Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - Revisited: Those That Do, and Those That Critique

Whiskey - Tango - Foxtrot

Note: Once again, due to the monastery's narrow mindedness, this will not be posted on themonastery.org website due to the title of the post.  For those ministers which happen upon this post and find it of some value, please feel free to share it or invite other ministers to visit this blog.

For those that have not read the subject post, I recommend doing so to set this post in some context:  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Ego is an evil master.  I try to avoid the pitfalls of ego by the constant struggle to remain humble.  Humility is tested time and again by those that critique instead of offering constructive comments that can further conversation and communication.  I am revisiting Whiskey Tango Foxtrot to evidence a point, I think.  In all honesty, I'm taking a shot in the dark that this is the post being targeted by the reader that sent me a comment not attached to any post.  The reader is a fellow member of the monastery website and, as you can see in the note above, I stated at the beginning of the original post that I would not be posting it to the monastery website for listed reasons.  It seems that no matter how hard one tries, someone always misses the glaringly obvious statements put forth in a "note."

I have posted the comments and responses below, in the order received.  Nothing has been altered in the text, including spelling.  It is as it is.  It is easy to understand my confusion starting with the first comment, as it sets the tone for the rest of the string, having no context, except that of my assumption it dealt with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot:

JWH:  Silence has a deafening Roar! 

JWH:  Don't know where you are coming from Pastor Tony or where you are leading..I do not see Guilibility as a PROOF of anything...This is a lot of nonsends about nothing but confusion..If you must post....post logic in simple terms as a benefit for the young in Christ to learn something solid...God Loves you and so do I, but I have no time for Gibberish

ME:  It is an opinion, John, as is yours. Everybody has one (an opinion) and, like yours, deserves consideration. Thank you for doing so, and for sharing! 

ME:  By the way, I see no posted blogs from you. Have you written anything, or am I just missing them? 

JWH:  Sorry Pastor Tony...The Lord keeps me busy with Personal Matters of the Heart...I may get to Blogs at some time in the future but my Book also keeps me occupied....After I'm gone I'll leavethe "Memories" I guess succes is when you look back at them and SMILE !!!! 

ME:   Ah, I see.

Several things came to mind when I read his first two comments.  The first was, obviously, "WTF?"  The second was that he had interrupted my enjoyment of the "deafening roar" of silence with a paragraph of misspelled, grammatically incorrect comment, the context of which was only evidenced by the incorrectly spelled "Gullibility."

I rarely address comments like this.  What's the point?  It isn't constructive inasmuch as it tries to be antagonistic.  This comment, however, played right into the title, and point, of the original post. 

More than being at odds with ego, I find myself fighting a lack of patience even more so.  If you don't vote, you don't have the right to moan about the outcome.  If you won't get in the pool should you presume to tell people who you don't know, already in the pool, how to swim while they're doing daily laps?  If you haven't posted word one on a blog, how do you presume to critique those that constantly do?  It is easy to sit on the sidelines and "coach" those that are hanging it all out there for others to shoot at.  It is a bit more difficult to be the target of other people's abusive rhetoric.  I have coaxed several people to write what they think just so I can post it on my blog.  They continue to write articles of substance to this day.  Bravo to the bravery shown by those that do.

Having over 17,000 hits on my posts from the worldwide readership, to date, I will continue to do what I have done since I founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance, and The Path.  I will continue to write my "gibberish" until all of those who thank me for my efforts turn away.  Even then, I will continue to write for my children, and their children, and I will flatly refuse to dumb any of it down for a minority of individuals.  These folks have the ability to write and ask for clarification, they have, and I respect their inquiries as it fuels the fire of creativity that may eventually lead me down the path to yet another post.  If, however, gibberish and "nonsense" is not one's cup of tea, especially if one does not have time for it, I would recommend not wasting anymore precious time reading my posts.  I'm not sure if the logic of this could be any simpler.

But, then, maybe I'm wrong.

