fides quaerens intellectum
Jul 13 2009
Freedom of Speech is important to me, and attacks on the use of that freedom in cyberspace startle me. Roger Pearse points us to a story about two men recently convicted in the United Kingdom for inciting racial hatred using websites based in the United States.
First, let me state that humanity’s ability to use good things, fruitful things, civilization changing things, for evil and wretched acts disgusts me. I do not believe that freedom of speech should be abused, used to spread hate and fear – nor do I believe that it should be threatened with jail time.
From the BBC:
Simon Sheppard, 51, of Selby in North Yorkshire, received four years and 10 months, and Stephen Whittle, 42, of Preston, two years and four months.
The men printed leaflets and controlled US websites featuring racist material.
They fled to the US after being convicted at Leeds Crown Court last year, but failed in an asylum bid.
Sheppard, of Brook Street, Selby, was found guilty of 11 offences and Whittle, of Avenham Lane, Preston, was found guilty of five offences at a trial in July last year.
Sheppard was convicted of a further five charges in January 2009.
However, before the jury in the first trial could return verdicts, both men fled to Los Angeles International airport and attempted to claim political asylum.
Their bid was thrown out by a US immigration judge.
The men were charged with publishing and distributing racially inflammatory material, and possessing racially inflammatory material with a view to distribution.
…snip….
That, said Adil Khan, head of diversity and community cohesion at Humberside Police, makes their conviction a first.
“This case is groundbreaking,” he said.
“The fact is now that we’ve been able to demonstrate that you’ve got nowhere to hide; people have been hiding on [sic] the fact that this server was in the US.
“Inciting racial hatred is a crime and one which seems to occur too regularly. This kind of material will not be tolerated as this lengthy investigation shows.”
I find the inciting of racial hatred disgusting, but when does it become a crime? Further, at what point does a dearly held freedom here in the States give way to fear? Do we make it a crime when people say things that others do not like? The BBC did not give details on the website, but there is a far cry between being racist and stupid and urging genocide.
There is a short line, however, concerning civil liberities when it comes to fear.
What do you think? Do you think it will stop here, or do you see it progressing to a point where the internet will be tightly controlled?
Jan 17 2009
A Republican senator is co-sponsoring a bill aimed at preventing reinstatement of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” — and a prominent member of the National Religious Broadcasters hopes the senator is successful.
Here is the problem, most of the Democratic leadership has said that they have no intention of putting this law back into place. Besides, I would love the chance to stand next to Benny Hinn or Pat Robertson and give the truth to the lies that the just told.
Continue reading “The Politics of Fear – GOP using 'Fairness Doctrine' to scare Christians”
Oct 16 2008
I normally would not do this, but I feel that this post is timely and should be left to it’s own merit, especially when I note a number of church folk who are spreading the ignorant lies of gossip, rumor, and innuendo concerning Sen. Obama. If you don’t like his policies, which are identified as measurably leftest, then target them on that, but to smere your neighbor because of deeply help racists beliefs is sinful.
On behalf of C. Salafia:
This political season has been uglier, and some of the things said stupider, than I can remember. That says alot considering the three elections we’ve been through since 2001 (2002, 2006 midterms and 2004 Presidential). The thing that disturbs me most is the rise in influence of the Religious Right among the voting public.
It seems that ever since 9/11, Conservative Fundamentalist preachers have declared open season on anyone who doesn’t agree with their world view. In addition, as my good friend Polycarp writes over at The Church of Jesus Christ, we’ve seen a number of false prophets come forth declaring that Sarah Palin is a modern day Esther or Deborah or that God has endorsed Sarah Palin because Bush is a “Christian”. Besides being blatantly promoting idolatry and false doctrine, these preachers are complicit in keeping their congregations ignorant and in fear. Don’t believe me? Take a look below at an actual protest sign from a rally in Ohio recently.
One has to wonder how someone like this doesn’t fall down and hurt themselves while putting on their pants. Aside from the ignorant statement that Sen. Obama is a Muslim, it appears that this “Christian” has forgotten the 9th Commandment about bearing false witness.
Additionally, if this “Christian” knew his scripture, he’d know that this type of slander and rumor mongering has been prohibited by God since Leviticus 19:16 in which God tells Moses “Do NOT go about spreading slander among your people.” As I discussed in another blog post titled “What does scripture say about slander?”, the Bible is full of passages warning us not to engage in this sort of behavior.
What I love about this country is that everyone, including preachers, are entitled to and free to speak their opinion. What anyone should find reprehensible, however, is those false prophets teaching destructive heresies and keeping their congregations ignorant with stories they make up. I will end this discussion with the words of Simon Peter as found in 2 Peter 2:
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping…
…For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error….
…It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
Oct 09 2008
This passage in Sirach does not to sway one on the Godhead. Indeed, the idea of inspiration for Sirach is not proved here either, although it is not disproved. Instead, this passage serves as a sermon on the Fear of the Lord, joining Solomon and the Psalmist in the call for such a move by people. It is through this godly fear that we find the atonement.
Sirach 1:9-18
(9) The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
(10) The fear of the Lord delights the heart, and gives gladness and joy and long life.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27 NKJV)
From the very beginning of this passage, Sirach sets out to tell us of the joys of Fear, something that is rarely taught today. We speak not of fright or worry, but of a reverence for God and the things of God. Tyndale, in his translation, often used the word Reverence instead of fear, as that word brings to mind not of an angry God, but one that is to be respected and loved.
(10a) Fear of the Lord is a gift from the Lord, for he also establishes paths for love.
(11) With him who fears the Lord it will go well at the end; on the day of his death he will be blessed.
We can find in Proverbs a parallel of thought for this section of Sirach.
The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27 NKJV)
(12) Wisdom’s beginning is to fear the Lord, and she is joined to the faithful in the womb.
Sirach echoes the Psalmist in 111.10, which reads,
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. (Psalms 111:10 NKJV)
Solomon in his Proverbs tells us,
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)
Returning to Sirach, we read,
(13) She made among men an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will be trusted.
This eternal foundation is the Church
(14) To fear the Lord is wisdom’s full measure; she satisfies men with her fruits;
(15) she fills their whole house with desirable goods, and their storehouses with her produce.
(16) The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.(16a) And both are gifts of God for peace, and boasting creates space for those that love him.
(17) He saw her and apportioned her; he rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension, and he exalted the glory of those who held her fast.
The Italicized words above are given in several Greek recensions. With the use of this Greek text, it changes the pronouns, and thus the meaning of the verse. He, of course, if the Lord God (see 16a) who gives Wisdom to those that would hold fast to it. Without the addition of the first clause of v17, we would have Wisdom who does these things, and perhaps, then, more than an emanation from the Father.
This verse alone does nothing to solidify the Emanatist (Economic/Oneness) view nor the Trinitarian, however, it must be recognized that God the Father is the source of the procession of Wisdom.
(18) To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life.
(18a) The fear of the Lord repels sins, and when it endures, it will turn away all wrath.
Again, we turn to Solomon.
In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. (Proverbs 16:6 NKJV)
Sep 11 2008
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