days.

Ken Carter blogged about the death of Moses.

Larry Hollon wrote about taking steps to end the major diseases of the world.

Lissa Tolle blogged about choosing a Bible translation and summarized The Purpose Driven Church.

Maobi wrote about gay marriage in Malaysia.

Michael Daniel blogged about torture, the WMD intelligence debate, and double jeopardy in the Robert Blake trial.

Mike Lamson wrote about being emergent and Methodist.

Rick Mang blogged about seeking advice from others in the struggle for holiness.

Padre Complex wrote about effective administration in his Conference.

Pjeffy blogged about radically different liturgies and church-planting in a karaoke club.

Joe Tiedemann wrote about learning how to drive.

Wes Magruder told the story of an ordinary Cameroonian civil servant who you have never heard of before whose dreams were crushed by the institution of corruption.

Randy Graves has experienced glossolalia (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Dan Gates wrote that the laity can regain control of the UMC by taking control of its money.

Lorna Koskela blogged about spiritual laziness, her pastor who just died, and reading Your God is Too Safe.

Stephen Fife wrote about the range of dissent in the UMC.

Brett Royal blogged about predestination.

Parbar West wrote about how decision 1032 will impact church politics.

Movable Theoblogical blogged about addictions that separate us from God.

Thoughts From a Clay Pot wrote about the conversation on homosexuality in the UMC.

Tony Mitchell considered the US Federal Budget from a Biblical perspective.

Jim McKay wrote about Congressman Murtha's proposal to withdraw from Iraq.

Shane Raynor blogged about gender inclusivity in Bible translations.

Willie Deuel wrote about patriotic dissent during wartime.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!

UPDATE: Guy William's blog added to this week's content. Guy, the Heyduck brothers, and Padre Complex all wrote about a special session of the Texas Annual Conference, so you can read about the same event from multiple points of view.

Congregation in Ohio Withholds Apportionments, Gets Shut Down

From MSNBC:

Miller, OH - Imagine being locked out of your church in the morning with padlocks and a note on the door. That's what members of a small country church in Miller, Ohio faced, but they did something about it.

The Forest Glen United Methodist Church did not hand over money to the United Methodist Church Conference. The doors were locked and a no trespassing sign was taped to the door.

The Methodist Tabloid...From the Future!

Via the 'slingshot effect', I have retrieved an issue of The Methodist Inquirer from 20 years into the future. Enjoy!

Art Blogging: Francois Boucher

I'm staring a seven-day series on my favorite artists and their works. The order shall be:

Sunday: Francois Boucher
Monday: Jean-Leon Gerome
Tuesday: William Adolph Bouguereau
Wednesday: Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Thursday: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Friday: John William Godward
Saturday: Norman Rockwell

Today, my featured artist is the French painter Francois Boucher (1703-1770). The son of an embroidery designer, Boucher initially studied to be an engraver, but his prodigious talents as a painter earned him early acclaim, including admission into the Academy in 1731 and subsequent patronage from the court of of Louis XV. He was the favorite painter of the king's mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and eventually became First Painter to the King in 1765.

To the right you see "Lovers at the Park", one of Boucher's genre scenes. He frequently painted these idealized portrayals of court life and incidents in classical mythology. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to see several of his works in an exhibit at the Kimball. His canvases are huge, covering entire walls. They are intricately detailed, yet feature a gauzy and diaphanous visual texture that create an Edenic atmosphere. To me, looking at a Boucher is like slipping into another world of carefree bliss. In Boucher's world, the days go by, the gods play, and no one has a worry or concern.

UPDATE: Links above to the individual artists will be updated periodically to reflect additional posts in the series.

Proper English Grammar

Frequent Methoblog commenter RevWilly thinks that I am misusing the words 'affect' and 'effect'. Obviously, he hasn't heard the news.

Failed Heroes

Shannon Love has a touching story about her father, who died an unrecognized hero.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Patricia Wagner

Patti of Second-Grade Teacher

I am honored to be the sixth female Methodist profiled by John the Methodist. I live in Oswego, NY (the heart of the snow belt) which is on the south-eastern shore of Lake Ontario. I have two children, Rachel (a junior at a private college near Boston), and Joseph (a 7th grader in public school). I teach 2nd grade.