And the quote that set ignited the fire?  I'll, once again, assume it was this:

A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith. Gullibility is also proof of faith, but without mind. Blind obedience is not required and proves nothing except deafness to a truth which was spoken and not heard.

Gibberish?  It depends on your point of view.  As I state at the end of each of my posts, in my "Editor's Note":

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Another Funeral

In June of 2014 I wrote a post entitled,  A Funeral.  My mother and I had gone to Taylorsville, in Mississippi, to celebrate the life of my Aunt Ruby.  Yesterday we went back to celebrate the life of my Uncle Sam.  We found the church, easily this time.  Many folks showed up to pay respects.  His four sons were there, as were family and friends. 

Sam had been in the military so there was the obligatory flag on the coffin and a color guard at the graveside.  One of his sons had been a marine.  He stood at attention, in full dress uniform, as escort at the foot of the coffin while in the church.  He looked sharp, and Sam would have been proud. 

I noted a young minister, the one that had bored me to tears during Aunt Ruby's service, was once again on site to finish me off.  This time, however, he brought the much older, seasoned minister, to assist in the endeavor.  Someone must have been coaching the young man, though, as his comments were much shorter and to the point.  The older minister took up some of the slack.  But, still, all in all, the service was still relatively short and much less painful to sit through.  I could imagine Sam, taking a break from enduring any long, droning, oratory on his behalf, and enjoying a stroll in the sun outside the church.  I will probably be damned for my critique of the ministers, at least in the eyes of the Pentecostal church.  What else is new?  I seem to be damned at every turn, by someone, and for less.  Such is life.  I will abide that which comes my way.

When you think about it, which amongst us doesn't bemoan their required presence at a religious service?  We know we have to make an appearance, to attend, but we tend to grumble and complain about it anyway,  perhaps because it is no fun.  In the case of funerals, we have every intent to call it a celebration of the person's life, and then we wail, cry, and bore ourselves through it.  Hell of a celebration.

Why is it ministers, regardless of sect, take these moments in our lives to launch into sermons we really don't want to hear?  They do the same thing at weddings, which makes more sense when one considers the likelihood of the marriage succeeding in this day and age, but it is still, generally, a boring ceremony.  Marriage seems to have become more of a business decision than an act of love, so a gentle reminder of the sanctity of "holy matrimony" might be in order.  But, one would think an assumption should be made that we all know why we are there.  In the case of funerals, I think we're all pretty certain the subject of our attention has passed on, and that they are in a better place.  One would think we all know there is grief to be dealt with.  Perhaps ministry would better serve their congregation to just assist in the celebration of life and simply advise everyone the ministry is available for grief counseling if required.  Say something about the life of the deceased, have a short prayer to say farewell, and do what the deceased would like us to do... remember them fondly and get on with life.

  

I think Sam would have been happy this service was as short as it was.  Selfishly, I would have been happier if we'd all met at a park afterward to grill some food, lift our glasses in a toast to him, and heard some interesting anecdotes of a man's life I knew very little about.  But, that's just me.  

My Uncle Sam will be missed by many.

When I shuffle off this mortal coil, I hope my friends and family, my loved ones, do me the favor of a short service at a park, with military honors and the haunting sound of a bagpiper, my urn full of ashes on a pedestal.  Then, let's get to partying!  Fire up the grills, put on some classic country western music, and let the beer flow freely (put a pint on the pedestal; I'll enjoy it).  My wish for all of them is to remember me; to laugh, dance, and be stupid while they have a great time in celebration of life passed, and life still to come.

But, truth be told, I'll will still hate going to funerals, even my own.  Won't we all?

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."

My Sunday Thought for August 30, 2015: To My Kids... I Love You!

This is lovely Bernadette Ibay Iligan, living in the Philippines, and a reader of "The Path."   She has only asked for one thing from me - it was for her family; a prayer.  I get the distinct impression from Bernadette that she rarely thinks of herself.  I feel she is the rare breed more interested in the welfare of others, and if their good fortune happens to include her that is fine, but not required.  She seems to have a large family, and if you aren't blessed to be a member of her immediate family, you are still family.  I also think the many photos of family and friends, on her Facebook page, also bear this out.

