Is President Obama A Christian? Yes, But . . .

Let me get this out of the way right now with the affirmation that the Dear Leader, President Obama, is a Christian as he has been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; or if you prefer Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
The reason I come to this conclusion is simple.
Not just because he says that he is. There is knowledge that indeed, then Messiah Barack, was baptized at Trinity United Church of Christ. He has spoken of his faith. He does use his understanding of Christianity to be the King Social Justice Warrior.
The latest reason I have to write this piece is that two Washington Post "reporters", Dan Balz and Robert Costa asked the now GOP 2016 presidential front-runner, Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker, if he believes that the Dear Leader, President Obama, is a Christian. Gov. Walker did the right thing and said that he does not know, nor does he care, if the Dear Leader, President Obama, is a Christian or not. In fact, Gov. Walker said that the question itself was not really all that worthy or important in terms of the political direction of the United States at this time.
But the Dear Leader's defenders thought that Gov. Walker's answer was weak because it was not a full-throated defense of his belief in Christianity.
Of course, they are wrong as those on the other side who have gone so far as to suggest that the Dear Leader, President Obama, is in fact an atheist.
It does not help the Dear Leader, President Obama, that his once trusted top political aide, David Axelrod, wrote in his recent book that the Dear Leader, President Obama, was really always for same-sex marriage and that, essentially, lied about it during the 2008 presidential campaign. Needless to say, there is this on the internets that show how far then Sen. Messiah Barack went to affirm traditional marriage. Of course those of us paying attention knew that it was kinda sorta, well a lie.
Running for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Messiah Barack was given a questionnaire by a left-wing newspaper, Outlines, that he was for same-sex marriage, "unequivocally". Follow this timeline here and one sees that he went all over the place on the subject. But it must be noted that he was for chipping away at government recognition of traditional marriage only. Had the Dear Leader, President Obama, not said on national and by extension international television, at Saddleback Church, to the face of Pastor Rick Warren that he was for traditional marriage, may these questions would not dog him and make many wonder is the Dear Leader, President Obama, a Christian.
Another area is the Dear Leader, President Obama, seemingly going out of his way to all but defend radical Islam. In these remarks before the National Prayer Breakfast, the Dear Leader, President Obama, seemed to try to draw an equivalence between the Crusades and the Islamic State. And his going out of his way to not make a reference to radical Islam or Islam as the leading force in international terrorism and indeed war.
Again, this does not mean the Dear Leader, President Obama, is not a Christian.
But I alluded to his brand of Christianity above.
It's Social Justice Warrior Christianity.
To me, it's no secret that the Dear Leader, President Obama, found his way to Trinity United Church of Christ and the "Rev." Jeremiah Wright. The "Rev." Wright was all about the social justice. Why he even believes and supports the concept of Black Liberation Theology. The "Rev." Wright is one of those that likes the Social Justice Warrior Jesus up against the deity of Christ. That Jesus Christ was sent to earth by God himself to bring all the world to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and thus with God and the Holy Ghost. What Trinity did was affirm what the Dear Leader, President Obama, was pursuing as a "community organizer" and that he could cite God himself as to why it was all good.
In fact, the United Church of Christ is the most liberal/modernist Mainline Protestant denomination around. Why the UCC makes The Episcopal Church look like a bunch of slow-moving right-wingers.
Social justice can be secular and religious. But the religious component is more of a earthly rather than a spiritual response as to what God supposedly wants in the world. And yes, some social justice is good and has already been done in history.
But understand that SJWC has a component of a more Unitarian approach to God. In fact, in The Episcopal Church, one of the "heroes" is an absolute heretic and, sadly, a former bishop by the name of John Shelby Spong. Why is Bishop Spong a heretic? Among some of what he believes is that there was no virgin birth of Jesus Christ. And no bodily resurrection. They are kinda some of the main beliefs of the Christian faith, no matter what denomination one belongs to. One can say that, essentially, Bishop Spong pretty much rejects the Nicene Creed, which is the statement of belief for most Christians. At best, Bishop Spong is a Unitarian. At worst, he reduces the Christian faith to being a glorified social service agency.
Again, when one understands the version of Christianity that the Dear Leader, President Obama, believes, it explains why he would go out of his way to defend Islam. To be for same-sex marriage. To see everything in terms of the haves and the have-nots. It is in some ways a celebration of victimology.
If one takes the time to understand SJWC, then one can understand where the Dear Leader, President Obama, is coming from. Why he commits self-flagellation that is so common among the SJWC. Why he easily takes up the side of the underdog.
Anyone who has read this blog knows that I consider myself a traditional, somewhat conservative Christian. Sure, I belong to The Episcopal Church, but there are many like myself that want to see the denomination move away from what I believe is destructive modernism.
I believe in the Nicene Creed as the simple statement of faith. Sure there were a lot of politics behind  a lot of the wording, but it has stood the test of time. I'm standard Protestant that there are two outward signs of being a Christian. Bapitsm and partaking of the Holy Communion. I believe that the Holy Bible (King James Version, of course) is the inspired word of God and necessary for all salvation.
That is the simple version of my faith in Christ.
Yet in my denomination, I might as well be a multi-horned fundamentalist.
Which is to show how far the Mainline Protestant denominations have strayed.
So yes, the Dear Leader, President Obama is a Christian. Just not a traditional Christian. Once people get that, one will understand his world view.

