Just another play by play story of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. The MSM has done a good job covering this, and I've learned a little more than I already knew. It didn't fall into 'what kind of beer or shoes would be best for this time of year' coverage. It didn't try to set up a market for aiding Madison Avenue. It didn't focus on the controversies, the inner-Muslim violence, the terrorism, the divisions and discord within Islam. It allowed the readers to remember that of the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, most are just folks who are going through an important part of their rich religious tradition.
Now, in a little while, let's see how the MSM does with Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany and all the other sacred and holy celebrations that over 2 billion Christians will observe. Let's see if they can separate it from our country's annual orgy of consumerism and commercialism. Let's watch and see if they can actually let Christians speak for themselves about why it is meaningful without endless stories about debates and divisions, controversies and scandals, and the annual 'Jesus was all a Myth' special issues. Let's compare. I would like to think the coverage of both will be the same. I'm not holding my breath, but I would like to think it.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Uh Oh, Obama's children's book is under fire by FOX
So President Obama has included Sitting Bull as one of those heroes worth emulating. We all remember him, chief of the Sioux nation that pretty much wiped out the 7th Cavalry led by General George Armstrong Custer, even though he probably didn't actually take part in the battle of the Little Big Horn. Well, there's not really much to see there. Sitting Bull usually got passing grades even when I was a kid in the 70s. Custer was seen as being foolish in his enterprise, and ended up paying the price along with his men. They even had songs lampooning the event in the 1960s.
Now, there could be some concerns about this, not the least of which is other Plains Indians who sometimes object to the heroic portrayal of the Sioux Indians. They often tend to see the Sioux as very hostile and imperialistic, seizing land from others and absorbing their people against their will into one Super-Nation. That could be a reason to object I suppose. Others might want to point out that while America's list of atrocities is pretty long, American Indians were usually pretty good at making their own list, such as how they treated the troops of the 7th.
My guess is, Obama being a post-modern progressive, doesn't really care what happened to Custer one way or another. That wasn't his point. Or he might not think much about it beyond 'cool Native American kicks White European Imperialist butt', if he thought about it that much. Likewise, that the Sioux Indians could be anything other than the perfect examples of Utopian love and peace may have escaped him as well, especially if he watched too many showings of Dances With Wolves or Avatar. In all, I doubt at worst it represents anything other than the influence post-modern progressive ideals, manafested in multi-cultuural education, had on the man, if it even does that; ideals and biases he is as unaware of as The Cutline is of its own biases against FOX News, or as FOX News is of its own biases in making a stink out of this in the first place. Bias is, after all, a lot like body odor. You tend to recognize it in others long before you recognize it in yourself.
Now, there could be some concerns about this, not the least of which is other Plains Indians who sometimes object to the heroic portrayal of the Sioux Indians. They often tend to see the Sioux as very hostile and imperialistic, seizing land from others and absorbing their people against their will into one Super-Nation. That could be a reason to object I suppose. Others might want to point out that while America's list of atrocities is pretty long, American Indians were usually pretty good at making their own list, such as how they treated the troops of the 7th.
My guess is, Obama being a post-modern progressive, doesn't really care what happened to Custer one way or another. That wasn't his point. Or he might not think much about it beyond 'cool Native American kicks White European Imperialist butt', if he thought about it that much. Likewise, that the Sioux Indians could be anything other than the perfect examples of Utopian love and peace may have escaped him as well, especially if he watched too many showings of Dances With Wolves or Avatar. In all, I doubt at worst it represents anything other than the influence post-modern progressive ideals, manafested in multi-cultuural education, had on the man, if it even does that; ideals and biases he is as unaware of as The Cutline is of its own biases against FOX News, or as FOX News is of its own biases in making a stink out of this in the first place. Bias is, after all, a lot like body odor. You tend to recognize it in others long before you recognize it in yourself.
What did Beowulf sound like?
Here's a reading for your listening pleasure. It gives a passage of the epic poem, and then the reader explains what each part means. Pretty well cool if you're a fan of the poem. They say J.R.R. Tolkien did a wonderful reading of it for his classes. I have yet to find a copy of his readings.
I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I did
FWIW, the book referenced is The Necronomicon, a fictional work referenced in the myths of H.P. Lovecraft, a 20th century fantasy/horror writer.
Attention Regular Guests:
Wouldn't you like to be a Follower too? On a little housekeeping business, I though I would mention that located along the sidebar on the left toward the bottom of the page is a handy little tool to make you a follower. Based on the stats I get for my blog, I'm rather taken by the number of visitors, including repeat readers, who have already stopped by. For only being around a couple months, seeing visits in the thousands is nice. Not only is it cool seeing folks from Ireland to Trinidad and Tobago to Australia to Russia stopping by (even if once because they clicked a link), but it's also gratifying to see that some are coming back. One way to help me out is to be a Follower. If you have any troubles let me know. You can email me, or just give me a heads up in the comments below.
