Hook, Line and Sinker

Let’s examine a metaphor concerning our dear friends the Bible beaters. A metaphor is a phrase that is used to parallel similar behavior concerning a different action. It represents that action with commonly understood terms. Hook, line and sinker is a fishing term that implies that when the fish takes the bait, he takes the whole rig. Not just the bait but the actual mechanism that snares him. The hook grabs you and doesn’t let go; the line is the connection to “string puller” and the sinker is the device that puts the hook just at the right depth where the fish are feeding. The metaphor generally refers to a gullible person who only requires a taste of the facts to believe the whole wad, without scrutinizing the idea or thought presented. It means that this person does not think their way through by examining all of the facts. Like in the story of Adam and Eve, one bite of the apple was just as dangerous as eating the entire apple.

This being said, I would like to evaluate my recent commenter’s (Daniel, Ron and Gary) attacks on me concerning my ‘interpretation” of the Word. True Christians are known by their fruits. Each one of us operates at a level of awareness. As my philosophy professor once said, “Most people don’t think, they emotionally react.” We’ve all been there at one time or another. Generally speaking, if someone is dumb they are lacking intelligence or good judgment. This doesn’t mean that they are a bad person; they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a bright person who is quick-witted and clever. A stupid person is one who lacks the ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; a person that doesn’t completely recognize, is foolish or senseless about what’s going on in his immediate environment. Again, they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a smart person who recognizes the facts in his environment and uses quick intelligence and mental capability to engage and respond to his environment. An ignorant person is one who is uninformed, unaware or simply lacking in knowledge or training about a certain subject. The converse is an educated person, whether formally schooled or not, who has taken the time to educate himself/herself enough to display qualities of culture and learning. This education is based on information and/or experience. Knowledge requires an understanding of information learned and wisdom requires an understanding of the knowledge one has obtained.

A person’s mental acuity is not the only aspect or area of development that a human being embraces. There are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects to take into consideration when a person makes a statement or interpretation. For example, some people may be very developed in some areas and not so developed in others. Again this doesn’t mean that they are bad; it could just be that they are acting badly. If they emotionally react instead of thinking things through to a logical conclusion, it reveals a quality of discernment. Discernment is directly tied to judgment. Judgment is the considered evaluation of evidence in the formation of making a decision. Evidence is weighed or adjudicated based on the facts and/or eyewitness testimony. According to some passages of the Bible, people will receive their reward (heaven) or punishment (hell) as a result of God’s reflection, study and resolving of your performance in this life.

In my articles I have mentioned several times the metaphor, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” It basically means to take caution when throwing out things that you think you don’t need or that are unnecessary, because you might throw out something that is important as well. Originating from a 15th century German satire, this saying was used by Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement. One of the tenets of Protestantism is the infallibility of the Bible as it stands. Remember what kind of man Martin Luther was. Other faculties are necessary when understanding the Word. Throwing out logic and imagination can lead to a complete misunderstanding of the Word.

As for Daniel, he keeps badgering me with his Britannica definition of the word apostasy. I responded to him with the source that I used and yet, that wasn’t good enough. An apostate is one who forsakes his religion or cause and takes up one that he believes is true. My point about Paul and his teachings. Ron battled me over the verses about homosexuality, failing to see my point. Finally, Gary completely dismissed my interpretation as one that came from complete ignorance. Instead of going and doing the research that I did, they chose to attack my position with forthrightness and attitude. So be it. I responded to them, and yes, sometimes harshly. Why? Because the only way the truth is revealed is through conscientious debate and not posturing. Opening one’s mind to the possibilities that what you have been repeatedly taught might not be true can be harrowing at times. I understand their frustration; that’s why I read the red. However, from where I stand I choose to question anyone who contradicts what Jesus said. What he said and what Paul said are PART of the Bible as it now stands. If one chooses to believe everything in it and believe it hook, line and sinker, then please, please, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Pray for guidance and understanding before you ridicule and posture your viewpoint as the only correct one. In my writings I offer what I believe to be true. Not once have I ever said that it is an absolute truth. If you don’t like what I say then go about your merry way and read what you want to believe; hook, line and sinker.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Is Jesus a figurehead?

