Religion as a myth, Mother Mary as a nude playboy pin-up girl & a pink Christmas celebration

A provocative placard was placed beside a nativity scene in Olympia, Washington USA which says that religion “hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” Coincident to this month’s feast honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mexican edition of Playboy magazine printed a nude cover girl with a white veil resembling the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Amsterdam, Netherlands, gays and lesbians slated a pink Christmas, the first this year, depicting the holy Mary and Joseph as homosexuals in a manger scene.

Mockery of religion has become rampant. Antipathy is more common as the holidays heat up. Disrespect and hostility towards Christian moral values are on the rise, especially among those who feel they aren’t “included” in the Christmas celebration.

Churches, religious groups, and the overwhelming majority of Christians are pitted against misguided seculars and atheists who believe religious faith has no place in society. In their alienation, non-believers seems to be having a foul after-taste of their desolation. It’s a far-cry from the the joy and hope true Christians feel at this time of the year.

The small minority of “Scrooges” in US society (fewer than 20% of the public,) wants to change the texture of culture and religion throughout the world. At Christmas time, extremists desiring to remove faith-based traditions are on the move. They have the backing of legal groups, warped government judges, and liberal supporters. This is ironic because the law guarantees the freedom in the exercise of religion (not from religion.) The government is mandated to protect people in their peaceful expressions of faith.

The controversial campaign by liberal radicals and atheists against God seem directed mostly against Jesus believers whose ethical tenet is to work for peace. With the rise of individualism, social alienation, materialism, and decline of ethical moral values, this isn’t surprising. However, the extreme seculars don’t have the balls to mock other religions like Islam. They can only tackle soft targets. For they know,like in the past, their disrespect can draw them into a real quarrel, hopefully, not a bloody one. (Photo Credits: Gadl; Freedom From Religion Foundation.com; Revista Playboy Mexico/ AP) =0=

RELATED BLOG: “Godless world puts Christian identity in peril” Posted by mesiamd at 10/06/2008

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Religion tailored to one’s liking—an alternative to Catholicism?

Those who can’t take the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) may have a lesson from the members the Universal Fellowship Metropolitan Community Church (MCC,) the 40-year old American church of gays and lesbians who has established a chapter in Manila. The founding of the gay church has practical applications to those who campaign against other religions for the sake of changing their teachings.

It’s often suggested by some leaders of RCC that those who cannot abide with its teachings has the option to make their own congregation just like any protestant denomination. That’s exactly what the MCC has done for the gay community. Providing support for the homosexuals, the MCC enjoys peace in the Christian ministry instead of wrangling with the RCC to change its age-old doctrines.

TJ Agbayani, the local pastor of MCC said that since the founding of his church in September 2006, twelve (12) gay and lesbian members entered in the “holy matrimony.” The main tenet of his church is that every member of the community can serve God through ”holy service.” Diverging from RCC’s teaching, Agbayani and his church members believe anyone can interpret the Bible so long as he follows “guidelines.” So far, no one seems intent to bother them on this belief.

Divisions among religions have been spawned by age-old conflicts. In more modern times, the cultures of secularism and relativism have something to do with the bitter quarrels over religious convictions and traditions. That’s why more and more churches are established, creating splits even among the believers of Jesus Christ. A gay life-style is considered aberrant and sinful by the RCC, a belief carried through its 200 centuries of existence.

Spreading peace and avoiding antipathy towards other faiths seem to be the immediate windfall of being part of a sect like MCC which is tailored to one’s belief. The separate congregation is an alternative for those who doubt and cannot find a common ground with the church they belong.

Can there be a time when believers of abortion, contraception, euthanasia, stem-cell research, thievery, murder or corruption will have their own churches too? Maybe.(Photo CRedit: GoldenCalf; CaloricoHermoso;Blazeip1) =0=

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