#ethical ministry practices

[thinkingonscripture]

Preaching Without Charge: Balancing Support and Self-Support in Ministry

God sometimes supports His ministers through the agency of others who serve as conduits of His grace. The Gospel of Luke informs us that Jesus and His twelve disciples were financially supported by several women who traveled with them (Luke 8:1-3). Luke tells us these women included “Mary, who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s…

[dilfsonic]

hi!! I love the sound of ur shadow service animal au it looks so so good. in your mind how does shadow build his own identity outside of his service animal role//what does that look like for him? also what’s Gerald like in the au?

Tysm!!

Hi there!!

Shadow building his own identity will be a long and arduous journey. His purpose in life is one thing, and it’s actually Sonic who inspires him to begin thinking differently. Sonic questions if anyone has ever only had one purpose in life, and this sticks with Shadow, far more than strangers inquiring why he doesn’t try to have a life outside Maria. Sonic doesn’t want Shadow to denounce his role if Shadow does indeed find fulfillment in it, but he does reject the idea that Shadow cannot ever consider alternatives. Maria won’t live forever, and once Shadow’s ‘role’ is considered obsolete, he’ll become government property as he’s technically a government owned asset, considering Gerald’s research was only allowed via sanction from the military and health ministries.

Shadow building his own sense of self comes strongly from his relationship with Sonic. Not necessarily the intimate one, but just in general by getting to know him. Sonic is unfettered freedom who does whatever he wants and comes and goes whenever he pleases. Sonic does not place himself in service to anyone, but him acting in his own self interest is intrinsically beneficial to others around him, and so he’s often helping people out for no particular reason other than it’s what he likes doing. It’s a very different way of life from Shadow’s, and it makes him curious what it’s like to do as he pleases. Of course, helping Maria is what pleases him, but as he spends time with this strange hedgehog he finds there’s other things that can please him, too. Its mind blowing as a revelation.

Now for Gerald; he’s a very complex character in this. We really don’t know how he canonically was personality-wise or how he treated Maria or Shadow, only that he descended heavily into despair and madness that likely twisted him into far more of a monster than he was. That being said, in this au at least, similarly to Shadow and Maria’s relationship being complicated, Gerald and Shadow similarly have a strange dynamic. It’s not necessarily cruel, but it’s not exactly loving either.

Gerald ‘loves’ Shadow in the sense that a) he’s his greatest creation and b) he’s the thing keeping his beloved granddaughter alive and out of eternal quarantine. He does become more fond of him in the way of dads who insist they don’t like or want cats and then can’t help housing the stray kitten their family brings home. As a baby, it’s difficult not to be a little fond of him, but Gerald carefully separates his affection and his necessary work relationship with Shadow, even as a young child. He has and does not shy from punishing Shadow for failure, and has taken his fright out on him during times Maria’s health has declined for some reason. Shadow goes through strenuous experiments and research and doesn’t protest even when his limits are pushed, which Gerald ‘monitors’ but rarely considers Shadow’s feelings on the matter. It’s usually Maria’s presence that will call days short if she’s upset by Shadow’s condition.

Gerald is very strict and reminds Shadow that there’s no room for failure, and certainly contributes to the dehumanization and objectification of him, but even he has his moments of sitting Shadow down and being struck by his creation’s personhood. It’s a very conflicting feeling for him, and if he questioned the ethics of this practice he would be sacrificing any way to save his granddaughter, which he can’t afford to do.

Gerald is a man who will see things as a means to an end. Those methods will be questionable, but anything is worth Maria’s life to him, which he has instilled in Shadow as well.

[thanathicca]

Pathologic Fest Day 1: From the Other Side

Are AUs allowed on @pathologicfest ? Regardless, we are submitting an illustration of our 22nd century Thanatica AU, "imperare sibi maximum imperium est", anyway (ft. transfem Haruspex) :)

Image description is in alt text. News writing, as well as no text versions of the art, are under the cut.

The text:

(note, the fic itself may or may not have this version of the news - we will definitely edit it later)

Is this the end for Thanatica Labs?

THE CAPITAL, 1 OCTOBER 2165

Daniil Dankovsky, founder of Thanatica Laboratories and lead scientist of the first successful mind-uploading device AVA Project, has once again declined an offer of cooperation from a multinational company. The cooperation deal by Vector Tech, which would have netted Dankovsky a record XXX billion, would have Thanatica Labs give away their exclusive rights to the AVA blueprints and let the company build new AVA units with a tiered subscription program.

"We regret that the deal couldn’t be done," Mr. Telman, CEO of Vector Tech, has gone on record to say. "It’s a shame that Thanatica hoards all their progress under Dankovsky’s influence. Our company would have brought your AVA to the whole world! What kind of scientist are you?"

When requested for an interview, Dr. Dankovsky responded, “Thanatica has, and will always, stand with ethical practices. We are scientists who would not gate one’s life behind paywalls. The deal would have made a version of AVA with proprietary Vector Tech operating system, which has gone on record to sell people’s data to third parties, including intelligence agencies. Would you want data submitted the AVA, which would contain your most vulnerable memories, to be sold to the highest bidder? Would you want targeted advertisements in your brain? Moreover, the deal also mentioned using the subscription programs to access certain memories or even brain functions, which meant you could randomly forget the most important moments in your life, or even forget how to solve a crossword, just because you are a little short on money.”

Vector Tech has not responded to an interview request.

.

Plague “Panacea” safety put into question

While the so-called “panacea” for the plague has been lab-tested for human consumption with 100% efficacy, the contents has so far eluded researchers. A scientist of Thanatica Laboratories has been suspected to be its discoverer.

.

Thanatica founder indicted after siege

THE CAPITAL, 2166

A nation-wide warrant has been released for Thanatica Laboratories founder Daniil Dankovsky, 30, who is wanted by our Nation for unethical experimentation, medical negligence, and leaking classified documents from both governmental bodies and private companies.

Dankovsky has fled his laboratory in the Capital alongside his employees after the month-long siege of Thanatica, where he has been requested to reveal the contents of the so-called “panacea” of the plague. The creators of the “panacea” is also wanted for medical fraud and negligence, as well as rejecting government mandate to explain themselves in court, the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Research and Development.

[beardedmrbean]

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A 70-year-old South Korean woman sued her government, an adoption agency, and an orphanage Monday over the adoption of her daughter, who was sent to the United States in 1976, months after she was kidnapped at age 4.

The damage suit filed by Han Tae-soon, whose story was part of an Associated Press investigation published last month, could ignite further debate on the dubious child-gathering practices and widespread falsification of paperwork that tarnished South Korea’s adoption program, which annually sent thousands of kids to the West during the 1970-80s.

It was the first known case of a Korean birth parent suing for damages against the government and an adoption agency over the wrongful adoption of their child, said Kim Soo-jung, one of the lawyers representing Han.

Han searched for her daughter, Laurie Bender, for more than 40 years before they reunited through DNA testing in 2019. Speaking to reporters in front of the Seoul Central District Court, Han argued that the South Korean government was responsible for failing to prevent the adoption of Bender.

Han had reported to police that her daughter was missing and desperately searched for her, frequently visiting police stations, government offices and adoption agencies and even going on Korean media. She had her daughter’s picture displayed everywhere — in subway stations, on lamp posts, on bags of snacks that advertised missing children, the Korean version of American milk cartons.

Han accuses Holt Children’s Services, South Korea’s biggest adoption agency, of facilitating Bender’s adoption without checking her background. Her lawyers said the Jechon Children’s Home made no effort to find the parents after Bender was placed at the facility by police in May 1975, a day after Han reported her as missing.

In her adoption papers, Bender, named Shin Gyeong-ha at birth, is described as an abandoned orphan with no known parents. Under a new Korean name made by the orphanage, Baik Kyong Hwa, she was sent to the United States in February 1976.

“For 44 years, I wandered and searched for my child, but the joy of meeting her was only momentary and now I am in so much pain because we can’t communicate in the same language,” Han said, fighting back tears.

“It turns out they didn’t make an effort to find her clearly existing parents and instead disguised her as an orphan for adoption abroad. I want the government and Holt to explain to us how this happened.”

Kim, the lawyer, said the government is at fault for the botched child search that led to Bender’s adoption, saying she could have easily been found if missing child information was properly shared between police stations or if officers had tried to search orphanages.

“While the state bears the large responsibility for not fulfilling its duty to help find missing children and reunite them with their families, we also believe that the (orphanage) and adoption agency cannot be spared from responsibility as well,” Kim said.

“We suspect that these child protection institutions failed to carry out their ethical obligation to help find the child’s parents, even when the child was saying (she) had a family and had parents.”

Jeon Min Kyeong, another lawyer representing Han, said she is seeking about 600 million won ($445,000) in damages. The lawsuit lists Han, her husband and two of her younger children as plaintiffs, but not Bender, Jeon said.

South Korea’s Justice Ministry, which represents the government in lawsuits, said in a statement to the AP that it wouldn’t comment on an active legal case. Holt didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

In an earlier interview with the AP, Bender said she was approached by a strange woman while playing near her home in the city of Cheongju. She remembers the woman saying her family didn’t want her anymore because Han had another baby. Distraught, Bender went with the woman, who, after taking her on a train ride, deserted her in Jechon, a city 50 miles away.

After failing to find her daughter for four decades, Han registered her DNA with a nonprofit group called 325 Kamra, which helps Korean adoptees reunite with their families through genetic information. In the United States, Bender took a DNA test because her own daughter was curious about their heritage and 325 Kamra connected them in 2019.

Just weeks after finding her mother, Bender and her daughter flew to Korea to meet Han. Recognizing Bender immediately, Han ran to her, screaming, moaning, running her fingers through Bender’s hair.

“It’s like a hole in your heart has been healed, you finally feel like a complete person,” Bender said. “It’s like you’ve been living a fake life and everything you know is not true.”

The AP investigation, which was also documented by Frontline (PBS), described how the South Korean government, Western nations and adoption agencies worked in tandem to place around 200,000 Korean children in the United States and other Western nations, despite years of evidence that children were being procured through dubious or dishonest means. Western nations ignored these problems and sometimes pressured South Korea to keep the kids coming as they focused on satisfying their huge domestic demands for babies.

