Aug 31, 2010

ALEX HART: ¨He was a philanthropist, a businessman, a civic and community leader, a social arbiter, a charming host, a gentleman and a friend...


*Alex J. Hart, the final family owner of Hart's Department Stores, died peacefully on Aug. 8 in Saratoga, one month and a day shy of his 90th birthday.

I recently received word of the ¨passing¨ of my all-time personal hero, much admired mentor and great friend, Alex Hart*. ¨Mr. Hart¨ was President of Hart´s Department Store where I started as an Executive Trainee while simultaneously attending San Jose State College in the Fall of 1962.

Within a few years I became a Buyer at Hart´s while still attending Art School. Mr. Hart, as time progressed, on ¨off duty¨ hours would become ¨Alex¨ during the many elegant and fun dinner parties he hosted at his lovely, welcoming homes (first off the Alameda, then the Rose Garden, then off the Alameda again). Such excellent food, beautiful table settings, coctails before and singing at the Grand Piano afterward. Alex was indeed a well known person-famous-celebrity-notable citizen and a gracious host who often had other very well-known people, from retail world mogels and famous movie/T.V. stars to important film executives and other well-known professionals and politicos visit his home for parties.

I was often amongst several young people who were personally gifted with kind and welcoming invitations to his home for spectacular, large and small, social events that were way beyond-my-young-imagination (and everyday dreams of splendid/elegant living reality including artwork by the likes of Picasso and other famosos). I learned my very best manners, sense of style, merchandising savvy and the general way ¨to be¨ in my adultlife from Alex J. Hart. Today my heart is open and I´m deeply touched and grateful because of the many kind and helpful words, acts and general direction that Alex Hart offered freely to me in my life.

Later in my retail progression, years after I moved away from San Jose and Hart´s, Mr. Hart discreetly supported my ongoing retail career by offering a unsolicited personal reference that clearly resulted in me securing a very prestiges, and sought after BIG JOB at another Department Store in another city. As it turned out, Alex Hart was a very close friend/business acquaintance with the President of a chain of very fine/high-end fashion department stores where I had been presented as a candidate to work. I got the job, it was a very ¨big deal¨ for me, I´ve never forgotten the many kind deeds of Alex Hart.

Alex Hart will always touch my Heart because of the many REAL examples of his generosity, good-will and wise ways both at work and socially...thanks to you Alex for all that you have done for me and for all of us whose character, talent and integrity have been impacted profoundly by being graced with the presence of you, Alex Hart, in our lives. Leonard Clark Beardsley, Central America, August 31, 2010

Prayers Ascending

*Alex J. Hart, the final family owner of Hart's Department Stores, died peacefully on Aug. 8 in Saratoga, one month and a day shy of his 90th birthday.

No single word can describe Mr. Hart. He was a philanthropist, a businessman, a civic and community leader, a social arbiter, a charming host, a gentleman and a friend to many.

"Whatever Alex did, he did so well," says Leigh Weimers, a longtime friend. "I always thought Alex was a consummate gentleman, always well spoken and well groomed. If his goal was to sell menswear, he did a beautiful job of being the model himself. You wanted to buy something to make yourself look as good as Alex Hart."

Judy Goldeen recalls knowing Mr. Hart from childhood, as he was a friend of her parents, the late Don and Jane Goldeen.

"Alex was a sweet, dear man who loved a good party," she says.

Goldeen recalls that when she and the late Steffi Sims would go to brunch with Mr. Hart, "He was always dressed to the nines and treated us as though we were the most important ladies in his life."

Mr. Hart was born in San Jose on Sept. 9, 1920, the second son of Alex J. Hart Sr. and Nettie Brooke Hart. His grandfather Leopold Hart arrived in San Jose from his native Alsace Lorraine and opened his first dry goods and clothing store in 1866.

In 1902 he was successful enough to launch L. Hart & Son Department Store in downtown San Jose, which by 1920 was the largest department store between San
Francisco and Los Angeles.


It was Mr. Hart's older brother, Brooke, who was groomed to take over the helm of the store, but everything changed on Nov. 9, 1933, when Brooke Hart was kidnapped as he left the family store, then brutally murdered.

His two kidnappers were taken from their jail cells by an angry mob, carried across the street to St. James Park and lynched. The incident made headlines across the United States and Europe.

The Hart family was much loved in the community, and in his award-winning book on the subject, Swift Justice, the late Harry Farrell wrote that his murderers "could have chosen no victim whose popularity and place in the community would more surely guarantee the violent retribution that followed."

Mr. Hart was 13 at the time, and his older brother was 22.

He was sent to San Rafael Military Academy, returning to San Jose to attend Santa Clara University.

Mr. Hart was living in Los Angeles and writing music for Paramount Pictures when his father died in 1943, and he returned to San Jose to take over the family store at the corner of Market and Santa Clara streets.

Theo Hart says he believes his father would have preferred a career writing musicals to haberdashery, but he wouldn't shirk his family responsibilities.

In 1944 Mr. Hart married Iphigenia Papavosiliou, a native of Greece. They met at a party in Berkeley, where she was attending the University of California. They had three sons, Brooke, A.J. and Theo, later divorcing.

Theo Hart says that while his father was well known, what was unknown were the many things he did for others.

"My father brought the first traffic stoplight to downtown at Market and Santa Clara, so pedestrians would have the right of way to cross the busy streets," he says.

"He was a great philanthropist. He donated the property at Naglee and The Alameda where the YMCA sits. It was his father's house and where he grew up."

Hart also praises his father as a style innovator.

"He was very big on making Hart's a fashion place. My grandfather didn't do that. Dad really brought the style and panache.

"He loved art and style and form, and he brought that to San Jose."

If Mr. Hart made any mistake, it was in his emotional loyalty to downtown San Jose, says his son.

"The worst decision he made in his career was not moving from downtown to be the anchor store at Valley Fair shopping center," Hart says.

"Everyone begged him not to do it, and he made an emotional decision not to leave downtown. That was the precursor to his business not remaining competitive with the malls."

Mr. Hart expanded from downtown to open stores in Sunnyvale in 1957, followed by Hart's Mayfield Mall in Mountain View and Hart's Westgate in San Jose.

He sold the stores in 1976, but remained with the company to ensure a successful transition and to make sure his loyal employees were taken care of.

The camaraderie of Hart's employees was such that they held annual reunions for many years after the stores closed in the early 1980s.

"They were usually at the Three Flames on Meridian," Hart says. "I used to go to them with my father, but then everybody started passing away."

Following his retirement in 1981, Mr. Hart traveled, but the lure of merchandising brought him back to work for a few more years.

In a 2000 interview with journalist Paul Lukes, Mr. Hart said, "After our store closed, I got bored. I knew retail, so I talked to my friend Nick Sands at I. Magnin.

"After I assured him I didn't want his job, he hired me to work in better jewelry and handbags. I just loved it."

Mr. Hart lived in many homes over the years, including ones in San Jose, Los Gatos and Saratoga.

Hart says his father moved in with him and his family nine years ago, and in 2007 he moved into Our Lady of Fatima Villa in Saratoga. There he continued to be a positive influence and helpful to others.

Randi Kinman remembers the friendship he extended to her mother Marcy Kinman when she moved there in December 2009.

"His friendship and humor were the keys to her easy transition to living in a new situation," says Kinman, who escorted Mr. Hart to the 50-year anniversary celebration of the Central YMCA in October 2009.

In addition to his support of the Y, Mr. Hart was a past president of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, a supporter of St. Elizabeth's Day Home, San Jose Symphony, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Santa Clara Youth Center. He was also active with Rotary, Elks and the Native Sons of the Golden West.

Mr. Hart is survived by his sons Brooke and his wife, Marcia, of Madera; A.J. and his wife, Linda, of Almaden Valley; Theo and his wife, Vicki, of Saratoga; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements are pending.


The family requests donations in Mr. Hart's memory be made to the Central YMCA, 1717 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, or to their charity of choice. HERE

· Thanks to The San Jose Mercury News
· Thanks to Alex Hart, Hart´s Department Stores
· Thanks to Brooke, A.J. and Theodore (I remember you as friendly/well-mannered young men who sometimes attended our store rallies)

Aug 30, 2010

URGENT MESSAGE: President Obama, please telephone UGANDA--ring up President Museveni--First Lady Janet and ¨Morals Minister¨ James Nasba Buturo too!

