Jesus Goes to the Dark Carnival: Hell House Gets a Makeover?

Hello my dear readers, and happy Halloween! Here's a nice little treat for you. (No trick, I promise!) It's another article from Religion Dispatches. The timely subject is the phasing-out (or is it?) of those "God-awful" Hell Houses the Evangelical churches used to stage during this Satanic holiday. Let us remind the boys and girls YET AGAIN that Samhain predates Christianity by at least a thousand years, and Satan is a Christian invention. So...even though you may wish with all your heart for this to be a Satanic holiday, it does not compute. Sorry. Anyway...went off on a mini-rant there...here's the article:

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religiousright/1976/jesus_goes_to_the_dark_carnival%3A_hell_house_gets_a_makeover/

Not sure these "Judgement Houses" are any different from the Hell Houses that preceded them. It's my opinion that these new incarnations are even more insidious because the message is more subtle.

Decomposing Humanism: Why Replace Religion?

At first glance, I thought I wasn't going to like this article. "Why Replace Religion?" seemed to beg for the answer, "Religion is great; it doesn't need replacing." I am happy to report I was wrong. Austin Dacey beautifully articulates, and argues against, the tendency among the more ardent atheists and humanists to proselytize to the disillusioned masses, hoping to lure away non-church people to some kind of organized, centralized secular humanist...church. It's like a group of anarchists trying to establish a centralized government. So, stop it already. We left church to get away from dogma. Duh...

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religionandtheology/1963/decomposing_humanism%3A_why_replace_religion/

By the way, be sure to check out the rest of this e-zine, Religion Dispatches. And check back often. Good stuff abounds.

A senator in a hostile climate: it must be very lonely being the last flat-earther

A Republican Senator from an oil-producing state still clings to the old party line that Global Warming is a hoax perpetrated by the Left? Nahhh.....surely not in this day and age. Once again, Al Gore's use of the Upton Sinclair quote in "An Inconvenient Truth" is terribly appropriate: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." Seriously, people....time to vote this ignorant incompetent out of office. Then again, if we vote one ignorant incompetent out of office, we may as well proceed with the hundreds of others. Time to clean House? (And Senate?)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102702845.html

On a positive note, even "responsible journalists" at the Washington Post seem to be making a judgment call and are displaying the proper response to Inhofe's shenanigans: ridicule.

"Playing God" and screwing around with bioethics is not a problem. But heaven forbid we grow (and smoke) a little weed...This cartoon would be funny if it didn't so accurately reflect the current rationale behind the "War on Drugs."

Church of Scientology hits rough patch

Finally...an appropriate response to this whack-a-doo cult. Let's just hope the conviction (and fines and prison term) stick.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts956

Faith No More: What I've learned from debating religious people around the world.

Remember the fun times I had in my Christian Ethics class? The professor was one of those "champions of faith" whom Christopher Hitchens (one of my superheros) debated. Here is a recent article written by Hitchens about his debates. It makes for good reading, and gives me hope that ultimately secular humanism will win in this world:

http://www.slate.com/id/2233586/?from=rss

Saw this ad on Facebook:

Virtual Ghost Writer
No time for your blog? Need to step up the tweets? This Virtual Assistant polishes your rough ideas and publishes for you!

Seriously? Look....if you're too busy to update your own damned blog, then....well, leave it until you're not too busy! Geesh! If you need help writing stuff like this, then perhaps you should find a different career/hobby.

I really have nothing to add to this. It pretty much speaks for itself.

Pointed Rant

Today's target is the History Channel. Is anyone else watching that awful new series "The Nostradamus Effect"? I've found it interesting, in that it is basically cotton candy for this historian's brain. I like Nostradamus and his work...as part literary genre part train wreck (as in no matter how horrible I know it's going to be I just can't tear myself away from the spectacle) but I do not believe in any prophetic mumbo jumbo, especially not some glorified court wizard with political ambitions. I do like it as poetry, though. And I love watching the brainless spazoids piss themselves over the coming apocalypse.

