These people don't really understand the burqa and it's origins either. Ugh. At least there is some intelligent conversation there.
Oh, and BYU students can watch the YouTubes now. Maybe now they can see a little more about what's going on in Iran.
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Monday, June 29, 2009
Religious Intolerance and Other Nonsense
This article I felt wasn't terrible. When I started scouring the comments, I was very insulted that all these people could be so judgmental of something they hadn't (obviously) really studied. People even went so far as to critique the author for having the name 'Melody' instead of a more 'Islamic' sounding name. Really? Wow.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I Do Solemnly Swear
Ah, yes, the Presidential Inauguration. The time is near. Personally, I'm excited. It doesn't seem as though others share my enthusiasm.
While I do think that the group has a valid point {why should everyone be forced to use a semi-religious oath?}, I really don't see the big problem. Atheism is a belief system, just like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Paganism, Zoroastrianism and any other -ism you wanna throw in there. I'm sure that if there was a Buddhist President they would not force her *hint hint* to say "so help me God" on the end of her oath or to have any religious figure there. While the inauguration is viewed by millions in person, on the tele, and over the internet, it is mainly a ritual for the President (elect) to express his feelings for his/her country and newly elected position. If Obama wants to have a priest there as a part of this momentous and special day for him, why not let him? If someone else wanted Tony Robbins or some other motivational speaker, I'm sure that would be allowed. And, weird as it might be for some, if a person wanted the Dalai Lama there, I'm sure there wouldn't be a lot of objection.
Why, then, is the atheist group so obsessed with not allowing a freedom to Mr. Obama?
My thinking is that many people see others expressing their religion as a push for others to believe the same way. Sure, I might not like that my family is all Mormonism, all the time {yes, even more than the BYU channel}, but do I have the right to ask them to refrain from expressing their beliefs when I'm around? Absolutely not. According to the First Amendment:
While that might only really apply to Congress and the legislative wing of the government, we also have EEOC and other laws allowing people to express their religion without fear of persecution as long as they also respect the beliefs of others. Going along with that, why can't the atheists in this group be okay with Obama's expression of his religion and be fine with the difference from theirs?
Why can't any group in the world be perfectly content in the fact that other people believe in different things and not force those same people to conform to their belief system?
If we could fix that problem, I think we might actually achieve world peace.
While I do think that the group has a valid point {why should everyone be forced to use a semi-religious oath?}, I really don't see the big problem. Atheism is a belief system, just like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Paganism, Zoroastrianism and any other -ism you wanna throw in there. I'm sure that if there was a Buddhist President they would not force her *hint hint* to say "so help me God" on the end of her oath or to have any religious figure there. While the inauguration is viewed by millions in person, on the tele, and over the internet, it is mainly a ritual for the President (elect) to express his feelings for his/her country and newly elected position. If Obama wants to have a priest there as a part of this momentous and special day for him, why not let him? If someone else wanted Tony Robbins or some other motivational speaker, I'm sure that would be allowed. And, weird as it might be for some, if a person wanted the Dalai Lama there, I'm sure there wouldn't be a lot of objection.
Why, then, is the atheist group so obsessed with not allowing a freedom to Mr. Obama?
My thinking is that many people see others expressing their religion as a push for others to believe the same way. Sure, I might not like that my family is all Mormonism, all the time {yes, even more than the BYU channel}, but do I have the right to ask them to refrain from expressing their beliefs when I'm around? Absolutely not. According to the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
While that might only really apply to Congress and the legislative wing of the government, we also have EEOC and other laws allowing people to express their religion without fear of persecution as long as they also respect the beliefs of others. Going along with that, why can't the atheists in this group be okay with Obama's expression of his religion and be fine with the difference from theirs?
Why can't any group in the world be perfectly content in the fact that other people believe in different things and not force those same people to conform to their belief system?
If we could fix that problem, I think we might actually achieve world peace.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Religious Education
What do you think of when you see that headline? Do you think about going to a Catholic high school? What about a Muslim elementary school?
I think of learning about and coming to an understanding of the different religions around the world, from the past and the present. In short, the following story is a great example of what I think of.
Boys in grades 6-8 from Trinity Presbyterian Church and Townsend Street School are learning about the different monotheistic traditions that they may come in contact with in order to eliminate stereotypes, fears, and intolerance. Mark Bedford, the minister who began the program, is considering expanding it to include Hindus and Buddhists as well.
Basically, representatives from the different religions come and speak with the children and answer their questions. One of my favorite people, imam Ziad Hamdan from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is also taking part in the program.
This is an amazing program and I wish that more people had access to this opportunity. Eliminating stereotypes and other biases against religions early on will have a far better effect than the same programs later on, but it is important for people of all ages to learn about their misconceptions of others.
I hope this program expands exponentially.
I think of learning about and coming to an understanding of the different religions around the world, from the past and the present. In short, the following story is a great example of what I think of.