Member of Parliament/First Lady Janet Museveni, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni

·The Senate of The State of California Calls upon the U.S. Federal Government to Help Stop Uganda’s Bill Criminalizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender People·

The Right Reverend Christopher Ssenyonjo, Anglican Bishop from Uganda, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, TEC diocese of New Hampshire, Senator Mark Leno and others at the Senate Chambers, Sacramento, California.

BREAKING:This just in from the California Legislature in support of Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo of Uganda and formally validates Californias solidarity with him.

Sacramento – The California State Senate today passed a resolution (SR 51) condemning Uganda’s bill criminalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in 21-14 vote. Introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California, the resolution urges the

U.S. government to intensify its efforts to eliminate the criminalization of homosexuality worldwide as well as to take more caution when funding faith-based organizations to ensure that U.S. government funds and resources are accessible to women, minorities, and the LGBT community. HERE


· Thanks to Integrity, TEC, U.S.A.
· Thanks to Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, UGANDA
· Thanks to President Barak Obama, U.S.A.
· Thanks to President Yoweri Museveni, UGANDA
· Thanks to MP Janet Museveni, UGANDA
· Thanks to Bishop V.Gene Robinson, TEC, New Hampshire
· Thanks to Senator Mark Leno, San Francisco
· Thanks to The Legislature of California

Aug 29, 2010

ACCOMPLICES: Are Archbishop Henry Orombi/Uganda and cohorts associated by wrongdoing at The Anglican Communion? You decide.

Archbishop Henry Orombi ¨following in the very un Christ like traditions of Christianity.¨ HERE

¨The meeting of African Bishops in Entebbe, Uganda has not surprisingly, been used to reaffirm the church’s homophobic stance. The bishops spoke about “African Values” and “alien beliefs HERE

ABETTOR?

¨Ethics and Morals¨ Minister/Uganda,Nsaba Buturo demands Parliment act immediately against the ¨imported¨ homosexual perversions.

James Nasba ¨Burn Baby Burn¨ Buturo HERE

INSTIGATOR?

¨From pulpits, that seem holy, despite the words of hate and venom pouring out of the mouths of the preachers...¨

¨Porno Preacher¨ Martin Ssempa¨ HERE

CONFEDERATE?

David Bahati’s Plan for Genocide

MP David “to kill every last gay person” Bahati, Uganda HERE

ACCESSORY?

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

· Thanks to Black Looks, sidebar
· Thanks to All Africa, sidebar
· Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, Sidebar
· Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing

Aug 25, 2010

ARCHBISHOP OROMBI/UGANDA: Get a grip on REALITY ¨millions have died and been excluded in the name of Christianity in Africa...

Archbishop Henry Orombi/Uganda, pushing for exclusion of LGBT Anglicans/others while pandering to ´instruments¨ of deadly bigotry at The African Anglican Bishops Conference, Entebbe, Uganda

also,¨Those who murdered millions of indigenous Americans and Caribbeans all did so in the name of Christianity so personally I am not that taken in by their values and beliefs – they are simply bigots like all those that dehumanize people in order to justify their exclusion. In fact they are following in the very un Christ like traditions of Christianity.¨

African Anglican Bishops Conference, Entebbe, Uganda

¨The meeting of African Bishops in Entebbe, Uganda has not surprisingly, been used to reaffirm the church’s homophobic stance. The bishops spoke about “African Values” and “alien beliefs”. Since the rights of LGBTI people are being denied this implies that the notion of ‘human rights’ is not part of our values and beliefs. The hatred expressed through homophobia and criminalisation also implies that the idea of people’s humanity is not part of our values and beliefs. This is not true – not because we as Africans are special, though the bishops statements completely contradict “Ubuntu”* but because these are universal values and beliefs which are both within religions and outside them.

One Bishop made a slight variation to the usual homophobic rhetoric presumably addressing the statement that Christianity itself is not “African” by claiming that there was a church in North Africa before there was one in Britain.

Before Christianity went to Britain, he added, there was a church in North Africa.“So Christianity did not begin in Britain; we should counteract false ideologies that creep into the church and blur the truth,” he argued.

It’s interesting that North Africa [I assume he means Egypt were the Orthodox church dates back to 471AD] has now become part of the African Bishops consciousness but he either forgot or isn’t aware that one of the oldest Christian churches in the world is the Ethiopian coptic church which predates the colonial period.

¨millions have died and been excluded in the name of Christianity¨

So yes there is a history of pre-colonial christianity on the continent but that is not the case for Uganda and other parts of the continent where the religion was imposed by colonial rule – and maybe he should be reminded of the violence surrounding that imposition. Origins of christianity and churches aside I think it is well worth putting things into perspective and pointing out that millions have died and been excluded in the name of Christianity.


Those engaged in buying and selling of Africans, engaged in Apartheid, Jim Crow, those who murdered millions of indigenous Americans and Caribbeans all did so in the name of Christianity so personally I am not that taken in by their values and beliefs – they are simply bigots like all those aforementioned that dehumanize people in order to justify their exclusion. In fact they are following in the very un Christ like traditions of Christianity.¨ HERE

David Bahati’s Plan for Genocide

MP David Bahati, author of the anti-LGBT ¨Kill the Gays¨ Bill tabled before the Parliament of Uganda

¨Bahati said ‘If you come here, you’ll see homosexuals from Europe and America are luring our children into homosexuality by distributing cell phones and iPods and things like this,’” Sharlet recounts. “And he said, ‘And I can explain to you what I really want to do.’”

Sharlet accompanied Bahati to a restaurant, and later to his home, where Bahati told Sharlet that he wanted “to kill every last gay person.” HERE

A Special Place Just for the Gays in Uganda?


Unbelievable! That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of the anti-gay movement that was incited by American evangelicals in Uganda. Of course, not all think the death penalty or prison is the place for members of the LGBT community in Uganda.

According to a post on Advocate.com, one American couple who is living in Uganda helping spread the paranoia and homophobia which has become a plague had this to say:

“What they need,” Tommy proposed, “is a special place, like, for people doing homosexual things to learn different. A camp, like.”“Keep them all in one place?” I asked.

“Yes. I think that’s what we have to try,” he said. “Because the thing is, the Bible says we can’t kill them. And we can’t put them in prison because that’d be like putting a normal fella in a whorehouse!”
HERE


· Thanks to Black Looks, sidebar
· Thanks to Sokari, Africa
· Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, sidebar
· Thanks to Jim Burroway
· Thanks to Jeff Sharlet
· Thanks to Gay Agenda, sidebar
· Thanks to James Hipps
· Thanks to The Advocate
· Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing
· Thanks to Ubuntu, below
· Thanks to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, below
· Thanks to Wikipedia

*Archbishop Desmond Tutu offered a definition of ¨Ubuntu¨ in a 1999 book:

Anglican HERO, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu further explained Ubuntu in 2008:

One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity.

We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity. HERE

The Astounding World Around Us: Jack Jackson, Gay Navajo Man, Elected to Arizona Senate

The AZ Daily Sun reports that Jack Jackson, Jr. "has now won election to the state's Senate, after previously seeking appointment to his father's seat.¨

¨The Arizona state legislature is likely to keep its five-member caucus of openly LGBT lawmakers after important primary elections Tuesday night.

Jack Jackson, Jr., a member of the Navajo Nation, was the top vote-getter in a three-way race for a seat in the Arizona Senate. He would join State Sen. Paula Aboud, an out lesbian, Sen. Robert Meza, who is openly gay, and primary winner Kyrsten Sinema, an openly bisexual member of the State House who is likely to move up to the Senate.

