| New Cell Phone Number |
[Mar. 31st, 2007|06:34 pm] |
Hey everyone.. new cell phone number.. delete 813 394 6277 from your phones. New number is 813 380 2740
:) |
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| Religion? |
[Nov. 25th, 2006|01:15 am] |
When Religion Loses It's Credibility
By Oliver Thomas
What if Christian leaders are wrong about homosexuality? I suppose, much as a newspaper maintains its credibility by setting the record straight, church leaders would need to do the same:
Correction: Despite what you might have read, heard or been taught throughout your churchgoing life, homosexuality is, in fact, determined at birth and is not to be condemned by God's followers.
Based on a few recent headlines, we won't be seeing that admission anytime soon. Last week, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops took the position that homosexual attractions are "disordered" and that gays should live closeted lives of chastity. At the same time, North Carolina's Baptist State Convention was preparing to investigate churches that are too gay-friendly. Even the more liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) had been planning to put a minister on trial for conducting a marriage ceremony for two women before the charges were dismissed on a technicality. All this brings me back to the question: What if we're wrong?
Religion's only real commodity, after all, is its moral authority. Lose that, and we lose our credibility. Lose credibility, and we might as well close up shop.
It's happened to Christianity before, most famously when we dug in our heels over Galileo's challenge to the biblical view that the Earth, rather than the sun, was at the center of our solar system. You know the story. Galileo was persecuted for what turned out to be incontrovertibly true. For many, especially in the scientific community, Christianity never recovered.
This time, Christianity is in danger of squandering its moral authority by continuing its pattern of discrimination against gays and lesbians in the face of mounting scientific evidence that sexual orientation has little or nothing to do with choice. To the contrary, whether sexual orientation arises as a result of the mother's hormones or the child's brain structure or DNA, it is almost certainly an accident of birth. The point is this: Without choice, there can be no moral culpability.
Answer in Scriptures
So, why are so many church leaders (not to mention Orthodox Jewish and Muslim leaders) persisting in their view that homosexuality is wrong despite a growing stream of scientific evidence that is likely to become a torrent in the coming years? The answer is found in Leviticus 18. "You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination."
As a former "the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it" kind of guy, I am sympathetic with any Christian who accepts the Bible at face value. But here's the catch. Leviticus is filled with laws imposing the death penalty for everything from eating catfish to sassing your parents. If you accept one as the absolute, unequivocal word of God, you must accept them all.
For many of gay America's loudest critics, the results are unthinkable. First, no more football. At least not without gloves. Handling a pig skin is an abomination. Second, no more Saturday games even if you can get a new ball. Violating the Sabbath is a capital offense according to Leviticus. For the over-40 crowd, approaching the altar of God with a defect in your sight is taboo, but you'll have plenty of company because those menstruating or with disabilities are also barred.
The truth is that mainstream religion has moved beyond animal sacrifice, slavery and the host of primitive rituals described in Leviticus centuries ago. Selectively hanging onto these ancient proscriptions for gays and lesbians exclusively is unfair according to anybody's standard of ethics. We lawyers call it "selective enforcement," and in civil affairs it's illegal.
A better reading of Scripture starts with the book of Genesis and the grand pronouncement about the world God created and all those who dwelled in it. "And, the Lord saw that it was good." If God created us and if everything he created is good, how can a gay person be guilty of being anything more than what God created him or her to be?
Turning to the New Testament, the writings of the Apostle Paul at first lend credence to the notion that homosexuality is a sin, until you consider that Paul most likely is referring to the Roman practice of pederasty, a form of pedophilia common in the ancient world. Successful older men often took boys into their homes as concubines, lovers or sexual slaves. Today, such sexual exploitation of minors is no longer tolerated. The point is that the sort of long-term, committed, same-sex relationships that are being debated today are not addressed in the New Testament. It distorts the biblical witness to apply verses written in one historical context (i.e. sexual exploitation of children) to contemporary situations between two monogamous partners of the same sex. Sexual promiscuity is condemned by the Bible whether it's between gays or straights. Sexual fidelity is not.
What would Jesus do?
For those who have lingering doubts, dust off your Bibles and take a few hours to reacquaint yourself with the teachings of Jesus. You won't find a single reference to homosexuality. There are teachings on money, lust, revenge, divorce, fasting and a thousand other subjects, but there is nothing on homosexuality. Strange, don't you think, if being gay were such a moral threat?
On the other hand, Jesus spent a lot of time talking about how we should treat others. First, he made clear it is not our role to judge. It is God's. ("Judge not lest you be judged." Matthew 7:1) And, second, he commanded us to love other people as we love ourselves.
So, I ask you. Would you want to be discriminated against? Would you want to lose your job, housing or benefits because of something over which you had no control? Better yet, would you like it if society told you that you couldn't visit your lifelong partner in the hospital or file a claim on his behalf if he were murdered?
