What Will it Be – Same-Sex Blessings: Or Real Hope and Change ?

An oxymoron (plural oxymoron’s or the Greek plural oxymora) (from Greek ὀξύμωρον, "sharp dull") is a figure of speech that combines normally-contradictory terms. Oxymoron’s appear in a variety of contexts, including inadvertent errors such as extremely average, deliberate puns like same difference or pretty ugly, and literary oxymoron’s crafted to reveal a paradox

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymoron

 

Episcopal Committee Is Working on Gay Rite

By RICHARD PARKS

Armed with a new $400,000 grant and the support of the Episcopal Church, a Berkeley seminary is convening priests from across the country to craft the liturgical rite for same-sex couples to receive religious blessings.

The new rite, which will take years to complete, will most likely consist of a series of original prayers, Bible readings and two essays: one on the theological meaning of same-sex blessings, and one advising priests who administer the new rite. If approved, the new blessing would be just the third addition to Episcopal liturgy since 1979.

“This is very significant,” said the Rev. Ruth Meyers, chairwoman of the church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, who is heading the effort. “It does acknowledge a fuller participation of gays and lesbians in the life of the church.”

The Episcopal Church approved the development of “theological and liturgical resources” for the blessing of same-sex relationships at its 2009 convention, citing “changing circumstances in the United States and other nations.” It then partnered with the Berkeley seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, which last month received a grant from the Arcus Foundation, a gay rights organization in Kalamazoo, Mich., to coordinate the effort.

Most of the grant money will finance travel and accommodations for a series of meetings to garner contributions from all 110 Episcopal dioceses, most in the United States.

An official blessing would formalize what has long been an unofficial practice at some dioceses across the country. Unofficial blessings have taken place in Bay Area churches since at least the 1980s.

But not all Episcopalians support adding the blessing – Rest of the article here – http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/us/30bcrites.html?_r=3&pagewanted=print

 

I was reminded of a quote by Soren Kierkegaard  when reading this article –

The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly."
— Søren Kierkegaard

The issue of homosexual marriage/relationships is a non-issue from a Biblical point of view. The Bible never condones,encourages,or suggests that men should marry men. As a matter of fact there are several Scriptures that condemn homosexuality outright. The Scriptures are known by all who discuss this topic,and by the Episcopal Church. The sad fact is that the Scriptures do not matter to those are seeking to legitimize the practice of homosexuality and homosexual marriage.

[Godlessness in the Last Days]
    [3:1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. [6] For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, [7] always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [8] Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. [9] But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
(2 Timothy 3:1-9 ESV)

 

There is hope for homosexuals. The grace,loving kindness,and power of Jesus Christ can break any bondage.  Here is a testimony to that amazing grace –

A Changed Life, A Changed Man.

by Mike Goeke

View a pdf of this testimony. Copies may be distributed free of charge.

My dad was a loving leader, Spiritual and otherwise, of our family. My parents were equally active in the lives of both my brother and me. I experienced no sexual, emotional or physical abuse. While I know now that my family had its own issues, there were none of the ‘red flags’ often associated with homosexuality. Yet, in the midst of my very typical middle class family existence, I developed an early attraction for men. I was sensitive, insecure and artistic, and the other boys treated me differently and made fun of me. I was called a ‘fag’ for the first time in the sixth grade at my Christian school. I did not know what it meant, but nevertheless the seed of a new identity was planted.
My intense desire to be like other boys turned sexual in junior high school. I was mortified by my desires, and vowed never to act on them and never to tell anyone about them. I suppressed my homosexual desires by seeking perfection in academics and leadership – areas that seemed to be within my control. I was a high achiever throughout high school, college and law school. Suppressing my desires, however, did nothing to stop the feelings and longings that grew within me. My heart began to resemble my exterior less and less. As I became more and more religious, my relationship with the
Lord became less and less real, and more and more contrived.
Following law school, I began dating a fellow Baylor graduate named Stephanie. We had a good group of friends, and were active leaders in Bible Study Fellowship. On the surface our relationship was founded in the Lord, but it was also rooted in deception. My secret struggles had continued to grow, and I was beginning to become depressed. I pursued marriage with the hope that it would squelch rumors about my sexuality and, even more, that it might help ‘fix’ me. Stephanie and I married in September of 1994. We lived in Midland, Texas, where I was an attorney and Stephanie was a teacher. We were involved in church and Bible study and lived a ‘perfect couple’ existence. All the while my secret homosexual desires continued to grow. In December of 1995, I discovered America On Line (AOL). AOL was the beginning of the end.