In 2019, Adam Crapser became the first Korean adoptee to sue the South Korean government and an adoption agency for damages, accusing them of mishandling his adoption to the United States, where he faced legal troubles after surviving an abusive childhood before being deported in 2016.

After four years of hearings, the Seoul Central District Court last year ordered Crapser’s adoption agency, Holt, to pay him 100 million won ($74,000) in damages for failing to inform his adopters they needed to take separate steps to obtain his citizenship after his adoption was approved by a state court.

However, the court dismissed Crapser’s accusations against the Korean government over alleged monitoring and due diligence failures. The case is now with the Seoul High Court after both Crapser and Holt appealed.

[sparxaf]

Remember how in S2 Lucas talks about how moissanite is better?

If Lucas and Hope were getting married she would totally insist on a real diamond. Do you think he would try and argue with her on it or just take her to Tiffany's?

Hmm, you know I sat on this for a bit, thinking about it and I guess... I don't think she'd insist on a real diamond. Hope isn't actually super into that kind of status in the text of the game, IMHO. She's a businesswoman by day and party-girl by night, who is proud of making her own money. The status she wants is to be seen as successful. Her most enduring trait is self-sufficiency and control is way more important to her than social status. Matter of fact, in the scene where Noah had a little tantrum about the Ministry party, he makes a comment about his clothe and Hope is the one who frustratedly says, "Hon, you have nice clothes!" He doesn't have a ton of money and she never once had an issue with that or seemed concerned about his financial status. One of the biggest issues between them always came down to Noah treating her paternally, attempting to "take care of her," which is something she fundamentally rejects. Which is all to say that I think she's a practical person at heart and being spoiled isn't really her thing. So, I don't think she'd be fussed too much over moissanite versus diamond. Since Lucas is a helper type who wanted to join Doctors Without Borders, I always assumed the moissanite thing was an ethical choice because of the moral quandaries of diamond mining. I think Hope would hear him out on that and be like, "Babe, that's fine. Not even jewelers can tell the difference anyhow!" So yeah. I think it comes down to how you interpret Hope more than Lucas, and I just don't believe she'd care. If she wanted a "real" diamond, she'd go buy herself one. But to play into the hypothetical, if for some reason she did insist on a real one, I think he'd cave, but he wouldn't be happy about it. And they'd have to compromise because he'd want an ethically sourced diamond if he's gonna spend money on it.

Thanks for the ask! This made me reminisce on how much I miss S2's strong characterizations and the LI's unique personalities. God, I loved Lucas.

[j-femmescoli]

books i read in 2023

my goal was to read a book a week and while the timeline wasn't perfectly even, i did manage to get it to add up (and then some!). this year i focused on religion and philosophy as well as classics (of which im counting both as traditional "ancient or pre-modern famous and outstanding" types of books, but also famous more modern books). i also bolded some books that were really good in my opinion that have really stuck with me so if you are interested in the genre i'd suggest those

st joan by bernard shaw (play)

mary and your everyday life by bernard haring (theology)

theology of liberation by gustavo gutierrez (theology)

magnificat by elizabeth ruth obbard (theology)

piedras labradas by victor montejo (poetry)

the boy who was raised as a dog by bruce perry and maia szalavitz (psychology)

4 great plays by ibsen - the dollhouse, ghosts, the wild duck, and an enemy of the people by henry ibsen (plays obvi)

the night of the iguanas by tennessee williams (play)

being logical by dq mcinerny (idk sociology maybe? it was about recognizing and avoiding bad-faith arguments and logical fallacies)

the alchemist by paolo coelho (classics)

frankenstein by mary shelly (classics)

an american tragedy by theodore dreiser (classics)

is this wifi organic? by dave farina (idk how to classify this one either but it was also about recognizing bad-faith arguments, specifically when it comes to pseudoscience)

the nicaraguan church and the revolution by joseph muligan (theology, history)

catholic social teaching: our best kept secret by peter henriot, edward deberri, and michael schultheis (theology)

beowulf (classics)

sapiens by yuval noah harari (anthropology)

the church and the second sex by mary daly (theology)

mary in the new testament edited by raymond brown, karl donfried, joseph fitzmyer, and john reumann (theology)

a catholic devotion to mary by oscar lukefahr (theology)

1001 nights / arabian nights trans. sir richard burton (classics)

a house on mango street by sandra cisneros (poetry)

primary source readings in catholic church history edited by robert feduccia and nick wagner (theology)

doing faithjustice by fred kammer, sj (theology)

winds of change by isaac asimov (sci-fi)

the sound and the fury by william faulkner (classics)

una ciudad de la españa cristiana hace mil años by claudio sanchez-albornoz (history)

the glass menajerie by tennessee williams (play)

reinventing the enemy's language by joy harjo and gloria bird (indigenous women writers anthology)

the great gatsby by f scott fitzgerald *reread* (classics)

the bell jar by sylvia plath (classics)

the kite runner by khaled hosseini (classics)

one nation, under gods by peter manseau (history)

development as freedom by amartya sen (economic / political philosophy)

women in ministry: four views edited by bonnidell and robert g clouse (practical theology)

mother of god: a history of the virgin mary by miri rubin (theology / history)

a study in scarlet and the sign of four by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

