"Right"-eous & Christian?????

Lately I've rediscovered an author that had a great effect on me in college, lo those many years ago. I saw a couple of references in articles I'd read, probably in The Atlantic, and I proceeded to find some of his writings. I refer to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit (!?!?!?) theologian and a paleontologist who was on the team that classified Peking Man. One of his quotes appears on the header of this blog.

Now I am not very religious. If asked, I usually respond R.C.L. (Roman Catholic Lapsed). So how do I reconcile having this Jesuit as an influence? Well, Teilhard is logical. He's a scientist. While he tends to a Christian interpretation of phenomena, he maintains his analytical bent. His works aren't filled with "God" but rather man's search for the "Unity." I might take some issue with his assertion that mankind is the apogee of evolution but I do agree with his idea of continued mental and spiritual evolution to join the noosphere.

Where we presently reside is very ostentatiously "Christian." There is an evangelical mega-church just a few blocks north of us and a Baptist mega-church four blocks to the south. Most of the citizens in this city are self-avowed Christians. "God bless" is almost as dominant a form of greeting as "hello" or "good-bye." The former mayor had an "important" conference on a constitutional issue recently---President Obama's speech to school children. This is "Nobama" land, for sure. Why he's a socialist!!!

And why are these Christians so afraid of socialism? Likely because they have forgotten to read the New Testament. This is "eye for an eye" and "homosexuality is abomination" land. Right out of Leviticus and the Books of the Old Testament. We don't hear about "turn[ing] the other cheek", "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", or "love thy neighbor as thyself". Much less the sharing of food and lodging in the Christian community described in Acts or the Epistles of St. Paul. I guess I'm saying I don't see a lot of Christianity being practiced by today's Christians.

God doesn't have a flowing white beard---that's an anthropomorphism, endowing human traits on the deity to make him "understandable" to humankind. The problem is we've overdone this. I can accept a deity as the entity that fired off the Big Bang, the energy that started the universe spinning and expanding. But I cannot accept racism and discrimination being excused as Christians following their Master. These people are following the Jewish faith with the "vengeful God" and the Pharisees. As I recall, these same were cast out of the Temple and the Messiah was to bring a new order---"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light."

Maybe our God-fearing "right"-eous people need to revisit the teachings of the Christ. Start with the Sermon on the Mount. And how socialistic is it to multiply loaves and fishes so the poor might have a meal? Thanks, I'll stick with Teilhard and his more realistic view of the Unity.

"...with a whimper"

So the Christians and tea-baggers go from the capitol. Health reform, or at least, health insurance reform, was passed by the House of Representatives late Sunday evening. And the debate was at such a level that all Amerikans should be proud----cries of "baby-killer", "nigger", etc. raining down on our elected representatives. Stand tall, Amerika. From water-boarding to torture to the total dissolution of any modicum of civility, your partisanship rises triumphant. I am as disgusted with the inexcusable performance of supposed "leaders" over the health care debate as I was over the Vietnam war. What a pathetic excuse for a civilized country. So shall we go to our just desserts, not with a bang but with a whimper.........or in a hale of racist or hateful epithets.

State of the Union 2010

So the first state of the union address by Barack Obama, originally believed to be scheduled for Feb. 2, has been the victim of constituent pressure. Rather than pre-empt or, worse yet, compete with the season premiere of Lost, the prez and team have scheduled the big speech for Wed. Jan. 27. Bending to special interests already.....And think of the poor speechwriters. Seven seasons of West Wing have taught us all about the angst of the White House staff in crafting this annual message and policy statement. To move it forward a week would have sent Josh and Sam into apoplectic fits and a long stay in a sanitarium.

In a previous post, we said we'd comment on some of the political news, so here we go---from the perspective of some rather intelligent canines---the Pirate Dogs!!!!

The first subject is hubris. The Democratic leadership (or lack thereof) embodied in Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid were so certain they could use their numerical advantage and senatorial super-majority to ram through anything on their agenda. In the course of attempting this one party take-over of the republic, these two have totally undermined the bi-partisan goals of their party's leader---the president. So the Republicans do a drug war thing--"just say no"--- and all the economic recovery and needed programs like environmental protection and health care become subject to the pork needs of every Democratic denizen of the halls of the capitol. These "leaders" of the Democratic party are so inept they allowed a Republican victory in a Massachusetts special election for the Senate seat that has been held by a Kennedy since 1952!!!!! Scott Brown ran the type of campaign that might entice any voter. If he eschews his "Number 41" b.s. and actually does what he said---represent the citizens of MA first, he would be a breath of fresh air in the Senate.

Next we have Pat Robertson saying Haiti's deals with the devil caused the tragic earthquake. What is it with "Christians"???? Now the soldiers in the Middle East can't aim their weapons properly because all the gun sights have biblical inscriptions on them and they are being recalled and replaced!!!! Or at least removed. Did it occur to these people that part of the rationale for the Islamic jihadist is their perception that they need to defeat the Crusaders, i.e., Christians, in order to preserve their life style and religion. Aren't they to be allowed the same freedom of religion as the citizens of the United States??? Didn't the King of England in 1776 call the Sons of Liberty "terrorists"?

Scandals----aahhh, what would American media be without them. Around the clock Tiger affair coverage, Mark Sanford and the Argentinian/Appalachian deception. Now John Edwards has admitted fathering Rielle's daughter and the National Inquirer's editorial board is going to submit their coverage for a Pulitzer prize, that most coveted award for SERIOUS journalism!!!! The National Inquirer---home of "I was an Alien Love Slave" exposes.......People, are you there?? Thank heaven they are "ineligible". What a fiasco that would be-----maybe even worse then McCain picking Palin !!!! Or thinking Reid and Pelosi could steer health care reform through the legislative process and have it emerge as a really positive benefit for the American people!!!

Next, let's discuss campaign finance reform. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned parts of McCain-Feingold and opened the door to limitless contributions, maybe it's time for real reform. Let the federal government take one dollar from each tax return and put the money in a pot for the presidential election. The money would be divided equally among all candidates appearing on the ballot in 26 states. (26 states is one more than half the total number of states. Some states have very low filing fees which encourage very marginal or fringe candidates to enter their primaries. If candidates can file in at least 26 states this might prevent public funding for the extremists and wackos.) Any additional expenditure would be illegal and we wouldn't want a criminal for president, would we?? No fund raising is permitted in local elections. Each office seeker should pay a filing fee and get out and meet the voters and convince them of their worthiness to serve. Just like the Founding Fathers had to---you didn't see George Washington or Thomas Jefferson doing polls and paying political advisers!!!!!!

Finally, the BIG ONE---health-care reform. Now Paul Krugman has some ideas in his column today but how about this----let's make the plan that all the government officials, Senators, House members, and federal employees have available to the general public?? Even a Republican couldn't vote against that without having to answer charges of elitism. What's good for our bureaucrats and elected representatives should be good for all the citizens, right???

Virtuous

Faith, Hope, and Charity. What Christian doesn't know these three virtues as the cornerstone of the faith. And the Golden Rule, right from Christ in the scriptures, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Words and feelings to live by and to guide us, the poor sinners trekking through the vale of tears and the valley of death. And how we count on the approval and example of our spiritual leaders. Pope Benedict, for all his flaws, met the woman who knocked him down on Christmas eve and forgave her. A true example for his flock.

But here in the US, with Christian fundamentalism running rampant, there are other shepherds, like Pat Robertson. Not one to be in thrall to the pope, this preacher came at the tragedy in Haiti with all the compassion of a spawn of Satan himself-----no forgiveness or compassion here. That earthquake was visited on the poorest Western nation because of a pact with the devil. Bet they have a lot of "homos" there too, huh, Pat??? Sometimes I wonder what the hell bible these yahoos are reading................

Fictions

So the governor of SC, Mark Sanford, a front runner for the dubious distinction of carrying the Republican banner in the 2012 presidential election, allowed the fiction to be disseminated that he was hiking on the Appalachian trail to clear his head after some bitter fights over budgets and money with the SC legislature. This is a fiction. He admitted today he was involved in an affair.