For the past few weeks I have been locked in mortal combat with some evangelical Christians abut the Gospel of Jesus. The word gospel means “good news”, yet some Christians get quite irate and nasty when anyone challenges the word of Paul. For example, a pretentious Bible studies doctoral student, Gary Davis, took such offense with my article “Paul: Apostle or Apostate”, that he ranted about how my reasoning wasn’t sound and that my years of religious studies and Bible reading were invalid. Yet, his understanding of the Bible somehow supersedes mine. Arrogance at its best! Why is it that some Christians take offense to any challenge about Paul? Is it because what he says justifies their sense of power over others? That their way is the only way?

One reader, Daniel, argues that my choice of Apostate was wrong about Paul. He suggests that I perhaps should have used heretic. Then, he proceeds to insult one of the most God respecting men I know. He doesn’t even know this man, yet he has a strong opinion of him. This is where judgment rears its ugly head. Paul taught a gospel based on his own bias. As Saul his behaviors could have been likened to the Nazi Gestapo. Yet, after his conversion and blinding he miraculously began preaching more of his own gospel with Jesus as a figurehead. The Roman Catholics just loved his books because it gave them control over the masses. Why do you think they were canonized? I suggested to Daniel that he study history and logic before he so obviously sticks his foot in his mouth. As for the homophobic Gary Davis, his impressive list of articles primarily focusing on human maladies reveals his own particular skew on life. He continues to quote the same old gay bashing Leviticus 18:22, without the proper Aramaic translations cited. His readership seems to be what I call Conscious Christians; those who only use Literary Authoritarianism as there source of knowledge about life. Did Jesus just use the Torah? Not by a long shot. He also used common sense. Something some of my commenters seem totally devoid of, even though they proclaim some superior knowledge.

This is what happens when someone takes the written word literally. Christ said to the Pharisees that the spirit of the law is what is important. Paul’s teachings seem to point to the letter of the law more than the spirit. For example, when referring to Jesus’ brother James and his teaching about Christ, Paul says the following: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”. “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). How arrogant Paul is! He is basically saying that if his version of the gospel of Jesus is not believed, then we are not receiving the true gospel. This arrogance is very similar to the commenters' arrogance regarding Paul’s apostatic revelations. And what about James who directly contradicts Paul’s assertions about faith and works? (Jam 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”; Paul in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”).

Through a study of history, one can see an interesting parallel between Pauline Christianity and the story of the Sumerian god Tammuz. Paul struggled tirelessly to promote his version of the gospel to the Hellenists and gentiles. Jesus made it clear that the HIS gospel was for all men. Why can’t some people see this? They would much rather propagate division and acrimony than to love their brother. Visit this site for more information on how Paul made Jesus a figurehead. I don’t necessarily agree with everything that the author claims, but he does raise some interesting points about Paul. More to come...

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Light of Love Unlimited - Soul Food Cafe

In this article I would like to feature one of the great spiritual teachers we have in quad-state area. I had the privilege of attending a “Wealth Consciousness” class led by Pankaj Sharma in 2007. His leadership and ability to engage his students was most refreshing. From the moment I came within five feet of him I could feel his extraordinary energy and focus. His guided meditations led me to depths I hadn’t experienced in a long time. The confidence and sheer focus of this teacher was transferred into my spirit and I experienced a peace and understanding that allowed me to relax completely. His insight into the abundance of the universe and the blessings of prosperity that we all have innately, reminded me of my years of study in the field of developing wealth. Wealth is a term meaning well-being; with your body, mind, soul, social interactions and financial prosperity. Yes, you can have it all if you allow yourself to have it.

