Loss of a Loved One: Part 1

"How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life, wouldn't you say?"

--  Admiral James T. Kirk

I have never been through it, so I wouldn’t know.  But, I would suspect that, as a survivor, this quote is even more important and to the point.  Things happen in our lives, some good, some bad, some seem to be emotionally devastating.  Some of us fight to recover, some of us never do, and some bury it down deep and press ahead while they carry an unstable emotional time bomb around waiting for it to go off.

 

Grief is an emotion we all have to deal with, sooner or later, and few are ever prepared for.  It would be like preparing for a wave to hit the beach you’re standing on.  How big is the wave?  We’ll let you know when it hits, but since you can’t swim it matters little. 

One can empathize and sympathize, but our grief is our own.  Our grief is as specific to us our finger prints.  No one can feel what we feel because, well, they aren’t us.  To say, I know what you’re going through, even if I did go through it, would be nonsense.  Of course I don’t, I’m not you.  Your hurt is not my hurt, your loss not my loss, and it shouldn’t be.  Our differences define who we are.

It is enough to for us to let you know, we are here for you.  It is enough to stand with you and offer comfort where we can, support where we must, and to remind you that we love you.  You must, above all else, let out what you feel.  That you write what you feel relieves some of the emotional pressure and is the beginning of healing; just remember that healing is not forgetting.  Never forget.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

--Headstone in Ireland

For those never having experienced the absolute joy that was Leo Buscaglia, I highly recommend the read.  If you can find the video series, so much the better.  After you have read or watched this marvelous orator, share the experience with others.  They will surely thank you for it.  He will make you live each and every moment of your life.

"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.  They continue to participate in every act, thought, and decision we make."

--Leo Buscaglia

Sunday Thought - December 22, 2013: God's Wife

Asherah - God's Wife.

God's wife?  Looks just like her!

I'm sorry, but this looks like a woman telling her seamstress she'd like something that will "lift and separate", a hood ornament for a chariot, or a memento from a wife to her soldier husband lest he forget what's waiting back at home.  God's wife?  Not so much, although, I wouldn't know.  Neither does anybody else for that matter.  This was Semitic mythology, several thousand years BCE?  

I suppose the archeologists made the quantum leap to this conclusion because they found several of them, and maybe a temple.  Maybe she was just very good at what she did, for the soldiers, and they erected a temple to her.  Easy to see how a beautiful, buxom, woman might have a legion of soldiers under her spell.  Who knows, this woman may even have run a brothel as well.  You can just hear the soldiers reminiscing around the camp fire, "What a goddess!"  The archeologist that found these is probably reading this thinking how very happy he is that he didn't mention statues these little statures were all found around the same fire pit.  For that matter, the "temple" the think they found might have been a glorified souvenir shop and these might have fallen from the shelf during some ancient police raid.  We have to make a lot of assumptions but, in the end, we really don't know.  It's a "best guess."

What the hell, let's muddy the water a bit.

Let's throw in another image of "God's consort."  Has she changed her hair dew?  No problem there, women are finicky, might be a bad hair day.  And, my goodness, she's had a boob job!  I guess this statue was from the period when large breasted fertility goddesses fell out of favor.  The problem here is, we have no "happy snaps" with little notes on the back stating the subject's name, date and location of the photo.  We don't know who this is, and the variety of differing images confirms this conclusion.

Does this mean Asherah didn't exist?  No, of course it doesn't.  Where there's smoke, or a smokin' statue, there is usually some basis for believing in possibilities.  Besides, there's the fact Asherah was "forcibly" removed from Hebrew scripture.  That in itself is telling.  Only a woman could piss the Hebrews off enough to get themselves removed from history, or stoned.  The question really centers around what she did to deserve it, and what made the Hebrews think they had the authority to disown God's wife.  Did God tell them to do it?  Did God send angels to decree, "Disowneth the harlot!"  She might have flaunted some ironclad prenuptial agreement, but wouldn't God have seen that coming?  Hmmm.  It would seem the only item left off of the prenup was the "No Removal from Religious Scripture" clause.  This probably explains why we've never heard of her attorney, either.

It is interesting that, after the Hebrews removed her from texts, she is never mentioned again in anyone's Holy Scripture.  God and North Korea's Kim Jon Un, or "Lil' Kim" as he is affectionately known, seem to be proficient in the art of making people disappear from historical record.  Dennis Rodman better watch his back while he's over there schmoozing Kim.  If he'd ever met Lil' Kim's uncle he may have to be erased as well.  Although, removing Rodman from historical record, well...would anybody ever notice?   Sorry, Dennis, that was a low shot.  I had to make it low since you seem to have your publicity seeking lips planted so firmly on Kim's human rights violating ass I'm not so sure his chubby cheeks aren't covering your ears.  But, I digress.

It ultimately rests on each of us to determine for ourselves, in the absence of physical proof, whether Asherah deserves consideration.  Abrahamic scholars would probably have us buy into monotheism, and that's fine.  "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3).  What does this really mean?  I offer that God intended we hold none of the other gods and goddesses in His realm in higher esteem than Himself.  He is the one true God...of gods.  If you are a Christian and believe in Satan, you must concede in lesser beings that have godly powers.  If we agree on this point then the possibility of a consort goddess is still in play. 

What was there, before there was nothing?  Very possibly, there existed the realm of heaven.

Where do you stand on Asherah?  Where do you stand on God?  Not belief or disbelief but, rather, what God is.  If you believe there is a God, and we were created in His image, then how hard is it to wonder why He wouldn't make Himself a companion?  Or, is everything metaphorical? It is something to ponder for this Sunday.

"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky.  I believe that what people call God is something in all of us.  I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right.  It's just that the translations have gone wrong."  --  John Lennon

Who Needs Christ During Christmas?

Who needs Christ during Christmas?

 

This isn't really a question being posed by atheists, it's a sad statement.  As such, it does not deserve an answer because one was not asked for.  I try to show tolerance to all beliefs as long as the practice of said belief peaceful and non-antagonistic. Some atheists do go about their daily lives peacefully, not making, or taking, issue with another person's belief set.  But, this "statement" is an attack on Christian belief. 

 

You only have to look at the sign to feel the intolerant hatred dripping from it.  Where we Christians want Christ on Christmas, they leave no doubt that they do not.  I say want, not need, because Christ is already here; we just want to feel more of Him.  Nobody truly needs Christ, we all already have Him.  He was God's gift to us, everyone!  But, where we care that he died for all of us, the atheist chooses not to care.  It is their right to make their choice, and we should respect it.  You reap what you sew, in this life and in the next.

 

When I think of atheists, I always wonder who they would scream for when the Viet Cong would drag their broken body into the interrogation room for another round of "rotate broken leg on yanqui dog 180 degrees."  After a while you become oblivious to the screams that are deafening you.  You begin to wonder whose screams keep waking you up.  With any mercy, you won't come to realize they're your own.

 

Surely they wouldn't scream for God's mercy, and God knows the Viet Cong would just laugh at any plea directed their way as they began another round of "180 Degrees" just to see if you would pass out and keep screaming, again.  Or, like Senator John McCain, maybe they'll hang you up by your elbows for days on end, until you permanently lose the ability to raise your arms higher than your chest and, with that, the ability to ever again salute the flag you love so much.  With any luck you'll die before the pain gets bad enough for you to, hypocritically, find comfort with a God you deny so you can make it through the years of captivity and torture to someday return home, crippled but alive. 

 

Even if this was a question and did require an answer, it would be difficult to form one with words small enough for most of this group to comprehend, much less understand.  I say this not to be flip, but I think trying to discuss religion with the segment of atheists shoveling this antagonistic drivel, would be like trying to discuss forgiveness and appropriateness with the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church.  They don't represent all Baptist, any more than these atheist malcontents speak for all atheists.  Having read their posts, I fear that having any discussion with them would require a rain slicker due to the amount of vehement spit and foam they'll spray as they launch epithet  upon epithet in your general direction, while they fight off an aneurysm, trying to create some semblance of an argument to counter your belief in a deity.  Have you ever read some of their online content?  If you're a lady with genteel sensibilities, don't. And, as a Christian, you probably won't enjoy the hateful tone and lack of rhetorical content. 

 

What they, this particular segment of atheists, refuse to understand is that we really don't give a flying pooh what they think, or believe, as much as they'd like us to.  We feel they have the right to believe what they want, just as we do.  We'd just like them to do it in peace, shut the heck up about it, and show a little tolerance.  Christians, in general, tend to ignore these jibes from the atheists and feel the comments not worthy of having to fall far enough to make a defensive effort.  I think this effort, if made, would equate to offering a meaty bone to a rabid pit bull.  The dog will ignore the juicy bone in preference of ripping your head off.  Perhaps if the atheists behaved more like the Satanist, with a sense of mutual respect and propriety, the effort might seem worthwhile.

To quote Bill O'Reilly, "And that's tonight's Talking Points Memo."  As always, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong; doubtful, but I could be.

Franciscan Friars are Symptomatic

I feel this entire issue of the Vatican and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is really symptomatic of a much larger disease for the Catholic Church. 

 

I present this excerpt from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf's blog, posted on December 14, 2013.  The post was entitled, Fr. Z on Fr. Hunwicke on the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.  His insight, in just this one paragraph, is chilling to hear when you consider the subject matter in another context. 

"As you know, the Franciscan Friars have internal disputes.  Some faction within the group brought the Holy See’s Congregation for Religious into the picture.  Unless you are bent on destruction (or are simply kinda dumb) that’s rarely a good idea.  The Congregation conducted what seems very much like a hostile take-over of the whole institute.  A “commissar” was appointed with absolute power over the Friars.  He has used it.  Included in his absolute control includes what seems a violation of the Church’s universal legislation in Summorum Pontificum, which was deeply disturbing for many of the traditional bent.  I can’t help but think that a lot of the Friars’ problems were to a certain extent brought on themselves, with the help of a lot of zealous lay people."

To read the post in its entirety it may be found at, http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/12/fr-z-on-fr-hunwicke-on-the-franciscan-friars-of-the-immaculate/.

This sounds like the beginning of a conflict "anywhere around the world" with their internal disputes and factions within the group.  You can almost see a similarity of bringing the Holy See's Congregation for Religious into the picture as one faction in Egypt, Libya, or Syria bringing the Islamic Brotherhood into it.  "Unless you are hell bent on destruction (or simply kinda dumb) that's rarely a good idea."  To prove it, according to Fr. Zuhlsdorf, the Congregation conducts what is tantamount to a "hostile take-over," and inserts their own absolute dictatorship over the Friars.  Sounds like the Nazis and their Gestapo tactics.

I have read The Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI, July 7, 2007.  It is short enough that, for those who want more information, it is not a drudge to get through.  Not being an expert on Vatican writing style, I have been asked numerous times to look at contracts and legal documents for my input.  It would seem that Fr. Zuhlsdorf is right on target when he discusses this as being a seeming "violation of the Church's universal legislation..."

This drama and intrigue would be the beginning to any good novel or Hollywood movie.  The question I have to ask is, as always, "Why?"  Why does religion based on peace, love, and tolerance have to be so controlling?  Where is it written in any religion's scripture that control of the church and the faithful must be totalitarian?  I have visions of goose-stepping priests parading in St. Peter's Square, crosses emblazoned on their rich, red leather, battle dress jackets.  But, still, one has to ask, to what end?

The Franciscan Friars only want to preserve the old ways.  They prefer to worship in the Latin.  They see the traditional values as something they wish to continue to uphold.  So let them!  Who are they hurting in doing so?  No one I can see.  I would think the Vatican would be thrilled and supportive of a group that wishes to preserve these traditional values.  As I have said before, there is a balance that needs to be maintained in the universe.  The Friars are offering some of this balance.

I started this post by calling the Vatican's actions "chilling."  This is an example of the kind of prehistoric thinking Pope Francis is up against.  The Church needs to get back to spirituality and lose this desire to control.  Religion's business should be the spreading of love, understanding, peace and tolerance, not creating rules and regulations that prohibit the same.

 

"Sint ut sunt aut non sint" (Let them be as they are, or not at all).  These words were purportedly uttered by Lorenzo Ricci, General of the Jesuits, late in the 18th century "when faced with the plan of "reforming" the Company of Jesus, to adapt itself to the demands of the world."  Does this sound familiar?  History is again repeating itself, and the Vatican conveniently forgetting to learn.  This bit of history comes to us as excerpted from the Rorate Caeli blog site, www.rorate-caeli.BlogSpot.com.  In the introduction of another Rorate Caeli post, A passionate plea to Pope Francis for the Franciscan Friars, they state:

"Most conservative Catholic bloggers have either sided with the Fr. Volpi-driven interdiction or for the most part are now staying silent -- even now that the facts clearly show the harshness with which the Vatican is acting towards an order whose only crime was clinging to what was handed down to them."

I would challenge any religion that believes they must practice their faith through control and violence to show us the scripture.  Show us where Jesus said to run a totalitarian "prison" where free thinking and tradition are incompatible.  Show us where Muhammad says to kill all of the unbelievers and the "chosen people" of God, where it says the killing of innocence is appropriate.  Show us the scripture; don't send a self-proclaimed mouthpiece of the Prophet to spout their own interpretation of God's word.  Yet, this is the road the Vatican seems to be following Islam down.  The better option would be to let them be as they are.  The Vatican can support them, or not, as they so choose and the Friars have the option of accepting Vatican support, or not, as they so choose.  Personally, as much as I'd love to have Vatican approval and support, I don't see how it can trump the Friars' belief that they are doing the right thing in the eyes of God.  Of course, that's just my humble opinion.  I could be wrong. 

I would ask the Vatican to let the Friars of the Immaculate control their own lives; you have so many other, bigger, fish to fry.  Try working on how the world views the Vatican, instead of finding ways to alienate all of us through childish politics and infighting.  Be proud that they want to continue with tradition.  Heaven forbid, they could have wanted a nudist monastery.  In comparison, is tradition that hard to swallow?

How about we grow up, and let them be who they are.

Spiritual Threshold

“Now, Kalamas, don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’ When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and carried out, lead to welfare and to happiness’ — then you should enter and remain in them.”

-- Gautama Siddharta (Buddha, 563-483 B.C.)

The threshold of a church used to be as close as I dared go to one, safely. There was no proof that anything negative would occur were I to cross the threshold.  Yet, I would wander around outside, visit with the wedding party, tug at my tie, and generally look uncomfortable until someone finally said, "We better go find a seat," at which point my hands would go clammy and my mouth would go dry. I would try my best to wait until the last minute before slowly approaching the front doors. I would stop with my toes on the line separating concrete walkway from the tiled foyer, and look down at that threshold as I took a tentative step across, squeezing my eyes shut before I placed one heel down on tile; waiting for my well-deserved lightning flash followed the fully expected and resounding explosion of thunder.  If nothing happened, I would then dare to bring the other foot forth.  My sins were forgivable, but I still had a fear of being smitten by the Mighty Smiter.  My fears were driven by blind faith in the wrath of a God handed down, in a culture of Catholicism, from when I was a child. 

I would dab at the cold sweat beading on my brow before following my mother, girlfriend, or wife to our seats, hopefully toward the back and usually at the front, where I was going to be subjected to mental torture for the next hour. I counted another blessing when it wasn't a drawn-out Catholic wedding, and a third if the Mass wasn't in Latin. I reasoned that all the standing, sitting, kneeling, and then repeat, in any Catholic service, was due to the physical danger caused by lack of blood flow from sitting on a hard church bench for a couple of hours with no chance of a seventh-inning stretch. One would jump at the chance to walk to the front for Communion, just to get the blood flowing back to your feet. I wonder if the priest realized that blessed, contented, look we all possessed was, along with receiving the Lord's host, also due to receiving back the comfortable warmth of feeling we lost below our knees.

At each of my visits to holy ground, no lightning strike ever materialized and, therefore, no small pile of ash had to be vacuumed up or swept away.

It finally dawned on me, somewhere along my life, the reason there was no feared lightning strike was that I was expecting it. Not really God's style, that. What good the lesson if you don't learn it for yourself? So I became aware that God would punish me for any transgressions in numerous small ways, spanking me again and again. Of course, I well knew, as with any father, this would hurt God more than it hurt me. Fear and pain was not the object of the lesson.  So it was that I found myself freely entering holy ground, yet looking up with one eye closed, just in case, and uttering a silent thanks for the free pass.

Later, I developed a habit of going into the church early so I could have a private moment with the powers that be. I would take this short time to ask blessings and assistance for those around me, as well as forgiveness for my own shortcomings as a person of faith, and as a sinner of which there is no doubt. I think it was in these moments I developed a personal relationship with God, Christ, and the Blessed Mother. My relationship with Mary is most special in my heart; I know this because all I have to do is stand before her effigy and I begin to cry freely. Perhaps this show of emotion is due to the attachment to one's own mother only, here, on the spiritual plane.

A loving God should not be feared, as long as you toe the line. Like any child, we have lessons to learn, and tutoring if we have a tough go of it. Crossing the line, the threshold, from religious to spiritual, can be such a lesson. The answers, for many of these lessons, are found not in traditions, scripture, and the like.  More often, the answers to our questions are found in what we discover for ourselves.

I found in the Blessed Mother a calming influence, and it became evident to me that in Her I found a mirror of the emotion, discipline, love, and forgiveness I would find at home; the discipline of the father, the understanding of the mother, and the older brother I never had with his unerring balance, intuition, and sweet reasonableness.

I stood on the threshold of love,

fearing to enter the house of my family,

where I found unconditional love

and easy expectations;

To search, grow, love, minister,

show tolerance and understanding,

and try, and when trying fails,

ask "Why?"

Do not strive for the Kingdom of God,

for heaven surrounds us.

We are the custodians of it,

and the ministers of all which is good.

We already enjoy everlasting life,

how we live it is at hand.

From one life to the next we grow,

learning to be worthy.

I stood on the threshold of love;

ever present, unconditional, love,

with only expectations of myself,

to be worthy of those around me. 

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 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Winter Begins

Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours."

-- Robert Byrne

I love the seasons.  When I was young I lived along the California coast and was seldom treated to seasonal changes.  Median temperatures were in the mid to high 60s and this was only that low due to the fog banks that hung to the coast most of the time.  It isn't true that it never rains in southern California, and it also isn't true that the coast is always warm and sunny as any surfer can attest, even though surfers spend a good bit of their time under clouds or in the fog, cold and wet.  If we wanted to see the seasons we had to travel inland and the best place to experience winter was Fish Camp just outside of Yosemite.

 

For me, winter has always been about a snuggling down in front of a warm fire with a hot beverage.  It was a time for cross country skiing, snow mobiles, and snow blowers.  It was a time to shovel the car out of the snow drift and curse the plow as he buried it again immediately after I'd finished.  It was building a snowman and throwing a snowball.  It was Christmas music and good cheer.  I was lucky enough to be home based, for most of my military career, at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington.  It had all of this, and more.

