SeattleTruthSeeker

I am always reading and looking for new information. A couple of weeks ago, I came across this article. The title definitely drew me in. Maybe out of curiosity. It is at the website (and there is a Facebook page too) called Biblical Gender Roles. Sounds quite interesting doesn't it? I'm reading along and everything appears honkey dorey. I read through and realized I was a bit detached and had to take another read through. After four or five read throughs (just to make sure I was understanding and processing what I was reading), I was dumbfounded. According to the website, the author (or authors as there really are no names attached to the articles) appear to take the position: The Bible apparently makes a distinct difference between the gender roles and that woman was not created after God's image and likeness Women are a weaker vessel because Man is God's image bearer only Women are subjugated to the authority and demands of her husband and has no right of refusal (some articles advocate Biblical right to marital rape Well, I had to provide a response in three separate articles of my own to address the major problems. Oh, what is the article I am referencing? Why God’s Identification as Male Is the Key to Understanding Life’s MeaningMy responses - in three separate essays: An LDS Perspective on Why God's Identification as Male is the Key to Understanding Life's MeaningThe first part of this response focused on the context and foundation of the assertion being made, the question that is being addressed and answered, and whether or not the writer has given due diligence in providing an accurate, scriptural response and answer to the question postulated. Along with this, second part of that article briefly introduced some of the main assertions that are cause for questioning and examination and how they falter in meeting true scriptural teaching on the nature of God, masculinity, femininity, and gender roles. The third part explored a more in-depth analysis of the presenting issues derived from the main points of the article itself and how a more appropriate answer is given to the misinformation of the article under review. Part Two: An LDS Perspective on Why God's Identification as Male Is the Key to Understanding Life's MeaningIn the second part, it was contended that there is a linguistic issue regarding the Hebrew and Greek languages. Namely, that all languages have masculine, feminine, and neutral aspects. From here, the third part of this article focused on understanding the nature of how the Bible has some symbolism toward a divine and sovereign feminine gender role within the Divine Council and provided evidence as it relates to a Divine council of Heavenly Parents - God, the Father, and Goddess the Mother. The response examined the nature of human gender roles in light of Divine gender roles, and the divine institution of marriage and how this is represented in the symbolism of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, his parable of the ten virgins, and the reference to Christ being the Bridegroom and the Church being the Bride of Christ. Part Three: The Work and the Glory of God is to Bring to Pass Man's Eternal Life and ImmortalityIn this third, and final, essay; the concept of human existence and experience involves answering the initial question - Life's meaning and purpose. The writer of the article: Why God's Identification as Male is Key to Understanding Life Meaning becomes a misnomer in answering the question it sets out to answer. After reviewing the initial article (whether from a Christian or Mormon perspective) and then reviewing my responses - what are your thoughts with regard to the nature of creation of man and woman, gender roles, and how do you approach this subject from an apologetic perspective? And, how do you identify life meaning and purpose from an apologetic standpoint?

Hey all - It's been quite a long time since I have been here. This place has definitely changed a lot. I am reintroducing myself. I am not sure if I am able to change my moniker lol. However, much has changed and am working and studying.

The New Year is a few days away. Along with this New Year, we will be experiencing a new season of life. Putting the past behind us, regardless of the good or bad, our journey will begin anew. People are most likely looking at what it is that they want to accomplish in the coming year. Some are making resolutions to lose weight and eat healthier. Some are looking to build better relationships with their family. Still, some are seeking employment in a very competitive market and are resolved to take a different approach to find suitable work. However, the Marysville LDS Church examiner would like to challenge everyone to make this the year we slow down, turn our hearts heavenward, and truly seek after the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father. How can we turn our hearts heavenward? As previously written, the current curriculum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is studying through the Book of Mormon. From the youth to adults, we will engage in discussing the Book of Mormon, the passages, and supping from the pages of this sacred text in our personal and family devotions. Yet, the challenge is not merely to read the Book of Mormon and participate in the discussions thereof. The challenge is to turn our hearts toward a Loving Heavenly Father who has given us, through modern day revelation, a sacred book that will change our lives forever – a book that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. To read more please visit the Marysville LDS Church Examiner and comment on this article as well as sharing it with your friends and family.

