Is the U.S.A. a Christian Nation 2015-81

Posted in Religious by

Is the U.S.A. a Christian Nation   2015-81

First off, most people would probably say YES to the question of whether or not the United States of America is a Christian Nation. But I then ask, “Are we really?”

The USA was, after it became a nation following the Revolutionary War, considered or thought of as a Christian nation. It was NEVER declared, as such, then. The Declaration of Independence called the nation or invoked God in its dating as “in the year of the Lord” but that was about it then as far as a tie in with Jesus Christ, in any way. This use of “the Lord” was a common way of dating in the 1700”s In fact, the original founders declared in the Treaty of Tripoli which was upheld in the Constitution, “the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”. In essence, we were NOT founded in the context of Christianity.

OK, this is referring to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, but I again ask, “Are we a Christian Nation and I add “today”? I am not trying to have an opinion of the legal senses of whether or not we are, but instead, will relate to the thought of the people of the country themselves as their being Christian.

I wrote earlier about “What is a Christian” in post 2015-79 and that, somewhat, relates to people in general in America today as a definition. But, how many of us are Christians in reality? Do we believe in God, which encompasses Jesus Christ? More importantly, do we practice our Christian faith that we believe in or just say we are Christian, without commitment?

More and more people are “dropping out” of their religious faiths, meaning people that were Catholic, Lutheran, Methodists, Episcopalians, and all the other major faiths.  It was once popular to go to church and then the numbers changed and less and less people do so today. I could ask, “is going to church a Christian thing?”, presumably that the church is a Christian one. I hate to use the word Church in relation to being a Christian though, because you CAN be a Christian without going to church…….

Can we call ourselves a Christian nation whereas the majority of the people do not practice the Christian beliefs and teachings? The numbers are out there for the totals that attend church, share the faith in Christ, read the Bible, attend small church groups or Sunday School and they are not only down, but very much below the 50% level. That is telling in so many ways.

The crucial role of Christianity in this nation’s formation is not without dispute, although as Revolutionary leader Patrick Henry said: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship.” The problem is that he could state that then, but today, it has no merit in some ways.

Only the principle of church-state separation can protect America’s incredible degree of religious freedom. The individual rights and diversity we enjoy cannot be maintained if the government promotes Christianity or if our government takes on the trappings of a “faith-based” state. I understand that fact, but feel that with religious freedom comes the responsibility. What do I mean by that? There was a news item on Yahoo.com that stated a political group was considering making a change to the Constitution that would declare the U.S.A. having Christianity as a national religion and it was at the 57% level.  This would not be a good idea as far as I am concerned.

We have the freedom to NOT attend church or involve ourselves in religious undertakings. I don’t want to have the requirement that I be a member of a certain religious group to live in the U.S.A.  I want the freedom to attend the church of my choice or not. If I want to be Buddhist and study Zen Buddhism so be it; I can in the U.S.A.  If I want to deny there is a God or say there never was a Christ, then I want that freedom to do so; I can do so in the U.S.A.

We are so very lucky in the U.S.A. of this freedom and I cherish it.  Some places in this world exact the final solution of death, for not believing in a certain god or their religion. Death is the answer for them in some cases, or at least is the extreme punishment. That is severe and somewhat archaic thinking of what to do to someone for their religious beliefs or non-practice of their faith. This could also apply to blasphemy or additional acts that go against the mainstream beliefs of that faith.

One of the quietest times on our road where we live is on Sunday morning at about 7:30 A.M.  A normal work week day would involve a busy and hectic travel at this time period. The only area where it is evident of their being some travel is on Sunday morning near or at the golf course on the way to church. This is just facts presented without any judgmental thoughts added.  It is a way of life today, period.

One of the things I look at as a positive thing of going to church is the “community”, that it offers. This means, the overall togetherness of fellowship, prayer, discussions, enjoyments, and all the rest of the things that make up a religious get-together.  There is nothing wrong about meeting like this and there are continued periods of joining with the same people later in the week that are part of this experience.

I do not want to look at our country as a non-Christian state of being, but perhaps it actually is in reality. This could be for many reasons, which have been reported on, but the fact remains that more and more people do not have a belief in a man named Jesus Christ, that died for us so we may have a chance of eternal life. Perhaps the promise of living forever is not a big draw today; don’t know.

Den Betts

Crows 2015-80

Posted in Nature, Poems by

In the country we have crows, hawks, and buzzards living together with those of nature, but in the city, crows rule in the sky, or so it seems, along with other creatures of wildlife, of course. It was, well, somewhat unique to observe the crows when we lived in the urban jungle of the city, but again, somewhat common place here in the country……

Crows     2015-80

A “caw” then another “caw”

from above somewhere, not placed.

