tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post4079600837602436398..comments2024-02-19T04:50:58.170-08:00Comments on Shuck and Jive: Stuff: A SermonJohn Shuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-3172379337757430852009-10-18T05:50:07.864-07:002009-10-18T05:50:07.864-07:00It's true that inflation taxes everyone who ho...It's true that inflation taxes everyone who holds dollars. But the wealthy have enough investments to not be affected by inflation because they know what is going on and own assets that are inflation proof like stocks, real estate, etc. The poor and middle class are not as investment savvy by and large and rely on fixed incomes, which are the last to rise in an inflationary environment. Also, many corporate interests are politically connected and get the money first, before prices all over go up.<br /><br />These politically connected people who have access to this credit and money get it with very low interest and then they loan it to the lower and middle class citizens with higher interest rates, the lower the class, the higher the interest rate. The lower and middle class citizens don't have access to special lending facilities or any other fraudulent program the FED manages so they get put in a debt trap by borrowing value from institutions that stole the value from them in the first place. <br /><br />This is the main reason why we have such a gap between the poor and the rich. The movement against the federal reserve is one that the liberals should wholeheartedly join because it directly addresses the reasons of why so many people are so poor and why so few people control the majority of the US wealth.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-78467072789592424362009-10-17T17:48:19.436-07:002009-10-17T17:48:19.436-07:00Actually, inflation is the one tax that affects ev...Actually, inflation is the one tax that affects everyone the same. Everyone except the government as an enterprise, because they always spend the money they print at the previous value. <br /><br />Ergo the tax.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15447125159108080797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-24110307404331577982009-10-16T06:39:28.366-07:002009-10-16T06:39:28.366-07:00Ok, Jodie. Yeah, I should have just pulled out my ...Ok, Jodie. Yeah, I should have just pulled out my handy dandy Bible from when I was a kid. I was taking the verse out of context. So in context with previous verses, verse 27 is basically saying that with men that trust in riches, it's impossible to enter the kingdom of God; but it is not impossible for men who trust in God and leave all their riches for God's sake. I think this is basically what Rev. Shuck was trying to get across in his sermon. <br /><br /><br /><br />"And taking the wealth out of companies and putting in the hands of the Plutocrats is turning America into a third world country."<br /><br />Jodie, what if I told you that this was exactly how our money system was devised (in 1913)-to take the wealth out of the poor and middle class and hand it over to the rich. There is a hidden tax on the poor and middle class, called inflation. When new money is created, the wealthy get richer at our expense.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-15583028818018525222009-10-15T20:31:04.915-07:002009-10-15T20:31:04.915-07:00Rachel,
You heard the opposite of what it says. I...Rachel,<br /><br />You heard the opposite of what it says. In context, "for man it is impossible..." means that left to his own devices, man cannot save himself"<br /><br />Looking to God within himself is dangerously close to relying in his own devices. Unless you are appealing to certain branches of mysticism.<br /><br />The trouble with reading the King James version is that its English is so archaic that you don't really have a valid frame of reference to understand it anymore. <br /><br />Unless you have a degree in Shakespeare English.<br /><br />If you believe in government as a centralized source of autocratic authority, then yes, the less government the better.<br /><br />But in the service model of government, where the purpose of government is public service, and government representatives are public servants, then more government means more service, and in the limit, the government should be as large as the whole population. <br /><br />"Government of the people, by the people and for the people"<br /><br />Personally I am tired of the Plutocracy, and I am tired of autocratic authoritarianism. I am tired of the business school model of what makes for good business. Too much efficiency is a bad thing. And taking the wealth out of companies and putting in the hands of the Plutocrats is turning America into a third world country. <br /><br />We are well on our way.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15447125159108080797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-56042453666772615132009-10-14T10:38:48.070-07:002009-10-14T10:38:48.070-07:00Ok, then do you still believe that the verse means...Ok, then do you still believe that the verse means what you said above, <br /><br />"His tone indicates that we are beyond the hope of solving the status quo. God/Earth is going to do it for us."?<br /><br />Because I don't think that is what it is saying at all. <br /><br />The disciples are basically asking Jesus *how* they can be saved when they say, "Who then can be saved?" in verse 26. Jesus replies in 27 by saying that if you put your trust in man or in the world it is going to be hard to be saved, but if you look to God for guidance, then it is possible that you will be saved. <br /><br />To me God is in each individual. So basically Jesus is telling people that they should look inward. <br /><br />I'd love to hear your critique.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-62908595023552459892009-10-13T17:12:15.774-07:002009-10-13T17:12:15.774-07:00OK, guess I didn't see much difference. But i...OK, guess I didn't see much difference. But it did for you. That is why different translations are helpful. A single word change can open up a new perspective! It is helpful to read a variety of translations.John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-32430497565907203692009-10-13T10:28:32.182-07:002009-10-13T10:28:32.182-07:00Rev. Shuck,
I'm looking over the bible verse...Rev. Shuck, <br /><br />I'm looking over the bible verse and it is much easier to understand with the KJV:<br /><br /> "27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. "<br /><br />Jesus is saying that if you put your trust in man or in the world it is going to be hard to be saved, but if you look to God for guidance, then it is possible that you can be saved. <br /><br />The quote you gave me says,<br /><br />" 27Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ "<br /><br />It is kind of hard to decipher what is being said with this passage. <br /><br />I like the KJV better.<br /><br />What do you think?Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-64387047218108842862009-10-12T22:03:27.440-07:002009-10-12T22:03:27.440-07:00It was the text the sermon was based on Mark 10:17...It was the text the sermon was based on <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=122315750" rel="nofollow">Mark 10:17-31</a><br /><br />One thing about the Bible (at least in my opinion) is that it can be interpreted in many ways. : )John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-11219107474284276072009-10-12T17:26:41.123-07:002009-10-12T17:26:41.123-07:00Agreed.