Why do you blog?

I started blogging in order to become more comfortable with the act of writing. I'm required to teach kids how to write well, and I'm very uncomfortable teaching something I'm not proficient at.

What has been your best blogging experience?

When people who aren't related to me started leaving comments.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?

Keep writing, read and leave comments on other people's blogs, and get a counter so you can tell if you have any lurkers.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?

See Through Faith (http://stf.heavenlytrain.com/), Locusts and Honey (http://locustsandhoney.blogspot.com/), and A Tear in the Fabric of Spacetime (http://www.divinediscontinuity.net/weblog.html)

Who are your spiritual heroes?

John Wesley, Pope John Paul II, and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

What are you reading at the moment?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheoenix. I was hoping to get all 6 books re-read before the new movie came out. I didn't, but I'm close.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. We shall never stop rejoicing that God is with us.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?

No.

What intellectual thesis do you think is most important to combat?

Post Modernism.

If you could affect one major change to the governing of your country, what would it be?

It will happen. George Bush and his cronies will leave office. But not soon enough.

If you could affect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?

Itinerant pastors.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?

When it comes to your personal wants and needs, pinch your pennies until they scream. When it comes to the needs of others, be generous.

What, if anything, do you worry about?

I don't worry. Worrying is a waste of time.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?

I would have been more consistent about good nutrition and exercise.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?

San Francisco, CA. Love it there.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Rollerblading, eating Indian food, and reading.

What is your most treasured possession?

If my house were burning but my family and pets were safe, and I could go back and get one thing? It would be my Dad's sea chest. He was the captain of a tour boat.

What talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be an alluring belly dancer. Or at least take lessons. That, or fencing.

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?

Larry McMurtry, Alan Rickman, and my Grandma.

How Did You Get Engaged?

I met Katherine a week after I began working for the Jacksonville Public Library. We sat next to each other in a 2-hour training seminar and at the end, I asked her out to dinner -- that night. We've been together ever since.

When I decided to marry her, I resolved to make our proposal moment special. I wanted to propose to her while at the edge of the Cummer Gardens overlooking the St. Johns River. But I couldn't get our schedules to mesh. Frustrated I said to myself, "Enough! I'm going to propose to her tonight!"

Katherine was working an evening shift at her branch library, so I drove out there and stopped at Starbucks on the way, where I picked up 2 slices of cheesecake. I arrived 15 minutes before closing time and helped shut down the library. Afterwards, we sat on the porch by the alligator pond (remember, this is Florida) where we ate and chatted. Then I got down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and popped the question.

She screamed. When she stopped, I asked her, "Is that a yes?"

"YES!"

And so it was. How about you? How did you get engaged?

Fact Checking

I am giddy with excitement over what might be my first "we'll fact-check your ass" moment as a blogger. Might. Over here, John of Wuzzadem [ed. -- note that this link leads to a photoshopped picture of Tom Delay giving the middle finger and may not be worksafe at church] has Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons cite the word 'klabdak' as the Klingon word for 'bulls#@t". I grabbed my handy Klingon/English dictionary (Simon and Schuster, 1985) -- which, of course, I always keep nearby just for such circumstances -- and I found no word called 'klabdak'! Trying to remember my rusty Klingon, I broke it down into constituent suffixes and prefixes, but again found no root words for 'klabdak'.

I noted this fact in a comment (sorry, but Wuzzadem doesn't appear to have permalinks for individual comments), to which John of Wuzzadem responded that he had a more recent edition from wa'SaD Hutvatlh HutmaH jav, which means "1995". Can anyone with access to an up-to-date Klingon/English dictionary confirm this translation of 'klabdak'? Journalistic standards of integrity are at stake.


Meanwhile, Ian simply refuses to take this issue seriously:

The geek irony overload of fact-checking the Klingon language used by the Comic Book Guy is making flames come out of my ears.