Peering above, I look for the source,

of the sound known from childhood.

Remembered now on a regular basis

 

A fleeting shadow on the ground,

signals the presence of the crow

flapping wings so laboriously

towards the tree in back of house.

 

The glance above in pin oak splendor

shows a sight not seen before.

A “crows nest” high in boughs

built different than the squirrels;

home for more of the black winged

ones, to continue its species.

 

A mate’s call further away, high in

sky, flying, dipping, trying to get

away from wrens attacking with swoops,

protecting their own kind.

 

The nature of things in an urban setting

so different than a cornfield far away,

A name, Charley, the crow for him and

perhaps Celeste for her,  why not, maybe so.

“C and C” easy to remember, but not tell apart.

 

Den Betts

What is a Christian? 2015- 79

Posted in Religious by

What is a Christian?  2015- 79  

Christian, what is one?

The easy answer is one who believes in Jesus Christ and practices the faith of a believer of Jesus. A Christian is a person that is a follower of the world’s largest religion with about 2.4 billion adherents.  Christians believe that a man named Jesus is the Son of God, and was fully divine and fully human and became the savior of humanity. His coming as Christ or the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible. To my non-Christian followers, let me expound on this subject for a moment.

“Christian theology is expressed in ecumenical creeds. These professions of faith state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust in him for the remission of their sins. The creeds further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven, where he reigns with God the Father, and that he will return to judge the living and dead and grant eternal life to his followers. His ministry, crucifixion and resurrection are often referred to as “the gospel“, meaning “good news” (Greek: εὐαγγέλιον euangélion). The term gospel also refers to written accounts of Jesus’s life and teaching, four of which—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are considered canonical and included in Christian Bibles.”   This per Wikipedia Click on blue words for more info on it.

Many people say they are a Christian without really knowing what a Christian is and the history of the religion. The Bible New Testament was compiled from writings and sayings of those that lived after the man Jesus died. Jesus is quoted from what is believed He said to them at the time. Most Christians have not read the Bible in its entirety, or usually read portions of it as deemed fit at the time. Some of the Christian thoughts have come from those sayings in the Bible and the Bible is used to make certain points or so in daily life.

The feeling of how Jesus relates as the Son of God, in relation to God and the Holy Spirit is not easy to fathom for some. This concept is sometimes hard to understand and to some, to accept. Other religions do NOT see this concept, as a fact and deny the Christian beliefs as not worthy of respect and these differences of opinion have created much discord in the world today.

“The central tenet of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (Christ). Christians believe that Jesus, as the Messiah, was anointed by God as savior of humanity, and hold that Jesus’ coming was the fulfillment of messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The Christian concept of the Messiah differs significantly from the contemporary Jewish concept. The core Christian belief is that through belief in and acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans can be reconciled to God and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life.

While there have been many theological disputes over the nature of Jesus over the earliest centuries of Christian history, generally Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate and “true God and true man” (or both fully divine and fully human). Jesus, having become fully human, suffered the pains and temptations of a mortal man, but did not sin. As fully God, he rose to life again. According to the Bible, “God raised him from the dead”, he ascended to heaven, is “seated at the right hand of the Father” and will ultimately return  to fulfill the rest of Messianic prophecy such as the Resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment and final establishment of the Kingdom of God.”  Per Wikipedia

I cannot add to what I have shown above, but as a self-admitted Christian, I believe in what I have written. To those of other faiths, I do not care what you believe or do not believe. This is not a cruel thought, just a fact. We all have beliefs! Some people do not have a belief in God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit and that is a belief in that way of thinking. So be it if that is the case. Others of different faiths believe in a different God or many God’s and if so, that is your belief. When we can get together, talk, discuss and acknowledge our differences without discord we will be on a path of understanding that will go beyond belief; and that will be great.

Den Betts

Worms 2015-78

Posted in Nature, Poems by

How many worms have I fed to the fish in the pond nearby? Too many, I say! We take these “creatures” for granted, but they are out there, and not menaces like some things that fly and take blood at night. My daughter used to harvest them for her garden, I think, and had bunches of them in a tray of some sorts. Not something my wife would like to know or appreciate. Perhaps there should be more things like worms instead of other things that we have around us………

Worms  2015-78

A slimy, oozy thing of nature,

Found most anywhere

It stretches and recoils

Moving in the creature’s lair.

 

From minute small to a

Brazilian rope of mass

It struggles for survival

Amidst a world of mud and grass.