Boys in grades 6-8 from Trinity Presbyterian Church and Townsend Street School are learning about the different monotheistic traditions that they may come in contact with in order to eliminate stereotypes, fears, and intolerance. Mark Bedford, the minister who began the program, is considering expanding it to include Hindus and Buddhists as well.
Basically, representatives from the different religions come and speak with the children and answer their questions. One of my favorite people, imam Ziad Hamdan from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is also taking part in the program.
This is an amazing program and I wish that more people had access to this opportunity. Eliminating stereotypes and other biases against religions early on will have a far better effect than the same programs later on, but it is important for people of all ages to learn about their misconceptions of others.
I hope this program expands exponentially.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Forgive Me Father, For I Have Voted...
Father Jay Scott Newman from St Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, South Carolina, is requesting that people who voted for Barack Obama do penance before taking communion again:
Both Obama and Joe Biden, the vice president-elect, support legal abortions. Obama has called it a "divisive issue" with a "moral dimension," and has pledged to make women's rights under Roe v. Wade a "priority" as president. He opposes a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court decision.At issue for the church locally and nationwide are exit polls showing 54 percent of self-described Catholics voted for Obama, as well as a growing rift in the lifestyle and voting patterns between practicing and non-practicing Catholics.
In a letter posted on St. Mary's Web site, Newman wrote that "voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."
Catholics who did so should be reconciled to God through penance before receiving communion, "lest they eat and drink their own condemnation," Newman wrote, echoing a I Corinthians admonition for anyone who partakes "without recognizing the body of the Lord."
The response from parishioners has been supportive by a margin of 9 to 1, Newman said. He also cited Scripture in urging parishioners to pray for Obama and cooperate with him wherever conscience permits.
I can understand that church's stance on abortion interfering with the political stance that many people take. However, when most people vote for a politician, they do not do so based on one single issue. I'm sure that many Catholics who voted for Barack Obama do not like his stance on abortion, but agreed with his plans to fix the economy, Iraq, and other issues. Doing what is best for the country is not grounds for penance.
It seems like the majority of the Catholic Churches aren't too happy about this, especially given the fact that Biden is a Catholic himself. But really, the biggest issue, the article says, is that mass-attending Catholics voted for McCain - who opposed abortion. Those who don't attend mass... well, you can guess.
One of the commenters have listed the Rev. Newman's email address, which I'll list here only for posterity's sake: jayscottnewman@mac.com.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
More On Proposition 8
I'm still pissed that it passed.
Religion shouldn't be involved in politics at all. If we are truly a nation with separation of church and state, then gay marriage shouldn't be an issue. Theron says that marriage shouldn't be a word or concept that is allowed in the Constitution, and after giving it some thought, I'm still on the fence. Even if it isn't a religious wedding, we all say that we're "getting married," not a civil union. While marriage really was a religious idea, I think that it's changed to mean a joining of two lives, a partnership between two faithful, loyal, and loving people. If we say that marriage shouldn't be in the Constitution, then we need to call all "marriages" civil unions. If people want to call it marriage, more power to them. Maybe then people won't be so upset with gay people getting the right to marry whomever they want.
This story on CNN really frustrated me. This issue is a big one in my family, because my parents are Mormon and I am not. In fact, my whole extended family is Mormon. I know that my mom is upset with the protests around Mormon areas that the church's support for Prop 8 has brought, even if she hasn't said anything to me. However, I think that the church should've been prepared for it, not to mention that churches should NOT be getting involved in political matters in the first place.
Anyway, here are some parts of the story that really struck me:
Religion shouldn't be involved in politics at all. If we are truly a nation with separation of church and state, then gay marriage shouldn't be an issue. Theron says that marriage shouldn't be a word or concept that is allowed in the Constitution, and after giving it some thought, I'm still on the fence. Even if it isn't a religious wedding, we all say that we're "getting married," not a civil union. While marriage really was a religious idea, I think that it's changed to mean a joining of two lives, a partnership between two faithful, loyal, and loving people. If we say that marriage shouldn't be in the Constitution, then we need to call all "marriages" civil unions. If people want to call it marriage, more power to them. Maybe then people won't be so upset with gay people getting the right to marry whomever they want.
This story on CNN really frustrated me. This issue is a big one in my family, because my parents are Mormon and I am not. In fact, my whole extended family is Mormon. I know that my mom is upset with the protests around Mormon areas that the church's support for Prop 8 has brought, even if she hasn't said anything to me. However, I think that the church should've been prepared for it, not to mention that churches should NOT be getting involved in political matters in the first place.
Anyway, here are some parts of the story that really struck me:
"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election," the church said in a statement Friday.On Thursday, Roman Catholic and Mormon leaders said their efforts did not target any specific group.