Rest of the story –

http://www.exodusinternational.org/content/view/22/14

God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners."
— Søren Kierkegaard

Sermon for 8-1-10-Philippians 1:3-2:18

Introduction: The city of Philippi was a Roman colony,and  was on the Egnation Way,one of the key transportation routes of the Roman Empire. There were many ex-soldiers living there,and the colony was immune to taxation. It was also the first city in Europe where Paul established a church. He is obviously very close to the body of believers there,but they were not without their problems.

Thanksgiving and Prayer]
[3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

• partnership – koinonia -fellowship,community,communion,joint participation
• The partnership is in the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ.

[6] And I am sure of this, (confident of this very thing)  – that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

[7] It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

• Paul has a strong affection for this body of believers.
• Partakers- sugkoinonos – Partaking jointly of
• defense - apologia – verbal defense – prepared statement or argument.
• confirmation – bebaiosis (from 950)
• defense and confirmation of the gospel

[8] For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

• Paul yearns for them with the affection of Jesus Christ. He is in prison,how much fellowship he has we do not know. This letter shows a very human side of Paul. Phillip is 1200 miles away from Rome.

[9] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

• Paul’s prayer highlights three keys – love,knowledge,and discernment
• love – agape
• knowledge- epignosis – precise and correct knowledge,particularly of the ethical and divine.
• discernment – perception,not only by the senses,but in  moral discernment in ethical matters. Has to do with judgment and also means perception.
• approve- dokimazo – test,approve,scrutinize,to test,as in testing a metal for purity. Examine all things,and approve them if they pass the test.

The abounding of love,knowledge and discernment is to lead to :

• purity and blamelessness- KJV- (sincere and without offence) – in morality,in doctrine,right and wrong,true and false. Perhaps even in differentiating between the good and the best in a given situation. This is the concrete,practical outworking of sanctification.
• and the fruit of righteousness- the fruit of our right standing with God,and with a life rightly lived before God. The key questions in our life are not,”does this make me feel good?,or is it popular?The key question is “ Is it right and will it please the Lord “? We are to live out this goodness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our motive for good is different from the unregenerate man’s in that  we want to glorify the Lord by doing good.

[The Advance of the Gospel]
[12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. [14] And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

• From one viewpoint Paul’s imprisonment was the worst thing that could have happened to the early Church. Their leading evangelist behind bars,no television,radio,internet,papers,or magazines to get the word out. But God does work all things for good for those who love Him.
• Paul was able to witness to his guards-the result being that the imperial guard heard of Christ perhaps for the first time. They probably would not have gone to the home of a common person to hear Paul. But they conversed with Paul as a part of their duty to guard him.
• Paul’s example of faithfulness was an encouragement to the brothers. Five years later when Nero turned on the Christians in Rome,there were large numbers of them.

[15] Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. [16] The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. [17] The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. [18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

• Paul’s main concern is that the gospel is preached. If those who do not like him preach it and attack him but are accurate with the gospel message,  it’s ok. The word must get out.
• Envy leads to factious rivalry -afflict is “the painful rubbing of chains on a prisoners wrists and ankles.”

