AUSFAHRT

Einstein: Bible Is ‘Primitive, Pretty Childish’

mgrandon — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 13:29:59 +0000

A letter by the Nobel prize-winning physicist’s Albert Einstein spells out his religious views.

In the note, written the year before his death, Einstein dismissed the idea of God as the product of human weakness and the Bible as “pretty childish.”

Einstein penned the letter on January 3 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind who had sent him a copy of his book Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt. The letter went on public sale a year later and has remained in private hands ever since.

In the letter, he states: “The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.”

Einstein, who was Jewish and who declined an offer to be the state of Israel’s second president, also rejected the idea that the Jews are God’s favoured people.

“For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything ‘chosen’ about them.”

The Bible According to Einstein was not written by Einstein, but a group of scientist expounding upon the laws of Nature. The term Bible is used in reference to “a collection of books.”

http://www.jupiterscientific.org/science/baeind.html

African American Ministers Support DADT REPEAL

mgrandon — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:34:31 +0000

African American Ministers in Action addressed a letter to Senators in support of repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

December 15, 2010

United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

On behalf of African American Ministers in Action, a project of People For the American Way, we write in strong opposition to all forms of discrimination against gay military personnel and in strong support of all actions needed to address and subsequently repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We welcome today’s passage of the House amendment to the Senate amendment of H.R. 2965, and urge the Senate to take up this measure forthwith. It is time to finally send repeal to the President’s desk.

Representing progressive African American faith leaders from around the country, African American Ministers in Action is a ministry of civil engagement and social justice that embraces the “beloved community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Consciously recognizing discrimination and oppression, we believe in justice and equality for all, and we support all members of the armed services, including gay servicemembers, who stand and defend our country. We support their individual and collective struggle for open and honest service in our military; true service that has been denied for more than 15 years.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is contradictory to the values and teachings progressive men and women of faith express weekly to their congregations. Values such as honor, integrity, faithfulness and service are common in places of worship and associated with the armed forces, not to mention equality and freedom of expression espoused by our Constitution. Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is necessary to restore these values. Until then, a segment of servicemembers will have to lie and hide their true identity on a daily basis. Those who live openly and share information about their spouses, significant others, or dating life risk investigation and involuntary expulsion. Any statement that one is gay – to anyone, at any time, before or after enlistment – can be reason for discharge. One’s life is a constant liability to one’s career for gay military personnel.

The faith community will continue in faithful dialogue to address the questions of LGBT equality and recognition of same-sex relationships. However, one thing people of faith should and do recognize is the need to protect constitutional and civil rights of all Americans, especially those who are discriminated against because of who they are. LGBT individuals are ready and willing to step up, and have stood up to the challenge of military service. They share in the sacrifices made by their family, friends, and neighbors. They deserve to serve honestly and openly with dignity.

There is a time and a season for every activity, every purpose. Now is the time, this is the season to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Sincerely,

Reverend Timothy McDonald, III
African American Ministers In Action
Chairman

Reverend Dr. Robert P. Shine
African American Ministers in Action
Vice Chair

We all bleed RED: 2010 DADT Repeal and 1948 Segregation Repeal

mgrandon — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:14:42 +0000

Update: @ 1:33 pm Senate vote 63-33 to invoke cloture on repeal. Official vote taken @3pmET. At this very moment let history record 33 senators as evil doers of civil rights, democracy and justice.

It’s exactly 9:49am, 18 Dec. 2010, and I’m watching Congressmembers on C-Span debate a major civil rights injustice: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Hopefully, within the next hour, DADT repeal bill will be voted upon in the Senate.

Addendum: @10:46pm John McCain took the floor with old bigoted rhetoric used to keep the armed forces segregated and anti civil rights. No Negro in the US should be against DADT –regardless of their religious convictions. Once again, those smae religious convictions kept slavery alive, jim crow alive, and discrimination alive historically and at present.

With such homophobia from my own black community reference gays, I want to review desegregation of the arms services. You see, the big difference here is that president Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26 1948 desegregating the armed forces – knowing such a bill would not make it through Congress. Why? Blatant racism and social ignorance! Also, Turman wanted to look good for international diplomacy purposes.

So, my black community must understand that social justice must always be meet with agitation, agitation and more agitation. Just like desegregation, DADT has been a long fight of agitation and bridging of diplomacy to get to this point. Regardless if this bill passes or not the struggle will continue until DADT has folded – even if the president has to sign an Executive Order.

Arguments today in favor of keeping the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell policy”—that openly serving gays would disrupt morale and erode the cohesion of combat units—echo those used to defend military segregation along racial lines just a few short years ago.

Top brass in the armed forces wholeheartedly believed the role of the military was to serve, not to change, society. Blacks served in every U.S. military conflict beginning with the American Revolution, but in separate units that were often poorly trained and ill equipped. White officers were commonly ordered to lead black units as punishment.

They also rationalized their opposition to integration by saying that the armed forces should not be an instrument of social change and that the services could only reflect the social mores of the society from which they sprang. Thus, in their view, integration not only hindered the services’ basic mission by burdening them with undependable units and marginally capable men, but also courted social upheaval in military units.

But the job wasn’t exactly finished until the Defense Department disbanded its last all-black units in 1954.

Bus Boycott by Religious Negros

mgrandon — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:29:19 +0000

If there were a God, HE would’ve freed the enslaved Negro psyche. The Negro League of Fort Worth, Texas christian ministers, in collaboration with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) plan to stage a major bus boycott. Why? On Dec 5, four Fort Worth buses will adorn an advertisment by a local Atheist group ( see sign above).

And it’s true: Millions are good without God. And I am just one of the millions who are just fine and dandy without the man who religionist say made the first man named Adam, a female from Adam’s rib named Eve, and they lived in a garden with a evil talking snake.

So, I guess that means black church folks will walk and or carpool to work and for errands. Fort Worth is no urban city; therefore, getting around requires an engine. Black folks in Texas ain’t walking nowhere! This ain’t 1953 Baton Rouge, La, nor 1955 Montgomer,AL. My fellow negros lack the fortitude of the negro of nearly 60 years ago.

Now, the Texas Transit Authority (T) has fired back reference the ministers planned boycott. “If there’s a fight out there they need to pick the right enemy. I don’t think the Transit Authority is the one they need to be fighting. There’s a group that funded these ads. If you’re against the words in the ad, like they say don’t kill the messenger,” said Anthony Johnson, executive vice president of operations for the T.

I’m certain my beloved negro religionist will back down from their boycott before making such an embarrassment of the black religionist community. Once again, a huge display of ignorance on behalf of the black religious community. Disparities abound within the black community, but we galvanize behind a bus boycott over freedom of religious thought. Hmmm?

Pastors’ say and do the damdest things!

mgrandon — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:43:08 +0000

Pastor who said Facebook was ‘portal to infidelity’ had four-way relationship

A pastor who ordered his congregation to shun Facebook because it was a “portal to infidelity” had a four-way relationship with his wife, a male church assistant and the assistant’s wife, it has emerged.

Rev Cedric Miller, of Neptune, New Jersey, last week told 50 married church officials to delete their accounts with the social networking site or resign.

Rev Miller, 48, claimed that 20 couples from his 1,100-member church had experienced marital problems in recent months after contacting ex-partners through the site.

But over the weekend Rev Miller’s local newspaper disclosed that he “didn’t need Facebook to be part of an extramarital affair”.

It found transcripts from a criminal trial against the church assistant in 2003, in which details emerged of what Rev Miller has since called “a very painful part of my past”.

In the case, which was eventually dismissed, he testified that his wife, Kim, had an affair with the assistant, and that he and the man’s wife were often present at their meetings.

“I mean between the four of us,” Rev Miller said. “It was just, I mean there was touching … it was crazy, it was as wrong as wrong could get.”

Asked by a lawyer whether he was talking about “sex”, Rev Miller replied: “Yes”. He described their behaviour as “beyond what was appropriate”.

Rev Miller told the court that the meetings between the couples often took place after Thursday Bible study sessions and after church services on Sundays.

He said in a statement: “This was resolved at that time and accordingly we will not allow it to detract from our mission at hand to save as many marriages as we can.”

My summary: It’s pastor’s prerogative to participate in an orgy; however, don’t let pastor preach, teach, nor counsel other s upon biblical teachings. Get my point?

See more here.

No More Down Low TV

mgrandon — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 02:02:03 +0000

Look what greatness I stumbled into! A one-of-a-kind lifestyle and entertainment TV show like no other. Click here.

Sista Girls Doing It Right

mgrandon — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 00:44:40 +0000

This is soooo beautiful! Love seeing my same gender loving folks doing it RIGHT!

Kudos to Essence magazine for featuring Aisha Mills and Danielle Moodie in its Bridal Bliss section. The pics are Great! Click here. Enjoy!

The Business of Jesus: Free Market Capitalism

mgrandon — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:48:43 +0000

If black men are the most un/under employed group — lets us all become preachers. Amen? No degree required. No experience need. No resume desired. Seriously, we are in the wrong business!! Get me a book, any old book, with a good PR team, and you too shall become a proselytized believer. Hey, if you believe the WTC towers ~~imploded~~ collapsed from burning jet fuel – you will easily believe my lie too.

Donald R. Wright, author, The Only Prayer I’ll Ever Pray, Let My People Go, is the focus of this posting.

“The more you give and increase your faith, the sooner you can live like me( a pastor of multi-million dollar mega church).” This is the enticing message you receive at most churches.