The suffering that gay and lesbian people have endured at the hands of religion is incalculable, but they can look expectantly to the future for vindication. Scientific facts, after all, are a stubborn thing. Even our religious beliefs must finally yield to them as the church in its battle with Galileo ultimately realized. But for religion, the future might be ominous. Watching the growing conflict between medical science and religion over homosexuality is like watching a train wreck from a distance. You can see it coming for miles and sense the inevitable conclusion, but you're powerless to stop it. The more church leaders dig in their heels, the worse it's likely to be. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 14th, 2006|06:56 pm] |
Speedy died this weekend. It was only a matter of time.
RIP Speedy.. you were a great little kia.
k-k-k kia! |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 25th, 2006|08:43 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | T-Town baby | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  silly | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Academy Is... / Hollywood Hills | ] |
b E l l a p f 55 (8:44:52 PM): so whatcha doing?
DMBisLOVE86 (8:45:00 PM): updating my livejournal
b E l l a p f 55 (8:45:09 PM): bout friggin time
Hey.. wow where have I been?
Just wanted to do a wicked quick update to let people know I'm alive..
Things have been going really well lately.. I was home a few weeks ago for a visit and finally got to see my lovely's... it was very exciting.
I met a girl here.. her name is Chelsea and she is amazing. End of story. She really is.. she's almost 6 feet tall.. ha she towers over me.. and I love it.
I have a job.. Working at Busch Gardens.. woohoo! I am so going to rock that uniform..
Let's see.. what else is going on? I went to Georgia last weekend to see Wicked with my lady and we had an amazing time.. She loved the show which of course makes me smile.
Yeah.. that's really it.. nothing much else going on.. I MISS EVERYONE! |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 3rd, 2006|01:45 am] |
I miss the way you smell
I miss the way you taste
I miss the way you feel
The look on my face
Its been so long since Ive held you
Ive tried so many times
but will I recognize you
In unfamiliar eyes
I've waited here for so long
I'm trying to be strong
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love
Where have you been
Why did you go
Is this where youll live
Is this where youll grow
Ive waited here for so long
Im trying to be strong
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love
Ive seen glimpses of you
In people I knew
but somehow you never came true
and when youre wishin on a star
wherever you are just know that I am wishing for you
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love
I miss love... |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 7th, 2006|11:23 am] |
Your senior year in High School is supposed to be "the best year of your life." Let's see how much you remember:
1. Who was your best friend? Kristen, Tricia, Julie, Megs
2. What sports did you play? Musical?
3. What kind of car did you drive? The original fag wagon, my red pontiac
4. It's Friday night, where were you at? Work, or the high school at rehearsal
5. Were you a party animal? Not really
6. Were you in the "In Crowd"? I always told people they could either find me in the auditorium sleeping or the chorus room.. so I think thats a no.
7. Ever skip school? Nope
8. Ever smoke? Not that much
9. Were you a nerd? Drama fag, not nerd
10. Did you get suspended/expelled? Nope
11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Did we have one?
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Helen, Lancaster and Mrs. R
13. Favorite class? Chorus and Ensemble
14. What was your school's full name? Billerica Memorial High School
15. School mascot? Indian
16. Did you go to Prom? Senior Prom when I was a fresh with Matthew, Junior prom with Kelly and senior prom with Kelly
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Yeah I would.
18. What do you remember most about graduation? Falling asleep during the speeches, Tricia singing the national anthem, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for it to be over.. when your last name is in the beginning of the alphabet it makes it a very long night.
19. Favorite memory of your Senior Year? Sleeping on the floor of the auditorium during study blocks, Mame, Helen's all the time
20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? Uh if headshots for the musical counted yeah a few of us were up there
21. Did you have a job your senior year? Godiva
22. Who did you date? Matthew, Michela, Lindsay, Kelly
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? The cafe and then probably Helens or the chorus room
24. Have you gained weight since then? Oh yeah
25. What did you do after graduation? Went to the Blast and left there early and went back to stay the night with Tiffany |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 1st, 2006|04:51 pm] |
Alright well here's the thing guys.. I'M MOVING BACK TO BOSTON IN 6 MONTHS! I'm going to be really sad leaving everyone here in FLA but I really do not belong here.. my heart and soul is in MA and it is where I need to be. I'm going to go back to school as well. I'll be taking night classes this summer and moving home at like the middle/end of August. I'll hit up Middlesex Community for a semester and transfer over to ULowell and get my degree.
Don't worry my lovelys here in FLA.. I'll be back to visit.. and hell I still have 6 months before I leave.. party! Do it up... Plus you bitches can come visit me in MA! |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 27th, 2006|11:12 am] |
4 YEARS AGO
How old were you?: 15
What school year were you in?: 10th
Where did you go to school?: BMHS
Where did you work? No where yet
Where did you live?: The 'Ricks
How was your hair style?: I had just cut it off so it was short
Did you wear braces?: Nope
Did you wear glasses: Been wearing glasses since third grade
Who were your best friends?: sophomore year? Kristen and Dave
Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend: Michela
Who was your celebrity crush? Who knows
Regular-person crush?: I don't remember
How many tattoos did you have?: none
How many piercings did you have? Just my ears
What was your favorite band?: Again... who knows
What was your worst fear?: i dont remember.
