Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Christianity and Divine Unity
A friend I've been emailing made the observation that Protestants sometimes accuse Catholics of pagan practices, what with all the saints and statues and veneration of Mary and all the incense and vestments. Nothing new about this viewpoint. My observation, after thinking about Unity: The Divine is One, is that from a strict monotheist viewpoint Christianity, all branches of it, is pagan. I've been browsing Catholic blogs, and rarely is God mentioned. It's always Jesus and Mary and anything else. AND, that's OK in my eyes. It's our Greco-Roman cultural inheritance. We're pagans who somehow adopted the god of the Jews; we went halfway to monotheism but we just couldn't abandon all of our old ways, so we mixed it up with JC and the trinity. It's OK. It's another way to view God.
quiet new year's eve
Nothing planned for tonight's new year's eve. Stay at home and maybe drink some champagne. Probably won't make it to midnight! I prefer sleep. Anyway, when I wake up it will be 2009. Poly baked two loaves of bread today AND a batch of chocolate chip cookies!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
all ikea furniture assembled
yes, we assembled four major ikea furnitures. Plural? anyway, i'm wiped out! The bookcase was the hardest -- lots of muscle work required because of stubborn pieces that refused to assemble correctly! But, it was all worth it. The bedrooms look a lot better, and everything's better organzied.
Monday, December 29, 2008
ikea today
Today we did major shopping at Ikea.
We bought a bed for us. Finally, I"ll have a headboard to rest my pillow on, instead of the wall!
We bought a headboard for Skye's bed that is also a shelf and has a little pull out "secret shelf." Her unit is white and red.
We bought shelves for skye's room, and a chest of drawers for our bedroom.
let the assembly begin!
We bought a bed for us. Finally, I"ll have a headboard to rest my pillow on, instead of the wall!
We bought a headboard for Skye's bed that is also a shelf and has a little pull out "secret shelf." Her unit is white and red.
We bought shelves for skye's room, and a chest of drawers for our bedroom.
let the assembly begin!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
shopping today
Went shopping and bought clothes for school: corduroy jeans, sweaters, button up shirts. My standard look for teaching. We also looked for a down jacket for Skye, for next season, but couldn't find one. And we had lunch at Einstein Brothers, which is almost next to Burnt Toast, our favorite diner. We also checked out the new Dania furniture store. It's an upscale version of Ikea. It does have nice pieces, and the prices are not too bad, considering. It is exactly an upscale version of Ikea, without the assembly!
Didn't go to church today, and won't next week. I'll try it sometime when the semester starts. I'm feeling better now, with some more direction as to Torah. The online class will do me some good; I've already had two lessons.
Oh, and I added those links on the side of the blog you see. Fave sites and blogs. Check'em out!
Didn't go to church today, and won't next week. I'll try it sometime when the semester starts. I'm feeling better now, with some more direction as to Torah. The online class will do me some good; I've already had two lessons.
Oh, and I added those links on the side of the blog you see. Fave sites and blogs. Check'em out!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I'm cooking again
I'm working on some old fashioned comfort food dishes from childhood. First was meatloaf. Yes, good old meatloaf! the first time was too bland, but the second one came our pretty well! We use ground pork instead of ground beef, for Poly's sake.
the next dish was tuna noodle casserole. Another sturdy standard, good in cold weather. We use angel hair spaghetti, for my sake (some kinds of noodles aren't so good for my digestion!). Cream of mushroom soup courtesy of campbells. Tuna and ham, and frozen mixed veggies. Yum!
Later I'll be trying some shake and bake.
I'm cooking again!
the next dish was tuna noodle casserole. Another sturdy standard, good in cold weather. We use angel hair spaghetti, for my sake (some kinds of noodles aren't so good for my digestion!). Cream of mushroom soup courtesy of campbells. Tuna and ham, and frozen mixed veggies. Yum!
Later I'll be trying some shake and bake.
I'm cooking again!
Friday, December 26, 2008
from Chabad.org
That's one thing our Ask-the-Rabbi team here at Chabad.org repeat over and over: Torah has a message for everyone, but it's not that you have to be Jewish. Torah comes to shine light on everything in the world, to show you what is wise and meaningful there, so that you can discard the husk and enjoy the fruit. Torah provides basic laws of monotheism and human dignity for all humankind, so that we can all live together in the same playing field. But then it says, now go out and be who you are. Look in your own backyard, there are plenty of truths, all you need to do is throw out the junk to find them, and then to cherish them.
