Obama and the "Grand Bargain"

I was telling people that, whether you voted for Obama for a second term or not, it was not going to do anything. Well, I was wrong.

With a clear Victory just a few weeks in the past, you'd think that President Obama would finally move forward with all those promises once elected. He has followed in the weeks hence that, with the power of the National Defense Authorization Act which he passed earlier this year, he can "...kill anyone in the world, without even probably cause."

And now, he is set to make what is being called the Grand Bargain with the Republican't's (who, btw, lost in large numbers to Democrats [or as the Un-loyal Opposition calls them I'm sure 'Demon-crats']) is about to strike a bargain (for them, not the rest of us) that will cut the very social services that he swore to protect, and, oh yeah, maintain the Rich's insane tax advantages, rendering the Rest of Us [throwing animal 'left overs' from slaughter houses is called "Rendering' of animals] officially high and dry.

Now, with the NDAA at his disposal, he can 'take out' me for criticizing his administration because of the above statement.

I'll say my adieus now...

Hatred, Judgement and Beliefs

I've been in a conundrum lately.

I would really like to step outside of Politics and political discussions, I'd like to leave behind any need to help correct, inform, or otherwise influence Others. I would like to let go of any outcomes of any sort, personal or planetary. But I'm not there yet. I need to evolve further to get to that point. But isn't that the whole point of it?

I've been seeing a lot about "Haters" and other extremely prejudiced individuals, and seeing the direct results of their attitudes manifested in the media. Now I wouldn't mind how someone thinks, except that those of such an extreme mindset (especially those who call themselves hardcore "Born Again Christians") somehow feel the need to convert -- through words, laws and/or violence -- any others who Don't Believe 'as they do.'

What came to me this morning (well, parts have come over the last few years), is the reiteration of Whatever you believe, you Create; "By your actions they shall know you."  And by their actions you can know them.

Homophobic? Probably don't like those nasty urges to look at/be around other men (usually), and so place their fear and hatred safely outside of themselves. They also like to torture others for their crimes against man-hoodity.

I just read tonight however, of one Born Again Man who (on having one of his best friends come out to him as a lesbian) decided after years of hatred of 'homos' to become a 'gay man' for a year (to walk in another man's shoes)/sandals) and had his entire attitude change as a result. He became more tolerant, and reversed his years of discrimination. So change can occur.

Why 'Non-Christians' are persecuting (so-called) 'Christians'

[This was written on my facebook page in response to a video of some 'Christian' Preacher indoctrinating four- and five-year olds in how to 'refute evolution.' (I can no longer find the Post I reacted to.)]

First point: if you ask a Jew (who most of these so-called "Christians" say they believe are their direct religious 'ancestors') about the stories in the "Old Testament," they will tell you that they're mishnah -- allegories -- just like "Jesus" (Third Point) used to teach. They are not meant to be history, but lessons. These "Christians" teach however contrary to that point, that "every word in the Bible is true." Nonsense.

Second Point: Christianity (Roman Catholicism) is a mishmash of the original Judaic Tradition 'paganized' first by "Saint Paul" (a 'converted' Jew proselytizing to the early Greek followers), then The Romans (Jesus is a mishmash of Messianic Judaism and the patron god of soldiers we now know as Mars), and then all of the other religions that it sought to convert the followers of ("Mother Mary" being the Goddess transverted into a Virgin). Even the name "Jehovah" comes from the Babylonian Exile and the Babylonian god "Jah" (or "Yod") whose consort ironically was the goddess Astarte [the fertility goddess], or Oestre [from whence the name Easter came]-- or Esther, the goddess mother of Judaism).

Third Point: if you walked the streets of Yerushalem (The City of Peace) and you saw this wandering Jew we now know as "Jesus" and you called him that, he wouldn't even turn around. His name was Yeshua bar Yosef. The name of Jesus is a conversion from the Geek name Yesu (or "Ieose") Christos, and eventually into Jesus the Christ, "Jesus The Anointed One". Not Jesus Christ. Christ was not his last name (only a modern  invention, last names).

Forth Point: it does you no good to argue 'logic' with these people. It does no good to argue that science (even theory) relies on 'proof.' It does no good even to point to physical evidence ('Satan planted those bones there to turn you away from Jesus!'). Never mind that they get into cars. trains and planes that ride on those 'lies of Satan' (scientific principles) every day.  Science is still 'lying' to us.

This is indoctrination on the worst level, and terming it 'child abuse' barely covers it. These children can barely read, and yet they're already being molded to proselytize and spout 'rote' instead of right. You can't argue with a sick mind.

Jesus, Inc.

Around this time, my mind turns towards religion and its implications for our modern world. Well, ok, my mind turns there often.

So today I was on the bus and sitting next to a young woman with bright oragne hair and red lipstick, reading a book. I'm thinking that she's in college and it's a text book. And then looking closer, it's a book by some Born-Again group on how not to be a sinner.

I'm tempted to engage her, just to find out why she'd reading it. Pardon my judgements, but to me she didn't look like someone who would be reading such a book. I decided not to pursue the matter, but get off at the stop I had intended to get off at.

But this 'encounter' stuck with me. Once upon a time, I was such a one as her looking for answers (other than my own churches or my fathers) and do became what was then known as a "Jesus Freak" long hair and all. I believe very differently now from what I did then.

It came to me however (since I am doing research for a novel at this point that revolves around the 'Christian' tradition and how it has changed from the Originators time) that there is (and has been) something that in modern terms would be called "Jesus, Inc." It is the personification of what I believe the Originator was against at the time of his teaching.

Jesus, Inc. basically follows thusly. They tell you that most books on the library shelves are either trash or even outright blasphemy. That the only book you should be reading is (basically) The Bible; that all answers are foudn there.

Except that they want to sell you on their books explaining The Bible and what it really meant. In essense, "Say as I do, don't buy as I do." There is very big money in all of this, and of course, they know it and justify it in the name of "spreading the Word." They themselves aren't particularly known for 'spreading the wealth' as Jesus originally told those of means who came to him for advice.

One such was a young man, who asked, "Lord, what do I need to do to follow you?" To which Jesus replied, "Liquidate all of your wealth, give it to the Poor, and then come and follow me." Needless to say, the young man walked away dejected, finding that too hard to swallow.

In Jesus, Inc. however, having great wealth is a sign that "God has blessed you." Never mind what Jesus told the young rich man himself.

Do as I do. "Whatsoever you do to the least of these..."

Sigh. Jesus loves you. And I have a book to prove it, telling you in even greater details than he did what to do.