From an article by John McKillop in THE NATIONAL POST:
When I’m finished writing the following, it will no doubt end up in my “damned if I do, damned if I don’t file;” a file that is steadily growing in width since I began to take issue with what I regard as the implosion of the Anglican Church of Canada in its total embrace and elevation of the politically correct as it replaces the gospels with loftier notions of “social justice” and the Church Street doctrine of “diversity and inclusiveness.”
This coming Sunday is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, and I will be attending the Patronal Festival in her honour at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto.
I rejoined The Ritual Choir (at St. Mary Mag's) after returning from Prague this past Easter Vigil. I returned home after 14 years for a number of reasons, one of the happiest being that there was an opportunity to produce in Canada a play I had written and produced while in Prague. It is a two-act comedy which deals with among other things the blessings of same sex unions that the Anglican Church has been ripping itself apart over for more than a decade. Though the play is a comedy, it doesn’t toe the politically correct line. I was warned by a friend in the choir there was a same-sex couple in the choir and was told to try not to give offence.
I never discussed the issue of their civil partnership (I will not call it a marriage) nor did I mention my play.
I noticed in the following weeks that the couple was not showing up for choir rehearsal and when I inquired as to where they were I was told by the Cantor of the Ritual Choir that both had decided to take the summer off in order to re-evaluate their commitment to the choir. When pressed further as to why this was, the Cantor replied that they no longer felt that they had a “safe environment” in which to sing. Asking further as to why this was, I was told in low tones from the Cantor of St. Mary Magdalene that, “Frankly, John, it’s because of you.”
I have now made the decision to become a Roman Catholic. As the late Anthony Burgess once put it, “Every dogma has its day” and I live in hope that one day the Anglican Church will wake up from its present torpor and laziness and regain the heritage and culture it could once boast about.
I no longer feel the Anglican Church of Canada is a safe environment in which to think.
COMMENT: Right. Let's run through this one.
Mr McKillop writes a play which, in order to get laughs, is offensive to certain minority groups in society (he uses the phrase "doesn’t toe the politically correct line" in stead of "offensive," but that's just semantics - they mean the same). Now, I have no problem with him doing that. Even The Czech Republic is a free country nowadays and Shakespeare did it all the time. But then Mr McKillop becomes offended because the people he deliberately offended in his play take offence.
For goodness sake, John! I think you need to pop down to your local hospital and get one of the surgeons there to implant a spine in your back. And what's all the moaning about the Anglican Church? It obviously gives you loads of material for your dabblings in the theatre. What a drama queen!
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
From THE MAIL:
It is an honour to be an Englishman when such geniuses as the person who wrote the above headline claim the same nationality as myself. I am not worthy to tie the thongs of their Nike trainers. Pure brilliance!
It is an honour to be an Englishman when such geniuses as the person who wrote the above headline claim the same nationality as myself. I am not worthy to tie the thongs of their Nike trainers. Pure brilliance!
THE ONLY GOOD CATHOLIC
Well, actually, there are plenty of good catholics, loads of them, in every catholic church throughout the world. Unfortunately very few of them have the courage, like Bryan Cones, to speak their goodness to the world.
From U.S.CATHOLIC:
The Italian magazine, Panorama, is publishing an expose of three gay priests, two Italians and a Frenchman, who are leading double lives in Rome, priests by day and party boys by night, complete with gay nightclubs and casual sex. The Vicar of Rome is so incensed that he has called for gay priests to come out of the closet and leave the priesthood. Oh, brother.
The real problem here is not that there are three priests running wild in gay Rome; there are plenty of priests, straight and gay, who misbehave sexually with other adults. The problem is that only these gay priests are the news, not all the other gay priests who labor faithfully, honoring their commitments along with their straight brothers as best they can. We don't hear their stories because they can't tell them for fear of expulsion. And that isn't right.
On this matter, the church's real problem is the closet. An Episcopal priest of my acquaintance told me that after the ordination of the openly gay Gene Robinson as bishop in New Hampshire, the whole Episcopal Church had to "come out" in a way, and not just in terms of sexual orientation. She has been pleasantly surprised that a lot of other "closeted behavior," funny business with money, addictive behaviors, and so forth, got cleaned up, too. There's something to that: Having to lie or shade the truth or otherwise not be honest produces a lot of unhealthy behavior.
Funny what being honest will do. What was did Jesus say about things like this? "The truth will make you free." Yeah, that was it.
