WASHINGTON (AP) -- The voice of science is being stifled in the Bush administration, with fewer scientists heard in policy discussions and money for research and advanced training being cut, according to panelists at a national science meeting.
Speakers at the national meeting of the American Association for Advancement of Science expressed concern Sunday that some scientists in key federal agencies are being ignored or even pressured to change study conclusions that don't support policy positions.
No surprise here.
There is some interesting information about ID on there web site.
Feb 22, 2005
I tell my kids ghosts, monsters etc. don't exist
ROME, Italy (AP) -- Two members of a heavy metal group called the "Beasts of Satan" who confessed to taking part in three ritual Satanic slayings were sentenced to prison Tuesday, and a third defendant was acquitted, Italian media reported......
.... growing concern in Italy that young people are turning to Satanism and the occult. On Thursday, a Vatican-linked university opened a two-month course on diabolical possession and exorcism.
This last bit about possession and exorcism slays me.
These are the same type of people who believe in witches and other such nonsense.
These are the same type of people who burn Harry Potter books.
There may be monsters (evil people)in this world but they are not supernatural.
.... growing concern in Italy that young people are turning to Satanism and the occult. On Thursday, a Vatican-linked university opened a two-month course on diabolical possession and exorcism.
This last bit about possession and exorcism slays me.
These are the same type of people who believe in witches and other such nonsense.
These are the same type of people who burn Harry Potter books.
There may be monsters (evil people)in this world but they are not supernatural.
Hate crime bill tossed by House
HELENA — The state House of Representatives killed a bill on Monday that would have allowed judges and juries to mete out stiffer penalties to people convicted of hate crimes against gays, the disabled and other minorities.
House Bill 240, sponsored by Rep. Tom Facey, D-Missoula, failed on a 46-54 vote. Four Democrats voted against the bill, while one Republican, Rep. Mark Noennig of Billings, voted for it.
House Bill 240, sponsored by Rep. Tom Facey, D-Missoula, failed on a 46-54 vote. Four Democrats voted against the bill, while one Republican, Rep. Mark Noennig of Billings, voted for it.
Feb 18, 2005
Darby still suffering from ID fiasco
Faithful board faces lawsuitby Josh Mahan
Just when you thought things couldn’t get stickier down in Darby, they did.
Many observers expected a lawsuit from parents in the district, who are concerned about the adoption of anti-evolutionary theory. But the first party to file suit, on Friday, was the local newspaper Ravalli Republic, over a series of closed meetings.
“We were concerned that the public’s right to know was being violated and we had to take action to stop that,” Republic editor Wayne Adair said.
The meetings stem from a superintendent search that went awry when the same three members of the school board who are pushing for Intelligent Design also became interested in recruiting a superintendent candidate with faith, though the board had already offered the job to someone else.
Current superintendent, 13-year Darby veteran Jack Eggensperger, is leaving because he has “a different philosophy” on Intelligent Design than the board.
“I felt we clearly had the best candidate in the state of Montana, Gerald Pease,” board member Mary Lovejoy said. “We voted 4–1 to offer him the job. He accepted, and days later three members of the board moved to rescind the offer. They wanted to interview Clair Garrick. Throughout his portfolio is a sense of strong spirituality.”
During the course of interviewing three candidates, the board closed parts of those meetings to executive session. One meeting was closed when the board directed the Montana School Board Association’s Bob Vogel to rescind the offer to Pease. According to Lovejoy, no official motion was made, either.
Lovejoy feels that rescinding the offer to Pease, which allegedly occurred without proper process, was unethical, let alone the closing of that decision to public scrutiny.
“I want to choose the path of least resistance and open up the minutes from those meetings,” Lovejoy said. “I believe the public has a right to know. We work for the taxpayers. Keeping secrets is not an option.”
Ironically, faith-based candidate Garrick was passed over for claiming he had a Ph.D. when he didn’t, and the search for a superintendent has been reopened.
Darby’s Intelligent Design proposal has yet to pass a second reading, and the make-up of the board may be different by the time it does. Elections are May 4.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get stickier down in Darby, they did.
