Bias against the uninformed and pious

nikosd99

I read what you wrote.

It was wry. You're one of the wryest people I have saw. Nobody is wryer than you.

DANIEL:

You read too much into my wry sense of humor. You are grasping at straws trying to make me into what I am not. If you spend time in a lion's den, as your self appointed name alludes to, then you are going to get mauled. If you don't believe me, go to a zoo and get in there with the lions.

Grow up!

Nikosd99, you said:

"If you think that I, as a Christian, am going to be rejoicing over the fact that you are not going to be joining me in heaven, you are sadly mistaken."

But that is what you said, and then you changed my name to:

"DANIELMAULEDBYTHELIONS"

I do not think I have misinterpretted anything; you rejoice and cheer God on in the damnation, punishment, and suffering of others.

In denying this, you are lying.

Christianity does not seem to be doing you any good.

ARCHYBOI:

Okay, I'm done. I'm going to forsake posting the rest of what I had prepared to finish up last night's post. The Bible tells us that there comes a time when we are to shake the dust off our feet and move on. It is quite apparent that all I have endeavored to share with you from the Word has gone way, way over your head.

It doesn't matter if Spong or yourself have read the Bible a thousand times; if you have not been "born again" nor have received the Holy Spirit, you will never be able to make sense of it. You can read Jesus' words on that in John 3.

I will not read any of Spong's writings because just perusing what he has to say in the introductions of his columns in the Post is enough to show me that he is a heretic. My use of the Bible is not idolatry, but rather is used like a Rule Book in a dispute as to what is allowed, or disallowed in a particular sport. The Bible is the final authority on anything Spiritual.

Here is what the Lord has to say about the Word: 2 Timothy 3:15-17 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

TO BE CONTINUED

Continued:

Ephesians 6:10-19 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel"

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: FOR THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME."

And finally, Ecclesiastes 12:12
"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

Incidentally, if I had written life's instructions to my children and they thought so highly of it that they went about sharing it with everyone, I would be right proud of them. I would hardly accuse them of idolotry.

I will not bid you God speed because: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 1:9-11)

You are tautological, masterdebater, NikoSD99.

I did not appeal to their authority in my post. I cited them as useful references that refute your infantile position. I started with your uninformed opinions of Jack Spong's corpus which you have not read. The only citation you provided was self-referential biblical prooftext quotations.

The real problem here is your wanton disregard for the 2nd Commandment. You commit biblical idolatry with your uninformed ranting. It has a name: bibliolatry. You can stop stop doing this. Return to G-d, Niko.

Jack Spong as of 2003 had read the bible cover to cover 12 times. You haven't. Nor have I. But I have read it cover to cover once and the Gospels many times. He doesn't commit bibliolatry and neither do I.

ARCHYBOI:

You might want to add "Tu quoque" to my use of logical fallacies. If anyone is guilty of ad hominum it would be you. Most of your posts have been attacks against me. More on that later.

Other than citing the writings of a bunch of heretics, you have not addressed the real issue in any of your posts. Pointing to those writers comes under the fallacy of argument from authority. Just because these writers that you refer to have degrees and are world renown as great thinkers doesn't mean diddly squat. Just remember that it was the pharisees, the sadducees, the lawyers and scribes that opposed Jesus (God in the flesh). Those people were considered the cream of the crop. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:10-12, ".....Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? "

Incidentally, are you suggesting that my use of scripture is what you are referring to as my inappropriate appeal to authority? Please note that Jesus often prefaced His teachings with "It is written...." You stated, "I'm an architect who is very interested in great many subjects in order to be well-informed citizen and man of faith." Faith in what? Faith in God? If you are seeking faith in God, then you need to get into the Word. You need to turn away from false teachers. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

It's late and I am going to knock off for this evening. I'll finish up tomorrow.

Oh, by the way, good news for you. I just got an update from the NDA and they report that Alfred E. Neuman has joined your side. After reading your last post he was quoted as saying, "It all makes sense to me."

NikoSD99,

Um. I have no idea how to respond to such a vaunted debater as you when you have no idea that competent argumentation is the successful debater's stock and trade. You don't even know this simple thing. You also don't know that the employment of logical fallacies as profligately as you do disqualifies you from the debate. Ad hominum attack, inappropriate appeal to authority & the majority are your most eggregious offences displayed here. Thus proving once again that you do not know what your are talking about and incorehent.

If this is the example by which people are to know Christians, you are a most unsatisfactory exemplar. I agree with those who have posted as much.