She recently posted this statement above, "To My Kids...," on her Facebook page.  It evidences, for me, what I have just said about her as a loving being, a loving child of God.  It would be disappointing if I had to include that she was a rarity to my blog, but she is actually a representation of many who have chosen to follow, to read, "The Path" as part of their own travels.   I am constantly humbled by folks like Bernadette.  I am humbled because, where they might look to me for some words of guidance, or a prayer, I see in them a faith I feel lacking in.  I am humbled because they allow me to be included in their faith, their love, and their extended family.  How great is that?

The sentiment she shares for her kids is the same sentiment we should all embrace.  Our children are the best things that ever happen to us, period.  Many of us forget this.  Many of us simply don't understand or get it.  Grasping the concept is easy, not rocket science.  You brought a life into this world; you fulfilled your only true reason for being, revel in it.

I will be sending the link for this post to Bernadette, and I will be asking her to write something for my readers.  Perhaps she could address something about her faith, family, love, or God.  Maybe she can give us a taste of the Filipino people.  One can only hope.  I'm certain she has much to say.

This Sunday I hope for all an introspection of selflessness, love, and faith.  When was the last time you thought for the spiritual welfare of another, asked God to bless them, and not yourself?

Just a thought...

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."

What Does the Bible Say?

What Does the Bible Say?

Pastor Summer Woods 

You hear about it every day, 

This world is waxing worse and worse

Oh but what does the bible say. 

The time is nearing 

For we will soon see 

The Lord's appearing. 

The light of the world, 

No the children of darkness shall not hide 

But the children of light 

For in him shall forever abide. 

People are turning against each other 

When we are meant to love one another 

Oh but what does the bible say, 

Can't you see that God's word is being fulfilled each day.

You hear about it every day, 

This world is waxing worse and worse 

Oh but what does the bible say. 

Well they can tell us not to sing 

They can tell us not to pray 

But we will do it anyway. 

For there is coming a day 

When the trumpet will sound 

And all God's children be gathered around. 

We will hear him say 

Welcome home child 

No more will you roam on that glorious day 

Oh what does the bible say. 

This world can say that God is dead 

But I know the truth 

Cause he lives within my heart and he's loved me...

Note:  I could think of no better way to share this young woman's song than to present it on my blog, with her permission.  I feel honored as she continues to have faith in me that I will do right by her.  All one has to do is read what she writes to feel the strength of her faith.  We are friends only through our messaging on the monastery website, but I have faith that, one day, we will meet face to face so she might bless this sinner, and pray for him, if not in this life then in the next.

My Sunday Thought for August 23, 2015: Radical "Islam"

"You do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness."

-- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Read the quote again.  No, read it again, aloud this time.  Now, ask yourself how this measures up against the acts of barbarism, torture, rape, and murder of the innocent which is being condoned, if not commanded, by certain "Islamic" Imams.  Heresy?  Oh, absolutely!  But, these same Imams will reinterpret scripture to excuse their heresy and crimes against humanity and Allah, even though the Prophet's words are very clear.

"Those who are merciful have mercy shown them by the compassionate one, if you show mercy to those who are in the earth, he who is in heaven will show mercy to you."

-- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Christianity is a peaceful religion; Jesus wished it to be so.  Islam is a peaceful religion, Muhammad  (PBUH) wished to be so.  Yet, throughout the history these two Abrahamic religions have evidenced their total disregard and disrespect for their respective prophets.  Christianity has tried to move forward, or backward, into what Jesus really meant.  But how does Islam continue to justify this current heresy?  Well, I think the leaders of the faithful con those faithful into believing they, the leaders, the Imams, speak for God.  And, it is easy to justify heresy to insane sociopaths as all they want is permission to commit murder in the most heinous ways they can think of, like cutting five year old children in half, beheading common citizens, burning people alive in cages, and drowning babies in fifty gallon drums full of water.  Islam?  Really?  