Which reminds me, I know the comments section isn't as handy as Haloscan, but I'm not ready to go there yet. It's not too difficult as it is. I know that's easy for me to say since it's my blog and I automatically have everything set up. But if there are problems, concerns, or you happen to see a comment removed, please feel free to contact me. I enjoy the dialogue, and promise to be polite and keep things as cool as possible. My ultimate goal is to have a blog where folks can discuss things perhaps outside of the rancor that is often the hallmark of the overall blogosphere. Thanks for visiting, hope you are enjoying the eclectic experience that is my wandering mind.
Which reminds me, I know the comments section isn't as handy as Haloscan, but I'm not ready to go there yet. It's not too difficult as it is. I know that's easy for me to say since it's my blog and I automatically have everything set up. But if there are problems, concerns, or you happen to see a comment removed, please feel free to contact me. I enjoy the dialogue, and promise to be polite and keep things as cool as possible. My ultimate goal is to have a blog where folks can discuss things perhaps outside of the rancor that is often the hallmark of the overall blogosphere. Thanks for visiting, hope you are enjoying the eclectic experience that is my wandering mind.
Catholic and Muslim leaders agree to agree
The seventh meeting between Catholic and Muslim leaders just concluded. From it, several things were agreed upon. That's fine. We'll wait and see how it plays out. Cynics will say it's much ado about nothing. Optimists will say it shows the dawning of a new, bright era. Others will notice Protestants were not part of the dialogue and wonder why. In all, I prefer to wait and see. Call me from Missouri, but I'm a 'show me' type. Right now, it's good to hear Muslim leaders say religious freedom is an inherent right. What would be better is seeing it play out across the Muslims world, where according to Amnesty International and other Human Rights organizations the record of religious tolerance varies from shaky at best, to downright deplorable. Hopefully, especially for religious minorities in those countries, this suggests the beginning of a new, bright era after all.
An American Myth
I've been told by folks of a certain generation that I don't know what it was like to be raised to believe America was the greatest country in history, that it never did anything wrong, that it was the hero in all things, and that it was superior to any country that ever was or ever will be. That's true. I certainly wasn't raised to believe that about America when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. But I wonder. I'm told all of America in the 50s and 60s was about pushing people to conform to this button-down society. That's why the whole youth rebellion happened. Yet I can't help but look at the books, the movies, even some of the television of the period and notice something entirely different. Oh, there was Ozzie and Harriet, or Father Knows Best. But there was the Twilight Zone, the comedy shows, the movies like Giant or From Here to Eternity, books like To Kill a Mockingbird - all of which were anything but blind devotion to the American Gospel. And they were all popular. If there was an attempt to conform Americans to one way of thinking, apparently there was plenty out there giving a different viewpoint that Americans gobbled up with a spoon.
I thought of this recently because someone hit me with the 'Americans don't know about the bad in our history' spiel, going on to say he was never taught these things when he was in school. Problem is, he appeared to be younger than me. Yet I remember learning all about slavery in elementary school, about how we cheated the American Indians, and the questionable tactics in American expansion. That was in the 1970s. So did I just live in some fluke corner of America? Did it just start the year before I entered school? The more I look at what people were reading and watching, and about how much I heard about America's sins; the more I wonder just how true this 'Americans didn't know anything bad about America, and everything tried to make them conform to button down American values' narrative really is.
Especially when I think of a forum I attended as a minister when an Episcopal priest stood up and said the same thing: "Americans don't know about our history, what America has done wrong. We need to admit to America's sins!" I thought then, what sins are we missing? This is today. The 21st century. All I hear about is the bad that America has done and is doing. And it dawned on me, is it possible that this is but a myth, a myth like 'the good old days' is always said to be? A myth that never was, and still isn't, but no matter how much negative is out there, no matter how much negative is emphasized, folks who believe that myth simply dismiss it and assure us that Americans have yet to fess up and admit to our sins?
As a Catholic, I've discovered that confession is good for the soul. But I also know that, while it's good to get an individual to admit his sins, it's also bad if he doesn't stop. If, upon admitting his sins, he plunges into the other extreme of rejecting forgiveness, or ignoring the good in their lives, it can be just as dangerous. I often wonder if America hasn't gone from one extreme that may never have been, to another extreme that is all too real.