So find what unique truths there are about you, your family and your heritage. Use the Torah, G_d's message to all humankind, to find them. Then celebrate them.
full article:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/797118/jewish/Can-I-light-a-menorah-next-to-my-Xmas-tree.htm
So find what unique truths there are about you, your family and your heritage. Use the Torah, G_d's message to all humankind, to find them. Then celebrate them.
full article:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/797118/jewish/Can-I-light-a-menorah-next-to-my-Xmas-tree.htm
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Happiness is another key idea
How to achieve happiness? How to define it? Aristotle defines happiness in terms of moderation -- I can see that. Closer to home, I'm learning to reject success as a key to happiness -- too much is left to outside forces, chance, luck, etc. For years I defined myself in terms of seeking success (and without achieving much, in my eyes at least!). Well, lack of success equates to failure. So what do I do with that? I'm re-evaluating everything.
Another issue is that a theory of happiness ought to have a goal that is achievable by everyone. If happiness is only for the successful, then what about us unsuccessful shlubs? So I need a way to achieve happiness that is much more open to everyone.
That's one reason I began to look again at spirituality. Faith can achieve an independent happiness that's portable and detached from success in society. Of course the question is what basis do we have to believe in something like spirituality or God? That's a tough issue. That started my investigation of what it means to "believe", faith as a mental state, and what mental states are.
Another issue is that a theory of happiness ought to have a goal that is achievable by everyone. If happiness is only for the successful, then what about us unsuccessful shlubs? So I need a way to achieve happiness that is much more open to everyone.
That's one reason I began to look again at spirituality. Faith can achieve an independent happiness that's portable and detached from success in society. Of course the question is what basis do we have to believe in something like spirituality or God? That's a tough issue. That started my investigation of what it means to "believe", faith as a mental state, and what mental states are.
problem with the "mental states" idea
Thinking on the significance of mental states, and how "the past doesn't matter." There are some problems with this. What about telling lies? Yesterday, for example, I stole a car. Today someone asks me if I stole it, and I reply "no." I am lying. To lie or tell the truth are both mental states, ones tied to a past event, and it's important, in society, that one's current mental state corresponds to a past event.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
good for an episode of the old star trek
why does belief matter? Because the mad space being who created us feeds on the mental state of belief in it. When we believe in it, it feeds on our mental state. "Believe me, and feed me!!!"
Monday, December 22, 2008
belief is...
Belief is.....
a good question.
well, it involves NOT knowing. If I knew, then belief wouldn't be a factor. It would be knowing. Thus, it is to think something is true without direct evidence. Sounds dicey, right? That's what makes it belief. Anyway, belief is a mental state, and in that sense it's no different than other mental states. For the atheist, what does it matter if someone believes or not? Is the problem that someone is believing something that is not true? Well, what's true? Can you tell me that? And even if someone spends his life believing something that's not true, so what? Don't we all do that to some degree? So what. The atheist shouldn't really care because after we're dead it doesn't matter.
Mental states are not observable by others, but actions are. We are accountable for our actions, but our mental states are private.
Believing and not believing: what's the difference? Two mental states. Actions; now there we have something we can work with.
a good question.
well, it involves NOT knowing. If I knew, then belief wouldn't be a factor. It would be knowing. Thus, it is to think something is true without direct evidence. Sounds dicey, right? That's what makes it belief. Anyway, belief is a mental state, and in that sense it's no different than other mental states. For the atheist, what does it matter if someone believes or not? Is the problem that someone is believing something that is not true? Well, what's true? Can you tell me that? And even if someone spends his life believing something that's not true, so what? Don't we all do that to some degree? So what. The atheist shouldn't really care because after we're dead it doesn't matter.
Mental states are not observable by others, but actions are. We are accountable for our actions, but our mental states are private.
Believing and not believing: what's the difference? Two mental states. Actions; now there we have something we can work with.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
mental states
a little philosophy here, crude and not well sorted.
One aspect of Buddhism I like is the emphasis on the mindfulness in meditation. The sense that only in the here and now can we find what is "real." Of course, Buddhism can take this further and express doubts about our "common sense reality." But Buddhist meditation does emphasize the importance of the individual's mental state.
Our inner life is a series of mental states, really. Or a continuing everchanging mental state, without a break from birth (or sometime before?) to death. Even sleep is only another mental state.
