Mostly ITP

Mostly ITP

Amber and Rusty podcast about whatever strikes their fancy, which generally are things and issues inside Atlanta's perimeter.

Hosts: Amber Rhea, Rusty Tanton

Channel: Society & Culture » Personal Journals

May contain content only suitable for adults

Event - Atlanta Pride Festival

by Rusty Tanton, June 27, 2006 - 6:30am

Show notes

Amber and I attended the Atlanta Pride Festival this weekend and spoke to several of the groups in attendance. We recorded two religious groups, two political groups and a redneck bear. I'm not sure what happened to my interview with a rep from the Log Cabin Republicans, but the rest are here, including:

In my interview with the Log Cabin rep, we talked about the schism between religious and business conservatives. He was sent in from Washington D.C., so I didn't ask him about the governor's race.

Length: 27:29 minutes
File size 25.2 MB

This file was played in a web browser 20 times and downloaded 544 times when statistics were kept between May 12, 2008 and October 4, 2009.

Tags: Atlanta, Atlanta Pride, Christianity, gay, GLBT, Redneckbear, religion, Stonewall Democrats

Amber Rhea's picture
Amber Rhea

And if anyone's wondering, the reason Rusty goes through saying his full name, Georgia Podcast Network, and so on at the beginning of the interview w/ the crazies is because one of their ranks was videotaping the interview. They'll probably use it as part of a propaganda film and call him a Sodomite.

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 8:31am

griftdrift's picture
griftdrift

I wish you had asked that preacher what kind of fornication he had committed in his past. I would put money on a mule being involved.

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 9:45am

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

griftdrift,
I was tempted, but I was doing my dead-level best to keep an even keel. I wanted the unintentional comedy to reveal itself naturally rather than try to force it.

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 9:56am

duanemoody's picture
duanemoody

I love that his last name is Wackerly. Wack(o) indeed.

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 11:23am

duanemoody's picture
duanemoody

LOL! AIDS ATE YOUR BRAINS!!!

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 11:28am

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

Billy Ball was the crazy guy. Wackerly was the not-crazy Catholic.

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 11:32am

duanemoody's picture
duanemoody

Alright... damn, there goes my fun!

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 1:08pm

Amber Rhea's picture
Amber Rhea

Really, Duane? I mean, the guy's name is "Ball."

<humor level="5th-grade">Heh... Pastor Ball... </humor>

Posted on June 27, 2006 - 2:41pm

gvonk's picture
gvonk

Is this Pastor Ball?

 

If so, it's a great photo.

 

Posted on July 6, 2006 - 10:28am

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

Ha! That's him.

Posted on July 6, 2006 - 10:32am

Amber Rhea's picture
Amber Rhea

That is totally him.

And all I can say is, I want somebody to hold that sign at my wedding.

Posted on July 6, 2006 - 10:34am

monica's picture
monica

your all playing with god

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 3:48pm

monica's picture
monica

rusty your a big man you wait till the interview with billy ball is over to express your feelings lol

he stands on the streets to stop someone from going to hell

what do you do ? lol

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 3:50pm

monica's picture
monica

and the rest of you are jokes playing with god , amber your mom must be ashamed to have a daughter like you,

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 3:54pm

monica's picture
monica

heres something to read IF YOU KNOW HOW TO READ THAT IS LOL

ROMANS
2:27(AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE MEN,LEAVING THE NATURAL USE OF THE WOMAN, BURNED IN THEIR LUST ONE TOWARD ANOTHER, MEN WITH MEN WORKING THAT WHICH IS UNSEEMLY, AND RECEIVING IN THEMSELVES THAT RECOMPENCE OF THEIR ERROR WHICH WAS MEET.

2:28(AND EVEN AS THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND,TO DO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT CONVENIENT:

SO YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND SIN IS SIN AND AND ALL THAT SIN ARE ON THERE WAY TO HELL UNLESS THEY REPENT OF THEIR SINS AND GET SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD

2:29:(BEING FILLED WITH ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, FORNICATION,WICKEDNESS,FULL OF ENVY,MURDER,DEBATE,DECEIT,MALIGINITY,WHISPERES.

