God moves in mysterious ways

  Recently, a business in Orlando, Florida has discovered a statue that weeps black tears. While this might be an interesting phenomenon by itself, there is a spiritual dimension to this because the statue is a reproduction of the famous Pieta (Virgin Mary comforting the body of Christ) originally done by Michelangelo.

  My question is where do we draw the line between believing in the divine and imagining that they communicate to us through bleeding statues. I thought the bar was set pretty high in the Old Testament when Moses scaled a mountain and talked to a burning bush. Communicating directly with God is a pretty significant event.  Should I believe that He is now relegated to causing statues to bleed? What if my Mrs. Butterworth bottle starts weeping syrup from the eyes? Should I take that as a sign that God is talking through my breakfast condiments or that I maybe just forgot to clean it off after using it?

  Here’s a little picture I put together so they can be told apart.

Important things to know about religion*

*as revealed to me by life experience. This is only my opinion.

1) No one adherent truly represents a religion. This is good news for those who are bad examples, and bad news for those who think finding religion is an easy job.

2) A flaw in the practice of its adherents doesn’t not necessarily mean a flaw in the religion itself. Those who hold themselves up as spiritual beacons aren’t necessarily the ones to follow. Frequently, spiritual leaders are so busy leading spiritual lives that they don’t have time to draw attention to themselves.

3) Religion is not simply the act of attending church, nor is religion seated in a symbol. It’s not even a specific set of rituals. Those are all external things that believers and non-believers can focus on alike. While mocking a religious ritual or destroying a religious symbol is disrespectful, faith is something that can only be damaged by the person who chooses to give up hope. If you have a strong faith, there isn’t an external force on the planet that can change that.

4) Religion, like any human endeavor, is subject to bias. A spiritually weak person will bend their interpretation of  sacred text to serve their own wants & needs. A spiritually strong person works toward changing their behavior to fit into their interpretation of sacred text. As I have also said before, spiritually weak people also prefer holding others to a high spiritual standard before holding themselves to the same standard. Control issues, manipulation  or deception can exist without religion. Religion can just be a means of delivering such an agenda.

5) Finding religion is only a matter of asking the right questions and looking in the right places. It starts with the honest willingness to look and not asking the same questions over and over again. It is finding your own proof, even if indirect, that the divine exists. Taking someone else’s assumptions at face value limits your own growth. I also think that the spiritual journey involves more doubt and fear that you may be lead to believe exists.

6) There is nothing wrong with ritual. It provides stability and security for us. It can be comforting. It provides predictability in the face of an unpredictable world.  Some require more structure to their ritual than others, but there is no one answer for everyone.

 7) Having faith simply means the ability to have hope.  Having enough trust in a feeling that everything will work out, despite what the immediate circumstances may tell you. That is faith. This then leads to building your relationship with the divine.

8 ) Wisdom and truth are timeless. You don’t have to be the oldest or have the most adherent to be validated. Mocking, lying or distorting the religion of another can also be a means of disempowering it. Those become the socially acceptable way to destroy the competition since imprisoning, torturing and killing others for their faith isn’t an option anymore…at least, in this country.

9) Many words are subject to different emotional meanings which includes the use the of the word PATH to describe religion. Some assume this means there is only one. Others see it as many paths all leading to the same destination. The word God means many things to many people. Some believe its masculine. Some believe its feminine. Some believe both genders. Some neither or that it’s a force. As it is an infinite being, finite beings such as ourselves can wrap our brains around the entire essense of the divine. People who are overly concerned with debating the mortal concept of gender as it applies to the divine have probably not made the spiritual leap yet.

Genuine Fake Religious News

         Rev. Pat Robertson, President of the 700 Club, has admitted that he knows everything there is to know. Featured on the cover of this month’s POMPOUS IDIOT magazine, Pat offers his unsolicited advice on such topics as dating, marriage, things that are orange, international diplomacy, paperclips, getting out those stubborn stains, golf, belly dancing, particle physics and those kids in his yard. Pat also plans on talking about his latest book about his bizarre love-triangle relationship with Terry Meuwwsen and Hugo Chavez. Rev. Robertson will appear on the Barbara Walters show in which Pat will do nothing except babble for 2 hours.