And, only the present is "real." the past no longer exists, and the future does not exist yet. Whatever memories we have of the past exist in the present. Whatever physical relics of the past we have exist in the present. Nothing too radical here, really, except that we can use this to free ourselves of aspects of the past that are constraining us.
What happened in the past is irrelevant. What is relevant is our current mental state; of course it's a product of past mental states, but we have some level of control over the present, while we have no control over the past or future.
Maybe that's what I'm stumbling toward. We can have some control over the present, but no control over the past or future. Thus, all we can do is work on our present mental state. No point worrying over the past, you see. The past is gone.
Ah, but how much control do we exert on our current mental state? Maybe not as much as we'd like to think!
One aspect of Buddhism I like is the emphasis on the mindfulness in meditation. The sense that only in the here and now can we find what is "real." Of course, Buddhism can take this further and express doubts about our "common sense reality." But Buddhist meditation does emphasize the importance of the individual's mental state.
Our inner life is a series of mental states, really. Or a continuing everchanging mental state, without a break from birth (or sometime before?) to death. Even sleep is only another mental state.
And, only the present is "real." the past no longer exists, and the future does not exist yet. Whatever memories we have of the past exist in the present. Whatever physical relics of the past we have exist in the present. Nothing too radical here, really, except that we can use this to free ourselves of aspects of the past that are constraining us.
What happened in the past is irrelevant. What is relevant is our current mental state; of course it's a product of past mental states, but we have some level of control over the present, while we have no control over the past or future.
Maybe that's what I'm stumbling toward. We can have some control over the present, but no control over the past or future. Thus, all we can do is work on our present mental state. No point worrying over the past, you see. The past is gone.
Ah, but how much control do we exert on our current mental state? Maybe not as much as we'd like to think!
Add Noahides to the list
I forgot to add Noahides to the list below. Also a strong sense of Divinie Unity, of course, in that N is the gentile form of Judaism.
But if I do go back to church it will most likely be the local catholic church. That has more emotional resonance and connection to childhood than any other place, despite it's confusion about Divine Unity.
But if I do go back to church it will most likely be the local catholic church. That has more emotional resonance and connection to childhood than any other place, despite it's confusion about Divine Unity.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Unity: the Divine is One
Unity: the Divine is One.
It's the simplest way of thinking of spirituality. No complications, no anthropomorphic images, no sons, no fathers, no mothers, no daughters.
*The closest I've found to this idea is Unitarian Universalism
*However, Judaism has a strong sense of One God, such as allowing no division of god into parts, and by directing all prayer to God and to no other intermediary.
*The Christian concept of the Trinity? Can't see how it works with the concept of divine unity. It's an unnecessary complication. It can work for people, but it's one step removed from Divine Unity.
*Buddhism has a concept of a unified divinity, but I don't like its rejection of the material world.
It's the simplest way of thinking of spirituality. No complications, no anthropomorphic images, no sons, no fathers, no mothers, no daughters.
*The closest I've found to this idea is Unitarian Universalism
*However, Judaism has a strong sense of One God, such as allowing no division of god into parts, and by directing all prayer to God and to no other intermediary.
*The Christian concept of the Trinity? Can't see how it works with the concept of divine unity. It's an unnecessary complication. It can work for people, but it's one step removed from Divine Unity.
*Buddhism has a concept of a unified divinity, but I don't like its rejection of the material world.
The Trinity, from Wiki
The Trinity is a Christian doctrine, stating that God exists as three persons, or in the Greek hypostases, but is one being.[1][2] In other words He is the Triune God. The persons are understood to exist as God the Father, God the Son (incarnate as Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, each of them having the one identical essence or nature, not merely similar natures. Since the beginning of the third century[3] the doctrine of the Trinity has been stated as "the one God exists in three Persons and one substance, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."[4] Trinitarianism, belief in the Trinity, is a mark of Oriental and Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and all the mainstream traditions arising from the Protestant Reformation, such as Anglicanism, Lutheranism and Presbyterianism; and the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church describes the Trinity as "the central dogma of Christian theology".[4]
Roman Catholic Nicene Creed
We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."
What Roman Catholics Believe: Apostles' Creed
A Roman Catholic translation of this creed reads:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Become a SubGenius minister
Become an Ordained Minister NOW...