[To Live Is Christ]
Yes, and I will rejoice, [19] for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,

• Our prayers matter. We are commanded to make our requests known to the Lord. Paul coveted the prayers of the saints and often asked for their prayers.
• He is looking expectantly for deliverance-

[20] as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

• His desire is to live his life with godly courage – that he would not be ashamed of Jesus Christ and silenced with fear. Fear buttons our lips and changes topics. Fear tells us to talk all around what we should be speaking of,and fear turns us into such cowards that forget our calling,our future,and our great Rock who will never leave us nor forsake us.

[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (From Martyn -Lloyd Jones)

Thomas, you remember, saw him, but you remember what our Lord said to him: ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed’ (John 20:29). You may say to yourself, ‘If I had the vision that Paul had on the road to Damascus, I might be able to say that I love him in exactly the same way, but I have never seen him.’ But that is foolish – ‘Whom having not seen, ye love’ says Peter in 1 Peter 1:8. Read some of the great hymns, read the lives of the saints, they loved him. They have seen him with the eye of faith and we have their testimonies to that. The glory of the person of Jesus is the main cause of love. The tragedy is that we stop so much at the benefits of the Christian life. We are so anxious for blessings, that we forget the one who gives them. Paul did not; he saw that that blessed one had actually given his life and had gone to the cross for his sins – ‘The Son of God, who loved me’ – even me -’and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20). it is the glory and wonder of the cross. He gave all his life’s blood for such a wretched sinner.
Next Paul had come to see and to know that apart from Christ there is no such thing as true life. In chapter 3 he uses that strong expression, ‘and do count them but dung’: refuse, worthless. Without Christ no one lives, it is only existence. Life, as we have seen, is meant to be full orbed, the intellect satisfied, the feelings satisfied, the whole life enveloped, the whole man taken up by this complete, rounded life.
And, lastly, he felt and said it because of the new view of life which he had thus obtained. Paul had now been given to see that life in this world is really but a preparation for the great life that is coming. That does not mean to depreciate this world, nor does it mean skepticism or mysticism. If ever anyone lived an active life it was Paul: no, he did not die passively to the world in that sense, but rather to the sin of the world. For Paul had come to see that the world is in a great state of conflict between the kingdom of heaven and evil. He knew a day was coming when the King would return and rout the forces of evil and set up his kingdom. Now, said Paul, I am destined for that; I am going to be in that. I may spend twenty years longer in this world, but think of the glory that awaits me, think of the life that is coming, the real life when the King shall reign and I shall be with him! And that, too, made him live for Christ.
So, then, I end with my question: is living to us, Christ? I wonder whether we can make that statement that was made by Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian leader who helped John Wesley both before and after his conversion. He had never had the vision that Paul had on the road to Damascus, but to him, too, Christ was in the centre. Can we make his motto our own? ‘I have one passion, it is he and he alone.’ ‘To me living is Christ.’

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=532

Who or what do we live for ? Only one Person is worthy of being “lived for”.

[22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. [25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

• Ultimately our life is in God’s hands. Paul was willing to die for the Lord or live for the Lord. He was content to allow God to be God.
• To be with the Lord is “far better”,but there is much to be done here on the earth. If we live for Him,then to die is “great gain.”
  [27] Only let your manner of life (conversation)be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, [28] and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. [29] For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, [30] engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

• Our manner of life should not be contentious,quarrelsome,filled with envy and back biting,but should instead witness to living in one spirit and one mind for “the faith of the gospel.”
• Like Paul the Philippians believers would have the opportunity to suffer for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul regards this as a privilege,and believes that whatever suffering he goes through will glorify the Lord and result in the furtherance of the kingdom. How can he say such a thing?
• Mathew 5:10-12-[10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  [11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
  (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV)
• His example (beyond himself) is Jesus Christ.

[Christ's Example of Humility]
[2:1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

• There is encouragement(consolation-KJV)-Paraklesis-similar to “comforter” in Jn.14:16,26. Jesus is “the Consolation of Israel” Luke 2:25.
• There is comfort in love-agape. Paramuthion-only time used in Scripture -”stimulating force,incentive.We are to reach out and receive the comforting love of Jesus Christ.
• There is participation/fellowship in the Holy Spirit. Christianity is a supernatural religion.