Here is a wonderful missionary opportunity. Already received one criticism on the article, and a response to that criticism. However, sharing the Gospel online should not be something we fear. This year, the 2012 Sunday School Curriculum is that of the Book of Mormon. Here is my article on that: Why Study the Book of Mormon This sacred literature that has come down to us through divine revelation is very significant, more so today I believe than at any other time in our history since its publication in 1830. We truly live in times where the hearts of men are failing them, the Gospel of Christ is no longer accepted, and men are living according to their own understanding and devices. Participate in the discussion, share your thoughts, and insights in how the study of the Book of Mormon has improved your life and testimony.

There are some attorneys that will help you fill out and file the paperwork, but will not represent you. This is typically at a more nominal fee than retaining an attorney. Some attorneys will work with you when you come up with the retainer. I agree, you have to file and get the motion going. Also, copy-print-screen all her Facebook Wall posts, they now allow those in evidence hearings in Family Law. Since you do have a daughter as well, your best way is to sacrifice and get an attorney to go after custody. There are Dad Organizations to help you with the rights of Fathers. Google Father Rights Organization and look for a local one, met up and network with other fathers. There are typically attorney's there as well.

Which is my sentiments exactly, they are trying to force their employer to allow them special priveleges that are outside of the normal functions of Washington State Law. An employer is only required to provide a worker a ten-minute break for every two hours worked. Anything above that is a concession an employer can make. I personally believe the same as you have stated, they were noticing that people were abusing their breaks and therefore implemented the clocking out and then back in to prevent those from abusing the breaks.

Congrats from an inactive LDS.net participant lol.

This is according to Reuters: It appears, when you read Reuters, the employees were allowed to take their necessary breaks without having to clock out and then back in from their ten-minute breaks. This should be where the lawsuit resides and not on the infringement of religious discrimination. Now, I can see if Hertz used the sudden, you have to clock out and back in as a measure to force out those employees as a means to discharge them. If this were the case, then Hertz definitely is at fault for a technical religious discrimination by utilizing a policy requirement change and in violation of their contract.

If it is a basis of a Union Contract Violation, which I do believe it sounds like it is, then there ought to be a written grievance process that these people should pursue and file a lawsuit based on that and not Religious and Ethnicity discrimination. I agree, both sides are accusing the other of not being correct. I am of the opinion that there is a legitimate suit here, however, the question is, did Hertz discriminate because of religious perspective or did they simply negate a Union Contract and violated that union contract? I believe they did and therefore the legal pursuit should be under that provision and not the other. However, if those individuals took longer than ten minutes as allowed by law, then they are themselves in violation of the company and the law as well and may not even have grounds for a lawsuit. Will watch and see what happens with this one.

I recently published an Op-Ed at the Seattle Multi-Faith examiner column about the recent news of 25 Samolia Muslims that are now sueing Hertz for violation of their right to religious freedom, and discrimination based on their religion and ethnicity. According to Hertz, those employees who were suspended and then later discharged from employment refused to clock out and then back in from their ten minute breaks, as well as majority of them having taken longer than ten-minutes to pray. With union representation, the lawsuit was filed in King County Superior Court under the guise of Equal Employment Opportunity violation. The question is, did Hertz violate their right to religious expression and used that to discharge them? Or, if Hertz is correct, were the employees properly disciplined in an At Will State and violation of company policy, as well as State statutes and laws regarding rest and meal breaks? Join in and share your thoughts on this: Breaking News: Hertz rental Car Company under “religious discrimination lawsuit†- Seattle Multi-Faith | Examiner.com