  In other news, religious zealots have recently negotiated an exclusive E-bay contracts to give their congregations access to special memberships to those wishing to auction off items that feature the face of Christ or exhibit some holy traits. Everything from cheese sandwiches to Cabbage Patch dolls that bleed from the eyes; this landmark deal is resonating though the Internet community.  It is also rumored that Lowes, the national chain of hardware stores, is offering nutjobs discounts on materials to build protest signage. Greyhound Bus Corporate may be starting reduced rates to destinations to places like Fostoria, Ohio where the visage of Christ appeared on a rusty silo in 1986. The remaining 99% of Christians whose beliefs do not include culinary visions of the Son Of God will continue their participation in the economy like everyone else. However,that didn’t stop Jimmy Swaggart from trying to negotiate lower rates with Super 8 Motels, Kodak, and Debra Murphree.

  In other nutjob-related news, Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas is attempting to soften its image by protesting other events. In an obvious attempt to garner public support of ANY kind, Westboro Baptists are now protesting long lines in banks, people who violate the 15 items or less in supermarkets, and late fees with video rentals. Church leader Fred Phelps has even gone so far to encourage his congregation to travel to every corner of the United States to offer apologies and backrubs to anyone who will listen to them. This faux reporter caught up with Fred Phelps as he was travelling to Washington, D.C. to repeal legislation that could hurt the Westboro Baptist Church. Last January, Congress passed the VIOLENT WEDGIE ACT OF 2007 which would allow any American to legally pull the underwear up to the shoulder blades of any member of the Westboro Baptist Church with impunity. The original legislation that would have allowed them to be shipped to Gitmo after the wedgie and offer them less rights than terrorists was defeated in a last minute move by Sen. Nancy Pelosi. Ms. Pelosi was not available for comment because she is now touring the entire Middle East for finish the meddling that Sean Penn was not able to complete.  If anyone is going to get to the bottom of the spiritual and political quagmire that has lasted for millenia in the Middle East, it will be those two.

The FDA approves a new drug: Genuflectin

Genuflectin, with the generic name Worshippen, has recently been approved to put on the market. While still in its early stages, the testing so far has shown to be a very powerful and effective drug when taken in the proper dose. Mishandling, however, has serious side effects.

It can provide feelings of comfort, especially in times of stress. Its calming effects can also provide a stable outlook on life. It has the ability to provide some clarity of thought while making decisions. Unfortunately, the dose can vary quite a bit among people. Some may get nauseous with even a little bit and may only take it twice a year. Others may find they have a stronger tolerance and may feel they need more of it. It can be an addictive substance under the right conditions. Side effect include dry mouth, proselytizing, hallucinations, self-righteousness, stockpiling weapons, paranoia, martyrdom, shouting in peoples’ faces, knocking on doors, passing out pamphlets, singing Kumbaya, bad comb-overs, tainting Kool-Aid, preaching on street corners and standoffs with the ATF.

If you have any of these side effects, please discuss them with your priest, pastor, minister, rabbi, priestess, Imam, wise woman, or shaman as soon as possible. Most side effects, if treated early, can be minimized to allow maximum life functioning. Major signs of overdose includes the desire to meddle in other peoples lives and expecting incredibly high, difficult spiritual standards for other people before self-application.

People who should closely monitor their Genuflectin intake include people with no life, those recovering some substance abuse, people willing to hand control of their lives to complete strangers, and those with liver problems.

This is readily available at your closest house of worship. However, as a safety precaution, experts recommend not ordering your prescription through televised worship services. Find a local, trusted provider with all your spiritual needs.

Did Sinbad die for YOUR sins?!?

Wikipedia has recently reported the death of Sinbad. However, he was alive and well.

This has me concerned. It’s not that Wikipedia’s integrity is called into question again. It’s something much bigger.Christianity has already been called into question by the DaVinci Code. Recently, there was even a television documentary that said scientists had uncovered the bodies of Christ, along with His family. I think the real threat here is that Sinbad actually did come back from death and will somehow be considered The Messiah. I think if anything is going to throw Christianity into a tailspin; it would be Sinbad as God’s OTHER Son.

My guess is that the WB network would have dibs on the filming, and that His reruns would almost be guaranteed syndication.

However, I must admit. It’s somehow very inspirational that the new Messiah is such a snazzy dresser.

School closings take on an ecumenical dimension

Many school in our area have closed for Feb. 14th, 2007 – while the screenshot below announces a closing of a private school in the WNEP Channel 16 viewing area, I can’t help but think of the spiritual implications with this message.

Now this is comedy at its finest!

Trying to understand man-hating themed blogs

   I have recently come across several anti-male blogs. Some women who are sharing their perception of the male species. Aggression, violence, rape, murder, and other atrocities committed by those who share my gender are listed as common traits. My mind reels with thoughts on this one.