adventures of sherlock holmes by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the casebook of sherlock holmes by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the valley of fear by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the memoirs of sherlock holmes by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the return of sherlock holmes by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the hound of the baskervilles by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

his last bow by sir arthur conan doyle (classics)

the fundamentals of ethics, fourth edition by russ shafer landau (philosophy)

dracula by bram stoker (classics) (yes i'm counting dracula daily)

desde mi silencio by carmen gomez (poetry)

happiness in this life, excerpts from the homilies of pope francis (theology)

the vigilante / the snake / the chrysanthemums by john steinbeck (classics)

quest for the living god by sister beth johnson *reread* (theology)

the adventures of tom sawyer by mark twain (classics)

the adventures of huckleberry finn by mark twain (classics)

the boys in the boat by daniel james brown (history)

and that's all folks, ending the year with some classics, plus my mom insisted i read the boys in the boat while im home for christmas because she wanted to see the movie lol. i got so many books for christmas so i'll be startin off strong next year too, and my goal is finishing my collection of john steinbeck, by which i mean obtaining as well as reading everything i can find by him. here's my list from 2022 and i'll see you next year

[the-emeralds-incorrect]

Dark Arts rant, apperently?

I don’t know how this happened but here we go:

Dark Arts classification makes no fucking sense. It’s technically legal according to wiki?? But throughout the whole series we have the “good” characters be viciously against them. Knockturn Alley is a thing but people are scared to go there. Ministry can just raid Malfoy’s house and fine them for having Dark objects in there so it’s not really legal??

One of the most obvious examples of stigma: in the fifth book they just throw away every dark object they don’t like from Grimmauld. But they have to have an actual use because why the fuck would the Black family just store useless trash at their home. The house that they fucking lived in. This shit could be so fucking useful if they just took the time to learn how to use it. Guys you’re going into a war why are u throwing away potentially very lethal useful weapons

They’re classified as magic that can cause harm but Light spells cause harm all the same and are still taught at school. There’s also an entire subject called Defense Against the Dark Arts. The wiki says they’re divided into jinxes, hexes and curses so at Hogwarts they learn at least one Dark spell (the Knockback Jinx) if we’re going by that logic (tho I can be misunderstanding something)?? We know about the unforgivables, but tbh at least for Avada you could find a way to use it ethically, for example in hospitals. It’s painless death. There could be a consent form you can sign that if for example you’re in a vegetative state, or idk a coma for a set amount of time, or just in fucking misery waiting to die, you can do it painlessly. Idk about you but if I was in horrible pain with no chance of recovery I would prefer that

Also the whole “Dark Arts damage the soul/the only defense against them is love” thing Dumbledore is on is just. So much fucking propaganda. I’m not even getting into it

Now we’re going more into speculation territory, but imo Dark Arts are obviously an important part of wizarding culture, seeing how many old families practice it. They have to be at least stigmatized, and partially illegal, at least in terms of dark objects (would that include books?). We all know how dark creatures are treated, ie werewolves/Remus.

but also, like, I genuinely can not believe all dark arts is designed to harm people. why would generations upon generations of those same families devote their entire lives to that. again and again. Don’t they have better things to do?

The Ministry is against dark arts. Hogwarts is against dark arts. Old timey families value it and hold it to a pedestal.

I suspect there’s some form of government regulations. Like, let’s say you’re making a new spell. I don’t think spellcrafting is a job so you’re just a scholar. You create it, it works, you’re happy. How do you share it with people? Maybe you would like it to be taught at Hogwarts, because you think people would generally benefit from knowing it. But to add it to a school curriculum, you need to get it approved. The Ministry handles it. So you go and register the spell. There’s now a list of approved (light) magic tm

And that’s where I think the distinction comes from. If the Ministry approves it, it’s Light. If they don’t, because they consider it harmful, it’s dark and illegal. And it’s put on a list of illegal things, idk. You can be prosecuted if someone catches you casting it

So Dark Arts are the things, spells, potions, etc, which the Ministry disallows the use of. But it’s also all the things that didn’t even try to register themselves. All the magical innovations that went under the radar.

Of course, you still want to share your inventions with people (or you don’t so you keep it hidden and nobody ever knows about it but we’re not talking about these types of cases here). You publish a book, a paper, something. In secret, of course, because it’s illegal, since it’s not on the LightTM list.

And that’s how the old families learn this shit. It’s a secret book club except the books are self published by the members.

So of course, some of it is harmful. Magic tends to be. But some of it is just not approved, and you don’t question why. You just use it.

(Also, Ollivander has a secret deal with all of these families, that for additional galleons, he removes the trace from the kids’ wands. It’s been like that ever since the distinction between Light and Dark magic came to be. They have to keep the business afloat, am I right?)

[nikitshibaka]

How Niki Tshibaka Merges Legal Expertise with Spiritual Ministry

Niki Tshibaka is a dynamic leader whose unique journey combines his Harvard law degree, legal expertise, and a deep commitment to spiritual ministry. As a co-leader of Unite Church and Denali Strategies, Niki Tshibaka seamlessly bridges the gap between the legal and spiritual worlds to inspire justice, empower communities, and lead with compassion. Here’s how he leverages his legal acumen to amplify his impact in ministry.

