The Practical Parson

 The presidential election of 2024 is finally over, and we have a new president set to take office in January.  Almost instantaneously, the opposing party and their surrogates began bewailing, bemoaning, blaming, and berating everyone they could imagine as to why their candidate did not win the election.  What has been most disturbing is the pure vitriol, absolute hatred, and lunacy; coming from people who proclaim to be men and women of the cloth.  To hear these ministers of misinformation preach their message of doom, one would presume that the president-elect were the devil incarnate himself; bent on destroying the world and imprisoning/ persecuting all those who disagree with him.  Yet is that the case?  Did not we live 4 years under this same person in a previous administration in virtual peace and prosperity?   The problem that the liberals ideologues in America have, is that they cannot conceive of a peaceable existence wherein they are not the party in charge.  This can also be

 During this election year, there is one topic that seems to lead the headlines for the Democratic party- that of abortion.  Every single day; TV, Radio, websites, social media: all are inundated with the doom and gloom prophecies of the liberal party, proclaiming that women's very existence and freedom are at stake if we do not vote for someone who will "enshrine Roe v. Wade".    Access to abortion was granted under the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe vs. Wade in 1973, in which the supreme court interpreted that the US Constitution granted an imagined "right to privacy" as part of the first amendment right to freedom of speech.  The ruling was always fraught with controversy from the beginning, not only because of the outcome; but also because the notion that Freedom of Speech grants you freedom of privacy, is found nowhere in any of the foundational documents of the United States, and is not mentioned in any book of law with regard to the constitution (pre-R

 As an Anglican, it is incumbent upon me to hold to the tradition of the 39 articles of religion.  However one may hold to a tradition, while accepting that this text, which inspired may be; is not beyond reproach nor infallible or inerrant, since only the written Word of God holds that distinction.  As such, it is entirely possible to disagree with and oppose certain aspects of the articles, when they touch upon matters that the articles describe as repugnant to Scripture; which are in fact scripturally evident and proven matters.  Case in point:  Article 22 describes the veneration of relics (in a list of other items) as being "vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God."   A rather serious indictment, were it only true.  I would submit, for your consideration; that the preservation and veneration of relics is actually not only scriptural, but that scripture itself contains evidences that (contrary to what evangelica

 So this afternoon I was looking at the news, and an article being promoted by Yahoo popped up.  It purported that Donald Trump's concern with illegal immigrants working can be debunked because illegal immigrants are ONLY taking the lesser, more menial jobs that no one else wants to work; and further claims that seeking to prevent this from happening would cost the nation nearly one Trillion dollars.  Apart from the inflammatory words and terms used in the article, and the customary fluff about how the present administration wants Black and Hispanic citizens to have good, higher paying jobs; there is a diabolical undercurrent which no one seems to address, one which proves history is indeed repeating itself. I'm sure some of us will remember Nancy Pelosi's now famous line about Illegal immigrants working in the US- "Who's going to pick our crops?"  The truth is that the Democratic party in the United States has never gotten over losing the rights to slaves and

 This week, a new addition to the ever-increasing pantheon of liberal insanity emerged from the governor of Michigan.  In a video that was posted online, Gretchen Whitmer (Governor of Michigan) is speaking with a left-wing "influencer" and podcaster (whatever the hell that is) about.  The 2 women spoke about the Biden-Harris administration's CHIP act, which aims to invest in domestic microchip manufacturing, and also abortion; you know, the only true talking point that the American left  has been singing about during this election cycle.  The video concludes with Whitmer feeding a Dorito's chip to the influencer by placing it on her tongue while she kneels.  The camera then pulls back to show Whitmer standing and wearing a "Harris/ Wallz" ballcap.   While people are certainly free to discuss whatever topics they find fascinating or important, despite how distasteful or outright disgusting they may be; there is one thing one should try to shy away from, if on

 This past week, Hurricane Helene beat her way across the southeastern United States; causing death and destruction not seen here since 1916, a little over 100 years ago.  Cleanup and salvage works are already underway; and many citizens are still left stranded in areas without food, without electricity, and without aid of any form.  Almost a week after the storm hit, amid cries and outcry that the government was dragging its feet in response of sending aid to the region; the president of the United States arrived in North Carolina.  While such a visit should be seen as a means of assuring the public of the strength of our communities, the promise of building back, the assurance of assistance in an hour of need; our president decided to take this opportunity to lecture the citizens of my home state that this storm was caused by climate change and that we all need to acknowledge that fact.  I'm sorry, come again?   You are here in the elected capacity which these people chose you fo