A soldier truly, faithfully, carrying out the wishes of their deity would have no reason to cover their face to prevent recognition.  Rather, one would expect them to proudly serve their God.  One should then ask, what real soldier hides behind a mask?  Islam?  Really?

"Do you love your creator?  Love your fellow beings first."

-- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Iran would like to assist in the nuclear destruction of the world for the greater glory of Allah.  Okay, so we have proof that morons can actually rise to power in the third world.  No mystery here.  It might be relevant to point out to these geniuses that nuclear fallout over Israel will not be a boon to any Islamic country downwind of the detonation.  If there is a retaliation against Iran, every country with "stan" at the end of their name will also, in all probability, be a nuclear wasteland (Note to Putin, Russia has quite a few of these along their southern border.  So, for the "Islamic" heretic, nuclear destruction of the entire planet is in God's best interest.  Destruction of all life, including the faithful, is what Allah wants.  Islam?  Really?

"Act kindly toward women, for they were created from a rib and the most crooked part of the rib is its top.  If you attempt to straighten it you will break it, if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly towards women."

-- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

"Act kindly toward women" can be defined in no civilized society as forced sexual conduct, forced marriages, or rape.  Yet, this is exactly what the "Islamic" terrorist groups force on women.  This is Islamic manhood?  Perhaps I'm just a silly westerner that feels manhood stands for something greater than the immature, sick, sociopathic sexual conduct of fanatics.  Maybe it's just me, but I think men should act like men and not animals.  I think this is what Muhammad (PBUH) meant to be, and what Allah would want.  What kind of twisted mind could assume anything else?  Islam?  Really?

Taken at face value, I think one has to wonder how much of the Qur'an is actually original material from the hand of Muhammad (PBUH) and how much was added to by Imams with alternate agendas.  Like so much Christian scripture, the Qur'an also has its own contradictions which cause misinterpretations which make no real sense when taken in the context of a loving, "peaceful" religion.

But, as I have said many times in the past, this is an Islamic issue which the world of Islam must face head on and, more importantly, for the entire world to witness.  Islam must make a loud statement, and a brutal retaliation, against the heresy that infects it or there will be a war of conscience that will ultimately decimate the world.  If this happens, the "Islamic" state of terrorism wins, even though everyone loses.

Islam?   Really?  I, for one, think not.

This Sunday try looking up "Muhammad Quotes" on Google.  See how what he say stacks up against what you hear, or have read.  It can be an eye opener.  We must keep in our active mind the idea that, what was intended, the best laid plans, often go awry. 

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Whiskey - Tango - Foxtrot

I saw this semaphore (above) online and was reminded of my time with the U.S. Navy in Sigonella, Sicily. Our Air Force detachment was invited to attend a big presentation by the Navy. The Senior Chief for the Navy's Fleet Mail Center on the station, for reasons which still mystify me to this day, entrusted us with the stringing of signal flags over the dais after we asked if we could help our naval hosts set up. It was a simple, colorful, decoration of flags that represented letters in the alphabet. No kidding? Really? How hard could this be? Well, the honored guests and commander for Naval Air Station Sigonella sat at attention as the presentation got underway, all unaware of the one string of flags above them spelling out, GO AIR FORCE.

The Senior Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Fleet Mail Center was up on his semaphore flags, much to our chagrin. Hey, I ask again, what was he thinking?

I'm not sure how I'm going to tie this in, I suppose it has to do with the look we see on people's faces when confusion and/or disbelief dictates their mind responds with, "What the...?"  This exclamation is usually followed by some comment of reasonable acceptance akin to, "Well, shut the front door..."  This is about the time we buy into what's being sold, hoping we don't come out of it with egg on our face.  

