The Pope's Legacy...sounds like a Star Wars movie-CC
Okay so as much as it pains me to talk about the pope AGAIN, I will. It's not that I'm against Catholicism or Christianity as a whole, its just that I am against that idea that if you dont believe what they believe, than your gonna rot in hell.
I quote the pope in 1981: "the church cannot be an association of free thinkers."
So what do they expect people to be, sheep? I understand that the point is to live your life the right way, and you will go to Heaven. THATS GREAT. But I mean, am I that far off when I say that I think by scaring people into behaving a certain way, or even telling them that they are not supposed to be free thinkers, is a kind of violent and odd method. And what if you dont do what your supposed to do? Go to church on Sunday, repent, and all is forgiven? Talk about the ultimate loophole!
Anyways, the pope is gone and he has left behind this legacy which would make any candidate for the job a bit nervous. It's like going on a job interview to replace GOD.
I guess you dont really have to be Catholic to appreciate the many good things that the Pope did, ie: helping end communism, ending wars between nations, helping create better relations between the catholics and the jews.....etc etc....
But for some reason it is easier to dwell on the negative, especially if your not a practising Catholic. It's hard for me to really admire someone completely if there are a lot of things that I dont agree with. For example, his highly conservative views towards abortion, artificial insemination, and homosexuality.
Maybe for me, the biggest issue would be his opposing views towards women in the clergy. Maybe because I'm a girl my opinion is a bit skewed but heres what I think. I think the current state of the church is more conservative and worse off because there arent more women involved in the decision making. I mean, women are stubborn too but I think a bit more flexible.
Especially in issues invoving womens lives such as birth control and abortion. You can't expect a man to really understand what going through something like pregnancy or unwanted pregancy is like.
Well anyway, I hope that the next guy they pick knows what he is in for, and up against.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
For a Good Time Call Pope John Paul II!!!
So today marks the day of the death of the Pope. Seems like a pretty big deal right? Honestly, I'm not what you would call a religious person, more like a spiritual one, but I can still see the significance of his death. He was a world leader, Christ he had his own fuckin city. Wait can I say christ and fucking in the same sentence....? I'm not really to sure on the rules of these things. Anyways, he died yesterday and the whole Christian faith mourns. I can understand that, but man do I not understand where the modern religious ideals have gone.
For instance, last night at work, (keep in mind that I work in a bar) I nearly peed on myself when I caught a glimpse of the words: "Rest in Peace Pope John Paul II April 2005", on the back of the stall door.
After recovering my balance and turning to flush, what do I find there but another set of "RIP POPE" messages on the wall.
Granted, I am not the most up to date when dealing with the modern religious followers, but seriously, isn't it against some sort of law to use the popes name in the bathroom? I mean really, how ironic is it that the pope is being remembered in a stall next to the words:
"For a good time call Mike X...he has a big ......"
This question really leads me to wonder, how do we define religion in our current world? Have we as a people strayed so far from traditional religion that we can't even see that although our intentions may be right, we're not quite getting it. I'm sure that the pope would have loved to know that a good Christian was getting wasted and thought of him while urinating.
Is it really possible to continue on in life believing the same stories, while knowing there are so many other possibilites? For example, I have always wondered how I could believe in one religion, when if I was born in any other part of the world, I would believe in another. How do I know which is the right one? Oh yeah, that faith thing right??? Well I just don't buy it.
For centuries, and in more dark and isolated times, religion was necessary to give people a reason to get up at the ass crack of dawn, participate in back breaking manual labor, suffer wretched diseases and all for a life span of 35 years. Without religion, and the hope of going some place better, wouldnt every one have just said "fuck it" and try to have as much fun and sex as possible? Think about it, there would be no cities or roads or anything without the faithful people to build them.
But now, we live in a more modern society, not necessarily enlightened by any means, but maybe just a little more aware of the world outside our own private boundries. So now we as a race have a harder time grasping onto the concept of morality and life beyond death. We are a people obsessed with right now, gotta have it, ASAP. How often in our daily lives do we even have time to stop and think about next week, much less next lifetime.
This whole religion thing eludes me. However, I am open to the search for a spiritual understanding of life and all things within. I will read about and consider all angles of modern religion, till I find one that makes sense to me. But I'm pretty sure of one thing, I dont think I will be practicing my faith in a bathroom stall. To me, there is only one throne and concept I can worship at a time in there, I like to keep it simple.
So today marks the day of the death of the Pope. Seems like a pretty big deal right? Honestly, I'm not what you would call a religious person, more like a spiritual one, but I can still see the significance of his death. He was a world leader, Christ he had his own fuckin city. Wait can I say christ and fucking in the same sentence....? I'm not really to sure on the rules of these things. Anyways, he died yesterday and the whole Christian faith mourns. I can understand that, but man do I not understand where the modern religious ideals have gone.
For instance, last night at work, (keep in mind that I work in a bar) I nearly peed on myself when I caught a glimpse of the words: "Rest in Peace Pope John Paul II April 2005", on the back of the stall door.
After recovering my balance and turning to flush, what do I find there but another set of "RIP POPE" messages on the wall.
Granted, I am not the most up to date when dealing with the modern religious followers, but seriously, isn't it against some sort of law to use the popes name in the bathroom? I mean really, how ironic is it that the pope is being remembered in a stall next to the words:
"For a good time call Mike X...he has a big ......"
This question really leads me to wonder, how do we define religion in our current world? Have we as a people strayed so far from traditional religion that we can't even see that although our intentions may be right, we're not quite getting it. I'm sure that the pope would have loved to know that a good Christian was getting wasted and thought of him while urinating.
Is it really possible to continue on in life believing the same stories, while knowing there are so many other possibilites? For example, I have always wondered how I could believe in one religion, when if I was born in any other part of the world, I would believe in another. How do I know which is the right one? Oh yeah, that faith thing right??? Well I just don't buy it.
For centuries, and in more dark and isolated times, religion was necessary to give people a reason to get up at the ass crack of dawn, participate in back breaking manual labor, suffer wretched diseases and all for a life span of 35 years. Without religion, and the hope of going some place better, wouldnt every one have just said "fuck it" and try to have as much fun and sex as possible? Think about it, there would be no cities or roads or anything without the faithful people to build them.
But now, we live in a more modern society, not necessarily enlightened by any means, but maybe just a little more aware of the world outside our own private boundries. So now we as a race have a harder time grasping onto the concept of morality and life beyond death. We are a people obsessed with right now, gotta have it, ASAP. How often in our daily lives do we even have time to stop and think about next week, much less next lifetime.
This whole religion thing eludes me. However, I am open to the search for a spiritual understanding of life and all things within. I will read about and consider all angles of modern religion, till I find one that makes sense to me. But I'm pretty sure of one thing, I dont think I will be practicing my faith in a bathroom stall. To me, there is only one throne and concept I can worship at a time in there, I like to keep it simple.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Big Brother....the US Government, Federalism, and Nonsense,-CC
It occurred to me recently that we live in a society of good-hearted, well-intentioned complainers. These are the people who sit on the sidelines and watch life pass by, too scared to actually join in, but quick to point out when others make mistakes. In this country, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by endless opinions, thoughts and ideas that often create mass and sometimes hysterical dialouge. However, it seems that people are often so caught up in the mix, they forget to actually attempt to solve problems.
It's amazing to me that people are so infatuated with stories like Terri Schiavos. This may seem crude but, we all die one day people. Let this family figure this shit out themselves. If it wasnt for the constant barrage of media attention and people putting in there two sense everywhere, this wouldnt even be an issue. It's like people who are Pro-Life and jump all over any attempts made by facilities like Planned Parenthood to help curve pregnancies by encouraging the use of and educating people about birth control. YES they support abortion, but they are at least trying to do something positive to prevent them. These stauch opponents crucify these organizations in the media, and most religious people agree, but I ask these people, How Many Children and Unwanted Babies Have You Adopted?????
This is precisely my point. Have an opinion, but back it up with more than just emotion. People all over the country who are for the government intervention in the Terry Schiavo case are fueling the fires of confusion by screaming about murder and everything else, but what are they doing in their own communities for the greater good. There is a plethera of websites out there now that I can't get enough of. I think that people would truly rather rant and rave than solve problems. Especially in cases like the Schiavos.
As for the government intervention into issues like these, I often wonder whether our founding fathers would have forseen what this nation has become. Even early federalists could not have really known the what large scale government control would mean 200+ years later in a society such as our own.
I believe government intervetion should only be considered in matters that cannot be resolved on a state or local level. At this time and only this time should a centralilzed power be able to come in and change the way in which people are affected in their communities. The government, as a solid entitey is too large and without enough flexibilty to be able to relate to individual situations the way a smaller government can. Smaller government can relate with a human edge, knowing faces and names and being familiar with circumstances. Larger government can only know the law and the extent thereof.
As for our current big government, I agree with Terri Schiavo's husband Michael on the one point where he stated that the administration should be ashamed of themselves. Whether the outcome of her life is right or wrong, we cannot allow a larger power with no sense of humanity to come in and scutinize issues in our private lives.
It occurred to me recently that we live in a society of good-hearted, well-intentioned complainers. These are the people who sit on the sidelines and watch life pass by, too scared to actually join in, but quick to point out when others make mistakes. In this country, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by endless opinions, thoughts and ideas that often create mass and sometimes hysterical dialouge. However, it seems that people are often so caught up in the mix, they forget to actually attempt to solve problems.
It's amazing to me that people are so infatuated with stories like Terri Schiavos. This may seem crude but, we all die one day people. Let this family figure this shit out themselves. If it wasnt for the constant barrage of media attention and people putting in there two sense everywhere, this wouldnt even be an issue. It's like people who are Pro-Life and jump all over any attempts made by facilities like Planned Parenthood to help curve pregnancies by encouraging the use of and educating people about birth control. YES they support abortion, but they are at least trying to do something positive to prevent them. These stauch opponents crucify these organizations in the media, and most religious people agree, but I ask these people, How Many Children and Unwanted Babies Have You Adopted?????
This is precisely my point. Have an opinion, but back it up with more than just emotion. People all over the country who are for the government intervention in the Terry Schiavo case are fueling the fires of confusion by screaming about murder and everything else, but what are they doing in their own communities for the greater good. There is a plethera of websites out there now that I can't get enough of. I think that people would truly rather rant and rave than solve problems. Especially in cases like the Schiavos.
As for the government intervention into issues like these, I often wonder whether our founding fathers would have forseen what this nation has become. Even early federalists could not have really known the what large scale government control would mean 200+ years later in a society such as our own.
I believe government intervetion should only be considered in matters that cannot be resolved on a state or local level. At this time and only this time should a centralilzed power be able to come in and change the way in which people are affected in their communities. The government, as a solid entitey is too large and without enough flexibilty to be able to relate to individual situations the way a smaller government can. Smaller government can relate with a human edge, knowing faces and names and being familiar with circumstances. Larger government can only know the law and the extent thereof.
As for our current big government, I agree with Terri Schiavo's husband Michael on the one point where he stated that the administration should be ashamed of themselves. Whether the outcome of her life is right or wrong, we cannot allow a larger power with no sense of humanity to come in and scutinize issues in our private lives.
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