Bobby and Cammy at 5 weeks

Wasn't home yesterday and haven't seen the cats today so here are my favorite pups.

Friday shuffle

1. On the street Where You Live - Vic Damone
2. Mozart: Requiem, Hostias - Bach Choir of Pittsburgh
3. Sooner or Later - The Grass Roots
4. Foggy Mountain Chimes - Here Today
5. Tic-Tac Polka
6. Walton: Missa Brevis, I. Kyrie - Trinity Choir
7. Britten: A Boy Was Born: Theme - The Sixteen
8. Holiday in Poland Polka
9. Windy - The Association
10. Come Softly to Me - Fleetwoods

Five questions from Fr T

On his blog Father T. listens to the world, Terry Martin invites answers to 5 questions. Go read the post and especially the comments. They are very interesting.

Here are mine.

1. How do you feel about the term "born again"?
Negative. IMNSHO the Bible isn't about saving me. It is about living together successfully in community. If we loved each other, there would be no judgment or hell to worry about or be saved from. But there would be no need for church either. hmmmm. So far the religions in the tradition of Abraham have been remarkably unsuccessful.

2. Has anyone ever tried to save you?
Probably but I turn them off by asking what I'm being saved from, for, to, etc. The conversation always deteriorates after that. I don't believe in a man-created God with human prejudices and desires. Many can't deal with that.

By the way, I had a dozen wonderful conversations with two young Mormon missionaries awhile back. I don't exactly put that in the context of "save" but I guess it was in their sense.

3. Is there a difference between spirituality and religion?
Religion was created by men trying to explain the world around them. In that pursuit it certainly has spent a lot of money and killed lots of people over the centuries. It seems to have deteriorated to a mechanism for control and fundraising in many circles.
I dislike the term spirituality because it is often used in a derogatory sense. My rural neighbors would think lala stuff like crystals or nastiness like cults. I have no suitable replacement.
How a person thinks about their relationship to others, the earth and the afterlife can be radically different from what they consider their religion. I don't find many people "spiritual" regarding their religion or lack of it. I suspect many accept what their church tells them or reject what churches try to tell them without giving the matter much thought beyond the basics. It is too unsettling, even threatening and it takes a lot of work to find one's own way. What some religions try to impose is even scarier to me.

4. Which spiritual person do you most admire?
Desmond Tutu, Jimmie Carter, Dalai Lama, Gene Robinson, Carol Gallagher, Louie Crew, Susan Russell, Elizabeth Kaeton, Lee Allison Crawford, Terry Martin, Mark Harris, MadPriest and many other bloggers plus some folks I actually see fairly regularly. I'm a bit too into present reality to think much about the past. And I tend to not single people out as being "better" or "most". I admired Dad too but he's gone to the other side and has to witness some of the fun parts of my life invisible but present.

5. What would you say to Christians if they would listen?
What part of love God, love your neighbor as yourself, leave judgment to God, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, etc. don't you understand?

Contemplating changes

If I were to transfer my church membership from my home Lutheran church to an Episcopal parish, I'd have to change my blog author name from PseudoPiskie to something else. I'd no longer be a pseudo Episcopalian. I'd be a real one.
Suggestions?

Notice to the Episcopal dioceses of NWPA and WV

Pittsburgh Bishop Bob Duncan has issued a letter regarding the requested moratorium on border crossings in the Anglican Communion. He believes that TEC's support of the equality of all people in God's church forces those who judge some unacceptable to separate themselves from the parent church. You can read the letter at The Lead or Telling Secrets.

Perhaps it is time to do some border crossing and support Pittsburgh parishes who do not wish to follow Duncan into oblivion? I seem to remember PB Katharine suggesting something like linking with parishes in Pittsburgh. When do we start?

Hope it is contagious like some consider LGBT cooties

Today the following from ABC News:
"The California Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that doctors cannot cite their religious beliefs as grounds to deny gay and lesbian patients medical care."

Christianity that promotes exclusion of anyone inspires unhelpful behavior from people who have no sense of responsibility. Christians need to read the Gospels for themselves, not rely on a preacher to interpret for them. What part of love God, love your neighbor as yourself, leave judgment to God, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc. do the exclusionists not understand? Where did Jesus mention the sin of two people loving each other and pledging life long loyalty?

The California Supreme Court is defying the prejudice and money of the religious anti-LGBTs and upholding constitutional law. If only Pennsylvania and the Feds would do likewise!

A friendly parish

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross seems to be a compatible parish that I would enjoy being part of on a regular basis. The real disadvantage is distance. An hour and twenty minutes - 70 miles - each way and the gas required to drive it make it a bit expensive. sigh.

Friendly people. Good preaching. I've never seen evidence of anyone in the North East, PA (and yes, that is the name of the town) area reading my blog but I recommend the parish to anyone seeking a church home.

Three weeks

Another gathering of the OCICBW clan?

Check out Allie's photo page and, hopefully eventually, OCICBINY. It is pretty short notice but why not? I'll be flying out of Newark the afternoon of Saturday, September 13. Perhaps we can just gather somewhere in the neighborhood for supper or lunch? I can get to NJ any time after 3 or so on Friday - it's a 7 1/2 hour drive if all goes well and Fridays are a bit iffy.

Four weeks and strolling

Looks to me like their little topknots are developing.