There are many things I wish I could have witnessed that have occurred in history, before written history, or at least history that was written on the spot by people that actually witnessed the events. Wouldn't you like to have seen the faces of people that were confronted by amazing, unexplainable things, and heard their first comment? I would have like to have witnessed the burning bush of the Old Testament, Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, or Noah being instructed to build the ark. I envision those involved looking behind boulders to ensure their buddy Ismael isn't trying to pull their leg. Things like this can occur when one has too much of the fermented goat's milk and blood. Once they have ascertained they're alone, except for the voice of God, I see the eyebrow being arched and followed by the Hebrew version of "WTF?" One can really feel for the "virgin" Mary as she was trying to explain her pregnancy. Yeah, the same three words come to mind.

And the great Dragon was cast down, that Chief Serpent, which is called The Devil and Satan, which deceives all The Earth, and it was cast down unto The Earth and its Angels were cast down with it.

Revelation 12:9

How gullible were the people of the time? Read the Bible. It seems, to me, gullibility holds tightly to the left hand of faith, while skepticism holds tightly to the right.  Satan, after all, is the great deceiver.  A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith.  Gullibility is also proof of faith but without mind.  Blind obedience is not required and proves nothing except deafness to a truth that was spoken and not heard.

Mary had her hands full of skepticism, but I think the gullibility factor might have been less with Moses than with Noah.  Any skepticism is squelched when stone tablets start being immediately etched from solid rock by the hand of God.  Noah, on the other hand, had to take it all on faith that building a monster ship was a reasonable request from some bodiless voice seeming to emanate from the heavens.  I would hate to think, building such a ship was simply a test Noah wasn't expected to fulfill, but once he called Gods "bluff," so to speak, God was left with no option than to destroy the earth as proclaimed.  Our "heroic" biblical cast of religious heroes take their instructions on faith, for the most part, trying their best to fulfill the wishes of the omnipotent creator, whereas the "bad guys" are always demanding from our heroes, "Yeah, well, prove it!"  Remember, this initial attitude is often followed by an astonished, "Well... shut the front door!"

I am constantly amazed when God reveals the truth.  Not that God has revealed it, but, rather, that I was cognizant enough to realize it, witness it, and stand there with my mouth agape, like some simpleton, marveling at it.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?  Well, November Sierra!

Thank you, God!

"A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith.  Gullibility is also proof of faith, but without mind.  Blind obedience is not required and proves nothing except deafness to a truth which was spoken and not heard."

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Get Lit

For those that haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and take the time.  The message here is pretty powerful coming from our youth.  Just when you begin to believe the young people of this country swallow everything they learn in what we euphemistically call "school," this group shows up to dispel the thought and challenge their own.

I haven't seen this much energy in our youth since the Up with People movement was founded in the mid-sixties "as a positive voice for young people during a turbulent period in the United States."  Well, we seem to have young people that really believe we are undergoing another turbulent period in their history.

This program speaks to a problem in this country, and the world, that is dear to me - education.  I'm not talking about the drivel we spew, for the most part, to our young folks in schools today.  I'm talking about the seeming mission of education to transform our kids into mindless socialist robots that move, unquestioningly, to the beat of a suffocating government.  We live in a world where history is bereft of facts and twisted to fulfil some political agenda.  Classic literature is banned because of a word or idea that doesn't meet the party line.  Is it any wonder that intelligent kids find school a waste of their time?

I challenge each of you to, first, check out this clip, Get Lit on The Queen Latifah Show, and then check out Get Lit on their website.  I would also recommend just searching Get Lit on Google and watching any of the clips that show up.  All are well worth the watch.  I have provided a bit of information gleaned from their site to give you a taste of what they are trying to accomplish.  Bravo!  Bravo!  Bravo! I applaud all of these young folks.

MISSION

Get Lit is dedicated to bringing the power of poetic expression to at risk teens through a standards-based curriculum fusing classic literature and poetry with contemporary Spoken Word performance techniques. Get Lit’s youth poetry programs are designed to boost literacy, foster cultural understanding, and encourage creative self-expression. By immersing teens in the world of great books (often for the first time), Get Lit equips students for future success in college and the workplace by building concise writing skills and dynamic public speaking abilities and a foundation of self-confidence.

