Muchas personas de España tienen unas vistas diferentes de las familias estadounidenses, la gente joven y las mujeres estadounidenses de los que ellos están en realidad. Las reciben sus opiniones de los programas modernos de televisión, a pesar de que están inexactos.
A los españoles, las familias de los Estados Unidos son muy disfuncional y se pelean mucho. Un programa de televisión moderno muy popular es The Simpsons. Esa programa es sobre de una familia muy, muy disfuncional, pero por los españoles es un vislumbre de que ellos consideren la familia típica de los Estados Unidos. En The Simpsons, el padre alcohólico que es estúpido, emboto y perezoso. Él pone su familia en situaciones extranjeros por su idiotez. La madre es la madre ideal que se pone su familia siempre primero y hace lo mejor para ellos. El hijo es bromisto y resulta que él está castigado mucho del tiempo. La hija mayor es muy inteligente y no tiene ningunas amigas en su escuela debido a su inteligencia. Otro ejemplo es The King of Queens. En este programa de televisión, el hombre es gordo, feo y tiene poco inteligencia y entonces trabaja para el UPS. Su esposa es una mujer bonita que no ha completado colegio. Ellos se discutan sobre muchas cosas ridículas todo el tiempo. El padre de la mujer viene a vivir con ellos. Él es excéntrico y la causa de muchos problemas en su casa. A pesar de que está anciano, la pareja no se muestra respeto a él mucho el tiempo.
La gente joven de los Estados Unidos tiene la peor reputación de los tres grupos discutido. Muchos de los programas de televisión demuestran una idea a los muy malo. Por ejemplo, en el programa de televisión That 70s Show, ven gente joven que no tiene respecto por sus padres ó la autoridad. Se responden sin respecto a sus padres todo el tiempo. Una niña quien se llama Donna tiene un novio y ellos tienen relaciones sexuales sin protección y sin estarse casados, mostrando el actitud y conducto inmoral que no está típico del promedio joven estadounidense pero que los españoles lo reciben para formar su opinión. Luego es el programa The Secret Life of an American Teenager que básicamente dice que está normal y bueno para un joven a tener relaciones sexuales sin casamiento y es normal a llegar a ser embarazada. Una niña es inteligente, talentosa, y una raye a tipa que está embarazada. Su amiga es una cristiana que cree que ninguna deber a tener relaciones sexuales hasta casamiento. Secretos que está diciendo parezcan y padres llegan a ser enojados. Pero, la programa insista que no hay ningunos problemas con la conducta inmoral de los jóvenes.
Las mujeres estadounidenses no reciben una reputación buena de las programas de televisión. Un ejemplo excelente es A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, un programa sobre una mujer que se gustan mujeres y hombres y los dos géneros compiten a estar su amante. En este cortejando y programa concurso hayan diez y siete hombres heterogéneos y diez y siete mujeres lesbianas compiten para los cariños de la mujer bisexual quien se llama Tila Tequila. Este programa produce una imagen falsa de mujeres mayorías de los Estados Unidos. Es rara para una mujer estadounidense ser bisexual ó lesbiana en realidad. Un ejemplo final de los equivocaciones comunes de mujeres es The Hills. Aunque es sobre más joven mujeres, representa un percepción falso de muchas mujeres estadounidenses. Las chicas son muy hermosas y sociales pero en otra vez son inmorales. Se viven con sus novios en apartamentos en California y viven una vida social y de moda. La mayoría de sus noches están en las barras y clubes nocturnos de la ciudad con embriaguez y baile. Aunque algunas mujeres beben alcohol y viven con sus novios, este facto no es verdad para la mayoría de la población de mujeres en los Estados Unidos y representa un equivocación muy mal y serio.
En conclusión, los programas de televisión no dan las personas estadounidenses un buen reputación. Hay muchos ejemplos de este fenómeno además de los arriba. Aunque hayan algunas personas que son como las en los programas de televisión que está mencionado, no es una imagen exacta de la mayoría de la población de los Estados Unidos. Hay jóvenes embarazados, inmoralidad, familias disfuncionales, mujeres promiscuos, falta de respeto por los ancianos y muchas otras cosas, pero no significan todos los estadounidenses. Españoles se recibían un foto muy obscurezca de lo que los estadounidenses son en realidad.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A Plucked Flower and a Missing Buttock: The Innate Love for Life
In his work Candide, the old women pridefully recounts her tragic life story in protest to Candide and Cunegonde’s complaints of suffering, producing a comedic effect that substantially contributes to the overall satire of Voltaire’s work by demonstrating the innate love and passion for life within all human beings regardless of insufferable circumstances.
Like Cunegonde and Candide, the old woman begins life among the beautiful and elite of her country, experiencing the benefits of affluence. Unexpectedly, their lives make a complete reversal, removing them not only from comfort and prosperity, but inflicting them with intense physical and emotional suffering. Emotionally, both the princess and Candide experience the loss of lovers, but they never lose hope of reuniting. In the mean time, because of their virginal beauty, both Cunegonde and the princess experience the brutality of repeated rape. While the princess is initially preserved for the captain alone, Cunegonde is subject to the erotic desires of soldiers and later of wealthy benefactors. The old woman compares the loss of her virginity to the plucking of a beautiful flower, being a beautifully chaste blossom ready for her betrothed, but forcefully spoilt at human whim. In a magnificent satire, the old woman is raised in a secluded garden to glorious maturation, but her splendor is seized and crushed by men without care for beauty and purity. Her hope in the good of humanity is rigidly tried as Voltaire further derides her love as an aristocratic arrogance, decrying her for enjoying the benefits of her station in life while others suffer.
Although all the captured women are quartered upon their arrival in Morocco, the princess manages to escape and unite with her mother’s former eunuch, who promises to return her to her homeland, but instead sells her into slavery. Catching the plague but surviving, she is resold several times, and ultimately becomes a “rump roast” for starving soldiers fighting the Russians. Voltaire satirizes sacrifice as ultimately useless when, in a mockery of her pain, the removal of her buttock proves futile as a few days later her torturers are slaughtered by the Russians. Refusing to relinquish the dreadful life she holds so dear, the woman is healed by French doctors, only to be enslaved once more. Despite her fruitless sacrifice and suffering, the old woman stubbornly clings to her hopeless existence, though it shows no hope of improvement.
In closing her story, the old woman seems to have given up on life, but hope still lays disguised in her voice. “A hundred times I wanted to kill myself,” she said, “but always I loved life more” (538). Innate love for life and the inability to be rid of the charge to live are a human’s worst instincts. Though seemingly pessimistic, there is optimism in her words. The love for life that she describes implies a passionate desire for life, rather than a tolerant apathy towards it. She analogizes humanities grasp on life to “fond[ling] the serpent which devours us till it has eaten out our hearts” (538). Rather than merely holding the snake, she characterizes humanity as “fondling,” a word depicting loving caresses rather than dispassionate touches. Perhaps through her word choice the old woman secretly wishes to display the innate love of life that she pridefully holds. Furthermore, she points out that, although many may hate their existence, few will purposefully and deliberately give up their lives, all possessing an innate sense of love for their lives as their own.
In conclusion, Voltaire satirizes humanities love for life via his crudely comical tale about the haggard old “princess” in Candide. Many engrossing ideas about hope, optimism, and love of life instigate questions about reality in a world that is today greatly deprived of reason.
Works Cited
Voltaire, Francois-Marie Arouet de. "Candide, or Optimism." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah N. Lawall and Maynard Mack. 2nd ed. Vol. D. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company Limited, 2004. 520-79.
Like Cunegonde and Candide, the old woman begins life among the beautiful and elite of her country, experiencing the benefits of affluence. Unexpectedly, their lives make a complete reversal, removing them not only from comfort and prosperity, but inflicting them with intense physical and emotional suffering. Emotionally, both the princess and Candide experience the loss of lovers, but they never lose hope of reuniting. In the mean time, because of their virginal beauty, both Cunegonde and the princess experience the brutality of repeated rape. While the princess is initially preserved for the captain alone, Cunegonde is subject to the erotic desires of soldiers and later of wealthy benefactors. The old woman compares the loss of her virginity to the plucking of a beautiful flower, being a beautifully chaste blossom ready for her betrothed, but forcefully spoilt at human whim. In a magnificent satire, the old woman is raised in a secluded garden to glorious maturation, but her splendor is seized and crushed by men without care for beauty and purity. Her hope in the good of humanity is rigidly tried as Voltaire further derides her love as an aristocratic arrogance, decrying her for enjoying the benefits of her station in life while others suffer.
Although all the captured women are quartered upon their arrival in Morocco, the princess manages to escape and unite with her mother’s former eunuch, who promises to return her to her homeland, but instead sells her into slavery. Catching the plague but surviving, she is resold several times, and ultimately becomes a “rump roast” for starving soldiers fighting the Russians. Voltaire satirizes sacrifice as ultimately useless when, in a mockery of her pain, the removal of her buttock proves futile as a few days later her torturers are slaughtered by the Russians. Refusing to relinquish the dreadful life she holds so dear, the woman is healed by French doctors, only to be enslaved once more. Despite her fruitless sacrifice and suffering, the old woman stubbornly clings to her hopeless existence, though it shows no hope of improvement.
In closing her story, the old woman seems to have given up on life, but hope still lays disguised in her voice. “A hundred times I wanted to kill myself,” she said, “but always I loved life more” (538). Innate love for life and the inability to be rid of the charge to live are a human’s worst instincts. Though seemingly pessimistic, there is optimism in her words. The love for life that she describes implies a passionate desire for life, rather than a tolerant apathy towards it. She analogizes humanities grasp on life to “fond[ling] the serpent which devours us till it has eaten out our hearts” (538). Rather than merely holding the snake, she characterizes humanity as “fondling,” a word depicting loving caresses rather than dispassionate touches. Perhaps through her word choice the old woman secretly wishes to display the innate love of life that she pridefully holds. Furthermore, she points out that, although many may hate their existence, few will purposefully and deliberately give up their lives, all possessing an innate sense of love for their lives as their own.
In conclusion, Voltaire satirizes humanities love for life via his crudely comical tale about the haggard old “princess” in Candide. Many engrossing ideas about hope, optimism, and love of life instigate questions about reality in a world that is today greatly deprived of reason.
Works Cited
Voltaire, Francois-Marie Arouet de. "Candide, or Optimism." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah N. Lawall and Maynard Mack. 2nd ed. Vol. D. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company Limited, 2004. 520-79.
Who Will Answer Opportunity's Knock
It is funny how one cannot wait to get away from something to the point where that's all one thinks about, talks about, dreams about, and lives for; and then, finally, when the time rolls around for it to pass by and move on, one feels a sense of nostalgic loyalty that causes one to reconsider one's desire to be rid of it altogether. One wants to wonder if it should go just now, or if one should connive some way for it to remain a bit longer. There are so many components to weigh and options to consider.
Although one has lived at time in agony over this thing, and even held a fervent urge to dismiss it from one's life instantly and altogether, yet it is a comfort of sorts that might be a better option than the very idea of change. Who is to say which is better- change to the unknown and unforseen, or persevere in a possibly unpleasant normality and familiarity? Are the risks too high and the potential costs too great?
Then there is the sound ringing in one's ears that is the sounds of opportunity knocking. There it stares one in the face- the option to move on to a possibly better quality of life or to pass it by and maintain the safety of familiarity. New life with risks and adventures of unknown outcomes, or predictable patters of living? Which will it be? As the reverberating sounds of opportunity's knock fill one's head, one sifts throught the pros and cos and does one's best to weight out the best decision. But in the end, a choice must be made one way or the other. Sure, there will be certain risks and unknown variables, but they go both ways- they are simply part of living life.
Ultimately, those who decide decide to answer opportunity's vivacious knocks and step out on that limb are the brave and adventurous few who are ready to take life by the horns and ride it for all it is worth. Fear may come, but fleetingly. Fatigue may overtake, but momentarily. Shadows of the past may creep up, but they will not overtake. Perseverance and hope will breed accomplishment and passion. Opportunity will be answered; and when the time for change comes, the nostalgic loyalty will quickly pass in exchange for a vivid love of life and all the new it brings ones way. Only the courageous will truly live.
Although one has lived at time in agony over this thing, and even held a fervent urge to dismiss it from one's life instantly and altogether, yet it is a comfort of sorts that might be a better option than the very idea of change. Who is to say which is better- change to the unknown and unforseen, or persevere in a possibly unpleasant normality and familiarity? Are the risks too high and the potential costs too great?
Then there is the sound ringing in one's ears that is the sounds of opportunity knocking. There it stares one in the face- the option to move on to a possibly better quality of life or to pass it by and maintain the safety of familiarity. New life with risks and adventures of unknown outcomes, or predictable patters of living? Which will it be? As the reverberating sounds of opportunity's knock fill one's head, one sifts throught the pros and cos and does one's best to weight out the best decision. But in the end, a choice must be made one way or the other. Sure, there will be certain risks and unknown variables, but they go both ways- they are simply part of living life.
Ultimately, those who decide decide to answer opportunity's vivacious knocks and step out on that limb are the brave and adventurous few who are ready to take life by the horns and ride it for all it is worth. Fear may come, but fleetingly. Fatigue may overtake, but momentarily. Shadows of the past may creep up, but they will not overtake. Perseverance and hope will breed accomplishment and passion. Opportunity will be answered; and when the time for change comes, the nostalgic loyalty will quickly pass in exchange for a vivid love of life and all the new it brings ones way. Only the courageous will truly live.
Monday, July 21, 2008
"A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
Often, after aging, people are prone to reflect over their lives and, despite the mistakes they made, attempt to hold onto the past. Similarly, they may try to hide from the fact that they made poor choices or were at fault over an issue or action. In Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find” the character of Grandmother displays these characteristics, as is seen through her relationship with her children and grandchildren, her endeavors to reminisce about the past with Red Sammy, and her futile attempt to talk the Misfit out of terminating her less than satisfactory life.
O’Connor’s Grandmother, described by Stephen Bandy as “a harmless busybody, utterly self-absorbed but also amusing,” may be viewed in many ways as a failure as a parent and role model (Bandy). Some would argue that “family relationships inhibit growth and contribute to the protagonist’s insecurity; the individual parent/child pair is alienated from the community" (Paulson 46). This phenomenon is clearly perceptible via the character of Grandmother. While
currently living with her son Bailey, it is implied that she has several other children, to whom she is estranged. Throughout the story, Bailey shows a prodigious lack of respect for his mother, while in return she undermines and manipulates him, becoming “the catalyst for the action in the story” (Grimshaw 72). When Grandmother tries to bring along her cat in fear that he would kill himself if left unattended, Bailey flatly refuses simply because he “didn’t like to arrive at a motel with a cat” (O’Connor 445). As a result, Grandmother hides the cat in her valise, and he ultimately becomes the reason for the accident when he suddenly pushes free from the luggage and jumps into Bailey’s unsuspecting face.
Grandmother’s manipulative ways are also seen when she lies to the children about secret tunnels into a house from her past that she want to see in an attempt to have Bailey sidetrack and go see it. As the story progresses, it becomes more and more evident that, perhaps as an effect of raising Bailey poorly, her grandchildren are not being trained properly and similarly lack respect for their elders. Initially, they treat her as a burden, wishing that she would remain at home rather than vacationing with them but declaring that she would not, even for “a million bucks” (O’Connor 445). During the car ride, they are singularly rude, bickering with each other without any thought for the annoyance that it undoubtedly causes her. It appears that Grandmother ignores these obvious instances of disrespect in an effort to ignore her own parenting mistakes, and to manipulate her family for the benefit of her own conscience and personal happiness.
Endeavoring to hold on to the past, which she considers to be the better days, Grandmother reminisces with Red Sammy at his roadside restaurant about the differences between the present evil and the past good. Paulson believes that, many of O’Connor’s characters “struggle for a sense of significance in a scientific/ industrial world that undermines the human capacity for meaningful relationships and defines humanity not in terms of spirituality but as animals, or worse, machines” (Paulson ix). Grandmother and Red Sammy are two excellent examples of this statement as they are engage in a battle with the present scientific/industrial way of life, as they firmly believe that it has impaired the way of life that they have always known, where humans were able to trust other human beings in their relations and interactions with one another. The two mention benefits from the past such as “leaving your screen door unlatched” when you step out for awhile, while decrying the present generation as unscrupulous to the point where one cannot trust “a soul in this green world of God’s” (O’Connor 448).