Many observers expected a lawsuit from parents in the district, who are concerned about the adoption of anti-evolutionary theory. But the first party to file suit, on Friday, was the local newspaper Ravalli Republic, over a series of closed meetings.
“We were concerned that the public’s right to know was being violated and we had to take action to stop that,” Republic editor Wayne Adair said.
The meetings stem from a superintendent search that went awry when the same three members of the school board who are pushing for Intelligent Design also became interested in recruiting a superintendent candidate with faith, though the board had already offered the job to someone else.
Current superintendent, 13-year Darby veteran Jack Eggensperger, is leaving because he has “a different philosophy” on Intelligent Design than the board.
“I felt we clearly had the best candidate in the state of Montana, Gerald Pease,” board member Mary Lovejoy said. “We voted 4–1 to offer him the job. He accepted, and days later three members of the board moved to rescind the offer. They wanted to interview Clair Garrick. Throughout his portfolio is a sense of strong spirituality.”
During the course of interviewing three candidates, the board closed parts of those meetings to executive session. One meeting was closed when the board directed the Montana School Board Association’s Bob Vogel to rescind the offer to Pease. According to Lovejoy, no official motion was made, either.
Lovejoy feels that rescinding the offer to Pease, which allegedly occurred without proper process, was unethical, let alone the closing of that decision to public scrutiny.
“I want to choose the path of least resistance and open up the minutes from those meetings,” Lovejoy said. “I believe the public has a right to know. We work for the taxpayers. Keeping secrets is not an option.”
Ironically, faith-based candidate Garrick was passed over for claiming he had a Ph.D. when he didn’t, and the search for a superintendent has been reopened.
Darby’s Intelligent Design proposal has yet to pass a second reading, and the make-up of the board may be different by the time it does. Elections are May 4.
Hate drowned out, letter by local clergy
The only thing I don't like about this letter and the fund raising effort is again, these people directly or indirectly associate homosexuality and Aids. Re-enforcing the idea that the gay lifestyle is unhealthy. They are against hate but they also pity the targets of the hate.
Hate drowned out
The IR headline was correct. Hate was drowned out. And best of all it was drowned out by a tremendous show of unity. Some 32 faith communities joined together to sponsor a full-page ad proclaiming God's love in the face of hate. Churches were packed this past Sunday to hear messages of God's love. Young people from Boulder, Basin, East Helena, Townsend, Whitehall, even Great Falls and Butte, joined in this powerful demonstration that the power of love far exceeds hate. In addition, St. Paul's United Methodist Church raised more than $3,000 for AIDS relief in Africa and St. Peter's Cathedral raised $1,500 to assist AIDS sufferers in Africa and Lewis and Clark County. Most of all, people of faith were mobilized to make it clear that hate is unacceptable in our community. God bless all of you who prayed and participated in any way!
The Very Rev. Stephen Brehe of St. Peter's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Marianne Niesen of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
The Rev. Sam Hughes of Calvary Baptist Church
The Rev. Loren Gustafson and the Rev. Travis Norton of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
The Rev. Msgr. Kevin O'Neill of the Cathedral of St. Helena
The Rev. Jim E. Fiedler of First Presbyterian Church
Hate drowned out
The IR headline was correct. Hate was drowned out. And best of all it was drowned out by a tremendous show of unity. Some 32 faith communities joined together to sponsor a full-page ad proclaiming God's love in the face of hate. Churches were packed this past Sunday to hear messages of God's love. Young people from Boulder, Basin, East Helena, Townsend, Whitehall, even Great Falls and Butte, joined in this powerful demonstration that the power of love far exceeds hate. In addition, St. Paul's United Methodist Church raised more than $3,000 for AIDS relief in Africa and St. Peter's Cathedral raised $1,500 to assist AIDS sufferers in Africa and Lewis and Clark County. Most of all, people of faith were mobilized to make it clear that hate is unacceptable in our community. God bless all of you who prayed and participated in any way!
The Very Rev. Stephen Brehe of St. Peter's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Marianne Niesen of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
The Rev. Sam Hughes of Calvary Baptist Church
The Rev. Loren Gustafson and the Rev. Travis Norton of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
The Rev. Msgr. Kevin O'Neill of the Cathedral of St. Helena
The Rev. Jim E. Fiedler of First Presbyterian Church
False Christians by Renata Judd
Concerning HB240 "Hate Crimes," HB 259 "Civil Unions," and SB 199, "Human Rights Laws," I don't believe the majority has spoken.