Last week's episode of this show takes the prize for irresponsible documentary journalism of the month. The topic of the show was "The Seven Seals" as in the seven seals that were broken by Jesus in the Book of Revelation that set in motion the End Times. NOT ONE "EXPERT" ON THE SHOW WAS A LEGITIMATE, REPUTABLE BIBLICAL SCHOLAR. Not one. Not even close. And if you're going to discuss a book of the Bible that is arguably the book that carries the most emotional baggage, is rife with literary devices and symbology understood in a time long past whose meaning is lost on most today, then you really need at least one person qualified to discuss this as the example of apocalyptic literary genre it actually is. But, no. No experts here. Instead, they assembled the usual suspects: religious radio talk show hosts, Evangelical ministers, pseudo-philosophers, authors of questionable "scholarly" works, and MICHAEL BAIGENT. You know... Michael "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" Baigent. Ugh.

One asshole actually had the audacity to state "most biblical scholars believe the events recounted in the Book of Revelation are imminent." Um....no. Bible THUMPERS believe it. But most BIBLICAL SCHOLARS don't believe that any passage of the Bible represents the literal truth (unless it's a historical account for which we have archaeological evidence), or that any prophetic pronouncements will come true, ever have come true, or that the author meant for anyone to believe they would come true. Biblical prophecies are socio-political commentaries critical of the current state of the world. In the Hebrew Bible the targets were Babylon and the corrupt, blaspheming Israelite kings. In the New Testament, the target was the Roman Empire. Please, people. The "Beast" in Revelation is Nero. O.K.? Not some supernatural spawn of Satan who will rise up and dupe the masses into assembling a 200 million-strong Army of Evil. Please stop setting up your lawn chairs at Tel Meggido in anticipation of the Final Battle.

But, just in case, let's all stay tuned for 12/21/12. You never know...the impossible could happen. I might be proven wrong.

I'm Del.icio.us.

Follow my social bookmarking at http://delicious.com/b00kworm

Or, go to http://www.delicious.com/ and search for b00kworm. FYI - The o's in book are zeros.

Forget Delphi; the New All-Powerful Oracle is Google.

Omarosa Enrolls at UTS in Dayton

I've been gone for months, graduated in May, never did an update, and haven't posted a message yet for 2009. THIS is what brings me back...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090818/ap_en_tv/us_people_omarosa

I never watch The Apprentice, or any competition reality show for that matter, and so don't really know that much about her. I just thought this was funny.

And since I am currently unemployed and bored to tears, I suppose I should at least finish what I started here. Next week I start a Master of Library and Information Science degree online through...oh, maybe I shouldn't mention the institution. I might want to start a new blog and rag on them for a couple of years!

Footnote:
My husband knows someone who is also at UTS and has a class with her. Hmmm....there may be insider information, like what kinds of stupid things does she say in class, coming soon!

Hello there, remember me?

Well this has been one Hell of a semester, let me tell you. But then, I suppose I don't have to tell you. I've been gone for more than two months. I imagine it was pretty obvious that this was a crazy time. I should have known it was going to be this way when it took me three trips to get all my books for the semester. And papers, and papers, and papers....I went through 7 ink cartridges this semester. I guess it was worth it since I had my best grad school semester yet: 3.8 GPA. I'll take it.

Anyway, all that is behind me now...until it begins again in January. I do feel I owe everyone an apology. Here I promised to spend more time on the blog and I ended up staying away for the longest absence yet. I didn't even rant and rave in a post-election celebration post! I was a little busy with a bottle of Pinot Grigio that night. Well, it seems a little odd to do that now, so let's just say that it is probably fairly obvious that we in this house are ecstatic. And Florida...that was a sweet, sweet victory. For all the obvious reasons.

I will try harder next semester, I promise. But here's a dose of reality: I have to finish my Integrative Paper, and three of my four classes are Graduate Division of Religion (that is PhD) classes. Because I wasn't abused and overworked enough this fall, I felt I needed more for the spring.

Well, my dear friends, I will try to stop in a few more times during the break, but we will be gone more than we will be home. Off to Jamaica for the first week in January! And it seems a little unsavory to be sitting by the clothing-optional pool at Hedonism and blogging about Seminary. Hmmm...then again...maybe I will take my laptop after all!!