VISION

Get Lit aims to empower youth to succeed by drawing connections between the emotions and experiences fueling the work of classic writers to the complexities and struggles teens face in their daily lives. By igniting a love of language, teens are inspired to stay in school, become lifelong learners and thrive. Get Lit’s citywide Classic Slam is the first youth poetry slam to draw upon canonical works and spoken word responses.  It’s huge popularity provides a model for inspiring teens throughout the country.  Get Lit’s long term goal is to make it’s curriculum available for schools nationwide.

VALUES

Words transform lives. Whether spoken, written, read, or performed — self-expression is fundamental to success and happiness in our society. Books provide a valuable resource and refuge for the human soul. Everyone should be provided with the tools to access all that books have to offer. Get Lit aims to fill the gaps where public schools have failed students in this area.  It uses the oral expression of poetry and literature to bring words to life.

My Sunday Thought - August 16,2015: "Common" Sense?

“In this life you've got to hope for the best, prepare for the worst and take whatever God sends.”

-- L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942), children and youth author

I'm not sure I agree with this sage advice.  As career military, I would be more inclined to prepare for the best outcome possible, hope it all doesn't go to hell in a handbasket due to something unforeseen or overlooked, then bite down hard on the cigar butt, charge your weapon, say a quick prayer, and get ready to annihilate whatever evil is thrown your way.  But, that's just me.  As an author of children's stories, like Anne of Green Gables (1908), L.M. Montgomery was entertaining a softer view of quieter times.  I'd like to think that neither view is wrong.  It's all about the context of the times; who, what, when, and where, the person, place, and thing.

“Common sense is not so common.”

-- Voltaire (1694-1778), playwright, author, philosopher

Back when I was growing up, mom would always advise that, when in doubt, always use good common sense. That was truly sage advice, especially because everyone knew what common sense was... I mean, it was common. No one uses common sense anymore and, according to Voltaire, it would seem no one was using it back in the 18th century, either. So, good reason dictates common sense it isn't that common. As a matter of fact, the headstone at the top of this post would seem to be on target as it is downright rare to see anyone taking responsibility for their lack of reason and discretion.

I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible to any public office of trust or profit in the Republic. But I do not repine, for I am a subject of it only by force of arms.”

-- H.L. Mencken (1880-1956), journalist and author, politics and philosophy

(Aside: Has anyone else noticed that the late 19th and early 20th centuries were rife with people that had initials for their first name?  D.H. Lawrence, T.S. Elliot, D.L. Hughley... oh, wait, he just has hair from the period.  Just saying...)

Back in the day, this total lack of common sense was something more relegated to the political arena, which made little sense in itself as much common sense went into choosing the candidate to represent us.  There was, and is, a disconnect which continues to this day between politics and good common sense.  Although, today there is as little good sense used to choose the candidate as the candidate chosen possesses.  Children are voting that know little of the issues and, when I say children you don't necessarily have to be under 21.  Many mature adults aren't necessarily stupid, they're just ignorant of the issues plaguing society, and many of our young adults have never suffered responsibility and/or just don't care.  Anymore, I think we would be well served to drop common from any part of good sense.  If you have it, bravo!  If you don't, well... welcome to the ranks of the common man.

“Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.”

-- Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), author, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852)

It doesn't take intelligence to have good sense. Many of our brightest minds have the worst of sense. Many of our greatest thinkers, politicians, and filthy rich, have "people" that fill in those massive gaps in their good sense, which ego has left void, with some small amount of wisdom not made available to them in their expensive centers of "higher" education.

And what have we for the young of today?  The school of hard knocks closed when everything started being handed out without effort on their part.  Why should they care, when the state will provide for them?  It would seem many of them will dance to whatever tune is played as long as promises are made.  And, even though promises are not kept, they continue to love the tune.  They don't realize that all lives matter, and white students of "privilege" march against "white privilege" without understanding only 50% of this country actually works for a living, and young people of all colors from our nation are dying trying to fight foreign Islamic heretics overseas.  Privileged?  Using good sense?  I think not. 