A NEW SALE DAWNS in both of our CATALOGS and our News Blog. We have a BRAND NEW BOOK out -- and REVELATION X is back in print!! Hour of Slack Radio is streamed new every week. SubGenius events are happening all over the world this fall and winter. The exciting new do-it-yourself virus we invented for the SubGenius Art Mines is spreading throughout our website, sometimes spilling over even into the so-called "reality" that we SubGenii are forced to share with the humans. The vigorous health of this virus is the result of its careful design by an ever-growing team of SubGenius coders -- Slack-filled young men and women of Yeti descent who are spread, SEEMINGLY randomly, throughout the breakthinking world... but are bent on breaching all Earthly human political and cultural barriers with the searing nonhuman truth of the Word of "Bob": J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, that LIVING GOD WHO WALKS THIS PLANET EARTH IN HUCKSTER'S SHOES.
A NEW SALE DAWNS in both of our CATALOGS and our News Blog. We have a BRAND NEW BOOK out -- and REVELATION X is back in print!! Hour of Slack Radio is streamed new every week. SubGenius events are happening all over the world this fall and winter. The exciting new do-it-yourself virus we invented for the SubGenius Art Mines is spreading throughout our website, sometimes spilling over even into the so-called "reality" that we SubGenii are forced to share with the humans. The vigorous health of this virus is the result of its careful design by an ever-growing team of SubGenius coders -- Slack-filled young men and women of Yeti descent who are spread, SEEMINGLY randomly, throughout the breakthinking world... but are bent on breaching all Earthly human political and cultural barriers with the searing nonhuman truth of the Word of "Bob": J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, that LIVING GOD WHO WALKS THIS PLANET EARTH IN HUCKSTER'S SHOES.
becoming a wiccan
If you are interested in joining a Coven, most will require the traditional year and a day of study before initiating new members. This gives you time to explore the religion and decide if it is the right path for you as well as giving you and the Coven members time to get to know one another. Covens are generally very selective and rightfully so. There are many out there who seek this path for all the wrong reasons.
13 Beliefs of Mormonism
Thirteen Articles of Faith
When investigating Mormonism, this should be one of your first stops. Pretty much everything Mormons believe can be found in the Thirteen Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith. While any convert under the age of 18 will most likely never have to recite these from memory, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these principles. Some beliefs expressed in the Articles are that Mormons do not believe in original sin (Article 2), do believe in modern day prophets (Article 7), and do believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God (Article 8). The thirteen articles are:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
When investigating Mormonism, this should be one of your first stops. Pretty much everything Mormons believe can be found in the Thirteen Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith. While any convert under the age of 18 will most likely never have to recite these from memory, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these principles. Some beliefs expressed in the Articles are that Mormons do not believe in original sin (Article 2), do believe in modern day prophets (Article 7), and do believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God (Article 8). The thirteen articles are:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Converting to Islam
"There is no God except Allah;
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Recitation with understanding of true meaning of this phrase is all that is required for converting to Islam. This phrase, known as Shahada, is a simple creed but has very profound meaning in it and the faith behind it brings people out from darkness into light. By making this declaration and by accepting the obligations of Islamic Law, anyone can join this fastest growing religion. Any person who sincerely believes that there is only One True God, worthy of worship - Allah - the Creator, the Sustainer, the Lord of the Heaven and the Earth and all that exists; and accepts that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last and final Messenger of Allah, is a Muslim.
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Recitation with understanding of true meaning of this phrase is all that is required for converting to Islam. This phrase, known as Shahada, is a simple creed but has very profound meaning in it and the faith behind it brings people out from darkness into light. By making this declaration and by accepting the obligations of Islamic Law, anyone can join this fastest growing religion. Any person who sincerely believes that there is only One True God, worthy of worship - Allah - the Creator, the Sustainer, the Lord of the Heaven and the Earth and all that exists; and accepts that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last and final Messenger of Allah, is a Muslim.
Converting to Judaism
Appear before a Beit Din (rabbinical tribunal) at which time you will be asked the following questions:
Do you choose to enter the eternal covenant between God and the people Israel and to become a Jew of your own free will?
Do you accept Judaism to the exclusion of all other religious faiths and practices?
Do you pledge your loyalty to Judaism and to the Jewish people under all circumstances?
Do you promise to establish a Jewish home, and to participate actively in the synagogue and the Jewish community?