[2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

• Again there is the call to unity- the same mind-
• Likeminded- to think the same thing – we can have differing opinions on many things,but there should be agreement on the nature of God,salvation,the gospel,etc.
• same love – actions that illustrate our words-Love is …I Cor.13
• full accord – “soul and soul together”- “Possessed with the idea of sentiment of unity”.
• Deal with differences,disagreements,contentions. Don’t give ground to rivalries,and live selfishly for ourselves. He is not talking about holding to a false humility,but looking out for others,being glad when others are blessed or accomplish something for the kingdom,or do something we could have done. Promote and bless others.

How can we do this? There are so many church splits – is it possible to have a harmonious congregation that puts the Lord first in all things ?

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Christ Jesus is a messianic title- In God’s grace the Lord Jesus Christ emptied himself -He  was God and made Himself nothing!! Have this mind in you- “think of,be mindful of ” Be of the same mind as the Lord.
• He was in the “form”morphe – the essential form of God - theou
• But He took the “form” morphe – of a servant- doulos
• Jesus was truly human- He clothed Himself with humanity and became a servant. He was God,but laid aside His glory and majesty. He became the bondservant of His Father.

[28] So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
[29] And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” [30] As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
(John 8:28; John 8:29-30 ESV)

[10] Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:10 ESV

• Jesus humbled Himself -even to the point of an illegal death on the cross. He was the perfect man:in holiness,love,sinlessness,compassion,courage,in all things.
• Jesus was crucified and experienced the pain as a man would. He was raised from the dead and now has been exalted above all things. every tongue will one day confess that He is Lord (confess openly)that He is Lord- Jehovah/Yahweh, to the glory of God the Father.

Here is a song by Phil Keaggy that expresses the wonder of the Maker of the Universe dying on the cross for our sins:

The Maker of the universe,
As Man for man was made a curse.
The claims of Law which He had made,
Unto the uttermost He paid.
His holy fingers made the bough,
Which grew the thorns that crowned His brow.
The nails that pierced His hands were mined
In secret places He designed.
He made the forest whence there sprung
The tree on which His body hung.
He died upon a cross of wood,
Yet made the hill on which it stood.
The sky that darkened o’er His head,
By Him above the earth was spread.
The sun that hid from Him it’s face
By His decree was poised in space.
The spear which spilled His precious blood
Was tempered in the fires of God.
The grave in which His form was laid
Was hewn in rocks His hands had made.
The throne on which He now appears
Was His for everlasting years.
But a new glory crowns His brow
And every knee to Him shall bow.

3:02+

Phil Keaggy – ‘Maker of the Universe‘

Given what the Lord Jesus Christ did, how can we do anything less than serve Him with a servant’s heart ?

[Lights in the World]
[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

• He does not say,”earn your salvation with fear and trembling”.
  

  When Justification Is Marginalized

  “The ultimate concern of most church members is not the worship and service of Christ in evangelistic mission and social compassion, but rather survival and success in their secular vocation.  The church is a spoke on the wheel of life connected to a secular hub.  It is a departmental sub concern, not the organizing center of all other concerns.  Church members who have been conditioned all their lives to devote themselves to building their own kingdom and whose flesh naturally gravitates in that direction anyway find it hard to invest much energy in the kingdom of God.  They go to church once or twice a week and punch the clock, so to speak, fulfilling their ‘church obligation’ by sitting passively and listening critically or approvingly to the pastor’s teaching.

  [ . . .] Since their understanding of justification is marginal or unreal–anchored not to Christ, but to some conversion experience in the past or to an imagined present state of goodness in their lives–they know little of the dynamic of justification.  Their understanding of sin focuses on behavioral externals which they can eliminate from their lives by a little will power and ignores the great submerged continents of pride, covetousness and hostility beneath the surface.  Thus their pharisaism defends them both against full involvement in the church’s mission and against full subjection of their inner lives to the authority of Christ.”

