Shanktified!

The personal thoughts, opinions and typos of Ron Shank

Faith

Top Ten Reasons I Never Bathe

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  1. I was forced to as a child.
  2. People who bathe are hypocrites – they think they are cleaner than everybody else.
  3. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can’t decide which one is best.
  4. I used to bathe, but I got bored and stopped.
  5. I bathe only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
  6. None of my friends bathe.
  7. I’ll start bathing when I get older and dirtier.
  8. I can’t spare the time.
  9. The bathroom is never warm enough in winter or cool enough in summer.
  10. People who make soap are only after your money.

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Answering JP

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This post is an answer to a comment by JP on the ever popular Ron Paul on Evolution post. His post was so long the reply needs it’s own post. I’ve tried to keep my replies brief, but if that lead to me being less than clear on something, please ask in the comments. And before I begin, let me thank you, JP, for the well thought out comment and the “let us reason together” attitude you bring to the table. It’s refreshing. Okay, here we go:

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Mitt Romney’s Faith Speech – What the commentators are missing

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Mitt Romney Faith SpeechMy reactions. First, Romney looked presidential (or what I think the American people think a president should look like – why does that even matter). It was a great call to return to the framework the founding fathers had intended. There was/is no separation of church and state in the Constitution. But there is something even conservative and Christian commentators are missing.

Comparing his speech to JFK’s is apples to oranges. Primarily because while we (Catholics and Protestants) have some huge disagreements in our religion. Catholicism is neither a false religion or a cult. Mormonism is, by definition, a cult where you can obtain Godship for yourself. God (according to Mitt Romney’s faith) was once a man who through his own goodness has become a god. I realize calling Mormonism or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints a cult may be offensive to those in “the church.” But see for yourself. Joseph Smith failed in his predictions of the return of Christ and many other “Thus says the Lord” prophesies. He was, by definition, a false prophet. Again, I am not trying to offend. Just pointing out what commentators are missing.

Along those same lines, Romney said, “There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.”

Don’t be fooled by Mormon word-theft and hair gel!

Here’s what he really means [my comments in brackets]:

There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked [but never answer]. What do I [ok – well, Mormons] believe about Jesus Christ? I [avoiding the term Mormons] believe that Jesus [first born spirit of Heaven and Satan’s older brother] Christ [not in the full atonement way] is the [physically conceived (iow: God and Mary had sex)] Son of God [also once a man from another planet, but now perfect and ruler of this universe, from the planet Kolob*] and the Savior [at least if you can’t do it yourself, or no one prays you in after you are dead] of mankind.

[PS: this speech should make me a shoe in toward becoming my own God].

Look Mitt, just be honest and say, “You bet I’ll make a good president, I’m working my way up to ruler of my own universe – so I got a lot riding on this!”

Seriously, I will not vote for someone who belongs to a cult. Does that make me a bigot? Of course not. We should not give credence and a platform to any false religion. I also wont be voting for Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda or any member of the Branch Davidians, either.

* I swear, I am not making that Kolob part up!!!

Evolution, Literal Interpretation and Survival of the Unfit

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Jim had a great comment which deserves a full post for a reply. He wrote:

Hey.

Just a disclaimer – I am a Christian, and am not slamming typical Christian views.

First of all, re: your distinction between macro and micro evolution, could you define the word “species”? There are plenty of animals that cannot interbreed that would countermand your argument.

Second, why do you insist on interpreting the Book of Genesis literally? The Bible doesn’t tell you how to field strip a garand – it tells you how to live your life. I don’t think anybody thinks that the Bible is an authoritative view on how you should clean and service your 1911.

How does evolution affect your life, and how does it change the way you minister to the poor and homeless?

Jim, good post. Thanks. You wrote: “There are plenty of animals that cannot interbreed that would countermand your argument.” I assume you meant “can.” I don’t know of plenty. A few may be more correct. And of those few, I don’t know of any that can continue breading as this new species. Maybe if we give it a few million years 😉 Most common is the mule (the product of a horse and donkey). Mules are sterile; as are male tions and ligers. And all hybrids are man induced. I know of no natural hybrids.

Interspecies hybrids are rare and in most cases impossible (primarily) because of the chromosome numbers have to match (ex: chimps have 48 chromosomes and humans have 46). Let’s follow that thinking for a min… evolution teaches that this mutation occurred naturally. But keep thinking. One day, Bob (make him whatever species you want) is born from his normal chromosome matching parents. While very good looking and healthier than his friends at school, alas, Bob can’t mate because he has an extra chromosome. Eventually his successful modeling career ends and he dies. One magical day, this happens again. Again randomly to a set of normal chromosome matching whatsits. This one is named Sue. She is “lucky enough” to be born down the street from Bob (oh but he’s dead). Not so lucky. She dies.

My point is this. The likelihood of genetic mutation happening and successfully creating a healthier more advanced species is much harder to believe than a guy (albeit, with the oversight of an all all powerful all knowing God) survived a worldwide flood.

Where the Bible is written allegorical, I take it as such. Where it is clear it’s literal, I take it as such. What is your basis for deeming it allegory? Are you suggesting we should take Darwin’s tale as allegorical? Sorry. Of course you are not. I just get a little sarcastic before my second cup of coffee.

Evolution does not affect how I minister to the poor and homeless. If I believed in evolution it might. Because evolutionary thought typically leads to a “survival of the fittest” mentality. In other words, “I deserve to have a better life, they don’t. Why help them?”

To the contrary, as one who believes the Bible is the word of God, I am commanded to help those who are sick, naked and imprisoned (Matt 25:31-46). I also want to help, having been personally shown much grace and mercy from God. As a believer, I am sure you understand that.

Furthermore, it’s why I blog in the first place. Nearly all discussions eventually lead to the Gospel. It is my constant prayer that the Holy Spirit will use some of my feeble words to cause someone to consider their own “goodness” and ask themselves “yeah, why would God let me in Heaven?”

Again, thanks for stopping by and posting.