Now, this man is alleged to be a paragon of conservative virtues like the sanctity of the family, the sanctity of "one man one woman" marriage, and all the other virtues that secular liberal intellectuals lack. So how badly have the mouthpieces of the G O P castigated this sinner over his fall from the Sinai of their proclivities? Well, Ayatollah Rush Limbaugh has taken comfort in the fact that Republicans are capable of sex and lust. So much for the Commandments about not committing adultery and not coveting another man's wife. Does this mean that henceforth the religious wing of the G O P will only be touting 8 commandments for public display, not the original 10 given us by GOD?? As for the next-in-line prophet, Hannity, his website has a non-clickable line about the incident. And these two purport to be the consciences of the nation??

A final fiction---Suppose Argentina was just to throw us off the scent and Gov. S. really went to another state that starts with "A" and his real paramour is the governor there. This torrid affair began about a year ago (he said this), maybe at a Republican governors conference?? And an affair with the fair governor of that northernmost clime might eliminate a front-running and highly respected rival for the 2012 nomination....

Honestly, between multiple nuptial Newt, Ensign lover, now Sanford the fallen, shouldn't the question be whether any of the "serious" Republican possible presidential candidates for 2012 have more sense than Midshipman Bertie, the humpy little chihuahua? Bert has an excuse---he's a 4-month old male puppy. What excuse can Rush and Sean offer for the uncontrollable urges of men aspiring to leadership who act like 4-month old male puppies???

Of Pirates and Pagans

So the only religious goods store near us is in the Village of Old Greenwich. For the number of Italians and churches in southern Fairfield County, you'd think there would be hundreds. But no, just this one.

We were on a mission to get a St. Joseph statue. Not only is he the father of the savior but according to the old French Catholics in northern New England, he's the patron saint of successful real estate transactions as well. Meaning you gotta get a statue of St Joe to sell your house!!!

So we went into this shop. And the salesperson cheerily greeted us, inquiring as to what we sought. Upon our reply that we were looking for a statue ("No statues here") of St Joseph----"Are you selling a house? That's what most people want those for--pagans!!!!" we promptly regrouped and, St Peter-like, denied that a real estate sale was our goal. We actually went so far as to agree about this barbaric practice, telling her that we heard that the figure must be buried head down facing the structure in the back yard. Not that we would EVER condone such an action....

She offered medals of St Joseph, after all a likeness of St Joseph was a likeness of St Joseph regardless if it was a medal or a statue. But we demurred. I had to think quick, didn't want to be appraised as a pagan by this purveyor of sanctity. I insisted that we needed a statue. It seemed that my 96-year old aunt had had a statue of St Joseph on the mantle for years and decades. And the unthinking new cat she had recently received as a pet had ascended the mantle and with a swish of the tail had deposited the artifact onto the floor, shattering it into pieces. Hence our quest for a statue and it had to be a statue. You know how old Italian aunts can be so set in their wishes and desires......Then we beat a hasty retreat as the salesperson god bless, 96 years olded us out the door.

Questioning My Vote??

The Pirate Dogs are still howling unbelievably about the local church and some of its clientele. So they aren't participating in this posting.

To read the newspapers and listen to cable news is to begin to doubt the wisdom of my vote for Obama. He promised change and a joining of the American people in the middle, an end to the extremes of partisanship and red-vs-blue. Can't we give him a chance to get inaugurated and start work before bringing out all the insignificant b.s that drives the wedges between our peoples??

Take the cabinet choices---no Southerners. Well, the government representatives from that region's record hasn't been very positive in the Bush years. And as a whole, it's not Obama territory. We also do not have any good information on those he might have contacted that decided to continue in their present jobs rather than sign on to the new administration. A lot of Obama supporters are governors who might be of more benefit to the country and their states if they stay in their present circumstances. The other "big deal" about the cabinet is lots of Clinton people. Anyone have any non-Clinton folks with experience in a Democratic administration?? Ever consider we need people who know their way around Washington to really effect the change we need and Obama has promised?