NikoSD99,

Your 1st mistake is that I'm not debating you. You win nothing. Conversely, I lose nothing.

Your 2nd mistake is that a person who actually claims to have G-d's exclusive protection is dillusional.

Your 3rd mistake is not comprehending that your posts are a defensive barricade to ward off reality and you are wholly unaware of this. This is why I am so entertained by you.

Your 4th mistake is that I am not a philosopher. I'm an architect who is very interested in great many subjects in order to be well-informed citizen and man of faith.

ARCHYBOI:

Really, I don't defend God ~ He defends me.

Incidentally, I just got a printout from the NDA (National Debating Association) and the latest poll shows me leading you by a score of 1,998,60l,253 to 3. I understand that the 3 voting for you are Spong, Danielmauledbythelions and Barferio.

What surprises me is why such a renowned philosopher such as yourself would call it arguing rather than debating. Isn't that sort of grade schoolish?

DANIELMAULEDBYTHELIONS:

Sorry that you misinterprited my comment to Barferio about sending him a postcard while he is in hell. It was sort of a lighthearted attempt to help him see the error of his ways in thinking that being in hell is going to be a picnic. If you think that I, as a Christian, am going to be rejoicing over the fact that you are not going to be joining me in heaven, you are sadly mistaken. I do not share the hatred for those outside the faith that you apparently do for us that are Believers. Sorry to burst your bubble.

NikoSD99,

Tiny minds derogate what they cannot possibly comprehend. As I said, "Go in Peace."

Think on this though. Hasn't it ever occurred to you, what kind of pitiable G-d is it that needs the likes of you to defend Her? You just don't get it. You're a brick wall impervious to reason or comptetent argumentation.

You run to your well-worn inanities at the drop of hat. Yet, you really do entertain me.

DITLD, don't forget the joy and exuberance of the blessed when watching the screaming misery of the wretched, as (was it Tertullian?) so humanly and graphically describes!

About unbelievers, apostates, hereitcs, and blasphemers going to Hell along with Hitler, Stalin, and the Pope, Nikosd99 writes,

" ... please write. I'll send you a postcard from where I'm at, stating, 'Having a great time. Wish you were here.' "

Isn't that really the truth of what many Christians think? Nikosd99, thanks for your honesty; I wish other Christians would be as honest.

Meant to write:

You have actually given me hope for the possibility that Christianity may by the end of time have done more GOOD than HARM.

Bishop Spong,

You have actually given me hope for the possibility that Christianity may by the end of time have done more harm than good.

A peculiar thing. Last year, I met three students who had converted from Catholicism to Episcopalianism. Why? You, primarily.

"Conversion," you know is not a one-way street, arch-conservative Anglican priests notwithstanding.

Keep writing, Bishop. Your thinking warms this brown Jewish woman's soul.

To prove the truth of the bible by quoting from the bible is about as stringent as proving Santa Claus through the fact that he lives on the North Pole.

You cannot prove a system from within that system, as has been established beyond any doubt by Goedel.

To prove the truth of the bible by quoting from the bible is about as stringent as proving Santa Claus through the fact that he lives on the North Pole.

You cannot prove a system from within that system, as has been established beyond any doubt by the mathematician Kurt Goedel back in the 30s of the last century.

ARCHYBOI:

I hope you had a change of panties in your purse. How embarrassing!

You stated, "I am a former post-grad student of his and I have really studied most of his corpus. As well as a great many others'." Don't you mean. "...most of his crapus."? That would be more appropriate. But then, since corpus has a double meaning, like a complete collection of writings; or, the body of a person or animal, especially when dead; maybe it all makes sense. His crapus should be buried six feet under!

At any rate, I'm impressed! Wow! Have you really read all those books by those renowned teachers and authors? What is your major? False Teaching? Perhaps you should add to your corpora, The Holy Bible, written under the inspiration of God. It might even get you saved!

In an earlier post you stated that I was incoherent. That doesn't surprise me. For it is written, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the NATURAL MAN (that's you) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness (INCOHERENT) unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." (1 Corinthians 2:13-15)

If I were you, I would head for your nearest prayer closet; repent; get down on your knees; ask God's forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ; and ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then, you too will become incoherent to all your unsaved friends.

OH, NikoSD99!!!

THAT is too rich! HAHAHAHAHA! You made me pee my pants. No, I'm not Jack in "drag." That's too funny! Who'd a thought you'd have a sense of humor?

I am a former post-grad student of his and I have really studied most of his corpus. As well as a great many others'.