In 2005, Jackson, a former member of the State House, was appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as the Executive Director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs. In April 2000, he was appointed by Secretary Donna Shalala to serve on President Clinton’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Today Jackson serves on the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board and the Obama Administration has selected him to once again serve on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS¨ HERE

· Thanks to The Arizona Daily Sun
· Thanks to Gay Politics
· Thanks to Towleroad, sidebar
· Thanks to Andy Towle

Aug 24, 2010

FELICIDADES Josh Thomas/The Daily Office: ¨One million views of the work of my life¨

·HAPPY 6TH ANNIVERSARY ´DAILY OFFICE´ TODAY, AUGUST 24, 2010·


¨So I finally feel like I’ve arrived – not in heaven; but in my own mind, my own expectations of who and what I can be...¨ Josh Thomas HERE

Total Site Page-Views
as of 12:34 p.m. on Sunday,
August 22, 2010
(almost our 6th anniversary)

1,000,067

Thanks be to God!


¨...So it’s taken me awhile to realize that the personality, background and experience of the Worship Leader in any church or prayer website inevitably influences what goes on. I don’t feel guilty about it or apologize for it. Instead I think about the priests and lay leaders who have influenced me and my faith. I’m eternally grateful for them, even as I know they were just human beings. I’m allowed to be too. ´Of course I could be wrong.´

Beyond this issue of how I intrude on and guide the prayers, which is a serious responsibility and about which I am sometimes wrong, there are two other things running around in my head. When I started this operation six years ago tomorrow (August 24, 2004), I was just a guy owing God a big thanksgiving (for a home of my own) and looking for an easier way to pray, instead of all the page-flipping that saying Morning and Evening Prayer requires. I wanted it online – and God immediately answered, ´That’s a great idea. I nominate you.´ She has a wicked sense of humor HERE


· Thanks to Josh Thomas, sidebar
· Thanks to The Daily Office, sidebar
· Thanks to Gay Spirit Diary, sidebar
· Thanks to ¨Of Course I Could Be Wrong¨, sidebar
· Thanks to God, and all that she does (and doesn´t do)
· Thanks to The Episcopal Church (U.S.A.), Anglican Communion

Aug 22, 2010

ATTN African Anglican Bishops Conference: The Purification or Putrification of MP David ¨Kill the Gays¨ Bahati/Uganda Law?

David Bahati is a man moved by the Leviticus passion that “Homosexuality is an abomination punishable by death.”

The Homosexual Habit ¨is learned and can be unlearned” MP Bahati

David Bahati, Member of Ugandas Parliament, author of ¨Anti-Gay¨ Bill tabled currently before Parliament

¨When David Bahati fronted the Anti Gay Bill in Parliament last year, he caused uproar both at home and abroad that has seen him propelled into the limelight. Behind the vocal legislator however, is a dedicated family man with humble beginnings...

It is not difficult to see humility and people-centredness in Bahati. When I met him for the first time, we sat down and joked about his political life and how he would be trounced by gays if he did not watch his back. He told me he got into politics in 2006 as a way of giving back to the community, which gave so much to him. He had never seen himself as a politician and describes himself as a community worker. Without airs of self importance, Bahati impresses at first sight.

Why fight gays?

Bahati says he has a passion for service and trying to make a difference in people’s lives and also, fighting for what he believes is right. In his words, “One of the things I do is fight for the future of our children. And that is why I fight homosexuality.” Bahati accuses the rich for trying to influence the world with their homosexuality agenda, which he calls a great threat to society and the future generation.

“This habit is learned and can be unlearned,” he adds, quoting the Bible: “Homosexuality is an abomination punishable by death.” When I asked him how, as a Christian, he can advocate for a death penalty, he replied, “It is in Leviticus. Go and read – the penalty for homosexuality is death.”

However, he says the Bill has not been passed yet and whoever is concerned about the death clause should change it, but believes there is nothing more important than keeping Ugandan children morally upright. ”
HERE

A Message for ACCEPTANCE, CHRISTIAN LOVE and the INCLUSION of LGBTI Christians/others from Anglican HERO, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate


¨...I could not myself keep quiet whilst people were being penalized for something about which they could do nothing, their sexuality. For it is so improbable that any sane, normal person would deliberately choose a lifestyle exposing him or her to so much vilification, opprobrium and physical abuse, even death. To discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as Apartheid ever was HERE

Another message for INCLUSION, CHRISTIAN LOVE and ACCEPTANCE of LGBTI Christians/others from Anglican HERO and Ugandan Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo
(recently preaching at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, Ireland on part of his World Tour)

Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, at The Center for Democratic Progress, Washington D.C.