 

Since my retirement from military service I have spent the last 20 years in Olympia, located on the other side of the mountains from Washington's "high desert."  Like the California coast, it might seem Olympia spends most of the year under clouds, cold and wet, with a bit of dreary thrown in for variety.  It has some occasional snow, and the fall color mostly comes from non-native trees planted as landscaping or reforestation over the many years.  Instead of the gorgeous winter scenes of Washington's mountains, we have the photo above.  The accidents would seem out of place in an area which enjoys the same weather pretty much all year round, unless you attribute it to  either over confidence or the California migrants looking for a less expensive life style.

 

The upside of Olympia is that, when it's beautiful here it can be absolutely wonderful and the people try to make the most of it with sports, recreation, food, and the arts.  There is nothing like the Olympic Peninsula, in the summer, when the sun is out.

 

Meanwhile, along with the rest of the U.S., we've been fighting the cold temperatures.  The 15 degree evenings we've suffered through for the past week have started to abate.  I knock wood that I'm not on the east coast, and wish for them a speedy return to normalcy. Or, do I? 

 

Winter officially begins on Saturday and, as much as I'm glad I'm not suffering the winter warning alerts for the east coast, deep down I envy everyone getting a good depth of snow.  I would so much enjoy a white Christmas, coming in the house, after tubing down a snowy hillside, to be greeted by a roaring fire, some hot spiced rum and a bowl of chili.  There is something about the warmth of a fire that makes the pine bough wreathe over the mantle explode with evergreen fragrance.  Christmas music, along with the aroma of pine, spiced rum, and chili gently slaps you in the face as the door opens, so you never forget it.

 

Winter may be nature's way of saying, "Up yours!" but, for some of us, we look nature right in the eye and boldly dare, "Bring it!"

 

We should also keep in mind that without winter, nature would die.  Winter is God's way of letting nature recover.  I've often thought you could feel the tension on the winding key as it tightens during winter.  Animals hunker down, plants rejuvenate, glaciers and lakes replenish supplies of needed water all in preparation for nature to "spring" forth with the long awaited explosion of life, color, and sunshine.  Winter is just another part of God's masterful plan for sustainability of this little blue marble we call earth.  

 

Here's wishing everyone an enjoyable winter!     

Sunday Thought - December 15, 2013: Christmas Meaning

 "Glory to God in the highest
And on earth peace, good will toward men"

Luke 2:14     

What does Christmas mean to you? 

This quote from Luke might be one of the lines in the Bible I would be willing to bank history on.  I mean, when I think about it, it seems to be the only line we have consistently ignored, worldwide.  It is in man's nature to ignore that which is not in his nature, so why include it in the Bible?  Of all the books left out of the bible by that council of mortal men with personal agendas, of all the lines of scripture they left cluttering the cutting room floor because it didn't reflect their desire to retain power over the "faithful," recognizing that they would need these faithful to fight numerous battles for the wealth and glory of the church (re: the Church ruling elite), they screwed up and left this line in.  It defies our knowledge of the history of the time.  It certainly would not be in keeping with conquering kings that were trying to unite peoples and religion under one banner.  Would it?

"And on earth peace, good will toward men."  Let's take a moment and review the world around us.  Nothing has changed, and we are still a miserable disappointment to God.  Yes, I mean everybody's God, Islam and Judaism.  No one has exclusive rights to the One, the true God of Abraham, not even Malaysia.  So, what are we left with?

First off, Christmas probably isn't Christ's birthday.  Be real, nobody knows when it was. What we celebrate as Christmas has its roots in paganism.  I'm not demeaning the day, what we now accept as the celebration of Christ's birth, we had to pick a day and this was it.  We seem to go out of our way to pick arbitrary days for holidays as it may suit our business and culture, but let's face it; it really is a holiday tree, not a Christmas tree.  This shows how ignorant the naysayers of Christmas are when they don't even realize it's a pagan ritual.  It isn't entirely their fault, as the Christians will be more than eager to jump with a counter argument showing their ignorance to the facts as well.  I'm not even sure why the Jews get involved except that they want equal time.  The minute a Jew screams foul a boat load of Christians find it necessary to remind them who killed Christ.  Better they just stay out of the Christmas controversy. 

The gift giving is a way of celebrating and remembering (good luck with that) the gifts the Magi brought for the baby Jesus - gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The Magi are the three wise men, not to be confused with the Jinn, or Marid, which Aladdin might find in a magical lamp. 

I have never received gold at Christmas, and what the hell is frankincense or myrrh?  Myrrh, sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy story.  And, frankincense sounds like an air freshener concocted by a mad scientist or a scent that is just, well, very to the point.  Whatever they are I certainly don't remember ever getting either of them, unless it was back in the 60s, we might have smoked it, not realizing.  That actually might account for some missing time, but that's another story.

