Update on my Crucifixion Post and Update on Me

I was searching for a picture for my post called The True Image of the Crucifixion, I described what happens to someone when they are hung on a cross.

I found an image that I saw weeks ago, but couldn't find again.  I found it while researching some more crucifixion images.

______
You're probably wondering what's going on with my mental health.  I saw my family doctor today to discuss a change of mediation.  I had been taking 30 mg of Prozac (20 and a 10 mg) for about 5 years now, which is about the time it stops working for someone.

Today, he instructed me to start only taking the 20 mg, and 10 mg of a new drug called Viibryd, which is another SSRI, but supposedly doesn't have the side effects of Prozac (weight gain, concentration issues, etc).  I will be weening myself off of Prozac for about a week, then start 20 mg of Viibryd next week.  The week after that, I'll be on 40 mg of Viibryl until I need another medication change.

I've read mixed reviews on this medicine.  Some people are saying it made them gain massive amounts of weight, some say they lost weight.  Some say it didn't help at at, or made it worse, and some said it was a life saver.  Let's all hope it works.

I've been gaining weight again since I quit taking Adderall because it sent me to the hospital last April for a racing heart.  Adderall is a amphetamine, and one of the side effects is weight loss.  Since I was taking Adderall and Prozac at the same time, they kind of cancelled out.  Now since I'm off Adderall, I've gained weight.

Please continue praying for my recovery, and help me beat this demon.

Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling Buddhist Meditation Center

[This paper was written for my Cultural Pluralism class at Capital University last semester.]

Jesse Harmon

UC 200

September 29, 2011

Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling Buddhist Meditation Center

            On September 18, 2011, two of my classmates and I went to the Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling Buddhist Meditation Center, or Columbus KTC for short, on Grubb Street in Columbus, Ohio. 

            One of the first things I noticed walking into the former Christian church was the shoe rack off to the side.  When one enters a Buddhist temple, one must remove his or her shoes out of respect.  This is completely the opposite of what I grew up in, (a Lutheran congregation), where shoes were required out of respect for the church.  I noticed the very bright colors associated with Buddhism.  My group and I were directed upstairs into the main temple area, and told to head to the back of the mediation area.  That was where the introduction to meditation class was held. 

            On our way through the temple, we had to walk past about thirty people meditating.  I was amazed at how still they all sat with their backs straight.  At that time, I didn’t know what they were suppose to be thinking or doing while meditating.  I soon found out though.

            We walked a little bit late into the class, but the leader didn’t mind.  We gathered some mats and cushions and sat down, obviously in the wrong position.  The first thing we did was we learned how to sit properly on the cushion.  Traditionally, the men were to sit with their right leg on the left thigh, and their left foot on their right thigh.  Being a bigger person, I found this difficult to achieve.  Thankfully, the leader told us that some flexibility was allowed, so I just sat “Indian style.”

            The next thing we did was to learn how to be properly positioned for meditation.  This was actually a fairly difficult thing to do.  I’m a person who naturally slouches over, and sitting up straight for five minutes, let alone thirty minutes, was difficult.  We had to sit and count our breaths, (one, two, three, four), all the way up to twenty-one, which we then had to start back at one.  Whenever another thought came to our minds, we were to think about suppressing that thought and then to start counting again.  This was extremely difficult for me, as I’m a person who usually has a lot of things going on in my mind.

            I would consider this event a positive event.  I initially did this for my religion class, but I felt it also fit well within this class, (Cultural Pluralism).  One thing I didn’t expect at all was the large amount of people who I wouldn’t imagine being Buddhist.  I expected more eastern Asian people, and found that many people were of other races, (actually, I didn’t even see any eastern Asian people.  Many were dressed as though they were businessmen and businesswomen).  Since I am seeking a minor in religion, this was truly an eye-opening experience, even if I didn’t participate in the actual meditation time scheduled.  

Islam and the Bible

[This paper was for my Religious Foundations and the Bible class at Capital University last semester.]

Jesse Harmon

UC 220

Pastor McAllister

October 24, 2011

Islam and The Bible

            The biggest, most obvious difference between Islam and Christianity has to be the theology expressed in each religion’s respective scriptures.  Islam uses the Qur’an, while Christianity uses the Bible.  As a Christian, I will try to explain Islam’s views and how they compare to the Christian Bible.  However, one must know a little about each religion’s history in order to effectively compare and contrast the two. 

        Christianity is, in layman’s terms, based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Judaism was the foundation of Christianity, as Jesus Christ was Jewish.  However, Christians view Jesus as the Messiah that was promised in the Old Testament of the Bible, (one should note that Christians generally use Messiah and Christ interchangeably). 

        Islam is a monotheistic religion.  It’s holy book, the Qur’an, is said to have been sent down my Allah, (Arabic for God), to Muhammad, the last prophet according to Islam.  According to Islam, it is believed that Muhammad reached the Third Heaven with the permission to enter by the angel Gabriel.  Jesus however has only reached the Second Heaven, while Moses has reached the First Heaven.  However, Matthew 7, verse 15 states, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  (NRSV)  This is reiterated in Matthew 24, verse 11, “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray,” as does Matthew 24, verse 24, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (NRSV). 

Martin Luther stated that Christ, “speaks of false prophecies,”  (Lee). 

            Some scholars, including Abdelmoumin I. Ahmed, believe the Qur’an is an extension of the Bible and the Torah.  He states in his 2009 article, titled, “The Bible and the Qur’an: A New Islamic Understanding,” that, “the Qur’an does not state that it came to abrogate the Torah and Gospel.  Rather, it came confirming them and including the values they have.”  Dr. Nader Pourhassan even stated the same thing, “In the Koran, the Torah and the Bible are only spoken about in the most respectful tones…It also made clear that the Koran is intended to compliment, rather than replace or succeed, the Bible and the Torah,”  (Pourhassan 74-75). I do not find this to be true.  Samual Zwemer, American Protestant missionary, states, “In the Book of Job alone there are more glorious descriptions of God’s personality, unity, power, and holiness than in all the chapters of the Qur’an,” (Reynolds).

In the Bible, Jesus is clearly seen as a performer of miracles.  His first miracle, turning water into wine, is described in John 4:46, “Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine…” (NRSV)  Jesus performs many miracles in the gospels, some of which the gospels say are not mentioned in the Bible.  However, only one miracle is seen in the Qur’an.  In The Moon chapter of the Qur’an, Muhammad is seen splitting the moon.  The Sahih International translation of the Qur’an states, “The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder (the people of Makkah requested Prophet Muhammad SAW to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon).” 

What would Christianity be like if the Holy Bible was printed in the original languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and Greek?  Many people would be seriously confused as to what is being said.  The Qur’an is, a lot of times, printed in its original language, which is Arabic.  Many newcomers to the faith find it difficult to understand what they are memorizing, or even just reading  (The battle of the books).

The one thing that the Bible and the Qur’an have in common is the fact that they are both full of bloodshed and violence.  Philip Jenkins, professor of Humanities at Penn State University, gave light on this issue.  He once wrote, “many passages quote God as commanding acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing and racially-based mass murder.”  He then goes on to explain God’s commandment to the Canaanites to exterminate the native people.  God orders King Saul to kill the Amalekite people.  Genesis 4:8 talks about Cain killing Abel, the first recorded murder in history.  “Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’^* And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.” (NRSV). The Qur’an, however, states, “And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.”  This is from the chapter called, The Cow.  The most blatantly obvious sign of death from the Bible is the killing of Jesus Christ.  Pontius Pilot, after the urging of his people, crucified Jesus Christ.  This is the foundation of the Christian religion today.  However, Muhammad died more natural death.  He fell ill and died in Mecca and is buried next to his third wife. 