I thought of this recently because someone hit me with the 'Americans don't know about the bad in our history' spiel, going on to say he was never taught these things when he was in school. Problem is, he appeared to be younger than me. Yet I remember learning all about slavery in elementary school, about how we cheated the American Indians, and the questionable tactics in American expansion. That was in the 1970s. So did I just live in some fluke corner of America? Did it just start the year before I entered school? The more I look at what people were reading and watching, and about how much I heard about America's sins; the more I wonder just how true this 'Americans didn't know anything bad about America, and everything tried to make them conform to button down American values' narrative really is.
Especially when I think of a forum I attended as a minister when an Episcopal priest stood up and said the same thing: "Americans don't know about our history, what America has done wrong. We need to admit to America's sins!" I thought then, what sins are we missing? This is today. The 21st century. All I hear about is the bad that America has done and is doing. And it dawned on me, is it possible that this is but a myth, a myth like 'the good old days' is always said to be? A myth that never was, and still isn't, but no matter how much negative is out there, no matter how much negative is emphasized, folks who believe that myth simply dismiss it and assure us that Americans have yet to fess up and admit to our sins?
As a Catholic, I've discovered that confession is good for the soul. But I also know that, while it's good to get an individual to admit his sins, it's also bad if he doesn't stop. If, upon admitting his sins, he plunges into the other extreme of rejecting forgiveness, or ignoring the good in their lives, it can be just as dangerous. I often wonder if America hasn't gone from one extreme that may never have been, to another extreme that is all too real.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tired of logical fallacies in your everyday conversations?
Bothered by friends and coworkers who insist that since all dogs are animals and no cats are dogs, cats therefore cannot be animals? Well have I got a website for you! Taxonomy of the Logical Fallacy. Before you wade into the next combox debate, sure that the only thing you have to fear is annoyance and a bit of the carpal tunnel syndrome, beware the dreaded logical fallacy. Check it out, study hard, and be sure to apply every principle the next time you comment!
Thank goodness Muslims have the hajj and not Christmas
Otherwise we might not learn anything about it. For its part, the MSM continues to do a good job covering Muslim religious practices and customs. What's holding back the 'shoe styles for the modern pilgrim' stories is beyond me. Perhaps a new found respect and admiration for the role that religious belief plays in the life of most human beings? Maybe. The fact that the MSM is scared out of its pants when it comes to Islam? Perhaps. The fact that Islam is, and this is important, not Christianity? I wouldn't doubt. As it is, there have been many stories from various outlets covering the different parts, practices, and pilgrimages of a host of Islamic holy days and festivals over the last year or so. I find it fascinating, though guess it probably isn't nearly as complete as most practicing Muslims would prefer.
Nonetheless, it's a massive improvement over what Christianity will get. Turkey day, that day we shuffle our feet about lest we spend too much time on the religious/genocidal heritage of the holiday, is quickly being absorbed into our annual glorification of Mammon. And the holiday formerly known as Christmas will receive its annual passing references around the 24th and 25th. Beyond that, and some typical 'the Jesus story was a myth!' sensationalism on some cable channels and monthly periodicals, most of the coverage will be about anything other than the Christian connection to the holiday. Prizes for anyone who finds coverage of the season of Advent, the part in which Christians historically prepared for the celebration of Christmas. Christmas itself didn't break out in festivities until after Advent. But our dear friends on Wall Street would not have us miss an entire month of valuable shopping, so 'Christmas' is that time somewhere in July that ends about three days before the 25th, when stores begin getting ready for Valentines Day.
Some special prizes to anyone who sees a day to day series of stories covering the twelve days of Christmas, or the Feast of Epiphany, which closes the season of Christmastide. Or for that matter, any mention of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. That's the day historically set aside to remember the slaughter of the infants by Herod as he sought out the child Jesus. Bet you won't find any Hallmark cards calling that one to mind. All in all, America's annual celebration of commercialism and consumerism has long displaced that holiday once centered around the baby in a manger. Even in Catholic circles, it's difficult to remember that the holiday isn't over on the 26th (or for some folks the evening of the 25th: It's all over for another year!). On the 25th, it's only beginning. If the MSM covered it that way, folks might actually believe it. But unless the media follow their recent trend inspired by giving Islamic practices space and respect, and transfers that approach to covering Christian holy days, I doubt anything will change in the minds of most Americans.
Nonetheless, it's a massive improvement over what Christianity will get. Turkey day, that day we shuffle our feet about lest we spend too much time on the religious/genocidal heritage of the holiday, is quickly being absorbed into our annual glorification of Mammon. And the holiday formerly known as Christmas will receive its annual passing references around the 24th and 25th. Beyond that, and some typical 'the Jesus story was a myth!' sensationalism on some cable channels and monthly periodicals, most of the coverage will be about anything other than the Christian connection to the holiday. Prizes for anyone who finds coverage of the season of Advent, the part in which Christians historically prepared for the celebration of Christmas. Christmas itself didn't break out in festivities until after Advent. But our dear friends on Wall Street would not have us miss an entire month of valuable shopping, so 'Christmas' is that time somewhere in July that ends about three days before the 25th, when stores begin getting ready for Valentines Day.
Some special prizes to anyone who sees a day to day series of stories covering the twelve days of Christmas, or the Feast of Epiphany, which closes the season of Christmastide. Or for that matter, any mention of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. That's the day historically set aside to remember the slaughter of the infants by Herod as he sought out the child Jesus. Bet you won't find any Hallmark cards calling that one to mind. All in all, America's annual celebration of commercialism and consumerism has long displaced that holiday once centered around the baby in a manger. Even in Catholic circles, it's difficult to remember that the holiday isn't over on the 26th (or for some folks the evening of the 25th: It's all over for another year!). On the 25th, it's only beginning. If the MSM covered it that way, folks might actually believe it. But unless the media follow their recent trend inspired by giving Islamic practices space and respect, and transfers that approach to covering Christian holy days, I doubt anything will change in the minds of most Americans.
The Royal Engagement and the Beatles on iTunes: Two stories I don't give a wit about
Why? First, the royals. While it's all interesting and whatnot, I guess I got burned by the wedding of the century when I was a kid. You know, the one involving Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Not to mention the fact that several news outlets are praising the young prince's willingness to let all those old traditions and moral anachronisms be set aside for a splash in the wellspring of modern narcissism and hedonistic post-Christian livun'. So count me as one who will gladly watch a National Geographic special on the art of whale gutting in the arctic rather than waste my time following this one. If the Royal Family was interested in preserving the best of what England had to offer, I might. But as of now, it doesn't look like it's produced much more than a new generation of European post-moderns.
As for the Beatles, that's a little stranger. I count myself as quite the Beatles fan. I have all of their CDs, a few old time LPs, many old, now unused, cassettes, and myriad books and other fan paraphernalia. So why don't I care about this? One reason I don't care could be I have the CDs and can just download the songs onto our digital receptacles as need be. Another, however, is that I think I've grown up. Not that I don't have my child like love of things such as running through cemeteries at Halloween or snowball fights at Christmastime or playing games with my children. But I'm trying to stop being a kid disguised as an adult. And one of the first things that go when that occurs is the end of living centered around the pop culture universe.
That's not to say I don't like movies here or there, or still listen to the Beatles, Van Halen, 80s music, or whatever. I just don't live there anymore. I'm tired of being part of a generation proud of the fact that it's forgotten how many Commandments there were, but knows the name of the latest kid Brad Pitt adopted. I'm weary of a society that can't name the Vice-President or tell me how many Supreme Court Justices there are, but is all aflutter over who will win Dancing With the Stars. And that means while I enjoy the Beatles' music, and even their life stories, I no longer sit on pins and needles waiting to obsess about the next cleverly designed marketing campaign meant to make filthy rich a bunch of people who couldn't care less if I lived or died.
So for the next day or two, I will have to stomach story after story about two things I feel I've grown out of in order to hear a little bit of attention focused on the serious things of the world. But I guess I can cheer up. In a couple days it will be reduced to one superficial story as all focus turns to the release of the latest Harry Potter movie.
As for the Beatles, that's a little stranger. I count myself as quite the Beatles fan. I have all of their CDs, a few old time LPs, many old, now unused, cassettes, and myriad books and other fan paraphernalia. So why don't I care about this? One reason I don't care could be I have the CDs and can just download the songs onto our digital receptacles as need be. Another, however, is that I think I've grown up. Not that I don't have my child like love of things such as running through cemeteries at Halloween or snowball fights at Christmastime or playing games with my children. But I'm trying to stop being a kid disguised as an adult. And one of the first things that go when that occurs is the end of living centered around the pop culture universe.
That's not to say I don't like movies here or there, or still listen to the Beatles, Van Halen, 80s music, or whatever. I just don't live there anymore. I'm tired of being part of a generation proud of the fact that it's forgotten how many Commandments there were, but knows the name of the latest kid Brad Pitt adopted. I'm weary of a society that can't name the Vice-President or tell me how many Supreme Court Justices there are, but is all aflutter over who will win Dancing With the Stars. And that means while I enjoy the Beatles' music, and even their life stories, I no longer sit on pins and needles waiting to obsess about the next cleverly designed marketing campaign meant to make filthy rich a bunch of people who couldn't care less if I lived or died.
So for the next day or two, I will have to stomach story after story about two things I feel I've grown out of in order to hear a little bit of attention focused on the serious things of the world. But I guess I can cheer up. In a couple days it will be reduced to one superficial story as all focus turns to the release of the latest Harry Potter movie.
Pietro Sambi to the USCCB: Evangelize! Evangelize! For God's sake Evangelize!