California Trying To Affect Social Change Through Tax Code

It stuns me that I have to find this story about legislation winding through the California state legislature that would take away state tax-exempt status from various groups for supposedly perpetuating some form of discrimination in . . . The Washington Times.
And this should be getting much more publicity than it is.
But this is California and the "media" is all but controlled by the Democrat party. No seriously. Outside of maybe talk radio and a couple of newspapers, The Orange County Register and the U-T San Diego, the "media" in this state is driven by the left and their agenda.
Understand that if this legislation passes and Gov. Jerry Moonbeam Brown signs it, this is how the Democrat party will try to force private organizations to change their ways to please their fringe base. A fringe base they need to obtain, gain and keep power.
The legislation is known as SB 323 and spearheaded by state senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and it will take away the state tax-exemption from what is referred to as a public charity youth organization. And in the text of the legislation it has these definitions:

"That an organization that is a public charity youth organization that discriminates on the basis of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or religious affiliation is not exempt from the taxes imposed by that law."

And what is it that qualifies as a public youth charity organization?
Well here is what Sen. Lara thinks are public youth charity organizations:

Little League, Bobby Sox, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, Inc., Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, Future Farmers of America, Future Homemakers of America, 4-H Clubs, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Collegiate Young Farmers, Boys’ Clubs, Girls’ Clubs, Special Olympics, Inc., American Youth Soccer Organization, California Youth Soccer Association, North, California Youth Soccer Association, South, and Pop Warner football.
Inserting the triple facepalm here, although it is not enough:

Where, where to begin?
Well, the obvious is what is Sen. Lara's skin in the game?
Of course Sen. Lara is openly gay. And in Sen. Lara's "mind", these groups are real or imagined anti-homosexual. Oh yes, he does throw in sop language like race, creed or religion to make it a bit more palatable. But really, this is to make organizations drop what they believe or are perceived to believe.
Let's look at the list and show some examples of organizations that clearly have a religious angle.
That would be the Young Men's Christian Association and the Young Women's Christian Association. Both are more familiar as the YMCA or the WYCA. I highlight Christian for the obvious reasons. Both groups are, let me spell for those like Sen. Lara, C H R I S T I A N organizations. Both were founded specifically to promote Christianity. In fact, here is the mission statement for the YMCA at the link. Ahh, I think that the statement has nothing to say one way or the other about homosexuals. And I know that when one uses YMCA or YWCA facilities, no one is asked if they are Christians and or homosexuals. And the WYCA sounds like the perfect group for people like Sen. Lara as it advocates the left-wing agenda. Read this link if you think that I am being over reactive. In fact, the statement does note that many are NOT Christian that work in and for the WYCA. But once again, there is nothing about homosexuals one way or the other. And I'll bet that there is really no discrimination at all at WYCA facilities.
But no matter to people like Sen. Lara. They are clearly sexist organizations and they advocate that yucky Christian religion. So yeah, lets tax 'em into submission.
OK Sen. Lara, why are you going after the Future Farmers of America?
There is nothing, not one thing anywhere that explicitly or on the down-low that discriminates against anyone, male or female, heterosexual or homosexual, race, religion, not one thing. If you do not believe me, here is mission statement page, the bylaws and the organization constitution.
I suppose the pesky standard that one should be enrolled in agriculture related classes and actually work and spend their own money is pretty discriminatory according to Sen. Lara and his clique.
One of my favs of this is going after the Special Olympics. Yes, I know that a group that exists because of recognizing the value of those with special needs, and that is an umbrella term primarily for mental disorders, is just eeeeevvvvviiiiilllll! I guess that there is some people that feel the Special Olympics is a discriminating organization as evidenced here. But I support this worthy goal because it does provide an outlet for those with mental disabilities to participate in sports. What bothers Sen. Lara and his clique about this? That there are no homosexual special needs participants?!
And damn me that this legislation goes right after youth sports! Here is the list:

Little league baseball
Bobby Sox softball
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
California Youth Soccer Organization (CYSO)
California Youth Soccer Organization North and South
Pop Warner football

I refer to the triple facepalm photo above once again.
When I suggested here that the left hates competitive sports here, I know what I am speaking of. Even though most if not all do not have score and statistics until children are older, they are competitive. And yes, they do play by gender. Again, there is nothing to stop a group from forming co-ed, no stats leagues. Also note that the legislation goes after baseball, a tradition-laden sport, football, a very competitive and yes aggressive sport and soccer, a very popular sport especially among immigrant communities but has a fan base that again, can kind of be yucky to people like Sen. Lara and his clique.
And of course the legislation goes after the eeeeevvvvviiiiilllll Boy Scouts. And even the Girl Scouts are not safe. Neither are gender-specific Boy's Clubs or Girl's Clubs. The Boy's and Girl's Clubs seem to be safe.
If you really look at the list all the groups listed are pretty traditional laden. The natural appeal is to people who value a certain tradition. And it is not limited to conservative people. Many people that are liberal are part of all of these groups. Most promote great ideas and values and have adapted to changing times without going against their values.
But here is what people like Sen. Lara and his clique don't get.
If this abominable legislation should be passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Moonbeam Brown, what is to say a conservative part of the United States will not try this to assault decidedly liberal or left leaning groups? Who is to say that Texas legislators may not move to take away the state tax-exempt status of Planned Parenthood? The National Organization of Women? The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? May I go on with liberal-left groups that the conservatives do not like?
The real problem is how the tax-code grants special status in the first place to many groups and or organizations.
The point of taxation is to have the largest possible base and to fund the government to provide basic services. Which of course means that takes out any social engineering. And that is what Sen. Lara and his clique are trying to do.
But my real question is this.
What the eff is wrong with you Ricardo Lara? What, do you hate these particular groups? Could not hang in sports? Didn't get into the FFA? Couldn't get in the Boy Scouts? What, all because you are gay? Did they all tell you so? Really, do you realize that you will tax these worthwhile groups out of existance unless they conform to your personal specifications? Do you really want to take away social opportunities for children especially? Educational opportunities?
Once again, people like Sen. Lara and the whole idea of a full-time, top paid legislature is what is making California an unlivable place. Seriously. This state that I love and call home is becomingly utterly unlivable.
Social change is not always a bad thing. What is bad is using the taxing power of the state to affect social change among organizations that choose what kind of people they want in them. It is a form of the jack-boot of big government that is going to force a showdown that is totally unnecessary.

Say, Did You Hear About The Episcopal Priest And Him Slamming The "Religious Right" On Easter Sunday?