They also converse about the Misfit, a criminal who has escaped from a maximum security prison and is in their area, and are adamantly fearful of an attack or robbery because of the changing times. Ironically, when Grandmother is about to die later, she continually tells the Misfit that he is truly a good man, despite having discussed earlier the dishonorable and duplicitous nature of people with Red Sammy. While striving to uphold the past and its memory, Grandmother fails to analyze the negative impacts that the past has had on the present.
After reading the conclusion of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” it undoubtedly comes to the reader at no surprise that “almost half of O’Connor’s published stories end with a shocking death” (Paulson x). As she seeks to preserve her own life at the scene of the accident, Grandmother has a superfluity of flatteries and positive encouragements for the Misfit. She continually tells him that he is “a good man at heart” (O’Connor 451). As denoted by Paulson concerning Grandmother’s true intent however, “immersed in the stream rather than contemplating the end of life, the grandmother judges a ‘good’ man according to superficial first impressions and materialistic values” (Paulson 90).
As she becomes more fearful, she begins to compare him with her own son, suddenly realizing that Bailey could easily have grown up to be the Misfit. Interestingly enough, her attempts at appeasing the Misfit work for a time as, while sending the other family members into the woods to be shot, he allows her to remain for a time and proceeds to tell her his pitiably pathetic life story.
As she begins to pray, interceding for her life, the Misfit scoffs at Jesus and both His own and Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead. As they discourse, Grandmother believes that she is finally hitting an internal nerve of his conscience and as she reaches out to touch him physically, his trance is broken and, returning to himself, the Misfit shoots Grandmother three times. During their discussion, “the grandmother is granted a moment of illumination during which she realizes the emptiness of her faith and extends to the man who is about to kill her true love of Jesus” (Renner). One furthermore is led to feel as though Grandmother and her poor parenting are responsible for the Misfit, but it “does not imply that we are expected to excuse the Misfit's crimes or that they are really the grandmother's fault” (Renner).
According to James A. Grimshaw, “O’Connor sees the Grace working in the Misfit, too; and although the Grandmother loses her life, she has gained that inward moment which may be offered at any time but is not always accepted” (5). As Grandmother approaches her death, it appears that she begins to more accurately consider the past in relation to the future and, realizing the flaws and mistakes throughout her life and desiring to live longer in order to make things right, she clings to whatever she can in an attempt to save herself. Likewise, the Misfit purports to show mercy on her by sharing his doleful tale of injustice, during which time it becomes visible that he is a “foil to the Grandmother’s hypocrisy and illuminate{s} her character as a lady” (Grimshaw 39). Grandmother probably came the closest of anyone to breaking down his defenses, and even he recognized that in the face of death she finally comprehended her flaws and became a good person. One sees that “this sympathy {for the Misfit} is a positive value, even though her gesture of love is brutally rejected” (Paulson 87).
O’Connor’s work “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” displays the “unsettling tension inherent in an unresolvable paradox” that is so typical of her writing (Zornado). As is clearly visible from her relationship with her family, reminiscing with Red Sammy, and desperate discussion with the Misfit, Grandmother had a serious problem with properly connecting the past and the present. The segment of her life depicted in O’Connor’s story shows a woman immovably fixed in the past trying to hide from the present in an effort to disguise her failures and shortcomings. Only when faced with death did she come to realize her flaws and wish to turn around a life full of irreparable mistakes. As the Misfit said, “She would have been a good woman if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life”(O’Connor 455).
Works Cited
Bandy, Stephen C. ""One of My Babies: the Misfit and the Grandmother"" Short Story Criticism (1996): 107-118. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. 13 July. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Drake, Robert. Flanner O'Connor: a Critical Essay. Williams B. Eerdmans Co., 1996. 6-44.
Grimshaw, Jr, James A. The Flannery O'Connor Companion. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood P, 1981. 5-72.
O'Connor, Flannery. "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Comp. Michael Meyer. Boston: University of Connecticut, 2008. 445-455.
Paulson, Suzanne M. FLANNERY O'CONNOR: a Study of the Short Fiction. Boston: Twayne, 1998. ix-196.
Renner, Stanley. ""Secular Meanings in "a Good Man is Hard to Find"" Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (1982): 123-132. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library. 13 July 2008. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Shaw, Mary N. ""Responses to God's Grace: Varying Degrees of Doubt in Flannery O'Connor's Character Types." CLA Journal (2001): 471-479. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. 13 July 2008. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Zornado, Joseph. "A Becoming Habit: Flannery O'Connor's Fiction of Unknowing." Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (1997). Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
O’Connor’s Grandmother, described by Stephen Bandy as “a harmless busybody, utterly self-absorbed but also amusing,” may be viewed in many ways as a failure as a parent and role model (Bandy). Some would argue that “family relationships inhibit growth and contribute to the protagonist’s insecurity; the individual parent/child pair is alienated from the community" (Paulson 46). This phenomenon is clearly perceptible via the character of Grandmother. While
currently living with her son Bailey, it is implied that she has several other children, to whom she is estranged. Throughout the story, Bailey shows a prodigious lack of respect for his mother, while in return she undermines and manipulates him, becoming “the catalyst for the action in the story” (Grimshaw 72). When Grandmother tries to bring along her cat in fear that he would kill himself if left unattended, Bailey flatly refuses simply because he “didn’t like to arrive at a motel with a cat” (O’Connor 445). As a result, Grandmother hides the cat in her valise, and he ultimately becomes the reason for the accident when he suddenly pushes free from the luggage and jumps into Bailey’s unsuspecting face.
Grandmother’s manipulative ways are also seen when she lies to the children about secret tunnels into a house from her past that she want to see in an attempt to have Bailey sidetrack and go see it. As the story progresses, it becomes more and more evident that, perhaps as an effect of raising Bailey poorly, her grandchildren are not being trained properly and similarly lack respect for their elders. Initially, they treat her as a burden, wishing that she would remain at home rather than vacationing with them but declaring that she would not, even for “a million bucks” (O’Connor 445). During the car ride, they are singularly rude, bickering with each other without any thought for the annoyance that it undoubtedly causes her. It appears that Grandmother ignores these obvious instances of disrespect in an effort to ignore her own parenting mistakes, and to manipulate her family for the benefit of her own conscience and personal happiness.
Endeavoring to hold on to the past, which she considers to be the better days, Grandmother reminisces with Red Sammy at his roadside restaurant about the differences between the present evil and the past good. Paulson believes that, many of O’Connor’s characters “struggle for a sense of significance in a scientific/ industrial world that undermines the human capacity for meaningful relationships and defines humanity not in terms of spirituality but as animals, or worse, machines” (Paulson ix). Grandmother and Red Sammy are two excellent examples of this statement as they are engage in a battle with the present scientific/industrial way of life, as they firmly believe that it has impaired the way of life that they have always known, where humans were able to trust other human beings in their relations and interactions with one another. The two mention benefits from the past such as “leaving your screen door unlatched” when you step out for awhile, while decrying the present generation as unscrupulous to the point where one cannot trust “a soul in this green world of God’s” (O’Connor 448).
They also converse about the Misfit, a criminal who has escaped from a maximum security prison and is in their area, and are adamantly fearful of an attack or robbery because of the changing times. Ironically, when Grandmother is about to die later, she continually tells the Misfit that he is truly a good man, despite having discussed earlier the dishonorable and duplicitous nature of people with Red Sammy. While striving to uphold the past and its memory, Grandmother fails to analyze the negative impacts that the past has had on the present.
After reading the conclusion of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” it undoubtedly comes to the reader at no surprise that “almost half of O’Connor’s published stories end with a shocking death” (Paulson x). As she seeks to preserve her own life at the scene of the accident, Grandmother has a superfluity of flatteries and positive encouragements for the Misfit. She continually tells him that he is “a good man at heart” (O’Connor 451). As denoted by Paulson concerning Grandmother’s true intent however, “immersed in the stream rather than contemplating the end of life, the grandmother judges a ‘good’ man according to superficial first impressions and materialistic values” (Paulson 90).
As she becomes more fearful, she begins to compare him with her own son, suddenly realizing that Bailey could easily have grown up to be the Misfit. Interestingly enough, her attempts at appeasing the Misfit work for a time as, while sending the other family members into the woods to be shot, he allows her to remain for a time and proceeds to tell her his pitiably pathetic life story.
As she begins to pray, interceding for her life, the Misfit scoffs at Jesus and both His own and Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead. As they discourse, Grandmother believes that she is finally hitting an internal nerve of his conscience and as she reaches out to touch him physically, his trance is broken and, returning to himself, the Misfit shoots Grandmother three times. During their discussion, “the grandmother is granted a moment of illumination during which she realizes the emptiness of her faith and extends to the man who is about to kill her true love of Jesus” (Renner). One furthermore is led to feel as though Grandmother and her poor parenting are responsible for the Misfit, but it “does not imply that we are expected to excuse the Misfit's crimes or that they are really the grandmother's fault” (Renner).
According to James A. Grimshaw, “O’Connor sees the Grace working in the Misfit, too; and although the Grandmother loses her life, she has gained that inward moment which may be offered at any time but is not always accepted” (5). As Grandmother approaches her death, it appears that she begins to more accurately consider the past in relation to the future and, realizing the flaws and mistakes throughout her life and desiring to live longer in order to make things right, she clings to whatever she can in an attempt to save herself. Likewise, the Misfit purports to show mercy on her by sharing his doleful tale of injustice, during which time it becomes visible that he is a “foil to the Grandmother’s hypocrisy and illuminate{s} her character as a lady” (Grimshaw 39). Grandmother probably came the closest of anyone to breaking down his defenses, and even he recognized that in the face of death she finally comprehended her flaws and became a good person. One sees that “this sympathy {for the Misfit} is a positive value, even though her gesture of love is brutally rejected” (Paulson 87).
O’Connor’s work “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” displays the “unsettling tension inherent in an unresolvable paradox” that is so typical of her writing (Zornado). As is clearly visible from her relationship with her family, reminiscing with Red Sammy, and desperate discussion with the Misfit, Grandmother had a serious problem with properly connecting the past and the present. The segment of her life depicted in O’Connor’s story shows a woman immovably fixed in the past trying to hide from the present in an effort to disguise her failures and shortcomings. Only when faced with death did she come to realize her flaws and wish to turn around a life full of irreparable mistakes. As the Misfit said, “She would have been a good woman if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life”(O’Connor 455).
Works Cited
Bandy, Stephen C. ""One of My Babies: the Misfit and the Grandmother"" Short Story Criticism (1996): 107-118. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. 13 July. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Drake, Robert. Flanner O'Connor: a Critical Essay. Williams B. Eerdmans Co., 1996. 6-44.
Grimshaw, Jr, James A. The Flannery O'Connor Companion. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood P, 1981. 5-72.
O'Connor, Flannery. "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Comp. Michael Meyer. Boston: University of Connecticut, 2008. 445-455.
Paulson, Suzanne M. FLANNERY O'CONNOR: a Study of the Short Fiction. Boston: Twayne, 1998. ix-196.
Renner, Stanley. ""Secular Meanings in "a Good Man is Hard to Find"" Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (1982): 123-132. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library. 13 July 2008. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Shaw, Mary N. ""Responses to God's Grace: Varying Degrees of Doubt in Flannery O'Connor's Character Types." CLA Journal (2001): 471-479. Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. 13 July 2008. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Zornado, Joseph. "A Becoming Habit: Flannery O'Connor's Fiction of Unknowing." Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (1997). Literature Resource Center. Emma Waters Summar Library, Jackson, TN. Keyword: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Dulce et Decorum Est: The Old Lie
Often, poets use various elements such as images, sound and rhyme, symbols, meter, and many others to help the reader better grasp his or her ideas and understand the theme of his or her work. Via his excellent use of imagery as well as metaphors and similes in his work Dulce et Decorum Est, Wilfred Owen decries war as a gruesome and morbid dispute rather than as glorified patriotism to one’s country.
As imagery may be defined as language that appeals to the senses, Owen’s images in Dulce et Decorum Est cause the reader to feel as though they themselves are present at the scene of action. Owen sets his poem at the scene of a battle and views the fight as well as the departing soldiers. As the men turn to leave, the bombs exploding in the sky behind them are described as “haunting flares,” lights and noises that will never be forgotten (886 line 4). The bootless soldiers are termed “blood-shod”, providing a mental image of swollen feet covered in blisters and abrasions, leaving trails of blood as they trudge along (886 line 6). “Drunk with fatigue,” one pictures men stumbling to and fro with no semblance of order, all trying to get away from the horrors that they have experienced, but to intoxicated with shock and exhaustion to have much control over their bodies (886 line 7). As the soldiers fasten on their “clumsy helmets” at the gas alarm one begins to see the ridiculous nature of their task (886 line 10). The gas comes in as “misty panes and thick green lights,” causing one to picture of a dirty stained-glass window or thick fog in eerie light (887 line 13). As the speaker looks around, he realizes that one of their number did not secure his mask quickly enough, and he watches as the lone soldier is “guttering, choking, drowning”- the sounds of death by poison gas (887 line 16). The soldier’s “white eyes writhing in his face” tell the story of his pain to anyone looking on (886 line 19). “The blood come{s} gargling from froth-corrupted lungs” as his life grotesquely drains out onto the ground with the sound of his flowing blood (887 line 21-22). Although Owen uses primarily visual and auditory imagery, he also uses taste imagery when he describes the soldier’s death as “bitter as the cud ( 887 line 23). Owen ends his gruesome poem by describing how the soldiers have received “vile, incurable sore on innocent tongues” (887 line 25). One visualizes and feels how the soldiers, who are young and innocent, have seen experienced horrendous pain and have been unalterably affected by it. They came in as zestful youth in search of “some desperate glory” only to trudge painfully away, disillusioned by their former idea of the glory of war and changed by the horrible sights which they have seen (887 line 27).
In addition to an abundance of imagery in his poem Dulce et Decorum Est, Owen uses metaphors and similes throughout this work. As the men traipse away from the battlefield, they look “like old beggars under sacks” (886 line 1). This portrays a picture of men dressed in tattered clothing, hunched over under torn sacks in an attempt to either keep warm or shield themselves from whatever may come falling from the sky. To instill
empathy within the reader, the men are “coughing like hags,” providing a still stronger image of a grotesque old woman who is probably terribly ill and should be in bed, but instead is attempting to go about her life (886 line 2). Later, as the helpless soldier inhales the poison gas, Owen describes him as “flound’ring like a man in fire or lime” (887 line 12). Most are taught from and early age that the simple formula for extinguishing fire is: stop, drop and roll. From this simile, readers receive an image of a man falling to the ground screaming in pain and desperately rolling around in an attempt to get away from his unavoidable death. Owen next says that the dead man’s “hanging face like a devil’s sick of sin” (887 line 20). Generally, people do not have a beautiful picture in their head when the devil comes to mind, therefore Owen’s comparison of the awfully monstrous face of the devil if he were to be angry rather than glad about the worst of sins to the face of the dead soldier, is an accurate and effective simile. Owen goes on to further describe the death of the soldier, saying that it was “bitter as cud,” food already digested that certain animals spit back up and chew before swallowing and digesting again (887 line 23). The man’s death is also depicted as “obscene as cancer” (887 line 24). Most people today know or have heard of someone who has experienced what it is like to battle cancer. It is a hopeless battle, with only slight chance of an ultimate cure, and that only at great expense both monetarily and physically to the patient. Often, cancer completely wastes away at the body. In merely comparing the unfortunate soldier’s death to cancer, Owen indubitably evokes feelings of pity and hopelessness from the reader for the lone soldier.