2:30(BACKBITTERS,HATERS OF GOD,DESPITEFULL,PROUD,BOASTERS,INVENTORS OF EVIL THINGS,DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS,

2:31(WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING,COVENANTBREAKERS,WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION,IMPLACABLE,UNMERCIFUL:

2:32(WHO KNOWING THE JUDJEMENT OF GOD,THAT THEY WHICH COMMIT SUCH THINGS ARE WORTHY OF DEATH, NOT ONLY DO THE SAME,BUT HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM.

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 4:09pm

monica's picture
monica

RUSTY-AMBER
TELL ME WHAT PASTOR BALL SHOULD DO TO WIN PEOPLE TO GOD ?
SINCE YOU DO IT ALL THE TIME RIGHT?
OH I FORGOT YOU JUST DO IT BEHIND THERE BACKS NOT WHEN YOU FACE TO FACE YOU COWARDS LOL

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 4:15pm

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

Monica,
We really are all about free speech, opposing viewpoints, etc. here...
But leaving five comments in a row is poor etiquette. Please constrain whatever you want to say to one or (at most) two comments and then wait for a response before posting again.

As for a response to your comments in general...I made the decision a long time ago that I don't believe in God, and that nothing short of meeting Jesus and/or God in person would sway me otherwise. However, there are people more on the fence than you or I, and I question what kind of people Pastor Ball's techniques would attract. I'll write more later if you want to play nice.

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 4:32pm

monica's picture
monica

you dont play nice

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 4:48pm

monica's picture
monica

what kind of people do your techniques and the rest of these jerks attract

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 4:54pm

monica's picture
monica

i really dont care if you write back or not the point remains sin is sin .pastor billy ball is a true man of god the problem is he dont sugar coat it for no one he tells you in your face what the bible says and i say we need more preachers to stand on the streets like him.im proud of him most men are just want to be women its a shame how they become spinless

GAL 4:16 Am I therfore become your enemy because i tell you the truth? i am very proud to call billy ball my pastor and my brother and i will pray for you all

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:11pm

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

Goddamn it Monica, can't you read instructions? No more than two comments at a time please.

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:14pm

monica's picture
monica

oh is rusty mad lol

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:20pm

Rusty Tanton's picture
Rusty Tanton

No, actually, I was hoping to get a rise out of you with some blasphemy. Did you miss it?

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:23pm

monica's picture
monica

no hun i saw the blasphemy but im what you would call saved i heard all the blasphemy there is and before call saved me i use to use blasphemy to thats how i know im saved

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:32pm

monica's picture
monica

thats is god saved me by his holy grace

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 5:33pm

Nikki's picture
Nikki

People that spew hate on streetcorners do no more to bring about God's will than your average everyday criminal. If you seriously think that being hateful toward people is the way Jesus intended you and yours to win people over to Christianity, then I suggest you reread the Bible. In fact, do yourself a favor and get one of the ones where it has what Jesus says in red. That way, you won't have any trouble telling the important parts from the rest of it.

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 6:56pm

Amber Rhea's picture
Amber Rhea

Wait a second... Rusty, did you institute a pay-per-LOL affiliate program and forget to CC me? Or is this actually a drinking game that no one told me about? If it's the latter, I can only imagine you're all good and sauced by now. Woooooo praise Jesus!!1!1 lol

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 8:10pm

duanemoody's picture
duanemoody

I love people that say judgement and hate is "spreading the word of God". Um, isn't it like, actually the opposite of what God told us to do? I mean, that actually IS in the Bible. I love it when people just pick and choose what parts of the Bible they want to use, in order to justify their hatred and discrimination. How does it feel to be a hypocrite?

Posted on July 10, 2006 - 8:21pm

Thomas's picture
Thomas

Okay. Let's go.

This all comes down to understanding the evolution of law.

Initially, the people of Israel -- God's children, if you wish -- were blessed unequivocally via a covenant made with Abraham. Under Abraham's Covenant, Israel would keep the favor of God just by virtue of being Israel. This arrangement worked for four centuries and change, covering the generations immediately following Abraham and several beyond. But as will happen in the affairs of humanity, the descendents of Abraham started to stray and lose focus. They needed leadership and discipline. Enter Moses and Mosaic Law.