    I firmly believe that we were put on this planet by a divine force. Call it God, Goddess, Deity, The Divine, Allah, Hashem, Hecate, Kali, Ashtaroth, Pazuzu, Chuck, whatever; some being with remarkable powers to create life from nothing.

   In creating that world, it has structure and is full of many discernable patterns (some not so discernable). Among those patterns are forces. Forces that maintain a balance or equilibrium. When these forces are not in balance, things go wrong. Sheer forces build up, we get earthquakes and tsunamis. Electric charges build up, lightening strikes. Political power wielded without balance; people lose their voice or rights and are subject to the whims of those in power. This includes forces like love, lust, jealousy, fear, etc. These forces can be beautiful when they work to our advantage and harmful or deadly when they work against us.

     Hate and anger are both natural forces. Like any other force, neither is designed to be the permanent standard.  Another trait of forces are that they are not static. Being dynamic means there is a constant shifting, but the ultimate balance is still there.

  I see these man-hating blogs, much like any other blog where the viewpoint becomes more important than any supporting information to that effect.  I think poster children of the unbalanced include anyone who used the US vs. THEM thought process.  Religious, political, social, or ideological divisions of this magnitude also lack the natural equilibrium to be supported.

that’s just my thought on it.

Here is the one that triggered the post…but it is not the only one I have seen.

misandrist.wordpress.com

Sorry, we can only recognize 38 religions

 Soldiers’ widows sue for pagan symbols on headstones 

POSTED: 8:11 p.m. EST, November 13, 2006  

WASHINGTON (AP) — The widows of two combat veterans sued the government Monday for not allowing Wiccan symbols on their husbands’ military headstones.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows military families to choose any of 38 authorized headstone images. The list includes commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.

The Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, is not on the list, an omission that the widows say is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit was filed by Roberta Stewart, whose husband, Nevada National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart, was killed in combat in Afghanistan last year, and Karen DePolito, whose husband, Jerome Birnbaum, is a Korean War veteran who died last year.

Wiccans worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves “white” or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans. Approximately 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics.

Attorneys for Americans United, a group advocating separation of church and state, argued in legal papers that it makes no sense for Wiccans to be excluded. The Army allows Wiccan soldiers to list their faith on dog tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military installations and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation of the religion, attorneys said.

Stewart, whose husband was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, has sought federal government approval to affix the pentacle to the Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Nevada. Veterans officials denied the request but Nevada officials said they would erect a plaque with the symbol.

In memos and letters cited by the lawsuit, Lindee L. Lenox, director of memorial programs for the veterans agency, said the government was reviewing the process for evaluating and approving new emblems and would not accept new applications until the review was complete.

Circle Sanctuary, a Wiccan church located in Barneveld, Wisconsin, is also suing, saying Wiccans have been trying for years to get the religion recognized.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Western Wisconsin.

If I have two normals, is that a paranormal?

http://darkwalls.wordpress.com/

While surfing WordPress, I found this interesting blog. Essentially, this site offers video clips of ghosts and poltergeists and leaves the viewer to decide for themselves if it’s proof. Some clips are pretty good, while others you can’t really see what they are looking for OR the result is, in my opinion, a stretch of the imagination.

 For those of you interested in hearing some unsupported random comments from a complete stranger filling his blog, please feel free to read on.

      I have always been interested in the supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. I have had a few minor incidents where I think that I have seen what could be called ghosts. Even with a science background, I can’t completely rule out the possibility that something like this exists. I also have enough skepticism in me to see that some people take advantage of this, like anything, to manipulate people into separating them from their money, too.

   I also find it troublesome that mainstream religion likes to get its spiritual fingers in the pie by discrediting the whole issue. Bookstores, reflecting this, oftentimes put any supernaturally-themed books next to books on crop circles, Elvis sightings, and where guys named Bubba pen stories about being abducted by aliens.

    Anyway, I liked this website because I get into this stuff and that you can form your own opinion. It’ s not trying to be definite….plus some of the clips are cool.

     Oh, there is a husband/wife ghostbusting team are recorded on film about their beliefs that these experiences are all because of demons. I am not sure I believe that. I would think that Satan and all His minions are way too busy with stuff like credit cards and managed health care in the U.S.

