Review: My Child Wasn't Born Perfect

Wednesday, 18 April 2012 1:04pm

By chance, Principia author Kimberly Bell Mocini's book, My Child Wasn't Born Perfect, was sent to Fox 19 Cincinnati news anchor Sheila Gray. Upon reading the book, Gray wrote this wonderful review and also asked Mocini to join her in the Fox 19 studios next week for a live interview. 

"When JD was three years old, Kimberly noticed that his development did not seem like it was on track. By that time she had given birth to her third baby, and as she describes it, "I did not have time or know what to do." Her husband didn't agree with her, the pediatrician didn't offer any suggestions, but Kimberly couldn't let it go. Good thing too. After a relative suggested having JD tested through her local school system, she was able find out she was right. Kimberly writes: "This was the beginning of what I labeled as my 'make the call anyway' method of operation...no matter how ridiculous my thoughts or actions might seem...I would follow them for the love of my son."

April is Autism Awareness Month. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta estimated that 1 in 88 American children has some form of autism spectrum disorder. That's a 78% increase compared to a decade ago, according to the new report. Mark Roithmayr, president of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, says more children are being diagnosed with autism because of "better diagnosis, broader diagnosis, and better awareness." Now the CDC is working with the Academy of American Pediatrics to recommend that children get screened for autism at ages 18 months and 24 months.

For the full segment, please click here.

Evangelical vs. Religious Imperialist

Wednesday, 04 April 2012 9:44am

In much of my writing, I use the term “fundamentalist,”  or “evangelical” when talking about the religious right that dominate the conversation regarding Christianity in our political discussion. While it is sometimes accurate that these individuals may claim to be fundamentalist or evangelical, it hardly reflects the philosophy of all of individuals that identify with these groups. I was reminded of this error by my friend Fred Hood in his new book, The Religious Right vs. Right Religion. He correctly points out that he knows

“..a fairly sizable number of evangelicals who do not subscribe to the ideology I am addressing and whom I hold in the highest regard. In addition the religious right has Catholic, Mormon and mainline Protestant components.”  

In his book, Fred arrives at a unique and appropriate new term:

“I have used the phrase ‘Religious Imperialist’ to categorize this hodgepodge group. That term, which also may leave much to be desired, highlights its aggressive and dominating orientation along with its religious dimension. Their agenda is far more secular than spiritual and more economic, cultural and political than religious. Their goals are pursued more through secular organizations than churches. They are not people content to live and let live. They seek control above all else.”

Religious Imperialist is the perfect term to describe both their justification as well as their goals. They are religious, as they clearly use the bible to justify their suppression of the beliefs of  “others” (i.e. the LGBT community, people of color, any faith not aligned with their beliefs, and women). Imperialism is the extension of power or authority over others in the interest of domination.

 As Fred writes:

“Religious Imperialism, like any other imperialism, is an ideology of dominance. Equal treatment before the law is not satisfactory. Nothing short of preferential treatment is acceptable.”

It is not enough that they be allowed to pray in private, as Jesus taught them, they insist that if you don’t join them, that you are depriving them the right to worship as they choose. In fact, they carry it one step further by declaring that anyone who objects to a government-sponsored display or prayer is waging a “war on Christianity.”

In my book, The Non-Religious Christian, I provided my perspective regarding some of the social issues from a self-taught biblical student. As an active Presbyterian Minister and professor of American Religious History, Fred Hood is uniquely qualified to dissect the arguments being used by the Religious Imperialists in both a biblical and historic perspective.

If you have been wondering where the mainline Christian Community has been hiding throughout this long political dialogue, do yourself a favor and read The Religious Right vs. Right Religion available at www.principiamedia.com and Amazon soon.
 
Love
 
Vern

Is Christianity liberal or conservative?

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 2:07pm

In our political climate today, the two polar opposite political parties both claim to base their beliefs on the life of Jesus. Is there a conservative and liberal interpretation of the teachings of Christ? The answer to that question is – probably, to some small degree. However, the differences are much more basic than that. A better place to begin the discussion may be, “What is a Christian?