The dogma peddled by mainstream Christianity is what fuels bigotry against gays, lesbians and people with disabilities, and the laws are designed to combat this bigotry. This dogma is from false Christians who serve Satan and do not follow biblical Christian standards. Read Matt. 7: 1,2; I Cor. 5:12,13. This last says it all. God is to judge those outside your congregation, not you. God does not need your help. Read Matt. 4:44 "love your enemies." To refuse these laws to this group of people is not love, it is hatred.
Read Matt. 24: 11, 24. Those who teach and do opposite of the above scriptures are false prophets and false Christians.
Renata Judd
5848 Racehorse Loop Rd.
The dogma peddled by mainstream Christianity is what fuels bigotry against gays, lesbians and people with disabilities, and the laws are designed to combat this bigotry. This dogma is from false Christians who serve Satan and do not follow biblical Christian standards. Read Matt. 7: 1,2; I Cor. 5:12,13. This last says it all. God is to judge those outside your congregation, not you. God does not need your help. Read Matt. 4:44 "love your enemies." To refuse these laws to this group of people is not love, it is hatred.
Read Matt. 24: 11, 24. Those who teach and do opposite of the above scriptures are false prophets and false Christians.
Renata Judd
5848 Racehorse Loop Rd.
Feb 17, 2005
Senate Bill 199 passed in the Senate
Senate supports gay rights bill
By ALLISON FARRELL - IR State Bureau - 02/17/05
HELENA — Gay rights advocates jumped for joy outside the Senate Wednesday after the body endorsed a bill that would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena, was approved by the Senate on a preliminary 27-23 vote. If the bill clears its final vote, it will face a tougher battle in the equally split House of Representatives.
By ALLISON FARRELL - IR State Bureau - 02/17/05
HELENA — Gay rights advocates jumped for joy outside the Senate Wednesday after the body endorsed a bill that would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena, was approved by the Senate on a preliminary 27-23 vote. If the bill clears its final vote, it will face a tougher battle in the equally split House of Representatives.
Feb 15, 2005
Passed Senate and onto the Legislature
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS, DEVICES, AND SERVICES; DEFINING TERMS; AMENDING SECTIONS 33-22-101, 33-31-111, AND 33-35-306, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE."
Passed and moved onto the Senate
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT CREATING THE CRIME OF OBSTRUCTING HEALTH CARE FACILITY ACCESS."
Tabled
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ADOPTING THE PROTECTION FOR THE UNBORN CHILD ACT; CREATING CRIMINAL OFFENSES INVOLVING DEATH OR INJURY TO AN UNBORN CHILD; PROVIDING PENALTIES; MAKING CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 41-1-103, MCA."
Alan Keyes daughter is gay
Daughter of conservative Republican calls herself 'liberal queer'
Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Posted: 8:17 AM EST (1317 GMT)
Maya Marcel-Keyes, daughter of conservative political commentator Alan Keyes, speaks Monday during a gay rights rally.
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (AP) -- The daughter of conservative Republican Alan Keyes referred to herself Monday as a "liberal queer" and urged support for gay and lesbian young people who have been deserted by their families.
Maya Marcel-Keyes, 19, addressed a rally sponsored by the gay-rights group Equality Maryland, saying she was motivated to speak out because of her rocky relationship with her parents and the recent death of a friend who had fallen ill after being thrown out of the house by his family.
Marcel-Keyes told several hundred supporters that her sexuality had created a rift in her relationship with her parents.
"Things just came to a head. Liberal queer plus conservative Republican just doesn't mesh well," she said. "That was making my life a little bit turbulent."
Later, Marcel-Keyes told CNN her parents "were not too pleased" when they learned she was a lesbian, but she said she loves them "very much, and they love me. They can't support my activities."
Her father, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois last year, created a stir in August when he said during an interview that homosexuality was "selfish hedonism" and that Vice President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter was a sinner.
In a statement issued Monday night, Keyes said: "My daughter is an adult, and she is responsible for her own actions. What she chooses to do has nothing to do with my work or political activities."
