Archbishop Jonathan Blake

The Most Reverend Jonathan Blake, Presiding Archbishop of the Open Episcopal Church B.A. (Hons), Dip. Pastoral Studies. Mobile: 07767 687711 www.bishopjonathanblake.com archbishopjonathanblake@gmail.com www.openepiscopalchurch.org The Church is a member of The International Council of Community churches and the World Council of Churches. Married and a proud Dad.

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Location: London, Kent, United Kingdom

Gassed Tehran, seized Kabul, helped Mother Teresa, funded TB hospital, priest 1981, went Auschwitz, wrote on Parliament, convicted, began 1st inter-faith NHS chapel, 12 yrs Anglican cleric/vicar - left, baptised 1000's in homes/Mt Snowdon/at circus, wedding underwater, wrote ‘For God’s Sake Don’t Go To Church’, nailed 95 Theses 2 Canterbury cathedral, arrested, co-founded the Society for Independent Ministry, consecrated a bishop, co-founded the Open Episcopal Church, did 1st gay wedding on morning TV, sued Associated Newspapers, co-consecrated 1st women bishops 4 England,Wales,Scotland, accommodated the homeless, posted Mass/took it 2 sex workers, elected Archbishop, arrested 4 climbing with sons,founded ‘When No One’s Watching',made ICV, did Jade Goody's wedding,invited 2 Downing St, wrote 'That Old Devil Called God Again', conviction 4 campaigning against child abuse quashed on appeal, convicted 4 successful blogging 2 stop paedophile. His Christmas Lights raising £79,000 4 Water in 4 Gambian villages. Published "The Tales of Henry the Lovable Hedgehog", the SAFE New Testament + Psalms + radical Book of Common Prayer, ordained priests for UK,US,Thailand,Spain,Ireland

Thursday, April 30, 2015

GERMANS - "VICTIMS" OF THE NAZIS?

There is a pernicious dishonesty about such revisionism. The awkward disturbing truth remains that there is the potential for a Nazi perspective in every person, given the circumstances. Those who were confronted by their inner Nazi in the zeitgeist of Hitler's Germany may wish to shift the blame externally. It would be more helpful if humanity could own a common culpability for the horrors that lie within us all and strive to ensure we create the conditions for our liberation. Notwithstanding, those who are invited to connect with and unleash their inner demons, must be held personally responsible, should they indulge and contribute to a corporate outpouring of evil.

SHINZO ABE

No apology forthcoming from Abe, yet Japan has the temerity to imprison Megumi Igarashi.

http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/americas/2015/04/abe-speech-comfort-japan-ww-ii-sex-slaves-150429201031665.html

LUZ

I think the world is "tired" of the devastating scourge of religion.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/charlie-hebdo-luz-stop-drawing-muhammad-cartoons-150429203627155.html

TOYA GRAHAM

We need more parents like Toya Graham, willing to ignore the political correctness of today's effete world and setting out passionately to save her son and society.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/meet-the-mom-who-smacked-her-son-on-live-tv-and-then-yanked#.mq9evrdRn


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

A STATEMENT AGAINST DIVISIVE DISCOURSE

Our Open Episcopal Church is a member of the ICCC.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY CHURCHES

The Board of Trustees


A Statement of Concern Regarding Divisive Discourse


In Pennsylvania a judge has ruled that blatantly anti-Muslim ads be permitted placement on public transportation vehicles.  In nations worldwide, notably in those nations in Africa and Asia served by churches of the International Council of Community Churches, the rhetoric of bigotry by those who claim that they are “defending” their own religious traditions has issued into widespread violence and even murder. It is important that people of faith speak clearly to the immorality of malignant hatred.


Bigotry anywhere is offensive everywhere, and as Christians we give witness to the Biblical teaching that all people are children of God. Jesus did not assign greater or lesser dignity to individuals based on society’s norms   Indeed, Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). 


As servant leaders in our communities and throughout our nations, we of the International Council of Community Churches have a shared responsibility to increase understanding among all of people.  We have seen too much hostility and violence based on real and perceived difference among people throughout the world.