  - Richard F. Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal, 204-05

• vs.. 12- “work out”-katergazomai- ex. working out a math problem. In spiritual terms this is talking about sanctification-the day to day living of doing the will of God.We are justified by faith- Justification properly understood and acted upon works itself out in our daily sanctification.
• vs..13 – God who “works” in you - energeo- “to energize,or work effectively”-has to do with God’s enablement more than our resources. That is good news !
• “to will”-has to do with the Holy Spirit giving us the desire and the determination to do God’s will and please Him. This is where the battle is . Knowing and desiring are sometimes at battle with desiring our own way in opposition to what the Lord wants and what we desire (at least in part).

[14] Do all things without grumbling or questioning, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. [17] Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. [18] Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
(Philippians 1:3-2:18 ESV)

• Do all things without murmuring- when we murmur and complain we are discontented. It is so easy to get our eyes off of the Lord and His will and to gaze at our problems. Murmuring can often lead to bitterness- the example of the Israelites in the wilderness shows the danger of constant complaining.” they spoke against God and Moses”
• We live in a dark and twisted world. We are surrounded by people with major problems. Sin twists and warps human beings and only the Lord can put us on the straight path.
• We are called to be blameless- amemptos-”without reproach”used in Luke 1:6 of Zacharias and Elizabeth.
• harmless – akeraios-guileless,sincere,simple concerning evil.Unalloyed metal- genuine. Contrast that behavior with quarrelsome,complaining,carnal – big difference in a church body.
• We are to hold forth the word of life- our lives need to match our message.
• Paul believed that the Philippians  would consecrate themselves to the Lord as “living sacrifices”(Romans 12:1-2)- As a sacrifice we are to be consumed on the altar of sacrifice and service. Paul was in the process of pouring out his life as a drink offering as he was persecuted for the Lord.

In old Testament times,when a person brought an animal sacrifice to God,he also brought wine to be poured out as an accompanying libation. The amount of wine depended on the value of the sacrifice. The more impressive sacrifices required greater amounts of wine (Numbers 15:4-12).And since wine is symbolic of joy and exhilaration in the Bible,we could say,”The greater the sacrifice,the greater the joy.”The pouring of wine on the Old Testament sacrifice taught the truth that the way of sacrifice is the way of joy. This truth is what Paul was teaching the Philippians. (Exploring Ephesians and Philippians,John Phillips,pg.103)

Conclusion:

• To really live is to live for Christ,through Christ-experiencing His life in us.
• We are called to walk “worthy of the gospel”.
• We are to be unified in our faith and our desire to share the gospel
• We are to serve one another
• We are to look to Jesus Christ as our example of humility and service and have that “same mind”.
• We are to be bright shining lights in this fallen world.

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad,
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears;
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the pow’r of reigning sin,
He sets the pris’ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, list’ning to His voice,
New life the dead receive;
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice;
The humble poor believe.

A "Sacred"Brothel and a Secret Society

Just discovered a very interesting website- http://planet-iran.com/ They publish a wide array of articles dealing with Iran. Given the fact that we get close to zero information in the news about anything overseas,you will find this website worth checking out. The following two articles will hopefully whet your appetite for more.

Planet Iran Exclusive: Iranian regime’s sanctioned brothels at Imam Reza’s shrine in Mash’had

Posted by Zand-Bon on Jul 23rd, 2010 and filed under News, PLANET IRAN NEWS FOCUS,

Photos.

Gold dome of Imam Reza’s shrine, Mash’had

July 18, 2010

The following is a direct translation of the below Persian document:

Bismellah al rahman a rahim

Temporary Marriage (Marriage is among the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad)

In order to elevate the spiritual atmosphere, create proper psychological conditions and tranquility of mind, the Province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan has created centers for temporary marriage (just next door to the shrine) for those brothers who are on pilgrimage to the shrine of  our eighth Imam, Imam Reza, and who are far away from their spouses.