Pankaj Sharma leads the temple called Hari Aum Mandir located at 348 E Boot Road, Downingtown, PA. 19335. You can get directions here. According to his website, Pankaj Sharma is a spiritual teacher that synthesizes Eastern & Western traditions presenting them in a practical, contemporary way that provides rich results. He loves to travel the globe, sharing the wisdom & spiritual technologies he's gathered in this lifetime as well as previous ones. He currently lives in Chester County, PA. with his lovely wife Ruby and two boys. Some of the major trainings he's attended are: Angel Therapy Training with Doreen Virtue, Sound Healing Training with Tom Kenyon, Pranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga with Grandmaster Choa Kok Sui, Yoga of Sound with Russill Paul, Amrit Yoga Teacher Training with Amrit Yoga Institute, Transformational Breath Facilitator & Teacher Training with Judith Kravitz, Agape International Spiritual Center Licensed Practitioner class of 2001 Culver City, CA. and is an Ordained Minister & Spiritual Healer with Divine Light Ministries.

Pankaj conducts two Consciousness gatherings in Breath and Yoga. His Breath Consciousness gathering is described as follows: “The art and science of conscious connected breathing is a powerful key for well being, transformation & spiritual awakening. Breath is life and many cultures have seen breath as a portal to the Soul. The yogis of India have taught that breath is not only the link between the body and the mind, it is the link to our Soul.” His Yoga Consciousness gathering is based on the following: “This is what the Yoga of Consciousness is about; Awakening to our Divinity, connecting to the Source within and being freed from our self-imposed limitations.” He conducts a weekly Saturday morning Yoga gathering at Hari Aum Mandir in Downingtown.

On August 16, 2009, Pankaj will be featuring a “Soul Food Cafe” at Hari Aum Mandir. He describes the event as follows: The Soul Food Café is a space for creating community and nourishing all levels of our being (Body, Mind & Soul). We will have an inspirational speaker, music, meditation, prayer and more. Elizabeth May Sutor will be performing her New Thought music at the event. The first hour and fifteen minutes is devoted to serving up spiritual food that nourishes our Soul and inspires our Mind. Afterwards we will gather to break bread and share fellowship; nourishing our Body while forming deeper connections with each other. Please come and experience a loving, wholesome energy co-created by us all. The schedule for the day is as follows: Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Spiritual Gathering: 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m, Dinner & Fellowship: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. A Monthly Gathering of this event will occur on the third Sunday of each month from August-November in 2009. The Gathering Dates in 2009 are: Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15. Do your soul a favor and don’t miss these events.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Ask and it is given

In honor of my 50th article for the Examiner I would like to write about my favorite saying of Jesus. Ask and It Is Given is the title of the current book I am reading by Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks. A fascinating pre-cursor to their book The Law of Attraction in which I couldn’t put the book down! I suggest voraciously reading both books as they are a complete owner’s manual to the Law of Attraction. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 of the King James Version of the Bible, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Let’s examine this statement phrase by phrase.

Ask, and it shall be given you – This is the starting point for the Law of Attraction, or That which is like unto itself is drawn. By asking for what we want, we are accepting and believing that something beyond us can give it. The desires of our heart are placed there by God for us to fulfill and actualize them. How many people go through their entire lives never becoming what they were created to be simply because they never asked for what they wanted. They either didn’t know how to ask, never believed they should have asked, or couldn’t bring themselves to a state where they were humbled by the presence of God. Asking turns over the control of self from the ego (edging God out) to the divine. The divine responds with whatever thoughts you predominately think about and emotionally charge according to the next phrase, Seek, and ye shall find. Like the genie (the Universe) says in the movie The Secret, “Your wish is my command.” Asking is a form of prayer to God for the things, circumstances and people you desire to have in your life.