There are certainly as many answers to that question as there are denominations of Christianity. For many denominations, you must meet certain criteria that have been established by their church’s dogma. Many would require that you agree that Christ was born of a virgin, that he was the Son of God, and that he died to forgive our original sin that we inherited from Adam and Eve. Many denominations require that all who call themselves Christian believe that every word in the Bible (whichever version their church endorses) was dictated by God, or that God moved the hands of the authors. Other denominations do not believe in the inerrancy of he Bible, yet believe that the text reflects God’s message to humans.

Personally, my definition is very simple: a Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ. You don’t have to believe everything that I believe, or understand the message of Christ as I do, but your life should reflect the moral teachings outlined by Christ. Fundamentalists believe that Jesus said every word attributed to Him in the Gospels, while individuals like me believe that some of the text was added by the writers, and some quotes were probably similar to what Jesus may have said. Strangely enough, while these are very large differences, they are not what divide the national political discourse.

The conservative discourse is driven by the belief that the entire Christian Bible, which consists of two parts, is equally applicable to our life today. The first part is referred to as the Old Testament and was derived and modified from the Jewish Bible, or Tanakh. The second part, the New Testament, is a compilation of a variety of authors, of which the first four each claim to report the true and accurate teachings of Christ. Conversely, liberals tend to believe that the Old Testament was a useful history of the Jewish faith, from which Christianity evolved, however, the teachings of Christ found in the Gospels supersede the laws of the Old Testament.  

For example, the primary conservative discussion involving homosexuality is based on the admonition found in the book of Leviticus (20:13). This is part of the Mosaic Law, which was theoretically handed down to Moses as part of an extensive set of rules for the Israelites, which was prefaced by the Ten Commandments and included rules of what and how to sacrifice to God.

The conservative discussion on the treatment of the poor, as provided by Governor Perry, is also based on the Old Testament as he quotes from the book of Proverbs that states; ”The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty.” (10:15) This allows them to blame the poor for their poverty while praising the accumulation of wealth.

Treating both sections of the Bible equally elevates the teachings of the Jewish prophets to a level equal to the teachings of Jesus. Unfortunately, the conservative philosophy currently values the teaching of the Old Testament much greater than those of Christ. Christ said nothing about homosexuality, even though it was prevalent during his life on earth, and he repeatedly violated Mosaic Law regarding the Sabbath. The Gospels do not credit Christ with offering sacrifices throughout his many travels and when confronted, he overturns Mosaic Law with his encouragement for turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and looking to yourself before condemning others. They choose to selectively focus on a select number of Mosaic Laws and Jewish customs to support their position in complete defiance of the teachings of Christ.

When asked to identify the greatest commandment, Jesus ignored the Ten Commandments, and created two new commandments: to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

Nearly all of the stories reported about Jesus included Him teaching, feeding, healing, and caring for the poor. Jesus was not kind to those with money. He repeatedly taught against the accumulation of wealth, and explained that those who worship money could not enter the kingdom of heaven. He did not demonize wealth, but instructed us that whatever we do for the least of us, that is what we do to Him. 

Examine the policies, read the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, and then decide, which position is best defined as Christian.

Love, Vern

By: Vern Jones, Principia Media CEO/Publisher and author of The Non-Religious Christian - Finding Faith Outside the Church

 

Fuel your renewal

Thursday, 19 January 2012 1:47pm

As each new year begins, many of us take stock of our situation – money, job, relationship, health, etc. We reflect on roads not taken and opportunities missed, as well as things we have accomplished. We often resolve to improve in the future. I think it is a natural time to be contemplative as everywhere we look we see signs of dormancy – the days are short, the birds are quiet, the vegetation is brown and leafless. And yet we know that Spring is right around the corner and new signs of life are only a few short months away.

This cycle of renewal is happening in our bodies as well. Old, worn out cells are constantly being replaced. How well this process works (or doesn't) is partly responsible for the outward signs we know as aging. Think of the resources needed to continually monitor the workings of trillions of cells. Your immune system is always on the lookout – not only for invading microorganisms, but also for cells that have not replicated correctly and could cause dysfunction of some kind. At least this is true if you provide the nutrients necessary for your immune system to function correctly. Even your bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilt, a process called remodeling. Your body requires resources to carry out all of this activity. How well you fuel this renewal process determines how you feel.