While we affirm the protection of free speech, we call on the members of our own congregations, on all people both people of faith, and those of no faith at all, to join us in opposing intolerance; to take a stand in the face of divisive rhetoric; to embrace our diverse voices; to stand in solidarity with those who might otherwise be alienated; and thus to effect positive change.

  

We call upon all people to be aware of name-calling, bullying, physical violence, and other forms of harassment, and not to remain silent about such abuse, but to speak the truth in love. We call upon all to condemn inflammatory messages that seek to divide, stigmatize and incite prejudices. We call upon all to reject efforts to stereotype any tradition or community. We call on all to work for justice, reconciliation and unity within our own faith communities, in our vocations and economic life, and in the broader discourse within our cities and towns, our states and our nations.


For the Boards,

Dick Griffith, President
Don Ashmall, Council Minister
    International Council of Community Churches
21116 Washington Parkway  Frankfort, IL 60423
Phone: 815/464-5690    
Fax: 815/464-5692
Website:  www.icccusa.com

KARIM WASFI AND THE MUSIC OF HOPE

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/an-hour-after-a-car-bomb-went-off-in-baghdad-this-symphony-c#.gsKbJQv6j

IONE WELLS ON COMMUNITY

A powerful article.

We must hope that those who have become disconnected from community and have acted so destructively, can through such testimonies, and the judicial process, become rehabilitated.

http://www.cherwell.org/lifestyle/features/2015/04/24/not-guilty-a-letter-to-my-assaulter

MEGUMI IGARASHI AND HER ARTFUL VAGINA

Men don't like women taking control of their bodies.

Its OK apparently for Japan to rake in $24 billion annually from its sex trade and its fine for every sort of sexual exploitation to be rife throughout the nation. However, when a feisty artist, Megumi Igarashi, takes control of her vagina and seeks to profit from it, on her own terms, the men become fidgety.

Apparently her "pussy boat" canoe, "pussy lamps" and "pussy dioramas'  have landed her in prison.

No doubt a tranche of male power buffs, forgetting their coital pleasures in the backstreets of Kabukicho, will deliberate over Megumi's art, and apply the law.

Whatever the outcome, Megumi has succeeded in exposing the hypocrisy and oppression enshrined within most cultures and legislatures in relation to such matters.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/franciswhittaker/vagina-junction-whats-your-artistic-function#.mk8rDOG3w

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

LEONIE GRANGER - THE PARABLE OF A SWEETER HONEY FOUND CARING IN A DEMENTIA HOME

Woe to the society that eggs up celebrity and wealth. Shame on those who suggest to the impressionable, that pop star fame is superior to the 'day job', the Sunday Times for its Rich List, institutions (political, religious and other) for their obsequious attention to the affluent and for the tawdry truth that money can buy almost anyone.

Leonie Granger was about the business of love in a care home, within which could have been found the deepest fulfillment and the most profound joy.

Trapped by the very honey she sought to misapply, she begins 16 years in prison, Mr Hassan is dead and so many lives have been ruined.

Let us all learn instead to find jewels in the eyes of those we love, reward in the comfort we can afford others and wealth in the simple act of service. There is no greater recompense on earth.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4424959.ece

FREDDIE GRAY - BALTIMORE - DON'T BLAME THE RIOTERS

 Don't blame the rioters. Blame the police, who yet again have triggered a breakdown in community order through the murder of a black man. Blame too the impotent institutions that purport to uphold order and justice but appear incapable of rooting out police prejudice and malpractice and unwilling to convict felonious police.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/americas/article4424654.ece

POPPY SMART

Courtship rituals are the means by which various species select their partners for reproduction. Poppy Smart may prefer to have a photograph in the papers than hear a wolf-whistle, but perhaps the same motivation is at play. Her hair, make-up, low cut top are all to attract; no surprise then when attention is gained. Describing it as sexual harassment is unconvincing.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4424265.ece

AN UP FOR DOWNS

Learning to fly with the wings of love

http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/wil-can-fly#.fqpDNeyAM

Monday, April 27, 2015

TIME FOR ANGLICANS AND CATHOLICS TO STOP SUPPORTING HOMOPHOBIA IN AFRICA

With the recent Kenyan court ruling heralding hope for the LGBT community, let's hope the Anglican and Catholic Church now stops supporting homophobia in African countries.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/lgbt-rights-victory-handed-down-in-kenyan-court#.loaP70JWr

ISRAEL MURDERS 500 CHILDREN

It is official. Israel shelled seven United Nations schools in Gaza in 2014. 500 Palestinian children were slaughtered during the conflict. The United Nations had communicated the coordinates of the schools to Israel and yet they were bombed. When will this war crime be brought before the International Criminal Court?