Thank you for posting.
I just have one m...Agreed.<br /><br />Thank you for posting.<br /><br />I just have one more question. What was the chapter of the Bible verse you quoted?<br /><br />BTW, I'm glad you did not chastise me for interpreting the Bible how I want.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-12053464182645688882009-10-12T15:25:47.753-07:002009-10-12T15:25:47.753-07:00Rachel!
I don't have an answer.
We do.
T...Rachel!<br /><br />I don't have an answer. <br /><br />We do. <br /><br />That is all of us as we wake up and become conscious. I wasn't fair when I said Ron Paul ain't it. He has wisdom. I agree with many things he says. <br /><br />It doesn't matter that much whether or not I agree or disagree with him. <br /><br />If I have a role, it is simply to be one voice among many, using whatever influence I have to say, "Let's wake up and be conscious!"<br /><br />We have to use the creativity that comes to all of us from our leaders to everyone.<br /><br />I have no influence on the president or on corporations. I can't even get my representative (a lowly freshman congressman) to listen to me. I am nothing to him.<br /><br />My grand theories regarding capitalism, energy, global warming, or big government or whatever really do not matter so much. <br /><br />What matters is that we all start talking and dreaming and working for a different way of living. <br /><br />We have to admit there is a problem, that it is our most important problem, and then start talking about it at all levels and in all kinds of ways.John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-19829066888313521802009-10-12T14:54:03.641-07:002009-10-12T14:54:03.641-07:00What a shame.What a shame.Snadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04055786911610974637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-64316842689741156722009-10-12T13:36:03.200-07:002009-10-12T13:36:03.200-07:00I agree the issues we face are far beyond left-rig...I agree the issues we face are far beyond left-right politics, and that is the movement I am a part of. I support the <a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.com/" rel="nofollow">Liberty movement.</a> They offer plenty of solutions to the problems you talk about, namely end big government and return to sound money. What solutions do you offer?<br /><br />I saw the video the Story of Stuff about a year ago on the Daily Paul website. The reason we have the Story of Stuff and the economic system it presents is because of government meddling in the economy.<br /><br />We'll have to agree to butt heads for now, I don't have time to present all my arguments.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-12624789512946560972009-10-12T13:22:14.501-07:002009-10-12T13:22:14.501-07:00Rachel,
We are not beyond hope. The status quo i...Rachel,<br /><br />We are not beyond hope. The status quo is beyond hope. Consuming beyond Earth's means is beyond hope.<br /><br />Human beings will survive (as long as we don't nuke the whole planet in the upcoming resource wars). <br /><br />You might be interested in <a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com//" rel="nofollow">The Story of Stuff</a><br /><br />You criticize me a great deal. That's good. Frankly, I don't find too many other clergy talking about this and I don't find much wisdom from you (Ron Paul ain't it). <br /><br />Fundamentalists (I am assuming you are talking about endtime/rapture types) are certainly interesting figures. I am not with those guys as they think they will escape responsibility via their superstitions.<br /><br />I am actually talking about real life environmental/ecological/economic crises.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.diannedumanoski.com/" rel="nofollow">Dianne Dumanaski's</a> latest book is very good.<br /><br />I will offer some names of folks who are offering reality-based predictions if you haven't found them yet:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kunstler.com/" rel="nofollow">James Kunstler</a><br /><a href="http://www.richardheinberg.com/Home.html" rel="nofollow">Richard Heinberg</a><br /><a href="http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse" rel="nofollow">Chris Martenson</a> <br /><br />The issues we face are far beyond left-right politics.John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-54703653815627901632009-10-12T13:03:22.896-07:002009-10-12T13:03:22.896-07:00Do you really believe that we are beyond hope? Bul...Do you really believe that we are beyond hope? Bull crap!<br /><br />You sound like the fundamentalists you so often criticize!<br /><br />There is a whole movement to change the status quo in America. In my humble opinion, Rev. Shuck, I believe that many of your ideals support the status quo, whether you realize it or not.<br /><br /><br />Here is what your Bible quote means to me: <br /><br />It means that mortals cannot change the world by putting their faith in man, that is by creating bigger and bigger government to fix things for us. Man is inherently corrupt and uses the power of government for his or her own means. They are only making things worse. We need to turn the hand over to God (which is in each one of us). That means liberty and freedom. Government should be limited to protecting our freedoms, and that's it. Let's have a little faith in God (which is us, earth, universe, all) for once!Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-30458085624809652542009-10-12T12:15:31.315-07:002009-10-12T12:15:31.315-07:00Rachel,