            Both holy books do have a “do not kill clause” in them.  The Bible has the Ten Commandments, (“You shall not murder.” NRSV).  The Qur’an states, “O you who believe! do not devour your property among yourselves falsely, except that it be trading by your mutual consent; and do not kill your people; surely Allah is Merciful to you,” in the Women chapter.  However, as seen in the above paragraph, both books give some insight into violence in their respective time periods. 

Actually writing this was very difficult.  In order to write a paper like this, one must put aside his or her own personal beliefs, and focus on the subject through objective eyes.  Researching this paper has opened my eyes a little as to what is in each respective holy book. 

Works Cited

Ahmed, Abdelmoumin I. "The Bible and the Qur'an: A New Islamic Understanding." Journal of Unification Studies. 10. (2009): 105. Print.  Islamic scholar, Ahmed,

attempts to explain why the Qur’an is an extension of the Bible and the Torah.  He discusses some of the text in both books, and compares them.

Lee, Francis Nigel. "Islam In The Bible." n. page. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.  Reverend Dr.

Francis Nigel Lee’s article appears to be one written out of emotion, instead

of unbiased scholarly research.  Her article is marked with highlights, underlines, and italicized words.  Although she does have some good points, this seems to be more of a sermon, than a scholarly letter.  This article will be    used in this paper though.

Pourhassan, Nadar. The Corruption of Moslem Minds. La Cruces: Barbed Wire Publishing, 2002. 74-75. Print.  Dr. Pourhassan documents his position on the Qur’an’s relationship with the Bible and the Torah, much like Ahmed did. 

Reynolds, Gabriel Said. "Reading the Qur'an Through The Bible." N.p., Nov 2009. Web. 23 Oct 2011.  Reynolds wrote an opinion article stating why the Bible and the Qur’an should be in each hand.  A portion of this article talks about early twentieth-century missionary Samuel Zwemer talking about how the Bible and the Qur’an should be separate. 

"The battle of the books." Economist 385.8560 (2007): 80-82. Academic Search             Complete. EBSCO. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.

What Am I Giving Up For Lent?

In my previous post, I mentioned that I haven't decided what I was going to give up for Lent.

I've decided that I don't need to give up anything for Lent this year, (but I have stopped eating Cinnamon rolls, so I guess that counts). 

I see some of my Christian friends giving up Facebook for Lent.  That's fine.  Just remember why you're giving up whatever you're giving up.  

Is Lent mentioned in the Bible? Not exactly.  Lent was created by humans to prepare us for the days that we remember the crucifixion of Christ, (Good Friday, Easter).  The word Lent comes from the word lencten, which means "Spring."  

Of course, the number 40 is a special number in Christianity.  Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, eating no food or drinking no water.  Jesus spent 40 days in the desert being tempted by the Devil.  

According to Catholic Education, the a form of Lent was recorded in a letter from St. Irenaeus' (d. 203) letter to Pope St. Victor I.

Go ahead.  Give up something for Lent.  I'm not.  I'm going to be committed to read more scripture and pray more, both things I don't do enough of.

WAIT! Before you go, read this article.

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local-woman-gives-up-facebook-for-lent-instead-knits-hats/article_cc975a60-5f71-11e1-b515-0019bb2963f4.html

Show Me Your.....!!!

Marti Gras beads!!!

It's that time of the year again, the day before the start of Lent.  There are many names for today: Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Marti Gras.

The reason it's called these names is because back in the day during Lent, Christians didn't eat any meat or meat-related items, which included lard, which is animal fat.  So, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, or the start of Lent, everyone used whatever fat they had left to make pancakes, cakes, etc.  Many other items were traditionally restricted such as fat, flour, and eggs.

Marti Gras, which means Carnival season,  (Carn = meat), is the celebration of eating the last of the meat supplies until the end of Lent, or Easter.  Only in New Orleans is the ritual of breast showing prominent.

As many of you know, Lent is the 40 days before Christ was crucified on the cross.  One must consider the fact that Lent is a human-made tradition.  It was invented by the Church to get ready for the feast of all feasts.  Fasting is a traditional discipline, and it's mentioned in the Bible, but it's not a decree or a doctrine to fast.

