Contents of this Publication: Winter Praises poem – AV Morley The Cat poem/Carolers – Evelyn model Fire Flies poem – Evelyn Model History Repeated Essay – David G. Duke Winter and War poem – AV Morley Unexpected Surprise Poem – AV Morley Rebuking Ignorance Essay – David G. Duke Untitled Drawing – Evelyn Model Signs of Spring Drawing – Evelyn Model Remember poem – AV Morley Love thy Neighbor Essay – David G Duke Beach Day Poem – Evelyn Model Squirrel Poem – Evelyn model Cow Poem – Evelyn Model Gossip Garbage Essay – David G. Duke The Drawings of Evelyn Model The Wild Rose Poem – Evelyn Model In Private Poem – Henry Morley
P 3 P 4 P 6 P 7 P 12 P 14 P 15 P 18 P 19 P 20 P 22 P 23 P 24 P 25 P 26 P 27 P 37 P 38
Poem written after the severe winter of 1944
As I sat under the New Knoxville, Ohio stars at the annual gathering known as the Rock of Ages Festival, on Wednesday night, I listened to Rev. L. Craig Martindale spew out his hate rhetoric on Homosexuals for the third night in a row. This was just at the week long festival hosted by the Ministry Rev. Martindale now lead, the Way International. By this point I was feeling the need to distance my self from the Ministry I once loved. However I had a minor dilemma, The Rock Of Ages was about 500 miles away from my home In Manlius, N.Y., and I would have no way of getting home until either Friday night, or Saturday morning when my ride was heading home. (The festival officially ended Friday night but attendants were permitted to stay on the campgrounds Friday night and depart Saturday morning). At that point came the worst bit of hate speech I ever heard come from Rev. Martindale or any other person. Right there at the Wednesday evening gathering he boldly proclaimed the following words to all that were in attendance: "We have been weeding out this cancer from our ministry for some time now, about the last 3 months or so. Some of these revolting pukes have been standing with our ministry for several years, some even from the beginning! How sickening is that? Some even went through the corp. [T.W.I’s leadership training program]. Imagine a Faggot leading the household. But not any more! The Clergy and leadership of the way international, along with myself have declared open season on any faggot or dike we find with in 50 feet of the ministry or any of its upstanding believers. Why just during the Rock this week we weeded out over 100 of those lowlifes! And let me tell you, we are gonna keep after em until we get em all! Why not? The word says they are the lowest forms of humanity. You don’t need to tolerate em. Just get rid of em. You know the only good faggot is a, well, you know what I mean! So have at em bible fans! Stand up to these lowlifes and the devil spirits that drive their unnatural lusts! They are an abomination to God the word says so! So let me make this clear to any of you devil spirit infested rump rangers that might still be out there. We will find you, and when we do we will kick you faggot ass out of this ministry. Literally if we have too, drag you out kicking and screaming if need be. I’d say drag them out bound and gagged but some might enjoy that too much you know what I mean. And If we catch you around hear again you’ll find my size 11 so far up your ass... no, they might enjoy that too. Well if we catch you trying to come back, you won’t know what hit you, but let me tell you it won’t be pretty!" That speech and the cheering crowd that followed sent a terrifying chill up my spine, as it brought back too many history lessons. Nazi Germany, The KKK, and the burning times. Even though I am a Heterosexual male, and felt that I had little or nothing to fear from this 20th Century "witch-hunt" I knew in my heart that I could not go along with it, or condone it any way. Then came another thought, I was not applauding or cheering on the good Reverend. If anybody noticed that in this "out for blood" state that they were worked into by that speech they might get the wrong idea of me. But, I was at the back of the crowd, so I was reasonably confident that few if any noticed my reactions. (Or lack of as the case may be.)
