Topic: Christianity

“For the Bible Tells Me So” delivers

By Blayne Clements | February 27, 2008 |

My wife has a book that I have intended to read for years, but never found the time, “What the Bible REALLY says about Homosexuality.” Then I saw this movie available on Netflix, “For the Bible Tells me So” , and thought at this point in my life, I’m much more likely to get a quick movie in than to read a book.

The movie introduces you to several families that have two things in common 1) strong religious ties, and 2) a family member that is a homosexual. Director Daniel Karslake’s selection of families with different backgrounds is sure to connect with a variety of viewers. Theres a Midwest lawyer and stay at home mother that are Lutheran; a African American couple from North Carolina who are ministers in a AME church; there a Episcopalian elderly white couple from blue collar rural Kentucky (no spoiler here but their child was the first openly Gay bishop in the Anglican church, Gene Robinson); a single middle class mother, and a long time politician Dick Gephardt and his family.

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Sections: Arts and Leisure, Spirituality | 3 Comments

Iowa court ruling: No tax dollars to be spent on prison rehab rooted in religion

By Charles Moreland | January 27, 2008 |

The State of Iowa captured the attention of the nation recently with the vigorous political campaigns within their borders.

Day after exhausting day this mid-western state was daily on TV and in the news. It overshadowed and neglected a recent but equally newsworthy event, yet this eclipsed event deserves an equally careful hearing and analysis.

The issue: a judgment by the 8th Circuit Court.

Americans United [for Separation of Church and State] won a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Iowa Corrections Department’s support for Charles Colson’s InnerChange, a prison program that trains inmates in evangelical Christianity.

“Faith-based” initiatives, which propose turning the provision of social services over to religious groups, threaten individual rights and could lead to taxpayer support of religious ministries. In those cases where religious groups want to take tax aid to provide relief, they should first agree to run secular programs and drop all forms of religiously based discrimination from their hiring policies.” – Americans United for Separation of Church and State

This Iowa court rendered a profound, sharp and ringing endorsement on on religion and the use of tax-dollars to support and subsidize the “Inner Change Freedom Initiative” [ICFI] in Iowa prisons. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion | 1 Comment »

David Shelton is Passion Without Compromise

By Terry McMoore | April 18, 2007 |

I will never see the story of Sodom and Gomorrah the same again and I will question any passage or written work on the subject of Gay, Lesbian or Homosexuals be it negative or positive. I came to this conclusion after hearing David Shelton speak at Austin Peay State University (APSU) about his book The Rainbow Kingdom and his lecture on clearing up a few myths about the Gay and Lesbian Community and cultural.

My whole life I was led to believe that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah was cursed and destroyed because of the homosexual acts. I was also taught that were committed and that God just got feed up with their acts and destroyed the two cities with fire and brimstone. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues, Spirituality | No Comments

Prayers for Virginia Tech students and their families

By David W. Shelton | April 17, 2007 |

In a what is violent reminder of the high school shootings of the 1990s, a single “Asian male” student locked himself into a room in Norris Hall along with about 30 or so others and began to open fire. Like the massacre at Columbine High School, where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire on their classmates and teachers, students at Virginia Tech “played dead” in order to survive.

He was described as dressed “almost like a Boy Scout,” and was very “methodical” and “thorough” in his shootings. In the end, more than 30 people were killed, including the gunman. Sources say he killed himself. Surviving students then tried to get into another room and barricade the door, but he started shooting through the door. “Blood was everywhere,” one person said. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

Does our “love” have a hook?

By David W. Shelton | March 30, 2007 |

I had a conversation recently which focused on matters of faith and Christian ideals. The person I was talking with had her share of Christianity, and was nonplussed at many of the things that were being presented. Quite frankly, I can’t really blame her.

She asked me if I felt like it was my responsibility to try to change people when they come to my church. It was then that I realized why so many people have been turned off by the Church in general. If I were to think of “church,” I have to ask myself what kind of a mental image I get.

What does someone who’s been turned away from the church think of it? I don’t think I want to get into any of the possible specifics right now, but some of the general elements surround a perception of religious arrogance. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Spirituality | No Comments

Passion for God, Compassion for People

By David W. Shelton | March 29, 2007 |

The more I use words like “love,” I am forced to consider the reality that its definition is as subjective as it is confusing. The English language is kind of awkward with some of its words, and “love” is one of them. It has several definitions, any of which can apply.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“No, I love you like a brother.”

“Well, I love you like a mom.”

“I love you like a slice of pizza.”

“I love you like a puppy.”

“I love you like I love a good movie.”

“I LOVE you love you.”

“Huh?”

“I’m in love with you.”

“But I love tennis.”

“Oh, never mind.”

“Love” and its many meanings always seem to make sense to us except where our faith applies. When the word “love” becomes sanctified into the Christian faith, it takes on a rather nebulous nature that sometimes defies definition. It’s especially evident when we try to apply our common definitions to the word when used in Scripture. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Spirituality | No Comments

Sam Sampson to perform at Christian Community Church of Clarksville

By David W. Shelton | March 21, 2007 |

Sam Sampson, pastor, teacher, and musician, will have a concert and sermon at 4:00 PM THIS SUNDAY, March 25 at The Riverview Inn! Some Clarksville residents might remember Sam from when he was pastor of Greenhill Baptist Church right here in Clarksville! You don’t want to miss it!

Make your plans to join us for what is sure to be a great time for everyone! His music is all over the charts, and his love for God is matched only by his heart for people. Come and hear him this Sunday! «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, Spirituality | No Comments

So you think homosexuality is a sin?

By David W. Shelton | March 15, 2007 |

An open letter to conservative Christians (as posted on www.skippingtothepiccolo.com)

Chances are that you’re stumbling across this post after doing a search on homosexuality, sin, Leviticus, Romans, or 1 Corinthians. Chances are that you’re looking for a way to refute all those gay activists who are really being a thorn in your side. Chances are you might not want to read any more. I have a feeling, though, that there’s going to be enough of a nagging curiosity to keep you going.

There are usually three different types of people who are looking for material on “gay” and “sin.” The first group is made up of people who are struggling with this issue on a deeply personal level. You see, the people in this first group are looking for anything they can find to help them rip out this part of their lives that literally disgusts them. They don’t want to be gay. But they can’t shake the attractions. To this group, I say this: Jesus loves you, period. And yes, reconciliation is possible.

The second group is made of people who are trying to find every argument they can to rebut what the “militant gay activists” have been saying about their sexual orientation. This group is familiar with phrases like “gay agenda” and the “gay lifestyle.” Alas, I have yet to hear anyone actually tell me what the definition is of either of these. After all, I’m gay. I should know, right? We may never know. But hey, it makes for great preaching.

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Sections: Politics, Spirituality | No Comments