A Cup O’ Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose
He’s got guts. He’s got courage. He’s got chutzpah. He’s the personification of the Black Knight, one of the Camelot Knights, who had the courage to challenge King Arthur to a fight. He then broke the King’s sword in three pieces. And wonderfully kicked the King’s royal butt. Luckily for King Arthur, an old man rescued him and nursed back him to health. Y’all know that story, right?
And yes, just in time this Black Knight came to Seattle, Washington and rescued me. Y’all know this story, too, right?
As I wrote in my previous two columns, I’ve been waging a fight myself against fellow Knights of the Knights of Columbus of our Holy family Church here in Auburn, Washington. And getting ganged up and that anytime now, I’ll be captured, tied to a stake, tortured and burned.
I am a “heretic” daw.
And zealots, bigots and fundamentalists among this Knights of Columbus that I belong to, have told me in no uncertain terms that I ought to leave the “One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church” and seek another faith. Can you imagine that?
Kind of scary, I tell ya. It brings to mind the KKK, which is also a brotherhood of believers, consisting of zealots, bigots and fun(ny)damentalists, whose symbol is also the Cross. A burning Cross.
And the reason for this wishful, wishy-washy expulsion of mine as a Knight was because I refused to support our Archbishop, the Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, through a Referendum that would UNDO the law on same sex marriage that has been approved by our state legislators and signed into law by our governor.
Because, you see, our elected leaders of Washington state believe in Equal Rights for all. But our Archbishop, does not believe in it and has told all churches in our diocese and the Knights of Columbus to spread out and fight this law.
So, all the Knights of our church, went on a Crusade to seek signatures against this law. I was personally given a sheet by our Grand Knight to gather forty signatures for this referendum that I view as an anti-equal rights sheet of trash. So I threw that sheet in the trash, where it belongs!
Several parish priests in churches under the domain of Archbishop Sartain have also dubbed this referendum as ”anti-equality.” These churches are: St. James Cathedral, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Louise’s, St. Patrick’s, the Christ Our Hope Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady of the Lake Church.
THE GOLDEN RULE OF THE BLACK KNIGHT: So, you may ask, who’s this Black Knight who came to Seattle, Washington, to rescue me? None other than the man himself, President Barack Obama.
A day after endorsing gay marriage on ABC News, he came here and took sides, telling a cheering crowd of Seattlelites that “everybody, regardless of sexual orientation” should all be ”treated fairly.”
He said that this stance of his is deeply-rooted in the Holy Bible that says ”to treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
Obama said he arrived at the decision to support gay marriage from talking with gay friends, his two daughters and his wife and several others that in the end, his Christian faith and the Golden Rule and the values that he cares most deeply about, factored in.
He had cited religion in opposing same-sex marriage when he campaigned for president, but a few years later declared his position as “evolving.”
Supporting equal rights for all Americans, including same-sex marriage with all its attendant rights and responsibilities, is the right thing to to do.
As Kathleen Parker, a Washington Post syndicated columnist, said, “In this respect, Obama may have evolved in his thinking, as millions of other American have, including yours truly.”
And yours truly, too, Dear Readers.
And … as Leonard Pitts Jr., a Miami Herald syndicated columnist and a multiple-times Pulitzer Prize Award winner, said: “It was a historic moment from a historic president, a moment of POLITICAL COURAGE … and the timing was serendipity itself.”
“Obama’s embrace of marriage equality,” Mr. Pitts said, ”offers not just a REBUKE to one’s …. atavistic backwardness, but also a bracing reminder that progress will not be denied, that change comes, come what may.”
And, that’s the American way! God bless President Obama. And, God bless America.
I have evolved, too, Dear Readers. I used to be for Mitt Romney. Now, I am for Obama. He’s my kind of a heroic 21st-century Black Knight. For he fights for EQUALITY for all! The magical Excalibur sword truly and rightfully belongs to him in slaying more zealots and bigots in this world, especially those in camouflage as Knights kuno. JJ
I am now in dilemna in what gender I belong to. If I say I am a male and my mind set is a woman then I am a homosexual. Nowadays I should be proud to be gay and can marry a man. Whoa! a man can marry a man and woman to a woman…..wonderful. This world is getting upside down. Sexual abnormality is a norm and to be crazy is okey. Never mind the gender thing.
Both CHURCH and STATE agree that MARRIAGE is the union of MAN and a WOMAN who have the ability to PROCREATE. This statement is generally accepted and has withstood the test of time culturally and morally.
The GAYS (LESBIANS as well) insisted that if a MAN loves another MAN, these two MEN have equal right to ‘marry’ like a MAN and a WOMAN.
But the problem is very simple: Two men CANNOT CREATE human being!
It is as simple as MAN + MAN = 0. It is not ONLY about LOVE!
A minority cannot be a majority, the reason why there is INEQUALITY, even if we aspire for equal right when it comes to MARRIAGE.
Because of separation of Church and State, the State may pass a law for referendum whether to allow the union of same-sex couple outside the word MARRIAGE and this is what some states call CIVIL UNION.
Now that some States/countries, allow the Civil Union – the GAYS under the civil union are starting to demand for equal rights accorded to MARRIED (man and woman) couples as to full benefits in terms of taxation, divorce, immigration, succession, and others.
That, to me is DEMOCRAZY.
Hi Mr. Jose
It is not my intent to start a debate, but I am one of many who do not embrace such evolved thinking and philosophy as you profess in your writing—that homosexuality is now ok and an acceptable norm, unlike before. I will not go any further on account of time, but I only wish to include in my writing one spiritually enduring passage in the Holy Bible why I do not subscribe to your proud evolution as Mr Obama’s. Also, after reading this passage, which is only one of many passages contained in the Bible, please read also the very telling words from Dr David Barton, a known historian, about the current negating state of affairs now in the US stemming from President Obama’s mindset and performance. I also wish to let you know I absolutely have no issue about being respectful and friendly with gays and homosexuals; my issue is the homosexual behavior and not the person himself or herself.
Romans 1:26-27 – “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”
Please read!
> —– Original Message —–
> Subject: Fw: Should Christians Support President Obama?
>
> DR STANLEY IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL RESPECTED SPIRITUAL LEADER. HIS
> SUPPORT OF THIS SPEAKER IS TO ME A RINGING ENDORSEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING. I
> ENCOURAGE YOUR READING REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS.
>
> Should Christians Support President Obama?
>
> This man was on Dr. Charles Stanley’s program “In Touch” as a guest
> speaker.
> I almost shouted “HALLELUJAH” when I finished reading. Forward or
> discard….it’s your choice…but PLEASE read before you do!
>
> Dr. David Barton is more of a historian than a Biblical speaker, but very
> famous for his knowledge of historical facts as well as Biblical truths.
> Dr. David Barton – on Obama
> Respect the Office? Yes.
> Respect the Man in the Office? No, I am sorry to say.
> I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans,
> called upon America to unite behind Obama.
> Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting
> behind Obama!
> I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his
> abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it.
> I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that he is a one-term
> President!
> Why am I doing this?
> It is because: – I do not share Obama’s vision or value system for America
> ;
> – I do not share his Abortion beliefs;
> – I do not share his radical Marxist’s concept of re-distributing wealth;
> – I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who
> make$150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August);
> – I do not share his view that America is Arrogant;
> – I do not share his view that America is not a Judeo-Christian Nation;
> – I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%;
> – I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than our
> American Citizens who need help;
> – I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of
> marriage;
> – I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is
> our enemy who should give up any land;
> – I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made
> public);
> – I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in
> America;
> – I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East; and
> – I certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes
> such as Iran.
> Bottom line: my America is vastly different from Obama’s, and I have a
> higher obligation to my Country and my GOD to do what is Right!
> For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous
> entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for
> their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his
> spiritual beliefs!
> They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their
> philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal
> beliefs for the betterment of our Country!
> They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated
> except being intolerant!
> They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years!
> They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the
> founding and growth of our Country!
> They have made every effort to remove the name of GOD or Jesus Christ from
> our Society!
> They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and
> the most basic principles of our criminal code!
> They have attacked one of the most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right
> of free speech!
> Unite behind Obama? Never!
> I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I
> refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the
> embodiment of Evil!
> PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure
> how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his
> decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of
> our Founding Fathers!!!
> Majority rules in America, and I will honor the concept; however, I will
> fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and his
> “goals for America …”
> I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will
> destroy our Country! Any more compromise is more defeat!