 

Used as bait to catch a fish

And even eaten by some; I hear

Seen after a rain on a walk

Trying to breath the air.

 

Eating dirt in its journey

To go from here to there

Shunning light, coming at night

Making it seldom seen, so rare.

 

A benefit to man, not known by all

It helps the soil in every way

But, looked by some with distaste

As a slim, slimy thing, each day.

 

Its not bad and doesn’t bite,

Will not hurt a soul I daresay

As per this, perhaps we should—

Declare a National Worm Day.

 

Den Betts

C.S. Lewis #1 2015-77

Posted in Quotes by

Quotes—-                              C.S. Lewis #1       2015-77

This quote is by the author, C.S. Lewis. He has written many books and has credit for many other endeavors in his lifetime from 1898-1963. His radio broadcasts during WWII brought him wide acclaim. I highly recommend his book, “Mere Christianity”, which is probably one of the most influential books regarding, or for evangelicals since 1945.

 

“Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable.”, C.S. Lewis

To hear from God with an answer would be or I could say IS a great thing, but I would think that asking God in a nonsense way would not elicit a response from Him.

Den Betts

Living Forever 2015-76

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Too often, some people think they are going to live forever on Earth, or at least believe or act so,  at times. Too late, unfortunately, they find out otherwise and it is a shock, a disappointment or worse. How we live, take care of ourselves, or not, makes a large difference on the total of our existence. Too much drinking, smoking, taking stupid chances, etc, all can catch up with us in a most ill-fated way, at times. Then, we might have regrets, but, being too late, we can only lament on our being.

Living Forever  2015-76

Many things are forever or so they appear to be,

Life on earth is not, but eternity is; hopefully.

We take so much for granted, each and every day,

The thought of living forever is with us all the way.

 

So many things we should do and not do in our life,

We have so little time, so it should be done just right.

Too many think of life as – a holler and a yell,

And only realize too late that there is a final bell.

 

We can have fun and do our living, as we could,

But in the end our record shows how it really stood.

One day at a time is a way of a longer life,

Just try to do it less all the stressful strife.

 

Life can be fun and also sad, depending on the day,

It is what and how it is, and we MUST live it that way.

So forever can be a long time before we are to die,

And living and enjoying life is what we should really try.

 

If I may add this last advice, without appearing odd,

Try to include, forever and a day, the one we call our God…

Den Betts

Face at the Window 2015-75

Posted in Head Trama, Poems by

This is a poem about a period of despair where things were “not right” in my mind, but not knowing why at the time. I share this to let others know that sometimes crap happens and we have a choice of living with it or not.  It IS easier to look back at life sometimes instead of at the moment, but that is life itself; one of periods of time to experience. I survived a terrible time in my life, and, looking backward, can still reminisce about the journey then and sometimes even now…..

Face at the Window 2015-75

Looking out at the world so near,

yet so far; seeing, but not knowing

of the things others hold so dear.

 

Peering, wondering, about the earthly

smell, a swish of feet on green grass,

a kiss of the wind on cheek so swell.

 

A desire so great to escape the bonds,

of a way of life that seems like hell

to do the things that others do, so well.

 

Nose on glass, breath making fog

a wish, a want, a longing for a chance

to live a life free of minds smog.

 

Not really hurt, no visible scar, no

means of knowing by others who blurt,

“You look so great, you are, you are!”

 

Days turn to a week, then to months,

a look at the past that’s gone so fast

with a future that seems so bleak.

 

Not knowing what, scared of what, not

trying to think of what, not having

the mind to see what, just asking – what?

 

Den Betts

Ortz Bug 2015-74

Posted in Humor, Poems by

In my feeble mind lurk things that I am glad stay there, at times,  and not present their selves in reality!  Why such a creature like an Ortz Bug would inhabit my mind and come to the forefront is beyond me. It came out and, once seen (?) it is now a part of my vocabulary and without any hesitancy, here it is———–

 

 

Ortz Bug       2015-74

 

The tiny Ortz bug is a thing of beauty,

 

It runs, it flies, it swims, – its pretty.

 

It’s colored red, yellow, and green too,

 

It even has a head that’s light, light blue!

 

Its 23 feet make it go as fast as it can go,

 

But in a race, it won’t beat a centipede tho.

 

Its huge big wings are meant for flying,

 

But, a jet plane its not – no lying!

 

It even has paddles, for pushing in the water,

 

But, if you expect fast, don’t bother

 

So as you can see, it is a weird, weird bug,

 

I ought to know, there’s one in my jug..

 

 

Den Betts

Speaking for Christians 2015-73

Posted in Poems, Statement by

Speaking for Christians    2015-73

I cannot do so! I cannot speak for other Christians that I have not talked to, read about, or otherwise been in touch with about a subject.

I resent, therefore, the posts, the news articles, and all the rest of published or otherwise stated sayings about Christians and what they believe in about a subject.

How do the far right or left know what I think or believe?  How do they comprehend what God thinks and what gives them the right to be the spokesperson concerning Christians in general or the whole?

Pick a subject! I don’t care if it is about homosexuality, abortion, marriage or lack of, executions, or any of the other hot topics that we hear about daily, it seems.

Bill O’Reilly, the Pope, and The President of the United States, are examples of people that do NOT have a secret connection, or IN with God to say they KNOW what He thinks or believes.  Yes, I included the Pope. He is human, not a God, and does NOT have confirmed knowledge of what God decrees.

OK, there is Scripture according to the Christian Bible as a guide. It, the Bible, in my mind, is not Inerrant or has a freedom or lack of error.  I DO believe it is God inspired, but in fact, was put together by men that are NOT infallible. I encourage anyone to read about the history of the Bible and actually find out how it became what it is today. Those people might find out some facts that are startling to contemplate.

More about the subject of speaking to Christians

There are items that come up on the news at night that really tick me off. The newscaster goes on and on about a subject that he is reporting and the slant is, he or she is reporting as facts that the person he is talking to knows all and is the expert and speaks for ALL Christians. At least, that is what it sounds like.

I am a Christian, but it doesn’t mean I am against ALL abortions, or hate gay people, or think a vile SOB that killed someone needs to be put to death.  All Christians have minds of their own and there is NOBODY that can speak for all of us.

It would be better if the person reporting would say explicitly that the person being interviewed is from the such and such group, which believes in the subject being reported on, to clarify it. The Westboro Baptist non- church is not my spokesperson on anything for instance.

Same sex marriages are becoming a way of the land in the United States, and for groups to be against this, is their opinion and not the opinion of God or me, simple as that. Many times the Bible is cited as an example of their thoughts. The interpretations of the Scriptures are again their own.  Also, something that was put together by men, very long ago does not make it so today. The canons of the Bible took some time (in the 4th Century), but what parts were left out and was it  a good thing to do so, or was it done as an opinion of those making the canons and what they thought it should be  then. I have researched this and can find no authority of how the canons came to be, other than some facts of when and where they were compiled,  but noting in detail as to the rules on how they were applied at the time.

What also gets me is the way those that state they are Christian and use the word in conjunction with something they believe in but,  really do not live the life of a Christian or know what Christianity is about in many ways. I consider myself a Christian but I cannot judge myself as being a good one or a so- so one, but make the claim of being one anyhow. But, that does not give ME the right to speak for all Christians, just because I think I am one and what I think at that time.

Decency in expression

Another thing, I read articles in the Huffington Post, for instance, and then comments by other readers. Some of the comments are so VILE, so GROSS, so everything that is not nice, decent or at times even makes sense.  I end up ignoring them, but, at times, wonder what those people are really like. I would think they may be very negative thinking and hard to live with today. I know of some like that, personally, and they are not really great to meet, talk to, or have around on a regular basis due to their stance on life……

I think that many people, including myself, should take the time and rethink their thinking about certain statements they make, that give insight as to what they believe in. Again, that includes me, and what I put down in writing, it would be best at times that I take the time to re-read what I wrote and consider changing, perhaps, what I state I believe in. Others could do the same.

I could rant on and on about this subject, but will stop for now and regroup and reconsider some of the things I believe in. Whether it will do any good to do so will remain to be seen.  Peace be with you!!!!!

Den Betts

Color 2015-72

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Growing up I did not have much exposure to others of the black race and it was not until I went into the Marines that I did so. It was a different time (59′-63″)and even then I was not affected by exposure to others of color. They were in the same boat (sort of) as  we basically got along. I really believe that when people of different races get together and talk, that is the first step to understanding.

The things that are happening on TV with Ferguson, Baltimore, and NYC are, hopefully, going to make a difference, in some way, I pray.  I think we have to be honest though, with ourselves and others that live with us and that begins with serious discussion and truthfulness on both parts. That could also be said of those of different faiths, where discussing differences is an educational experience. One can only hope.

Color  2015-72

Blank and White opposites

Extremes in color

Not red- Not Yellow

Not in Between

 

A degree of bright

And one of darkness

Two cultures different

But both with Pride

 

Not knowing the other

Nor trusting either

So far apart

Opposites- each uncaring

 

Both so wrong

Or not knowing or admitting

That color is a covering

Not the Soul….

Den Betts