And, somehow, probably divine guidance, we have arrived at religion.

Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.

-- Baron d'Holbach (1723-1789), author

No truer statement was ever spoken?  Well, okay, there have been quite a few.  But, when you consider common sense is less evident than faith, one must conclude there is reason, yes?  Is religion not the opium of the masses?

"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."

-- Karl Marx (1818-1883), philosopher

According to Marx, it is.  But, he also tells us it is the glimmer of hope for the hopeless, the food for the starving, and the beating heart of a heartless world.  It is, in fact, faith; faith that things will get better, if not in this life, then in the next.  Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote, "Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom."  The 20th century theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, wrote, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."  

Honesty and decency, doing the right thing, hope and love, wisdom and religion; common sense?  Sometimes I sit and wonder...

This Sunday you have an opportunity to lay a few flowers on the grave of Common Sense.  On the other hand, you also have an opportunity to discuss good sense with your children and friends.  If one can see the light, and they can turn another, perhaps good sense will become common once more.  

One must have faith.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."

Wearing the Red Dress

Real men wear pink!  Actually, real men can wear whatever the hell they want, and smoke a cigar while doing it, especially if it's for charity.  

If you've never been to New Orleans, especially the French Quarter, it is different than any other place on earth.  A close second, for me, would be the Las Vegas strip, but there is something so much different about the French Quarter... the people.  For the most part, everyone that comes to New Orleans wants to have a good time whether for charity or just for themselves.  Isn't that what life is all about?  Shouldn't it be?

Bourbon Street seems to be closed as often as it is opened, and this day was no exception.  By the time morning was in full swing there was already a red tide of people pouring down from Canal Street, and beer seemed to be the breakfast of choice.

I was told that every college in the surrounding area was represented and I would have to say they were probably well represented.  Partying didn't stop until just before breakfast the next morning when the collegiate groups poured themselves back down the street.  One can only hope none were driving.

But this wasn't just about the young.  This was also about feeling young, and taking a moment out of life to just be silly and enjoy life.  All ages, races, political parties, and economic status were represented here this day.  It wasn't about whom you were, it was about having fun, meeting new people, giving to charity, and just relaxing for a while.

Many Christians will say that the devil was afoot in the French Quarter.  When is evil not afoot somewhere?  If we worry about the evils of life we will never be able to enjoy the fun things in life.  Evil is here for a reason, to test us.  I think a person's unwillingness to show up for the test is a sign to God of your cowardice, and your lack of faith.

I watched a young street artist, tap dancing in the, already sweltering, heat of the morning.  He was doing this on a roasting hot iron cover set into the sidewalk.  He was sweating bullets.  He could have just begged for the money, as many on the street were doing, but he was working hard for a living.  While many dropped the odd dollar and change into his box, I left the balcony our group had rented and went downstairs to give the young trooper a bottle of water, and advise him to get out of the sun.  He drank it and crossed the street into the shade, for a short while, before returning to the iron lid he required for the sound of his dancing.  How many people passed the young boy without a care for his wellbeing, I have no idea, but their test was left wanting for the correct action when they did nothing but threw money as their answer.  

I'll be the first to say you can't be responsible for other people's happiness, and you shouldn't.  However, you can lead the horse to water, whether the horse drinks is entirely up to the horse.  Throwing money at the horse presupposes he knows what to do with the money, beside squander it.  This is the problem with the welfare state of our own society, but that is political and I will leave that to each of you to chew on.  Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach the man to fish...

By late afternoon it seemed God had won the day.  There were no altercations with the law, no fights, and only one ambulance responded to what we all thought was probably an alcohol or heat related event.  That isn't to say that evil was not in our midst.  I'm sure that prostitution, theft, rape, and the like, were all pretty well represented behind the scenes for those with lesser morals, lesser faith, or no faith at all.

