Issue 301 — The Paregien Journal — May 26, 2015
The Battle of Vicksburg, Part 2
by Stan Paregien Sr.
[See my previous post for more photos.]
Peggy and I spent a total of about eight hours, over a two-day period, touring the site of the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi back in April of 2015. It was a bit of a depressing venture, each time we thought of the thousands of men who were killed in the Battle or who had suffered horrific wounds; but there was strength in the knowledge that the common soldiers–with widely differing views of slavery and secession–fought with courage and honor.
Today, as back then, it is the old men who create wars and the young men who have to fight them.
Brig.-General John MacArthur cut a dashing figure
End of the Photos of the Battle of Vicksburg.
IRELAND APPROVES SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
On Friday, May 22, 2015 Ireland became the very first nation in the world to have a popular vote on whether same-sex marriages should be legalized. Virtually all of Ireland’s Catholic Church leaders were opposed to legalizing same-sex marriages, as were most of those age 60 or older.
However, in a stunning show of force the proponents passed the legislation by a vote of 62 per cent in favor and only 38 per cent against it (1,201,607 votes to 734,300). It was a dramatic change for a formerly conservative nation where up until 1993 homosexuality was a criminal offense.
Alex White, the government’s minister for communications, said: “This didn’t change Ireland — it confirmed the change. We can no longer be regarded as the authoritarian state we once might have been perceived to be. This marks the true separation of church and state.”
Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, said: “There are two Irelands, the elite Ireland and the hidden Ireland. And today the hidden Ireland spoke.”
It was certainly a sad day for Christians around the world who believe God’s word–the holy Bible–forbids the practice of homosexuality in any form. I believe, as do most Christians that I know, that we are to love all people and try to be at peace with them. However, that does not mean we must remain silent when we disagree with others. In fact, we have an obligation to share the historic Christian viewpoint as we have opportunity.
For those who are interested in both fairness and truth on this issue, please consider the traditional Christian viewpoint as expressed on these links:
1. GotQuestions.org — http://www.gotquestions.org/gay-marriage.html
2. ReasonableFaith.org — http://www.reasonablefaith.org/a-christian-perspective-on-homosexuality Essay by William Lane Craig.
3. TCP — http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2014/06/17/five-questions-for-christians-who-support-gay-marriage/
England & Ireland
England’s very own Prince Charles not only met but shook hands with Gerry Adams, the President of Ireland’s anti-England organization Sinn Féin. Britains widely believe that Adams was, in fact, on the Irish Republican Army’s ruling council at the very time in 1979 when they murdered Lord Louis Mountbatten, the great-uncle of Prince Charles.
The historic meeting took place at the National University of Ireland in Galway. Prince Charles was drinking a cup of tea as Adams approached him. The Prince shifted his cup to his left hand and with his right hand shook hands with Gerry Adams for some 13 seconds. That happened on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. It remains to be seen whether that handshake will go down as simply an act or courtesy or a significant shift in political relationships.
DEATH OF B.B. KING
The photo above is of our son, Stan Paregien Jr., in the foreground of an image of singer and master blues guitarist B.B. King there on Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn. Our son and his wife, Becky, visited there just a week or two before Mr. King’s death after a prolonged illness.
NEXT TIME: The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi . . . and Much More.
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