1. Legal Expertise as a Tool for Advocacy

With a solid foundation in law, Niki Tshibaka uses his legal knowledge to champion civil rights and social justice causes. His legal background equips him to understand the intricacies of systemic issues, enabling him to advocate for marginalized communities effectively. This advocacy aligns with his ministry work, creating a synergy between legal reforms and spiritual healing.

2. Building Ethical Leadership in Ministry

Tshibaka’s legal experience informs his leadership style, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and fairness. As a pastor at Unite Church, he applies these principles to foster ethical decision-making and inspire others to lead with purpose. His ability to merge legal frameworks with spiritual guidance has helped shape leaders who value both justice and compassion.

3. Empowering Communities Through Faith and Law

By combining his legal expertise with pastoral care, Tshibaka empowers communities to address their challenges holistically. His ministry not only nurtures spiritual growth but also provides practical solutions grounded in justice and fairness, ensuring lasting change.

4. Promoting Justice as a Core Spiritual Value

For Tshibaka, justice is not just a legal principle but a spiritual one. He integrates this belief into his sermons, encouraging his congregation to pursue fairness and equality in all aspects of life.

Conclusion

Niki Tshibaka’s ability to merge legal expertise with spiritual ministry is a testament to his dedication to creating a more just and compassionate world. His unique approach inspires communities to thrive both spiritually and socially.

[stmichaelsministryofgnosis]

TechnoCalyps: Part III The Digital Messiah (2006)

Technocalyps is a three-part documentary series on the notion of transhumanism by Belgian visual artist and filmmaker Frank Theys.

The accelerating advances in genetics, brain research, artificial intelligence, bionics and nanotechnology seem to converge to one goal: to overcome human limits and create higher forms of intelligent life and to create transhuman life. Frank Theys conducts his enquiry into the scientific, ethical and metaphysical dimensions of these technological developments.

The film includes interviews by top scientists and thinkers on the subject worldwide, including Marvin Minsky, Ray Kurzweil, Hans Moravec, Terence McKenna, Bruce Sterling, Robert Anton Wilson, Margaret Wertheim, Rael, the Dalai Lama and many more.

St. Michael's Ministry of Gnosis serves as a sanctuary for literature, religion, scientific research, history, gnosis, and art. Our main practice is the collection and application of knowledge.

Official Telegram Channel for St. Michael's Ministry of Gnosis The uploaded content, opinions, and views expressed here do not reflect the opinions or views of St. Michael's Ministry of Gnosis. https://t.me/ministry0fgnosis

The Ministry of Gnosis Open Forum Telegram Channel serves as a platform for content sharing and civil discourse. Join today and help the community grow! https://t.me/ministry0fgnosisforum

If you enjoy our content, please consider making a donation @ https://buymeacoffee.com/ministrygnosis

[tedwardremus]

Related to my Hogwarts is not the only magic school in the UK headcanon and that muggle studies is mandatory at the other schools

I also think Hogwarts missed out on some key subjects:

-Theory of Magic: What is the origin of magic? what are the limits of magic? what are the ethics of magical usage? How has magic evolved through different cultural practices? understanding wand lore, non-verbal magic, and how wizarding magic different than goblin/veela/house elf/ etc. magic

-Latin: the spells they use are based in latin. It would be helpful to know at least the basics

-Government and Econ: I know I mentioned this in my previous post but I think it is funny how the ministry seems to be the largest employer in magical Britain and there isn't a class on it at Hogwarts

-Healing: Magic comes with a lot of bodily harm. Students are hexing each other frequently. Might be worthwhile to learn some minor healing spells.

[mariacallous]

Russia’s Education Ministry has proposed removing golf and cheerleading from schools, calling them “foreign practices” out of step with the nation’s “historical experience and traditions and moral and ethical standards”

[electricity-fish]

The other Oblivion beepo please

Gladly. (CW FOR BLOOD AND TALK OF HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION)

Introducing DR E. WARREN

(Just call them Warren.)

As a 16 year old desperate for cash and to get away from a bad home, Warren agreed to join a medical trial, but unknown to them it was luring from the Oblivion Project operating under the Ministry of Joy for something far worse- Experimenting with Void on human subjects.

As the only survivor, they spent years recovering from the physical and mental trauma, but they weren't catching a break yet. With the connection to the Void remaining, the Lord of Darkness had access to their mind, silently influencing them to further his own pursuits (which I talk a little more about Here).

Eventually they were free of his influence, but by that point 12 years had passed, and they found themself working as a biochemical scientist and researcher working with Oblivion, and making it to the very role of the people who experimented on them...

...They don't like to talk about their history too much, especially not those early days of working under the Ministry of the Lord of Darkness.

Now though, they act as Head of the Oblivion Project, and have been a leading force in the push for high ethical standards of practice and making strides in medical research using Void.

They also met an unfortunate demise and subsequent revival as a result of some... Encounters related to the Invitation, but does it really matter if the one in charge of Oblivion also happens to be a vampire?

Personally I don't see a problem with it.

They also have a giant Void lizard named Gus (short for Gustopher)

(Have a question about them? Have a question FOR them? Go right ahead.)

[geulahgal710]

A Push to End Freedom of Religion in America?