¨...Turning to the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, the Bishop said that "… it criminalises LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people to the extent that even the words 'homosexual rights' must never be mentioned...Failure to report an LGBT person within 24 hours would be a crime...and committed homosexuals would face prison sometimes between 3 and 7 years, life imprisonment or even the death sentence." The Bill he said, "… intends to exterminate homosexuals." He continued, "… by the grace of God, some people are speaking against the Bill, President Obama described it as odious."

Urging people in Ireland to oppose the bill he said, "… they [homosexuals] may be different, and they are, but we should live with differences.” He went on to call for education because, "I have found that a lot of the prejudice against LGBT people comes from ignorance." HERE


Dear African Bishops of the Anglican Communion,

You are from over 400 dioceses in Africa. You are Anglican Bishops who are gathering TODAY along with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York at a one-week All African Bishops' Conference that will take place in Entebbe, Uganda from August 23 to 29. Bishops, are you prepared to minister pastorally/confidentially and sensitively to ALL? To all Anglicans irrespective of sexual orientation? HERE

· Thanks to The Daily Monitor, Uganda on Sunday
· Thanks to Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, Uganda
· Thanks to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The World
· Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, sidebar
· Thanks to Gay Uganda, sidebar
· Thanks to Truth Wins Out, sidebar
· Thanks to Kushaba Moses Mworeko
· Thanks to Wayne Besen

UPDATE, August 24, 2010: Gay Ugandan In Exile Calls On Anglican Leaders To Denounce Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill at the All African Bishops Conference HERE

Aug 21, 2010

ATTN African Anglican Bishops Conference/Uganda: Definitions of the word RAPE include any serious/destructive assault against a person or community!

Archbishop Henry Orombi, Uganda: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

Archbishop Okoh, Nigera: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

ACNA Bishop Bob Duncan, deposed Bishop of Pittsburgh, TEC: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

Archbishop Mouneer Anis, Egypt: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

Question: Isn't Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

¨No, the story of Sodom and Gomorra (the names allude to the destruction of the site through an earthquake) is not about rape, That is a thoroughly late Modern invention.

The only (suggested, heterosexual) rape in the story never comes off!

The rape angle comes after D.S. Bailey's book Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition in 1955, that is it enters late Mo-dern "translations" in the 10 following years. The 1962 revision of the 1569/1602 Spanish Reina-Valera hasn't got it, but the highly politicized French 1957 Bible de Jérusalem and all later "trans-lations" have it...

What is being intentionally mis-translated is the word ina sunge-nåmetha autois; that we may know them, in Genesis 19:4. The claim (Renaissance) is that the root gnå- means sex. It doesn't. It means to know...

The root gnå- occurs some 943 times in the Bible (1 in the NT) but in only 8 cases can it refer to Hetero-sex. Genesis 4:1 And the man (=Adam) knew his wife, is one example.

Sungenåmetha is a different word altogether.

Mind you, the 8 cases are all Imperfect aorist!!!

Also, as it is Loot himself, the Husbander; the Pater familias, who suggests the rape of his daughters, it really isn't.

Antiquity, as well as pre Modern Societies, didn't count this as rape at all!!! See the various (and varying) stories of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12:11ff, 20:2 - 18, and Isaak and Rebekka in Genesis 26:7...¨ avoid Selective Scriptural deceiving, read it all, by The Reverend Göran Koch-Swahne HERE

Church of Uganda irregular Bishop John Guernsey: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

¨In 2007, the Church of Uganda's Archbishop Luke Orombi consecrated an American priest, John Guernsey in Mbarara, as bishop to oversee Christian congregations that have split from the main Episcopal Church in the US over the issue of homosexuality.

If this will translate into growth of the breakaway faction, is yet to be known. But the Bible, records in Genesis 19 that the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were punished for daring to engage in homosexuality.

Bishop V. Gene Robinson, TEC diocese of New Hampshire: Sodom and Gomorra isn´t about RAPE!