As is seen by the numerous examples above, Wilfred Owen has an amazing ability to use imagery as well as similes and metaphors to allow the reader to truly feel and experience the point that he making. In Dulce et Decorum Est he paints a gruesome picture of war, pointing out the negative and lasting effects that the events of merely one battle have on the soldiers. He openly criticizes the antique idea of war being glorious patriotism and service to one’s country, and depicts the reality of bloodshed and trauma through exceptional imagery, metaphors and similes.
As imagery may be defined as language that appeals to the senses, Owen’s images in Dulce et Decorum Est cause the reader to feel as though they themselves are present at the scene of action. Owen sets his poem at the scene of a battle and views the fight as well as the departing soldiers. As the men turn to leave, the bombs exploding in the sky behind them are described as “haunting flares,” lights and noises that will never be forgotten (886 line 4). The bootless soldiers are termed “blood-shod”, providing a mental image of swollen feet covered in blisters and abrasions, leaving trails of blood as they trudge along (886 line 6). “Drunk with fatigue,” one pictures men stumbling to and fro with no semblance of order, all trying to get away from the horrors that they have experienced, but to intoxicated with shock and exhaustion to have much control over their bodies (886 line 7). As the soldiers fasten on their “clumsy helmets” at the gas alarm one begins to see the ridiculous nature of their task (886 line 10). The gas comes in as “misty panes and thick green lights,” causing one to picture of a dirty stained-glass window or thick fog in eerie light (887 line 13). As the speaker looks around, he realizes that one of their number did not secure his mask quickly enough, and he watches as the lone soldier is “guttering, choking, drowning”- the sounds of death by poison gas (887 line 16). The soldier’s “white eyes writhing in his face” tell the story of his pain to anyone looking on (886 line 19). “The blood come{s} gargling from froth-corrupted lungs” as his life grotesquely drains out onto the ground with the sound of his flowing blood (887 line 21-22). Although Owen uses primarily visual and auditory imagery, he also uses taste imagery when he describes the soldier’s death as “bitter as the cud ( 887 line 23). Owen ends his gruesome poem by describing how the soldiers have received “vile, incurable sore on innocent tongues” (887 line 25). One visualizes and feels how the soldiers, who are young and innocent, have seen experienced horrendous pain and have been unalterably affected by it. They came in as zestful youth in search of “some desperate glory” only to trudge painfully away, disillusioned by their former idea of the glory of war and changed by the horrible sights which they have seen (887 line 27).
In addition to an abundance of imagery in his poem Dulce et Decorum Est, Owen uses metaphors and similes throughout this work. As the men traipse away from the battlefield, they look “like old beggars under sacks” (886 line 1). This portrays a picture of men dressed in tattered clothing, hunched over under torn sacks in an attempt to either keep warm or shield themselves from whatever may come falling from the sky. To instill
empathy within the reader, the men are “coughing like hags,” providing a still stronger image of a grotesque old woman who is probably terribly ill and should be in bed, but instead is attempting to go about her life (886 line 2). Later, as the helpless soldier inhales the poison gas, Owen describes him as “flound’ring like a man in fire or lime” (887 line 12). Most are taught from and early age that the simple formula for extinguishing fire is: stop, drop and roll. From this simile, readers receive an image of a man falling to the ground screaming in pain and desperately rolling around in an attempt to get away from his unavoidable death. Owen next says that the dead man’s “hanging face like a devil’s sick of sin” (887 line 20). Generally, people do not have a beautiful picture in their head when the devil comes to mind, therefore Owen’s comparison of the awfully monstrous face of the devil if he were to be angry rather than glad about the worst of sins to the face of the dead soldier, is an accurate and effective simile. Owen goes on to further describe the death of the soldier, saying that it was “bitter as cud,” food already digested that certain animals spit back up and chew before swallowing and digesting again (887 line 23). The man’s death is also depicted as “obscene as cancer” (887 line 24). Most people today know or have heard of someone who has experienced what it is like to battle cancer. It is a hopeless battle, with only slight chance of an ultimate cure, and that only at great expense both monetarily and physically to the patient. Often, cancer completely wastes away at the body. In merely comparing the unfortunate soldier’s death to cancer, Owen indubitably evokes feelings of pity and hopelessness from the reader for the lone soldier.
As is seen by the numerous examples above, Wilfred Owen has an amazing ability to use imagery as well as similes and metaphors to allow the reader to truly feel and experience the point that he making. In Dulce et Decorum Est he paints a gruesome picture of war, pointing out the negative and lasting effects that the events of merely one battle have on the soldiers. He openly criticizes the antique idea of war being glorious patriotism and service to one’s country, and depicts the reality of bloodshed and trauma through exceptional imagery, metaphors and similes.
Written Composition 112-Journal 4
Record your response to Antigone here. What are your thoughts about the play so far?
Thus far, Antigone is an exciting tale of two brothers fighting for the right to be the sole king of their nation and a sister who loves honor more than life. One thing I find to be particularly intriguing and noteworthy is Antigone’s stance against Creon’s ridiculous rule. She “shows her true colors” by placing more importance on familial justice and following the rites and customs of her culture and religion rather than her own life. Her actions are the epitome of love for one’s family when she risks her own life simply in order to give her brother a proper burial. Interestingly enough, when Antigone asks Ismene to join her in her civil disobedience, Ismene refuses but later pleads with her to share in her punishment. I personally cannot imagine knowing the punishment for my offense (live burial) and still breaking the law, however ridiculous. As a Christian, one is forced to consider the application of this amazing love. Christ loved the world so much that He came, fully aware that He would suffer the worse death imaginable, to save us. Also, one may reflect concerning one’s own faith on how one might respond if the government created laws the illegalized the practice of one’s faith or required actions contrary to the laws of God. Antigone contains many applicable lessons for her readers.
Thus far, Antigone is an exciting tale of two brothers fighting for the right to be the sole king of their nation and a sister who loves honor more than life. One thing I find to be particularly intriguing and noteworthy is Antigone’s stance against Creon’s ridiculous rule. She “shows her true colors” by placing more importance on familial justice and following the rites and customs of her culture and religion rather than her own life. Her actions are the epitome of love for one’s family when she risks her own life simply in order to give her brother a proper burial. Interestingly enough, when Antigone asks Ismene to join her in her civil disobedience, Ismene refuses but later pleads with her to share in her punishment. I personally cannot imagine knowing the punishment for my offense (live burial) and still breaking the law, however ridiculous. As a Christian, one is forced to consider the application of this amazing love. Christ loved the world so much that He came, fully aware that He would suffer the worse death imaginable, to save us. Also, one may reflect concerning one’s own faith on how one might respond if the government created laws the illegalized the practice of one’s faith or required actions contrary to the laws of God. Antigone contains many applicable lessons for her readers.
Written Composition 112-Journal 2
Of the two main characters in "Roman Fever," Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade, whom do you think is the most hateful? Do you sympathize with either woman? Why or why not?
In Edith Wharton’s “Roman Fever,” both Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade are portrayed as incredibly hateful, jealous, conniving women who, under the guise of friendship, secretly covet one another’s lives, looks and accomplishments and strive to covertly undermine their intimacy with each other.
It is ironic that the two women are considered friends as they unexpectedly meet in Rome and reacquaint themselves while their daughters enjoy the amusements that the city has to offer. As they reminisce about times gone by, it becomes apparent by their thoughts that the writer intertwines in the story that they have an unbelievable animosity towards each other that they have disguised throughout the years. Living across the street from one another in the same city for many years, and keeping tabs on every aspect of one another’s lives, Mrs. Slade admittedly made fun of her alleged good friend without care for the feelings of her old confidante, wishing to leave the view of her apartment behind in exchange for the more exciting environment of the speakeasies. As they make up lost time in a Roman restaurant overlooking the city, each woman secretly evaluates they other’s daughter, scrutinizing the girls for even the slightest of flaws, and quietly and casually jeopardizing the other’s child.
In the course of their conversation, the two begin to unravel bits of the past that they have hidden from one another over the years like dirt that is continually swept under the carpet rather than properly cleaned and removed. Mrs. Slade, seeking to uncover her competition’s past sin, reveals that the love letter Mrs. Ansley received under the supposed penmanship of her then fiancé Delphin Slade planning a rendezvous in the Forum one evening was not truly from him, but rather from herself. As Mrs. Ansley became sick after this scheme was carried out, Mrs. Slade was surprised to discover that Mrs. Ansley had not hidden waiting in the cold for her cleverly crafted lover, but rather that, having replied to the forged letter, Delphin Slade was there and waiting for her in the chilly Forum. In justification of actions and in an attempt to once again obtain the upper hand, Mrs. Slade announces that the whole scheme was merely a joke, and that after all, she was the one who had Mr. Slade for twenty-five years while Mrs. Ansley only had him for one night. In her silently spiteful demeanor, Mrs. Ansley pauses before calmly retorting that she had Barbara all of these years. In other words, she had Delphin Slade’s child through all of those years.
While initially it seems that the more outspoken Mrs. Slade is more hateful than her counterpart, as the story progresses, it becomes apparent that the seemingly more soft-spoken and gentle Mrs. Ansley is a cold and calculating manipulator in reality. While Mrs. Slade devises an evil plan to distort her friend, Mrs. Ansley, rather than terminating the immoral deed, decides to go along with it. Furthermore, she not only hides the parentage of Barbara from her husband, but more importantly from her close friend and probably from the child’s true father. While Mrs. Slade more visibly seeks to harm her friend, as it turns out, Mrs. Ansley’s knife cuts much deeper and wounds her friend irreparably. Both women are so incredibly hateful however, that it is quite difficult to differentiate which is the worse.
While at times I felt sympathy for each of the two women during the story, in the end I feel no pity for either of them other than for the green monsters of envy and jealousy that continuously look over their shoulders and whisper in their ears, eating away at not only their friendships but their own lives.
In Edith Wharton’s “Roman Fever,” both Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade are portrayed as incredibly hateful, jealous, conniving women who, under the guise of friendship, secretly covet one another’s lives, looks and accomplishments and strive to covertly undermine their intimacy with each other.
It is ironic that the two women are considered friends as they unexpectedly meet in Rome and reacquaint themselves while their daughters enjoy the amusements that the city has to offer. As they reminisce about times gone by, it becomes apparent by their thoughts that the writer intertwines in the story that they have an unbelievable animosity towards each other that they have disguised throughout the years. Living across the street from one another in the same city for many years, and keeping tabs on every aspect of one another’s lives, Mrs. Slade admittedly made fun of her alleged good friend without care for the feelings of her old confidante, wishing to leave the view of her apartment behind in exchange for the more exciting environment of the speakeasies. As they make up lost time in a Roman restaurant overlooking the city, each woman secretly evaluates they other’s daughter, scrutinizing the girls for even the slightest of flaws, and quietly and casually jeopardizing the other’s child.
In the course of their conversation, the two begin to unravel bits of the past that they have hidden from one another over the years like dirt that is continually swept under the carpet rather than properly cleaned and removed. Mrs. Slade, seeking to uncover her competition’s past sin, reveals that the love letter Mrs. Ansley received under the supposed penmanship of her then fiancé Delphin Slade planning a rendezvous in the Forum one evening was not truly from him, but rather from herself. As Mrs. Ansley became sick after this scheme was carried out, Mrs. Slade was surprised to discover that Mrs. Ansley had not hidden waiting in the cold for her cleverly crafted lover, but rather that, having replied to the forged letter, Delphin Slade was there and waiting for her in the chilly Forum. In justification of actions and in an attempt to once again obtain the upper hand, Mrs. Slade announces that the whole scheme was merely a joke, and that after all, she was the one who had Mr. Slade for twenty-five years while Mrs. Ansley only had him for one night. In her silently spiteful demeanor, Mrs. Ansley pauses before calmly retorting that she had Barbara all of these years. In other words, she had Delphin Slade’s child through all of those years.
While initially it seems that the more outspoken Mrs. Slade is more hateful than her counterpart, as the story progresses, it becomes apparent that the seemingly more soft-spoken and gentle Mrs. Ansley is a cold and calculating manipulator in reality. While Mrs. Slade devises an evil plan to distort her friend, Mrs. Ansley, rather than terminating the immoral deed, decides to go along with it. Furthermore, she not only hides the parentage of Barbara from her husband, but more importantly from her close friend and probably from the child’s true father. While Mrs. Slade more visibly seeks to harm her friend, as it turns out, Mrs. Ansley’s knife cuts much deeper and wounds her friend irreparably. Both women are so incredibly hateful however, that it is quite difficult to differentiate which is the worse.
While at times I felt sympathy for each of the two women during the story, in the end I feel no pity for either of them other than for the green monsters of envy and jealousy that continuously look over their shoulders and whisper in their ears, eating away at not only their friendships but their own lives.
Written Composition 112-Journal 1
What were your thoughts after reading "A Rose for Emily"? What impressions did the story leave in your mind? How does the author hint at the story’s ending? Were you anticipating that final paragraph?
“A Rose for Emily” was a bit of a shocker. Although I wondered if some prodigious secret lay behind the sealed doorway to the upstairs room, I still did not guess that Miss Grierson killed her last lover. Despite the fact that the horrible stench which caused many neighbors to file complaints should have been a significant clue, I did not consider such a horrific finale. I wonder at what feelings overtook Emily to instigate such emotion as to incite such a deed.
Faulkner’s short story left several impressions in my mind. In beginning, the age-old proverb that appearances can deceive enters my mind. Miss Emily seems to be an old and never married recluse who refuses the company of any but her negro manservant. Sympathy is an initial response to such a poor elderly woman without family, friends, or hope for a better life. Miss Emily’s affair with Homer Barron amuses the town gossips for a time before causing pity to arise amongst them. Faulkner’s story provides an excellent example of the damage that may be done through gossip and the peer pressure that evolves from it, as undoubtedly Miss Emily was well aware of the curious stares and less than silent whispers as she would pass by in the horse-drawn buggy. Perhaps the pressure to uphold the “noblesse oblige” of her family name via a proper marriage and appropriate relationships led Miss Emily to her last desperate attempt to hold on to what she considered her last chance to redeem herself to society.
Although the author hints at the story’s ending on several occasions, I still did not accurately conjecture about the ending. Dependent on the town (to pay her taxes) after her father’s death, Miss Emily undoubtedly experiences social and financial embarrassment at this undesirable fact. Furthermore, before his death, her father squelched what Emily considered her last real chance at love, marriage, and family. When Homer Barron happened along and expressed interest in her, Emily attached herself to him like a leech. The townspeople gossiped and conjectured, but Emily believed that at last she had truly found unhindered love, and in a sense would redeem herself by losing her bachelorette or “old maid” status. Anyone paying close attention should have guessed that Emily simply could not and would not accept betrayal and rejection from another man. After Homer Barron’s disappearance, the overwhelming stench that permeated the walls of her home and so greatly upset her, as well as any passersby, should have been a significant indication that something was not quite normal around Miss Emily’s home and the surrounding actions. In addition, the noticeable disuse of the second floor of her home could have been a clue to and alert and cautious observer.
The scene of the crime was an interesting sight, for not only was the slain body of her lover Barron found, but it appeared that she had lain with the slaughtered for a time, leaving the pillow indented and locks of her own hair behind.
“A Rose for Emily” was a bit of a shocker. Although I wondered if some prodigious secret lay behind the sealed doorway to the upstairs room, I still did not guess that Miss Grierson killed her last lover. Despite the fact that the horrible stench which caused many neighbors to file complaints should have been a significant clue, I did not consider such a horrific finale. I wonder at what feelings overtook Emily to instigate such emotion as to incite such a deed.
Faulkner’s short story left several impressions in my mind. In beginning, the age-old proverb that appearances can deceive enters my mind. Miss Emily seems to be an old and never married recluse who refuses the company of any but her negro manservant. Sympathy is an initial response to such a poor elderly woman without family, friends, or hope for a better life. Miss Emily’s affair with Homer Barron amuses the town gossips for a time before causing pity to arise amongst them. Faulkner’s story provides an excellent example of the damage that may be done through gossip and the peer pressure that evolves from it, as undoubtedly Miss Emily was well aware of the curious stares and less than silent whispers as she would pass by in the horse-drawn buggy. Perhaps the pressure to uphold the “noblesse oblige” of her family name via a proper marriage and appropriate relationships led Miss Emily to her last desperate attempt to hold on to what she considered her last chance to redeem herself to society.