I think it is in this video (link down below), there is a part showing Trump holding up a KJV Bible and a part where the news commentator talks about how America is a Christian nation and founded on Judeo-Christian values. I'm thinking, Ok, hold up. I don't mind if the former President, present President, or future President, whatever, is Christian. I don't mind if most of the country is Christian, as it is...

But this is not a Christian nation. There is a historic letter from one of this country's important historical figures to someone in another country stating emphatically that America is NOT a Christian nation. Even if most of the country adheres to a certain branch of religion, this nation is NOT a theocracy.

Our Constitution guarantees Freedom of Religion. But not a lot of attention is given to that. A massive amount of focus is on Freedom of Speech and the Right to Bear Arms. Important, for sure. But faith is near and dear to many American souls.

Faith, how an individual chooses to serve and interact with their G-d, is a very, very personal thing. It's the very essence of one's very personal relationship with G-d. How very arrogant and thoughtless if an entity presumes to arbitrarily impose a specific set of dogma on individuals. And one branch of religion seeks to do this more than any other. Christianity.

Christianity isn't content to have more houses of worship around the globe, than any other belief system. It isn't content to have more parochial schools, more missionaries and ministries than any other religion. It isn't content that it has more parishioners than any other religion.

It seems as if the Christian leadership and their staunch, one might suggest brainwashed, masses, won't be content until they achieve world domination.

They seem compelled to force their religious ideologies into schools and the national, maybe international governing entities. I see social media memes and videos pushing to put prayer back into the PUBLIC school system, to bring the country back to G-d, get G-d and the Bible back into government.

Let me ask WHOSE G-d, or version of G-d do they suggest? WHOSE Bible and interpretation do they want? Theirs, of course. Well, their are least 50, is it(?), basic branches of Christianity. I can't wait to see THAT cat fight when they try to decide which sect of Christianity wins the prestigious bid to be the chosen belief system of the desired theocracy.

Don't get me wrong. I totally support people being able to pray pretty much wherever they, practically, are able to. Even in public school. As long...as it isn't pushed on others and it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights or freedoms.

Other than that, I believe religion should be practiced at home or with a congregation of like-minded believers in a house of worship. Not in public schools, government agencies, things like that.

I understand a lot of Christians might be joining this push towards a theocratic government as an emotional knee jerk reaction to the alarming presence of immorality and debauchery in our society. Please. There are better and more lasting ways to achieve a more safe, ethical and peaceful society without pushing to impose a certain set of beliefs on everyone.

There are lots of people of many different religions who pay taxes and live peacefully and lawfully in this country. Don't trample on American's Constitutional right to Freedom of Religion. Let America stay free.

https://youtu.be/U4kmgD5MJc0?si=71neKVCANmY2Uarj

[imaginationxfound]

Hi hello!! I love your works!!! For the ask game, could I ask 15? Thank you

“Do you have an unwritten scene you think about a lot?”

Oh god so many, just from rearrange the stars. So humor me as I post several outline snippets because I haven’t had time to work on it 😭 (in consecutive order)

It’s the Yule Ball! Draco spends most of the dance pining as Harry has a genuinely good time with Luna. Neville sits down next to him and Ginny and is like “Hey Malfoy, if you want people to stop saying you’re gay, maybe you should stop acting like you are.” Ginny laughs, and Draco is very flustered. Neville came here with Hannah Abbot, who’s getting punch. Ginny teases Draco about him being lucky that Harry is oblivious. He’s like “Am I really that obvious…” “Most of the time? No. You’re a good actor, but right now? Transparent. I can practically feel the jealousy radiating off of you, and the two of them are just friends.” Ginny grabs his hand to drag him to dance, to get his mind off it, at least until Luna and Harry are all danced out.

And from the same chapter (I’m so excited for the Yule ball chapter hgfhbdf)

Draco sighs, and tells Harry that he thinks he’s going to go to bed, but he’s actually looking for Rita Skeeter as Harry heads back into the dance, and he finds her, levitating her up and further away from others, before forcing her back to her human form. “You do nearly as much harm to our society as my father does,” He growls, gripping his wand tightly. “You’re not reporting on anything you’ve heard tonight though.” And he modifies her memory, to make her think that all she heard was a few students shagging. No scoops. And then he leaves her. And runs headlong into Luna who goes, “Well that was a bit ethically questionable, wasn’t it? Do you know something because of your time turner?” “How did you--” “You’re in more classes than you have time for. And starting last year you added a gold chain around your neck to the silver one you already had, though both are hidden under your shirt. It wasn’t hard to guess. Daddy always thought that time turners could be an amazing way to maximize education-” “No- They aren’t. Granger burned herself out and dropped two classes so she could turn hers in; and I find it difficult to manage with just one more class than the schedule normally allows. It’s not feasible for most people; it’s stressful.” “Oh. Shame that. But, did you?” “… No, I just know Rita Skeeter. She’s vile; and if I overheard something that ought not be twisted and printed, then she definitely did.” Luna questions when he learned the memory charm- isn’t it supposed to be really difficult? Draco mumbles something about studying a lot- “What’s the silver chain?” “Huh-” “You’re always wearing two chains around your neck; and you try to hide both of them under your shirt collar. The gold one is a time turner; what’s the silver?” “It’s platinum,” He corrects on instinct, then winces. “It’s not really your business, Luna. That’s really personal.” She smiles. “Daddy tells me that there’s actually more than one kind of time turner, but the ministry keeps the others secret. But you don’t have to tell me; it’s fine.” She skips forward and kisses his cheek, but whispers into his ear while close like that. “You’re a good friend Draco, but you’re never gonna change your future if you don’t talk to Harry about how you feel.” She leaves him there, red faced and very confused as to how she got there.

