Neal Saye

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Eight 12/8/25

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Today, Insightful Fugelsang reminds us yet again of one of God’s great instructions:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31 and Luke 10:27)

“This a commandment, not an option. It’s an order that transcends social boundaries, identities, and comfort levels.”

“Jesus goes out of his way to preach compassion for any outsiders a society has decided it’s allowed to hate.” p. 140

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I used to cringe a bit when I saw those “Free Hugs” folks with their little pro bono posters and offerings, but I have come to appreciate their kindness and all-inclusive acceptance.

Here are a Few Hugs:

Robert and my father, 96, before he passed away.

Grandson Daniel and me, after I roasted him at his high school graduation dinner back in June.

Grandson Gabriel and Nana (ex-wife Donna)

Lesson to self: We need to spread our hugs out further.

Shhh … Silent Sunday

Shhh … Silent Sunday. 12/7/25

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Neal Saye

Close-up of a Christmas tree at Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta.

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Seven 12/7/25

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Neal Saye

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Today, Fugelsang reminds us that “Jesus tells his followers to feed the hungry and care for the sick—not to pray that someone else will do it. Offering ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the poor is … a convenient substitute for tangible help or systemic solutions. Prayer is supposed to be a way to seek guidance, not an excuse for inaction.” p. 199

Ouch!

Fugelsang goes on: “Jesus’s brother nails why faith without works doesn’t work in James 2:15-17: ‘Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.” p. 199

… and food.

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Six 12/6/25

Posted on December 6, 2025December 6, 2025 by Neal Saye

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Today Fugelsang expounds: “If God loves men and women equally, then God’s a feminist.” p. 83

Yes, of course, that has to be true.

The author continues: “Feminism is, quite simply, the controversial (he’s joking!) belief that women deserve the same rights and access as men. Conservative men in power have historically tried to control women’s sexuality, education, participation in society, and bodily autonomy.” p. 83

“In addition to the twelve male apostles—whom Jesus repeatedly calls out for getting things wrong, by the way — women accompanied his journeys as part of his ministry. When Jesus was arrested and the apostles all scattered, it was the women who never abandoned him, who never hid, who never denied knowing him. In the Resurrection story, Jesus reveals himself to the women before any of his male disciples.”

“We know that Mary Magdalene, along with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, were fellow travelers. To a sane person in the twenty-first century it might seem obvious that there were actually fifteen apostles, at least.”

Mary Magdalene!

Martha & Mary!

“Wrong, says the church. Those women might have always been with JC and the twelve, but they didn’t have full apostle passes. They just followed Jesus from gig to gig, working the merch tables like it was a boy band tour The church continues to treat these women as secondary figures rather than leaders.” p. 106

OK, then, I agree with God! I too aim to be a feminist!

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Five 12/5/25

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Neal Saye

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Fugelsang remembers: “I was raised to believe that the opposite of faith is not doubt, as doubt is an essential part of any real faith journey.”

“The opposite of faith is certainity.” Separation of church and hate. p. 53.

I love Fugelsang’s brief declaration of truth, which reminds me of Shakespeare’s also-famous and truthful line: “Brevity is the soul of wit.”

Absolute Certainty can get us in all kinds of trouble!

Fugelsang continues: “Extremists of all faiths (or none) are raised in, and live with, supreme and absolute certainty. They don’t think they’re better than you; they know for a fact that God thinks they’re better than you.” p. 53

“Life’s pretty simple for the authoritarian Christian. Since most of their opinions happen to also be God’s opinions— and they believe that they’re the folks who get to speak for God—they generally feel divinely obliged to control whatever part of society they see fit. Y’ know, for God.”

“And if you’re one of the anointed who speaks for the Almighty, eventually you’re liable to believe that anyone who opposes you is, logically, on the side of Satan. And God’s true people are never going to sit down and negotiate things like school curriculum, women’s rights, or marriage equality with Lucifer. People who’ve been conditioned to think you’re on the side of the devil aren’t permitted to meet you halfway.” p. 54

Ouch!

May we all be willing to meet each other halfway this Holiday Season — and beyond.

Last night at the Jepsen Center for the Arts lighting of the Christmas tree here in Savannah.

We met them halfway!

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/5/25

Posted on December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. This photo I snapped yesterday of an elderly couple, holding hands and walking into Walmart. For some reason, it sort of melted my heart for a moment.

2. Robert and I attending last night‘s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Jepsen Center for the Arts here in downtown Savannah.

The event featured a Fabulous Harpist (who we have seen at another downtown event or two).

And here’s Robert bothering her while she’s trying to perform.

TIB (Truth in Blogging): They were chatting, and she was excitedly telling Robert about how she unexpectedly started getting email checks for her work that somehow made its way … to Russia! TMI?

Look, The Clauses! (Is that how you spell their plural last name?)

I got HR a quick part-time job, taking festive photos of other revelers.

3. The good-feeling ability to be excited about seasonal changes and holidays. I know that it’s a blessing because many people are not happy at this time of year.

4. Beautiful Camelias, the “Winter Rose,” blooming all over downtown Savannah.

5. Beautifully delicious coffee (peppermint mocha) at Origin Coffee Bar.

Robert got a cookie with his coffee too, but it dropped in and melted. I laughed, a bit too loudly. He tried to even the score by saying that his coffee was much better with the melted cookie.

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And here I am trying to be all bohemian coffee shop-artsy …

May your happiness this weekend be better than a melted cookie.

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Four 12/4/25

Posted on December 4, 2025December 4, 2025 by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s “Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Today: Another part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:3-12) commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes”

Author John Fugelsang writes: “And get a load of these BEATITUDES.

Jesus opens the Sermon with a series of blessings that represent his foundational teachings and core values. Each line begins with the word ‘blessed,’ which can also be translated as ‘happy,’ ‘fortunate,’ or even ‘lucky.’

Jesus pronounces his blessings upon specific groups of people. He focuses on the poor and marginalized; he praises nonviolence and peace-making, radical love, mercy, and inclusion; and he pretty much takes down the status quo.” Separation of Church and Hate p. 25

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fugelsang jokes: “Imagine the hecklers: ‘Meh, I didn’t trudge all the way up Mount of Beatitudes just to hear some virtue signaling from Woke Jesus.’” p. 25

“The Beatitudes are Jesus’s own guide for ethical conduct in Christian life.” p. 25

May we all be Harmonious and “Beatitude-ish Peacemakers” this Holiday Season — and beyond.

A few of my Photos of Peace:

Inside the Mighty Eighth Museum Chapel, Savannah GA

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Three 12/3/25

Posted on December 3, 2025December 4, 2025 by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Today: The Golden Rule

Fugelsang explains that “The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) teaches Jesus’ followers to treat others as they would like to be treated. Which covers all cruelty, exploitation, domination, and discrimination. He makes it very clear that anyone who claims to follow him doesn’t get to hate anybody, ever, for any reason, no matter what.” Separation of Church and Hate p. 25

Wow, that is wild! Hate, then, is not an option if we earnestly desire to follow good in the world. To be good in the world.

I’ve always found it fascinating and encouraging that most religions and ethical ideologies have some form of The Golden Rule.

Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.”

Buddhism: “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”

Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself”

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Our current political parties (both!) more often than not turn a blind eye to Jesus’ clear instruction.

For example, Monday’s remembrance of World AIDS Day took on more seriousness and urgency as the Trump administration (often claiming adherence to the Bible and the example of JC) cancelled the annual Dec. 1 observance. Presidents have acknowledged World AIDS Day for more than 30 years.

Is cancellation how they want to be treated? How we want to be treated?