To that end, we call on all our sisters who are virgins, who are between the ages of 12 and 35 to cooperate with us. Each of our sisters who signs up will be bound by a two year contract with the province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan and will be required to spend at least 25 days of each month temporarily married to those brothers who are on pilgrimage. The period of the contract will be considered as a part of the employment experience of the applicant. The period of each temporary marriage can be anywhere between 5 hours to 10 days. The prices are as follows:

• 5 hour temporary marriage – 50,000 Tomans ($50 US)
• One day temporary marriage – 75,000 Tomans ($75 US)
• Two day temporary marriage – 100,000 Tomans ($100 US)
• Three day temporary marriage – 150,000 Tomans ($150 US)
• Between 4 and 10 day temporary marriage – 300,000 Tomans ($300 US)

Our sisters who are virgins will receive a bonus of 100,000 Tomans ($100 US) for the removal of their hymen .

After the expiration of the two year contract, should our sisters still be under 35 years of age and should they be so inclined, they can be added to the waiting list of those who are seeking long-term temporary marriage. The employed sisters are obligated to donate 5% of their earnings to the Shrine of Imam Reza. We ask that all the sisters who are interested in applying, to furnish two full-length photographs (fully hijabed and properly veiled), their academic diplomas, proof of their virginity and a certificate of good physical and psychological health which they can obtain through the health and human services of the township of their residence. Please forward all compiled material and send to the below address by the 31st of the month of Ordibehesht, 1389 (May 21st, 2010).

Attention: For sisters who are below 14 years of age, a written consent from their fathers or male guardian is required.

Rest of the article here -

http://planet-iran.com/index.php/news/20119

Does Hojjatieh Secret Society Runs Iran?

Posted by Zand-Bon on Jul 29th, 2010 and filed under News, PLANET IRAN NEWS FOCUS, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry.

Source: Iran Dispatch

July 28, 2010

After the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad there have been rumours about the role of an ‘underground religious sect’ in the government. Ahmadinejad and some of his cabinet members have been accused of being secret members of Hojjatieh Society which is famous for its messianic ideas.

Hojjatieh Society is a Shia sect, founded in Tehran in 1953 by Shaikh Mahmoud Halabi. The organization was founded to fight against another newly established Shia sect, Baha’i faith. Hojjatieh members share this idea with other Shiite Muslims that the Mahdi (the 12th Imam) will return and will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny. But they believe to hasten the return of the Mahdi, they should quicken the coming of the apocalypse by creating chaos and disorder.

Hashemi Rafsanjani writes in his memoir that during the Shah Regime, Hojjatieh members were reluctant to fight alongside Khomeini supporters. They believed there is no point in creating a revolution and an Islamic Republic without the Mahdi as its leader.

After the Revolution Hojjatieh members were not allowed to participate in the political scene. They offered Khomeini to cooperate in building the country with their ‘educated young people’ but Khomeini rejected the offer. Khomeini was against Hojjatieh since they rejected his doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist). Hojjatiya Society was forced to dissolve after Ayatollah Khomeini speech on 12 August 1983.

In last 5 years both conservative and reformist politicians have warned that neo-Hojjatieh is reemerging in the corridors of power in Tehran. Two days ago while Iranians were celebrating the birthday of Imam Mahdi, Resalat newspaper wrote “due to tolerance of the intelligence service with Hojjatieh in recent years,  some of the active members of this sect are now asking the legal authorization for their activities.”

One of the very first politicians who warned from Hojjatieh influence in Ahmadinejad administration was Ahmad Tavassoli, a former chief of staff of Khomeini. He claimed in 2005 that “the executive branch of the Iranian government as well as the Revolutionary Guards have been hijacked by the Hojjatieh.”  Read the rest of the article here -

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