Comments by Gene Scarborough | Eastern North Carolina Now

Interesting article bordering on saying who is "of God" and who is "against God." The history of religion is more interesting than this.

Israel was "under God (YHVH) with the Prophets or Priests telling them what God had to say. Then came their desire for a King like all the surrounding nations. God warned Samuel of the danger but went ahead and led him to anoint Saul as King.

That most interesting story is found in I Samuel 7-11 chapters (in the Old Testament). After going through all the steps to crown a King, Saul is "hiding behind the baggage." In other words, he knew he had a godly purpose, but was unwilling to assume the responsibility!

The story of God and nationhood is one of constant change and cycles. At times Israel was seriously seeking God and at others they were conning the people in God's name. The Pharisees were sure they were the spiritual leaders and then Jesus came proclaiming them to be liars and thieves. See Matthew 23 on this one. Jesus called them "whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones." His main word was "Hypocrite."

That term has its root in the Greek Theater and the symbol of the 2 masks---one smiling and the other frowning. To save money and to cast any play with all the characters, the producers often let 1 actor play 2 different parts---knowing it was an acting job and consciously doing it. That is---PRETENDING when they KNOW they are opposite characters in basic nature.

The problem was not doing the job right. The problem was when the single actor knew it and enjoyed being spiritually schizophrenic. That leads to the real question Jesus was asking---"WHO IS AUTHENTIC IN HIS PRESENTATION OF THE REAL NATURE OF GOD???"

From day 1 America has been somewhat play acting in some basic claims:
*We proclaimed "freedom and justice for all" BUT enjoyed slavery and social class.
*We have fought constantly over "how to do the Democratic Dream."
*No one could quite agree over who is really right.
*The whole concept of 3 Branches of government in constant battle promotes chaos and conflict---of which we have had plenty in recent years.

I know that EVERY colony formed as "theistic" quickly failed. Each time the problem was a few claiming they spoke for God and all should bow down and follow ONLY them. Within the group were some who did not agree with the hypocrites leading the show.

Jesus came and we---through FAITH---proclaim him to be the long-awaited Messiah. The Jews were looking for another David who would make them the military power they were under that particular King. David was an improved version of Saul. David was a human failure to the point he lusted after Bathsheba and plotted for her husband's death in battle. His own son, Absalom, revolted and ultimately was murdered. What goes around comes around for David. The Psalms are composed of many passages where David laments his humanity and confesses his failures of pretense and hypocrisy.

To follow Jesus meant forsaking earthly specialties of gathering fish and being willing to become "fishers of men." Soon after Jesus left this earth his followers engaged in ego battles over "who was the real leader." Peter is said to be the first Pope, but the Roman Catholic Church could never quit the internal fights over how faithful was their representation of Christ. After many years Martin Luther started to read the Bible and founded the Protestant Reformation where blood was shed in buckets. That was based on how the Catholic Church was far from what the Bible clearly said Christ's followers are supposed to be---loving, forgiving, servants one to another. . .

In sum, it appears to me that mankind is always finding ways to disappoint the Creator. He gave the first couple a perfect place to live---yet they were not satisfied to let God be God and follow that lead. INSTEAD, they had to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They found themselves to be naked and ashamed --- and God noted their fig leaves as the show of their failure to trust him to provide.

The final analysis here is that:
* God is in charge
* Man is a self-centered separated entity trying to own all of Creation rather than trust God
* SIN means SEPARATION in the basic Greek word for such
* All the laws in the world that man creates does not replace the need to love, forgive, and serve one another on this earth.

IN GOD WE TRUST --- NOT THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR AND POLITICAL POWER OVER OTHERS WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION OF GOD!!!

Have we the courage to allow for ALL to enjoy FREEDOM AND JUSTICE???

I don't think we are doing such a hot job these days to lead by example in America. It is still an EXPERIMENT in DEMOCRACY . . . If we fail to be consistent with our dreams and beliefs, all around us note the failure. Disciples fussing and fighting over "who is the best" was the problem that reared its ugly head after Jesus went away from them. . . Jesus would never do it for us.

His final word was: "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU!"

It appears to me that we need to do more loving and forgiving---and less judging.

Commented: Saturday, October 17th, 2015 @ 8:18 am By: Gene Scarborough

Up in Rocky Mount, those who moved off the Mill Hill call themselves "high polluted!"

Commented: Friday, October 16th, 2015 @ 4:39 pm By: Gene Scarborough

In a bad economy and threatened foreclosures, we need options rather than more conservative controls, in my view .. . .It looks to me that raising revenue is a bigger concern than touting new initiatives and see where it goes.

Just another example of Conservative Schizophrenia . . .

Commented: Thursday, October 15th, 2015 @ 5:59 pm By: Gene Scarborough

If NC were doing so well under a Conservative Majority, you could prove it better than you can try to prove that Roy Cooper is a PROGRESSIVE who is tired of the failures we cannot deny in job growth and rising taxes for the working class citizens of this state.

The problem lies in those who have already put us 20 years back and try to call it "a future." Our "contemporary ancestors" need to realize their fake claims are being exposed and the magic of the Great North State has always been in common folks with an opportunity to get ahead more each year by sharing their success . . .

I know Roy Cooper as a back door neighbor in Rocky Mount and Nash County Senator for NC. He has always walked the walk and talked the talk of "freedom and justice for ALL. . ." I shall gladly vote for him and speak to those who try and throw mud at any who would oppose them! ENOUGH!!!!

Commented: Thursday, October 15th, 2015 @ 8:06 am By: Gene Scarborough

Some good insights into why NC was so PROGRESSIVE in the mid-80's and now . . .

