GOD AND US

Religion in the USA is the focus of this PBS series on American Experience's Frontline

Although I don't consider myself as a religious person, I was raised in a very religious family and environment. Very fundamentalist, very conservative and not encouraged to think for myself/ourselves...beyond what we were told is the truth. I don't fit in my family's plan for me. I am therefore a misfit, an outcast, a "disappointment" to what was expected of me and judgment from the members has always been present.

I approve of me. Although at times, I would prefer to feel like I fit in my family, it is necessary that it is enough that I am okay with who and what I am. Being a "member" has been secondary to living a life that is not pretentious and in my truth.

But, I am interested in learning why I am what I am and where I "came from". So this American Experience's Frontline series sounds interesting to me. I plan to watch it. It is always online if you miss it when it airs on TV.

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Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

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October 11 – God in America: Episodes 1 & 2

October 12 – God in America: Episodes 3 & 4

October 13 – God in America: Episodes 5 & 6

Excerpts from the PBS website about God in America

...For the first time on television, God in America, a presentation of AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and FRONTLINE, will explore the historical role of religion in the public life of the United States. The six-hour series, which interweaves documentary footage, historical dramatization and interviews with religious historians, will air over three consecutive nights on PBS beginning Oct. 11, 2010....

..."The American story cannot be fully understood without understanding the country's religious history," says series executive producer Michael Sullivan. "By examining that history, God in America will offer viewers a fresh, revealing and challenging portrait of the country."...

..."Americans are awash in a sea of faith, but their knowledge about religious faiths and religious history often runs as shallow as their commitment to religion runs deep," notes Stephen Prothero, chief editorial consultant for God in America, professor of religion at Boston University, and author of Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know -- And Doesn't. "A series like God in America can help correct that imbalance and provide the basis for a common understanding of the role religion has played in American public life."...

And this series will be airing again....

We Shall Remain

~ this is a "must see" about the people who lived here before the immigrants came and took their land and denied them to live their lives in the freedom they had before the government of the USA was formed

October 18 – We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower

October 25 – We Shall Remain: Tecumseh's Vision

November 1 – We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears

HEAVENLY CAUSES NEED THEIR CHAMPIONS

The song The Impossible Dream was sung beautifully by Brian Stokes Mitchell Friday night at Ted Kennedy's memorial service. The sound had some technical difficulties. Here is another time Mr. Mitchell sang The Impossible Dream.

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Brian Stokes Mitchell singing The Impossible Dream with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Click on the post's title to go to the Ted Kennedy special tribute website.

At tedkennedy.org/pages/video_celebration_of_life_memorial_service can be found the song Just A Closer Walk With Thee performed by the Boston Community Chorus from the Ted Kennedy Memorial Service of August 28, 2009. Using the top video on the page - slide to 2:42:35 for the song.

Kennedy memorial service: poignant, powerful TV

It was good for my soul to watch the memorial and funeral services.

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A comment

Vitriol appears all over the internet. Those who leave their vitriolic words in comments show what they carry around with them on the inside. Those comments are deleted here. This blog is not a place of any speech is okay place. Freedom of speech isn't a given here. Disagreement with me is not the issue. But, comments of disagreement are required to be delivered here with a sense of respect. I figure if you want the freedom to say anything you want in any way you want, you can create your own blog to do what ever you want. Here, this is like my home. You are a guest here.

There are those who love to hate. Love to drop their anger here and there. Love to put on the outside what they have on the inside. And it doesn't take too many words to show what kind of life is going on inside. There are plenty of places on the internet for them to find their soul mates. It just isn't here.

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Michael Ball sings
Uploaded by aragornluvr580

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Love Changes Everything
as sung at Ted Kennedy's memorial service by Nick Littlefield

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Sarah Brightman sings
Uploaded by estellepuna

Whatever you did for one of the least of these

We are visitors on this planet.

We are here for ninety or one hundred years

at the very most.

During that period,

we must try to do something good,

something useful, with our lives.

If you contribute to other people’s happiness,

You will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

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www.savedarfur.org

www.stopgenocidenow.org

1-800-GENOCIDE

If We Only Have Love

JUSTICE FIRST . . . PEACE WILL FOLLOW

Moved by Faith: A Call for Peace in Sudan

Current events in Sudan are dire, and it is critical that the faith community revive engagement with Sudan not only in their local community, but also internationally. This summer clergy of all denominations will unite in prayer for the people of Sudan. Together, we can keep loud the drumbeat for engagement on peace and security for all of Sudan.

Join other faith leaders in signing the letter calling on President Obama to continue his work for lasting peace in Sudan.

Signing the letter is only the first step. The weekend of August 28^th-30^th, just before the U.S. takes the Presidency of the UN Security Council in September, communities of faith will unite in prayer and action for Sudan. Sign up as a Congregation of Conscience for forthcoming details.

Resources

• Visit our Faith Outreach page for additional resources and materials please.

• Moved By Faith Button:

• Download the petition to collect signatures from members of clergy in your local community.

Sudan Interfaith Working Group

The Sudan Interfaith Working Group is a network of U.S-based faith organizations that work to support peace in Sudan through coordination of advocacy efforts and other initiatives that engage the faith community. The working group is comprised of representatives from many denominations and beliefs, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim advocacy and humanitarian organizations.

Thank you for standing for justice and peace
and being a voice for this defining issue

GENOCIDE WILL STOP WITH US

No More Empty Promises

"The Most Important Office is That of Private Citizen"
Louis D. Brandeis

Comments to President Obama:
202-456-1111 or 1-800-GENOCIDE

Dear President Obama - A letter sent March 12, 2009

Join the Fast for Darfuris

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people could change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead