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The Satanic Temple Vs. Romans 1:18 - 32

According to their own principles:  One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason. Which in their philosophy is an individualistic phenomenon, ie reason delimits empathy & compassion — and this is an individualistic/individualized phenomenon.   In other words, an individual’s reasoning facility determines if any given person, place, or thing (or group(ing) thereof is worthy of one’s empathy &/or compassion, then one should behave accordingly.  If not — oh well. How does naturalistic reasoning select for this principle?  We aren’t told, it just does.  In truth naturalistic reasoning might or might not select for a moral agent acting with empathy &/or compassion depending on whom you consult.   History is littered with the results of naturalistic theology, philosophy, & ethics.   How so?   Romans 1:18 - 32 is right, when people look to the created order & use/deploy it as the ...
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Pentecost Reading: Genesis 11

  The Tower of Babel 11  Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.   2  As people moved eastward, [ a ]  they found a plain in Shinar [ b ]  and settled there. 3  They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4  Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5  But the  Lord  came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.   6  The  Lord  said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.   7  Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8  So the...
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Pentecost Reading: Acts 2

  The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost 2  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.   2  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.   3  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.   4  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [ a ]  as the Spirit enabled them. 5  Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?   8  Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?   9  Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadoci...
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Pentecost Reading: Acts 1

  1  In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2  until the day he was taken up to heaven,after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.   3  After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.   4  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:  “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.   5  For John baptized with [ a ]  water,but in a few days you will be baptized with [ b ] the Holy Spirit.” 6  Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7  He said to them:  “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set ...
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Pentecost Reading: Jeremiah 1

  1  The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, who was one of the priests from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. 2  The word of the  Lord  came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah,  3  and continued through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, up to the time of the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month. The Call of Jeremiah 4  The word of the  Lord  came to me. 5  Before I formed you in the womb, I knew [ a ]  you, and before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. 6  But I said, “Ah,  Lord  God! I really do not know how to speak! I am only a child!” 7  The  Lord  said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone to whom I send you and say whatever I command you.  8  Do not be afraid of them, because I am with...
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Shavuot Reading: Psalm 119

  Psalm 119 The Great Psalm on the Law of the  Lord [ a ] Aleph: Blessed Are the Blameless 1  How blessed are those who are blameless in their way, who walk in the law [ b ]  of the  Lord . 2  How blessed are those who keep [ c ]  his testimonies. With all their heart they seek him. 3  Indeed, they do no wrong. They walk in his ways. 4  You have commanded that your precepts [ d ]  be kept completely. 5  If only my ways were unwavering in keeping your statutes! [ e ] 6  Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7  I will thank you with an upright heart      as I learn your righteous judgments. [ f ] 8  I will keep your statutes. Do not abandon me completely. Bet: Hidden in My Heart 9  How can a young man keep his path pure? By guarding it with your words. [ g ] 10  With all my heart I seek you. Do not let me stray from your commands. 11  I have hidden your sa...
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