Although the author hints at the story’s ending on several occasions, I still did not accurately conjecture about the ending. Dependent on the town (to pay her taxes) after her father’s death, Miss Emily undoubtedly experiences social and financial embarrassment at this undesirable fact. Furthermore, before his death, her father squelched what Emily considered her last real chance at love, marriage, and family. When Homer Barron happened along and expressed interest in her, Emily attached herself to him like a leech. The townspeople gossiped and conjectured, but Emily believed that at last she had truly found unhindered love, and in a sense would redeem herself by losing her bachelorette or “old maid” status. Anyone paying close attention should have guessed that Emily simply could not and would not accept betrayal and rejection from another man. After Homer Barron’s disappearance, the overwhelming stench that permeated the walls of her home and so greatly upset her, as well as any passersby, should have been a significant indication that something was not quite normal around Miss Emily’s home and the surrounding actions. In addition, the noticeable disuse of the second floor of her home could have been a clue to and alert and cautious observer.
The scene of the crime was an interesting sight, for not only was the slain body of her lover Barron found, but it appeared that she had lain with the slaughtered for a time, leaving the pillow indented and locks of her own hair behind.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Road Not Taken~ Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
"Love Kills Slowly"
I saw a bumper sticker today that read "Love Kills Slowly." After reading it, I began to ponder the truth of this statement. Does love actually kill slowly? What is the purpose or objective of love? Is death actually the purpose and the ultimate end of love? If it does kill slowly, then why do people "fall into" it so often, already knowing what the outcome will be?
I think that first of all, one must decide what love really and truly is. As a Christian, when defining love I personally think initially of 1 Corinthians 13. It extensively defines love and provides a long list of attributes and adverbs that love should be associated with. Some of them include: patience, kindness, perseverance, rejoicing in truth, never failing, unceasing, protecting, trustworthy, hopeful and humble. On the other hand, it lists several antonyms of love, including: pridefulness, self-seeking, easily angered, boastful, not delighting in evil, not keeping records of wrongs or offenses, and not rude.
I think that first of all, one must decide what love really and truly is. As a Christian, when defining love I personally think initially of 1 Corinthians 13. It extensively defines love and provides a long list of attributes and adverbs that love should be associated with. Some of them include: patience, kindness, perseverance, rejoicing in truth, never failing, unceasing, protecting, trustworthy, hopeful and humble. On the other hand, it lists several antonyms of love, including: pridefulness, self-seeking, easily angered, boastful, not delighting in evil, not keeping records of wrongs or offenses, and not rude.
In contrast to the biblical view of love, the world today depicts a completely different or other perspective. By simply going to blockbuster or the movie theater or any other number of places in a city, one may easily realize the truth of the above statement. A popular genre of movies that play upon the hopes and dreams of unsuspecting women, "Chick-Flicks" paint an increasingly inaccurate picture of love and all that it entails. Instead of drawing a view of reality, such movies sketch scenes of fairytale endings and fantasy relationships where the proverbial chips fall into place in just the perfect way to make their dreams come true, with no work on the part of those involved. Likewise, men need only to turn on the television and wait for a commercial to pop up sensualizing everything from wrenches to deodorant and shaving cream and beer. Rather than vehicles simply being vehicles, they are portrayed as tools to attract beautiful women who will give them the time of their lives with no strings attached. In the worlds eyes, love is all the right outcomes to all of people's crazy dreams just when they want them to happen-no sooner, no later. Love is free sex whenever one so desires. Love is "and they lived happily ever after." Love is perfection.
But are these definitions what love truly is? Is this the true meaning of love? Is love sexual passion or is love gentle and tender yearning? Is love wild and short-lived or calm and lasting? Is love all about oneself or about meeting the needs of the other person involved? What is love and how can one know what it truly is?
If love slowly kills, then what about the fairytale endings? Does the passion not continue on unceasingly, or does it instead fizzle out and become null and void via divorce and separation? Is it a one night stand in bed or a lifetime of knowing eye contact and loving hand holding? Who is it all about anyway? Oneself or another?
Love "is not self-seeking." In other words, it promotes the good of another over itself, even if it is detrimental to its own health and happiness. It is not selfish. Rather than putting itself on a pedestal, it kneels in deference to someone else. Love says "it's not all about me" but rather "it's all about you." Love dies to itself to honor and serve another. Maybe the bumper sticker is right after all, but in an unconventional way. Maybe love does kill slowly...
But are these definitions what love truly is? Is this the true meaning of love? Is love sexual passion or is love gentle and tender yearning? Is love wild and short-lived or calm and lasting? Is love all about oneself or about meeting the needs of the other person involved? What is love and how can one know what it truly is?
If love slowly kills, then what about the fairytale endings? Does the passion not continue on unceasingly, or does it instead fizzle out and become null and void via divorce and separation? Is it a one night stand in bed or a lifetime of knowing eye contact and loving hand holding? Who is it all about anyway? Oneself or another?
Love "is not self-seeking." In other words, it promotes the good of another over itself, even if it is detrimental to its own health and happiness. It is not selfish. Rather than putting itself on a pedestal, it kneels in deference to someone else. Love says "it's not all about me" but rather "it's all about you." Love dies to itself to honor and serve another. Maybe the bumper sticker is right after all, but in an unconventional way. Maybe love does kill slowly...
Judicial Term v. Appointment
In California recently, a judge decided to take “God” out of the American Pledge of Allegiance. Soon thereafter, another judge in Massachusetts decided to redefine marriage so that what was traditionally a union between one man and one woman may now be formed between two people of the same gender. Are these brave acts of courageous individuals, or simply activists asserting their personal opinions into a cultural debate? Does the method of selection and retention give them the independence to insert their opinions into their rulings? Today, there is a cultural debate concerning if the judges’ method of obtaining office contributes to the way they perform their roles in the judicial system.
One procedure for filling judiciary positions in the United States is legislative or executive appointment of individuals. Similarly to the way college professors cannot be dismissed after they receive tenure from teaching, researching and publishing for an extended period of time, appointed judges hold their positions for life. There are several problems that arise from appointing individuals to lifetime offices. When someone is designated to fill a decision-making capacity that has no ultimate termination, then they have no accountability whatsoever over their actions. He or she can act as they wish without fear of removal from office. The opinions of the citizens hold little or no value in their estimation. Furthermore, because citizens do not have input concerning who are their arbiters, the appointments may be based simply on connections with those high in political power, rather than the actual qualifications of the nominee. As a result, the product of these appointed judges is not held to a high standard, and thus the caliber of decision-making significantly decreases.
Although there are many flaws to the appointment system, there are benefits derived from it as well. Generally, lawyers in established private practices are settled in the comforts of their high and steady income, and do not wish to leave such security for the lesser and unguaranteed wages of the campaign trail leading to the judiciary. However, when individuals are appointed, there are no risks of losing their positions when they run for reelection or are removed from office. Judges under appointment receive judicial independence, which basically means they are unanswerable to a vocal majority of citizen voters and have the potential, if they are willing, to protect the rights of the disfavored minority groups.
Citizens are able to elect the judiciary to terms of office in some states as another means of selecting judges. There are both pros and cons to this process as well. One major downfall is what may be called the “name game.” While some states place Republican or Democrat on the ballots beside each candidate’s name, many judicial elections are non-partisan, which means that candidates cannot campaign under the emblems of the donkey or the elephant. Rather, they are forced to get their names out and appeal to the maximum number of voters possible in order to succeed, making their campaigns much more difficult. Some people vote based on the familiarity of the name (for example, people with the same last name as a former governor or state legislator, or even just common names such as Smith and Jones) or the gender of the candidate. In many cases, these unfortunate facts entail that people with unusual names will not win, and women are increasingly more favored than men. Also, because candidates are forced to campaign to attain judicial office, their risks (such as losing their job, decreasing their income, etc.) increase, and it becomes less and less likely that qualified and capable individuals will run. These risks are also raised after the judges are elected into office as they are forced to submit to the public’s dogma, forgoing their own personal judicial philosophies in order to remain in office. If they fail to comply with the predominant views of the citizens, then they face the possibility of losing their reelection campaigns and ruining future political pursuits in addition to losing the popular public opinion.
Despite these initial difficulties, there are many favorable aspects of the elected judiciary process. Rather than allowing activist judges with no accountability to make assumptive decisions about important issues, by electing the judiciary, the judges automatically become accountable to their electors. If they make radical decisions, then they will reap stringent consequences at the hands of the citizens who elected them. One of the most important reasons for the promotion of the elected judiciary is the equal opportunity for selection that it provides. As the United States Constitution claims that “all men are created equal” and that the goal of America is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” opportunities to run for office and to be elected by one’s fellow constituents should indeed be highly favored. Even if a candidate has no connections high in the political spectrum, they have a chance to spread their name and their judicial philosophy throughout their electoral area, and in so doing have a chance at success and superiority regardless of their humble beginnings.
While some would argue that appointed judges are preferable to citizen elected arbiters, they fail to realize that, via the campaigning and election process, people are able to provide input into who governs them and in the way the laws are interpreted. Justice Paul Newby, a current North Carolina State Supreme Court Associate Justice, would probably have never attained his position without the citizen-elected judicial system in his state. A federal attorney who was tremendously involved in his church, community, and the lives of his family members, Justice Newby had no prior political experience. He began his campaign with the desire to counter judicial activism with conservative interpretation of the law. Because of his comparative obscurity, Justice Newby undertook a statewide campaign in which he spoke to a wide variety of civic and religious groups in an attempt to make voters aware of his character and judicial philosophy. He stressed the importance of character and values among candidates, and miraculously won his race. He proved in many ways the importance of voter input into political races, and virtue of working hard to achieve position rather than having it given because of the proper political connections.
In conclusion, while many legislators and executives contend that judicial appointment is the best way to fill court offices, it benefits the citizens for the judges to be elected by voters other rather than by governing individuals. As is seen through Justice Newby’s example, the latter view of the judiciary is in accordance with the purposes of the United States Constitution. It seems more appropriate in a democratic government that judges are held accountable to other people during their terms of office rather than being allowed to insert their personal agendas into court decisions. As a result, more judicial vacancies should be filled in compliance with the majority will of the people, rather than the minority will of certain individuals or governing bodies.
One procedure for filling judiciary positions in the United States is legislative or executive appointment of individuals. Similarly to the way college professors cannot be dismissed after they receive tenure from teaching, researching and publishing for an extended period of time, appointed judges hold their positions for life. There are several problems that arise from appointing individuals to lifetime offices. When someone is designated to fill a decision-making capacity that has no ultimate termination, then they have no accountability whatsoever over their actions. He or she can act as they wish without fear of removal from office. The opinions of the citizens hold little or no value in their estimation. Furthermore, because citizens do not have input concerning who are their arbiters, the appointments may be based simply on connections with those high in political power, rather than the actual qualifications of the nominee. As a result, the product of these appointed judges is not held to a high standard, and thus the caliber of decision-making significantly decreases.
Although there are many flaws to the appointment system, there are benefits derived from it as well. Generally, lawyers in established private practices are settled in the comforts of their high and steady income, and do not wish to leave such security for the lesser and unguaranteed wages of the campaign trail leading to the judiciary. However, when individuals are appointed, there are no risks of losing their positions when they run for reelection or are removed from office. Judges under appointment receive judicial independence, which basically means they are unanswerable to a vocal majority of citizen voters and have the potential, if they are willing, to protect the rights of the disfavored minority groups.
Citizens are able to elect the judiciary to terms of office in some states as another means of selecting judges. There are both pros and cons to this process as well. One major downfall is what may be called the “name game.” While some states place Republican or Democrat on the ballots beside each candidate’s name, many judicial elections are non-partisan, which means that candidates cannot campaign under the emblems of the donkey or the elephant. Rather, they are forced to get their names out and appeal to the maximum number of voters possible in order to succeed, making their campaigns much more difficult. Some people vote based on the familiarity of the name (for example, people with the same last name as a former governor or state legislator, or even just common names such as Smith and Jones) or the gender of the candidate. In many cases, these unfortunate facts entail that people with unusual names will not win, and women are increasingly more favored than men. Also, because candidates are forced to campaign to attain judicial office, their risks (such as losing their job, decreasing their income, etc.) increase, and it becomes less and less likely that qualified and capable individuals will run. These risks are also raised after the judges are elected into office as they are forced to submit to the public’s dogma, forgoing their own personal judicial philosophies in order to remain in office. If they fail to comply with the predominant views of the citizens, then they face the possibility of losing their reelection campaigns and ruining future political pursuits in addition to losing the popular public opinion.
Despite these initial difficulties, there are many favorable aspects of the elected judiciary process. Rather than allowing activist judges with no accountability to make assumptive decisions about important issues, by electing the judiciary, the judges automatically become accountable to their electors. If they make radical decisions, then they will reap stringent consequences at the hands of the citizens who elected them. One of the most important reasons for the promotion of the elected judiciary is the equal opportunity for selection that it provides. As the United States Constitution claims that “all men are created equal” and that the goal of America is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” opportunities to run for office and to be elected by one’s fellow constituents should indeed be highly favored. Even if a candidate has no connections high in the political spectrum, they have a chance to spread their name and their judicial philosophy throughout their electoral area, and in so doing have a chance at success and superiority regardless of their humble beginnings.
While some would argue that appointed judges are preferable to citizen elected arbiters, they fail to realize that, via the campaigning and election process, people are able to provide input into who governs them and in the way the laws are interpreted. Justice Paul Newby, a current North Carolina State Supreme Court Associate Justice, would probably have never attained his position without the citizen-elected judicial system in his state. A federal attorney who was tremendously involved in his church, community, and the lives of his family members, Justice Newby had no prior political experience. He began his campaign with the desire to counter judicial activism with conservative interpretation of the law. Because of his comparative obscurity, Justice Newby undertook a statewide campaign in which he spoke to a wide variety of civic and religious groups in an attempt to make voters aware of his character and judicial philosophy. He stressed the importance of character and values among candidates, and miraculously won his race. He proved in many ways the importance of voter input into political races, and virtue of working hard to achieve position rather than having it given because of the proper political connections.
In conclusion, while many legislators and executives contend that judicial appointment is the best way to fill court offices, it benefits the citizens for the judges to be elected by voters other rather than by governing individuals. As is seen through Justice Newby’s example, the latter view of the judiciary is in accordance with the purposes of the United States Constitution. It seems more appropriate in a democratic government that judges are held accountable to other people during their terms of office rather than being allowed to insert their personal agendas into court decisions. As a result, more judicial vacancies should be filled in compliance with the majority will of the people, rather than the minority will of certain individuals or governing bodies.
"About the South" ~Rodney Atkins
Fried pickles, drunk chicken, crawfishin' in the creek.
Wild Turkey, deer jerky, tough as Tarzan's feet.
Hot women, skinny swimmin' barely bellybutton deep
Turn muddy river water into sweet, sweet tea
Hay loft lovin' in the holler 'hind the house
No doubt about it, what I love about the South
Loretta Lynn, Maker's Mark, it's Kentucky as can be
Jack Daniel's, Dolly Parton hold the hills of Tennessee
Finger pickin', bluegrass blowin' in the wind around here
We believe the Book of John and we drive John Deeres
The Devil came to Georgia, Mr. Daniels showed him out
No doubt about it, what I love about the South
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
If you need a Dixie Fix just a' come on down
It's what I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
Southern Belles with a drawl make you stop and drop your jaw, come on y'all, shut your mouth....
It's what I love about the South.
Grew up down here and it's where I'll grow my kids
Old Mc Donald had a daughter, get 'er done, got 'er did
Corn grows in rows on a cob, and flows from a jar, in a Rocky Top bar.
A little fountain from the mountain even made the Possum shout
What I love about the South
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
If you need a Dixie Fix just a' come on down
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
Southern Belles with a drawl make you stop and drop your jaw, come on y'all, shut your mouth....