Goddamnit I love Luna

Draco looks at Pomfrey to make sure she’s not listening before leaning close, “so were there any snags?” “No, almost word for word the same.” Ron asks what they’re talking about, and Harry smiles faintly. “Can you wait for Pomfrey to release me for your answer?” Hermione gasps, clapping her hands to her mouth. This is what they were waiting for. The next morning, they’re all in the room of requirement, borrowing Dumbledore’s penisive, which Draco is carefully selecting memories for in front of a very confused Daphne when Harry arrived with the others. “Are you going to tell us about time travel now, Draco?” Luna asks, utterly flabbergasting Hermione. And Harry. “Did- Did you guys tell her???” “No,” Draco laughs, “we didn’t. Potter, you better contribute to this, or it will be very one sided.”

I could go on, but that’s quite enough I think

[revlyncox]

Christmas Eve Homily 2023

As a pluralistic community of seekers, skeptics, agnostics, and theists, we come together on Christmas Eve to consider what inspiration we can find for our ethical and spiritual lives in the Nativity story. This homily was presented to The Unitarian Society in East Brunswick, NJ, on December 24, 2023, by Rev. Lyn Cox.

The Nativity Story is mythic, captivating, and rich in symbolism. It is a culturally important story, one that is necessary to know in order to understand a lot of literature, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Which elements in the story are historically factual is a somewhat open question. Those who have been attending this congregation since I arrived in September know that I approach wisdom stories from a certain perspective: I don’t know if the story happened exactly this way, but I believe it’s true. A story can convey values and can be the bearer of cultural meaning without being an eyewitness account of past events. 

Unitarian Universalists are a theologically pluralistic bunch. There are Unitarian Universalists those who hold Jesus as a personal savior; those who don’t find personal salvation to be a useful concept but who do think that Jesus is one of the great human spiritual teachers of history; those who hear in Jesus’ teachings a summary of rabbinic Jewish wisdom from the first century; those who consider Jesus an interesting historical figure; and those who aren’t so sure that he existed outside of the stories about him. If one of those positions or none of those positions resonates with you, you are welcome here. What matters to Unitarian Universalists is how we live out our values and mission together. 

Even as we dwell in the mystery and dance in the open spaces of uncertainty, Unitarian Universalists often enjoy celebrating Christmas. We tell the story because it inspires us in our ethical and spiritual pathways. Through the Nativity story, we reflect on hope, peace, joy, and love, and about how we can express those things in our lives. 

The story of the birth of Jesus is a story about hope. Mary and Joseph are regular people living their lives under an oppressive occupying force. They make difficult choices in the face of that oppression: the choice to believe in the possibilities for this child and for their family even when the pregnancy is unusual, the choice to speak about casting down the mighty and sending the rich away empty, the choice to go into hiding for a time but to return and raise their child in an environment that supports his Jewish learning and community values. The shepherds, the wise men, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, all of them operate from a place of hope. Their hope is not only a wishful thinking kind of hope, but the kind of hope that moves them to take risks, to do the next right thing, to live into the world that is possible but not yet fully manifested. 

This is the kind of hope we draw from the story. We need this kind of hope. We might be overwhelmed by climate anxiety, by stories about–or experience with–violence, by a lack of access to healthcare, by economic injustice, or any of a number of things. We read stories of hope and connect with people whose actions are rooted in hope so that we can resist despair. Despair leads us to forget our collective power. Staying connected and committing together to do the next right thing keeps us from getting stuck. We practice hope. 

The Nativity story is about peace. Peace was deeply desired by the people in the story, an escape from the violence of oppression. The shepherds hear the angels call for peace on earth. Those who eventually followed Jesus in his adult ministry found meaning in an old verse about a wonderful counselor, the prince of peace. We also have counterexamples of peace in the story, people who tried to achieve an absence of conflict by suppressing dissent or by following along. True peace is intertwined with justice. World peace was not achieved in the first century of the common era, and it has not been achieved since, but this story reminds us to hold on to peace as a goal and a possibility. 

Peace is very much on many of our minds right now. Many of us are heartbroken by world events in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and in Israel/Palestine. As we tell a story that is set in what is now Israel and Palestine, we remember that there have always been those who wanted to control the region, and there have always been those who resisted the forces of domination. The story asks us to believe that peace is possible, that people can share the land in abundance and collaboration, and that even in the midst of destruction the seeds of another way of being are taking root. Meanwhile, we create peace where we find ourselves by resisting polarization, by finding the spark of humanity in those around us, and by creating justice right where we are. We practice peace.

The story of the birth of Jesus is about joy. There are many things that burden the lives of the people in the story. They live in a difficult place and time. But the arrival of a child still fills them with joy. Good news that moves them to take a journey sustains their joy. Connecting with people who see another way forward deepens their joy. 