COMMENT: For seeing a damn sight more standing in the valley than those who stand on the top of the hills of Rome, Bryan Cones is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
From U.S.CATHOLIC:
The Italian magazine, Panorama, is publishing an expose of three gay priests, two Italians and a Frenchman, who are leading double lives in Rome, priests by day and party boys by night, complete with gay nightclubs and casual sex. The Vicar of Rome is so incensed that he has called for gay priests to come out of the closet and leave the priesthood. Oh, brother.
The real problem here is not that there are three priests running wild in gay Rome; there are plenty of priests, straight and gay, who misbehave sexually with other adults. The problem is that only these gay priests are the news, not all the other gay priests who labor faithfully, honoring their commitments along with their straight brothers as best they can. We don't hear their stories because they can't tell them for fear of expulsion. And that isn't right.
On this matter, the church's real problem is the closet. An Episcopal priest of my acquaintance told me that after the ordination of the openly gay Gene Robinson as bishop in New Hampshire, the whole Episcopal Church had to "come out" in a way, and not just in terms of sexual orientation. She has been pleasantly surprised that a lot of other "closeted behavior," funny business with money, addictive behaviors, and so forth, got cleaned up, too. There's something to that: Having to lie or shade the truth or otherwise not be honest produces a lot of unhealthy behavior.
Funny what being honest will do. What was did Jesus say about things like this? "The truth will make you free." Yeah, that was it.COMMENT: For seeing a damn sight more standing in the valley than those who stand on the top of the hills of Rome, Bryan Cones is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
The handsome dog in the photo above is Trapper, the dog at the centre of the GREAT DOG EATS GOD SCANDAL OF TORONTO. An interview with Trapper's human, Donald, can be found at
THE TORONTO SUN.
Thursday, 22 July 2010
DESMOND TUTU TO BOW OUT
GRACEFULLY AND FULL OF GRACE
From THE BBC:
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced he is to withdraw from public life. After his 79th birthday in October, he said, he would reduce his work-load to one day a week before retiring. That work would be devoted to The Elders, a group appointed by former President Nelson Mandela to tackle the world's most pressing problems. While he said he would honour his existing appointments, he described how his schedule had grown more punishing over time.
"The time has come to slow down," he told reporters.
He said he wanted to spend more time enjoying life with his wife, watching cricket, or cuddling his grandchildren.
COMMENT: I only hope this isn't Tutu not wanting to burden us with something worse and that he gets to spend a long and active retirement with his family.
However, much as he may retire physically from the world stage I very much doubt that he will retire that great, big, righteous, wonderful mouth of his. And long may it proclaim the truth to a world whose leaders would rather it didn't.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced he is to withdraw from public life. After his 79th birthday in October, he said, he would reduce his work-load to one day a week before retiring. That work would be devoted to The Elders, a group appointed by former President Nelson Mandela to tackle the world's most pressing problems. While he said he would honour his existing appointments, he described how his schedule had grown more punishing over time.
"The time has come to slow down," he told reporters.
He said he wanted to spend more time enjoying life with his wife, watching cricket, or cuddling his grandchildren.
COMMENT: I only hope this isn't Tutu not wanting to burden us with something worse and that he gets to spend a long and active retirement with his family.
However, much as he may retire physically from the world stage I very much doubt that he will retire that great, big, righteous, wonderful mouth of his. And long may it proclaim the truth to a world whose leaders would rather it didn't.
A KICK IN THE GRASS
From THE MIRROR:
Plymtree C of E Primary School in Devon has banned football in the playground after kids began copying the bad habits of their World Cup heroes. Head Pat Fay claims they began "fouling, cheating and shirt pulling" after watching their role models misbehave.
She said yesterday: "We are a Church of England school and we very much value developing a caring attitude among our pupils."
Dave Bunker, whose son Tom goes to , said: "It's a small playground and can get a bit feisty but I feel for those boys because they love the game."
Plymtree C of E Primary School in Devon has banned football in the playground after kids began copying the bad habits of their World Cup heroes. Head Pat Fay claims they began "fouling, cheating and shirt pulling" after watching their role models misbehave.
She said yesterday: "We are a Church of England school and we very much value developing a caring attitude among our pupils."
Dave Bunker, whose son Tom goes to , said: "It's a small playground and can get a bit feisty but I feel for those boys because they love the game."
CAPTION COMPETITION
My suggestion is:
"Half way through her first communion, Mimi spotted
MadPriest sitting in the congregation."