Harry Potter might get kicked out of the library

Hearing to determine fate of ‘Harry Potter’ books in GCPS

- By Rubina Madan
  Loganville mother of four Laura Mallory would like for the county to take the Harry Potter book series off schools’ library shelves

rubina.madan@gwinnettdailypost.com
 

LAWRENCEVILLE — The next challenge Harry Potter will face has nothing to do with horcruxes, Hogwart’s or the half-blood prince. Instead, it will be a group of concerned parents looking to take the series off the shelves of all Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Laura Mallory of Loganville filed an appeal last week to get the best-selling book series out of the schools’ media centers. She is an evangelical Christian who has three children at J.C. Magill Elementary School.

“I think the anti-Christian bias — it’s just got to stop,” Mallory said. “And if we don’t say something, we’ll just keep getting pushed out of the schools. And I pay taxes, too, and I think that gives me a voice to speak out about this.”

On Thursday, she will present her appeal at a public hearing at 2 p.m. Many parents and other community members are expected to attend to support or oppose Harry Potter’s place in Gwinnett schools. A hearing officer will listen to all of the testimony and submit recommendations to the Gwinnett Board of Education. The board will have to make its final decision within 15 days of the hearing.

Mallory wrote on her appeal forms that she was objecting to the books because of their “evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this.”

The mother of four said she was opposed to the messages of the books, which describe a young wizard’s adventures in a school of magic. She said she had done much of her research online, reading a variety of Christian message boards and Harry Potter fan sites.

“Their thinking has changed. They’re designed to think that witches and witchcraft and wizards and all this is just normal. And that it’s OK. And that it’s even good. I strongly disagree with that. I don’t think it’s OK, and I don’t think it’s good at all,” Mallory said.

The appeal has brought international attention to Gwinnett County schools, as news of the possible banning of the book series circulated around the Internet this past week.

Book appeals have been fairly rare in the Gwinnett school system. The most recent challenges were in 1997, when complainants asked the Board of Education to remove “Ghost Camp” by R.L. Stein and “It’s Not the End of the World” by Judy Blume, according to Sloan Roach, spokeswoman for Gwinnett County Public Schools.

In both cases, committees recommended the board take no action, allowing the books to stay on the shelves. The school board upheld those decisions.
“Since we will be ultimately making a decision, it probably is premature to say anything for or against the books until the information is brought before us,” said Carole Boyce, the Board of Education’s District I representative.

Many Gwinnett Harry Potter fans, including students and parents, were shocked when they heard about the possibility of the books being taken off school shelves.

Jessica Grimes, a 10-year-old student at Duncan Creek Elementary School, faxed a letter to the school system in support of the books series.
“The books never at any time turned me into a wizard or witch,” Grimes said. “I go to church every Sunday, go to Sunday school and never at any time did I think the books are true.”

Michelle Carter, the PTA president at Magill, also has three children at the school. She said she was undecided as to whether or not the series should be available in schools, but was confident about the final decision.

“I’m glad that parents in Gwinnett County schools are able to express their opinions and be heard, and I believe the Board of Education will hear all sides and make the correct decision,” Carter said.
Dacula High School student Jana Davis, 16, said she will probably attend the public hearing with some fellow Harry Potter fans. She said she didn’t see how the books were any worse than other children’s books like Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach” or Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series.

“Maybe parents should be parents and read the book first,” Davis said. “If they find it fun, exciting and adventurous, like thousands of people across the world, then they should allow their children to read it, in school or out.”

Mallory said she has been contacted by other Christian parents who were concerned about the content of the books. On her complaint form, she suggested they be replaced by C.S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia” series or Tim LaHaye’s “Left Behind: the Kids” series.

She admitted that she has not read the book series partially because “they’re really very long and I have four kids.”

“I’ve put a lot of work into what I’ve studied and read. I think it would be hypocritical for me to read all the books, honestly. I don’t agree with what’s in them. I don’t have to read an entire pornographic magazine to know it’s obscene,” Mallory said.

What can we get from this article?

1) You don’t have to read a book to determine if it should be banned/recommended.

2) 10 year olds can discern reality from fantasy, unlike some of their adult counterparts

3) There is no possible way that on-line research is flawed. Anything pulled from the Internet is automatically factual. Christian messageboards are also not likely to offer any agenda to something like this topic either.

4) Although Harry Potter books make no reference to Gerald Gardner, the Great Rite, Sabbats, various rituals, reference on how to collect and prepare tools, Demeter/Persephone or Kore or any other Gods or Goddesses; it is a handbook for all things Wicca.

Blog author’s note: Please, people. If you are going to have an opinion on this, please read at least one of the series. Credibility is given by doing your own REAL research, not taking others opinion as fact.