Baptism There were three baptisms at Church this morning. We're using a different form for them, with a supplement to the Bulletin, so there is no need to pick up a BCP. It seems like every time I witness a baptism, I think about what it will mean to baptize our child, should we be so blessed. Custom dictates infant baptism, and I've wondered if that's appropriate. I don't have a problem taking away the choice of my child in this matter. My child will have lots of choices made on his or her behalf. I wonder how much sin an infant can have. Not really believing in "original sin," I don't think there is something fundamentally evil or sinful about being human that needs to be washed away. Baptism for me is more of a way of life. I don't mean that I want to be batpized over and over again. I believe in one Baptism, namely Christian baptism. As Fr. John said in the sermon today, we are not baptized into a denomination, but into the Christian faith. Baptism, the ritual washing and annointing, is a one shot ceremony. Baptism, Living in it, is a way of life, a contanst redirection towards God. I don't believe that my baptism shields me from anything. To me, it means that my parents promised to raise me as a Christian, and I suppose that's what it will really come down to with my children. Having my child baptized wil be my promise to raise him or her in the Church.  ¶ 2:13 PM 4 comments

  Following up with a quick re-read of Joel, the book Robertson quoted in his condemnation of Sharon. Joel's complaint about breaking up the holy land is directed towards outsiders who conquer Judah and Israel and sell the kids into slavery. As much as I'd like to see Robertson completely misquote the Bible (just to show his true colors) I don't think I can state that he misquoted the Bible. It's possible to read Joel's judgement against foreigners and apply the point (keep the Holy Land whole) to Israel's leaders. However, Roberston is still wrong on:

1. Using one man's medical tragedy to make a political statement against that man


2. Limiting God to a single place

  ¶ 8:11 PM 0 comments

  Just when things look bad, Robertson makes things worse My God, how can a 21st century preacher say this? How can he look in the camera and say God strikes down people who cut up God's land. Maybe Robertson hasn't figured it out yet, but the entire universe is God's! All is God's, we are merely stewards of Creation. God cannot be confined to a tiny scrap of land in the middle east. Christians just shouldn't listen to Robertson, the only thing out of his mouth that I consider trustworthy is "God bless you."  ¶ 7:47 PM 0 comments