It's what I love about the South.
(Sung to the tune of Dixie)
It's what I love, what I love, what I love, about the South
See y'all!
Wild Turkey, deer jerky, tough as Tarzan's feet.
Hot women, skinny swimmin' barely bellybutton deep
Turn muddy river water into sweet, sweet tea
Hay loft lovin' in the holler 'hind the house
No doubt about it, what I love about the South
Loretta Lynn, Maker's Mark, it's Kentucky as can be
Jack Daniel's, Dolly Parton hold the hills of Tennessee
Finger pickin', bluegrass blowin' in the wind around here
We believe the Book of John and we drive John Deeres
The Devil came to Georgia, Mr. Daniels showed him out
No doubt about it, what I love about the South
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
If you need a Dixie Fix just a' come on down
It's what I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
Southern Belles with a drawl make you stop and drop your jaw, come on y'all, shut your mouth....
It's what I love about the South.
Grew up down here and it's where I'll grow my kids
Old Mc Donald had a daughter, get 'er done, got 'er did
Corn grows in rows on a cob, and flows from a jar, in a Rocky Top bar.
A little fountain from the mountain even made the Possum shout
What I love about the South
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
If you need a Dixie Fix just a' come on down
What I love (what I love)
About the South (about the South)
Southern Belles with a drawl make you stop and drop your jaw, come on y'all, shut your mouth....
It's what I love about the South.
(Sung to the tune of Dixie)
It's what I love, what I love, what I love, about the South
See y'all!
Friday, June 13, 2008
"I Need You to Love Me"
Why, why are You still here with me
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You
But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me
I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
'Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me
Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been
-Barlow Girls
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You
But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me
I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
'Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me
Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been
-Barlow Girls
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sanity or Insanity?
If one person believes in an idea or creed that is totally different from or opposite to that of the entire society, is that person insane?
Many civilizations have asked the question of what defines sanity and insanity. Each has come up with their own definitions, but who is to say which right and wrong? I believe that sanity and insanity vary based on the standards of culture for each civilization.
First of all, in Nazi Germany, under the rule of Hitler, Jews were labeled with six-point stars and sent to concentration camps simply because of their ethnicity. To befriend and hide a Jew in an attempt to save them from the Gestapo was an act of suicide. Were, therefore, individuals such as the ten Booms or the family who hid the family of Anne Frank, insane? According to the societal standards of the time, they were indeed. However, to the remainder of the world they were, and have lived to be, heroes.
Another example may be seen in the ancient cultures of the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs, where infant and other blood sacrifices were rampant Supposing an individual attempted to change or thwart these practices because they considered them to be evil, they would be considered by their society to be insane. Despite the fact that in the outside world they would be considered completely sane, to these ancient cultures such customs were the "norm" and required to survive and please their gods.
Contrary to these former examples, there are times when the beliefs of a society are sane rather than ridiculously insane. For instance, if an individual believed that serial killing were righteous, Americans would correctly consider them insane. Or, should the president suddenly declare war on China without a cause, the American people would know him to be insane. However, even in American society today, the culture hold invalid and even atrociously wrong beliefs, and those who speak against them are harshly persecuted, even if it is merely in the form of being chastised for a lack of political correctness and tolerance. For example, abortion is considered to simply be a woman's right to choose when to carry a child to term rather than mass infanticide. Protestors have even at times been arrested and jailed. There is a growing movement in favor of "gay-rights" and "one man, one woman marriage" advocates are considered intolerant. In growing numbers, it is becoming "abnormal" or "weird" if young people have not had one or more partners before marrying, and divorce rates are increasing rapidly. While to some in the United States more conservative individuals in theses areas are "intolerant" (the politically correct way of saying that their beliefs are contrary to the majority of the society and/or they are not participating in condoned and accepted sins), they are indeed the one source of sanity in a society which is quickly becoming itself insane.
In conclusion, sanity and insanity must be determined by societal standards, but more importantly by God's standards. There are many more examples to make this point in the Revolutionary War, abolitionists in the Confederate South, biblical history, our own society, and much more. One must decide if one will choose sanity or insanity.
Many civilizations have asked the question of what defines sanity and insanity. Each has come up with their own definitions, but who is to say which right and wrong? I believe that sanity and insanity vary based on the standards of culture for each civilization.
First of all, in Nazi Germany, under the rule of Hitler, Jews were labeled with six-point stars and sent to concentration camps simply because of their ethnicity. To befriend and hide a Jew in an attempt to save them from the Gestapo was an act of suicide. Were, therefore, individuals such as the ten Booms or the family who hid the family of Anne Frank, insane? According to the societal standards of the time, they were indeed. However, to the remainder of the world they were, and have lived to be, heroes.
Another example may be seen in the ancient cultures of the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs, where infant and other blood sacrifices were rampant Supposing an individual attempted to change or thwart these practices because they considered them to be evil, they would be considered by their society to be insane. Despite the fact that in the outside world they would be considered completely sane, to these ancient cultures such customs were the "norm" and required to survive and please their gods.
Contrary to these former examples, there are times when the beliefs of a society are sane rather than ridiculously insane. For instance, if an individual believed that serial killing were righteous, Americans would correctly consider them insane. Or, should the president suddenly declare war on China without a cause, the American people would know him to be insane. However, even in American society today, the culture hold invalid and even atrociously wrong beliefs, and those who speak against them are harshly persecuted, even if it is merely in the form of being chastised for a lack of political correctness and tolerance. For example, abortion is considered to simply be a woman's right to choose when to carry a child to term rather than mass infanticide. Protestors have even at times been arrested and jailed. There is a growing movement in favor of "gay-rights" and "one man, one woman marriage" advocates are considered intolerant. In growing numbers, it is becoming "abnormal" or "weird" if young people have not had one or more partners before marrying, and divorce rates are increasing rapidly. While to some in the United States more conservative individuals in theses areas are "intolerant" (the politically correct way of saying that their beliefs are contrary to the majority of the society and/or they are not participating in condoned and accepted sins), they are indeed the one source of sanity in a society which is quickly becoming itself insane.
In conclusion, sanity and insanity must be determined by societal standards, but more importantly by God's standards. There are many more examples to make this point in the Revolutionary War, abolitionists in the Confederate South, biblical history, our own society, and much more. One must decide if one will choose sanity or insanity.
The Fairness of Education=Influence
Do you think it's fair or right that those who are educated (like the pigs in "Animal Farm"0 have more influence in decision making? Defend your answer.
In some ways, it does not seem fair that uneducated people have less influence in decision making processes, however this phenomenon is merely a fact of life. First of all, while one may be intelligent without education, education aids intelligence. The ability to read opens up innumerable windows of opportunity and gateways of learning. While one cannot always believe what one reads, the capability of reading allows one to gather information and be able to think for oneself. One the other hand, the inability to read and write makes it much more dificult to think for oneself, and much easier to follow what others say.
For example, in the Catholic Church, the Bible used to be read by monks or priests in Latin, as there were no other versions translated into other languages. the Catholic leaders were primarily the ones who were educated, and thus the only ones who could read or understand the Latin. As a result, legalism became widespread and people were at the mercy of their Catholic leaders.
Another instance where education was important occurred in the late 1700's with the American Revolution. As a result of their ability to read and write (i.e. education), our nation's founding fathers were able to think for themselves in such a way that they were able to identify Great Britain's injustices towards the American colonies, and demand retribution for the wrongs committed against them. This is seen throughout the Declaration of Independence, and later, following the war, in setting up a new country via the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and other important documents.
In conclusion, although some may consider it to be unfair, educated peple have more influence in decision making than illiterate or uneducated persons.
In some ways, it does not seem fair that uneducated people have less influence in decision making processes, however this phenomenon is merely a fact of life. First of all, while one may be intelligent without education, education aids intelligence. The ability to read opens up innumerable windows of opportunity and gateways of learning. While one cannot always believe what one reads, the capability of reading allows one to gather information and be able to think for oneself. One the other hand, the inability to read and write makes it much more dificult to think for oneself, and much easier to follow what others say.
For example, in the Catholic Church, the Bible used to be read by monks or priests in Latin, as there were no other versions translated into other languages. the Catholic leaders were primarily the ones who were educated, and thus the only ones who could read or understand the Latin. As a result, legalism became widespread and people were at the mercy of their Catholic leaders.
Another instance where education was important occurred in the late 1700's with the American Revolution. As a result of their ability to read and write (i.e. education), our nation's founding fathers were able to think for themselves in such a way that they were able to identify Great Britain's injustices towards the American colonies, and demand retribution for the wrongs committed against them. This is seen throughout the Declaration of Independence, and later, following the war, in setting up a new country via the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and other important documents.
In conclusion, although some may consider it to be unfair, educated peple have more influence in decision making than illiterate or uneducated persons.
Stand Up to Stand Out
Why is it important to stand up for ones beliefs against a majority? Have you ever stood against the crowd? Explain why or why not.
Often, a true leader may be characterized not by the number of their followers, but rather by their willingness to stand alone for what they believe to be true, despite popular opinion. As a result, it is highly important for all to stand up for what they believe, even if their stance is one against many, a minority against the majority.
In my lifetime, I have never had to be such as many famous people throughout history have been called to be, even at times risking their lives in order that others might know their beliefs and the value they placed in them. However, there have been a few smaller instances where i have been able to take a stance.
First of all, in seventh grade my class took a field trip. On that field trip one night some of my classmates decided to pull some pranks, sneak out of their hotel rooms, and ultimately participate in several activities for which they got in to trouble. I refused to participate, as it turned out, along with a small minority of others. Throughout middle school i was lift out of the "cliques" in my class. In high school, i have striven to not participate in the many cliques that are present, as well as to discourage their presence.
There have been instances where i was able to resist smoking and doing drugs despite the fact that some of my friends and acquaintances were participating in these habits.
In my lifetime, I have never had to be such as many famous people throughout history have been called to be, even at times risking their lives in order that others might know their beliefs and the value they placed in them. However, there have been a few smaller instances where i have been able to take a stance.
First of all, in seventh grade my class took a field trip. On that field trip one night some of my classmates decided to pull some pranks, sneak out of their hotel rooms, and ultimately participate in several activities for which they got in to trouble. I refused to participate, as it turned out, along with a small minority of others. Throughout middle school i was lift out of the "cliques" in my class. In high school, i have striven to not participate in the many cliques that are present, as well as to discourage their presence.
There have been instances where i was able to resist smoking and doing drugs despite the fact that some of my friends and acquaintances were participating in these habits.
In Loving Memory of Drew Howard
Written: September 29, 2006
It was just an ordinary day. The students slowly began to arrive and enter the familiar building according to the usually school-day routine. As they filtered in, something was different today. There was a sick feeling of uneasiness as the doors closed behind each one in turn, and the realization that something was dreadfully wrong overtook them. Some were carriers of the bad news, while others were much shocked when their ignorance was removed.As each moved towards classes and lockers, a thick silence hung in the air. Those who dared to speak did so in hushed whispers only. Many eyes were read and puffy from a night of sorrow, while others held fresh tears at the new discovery. Everyone was numb. Every movement was slow and hindered.
This was not any ordinary day. Today was to have been the ninth birthday of our own beloved Drew Howard, and we were all in shock and dismay to learn that Drew was spending his special day in an entirely different place than each had hoped and prayed. See, Drew had died the evening before after a seven day battle against a fatal virus that ravaged his brain, causing innumerable and incontrollable seizures that led to the deterioration of his heart muscle. Drew was in the third grade at GRACE Christian School. He has a sister Emily, in seventh grade, and another, Catherine in eighth. His mother is a teacher there, as well. The student body was wholly distraught at this tragedy.
Upstairs, in the high school lounge, many sat together, silently staring into space with no worries of tardiness. Soon, a group of us began to pray. Before long, most of the high school students, and several teachers as well, gathered around to join us in our vigilance on behalf of the Howard family. Although the tardy bell ran, none moved to go to class. Teachers and upperclassmen began sharing Bible verses to comfort everyone in their grief. We continued to pray. Long period of silence for tears and meditation between each speech took place. One of the seniors had Mr. Sabucco, the Bible teacher, read from 1 Samuel the story of when David lost his child from Bathsheba. Another teacher suggested that we sing songs of worship, as David had fasted and prayed prior to the death of this child, but afterwards went into the House of God to worship. So, in our great grief and inward turmoil as to why such a tragedy could happen, we began to worship God. God’s presence was vey real, and I believe each was touched by Him today. He moved in a mighty way. This continued for about an hour, and then all middle and high school students and teachers were directed to go to HOPE, the church adjacent to the school whose facilities we frequently use, for an assembly. Mr. Payne, the principal, spoke first, explaining the events that had occurred and reading a letter the Howard’s had written the night before. Next, he called upon faculty members to share, and many spoke words of wisdom and read Scripture relevant to the current situation to those gathered there. Lastly, both students and faculty were given an opportunity to go forward and lift it all up in prayer.
Afterwards, everyone returned to their respective classes, although the vast majority did no schoolwork that day. People cried and continued to pray and talk through the grief. Before dismissal, an announcement was made that school was to be closed on Monday in order to allow for all faculty and students who desired to attend the eleven o’clock funeral service to have an opportunity to do so.
Everyone was deeply saddened at the fact that God has decided to answer our fervent prayers of the last week by allowing Drew’s soul to leave his earthly boyd and this trivial life and journey into heaven to begin his eternity with Jesus much earlier than expected. However, each rejoices in the knowledge that he is having the best birthday ever! Drew is the only one that most of us know to have not only angels, but God the Father and the glorious King Jesus seated on His throne at his ninth birthday party! Tears come to one’s eyes to think of Drew skipping down the streets of pure gold and shouting praises to our Lord!
Mr. Smitley, one of the teachers who spoke at the assembly, reminded us of God sending His One and Only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. God knows exactly how each feels at the loss of any loved one. One should be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father grieves with us!
Many question how a good and loving and holy and just God who is omnipotent could let such a dreadful tragedy occur. This question is missing two key characteristics of God. First, God is omniscient- He knows everything! He knew that theses events would take place, and He planned them before any one of them took place. He ordains the length of man’s life, and before He even created Drew, He knew that he would die on Thursday, September 28, 2006. Secondly, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, not His ways our ways. His paths are beyond searching out. No one knows the mind or will of God, and neither can we know or understand any part of it unless He reveals it to us. God’s will is certainly not understandable right now, but it is clear- it was His time to take Drew home. It is also clearly stated in His Word that God works all things together for good. Although it has not yet been revealed fully, God has already used Drew’s death to work in a mighty way in the hearts and lives of many. We may never know the ultimate purpose or good in this tragedy, but it is undoubtedly there, nonetheless.
Prior to Drew’s death, it was prayed that his illness would somehow be used to unite the GRACE Christian School student body. This prayer is already being answered. As previously noted, we came together as one to grieve and to comfort, to mourn and to reminisce, to cry and to pray, to sorrow and rejoice, to question and to worship, to love and to hope and encourage. Barriers were broken as each grieved in their respective ways while reaching out to others to comfort and to be comforted. Students took hold of the faith they had and put it to use in being leaders to others. Each willingly came before the cross of Christ, into the throne room of Almighty God, in the presence of the Living Lord and were not merely worshipping and praying because it is the “Christian thing to do” ore because each must in chapel. We bonded together in common grief under the cross of Christ as brothers and sisters. I pray that GRACE remains forever changed, and that this tragedy would be the spark that ignites our school on fire for God.
Romans 5:1-5 provides us with the promise of hope. It tells us that our sufferings will ultimately bring about that hope. It is a hope that does not disappoint us or let us down. This hope is given to us by God, and with it the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with love. Our faith in Jesus Christ is the only source of peace one can have. We are also reminded in Philippians chapter 3 that our citizenship is not of this world, but rather it is in heaven. This world is not our home.
For many, Drew’s untimely expiration has been the cause of reflection concerning their relationships with others, especially family members. It is all too common to argue with or say unkind things to each other, and depart on that note. No one ever knows when those world could be their last words to that individual or their last words to you.