The vicious words and violent threats from this "Man of God" told me I only had one option. I needed to keep a low profile for the duration of the festival, and when I got home I needed to sever all ties with the Way International. The Pagan values I learned from my family told me that this was no longer a good place to be and that there was nothing more I could learn from this group. I thought that the fact I was born and raised pagan made it odd that I was hear in the first place, but The Way international was a great place once, with many great lessons to learn. The next 2 days of the Rock of Ages Festival went by rather quickly and without incident. I went about my usual R.O.A. routine of attending workshops, hanging out with friends, and jamming with the other musicians. Of course there was the talk of the nightly gatherings and specifically rev. Martindale’s teachings on "the truth about homosexuals." I was able to circumnavigate those discussions with comments like "He sure is fired up about this." Or "He has a way of letting people know just wear he stands doesn’t he." On Thursday night the good Reverend dropped another bombshell in his "War on Homosexuality." At the beginning of the Thursday night fellowship he made the following announcement: As you all should be aware by now, me and others of the W.O.W training team have been weeding out Homo’s from the W.O.W volunteers this year. (W.O.W. referees to the Word over the World Ambassador program, an annual outreach program that the Way International sponsored similar to a Missionary Program) "Because of the sheer volume of them that we have found so far, I can’t be 100% certain that I have weeded them all out. Just a moment ago I was sitting back stage there listening to the musicians and thinking about this problem. I asked God to show me the best way to deal with this plague. He showed me a vision of a cancer tumor that Doctors had removed from the body but were unsuccessful in removing all the infection. Father continued to show me the cancer spreading and eventually killing the victim. I realized from this vision that God was showing me that this plague of Homo’s is like a cancer in our ministry. There for we will not be sending the W.O.W. ambassadors out tomorrow night. I realize that this will put a strain on some of you that came to this rock planning to relocate some wear else after. But I could not, in good faith, send out representatives of our Ministry into uncharted territory knowing that there may still be an infestation of faggots among them. I just want you to remember one thing; we will continue to cut this cancer from our body! We will not rest until we have gotten every last one of you! When we are confident that we have healed this infection, we will consider reinstating the W.O.W. program. I prey that you understand my heart on this decision, and that you know in your hearts that we are in no way doing this to hurt those of you that sincerely wanted to serve God and represent our Ministry to others." Once again Reverend Martindale’s words were met with rousing cheers of approval, and thunderous applause. A reaction that told me once again that it was time to distance myself from the Ministry founded by one of the greatest spiritual teachers of the 20th century. Ending a chapter of my life that lasted for a bit over three years was a tough decision, but from what I heard that week I saw no other option. I would not be able to live with my self, knowing I was a part of any organization that was lead by a man as hate filled as Reverend Martindale. Even worse was the thought of the hundreds of people that had their lives ripped apart by his hate filled accusations and the thousands that had there plans shattered when the W.O.W. ambassador program was canceled.
I arrived home around 3:30 Saturday afternoon. After a brief nap and unpacking I began the process of distancing myself from TWI. That evening I received a phone call from John Hughes, one of the local ministry leaders. He said that he wanted to get together with me before the next scheduled fellowship on Tuesday night. I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain to him my position on what transpired at the Rock, and to let him know that I no longer want to have any connection with the Way International. We met at the local Burger King, on Monday Night. Before I could say anything more than hello John started the conversation. "David, as you remember at this past rock, Rev. Martindale taught heavily on the plague of homosexuality that is infesting this ministry, and he has given us in leadership positions the green light to do what ever it takes to find these Homo’s and remove them. Of course we are supposed to give them the chance to be delivered from the devil spirits that possess them and drive them to this madness, but if they refuse that chance we have no other alternative but to remove them by what ever means necessary. Well Kathy and I were pondering this and we think that you might be a Homosexual." "Um, you think what? What the hell do