About time. The apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, has told the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that it's high time Catholics get serious about evangelizing. Of course this can mean many things, and the reasons why the Catholic Church in America is floundering in terms of evangelism are legion, for they are many. It takes a parish, diocese, and national Church committed to evangelising, finding ways to proclaim the Gospel by deed and by word, and making darn sure when people show up to see what all the fuss is about, they aren't made to feel like someone just dropped in the middle of the Amazon basin.
I studied both history and theology, but when I first began visiting local area Catholic churches, I was as lost as I ever could have been. Nothing made sense, and I was already pretty well versed in the liturgical rites of the Anglican communion. I still had to wonder what was happening. My wife and kids, raised solely in the Baptist tradition, were even more confused about what was happening. With no family or friends in the Church to guide us, we were as confused as I ever had hoped to be. Finding ways to break down those walls of wonder, making sure visitors are treated like guests, making sure we Catholics aren't inadvertently living up to anti-Catholic stereotypes, and being sure that the leadership of the Church is involved and supportive are all essential elements to effective spreading of the Good News.
I studied both history and theology, but when I first began visiting local area Catholic churches, I was as lost as I ever could have been. Nothing made sense, and I was already pretty well versed in the liturgical rites of the Anglican communion. I still had to wonder what was happening. My wife and kids, raised solely in the Baptist tradition, were even more confused about what was happening. With no family or friends in the Church to guide us, we were as confused as I ever had hoped to be. Finding ways to break down those walls of wonder, making sure visitors are treated like guests, making sure we Catholics aren't inadvertently living up to anti-Catholic stereotypes, and being sure that the leadership of the Church is involved and supportive are all essential elements to effective spreading of the Good News.
In related news concerning our ever silly public education system:
West Potomac High School declares 'No more 'F' for failure!' Meanwhile Mike Shanahan, coach of the Washington Redskins Evil European Imperialists, will pressure the NFL to stop posting the games' scores so his team won't feel bad and will try to do better.
Jay McDowell demonstrates how Homosexuality is the hammer with which the Left will crush failure to embrace Righthink
So a video has gone viral. Many do. Why is this one special? Because it helps the MSM advance the cause of homosexuality, which I am increasingly convinced it could not care one wit about. Rather, it is advancing the primary tool with which the Left will crush opposing viewpoints in the name of diversity and tolerance. Apparently a teacher demanded a student who had a confederate belt buckle strip it off in the light of liberal dress codes. Then as a result, two students who got into what is described as a heated debate over gay rights were immediately expelled form the classroom. The school board, laboring under the delusion that schools are where a free and open exchange of ideals can take place, punished the teacher.
Now, gay rights advocates are pouring from the woodwork to defend this champion of the homosexual juggernaut. Rightly did he demand conformity to the dogmas of the gay rights movement, and justly did he punish those who in their ignorance and bigotry failed to conform to the Righthink of the post-modern Left.
Some once thought that abortion would be the battleground over which the soul of America would be fought. But despite media and cultural attempts to portray it as a fight between stupid religious neanderthals and enlightened, caring, loving, and well dressed secularists, it just didn't pan out that way. Plenty of traditional religious folks defend some level of abortion rights, and plenty of otherwise liberal, non-religious folks get the heebie-jeebies about treating human life in such a way.
But homosexuality is a whole 'nuther ball game. Basically those opposed to it more or less cling to a more traditional viewpoint, usually one founded upon traditional religious beliefs. Therefore it has become the preferred method by which the post-modern Left seeks to demand conformity to its dogmas, and punish those who fail to obey its precepts. Second rate citizens, marginalized bigots, religious zealots: these are the labels waiting for our children in the public schools who fail to obey the absolute Truths (TM) of the post-modern Left, starting with the acceptance and celebration of homosexuality and every other sexual expression apart from a traditional marriage between man and woman.
Now, gay rights advocates are pouring from the woodwork to defend this champion of the homosexual juggernaut. Rightly did he demand conformity to the dogmas of the gay rights movement, and justly did he punish those who in their ignorance and bigotry failed to conform to the Righthink of the post-modern Left.
Some once thought that abortion would be the battleground over which the soul of America would be fought. But despite media and cultural attempts to portray it as a fight between stupid religious neanderthals and enlightened, caring, loving, and well dressed secularists, it just didn't pan out that way. Plenty of traditional religious folks defend some level of abortion rights, and plenty of otherwise liberal, non-religious folks get the heebie-jeebies about treating human life in such a way.