Ecclesiastes chapter 3 was an encouragement to all in realizing that it is okay to mourn the Howard’s’ loss. However, as the youth pastor at HOPE Community Church reminded us of chapter 12 verse 1, we all rejoice in the knowledge that even at so young an age, Drew found the meaning of life by knowing his Creator in his youth.
Isaiah 55:8-11 reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are not ours and are higher than our own. What God wills and allows to happen will achieve the purpose He has for it. Proverbs 3:5-6 reinforces this by telling us to trust the LORD and not to rely on our own understanding, and He will guide us and “make our paths straights.”
We praise God that Drew is in a better place. Daniel 7:14b says “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Drew is up there in that indestructible, everlasting dominion waiting for us to join him one day! Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Drew has received the ultimate gain! In John 14, Jesus give us the wonderful promise that He is preparing a place for us in heaven. Drew’s mansion was completed and we must trust in God that when our mansions are complete that He will call us to join Drew in our heavenly home as well. Romans 8:18-28 is a huge encouragement for us. In verse 18, it tells us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Later in the passage it comforts us with the knowledge that even when we are so grieved that we do not know how to pray, that the Holy Spirit intercedes before God on our behalf “with groans that words cannot express,” and the LORD searches our hearts and knows what is on them. Lastly, Revelation 21:4 comforts us in the wonderful knowledge that, “He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” One day, each one who has trusted their heart and life in Jesus Christ’s saving grace will join Drew Howard in this awesome place! One day, we will not have to experience death and tears and sorrow and pain, but we will instead praise God in heaven.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Here and Now
Here and Now
Main Idea: Live you life for Christ in the here and now- don’t wait till you’re older or better prepared or have “had some fun.”
I Timothy 4:12~ “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
• How many of you like the term “teenager”?
o I’ve always hated being called a teenager. I feel like it sets us apart, as though we are somehow a different sort of human being than others. But I think that this sort of thinking is so wrong when God clearly tells us in His Word for us to set an example for others and that He wants to use us no matter what age we are or how many life experience we have under our belts.
• How many of you went to Student Life Camp this past summer?
o If you didn’t go you should have been there! I’m sure that everyone that went with us will agree that is was one of the best things that we did all summer- definitely a highlight!
o The theme of Student Life for last summer was “here and now.”
Paul says in Philippians 1:21 that “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
• I have read that verse many times and said “wow, Paul sure did have a great relationship with God” and then passed over that verse without giving it anymore thought.
• Ya’ll, this is not how it should be. This verse should be something that we are willing to say and truly mean it. It is so easy to slip into saying “I’ll wait till I’m older and then I’ll serve God” or “After I mess around for awhile and have some ‘fun’ then I’ll listen to God and obey Him” or “I’ll wait till I graduate from middle school/ high school/ college and then I’ll do His will.”
• When Paul says “to live is Christ and to die is gain” he wasn’t just making a cool statement, he really meant that there is nothing at all that can be compared with Christ and knowing Him. There is nothing in this world that can make you happier and more joyful- no material possessions, no good grades in school, no boyfriend or girlfriend, no parent or teacher or youth leader-NOTHING! Christ is the only One who can satisfy your desires.
In I Samuel 3 the Lord called the boy Samuel four times before he finally realized that it was the Lord who was calling him. However, his response to the Lord was always “Here I am.”
• When your parents call you downstairs when you’re in the middle of homework, how do you respond? How do you respond when they ask you to clean up your room?
• Notice the difference in your natural answer and Samuel’s. Samuel answered “Here I am” and jumped to the task even though he was in the middle of sleeping, while we grumble and complain and yell “Do I have to?” and “I’m coming, hold on!” when we are asked to do the most trivial tasks.
In Isaiah 6, a scene is described where Isaiah is given a vision of the Lord in His glory. Isaiah is immediately devastated when he realizes that he has been living in sin among many other sinful people. However, the Lord redeems him and purges him of his sin so that he can be used for the Lord’s purposes.
• Isaiah’s particular problem was with his lips (sinning with his mouth). Interestingly enough, God took Isaiah’s weakness and that was what He used to do His will. (Isaiah was a prophet and what do prophet’s do?-speak God’s word to people!)
• Don’t ever make excuses for why you can’t do something that God calls you to do. It doesn’t matter what is in your past, God can redeem it and change it for good. It doesn’t matter if you are not a good communicator or teacher or servant or cook or whatever- if God calls you to do something He will equip you!
Conclusion: God calls us to live in the “Here and Now.” That doesn’t mean when you’re ready, that means N-O-W now, right where you are! If it feels like He hasn’t called you to do anything specific or like you won’t know His calling on and will for your life until you’re older, don’t let that discourage you! Everyone has felt that way at some point and if they haven’t then they will, so don’t make that your excuse! You already know that God has commanded you to obey your parents and also to go to church, so that’s a start. But also, get involved in serving others whether it’s helping in the nursery, serving on the SALT team, helping in the ministry to widows and orphans at our church or anything else you can think of. If you get involved in the Lord’s work, He will reward and bless you richly and He will lead and guide you to where He wants you to be! So don’t wait- live for your Savior HERE AND NOW!!!
Main Idea: Live you life for Christ in the here and now- don’t wait till you’re older or better prepared or have “had some fun.”
I Timothy 4:12~ “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
• How many of you like the term “teenager”?
o I’ve always hated being called a teenager. I feel like it sets us apart, as though we are somehow a different sort of human being than others. But I think that this sort of thinking is so wrong when God clearly tells us in His Word for us to set an example for others and that He wants to use us no matter what age we are or how many life experience we have under our belts.
• How many of you went to Student Life Camp this past summer?
o If you didn’t go you should have been there! I’m sure that everyone that went with us will agree that is was one of the best things that we did all summer- definitely a highlight!
o The theme of Student Life for last summer was “here and now.”
Paul says in Philippians 1:21 that “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
• I have read that verse many times and said “wow, Paul sure did have a great relationship with God” and then passed over that verse without giving it anymore thought.
• Ya’ll, this is not how it should be. This verse should be something that we are willing to say and truly mean it. It is so easy to slip into saying “I’ll wait till I’m older and then I’ll serve God” or “After I mess around for awhile and have some ‘fun’ then I’ll listen to God and obey Him” or “I’ll wait till I graduate from middle school/ high school/ college and then I’ll do His will.”
• When Paul says “to live is Christ and to die is gain” he wasn’t just making a cool statement, he really meant that there is nothing at all that can be compared with Christ and knowing Him. There is nothing in this world that can make you happier and more joyful- no material possessions, no good grades in school, no boyfriend or girlfriend, no parent or teacher or youth leader-NOTHING! Christ is the only One who can satisfy your desires.
In I Samuel 3 the Lord called the boy Samuel four times before he finally realized that it was the Lord who was calling him. However, his response to the Lord was always “Here I am.”
• When your parents call you downstairs when you’re in the middle of homework, how do you respond? How do you respond when they ask you to clean up your room?
• Notice the difference in your natural answer and Samuel’s. Samuel answered “Here I am” and jumped to the task even though he was in the middle of sleeping, while we grumble and complain and yell “Do I have to?” and “I’m coming, hold on!” when we are asked to do the most trivial tasks.
In Isaiah 6, a scene is described where Isaiah is given a vision of the Lord in His glory. Isaiah is immediately devastated when he realizes that he has been living in sin among many other sinful people. However, the Lord redeems him and purges him of his sin so that he can be used for the Lord’s purposes.
• Isaiah’s particular problem was with his lips (sinning with his mouth). Interestingly enough, God took Isaiah’s weakness and that was what He used to do His will. (Isaiah was a prophet and what do prophet’s do?-speak God’s word to people!)
• Don’t ever make excuses for why you can’t do something that God calls you to do. It doesn’t matter what is in your past, God can redeem it and change it for good. It doesn’t matter if you are not a good communicator or teacher or servant or cook or whatever- if God calls you to do something He will equip you!
Conclusion: God calls us to live in the “Here and Now.” That doesn’t mean when you’re ready, that means N-O-W now, right where you are! If it feels like He hasn’t called you to do anything specific or like you won’t know His calling on and will for your life until you’re older, don’t let that discourage you! Everyone has felt that way at some point and if they haven’t then they will, so don’t make that your excuse! You already know that God has commanded you to obey your parents and also to go to church, so that’s a start. But also, get involved in serving others whether it’s helping in the nursery, serving on the SALT team, helping in the ministry to widows and orphans at our church or anything else you can think of. If you get involved in the Lord’s work, He will reward and bless you richly and He will lead and guide you to where He wants you to be! So don’t wait- live for your Savior HERE AND NOW!!!
Why No Girls?
Why did William Golding choose to not include girls on the island in Lord of the Flies? What may have happened if he did?
William Golding chose not to include girls on the island in his novel Lord of the Flies for several reasons. First of all, men (and boys) are often thought of as being drawn to war, violence, bloodshed, etc. while also being considered the protectors of women and children. Throughout history, it has been men that have started wars rather than women. Women are generally thought of as non-violent, loving, nurturing mothers and spouses who care for others rather than harm them and maintain a semblance of order and civility even among testosterone-driven, prone-to-violence men. Therefore, in Lord of the Flies, had girls been present, the boys might have acted in a more civilized manner, taking on the role of protector and provider for the girls and the littluns on the island. The girls would have been to the care of the littluns, as well perhaps, as to cooking and creating more of a home environment. While in reality the biguns practically ignored the littluns, girls would have looked out for their needs. Furthermore, even if there was fright at the thought of a beast, the boys would have rallied forces in an attempt to protect the girls and the younger children from the assumed beast. In
many ways, the boys would have taken on the roles that they would have seen their fathers in at home, while the girls would emulate the roles that they observed their mothers in.
Secondly, for a long period in history, things that were acceptable for men to do were considered to be completely horrendous and unacceptable if a woman committed the same act. For example, for many years, women were required to ride horses sidesaddle rather than astride like men. Also, they were forced to wear clothing that covered their ankles, elbow, necks, etc. so as to be modest, while men had no clothing restrictions enforced upon them. This phenomenon is still true to some extent even today. While it may be considered societally acceptable for men to be somewhat promiscuous, and even to some extent expected, if a woman were to be the same way, they would be considered “loose” or “slutty.” Having considered this precedential occurrence, it would seem that the girls on the island would have refrained from such savagery as the boys displayed, and have abstained from hunting and any other form of killing, war paint, and tribal chants.
In conclusion, had girls been on the island, it would seem that perhaps Golding’s point could not have been as accurately depicted, as a greater semblance of civilization and peaceful coexistence would have occurred, rather than savagery and violence. In all likelihood, with the addition of the female gender, despite the age of the children on the island, the murder of several of the occupants, and the factions and mutinies that arose, would not have even surfaced.
William Golding chose not to include girls on the island in his novel Lord of the Flies for several reasons. First of all, men (and boys) are often thought of as being drawn to war, violence, bloodshed, etc. while also being considered the protectors of women and children. Throughout history, it has been men that have started wars rather than women. Women are generally thought of as non-violent, loving, nurturing mothers and spouses who care for others rather than harm them and maintain a semblance of order and civility even among testosterone-driven, prone-to-violence men. Therefore, in Lord of the Flies, had girls been present, the boys might have acted in a more civilized manner, taking on the role of protector and provider for the girls and the littluns on the island. The girls would have been to the care of the littluns, as well perhaps, as to cooking and creating more of a home environment. While in reality the biguns practically ignored the littluns, girls would have looked out for their needs. Furthermore, even if there was fright at the thought of a beast, the boys would have rallied forces in an attempt to protect the girls and the younger children from the assumed beast. In
many ways, the boys would have taken on the roles that they would have seen their fathers in at home, while the girls would emulate the roles that they observed their mothers in.
Secondly, for a long period in history, things that were acceptable for men to do were considered to be completely horrendous and unacceptable if a woman committed the same act. For example, for many years, women were required to ride horses sidesaddle rather than astride like men. Also, they were forced to wear clothing that covered their ankles, elbow, necks, etc. so as to be modest, while men had no clothing restrictions enforced upon them. This phenomenon is still true to some extent even today. While it may be considered societally acceptable for men to be somewhat promiscuous, and even to some extent expected, if a woman were to be the same way, they would be considered “loose” or “slutty.” Having considered this precedential occurrence, it would seem that the girls on the island would have refrained from such savagery as the boys displayed, and have abstained from hunting and any other form of killing, war paint, and tribal chants.
In conclusion, had girls been on the island, it would seem that perhaps Golding’s point could not have been as accurately depicted, as a greater semblance of civilization and peaceful coexistence would have occurred, rather than savagery and violence. In all likelihood, with the addition of the female gender, despite the age of the children on the island, the murder of several of the occupants, and the factions and mutinies that arose, would not have even surfaced.
An American Is...
An American Is…
When one says “American” there are numerous connotations that go along with the word, but often a true American is something else, indeed. At the mention of “American” several things enter ones mind. Among these are MTV, biased media, Hollywood, the 4th of July, red, white and blue, fireworks, freedom, sports and celebrities. These are just a few of the connotations that accompany the term. In some places it may include drastic or radical measures such as infidels, terrorism, hi-jacked planes, immigration, illegal substances and more. Despite all of these ideas, the above descriptions are not what makes an American.
First of all, an American is someone who has the ability and freedom to think through issues, and upon forming an opinion, being able to publish it. There is not state religion, allowing for anyone to practice whatever beliefs they hold as long as they do not harm anyone. One has the right to vote based on a an opinion of a candidate formulated by moral, social, political, and ethical standards which they hold. Without restrictions on the press, people are enabled with a valuable tool with which they can influence others towards their opinion. One also has the ability to express oneself and one’s opinions through seemingly insignificant things as clothing, food, automobiles, bumper stickers, and protests.
Secondly, Americans have a sense of pride. This pride was instigated as far back as the fifteenth century when the first settlements were established. Not only were they part of the colonization of the “New World,” but they also overthrew England-the strongest naval and military power at the time- in order to establish the freedom and independence that was so long the hope of many. The strength of the United States Military Forces has also become a source of pride, as it has come through numerous wars and conflicts primarily undefeated. Despite attacks on this pride, including hi-jackings and 9/11, this sense of pride is only strengthened and renewed as troubles are dealt with.
Thirdly, Americans are the most diverse nationality in the world. American culture today I made up of bits and pieces of all other countries of the world meshed together and reformed. One of America’s stereo-typical foods, pizza, is of Italian origin. Every street has varying types of restaurants lining it: from Japanese, to Italian, to Hispanic, and so on. Whereas Germany is known for its blue-eyed, blonde, Aryans, Americans come in all varieties of sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Although Americans do not often know where their origins are, that is one element of their being a true American- multiple nationalities or countries of origin blended together.
All of these things only begin to define an American. Being an American is in many ways as much of a way of thinking as bloodlines.
When one says “American” there are numerous connotations that go along with the word, but often a true American is something else, indeed. At the mention of “American” several things enter ones mind. Among these are MTV, biased media, Hollywood, the 4th of July, red, white and blue, fireworks, freedom, sports and celebrities. These are just a few of the connotations that accompany the term. In some places it may include drastic or radical measures such as infidels, terrorism, hi-jacked planes, immigration, illegal substances and more. Despite all of these ideas, the above descriptions are not what makes an American.
First of all, an American is someone who has the ability and freedom to think through issues, and upon forming an opinion, being able to publish it. There is not state religion, allowing for anyone to practice whatever beliefs they hold as long as they do not harm anyone. One has the right to vote based on a an opinion of a candidate formulated by moral, social, political, and ethical standards which they hold. Without restrictions on the press, people are enabled with a valuable tool with which they can influence others towards their opinion. One also has the ability to express oneself and one’s opinions through seemingly insignificant things as clothing, food, automobiles, bumper stickers, and protests.
Secondly, Americans have a sense of pride. This pride was instigated as far back as the fifteenth century when the first settlements were established. Not only were they part of the colonization of the “New World,” but they also overthrew England-the strongest naval and military power at the time- in order to establish the freedom and independence that was so long the hope of many. The strength of the United States Military Forces has also become a source of pride, as it has come through numerous wars and conflicts primarily undefeated. Despite attacks on this pride, including hi-jackings and 9/11, this sense of pride is only strengthened and renewed as troubles are dealt with.
