Follower of the Way

From now on I choose to identify myself as a Follower of the Way. This is the original name followers of Christ used when the majority if His followers were still Jewish. The period right after His resurrection before St.Paul and others began to preach to the Greeks, Romans, and others. Why you ask? Because the name of Christian is being hijacked by some of the most hate filled UN-Christlike people on earth. These people preach that God has turned His back on this country because of divorce, abortion, and homosexuality. Really? The Christ I know taught forgiveness and love. Love for all, not just those who share your views. I recently heard some one call Republicans the modern Pharisees. Seems like a good fit to me. Christ's view of the Pharisees and their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law is what got Him crucified. Are we to crucify Him yet again? The quoting of one part of a verse out of a sentence from an entire chapter to prove a point is wrong. Taking scripture out of context to prove a point is both backwards and ignorant. If, for instance, Leviticus is to be quoted as a justification for something (anti-Gay sentiment for example) we enforce all of the chapter. Therefore, adulteres must be stoned to death (where did I put my pile of rocks?), we can no longer eat pork( Smithfield Foods will object to that) women are not allowed in the Temple or church (oh, I don't even want to go there) also I get to sell my un-married sister into slavery (this is tempting sometimes) on and on we go. I am sure this will make the Christian Taliban squirm. I am also pretty sure they would claim those parts of Leviticus were no longer relevant. Really? How do you figure that? One part of the law is to be followed and another is no longer to be followed? How would that work in our modern court system? Not very well I expect-unless you are rich and can afford the best defense, then all bets are off. Christ said as he was being arrested "to live by the sword is to die by the sword". I wonder if using scripture from either Testament to marginalize segments of the populace could be considered "wielding a sword"?
     I did not set out in life to be dependant on the government, yet I like many others find myself there. Now Christians are threatening to take it all away in the name of personal accountability. These same Christians say it is OK because I am a sinner. Did Christ not say "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? I am sick of you people and I wonder if Christ is too. Sometimes I can see Him shaking his head saying-I died for that?
Just call me a Follower of the Way from now on. The name Christian sickens me.
Hugs-Garry

Ponderings...

I have had many things on my mind lately. Some affect me and some affect the ones I love and care about. I realize that this country has the best health care on the planet. This is a "good thing". However, we also have Medicare for those who are retired or disabled. Medicare throws people living with mental issues, cancer and AIDS under the train. If some rising stars in the Republican Party have their way this will get worse. Crazy people do not matter, Cancer patients will die any way, and AIDS patients are sinning queers. Who cares what happens to these people? As I write this  am wondering whether the "Party of Twelve" will defund A.D.A.P., the program that helps those of us living with AIDS get the life saving medicines we need. Yet all the Gay community can be worried about right now is who can marry whom. I guess Silence=Death is a thing of the past. Remember the Eighties? Remember the Civil Disobedience? Remember going to two or three funerals a week? I do. At 52 years old, I have buried all of my closest friends. Is my time coming? My father recently asked me what I consider to be a stupid question. "What will you do when you can not get your medicine?" Really? What the hell do you think I will do?  The answer is "Die" Daddy dearest.
Right now survival of those in our community is un-important, getting married is. What good is "Gay Marriage" if half of us are dead? Meanwhile, I get no sleep.
     I have a dear friend that falls into one of the catagories I mentioned earlier, mental illness. Right now he is at the very bottom looking up. From a recent conversation I have the feeling he sees no light at all. Now in a perfect world, his Medicare should allow him to check into a hospital to get the help he needs. Medicare will only pay about fifty percent of the cost, and when he has reached his annual maximum the hospital will boot him out whether or not he is ready. His family knows how delicate his situation is, and I must admit these people are even more hateful than my family!  His sister has no regard for his mental health. She continues to drop her self-centered bombs on my friend daily. She also tells him he is on disability because he is too lazy to work, not to mention accusing him of being a drunk and using drugs. The funny thing? This bitch and her backward clod of a husband are big old beer swilling drunks themselves! My friend chose to block her from calling him, her response? Send the police to conduct a Wellness Check because she is "so concerned". Some people are just too stupid to exist! She would be one. If I ever get my hands on her telephone number, she is going to get an old fashioned gay bitching out. Until then, I guess I will keep my friend in my prayers and offer the only things I have, my shoulders and my love.
     If there were a country the two of us could ex-pat and get the medical care we need, I would say let's pack our bags and go. But what country, including my own, wants to take care of an AIDS bag?
     Another thing I have been pondering is the new Taliban Christian Movement AKA the Tea Party. I watch with amusement as these fools continue to shoot themselves in the foot, yet the Evangelical Fundamentalist Christians continue to worship the quick sand these morons walk on. They want to make laws and constituional ammendments for any and everything they think is sinful, not to mention finding ways to overturn Supreme Court rulings they do not agree with. "Let's re-institute Don't Ask Don't Tell, overturn Roe versus Wade, defund A.D.A.P., and enforce D.O.M.A.. Then God will love us again and all will be well". Bullshit. Why not just admit they would love to copy Nazi Germany and eliminate all who do not fit their ideas for the Master Race of narrow minded, inbred, and backwards Christians. Just remember this you morons, Christ said "The greatest Commandment is that you love one another" there is no "but" or "except for" in that statement. Christ also said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Or does you translation of the Bible not have those statements in it? Just pondering...
Hugs-Garry