The Anglican Church* has consecrated another gay bishop amidst hot protests and church outcries. This development is more likely than not to worsen divisions within the worldwide Anglican Church*, which suffered a big setback when the first gay bishop Gene Robinson was consecrated in 2003.

The Rt. Reverend Mary D. Glasspool, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, TEC: Sodom and Gomorra isn´t about RAPE!

The Church of Uganda, which has the second highest concentration of Anglicans in the world, and that of Nigeria, severed its links with their US counterpart following Robinson's consecration. And some Christian circles interpreted the act as intolerance.

Old birds ¨in the wilderness¨(L-R) Bishop Martins Minns, Bishop Murphy, Bishop John Guernsey, Bishop Robert Duncan, Bishop Bill Atwood, Bishop Iker, Bishop Bill Murdoch: Isn´t Sodom and Gomorra about RAPE?

Last year, other conservatives formed the rival Anglican Church of North America after appealing to the Archbishop of Canterbury for formal recognition.¨ HERE

*NOTE: There is NO ¨Worldwide Anglican Church¨ (it doesn´t now exist, nor ever has existed. The Worldwide Anglican Communion is made up of Independent self-governing ¨member¨ Provinces)



· Thanks to All Africa, sidebar
· Thanks to The Reverend Göran Koch-Swahne, sidebar
· Thanks to Flickr Photo Sharing
· Thanks to Wikipedia

Aug 20, 2010

Anglican African Bishops Conference/Uganda: KENYANS have endorsed a new Constitution which upholds human dignity and promotes EQUALITY FOR ALL!

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga release pigeons as a sign of peace in the capital Nairobi


¨The new Constitution has the best bill of rights that will ensure that all human beings receive equal treatment regardless of their religion, cultural background or individual lifestyle and so on.

¨Kenyans have endorsed a new Constitution, largely supported by human rights activists in the country as the new law that upholds human dignity and promotes equality for all.

More than 6 million Kenyans voted in a referendum on 4 August approving the new constitution while some 2.6million rejected it.

The new constitution replaces the old one established by the colonial leaders and inherited by the country’s first government in 1963 when the country became independent.

Kenya has 12.4m million voters and the majority endorsed the proposed constitution...¨

¨The new Constitution has the best bill of rights that will ensure that all human beings receive equal treatment regardless of their religion, cultural background or individual lifestyle and so on. We are happy and we want the government and the parliament to move fast to ensure that the implementation of the new law is on course, Ms. Florance Jaoko, Chairperson for The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Kenya’s president Mwai Kibaki and prime minister Raila Odinga praised and thanked Kenyans for approving the new constitution saying that it signaled a new beginning for Kenya. HERE

ANGLICAN CHURCH LEADERS HAVE LOST THE TRUST OF KENYANS

MEN OF CLOTH: Anglican bishops led by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (seated,2nd left) announced their ‘No’ campaign on the proposed law at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi

According to the Synovate post-referendum poll, only 19 per cent of those interviewed said they fully trusted Church leaders, compared to 17 per cent who said they fully trusted politicians.

And it gets worse -- 38 per cent said they don't trust Church leaders at all, a bigger number than the 22 per cent who said they don't trust politicians at all. But Church leaders dismissed the notion that their credibility had suffered HERE


· Thanks to Behind The Mask, sidebar
· Thanks to All Africa, sidebar
· Thanks to Kenya´s President Mwai Kibaki
· Thanks to Kenya´s Prime Minister Raila Odinga
· Thanks to Six Million Kenyan´s
· Thanks to Mrs Florance Jaoko, Kenya
· Thanks to The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

Aug 19, 2010

Anglican Bishops Conference/UGANDA: Are you amongst Christians who give yourselves permission to justify hateful prejudices in the name God?

David Bahati, The Ugandan MP who proposes that gays should be executed as author of Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill ...the MP also serves as the "College of Prayer International" spiritual advisor to Parliament! HERE

¨As I wrote a long time ago, almost always, whenever I've contended with professing "Christian" homophobes, once each of their points seeking to justify discrimination against LGBT people was successfully refuted, and they had no further rationalizations for their homophobia to present, their gloves came off and their vitriol was anything but "Christian."

Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara, Mexico HERE

¨Notice Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez' hatred in the cited article HERE when he calls Gay men "faggots!" And there are professing "Christians," clergy, and even someone like him who was elevated to the rank of Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, who seem to feel no compunction against using such hateful epithets and in advocating discrimination against Gay people; in this Cardinal's case, even going so far as to assert bribery as contributing to the Court's righteous decision.¨

The ¨Kuchus¨ of Uganda represent a richly diverse ¨community¨ and a potent symbol as to how far Uganda´s LGBTI movement has come in a short time. HERE

¨Whether it's in Mexico City, California, most of the United States, many parts of AFRICA, or anywhere else in the world where LGBT people are demonized, discriminated against, viewed as second-class citizens, and even imprisoned and executed, it must be asked why so many professing Christians and clergy are not loudly speaking out against the bearing of false witness and downright discrimination against Gay people done "in the name of God" or for any other reason.¨

Bishops who instigate prejudice, fear and hate at The Anglican Communion HERE

¨How is it possible for anyone who calls him/herself a disciple of Christ, a disciple of the One Who commanded us to love and not judge others, to call him/herself a "Christian" and yet affirm prejudice and discrimination that leads to the untold suffering of countless LGBT people?

The fact is that there are thugs who call themselves Christians, and are given tacit, if not explicit, permission to manifest that thuggery by all too many denominations and congregations, all the while falsely appealing to the Bible and to God to justify their hateful prejudices.¨ read it all, HERE (emphasis added by Leonardo Ricardo)


Dear African Bishops of the Anglican Communion,

You are from over 400 dioceses in Africa. You are Anglican Bishops who are expected to gather together with the Archbishop of Canterbury at a one-week All African Bishops' Conference that will take place in Uganda from August 23 to 29. Bishops, are you prepared to minister pastorally/confidentially and sensitively to ALL? To all Anglicans irrespective of sexual orientation? HERE

A Few Words About ¨Gods Word¨ From the First Lady of UGANDA

Janet Museveni, Member of Parliament and First Lady of Uganda

"In God's word, homosexuality attracts a curse, but now people are engaging in it and saying they are created that way. It is for money The devil is stoking fires to destroy our nation and those taking advantage are doing so because our people are poor," she said. Mrs. Museveni advised the youth not only to listen to messages on how they can make money but also focus on spiritual growth. "You know that you will lose everything else when you lose your soul.¨ Mrs. Janet Museveni, First Lady of Uganda HERE

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, yesterday said the Anglican Church today faces many challenges which have made it dysfunctional.

Archbishop Orombi HERE , Uganda and Archbishop Wabukala HERE , Kenya addressing Bishops yesterday.

“What I can tell you is that the Anglican Church is very broken,” Bishop Orombi said.

“It (church) has been torn at its deepest level, and it is a very dysfunctional family of the provincial churches. It is very sad for me to see how far down the church has gone.”

Speaking at the opening of a three-day provincial Assembly in Mukono, the head of the Church of Uganda noted that the church has lost credibility.

He proposed that the Church of Uganda engages church structures at a very minimal level until godly faith and order have been restored. “I can assure you that we have tried as a church to participate in the processes, but they are dominated by western elites, whose main interest is advancing a vision of Anglicanism that we do not know or recognise. We are a voice crying in the wilderness,” he said at the Church’s top assembly that convenes every two years. HERE

and...this is what tens of thousands of Real Ugandans and Western Elites ¨have to tell¨ Archbishop Orombi!

LGBTI Anglicans and others are murdered in UGANDA HERE, and HERE, and you must read HERE, Nigeria HERE,
Kenya HERE, Sudan HERE and the Anglican Province of Central Africa HERE.

Lord have mercy


· Thanks to The Reverend Dr. Jerry Maneker
· Thanks to A Christian Voice for LGBT, sidebar
· Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin, sidebar
· Thanks to The Los Angeles Times
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· Thanks to All Africa, sidebar
· Thanks to New Vision, Kampala
· Thanks to The Daily Monitor, Uganda
· Thanks to Ephraim Kasozi, Uganda
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