Thirdly, Americans are the most diverse nationality in the world. American culture today I made up of bits and pieces of all other countries of the world meshed together and reformed. One of America’s stereo-typical foods, pizza, is of Italian origin. Every street has varying types of restaurants lining it: from Japanese, to Italian, to Hispanic, and so on. Whereas Germany is known for its blue-eyed, blonde, Aryans, Americans come in all varieties of sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Although Americans do not often know where their origins are, that is one element of their being a true American- multiple nationalities or countries of origin blended together.
All of these things only begin to define an American. Being an American is in many ways as much of a way of thinking as bloodlines.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Truth
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ~Aldous Huxley
In the above statement, Huxley states a highly important principle which many choose to ignore. There are many examples of this unfortunate phenomenon in the world today.
For instance, although many choose to ignore or disbelieve that there is human trafficking, it is a fact that it takes place. Although numerous people consider such occurrences to be "a thing of the past," every day people are sold into slavery or are sexually exploited on a commercial level. Even though people discount this as impossible, it does not stop it from continuing on.
Another example of this may be seen in schools. Simply because a student failed to listen and take note of the fact that there was homework or a test to study for does not mean that it was never assigned. The teacher assigned the work whether the student chooses to ignore it and fail to complete it or not.
Similarly, many religions claim that they are truth and that there is not truth besides their own. However, it seems impossible to claim that one is right when in reality it is completely wrong and other than the truth, and another is totally right and true. The post-modernist view of truth is that "all is relative." While it may be wrong for one person to commit a certain act, for another, it is the right thing to do. However, truth is absolute rather than relative. While defining someone as "fat" or "thin" is relative in comparison with the weight of those to which the person is being compared, truth is an "across the board," set standard of thought and behavior which is universally accepted and considered to be either right or wrong without variance or middle ground.
Even if someone were to ignore truth, it would still remain. Supposing someone believed it to be okay to murder their spouse, despite their firm belief, their action would be considered as wrong and contrary to truth and the law. In conclusion, because truth or facts are ignored, they do not stop being, but rather remain the same throughout all opposition.
In the above statement, Huxley states a highly important principle which many choose to ignore. There are many examples of this unfortunate phenomenon in the world today.
For instance, although many choose to ignore or disbelieve that there is human trafficking, it is a fact that it takes place. Although numerous people consider such occurrences to be "a thing of the past," every day people are sold into slavery or are sexually exploited on a commercial level. Even though people discount this as impossible, it does not stop it from continuing on.
Another example of this may be seen in schools. Simply because a student failed to listen and take note of the fact that there was homework or a test to study for does not mean that it was never assigned. The teacher assigned the work whether the student chooses to ignore it and fail to complete it or not.
Similarly, many religions claim that they are truth and that there is not truth besides their own. However, it seems impossible to claim that one is right when in reality it is completely wrong and other than the truth, and another is totally right and true. The post-modernist view of truth is that "all is relative." While it may be wrong for one person to commit a certain act, for another, it is the right thing to do. However, truth is absolute rather than relative. While defining someone as "fat" or "thin" is relative in comparison with the weight of those to which the person is being compared, truth is an "across the board," set standard of thought and behavior which is universally accepted and considered to be either right or wrong without variance or middle ground.
Even if someone were to ignore truth, it would still remain. Supposing someone believed it to be okay to murder their spouse, despite their firm belief, their action would be considered as wrong and contrary to truth and the law. In conclusion, because truth or facts are ignored, they do not stop being, but rather remain the same throughout all opposition.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
"The Other Boleyn Girl"
I just finished watching the movie "The Other Boleyn Girl" that recently came out. I do not know how historically accurate it is, but regardless of precision, there are many questions which it raises to my mind.
First of all, it is desolate thought to consider what it would be like to be Queen Catherine who was divorced and removed from her place of royalty simply because she could not produce a male heir. In this day and age, such a thing is practically unheard of, and would indeed be considered outrageous. However, in her day, that was a very real and present predicament. What I fail to comprehend is how they expected a woman to have control over what gender she carried. Not only is that impossible, but it is not simply a woman's genes or ability to produce a male that come into play. The genes of the father of the child factor into the outcome to the same extent. Theoretically, the father is just as responsible as the mother for the outcome's gender, health, looks, etc.
Next, I fail to comprehend the relationship between the Boleyn sisters, Anne and Mary. It is an alliance full of betrayal and mistrust. Mary unwittingly steals the king away from Anne in the beginning, and Anne, angry at her sister and having lost faith in her, is exiled temporarily to France. Meanwhile, Mary becomes the king's mistress, and soon conceives a child be him. When she is bedridden early in carriage, her father and uncle send for Anne to come and amuse the king to keep the Boleyn family in his good graces; however they charge her to direct the king's affections continually ever towards Mary. During Mary's pregnancy, the king falls in love with Anne, to the detriment of Mary's trust. When Mary gives birth to a healthy male heir, he will have nothing to do either with her or their bastard child, as his sole desire is for her sister Anne. Anne refuses to give herself to the king until her annuls his marriage with Queen Catherine and they are safely wed, as she will be not part of being his whore through which he may have his pleasure and beget his bastard children as he did with her sister. According tto Anne's wish, the king sends Mary and their child away from the court to live in the countryside. During the long and grueling process of divorcing Catherine, some question comes up as to the purity and integrity of Anne. The king will only believe Mary, and she lies to cover up for her sister, in a desperate attempt to regain her trust and affection and heal their bond. Anne's first child as Queen is, unfortunately, a girl rather than a boy. This begins the king's withdrawal of affection from Anne, that ultimately turns into a loathing contempt. When she becomes pregnant again and soon thereafter miscarries the child, Mary and their brother help Anne to cover it up for a time. Soon, however, when questions are raised as to why she is not showing, she decides to sleep with her brother to become pregnant again rather than to admit what would be considered her ultimate weakness. His wife sees them crawling into bed together and soon reports to the king of the Queen's treacherous and incestuous encounter. However, in reality, the siblings never went through with their despicable plan. Anne is charged with high treason for being an adulteress and having an incestuous relationship, and is convicted. Her brother is beheaded. Mary interceeds on the behalf of her sister to the king, but he is unable to evade her death sentence. Anne is also beheaded. Only Mary escapes, and that to a quite life in the country with a young man that had worked for her father for a time. In the end, Anne's female child became the Heiress and Queen Elizabeth. Obviously, the sisters' relationship was full of betrayal and mistrust, but somehow they eventually managed to come through for each other in the end. Their sisterly bond continued to the end, with not wont of affection.
Lastly, I believe it to be a despicable thing that those women could be put through so much and blamed for so much at the whim of a man, and yet he was not held responsible at all for anything. Mary was recently and happily married when the king decided that she should be his mistress. She went to him as a lamb to the slaughter, innocent and helpless, with no control whatsoever over the situation. Being the only woman in his life that bore a male child, even then she and her bastard son were cast aside as useless and unwanted and at the mercy of the nation's gossip. Next, Anne tried to wield her power over him and prevent her own disgrace. She had kept him from having through the divorce of his wife Catherine and his excommunication from the Catholic Church, but just before they were married he roughly forced him to make love to him. Their marriage began with Anne angry and hurt and feeling abuse and the king despising her for her power over his desires, as well as for making him divorce Catherine and leave the Catholic Church for her. When she fails to carry a male child for their first child, she is in danger of being passed over as Catherine was, and when her assumed treason was revealed, he did not even attempt to believe her defense of her actions. She ultimately died because the first child he conceived within her was a female and the second was not healthy enough to even enter into the world for a moment. After her sister's execution, Mary was commanded never to return to the king's presence or the court again under penalty of death. Catherine was disgraced before the world, and most importantly her beloved nation, and caste aside like a rotten egg.
It is amazing to me how conniving people can be. Yet even more disconcerting is the betrayal even of the most intimate friendships, and all for the sake of "love" and a male heir. Perhaps the monarchs of the olden days were not such the great legends they now seem to be. Perhaps being a lady-in-waiting in the queen's court was not the honor and adventure and fairy-tale story that is seems it was. Some stories are quite disheartening and disillusioning!
First of all, it is desolate thought to consider what it would be like to be Queen Catherine who was divorced and removed from her place of royalty simply because she could not produce a male heir. In this day and age, such a thing is practically unheard of, and would indeed be considered outrageous. However, in her day, that was a very real and present predicament. What I fail to comprehend is how they expected a woman to have control over what gender she carried. Not only is that impossible, but it is not simply a woman's genes or ability to produce a male that come into play. The genes of the father of the child factor into the outcome to the same extent. Theoretically, the father is just as responsible as the mother for the outcome's gender, health, looks, etc.
Next, I fail to comprehend the relationship between the Boleyn sisters, Anne and Mary. It is an alliance full of betrayal and mistrust. Mary unwittingly steals the king away from Anne in the beginning, and Anne, angry at her sister and having lost faith in her, is exiled temporarily to France. Meanwhile, Mary becomes the king's mistress, and soon conceives a child be him. When she is bedridden early in carriage, her father and uncle send for Anne to come and amuse the king to keep the Boleyn family in his good graces; however they charge her to direct the king's affections continually ever towards Mary. During Mary's pregnancy, the king falls in love with Anne, to the detriment of Mary's trust. When Mary gives birth to a healthy male heir, he will have nothing to do either with her or their bastard child, as his sole desire is for her sister Anne. Anne refuses to give herself to the king until her annuls his marriage with Queen Catherine and they are safely wed, as she will be not part of being his whore through which he may have his pleasure and beget his bastard children as he did with her sister. According tto Anne's wish, the king sends Mary and their child away from the court to live in the countryside. During the long and grueling process of divorcing Catherine, some question comes up as to the purity and integrity of Anne. The king will only believe Mary, and she lies to cover up for her sister, in a desperate attempt to regain her trust and affection and heal their bond. Anne's first child as Queen is, unfortunately, a girl rather than a boy. This begins the king's withdrawal of affection from Anne, that ultimately turns into a loathing contempt. When she becomes pregnant again and soon thereafter miscarries the child, Mary and their brother help Anne to cover it up for a time. Soon, however, when questions are raised as to why she is not showing, she decides to sleep with her brother to become pregnant again rather than to admit what would be considered her ultimate weakness. His wife sees them crawling into bed together and soon reports to the king of the Queen's treacherous and incestuous encounter. However, in reality, the siblings never went through with their despicable plan. Anne is charged with high treason for being an adulteress and having an incestuous relationship, and is convicted. Her brother is beheaded. Mary interceeds on the behalf of her sister to the king, but he is unable to evade her death sentence. Anne is also beheaded. Only Mary escapes, and that to a quite life in the country with a young man that had worked for her father for a time. In the end, Anne's female child became the Heiress and Queen Elizabeth. Obviously, the sisters' relationship was full of betrayal and mistrust, but somehow they eventually managed to come through for each other in the end. Their sisterly bond continued to the end, with not wont of affection.
Lastly, I believe it to be a despicable thing that those women could be put through so much and blamed for so much at the whim of a man, and yet he was not held responsible at all for anything. Mary was recently and happily married when the king decided that she should be his mistress. She went to him as a lamb to the slaughter, innocent and helpless, with no control whatsoever over the situation. Being the only woman in his life that bore a male child, even then she and her bastard son were cast aside as useless and unwanted and at the mercy of the nation's gossip. Next, Anne tried to wield her power over him and prevent her own disgrace. She had kept him from having through the divorce of his wife Catherine and his excommunication from the Catholic Church, but just before they were married he roughly forced him to make love to him. Their marriage began with Anne angry and hurt and feeling abuse and the king despising her for her power over his desires, as well as for making him divorce Catherine and leave the Catholic Church for her. When she fails to carry a male child for their first child, she is in danger of being passed over as Catherine was, and when her assumed treason was revealed, he did not even attempt to believe her defense of her actions. She ultimately died because the first child he conceived within her was a female and the second was not healthy enough to even enter into the world for a moment. After her sister's execution, Mary was commanded never to return to the king's presence or the court again under penalty of death. Catherine was disgraced before the world, and most importantly her beloved nation, and caste aside like a rotten egg.
It is amazing to me how conniving people can be. Yet even more disconcerting is the betrayal even of the most intimate friendships, and all for the sake of "love" and a male heir. Perhaps the monarchs of the olden days were not such the great legends they now seem to be. Perhaps being a lady-in-waiting in the queen's court was not the honor and adventure and fairy-tale story that is seems it was. Some stories are quite disheartening and disillusioning!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Pollen
One of the surest signs of the arrival Spring is the yellow dust which covers cars, houses, driveways, roads and basically everything else outdoors. While some view this powdery film as a nuisance that makes vehicles dirty and people ill, some consider it to be the hope of new beginnings and the coming of warmer and better days. Now, the frosts, bleak horizons and freezing winds of winter are fading into more vibrant shades of color from the whole spectrum. The flowers begin to bloom without fear of an icy death. The trees begin to bud new leaves that will spread out their branches to make large canopies that create shade during the heat of the summer. Birds begin to awake the earth in the early morning hours with effervescent harmonies. In the evenings, the katydids and crickets chirp a soothing cadence to announce the coming of balmy spring days and soporific summer evenings. Honey bees and butterflies flit and flutter to and from flowers and plants. Clouds now float pleasing and lazy across the azure skies, now peaceful instead of menacing. Rays of golden sunlight stream down, warming the earth so that once again the barefooted children may run about its surface freely and even enjoy the refreshment of its various bodies of water. It is almost as if the sun, bursting with warmth and energy after a long repose during the icy and gray months of winter, sprinkled it's fine gold dust over the surface of the earth to announce his resurrection. It is almost as if this yellow powder is a gift and a promise to the earth and mankind of life and hope and beauty.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
"THE DIFFERENCE OF HOLINESS" (based on Matthew 27:45-53)
All my life I looked for His coming. I waited, hoped, and prayed. Although numerous others lost faith in The Promise, I know that God would stay true to His Word. Even if not today, not in this lifetime, not in my generation or the next, His promise would be fulfilled. I knew the Messiah would come, and even if I never beheld his face on this earth, I still must proclaim His coming, despite the ridicule of those around me.
I was raised the oldest son of a prominent Jew in Jerusalem. The rituals of the Jewish faith soon became a routine part of my life and that of those around me. Many of my friends, and even some of my family members, grew tired of hearing of the Messiah, the Savior to come. Some lost hope, forgetting God’s previous faithfulness to our ancestors. I, however, determined to study the ancient words of the prophets of old, in order to be prepared should the hope of the Messiah at long last become manifest. If God was faithful in the past, I reasoned, then why should He not continue to be as such to all posterity in the present and future? I had not reason to doubt His goodness and faithfulness.
I devoted my life to the hope of His coming, having full assurance of its fulfillment. Because of my father’s influence, I readily gained access to the scrolls and manuscripts that made up the Holy Scriptures. At times, I entered debates with the religious leaders over various issues, being careful to study intently God’s view on the subject. The immorality and vice that had entered even our strict Jewish culture angered me, and in time I began to speak out against it as contrary to God’s Will. Although I became disfavored by man, as even some of the prominent Jewish officials and religious leaders took place in such evil practices, and received exceeding ridicule for my stands and earnest beliefs, I refused to become disheartened, rather turning to the God of my fathers for strength and sustenance. In my lifetime I saw many converted to a truly saving knowledge of my Jehovah God, though many fell away from their faith in our God of old, not realizing that He is also God of the present and future. I prayed for those who ridiculed me, gave to the poor, have to the poor and helped those in need, striving to live as Yahweh, my God, would have me to. I always kept an earnest watch for my Messiah, my Immanuel, but He never came. When I grew old, I taught the children of the city stories of God’s faithfulness and charged them to always look for the Messiah, never forsaking hope in His coming. I died and old man and a faithful servant or my God, looking for the Christ from my deathbed with my last words, “Come Immanuel.”