But homosexuality is a whole 'nuther ball game. Basically those opposed to it more or less cling to a more traditional viewpoint, usually one founded upon traditional religious beliefs. Therefore it has become the preferred method by which the post-modern Left seeks to demand conformity to its dogmas, and punish those who fail to obey its precepts. Second rate citizens, marginalized bigots, religious zealots: these are the labels waiting for our children in the public schools who fail to obey the absolute Truths (TM) of the post-modern Left, starting with the acceptance and celebration of homosexuality and every other sexual expression apart from a traditional marriage between man and woman.
President Obama offers greetings to Muslims for Eid-ul-Adha
Nothing really news here. I'm sure some folks deep in the weird world of ultra-conspiracies will see something. But this is what the president does. That these things haven't happened before merely illustrates the growing influence of Islam in America and the rest of the world. That's no big deal. The only thing that would make this a big deal is, come Christmas or Easter, President Obama does nothing specific for Christians, like singling the days out as a uniquely Christian holiday for reasons Christians believe. For that, we'll have to wait and see. But for now, this should not be another call for folks to run around and declare a vast, cosmic conspiracy by President Obama and the Islamic world.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Skating on thin ice: a parable
Imagine a pond. Beside the pond is a sign that says 'Stay Off, Thin Ice.' Now consider an individual who wants more than anything to skate on the ice. Now imagine there are two individuals next to him. One is a conservative. One is a liberal. The conservative says, "Don't do it. If you do and fall through the ice, you're on your own. Don't see why I should help. You know better."
The liberal says, "If you feel compelled to do it, for whatever reason, go ahead. Don't worry, we'll get you out somehow. Even if others have to die to save you, or we have to deplete our accounts to build rescue equipment, it doesn't matter. The important thing is doing what you are driven to do. Follow your passions, your desires, above all things. There is nothing that shouldn't be sacrificed in order for you to do what you want, or what you are compelled to do by your own desires."
And therein lies the problem. Our modern division between liberal/conservative is one that has done little to help the average person. After all, how many people look around today and say 'gee, things are better than they've ever been!'? We've reached a point where most old values have been discarded, and we are encouraged to do what we want to do. Despite our tendencies to be compassionate, we are given plenty of excuses to let people stew in their own juices. And yet there is nothing out there to suggest we really are happier, better off, more fulfilled than ever before.
In fact, just the opposite. Whether it's a pandemic of teenage suicides, unprecedented levels of drug dependency, or a genera malaise toward living, the indicators are that a vast sea of people in our nation are feeling left out, missing something, floundering in the wake of two ideological warships locked in mortal combat.
The reason could be the extremes from which we are left to choose. It shouldn't be 'do what you want, consequences be damned', not matter why you may want it. Nor should it be 'everyone for themselves, if you screw up, you're on your own.' A good, Christian, alternative should be, "Hey, don't skate on the thin ice. No matter what, no matter why you want to. Don't risk if. It could be thin. You could break through and die. And others could be impacted by your decision. But know this everyone else: sometimes humans in their weaknesses will sneak out and try the ice just because they are human. When that happens, we should work together to do what we can and save them."
In the same way, Jesus handled a situation many years ago on the streets of Jerusalem. When a woman was dragged from the act of adultery and tossed at the feet of Jesus, the pundits of the day thought they had him where they wanted him. She was caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses makes it clear what must be done: death by stoning! But Jesus would have none of it. Famously, and in the part everyone loves to quote, Jesus asks that the one among them who is without sin cast the first stone. One by one the rocks, those rocks held in hand eager to do the throwing, begin to drop. Realizing the degree of their own sins, they got the point.
Then Jesus walked over to the woman. In another statement often quoted on shows like Oprah, and other post-modern venues, he asks her if there is anyone left to condemn her. No doubt shaken, she looks around at the thinning crowd and realizes that all who were there ready to stone her to death have dispersed. There is no one left. Jesus then says, "Neither do I condemn you." Now this is one of the favorite passages by those on the more liberal side of the tracks. I've heard entire sermons centered around this line. This is telling the skater, "Don't worry, no doubt you had to skate on the ice, it was beyond your control, it was you affirming your desires and passions. We would never, ever condemn or criticize you in any way for fulfilling your desires, no matter what the outcome."
But Jesus doesn't merely say, "Neither do I condemn you." He says, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." It's that last part that is missing in our post-modern age. Sure, the sometimes self righteous condemnation from the right, or worse, the Darwinian philosophy of everyone for himself, can sound as cold and callous as a mob with stones in hand ready to pounce. But the other, that there is no condemnation which means there is no moral absolute, no truth beyond our right to fulfill our every desire, is no less flawed; no less disastrous, as the body count in the wake of the deplorable sexual revolution should more than attest.
It is the combination. The Christian faith says 'there is no condemnation, but go and sin no more.' For there is sin, sin for which we will all be held accountable. It is not 'skate if you want, everyone else can suffer to affirm your desires.' Nor is it 'skate if you will, and if you fall through the ice, then screw you.' It's 'don't skate, because you and others could be hurt. But if you do, we'll do everything we can to save you...so that you will never do such a thing again.' Having that as the foundation of our modern value system could only help, given the disastrous legacy of the two fallacious choices with which we have been left in recent decades.
The liberal says, "If you feel compelled to do it, for whatever reason, go ahead. Don't worry, we'll get you out somehow. Even if others have to die to save you, or we have to deplete our accounts to build rescue equipment, it doesn't matter. The important thing is doing what you are driven to do. Follow your passions, your desires, above all things. There is nothing that shouldn't be sacrificed in order for you to do what you want, or what you are compelled to do by your own desires."
And therein lies the problem. Our modern division between liberal/conservative is one that has done little to help the average person. After all, how many people look around today and say 'gee, things are better than they've ever been!'? We've reached a point where most old values have been discarded, and we are encouraged to do what we want to do. Despite our tendencies to be compassionate, we are given plenty of excuses to let people stew in their own juices. And yet there is nothing out there to suggest we really are happier, better off, more fulfilled than ever before.
In fact, just the opposite. Whether it's a pandemic of teenage suicides, unprecedented levels of drug dependency, or a genera malaise toward living, the indicators are that a vast sea of people in our nation are feeling left out, missing something, floundering in the wake of two ideological warships locked in mortal combat.
The reason could be the extremes from which we are left to choose. It shouldn't be 'do what you want, consequences be damned', not matter why you may want it. Nor should it be 'everyone for themselves, if you screw up, you're on your own.' A good, Christian, alternative should be, "Hey, don't skate on the thin ice. No matter what, no matter why you want to. Don't risk if. It could be thin. You could break through and die. And others could be impacted by your decision. But know this everyone else: sometimes humans in their weaknesses will sneak out and try the ice just because they are human. When that happens, we should work together to do what we can and save them."
In the same way, Jesus handled a situation many years ago on the streets of Jerusalem. When a woman was dragged from the act of adultery and tossed at the feet of Jesus, the pundits of the day thought they had him where they wanted him. She was caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses makes it clear what must be done: death by stoning! But Jesus would have none of it. Famously, and in the part everyone loves to quote, Jesus asks that the one among them who is without sin cast the first stone. One by one the rocks, those rocks held in hand eager to do the throwing, begin to drop. Realizing the degree of their own sins, they got the point.
Then Jesus walked over to the woman. In another statement often quoted on shows like Oprah, and other post-modern venues, he asks her if there is anyone left to condemn her. No doubt shaken, she looks around at the thinning crowd and realizes that all who were there ready to stone her to death have dispersed. There is no one left. Jesus then says, "Neither do I condemn you." Now this is one of the favorite passages by those on the more liberal side of the tracks. I've heard entire sermons centered around this line. This is telling the skater, "Don't worry, no doubt you had to skate on the ice, it was beyond your control, it was you affirming your desires and passions. We would never, ever condemn or criticize you in any way for fulfilling your desires, no matter what the outcome."
But Jesus doesn't merely say, "Neither do I condemn you." He says, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." It's that last part that is missing in our post-modern age. Sure, the sometimes self righteous condemnation from the right, or worse, the Darwinian philosophy of everyone for himself, can sound as cold and callous as a mob with stones in hand ready to pounce. But the other, that there is no condemnation which means there is no moral absolute, no truth beyond our right to fulfill our every desire, is no less flawed; no less disastrous, as the body count in the wake of the deplorable sexual revolution should more than attest.
It is the combination. The Christian faith says 'there is no condemnation, but go and sin no more.' For there is sin, sin for which we will all be held accountable. It is not 'skate if you want, everyone else can suffer to affirm your desires.' Nor is it 'skate if you will, and if you fall through the ice, then screw you.' It's 'don't skate, because you and others could be hurt. But if you do, we'll do everything we can to save you...so that you will never do such a thing again.' Having that as the foundation of our modern value system could only help, given the disastrous legacy of the two fallacious choices with which we have been left in recent decades.
MSM continues its play by play of the hajj
Another interesting story that follows the developments of this annual pilgrimage. So far, the stories about shoe styles and material shortages are at a minimum, as the media focuses on what the hajj is, what it means to Muslims, what its purpose is, and why it came to be. I'm sure a scholar focused on studying Islam would find many things missing, many valuable pieces of the puzzle being left out. Still, it's enough to give some basic information to non-Muslims about what is happening.
On the other hand, wait for that holiday formerly known as Christmas. On December 24, the MSM will begrudgingly mention the fact that Christians do some things centered around the 'belief' that Christ was born here or there. This will usually follow a month of consumerism and festive materialism, with the only religious references being the media's annual 'everything about Jesus was really a myth' stories. I hope Muslims enjoy it while it lasts.
