Is praying in public Christian?

It is when Wiley Drake does it. Remember him? He prayed for God to kill president Obama back in 2009. Now he’s been arrested for loitering outside the White House. He claims to have been praying for Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, His excuse makes little sense unless God listens to prayers based on where they are offered. I guess the fence in front of the White House is prime prayer real estate then.

The only reason Drake prayed in public for Chen Guangchen is publicity. What does the bible say about praying in public?

Matthew 6:1-34 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward

And

Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Now that seems pretty clear, right? Wiley Drake may not actually be a Christian if he so blatantly prays in violation of the word of God. Perhaps he’s one of those other things… a Republican.

Technorati Tags: Baptists,Prayer

The Atheist’s guide to discussion with Catholics

I do a few book reviews here on Deep Thoughts. It’s not something I push much, because of the time commitment involved, but I’m about to change that as I plan to do more. I’m starting with a small self-published book called The Atheist’s guide to discussion with Catholics by James Clark. It’s $2.99 on Amazon.

Mr. Clark organizes 50 different topics into a discussion discussion guide that uses plain English and easy to understand explanations to cover various aspects in Catholicism and Christianity. I found the book an easy read, and interesting. The target audience is a person who is not well versed in religion, the bible, or theology.

Topics covered include:

• Epicurean Paradox
• We would not have moral guidance without God
• Bible Contradiction
• Purgatory
• Noah’s Ark
• Pedophilia
• Witch hunts

This book is not a deep tome, nor does it cover it’s subjects in detail. Consider it a mostly accurate summary of the subjects covered from an Atheist’s perspective. It’s short, at 33 pages, with most sections are just a few paragraphs long. If you are unfamiliar with Catholicism, this book will give a few good discussion points and prime you for a deeper dive.

The history behind this book is fascinating. James Clark was born in Jijeka, Croatia to a atheist father and and slightly theist mother. Clark was taught as a boy to think for himself. Since Croatia is mostly Christian, Clark cataloged his thoughts and ideas so that he could use them when talking to Christians. This book is the first 50 topics and was translated to English from Clark’s native Croatian. The next 50 topics are pending. 

I’m a fan. Well done Mr. Clark.

Technorati Tags: Atheism,Catholicism,Religion

Photo: Andy Warhol as street art

I found Andy Warhol on the side of a building on North Cahuenga in Hollywood today. My son and I were off for a dude’s day at Amoeba, Hennessy and Ingles, and then Umami Burger. We had a blast, and then hurried home for video games.

My son asked why I take my camera with me when we go out. I explained that it’s like hunting. I’m looking for photos the way a hunter looks for prey. If I don’t have a camera, I can’t shoot my prey.

Today I shot three pieces of street art, one graffiti, a girl with tattoos, and several photos of cops on three-wheeled patrol carts. As usual, I only like one or two photos in post edit.

Technorati Tags: Photography,Art

I’ll just leave this here

Technorati Tags: Beastie Boys,Coldplay,Music

Catholic, pedophile and youth pastor

The phrase just flows off your tongue, Joe Tapia III stands accused of producing child porn and exploiting children. Did I mention he’s a Catholic youth pastor?

Tapia's coworkers said they found chats with an individual representing a 16-year-old boy from Argentina. They also claim to have found photographs of young boys with exposed genitalia.

In March, the FBI searched Tapia's computer at Excel Learning Center and found pictures that appeared to be of children between the ages of 12 and 13 with their genitals exposed.

Yet, this man’s alleged crimes did not stop his supporters from showing up in court. 10 people were hoping he would be released because he is nice guy and no threat to the community at all. The judge ruled Tapia should be locked up. I’m sure the citizens of El Paso are pleased.

"He was a real professional gentleman, always on time" said Robert Chavez.

Tapia appears to have admitted to at least some of the crimes, which is rare in these types of cases because the penalties are so high. Perhaps he will do the right thing here and take responsibility for his alleged crimes. You never know.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Catholics

I get comments

I blow most comments off, even when they attack me. On the other hand, sometimes I feel compelled to share. This comment was left in reference to Hands that pray also prey, a post about alleged sexual groper and Christian Karl VanderWoude.

Anonymous said... What a bunch of hate mongers you all are. Turns out the guy is INNOCENT. I think the crazy people are the ones pushing hate out into the world and spreading these horrible accusations about an innocent man. Instead of posting your hate and moving on I hope a few of you scumbags keep up to date with this and write a blog about how horrible you feel about being such a douche-bag. And screw you, the less evil people in the world (who else would read your trash blog) that know my name, the better.

This was followed by a personal attack. I get lots of these. Why did I choose Deep Thoughts as a name? I love Jack Handy.

Anonymous said... Also, "Deep Thoughts"?!?! Are you kidding me?! If these are your "Deep Thoughts" you're a complete simpleton. Please don't breed.

It’s easy enough to guess your name Karl. I get that you are pissed about the press and blog coverage of your story. However, as of the time I write this, the only evidence I have that you might be innocent are your assertions.

• Holland native Karl VanderWoude maintains his innocence in New York “groping” case
• Karl Vanderwoude Insists He Is Not the ‘Well-Dressed’ Groper

There are no stories suggesting that you are innocent. When (if) these hit the press, I will post them. If you are not the Well-Dressed Grouper, then I’ll be happy to offer you a guest post here on my blog (See the FAQ).

Do I think you are guilty? It really does not matter, does it? My opinion is meaningless. I did not even express an opinion in my original piece. Nope… I was snarky about your arrest, but neutral on your guilt or innocence.

And... good luck in court. I understand they have you on video.

Update 5/6/2012 -  DA to drop charges against 'Gentleman Groper' because alibi checks out: lawyer
Update 5/6/2012 -  Charges to be dropped against man accused of being preppy groper: lawyer

Technorati Tags: Hypocrisy

R.I.P. Adam Yauch MCA

I must admit that my appreciation of the Beastie Boys awoke late in life. I was not a fan in the 80s, but the 90s was a different story. My son Jon played them around the house all the time, I learned to like them, and then to love them. This song, So What cha Want, is my favorite. RIP MCA

Technorati Tags: Music,Obituary

I saw a deadhead sticker on a Cadillac

Don Henley sang those words a long time ago, yet, the still stick in my mind. They go through my head every time I see an ixthus sticker on the back of a $70K BMW. I saw one today, it was a metal symbol in gold attached to the trunk. Would Jesus own a BMW? More importantly, would or should one of his followers own a BMW? It seems completely inconsistent with is core message, so why do it unless you were your religion like clothing?

Technorati Tags: Christians,Hypocrisy

They volunteer to molest our children

Ronald Asplund was a volunteer youth coordinator at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. He’s been arrested for the alleged rape of two boys. It’s not his first dance either, there were similar allegations six years ago.

The police started investigating the case last week after a woman reported that Asplund had violated a court order barring him from contacting her 13-year-old son. An officer found that Asplund had given the boy a cell phone; the officer found that it contained sex-related text messages from Asplund.

Investigators soon discovered that Asplund had been molesting both the 13-year-old boy and his 14-year-old friend, according to the report by Detective James Hoagland. Asplund later admitted to the allegations in an interview with the detective, the report states.

What I found most disturbing about this case was the allegation that one of the rapes occurred during a church lock-in event. That’s were youth pastors lock kids in the church gym all night for some kind of religious ritual, or what I call, pastors special play time. Oak Harbor says it has a strict policy about adults being alone with children, and then it creates an environment where abuse can happen. That seems a little short sighted and disingenuous.

Rule 14… never let kid sleep overnight in the church gym with the youth pastor.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Rape,Child Molestation

Another charge for youth pastor Jeffery London

A ninth victim came forward with allegations that youth pastor Jeff London sexually molested him. The defense countered with a bizarre get rich quick story line.

Gonzalez said yesterday that the growing number of victims are making up their stories in a bid go after the fortune of London's former benefactor, Elizabeth "B.J." Huizenga Buntrock. As reported here recently, the very wealthy Buntrock, cousin of mogul H. Wayne Huizenga, financed London's homes and vehicles and founded the Eagle Academy Charter School in Lauderdale Lakes where he was made dean of students.

I don’t think this defense will pass scrutiny. The scheme too complex for children to have come up with it, and, how are the kids supposed to get rich from this?

In other news, text messages show that London liked to molest his victims while they played videogames.

After one boy asks in a text if he can play the "Call of Duty" video game, a text sent from London's phone asks to perform a sexual act on the boy while he plays.

It’s pretty sick stuff. London’s defense attorney is playing the text messages off as a conspiracy by the victims. I understand why people hate lawyers.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse

Related articles

• Youth pastor Jeffery London arrested (mojoey.blogspot.com)
• Philanthropist financed alleged child sex predator (local10.com)
• Prosecutor: Youth pastor turned boys into "sex slaves" (local10.com)

Photo: Homeless in Las Vegas

The thing about Las Vegas is that behind the scenes, the city is pretty brutal. This man sleeps beneath a bridge in front of New York, New York. A thousand people pass him by every hour. Few people pay him any attention. There were dozens of men and woman just like him hidden here and there. You just needed to look.

I watched two cops talk to a homeless man on a walkway over the Strip near the new Cosmopolitan hotel. They were so nice. It was like watching a movie. They even warned the man to stay out of the sun and gave him water. The only thing was, well, they were being filmed for Cops (or something like it). Las Vegas is a show. It’s all for show.

Technorati Tags: Photography,Homelessness

Pastor Ron Burning update

Pastor Ron Burning, profiled here, was convicted on 13 of 14 charges. He faces life in prison… twice over. Burning was a Baptist pastor who was arrested crossing an international border between the USA and Canada. It is widely believed he was attempting to flee his crimes.

The jury did not waste much time. It took a day to sort out the charges, which were pretty intense.

Burning, pastor of Johnsfield Baptist Church, was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault, four charges of indecent assault, sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 14, forcible confinement, indecent assault, voyeurism, criminal harassment, indecent assault and gross indecency. These charges, some committed on men and some on women, related to incidents that took place between 1971 and 2009.

There is another story here. Burning was a missionary for the Old Time Baptist church (OTBC) for 12 years. That’s ample time to perpetuate his form of Christianity. There is also his link to OTBC’s school administrator Pastor Robert Piwowar, who murdered his wife and hid her body. I’m thinking OTBC might not be a happy place.

OTBC is silent. Nothing on the blog. No press releases. It’s as if they want to bury their association with Burning. I listened to a few sermons there is nothing there either. There are questions to answer.

Why did they stand by Burning? Did they know of the abuse allegations? Did they report allegations? Were there allegations from Burning’s missionary work? What about their duty of car as mandatory reporters?  The questions are endless, but so is the silence.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Baptists

Photo: Bad Choices

It was 8:45 am on the Las Vegas strip when I shot this photo. This young man is about to make a few bad life choices. Will it be porn, prostitutes or beer?.  

You see all types in Las Vegas. It really is an interesting place to watch people. For every homeless person sleeping in the shadows, there is a bachelorette party staggering back to hotels, or it could be a tourist from Maine shopping for trinkets. I could shoot all day.

Technorati Tags: Photography,Las Vegas

White lies

I talked to a Christian woman today at lunch. She wanted to know how I felt about lying. I told her that I find liars intolerable. It seemed like common sense to me. If you are a liar, you are not to be trusted. She went on to ask about white lies. I told her that white lies are a necessary social lubricant. Everyone tells white lies, except for some people I know with Asperger Syndrome. She was shocked and claimed that she never told white lies… I knew she was lying though, because she had complemented me earlier in the day on losing weight when I know my ass is still enormous…. just saying.

It's funny though. People cannot be honest about lying because it paints an un-Chirst like picture in the eyes of others. Of course they tell white lies. Everyone does. But admitting to a lie puts your soul at risk. Does that make any sense?

Take this one, 'Your hair looks nice today honey." When you are judged, God will call our your lie, call you a sinner and then cast your ass in a lake of fire… for a white lie? ..but not if you've asked forgiveness first, but what if you forget some small transgression? How does that work again?
Oh wait… it does not work. That's why i'm on the A-Team.

Photo: Road to Baker, CA

We were delayed on the the road out of Las Vegas to Los Angeles at Halloran Summit east of Baker on Sunday. There was a horrible accident. Two children Sonya De Anda Martinez, 15, and Jesus De Anda Martinez, 6, died at the scene. A LifeFlight helicopter flew in to take the surviving victims to the hospital.

I was stuck for 45 minutes. I shot a few pictures so that I could remember the event. I don’t know why I document my life like this. It’s a bit of a compulsion. Five years from now I want to be able to remember this trip. This is one piece of the story.

The haze at the end of the road is the town of Baker, Ca. The accident was just over the horizon.

My mind does not let things go. I had to find out what happened. Now I’m sorry I did. My grandmother died the same way back in the 60s. A rollover on the road to Las Vegas. What a horrible way to die.

Technorati Tags: Photography