We really have to hand to The Rev. Luis Leon, rector of St. John's Episcopal  church directly across the street from The White House for delivering a political sermon on Christendom's most holy day, Easter.
Or if you prefer Resurrection Sunday.
Now it would probably go unnoticed expect that there was a rather influential family at one of the Easter services.
Wanna guess what family?
Remember, St. John's is across the street from The White House.
If you guessed the first family, the Obama family, give yourself a bright, beautifully colored Easter egg.
So, what did the pastor of the church say that was offensive?
Let me be clear, I am not so much offended because in any given EC, what the Rev. Leon said is pretty moderate for being a pastor in the EC. Here it is:

“You can’t go back, you can’t live in the past. It drives me crazy when the captains of the religious right are always calling people back…for Blacks to be back in the back of the bus, for women to be back in the kitchen, for gays to be in the closet and for immigrants to be on their side of the border.”

Luis, Luis, Luis, my brother in Christ!
What made you think this on Easter Sunday? Why do you think such illogical things? Why did you say it?
Let me explain this about the two big days in Christendom.
Easter, the most important and Christmas, important but not nearly in the same way as Easter, are times that weigh on any pastor or priest. Anyone that preaches on these two days have a lot to be mindful of.
Most important is that that there will be a lot of "Holy day" Christians attending these services. Those that see the inside of a church on only the aforementioned big days. And many people that church goers will bring for the very first time.
A good preacher will stay away from the controversy no matter what side of the political fence they are on. They ruminate on the meaning of the day.
On Easter, it is the culmination of the time from Ash Wednesday to the crucifixion to the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is going from darkness to light.
In fact, at my parish, the rector had an excellent sermon along those lines. And yeah, he is pretty much on the other side than your humble blogger. However, it was very moving to me. Because of the content and how he weaved it into what Easter is all about.
In fairness to the Rev. Leon, I tried to access the sermon on the church's website. Mystically, it is not there as of this writing. Because I would like to hear the context of how he went into a diatribe against traditionalist Christians. All rather wrong and misguided no matter what.
So let me go back to the questions I posed earlier.
What made the Rev. Leon think such thoughts?
I know that the Rev. Leon was the rector of St. John's when the personification of eeeeevvvvviiiiilllll himself, former President George W. Bush would attend services. And lets be real. He was a traditionalist Christian. Did he ever preach a sermon that went off the rails in this manner while Mr. Bush was in attendance? Did the Rev. Leon know that the Dear Leader, President Obama, would be in attendance and he wanted to gin it up a bit? Sadly, there are more questions than answers.
But let me offer this.
No traditionalist Christian wants to put Blacks to be back in the back of the bus. In fact and indeed many prominent traditionalist Christians are Black and many prominent Black pastors consider themselves traditionalists.
No traditionalist Christian want to see women to be back in the kitchen. Many of us appreciate and like the leadership roles that women bring to all walks of life. Some women, for a lack of better term, like and want to be housewives. And it is not the same as it was in the time of Leave It To Beaver. This maybe an old wound between High Church Episcopalians and their allies in the emerging Anglican Church of North America. When the EC allowed women to be ordained in the late 1970s, many left because they believed that women should not be in the priesthood. I prayerfully believe that was and is wrong thinking. Maybe, just maybe that is what made the reverend spout that line.
No traditionalist Christian wants to see  gays to be in the closet. That ship has sailed. Homosexuals are coming out of the woodwork. And there are many allies. But there are those that draw the line in the sand on the understanding of marriage. That is the issue now. Not whether or not they will "go back in the closet".
No traditionalist wants to see immigrants to be on their side of the border. This is me writing. I want legal immigrants. I do not want to see illegal immigrants get any special dispensation. Period. I know for a fact that my parish's outreach ministry in El Monte, California assists illegal aliens. This is an area of So Cal where it is pretty likely. I don't particularly believe that the church should be asking nor turning them in. But I do want to see the laws that we already have on the books enforced and that any reform hinges on border security first.
The Rev. Leon pretty much threw out a bromide of stereotypes that he put under the label "The religious right". And that is what makes whatever he was trying to preach about on Easter Sunday pointless.
Instead of being thoughtful and mindful of what the meaning of Easter is about, resurrection, it appears that the Rev. Leon, himself a Red Cuban refugee, should know the powerful message of redemption in Jesus Christ.
Now that would make a great Easter sermon.