Do you commit yourself to the pursuit of Torah and Jewish knowledge?
If you should be blessed with children, do you promise to raise them as Jews?
Males will require circumcision. If already circumcised, a ritual circumcision is required. Males and females will require immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath).
Oh, I'm not thinking of converting! I'm interested in researching various conversion practices of major religions.
Do you choose to enter the eternal covenant between God and the people Israel and to become a Jew of your own free will?
Do you accept Judaism to the exclusion of all other religious faiths and practices?
Do you pledge your loyalty to Judaism and to the Jewish people under all circumstances?
Do you promise to establish a Jewish home, and to participate actively in the synagogue and the Jewish community?
Do you commit yourself to the pursuit of Torah and Jewish knowledge?
If you should be blessed with children, do you promise to raise them as Jews?
Males will require circumcision. If already circumcised, a ritual circumcision is required. Males and females will require immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath).
Oh, I'm not thinking of converting! I'm interested in researching various conversion practices of major religions.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Buddhism: the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path:
The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:
Panna: Discernment, wisdom:
1) Samma ditthi Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths
2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life
Sila: Virtue, morality:
3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language
4) Samma kammanta Right conduct by following the Five Precepts
5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others
Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:
6) Samma vayama Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
7) Samma sati Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings
8) Samma samadhi Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness
The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:
Panna: Discernment, wisdom:
1) Samma ditthi Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths
2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life
Sila: Virtue, morality:
3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language
4) Samma kammanta Right conduct by following the Five Precepts
5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others
Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:
6) Samma vayama Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
7) Samma sati Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings
8) Samma samadhi Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness
Buddhism: The 5 Precepts
The Five Precepts:
These are rules to live by. They are somewhat analogous to the second half of the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity -- that part of the Decalogue which describes behaviors to avoid. However, they are recommendations, not commandments. Believers are expected to use their own intelligence in deciding exactly how to apply these rules.
Do not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence.
Do not steal. This is generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation.
Do not lie. This is sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, etc.
Do not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means any departure from complete celibacy. For the laity, adultery is forbidden, along with any sexual harassment or exploitation, including that within marriage. The Buddha did not discuss consensual premarital sex within a committed relationship; Buddhist traditions differ on this. Most Buddhists, probably influenced by their local cultures, condemn same-sex sexual activity regardless of the nature of the relationship between the people involved.
Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind. Some have included as a drug other methods of divorcing ourselves from reality -- e.g. movies, television, the Internet. 1
These are rules to live by. They are somewhat analogous to the second half of the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity -- that part of the Decalogue which describes behaviors to avoid. However, they are recommendations, not commandments. Believers are expected to use their own intelligence in deciding exactly how to apply these rules.
Do not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence.
Do not steal. This is generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation.
Do not lie. This is sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, etc.
Do not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means any departure from complete celibacy. For the laity, adultery is forbidden, along with any sexual harassment or exploitation, including that within marriage. The Buddha did not discuss consensual premarital sex within a committed relationship; Buddhist traditions differ on this. Most Buddhists, probably influenced by their local cultures, condemn same-sex sexual activity regardless of the nature of the relationship between the people involved.
Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind. Some have included as a drug other methods of divorcing ourselves from reality -- e.g. movies, television, the Internet. 1
Buddhism: the 4 Noble Truths
he Four Noble Truths:
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:
Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.)
Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)
Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)
Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:
Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.)
Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)
Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)
Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.
Standard form: What Jews Believe
1. G-d exists
2. G-d is one and unique
3. G-d is incorporeal
4. G-d is eternal
5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
6. The words of the prophets are true
7. Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
9. There will be no other Torah
10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected
2. G-d is one and unique
3. G-d is incorporeal
4. G-d is eternal
5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
6. The words of the prophets are true
7. Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
9. There will be no other Torah
10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected
One
The Divine is One.
The Divine is not two, or three. It is not many; it is one. It is not a father-son, or mother-daughter.
The Divine is One.
The Divine is not two, or three. It is not many; it is one. It is not a father-son, or mother-daughter.
The Divine is One.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
UU
Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a theologically liberal religion characterized by its support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. Unitarian Universalists draw on many different theological sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.
Friday, December 12, 2008
7 Noahide laws
The seven laws listed by the Tosefta and the Talmud are[3]
1.Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.
2.Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder. (Genesis 9:6)
3.Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.
4.Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit adultery.
5.Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God's name.