Your question:
**How do you suppose we p...Rachel,<br /><br />Your question:<br /><br />**How do you suppose we put an end to the status quo, Rev. Shuck?**<br /><br />sounds like the one the disciples asked Jesus:<br /><br />**They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ 27Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’** <br /><br />I don't know what Jesus meant.<br /><br />His tone indicates that we are beyond the hope of solving the status quo. God/Earth is going to do it for us.<br /><br />The status quo will change. One way or another. It will probably involve a lot of suffering and death. Maybe 40, 50, 60 years from now whoever survives will find a new way to live.<br /><br />My bar is low for those elected to office. All I can hope from them is that they won't panic and nuke the place.John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-50586331885877499112009-10-12T12:05:08.463-07:002009-10-12T12:05:08.463-07:00Thanks Sea Raven. We get that "forced taxati...Thanks Sea Raven. We get that "forced taxation" argument a lot from Xtians around here too. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9017433" rel="nofollow">Like this.</a>John Shuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00798753206614838161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-11831423426417246732009-10-12T11:56:48.457-07:002009-10-12T11:56:48.457-07:00I think the most important thing is to let go of &...I think the most important thing is to let go of "the power that stuff and the fear of not having enough stuff has over us." It is kind of hard for people to do this in today's society of commercialism. I personally don't see anything wrong with having stuff as long as it doesn't control you. Sometimes it takes a house burning down or a loved one dying to realize that the most important things in life never had a pricetag. <br /><br />How do you suppose we put an end to the status quo, Rev. Shuck? I mean I have my ideas. To me it would seem that we should not support either of the mainstream Repubs or Dems in office, because they are the ones who are keeping with the status quo.<br /><br />Btw, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwQ41Yo60og" rel="nofollow">here</a> is a youtube video where Michael Moore admits that true free market capitalism is not the problem. Don't you think a more appropriate name for Moore's movie would have been <i>Corporatism: A Love Story?</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWiBt-pqp0E&feature=related" rel="nofollow">Here</a> is a great Carlin video on the truth about government.Rae-Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689602117000934898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648257.post-19477501215764036932009-10-12T06:57:38.268-07:002009-10-12T06:57:38.268-07:00Yup. Another good one. When our folks died, my b...Yup. Another good one. When our folks died, my brother, sister, and I had a huge garage sale. It was sad, watching some of the stuff from our childhood being hauled away for pennies. Especially the old pump organ that had been the first musical instrument I ever knew about. Went for ten bucks. But then we had to divide up the stuff that was left over, and trash what we didn't want. My brother kept his share of the stuff in his truck for 3 months before he could bring himself to unload it and put it in his own house. I had the least amount of stuff because I live in West Virginia, and don't have a truck, but enough arrived by United Van Lines to transform my living space.<br /><br />BTW, a while back upstream somebody wrote, "what about Matthew 25:35-40 don't [the right wing] get?" Well I found the answer in today's Journal Junction in the Martinsburg West Virginia Journal. Somebody wrote, regarding the person citing Matt 25 as reason to support the president's takeover of the health care industry: "Christ's teaching had nothing to do with a government forced taxation for its programs. It had to do with individual acts of kindness based on love and Christ-like qualities. If the government keeps taking, what is left to give?"<br /><br />Right. Sounds like the rich young ruler. But in West Virginia, that writer is likely to be living in poverty, with a 6th grade education. "Stuff," unfortunately, is all s/he probably has.<br /><br />Maybe it's not "why don't they get it," but "how can they?" Maybe it's not just letting go of stuff, but letting go of oppression and fear?<br /><br />That's why we need courage in the struggle for justice and peace. Thanks for offering some.Sea Raven, D.Min.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11437086460582996056noreply@blogger.com