Marcel-Keyes said she received an outpouring of support when disclosing her sexual orientation, but her friend did not.
"Like me, he grew up queer in a conservative household," she said. But where she got hundreds of e-mails, offers of a place to stay and a college scholarship, "he'd been out there two years and had gotten nothing."
"And the worst part is, he isn't the only one," Marcel-Keyes said.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Posted: 8:17 AM EST (1317 GMT)
Maya Marcel-Keyes, daughter of conservative political commentator Alan Keyes, speaks Monday during a gay rights rally.
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (AP) -- The daughter of conservative Republican Alan Keyes referred to herself Monday as a "liberal queer" and urged support for gay and lesbian young people who have been deserted by their families.
Maya Marcel-Keyes, 19, addressed a rally sponsored by the gay-rights group Equality Maryland, saying she was motivated to speak out because of her rocky relationship with her parents and the recent death of a friend who had fallen ill after being thrown out of the house by his family.
Marcel-Keyes told several hundred supporters that her sexuality had created a rift in her relationship with her parents.
"Things just came to a head. Liberal queer plus conservative Republican just doesn't mesh well," she said. "That was making my life a little bit turbulent."
Later, Marcel-Keyes told CNN her parents "were not too pleased" when they learned she was a lesbian, but she said she loves them "very much, and they love me. They can't support my activities."
Her father, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois last year, created a stir in August when he said during an interview that homosexuality was "selfish hedonism" and that Vice President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter was a sinner.
In a statement issued Monday night, Keyes said: "My daughter is an adult, and she is responsible for her own actions. What she chooses to do has nothing to do with my work or political activities."
Marcel-Keyes said she received an outpouring of support when disclosing her sexual orientation, but her friend did not.
"Like me, he grew up queer in a conservative household," she said. But where she got hundreds of e-mails, offers of a place to stay and a college scholarship, "he'd been out there two years and had gotten nothing."
"And the worst part is, he isn't the only one," Marcel-Keyes said.
Feb 9, 2005
The Westboro Wackos again
Westboro widens attacks
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - IR Staff Writer - 02/9/05
The Westboro Baptist Church has broadened its attacks to include Carroll College and Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger in response to a community-wide discussion on hate groups and religion held on campus last week.
On Wednesday, the day after the panel took place, the church, based in Topeka, Kan., distributed a fax attacking Bohlinger for his support of two hate crime bills.The group also attacked Carroll College for hosting the event, calling it a homosexual-infested university.The fax referred to the 160 people who attended the panel as "misguided and "dimwitted."Nancy Lee, director of marketing and communications, said the school wouldn't be baited by the group, which is known for its gay-bashing and anti-Semitic rallies.
"We will not be responding to any comments made by the Westboro Baptist Church about Carroll College," Lee said.The group took particular offense to Bohlinger's statement, "Anyone who fails to love God can never know God, because God is love."The group called Bohlinger an "evil, irreversibly Hell-bound man" who has "sold his soul for a mess of filthy sodomite pottage."While Bohlinger shrugged off the attack and declined comment, heading for Washington, D.C., the Montana Human Rights Network praised Bohlinger, calling him an eloquent spokesman for equal rights."John Bohlinger should view this condemnation as another sign that he is fighting the good fight," said Travis McAdam, speaking for the MHRN. "As a Catholic, he has questioned the anti-gay views promoted by the Montana Catholic Conference this legislative session. That is a quality found in true leaders."The Westboro Baptist Church plans to hold a "religious protest and warning" in Helena this Sunday and Monday.The group plans to picket six Helena churches, the Montana Supreme Court, and the University of Montana, according to a church spokesperson.
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - IR Staff Writer - 02/9/05
The Westboro Baptist Church has broadened its attacks to include Carroll College and Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger in response to a community-wide discussion on hate groups and religion held on campus last week.
On Wednesday, the day after the panel took place, the church, based in Topeka, Kan., distributed a fax attacking Bohlinger for his support of two hate crime bills.The group also attacked Carroll College for hosting the event, calling it a homosexual-infested university.The fax referred to the 160 people who attended the panel as "misguided and "dimwitted."Nancy Lee, director of marketing and communications, said the school wouldn't be baited by the group, which is known for its gay-bashing and anti-Semitic rallies.