I have just published two examiner articles. One for the Marysville Parenting Examiner: Looking for some interesting subjects to develop more articles about, the Marysville Parenting Examiner happened across the Seattle Times article titled – Do parents need to stop the gossip mill? By Heidi Stevens of the Chicago Tribune. This is an interesting question, and therefore would like to know what parents in the Marysville, and surrounding communities have to say in response to these questions. As parents, should we interfere, and talk with our teen about gossiping? Do you believe teen gossip is a fundamental part of teen development? If so, why? If not, why? If you are comfortable: Share how gossiping affects your son or daughter and family Feel free to email your responses to [email protected] and in the subject line place “Teen Gossip”. Provide First name (or pseudonym if you would like) and your answer to the question. From the Marysville LDS Church Examiner column: Christmas is almost here and the shopping season is almost winding down. Thinking upon this time of year and the meaning of one of the more significant events in human history, one subject keeps coming to mind: Are we forgetting the true meaning behind this holiday season and Christmas? Many people make statements that Christ is the reason for the Season, or that you cannot have Christmas without Christ. While this is true, there is something more that we have strayed from in relation to the heart of this season and the meaning behind the season. What is this reason that we have strayed from? This is the idea and concept of giving rather than receiving this holiday season. The greatest gift ever given is the birth of the Messiah. The Foothills Park Ward Primary sang Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus at the Ward Christmas breakfast this past weekend.

I have recently published an interview with Jonathan Horton of Parentalrights.org (Parentalrights.org - Protecting Children by Empowering Parents ). There is an amendment that has not received much media attention and am presenting it here for all to circulate, pass along to friends and family, and to become politically active about in contacting state and national legislatures on. Here is an excerpt from my article published at the Marysville Parenting Examiner: Today, the Marysville Parenting Examiner had an opportunity to interview Jonathan Horton, national grass roots organizer for parentalrights.org. In a previous article – You’ve gotta fight for your right to parent! – MPE introduced readers to the website of parentalrights.org and the parental rights amendment brought before congressional vote. Having watched the YouTube video – Overruled: Government Invasion of your parental rights – and reviewed the website, this is one interview that parents within the Marysville, and surrounding communities, need to pay attention to. This is one issue parents need to contact their legislatures about and ask for their support on the passage of the Parental Rights Amendment. Continue reading on Examiner.com MPE Interview: Jonathan Horton - Parentalrights.org - Seattle Parenting | Examiner.com MPE Interview: Jonathan Horton - Parentalrights.org - Seattle Parenting | Examiner.com

Think about it this way - what physical evidence do we have of Christ's resurrection? There is none. What we do have is the testimony of men who "claimed" to have saw the Risen Savior that is recorded in what we now call the synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, along with Paul's testimony. The original documents have long since been lost and we have the information handed down to us from copies of copies of copies that claim to be "eyewitness accounts". How, then, can you put your faith in something that you yourself have not seen, and how can you rely on the testimonies of men that are on copies of copies of copies that make up the resurrection accounts without physical evidence or proof of the actual resurrection? Critic's tend to stumble over the fact that there has to be "proof" to substantiate ones faith - well, the Bible has archaeological proof to back it up. That is great, fine, and dandy, however there are atheists that accept there is some degree of evidence to back up some of the more natural aspects of the Bible but does not equate it to be inspired by God, only written by men. If proof is all that it takes to believe on something, then that would negate what the Apostle Paul taught - faith is based on not what we can see and verify, but is based on that which is unseen and that which is hoped for. The additional problem with this is that even if there is substantial amount of proof supporting the lands, people, and such within the Book of Mormon, would you still accept it as inspired scripture? Remember, Laman and Lemuel had seen an Angel several times, have experienced the power of God on numerous occasions, and still, they did not believe in God, nor accepted the reality that there is a God. Here are a couple specific articles I published at the Mormon Apologetic Research Studies Blog: 1) What if there was no proof at all? 2) Faith is not based on objective proof (video republished from YouTube) 3) What do Troy, Atlantis, and Zarahemla have in common? These are three different articles, one mainly of a video, and the second with a video about the program on the possible location of Atlantis and how the City Troy was found when it was believed to be non-existent and fiction. Finally, let us recall the encounter the Resurrected Christ had with the disciple Thomas. The other ten disciples were relating to Thomas that they had seen the resurrected Lord with a physical body of flesh and bone. Thomas stated that he would only believe if he saw it with his own eyes. Then, Christ appeared and chastened Thomas because the apostle doubted the testimony of the other Apostles. Christ stated that those who do not see, and yet believe are more blessed than those who have to see in order to believe. In reality, it takes a greater amount of faith to believe that there is a Loving Heavenly Father and a Resurrected Christ, than it is not to believe. In short, how would you answer an Atheist when he/she demands physical proof for the existence of God and Christ?