> I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on
> the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-GOD crowd to slowly
> change so much of what has been good in America!
>
> > “In GOD We Trust”
Pacifico (Pat) Talens
Virginia Beach, Virginia
QUOTE OF THE DECADE:
This quote was translated into English from an article appearing in the.
CzechRepublicas published in the Prager Zeitung of 28 April 2011.
“The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting an inexperienced man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of Idiots such as those who made him their president.”
Just like the villagers blaming the Frankenstein monster for all the bad things that he did and not say a word to the evil doctor that created him. Why is it that we have no problem electing these people to represent us in our government, then when they fail to do their job we have to wait for them to finish their term of office before we can get rid of them. We can exercise our rights of showing them our dissatisfaction when they are not doing anything for the people that elected them by writing them letters or calling their offices, but the people seldom do it. If the American people can not see what is really happening to this great country of ours, then they deserve to fall with it.
To all gays and lesbians out there, an idea comes to mind to end your frustrations. Since the majority of Americans don’t agree with your desire to marry, how about putting together all your resources and buy yourselves an island or a country and established it as your own, create your own laws and be as gay as you want. I for one don’t really give a rat’s patoot if Joe want to marry John, or Josie wants to marry Janet. I have no problem on how these group of people want to live their lives. My problem is for them trying to force this kind of lifestyle on people, especially young people. I think they are really born this way, being gay or lesbian in my opinion is not something that happens overnight. I can still remember growing up with a young boy who sometimes act and dress like a girl and would even play with nothing but girls toys and he grew up to be gay. So if you’re religious beliefs tells you that gay marriage is not acceptable, I think you better have a good word with God. I’m sure he does’nt think that being gay is flaw otherwise he would have corrected it long ago. And if we need to blame someone for this supposedly unacceptable behavior, I guess we know who to blame or we can just say that it’s HIS will.
Mga Katoto,
Salamat sa mga comments ninyo. Surely that’s what democracy is all about, our rights to have our own say on anything. God bless America, this adopted great country of ours. And God bless President Obama for standing up for what’s truly right: Equal Rights for all!
Live and let live, mga katoto. We are all God’s children, bakla/tomboy man o hindi.
If they (the baklas and the tomboys) want to love and marry their own kind, heck, why should we deny them that right? Why should we stop them if that’s their choice to their fulfillment and happiness? Who are we to say that that’s against God’s teachings? The most important commandment of our Lord Jesus is: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Also, the word, “marriage” is a legal term in a civil union. The Sacrament of the “Holy Matrimony” among Catholics, like me, is the term for this union. Give to Ceasar, what’s to Ceasar, and to God, what’s to God. The separation of the church and state, in other words. I now rest my case. Once again, salamat sa mga comments ninyo.
Jesse Jose
Seattle, WA
He did not have that sentiment when he was running for office in 2008, why the change of heart all of a sudden?
Katotong Jose,
Again, your writing impels my instinct to reply on this worldly controversial and polarizing issue—homosexuality. To make answer to your writing point by point:
Who are we to say that that’s is against God’s teachings? My answer: The Holy Bible is replete with passages that denote homosexuality does not have favor with God. Indeed, biblical passages discourage this behavior as it is a perversion.
Love your neighbor as you love yourself. My answer: There should be no issue at all about this biblical teaching in our discussion. I have no issue at all about being respectful and friendly with them, or in loving them as neighbors. What is detestable and immoral is the homosexual behavior.
Your rationale of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’ and giving to God what is God’ has absolutely no bearing here. It is either one is a pervert or not; it is a choice of either one is Godly or not. Surely I do not suggest that all homosexuals are ungodly. They become as such only if they practice the perverted act—that is using the Bible as point of reference.
Hey,Pat. Is’nt it strange that with all the advances in medicine, psychiatry and the study of human behavior that they can’t seem pinpoint the actual cause of such behavior. Maybe I’m wrong and I actually haven’t done much research on the matter, but in fairness with the gay community, do we really have the right to condemned them of the lifestyle that happen to choose? I’m with you in the sense that I will respect them for what they are and whatever they do behind close doors are their business. But when they try to push their agenda on people, especially young minds that are so impressionable, then that’s where I draw the line. In this country, the majority should decide whether their right to marry is acceptable or not. Let the whole nation vote on this issue.