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4424172.ece

Friday, April 24, 2015

JANNER'S OILY ACCOMPLICES

 In Janner's absence from court, all those who have prevaricated, obfuscated and oiled his slippery escape from judicial proceedings over the years should be brought to trial. The institutional stench is rank.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4420942.ece

Thursday, April 23, 2015

FORGET THE ROYAL BABY - OTHERS NEED OUR ATTENTION


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/migrant-drownings-child-yards-promised-5556550

OSKAR GRONING IS A MIRROR IN WHICH ALL OUR FACES ARE SEEN

The chilling reality remains that there are those; neighbours, work colleagues, 'friends', even ourselves who might do the same thing today. Humanity is capable of great good and its opposite. When we learn of what another has done, we are educated in the potential that lies within. The mandate to society is to construct the necessary safeguards of accountability and power sharing that can inspire our best and save us from our worst.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article4420593.ece

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

KATE AND WILLIAM BABY CAMPERS

The mad English....

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-baby-news-meet-kate-5557628

GEORGE GALLOWAY

 Perhaps the voters will punish also those more mainstream politicians responsible for stoking mayhem and slaughter in the Islamic world, those responsible for a foreign aid budget that is brazenly misappropriated into the private bank accounts of corrupt officials, those whose millionaire backgrounds make them playboys within the political arena and those who have milked their political status to become millionaires, those who cosy up to Israel to guard their vested interests and overlook the pitiful conditions of the Palestinians and the war crimes they have suffered, those who denounce their opponents in playground spats every PMQ, those who dally with dictators, torturers, beheaders, extortioners and thieves at the Queen's banquets, and those who have allowed the Savile's et al of the public world to wreak their devastating evil upon others. The Times may wish to invoke such a comprehensive application of voter punishment, but I suspect the Paper will just stick with George instead......


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article4419629.ece

THE HATTON GARDEN HEIST

The 'Flying Squad' is something of a misnomer it seems; perhaps the 'Caught With Their Pants Down Squad' would be more fitting!

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4419261.ece

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

WHEN NO ONES WATCHING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuNNUVTcvRY

Sunday, April 19, 2015

MEDITERRANEAN BETRAYALS

 For a country to develop, evolve and construct its own government and society, its citizens must stay, suffer, struggle and survive. Seeking instead another nation's apparent idyll is a betrayal that often turns sour for all. Sentimental reactions to the Mediterranean tragedies unfolding before us cannot direct policy; rather there must be a radical re-appraisal of our failed foreign policies and an espousal of a new one world ethic.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article4416119.ece

BUTCHERY ON THE BEACH

 The victims, faces visible, dressed in sunlight's hues and nearest the water's life. The perpetrators, faces concealed, hooded in evil's darkness, walking on sinking sand. 

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article4416389.ece

Thursday, April 16, 2015

JANNER'S ESCAPE

 Corporate vested interest ensures that the advantaged, involved in heinous acts, escape from justice. Whether it be a Lord,  a Cardinal or a Celebrity,  money and status purchase immunity from prosecution. 


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4413326.ece

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

GAY CURES AND CONVERSION THERAPY

 Jesus could have been homosexual, heterosexual, bi-sexual or transgendered. We have no facts regarding his sexual identity or his sexual practices. His 'followers' would pay him greater respect by emulating his example of privacy in such matters, and keeping their prying judgements and abusive beliefs to themselves.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/a-look-inside-the-gay-cure-transformation-potential-conference-that-features-videos-about-conquering-samesex-attraction-10176860.html