1 Samuel 31.13: 

Then [the Philistines] took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.

2 Samuel 1.12:  

They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 

Matthew 4.2: 

 

[Jesus] fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.

 Matthew 6. 16-18:

[Jesus said,] "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you..." 

 

I don't know what I want to give up for Lent.  Last year, I gave up chocolate for about three days, then I forgot, then I remember and tried to stay off of it for the remainder of Lent.  I failed miserably, mainly forgetting that it was Lent.

Every year I joke about giving up homework.  I haven't decided what I am going to give up for Lent.  I like cinnamon rolls from the Main Dining Room here at Capital University, so I might give those up.

The True Image Of The Crucifixion (explicit picture, but ya'll should see))

I first saw a picture like this in my Jesus Through The Ages class here at Capital University.  We were going over a bunch of crucifix images, trying to differentiate the styles and what is being said about them.  Many images of the crucifix that you see are a white Jesus, hanging loosely on a cross, maybe with head bowed, six-pack abs, and neat, clean cut hair with a part down the middle.  Perky pecks.  Toned biceps and triceps.  Gorgeous thighs and calves.  Toned forearms.  Masculine chin.  Images of people trying to make Jesus look sexy.  This is the image that I've always seen and pictured Jesus as.....

Dear 50 Year Old Me

Dear 50 Year-Old Me,

Remember me?  I am you when you were 20.  Think about it.  Only 20 years old.

Look at yourself.  How have you changed?  Have you gotten thinner?  Have you gotten fatter?  Have you gained some muscle?  Have you lost some fat?  Has your voice changed?  Are you bald, or is your hair down to your knees?  Is your hair still brown, or are you grey?  Do you have many wrinkles, or are you baby faced?

Did you graduate from college?  Did you go to graduate school?  If so, what did you get a masters degree in?  Did you get a doctorate?

Are you married?  Are you single?  Are you (God forbid) divorced?  How many children do you have? 1? 2? 3? 10?

Do you still believe in God?  Do you still attend church regularly?  Are you still Lutheran?  Do you still do sound for a church?  Do you even still go to St. Matthew?  Do you even live in Logan anymore?

Just before typing this letter to you, I read the Song of Songs for Jesus Through The Ages class at Capital University.  Remember Dr. Bryant?  I liked it.  It details the love between a man and a woman.  Do you still think homosexual marriage should be legal?  Remember when you did?

Do you still like to learn about the history of the Bible?  Do you still like to learn about the Reformation and Martin Luther?

Do you still have contact with your friends from high school?  How about from college?  Are you or were you in a band with folks from Capital?  Did you go on the road and make it big?

Do you still think about Logan?  Do you still think about working in the yard gardening or trimming trees?  Do you frequently think about the bipolar weather?

Do you still suffer from depression?

Did you survive past 2012?  God, I hope so.


See you in 30 years!
Jess

The Torture and Death of Elizabeth Dirks (1549)

[The following is a paper I wrote for my Reformation and Enlightenment class at Capital University, where I am seeking a minor degree in religion.  My apologies, but I can't find a copy of the original document on the internet.  You'll have to go to your local library to read it.  The document came from a book by Janz called A Reformation Reader.]

Jesse Harmon

RELIG 321

Dr. Schroeder

February 14, 2012

The Torture and Death of Elizabeth Dirks (1549)

            The document called “The Trial and Martyrdom of Elizabeth Dirks” is marred with the screams of someone in pain.  The first half of the pamphlet shows a young woman defending her beliefs to the “Lords.”  The second half, as she is being tortured, she continues to deny confession, claiming that she is only under the rule of the Lord her God, and not under any priest. 

            Here is a little background on Elizabeth Dirks.  She was arrested on January 15^th, 1549.  She is considered to be the first Mennonite deaconess.  She escaped a convent at the age of 12 to become an Anabaptist.  She studied Latin New Testament scriptures.  She was executed in May of that same year, although many accounts claim she was executed in March (Janz 228).