According to Scripture, The Ten Commandments (or Decalogue) are the divine rules of God Almighty as dictated to Moses on Mount Sinai. In addition to the ten we know from Exodus 20, the remaining 613 additional rules and commandments of Mosaic Law - 365 negative commands and 248 positive - cover every aspect of life in Israel. If Israel kept all of Mosaic Law, then they would keep the blessings inherent in God's covenant with Abraham. The Covenant of Abraham was relatively simple, but life under Mosaic Law would require more audience participation.

Furthermore, Mosaic Law was only meant to be temporary, a specific code to guide the people of Israel until the coming of a Messiah.

So what did the coming of Christ mean for Mosaic Law? At the end of the day, this is the question that needs to be answered. When looking for clues, the best resource is a widely interpreted verse from Chapter 5 of The Book of Matthew. During the Sermon on the Mount, Christ says:

17. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
18. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
19. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

How is this to be interpreted? When justifying the citation of Old Testament law to support an argument, Matthew 5:17 is called into play. If Jesus didn't abolish the old laws, then those laws must still be valid. But is this really what was meant.

According to New Covenant Theology, the meaning is more nuanced than many allow. Rather than taking the word "abolish" (or "destroy" in other translations) literally, what if Christ's intention is simply to maintain the validity of Mosaic Law as practiced to that point? NCT scholar Rev. Fred G. Zaspel puts it this way:

He has not come to "tear down" or "disassemble" the law in the sense of destroying that for which it was intended. He has not come to make it fail its intended design. He will not render it invalid.

In this light, the first half of the verse is reassuring in nature. "All of those laws served a purpose."

So what about the second half of the verse? If Christ came to fulfill, then he must intend for those validated laws to remain in place and in effect, yes? Perhaps not. After all, the promise underscoring all of Mosaic Law was that of a coming Messiah. So if the Messiah has come, if the wait is over, wouldn't we be safe to see the actual fulfillment of that promise in Christ? Rev. Zaspel concludes that this must be so: "[T]he entire law had a sense of anticipation about it, an anticipation that was exhausted and realized in Jesus Christ."

But what about verses 18 through 20? If Heaven and Earth have yet to pass away, doesn't that mean that the Mosaic Law still holds, regardless of the fulfillment assured in verse 17? Again, not necessarily.

[T]he "passing away" of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the world understood, as in much apocalyptic literature, as the dissolution of the existing universe. The "turning of the ages" comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus' death and resurrection, and those to whom this gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of "new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22).*

As I said before, this all comes down to addressing and admitting the evolution of law. As the Law of Moses gave discipline to the Abrahamic Covenant, the Law of Moses was given purpose and fulfilled by the coming of Christ. And through His death, conceivably the final sacrifice under Mosaic law, all live now under a New Covenant.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2

This didn't invalidate the Ten Commandments. Instead, it converted the Ten Commandments from a divinely inspired rule of established government to an important work of religious doctrine. In other words, the Ten Commandments (without the remaining 613 rules of Mosaic Law) have been elevated to the divine.

The Law of Christ is simpler to understand, but harder to maintain. "Thou shalt not kill" becomes "Don't hate." (Matthew 5:21-22) Loving your neighbor was easy, but loving your enemy is much harder. (Matthew 5:43-45).

So there you have it. The old Testament laws that lend credence to hateful ministries preached by the likes of Pastor Ball are no longer applicable under the New Covenant. And even for those that do not follow the insights of New Covenant Theology, it must be readily admitted that brandishing only select verses from Leviticus is incredibly hypocritical.

You can't hold Leviticus 18:22 ("You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.") in one hand without Leviticus 19:27 ("Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.") or Leviticus 11:12 ("Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales; that shall be an abomination to you.") in the other.

Unless, of course, you protest your local SuperCuts and Captain D's with the same ferocity given to Gay Pride ...

I suppose I should say something about Paul and his letters as well, but I'm just out of time. Suffice it to say that the Pauline Epistles were meant for a very difficult audience of recently reformed Pagans. When you are dealing with people who are only days away from burning human sacrifices and worshipping bronze idols shaped like cows, best practice dictates some extreme measures that might not be nearly so relevant (in a literal sense) today.

Posted on July 11, 2006 - 9:09am