If you are eating food full of calories but devoid of nutrients, your body must expend energy to process it but gets nothing in return – a net loss of energy, vitality and overall health. Think of a house that is continually being remodeled. What happens if the only building materials available are poor quality – or worse, not even correct for the job but the carpenter must make do. After some period of time, structural integrity is compromised. For example, magnesium is just one of several minerals necessary for our bodies to function. Estimates say that 50 to 80 percent of us do not get enough of this critical nutrient, which is used in 300 different functions.

For a very inspirational story on the incredible power of food check out this short video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

So, what to do if your nutritional habits could use improvement going forward? Like any other change, take it one small step at a time. If you don't cook, resolve to start by committing to make one or two healthy home-cooked meals each week. You will find that if you stick to recipes with only a few ingredients, preparing food does not have to be difficult, expensive or time consuming. Planning is one big key to cooking success. If you invest a little time planning on the front end, it will pay big dividends over the week. Resolve to try one new fruit or vegetable each week. You can find inspiration on the internet – just search something like “simple healthy recipes”. The cold winter months are perfect for soups and stews, which can be very easy to prepare and are wonderful comfort food. For some, improving your nutrition could be as simple as eating a healthy breakfast (or any breakfast). Start your day with some protein like an egg and veggie omelet, a protein powder smoothie or yogurt with berries and a few almonds or walnuts.
 
The best news is that it is never too late to start. Even if you have not been particularly conscientious with your food choices, the body can be very forgiving (as evidenced in the video mentioned above). If you start giving your cells the resources they need to function at their best, you will start to feel and see results. You may sleep better, lose weight, have more energy, better skin, less aches and pains – the list goes on and on with reasons to start. If this is something you would rather not tackle on your own, a coach can be a big help. Just give us a call.

By: Joy Foster, Principia Coaching Services Coordinator

Prisons of many colors

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 10:41am

I’ve noticed some parallels lately.

As an only child, I may have been more self-absorbed than many of my friends who had brothers and/or sisters. Things were about me because I had no brothers or sisters with whom to share. Then, as I grew older, “things” became important – things like a car, an apartment, and eventually a house and more things to fill it. Life was largely about material things.

Rather similarly, that self-absorption was enhanced by spending twelve years in Catholic school. Don’t get me wrong. I feel I received a very solid grounding in the essentials for a good education. But I was still isolated within a population that was also sheltered and isolated. The nuns were…well…the nuns. My friends were (almost) all Catholics, white, and pretty much confined to the same neighborhood. As an only child of older parents, I was also quite protected, I think, from any “evils” of society that existed at that time in our lives.

When I went off to college, my horizons expanded considerably. I met people who were different from me. I had freedom. I discovered both bad and good. I began to learn that life was no longer white – it was black and gray and all shades in between! I expanded my horizons even more. I worked at many different jobs, from cashier to counselor, with many others in between. I did a lot more “living” than many of my friends.

As the years went on, though, I still felt apart. I didn’t have the family base that many of my friends had. I had never acclimated to one profession. I had separated from my husband. THEN…I went to prison. No, I wasn’t sent to prison. I chose to go to prison. I’d become curious about my church’s prison ministry program, and when the idea wouldn’t leave me, I signed up. Until then, to me, prison was merely something in the movies. Apparently the nuns, my parents and friends with whom I’d grown up knew nothing about prisons, either. Why was that?

My job history included working with developmentally disabled, poor students, emotionally disturbed, foster children, and delinquents. I found them in prison, too! I also found prisoners who longed for human contact. I discovered individuals who wanted to be recognized as human beings – in spite of the wrongs they may have done. These were people who had the same human needs with which I was already familiar…individuals like you and me!

Over time, I began to see other things beyond the loneliness behind the razor wire. Sadly, things we fight for on the “outside” are similar needs on the “inside” - basic things like fairness, respect and human dignity. A complicated bureaucratic system often undermines any possibility for education and rehabilitation. Prisons have become warehouses – at taxpayers’ expense. 

