Dedicated Dad

Boy Scouts Not Welcome at Olympics Dan Frisa Thursday, February 7, 2002 Following the publication of a NewsMax story on the prohibition of Boy Scouts volunteering in uniform at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics, a storm of national controversy erupted in protest. See 2002 Salt Lake Committee Bans Boy Scouts From Olympics. Tomorrow marks the opening ceremonies for the winter games, but it turns out that the Boy Scouts from the Great Salt Lakes Council will not be on hand to assist in the myriad functions necessary for a successful event. Today during a telephone conversation, Earl Armstrong, Director of Field Services for the council, said "our scouts wont be participating in any official capacity though some did help erect temporary fencing. He first said that there was a rule prohibiting "political involvement. When asked if that rule was an Olympic edict, Armstrong replied, "no, there is a Boy Scout rule against getting involved in politics and then related a situation with President Ronald Reagan as an example. "Reagan wanted some Boy Scouts to be up on stage at some event and we couldnt because of the rule, he said. Of course that sounds like an incredibly tall tale, especially considering the episode in Los Angeles at the 2000 Democrat convention when an Eagle Scout honor guard contingent was treated derisively by many of the delegates. If thats not a "political event, then what is? In response to the observation that the Olympics didnt seem to be "political in any way, Armstrong agreed but then added rather sheepishly that "volunteers had to be at least eighteen years of age. Thats the same excuse offered by the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee and its head Mitt Romney when the issue was first raised about Boy Scout participation. It seems clear that this is not something the Great Salt Lake Council is pleased with, but to which it is reluctantly resigned. How hypocritical is it that actual Olympians - including U.S. athletes in attendance in Salt Lake City - can compete in the games as teens or even pre-teens, but Boy Scouts of the same age are precluded from volunteering? Sounds like yet another case of discrimination against the Boy Scouts of America for standing up and taking a position in which it strongly believes and one which the Supreme Court has declared is within their constitutional rights. This Olympiad has been marked by controversy from the beginning, with the payoff scandal involving the sighting committee, to the flap over the presentation of the World Trade Center flag, to the continuing effort to exclude the Boy Scouts of America. Not exactly the way to set an example for the youth of the world and yet another example of the politically correct International Olympic Committee tearing down the very principles of character, sportsmanship, and clean competition they profess to embody. * * * * * Dan Frisa, an Eagle Scout, represented New York in the United States Congress and served four terms in the New York State Assembly. E-mail Dan: danfrisa@newsmax.com.

On Feb. 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated. http://www.bsa.scouting.org/factsheets/02-511/1910.html

"bumpedy bump"??? In forum or Bulliten Board speak it serves to bump a post to the top of the thread and as you so astutely pointed out it also serves to affirm the posters post. Bumpedy would define the degree/magnitude aspect of said affirmation as in the alarming way things can go in the night. (we seem to be cut from the same cloth). In particular, at the junction of the very first warp and weft. There are very few of us here. It does warm my heart to know that I am part of a large movement (hopefully the majority) in Scouting that still loves God and traditional values.As far as Im concerned, outside of Organized Religion, this is the last stand for traditional values and Im not willing to let it go gentle into that good night.

I'm fairly certain that most of these councils are from the San Francisco and New York area. Boston Minuteman Council is one I know of for sure. will lose hundreds of thousands of God loving, God fearing Scouts and ScoutersBig fat bumpedy bump to that!

O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weatherd every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise upfor you the flag is flungfor you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and ribbond wreathsfor you the shores a-crowding, For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! The arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, Youve fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, The ship is anchord safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won: Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

Neckerchief slide, history tied 2002-02-04 By Kathy Antoniotti Knight Ridder News Service In 1915, Carter G. Woodson proposed that the second week of February be set aside each year to honor the contributions of blacks in this country. He chose that week because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two men who dramatically affected the lives of blacks, had birthdays then. The observance officially became Black History Month in 1976. Since, we've learned that blacks share a history that began hundreds of years ago in the African empires of the western Sudan. Many blacks can trace their heritage to wealthy countries such as Ghana and Mali, which had economies based on gold mining and trading. You might be surprised to learn that American Scouting has an African link. Robert Baden-Powell, a British war hero and founder of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (with his sister Agnes Baden-Powell), conducted the first adult Scout training program. At its conclusion, he gave each participant a necklace of wooden beads. Baden-Powell first encountered the idea years earlier in Africa. The British Army had defeated the African tribesmen, but tribal leader and warrior Dinizulu, grand-nephew to the great Zulu leader Shaka, managed to escape. In his haste, Dinizulu left behind a thong with wooden beads awarded to him for great, heroic deeds. Baden- Powell found the beads, which have since become a long-held Scouting tradition called the Wood Badge Beads of Dinizulu. Today, thousands of Zulu boys are involved in the Scouting program in Africa. Learn more about the African seeds of Scouting on the Web at www.scouting.org/.