            There are many good points that Elizabeth Dirks makes in this confrontation with the lords.  The lords said, “What persons were present when you were baptized?”  Dirks responded with, “Christ said, ‘Ask them that were present, or who heard it,’” which came from John 18:21.  The lords also asked,  “What then do you hold concerning the house of God?  Do you not regard our church as the house of God?”  Dirks responded, “No, my lords, for it is written: ‘Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them (2 Corinthians 6:16),’” (Janz 229).

The lords ask if children are damned because they were in fact baptized.  She responded saying she should not judge children.  This showed that she had some compassion for those who were not able to determine right from wrong.

I think this story is eerily similar to the Pharisees asking Jesus questions.  Matthew 19:3 says, “Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?’”  Jesus responds with, “‘Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh…” The Pharisees also ask Jesus, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”  (Mark 2:24).  Jesus responded with, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.”

            Elizabeth Dirks was doing something similar to Jesus.  The lords could be seen as the Pharisees, while Dirks herself could be seen as Christ.  Both were being pressured into answering questions, and both were executed; Christ hung on a cross, while Dirks was drowned in a bag. 

            Dirks was questioned even after having been tortured using thumbscrews and shin screws.  Thumbscrews were a form of punishment or re-education that involved putting both thumbs into a vice-like device and crushing the bones in the thumb.  Sometimes, sharp objects were put on the screws to penetrate the nails and increase pain.  “Shin screws” were then put on her legs.  I can’t seem to find anything about shin screws, but I have found out that medieval torture device include putting a set of boots on the legs, called Spanish boots, and tightening them down until the shins broke (“Medieval Warfare”).  Dirks pleaded not to have this done, as a man has never touched her.  Dirks refused to recant her teachings, and even cried out to God himself to ease her pain, which eventually subsided. 

            How could anyone deal with such suffering?  Christ did it, and Dirks did it.  They both were tortured.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:10).  Elizabeth Dirks stood up for what she believed in.  She was a very brave woman who knew what she wanted, and was very insistent on what she believed.

Works Cited

Janz, Denis R. A Reformation Reader: Primary Texts with Introductions. 2. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2008. 228-30. Print.

"Medieval Torture." Medieval Warfare. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb 2012. <http://www.medievalwarfare.info/torture.

Why We Must Not Judge Others

One of the things that really bothers me about Christians is the fact that they all judge one another.  There is a very dear friend of mine here at Capital who I would classify as a fundamentalist.  This person always seems to be judging me whenever I bring up a religious topic to talk about.  He has this 'holier-than-thou' complex about him.  I visited a Buddhist temple a few months ago for a religion class, and he asked me why I went there instead of a church of a different denomination.  I responded by saying I wanted to experience another faith.

For example, whenever I bring up the issue of homosexuality in the church, he always gets very offensive and condemns those who are homosexual.  It bothers me when people condemn homosexuals because while Christians claim that homosexuality is a choice, science suggests otherwise.  As we all know, science is basically the explanation of how the world works.  I am reminded about a paper I did in Psychology about a year and a half ago.  Several professors here had a debate and Q&A session about homosexuality.  It was rather fascinating.  Here is the a review of the session below.

Jesse Harmon

Psych 110

Dr. Torello

November 5, 2010

The Biology of Homosexuality

            Homosexuality is, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “sexually attracted to people of one's own sex.”  The panel held at the Capital University Bridge of Learning lecture hall on November 4, 2010 at 7:30pm.  The moderator that night was a Capital University senior seeking a religion major, with Dr. Torello, Dr. Broh, and Dr. Anderson sitting on the panel.  Dr. Torello has a doctorate degree in biological psychology from The Ohio State University.  Dr. Broh has a Ph.D in sociology from The Ohio State University.  Dr. Anderson has a Ph.D in Zoology from Miami University.  This paper is a summery of what happened during the debate.

