Theology / Religion

Theology and Religion for our use?

Of course, Everyone has something to say about these. So I'll just make some observations.

Quote from Allen Ginsberg: "I watched the best minds of my generation destroyed by...."

Well - ...destroyed 'by Religion' is one of the things he left off his list. Too many 'religious' leaders live by nothing more than milk-crate theosophy. They keep their books of 'Deus legii' (I made that up!) in the crates they use for bookcases. Some cultures simply pile them up in a convenient corner.

Theists and Atheists
Is there a God? Well, well, well! Here we go again.

Christians take the stand from a "Jesus" christian point of view. They discount theisms from every other religion - including those of polytheist Pagans.

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by the way, (PAGAN - from the Latin 'paganus'- a Latin slur meaning: country boys, farmers, rural folk. There is no connection to religion/non-religion in the word! Look also at HEATHEN - a person/people of the heath. Living on the heath. ie. - the Scots and Picts.)
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Islamists have their own version of the ultimate truth. Everyone else becomes an $Infidel (low and despicable), and the mission is convert or die. Cool, huh?

Those are just two of the many opposing truths. Throughout history they have pushed parallel missions. From the Arab-Roman battles to the early entries into the Americas, convert or die has been bled onto many of their respective banners. Parallel universes? Nah. Actually these (and other theocratic entities) have always had the same underlying motivations. Power, Influence and property are easier to amass when you can dominate the psyche of people and make them believe you're saving their soul.

If theists (all theists) are right, then 'God' must be proud that we all exercise free will, and that atheists generally seem to have moral and ethical values as strong (often stronger) than the religious theists (see: George Bush, Carl Rove, Ken Lay, Jerry Falwell, Mormons, Jim Jones, Ben Lahdin, Hammas, Al Qaeda, the Inquisition, Crusades... just for starters.)

How close are we to proving God? We are already subjected to arguments and theosophic 'proofs' that God is the State. We are, on other fronts, being fed further arguments hoping to coerce us into a 'Christian' government. (which is illegal according to our Constitution.) Of course, if the arguments don't work, there's no restriction to using money and intimidation. God would want that, wouldn't He/She/It?

If the atheists are right, then theists have created a 'personality', an anthropomorphism, for that regulating order and force that is the basis for all that exists. That creation is there only to make the unknown, the 'Mystery', a more palatable and simplistic explanation for it. Hebraic tradition has the unspeakable 'Word' to represent this concept - created at the same time that the identity known as 'God' was created to be easier to accept.

When you anthropomorphize 'God', provide a personality, character and other distinctly human traits, you can easily convince people that 'God' thinks just like we do! If whatever logic we use to convert the masses seems right to us, then it follows that it must seem right to 'God.'

The simple axiom born out of that logic is: "We are right. Therefore, God can see it too and is on OUR side." Simpler? Ok... "We're right and 'God' believes us." The next step on that slippery slope? Someone is assuredly close to saying - "If God doesn't agree with us, He/She/It is an idiot!" (Don't laugh. Political leaders throughout history have already done that more than once.) An anthropomorphized god is not only 1)easy to prove and 2)easy to use to prove a point, but just as easy to make stupid and ridiculous. After all, 'God' is just like US.

There is something out there that runs the universe. whether it's one being or a lot of ordered principles that run their own unique pieces, I'm not sure, and I haven't found anyone else who is. We do have our part to play in that order - hopefully to keep things running. No one religion's 'God' can be the only truth. Religions seem to have forgotten that - traded it all in for dominance, power, fun and profit!

Watch out! if there is an 'entity', a personality, a sentient being we can call "God" (presumably smarter than we), he/she/it must be just shaking his/her/its head. Or if this keeps up, maybe he/etc. will just decide to change the channel.

The Arts - just something we notice!

The Arts
As I said, I'm an artist and musician. I've designed and made sculpture, jewelry and furniture and play music. So now I'm an expert? No. I just notice a few simple things that I think are important.

One of my children, is in college, and took an art course as an elective. She has some interest and seems to enjoy her results, but she's as impatient for results as I am.

My other child is a really great dancer. She loves drawing too! This brings up the question of how you learn to appreciate the essence of what you create in a way that the activity means something to you? For me, the easiest way might be to look at the nature of the arts involved here - Visual arts and performing arts. Both involve 'creation.'

In the visual arts, what people see is the result of your creation. When it's done, it's done. No 'do-overs' are possible. If you're successful, observers will see what you're trying to express - an idea, emotion, a perception or even an entire philosophy. They may get involved in talking about it (you've made them think!) They may get involved in trying to find how you created the piece… speculate on your creative process, evaluate your technical command and so forth.

In the performing arts, people don't see all the preparation. However, each time you perform the same piece, you are creating right in front of them. If you're successful, they'll 'get' what you're expressing. The next time you perform, you may be emphasizing something completely different! Each time is a 'do-over' and no two performances will be exactly the same.


Music
There really is a difference between 'words' and 'Lyrics.' I remember that almost all the music we listened to in the 60's had great lyrics. No, we didn't always really understand what was being said! But it was new and interesting enough that we actually took the time to explore it, to try and figure it out!

Once in a while we DID finally decide it was really stupid crap! Yet even then, we thought about how it might be said better or more clearly or even more cryptically. Words were to be explored in Lyric form.

Today I hear things like Hip-Hop and wonder what the fascination is with rudeness, vulgarity, anger, degradation and hate. No lyrics. No message. Just venting for money. Just words to inspire everything that the good Christian Reverends preach against.