As much as I enjoyed getting gifts, it was a big part of the reason I lost track of the true meaning of the day.  We all lost track of it because the material aspect overshadowed the spiritual.  History repeats itself from Sodom to Rome, to any town USA.  Mix money, liquor, food, and gifts, and people will just revert back to worshipping ugly, fat, stone fertility goddesses.  It is what we do.  We get spanked for it, but we still do it.

For many of us, family doesn't even travel to be with family anymore.  The large dinners with prayer and thanks has been relegated to Thanksgiving.  How sad is this?  I, for one, find it appalling.  I have tried to give the bulk of my "gift" money to needy charities during the holidays and have asked that my family all follow suit.  None of us need to be spoiled that much and, besides, what do you buy someone that can buy what they want for themselves.  I send some money so the kids will have a little something, but I hope the spirit of the day will be more important that the selfish materialism.  I would like to see them all out feeding the poor and homeless, adopting a needy family, or visiting a children's cancer ward with toys and smiles so my grandkids understand the spirit of it all.

What does Christmas mean to me? It sounds corny, I know, but I do have a heartfelt wish for peace on earth.  A desire for everyone to be more tolerant of each other and develop feelings of good will.  I wish all of this, and not just for the day or the season, but throughout the year, every year.  Is it a pipe dream?  Obviously, but wouldn't it be nice if violence, war, and hatred were the footnotes found in the back of the news, instead of the leading stories?  If we could just bring the world back into balance, that would be a great stocking stuffer. 

Christmas is a time we have chosen to remember the rebirth of love, that God sent us someone to remind us of who we are and what we could be, and to remind us of things greater than ourselves.  He was born for us, and He died for us.  I think we can give Him one day of honor. 

So, I ask again, what does Christmas mean to you?

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

No Catholic God

This was originally posted in my Thought for Sunday, November 17, 2013.  This particular Thought for Sunday has garnered 4 times more page views than any other Thought for Sunday since I began writing them months ago.  5th highest of all 148 posts to date!  The reason for the interest is unknown to me.  If it received all the views within days of posting it would still be an anomaly, but this post is still getting numerous hits several weeks later. I thought it prudent, due to the suspected interest, to take it out of this category and give it a title for its own post.  If anyone has a thought as to why this post is so popular, I would be interested in hearing from you.  Enjoy!

"And I believe in God, not in a Catholic God, there is no Catholic God, there is God and I believe in Jesus Christ, His incarnation. Jesus is my teacher and my pastor, but God, the Father, Abba, is the light and the Creator. This is my Being."  --  Pope Francis

"...there is no Catholic God, there is God..."  Finally, the leader of the Christian faith puts it out there.  There is no Catholic God.  There is not Protestant, Methodist, Mormon, or God of Islam, there is God.  If you are looking for a different God, good luck with that.  There is only one God.  There are many names for God, but it is the same God.  Many religions see God in a different light, use their definition of God as an excuse to do evil in God's name, but it is the same God, and we are all the children of the one God.

Belief in God is really a moot point.  God exists whether we believe or not.  God always was, is now, and forever shall be.  Our belief is welcomed but not required.  God will abide regardless.  But, to what end does damning someone for non belief achieve?   How does killing the non-believers advance the glory of God?  It doesn't, and every civilized religion understands this.  Two of the central tenets of Islam are freedom of religion and protection of non-Muslims, the same tenets professed by all Abrahamic religions.  Isn't that interesting?

Christians need to remember that Christ was a Jew.  Muslims need to remember that Muhammad (pbuh), had two Jewish wives.  The Jews need to remember that Abraham was not just an integral part of their faith, but has roots in several others.  Yet, we constantly find ourselves in a bar fight, everyone with their guns drawn, every one with a bead on a different target, waiting for the phone to ring and make an itchy trigger finger flinch.  To what end?

By everyone's Holy Scripture it obviously wasn't in God's plan, even though everyone easily reinterprets God's word to excuse their right to wage holy war on their brother.  My Christian friends are not exempt from culpability in this mess.  The proof is in the pudding, as they say.  If you don't believe me, ask some of your devout Christian friends what their view of Islam is.  Where to start?  Well, I got an earful from a Baptist.  Now, does this reflect poorly on all Baptists?  Of course not, but it is interesting that any Christian interprets the bible to justify their feelings.  Of course, the Catholics would be immune because they can unload at confession, do some penance, and start all over for another week of sin and debauchery.  Hey Catholics!  Have you read my posts on the new Pope?  Your days of feeling like you have special dispensation may be numbered.

If you do nothing else today for God, think on the fact that we are all part of the same universe, and all of us are children of the same God.  Even the atheist is a child of the Lord, whether they believe it or not is immaterial, except to them.  All children are innocent until they are taught not to be.  Isn't that sad?  Like a Pit Bull, they are mean spirited because they are trained to be that way.

Go out today and love your neighbor and do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.  What a concept.