✟
Several years later, there came a Man. He claimed to be the Son of God. He performed many miracles, healing the blind and paralyzed, cleansing people of internal diseases, forgiving sins, converting hearts and inspiring faith in God, and raisin people from the dead. This Man was called Jesus, Immanuel, the Savior of the world. Although He committed no sin, He was illegally arrested and tried, brutally beaten, violently mocked, and finally condemned to die the most tortuous death as a criminal simply for claiming to be the Messiah. In their zeal for personal gain and earnest search for the Messiah, the Jewish religious leaders left no room for their promised Savior to actually come, condemning Him as a liar, a heretic, a blasphemer. This Jesus, this Man, fulfilled all the prophecies proclaimed about Him by the prophets from of old, beginning at His place of birth and His parentage, and going to His horrendous crucifixion.
✟
It was about three o’clock on Friday of Passover week. This man Jesus had been arrested the night before, tried by the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, and ultimately condemned to death by the cruel Roman methods of crucifixion after being beaten and flogged till barely alive. It had been dark in the land for the previous three hours. Suddenly, Jesus Christ called out from His place on the cross, “My God, My God, Why have You forsaken me?” fulfilling the words of the Psalmist. He had taken onto Himself all of the sins of the world, receiving the punishment for them, and in that moment His Father had turned His back on Him, His Son, Jesus. Crying out again, the Savior of the world died. Immediately, the curtain of the Temple ripped in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and rocks split. At the same time, tombs were opened and the bodies of many holy people were raised to life again. I was one of those people.
✟
As I rose from my tomb, resurrected in Christ’s death, I knew instantly that the Messiah had come. Although I did not know God’s complete purpose in giving me life again, I knew I must continue to proclaim the gospel of the Messiah. I did not at first disclose my identity to anyone, but secretly went into the city to discover what had happened. There, I learned of this Man from the line of David who had come from Nazareth, claiming to be the Messiah of the Jews.
On Sunday, I learned of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Although I had not doubts, this confirmed what I had already determined in my heart and mind- Jesus really was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. I went into the holy city of Jerusalem to proclaim salvation in Him alone.
I scared my granddaughter such that she nearly jumped out of her sandals when I first approached her. She believed me to be a ghost at first! I finally convinced her of what had happened. She was one of the few who had listened to m words while I had previously been on earth, and now believed Jesus to be the Messiah for whom I had so earnestly longed and yearned. She took me later to see the twelve disciples of Jesus, who were able to tell me much of the life and ministry of my Savior.
I was blessed to be among those to whom Jesus appeared before His final ascension until the last day. The One I had looked for all of my life, I was able to finally behold! I devoted the remainder of the new life which the Father had given to me on this earth to proclaiming the good news of His Son, the Messiah, my Savior Jesus Christ, and the marvelous work that he had done in my life.
I do not understand the ways of God. Why I was blessed in the power of Christ to be resurrected and to behold my Messiah, I may never know. But one thing I do know. I am given a time on this earth for a reasons and a purpose, and I must make use of that time, proclaiming Christ always, whatever the cost. If I had listened to those who persecuted me for my undying faith in the Messiah, I may never have been resurrected to behold my risen Lord. In such knowledge, I will devote the remainder of my resurrected life to the furtherance of His Kingdom, as I know not what blessings may come as a result of my devotion. I encourage all to give Christ the similar devotion of their own lives. WHO knows, maybe one day you’ll get another chance at life as a result of your faith as I did!
I was raised the oldest son of a prominent Jew in Jerusalem. The rituals of the Jewish faith soon became a routine part of my life and that of those around me. Many of my friends, and even some of my family members, grew tired of hearing of the Messiah, the Savior to come. Some lost hope, forgetting God’s previous faithfulness to our ancestors. I, however, determined to study the ancient words of the prophets of old, in order to be prepared should the hope of the Messiah at long last become manifest. If God was faithful in the past, I reasoned, then why should He not continue to be as such to all posterity in the present and future? I had not reason to doubt His goodness and faithfulness.
I devoted my life to the hope of His coming, having full assurance of its fulfillment. Because of my father’s influence, I readily gained access to the scrolls and manuscripts that made up the Holy Scriptures. At times, I entered debates with the religious leaders over various issues, being careful to study intently God’s view on the subject. The immorality and vice that had entered even our strict Jewish culture angered me, and in time I began to speak out against it as contrary to God’s Will. Although I became disfavored by man, as even some of the prominent Jewish officials and religious leaders took place in such evil practices, and received exceeding ridicule for my stands and earnest beliefs, I refused to become disheartened, rather turning to the God of my fathers for strength and sustenance. In my lifetime I saw many converted to a truly saving knowledge of my Jehovah God, though many fell away from their faith in our God of old, not realizing that He is also God of the present and future. I prayed for those who ridiculed me, gave to the poor, have to the poor and helped those in need, striving to live as Yahweh, my God, would have me to. I always kept an earnest watch for my Messiah, my Immanuel, but He never came. When I grew old, I taught the children of the city stories of God’s faithfulness and charged them to always look for the Messiah, never forsaking hope in His coming. I died and old man and a faithful servant or my God, looking for the Christ from my deathbed with my last words, “Come Immanuel.”
✟
Several years later, there came a Man. He claimed to be the Son of God. He performed many miracles, healing the blind and paralyzed, cleansing people of internal diseases, forgiving sins, converting hearts and inspiring faith in God, and raisin people from the dead. This Man was called Jesus, Immanuel, the Savior of the world. Although He committed no sin, He was illegally arrested and tried, brutally beaten, violently mocked, and finally condemned to die the most tortuous death as a criminal simply for claiming to be the Messiah. In their zeal for personal gain and earnest search for the Messiah, the Jewish religious leaders left no room for their promised Savior to actually come, condemning Him as a liar, a heretic, a blasphemer. This Jesus, this Man, fulfilled all the prophecies proclaimed about Him by the prophets from of old, beginning at His place of birth and His parentage, and going to His horrendous crucifixion.
✟
It was about three o’clock on Friday of Passover week. This man Jesus had been arrested the night before, tried by the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, and ultimately condemned to death by the cruel Roman methods of crucifixion after being beaten and flogged till barely alive. It had been dark in the land for the previous three hours. Suddenly, Jesus Christ called out from His place on the cross, “My God, My God, Why have You forsaken me?” fulfilling the words of the Psalmist. He had taken onto Himself all of the sins of the world, receiving the punishment for them, and in that moment His Father had turned His back on Him, His Son, Jesus. Crying out again, the Savior of the world died. Immediately, the curtain of the Temple ripped in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and rocks split. At the same time, tombs were opened and the bodies of many holy people were raised to life again. I was one of those people.
✟
As I rose from my tomb, resurrected in Christ’s death, I knew instantly that the Messiah had come. Although I did not know God’s complete purpose in giving me life again, I knew I must continue to proclaim the gospel of the Messiah. I did not at first disclose my identity to anyone, but secretly went into the city to discover what had happened. There, I learned of this Man from the line of David who had come from Nazareth, claiming to be the Messiah of the Jews.
On Sunday, I learned of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Although I had not doubts, this confirmed what I had already determined in my heart and mind- Jesus really was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. I went into the holy city of Jerusalem to proclaim salvation in Him alone.
I scared my granddaughter such that she nearly jumped out of her sandals when I first approached her. She believed me to be a ghost at first! I finally convinced her of what had happened. She was one of the few who had listened to m words while I had previously been on earth, and now believed Jesus to be the Messiah for whom I had so earnestly longed and yearned. She took me later to see the twelve disciples of Jesus, who were able to tell me much of the life and ministry of my Savior.
I was blessed to be among those to whom Jesus appeared before His final ascension until the last day. The One I had looked for all of my life, I was able to finally behold! I devoted the remainder of the new life which the Father had given to me on this earth to proclaiming the good news of His Son, the Messiah, my Savior Jesus Christ, and the marvelous work that he had done in my life.
I do not understand the ways of God. Why I was blessed in the power of Christ to be resurrected and to behold my Messiah, I may never know. But one thing I do know. I am given a time on this earth for a reasons and a purpose, and I must make use of that time, proclaiming Christ always, whatever the cost. If I had listened to those who persecuted me for my undying faith in the Messiah, I may never have been resurrected to behold my risen Lord. In such knowledge, I will devote the remainder of my resurrected life to the furtherance of His Kingdom, as I know not what blessings may come as a result of my devotion. I encourage all to give Christ the similar devotion of their own lives. WHO knows, maybe one day you’ll get another chance at life as a result of your faith as I did!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Politically Correct?
In a society where one should censure each and every word and phrase before uttering it in order to prevent oneself from being "politically incorrect," it is interesting to question what this even means and whether or not it is truly beneficial to be "politically correct." According to dictionary.com, to be politically correct means that one is "marked by or adhering to a typically progressive orthodoxy on issues involving esp. race, gender, sexual affinity, or ecology." The American Heritage Dictionary similarly defines the term as, "of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation." Basically, being politically correct merely implies that one does not offend particular groups of people via one's speech or actions.
By these standards, conservatism is a mistaken viewpoint, in that it fails to allow for the changing of opinions with the progression of ideas. For example, beliefs such as those that gay marriage is immoral and should not become legal, are not politically correct and therefore are erroneous due to the fact that they do not allow for society to adapt to new dogma. Often, such political correctness fails to take into consideration history and the theories of previous civilizations. In no culture has it been inherently normal from birth for individuals of the same gender to be attracted to one another. On the contrary, people have invariably been magnetized towards the opposite sex, considering homogeneous sexual relations to be unnatural. Moreover, in order for reproduction to occur among any species, whether animal or human, it is necessary for there to be a male and a female. It is as impossible for two females to conceive a child as it is for a male to birth one. Furthermore, sustaining in all cultures throughout time and space is the presence of a male and a female as the mother and father of children. Although the roles of men and women have changed over time, the phenomenon of the family has not.
In like manner, consider the present view of abortion. The pro-life view is deemed politically incorrect, while the pro-choice view is hailed as the proper mainstream credence. Pro-lifers hold the belief that the embryo is a child from conception, and that it is murder to take the life of the child at any point in time, even before the actual birth. Divergently, those who hold the pro-choice belief consider the best interest of the pregnant woman to be of greater value than that of the fetus she carries within herself. Many believe that the fetus does not receive the status of "child" or "human being" until after it has exited the birth canal. At any rate, they do not consider aborting the embryo or fetus to be a homicide. Despite the latter conviction, the studies are more convincing in promotion of the former position. ( For more information visit vvv.JFAweb.org). Ironically, society today criticizes and detests the ancient Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs for their infant sacrifices as inhumane and appallingly loathsome. Is it politically correct to decry one civilization for their deeds while in essence the United States today is committing the same horrendous deeds from a slightly different venue? Is it politically correct to censure other nations and people groups for their actions? Is this not being politically incorrect by being closed-minded and antagonistic towards groups or doctrines that do not follow orthodox standards.
Taking it further, how does this effect the American Constitutional right to the freedoms of speech, press, religion, etc? Obviously, the U.S. is not going to outlaw certain religious factions, but already certain creeds are being criticized openly. Is it politically correct for one group to criticize another, but when that group is criticized in return it is suddenly politically incorrect Many Christians today feel a sense of injustice when they are lambasted left and right for their principles and the doctrines of their faith, but are considered "closed-minded" when they return the disparagement. Where is the line going to be drawn? It is politically incorrect for Caucasians to refer to African Americans in other ways, or to make racial jokes, but often it is not deemed to be politically correct when it is the other way around.
Lastly, what is the benefit of being politically correct? One half of a century ago, political correctness or incorrectness was irrelevant. People spoke what they thought and said what they believed. Today, to do such a think is generally unheard of, and certainly is viewed with much consternation on the seldom occasions in which it takes place. In essence, truth is being replaced in society today by what makes everyone else happy and content and comfortable. So what if what they believe is a lie, if it satisfies them, then leave them alone. If someone has lung cancer, would imagining that it is not truly there cause it to magically disappear? The easily palpable answer is no, no matter how much conjuring one may do, the cancer still remains. The only hope for having it removed would be operation, or chemo-therapy or other forms of treatment as prescribed by a specialist. Likewise, does ignoring the problems that our society faces and our culture contains today cause them to vanish? Once again, the plainly visible answer is no, it will not. No amount of political incorrect is going to purge the present population of its evils and downfalls. Perhaps a taste of political incorrectness would not be harmful to society today. After all, the truth may hurt may hurt for a time, and the means of achieving the cure may not be totally painless, but the end result makes it all worthwhile in the end.
By these standards, conservatism is a mistaken viewpoint, in that it fails to allow for the changing of opinions with the progression of ideas. For example, beliefs such as those that gay marriage is immoral and should not become legal, are not politically correct and therefore are erroneous due to the fact that they do not allow for society to adapt to new dogma. Often, such political correctness fails to take into consideration history and the theories of previous civilizations. In no culture has it been inherently normal from birth for individuals of the same gender to be attracted to one another. On the contrary, people have invariably been magnetized towards the opposite sex, considering homogeneous sexual relations to be unnatural. Moreover, in order for reproduction to occur among any species, whether animal or human, it is necessary for there to be a male and a female. It is as impossible for two females to conceive a child as it is for a male to birth one. Furthermore, sustaining in all cultures throughout time and space is the presence of a male and a female as the mother and father of children. Although the roles of men and women have changed over time, the phenomenon of the family has not.
In like manner, consider the present view of abortion. The pro-life view is deemed politically incorrect, while the pro-choice view is hailed as the proper mainstream credence. Pro-lifers hold the belief that the embryo is a child from conception, and that it is murder to take the life of the child at any point in time, even before the actual birth. Divergently, those who hold the pro-choice belief consider the best interest of the pregnant woman to be of greater value than that of the fetus she carries within herself. Many believe that the fetus does not receive the status of "child" or "human being" until after it has exited the birth canal. At any rate, they do not consider aborting the embryo or fetus to be a homicide. Despite the latter conviction, the studies are more convincing in promotion of the former position. ( For more information visit vvv.JFAweb.org). Ironically, society today criticizes and detests the ancient Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs for their infant sacrifices as inhumane and appallingly loathsome. Is it politically correct to decry one civilization for their deeds while in essence the United States today is committing the same horrendous deeds from a slightly different venue? Is it politically correct to censure other nations and people groups for their actions? Is this not being politically incorrect by being closed-minded and antagonistic towards groups or doctrines that do not follow orthodox standards.
Taking it further, how does this effect the American Constitutional right to the freedoms of speech, press, religion, etc? Obviously, the U.S. is not going to outlaw certain religious factions, but already certain creeds are being criticized openly. Is it politically correct for one group to criticize another, but when that group is criticized in return it is suddenly politically incorrect Many Christians today feel a sense of injustice when they are lambasted left and right for their principles and the doctrines of their faith, but are considered "closed-minded" when they return the disparagement. Where is the line going to be drawn? It is politically incorrect for Caucasians to refer to African Americans in other ways, or to make racial jokes, but often it is not deemed to be politically correct when it is the other way around.
Lastly, what is the benefit of being politically correct? One half of a century ago, political correctness or incorrectness was irrelevant. People spoke what they thought and said what they believed. Today, to do such a think is generally unheard of, and certainly is viewed with much consternation on the seldom occasions in which it takes place. In essence, truth is being replaced in society today by what makes everyone else happy and content and comfortable. So what if what they believe is a lie, if it satisfies them, then leave them alone. If someone has lung cancer, would imagining that it is not truly there cause it to magically disappear? The easily palpable answer is no, no matter how much conjuring one may do, the cancer still remains. The only hope for having it removed would be operation, or chemo-therapy or other forms of treatment as prescribed by a specialist. Likewise, does ignoring the problems that our society faces and our culture contains today cause them to vanish? Once again, the plainly visible answer is no, it will not. No amount of political incorrect is going to purge the present population of its evils and downfalls. Perhaps a taste of political incorrectness would not be harmful to society today. After all, the truth may hurt may hurt for a time, and the means of achieving the cure may not be totally painless, but the end result makes it all worthwhile in the end.
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