Shuck and Jive


Thursday, February 21, 2008

Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow to come to East Tennessee

Holston Valley UU and First Presbyterian of Elizabethton will be teaming up to bring the team of Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd to East Tennessee in September. One of each will lead worship at each church on Sunday, then we will have workshops with them (possibly Sunday afternoon, Monday night, and Tuesday night). When the details are finalized, we will get you the dates. It will be a great chance to work with the UUs in presenting a great program for our area.

By the way, I have been challenged by a local clergyperson to defend my article regarding evolution. He wants to debate me. He has a radio program on WZAP 690 am in Bristol. He addresses some pretty cutting edge theological issues. A few weeks ago he answered the question: "Is it wrong for a woman to wear pants?"

Discuss.

10 comments:

  1. Like I mentioned today, John:
    expecting a guy who has a serious on-air discussion about the approriateness of women wearing pants to then leap to the subject of evolution and spirituality is like expecting him to jump the grand Canyon on a tricycle.

    I think I can, I think I can, I think I PLUTT.

    By the way...looking forward to the visit by Dowd and Barlow.

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  2. Yep. I listened to the "Can women wear pants?" show. The question is based on Deut. 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

    Rev. Simons says it's OK for women to wear pants because, "God doesn't have that law today." He notes that people get confused depending on whether they read the old or the new testament.
    However, he later quotes from the old testament for authority and he declares that, "we either going to live by the Bible or we're not." Whatever.

    So be warned. I don't think you want to get into it with this guy, especially if you plan to rely on reason. But, if you can rely on spontaneous and creative confabulation, you might have a shot.

    Rev. Simons does seem to have a pleasant, caring disposition. He doesn't seem to be mean spirited or dangerous like John Hagee or Ron Parsley. And he has a little bit of humor. Of women wearing pants he quips that it's OK "unless she’s wearing the pants of the household and ruling over the husband, now that’s wrong. I know men who are so henpecked, every time he walks through the chicken lot the rooster winks at him."

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  3. Snad, lol. BTW, I think women can wear pants, just not pink pants...

    Thanks Rastus! Welcome. I enjoyed my chat with him on the phone. It would have to be a well-moderated discussion in a neutral place, one in which we are not allowed to talk over each other for it to be of interest to me.

    That is interesting about Deuteronomy. An abomination it is or was. So God has gotten soft on standards. Typical liberal.

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  4. Please tell us you said yes. Please tell us where we can go to hear this debate. Please, please, please.

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  5. You have noticed I seldom wear pants, but when I do...

    dang! What bad luck!

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  6. I heard a podcast interview with Dowd a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed. I have his book cued up and ready to read. Sounds like it should be an interesting discussion there.

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  7. I think it would be this awesome idea to sponsor a debate between scientists who disagreed about the whole issue.

    They could argue, and debate with each other point by point, and then there could also be an open forum for questions and discussion.

    I know this would be a huge help to me, just in coming to a decision, and getting some clarity in the whole matter.

    Then, maybe the clergy who have different points of view could be involved, too.

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  8. BTW,

    Looking at this verse in the OT, it seems to me the issue is more of heterosexual people exchanging sex roles, or impersonating the opposite sex. Maybe it even had something to do with pagan practices.

    I mean how could someone think the whole thing is just about women wearing a slack suit? Do you know what I'm saying. It's important to study to understand the intent of the Scripture, and to also consider the culture of the time.

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  9. I'd enjoy hearing you mop the floors with a creationist, Pastor Shuck. But I think you're right to insist on a neutral moderator. Talk radio hosts are notorious for not letting their guests/opponents get a word in.

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  10. Being the biological and theological descendants of the Scots, Presbyterians have these two tendencies:

    1. We're cheap, and

    2. We think that only real men can wear skirts.

    Eaglais na h-Alba an Aigh!

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