Seek, and ye shall find – God doesn’t hand anyone things on a silver platter. You have to earn them. Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks state this next phrase as The Science of Deliberate Creation or That which I give thought to and that which I believe or expect – is. This is where you get what you predominantly think about, whether you want it or not. If you don’t apply these phrases or laws to the benefits of yourself and others, they still operate by default. If you think bounty, you will reap bounty. If you think lack, you will reap lack. Seeking is a form of meditation because it allows you to let go of the outer world of distraction and focus on what you truly desire. You must first know what you desire, make a plan to achieve that desire and expect it to happen. This can only come as a result of inner focus and not outer distraction.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you – Once you know where you are going, you must take the steps to get there. Many have said it is hard and few have said it is easy. Whomever you choose to believe sitting around and dreaming of your desires without expecting them is a mind game. You must implement your plan by providing a service to mankind. This is based on the Hicks’ third law of The Art of Allowing which says I am that which I am, and I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are. This means to serve others by not judging them. It means to accept them as they are and love them for who they are. When you allow you cannot resist. If you resist the flow of life, everything that annoys you will persist. It’s like the story of the barnacle who wondered what it was like downstream away from the turbulent waters. All of the other barnacles told him that if he let go of the rock he would be swept downstream and be bashed on the rocks. He would surely die! One day he let go of his hold on the rock and was swept downstream being bashed from rock to rock. However, he didn’t die as the other barnacles told him. He ended up in a peaceful pool and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of his life. Allow others to be who they are, even if they don’t allow you to be you. Don’t invite others to rent space in your head with their troubles and circumstances. Allow the universe to work as it does and your reward will be the joyous freedom of being able to create your own life experience exactly as you want it to be according to the Hicks. Set your daily intention to deliberately create your own life experience. Jesus followed in Matthew 7:8 with "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” What a promise!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Conspiracy theories

“A conspiracy theory is any theory which explains a historical or current event as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful Machiavellian conspirators. The word conspire means ‘to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or to use such means to accomplish a lawful end.’ The word ‘theory’ is, in this usage, sometimes considered to be more informal as in ‘speculation’ or ‘hypothesis’ rather than mainstream scientific theory (Source: Wikipedia).”

Two of the most popular conspiracy theories are 911 and the Moon Landing. Some people, in contrast to the eyewitnesses and scientific evidence foolishly, in my opinion, believe that the moon landing never took place. One of my readers commented to my article "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", “The moon landing was fake, filmed in the desert in Nevada with the help of captured Aliens from area 51. Don't believe it.” Well, I choose to believe the facts in this case; not implausible theories. In regard to 911, however, there are two conspiracy theories; the first is that Al-Qaeda perpetrated 911 and the second is that the Neo-Cons, under the command of Bush (more like Carl Rove) and Cheney, allowed it to happen. In Secretary Mineta’s testimony to the 911 Commission he stated that Cheney had, within his power, to stop the attacks cold; but Cheney’s order to stand down never changed. It kind of makes you wonder what was going through the diabolical mind of a man who has had repeated heart problems and lives in fear. As for Bush, his dumbfounded look in the classroom when he was informed of the attack clearly shows he had no idea; he was clueless. Yet Cheney, was in the “bunker” in command and giving the orders; or should we say NOT giving the orders to shoot down the jets. After years of searching for the WMD, none were found; yet one man’s fear plunged us into a war and many American and Iraqi lives were sacrificed on the altar of fear. If you are wondering how could someone like this sleep at night, come to know that they can; because they are convinced they are doing, or have done, what is right for themselves and everyone else. Neo-con thought embraces the principles of Machiavelli.

In The Prince, Machiavelli is attributed with the fundamental break between political Idealism (the outside world is an extension of the mind) and political Realism (existence is independent and not a result of knowledge and consciousness). The Prince is a manual to acquiring and keeping political power. In regard to Bush and Cheney, there is an interesting quote from The Prince; "There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness." Interesting, considering Machiavelli’s position taken by the Medici family when the families of Italy had to be united in a common cause against the Gauls. As a political scientist, Machiavelli emphasized the methodical exercise of brute force (punishment or reward) to preserve the status quo (current or existing state of affairs). The term “Machiavelli” denotes someone of politically-extreme perspective and is referenced in modern psychology as a personality type. Personality types involve qualitative differences between people as opposed to personality traits which are quantitative differences between people. In regard to personality types, Carl Jung postulated that there were four main functions of consciousness; sensation and intuition were perceiving functions and thinking and feeling were judging functions. These functions were modified by the two main attitude types of extroversion and introversion. Jung’s theory further states that whichever function dominates a person’s consciousness, its opposite is repressed and will characterize their unconscious behavior. In regard to personality traits, the Big Five factors and their constituent traits are Openness (curiosity), Conscientiousness (self-discipline), Extraversion (self-confidence), Agreeableness (compassion) and Neuroticism (easily experiences negative emotions; emotional instability). In other words, if your dominant thoughts are neurotic and extraverted, you will repress the good things in life and tell others that’s how it is. When you live in fear you are living outside of yourself (Realism). Turn to the world on the inside of yourself and discover a place where there is no fear, only faith (Idealism). Show me anything created by mankind on this earth that wasn’t first a thought in someone’s mind. You can’t! Seduction comes from the Latin and it means “to lead astray.” Mankind continually uses distraction and seduction to convince others to follow their belief system instead of going within and accessing the one true God. Don’t be fooled by getting distracted and seduced by unscrupulous individuals who are out to gain power over you and rent space in your head.

