The Word of God Causes Emotional Distress?

an e-mail written by Sr. Brigid Emmelia, OSF (modified slightly)

Two separate lawsuits have been filed in different federal district courts against two bible publishers--- Zondervan and Thomas A Nelson-- claiming that they, in the act of publishing bibles have caused the plaintiff, a 39 year old man named Bradley LaShawn Fowler, emotional distress and mental instability because the their translations of the bible refers to homosexuality as a sin and homosexuals as sinners who will not be in heaven.
His suits claim specifically the publication of 1 Corinthians 6:9 has caused him and all gay and lesbian persons as a class to "endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence ... including murder." Mr. Fowler is asking for Seventy Million dollars in damages to him personally. He's acting pro se.
US District Judge Julian Abele Cook in Michigan will hear the case against Zondervan. Another judge will hear the suit against Thomas A. Nelson as Nelson is domiciled in a different federal district. According to two accounts, Judge Cook has gone on record saying, he "has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of the claims."
Zondervan, for its part, issued a press release to the Grand Rapids press stating it does not translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations it publishes. "We rely on the scholarly judgment of the highly respected and credible translation committees behind each translation and never alter the text of the translations we are licensed to publish."
This is not a cause for anger or distress. Our Seraphic Father Francis wrote, in the Admonitions, paragraph eleven, "Nothing should upset a religious except sin. And even then, no matter what kind of sin has been committed, if he is upset for any reason except charity, he is only drawing blame upon himself. A religious lives a good life and avoids sin when he is never angry or disturbed at anything. Blessed is the man who keeps nothing for himself, but renders to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
So beloved, let us always trust in God's mercy, and love sinners even as we hate sin. After all, we're all sinners, I being one of the worst.

My response to Mr. Fowler's claim:
How can one say with any certainty that these injustices, assuming they have been suffered, have been a result specifically of I Corinthians 6:9. If that were the case wouldn't one expect to see idolaters, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, the greedy, revilers, and robbers all be suffering the same abuses?

The Alpha Program at St. John's

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a practical introduction to Christianity.

The evening starts with dinner, followed by a short video teaching, and then an open discussion about the topic of the day. Whether you are a practicing Christian, a lapsed one, or just curious, Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or hostile!

Here at St. John's, Detroit, we are close to wrapping up our 6th - 10 week - Alpha course. I have been blessed to particpate in 5 of the 6, fulfilling one role or another. Each new course brings it's own blessings with the opportunity to make new friends, engage in lively conversation with the exchange of ideas, personal beliefs and life experiences, and most importantly, lead these new friends to Christ.

On My Profession as a Franciscan Oblate

an e-mail written Feb. 9, 2005
Hi John,
You caught me off guard Sunday when you asked how my upcoming profession as a Franciscan will change my life. I believe I said it won't, but I am sure you know that is not true. Any time we make a conscious act of dedicating ourselves to the Lord it is bound to have an affect on our lives.

On a personal level, taking this next step in the Lord's call on my life will undoubtedly strengthen my commitment to Jesus and help me to remain on the path of spiritual growth. It will strengthen my commitment to follow the Rule of Life I wrote 2 1/2 years ago as a postulant.
Faithfulness to my Rule of Life keeps me grounded in prayer, scripture, and the blessed sacraments; and points me toward being in a state of constant prayer...praying without ceasing. How can that not change my life?!!

My profession will also affect the Franciscan Community to which I belong. As I grow spiritually, I also grow in Community which benefits me, the Community, and the body of Christ. As the Community of the Order is strengthened it serves to fulfill one of its primary purposes, to remain faithful to the Lord while holding to the Traditions of the Anglican Communion handed down to us through the Apostolic succession. It is especially important to hold to the Faith of our Fathers while our Heavenly Father brings us through this current time of apostasy and discord.

Well, I've probably given you more of an answer than you were looking for, but I didn't want you to think that being a Franciscan has not influenced my life nor that it would continue to greatly guide my walk with our Lord.

My Cursillo weekend (Oct. '82) and becoming a member of this Franciscan Community have been (to date) the two most powerful experiences and influences on my Christian walk.

Pax et Bonum,
Sr. Clare Elisabetta, n/FODC

America's Christian History: Fact or Fiction?

I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book and the spirit of the Savior have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses....Whether we look to the first charter of Virginia...or to the Charter of New England...or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay...or to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut...the same objective is present: A Christian land governed by Christian principles... I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under law, and the reservation of powers to the people...
I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country.
---Former Chief Justice Earl Warren,
addressing the annual prayer breakfast
of the International Council of
Christian Leadership 1954

The Joy of Christmas

With so very much for which to be thankful, my family and I decided to do something different for Christmas this year. In keeping my Franciscan vow of Simplicity, instead of giving me gifts, everyone in my family will be making a donation to Habitat for Humanity. Also, instead of giving a gift to each member of my family, I have donated a toy in each of their names to children in Mississippi who have suffered the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The "Toys for Mississippi" project was organized by the Daughters of the King (DOK) in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Three Daughters will be heading south the morning of December 21st in a 16' truck LOADED with toys. The toys will be passed out to the children on Christmas Eve.
May we all remember to pray for the thousands of Mississippi children and their families, who like the baby Jesus on the first Christmas morning, are without a home and the comforts it offers. May we remember that they will continue to need our assistance for months and perhaps years to come. As we provide aid unto the least of these, we provide it unto Christ

To be like Christ

The object of our spirituality is to achieve habitual recollection

on the presence of Jesus and of our continual life in him.

The above statement was borrowed from one of the lessons used to train FODC Postulants. I believe it is a worthy goal not only for aspiring Franciscans, but for all Christians.

The more we become aware that Christ is ever present in our lives, the more likely we are to continually strive to please Him and strive to continually be like Him.

Order of St. Luke Healing Seminar

Today at St. John's Episcopal Church, Detroit we had a seminar and healing service. There were about 35 individuals in attendance. Many came forward following Mass for laying on of hands, to be annointed with oil and for prayer.

I hope that all will report any healing that took place as a result.

The seminar was hosted by the parish chapters of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Order of the Daughters of the King. Perhaps as a result of today's seminar, new members will be added to the local Chapter of the Order of St. Luke.
Thank you to all who made today's seminar and healing service possible; our guests, Fr. Sinclair and all members of the Order of St. Luke, and St. John 's own Priest, Fr. Steven Kelly. And as always, Thanks Be to GOD!