you base that on?" "We have our reasons, now are you going to tell us the truth so you can be delivered from this madness?" "It will be a cold day in hell Mr. Hughes, before I confess to a lie! But I would like to know on what you base this ridiculous notion." "Well look at you, diamond ear ring, long hair, purple silk shirt, black jeans. Your appearance alone is enough to make any one suspect that you’re a faggot. Then there’s your friendship with K.F." (Note: K.F. are the initials of a good friend of mine that was an early victim of this "witch-hunt". I omitted his name from this writing out of respect for his privacy.) "Well, I seem to remember that at the same Rock that you just refereed to, Reverend Martindale made it quit clear that we leaders (at the time I was an assistant fellowship coordinator) are not to confront some one about there sexual preferences unless we have a genuine spiritual suspicion, not just a sense knowledge suspicion. Based on what you just said, you are either labeling me as homosexual based on my appearance or I am guilty by association!" "Well, um, we have other reasons to suspect this of you as well. But did you ever have a homosexual relationship with K.F.?" "Only in your insane imaginations! Or were you hoping to jump into a cozy little three-some with us?" "That is the sickest thing any one has ever said about me! And it’s no use lying about you and K.F. Why don’t you just admit what you are and stop lying about it?" "John, I thought that one of the greatest things about the level of spirituality that you and I have is to be able to separate truth from lie. I think you need to admit to your self that the truth is not always what you want to hear, but the real facts about a situation! Any other conversation on this topic is a mute point for 2 reasons. The first being that I decided on Wednesday night of the Rock that I was going to sever all ties with the Way Ministry. Hell, the only reason I agreed to this meeting was so that I could inform you of this decision before you missed me tomorrow night." "And what would the second reason be?" "The fact that if we continue on this topic of conversation, you will not be satisfied until I tell you what you want to hear. Regardless of how untrue it is. I no longer wish to associate my self with a Ministry lead by hate filled Hypocrites like Mr. Martindale. You sure have an odd way of walking in the light and love of your God."
One would think that that conversation would have ended my affiliation with the Way International; in fact I was sure it did. I could not have been more wrong. For months after I was plagued by phone calls and correspondences from "Concerned Way Followers" telling me what a mistake I made in removing myself from the "Household." Perhaps I should have known that a Ministry whose survival depended greatly on the donations of its members would not take too lightly to loosing one. There was also the impact of knowing that many of the people I considered close friends had chosen to stand with the Way and therefore sever ties and communications with me. As for the man that accused me, John Hughes, he started harassing me on these matters from the moment I walked out of that Monday night meeting at Burger King. For a year after that night, he constantly called me or wrote to me attempting to "show me the error of my ways." Harassment that even went as far as attempting to enlist the aid of my family, friends and employer, to no avail of course, they told him straight out were to go and even gave him explicit directions on how to get there. As my mother once put it she used Irish diplomacy; the art of telling a man to go to hell so that he actually looks forward to the trip. As for the man that started all this in the first place, I recently read that the Reverend L. Craig Martindale was forced to resign his position as president of the Way international last year on the grounds of Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment. (Perhaps the three-fold law finally caught up with him.) He was also removed from the ministry’s active clergy, and told point blank that he had to vacate his residence at Ministry headquarters In New Knoxville, Ohio. So, there it is a first hand account of lies, fears, false accusations, hypocrisy, and hatred. In short a 20th century witch-hunt. I do not know the exact number of people whose lives were affected by the actions of Way International Leaders under The former Rev. Martindale, but I do know it numbers in the hundreds, possibly thousands. It was a difficult decision to cut ties with hundreds of people I had come to know and love, but in light of the circumstances I feel it was the right decision. Over the eight plus years that have passed since this chapter of my life, I have had the pleasure of regaining contact with many of my former friends in TWI, many of whom have been since removed from the ministry for one reason or another. I write of these things now in the interest of public awareness, and I prey that this writing may be of use to the readers.
Winter and War It's very cold the snow is deep It squeaks like mice beneath our feet. Ore breath goes out like clouds of steam from a dragon's mouth in a childish dream. These last 2 months I've seen more snow since I was born fifty years ago. Great drifts of snow are piled so high It seems as 'tho they touch the sky And I'm not kidding when I say It snows a little every day And every other day a storm I shovel 'till I rack my form My legs and arms are all aquiver My backbone aches, so does my liver. This morning's paper bold as brass Says, come on boys, get off your ass There's 18 inches snow a commin' Get out those shovels! Come a runnin'. It matters not I rise at five Work hard all day and strive and strive. With might and main to earn my keep can I go home and get some sleep? Nay! Nay! My friend not this year no! I just go home and shovel snow. The ground is soft the grass is green I'm telling you just what I've seen. I shoveled thru; right to the ground and long green grass is what I found.
Today is Sunday afternoon I'm sitting in the dining room trying my best to do this chore But I feel I'm being an awful bore. You remember this room with it's window bay How the sun shines in, in the eve of day Well, Sweet your mother is sitting there Sitting there in her easy chair Thinking thoughts we can't confess 'tho worry won't make our troubles less Mary is having a davenport snooze And "Cobble" has gone to Syracuse Cobble the last and still the baby Has it all figured out he'll join the navy Just 8 more months he says, and then He's going to be like other men. He wants to don the Navy blue And go to sea like others do He has pestered his mother and me for so long He feels he's healthy big and strong And wants to get in on this global fight It's all he will talk about Day or Night However, he's finally promised to wait 'Til a month before he's ten and eight. Francis Gates and Ernie Gay Still peddle milk in the same old way Guy Hobbs and Farnum still sell gas ‘tho most of the time they just sit on their ___?
A.V. Morley 1/15/45
Rebuking the Attacks of the Ignorant: By Reverend David G. Duke I’m sure that we all have encountered the ignorant Christian at one point or another in our pagan path. You know the type, the ones that say things like "Wicca is just another word for devil worship." Or "If you’re not a Christian then you serve satin and are going to burn in hell!" Well, after reading several web sites regarding the burning times, and seeing a popular burning times graphic that reads "Would Christ have approved of this?" I started thinking about the teachings of a good friend of mine, a man that taught me many great lessons about spirituality and the Bible. The late Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, Dr. Wierwille himself came under attack from many "mainstream Christian" groups for his teachings, because he had the audacity to teach what the bible actually said and not what the established churches said was true. The nerve of him. Getting back to rebuking an ignorant Christian, the most common ploy used by these people is to say that we serve the supreme evil one that they call Satin or the Devil. The rebuke I recently thought of, based on Dr. Wierwille’s teachings, was to show them, from there own Bible, that they are actually the ones serving that Evil One. Look at the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John: From John 9:41 to 10:9 Jesus Christ is teaching his coven (My word for his group of disciples) and others. The topic of his teaching is to contrast himself to the evil one that they call Satin. He is essentially showing Satin’s agenda versus his agenda. That portion of his lesson is summarized in chapter 10 verse 10. John 10:10 The thief [Satin] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I [Jesus Christ] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Now that says a lot doesn’t it? In the first part of the verse Jesus said that the devil’s (the Thief) agenda is to steal kill and destroy. That sounds to me as if Jesus just foretold of the burning times in that one little sentence. Then he goes on to say that his agenda is for people to have a life that is more than abundant. (At this point I would like to point out that any time I quote the bible, in this or any other writing, words that appear in brackets [] are words that I inserted for the purpose of clarifying or explanation. And that all scripture quoted is from the king James Bile unless otherwise noted.)
