Jerry Falwell died recently - - you can't have missed it as the general media's been having a field day.

One thing that, perhaps, you didn't know is that the Westboro Baptist Church plans on picketing his funeral.  http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/may2007/20070515_jerry-falwell-funeral.pdf 

While I may not agree with Mr. Falwell's theological or political views, I also believe that in a person's death he or she should be shown just as much, if not more respect in comparison with his or her life.  Funerals are not only for the now dead individual (if you imbue a funeral with any religious significance,) but also a service for the family, friends and other relations.  It is a custom which allows for a formal and communal mourning to take place.  This is especially important in this society, which tends to downplay the mourning process to an unhealthy digree.

The fact that these people would infringe upon such an important social institution is disgusting.  That they would spread their toxic gospel or dare to call it a "love crusade" is even more abhorrent.

May Mr. Falwell rest in peace and may his family and friends be given the courtesy to mourn in their own peace.

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I think the thing that scares me the most about Westboro Baptist Church is that I sometimes wonder if they are the truest representation of Christianity.  If it really is, then I'd be more than happy to worship other gods - - gods who may be angry, wrathful and harsh at times, but gods who don't hate the world they created (in mythology, they themselves are  often creations of the universe themselves,)  and who don't send people to hell to glorify themselves. 

There's just something really, really, REALLY wrong with a god who would do that.  In my mind, a perfect being, the supposed "alpha and omega" wouldn't find it necessary.  I cannot accept a god so lacking in compassion or understanding for his created.  Billions of people roasting in a hell for all eternity is not glorifying in the least - - it is shameful and a sign of selfishness and vanity...but wait...aren't those sins?  Hmm....can a perfect being sin?  I'll leave it up to my audience.

Furthermore, if that is the god of creation, I will not bow down to that god.  That god is a spoiled, selfish, rotten, hate-filled monster undeserving of my worship. 

The Westboro Baptist Church says that Americans hate god - - I think Americans hate and fear their god, because (I believe,) for the most part, Americans are good, moral, love-thy-neighbor-as-thyself type people, Christian or not, and cannot fathom or comprehend a god so completely contradictory to their values.

Their god is at the very least sociopathic.

If, one day, I stand before their god and he condemns me to hell, then to hell I will go joyfully.  Why would I want to spend eternity in "heaven" with such a monster and his hateful children, when I could spend eternity in "hell" with the kind, loving people he would condemn?

1.  What's the most important thing you learned on your way to Shodan?

 I think the most important thing I learned was actually a quote from Mr. A.  He said, "The biggest difference between a white belt and a black belt is that the white belt thinks he has to be perfect; the black belt knows he's not," or something like that.  Either way, that's the form in which it got stuck in my head.

A lot of the time, I beat myself up because I'm not doing things perfectly, because I mess up, and this isn't all just in karate.  I get mad at myself for messing up all kinds of things.  Maybe I didn't say something just right, or react in the ideal manner.  Maybe I didn't spin in that chacha in time...it doesn't matter; I'm always telling myself how stupid I am for doing _____________.  And then I'll dwell on it for a good 2 years.

Sometimes, I'll even remember that quote and calm down a bit and remember that even the people you look up to aren't perfect, and when you get to the point where most people think you've reached the top....you still aren't perfect.  I'll never be perfect, and while I know that intellectually, I have yet to internalize it.  Maybe some day! 

My best friend is LDS (Latter Day Saint; Mormon,) and I agreed to visit her church with her one Sunday morning, not having had a church loyalty at the time and ever being curious about the beliefs of my friends. 

The building was plain...extremely plain, most certainly not as pretty as my high-church-inclined self would like, but it was a church, nonetheless.  We sat in pews and most people were chatting quietly before the service (led by the people themselves, btw.  A different member of the congregation gives the sermon each week.)  My friend took out her Book of Mormon and began reading.  I, not particularly fond of the Bible and even less fond of the BoM (the Bible can be viewed, if not as divine revelation or as an insight into God from the ancient Hebrews then at least as a historical mythological text; the Book of Mormon is more like a book of tall tales in my mind,) observed the people.

And boy, were there plenty of them.  I'm not sure who likes church more, Catholics or LDS (they don't like being called Mormons.)

I can't remember a lot of the service, really not much of interest.  A woman talked about the importance of Scripture (The Bible, KJV version only, The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, etc,) and young boys blessed "The Sacrament," which they passed around in dishes with tiny "shot glasses" of water.  My friend assured me that it was okay for me to partake, that they only believed it was water and bread.  I denied it, being theologically at odds with The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints; if I wouldn't partake in a Catholic church, why should I in an LDS one?  Something just seemed plain wrong about it.

Afterwards, they had little classrooms where everyone would go.  Some to study the OT, a class for men, etc. and one for newcomers.  And that's where they ushered me.

There were two young guys, think 19-22 leading a class of would-be-Mormons.  Today the discussion was about Prophets...and here's where it got ridiculous and hilarious.

The 19-22-year-old-guys were "Elders" also known as Missionaries.  They're the guys who show up on your doorstep and try to share their faith with you.  If two of 'em show up at your door, play nice - - if they don't do it, their church will condemn them and their family will be shamed.  They're expected to do it.  If you slam your door on them, make sure their noses won't get bloodied in the process.

The topic of the day was "How do we know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God?"  Their 'proof' involved the following:  We know Abraham is a prophet of God because he followed God.  We know Moses was a prophet of God because he parted the sea, etc. etc.  We know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God because he translated the Book of Mormon.

They had a weird language version of the BoM with, which they had us all "attempt" to read, which they used as further "proof."  Absolutely ridiculous.

First off, you'd have to get me proof that any of the previous prophets did what they Bible claims they did.  Second, you'd have to prove to me that Joseph Smith didn't BS the BoM.  So, he wrote a book.  Big deal.  That doesn't mean he's a prophet, it means he suckered all you fools into believing him - - that was his biggest effing trick.

I wonder how they aren't Muslim, 'cause the same arguement would work there, too.  "How did Mohammed get the Koran?  God had an angel dictate it to him, therefor we know he's a prophet."

Good job.  It's still silly, and it still makes me laugh inside.  Seriously.  Funniest BS ever.  But you know, I could just be an elitist bitch.  It's very possible.

Writing that paper on the differences between Aset and Isis has really thrown me.  Lately, I've been pretty apathetic about the gods; I haven't been studying or researching like I normally do, probably because I'm not sure which mythology to study.

Currently, I'm very interested in studying the Mysteries.  It's not a topic I've ever been too keen on before, despite the fact that I know a guy who ranted and raved about them for months (soon as he was done with Nietzche, that is.  He's now moved on to post-modernism.)  During my research on Isis, however, I stumbled once more upon the mysteries; this time I found myself a bit more enchanted than before, particularly with Kybele and Dionysus.

I plan to read "Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many."  Maybe before this I should finish "Dionysus: Myth and Cult," considering the library will want it back within the next two weeks.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/213/story_21317_1.html

 This is an interesting article from beliefnet.com (one of my favorite haunts,) on the growing gap between parents and children regarding religion.  However, it's from a perspective rarely taken.

My generation is much more religious than our parents' generation.  While our parents ran fleeing from the churches, we're flocking to religion like germs to toddlers. 

Many are headed for the Evangelical/non-denominational wings of Christianity, and there's a really good reason for that - - they've got the marketing techniques that the mainline churches (Presbyterian, Episcopalian/Anglican,) don't; the left is behind on the times when it comes to technology.  They're more traditional in worship and outreach, and while some teens and young adults appreciate the more laid back approach, many teens are more interested in the power point presentations and Christian rock music.

Others are looking into Neo-Paganism, which allows them the individuality they crave and a more personal flavor to their beliefs.  Wicca is by far the most popular of the religions and again I take notice to the fact that this is accomplished via marketing techniques.

Silver Ravenwolf, thorn in the side to the serious Pagan, is dragging in the young people.  She presents Wicca in an extremely diluted form and presents it to the Youth of America (and any other countries her horrendous books are distributed to.)   While it's my personal conviction that if there's any witch who deserves to be burnt at the stake it's her, she's created her own Wicca Empire.  Maybe we should call her Ms. Vader?

I'll elaborate more later and perhaps do some more reasearch.