Poor Don Imus. Where the hell were Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton when the 'Hip-Hoppers' were promoting even worse, degrading, values and ideas as truth? Imus said some really stupid, unacceptable things. So string him up, crucify him and make him pay for his gross crime! Of course the Hip-Hoppers are treated as cultural heroes, role models and paid handsomely.
Right.

What was it really? A photo op for Jesse and Al to try and convince people they were still involved in the good fight.
Right.

And the music? As the 60’s and 70’s progressed, we got real tired of the 4-chord pablum. Interestingly, people became involved in the quality of ‘studied’ music. Procol Harum, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Genesis, Yes, Steely Dan, Cream, Blodwyn Pig, King Crimson, The Beatles, even the Beach Boys. They were just a few groups who made an effort to have the music be as exciting as the lyrics. With more interesting music, lyrics could become more important as an integral part of the experience. A little thoughtfulness to the words and periodically a few lines of absolute nonsense were allowed to creep in for fun! Poetry was being supported, even enhanced, by the music again.

Maybe today, musicians are learning all over again? I suppose 3 chords banged out as loud as possible is a good place to start. That's where we started. But we weren't getting paid thousands of dollars or treated like heralding Gods for our efforts. We were kids learning what music could be about as an art form, and then as a medium to reach peoples thoughts, attitudes and ways of living. Yet it is changing. Some of the head-bangers are beginning to create some interesting stuff.

Poetry
Poetry is - never about hate - Always about love. It supports and promotes the love of language. Poetry teaches us to see and understand how language and words can be assembled to express what we really feel. It teaches us that, in being made to feel by what we read or hear, the poet has shown us the commonality of our lives and some of the beauty in what we take for granted every day. Poetry can actually help us appreciate the beauty in the simple existence of our beings.

The language...... For us it's English. That's what Americans speak. and somehow, for centuries, some English speakers have been able to create some really beautiful poetry. From Shakespeare, Dunne, Shelly and Keats to Ginsburg, Kerouack, Frost and Cosby (yes, Bill.) The language has created pictures, environments and worlds.

The words - often vulgar, angry and violent - were used. But for an environment, a passion, a truth, not just for shock value. And that's the difference between a love of language and an abuse of it. That's poetry.

Don't Settle!
As a result of an accident laying me up, I had plenty of time to think about the "important" stuff. One of my decisions was not to 'settle' for things anymore. I had gotten into the habit through the ten years I was married and carried some of it over after my divorce. Not seriously, but in what seemed to be smaller issues. If you let the small things go sometimes, you can begin to carry that over into other, more important areas.

I want to say… Don't accept, or settle for what you know is less than what you truly stand for. That includes jobs, politicians, teachers, friends, lovers, ideas, rules, actions - anything - that doesn't meet the standards you've set for yourself. It doesn't matter how many are opposed to you. Stand up and say "no." ("No" is a very complete sentence!) The worst that could happen is that you might find out you're mistaken. What better way to become able to decide to change something in your life? The best that could happen is that you are right - for yourself - and you get closer to what you really want and need in your life.

So we come to 'taking a stand.' Lord, how many people I have heard prattling on about taking a stand! What they really mean is - "Listen to me! I know what's right. I know how to make your life fulfilling! Take a stand! Take MY stand! Blah, blah, blah. You will be saved, my Child! Got five bucks?"

The thing I say about it is that sometimes you have to check the rules, see how they fit with what your standards are and decide… do you obey blindly, or do you stay true to yourself?

Then of course, there are the poor souls who have no control over their lives... or so they claim. Truth is that they won't take control. Usually because taking control means taking responsibility and being accountable. That would mean that they run the risk of 'not being RIGHT!' - all the time - and being right is more important than actually having a life, than taking a chance on finding satisfaction in what you do. Hell, life's a crap shoot. If you don't participate, someone else always wins and you always lose.

Let's be a little clearer. Would you rather live on your knees or die standing up?

A blog? What This One Is All About

So THIS is a blog! I've never had one before and I'm not sure what good it'll do now. But I'm making some rules for it so I can keep both feet on the ground and not let it get out of hand.

Please! No text message 'short' type of writing - from me or anyone else. Say what you mean please, in clear English.

I'll accept email comments, thoughts, ideas, questions, criticism, etc. But I can't bring myself to publish anything that fits into profanity, ranting, etc..

Lots of topics. If you want to address one not yet up, go for it.



Me and My Big Mouth!
I've got a lot to say. Every writer does - else they wouldn't write! (I mean "WE" wouldn't write. 'Cause now I'm part of that group!)

Not that much of what I have to say is all that important or even necessarily worth reading. But I'll say it anyway.

Ok. So what am I going to spout about? Lots of stuff I guess. The Arts, self-appreciation, confidence, music, education, jobs, social issues, parenting, politics, hope, the future, life… you know - All my really important opinions. (that's a joke, son!)

And - I'm arrogant enough to think about what I might leave behind in the world.

Not that in 10 or 20 years, too many people will care. They'll all be busy having some of these same thoughts. I suppose that I want to look over some of what I see in my life - and what I do - and see if it really makes, or can make, a difference somehow. Some things seem to be coming back to haunt us - deja vu of 40 years ago.

So I figure I can share these observations with you all and find out how you feel about some of these things. Maybe you'll see something I miss. Maybe we'll both learn something. More importantly, we'll be participating instead of staring blindly at the screen.

Maybe we'll avoid becoming people with 'MICE' for hearts and CRTs for brains.