The coalition of religious communities and citizens who supported Proposition 8 wanted to preserve "the bedrock institution of marriage" between a man and a woman, said Cardinal Roger Mahoney, the Catholic archbishop of Los Angeles.
"Proposition 8 is not against any group in our society," Mahoney said in a written statement.
_____
The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have filed a lawsuit contending the ballot initiative was "improperly used."According to the three groups, "such radical changes" as outlawing gay marriage cannot be made by ballot initiative, but must, "at a minimum, go through the state legislature first." The groups also argue the measure takes away a "fundamental right" from lesbian and gay Californians.
The three organizations filed the legal challenges on behalf of Equality California and six same-sex couples who did not marry before Tuesday's election, but would like to be able to wed now.
The three groups contend that California must honor the marriages of the 18,000 lesbian and gay couples who have already married.
______
First off, if I'm not mistaken, isn't there some rule that says churches aren't supposed to get involved in politics or endorse certain people? Wouldn't that apply to issues too? They shouldn't really even talk about abortion, let alone gay marriages. Anyway, I love how the churches say that this isn't a measure attacking any group of "our" society. I know they probably meant that their intention is not to attack anyone, but that's exactly what they're doing.
Using the Bible to back up the argument against gay marriage is just like people using it to justify slavery or polygamy. Religious people need to understand that the Bible is NOT to be taken literally anymore. If being gay is such a crime, then why haven't gay people been wiped off the earth Old Testament style? Oh wait, that's what people think AIDS is all about right?
I'm tired of the old mindset. This is the twenty-first century and times are changing. If you don't want to be a part of the change, then move somewhere else. This is America - land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE - and here we accept each person as s/he is and we give them certain inalienable rights. You can have your ideas, your preferences, but you do not have the right to limit how other people can do things. If what Ellen is doing is actually causing YOU harm, then you have a right to mad. Otherwise, shut up because no one is going to make you marry a gay person.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Hate him back, it works for me
I had a terrible day at work. The schedule was so screwed up, and we had all the newbies who can't run registers yet on... I felt terrible leaving Sam there alone, but I know that Lucas helped him out quite a bit throughout the night.
To add to my horror, Pete Wentz married Ashlee Simpson this weekend... Oh god... *shudders*
I couldn't get the Brewers game on my radio, because apparently the am part doesn't work or something. It wasn't televised and every site I went to for play by play action was blacked out. So I heard everything second hand until about the 7th inning. Bored out of my mind and needing to see someone else cynical about life, I was glad to see that there was a House marathon on.
The episode was pretty interesting and one that I hadn't seen yet. There was a sick nun who was sure that she was being tested by God. At one point House came to talk to her about all nuns being liars, trying to get everyone to believe in some unseen, supposedly all-powerful being, and that it's not the idea of God that he doesn't like but more the idea in "forcing" other people to "believe" in things with you. Mostly, he hates the believing part... Seems to be because that means you have to open up and trust something/one you can't even see. She then made the comment back to him (of course, I'm paraphrasing a bit) that you can't hate something that you don't believe in, even a little bit. That got me to thinking...
Most people assume that I'm upset with God, that everything I've been through in my life has made me bitter and closed my heart, or whatever. But that's not the case.
Having been around and helped raise a lot of kids, I know that when s/he is lonely, a child will make up people so that they feel connected, important. I don't want to compare the majority of the world to children, but it seems to me more likely that our ancestors were a product of evolution and wanted a way to explain the things around them, wanted to feel connected to and a part of something bigger than themselves.
Q. So, the questions are going to start flying in... Why be a religious studies major if you don't believe in God? If you think the rest of us are delusional?
A. First off, I don't think you're delusional or crazy. You're just the product of thousands of years of believing in something that your families passed on to you, that you accepted as truth. Or, you felt alone in your own way and found a theism that matched what your core beliefs were and are.
Anyways, to answer the question, it's a form of sociology that is more personal than most sociologists are able to get in their studies. There is just so much to study when we look at the world around us, the only way to do it is to break it down into smaller chunks. Religion just happens to be fascinating to me, considering my ideas expressed above. It's fun, for me, to see and learn about the different ways that people interpreted events. That would also be part of why I'm majoring in history as well.
Q. So why do you buy into Buddhism?
A. Short answer? Because it doesn't deal with God at all. It just doesn't feel the need to address something that further back was seen as a philosophical idea, not a religious one. Plus, it's about bettering oneself, not getting redemption through appeasing someone that controls everything.
If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask and I'll post my answers in the next entry.
To add to my horror, Pete Wentz married Ashlee Simpson this weekend... Oh god... *shudders*
I couldn't get the Brewers game on my radio, because apparently the am part doesn't work or something. It wasn't televised and every site I went to for play by play action was blacked out. So I heard everything second hand until about the 7th inning. Bored out of my mind and needing to see someone else cynical about life, I was glad to see that there was a House marathon on.
The episode was pretty interesting and one that I hadn't seen yet. There was a sick nun who was sure that she was being tested by God. At one point House came to talk to her about all nuns being liars, trying to get everyone to believe in some unseen, supposedly all-powerful being, and that it's not the idea of God that he doesn't like but more the idea in "forcing" other people to "believe" in things with you. Mostly, he hates the believing part... Seems to be because that means you have to open up and trust something/one you can't even see. She then made the comment back to him (of course, I'm paraphrasing a bit) that you can't hate something that you don't believe in, even a little bit. That got me to thinking...
Most people assume that I'm upset with God, that everything I've been through in my life has made me bitter and closed my heart, or whatever. But that's not the case.
Having been around and helped raise a lot of kids, I know that when s/he is lonely, a child will make up people so that they feel connected, important. I don't want to compare the majority of the world to children, but it seems to me more likely that our ancestors were a product of evolution and wanted a way to explain the things around them, wanted to feel connected to and a part of something bigger than themselves.
Q. So, the questions are going to start flying in... Why be a religious studies major if you don't believe in God? If you think the rest of us are delusional?
A. First off, I don't think you're delusional or crazy. You're just the product of thousands of years of believing in something that your families passed on to you, that you accepted as truth. Or, you felt alone in your own way and found a theism that matched what your core beliefs were and are.
Anyways, to answer the question, it's a form of sociology that is more personal than most sociologists are able to get in their studies. There is just so much to study when we look at the world around us, the only way to do it is to break it down into smaller chunks. Religion just happens to be fascinating to me, considering my ideas expressed above. It's fun, for me, to see and learn about the different ways that people interpreted events. That would also be part of why I'm majoring in history as well.
Q. So why do you buy into Buddhism?
A. Short answer? Because it doesn't deal with God at all. It just doesn't feel the need to address something that further back was seen as a philosophical idea, not a religious one. Plus, it's about bettering oneself, not getting redemption through appeasing someone that controls everything.
If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask and I'll post my answers in the next entry.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
What Religion am I?
I decided to explore the different quizzes claiming to find my religion today, kind of test them out.
The first site that I visited was one that I've been to before, for fun. I decided to take it again, to see if my beliefs had changed, which of course they haven't at all in a few months. Here's the list I got from there (to learn more about the religions, click on the titles):
1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Neo-Pagan (87%)
3. Theravada Buddhism (84%)
4. Mahayana Buddhism (81%)
5. Liberal Quakers (81%)
6. New Age (79%)
7. Secular Humanism (76%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (67%)
9. Taoism (61%)
10. Reform Judaism (53%)
11. New Thought (53%)
12. Scientology (50%)
13. Hinduism (49%)
14. Nontheist (48%)
15. Orthodox Quaker (44%)
The test gives 27 answers, but I feel it better to limit it. Jehovah's Witness was at the bottom of my list though, right below Islam and Roman Catholic. Apparently my free-spirited nature lends itself to being extremely open-minded to all beliefs (see number 1) and worshiping Mother Earth (see number 2). The Secular Humanism religion actually intrigues me a bit. It's not something that I heard of before taking this test, but something that I would support.
Another site I visited was a little less scientific and much more limited in religions. I found it on Quizilla, so I'm sure it's not accurate at all, but at least interesting to look at. I'm sorry, I didn't think about this when I was grabbing the code for the post, but you're gonna have to highlight the text below the picture to see it. Sorry! [EDIT: It should show up without highlighting now!]
I couldn't get rid of the annoying Quizilla advertising, but alas I tried. [EDIT: It should be gone now!] I think it's interesting to note that I attend a Japanese Immersion school for kindergarten and part of first grade, and have really loved most everything Japanese since then. In my Asian Religions class last semester, it was very easy for me to grasp the idea of Shintoism because of my background with Japan and the parallels that I saw between worshiping one's ancestors and some of the crazy things I've seen in my extended family. I do believe also in spirits and ghosts, so it would make sense that this might be an answer for me.
I enjoyed this next quiz, When picking answers, you have the choice between "NO WAY!!!," neutral, and "TOTALLY!!!" It doesn't include a lot of religions, but enough of a variety to merit my posting.
I thought it was interesting that the person was creating comments based on the people around him/her that s/he knew. From a scholarly standpoint, that doesn't seem very smart, but obviously these quiz makers aren't doing it from a scholarly standpoint.
The other quizzes that I took only had a few results, one just listing various forms of Christianity and Satanism/Paganism. I think that the youth of today needs to be exposed to more than just the severe polar opposites like that, but to other fun religions like those from the Far East. Obviously I'm gonna show some bias about that, being a religion major, but I really think that being exposed to everything is a great idea. People in the world that we now live in need to know about all kinds of people, not just the perceived good and bad. The times that I've mentioned Buddhism to the high schoolers at work, they get this weird vision of me not eating and being some weird crazy person who likes to eat bugs and stuff. Once I explain it to them, they actually get interested in Buddhism, and start thinking that some parts of it have a really good point.
I know that many parents would freak over the idea of mandatory religious education, but I think that it's an important part of society. If we could educate everybody about religion, just like we need to continue to strive to do with music, then I think that the world will be a little more understanding of other people, which will lead to more peace.
The first site that I visited was one that I've been to before, for fun. I decided to take it again, to see if my beliefs had changed, which of course they haven't at all in a few months. Here's the list I got from there (to learn more about the religions, click on the titles):
1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Neo-Pagan (87%)
3. Theravada Buddhism (84%)
4. Mahayana Buddhism (81%)
5. Liberal Quakers (81%)
6. New Age (79%)
7. Secular Humanism (76%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (67%)
9. Taoism (61%)
10. Reform Judaism (53%)
11. New Thought (53%)
12. Scientology (50%)
13. Hinduism (49%)
14. Nontheist (48%)
15. Orthodox Quaker (44%)
The test gives 27 answers, but I feel it better to limit it. Jehovah's Witness was at the bottom of my list though, right below Islam and Roman Catholic. Apparently my free-spirited nature lends itself to being extremely open-minded to all beliefs (see number 1) and worshiping Mother Earth (see number 2). The Secular Humanism religion actually intrigues me a bit. It's not something that I heard of before taking this test, but something that I would support.
Another site I visited was a little less scientific and much more limited in religions. I found it on Quizilla, so I'm sure it's not accurate at all, but at least interesting to look at. I'm sorry, I didn't think about this when I was grabbing the code for the post, but you're gonna have to highlight the text below the picture to see it. Sorry! [EDIT: It should show up without highlighting now!]
What religion suits you? |
 Shintoism: Shintoism is a religion based in Japan and the Japanese culture. It's beliefs center mainly around the kami or the spirits. They believe in many of these spirits, and they also believe in worshiping and holding rituals and festivals for these spirits which they hold with honor and respect. Followers of Shintoism hold loyalty and honor in high esteem. Take this quiz! |
I couldn't get rid of the annoying Quizilla advertising, but alas I tried. [EDIT: It should be gone now!] I think it's interesting to note that I attend a Japanese Immersion school for kindergarten and part of first grade, and have really loved most everything Japanese since then. In my Asian Religions class last semester, it was very easy for me to grasp the idea of Shintoism because of my background with Japan and the parallels that I saw between worshiping one's ancestors and some of the crazy things I've seen in my extended family. I do believe also in spirits and ghosts, so it would make sense that this might be an answer for me.
I enjoyed this next quiz, When picking answers, you have the choice between "NO WAY!!!," neutral, and "TOTALLY!!!" It doesn't include a lot of religions, but enough of a variety to merit my posting.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Religion... What am I? created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Buddhist You are Buddhist
|
The other quizzes that I took only had a few results, one just listing various forms of Christianity and Satanism/Paganism. I think that the youth of today needs to be exposed to more than just the severe polar opposites like that, but to other fun religions like those from the Far East. Obviously I'm gonna show some bias about that, being a religion major, but I really think that being exposed to everything is a great idea. People in the world that we now live in need to know about all kinds of people, not just the perceived good and bad. The times that I've mentioned Buddhism to the high schoolers at work, they get this weird vision of me not eating and being some weird crazy person who likes to eat bugs and stuff. Once I explain it to them, they actually get interested in Buddhism, and start thinking that some parts of it have a really good point.
I know that many parents would freak over the idea of mandatory religious education, but I think that it's an important part of society. If we could educate everybody about religion, just like we need to continue to strive to do with music, then I think that the world will be a little more understanding of other people, which will lead to more peace.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
What is the World Coming to?
It seems like all we're hearing about lately, with exception of the occasional heroism, is bad news.
Gas keeps going up. The national average has gone up more than thirty cents in the past month, and yet many companies including ExxonMobil are reporting record profits. This company in particular has also refused to explore alternative fuels, which is getting them sued by late founder John D. Rockefeller's heirs. Hopefully some good comes of it. Because of gas though, many people are trying to sell family heirlooms that are priceless to these families, but aren't fetching high prices online. We all need the extra money for gas. Whenever most people get their stimulus check, it should be a little better, but in the meantime, our economy sucks.
And then there's the Syncrude Canada Ltd. company, whose dumping of toxic waste is killing off poor duckies. Not only was it caused by the company dumping toxic waste into the pond nearby and not attempting to keep ducks away from it, but the company didn't report it at all. Only five out of 500 of the ducks survived, when normally only about two dozen die.
There have been like 344 earthquakes in Reno in the past WEEK?!?!? Most of them are small aftershocks, but the most recent quake was a 4.7, which wasn't strong enough to demolish houses, but definitely enough to shake everything up a lot. Store owners had to clean up hundreds of bottles of wine and other groceries.
And apparently Japan has one of the highest suicide rates? I guess there has been a surge in suicide websites, with people posting - similar to craigslist personals - "Let's die together," "Anyone else ready to die?" and the ever so popular "Email me if serious." The latest craze is to mix laundry detergent and cleaning solutions, creating hydrogen sulfide gas. Being a former chem major, I can tell you first hand that this stuff smells about ten times worse than running over a skunk. Why in the world anyone would want to smell that during their last precious moments on Earth, even if they are trying to kill themselves, is completely beyond me. On top of that, many of these people live in apartment buildings. These people want to die 'honorably' but they're taking out their neighbors too, or at least causing terrible brain damage due to suffocation and the chemicals themselves. Seriously, there are much better and 'honorable' ways to get rid of yourself, so maybe invest in those? Kthxbai.
Josef Fritzl just scares the crap out of me. How can someone keep their own daughter locked in the cellar and rape her repeatedly for 24 years and father seven children with her? And how in the hell did the mother NOT know this was going on? What, she didn't go down in to the cellar for 24 years? Are you shitting me? I don't go into my basement all that much, but seriously, 24 years? I'd want to know what was down there, especially since it seems like he spent most of his time down there anyhow. I don't care if my husband told me I wasn't allowed to go down there. Actually, that would probably make me want to look more. And she just believed that her crazy 'deadbeat' daughter would come back and drop these three kids on their doorstep? And none of them knew where their family was? I'm thinking that there's more to be said about this family than meets the eye. I think it's interesting to note though that one of the children died - probably because s/he needed medical attention - but when 19 year old Kerstin starts having convulsions, Fritzl decides she should go to the hospital.
Seriously, what is the world coming to? Is the capitalist mindset so embedded into our souls that we can't even be human anymore? Do we even remember how to help people out? I know I'm a liberal free-spirited hippie chick, but really people, get on the ball.
If you're Buddhist, there are a myriad of great quotes from all of the wonderful teachers we've had in the past, especially Siddartha Gautama: "The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” Don't we all know that we must help others? "Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” "Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” We have been charged to help others, and it happened around 2500 years ago. This is not a new concept at all.
I don't believe in God, but if you do, you should probably pay more attention to this section.
I apologize if you're Jewish, because I haven't studied the Torah or the Tanakh very closely, so I hope you don't feel too left out.
If you're Christian, you know about Jesus and all the things that he said to do, like "love thy neighbor" and "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Oh and surely every kid who went to Kindergarten knows the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
If you're Muslim, you know about similar quotes from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Not only do you agree with most of Jesus' sayings, but you have some parallel sayings of your own: "Do not say, that if the people do good to us, we will do good to them; and if the people oppress us, we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them," and one of my favorites to compare, "Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first.” Or one especially nice for today's world to see - "Especially if you are well-to-do, see that no one goes hungry or naked.” And just one more for good measure: "Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.”
So why not live like the good [insert your religion here] and help other people out? A smile counts, because that becomes infectious.
Gas keeps going up. The national average has gone up more than thirty cents in the past month, and yet many companies including ExxonMobil are reporting record profits. This company in particular has also refused to explore alternative fuels, which is getting them sued by late founder John D. Rockefeller's heirs. Hopefully some good comes of it. Because of gas though, many people are trying to sell family heirlooms that are priceless to these families, but aren't fetching high prices online. We all need the extra money for gas. Whenever most people get their stimulus check, it should be a little better, but in the meantime, our economy sucks.
And then there's the Syncrude Canada Ltd. company, whose dumping of toxic waste is killing off poor duckies. Not only was it caused by the company dumping toxic waste into the pond nearby and not attempting to keep ducks away from it, but the company didn't report it at all. Only five out of 500 of the ducks survived, when normally only about two dozen die.
There have been like 344 earthquakes in Reno in the past WEEK?!?!? Most of them are small aftershocks, but the most recent quake was a 4.7, which wasn't strong enough to demolish houses, but definitely enough to shake everything up a lot. Store owners had to clean up hundreds of bottles of wine and other groceries.
And apparently Japan has one of the highest suicide rates? I guess there has been a surge in suicide websites, with people posting - similar to craigslist personals - "Let's die together," "Anyone else ready to die?" and the ever so popular "Email me if serious." The latest craze is to mix laundry detergent and cleaning solutions, creating hydrogen sulfide gas. Being a former chem major, I can tell you first hand that this stuff smells about ten times worse than running over a skunk. Why in the world anyone would want to smell that during their last precious moments on Earth, even if they are trying to kill themselves, is completely beyond me. On top of that, many of these people live in apartment buildings. These people want to die 'honorably' but they're taking out their neighbors too, or at least causing terrible brain damage due to suffocation and the chemicals themselves. Seriously, there are much better and 'honorable' ways to get rid of yourself, so maybe invest in those? Kthxbai.
Josef Fritzl just scares the crap out of me. How can someone keep their own daughter locked in the cellar and rape her repeatedly for 24 years and father seven children with her? And how in the hell did the mother NOT know this was going on? What, she didn't go down in to the cellar for 24 years? Are you shitting me? I don't go into my basement all that much, but seriously, 24 years? I'd want to know what was down there, especially since it seems like he spent most of his time down there anyhow. I don't care if my husband told me I wasn't allowed to go down there. Actually, that would probably make me want to look more. And she just believed that her crazy 'deadbeat' daughter would come back and drop these three kids on their doorstep? And none of them knew where their family was? I'm thinking that there's more to be said about this family than meets the eye. I think it's interesting to note though that one of the children died - probably because s/he needed medical attention - but when 19 year old Kerstin starts having convulsions, Fritzl decides she should go to the hospital.
Seriously, what is the world coming to? Is the capitalist mindset so embedded into our souls that we can't even be human anymore? Do we even remember how to help people out? I know I'm a liberal free-spirited hippie chick, but really people, get on the ball.
If you're Buddhist, there are a myriad of great quotes from all of the wonderful teachers we've had in the past, especially Siddartha Gautama: "The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” Don't we all know that we must help others? "Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” "Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” We have been charged to help others, and it happened around 2500 years ago. This is not a new concept at all.
I don't believe in God, but if you do, you should probably pay more attention to this section.
I apologize if you're Jewish, because I haven't studied the Torah or the Tanakh very closely, so I hope you don't feel too left out.
If you're Christian, you know about Jesus and all the things that he said to do, like "love thy neighbor" and "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Oh and surely every kid who went to Kindergarten knows the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
If you're Muslim, you know about similar quotes from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Not only do you agree with most of Jesus' sayings, but you have some parallel sayings of your own: "Do not say, that if the people do good to us, we will do good to them; and if the people oppress us, we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them," and one of my favorites to compare, "Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first.” Or one especially nice for today's world to see - "Especially if you are well-to-do, see that no one goes hungry or naked.” And just one more for good measure: "Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.”
So why not live like the good [insert your religion here] and help other people out? A smile counts, because that becomes infectious.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Prayer vs Care
Okay, so this story will more than likely be known more locally than nationally, but is still important.
First off, here's the news story, courtesy of Theron and AP:
WESTON -- An 11-year-old girl died after her parents prayed for healing rather than seek medical help for a treatable form of diabetes, police said Tuesday.
Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said Madeline Neumann died Sunday.
"She got sicker and sicker until she was dead," he said.
Vergin said an autopsy determined the girl died from diabetic ketoacidosis, an ailment that left her with too little insulin in her body, and she had probably been ill for about 30 days, suffering symptoms like nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.
The girl's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, attributed the death to "apparently they didn't have enough faith," the police chief said.
They believed the key to healing "was it was better to keep praying. Call more people to help pray," he said.
The mother believes the girl could still be resurrected, the police chief said.
Telephone messages left at the Neumann home by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
The family does not attend an organized church or participate in an organized religion, Vergin said. "They have a little Bible study of a few people."
The parents told investigators their daughter last saw a doctor when she was 3 to get some shots, Vergin said. The girl had attended public school during the first semester but didn't return for the second semester.
Officers went to the home after one of the girl's relatives in California called police to check on her, Vergin said. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The relative was fearful the girl was "extremely ill, dire," Vergin said.
The girl has three siblings, ranging in age from 13 to 16, the police chief said.
"They are still in the home," he said. "There is no reason to remove them. There is no abuse or signs of abuse that we can see."
The girl's death remains under investigation and the findings will be forwarded to the district attorney to review for possible charges, the chief said.
The family operates a coffee shop in Weston, which is a suburb of Wausau, Vergin said.
___________________________________________
Now, here's my take on all this:
I understand the freedom of religion. I fully support it. Just because I identify more closely with Buddhism than any other religion does not mean it is right for everyone, nor does it mean that I need to shove it down people's throats. Freedom of religion is one of the unalienable rights that we all are entitled too, and anything hindering that is a hate crime...
unless it hurts somebody.
I'm sorry, but unless you know how to take care of your child medically, you should take them to the doctor. Having grown up not going to the doctor really at all but having a condition which almost requires at the very least a semi-annual checkup, I have great disdain for people who do not seek the proper care for their children. If you have the money and insurance to do it (and maybe not even the money - honestly, what's more important to you?), your children should go to the doctor when they need to. There is not excuse for a lack of care when you have the means, because there are families all over the world whose children are dying because they don't even have the means to eat, let alone visit the doctor when they need to.
I am so ready for us to become like Canada already, but maybe minus Ellen Page as my competition for Theron.