With God's grace I will return next year to wear the red dress again; to exercise my manhood and flex my fashion sense.  One thing's for sure, however... next year the men will all be in attendance again, only this time it will be all about accessorizing, accessorizing, accessorizing!

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."

My Sunday Thought for August 9, 2015: Wearing the Red Dress

I will be in New Orleans for the weekend, participating in the NOLA Red Dress Run for local charities.  Due to the event, my usually long winded Sunday Thought, will have to wait until my return.  Consider this a prologue, if you will.

I hope to follow up with photos of the guys, many of them military veterans, participating from our group at Cigars in the Pass as we have be blessed with dresses from one of the wives which is a red Cigars t-shirt with as pink "skirt" surged onto the bottom.  We should look cute as hell, especially with beards, cigars, beer, and a pink flamingo purse my significant other has donated to my wardrobe.  I'm shooting for feathered head gear, although I think we're all wearing our retired military caps.

Have a blessed weekend, and I will return Sunday for a follow up and, hopefully, those promised photos.

For more information about the history of the run, and more about the New Orlean's run, see these links:  History of the Red Dress Run and New Orleans Red Dress Run - 2015.

Missing the Message

Philip Burns recently sent a shout out to everyone at the monastery site, "Some people miss the message because they are too busy checking the spelling."  My first blush comment back to Philip was, "Many people checking the spelling have no real clue what they're looking for and go straight to Spellcheck like a sinner to a priest."  I think we do this, by and large, because we're much too lazy to do the research ourselves, we feel the priest can truly give us some absolution, we feel the priest is closer to God, or some other such sad, pathetic reasoning for not accepting ownership for our own duty to ourselves and God.

Think about the analogy, Spellcheck and a priest.  How many times have you used spellcheck to discover the document now contains correctly spelled words... that are wrong?  How many times has a priest been married, an addict, arrested for theft, or committed rape, etc.?  Okay, I'll give you that a many of them actually do, but, for the most part, the priest might check the spelling, but does the priest even know really know what they're looking at?  Do they even recognize a tree in their own search for the forest?  Yet, many of us feel comfortable transferring responsibility for our eternal souls to them, without knowing anything about them other than they are priests, ministers, "men of the cloth."  Many of them have committed, and are committing, sin.  Many are gay, child abusers, alcoholics, addicts, and such.  Hell, the head of the Christian Church, Pope Francis, has even admitted to pilfering a small cross from a corpse, proof that none of us is without sin.  

If you have a trusted friend with a doctorate in aeronautics, yet has never flown a plane, would you let him fly your family?  All the higher education in the world is no substitute for the lowly "school of hard knocks."  There is nothing like the voice of experience, especially when it comes to one's soul, and who better to relate to your experiences than... you?   I feel your pain. No, you don't.  It is my pain.  I've been where you are.  No, you haven't, because if you have, why in God's name would I be listening to your dumb ass?  There are only two that can truly state understanding; one is you, although you may have to work on acknowledging it.  The other is God almighty.  Everyone else is just too busy flapping their lips to see they've stepped right in front of the speeding ego bus.  They missed the message.

All of the education, intellect, and pharmaceuticals in the world cannot help you unless you want to help yourself.  We keep going to others to do our own work for us.  You go to a medical doctor to tell you you're sick, a psychiatrist to tell you you're mad, a priest to tell you you're lost, and a hooker to tell you... well, what you want to hear, and sometime what you don't.  Not that I would know.  But, when was the last time you went to God, and just said, "Hi, how ya doin?  Read your biography.  You might want to choose different writers next time.  Yeah, well, I'm no critic, but it seems they took an awful long time to give us one page of meaningful information.  I mean, a lot of people missed the message for all the extraneous bullshit.  And then there was the Qur'an.  Really?  Twice?  Just saying..."

God loves to entrust the Word to morons.  I think this shows much of God's faith that man might, some day, get it right.  How about we stop listening to man's interpretation of God's word, and just listen to God.  We can all hear, we just need to listen.  The message was never meant to be difficult, I mean, look at what God was working with.  

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."