            The first question asked to the panel was if there were any differences between the brains of a homosexual man and a heterosexual man.  Dr. Torello responded that the hypothalamus of the brain is responsible for sexual behavior.  Simon LeVay, a neuroscientist, documented that the hypothalamus of a homosexual man resembles that of a heterosexual woman.  However, replications of LeVay’s studies failed to conclude this hypothesis.  LeVay again conducted this experiment, claiming that his hypothesis is correct, even though subsequent studies proved him wrong.  Years later, LeVay ‘came out of the closet’ as a homosexual himself, (which may or may not conclude that he made up his findings).   Other findings in the animal kingdom have found that 10% of male rams have hypothalamuses that are similar to those of female rams. 

            Heredity was the next question in the discussion.  Dr. Anderson stated that a 1993 study concluded that a ‘gay gene’ has been found.  However, after reviewing and attempting to reproduce the study in 1999, other scientists proved this theory false.  There is no connection between the X-Chromosome that had looked different in homosexual males and sexual orientation.  However, the scientists in the 1999 study were unsure about how the original study was conducted, because families were excluded for various reasons such as the father being a homosexual himself.  The 1999 study was a much larger study, having about 450 participants, while the 1993 study had a lot less.

            Is a person born into his or her sexual preference, and how does one’s development express his or her sexual orientation?  Dr. Broh responded that studies cannot be replicated, and that scientist can only make assumptions.  Dr. Torello went on to explain that there is no ‘light switch’ effect, where someone can be completely homosexual or completely heterosexual; instead, there is a large spectrum, which can in fact be measured using the Kinsey Scale.  Are homosexuals born the way they are?  Dr. Torello seemed to infer that people could be born homosexual.  He mentioned a study done on lab rats.  A mother rat was injected with testosterone into her uterus, much more than naturally produced.  When the pups were born, their gender was recorded.  When the pups sexually matured, the female rats sometimes attempted to mate with other female rats.  When a mother rat was injected with estrogen, the male pups that were sexually mature attempted, in their own unique way, to mount other male rats.  This possibly concludes that the amounts of testosterone or estrogen in someone could affect their sexuality preference.

            Dr. Anderson mentioned that in the first part of the 20^th century, scientists considered homosexuality as being a mental disorder.  In the 1970s, however, this idea was thrown out.  There used to be many ‘gay fixing’ clinics around the United States, but since the seventies, the amount has significantly dropped.

            Dr. Anderson also mentioned a study that concluded that if a mother has multiple male children, the probability that the younger male child will be homosexual goes up a third of a percent; meaning that there is a higher chance the ‘baby brother’ of the family will be homosexual than the oldest male child.  This may have to do with the fact that younger sons tend to weigh less than their older siblings.   According to the study, 1/7 of homosexual men in North America have an older brother.  This study does not conclude any correlation between homosexuality and if that male had an older sister.  This theory hasn’t been tested since.

            A question from a young man in the audience was brought up.  Does a father figure have any influence on the chance someone is homosexual?  Dr. Broh took this question.  She said there was no consistent evidence that a father figure has anything to do with a child being homosexual.  Dr. Anderson stated, however, that the age of the mother could determine if the child is homosexual or not.  The younger the mother, the more likely the child could be homosexual.   A mother is more likely to have maternal stress if she is having her first child, then she is if she’s having her third.  This maternal stress might altar the natal environment that the baby is in.  Dr. Torello mentioned a study done by John Money, at John Hopkins University, that homosexual males act the way they do because they have lower testosterone levels in their bodies.  Money received funds for his experiment where he injected self-described homosexual males with testosterone, thinking that he might be able to change their sexual orientation.  However, the testosterone had a surprising effect; instead of changing the subjects’ sexual orientation, the testosterone instead made them more attracted to the same gender.  Dr. Broh also agreed with the other two panelists when she stated that hormone levels vary in every human.  Some males may have higher estrogen levels than other males, and some females may have higher testosterone levels than other females.

