Damien the Leper

I wish @Thunderfire still posted here. They could probably provide a better explanation.

To them it is not pedantic. Having learned the history of the name change, they explicitly left out "the" in their name. To them they were called to be a Community of Christ and not The Community of Christ. The distinction means a great deal to them. Using "the" to begin a sentence followed by the name is a waste of time. Example... "Community of Christ officially changed its name 1 January 2001." Vs. "The Community of Christ officially changed its name 1 January 2001." The two sentences do not have the same meaning. There is absolutely a distinction with a purpose. Consider it in terms of the LDS church. Perhaps dropping "the" at the beginning of the name is pedantic. Example again... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vs Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vs the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints To LDS people there is a clear distinction between the three. Perhaps you're right and people are being pedantic.

I don't care for The Message. I was joking. I cringe when I read it.

Fixed it. There is no article 'the' in their name.

Have you considered The Message version?

I disagree. NRSV is better. Love you, Ben!!

Kirk may have seen a gay man like me as less or ignorantly abnormal but I find his death reprehensible. Emphasis on may.

Not directed at me but I prefer fair.org and Ground News.

Ok. Just so I don't have to go through all the posts... Who are the winners after Oaks?

The posturing of some on the right that suggests that they are somehow the more moral, godly and rational is just that. Posturing. Christian Nationalism is real and extremely dangerous. Especially the rhetoric of the post-millenial theonomists.

I'm speaking of the institutionalisation of Trans people. The institutionalisation isn't coming from a place of love but bigotry and false morality.

It's now Wednesday. Anything I should know about?

This rhetoric is maddening. Conditionalising our human worth is absolutely obscene and reprehensible. So much talk of "Christian" values and so little attention to the words of Jesus. It's too bad that the Beatitudes isn't the kick in the butt we need.

So am I.

I'm curious. Does anyone here know what it's like to have family align themselves with ideology that hurts you personally? I've been sobbing the last few hours because my family can't name one good thing conservatives have to say about the LGBTQ community. My family wants sympathy and empathy for people who would not lose an ounce of sleep if I or someone like me were to be killed or some other way harmed. Tell me. Where is god? I am so destroyed right now. I'm so sorry if I'm dramatic. I just don't know what to do. I feel so stupid.

What I mean by normalised is that people, not all, are never ever truly shocked when a mass/school shootings occurs. They are a part of everyday American life. It is absolutely reprehensible that people seem to hold their guns closer than they do their children, their loved ones or humanity as a whole. I am so sick and tired of the shallow bullsh!t offered up as rationalisations. Thoughts and prayers? Are you kidding me? People are dying! When the Pulse night club was shot up, Marco Rubio simply said it was Florida's turn. Florida's turn? Again, are you kidding me!?! Kirk's death is getting more airplay than the kids that were shot in Colorado. People have moved on from another school shooting. That's par for the course. I am absolutely devastated by the fact that we continue to allow this to happen. I am so damn angry! Our complacency should be our downfall.

It is a fair question.

Why not? Mass/school shootings have. Ah. So you know who killed Kirk and what their motivations were. Got it. Your rant sounds just like all the other so-called conservatives attempting to sound scandalised. Also, you say you're pro-life. Or are you just pro-birth? There is a universe wide difference between the two.

Mossad, IDF and the Likud.

I abhor gun violence. I would never wish it on anyone. However, Kirk died on his hill. To him, empathy was a New Age term that causes damage. A person is not simply better or more Christlike for having empathy for the one who would not have empathy in return. Humanity is broken. We have allowed the liberals (those who are still RIGHT of CENTER on the spectrum) and the conservatives to create this narrative that is so divisive. One side claim to have some greater morality than the other. However, at the end of the day, it is just one monster speaking from both sides of its mouth. The absolute manipulation by corporate media (OANN, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, Newsmax, etc.) has completely mind screwed Americans. What I think may happen is that the right will heavily politicise this and attempt to turn Kirk into some symbolic patriotic martyr for their cause. And it will likely work. It is a trademark of weaponising emotions.

After I left, several evangelical friends and acquaintances saw my leaving as an opportunity and often made me feel like a project. Their "Will you...?" questions became nauseatingly exhausting. The arrogant and narcissistic idea that they held the truth of the Bible and true Christianity was a good way to get my open-mindedness and willingness to engage in discussion to shut like a steel door. When facing situations like that it seems as though the authenticity is lacking or non-existent. The worst experiences I had were with people from the Assembly of God and Acts 29 Reformed. To be honest, however, Protestantism was never going to work for me anyway. The Westminster Confession has always made me want to punch myself in the face. Catholicism and Orthodoxy hold my heart. Also, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria is pretty rad too.

Very nice. That sounds like good plans.

When did this happen? What parish do you attend now?

He's an Augustinian as well. Good moderate choice.

Will they also honor non-LDS missionary work?