Blog on the Lillypad
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
 | Discussion at a Table
As most of my readers know, I have chronic back pain and treat it in a drug-free way. While I endorse just about anything that puts off the use of powerful pharmaceuticals, getting into alternative therapies is a mixed bag. There's a lot of nonsense out there that costs a lot of money and accomplishes nothing. And there are well meaning people out there who believe some of the goofiest things I've ever heard (and you're getting this from a Christian Fundamentalist who studies astrology!) |
However, after investigating some of the therapies offered at the West Mill Wellness Spa in Raleigh, I decided sign up for a few sessions. My therapist is a woman, 60 years old who looks about 40, born in Croatia (formerly part of Yugoslavia), who has embraced just about every New Age belief I've ever heard of, and a few I have not.
However, she has a great respect for me and my beliefs. The fact that I have remained celibate all my life amazes her. (She has to ask about sexually transmitted diseases, so my assurances that I don't have any STDs are rock-solid.)
As I was getting on the table to start the session, she made sure I was very well covered, and I thanked her. "I'm probably very modest," I told her.
"Yes," she said in her Eastern European accent. "But I think that's wonderful, baby girl! I have a great respect for women who can live without pleasure." (All this time tucking me in.)
"Uh, well, it's not that---"
"You see, I am celibate these past 11 years," she adds. "Very difficult, but so much better not to play with men---"
"Uh, yes, if you put it that way----"
She switched topics as we went back to health issues and matters of chronic pain. Once we got started, there was a long interval where she was simply sitting alongside me, so I asked her about what is was like to grow up in Yugoslavia.
"We had no car when I grow up," she said. "No electricity. No running vater. I see radio for first time in 1957, but no electricty to play radio." (She would have been 13.)
"Were you considered poor?" I asked.
She shook her head. "We had very little. Everybody had very little in my small town. Nobody knew we were poor."
She went on to tell me that her father had been a hardcore Communist party member--a man fantically dedicated to Tito. He had fought bravely against the Nazis and had returned home a hero. But as he had gained power through the party, her father had become more and more cruel.
"My father killed a great many people," she said.
I was startled. "He really did? You know that?"
"Oh yes. He killed a great many people for such a small town. Finally the government--they put him in jail for killing so many people."
That was pretty remarkable considering the latitude that Tito gave to loyal Party members to maintain order. She went on to tell me that he molested her and her two sisters and beat her mother before he was taken away.
"So how did you get here?" I asked her.
"I come to this country in 1966," she said. [She would have been 22.] "My father escaped from jail and got out of country. He sent for me. I vanted to live in America, so I came."
"Did he try to molest you again?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yes, but I was big girl by then---voman. I beat him off and said if he ever touch me, I kill him. But I tink later, [when she thought he had stopped such things] he must have got hold of my daughter. The holy men and the police tell me once a man do this to his daughters, he will do grand children. The one follows the other."
I already knew this, but I realized that she had been quite innocent.
"So what happened?" I asked.
"I got avay from him."
"Did you ever see him again?"
"Oh yes. Vhen he was dying, he called for me. My ex-husband and I flew in the middle of the night. He vas dying."
"Was he sorry?"
"I tink so. He couldn't speak."
"Could you ever forgive him?"
"I forgave him, baby girl. Right then. He was so pitiful. It was so awful. As soon as I see him like that, I forgive him. I tell him so."
"Did he get angry?" I asked.
"No, he cry, but he cannot speak. I tell him, you rest now. A beautiful person maybe awaits you on the other side."
My eyes got huge. "Do you really believe that?"
She was surprised. "Oh no, baby girl. My father killed people. you can't even imagine the suffering he caused. No, no way to heaven vor him. None."
"So you think he went to hell?"
"Oh yes. He went to hell. He killed people. Many people. You can't imagine the things he did to people."
I was puzzled. "But why did you tell him that about a beautiful person?"
She shrugged. "I didn't want him to panic. It vuz all too late. Why frighten him?"
"Did you think, maybe, that he should pray and ask God to forgive him?"
She shook her head. "He did not believe in God, baby girl. All his life, he hate belief God. He was a true communist. "
"Even on his deathbed, filled with guilt, he didn't believe in God?"