            An audience member brought up a surprising question.  Could the image of homosexuality be changed?  Dr. Broh rhetorically asked the audience member what he considered homosexuality.  Is the image based on appearance, behavior, sexual preference, or some other variable?  The identity of someone cannot be change.  Calling someone homosexual is a very vague description, according to Dr. Broh.  This question shocked me as well as a few other audience members because it seemed to have nothing to do with what this forum was about.

            Another unexpected question came from an audience member.  This question pertained to a statistic that Dr. Torello mentioned earlier in the discussion.  Dr. Torello mentioned that on average, ten-year-old boys know whom they are going to be attracted to later in life.  This audience member questioned Dr. Torello’s statement by saying that at the age of four, he was going to like females.  Low chatter began around the room as Dr. Torello attempted to clarify what he stated earlier, that on average, boys at the age of ten know whom they are going to be attracted to.

            The discussion went another route.  What is the home life versus the social impact on sexuality?  Dr. Broh said that children being raised in a single parent home, (single mothers or single fathers), has NO correlation to the outcome of a child’s sexual attractions.  Instead, if homosexual parents raise a child, there is a slight increase in the probability that the child will be homosexual, compared to a child being raised by a heterosexual family.  She concluded that the child who is raised by the homosexual family would have a larger range of choices in sexuality compared to a child raised by a heterosexual family. However, she stated that this has nothing to do with sexual orientation. 

            Could homosexuals deny their own sexuality? Dr. Torello said it’s possible.  Could someone be one hundred percent gay, or one hundred percent straight?  Again, the panel states that there is a spectrum on sexuality.  If someone was one hundred percent gay, they would most likely detest members of the opposite gender.

            What could be done to combat campus negativity toward homosexuality?  The panel discussed that with information collected, and if in fact an answer could be found about biology having anything to do with homosexuality, it could be used to help with the equal rights movement, and with anti-discrimination classes. 

             A question was brought up about ‘fixing’ homosexuality.  Dr. Torello quickly stated that homosexuality, “[is] not broken.”  A better question would have been, “If someone was homosexual, and they didn’t want to be homosexual, is there a way to ‘change’ them to be heterosexual?”

            There has been rigorous testing on male homosexuals, but not so much on female homosexuals.  The behavior of males tends to be more scrutinized than the behavior of females.  If two females hug, society sees it as perfectly normal.  However, if two males hug, some parts of society see it as being abnormal, wrong, or strange.  Dr. Torello asked the audience, if two females can hug, why can’t two males?

            The final thoughts on the three panelists summed everything up. Dr. Anderson stated that there are a lot of hypotheses and that a lot of testing still needs to be done.  Dr. Broh stated that sexuality is fixed at a certain point, and that nature versus nurture is a battle that needs to be solved.  The ‘way they are’ and ‘who they are’ is more important about ‘how they got there.’  Dr. Torello states, what does it matter?  What does it matter if we’re Italian, black, white, Jewish, or homosexual?  Some say that if we pray hard enough, our sexuality would change.  Dr. Torello states that God can’t change us. 

            A lot of work still could be done on the biological effects on homosexuality.  Why? There are much bigger issues to worry about such as cancer, diabetes, and other diseases that affect peoples’ lives much more tremendously than a sexual orientation.  In conclusion, sexuality is probably biological, but we still don’t know.  Will we ever figure it out?  Maybe, but maybe not.

I am reminded of several verses from the Bible.

Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."  

Luke 6:37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  

I have a serious problem with bullying, not only in school, but in society.  Read this article.  This is unacceptable.  As someone who has attempted suicide in the past, I find this appalling.  As mentioned in the article, for 13 year old Brittany, 7th grade was absolute hell.  It was also a nasty time for me.  I heard nothing but teasing from the kids in my class not only toward me, but toward other students.  I still have trouble respecting some of my classmates, which is probably why I don't contact them very much.  The things they said were just awful, and Logan-Hocking Middle School did nothing about it.

But I forgive them.  I've come to the conclusion that what I've experience exasperated my mental illness to this day.  I had a really thin skin, but it's grown thicker.  I'm now able to take that kind of thing, but it still bothers me.