That verse of scripture alone should be enough to rebuke most Christians, think about it in light of the burning times. Thousands of people were murdered "in the name of God" there’s the killing part of John 10:10a. And it recently came to my attention that the church to pay for her/his trial confiscated anything an accused witch had that was of any value. That sounds like stealing to me. And I don’t think I need to go into the Destruction of lives and property that went along with the persecutions. But what do you expect from a religion that has an instrument of death as their symbol. Think about it, In the period of time that Jesus Christ lived, in that part of the world, crucifixion on the cross was the method used to execute convicted criminals. Jesus Christ himself was executed for nothing more than teaching a set of religious and moral values that were contrary to that of the established church of the day. (Perhaps he was the first victim of the Burning times?) Another great rebuke of ignorance comes form the gospel of Mark. Again, straight from the lips of the greatest witch in history, the prince of peace, Jesus Christ: Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Now, who can argue with that? What happened hear was that Jesus was being asked about what was known at that time as the law of the prophets (The 10 commandments). Jesus boiled them down to the 2 stated above. What needs to be noted hear is verse 30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Notice that Jesus said, "love the lord thy God..." The word thy, is old English meaning your. In other words Jesus said, "Love your God [or Goddess] with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Not my God, not his God, but Your God." Then in verse 31 he goes on to say, "Love thy neighbor as thy self." That to me sounds somewhat like the part of the Wiccan read that says "Live and let live. Fairly take and fairly give." Kind of the same meaning don’t you think? If one were to think about the things that the 10 commandments tell us not to do; (lie, steal, murder, falsely accuse, etc.) We would clearly see that no man or woman would ever dream of doing those things to someone they loved. Clearly Jesus taught his coven and anyone else that cared to listen to walk through life with a live and let live attitude, and treat others with love and respect. We pagans don’t seem to have a problem with that. At the start of this writing, I brought up the question, "Would Christ approve of this?" in regard to the burning times. And judging from what Dr. Wierwille taught me, and from what I personally have read about the life and ways of Jesus Christ, I would have to say: Hell no he would not have approved of this! There is a great example of this in John chapter 8. John 8:3-11 And the scribes and Pharisees [Established church leaders of the day] brought unto him [Jesus] a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law [The laws and commandments of their religion] commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. See that? Rather than execute a woman for her mistakes, Jesus forgave her and prevented the others from stoning her. The best part was he did this by simple logic, in verse 7, he knew that no man was perfect, and all have screwed up at one time or another. So he made the simple challenge: If any men among you have never done anything wrong according to the laws of the prophets, go-ahead and stone this woman. That got them thinking, and they all realized that they had no right to judge her for her mistakes when they have made mistakes themselves. That was just a few examples of how to rebuke an ignorant Christian using the life of the one they claim to follow, Jesus Christ, as an example. When one looks closely at the life of Jesus Christ, looking at the way he conducted him self, the way he entreated others, the magick he utilized, we see that he was more like a modern day pagan than a Christian. This is why I often say that Jesus Christ was one of the greatest examples of true Pagan values that ever lived. It is why I also often comment that we Pagans are quite possibly the true Christians of the modern world. After all the word Christian literally means one who follows in the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ, and it has been my observation that many more pagans do this today than Christians. At least more pagans reflect Jesus’ values and morals than do most Christians. I should restate at this time that my comments on Modern Christians in this writing are only geared toward those Christians that take a closed minded view toward any religion other than their own. I have many great and dear friends that follow one form of Christianity or another, but these people are among the few that realize that just because their path is the right one for them, doesn’t mean it is the right one for everyone. I trust that posting this writing will not offend those that are truly open to other people’s views, ideas, or religion. As an eclectic pagan I have had the privilege and honor of learning from many great teachers. And the privilege of learning about many religions including Christianity, Zen, Tao, Buddhism, Wicca and others. I have come to adopt the following philosophy: "Never reject anything from which you can cultivate something useful." As such my only real problem with any religion, is the fact that some members especially leaders, are so entranced by there chosen path that they refuse to see any other. Even worse is when they start thinking that their path is the right one and everything else is wrong. Aside from that I have no problem with any one religion in general, after all any given religion is nothing more than a gathering of people, much like the world. There will be some that you will like and get along great with and others that will cause you problems and be a thorn in your flesh. In conclusion, I hope that this writing gives you some good ideas on dealing with ignorant Christian attacks on Paganism. And I would also like to summarize the last few paragraphs by quoting something that Paul (Another great Pagan) wrote in his letter to the Ephesians:
In conclusion, I hope that this writing gives you some good ideas on dealing with ignorant Christian attacks on Paganism. And I would also like to summarize the last few paragraphs by quoting something that Paul (Another great Pagan) wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Paul realized, as should we, that it is not individual people that cause conflict between various groups, (Political, Religious, Racial, or otherwise) but it is leadership, and Governments. Think about it in terms of a war, Governments start wars not people. In the case of the burning times, it was the Christian Leadership of the day, along with the political leaders, that made the accusations, and carried out the murders and torture. Individual followers of the Christian religion, not in any leadership position, may or may not have agreed with what their church was doing. Although it is pretty safe to assume that if they did not agree they, unfortunately, might have kept their mouths shut for fear of being the next one in the torture chamber. My point: get to know people on an individual basis. Because, when we prejudge someone based on their religion, race, sexual preference, occupation, or style of dress, we are no better that those who perpetuated the burning times, or the killing of innocent Jews in Nazi Germany, or the killing of innocent African Americans during the time of slavery and after. Let’s work together to end the cycle of violence and hatred. Brightest Blessings, In peace and Love,
Remembrance To the gal I married long years gone by. The gal with the sparkle and glint in her eye. You are the one my heart beats for Just as it did in the days of yore. Remember the cottage we built in St. John, Where the falls reversed as the tide rolled on? Remember the pie you baked like steel, How it rolled cros't the floor like a wagon wheel? Remember I made those wood wash tubs, And the chair, so heavy, hard to budge? Remember the goldfish we kept in the bowl, That we put, when we left, in the old spring hole? Remember the day you fell to the ground? That told us that Ottie would soon be around. And we boarded the train and to Hamilton went, To be near my home for the blessed event. How proud we were when Ottie arrived And without aid of bottle he thrived and thrived And grew up to a healthy husky lad. A prouder mother a boy never had.
The happy months sped by anon And in no time along came john & Eve, Mary, & Hank & Cobb We both were surely on the job. To you alone the credit goes The mother has all the cares and woes. To raise a family means plenty of work And you were never one to shirk. Through all the years that have gone by Scarce ever a tear has dimmed your eye. With love & devotion your family to raise No mother is worthy of greater praise. I never have heard from your lips a complaint You truly are made from the stuff of a saint. Whatever possessed you to take up with me Is more than I'll ever be able to see. To me you will never grow old sweetheart. Tho a war is on and we are apart And Johnnie our baby has gone to the war for mothers like you are worth fighting for. So hears to you and not to me Cause I’m no good & never will be I only hope as the days go by that you'll be happy and I'll be high. (Didn’t mean that last line but it rhymed)
Love thy Neighbor as Thyself A Spiritual/Social Wake-up Call. By Reverend David G. Duke Matthew 22:35-40 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Love thy neighbor as thy self!! Straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ, but yet so many people in the modern world, that claim to follow in his teachings, or use him as a role model, can’t seem to follow one of his two greatest commandments. Most people in the world today don’t seem to have a problem with the first commandment: "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." All one needs to do is walk into any given church to see this. It is the second commandment that seems to be ignored by the majority of people. Everyone wants to think that his or her way is right and everyone else is wrong. In New Mexico we have Baptists burning Harry Potter books because they think that a fictional writing can accurately teach people about other religions. Or perhaps they are just scared that by reading a Harry Potter book, people might start thinking about other religious paths, and maybe start looking into them. In Pennsylvania we see local police officials refusing to provide security for a YMCA sponsored sporting event because the YMCA daycare center reads Harry Potter books to it’s children. I found this news article to be a bit ironic. The local YMCA, a Christian organization, (remember, the C in YMCA stands for Christian) sees no problems with Harry Potter books and actually reads them to it’s children, yet it is the local police that are pitching a fit over it. Is that police force made up completely of religious fanatics? What could be even more alarming than these two events? Recently in Australia, a woman was brutally murdered by her own husband and son because they thought she was following the religion of Wicca. Her own Husband and Son! In Tanzania, hundreds of innocent people were burnt to death there for their religious beliefs." Police say 357 suspected witches have been killed in the past 18 months, but the Ministry of Home Affairs believes that the true figure is much higher. A departmental survey said as many as 5,000 people were lynched between 1994 and 1998." Is just one sickening quote from the news article written by Paul Harris, a Nairobi based reporter.. Is this loving your neighbor as your self?