Area's top scouts honored for their dedicated effort By Tracy Spengler County Line correspondent The past year was another successful one for Clay County's Boy Scouts, as 23 of them earned the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor that only 2 percent of scouts achieve. Saturday at Orange Park United Methodist Church's Family Life Center marked the 20th anniversary of the annual Black Creek Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner. "Each of these boys has gone through a difficult, long trail to become an Eagle," said Paul Cummins, chairman of district activities. To earn the title of Eagle, each scout must complete a service project that benefits the community. "I designed and built two sensory boards for the Light House Learning Center," said Brad Ford Patterson, who received his rank Oct. 15. "They consist of several different items with varying textures to help the children learn to identify between what is rough, smooth, etc." One of the rules of the service project is scouts must raise all money for the materials they use through donations. "I wrote a letter to Lowe's, and they donated about $150 in materials," he said. "The kids really enjoy the boards." A senior at Orange Park High School and a member of Troop 25, Patterson plans to attend the University of North Florida this fall and work toward a degree in mechanical engineering. "Being an Eagle Scout sets me apart from the business competition," he said. This is not the first time Patterson's parents, Butch and Emily Patterson, have experienced the joy of watching their son be named an Eagle. Brad's older brother, Scott, earned the rank in 1994. "I'm very proud of Brad," his father said. "It's hard not to be. It's pretty special to have two sons that are Eagle Scouts." Joshua Westmoreland of Troop 424 has been a scout since second grade and earned his Eagle rank June 4. Westmoreland's service project benefited many people in Orange Park and surrounding areas. "I managed a canned food drive for the Clothes Closet," he said. "By the end [of the drive], we had 1,500 pounds of non-perishable food donated." The 18-year-old Orange Park High senior plans to pursue a degree in computer repair from ITT Technical Institute after graduation. The keynote speaker for the evening was Brian Sexton, who does radio play-by-play broadcasts of Jaguars football games. He became in Eagle Scout in 1984 and has been an active adult volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America in the River Bend District for the past several years. "Scouting has put you on the right path," Sexton told scouts. "You know how to be successful, because you already are. While you all are individuals, you are part of something greater. You stand for principles, value and character." Sexton, a Kansas University graduate, recognized the important role parents play in successful scouting. "Nobody embodies commitment more than your mothers," he said. "She's the one person needed to earn the Eagle Scout award. "You all are bound to give something back to scouting. If you can find a way to give back more than you received, you will have come full circle." After being presented with a bronze eagle plaque, Sexton said, "It's my pleasure to be in a room with people who are going to do something with their lives."

Boy Scouts Reaffirm 'Traditional Standards' By Jason Pierce CNSNews.com Staff Writer February 06, 2002 (CNSNews.com) - The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Wednesday morning reaffirmed its policy that homosexuals cannot serve as Scout leaders. The BSA's national executive board said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that "an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the traditional moral values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and that these values cannot be subject to 'local option' choices." "The resolution that was heard at last year's annual meeting to open the leadership standards a little bit were not accepted," said Gregg Shields, spokesperson for the BSA. "The leadership standards that were in place still stand." The BSA also reaffirmed their policy that avowed atheists would not be allowed to be Scout leaders. According to the statement, "duty to God is not a mere ideal for those choosing to associate with Boy Scouts of America; it is an obligation, which has defined good character throughout the BSA's 92-year history." The board referred the resolutions to the appropriate committee, which formed a diverse task force composed of chartered organization representatives to consider the resolutions. The BSA has been the focal point of criticism from homosexual advocates since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June of 2000 that said the BSA, a private organization, had the right to choose who they want and do not want as leaders.