6.Dietary Law: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive. (Genesis 9:4)
7.Requirement to have just Laws: You shall set up an effective judiciary to enforce the preceding six laws fairly.
the Noahide Laws, are a set of seven moral imperatives that, according to the Talmud, were given by God to Noah as a binding set of laws for all mankind.[1] According to Judaism any non-Jew who lives according to these laws is regarded as a Righteous Gentile and is assured of a place in the world to come (Olam Haba), the Jewish concept of heaven.[2] Adherents are often called "B'nei Noah" (Children of Noah) or "Noahides" and may often network in Jewish synagogues.
1.Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.
2.Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder. (Genesis 9:6)
3.Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.
4.Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit adultery.
5.Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God's name.
6.Dietary Law: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive. (Genesis 9:4)
7.Requirement to have just Laws: You shall set up an effective judiciary to enforce the preceding six laws fairly.
the Noahide Laws, are a set of seven moral imperatives that, according to the Talmud, were given by God to Noah as a binding set of laws for all mankind.[1] According to Judaism any non-Jew who lives according to these laws is regarded as a Righteous Gentile and is assured of a place in the world to come (Olam Haba), the Jewish concept of heaven.[2] Adherents are often called "B'nei Noah" (Children of Noah) or "Noahides" and may often network in Jewish synagogues.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
mid life
ever have that hollowed out feeling? Like you're walking around in a daze? The "is this all there is" feeling? The "this is as good as it gets?" feeling. As if nothing really matters anymore and you're feelings are numb and buried underneath years of the "blunt trauma" of life?
Friday round up
- 7 students so far signed up for Bible as Lit course for spring semester. 12 is the magic number to avoid cancellation. One more student will sign up; I already talked to her on the phone and am doing some paperwork for her. Several of my current students expressed interest in the class.
- I got my Angel shells for spring semester, and now I can start working on them. For Bible class I have to create a list of the chapters in the workbook that are eligible for the homework assignment -- some chapters are too short! The workbook, by the way, is Introducing the Bible: An Active Learning Approach, by Adam Porter at Illinois College in Springfield. The bible for the course is the standard NOAB, New Oxford Annotated Bible (New revised standard version).
- Too wet to rake leaves this weekend. Anyway, I have 095 essays to grade. But no research papers!
- Poly this autumn has been baking bread, baking cookies, and baking various loafs, too (banana and chocolate chip, for example!) However, this weekend we are getting our Chinese maintenance tea! Good for the digestive system, and not too strong (but a little bitter, like all good Chinese medicinal teas).
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Testament documents timeline
51: Paul, 1 Thessalonians
54: Paul, 1 Corinthians, Galatians
55: Paul, 2 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians
57: Paul, Philippians
58: Paul, Philemon, Romans
65: James, Gospel of Mark
68: Hebrews
75: Colossians
85: Gospel of Matthew, Luke, Acts
90: Ephesians
95: Gospel of John, Revelations, 1 Peter
100: 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
source: p. 259, Absolute Beginner's Guide to the Bible.
I chose this source because it gave the data in a timeline format. I think the dates are approximate, and there are others who would place the letters and gospels a little differently, but overall I think most would agree to this in general. Also, the specificity of the dates is not so clear - there's wiggle room!
54: Paul, 1 Corinthians, Galatians
55: Paul, 2 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians
57: Paul, Philippians
58: Paul, Philemon, Romans
65: James, Gospel of Mark
68: Hebrews
75: Colossians
85: Gospel of Matthew, Luke, Acts
90: Ephesians
95: Gospel of John, Revelations, 1 Peter
100: 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
source: p. 259, Absolute Beginner's Guide to the Bible.
I chose this source because it gave the data in a timeline format. I think the dates are approximate, and there are others who would place the letters and gospels a little differently, but overall I think most would agree to this in general. Also, the specificity of the dates is not so clear - there's wiggle room!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Jesus and Paul
As for Jesus, I don't buy the "he never existed" argument. It has the feel of conspiracy thinking. There are several non-biblical sources that mention him, such as the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus. To me it's no big deal to acknowledge that he was a real man. It's all the claims beyond that which are debateable. Like I said, I see him as a Jewish man who saw himself as a messiah, in a spiritual way, not in a Davidic independence-for-Israel way, and who seems to have been opposed to oral Torah, and who proposed a radical reinterpretation of written and oral Torah. More and more I'm reading about oral Torah and rereading the gospels -- and that's where many of Jesus's criticisms center on.
Paul -- well, he latched onto Jesus as the centerpiece of an even more radical revision of Judaism. For Paul Jesus had a functional value as the Messiah, and whatever he did or said in his life didn't matter much. With JC as the new Messiah Paul could construct his new "Judaism" around him, with ideas that Paul had for himself. I imagine that someone has written of the probable sources, Jewish and Greek, of Paul's ideas of salvation, sin, the messiah, etc. My theory is that at his core, as Jew, Paul wanted to somehow expand Judaism to incorporate everyone, not just the Jewish people. I think this arises out of the issue of monotheism; how do you truly apply the theory of one god for all mankind in a way that is potentially inclusive of everyone? Judaism's monotheism, with its set-up of the Jews as the "chosen people" still has the remnants of the tribal god -- the old polytheistic idea that "our" tribe's god is better than your tribe's god. With JC as the functional key to global salvation, Paul found a way to open up the benefits of Judaism to everyone through faith in JC. To do this he had to argue away Torah, oral and written, and revise any part of Judaism that stood in the way of this goal. JC is the new covenant that replaces all the old ones, and it's open to anyone who professes faith. A "new Judaism" for the world. This finally rids Judaism of the remnants of tribal thinking of a two-class world of jews and gentiles.
Now, is this what JC wanted? I doubt. I guess in the gospels we can see what JC might have been after, and in the non-Paul letters, at least some of them (I"m not sure which -- I'm reading them now). Maybe JC did want something like this, a new global judaism, I don't know. The gospels are not coherent in many ways.
I read Paul's "convesion on the road to Damascus" this way: Paul, the fanatic Pharisee, brimming with his own ideas, out to pursue renegade followers of JC, is suddenly struck by the idea that this JC guy is the key to explaining all the ideas and theories that Paul already had. It's the shock of discovering that your enemy provides a critical piece in your puzzle. It must have been an incredible shock to Paul. I see it as an intellectual realization of Paul's that he categorizes as a religious experience. For Paul, accepting JC as the messiah made perfect sense once he figured out that it could be through this event that everyone could have the righteous relationship with God that Jews have. And then all his crazy revisionist ideas have a focus, and he's off and running to start converting people to his super-reformed neo-Judaism.
Anyway, that's my thinking now. Probably someone thought of it years ago, or maybe I'm totally wrong. I am but an enthusiastic amateur, as I tell my class, and not an expert. But I think, in a broader context, the background of all this is the need of Jewish thinkers in this time period to reconcile their beliefs with the Greco-Roman hellenistic culture and philosophy that was permeating the Roman empire. Another Jew who made an attempt to synthesize or correlate Judaism with hellenistic thought is Philo of Alexandria, who live around the time of JC. He attempted to use the tools of greek thought -- philosphy, theology, etc., to reinterpret the Hebrew Bible in tems of Greek thought. Look him up on Wiki, it's really fascinating. Paul was attempting this, too, in a religous way. Philo was doing it in a philosophical way.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Reading Matthew chapter 2
quote is from Micah 5.2. One project is to figure out why the gospel writers chose certain phrases from the Hebrew Bible (HB) and not others.
Reading Matthew chapter 1
1:1-17
genealogy of Jesus. Puts him in a specific jewish context; from Abraham to JC in sets of 14 generations.
1:18-25
The angel speaking with Joseph has a patrifocal angle; in Luke the angel speaks to Mary. Quote is from Isaiah 7:14. Note that Mary was pregnant before Joseph "took her as his wife."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
out of touch
been sick the last few days, so no entries. now it's thursday and the teaching week is over. will go to the office tomorrow and do some paper work. hope to write more later.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
in New York Review of Books
from Steven Weinberg's Phi Beta Kappa oration at Harvard on June 2008, titled "Without God":
"As religious belief weakens, more and more of us know that after death there is nothing. This is the thing that makes cowards of us all."
a great party
I will post pics of the birthday party next. It went really well, and Skye loved her presents. No clothes, all toys! Today they are all at the new Legoland. I have a cold and am staying home.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Skye's birthday cake: the big 5
MMMM, looks so good! Missy in our dept. made this cake. She is an excellent cake maker. Tomorrow is the party when Judy and Gary arrive. Today we shop for party hats, plates, etc.
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