We have made a bad mistake to employ the politics of hate and distraction in an attempt to control NC. I was in this state from 1967-70 and left for SC concluding "Raleigh would never be more than a Capital Cow Town." Boy, was I ever wrong!!!

The reason was cooperative government with an eye on the future rather than only the past. I returned to Rocky Mount in 1986 and represented a good insurance company all over eastern NC. It was obvious at that time of mid-80's NC was going for the future in a big way. Education was up / a new Medical College was established in Greenville. The RTP was rolling and a new jetport at Kinston promised to change things for the better and grow business into the vacuum of tobacco going down.

Textiles have left over cheap labor. Drugs and Crime have replaced them as the core of the NC economy.

It seems to me that it is time to re-evaluate our priorities and start working TOGETHER instead of trying to replicate DC madness in a good and Progressive state leading the SE to a bright future. . .

Commented: Wednesday, October 14th, 2015 @ 4:05 pm By: Gene Scarborough

When you are up to your neck in a swamp of Conservatism --- is it not more wise to solve your own loss of way before a 'gator eats you???

Commented: Wednesday, October 14th, 2015 @ 11:46 am By: Gene Scarborough

So . . . the Attorney General gets no credit for busting Countrywide over excess charges for the loans???? No credit for telling it like it is over the Marriage Amendment????

I saw McCrory driving a black convertible into a manure truck last week---but don't tell anyone he is less than perfect when the coal ash spilled from it!!!

Commented: Tuesday, October 13th, 2015 @ 12:42 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Get a bunch of Conservatives together and you get a conservative result. They look middle age to old to me and where is the future of NC, pray tell????

Commented: Tuesday, October 13th, 2015 @ 9:39 am By: Gene Scarborough

If this new NC Tax Code is so great---WHY HAVE ALL THE WORKING FOLKS GOTTEN HIGHER TAXES AND LOWER REFUNDS????

I call BS on this one, my friend.

As a small businessman my $50K new equipment credit is GONE. MEANWHILE, the rich can get a Corporate Jet Credit and the Governor is telling us he is helping --- without making Duke Energy pay for their corruption of the Haw River with their ash dumps --- now in danger of pouring into our good rivers going to the Pamlico Sound . . .

You ARE NOT the Nazi Propaganda machine telling lies big and often so fools believe you . . .

Commented: Sunday, October 11th, 2015 @ 12:55 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Isn't life simple when Democrats are "liberal skunks" and Republicans are "saviours of the Constitution???

Only naive people buy this scenerio and they are more than stupid, in my view!

Commented: Sunday, October 11th, 2015 @ 12:42 pm By: Gene Scarborough

I met Wyeth in his picture in the Thematic Aperception Test (T.A.T.) painting of the girl looking back up to the farm house. Helga would be much more interesting, but then it is obvious that the subject would be limited to WOW!!!!

Commented: Saturday, October 10th, 2015 @ 4:27 pm By: Gene Scarborough

When the Publisher cuts out the comment section without permission from the writer, you have to do the best you can to comment---the best you can!

Commented: Saturday, October 10th, 2015 @ 11:08 am By: Gene Scarborough

The kind of conservatism I am seeing these days --- I read about in the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." Arrogance is at a peak / the rich get by with little to no tax participation in infrastructure repair / corps get big favors and then move their operations overseas for less costly labor, no environmental concerns, and now they can hide their assets as does WalMart in Luxembourg shell corporations. . .

Kindly look up the Costs of War ~~~ www.google.com

Commented: Saturday, October 10th, 2015 @ 3:51 am By: Gene Scarborough

If we learn to be more patient and work out differences without gunfire---would that not be wiser????

I suggest we make a greater effort at Public Mental Health as well . . .

Commented: Friday, October 9th, 2015 @ 10:10 am By: Gene Scarborough

As long as NC colleges and universities have the reputation of being party schools, we draw those rich kids willing to spend parents' money and have the great basketball schools for their ego satisfaction.

Meanwhile, jobs for them are scarce until we get rid of the current Conservatives running this state into the ground of corporate loss . . .

Commented: Thursday, October 8th, 2015 @ 5:42 pm By: Gene Scarborough

I note that many are using words to impress rather than communicate. Never use a .25-word when a .10-one communicates better! That comes from being in front of a Baptist congregation for 16 years full time and then ever since as needed.

Any good speaker must be a communicator. From the speaker's stand you can see when eyes gloss over and you realize THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY!

9 out of 10 times it has to do with me trying to impress over communicate clearly. One of the biggest bafoons of Conservatism, Dr. Paige Patterson of Texas, is the classic user of big words when more succinct ones will do. He is always trying to impress, but a bully on the playground can't hide behind big words.

What is most funny is that he claims to run his wife as all women should be run---then does a President's article about how she forbade him to bring his dog inside to her lovely carpets at Magnolia Hill, the pompous name she gave the President's home in Wake Forest on the main highway.

What is even more comical is that "Magnolia Hill" was the last known whorehouse in Wake County!!! Pomp and circumstance went to "you are too arrogant" in that corner of Wake County and the people are glad he graduated back to Waco, Texas, and Southwestern Seminary. She renamed that house "Pecan Manor." That could have been the last mental institution in Texas for all I know---but I don't give a nut about it now. . .

Commented: Thursday, October 8th, 2015 @ 6:22 am By: Gene Scarborough

One simple question: Will there be angry women with war faces running the show?

Commented: Wednesday, October 7th, 2015 @ 7:11 pm By: Gene Scarborough