Black in America is best depicted as physically free yet mentally enslaved. Dr. Henry Jones states: “Religion is the bane of the human mind.” It is religionist who interpretations of biblical literature that supports slavery, homophobia, gender discrimination, prejudices, bigotry, murder, etc… Most world atrocities have been carried out in the name of Jesus, our lord and savior, or God.

” In the past and present, blacks rely substantially on the black churches and the religous leaders, and more often than not, they have misquided the people. The leaders have continued this patatern from slavery of presenting the chruch as the only true means to solving society’s problems. Look to the church from whence cometh thou help. The best example is the civil rights movement… The black church was the gathering place….

” Religion in America is free enterprise and capitalism at its best. Some businesses flourish by providing their products and services to churches. The best example is the construction industry. It is obvious that religious institutions invest a lot of their hard earned dollars in buildings”

“The black church is an example of how wealth is created. The pastor and his family soon can move to a larger house and drive a much nicer car. Love offerings, anniversary and birthday gifts can quicly change a personal financial statement.”

Regarding financial compensation for the pastor and church staff, what should be the source to determine the guidelines, the Bible or the National Association of Church Business Administration? If the Bible, then whose message is sufficient, Jesus or Paul? Most Christians choose the latter.”

The primary reason for becoming a church pastor, excluding Catholic priests, is income potential. I know most of them will not admit this. Let’s examing he revenue and payroll (pastor, staff, office assistants, musicaians, etc..) potential of a 2000 member church.

DESCRIPTION

A. Number of Members 2,000
B. Estimated Number of Working Adults ( A x 50%) 1,000
C. Estimated Average Yearly Income Per Working Adult $30,000
D. Tithes & Offerings ( C x 10% ) $3,000
E. Annual Revenue ( B x D ) $3,000,000
F. Payroll Average % Church Budget 42%
G. Projected Annual Payroll ( E x F) $1,260,000

So, if we calculate Eddie Long’s approx. 25,000 congregants, New Birth church would gross (using the above formula) $37,500,000.00 annually. Damn!!!!

Let me say it again: If black men are the most un/under employed group — lets us all become preachers. Amen? No degree required. No experience need. No resume desired. Seriously, we are in the wrong business!! Get me a book, any old book, and I’ll make up some damn good lies.

“A slave to a man you love.”

mgrandon — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:35:22 +0000

Eddie Long you’re FINISHED! And to Jamal Parris, in the words of the late Walter Hawkins popular gospel song, “Don’t wait ’till the battle is over to shout now,
You know in the end, you’re gonna WIN.”

We should expect a settlement very soon! Jamal Parris riveting testimony tonight is enough that any judge and or jury would find Eddie Long GUILTY. As Jamal spoke, every fatherless black male could relate. As Jamal spoke, every black female raising a son without a male presence could relate. And as Jamal spoke, the black community at large could relate. Jamal spoke from a deep place that has been torn into pieces: his heart. This was no prepared script. Jamal was REAL. His story … I need a minute to regroup. I cannot finish this at this moment cause I feel emotions overcoming me. When Jamal stated the reasons he couldn’t stop and tell Eddie enough is enough, instantly I thought of the words from Donnie Hathaways song:, Giving Up.

Giving up is hard to do
When you really love someone
Giving up …. so hard to do
When you still depend upon
Her warm and tender touch
Her kiss and her hug……….her caress
Oooooh that used to mean so much
And bring you happiness
Woooo ooooooooh

Giving up, so hard to do
I’ve tried
But it just ain’t no use
Giving up, so hard to do
I said I’ve tried
But it just ain’t no use
But my light of hope is burning dim
But
But in my heart I pray
That my love and faith in the girl
My love…will bring her back someday

I’m talking ’bout when you really love someone

Blacks and Hispanic Flunk U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey

mgrandon — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:25:35 +0000

Big Kudos Friendly Atheist for keeping me informed.

This comes as no surprise that the most religious group in America, the Negro, received a grade of “F” on religious knowledge. This speaks volumes of our ability to become blindly proselytized without true understanding of that which we totally commit our life and submit our earning. However, I was ecstatic to know that we non theist/questioning received the highest score: A+

“This may seem paradoxical, since atheists and agnostics have very low levels of religious commitment and yet score very well on the survey questions. However, atheists and agnostics account for a relatively small share of the total number of people with low levels of religious commitment; 4% of Americans describe themselves as atheists or agnostics, while fully 35% have low religious commitment. Atheists and agnostics answer an average of 20.9 questions correctly, compared with an average of 15.4 correct answers among people with low religious commitment who do not describe themselves as atheists or agnostics.”

These are among the key findings of the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey, a nationwide poll conducted from May 19 through June 6, 2010, among 3,412 Americans age 18 and older, on landlines and cell phones, in English and Spanish. Jews, Mormons and atheists/agnostics were oversampled to allow analysis of these relatively small groups.