On the other hand, wait for that holiday formerly known as Christmas. On December 24, the MSM will begrudgingly mention the fact that Christians do some things centered around the 'belief' that Christ was born here or there. This will usually follow a month of consumerism and festive materialism, with the only religious references being the media's annual 'everything about Jesus was really a myth' stories. I hope Muslims enjoy it while it lasts.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Another inconvenient free expression of speech falls victim to the bloody axe of Big PC Brother values: University of North Dakota style
Or should I say bloody tomahawk. Yes, I see the sensitivities involved. By as a person of Irish lineage, perhaps it's time to dispense with the Fighting Irish? No, I would never be so small, so petty, so insistent that everyone in the world change to conform to me. But then I make a bad post-modern American, where focusing on myself and expecting the world to adapt to me is the MO of enlightened living.
Muslims around the world begin the hajj
Good for them. I wish them the best. One of the things I admire about Islam is its reliability. Unlike so much of Christianity, that has tried through compromise to make friends with the increasingly anti-Christian West, Islam continues to do its thing. Not deterred by pressures or threats, it stays true and faithful to the dictates of its faith. Only a few years ago, when Christmas fell on a Sunday, what did churches around the United States do? They closed. Canceled services in keeping with the time honored tradition of Christmas being a super swell holiday all about family and fun and commercial festivities. That religious stuff just needs to be put outside the kitchen door next to the dish of milk. And so we did. Of course the flip side is that when a religiously ignorant and uninterested media covers something like the hajj, expect stories about logistical problems, travelogues featuring Muslims advancing values shared by the post-liberal media, and cutsie anecdotes about the latest shoe styles for the Muslim pilgrim. That comes with being a part of our post-religious Western culture. Either Islam will be absorbed into that or, my bet, will make radical changes once its ability to influence the West has finally taken seed.
Jim Swilley: CNN's latest Superstar
Why? That's not difficult. Because he is the leader of a mega-church who has recently left his wife and admitted he is gay. That's the key, by the way. He left his wife, dissolved his marriage, threw that last vestige of archaic values in the trash heap. Unlike Ted Haggard, he put his sexual orientation above all things. He affirmed the importance of the individual above everything as priority one, all other priorities rescinded, all other considerations secondary. That last part is important for advancing modern 'progrssivism', which Jim Swilley's church appears intent on doing.
As for CNN, don't expect questions about his church's doctrines. CNN is probably peopled largely with post-Western secular progressives who know less about theology and religious doctrine than I do about nuclear physics. If they even care at all.
The point about this is CNN continuing to advance the homosexual juggernaut. Obviously CNN, like all news outlets, is advocacy based. Whether FOX, NBC, MSNBC (obviously), or CNN, it's the agenda that matters. CNN's recent exploitation of teenagers who committed suicide, throwing any non-gay considerations or victims under the bus and focusing in disproportionate ways only on those who were gay, is an example of were advocacy can start to develop a foul reek.
For his part, Jim Swilley will be interviewed, focused upon, celebrated, and given carte blanche over the next few weeks. Cases of hatred or mean spirited attacks from those who oppose Jim Swilley will be paraded across their screens, with never a sincere, serious, and mature discussion on the various issues involved. Viewers will hear nothing about The Church in the Now except it is a mega-church. But I will say this. CITN is not alone, and the development of the post-denominational mega-churches, and the increasing power and influence they have on the here today, gone later today face of Protestant Christianity, is one of the driving forces behind my movement back into the historic Catholic Faith.
As for CNN, don't expect questions about his church's doctrines. CNN is probably peopled largely with post-Western secular progressives who know less about theology and religious doctrine than I do about nuclear physics. If they even care at all.
The point about this is CNN continuing to advance the homosexual juggernaut. Obviously CNN, like all news outlets, is advocacy based. Whether FOX, NBC, MSNBC (obviously), or CNN, it's the agenda that matters. CNN's recent exploitation of teenagers who committed suicide, throwing any non-gay considerations or victims under the bus and focusing in disproportionate ways only on those who were gay, is an example of were advocacy can start to develop a foul reek.
For his part, Jim Swilley will be interviewed, focused upon, celebrated, and given carte blanche over the next few weeks. Cases of hatred or mean spirited attacks from those who oppose Jim Swilley will be paraded across their screens, with never a sincere, serious, and mature discussion on the various issues involved. Viewers will hear nothing about The Church in the Now except it is a mega-church. But I will say this. CITN is not alone, and the development of the post-denominational mega-churches, and the increasing power and influence they have on the here today, gone later today face of Protestant Christianity, is one of the driving forces behind my movement back into the historic Catholic Faith.
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