IRD Press Release on the War

I found this press release in my in-box:

UNITED METHODIST BISHOPS OPPOSE IRAQ WAR, IGNORE HUMAN RIGHTS

The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church, at its November meeting, nearly unanimously approved a resolution condemning the U.S. military presence in Iraq. A separate unofficial statement, signed by over the half of the active U.S. bishops, even more harshly denounced the “unjust and immoral invasion and occupation,” while charging that Americans are being “sent to Iraq to kill and be killed.”

At the same meeting, the bishops approved a brief statement on the crisis in Darfur. They urged prayer for the situation, but pointedly refrained from criticizing the Islamist Sudanese government for its genocidal campaign against the Darfurians.

The United Methodist Church has 8.2 million members in the U.S., including both President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney.

“How woefully absurd,” commented the IRD’s United Methodist spokesman Mark Tooley, “that church prelates condemn the United States for attempting to build democracy in Iraq, but refuse to condemn the Sudanese regime’s deliberate destruction of hundreds of thousands of lives in pursuit of an Islamic theocracy.”

Tooley also noted that the bishops even-handedly “lament the continued warfare by the United States, coalition forces, and the insurgents” in Iraq.

“No doubt, these bishops, if transported back in history, would have impartially ‘lamented’ the ‘continued warfare’ between Allied and German forces in Normandy in 1944, while blaming the plight of millions of victims of fascist aggression on the United States,” Tooley suggested. “These bishops, like other politically outspoken officials of mainline denominations, seem to be incapable of criticizing any government in the world except for the United States and its closest allies.”

The bishops’ official statement on Iraq faulted the U.S. government for claiming that Saddam Hussein’s regime had weapons of mass destruction and ties to al Qaeda. It also blamed the United States for the “denigration of human dignity” and “gross violations of human rights of prisoners of war.” There was no mention of Saddam Hussein’s human rights record nor of the type of repressive regime that would result if the insurgents in Iraq prevailed. The statement urged the withdrawal of all U.S. military troops and bases from Iraq while seeking a greater United Nations role.

In the unofficial statement, signed by 96 active and retired bishops, Iraqis were described as “needlessly” dying. But the bishops did not identify who was killing the most Iraqis (i.e., the insurgents), nor did they describe how this killing would stop if the United States were to withdraw. Neither of the statements from the bishops mentioned the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed by Saddam’s regime or the millions who were oppressed by it. Nor did either mention the national elections held in Iraq since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Nor did either acknowledge that the United States is spending tens of billions of dollars on Iraqi schools, hospitals, electrical grids, water supply, and other infrastructure.

The official Council of Bishops statement partially quoted the United Methodist Social Principles, which call war “incompatible” with the teachings of Christ. But it neglected to acknowledge the very next sentence of the church’s Social Principles, which states that war might be justified in cases of genocide, brutal suppression, and aggression.

“There are many intelligent arguments that the bishops could have deployed against the Iraq war,” observed Tooley. “But the bishops made none of them. Instead they fell back on a superficial anti-Americanism, which assumes that all global evils, everywhere, are somehow traceable to the United States. Even more sadly, the bishops express no interest in human rights, except as a point on which to criticize the United States for its treatment of prisoners.”

Caption Contest

WINNER: Jason Moore -- "Neuter me and I'll neuter you!"

Fiji Methodist Church Denied Right to Protest

From the Fiji Times:

THE Methodist Church's third application for a protest march against homosexuality has been rejected.

Commissioner Central Inoke Devo rejected the application, which was lodged by the church last Friday.

The Methodist Church had intended to march against homosexuality this Saturday in Suva and other centres around the country.

Mr Devo said even though the application filed by the Suva Methodist circuit was worded differently from that filed by the Rewa circuit, it would still encourage discrimination against gays.

"It therefore follows that such a march is likely to encourage discriminatory conduct against members of the gay community or is likely to incite or arouse feelings of hatred, contempt, enmity or fear in the society," he said.

Thank God I live in America where such things do not happen (often) -- and may He bring the blessings of liberty to every other nation on earth.