You know all those birds that have been falling out of the sky around the world? Do you know what's causing it to happen?
If you replied that it was freak weather conditions, or fireworks, or over eating, or any number of the recent explanations put forth by scientists you'd be wrong - dead wrong.
It was actually the Senate's repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell that caused it.
That's right, according to a homegrown televangelist, God's angry. In fact, He's pissed. And if the bible teaches us one thing it's this: when God's angry things get smited.
I'm not sure why He'd choose to illustrate His wrath on innocent little birds, but if there's one thing we know about the biblical God it's that He's a symbolist, not a literalist.
But how do we know that it was the DADT repeal that set Him off?
Meet Cindy Jacobs of Generals International ministry. Famous for her fashion forward get-ups (purple leopard print jackets accented by wide polyester lapels and purple pearls?) she's not afraid to offer outlandish opinions whilst wearing equally outlandish get-ups.
But I have learned to mistrust prophets who play to our worst instincts, rather than our best ones. I have learned to mistrust prophets who appeal to our suspicions rather than our hopes.
And perhaps worst of all, I mistrust prophets who encourage us to believe that other people are really much more sinful than we are ourselves - because, when you think about it, what reason do actually we have to believe that?
If you want to know why gay kids are bullied, and why gay teenagers despair, and why gay adults are treated like second class citizens in their own country, then you don't need to look further than Cindy Jacobs. She answers a modern dilemma (dying birds) with the scientific principals of the fourth century B.C.
Whatever is killing these poor birds, I'm pretty sure its not the angry words of an angry deity. I'm also pretty sure that Jacob's ridiculous prophecies stigmatize young gay people across this nation.
And if there's one thing we've learned this week it's this: there is a dangerous connection between intolerant words and intolerant deeds.
If you replied that it was freak weather conditions, or fireworks, or over eating, or any number of the recent explanations put forth by scientists you'd be wrong - dead wrong.
It was actually the Senate's repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell that caused it.
That's right, according to a homegrown televangelist, God's angry. In fact, He's pissed. And if the bible teaches us one thing it's this: when God's angry things get smited.
I'm not sure why He'd choose to illustrate His wrath on innocent little birds, but if there's one thing we know about the biblical God it's that He's a symbolist, not a literalist.
But how do we know that it was the DADT repeal that set Him off?
Meet Cindy Jacobs of Generals International ministry. Famous for her fashion forward get-ups (purple leopard print jackets accented by wide polyester lapels and purple pearls?) she's not afraid to offer outlandish opinions whilst wearing equally outlandish get-ups.
But I have learned to mistrust prophets who play to our worst instincts, rather than our best ones. I have learned to mistrust prophets who appeal to our suspicions rather than our hopes.
And perhaps worst of all, I mistrust prophets who encourage us to believe that other people are really much more sinful than we are ourselves - because, when you think about it, what reason do actually we have to believe that?
If you want to know why gay kids are bullied, and why gay teenagers despair, and why gay adults are treated like second class citizens in their own country, then you don't need to look further than Cindy Jacobs. She answers a modern dilemma (dying birds) with the scientific principals of the fourth century B.C.
Whatever is killing these poor birds, I'm pretty sure its not the angry words of an angry deity. I'm also pretty sure that Jacob's ridiculous prophecies stigmatize young gay people across this nation.
And if there's one thing we've learned this week it's this: there is a dangerous connection between intolerant words and intolerant deeds.
Comments