The Road Not Taken Robert Frost TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5 Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, 10 And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. 15 I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. 20 DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, and learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

The Wise Old Owl Author Unknown A wise old owl sat in an oak, The more he heard the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard. Why aren't you like that wise old bird? Freedom Isn't Free I watched the flag pass by one day. It fluttered in the breeze A young soldier saluted it, and then He stood at ease. I looked at him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud With hair cut square and eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd. I thought how many men like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil? How many mothers' tears? How many Pilots' planes shot down? How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No Freedom isn't free I heard the sound of taps one night, When everything was still. I listened to the bugler play And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That taps had meant "Amen" When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands With interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington..... No -- Freedom isn't free!! ...Author Unknown Paul Revere's Ride Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Listen my children and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, "If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-- One if by land, and two if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm." Then he said "Good-night!" and with muffled oar Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore, Just as the moon rose over the bay, Where swinging wide at her moorings lay The Somerset, British man-of-war; A phantom ship, with each mast and spar Across the moon like a prison bar, And a huge black hulk, that was magnified By its own reflection in the tide. Meanwhile, his friend through alley and street Wanders and watches, with eager ears, Till in the silence around him he hears The muster of men at the barrack door, The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet, And the measured tread of the grenadiers, Marching down to their boats on the shore. Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church, By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread, To the belfry chamber overhead, And startled the pigeons from their perch On the sombre rafters, that round him made Masses and moving shapes of shade,-- By the trembling ladder, steep and tall, To the highest window in the wall, Where he paused to listen and look down A moment on the roofs of the town And the moonlight flowing over all. Beneath, in the churchyard, lay the dead, In their night encampment on the hill, Wrapped in silence so deep and still That he could hear, like a sentinel's tread, The watchful night-wind, as it went Creeping along from tent to tent, And seeming to whisper, "All is well!" A moment only he feels the spell Of the place and the hour, and the secret dread Of the lonely belfry and the dead; For suddenly all his thoughts are bent On a shadowy something far away, Where the river widens to meet the bay,-- A line of black that bends and floats On the rising tide like a bridge of boats. Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride, Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere. Now he patted his horse's side, Now he gazed at the landscape far and near, Then, impetuous, stamped the earth, And turned and tightened his saddle girth; But mostly he watched with eager search The belfry tower of the Old North Church, As it rose above the graves on the hill, Lonely and spectral and sombre and still. And lo! as he looks, on the belfry's height A glimmer, and then a gleam of light! He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns, But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight A second lamp in the belfry burns. A hurry of hoofs in a village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark, And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet; That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light, The fate of a nation was riding that night; And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight, Kindled the land into flame with its heat. He has left the village and mounted the steep, And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep, Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides; And under the alders that skirt its edge, Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge, Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides. It was twelve by the village clock When he crossed the bridge into Medford town. He heard the crowing of the cock, And the barking of the farmer's dog, And felt the damp of the river fog, That rises after the sun goes down. It was one by the village clock, When he galloped into Lexington. He saw the gilded weathercock Swim in the moonlight as he passed, And the meeting-house windows, black and bare, Gaze at him with a spectral glare, As if they already stood aghast At the bloody work they would look upon. It was two by the village clock, When he came to the bridge in Concord town. He heard the bleating of the flock, And the twitter of birds among the trees, And felt the breath of the morning breeze Blowing over the meadow brown. And one was safe and asleep in his bed Who at the bridge would be first to fall, Who that day would be lying dead, Pierced by a British musket ball. You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled,--- How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load. So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm,--- A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo for evermore! For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

My edit function never works!This should read, now hear this.

These are quotes from Rooster on another thread and I thought they were very appropriate for this discussion. RE - BSA policies on atheism and homosexuals. Many, hopefully most Scouts, Scouters, and their families joined Scouting because of these polices, not despite of them. I know that my son and I are here partly because the BSA does have these policies and if they were changed or omitted we would have to leave. I'd rather have these discussions on an open forum such as this so everyone is fully aware of the issues and the people seeking to change them. As opposed to ignoring them, or down playing them, while someone like Merlyn works in the background to change the program. One of the reasons many churches no longer believe in the things they use to is NOT because their spiritual leaders examined God's Word and prayed about the issues. It's largely because thousands of folks sat silently in the pews while dozens of noisy members (or even non-members) got their way. This is the problem, and I couldnt have said any better, if we ignore the Merlyns of the world they will subvert and change policy while we sit on our hands. We can either have a forum for Scouters who choose to accept the BSA for its policy that has stood the test of time for its 80+ years or we can let political correctness change it for us. Now here this: If the moderators of this forum are open to outside influence, and Merlyn has cleverly pointed out that there are no written restrictions on who posts in this forum, I have a couple non-Scouter attorney friends who sport argue this subject on freerepublic.com everyday. Not because Bob Russell doesnt do a good job defending the faith, but since the deafening silence of everyone else on this forum has expressed no objection to Merlyns presence, Im going to invite some real constitutionalists who would be more than willing to debate the BSAs right to free association and membership requirements. Im not willing to sit idly by and let the anti-religion/pro-homosexual crowd stand unchallenged here on Scouter.com while the rest of the Lemmings go along to get along. I encourage everyone to write the moderator

How do you know I'm not a member of the Scouts Nederlands, which accepts atheists? Nice try, but I could care less. Number one, BSA is Boy Scouts of America not the Nederlands. Number two, Nederlands Scouts dont usually quote citations from Westlaw and Lexis within minutes of a post, who are you kidding? Now go away you troll. unless it's like the BSA, which has membership requirements that arent, listed anywhere (such as their "no homosexuals" rule that STILL isn't listed in ANY of their membership materials). How completely irrelevant, you know better than that. You just spent how long debating atheism and now youre playing the homosexuality card, how telling. Were your civil rights violated? Answer is no, especially if you live in the Netherlands! Private organizations dont need to state membership requirements and those who practice perversion dont meet the morally straight clause of its tenets, if you werent pretending to be a Scouter youd know that. Now go crawl back down your pro-perversion/anti-religion hole and leave a private organization to have its freedom of association. Sorry you have a problem with that but its constitutional.

I don't. Where'd you get the idea I did? Hehehe, I dont know, this forum is for Scouters, Scouter.com, get it? I guess that makes you not a Scouter, ergo that would make you a subversive disrupter troll here to demagogue the issue and promote an anti-Scout agenda, am I right? And if you are a Scouter, you should resign immediately because obviously youre not able to live by the oath and law. Your only audience here is people who support the BSA and your sole purpose is to trash the BSA for what it stands for, your motives are clear. Listen buddy, this isnt freerepublic.com, so kindly take your Liberaltarian ACLU attorney agenda somewhere else, you dont belong here. I encourage everyone to make his or her feelings known to the moderator. PS, Please can save your first amendment rebuttal diatribe for somewhere else, this is a private forum.

y don't require a belief in god; not all religions do. You can be Jewish (including being accepted as a Jew by other Jews) and be an atheist; you can be a Buddhist and be an atheist, etc. But the dogma is subjective by parish. I don't have a religion.Then why do you believe in God?

You should check into what denominations' religious awards *aren't* recognized by the BSA: Unitarian-Universalists... UU are liberal Christians, Jews, humanists, agnostics, and Pagans bound together not by dogma, but rather by shared values, social concerns, and interests and by friendship. No definite standard of belief is recognized in the denomination and no doctrinal tests are laid down as a condition of fellowship. Each individual congregation manages, without superior control, all its affairs, calls and discharges its minister, and is the final judge of the religious views expressed in its pulpit. Where exactly is their belief in God if there is no standard of believing anything if you dont feel like it? Im curious Merlin, where does your religious orientation lie, UU, Wiccan, agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, Hindu?

By stating the Bible is all smoke & mirrors denies belief in the one true God. What are you talking about, the Nation Geographic said so, what more proof do you need? If you respect someone you do not make fun of them or their beliefs Sorry to confuse you with metaphor and opinion, even though that happens quite frequently, there is always some sort of vast conspiracy against Political Correctness for you to manifest into some grandeur mission to defend. Wicca is no more of an occult than some churches I've seen (and attended). Can you please tell me what Christian churches youve seen and attended, in your vast experience of worship, that practice Occultism? What supernatural powers do the clergy and congregation claim to have? What magic spells do they use exactly? Wiccans do NOT believe they can control nature. Yep, you think all that supernatural power the witches and warlocks have isnt used for the practice necromancy, who are you kidding, that is pure BS (Barbra Streisand)? The definition of supernatural power to transend the laws of nature, try reading your dictionary. What is the purpose of praying for someone to get well? Isn't that to "control" nature? No, what are you saying, that Christianity attempts to control nature and Wicca doesnt? Do you know the difference between prayer and conjuration; they are not the same. you liked the Crusades? You are proud of destroying not just beliefs but innocent people? Where on earth did I say or insinuate this, you have real issues, and hope you can take a step back and see how out of line this kind of innuendo really is. Either you have genuine comprehension problems or youre looking for any excuse to project some kind of guilt by association image of modern Christianity to the Crusades. Proud of destroying beliefs and people, how dare you, have you no shame? Just because YOU don't believe something doesn't mean others are wrong.At any point, in your world, can their be any wrong belief? Obviously there is because you were disrespectful of those whom believe in the Great Pumpkin. How about those who believe in Mythology are you going respect their belief in Zeus? How about the ancient Egyptians who believed the earth was a flat platter of clay afloat on a vast sea of water, from which the Nile River sprung, are you going to respect these religions too? Are you going to respect anything that is proclaimed as religion, how nave are you? But to accuse all non-Christians as being "mis-informed" is beyond pompous. I accused nothing of the sort, perhaps you really do have some reading comprehension problems, your buffoonery is spectacular and beyond any accuracy. Show me where I said anything close to all non-christians, you cant even quote me correctly, show me where I said, mis-informed? I also believe it is true but it is just as believable as say some of the Native American stories. Ok, can you show me a Native American bible, you cant because the religion was transmitted orally form one generation to the next. So you think that a verbally communicated religion is as believable as a written one, youre pretty accepting of information based on the validity of ones own interpretations of event handed down to another. And yet you have the audacity to question the translation of the Bible? Men have translated the Bible and maybe the dimensions got mixed up over timeYou are shameless. The Bible was translated from Hebrew and Aramaic, perhaps you should learn these languages and read it for your self, otherwise stop slinging all the ignorant generalizations and equivalencies that have no basis in fact or truth.