It would be so interesting to see you debate Dr. Clayton Crockett of the Religion & Philosophy Dept. @ UCA. When you've mastered Gilles Deleuze's "Difference and Repetition" then Crockett's "Theology of the Subline" & "Interstices of the Sublime" you might be able to debate me, but I rather doubt it. Catherine Keller's "On the Mystery: Descerning G-d in Prodess" is quite beyond you I'm sure. You probably have no idea who Alfred North Whitehead is do you? Or Paul Tillich? How about Mary-Jane Rubenstein's "Strange Wonder"?

Pete Rollins' "How [Not] Not to Speak of G-d" & "The Fidelity of Betrayal" are most engaging too. The Emergent Church movement is the future. Bet you haven't heard of him ...

ARCHYBOI:

Just curious. Is archyboi a pseudonym? Are you really "Jack" Spong in drag?

I'm so curious, CounterWW. From whence do surmise this conclusion? I'd really like to know. As of summer 2003 Jack Spong had read the entire bible cover to cover 12 times. The Gospels at least several dozen times. You could not be more wrong.

So obviously you affirm that with which you agree and denigrate that which you don't. That's very human of you. There's not one shred of divinity in that.

In "Here I Stand: Autobiography" -- I don't even expect you to know the referent for that -- and "Eternal Life: A New Vision" he details his very fundamentalist origins in Lynchburg, VA.

Ironic, don't you think?

Sorry for misspelling your avatar name, NikoSD99.

NicoSD99,

You're so damn funny. I could not have hoped for a better confirmation of my point. You have no idea what you are saying. You are incoherent. Arguing with you is like arguing with brick wall. Fruitless and a thorough waste of time.

Go in peace. May G-d's unconditional love soften your heart of stone. There really is nothing more to say to someone like you. Except thank G-d I do not worship the G-d you do. In fact I praise G-d for that.

BARFERIO:

I'm quite sure that you will be changing your mind after you get to where you are heading.

I'm fairly certain that your roommates will be Adolf Hitler, Josef Statlin, and Oasma Bin Laden along with many other fine, upstanding individuals. When that happens, please write. I'll send you a postcard from where I'm at, stating, "Having a great time. Wish you were here."

After all, what sane person wants to perish into everlasting fire?

Uh, yeah. What sane person would? But then, since it's an entirely imaginary place where this happens, just one of the many ugly places your religion describes, what sane person would want to believe in such nonsense?

I think you've pretty much answered your own question there.

What I'm still trying to figure out is why this heaven you describe seems like such a wonderful place to you believers. What sane person would want to spend eternity in a place like that?

As Christopher Hitchens so ably said: "I wouldn't go if I was asked."
A f**king celestial north korea, an eternity kissing the posterior of a tyrant dear leader. An eternity in a place where Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell are welcome.

Sounds like hell to me.

footballgal87 wrote:

"Christianity is, in fact, the only faith that offers divine forgiveness and redemption."

Oh, really. Like the Donohue Catholics who look the other way at hiding pedophiles and publishing "the best way to change a fruit into a vegetable is with a baseball bat" in Notre Dame's student paper.

Real divine.

footballgal87, not offended--amused. There's nothing funnier than the clueless thinking they have a clue.

Roman Catholicism is a cult and what they teach is totally contradictory to New Testament scripture.

God said we were not to make unto ourselves graven images or to bow down to them. Did you ever see a procession of catholics carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary down the street, weeping and wailing and throwing flowers on the image? The Word says that there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. It also tells us to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus said to come unto Him and He would give us rest. Roman Catholicism has you praying to a myriad of their canonized saints asking them to intercede for us. If they had a personal relationship with the Lord they would see the error of their ways.

Catholicism has raised Mary to the deity of Christ by saying that she was born without original sin (Immaculate Conception). If that was the case, Mary could have gone to the cross as a propitiation for our sins. No need for Jesus to have come. Mary, herself, said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46,47). Now, someone who is sinless doesn't need a saviour. They also teach that Mary was a perpetual virgin. Mary had other children and the Word says that Joseph "... knew her not TILL she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." If I told you that I never drove a car TILL I was 16, wouldn't you naturally assume that is when I began to drive? If the Bible says that Joseph knew her not TILL she brought forth her firstborn son, then....well, I'll let you figure it out.

When Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, Paul healed a man who was impotent in his feet. Immediately the people supposed them to be gods and brought oxen and garlands unto the gates and wanted to do sacrifice to them. Paul and Barnabas rent their clothes and cried out to them saying, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:" (Acts 14). Now, contrast that with the Roman Catholic church with all their pomp and ceremony. The pope and bishops are robed in gold gilded finery. People bow down and kiss the pope's ring and pay homage unto him.