God bless you and keep you all as we enter this holiday season.

My prayer:

"If I have to die, Lord, let someone be holding my hand.  Allow me to see one last smile, a caring, friendly face to be with me at the end.  And, if I find myself not among other men, Lord, I beg you forgive me my trespasses, and comfort me as I come to you in all humility, knowing I am a sinner and expecting no quarter.  But, if you allow me only one wish for myself, Lord, please don't let me die alone."

Getting Older

"Good God! How often are we to die before we go quite off this stage? In every friend we lose a part of ourselves, and the best part."

-- Alexander Pope (1688-1744), poet

The eyes are truly windows to the soul.  Have you ever really looked into the eyes of a person that is over the age of ninety?  For so many of them, the lights are not only on, but there are disco balls and parties happening, as well.  Behind it all, there is a cornucopia of information spanning history, emotion, religion, philosophy, pain and suffering, love and loss.  There is an unspoken reality that they are the last of their world, and a sparkle when they see young people who recognize they are heirs to a rich legacy.

I have watched my dad grow older.  I have watched as his attitudes about life, love, and tolerance have changed through the years.  I have watched my mother change along with him, at times wondering if her changes were in response to his, and discovering they're her own.  I have watched them deal with social changes concerning race, equality, and sexuality.  I have watched as they became friends with a gay couple that lived next to them.  I watched as they became unforgiving of Islam because they didn't understand and, when the finally did, they condemned Islam for refusing to call out their own heretics.

I have watched dad as his friends grew old and died around him.  There are few, if any, of his old friends still alive.  Sometimes I think I can see this sadness in his eyes and I wonder what he's thinking.  It's one of those things we haven't talked much about except in, well, passing.  I have an idea of how must feel to him, though.  I distanced myself from my own high school alumni association because the newsletter became a running obituary, and I was only 50 at the time! 

My dad lives to cook, bake, make a killing in the stock market, and watch FOX News and CNBC business.  He dabbles in real estate, She takes care of their three cats and reads a lot.  I think she would like to have a real estate project, to stay active.  In our eighties, we should all be this active.

I wish I had been like my mom and dad.  I have their gift for making friends, but where they always had people over for dinner and parties, I have kept my friends at arm's length throughout my life.  I have found trust to be a fleeting concept which probably molded my attitude toward having friends, turning me into an uncompromising person at times.  This served me well in the military where it is one thing to learn how to kill en masse, and a real eye-opener to realize you can turn off caring if you do.  It is patriotically great for the country, emotionally corrupting for the individual, and devastating for the marriage that has to deal with a lack of emotional commitment and honesty.

As I got older, I mellowed.  I removed violence from my life and my soul, with months of introspection, both personal and clinical.  I spent so many years being someone else all the time; it was relieving to finally admit I could just be myself.  The problem:  I didn't really know who I was.  It took me another 15 years to find me.  Now, I'm also learning to change in other ways.  For instance, it isn't that important to have more money than necessary to be comfortable; no job is worth ruining your life for; if you have stress you need to lose it; I don't have to like you to love you; I can agree to disagree; and I really don't give a tinker's damn what other people think about me since I'm the one I have to look at in the mirror every evening with full knowledge I've fought the good fight for another day.

I have also come to grips with certain undeniable truths.  I think everyone comes to these same conclusions as we reach our waning years.  There needs to be a balance in the universe; friends die, and sooner or later we follow; we need to work for survival and for our own growth; we need to pay taxes to Caesar; we need to vote or shut the hell up; we need to live by a code of ethics which we will constantly be at odds with because we are sinners, and sinning seems to be what we're really good at; there is an undefinable omnipotent power in the universe, whether we call it energy, Tao, the light side of "The Force" or the dark, and everyone needs to realize the God that can be defined is not the true God, but have faith anyway; children are God's greatest gift; and, finally, we need to love ourselves so we can learn how to love and be loved by others.

The few friends I have, I still hold at arm's length.  Some things are just hard to change, but I'm getting better at letting people in the gates.  The few old friends I have, I see infrequently, if at all, but we do email or phone.  Two of them I have known since we were 9 or 10, and one other I was in the Air Force with back in the late 70s.  My newest friend lives closer, I have known him for about 15 years.  We visit occasionally, but still not as much as we should.  One thing I think all of us agree on, however, is that we will always be friends.  As we all get older I do not contemplate their passing or my own mortality for that matter.  I do think, in my next life, I would like to do things differently.  I'd like to have a multitude of friends around me, close around me, and a large family of children and grandchildren.  I think that would be nice, as I have wasted most of this life, since the divorce, being alone, even when I'm not.

One of my good friends once told me that, deep in her heart, she knows we'll all be together on a porch when we're in our 80s, in rocking chairs, laughing about old times and having cocktails while poking each other with our canes and calling each other rude names.

I can't wait.

We'll be friends until I am senile, then we'll be new friends.