"We will not be responding to any comments made by the Westboro Baptist Church about Carroll College," Lee said.The group took particular offense to Bohlinger's statement, "Anyone who fails to love God can never know God, because God is love."The group called Bohlinger an "evil, irreversibly Hell-bound man" who has "sold his soul for a mess of filthy sodomite pottage."While Bohlinger shrugged off the attack and declined comment, heading for Washington, D.C., the Montana Human Rights Network praised Bohlinger, calling him an eloquent spokesman for equal rights."John Bohlinger should view this condemnation as another sign that he is fighting the good fight," said Travis McAdam, speaking for the MHRN. "As a Catholic, he has questioned the anti-gay views promoted by the Montana Catholic Conference this legislative session. That is a quality found in true leaders."The Westboro Baptist Church plans to hold a "religious protest and warning" in Helena this Sunday and Monday.The group plans to picket six Helena churches, the Montana Supreme Court, and the University of Montana, according to a church spokesperson.
Feb 7, 2005
Bitterroot residents bring evolution debate to Legislature
By MICHAEL MOORE - Missoulian - 2/07/05
MISSOULA (LEE) — Buoyed by their success in turning back an effort to introduce what they saw as religious education into science classes in Darby, a group of Bitterroot Valley residents will travel to Helena on Monday to support a joint legislative resolution supporting science curriculums based on "sound scientific principles."
"We just want to make sure we stand up for science education across the state, and this represents a good way to do that," said Hamilton's John Schneeberger, who will be part of Monday's contingent, which could number as many as 25.
The occasion is a hearing on a joint Senate resolution introduced by state Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena. The resolution would recognize the "importance of separation of church and state and (support) the right of local school board trustees to adopt a science curriculum based on sound scientific principles and supported by teachers, parents and the local community."
The resolution, if passed, would not carry legal weight, but might be looked to for guidance by school districts that may face the quandary Darby found itself in last year.
More than a year ago, a proposal came to the Darby School Board from a local minister, who outlined what he called an "objective origins" approach to teaching evolutionary science in Darby science classes.
The proposal was less than specific about what might actually be taught in science classes. Although minister Curtis Brickley said his proposal was strictly about science, many of his supporters saw the proposal as a way to get discussion of divine origins into the classroom. Brickley said he wanted teachers to teach "valid" criticisms of evolutionary theory.
What developed in this vacuum of specifics was a pitched battle between the proposal's supporters and opponents who saw a back-door effort to introduce religion into science.
The Darby School Board was split 3-2 in favor of "objective origins," but before the proposal could reach final passage a board election came up. "Objective origins" was the central rallying point of the campaign. When the votes were tallied, the board's chairwoman, Gina Schallenberger, an ardent supporter of "objective origins," was out of office, replaced by a new board member opposed to the curriculum change.
That election was essentially the end of "objective origins" in Darby, at least for now.
However, similar efforts are cropping up around the country, a move that has motivated efforts such as Toole's resolution.
"This is happening all over the country, so we want to stand behind this resolution and be firm backers of solid scientific education," said Schneeberger.
In addition to declaring support for local school boards to adopt sound science curriculums, the resolution states that the Legislature should "recognize the importance of teaching Montana students about religious traditions, beliefs and history, and encourage inclusion of these topics in religious studies, sociology and history."
Join the debate
The hearing on Sen. Ken Toole's resolution emphasizing the importance of separating church and state will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the Capitol in Room 303A before the Senate's Education and Cultural Resources Committee.
MISSOULA (LEE) — Buoyed by their success in turning back an effort to introduce what they saw as religious education into science classes in Darby, a group of Bitterroot Valley residents will travel to Helena on Monday to support a joint legislative resolution supporting science curriculums based on "sound scientific principles."
"We just want to make sure we stand up for science education across the state, and this represents a good way to do that," said Hamilton's John Schneeberger, who will be part of Monday's contingent, which could number as many as 25.
