millstone

Churchianity’s Abuse And Division

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Methodist Violence Over LGBTQ Schism

A headline from the Associated Press last month reads, ‘Deadly violence in Nigeria linked to breakup of United Methodist Church over LGBTQ policies’.

The article goes on to say, “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service. The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.”

Catholic Movement Dissolved Over Abuses

Also from the AP, Dissolution of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae: Pope Francis has dissolved the Peru-based conservative Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered extensive sexual, financial, and spiritual abuses by its founder and leaders. This action reflects the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify abuses within Church-affiliated organizations.

Across The Pond: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns in Wake of Abuse Scandal

From The Times – It is right that Justin Welby resigned after the publication of the Makin review into the Church of England’s most prolific abuser, John Smyth. If the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, had acted with more resolution when they were made aware of the scale of Smyth’s offending then some boys he victimized might have been spared.

What’s Going On?

Do you notice a pattern in these three stories? I do – abuse and division. No wonder folks are fleeing religion in droves.

The words of Jesus come to mind.
Abuse: “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2
Division: “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25

And no wonder the chief enemies of Jesus were the religious leaders of the time. He exposed them.

What are we as followers of Jesus doing to expose the ‘whited sepulchers’ of our day and time?

Watchdog Alert: British Rape Gangs

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image from Korhan Erdol pexels.com

The rape gang scandal has been making big news in Great Britain recently and has been hammered on by Elon Musk on his Twitter platform in recent days. I was not aware of the issue until recently and did a little bit of digging for a better understanding. Here’s a very brief summary of the problem:

From Wikipedia – The Huddersfield child sex abuse ring is one of the most notorious cases in the UK. A group of men were convicted of sexual offences against girls in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The offences took place between 2004 and 2011, and the men were charged following the Operation Tendersea inquiry. The trials began in April 2017, and 20 men were convicted in 2018 in three separate trials. By August 2021, a total of 41 perpetrators had been convicted.

From BBC News – Recently, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a full national public inquiry into the UK’s “rape gangs scandal”. This comes after Home Office minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation.

From Times of India – The debate has intensified on social media, with public figures like Elon Musk and JK Rowling demanding accountability over the UK’s handling of child sexual abuse cases.

It’s a deeply troubling issue that has sparked significant public outcry and calls for justice, because what we’re talking about here is basically child sexual exploitation.

And justice will come one way or another for such evil, as Jesus reminded his disciples in Luke 17:2 – “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (KJV)

Muslims And Christians And Jews, Oh My!

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Treatment of Women Under Sharia Law in the UK

A recent report from the Times of London have highlights the challenges faced by Muslim women in the UK seeking Islamic divorces. An investigation by The Times reveals that some women encounter significant obstacles when attempting to dissolve their marriages through sharia councils.

These councils, estimated to number around 85 in Britain, often impose stringent conditions that favor men, leaving women like Aisha—who was asked for a large financial payment by her husband—feeling as though they must “pay ransom” to exit their marriages. The report underscores concerns about discriminatory practices within these councils and calls for greater oversight to ensure fair treatment of women.

Thankfully there are no U.S. communities currently under sharia law or subject to sharia councils. Lets be sure to keep it that way.

Clergy Sexual Abuse in Michigan

This from the New York Post:
A five-year investigation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has identified over 50 clergy members, including 48 priests, accused of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lansing, with cases dating back to the 1950s. This investigation led to 11 charges and nine convictions, highlighting systemic issues within the diocese.

Bishop Earl Boyea has issued an apology, condemning the abuse and expressing deep sorrow for the victims.

Jesus also had something to say about this kind of behavior: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (KJV)

Resisting the Draft in Israel

In Israel, Ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews are facing increased pressure to serve in the military, despite their traditional exemptions. Recent conflicts have intensified calls for their enlistment, leading to thousands of draft notices and arrest warrants for non-compliance.

The Haredi community argues that their religious studies are essential for Israel’s spiritual protection and fear that military service would force them to abandon their religious practices.

This issue has created tensions within the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is attempting to balance national security needs with the demands of his Haredi political partners.
https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war/article/ultra-orthodox-jews-israel-military-service-gaza-xqkwzr688

Haredi Jews, often referred to as Ultra-Orthodox Jews, are a religious subgroup within Judaism characterized by their strict adherence to Jewish law (Halakha) and traditional practices. They prioritize Torah study and observance of commandments, often maintaining a distinct lifestyle that separates them from broader secular society.