John 8:7, "When they kept on questioning [Jesus], he straightened up and said to them, 'if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

I find it appalling that people within the church are condemning homosexuality, saying it's a sin.  The act of homosexuality is a sin.  We are ALL sinners.  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US is a sinner.

Romans 14:10, "You, then, why do you judge your brother?  Or why do you look down on your brother?  For we will all stand before God's judgement seat.

As my friends know, I believe divorce to be a terrible thing, worse than the act of homosexuality.  Divorce splits apart families.  Of course there are some obviously good excuses to get divorced, such as spousal abuse, but if two people are getting divorced just to get divorced, that's not right. Divorce is not traditional family values.


The word abomination that's used in the Bible can be translated from many different words.  It does not convey the same meaning as we see it today.  Today, we see the definition of abomination as something that should be banned.  However, back in the day, abomination was seen as something just simply disliked.

1 Corinthians 4:5, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."

It's not our job here on earth to judge others.  It's the Almighty God's job.  I have sinned.  I will be judged.  I have this immense fear that I will not be good enough to enter heaven because of my sins.

You may say that what I say here is blasphemy.  Go ahead.  Kick me out of the church.  I double-dog dare you.

It's what I believe.  Is the act of homosexuality a sin? Yes.  Is the homosexual person a sinner? Yes, but I'm a sinner, and you are a sinner as well.  Is homosexuality a sin?  No.

To all my homosexual friends, I love you all.  You are all very special to me.  Everyone is special to me.  May God grant you peace in your lives and be safe on your quests to find true love.

New Horizons Baptist Church: Prayers needed

If you live in Ohio, you know about the unfortunate events that have happened to a local Baptist church.  The New Horizons Baptist Church was set on fire after Stephen A. Beightler drove a stolen BMW into the building.  He was arrested and is facing six felony charges.  This is such a terrible event.

In a strange twist of fate, the remaining possessions, a sound system and some music equipment, which were stored in a barn on one the church's member's property, were destroyed in a barn fire this morning.

The church is going to meet in a local elementary school.  Pray that this small church gets back on its feet.


_____

In an unrelated note, if you came from the Lutherans.com website, WELCOME!  Thank you for taking a look here! I hope you learn something about me and maybe, something about yourself.  If you're confused as to some of what I say, just remember.  There's Jesse, and then there's JESSE.  Jesse is the nice one.  JESSE causes all the trouble.

What's Been Troubling Me

As many of you know, if you read my previous blog called "Doubt," you know that I suffer from clinical depression.  In September of 2007, I attempted suicide after a fight with my father.  I got treatment and new medicine.

Lately, I've been feeling down again.  I don't know why.  Could it be the stress of strenuous college courses?  Could it be the stress of knowing that I'm going to somehow pay off $100,000 debt in the future?  The stress of knowing that I need a new car by the end of the year for my professional internship, (I don't trust my current 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo. I just turned over 190,000 miles this past week).  Where will I live during the internship?  Will I be able to afford to eat healthy?  Will I get enough sleep?

My best friend and I aren't talking right now.  Two weeks or so ago, I posted a funny picture on his Facebook page.  He didn't get a chance to see it until later that night.  When he did, he was furious.  This person, with over 1000 friends on Facebook, unfriended me.  I was heartbroken.  We usually laugh at this kind of thing, but for some reason, he has this idea that he should be seen as perfect in everyone else's eyes.  That's what I don't understand.  Humans aren't perfect.  Am I over reacting by not talking to him?  Was it my fault?  What did I do wrong?  The picture was not offensive at all.  It was one of those pictures you would see on People Of Walmart.

My friend and I still haven't reconciled.  I don't know if I can.  I miss him so much.  He's my best friend.  He was there for me in September of 2007, and he was there for me during the whole liver transplant ordeal with my father.  He's been very supportive of me over the years.



There is still one friend that I know will always love me, no matter what happens.

I have to go to sleep.  I need to get up at six to go work out a little.