My book, The Prisoner’s Prayer Book, was written for those who struggle spiritually behind those walls. I hope also to educate others who know little about prisons. Over two million individuals are imprisoned in America. In 2010, the prisoner count in Michigan alone was 45,500. Do YOU know someone in prison? If you did, would you care how he or she were treated?

By Louise Reichert, author of The Prisoner's Prayer Book, available at Amazon.com.

Health and wellness goals for 2012

Wednesday, 28 December 2011 11:37am

Happy Holidays Principia Community! After the food and festivities of Christmas and multiple days off of work, many of us are back at it this week. Though I'm sad that the long weekend is over, I'm thankful for my one day of the week in the office where I can join the land of the grown-ups and get some work done.

After a long break from exercising due partly to the change in season (I can't stand it when the sun hides from us!) and in part from sheer laziness, my husband and I started a much-anticipated new workout program called P90X2, an in-home bootcamp of sorts. I got tired of feeling lazy and bloated so I made a promise to myself to keep up my fitness throughout this very festive time of year. That got me thinking to New Year's Resolutions and promises made to one's self. How many times over the past few weeks have you told yourself, "I'll eat/drink this ____ (cookie, pie, glass of wine) now, but when January 1 hits, I'm getting back on track." or "I'll take it easy today, and run an extra two miles tomorrow to make up for it."?

Why not start now? Today. Right now. Even if you ate a brownie for breakfast (which I did a couple of weekends ago)... why not start right now and make healthier eating and fitness choices for yourself? One of my Bucket List goals is to be fantastically fit and toned, and to feel comfortable in everything I wear. For this to happen, I need to exercise daily and make clean food choices, and to not indulge too often. I recently found a very addicting website called Pinterest, where people can "pin" (think bulletin board) inspirational photos, recipes, craft ideas, food blog links, etc. to share with others. The Fitness Board is very inspiring, and one pin that really stuck with me read: "You're only one workout away from a good mood." There is so much truth in that little statement. Exercising really does put me in a good mood, usually for the rest of the day. Little messages like that, along with photos of incredibly strong and fit women have really resonated with me. 

I will be turning 34 tomorrow and I can't help but think of my younger years, before marriage and kids, when I had ridiculous amounts of time to selfishly spend on myself. Back then, I was not "into" fitness and nutrition as much as I am today. As I've gotten older, I actually have to carve out time (usually in the morning before the kids wake up) to workout. But I don't feel as though it is a burden or chore anymore. I truly appreciate the time that I have gifted to myself to gain flexibility, muscle strength and shed fat.

What are your health and wellness goals for 2012? Please comment below. 

By: Julie Hurley, Principia Media Director of Public Relations

"Saving" Christopher Hitchens

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 11:01am

Earlier this month best selling author and journalist Christopher Hitchens lost his battle with cancer. Hitchens was an iconoclast of the first order whose independent mind will be missed by millions. On one hand he was an outspoken advocate of an interventional foreign policy and supported the invasion of Iraq, yet he held progressive beliefs in areas involving freedom of expression and personal freedom. An avowed atheist, he was perhaps best known as the author of God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything which became an international bestseller in 2007.

How interesting it is that someone like Hitchens, who was so outspoken about his lack of faith, would become a magnet to those who feel compelled to share their own faith in the hope of a conversion.

Like so many, my own faith has continually evolved. As a child I was taken to church by my parents who enrolled me in Sunday school. However, in my family we were encouraged to think for ourselves when it came to any religious beliefs. After college I pretty much avoided thinking about faith though deep inside I always assumed there was a power greater than myself. Then, in the mid 1990s, due to some personal struggles, I found myself back in church.

When I first became reacquainted with my faith it was so exciting I felt compelled to speak openly about religion, hoping somehow the words that I spoke would convince others to similarly believe. And when someone pushed back I felt a slight tinge of judgement. Church had made the world seem black and white where God's love was conditional based on one’s belief in a jealous God. Those who believed in God were in, those who didn't weren't. Real simple.

Really?

