Most of our colleges such as Paul Quinn in Dallas, Texas were founded on AME "Dollar" money. We gave $1.00 for AME schools at each meeting.

President Bush has recommended that all American children earn and donate at least $1.00 to a fund for the children of Afganistan. I think this is a very good idea and the children of Macedonia AME Church in Kaufman Texas will begin to donate on Sunday.

What do you think of this and will you and/or your church support this effort also?

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Answers

My, My. When one speaks of giving something, how deafening is the silence. I'm disappointed in my AME brothers and sisters.

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

Dear Pastor Paris

Sorry I and my Bermudian bretheren have been cleaning up from a storm that has knocked out power and uproated many trees here in Bermuda.I think President Bush has good idea. I think it is worthwhile. I am hoping that our Brothers and Sisters will also consider giving to our Church. Wish you well Pastor

God Bless You

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Dear Rev. Paris

On the day I read your posting, I also read Gene Traver's cartoon on the USA's simultaneous bombing and food drops in Afganistan, and it says, "We don't want them to die of hunger, because we want to kill them ourselves!"

Eversince I have also wondered why fellow American Christians who share this BB did not join in President Bush's enthusiastic Dollar Money campaign.

For more then a century, the racist white South African regime (after British and German colonial rule) agreed to Namibian independence in 1990. When we got independence white South African mothers lamenting their sons and daughters who died fighting as part of the former South African Army, and asked why their children had to die in a foreign country if the government knew that Namibia was to gain independence at the end of the day!

What happened on 11 September 2001 was wrong, but what the American military are doing right now is nothing less than genocide! Two wrongs don't right! It is the duty of every Christian to call on the American government for greater restrain.

God blessings for now!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001

Rev. Hanse, I can understand your being critical of my government, but I do not understand how you expect U.S. Citizens to be critical of our government when our leaders make the decision to declare war on a nation that harbors, gives aid and comfort to the criminals that killed more than 5,000.00 innocent people without provocation. I agree fully with President Bush and fully support what he is doing. I nor any other American need to justify our action. The spirit of our dead speak for us.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001

While I fully respect, love and support America as a nation, I also previously stated my first allegiance must be to the government of our Lord and of His Christ. I am therefore compelled to adhere to those principles set forth by Christ.

Doctor King was right. "A nation which practices an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will soon become a blind and toothless people." Nonviolence is truly blessed of God.

That being said, I have once again been directed to the Non Violent Principle and I was not even looking for this at all. In fact I typed in a search for the words of our Service of Ordination, "Take Thou Authority". However, the first site I found was this one published more than seven months ago.

http://www.cyweb.com/~dschmidt/qv-docs/qv-pap/civilaut.htm

God is the only Righteous Judge and vengeance belongs to Him ALONE. For in His word He has said, "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. And again, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Not only does God call Muslims but also Christians to practice what they preach. It is high time we be about our Father's Business.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001