The occasion is a hearing on a joint Senate resolution introduced by state Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena. The resolution would recognize the "importance of separation of church and state and (support) the right of local school board trustees to adopt a science curriculum based on sound scientific principles and supported by teachers, parents and the local community."
The resolution, if passed, would not carry legal weight, but might be looked to for guidance by school districts that may face the quandary Darby found itself in last year.
More than a year ago, a proposal came to the Darby School Board from a local minister, who outlined what he called an "objective origins" approach to teaching evolutionary science in Darby science classes.
The proposal was less than specific about what might actually be taught in science classes. Although minister Curtis Brickley said his proposal was strictly about science, many of his supporters saw the proposal as a way to get discussion of divine origins into the classroom. Brickley said he wanted teachers to teach "valid" criticisms of evolutionary theory.
What developed in this vacuum of specifics was a pitched battle between the proposal's supporters and opponents who saw a back-door effort to introduce religion into science.
The Darby School Board was split 3-2 in favor of "objective origins," but before the proposal could reach final passage a board election came up. "Objective origins" was the central rallying point of the campaign. When the votes were tallied, the board's chairwoman, Gina Schallenberger, an ardent supporter of "objective origins," was out of office, replaced by a new board member opposed to the curriculum change.
That election was essentially the end of "objective origins" in Darby, at least for now.
However, similar efforts are cropping up around the country, a move that has motivated efforts such as Toole's resolution.
"This is happening all over the country, so we want to stand behind this resolution and be firm backers of solid scientific education," said Schneeberger.
In addition to declaring support for local school boards to adopt sound science curriculums, the resolution states that the Legislature should "recognize the importance of teaching Montana students about religious traditions, beliefs and history, and encourage inclusion of these topics in religious studies, sociology and history."
Join the debate
The hearing on Sen. Ken Toole's resolution emphasizing the importance of separating church and state will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the Capitol in Room 303A before the Senate's Education and Cultural Resources Committee.
Feb 1, 2005
My letter to the Editor about Hell posted in both papers
Letter to the Editor
Reader's Alley
By The Helena IR - 01/30/05
and this was also posted in the Queen City weekly Wednesday Jan 26, 2005
A cruel God?
Did Matthew Sheppard really go straight to Hell as a Kansas cult claims?Many find this hard to believe. This and other contentious religious questions continue to divide the faithful and turn others away. Hell itself has transformed over time. First there was Sheol, the Old Testament Hebrew word for "abode of the dead." Then there was Hades, the Greek word for "underground abode of the dead." And finally, Hell. The English word helan means "to conceal." This was further interpreted as being the grave, a.k.a. six feet under. So, the dead lay awaiting Judgment Day. Only then will one rise and live again. At last God will judge who is worthy to live forever and who is not. Those damned will be destroyed. Not to burn forever, but to be completely consumed by fire, never to exist again, to die a second time.Therefore, certain people should stop pointing fingers at sinners and condemning them straight to hell. It's blasphemous to claim such knowledge.Some think we are already in Hell thanks to religious fundamentalism. Some think Hell is the absence of God. I think only cruel people worship a cruel God.
Lori GillilandPO Box 72Clancy
Reader's Alley
By The Helena IR - 01/30/05
and this was also posted in the Queen City weekly Wednesday Jan 26, 2005
A cruel God?
Did Matthew Sheppard really go straight to Hell as a Kansas cult claims?Many find this hard to believe. This and other contentious religious questions continue to divide the faithful and turn others away. Hell itself has transformed over time. First there was Sheol, the Old Testament Hebrew word for "abode of the dead." Then there was Hades, the Greek word for "underground abode of the dead." And finally, Hell. The English word helan means "to conceal." This was further interpreted as being the grave, a.k.a. six feet under. So, the dead lay awaiting Judgment Day. Only then will one rise and live again. At last God will judge who is worthy to live forever and who is not. Those damned will be destroyed. Not to burn forever, but to be completely consumed by fire, never to exist again, to die a second time.Therefore, certain people should stop pointing fingers at sinners and condemning them straight to hell. It's blasphemous to claim such knowledge.Some think we are already in Hell thanks to religious fundamentalism. Some think Hell is the absence of God. I think only cruel people worship a cruel God.
Lori GillilandPO Box 72Clancy
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