The Median Sib

If you’re confused with all the talk about different religions, there is a handy-dandy quiz you can take to find out what religion is the best fit for you. Here are my results. No big surprise there. I was holding my breath, hoping my answers wouldn’t put me in the range of paganism or atheism. My mother, after all, reads my blog. Whew!

You scored as Christianity. Your views are most similar to those of Christianity. Do more research on Christianity and possibly consider being baptized and accepting Jesus, if you aren’t already Christian. Christianity is the second of the Abrahamic faiths; it follows Judaism and is followed by Islam. It differs in its belief of Jesus, as not a prophet nor historical figure, but as God in human form. The Holy Trinity is the concept that God takes three forms: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost (sometimes called Holy Spirit). Jesus taught the idea of instead of seeking revenge, one should love his or her neighbors and enemies. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save humankind and forgive people’s sins. Which religion is the right one for you? (new version) created with QuizFarm.com

I read the blog, DESIRING GOD, for the first time this evening, and the first post I read was a comparison of Jesus and Muhammad and what it means to follow each one. I found it fascinating, and I would love for anyone with more Biblical knowledge and understanding than I have to comment on this. Here are some exerpts:

The work of Muhammad is based on being honored and the work of Christ is based on being insulted. This produces two very different reactions to mockery. . . . If Christ had not been insulted, there would be no salvation.

I’ve never looked at Christianity as being based on insults. It continues:

Most Muslims have been taught that Jesus was not crucified. One Sunni Muslim
writes, “Muslims believe that Allah saved the Messiah from the ignominy of
crucifixion.”1 Another adds, “We honor [Jesus] more than you [Christians] do. . . . We refuse to believe that God would permit him to suffer death on the cross.”2 An essential Muslim impulse is to avoid the “ignominy” of the cross.

So Muslims feel that they honor Jesus more than Christians do?
Some scriptural background is given for the basis of mockery in Christianity.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of
evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:11). During his life on earth
Jesus was called a bastard (John 8:41), a drunkard (Matthew 11:19), a blasphemer
(Matthew 26:65), a devil (Matthew 10:25); and he promised his followers the
same: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will
they malign those of his household” (Matthew 10:25). . . .

Read on.

The caricature and mockery of Christ has continued to this day. Martin Scorsese
portrayed Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ as wracked with doubt and beset with sexual lust. Andres Serrano was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to portray Jesus on a cross sunk in a bottle of urine. The Da Vinci Code portrays Jesus as a mere mortal who married and fathered children.

How should his followers respond? On the one hand, we are grieved and angered. On the other hand, we identify with Christ, and embrace his suffering, and rejoice in our afflictions, and say with the apostle Paul that vengeance belongs to the Lord, let us love our enemies and win them with the gospel. If Christ did his work by being insulted, we must do ours likewise. . . . It means that a religion with no insulted Savior will not endure insults to win the scoffers.

So what do you think? Read the entire article. I started to quote more of it here, but I think it’s important to read the whole post.

I was in a meeting with several other teachers today, and after we had handled the business we had been charged with, the conversation meandered its way to the topic of the “strangest Christmas gifts.” One teacher told about getting a “pooping Santa” one year from a student. Apparently this Santa poops little red and green balls of candy.

Nahhh! I thought. Who on earth would sell something like THAT? When I got home, I googled “pooping Santa” - and found it at THIS site. Amazing, isn’t it? Of course, after I looked at some of the other items available at the site, I realized that a pooping Santa was comparatively mild or at least par for the course. I mean when a store has an entire category of merchandise devoted to farting items, you know that good taste and respectability are not part of their mission statement.

Everyone at the meeting laughed about the pooping Santa, and a couple of people said they wanted to find one because it would be a funny gift for next Christmas. As they were laughing, I thought about how Santa Claus is a symbol representing a religious holiday. A pooping Santa is not a very respectful thing, is it? Should we now start burning, boycotting, picketing, and killing people over this?

In my new resolve to stop obsessing about Islamic terrorism or U.S. politics in my blog, I thought I’d chill out by listening to music. I just heard a new Kenny Chesney song, “Living in Fast Forward.” Here are the lyrics:

The body’s a temple
That’s what we’re told
I treated this one like an old honky tonk
Greasy cheeseburgers
And cheap cigarettes
One day they’ll get me if they ain’t got me yet, ’cause

(Chorus)
I’ve been livin’ in fast forward
Hillbilly rockstar out of control
I’ve been livin’ in fast forward
Now I need to rewind real slow

My friends all grew up
and they settled down
Nice little houses on the outskirts o’ town
They work in their office
And drive SUVs
They pray for their babies
And they worry ‘bout me

(Chorus)

I’m always runnin’, son-of-a-gunnin’
I’ve had a good time, it’s true
But the way I been goin’
It’s time that I tone it down just a notch or two

Oh yeah…

(Chorus x 2)

Yeah I need to rewind real slow…
Yeah I still got some miles to go…

Just love it. “I” have been living in fast forward too much lately. I think I’ll do a little rewinding.

Thirteen things THE MEDIAN SIB likes or would like to hear 1. Wow! You’ve lost weight! 2. Who’s your personal trainer? You look buff. 3. Congratulations! You’ve won the lottery! By the way, it’s now considered non-taxable income. 4. It was announced today that scientists have discovered a medicine that completely heals ALL kinds of illnesses. 5. I love you, Grandma Carol. (Actually I like to hear ANYTHING said by Sweet Stuff and Sunshine) 6. There’s a new instant transporter available now, and it will shorten the trip to visit your mother from 3+ hours to 3 minutes. Now you can drop by for an evening chat several times each week. 7. This is the mall business office, and you’ve won an unlimited shopping spree. 8. Hi, I’m finished cleaning your house now. It is spotless. You’re laundry is finished and put away. I’ll be back tomorrow to clean out the garage and attic. 9. Welcome home. I’ve prepared a delicious meal for you. No, I don’t need any help. Just rest on the sofa awhile, and I’ll let you know when it’s ready. Here’s the book you wanted to read. Would you like a glass of sweet tea while you wait for dinner? 10. We loved your book, and we’ve decided we want to publish it immediately. We anticipate a large printing. Could you start on the sequel now? 11. New flash! Muslim leaders worldwide have denounced violence and terrorism. All Muslims have made a vow of non-violence and non-aggression. 12. Your teeth are perfect - no dental work needed. 13. Will you look at that! You’re ahead of Michelle Malkin and Instapundit in the TTLB system! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (Leave your link in comments, and I’ll add you here) Nicole Norma Kelly mar Killired Mary Ma Uisce Dariana Janne Karen Eric Stacie Kimmy Joan Megan Lazy Daisy Jane D Chickadee

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants