** From time to time I will come across an article that simply makes me think “Religion is so silly!”  As a disclaimer I should state, I have no problem with these people’s right to worship as they please (this is the U.S.), but to do this in the name of Christ is just silly (and that is the nicest way I can out it.**

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po8zNqSt5t8&feature=related]

“Pastor” William J. Collier and his Church of God’s Chosen held a “Christian” conference in Winfield, AL and all are invited — as long as they are white.  Flyers for the conference with the title: “Annual Pastors Conference All White Christians Invited” first appeared last Monday around town outraging many local residents.  According to the local new the mayor was adamant that the event is not representative of the community in any way.

“Business people are upset. The city is upset. The city of Winfield does not condone this…”

                                                                                                                                                                   – Mayor Wayne Silas

The event was reportedly draped with symbols of the Ku Klux Klan, Confederate flags and white supremacy slogans.  When confronted by a reporter with Bible verses on equality of all races, Rev. Mel Lewis, the founder of Christian Identity Ministries, the event’s co-sponsor, got defensive:

“Well, you’ve picked out some wonderful verses out of context and out of the direction of Scripture. All you’re doing is making a mockery of God’s Word,” said Lewis, according to WFSA. “You’re absolutely abusing the Scripture.”

The three-day conference concluded on July 6 with a cross burning, which organizers are called a “Sacred Christian Cross Lighting Ceremony.”

Honestly, after reading and researching this article I was left completely speechless.  The audacity, and overt nature of this bigotry is one that seems to have caught this nation by surprise.  This is nothing new for me unfortunately and now its at the forefront of America’s minds.  This is yet another example of the destructive silliness of trying to achieve your own righteousness through [your] works and not grace.

I would love to hear your comments below…

** From time to time I will come across an article that simply makes me think “Religion is so silly!”  When that happens I will post it so you can see the destructive silliness of trying to achieve your own righteousness through [your] works and not grace… enjoy!**

“Religion is the default mode of the human heart”

– Martin Luther

“Religious paper apologizes for erasing Clinton from iconic photo” By Jessica Ravitz, CNN

(CNN) – Faith has outweighed fact at Di Tzeitung, a Hasidic newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish publication ran a doctored copy of the iconic “Situation Room Photo” last Friday – you know, the one taken of President Barack Obama and his national security team during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. Scrubbed from the picture: the two women in the room. It’s as if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her hand clasped over her mouth, and Audrey Tomason, director of counterterrorism, weren’t there and weren’t part of history.

Here they are for comparison:

  [I]n a written statement issued Monday afternoon by Di Tzeitung, the newspaper said that its decision to leave women out of photos is religiously mandated and that the right to do so is protected by the U.S. Constitution. “The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. That has precedence even to our cherished freedom of the press,” the statement said.  “Publishing a newspaper is a big responsibility, and our policies are guided by a Rabbinical Board. “Because of laws of modesty, we are not allowed to publish pictures of women, and we regret if this gives an impression of disparaging women, which is certainly never our intention,” it continued. “We apologize if this was seen as offensive.”