In the late 20th century there was a Witch-hunt for Homosexuals that started from the sleepy town of New Knoxville, Ohio, and spread across the world to everyone who had any connection to a ministry known as the Way International. The Self-proclaimed greatest Christian ministry on earth. This witch-hunt was one that I personally experienced and survived. In Detroit, a young girl, all of 12 years old committed suicide because she was tormented constantly by her classmates about being of the Wiccan Religion. I have to applaud her mother on this one for suing the School System, as they knew full well what was going on, but did little or nothing to stop it. And of course...who will ever forget the mindless acts of terror committed on September 11, 2001. Thousands of lives ended by Fanatical Religious Terrorists. Terrorists that claim to follow the Muslim religion. But, as I recently learned, Muslims count Jesus Christ among their respected and revered prophets. (Not sure if the terminology is correct, but the point has been made.) Now not only have these cowardly terrorists started a war, and ended thousands of lives, both American and Afghanistan. But they have lowered the quality of life for everyone else that truly follows the Muslim path. Muslims everywhere are now shunned and feared and labeled as terrorists all because of the acts of a fanatical few. You will notice that some sort of Christian groups or another initiated all the events listed above, with the exception of the September 11 terrorist attacks, against people of other religions. It’s as if we have shifted our prejudice and hatred from race to religion. However, anyone who follows a religion that looks to Jesus Christ as any sort of role model or prophet needs to rethink their opinion on other’s beliefs. Remember, Jesus said Love Thy Neighbor, no specifications, or conditions, just Love THEY NEIGHBOR AS THY SELF!! Love thy neighbor means all neighbors, all people from all over the world. Just as freedom of religion means freedom for all religions, or freedom of opinion means freedom for all’s opinion. I can’t help but think that a lot of conflicts, wars, and bloodshed may have been avoided if people could just accept each other for who they are, and not try to force one’s own views, customs, and morality on others. In reflection, it appears to me, that more people who’s life style or religion, does not claim a basis to the teachings of Jesus Christ, follow his examples and teachings more than those that do claim to follow him. Perhaps this is the greatest irony of the 21st century. Or perhaps those people that do claim to follow Jesus in any way better start acting like it, cause as Jesus once said, his father is keeping score. And he is one father you don’t want to cross. (No pun intended).
Poems penned by Evelyn Model to accompany some thoughtful gifts.
The seemingly endless supply of freshies aside, living in an apartment complex such as the one I call home makes one grateful for a nocturnal life style. When one lives their life at night, spending their mornings and early afternoons in blissful subzero slumber, you are nearly oblivious to the endless chatter of what a dear friend of mine refers to as the “beehive”. Personally I might have used the term “snake pit” but then again that would be insulting to a creature that is abundantly more intelligent than the “people” that infest the buildings of this complex. It never ceases to amaze me how your average kludge can continuously flap their gums about even the most mundane of topics. I do understand that those with limited cranial capacity have little to occupy their minds, but, some of the murmurings that have gotten back to me take overactive imagination to a whole new level. Perhaps some of these people should refocus their energies into fictional writings. They already take one small insignificant piece of information and use it to spin a tale that could rival even the greatest works of Mark Twain or William Shakespeare. Hell, I’ll even recommend a good publisher. I could go on about the trash talking kludge with limited cranial capacity, but they are not worth the energy to type about. So having said what I have said, I will conclude this post and grab myself a Freshie or two. A short blog post rant by David G. Duke