Need I go on? This has gotten too long and I haven't even touched on their confessionals; their teaching of purgatory and holding Mass for the dead; their doctrines of works versus grace; their holy communion; their practice of granting indulgences and doing pentance; etc., etc., all of which are contradictory to New Testament teachings.

CAROLE2:

Yes, His email address is: getsaved@readthebible.com

PAGANPLACE

I am well aware that there are many failures even among lower profile followers. Even the Bible confirms this. I offer you two sets of verses from 2 Peter, chapter 2.

Verses 1 & 2. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

Verses 18-22 "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

I'm sure you agree with this. Why don't you shed your paganess and come study The Word? I'm sure you will find many other gems of Truth.

I do want to stress that the keyword in the last set of verses is "overcome". We as Christians do sometimes fail but we pick ourselves up and ask God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and go on, determined to be better Christians.

COUNTERWW & FOOTBALLGAL87

Amen! God Bless and Keep On Keeping On. There's a war going on out there and Satan knows that his time is short. It's too bad we have to spend so much time refuting these Christian(???) theologians.

JUDY-IN-TEX:

You stated, "What Hume did was use the Christian religion to sanctimoniously and publicly humiliate Woods and fault him because of his religious belief." What Hume did was small potatoes to the public humiliation that Tiger Woods brought upon himself.

You also stated, "Jesus told us He came to release sinners from their bondage." Well, that's just the message that Brit Hume was trying to get across. Do you have a problem with that?

Thirdly, you stated, "Woods will seek his way out of his problems according to the lights of his own personal journey and his own religious beliefs and we should respect his right to have the freedom to seek his way in peace."

I do respect his right to have whatever religion he chooses. I never "command" anyone to choose my convictions, but I will make an attempt to point out the errors of their ways. God never forces
Himself on anyone. He gave us all freewill. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

It is the Christian's duty and calling to reach the lost. In Jude 1:21-23 we are told, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

So, to accomplish this, we sometimes have to excercise love and compassion. There are times, however, we have to resort to instilling fear into their hearts. After all, what sane person wants to perish into everlasting fire?

Finally, if you are of the opinion that there are other ways to the Father, than through Jesus Christ, you need to get yourself "Born Again" and find a new Church. I will comment on Roman Catholicism tomorrow.

""He cites the failures of several very high-profile evangelists and Roman Catholic clergy as proof that Christianity does not change people's behavior. Whether the Bakkers or Swaggart were ever truly "Born Again" could be debatable. If they are/were, then God will take care of that.""

Oh, trust me, Christians "fail" on much *lower* profiles, too, ...but still expect both the media, government, and schools to treat Christianity as some 'divine guarantee' of goodness, while treating everyone else, (or any Christian who disagrees with conservatism) ...As inherently *bad.*

The media seems to play along with this just fine.

ARCHYBOI & JUDY-IN-TEX:

Archyboi, I will forego reading any of Spong's books. I've read enough of his garbage in his commentaries to know that he has no knowledge, whatsoever, of Christianity as presented in God's Word (the Bible).

He cites the failures of several very high-profile evangelists and Roman Catholic clergy as proof that Christianity does not change people's behavior. Whether the Bakkers or Swaggart were ever truly "Born Again" could be debatable. If they are/were, then God will take care of that. As far as Roman Catholicism goes, I have a lot to say about that false religion. More on that later.

Let me throw out one verse that shows that God has the power to turn us away from sin.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Finally, Spong made the statement, "Brit Hume, a political analyst with Fox News, is an able commentator, but he is not a theologian." I say, thank God for that. If he were a theologian, he would probably be like Spong, Thistlethwaite, Gaddy and a host of other commentators on the Washington Post: False Teachers. One does not have to be highly educated or have a degree to have received the Holy Spirit and to know Truth. That is just one more proof that Spong doesn't know the Bible.

The apostle Paul had this to say about that: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are (Corinthians 1:26-28)

TO JUDY-IN-TEX

I'm out of time. Will get back to your comments later this evening.

Having taken a look at Bishop Spong's earlier posts, I find myself wondering if he is real and really a Christian. :-)

Maybe I've spent too much time lately researching the Falwells, Robertsons, LaHayes, Engels, Weyrichs and other members of that 'bastion of deep thinkers' that make up the Religious Right, but his posts were like gifts and I appreciate them.

I don't see a media bias against Christianity. In fact, what I see is a media that will take hateful, homophobic, misogynistic and false claims and treat those claims as if there were some real evidence behind them.

I don't even know anyone that hates Christianity. What we despise is the neurotic, unbending, unyielding and usually wrong dogmas of fundamentalism and the cries of persecution that follow if they are challenged.

I find it odd that footballgal doesn't care if she offends me, but would be the first to screech persecution and bias should I offend her.

By the way, "Given the fact that He lives today", any chance you would have his email address?

"Bishop" Spong is indeed more ignorant of the faith he claims to represent--even lead--than the likes of Hume and Palin. Christianity is, in fact, the only faith that offers divine forgiveness and redemption.

Buddhism cannot offer this because it rejects the divine.

Hinduism does not offer this because it does not even agree on what the divine is. Many gods, some gods, we are all gods, depending on who you talk to. Read the Smriti writings for examples on these contradictions.

Islam does not offer this because it purports a distant, non-personal God ("Allah.") Any "forgiveness" from the Muslim God would not be felt because of the distance between himself and humans, and it must be earned by the follower. Tiger has already proven he's not good at doing the right thing...he'd probably have a hard time "earning" Allah's forgiveness.

I could go on. I don't think it would matter to Spong, nor will it probably matter to those of you who don't see the truth in this.

Jesus Christ is the only person who pointed to unequivocal redemption through Himself, God in human flesh. Jesus is the only person to every claim that HE HIMSELF is the way to a fulfilling earthly life and an everlasting eternal one. Muhammed, Buddha, Zoroaster, etc. all pointed to teachings. Jesus pointed to Himself. He IS the teaching. He IS the truth. He IS the "I AM."

Offended? Oh well. Jesus offended lots of people when He was on earth. Given the fact that He lives today, I wouldn't expect things to be much different.

Honestly, nikosd99? When I read posts like yours and the God you worship, I'm satisfied with my decision to just not believe. Your God is hell on earth, here and now, not just for you but apparently for everyone. Mine is only a possibility of hell later, and involves only myself. But the odds of avoiding hell look much better for my side.

I'm just here doing some research for an author.

"Embracing" Christianity in an intellectual or theological sense and actually being a Christian are two very different things.... As John Shelby Spong so amply exemplifies !

Spong knows nothing about authentic Christianity.

In essence he rejects Christ as the Lord and Savior, and any commentary he spouts is to be dismissed.

He represents nothing that Scripture has to say about God. He makes it up as he goes.

NikoSD99,

Jack Spong doesn't need to waste his valuable time reponding to the likes of you on this blog. I'm confident he has much better things to do. You on the other hand have a great deal of work to do. His best-selling book titles are posted above. They specifically address the prooftexting you cite. I have read them and great many others. Get to work. You need to read them. He answers your query directly. I would add to that list "Liberating the Gospels."

Have you read "The Denial of Death" by Ernest Becker or seen the documentary "Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality"? You should because your passive-aggressive hostility is thoroughly explained.

Jack -- well said; bravo.

Niko:
Spewing Bible verses at Bishop Spong doesn't excuse the pillorying of Tiger Woods by Brit Hume on Tiger's religion.
What Hume did was use the Christian religion to sanctimoniously and publicly humiliate Woods and fault him because of his religious belief.
That's not what I believe God intended when he gave us the Bible as our guide.
Not only do we always have the poor with us, Jesus told us He came to release sinners from their bondage.
Woods will seek his way out of his problems according to the lights of his own personal journey and his own religious beliefs and we should respect his right to have the freedom to seek his way in peace.
God knows, Christians haven't given very good witness in this country, if you consider the 50 percent divorce rate.
I'm Catholic, Niko, and I'm horrified and furious about the scandal leaders of my Church have dragged my religious faith through, as well.
Just because I acknowledge the sexual scandals of the Church happened does not mean I approve or sanction them, any more than I approve of the same behavior in other religious sects.
Every major religious faith seeks to fulfill the solidarity of the family unit and we should respect their practice of their faith.
Woods succumbed to his temptations because he is human, not because he practices Buddhism.
That's what Hume doesn't respect and we have a need to call Hume and Palin on comments about theology in which neither is expert.
Bishop Spong is correct and you don't seem to get the point.

I wonder if Mr. Spong would care to enlighten us as to just what the Christian faith is? I would like to see his answer on this blog.

I'll help jump start him by giving him 2 different sets of verses from 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

I await his response.