She shook her head. "Not even then. But ven I saw such misery, I forgave him. Who am I not to forgive him? God has forgiven me. And I knew, no more getting avay with it for him."
This was incredibly sobering. But we talked about it--the horror and the blasphemy of taking another human life unlawfully, of raping a woman or a child. Odd, with our widely disparate views, that we should agree on that so clearly. God makes people. And whoever marrs a human life commits a great sin against God, for we are God's workmanship. Maria, with all her odd accoutrements of a Communist Party leader's child gone into New Age mysticism, has that bedrock of understanding well in place. God is the ultimate judge, and in view of His righteousness and power to judge, the human sinner needs forgiveness and so must also forgive others, as Christ taught. The fact that she could forgive such a man and hold no hatred for him (which was clear in our discussion) filled me with wonder.
I haven't seen enough of life, I thought when we had finished.
The Famous Godfrey Letter
Years ago in the heart of the Hyles strata of fundamentalism, before Vic Nischik's book ripped down the facade of moral uprightness and Voyle Glover's thorough treatment presented a clear case against Hyles and the corruption endemic in First Baptist Church of Hammond, George Godfrey sent out a letter to former students and staff members. Godfrey had been a staff member at one time, a part of the inner ring, though not corrupted by it. People from HAC still talk about the Godfrey letter. It was what turned the lights on for a few people who I knew, who up until that time had been donkey-braced against the mounting evidence of corruption and heretical doctrine there. But I've not been able to read a copy of the famous letter until now. A poster named "Thornhill" is putting it up in installments on the FFF. Here are the links so far:
Years ago in the heart of the Hyles strata of fundamentalism, before Vic Nischik's book ripped down the facade of moral uprightness and Voyle Glover's thorough treatment presented a clear case against Hyles and the corruption endemic in First Baptist Church of Hammond, George Godfrey sent out a letter to former students and staff members. Godfrey had been a staff member at one time, a part of the inner ring, though not corrupted by it. People from HAC still talk about the Godfrey letter. It was what turned the lights on for a few people who I knew, who up until that time had been donkey-braced against the mounting evidence of corruption and heretical doctrine there. But I've not been able to read a copy of the famous letter until now. A poster named "Thornhill" is putting it up in installments on the FFF. Here are the links so far:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
 | BASSENCO'S Wicked Index of This BlogLast updated July 10, 2004--not an exhaustive index The following index is for significant blog entries posted from August 3, 2003 through July 10, 2004. The headings are alphabetical (or are supposed to be), with a second level. Entries under a heading or second level heading are not alphabetical. This index is designed for topical browsing. A couple entries that clearly fit under two different headings are placed in both slots. But this blog gets hit by enough people now, and I am getting enough questions and references from larger sites that I thought an index might be helpful to readers. |
Christ, Christianity, and Grace: General Comments
Constable Magpie
Fundamentalism, Introduction for newbies and General Comments
Fundamentalism, Corruption and Ignorance
Requirements for the Ministry ("We don't need formal education") Funda-crappy poetry Elsewhere on the Fundamentalist Forum (running exchange) Why Repentance Among Fundamentalists is not Optional The Latest on the FFF Quotes from Jack Hyles The Sin of Gossip vs. The Command to Establish a Valid Witness Against an Elder There's Elders and Then There's Elders 1984, doublethink, and IFB-KJVO Fundamentalism When Ignorance Rules the Pulpit More Insightful Comments from Fundamental Dan (link to brief exploration of II Corinthians 1:21-24) Since Boston(More IFB hard-heartedness) More Scandal From America's Number One Bible College(Burglary Ring at HAC) An IFB Myth, Well-Answered IFB Roll Call, updated (May 2), and a reply on the unbiblical IFB Church form of government Words of Wisdom (and some observations) (comments on inaccurate information dispensed from the pulpit) More from the Pulpits of Ignorance ("linguistic porn")
Paul Johnson, Sunday Morning, and Safety for American MoslemsBrave Words that Clarify Things
Fundamentalism, Corruption and Misogyny