Yes, there are certain religions which do not allow their followers to go to the doctor, let alone get blood work and proper care. And I will not denounce them. However, I think it is stupid and reckless to not make sure that you and your family are healthy. Even if I did join one of those religions, I would not follow that ideal. I'm sure that any loving and good God that might exist would permit me that one "sin."
__________________________________
Unfortunately, I have to wait unti October this year to get insurance back, and even that'll be through work, so who knows what it'll cover for sure. For now, I will have to settle with going to the free clinic downtown and getting a checkup sometime in the near future. I'm also gonna try to get my sister in as well. Who knows when I'll be able to get in though. Hopefully relatively soon, because I'm not feeling at that well lately.
_______________________________
In other news, I'm going to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Mosque on Sunday. It's in Milwaukee, obviously, so it'll be fun driving there, but I'm not that worried about it now. I'm more excited. I just wish that work had given me the time I asked for off, so that I could be done with the paper for it already. Although I function well with writing papers in a crunch, I really would prefer some extra time to get it done, instead of having to write it all right after my visit. Oh well, it'll be fresh in my mind at least.
Oh, and Easter was a blast. The Body Works exhibit at the museum is pretty awesome. Anyone who's interested in bodies and how they work should go... unless you have a weak stomach of course. :)
First off, here's the news story, courtesy of Theron and AP:
WESTON -- An 11-year-old girl died after her parents prayed for healing rather than seek medical help for a treatable form of diabetes, police said Tuesday.
Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said Madeline Neumann died Sunday.
"She got sicker and sicker until she was dead," he said.
Vergin said an autopsy determined the girl died from diabetic ketoacidosis, an ailment that left her with too little insulin in her body, and she had probably been ill for about 30 days, suffering symptoms like nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.
The girl's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, attributed the death to "apparently they didn't have enough faith," the police chief said.
They believed the key to healing "was it was better to keep praying. Call more people to help pray," he said.
The mother believes the girl could still be resurrected, the police chief said.
Telephone messages left at the Neumann home by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
The family does not attend an organized church or participate in an organized religion, Vergin said. "They have a little Bible study of a few people."
The parents told investigators their daughter last saw a doctor when she was 3 to get some shots, Vergin said. The girl had attended public school during the first semester but didn't return for the second semester.
Officers went to the home after one of the girl's relatives in California called police to check on her, Vergin said. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The relative was fearful the girl was "extremely ill, dire," Vergin said.
The girl has three siblings, ranging in age from 13 to 16, the police chief said.
"They are still in the home," he said. "There is no reason to remove them. There is no abuse or signs of abuse that we can see."
The girl's death remains under investigation and the findings will be forwarded to the district attorney to review for possible charges, the chief said.
The family operates a coffee shop in Weston, which is a suburb of Wausau, Vergin said.
___________________________________________
Now, here's my take on all this:
I understand the freedom of religion. I fully support it. Just because I identify more closely with Buddhism than any other religion does not mean it is right for everyone, nor does it mean that I need to shove it down people's throats. Freedom of religion is one of the unalienable rights that we all are entitled too, and anything hindering that is a hate crime...
unless it hurts somebody.
I'm sorry, but unless you know how to take care of your child medically, you should take them to the doctor. Having grown up not going to the doctor really at all but having a condition which almost requires at the very least a semi-annual checkup, I have great disdain for people who do not seek the proper care for their children. If you have the money and insurance to do it (and maybe not even the money - honestly, what's more important to you?), your children should go to the doctor when they need to. There is not excuse for a lack of care when you have the means, because there are families all over the world whose children are dying because they don't even have the means to eat, let alone visit the doctor when they need to.
I am so ready for us to become like Canada already, but maybe minus Ellen Page as my competition for Theron.
Yes, there are certain religions which do not allow their followers to go to the doctor, let alone get blood work and proper care. And I will not denounce them. However, I think it is stupid and reckless to not make sure that you and your family are healthy. Even if I did join one of those religions, I would not follow that ideal. I'm sure that any loving and good God that might exist would permit me that one "sin."
__________________________________
Unfortunately, I have to wait unti October this year to get insurance back, and even that'll be through work, so who knows what it'll cover for sure. For now, I will have to settle with going to the free clinic downtown and getting a checkup sometime in the near future. I'm also gonna try to get my sister in as well. Who knows when I'll be able to get in though. Hopefully relatively soon, because I'm not feeling at that well lately.
_______________________________
In other news, I'm going to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Mosque on Sunday. It's in Milwaukee, obviously, so it'll be fun driving there, but I'm not that worried about it now. I'm more excited. I just wish that work had given me the time I asked for off, so that I could be done with the paper for it already. Although I function well with writing papers in a crunch, I really would prefer some extra time to get it done, instead of having to write it all right after my visit. Oh well, it'll be fresh in my mind at least.
Oh, and Easter was a blast. The Body Works exhibit at the museum is pretty awesome. Anyone who's interested in bodies and how they work should go... unless you have a weak stomach of course. :)
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