Had you smoked a cigarette yet?: Nope
Had you gotten drunk or high yet?: Yes
Had you driven yet? Nope
Had you been to a real party yet? Nope
Had your heart been broken? Yeah
Present..
How old are you?: 19
What grade are you in? Currently N/A
Where do you go to school?: N/A
Where do you live?: Tampa
Where do you hang out? At the pool hall
How is your hair style?: Shorter than usual
Do you have braces? no
Do you wear glasses? Yeah
Who is your best friend? Tricia and Julie
Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?: Nothing official
Who is your celebrity crush?: Mariska Hargitay
Who is your regular person crush?: Meh
How many tattoos do you have?: None
How many piercings do you have?: Ears and Labret
What is your favorite band?: Averi
What is your biggest fear?: Being along
Have you driven yet?: yes
Do you work?: Nope
Have you smoked a cigarette yet? : yes
Have you gotten drunk or high yet? yes
Has your heart been broken? yes |
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| NEW CELL PHONE NUMBER! |
[Feb. 21st, 2006|07:19 pm] |
Okay so everyone delete 978 273 4428... and ADD in 813 394 6277
That is my new cell phone number. so if you want to get in touch with me you have to dial that number! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 18th, 2006|01:07 am] |
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Sometimes.. I want to crawl under a rock and never come out. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 18th, 2006|12:02 am] |
Look at me dreaming of you
All I could hope is to have you
To have you walking with me
Laughing so in love, we two
Almost drunkenly
I did imbibe of this
Fantasy of you and me
Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?
I've grown tired of love
You are the trouble with me
I watch you walk right by
I smile, you do not notice me
Treat me recklessly
All you do is toss me pennies out
But the silence in me is screaming
Won't you come and get me?
Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?
Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?
You make a mess of me here
I dance a thousand steps for you
If you say yes to me
I'll be whatever gets you through
You make a mess of me here (was I a fool?)
I dance a thousand steps for you (was I a fool?)
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think?
Am I a fool, am I a fool for you? |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 14th, 2006|12:52 pm] |
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"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?" ~Ernest Gaines |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 14th, 2006|12:47 pm] |
I don’t want to be relentless
Tell you what I think to force this
Cause I’ve seen something here I think is worth saving
But you’ve found somebody else
And it’s easier than putting faith in me
I’m trying to remember to breathe
But I’m under the weight of all these
Feelings I have to bury
I’m reduced to remembering…
Now…
This has nothing to do with me
And everything with you
I thought that we were worth saving
But you’ve drifted away from this
And there’s no pulling you back in
I can’t be the only one here believing
You’ve shown me how now to walk away
But even if I left, the feeling stays
It’s clear now that you’ve found something I can’t be
And you can’t risk losing that comfort
By putting your faith in me
Now we’re reduced to remembering…
Just know…
This has nothing to do with me
And everything with you
I thought that we were worth saving
But you’ve drifted away from this
And there’s no pulling you back in
I can’t be the only one here believing
So I won’t keep myself here anymore
Don’t get up, I can find my own way to the door
This has nothing to do with me… |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 10th, 2006|12:11 am] |
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking the drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look
It's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy
Turning saints into the sea
Turning through sick lullaby
Joking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
I'm Mr. Brightside
Yeah. Everything is kind of messy and sad right now. I don't know why.. well I do know why but I don't really want to discuss it. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 25th, 2005|12:26 am] |
Just think of this and me
as just a few of the many things
to lie around
to clutter up your shelves
And I wish you weren't worth the wait
because there's some thing's
I'd like to say to you...
And I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
'Cause I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
And I dare you to forget
the marks you left
across my neck
from those nights when we were both
found at our best
Now I could make this obvious,
and you, you could deny me
all in one breath
you could shrug me off
your shoulders...
And I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
'Cause I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
And I don't think that you know
I said I don't think you know
I said I don't think you know what your missing
Hey, lush, have fun
It's the weekend
Hey, lush, have fun
Hey, lush, have fun
It's the weekend
Hey, lush, have fun
I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
I don't think that
you know what
you've been missing
Just forget me
it's that simple
Just forget me
it's that simple |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 14th, 2005|01:07 am] |
So I just got off the phone with one of my favorite people in the world.. oh junior.. where's the notebook?!
Well.. I gotta gift.. Love you Junior! And Hermione! And Chloe! And Pookey!!
15 DAYS! |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 8th, 2005|10:53 pm] |
So my parents bought this inflatable penguin because we all know I love penguins..
He looks like this:
WELL.... He was sitting on the lawn earlier tonite when my mom heard screeching tires... she didn't really think anything of it.. she was home by herself because I was working and Dad is in Orlando.. so then the doorbell rings and she got nervous.. There were these two guys at the front door and they said they just saw a bunch of teenagers drive up AND STEAL THE PENGUIN!
I got home from work and she told me and I was SO upset.. who steals a fucking Christmas decoration of someones lawn? That's just LOW!!
The poor penguin is probably all sad and deflated becaues they didn't take the fan that keeps him all inflated and such.. the poor thing. I'm going to get another one and nail it to the house.. somehow. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 5th, 2005|10:45 pm] |
Nice guys finish last....
</3 |
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