Best wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas, St. Stephen's Day, Michael Mass, Blessed Yule, Happy Hanukkah, and whatever else you weird people of faith celebrate! And Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!

Random Musing

So, I've been trying to get a group from Seminary together to go see "Religulous." So far, no luck. I can't imagine why...I can't believe some theatres in this area actually have the balls to screen it.

Random Musing

Driving through the neighbourhoods I have noticed a disturbing trend. The rattiest looking, most economically depressed streets are littered with McCain/Palin signs. Once again, voting against one's interests seems to be the hip thing in this area. To top it all off, the house on the corner has a "Ten Commandments" yard sign. Who needs a job when you've got Jesus? I have known this for quite some time, but it is really starting to feel urgent: We have to get the fuck out of here. Soon.

Sermon of the Week

Are you lost?
Turn in here
We have directions
Ask for "Jesus"

No, thanks. I have a road atlas. It's called education.

Happy Anniversary! A few days late...

So, o.k. I promised a special anniversary posting on the actual anniversary, which was last Friday. And here it is the following Wednesday already. I've been busy!! And sick. Ah, yes...fall is here. Time for six cups of coffee in the morning, a Lunesta in the evening, late-night reading, last-minute paper finishing, bitching about professors who still insist on busy work in graduate school, and of course popping zinc lozenges like they were white crosses. (Anyone know where I can get some of those, by the way?) I'm kidding. For now.

Anyhoo, here we are one year later. What have I learned? A lot. Let's review:
1.) Graduate school is not the last bastion of intelligence, erudition, and sophistication I hoped it would be. It seems ignorance and naivete still thrive in one of the top-ranked universities in the country.

2.) Even the most liberal-minded Christians can still be intolerant and hypocritical, or moony-eyed, irrational whack-jobs who define themselves within a world that bears no resemblance to reality.

3.) Despite the personal beliefs of the students and some faculty members, relativism, as a modus operandi, is alive and well in the practicum and contextual education of this seminary. I've been a keen observer for a year now (not to mention being raised Methodist) and I still have no idea what it is exactly we are supposed to believe.

4.) Developing deep bonds with new friends and colleagues can happen in the most unexpected moments, and in less than a heartbeat. Some days truly have been grace-filled, and these are the days that take my breath away.

5.) I belong in academia; I have found my home.

6.) I have found more strength and intelligence than I expected to find within me. And I'm the only one who seems surprised by this. Classmates and professors alike look to me for advice and opinions. And, apparently, I'm discussed in the faculty lounge and other places. My reputation precedes me, and this time it's a good thing.

7.) Undergrads keep getting younger and more obnoxious with each passing semester.

8.) And, therefore, I do not want to be a professor. I just finished applying to San Jose State University's Master of Library and Information Science program. If you're looking for me, try the Stacks. Or Rare Books.

9.) The need for a PhD is becoming less urgent. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm satisfied with what I'm doing and the respect I have gained. Maybe I thought those three little letters were the only way towards validation, and I have since learned otherwise. If that turned out to be my only motivation for earning a PhD, just to prove something, that would have been a huge mistake.

10.) I am no longer very interested in what I thought I would be teaching and researching the rest of my life. Another reason for not pursuing the PhD right away, perhaps. I'm just not that sure about what I want to study anymore.

11.) I have found other sources of interest that I never considered before: Afro-Caribbean religions, Diaspora Studies, World Religions and Sufism, to name a few. I have far too many sources of fascination to be happy with the very narrow scope of a doctoral dissertation. So, can I be happy without the "Dr." thing? We shall see.

I am sure there are more things I have learned, and certainly more things I will learn. So, stay tuned for the big Graduation Special! I'll come up with a better list by then.

In the meantime, I have had several people tell me I should turn this into a novel and try to have it published. I agree! So, here is what I need you to do, dear readers: Tell your friends about the blog. Have them visit. Create buzz. I have no way of determining the number of hits to the site except to see how many people have viewed my profile. I know it isn't very detailed, and we all know why that is! But if people visit, make sure they click on the profile so their visit is counted. I'm thinking of starting my own covert marketing campaign. There are far too many bulletin boards on campus not to take advantage of them.

Increased readership also means a greater obligation on my part. If you make the commitment to tell your friends, and they visit, and you all demonstrate your interest in this blog and your support for me, I will continue to deliver the goods, and try to get here more often. Which means I desperately need to find a replacement for Jane and John Godley! Perhaps I should post an ad:

Cynical, acerbic seminary student seeks Evangelical couple for comic relief and mockery. Not terribly bright, self-righteousness a must. Prefer All-American and cheerleader types. No geeks, please.

Hmmm...perhaps not. I'll have to think about it.

In the thick of things:

Hello dear readers. Thank you for being patient while I get myself adjusted to my new schedule and classes. Also, I have been putting off writing a post until I was certain as to the status of Jane and John Godley. Sadly, I have not seen them, and classes have been back in session for nearly three weeks now. They aren't in any of my classes, and I have yet to identify suitable replacements for them. Actually, most of my classmates in all of my classes seem pretty cool. Dammit. Who will I pick on now?! It would seem as though all the airheads and dodo birds have graduated and/or left. Or, perhaps I'm just becoming more tolerant of, or resigned to, their presence. Maybe I'm numb or oblivious. Maybe I just don't give a shit anymore. I have more important things to worry about just now.

I will be swamped this semester. I'm working on my big integrative paper (instead of a thesis, but serves the same purpose...i.e. getting me out of here), I have lots of reading and lots of papers and/or projects in all my other classes, I will soon begin applying to Masters in Library Science programs, I am working in the Rare Books Library on campus, and, idiot/masochist that I am, I may be accepting a position as a research assistant to one of the seminary professors this Friday. I suppose I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Check back for my big anniversary special on the 26th! Or, maybe the 27th...or 28th...

Sermon of the Week

Well, this church sure is on a roll. This is the same one that brought us A.S.A.P. last week:

"Our Church is Prayer Conditioned."

I'm so tempted to go just to get a look at this guy, and hear what he has to say. And it is a guy. The church is Southern Baptist. Women aren't allowed to have thoughts or opinions, let alone lead a flock.

Footnote:
It wasn't always that way. In fact, the SBC amended its bylaws to exclude women from ordination in just the last couple of years. But nearly a hundred years ago a great aunt of mine was a Southern Baptist preacher. This church, like religion in general the world over, seems to be regressing. This is a common phenomenon in times of uncertainty, and that is a shame. Because a woman's voice might be just the thing we need...

Quotables

Shades of Liberation Theology nearly a century before Bonhoeffer

Having thus acknowledged what I owe those who have aided and approved me, I turn to another class, a small one, so far as I know, but not, therefore, to be overlooked. I mean the timorous or carping few who doubt the tendency of such books as "Jane Eyre": in whose eyes whatever is unusual is wrong; whose ears detect in each protest against bigotry - that parent of crime - an insult to piety, that regent of God on earth. I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distinctions; I would remind them of certain simple truths.

Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns.

These things and deeds are diametrically opposed: they are as distinct as is vice from virtue. Men too often confound them; they should not be confounded: appearance should not be mistaken for truth; narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of Christ. There is - I repeat - a difference; and it is a good, and not a bad action to mark broadly and clearly the line of separation between them.

The world may not like to see these ideas dissevered, for it has been accustomed to blend them; finding it convenient to make external show pass for sterling worth - to let white-washed walls vouch for clean shrines. It may hate him who dares to scrutinise and expose - to rase the gilding, and show base metal under it - to penetrate the sepulchre, and reveal charnel relics: but, hate as it will, is indebted to him.

Ahab did not like Micaiah, because he never prophesied good concerning him, but evil: probably he liked the sycophant son of Chenaanah better; yet might Ahab have escaped a bloody death, had he but stopped his ears to flattery, and opened them to faithful counsel.

--Charlotte Bronte, excerpt from "Author's Preface" to the second edition of Jane Eyre, 21 December 1847