Next is the kerfuffle about Rick Warren. Now I personally can take or leave him and the evangelical movement. Lots of gay rights groups are howling Obama let them down. Would they prefer Jeremiah Wright? Or how about Pope Benedict, who says homosexuals aren't evil but their acts are sinful? Let's give Obama a pass---he's trying to UNITE us, people, and what better way than to have as many of our disparate beliefs and foibles as possible represented in his administration and in the pomp and circumstance of his inauguration. We finally got it right---let's stop the nit-picking and move on!!!!!

Sunday Thoughts

Sunday morning----- Sitting in a recliner, relaxing with coffee, reading the Sunday New York Times (online---wouldn't get it until Tuesday by mail here). I just finished mowing the lawn and doing some other chores that don't get done during the work week. Sunday mornings.......

I just read a segment somewhere that talked about the "liberal religious" movement. What??????????? Today's "religious right" would definitely not be confused with any progressive agendas. Anti-abortion, anti-same-sex relationships, anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, anti-just about any kind of social progress it seems. (Just for the record, being "pro-choice" is NOT the opposite of being "pro-life." I personally find the use of abortion as a means of birth control unacceptable. It's a failure to excercise the plethora of choices and options already available. It mocks the very term "pro-choice.")

Take the modern harvest celebration. The Christian Church around the corner is having a "Fall Festival"; the Nazarenes down the road are having "Neewollah" (isn't speaking backward a sign of demonic possession----just asking). I like the idea of putting Christ back into Christmas and also favor putting the Witch back into Halloween. I hate the political correctness namy-pamby-ism that doesn't allow parades of costumed kids on the last day of October. We make sure that if there's candy left over, it's the type we like best!!!!

By the way, the liberal religious movement I referred to above was the Berrigan brothers and other clergy opposed to the Vietnam war. I wish our present day clergy had the same moral fortitude, but seeing the size of some of these churches, I guess the need to fill them with donating worshippers frequently overrides a sense of moral conviction. As the ad for one of the Baptist congregations states: "Religion with a casual approach." Now if that's not an oxymoron.........

Christian Nation

I received a very unwelcome email a couple of days ago about how Muslims can't be Americans. It was ignorant , racist, and repugnant. See cz's blog for some of the quotes and details. I feel the need to comment on this entire email/blogging/propaganda campaign that this election cycle has degenerated into. I really am disgusted by the ignorance and the absolutely unChristian behavior of the purveyors of this trash. Allow me to present a few facts:

First, Islam, also known as Mohammedanism, is one of the THREE great mono-theistic (for those of you who send garbage emails, that means belief in ONE GOD) religions. The other two are Judaism and Christianity. I hope all of you readers are familiar with those, at least. Abraham and Jesus are both revered as prophets in Islam. There isn't any Arabian desert moon-god.

Second, if Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim, then why is there a big scandal about the relationship with the Christian minister Jeremiah Wright??? You can't have it both ways.

Perhaps it is time to decide if in fact we are a Christian nation. There's an awful lot of people professing to follow the teaching of Christ who seem more like followers of the Pharisees. Remember in the New Testament when Jesus said he was the new order, that the greatest commandment was to love God and also to love thy neighbor as thyself? Or when he instructed that he who was without sin should throw the first stone at the adulterous woman? He also replied with the parable of the good Samaritan when queried as to whom one's neighbor was. Wasn't His Crucifixion the ultimate turning of the other cheek? The attacks on homosexuals, the needless war in Iraq, the torture of people of Middle Eastern descent in places like CIA rendition centers, Abu Ghraib, or Guantanamo--- are these acts those of a nation purporting to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ?

Please don't misunderstand me. I have contempt for the people who flew those planes on 9/11. I believe our nation should do all in its power to bring the planners to justice. But to villify a race, to use "Islamic terrorism" as an excuse to put aside the excercise of our Christian principles, to use false attacks on a candidate because he is different, these are the tactics of the Sanhedrin. And I hope all the God-fearing " Christians" remember whom they had killed. Or do some of them even know????