The true principles of spirituality lead you to an alignment with God and His resultant creation. Those who perpetrate fear and separation are responsible for all of the lack and limited beliefs in the world. This universe and this world are abundant. Those who live in fear will always tell you otherwise. You have the power to change their channel to a channel of wisdom, peace and abundance. It starts by shutting off the outside world and going within to seek the Kingdom of Heaven. God has no conspiracies!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The law of distraction

The definition of the Law of Attraction, according to Esther Hicks (Abraham), is “that, which is like unto itself, is drawn." In other words if you think positive thoughts you will attract positive outcomes. Conversely, if you think negative thoughts you will attract negative outcomes. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? I can hear all of the scientists laughing out loud. The mere thought that the electrical signals in your brain can generate a significant enough magnetic field to affect the energy and matter outside of the brain is not plausible to them. Just as scientists claim that the magnetic fields of the planets and stars are not strong enough to affect us; their main claim to poopoo Astrology. Yet the gravitational effect of the Moon’s mass in its orbit around the Earth affects the tides. Since our bodies are between 88% to 92% water, wouldn’t that affect us as well? Dane Rudhyar, in his book “The Astrology of Personality”, approaches astrology as a language of symbology, not physics. Remember, science needs to measure things quantitatively and qualitatively. If it cannot devise a way to measure something, it is relegated to the term pseudoscience. Pseudoscience is defined as theories methodologies, or practices that are considered to be without scientific foundation. In other words, they cannot be proven by experimentation; according to the way some scientists think. But what if the Law of Attraction is merely symbolic?

Before a coffee table became a coffee table the thought of that coffee table was in the mind of the designer. By looking at it from every angle of how it would come into being, the designer, either by himself or with the help of others, brought the idea into a thought form. Before things existed they were first thoughts. Some scientists can clearly see this, yet they still poopoo the Law of Attraction because they cannot develop an accurate way to measure it. So, like most small minded people, they throw the baby out with the bathwater and relegate the LOA to pseudoscience. I call this the Law of Distraction. Simply because one is not intelligent enough to devise a way to measure something doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way to measure it. In other words, “that, which cannot be measured, according to current understanding, is dismissed.” Some scientists conveniently forget that our senses and our measuring devices, which are based on our senses, are limited. Science cannot measure beliefs and faith. Since they don’t have physical properties, they are all constructs of the mind. Many scientists forget the human passion that is necessary to create all the wonders we experience today. Passion like that of Nikola Tesla. The man who invented radio and alternating current, making it possible to communicate and receive power over long distances; in effect, bringing our world closer. He saw these things in his mind and his passion made it come about.

Politicians effectively practice the Law of Distraction. If they can make up a scenario for you to focus on long enough, they can distract you from seeing what they are really doing. Take “C Street” for example. Also, the constant commercials about writing your congressman to stop health care reform. God forbid we don’t do what the banks, insurance and pharmaceutical companies want us to do. In order to be an aware individual you must not get distracted from your focus. Don’t listen to the nay sayers, whether scientists, theologians, corporations or politicians who bait and switch the masses everyday. After watching Liz Cheney make an utter fool of herself concerning Obama’s birth certificate, I came to the conclusion that the Republican party is so desperate to distract their constituents from the truth, that they parade the former VP’s daughter around in the media. Why is she there? What civil service job has she held? Oh, that’s right; she is a blonde and speaks forcefully supporting her dad; the same dad who endorsed death squads and torture camps. And then there’s G. Gordon Liddy. Oh yeah, we can surely trust him! If they can keep you distracted long enough, they can convince you, by congressional inaction and finger pointing, that they were right! Don’t be fooled with rhetoric and distraction.