For us, in the deepest part of December, joy may be hard to come by. As I said in my sermon last Sunday, there are gifts in the darkness of winter, but these gifts are not always evident to us. And so we pause to gather what joy we can find in the company of fellow wanderers, in acts of generosity and service, in the flickering of small lights made all the more beautiful by the surrounding darkness. We practice joy. 

Finally, the Nativity story is about love. I don’t just mean love as an interior sentiment, though we can imagine that the people in the story felt affection for one another. I mean love that is operationalized through demonstrations of care and consideration. Mary connects with her cousin Elizabeth for mutual encouragement during their pregnancies. The angels express love by communicating directly. The wise men show love when, after their visit with the infant Jesus, they go home by another road rather than sharing information that will endanger him. Joseph demonstrates love by planning travels for his family that will keep them safe. Everyone expresses love for the baby. And Mary ponders all of these things in her heart. 

In our time, in our theologically pluralistic community, our love is rooted in the foundational position that every human being is infused with inherent worth and dignity. The way we say it around this time of year, drawing from Sophia Lyon Fahs, is that each night a child is born is a holy night. And so our love is expressed in respectful and compassionate communication, in caring for one another in times of struggle, in supporting each other in our ethical and spiritual journeys, in holding to our covenants of accountability and restoration, and in simply noticing one another and affirming the inimitable wonder that we find in each person. You matter. In the next twenty-four hours, find a way to remember that you matter, and find a way to tell someone else how they, specifically, as a unique person, matter. Let us celebrate the season by demonstrating care and consideration, and let us carry that spirit forward. We practice love. 

In our rich tapestry of spiritual diversity, we find meaning and connection in the themes of the Nativity story. May the stories, poems, and songs of this evening’s service inspire us with hope, peace, joy, and love; and may we practice these things in our daily lives all year. So be it. Amen. 

[mohitjoshi041]

The value of an online Master of Divinity degree: Advantages and opportunities. 

INTRODUCTION 

The pursuit of higher education has transformed over the years, with online learning becoming a popular choice for students across various disciplines. The field of theology and divinity has also embraced this digital transformation, offering students the opportunity to earn an Online Master of Divinity Degree. In this article, we will explore the advantages and opportunities that come with pursuing such a degree, along with potential challenges and ways to overcome them. 

WHAT IS AN ONLINE MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE? 

Before delving into the benefits of an Online Master of Divinity Degree, it's crucial to understand what this degree entails. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a professional graduate degree that prepares individuals for leadership roles in religious organizations, pastoral ministry, and other related fields. It offers comprehensive training in theological studies, ethics, church history, counseling, and practical ministry skills. 

ADVANTAGES OF PURSUING AN ONLINE MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE 

FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE 

One of the primary advantages of pursuing online mdiv programs is the flexibility. Students can access course materials, lectures, and assignments from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to study at their own pace while managing personal and professional commitments. 

COST-EFFECTIVENESS 

Compared to traditional on-campus programs, online degrees often prove to be more cost-effective. Students save on commuting and accommodation expenses, and some online programs may offer reduced tuition fees, making theological education more accessible to a broader audience. 

DIVERSE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 

Enrolling in an online program exposes students to a diverse learning environment. They interact with classmates from various cultural, denominational, and geographical backgrounds, enriching their educational experience and broadening their perspectives. 

SPECIALIZATION OPTIONS 

online Master of Divinity programs often provide various specialization tracks, allowing students to focus on areas that align with their interests and career aspirations. Specializations can range from pastoral counseling to missions and evangelism, catering to a wide range of vocational goals. 

SKILL DEVELOPMENT 

An Online M.Div. program equips students with essential skills like critical thinking, communication, leadership, and pastoral care. These skills are valuable not only in religious contexts but also in various other professional settings. 

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES 

Contrary to the misconception that a Master of Divinity degree online program lacks networking opportunities, it facilitates connections with fellow students, alumni, and faculty members through virtual forums, social media groups, and online conferences 

OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN ONLINE MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE 

The versatility of an Online Master of Divinity Degree opens a plethora of career opportunities in diverse fields: 

PASTORAL MINISTRY 

Graduates with an Online M.Div. degree can serve as ordained ministers, pastors, or preachers, leading congregations and providing spiritual guidance. 

NON-PROFIT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 

With a focus on service and community engagement, M.Div. graduates can work in non-profit organizations, addressing social issues and making a positive impact. 

CHAPLAINCY 

Chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support in various settings, including hospitals, correctional facilities, military, and educational institutions. 

COUNSELING AND THERAPY 

Online M.Div. programs with a counseling specialization can lead to careers as licensed counsellors or therapists, helping individuals cope with life's challenges. 

TEACHING AND EDUCATION 

M.Div. graduates can pursue careers in education, becoming religious studies teachers or administrators in schools and universities. 

CONCLUSION 

An Online Master of Divinity Degree offers numerous advantages, providing a flexible and accessible pathway to a rewarding career in ministry, education, counseling, and more. With diverse opportunities to serve communities and make a positive impact, pursuing an M.Div. degree online has become an appealing choice for individuals passionate about religious studies and leadership.