-- Anonymous

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 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

A Christmas Carol - A Study in Politics?

I love Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol.  Published in 1843 it paints a picture of England undergoing a time of change during a period of industrialism where men, women, and children worked in appalling conditions for little money.  Workhouses, debtor prisons, and refuges for the destitute with wards for males and females. 

 

Although it stands as an indictment of English society of the day, does it reflect on current American society and politics?  I leave that to the reader.  I offer the except, below, for each to read and ponder.  Can we see far left liberalism, the Tea Party philosophies, far right conservative or libertarian values?  Bleeding hearts and the crusty curmudgeon?  Is the story reflecting both ends of the spectrum or is there a bit of grey in between?  Next time you have the opportunity to read the tale, try giving it another twist and see if Dickens isn't commenting on the political and social environment of any country.

 

When you read the entire story watch the interaction between Bob Cratchit and his wife.  Bob being somewhat more understanding than the missus.  Also watch the same interaction with Scrooge's nephew and his significant other.  I see politics seeping in throughout, and these same conversations can be reflected by any family today.

 

This story is yet more proof that Charles Dickens was a master storyteller.  I try to read this every year, or at least those excerpts I love the most.  I always find something I didn't see before.  Whether it speaks to politics or social values, in the end we find the humanity we are all capable of.  We can have differing beliefs, differing economic situations, even different faiths, and still treat each other with dignity and respect. 

 

Merry Christmas!

"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.  Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

"And the Union workhouses?"  demanded Scrooge.  "Are they still in operation?"

"They are.  Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."

"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?"  said Scrooge.

"Both very busy, sir."

"Oh!  I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge.  "I'm very glad to hear it."

"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.  We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.  What shall I put you down for?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous?"

"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge.  "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer.  I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry.  I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.  Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that."

"But you might know it," observed the gentleman.

"It's not my business," Scrooge returned.  "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's.  Mine occupies me constantly.  Good afternoon, gentlemen!"

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew.

More Pope Francis

"He washes the feet of the poor. He opts to live in a small apartment, rather than the opulent Vatican suites.  His humility has made him globally popular. But traditionalists are worried that he may move the Church’s teaching to a more open and liberal approach."

Have you read this?  These are the opening two lines of the latest Newsmax advertisement for the new book, Francis: A Pope for Our Time, The Definitive Biography, by Luis Rosales and Daniel Olivera.  I haven't read it yet, but I would like to.  Maybe someone will get me a Christmas present (hint, hint). 

 

I have been concerned that the Vatican would start trying to tighten his leash.  That would be very sad when you consider the lines above with everyone touting "his humility" and how it has made him "globally popular."  I don't think any Pope has ever come close to becoming what he has become to all people.  Certainly not in as short a period as he has had to do it.  He has appeal has a name now, "The Francis Effect." 

But, my fears are borne out in the last line, "traditionalists are worried."  And, what are they worried about?  They're concerned that "he may move the Church's teaching to a more open and liberal approach."  Hallelujah!  Roll me in honey and call me Margaret!  Isn't it about time we had a Christian leader that cares about solving the stagnating relationship between the Christian Church and mankind?  I would say, yes!

 

While the Pope stands at the forefront of a new Christian "jihad," I think the traditionalists might be worried they'll be required to get their hands dirty and do some feet washing.  To them I would say, use soap!  I want to see some priests out with us on a cold Saturday morning feeding the homeless.  I want to see the priest having to go back to his apartment for another pair of socks so his frozen toes will warm up.  When was the last time you saw a priest, or a nun, or a minister of a denominational church, downtown doing anything for the homeless on homeless turf?  Come down with me one Sunday when I hand out a few bags of apples, but dress warmly.

 

I notice no priest showed up to the city council meeting last night to show support for continuing to feed the homeless.  Ask yourselves why.  I have plenty of ideas why, but I won't cast unfounded dispersions on character.  I'm sure all the churches in town are quite active in feeding the poor, I'd just be a lot happier to see them out amongst them English.  Come out and freeze with them.  It is an education.

 

Fear is a terrible thing.  I seriously think the priesthood is afraid of our new Pope.  They probably don't like how the parishioners look at him and then look at them, as though they were comparing vehicles.  Like they're seeing, for the first time, how their priest measures up.  It is an eye opener to know that being a great man is more difficult than being a truly good man, but being a truly good man and a great man, well, it just goes to show that even the Vatican can screw up. 

While the Vatican may be questioning their decision, this pope just made Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2013, beating out President Obama.  Alright, so a child with a lemonade stand could have beat out Obama, but the Pope has actually shown himself more than worthy and up to the challenge.  Maybe Barack could learn a few things here, like humility, honesty, how to speak from the heart without a teleprompter, and other Christian values.  Pope Francis seems to have it all, and the people love him!  I think that scares the Vatican to death.

 

I just love the guy.