Ben Jackson
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On the article FBI: Have You Seen These Men? Bomber Photos, Video Released
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On the article Possible Relative of Bombing Suspects Arrested in Natick Last Year
Ben Jackson
10:07 am on Friday, April 19, 2013
ReplyMan, Lord & Taylor security is all over this story. The downtown video that found them, and now this.
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On the Blog Post Get your Ashes to Church
Ben Jackson
5:59 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
ReplyPastor,
Thanks for the reply. Ihave tremendous respect for the UCC. I've met Geoffrey Black, and have found him and all of the UCC folks with whom I've interacted to be progressive, thoughtful advocates for their faith. If it weren't for that pesky religious doctrine thing, I'd probably join up.
And I think there's the rub for me, and for many like me: that, at its core, religious doctrine is dictating a morality and religious certainty that frequently has no room to change even when the overwhelming preponderance of evidence mandates that it does. I think the UCC is light-years ahead of most faiths on this, and I commend you, but there is still the core: the trinity is unchangeable, and so there is no room for an Jew or a Muslim or an atheist or a pagan to also be right. The heart of the trinity is exclusionary, and thst puts people off.
As to attracting people , though, I really think any church needs to expand way beyond the services on Sunday and coffee hour after. It needs to find and share the divinity in justice work, in nature hikes, in music and theater and art which is not church focused, and bring its monistry to the people.
Anyway, I wish you well. Keep doing your good works, and keep some room in your faith for those who think differently to also be right. Thanks forcthe discussion!
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On the article Congressman Concerned With Reports of Stop & Shop Hiring Replacement Workers
Ben Jackson
4:34 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
ReplyAnother instance of big business putting profits ahead of communities and its workers. It's time to stop shopping at stop and shop.
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On the Blog Post Get your Ashes to Church
Ben Jackson
4:29 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
ReplyPastor,
I take your points. However, as one of the "nones,' and also as an individual who works for a religious organization, I would argue that it is the job of the church to evolve to meet the demands of a changing population. Saying "get into church," is just another way of distancing the church from its potential parishoners.
In a relationship, to give a former partner "another chance," they need to show that they have learned from what led to the split in the first place, and taken a hard look at themselves and made real and meaningful changes for the relationship to be successful the next time around. If the church, which simply refuses in many ways to evolve to meet the realities of the new millennium wants "another chance," well, it needs to get itself into some therapy. Make meaningful changes. Prove that it's serious about those changes.
There are great works your church can do. I disagree spiritually, philosophically, and morally with many of the positions of the church. However, I recognize the good works you provide, and the spiritual home you could provide for people who believe differently than I do. Please, encourage your church to evolve, to grow, before asking people to take it back.
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On the article What Are You Getting Your Date For Valentine's Day?
Ben Jackson
10:29 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
ReplyDate? What is this date of which you speak?
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On the article Who's Your Favorite Natick Celebrity?
Ben Jackson
10:17 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
ReplyHands down Harriet Beecher Stowe. Not to put down any of the above, but Stowe and her writing have survived time and history to emerge as one of the premiere record-keepers the darkest point in our nation's history. The others, while not without value, are (like most of the rest of us) unlikely to be remembered in a century and a half.
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On the article What Will You Do Today While You're Stuck Inside?
Ben Jackson
12:41 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
ReplyI'm working remotely, and getting more than I would in the office!
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On the article Will the GOP Field a Candidate in U.S. Senate Race?
Ben Jackson
4:18 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
So your assumption is that every voter for future Senator Markey is a welfare recipient. And to that, again, I say LOL. &c.
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On the article Will the GOP Field a Candidate in U.S. Senate Race?
Ben Jackson
3:58 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
LOL at welfare check. You right-wingers LOVE to make assumptions. Well, yo uknow what they say about those...
Ben Jackson
10:24 am on Friday, April 19, 2013
*you're