I am quite busy with final PhD dissertation revisions, but I will post two short video clips.
I do not know if the attack from the video clip was random and unprovoked and had nothing to do with past events, but I have short questions for my readers. Is a physical attack in church to be handled differently than any other attack? I think not. If you were attacked in church would you defend yourself? If I was a struck by a person in church I may willingly absorb and defend one strike and then hope the attacker would settle down. Perhaps the attacker would be expressing anger with God and could eventually be reasoned with. I would not willingly tolerate another strike. In the case of a weapons attack against myself, a pastor or someone else, there is no room to allow, if possible, a first strike, and certainly not a second one, as that could be fatal. With the occasional news story concerning church attacks, I have pondered on this issue.
From my childhood, this is the classic CBC logo and station identification from the 1970s. Do you like it? I can appreciate the logo and colours but do not like the music very much. To me the music and approach of the station identification, perhaps represents the out of touch nature of the CBC with the general public, particularly at that time. I doubt most Canadians would collect or relate to the type of synthesized music being played. Quite possibly, some abstract artist somewhere thought it was cool, and the CBC went with it.
Rick Beaudin provides these excellent cookies...
http://fun-foodandfighting.blogspot.com/2007/12/molasses-cookies-fit-for-kingpin.html
I like the music. :)
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I'm getting tired of Global TV's promo music. You know the ones with the repeated "boop boop"...
Interesting video clip on church fight. I will voice my complaint to the media. They are so quick to report this stuff without any information except their own ignorant speculation about the pastor being hit by a church member....or was he a church member? Perhaps some distraught man who has psychological issues, or a man who knows the pastor personally and had a secret issue with the pastor that brought him to this confrontation. Perhaps an unsolved mystery...
ReplyDelete-Hardy Boys and the Church Clock Mystery-
Hey, Chuck.
ReplyDeleteI am not stating that the music is poor. It does have a certain artistic nature to it, but I think it could be much better, and does not represent the tastes of 1970s Canadians. It is likely the product of an artist who is trying to be original, but he/she should have used guitar, bass, and drums or classical instruments for something that would better represent Canada. After all it is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and not a music school.
I think we probably agree Chuck, that some of Global's music is not that good.:)
Cheers
thekingpin68:)
Thanks, Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThe station probably viewed the video as something controversial and interesting.
Controversy sells. I am more interested in the 'what if' angle for this video and story.
Russ:)
Its a difficult one; how far do you turn the other cheek, yet at the same time, what better place to witness to not being like the world and doing exactly that, other than a place of Worship? I think as you said, if weapons were involved or not would be a crucial marker for how to respond or not; but if no weapons, and if God gave teh grace to whoever to turn the other cheek no matter how many blows was given, as I say, what better witness to not being like the world and being like Christ. I can never imagine Jesus retaliating with violence, and he in fact didn't, when he was mocked and so forth, he took it all humbly and meekly, and it didn't stop at one blow. But whether at the point of interaction, our flesh allowed us to turn the other cheek repeatedly, is a different matter. But theoretically, I think that's what I would hope I would do, if no weapons were involved.
ReplyDelete~Deejay
Thanks for the thoughts, Deejay.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate the serious need to witness. I have studied this issue somewhat, as I attended a Bible school that taught non-resistance. Turning the other cheek in several of the academic works I read had to do with not seeking vengeance for self. Justice was to be issued by authorities, as it was done under Mosaic Law. This becomes tricky with the issue of self-defence as the authorities are not usually instantly present. It can be an injustice to allow self or others to be attacked by persons breaking the law.
Turning the other cheek has its time and place. But when it comes to people getting violent in church, I think it's less an issue of turning the other cheek as it is a shepherd's responsibility to protect his sheep. When it comes to someone attacking me, that's one thing - but if they attack my family or any innocent that I have the ability to protect, I am in the wrong if I stand by and do nothing. And as shootings occur more frequently in schools and churches, it's wise to err on the side of caution rather than neglect.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying any church should react violently, but containment and removal from the premises is a reasonable response. After all, you also have to consider that the disruption might prevent someone from hearing the gospel or making a radical life change.
Violence should be a last resort option from a church, in order to save lives. There was a shooting that happened recently (in Colorado, I think?) where a madman entered the church and started killing people. One of the church's security team members shot the attacker, who died. If that was the only way to keep that man from killing more people, then I condone the actions of the security guard.
Most large churches have teams of people who help make the church a safe place to be. It's unfortunate that there is a need for that, but it's much better to have a security team in place than to have to deal with sexual assaults, unchecked violence, theft, and so many other things that can happen anytime large numbers of people gather together.
Thanks, David...fine words.
ReplyDeleteOur small church does not have security and so I imagine in an emergency larger men like myself would be expected to defend the smaller folks. I do not have a problem with this and would take proper precautions. A situation with an abusive heckler is not usually a huge problem, and this happened to guest speaker John Stott while I was attending Platt in Manchester. The heckler decided to leave and was guided out by the smiling vicar. An unarmed attacker can usually be outnumbered and overpowered by a greater number of men, even if the person is a superior fighter, but a weapon makes the situation very dangerous, indeed, and may call for extreme measures such as throwing chairs, if available, using a long microphone as a weapon, or striking someone in the head with the corner of a hymn book. That is, if the attacker's weapon can be relatively avoided. I work out with weapons defence weekly and it is possible to avoid fatal injury, but difficult to avoid minor damage.
Russ
I just made the following comments in a short article relating to waterboarding from Dumb Ox:
ReplyDeleteThe amount of force that should be used against a terrorist suspect is not black and white, although I personally totally dislike torture. What if the authorities knew there was an atomic bomb somewhere in a city that would go off in a few hours and the terrorist suspect had vital information that could help the authorities find the bomb, but would not share it. What measures should the authorities take with this one suspect in order to prevent death and injury for thousands?
VST and Wales, Lampeter
ReplyDeleteDoctor of Philosophy Program
In conjunction with the University of Wales Lampeter
Overview of program
To provide advanced study in the field of theology, a PhD program based at the University of Wales Lampeter is offered through VST. This research-structured PhD program allows a student to prepare for a teaching career in theology or to enhance congregational, social, pastoral, or educational ministries. The UW Lampeter Theology and Religious Studies Department has an international reputation for excellence in research and research supervision in a broad range of areas. The UW Lampeter PhD program is offered in areas for which VST and UW Lampeter faculty can support doctoral research. These areas currently include Biblical Studies, Homiletics, History, and Theology. programs may also be possible in Education, Ethics, and Spirituality. In all cases, prospective students must consult with the Coordinator of Doctoral programs at VST for information about a possible program.
The PhD is a research-based doctorate in which a student works with faculty advisors both at VST and Lampeter. A specified number of years of directed research [depending on full or part-time status] culminate in the production of a dissertation that constitutes an original contribution to learning. A student will be registered as a student of the University of Wales Lampeter. However, all of the directed research will be done in Canada. A student can be resident in Vancouver, or can accomplish the program as a distance education degree by making at least one or more yearly research visits with the faculty supervisor.
Length of program and Course of Study
The degree of PhD is awarded purely for research, the completion of a dissertation, and the oral defense of the dissertation. There are no courses associated with the degree, although a student may, in consultation with their advisor and the Advanced Degree Director, audit certain VST courses useful for their research. The requirement for the UW Lampeter PhD is a dissertation of 80,000 to 100,000 words. The dissertation must be judged to constitute an original contribution to learning and to give evidence of systematic study and of the ability to relate the results of such study to the general body of knowledge in the subject. Full-time students register and pay tuition fees for a period of two years, with continuance fees thereafter. Part-time students must register and pay tuition fees for four years, with continuance fees thereafter. The dissertation may not be submitted until six months before the end of the period of fee-paying registration and must be submitted before a fixed time limit, as indicated in the chart below. The only time the student will be required to go the University of Wales Lampeter will be for the oral examination of the completed thesis. The travel costs of the examination trip are the student’s responsibility.
Scheme of Study:
Must submit dissertation not later than the number of calendar years shown below from the official beginning of period of study.
2 years full-time: 2 years fee paying + 2 years ‘writing up’ = 4 years
4 years part-time: 4 years part-time fee paying + 3 years ‘writing up’ = 7 years
Admissions
As a research degree, the PhD requires for admission a thorough background in theological study, research, and method, an in-depth knowledge of one area of theological study, and all requisite languages. Normally, this background is obtained by the student holding two prior degrees in theology [an MDiv and a ThM, for example]. A student without the necessary background will be admitted to the Masters of Theology [ThM] program at VST and upon successful completion of that program, may apply to the PhD program.
The following is required for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program:
Two Masters level degrees in theological study (MDiv, MATS ThM, etc)
Evidence of ability to do advanced level research and writing (a thesis or major research paper as a part of one of the Masters degrees)
Normally, reading knowledge of at least one modern language appropriate to the proposed field of study in addition to English; competency in biblical languages (for biblical work)
Academic references attesting to superior ability in theological study and research
An interview with the VST Coordinator of Doctoral programs and consultation with VST Advanced Degree faculty appropriate to the proposed field of study
VST will recommend for admission to the PhD program at UW Lampeter only those applicants whose areas of research interest can be supported by VST Advanced Degree faculty approved for doctoral supervision
For information about the Theology and Religious Studies Department at the University of Wales Lampeter, consult www.lamp.ac.uk/trs/
For further information contact:
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls
Associate Dean
Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible
Coordinator of Doctoral Programs
Vancouver School of Theology
6000 Iona Drive
Vancouver, BC V6T 1L4
Tel: 604-822-9804
patdw@vst.edu
Wow, who would have thought that Wales would have an affiliation so close to home?? I wonder if there are any local female students currently attending....and perhaps need tutoring from a mature gentleman who is about to become a Doctor??
ReplyDelete-Just Curious-