Stupidest Post (rape) Trailer Trash Barbie More Misogyny from Hyles Followers Outed! (allegations about Jim Vineyard) Outed! (Part 3) Sad Day for JAV (Model of the Power Rapist) Hero of the Faith or Tyrannical Villain? (Lester Roloff) Reflections from FundamentalDan on the "Outed!" Series Another IFB staff member jailed for molesting children (Russell Hirner) Former Longview Christian School Principal Indicted (Russell Hirner) More on the Russell Hirner Case (May 24, 2004) Oh the fundies are mad now Quick News (The Jim VIneyard abuse of office allegations covered by a local TV station Have I been remiss?(on finding out that Pastor Marty Braemer is doing Google searches on me to gather and report information) More on Pastor Marty Braemer's Blunder(being the object of cyber-stalking by Marty Braemer)
Fundamentalism, Corruption, First Baptist of Hammond, Jack Hyles Era
Timeline of the Hyles Dynasty Jack Hyles and Friedrich Nietzsche Part One Jack Hyles and Friedrich Nietzsche Part Two Jack Hyles and Friedrich Nietzsche, Part Three The Famous Godfrey Letter Why I Preach Against Jack Hyles(from a retired IFB pastor) From a man given grace to wake up and smell the coffee
Fundamentalism, Corruption, First Baptist of Hammond, Jack Schaap Era
More Drivel from the Pulpit of First Baptist of Hammond Cornerstone Magazine Article on Harassment from FBCH bus workers More Scandal From America's Number One Bible College(Burglary Ring at HAC)
Fundamentalism, Corruption, Posts Regarding Dave Hyles' History
Early Posts by Madison Madness (regarding Dave Hyles) No Evidence of Change (re: Dave Hyles) Touching Evil (re: Dave Hyles) Everybody talking at once (re: Dave Hyles) Power Play (re: Dave Hyles) Where's That Scoundrel? (re: Dave Hyles) Reform but not Repentance Letter From a Survivor
Fundamentalism, Corruption, Preachers other than Dave/Jack Hyles
Trailer Trash Barbie Pastor Marty Braemer Speaks Forgiveness in the Bizarro World Another Fundamentalist Preacher has Fallen Another IFB-KJVO Preacher Arrested for Child Molesting Outed! (allegations about Jim Vineyard) Carrying the Cross of Christ (more on the allegations about Jim Vineyard) Outed Part 2 Reform but not Repentance Meanwhile out in La-La Land (Reform but not Repentance Part 2) WOW Returns to the FFF An Exchange Regarding the Hirner Case
Fundamentalism, Hyles-Anderson College
Quotes from Jack Hyles That Hyles-Anderson College Education Demonstrates Itself Again
Fundamentalism, Longview Baptist Temple
The Best Doggone Tales from Texas More of the Best Doggone Tales from Texas A Checkered Past?> A Little Tale of Understanding Bob Gray reacts to the FFF
Fundamentalism, Outsiders Make Comments
From a US Reader From Another Canadian Reader From A Canadian Reader From a sermon preached at a Bible Church (Plurality of Elders)
Health and Fitness
Light Fare
Scams directed at Christians (not including scams to get them to send their kids to corrupt colleges)
Secret Radio
The Passion
Reviews of Books and Music
Writing, Advice On
Speech given by Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott (Columbine victim) to a House Sub-committee
"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good &evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers."
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart."
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent."
"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today":
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws.
"Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"
"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good &evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers."
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart."
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent."
"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today":
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws.
"Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"
"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Why I Preach Against Jack Hyles
A short video clip (just short of six minutes) by Gaylon Wilson, the pastor of "Last Baptist Church" (possibly a virtual church?), who addresses some of the errors of Jack Hyles. Wilson focuses on the need of repentance for salvation and rebuts Jack Hyles' teachings that repentance is not necessary for salvation. Click here to view the clip. You must have realPlayer to view it. Also includes a good explanation of what repentance is. With or without the Jack Hyles emphasis, this is a good little "video tract" on the essential need of repentance for salvation.
A short video clip (just short of six minutes) by Gaylon Wilson, the pastor of "Last Baptist Church" (possibly a virtual church?), who addresses some of the errors of Jack Hyles. Wilson focuses on the need of repentance for salvation and rebuts Jack Hyles' teachings that repentance is not necessary for salvation. Click here to view the clip. You must have realPlayer to view it. Also includes a good explanation of what repentance is. With or without the Jack Hyles emphasis, this is a good little "video tract" on the essential need of repentance for salvation.