In our home we are owned by a couple of Alaskan malamutes. Interestingly, they have taught me more about faith than all my church experience combined. When I look into the eyes of one of our dogs what I see is the look of unconditional love. It is probably similar to what a mother experiences from an infant child. I cannot believe that the love of a creator would be anything different than the unconditional love felt between an infant and a mother or a beloved pet and its human.

Because he was so outspoken about religion, Christopher Hitchens was often confronted by evangelists trying to convert him to their faith. When he became sick some of those same people announced that they were organizing a September 20, 2010 prayer day for him and asked if it would be okay if they prayed for him. He responded by writing an article in Vanity Fair magazine titled "Unanswered Prayers" where he said: "Suppose I ditch the principles I have held for a lifetime, in the hope of gaining favor at the last minute? I hope and trust that no serious person would be at all impressed by such a hucksterish choice. Meanwhile, the god who would reward cowardice and dishonesty and punish irreconcilable doubt is among the many gods in which (whom?) I do not believe. I don’t mean to be churlish about any kind intentions, but when September 20 comes, please do not trouble deaf heaven with your bootless cries. Unless, of course, it makes you feel better."

I thought it interesting that so many were interested in converting Christopher Hitchens to their faith when all he probably was wanting was to be afforded the same unconditional love as a baby or pet.

Dirk Wierenga, Principia Media Director of Publishing Services
 

Why are you waiting for the New Year? Get moving now!

Friday, 09 December 2011 10:56am

So many of us wait for momentous occasions (think New Year's Eve) to make the commitment to implement healthier habits. I would like to encourage you to not wait another day to add activity to your routine.

Our bodies are designed to move – not sit. Sitting is actually hazardous to your health. If you look at the way most of us sit, you will see a posture with slumping shoulders and a rounded back. To understand part of why this is unhealthy, think of a metal spring. If you have a piece of metal in the shape of an “S” and you perch a weight on top of it, the curves of the spring will support the weight. However, if you used the same strength metal in the shape of a “C”, it would not support the same amount of weight. The “C” is much less resilient than the “S”. The natural shape of the human spine is an “S” – until we sit. Once the shoulders collapse forward and the middle of the back rounds outward, the spine resembles a “C”. This weaker position puts a great deal of strain on the neck and lower back, potentially leading to muscle pain.

Sitting for long periods of time, even with good posture, also puts pressure on your kneecaps, potentially leading to pain. The hip flexor muscles and hamstrings get shorter and tighter leading to imbalances that can cause back, knee and hip pain. The muscles that support your spine get weak and stiff, contributing to problems.

Now, as if all this pain wasn't bad enough, let's consider the non-structural effects of sitting. Think of your computer. When you let it sit without using it, it goes into sleep mode to conserve energy. Your body has a similar function. When you sit, even for just an hour, the chemical activity inside you changes for the worse. When the body is inactive, especially the large muscles of the legs, you don't need as much energy. Therefore, the production of enzymes that break down fat for energy virtually stops. This affects your cholesterol profile raising dangerous LDL and lowering helpful HDL. In addition, the less you move, the less glucose your body uses making it harder to burn off that caramel macchiato. When you slouch you don't breathe as deeply, taking in significantly less oxygen. This in turn contributes to the tired feeling you get after you have been sitting for a while. Rather than reaching for a sugary snack to boost your energy – stand up and take five deep breaths. 

You would think all this rest we are getting would be good for the heart since it doesn't have to work so hard – not even close. Your body is designed so that movement of your muscles helps move the blood through your body. When you don't move, your heart has to do all that work alone. In fact, leading a basically sedentary lifestyle is a completely separate risk factor for heart disease. This risk is not abated by exercise. You can't start your day at the gym and then go sit at a desk for 10 hours and still be healthy. Studies are now showing that your risk of dying from any cause goes up significantly if you spend a large part of your day sitting, regardless of how much you exercise. Exercise is still important; it just isn't the only piece of the puzzle.

These are just some of the negative effects of inactivity. However, all is not lost if you have a desk job. The little things make a big difference. Stand up once each half hour. If possible, do a few stretches. Pay attention to your breathing and make sure to take some deep breaths. Get up and get a glass of water each hour – most of us don't drink enough water anyway. If you want to improve your “bottom line”, the bottom line is get moving in small ways throughout your day.