The LOD is a ploy to make you NOT look at the facts. Just because you cannot measure something doesn’t mean you cannot believe in it or have faith in it. Do you know what magnetism is? Because you don’t know what it is or how to measure it does that mean that you don’t use it? Everyday, from your clock radio to your TV, microwave and car you use magnetism. Examine the facts about the world around you and don’t get distracted by those who speak with authority and conviction in order to distract you from the truth. Stay focused and attract the best into your life by letting go of distraction.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Coping with disbelief

I’ve recently seen a humorous commercial from Fiber One cereal about a new disease called I.D.S., which is an initialism for Irrational Disbelief Disorder (not an accepted disorder by medical and psychological professionals). I.D.S. is a supposed condition where, despite all of the observations and the facts, one does not believe in the accepted conclusions of many observers. In other words, people are “incapable of believing in things that are universally understood to be true”, as is stated in the commercial. In science, one must observe, record and interpret data based on an experiment as it occurs in the environment of the experiment; this includes the observer’s participation in the experiment. This commercial is a brilliant piece of marketing because it pokes fun at all the initialisms and acronyms that the medical and psychological communities invent to box people into disorders. “If you can box them, you can control them” is the statement I once heard at an A.M.A. medical convention by a doctor that was speaking in St. Louis in 1980. Less than 50% of all doctors belong to the American Medical Association in this country; what about what the other 50% have to say when the A.M.A. issues a statement?

I saw (for about the tenth time) the town hall meeting in Delaware in which Representative Mike Castle was presiding. Each time I watched the “birther” lady in the audience make an utter fool out of herself waving an American flag and her “U.S. birth certificate” in a plastic bag; BTW, it had to have been a county birth certificate. Despite the facts that are in evidence, she still believes that President Obama was not born in this country! Instead of cloaking her claim in something as ludicrous as disputing a legal document, why doesn’t she just speak the truth and reveal that she is a racist and religious bigot? Someone should have told her that if she left immediately, she could have still caught the Klan meeting in Elkton, MD. Mike Castle handled the situation calmly and professionally and stated the fact that Obama WAS born in this country. One of my readers has insisted that I not point the finger at conservatives but in this case I have one question. Why do you have so many extremists, sore losers and nut cases in the Republican (Conservative) camp? Why would you allow such people as this lady, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly to determine your platform? Can’t you see that they are hurting your cause more than helping it? In regard to this lady, David Schuster of MSNBC stated last night that her behavior was a “lack of intellectual integrity.” I couldn’t have said it better. My conclusion is that the problem here was an emotional reaction by her; no intellect was apparent whatsoever. I guess she suffers from I.D.S.

As for finger pointing, what about the conservatives who pointed the finger at Bill Clinton? As the saying goes, the problem with pointing the finger is that three fingers are pointing back at you. Senator John Ensign’s hand was caught in the cookie jar after he attacked Clinton’s infidelity. My fiancé made a great observation; Ensign appeared to not be sorry for what he did wrong but for the fact that he got caught! Can you believe this or are you suffering from I.D.S.? It doesn’t matter what political camp you come from, the fact remains that human beings when thrust into positions of power sometimes react badly. It doesn’t mean that they are bad people; it means that when they are confronted with situations that they haven’t encountered before, they sometimes make the wrong choices; or should I say choices that aren’t beneficial to themselves, their careers, family or lifestyles.

Beliefs are a result of practiced thoughts. Whether they are true or not doesn’t matter. If you practice a thought pattern day after day and year after year, eventually it will become true for you. It is a relative truth. If you make the time to discover your connection with God you will be exposing yourself to His absolute truth. Like Pete Townsend said, “And I'll get on my knees and pray, We don't get fooled again.”

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.