Many responses has missed the most obvious point of John 17. This obvious point is where Christ requests that the Father restore unto him the Glory and honor he had held with the Father in the Beginning. Here, we must understand the terminology - Essence. What do Trinitarians mean by essence? Well, to properly understand the term Essence in Trinitarian construct, we must go back to the original use of the word which was the debate of two Greek words. Arianus, if you actually study the dispute out, believed that Christ and the Father were separate and of separate natures. The misunderstanding of Arianism was not so much on the nature of the Father and Son, but on the doctrine of subordination of the Son to the Father (which was actually a prevalent thought up until the Council of Nicea). Prior to the Arian Controversy, Valentinus taught that the Father and Son were of different substances and essences, and that one of the differences is due to the fact that the Father was a duality God (masculine=feminine), and a being that was both incomprehensible, invisible, and unknowable: When we come to the scene of the Council of Nicea, we come to understand that the Bishops had an alternative view of Christ and the Father. A view that no longer held a First-Century understanding of Christ. This is why there was a need of a Restoration. Humanity had lost understanding of who God the Father is and Jesus Christ. Yet, when we look to the scriptures, we find that Christ not only distinguished himself as being separate from the Father, he also distinguished himself as being subordinate to the Will and Desires of the Father (one can only study the Garden of Gethsemane where the true idea of subordination between the Divine Son and the Divine Father is self-evident). Let us get back to John 17 where Christ prays to the Father. We know they are separate and distinct. We also know that Christ, while praying in John 17, does not possess the same essence, substance, and nature of the Father. We also know that Christ is the creator of all things and that Christ existed prior to Abraham. Christ existed as a premortal spirit, yet appeared in anthropomorphic human forms. This also is evident in the Old Testament where Christ is YHWH, the One True God of Ancient Israel. Thus, Christ essence, and nature and substance, had changed from one of divine glory to a mortal flesh. He then died, was buried and rose with a perfectly glorified resurrected body of flesh and bone. He still possesses this resurrected body. What the problem becomes for the Trinitarian is that if Christ has a body of flesh and bone, and that the Father restored the same glory Christ had with the Father from the Beginning, how then can they have the same essence and nature if Christ's nature is ontologically different than that of the Father since one has a resurrected body and the other is a mere incomprehensible spirit? How then can they be "One in Essence"? This is where the doctrine of modalism enters in and we know it is a heretical doctrine because one, then, can't argue that God could not have taken on Mortal flesh when Christ did that very thing. What then is the answer to this? We only look to Revelation 3:21 where Christ says that those who overcome, He, Christ, will grant to sit with him on His Throne, as he sits on the throne With His Father. We also know that there are 24 thrones surrounding Christ's throne, and seated on these thrones are Elders in White Garments with golden crowns. We also know that Christ is also mentioned to be on the Right hand of God - a position of authority and majesty. Revelation has the one handing the scroll to the Lamb of God (which is Christ). Now, think about this, if God the Father is seated on a throne, Christ is seated on the Throne, and they are separate and distinct from one another then we know that there are two distinct individuals who are seated on two separate and distinct thrones - Christ being on the Right hand side of the Father.

Actually, having the missionaries over is a very good idea. They will provide you with the missionary discussions (and being a ward missionary in my ward, I found out that those members who are coming back to church after being less active are advised to have the missionary discussions, especially if you have children). I am not sure of your gender, if you are a single mother, I would make the effort to find out who the Relief Society President is, make a call and find out about having visiting teachers. I would also find out who the EQ president is and ask for home teachers. However, to start off with, having the missionaries over once a week will be a start. They can do splits and they are to receive help from the ward to visit the less active family members of the ward. By the by, take it from someone who has made it back from being an antagonistic apostate, give it time, work slowly, get back into reading scriptures, get a copy of the Ensign (which you can access online) and just go at the pace you feel most comfortable with.