However, there are groups in this country that, because of their dissatisfaction with the government and their ability to engage in free speech, have taken things to a level that is quite frightening.  One such group, the “Ohio Defense Force”, is highlighted in a recent Time Magazine article, “The Secret World of Extreme Militias”.

This group and many like it (groups full of neo-nazis, religious nuts and other very scary people) around the country are secretly arming themselves in order to fight against what they see to be an increasingly invasive government.  They believe that the growing government intervention in the lives of Americans can be likened to the oppression of the English when America was still a group of colonies.  They believe that the only way to solve things is to fight “the Redcoats” just as their ancestors did during the American Revolution.

Does that sound familiar?  Seems to me that it’s the same rhetoric posed by teabaggers (so named because they are wanted to affect change a la the Boston Tea Party).

In my opinion, we can’t just smile and think the teabaggers are harmless and “cute” in their naive opinions.  They are just as scary as the neo-nazi militia groups that are arming themselves to the teeth in preparation for war. Perhaps the tea-baggers are more scary because they seem harmless; much like Hitler did in the 20′s and 30′s.

These hard economic times create the perfect environment for extremists to take over. Now, I am not saying Glenn Beck is the next Hitler or even that he is the anti-Christ; but I am not saying he isn’t either.

Notice how this child is dressed? Yep, she should be 40 and divorced 3 times from the looks of her.

But no! This child is being used to ‘Praise the name of Jesus’ for the low price of $5000.00 per night plus expenses. Where are our child labor laws? Where are good Christian folk (oh way, they are buying this cute little nugget).

If the guardian of this little cutie were selling her for dirty photos or sex, the world would be in a up-roar! Why is it OK to sell your kid for Jesus?

Do you believe that people that are generous in one area (i.e. with their money) are generous in other areas (with their time, talent, etc.)?

After much discussion, we decided that while there are exceptions to every rule, the general answer was no, people were not usually generous in all areas.  We then decided that even that conclusion wasn’t quite right because they way you viewed a person colored whether you believed if they were generous or not.  Our example of this was my friend’s sister.  Most people would say she was very generous with her time, but because of her comments in private, my friend can see that she just does it for the praise and adoration of her “church family”.  So, not really generous.

We could name a few people that we thought were either generous in all areas or stingy in all areas.  In fact, I know a married couple – he is all generous and she, not at all.  Makes you wonder what attracted them to each other.  A true

case of opposites attract?  But for the most part, it seems that, in our experience, people are a mix.  Generous with some things and stingy with others.  We did note, that in our experience, the people that should be most generous (Christians – ministers especially) were often the least generous.  Another case of What Wouldn’t Jesus Do.

What do you think?  If people have a generous spirit, do they have it in all areas?

Call me clueless, but I just don’t get why people are so upset that a mosque is going to be built near ground zero in New York.  Isn’t this still America?  Built on the principles of religious freedom?  What qualifies you to say that your religion is the only one that should be allowed to worship and grow?

And if you don’t like the “religious freedom” argument, how about the “Golden Rule” argument.  You know, treat others like you want to be treated?  Do you want to be persecuted for your beliefs?  Made to pay for others crimes?  I didn’t think so.

And before you Christians get so high and mighty….don’t forget your history.  There was a time when “Christians” were traveling to Muslim areas and killing everyone they could that didn’t agree with them.

We certainly can’t forget the ever popular “WWJD” argument.  You remember, What Would Jesus Do?  I think Jesus was known for hanging out with those that weren’t like him.

And yes, I know, people died tragically…..it shouldn’t be forgotten.  But what better way to remember and memorialize those who died than by doing something that bridges the gaps, mends the fences and brings us all closer together?  It seems like the perfect time and place for peace, not more fighting and divisiveness.