By: Joy Foster, Principia Media Coaching Services Coordinator

My top ten wish list for 2012

Monday, 05 December 2011 11:23am

I can’t believe the year is almost over. In the past I have made New Year’s resolutions that I never seem to be able to keep. I thought I’d try something new. I’m hoping my new wish list below will keep me more focused on what I believe is important in my life.

1. I want to show more appreciation to the love of my life, my husband.  Sometimes in the busy lives we lead, I forgot what is the most important.

2. My daughters are my blessings. I talk to them everyday. I don’t ever want to take that for granted.

3. My grandkids. They grow up so fast. I want to cherish every minute I have with them.

4. Spend more time with my aging relatives. I need to dedicate one day a week to do something fun with them.

5. Make time for friendships. I have a few close friends that I never want to lose contact with. Sometimes it’s easy to get lazy and not work on keeping relationships.

6. Everyday find something to be thankful for. My life is so blessed.

7. Take Mika, our Australian Labradoodle, on a daily walk. It’s a great way to try to get in my 10,000 steps a day and helps to burn off some of her energy.

8. Take time to smell the flowers. Some days I feel so overwhelmed with what I have going on. There is nothing in my life that should warrant that kind of urgency. I need to take a deep breath and relax.

9. Take a few classes. I’m thinking about a sewing class, yoga class, cooking class or Apple Computer class. I might have to take more than one. I know I could benefit from taking the Apple Computer class. Finding a healthy cooking class would be great, too!

10. I’m going to try to be more forgiving and less judgmental. I believe this is a learned trait I have inherited. I don’t want to pass this down to the next generation.

What changes are you hoping to make in 2012?  

By: Irene Jones, Principia Media Director of Events

NOT STOPPING ABUSE - INDEFENSIBLE

Thursday, 01 December 2011 11:11am

Can you think of anything more disgusting than the alleged abuse of young boys by a former Penn State coach?

Unfortunately abuse of innocents by powerful people is not new. Stories like this have been told since the beginning of time.

Three recent Principia releases speak to the issue of abuse in different ways.

Kimberly Mocini's excellent new book, My Child Wasn't Born Perfect, traces her son JD's struggles with autism. Some of his most challenging times were due to verbal abuse during his middle school years. Through the strong advocacy of his mother, JD was able to confront those who were abusive and go on to success in school. But how many other school kids are not as fortunate and suffer because nobody was there to defend them from their abusers?

Abuse in the name of religion has a long and disturbing history. Vern Jones' The Non-Religious Christian tells how homosexuals have been abused by church leaders who misinterpret passages from the Bible to condemn their behavior. The number of people born with attractions to members of their own sex who have been cast out by the church certainly have suffered from abuse.

Louise Ann Sipes Reichert's The Prisoner's Prayer Book includes prayers for those who are imprisoned, many of whom have suffered abuse by fellow prisoners.

How does someone stop abuse? The only way to stop abuse is to report it. There is no middle ground with an abuser. According to the domestic violence and anti-bullying website, YouAreATarget.com, abusers are so self-absorbed that being fair and trying to negotiate or trying to be nice does not compute with them. Instead recognize abuse for what it is and do whatever you need to do to stop it. You cannot appease or accommodate. It only makes matters worse.

Experts recommend that victims not suffer in silence. Instead they should tell everyone. But not to stop there. Victims are urged to go to the police or other authorities and report it. Abuse is serious business that escalates. Apologies should not be accepted, even when abusers attempt to show remorse. Don't buy it for a minute. Abusers can be kind one minute and explode the next.

Here are links to some of the national organizations that can help:

SAFE - Stop Abuse For Everyone: http://www.safe4all.org/

RAINN - Rape Abuse & Incest National Network: http://www.rainn.org/

CASA - Community Action Stops Abuse: http://www.casa-stpete.org/

CAPA - Child Abuse Prevention Association: http://www.childabuseprevention.org/

Child Welfare Information Gateway - Government Listing of Anti-Abuse Organizations: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=21&rate_chno=19-00044

By: Dirk Wierenga, Principia Media Director of Publishing Services