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KS, since this will be my first communication to you I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for your service to our country and more distinctively while youre posted on the border of the Axis of Evil. I think you may be either confusing the events surrounding the formation of the Church of England with Martin Luther's leadership of the German reformation, or mistakenly equating correlation with causation. I dont think so, they are not independent of one or the another. Martin Luther's influence extended far beyond the limits of Germany even though it is no secret that Henry VIII and Martin Luther disliked each other. In the 1520s the reformation in Europe was well underway in Switzerland, The Netherlands and even extended into France with the Huguenots. The influence was there. The formation of the C of E may have occurred during the events surrounding Henrys intent for a divorce, but without the Reformation Parliament passing the Submission of the Clergy," a law which placed the clergy completely under Henry's control, the C of E couldnt have been established. Let me ask a question. Do you think the Parliament could have, would have passed such a law if there was no reformation movement going on in Europe? Further, after the Split with Rome, many of the things that Luther said should happen, did happen in England. Henry VIII ordered Bibles to be published in English and took much money and land from the church. The first references to the reformation I'm aware of were John Wyckliffe's declarations in the 14th century that resulted in the Bible being translated into English in 1382. Ill concede this to be the very beginning of the reformation movement but it was ML who made it happen.

I cant remember when Ive been so moved by anything like the pre-game show for the Super Bowl tonight. It brought tears to my eyes.

I think Anglicans and Episcopalians are the same thing. Well yes and no, they all did stem from the Church of England but split off to follow the traditional doctrines and use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, I dont think they would consider them selves to be the same. The Anglican Mission in America, The Anglican Catholic Church, The Anglican Province of Christ the King and Im sure there are more, all have their own Archbishops and seminaries. The Church of England of course got started when Henry VIII (Catholic) couldnt get a divorce This is a common misnomer, the 95 theses were nailed to the door of the Castle Church in 1517 and this marked the beginning of the reformation. Anne Boleyn wasnt even in the picture until around 1532, how on earth can you say the Church of England started for the convenience of a divorce? Urban Legend goes global.

was started with the first Pope Peter Yes, I think that is a matter of some controversy. That would mean that the Catholic Church was established on or around 32 AD and its hard to imagine that it was more than a catholic Church so soon after His crucifixion. Some say the first real Pope was Constantine, though he is not recognized as such much less a Pope. Actually I was hoping OGE might weigh in on this one, I believe he said he spent three years at a seminary. the belief in the Communion of Saints, which I believe is only part of the Catholic Church. Not exclusively, OLE Martin Luthers apple didnt fall far from the Catholic tree. Im no expert but I believe the Presbyters, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and all the Anglicans all are similar in rites and rituals. Paul's letters clarify how the Apostolic Church is the succession of spiritual authority from the apostles. The Apostles Creed defined the confessional response to faith in their creed: "We believe in the communion of saints." One of my Rectors favorite holidays is All-Saints Day. On the following Sunday the children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Saint, its somewhat of a tongue in cheek spoof on Halloween.

You liked the Crusades? You are proud of destroying not just beliefs but innocent people? Listen, youre welcome to your heretical opinion as politically correct as it may be. But fair warning Mom, you better watch your innuendo.

Yep Linus, theyll be waiting all night in the pumpkin patch too.