Now it's your turn...
BISHOP YU EXCOMMUNICATES DOG
From THE STAR (Toronto):
St. Peter’s Anglican Church, in downtown Toronto, has long been known as an open and inclusive place. So open, it seems, they won’t turn anyone away. Not even a dog. That’s how a blessed canine ended up receiving communion from interim priest Rev. Marguerite Rea during a morning service the last Sunday in June.
According to those in attendance it was a spontaneous gesture, one intended to make both the dog and its owner – a first timer at the church — feel welcomed. But at least one parishioner saw the act as an affront to the rules and regulations of the Anglican Church. He filed a complaint with the reverend and with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto about the incident – and has since left the church.
“I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals,” said Bishop Patrick Yu, the area bishop of York-Scarborough responsible for St. Peter’s, who received the complaint in early July. “I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before. I think the reverend was overcome by what I consider a misguided gesture of welcoming.”
But congregants of the church say the act wasn’t meant to be controversial. It was the first time the man and his dog had been in church. He had been invited to the service after an incident where police heckled him as he sat peacefully on the steps of the church early one morning during the G20 weekend. Angry over the experience, he called the church to vent. They invited him to come to church, and he did, bringing his dog with him.
When it was time for communion, the man went up to receive the bread and the wine, with the dog. “I am sure for Marguerite that was a surprise, like it was for all of us,” said Needham. “But nobody felt like it was a big deal, because it wasn’t a big deal.”
Rev. Rea instinctively leaned over and placed a wafer on the dog’s wagging tongue.
“I think it was this natural reaction: here’s this dog, and he’s just looking up, and she’s giving the wafers to people and she just gave one to him,” said Peggy Needham, the deputy people’s warden. “Anybody might have done that. It’s not like she’s trying to create a revolution. In his email, the man’s argument was that Christ wouldn’t have liked it. “But in my opinion, Christ would have thought it was neat. It was just being human. And it made everyone smile.”
Bishop Yu said when he spoke to Rev. Rea, she apologized for what she had done and said she would not do it again.
COMMENT: In my opinion this was a healing on the Sabbath situation, a teaching of Jesus that the, somewhat, pharisaical complainant doesn't appear to understand. Anyway, surely even the dogs get to eat the scraps under the table.
For putting dogs before dogma, the irreverent,
Reverend Marguerite Rea is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
St. Peter’s Anglican Church, in downtown Toronto, has long been known as an open and inclusive place. So open, it seems, they won’t turn anyone away. Not even a dog. That’s how a blessed canine ended up receiving communion from interim priest Rev. Marguerite Rea during a morning service the last Sunday in June.
According to those in attendance it was a spontaneous gesture, one intended to make both the dog and its owner – a first timer at the church — feel welcomed. But at least one parishioner saw the act as an affront to the rules and regulations of the Anglican Church. He filed a complaint with the reverend and with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto about the incident – and has since left the church.
“I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals,” said Bishop Patrick Yu, the area bishop of York-Scarborough responsible for St. Peter’s, who received the complaint in early July. “I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before. I think the reverend was overcome by what I consider a misguided gesture of welcoming.”
But congregants of the church say the act wasn’t meant to be controversial. It was the first time the man and his dog had been in church. He had been invited to the service after an incident where police heckled him as he sat peacefully on the steps of the church early one morning during the G20 weekend. Angry over the experience, he called the church to vent. They invited him to come to church, and he did, bringing his dog with him.
When it was time for communion, the man went up to receive the bread and the wine, with the dog. “I am sure for Marguerite that was a surprise, like it was for all of us,” said Needham. “But nobody felt like it was a big deal, because it wasn’t a big deal.”
Rev. Rea instinctively leaned over and placed a wafer on the dog’s wagging tongue.
“I think it was this natural reaction: here’s this dog, and he’s just looking up, and she’s giving the wafers to people and she just gave one to him,” said Peggy Needham, the deputy people’s warden. “Anybody might have done that. It’s not like she’s trying to create a revolution. In his email, the man’s argument was that Christ wouldn’t have liked it. “But in my opinion, Christ would have thought it was neat. It was just being human. And it made everyone smile.”
Bishop Yu said when he spoke to Rev. Rea, she apologized for what she had done and said she would not do it again.
COMMENT: In my opinion this was a healing on the Sabbath situation, a teaching of Jesus that the, somewhat, pharisaical complainant doesn't appear to understand. Anyway, surely even the dogs get to eat the scraps under the table.
For putting dogs before dogma, the irreverent,
Reverend Marguerite Rea is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
In the year 2010, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Australia , and said: "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.
Noah!" he roared. I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark ?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighbourhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights' group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalisation are checking the residential status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the Tax Office seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark. "
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. "The Government beat me to it."
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
PRAYER REQUEST
Could everyone pray especially hard for our good friend, JimB. He's going for a job today/tomorrow that he really wants and really could do with getting. Full details at CHIN WAG.
BIZARRE
My friend, Greg the Crap Evangelical, found this vid in his travels round the Internet, and sent it in to MadPriest Towers. It's certainly weird enough to get a showing at OCICBW...
LYING ON OUR BRIGHT RED BACKS by THE GOOD GODS! from Greg Butler on Vimeo.
BLOG NOTICE
My anti-troll software doesn't like proxy servers. In fact, it hates them.
Therefore, if you use a proxy server (and you know if you do because it's a deliberate choice) you may find yourself unable to get through to OCICBW... If you are not a troll or spammer and you do not use a proxy server but still find yourself blocked from my blog then email me with your IP address and I will resume your access immediately.
If you are not a troll or spammer but have decided to use a proxy server then tough. You shouldn't be such a coward.
Therefore, if you use a proxy server (and you know if you do because it's a deliberate choice) you may find yourself unable to get through to OCICBW... If you are not a troll or spammer and you do not use a proxy server but still find yourself blocked from my blog then email me with your IP address and I will resume your access immediately.
If you are not a troll or spammer but have decided to use a proxy server then tough. You shouldn't be such a coward.
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
This is Paco, Grandmère Mimi's daughter's new live in friend. More details, and more photos of the little darling, can be found at the WOUND UP BIRD blog.
Posted without permission.
Posted without permission.
NEWS UPDATE
A teenager who sued her Mississippi school district over its ban of same-sex prom dates is accepting an offer to settle the case.
American Civil Liberties Union attorneys representing Constance McMillen have filed notice in U.S. District Court to accept a judgment offer from the Itawamba County School District to pay $35,000, plus attorney's fees. As part of the agreement, the school district says it will follow a policy not to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity in any educational or extracurricular activities.
The ACLU says the case is precedent-setting because the district is the first in Mississippi to implement a policy banning discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
COMMENT: Result!!! As they say.
American Civil Liberties Union attorneys representing Constance McMillen have filed notice in U.S. District Court to accept a judgment offer from the Itawamba County School District to pay $35,000, plus attorney's fees. As part of the agreement, the school district says it will follow a policy not to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity in any educational or extracurricular activities.
The ACLU says the case is precedent-setting because the district is the first in Mississippi to implement a policy banning discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
COMMENT: Result!!! As they say.
ARCHDIOCESE GETS IN A SWEAT
OVER SALE OF CONFESSIONAL
From SEATTLE PI:
Vienna's Roman Catholic archdiocese has ruled that a confessional cannot be turned into a sauna.
Bidding on a confessional described on eBay as ideal for conversion into a one-person sauna, a small bar or a children's playhouse was ended when the archdiocese stepped in.
Archdiocese spokesman Erich Leitenberger told the daily Salzburger Nachrichten that auctioning "objects that were used for dispensing the sacraments is not acceptable."
The confessional was offered for auction by a Vienna church undergoing renovations.
Curiously, the highest reported amount offered by one of the 40 bidders before the item was yanked from the internet Monday was 666.66 euros.
Vienna's Roman Catholic archdiocese has ruled that a confessional cannot be turned into a sauna.
Bidding on a confessional described on eBay as ideal for conversion into a one-person sauna, a small bar or a children's playhouse was ended when the archdiocese stepped in.
Archdiocese spokesman Erich Leitenberger told the daily Salzburger Nachrichten that auctioning "objects that were used for dispensing the sacraments is not acceptable."
The confessional was offered for auction by a Vienna church undergoing renovations.
Curiously, the highest reported amount offered by one of the 40 bidders before the item was yanked from the internet Monday was 666.66 euros.
A BRAINY GOD
From SIFY NEWS:
Michelangelo concealed an image of the human brainstem in a panel showing God at the beginning of Creation, according to an article in the May issue of Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Medical illustrator Ian Suk and neurosurgeon Rafael Tamargo, of The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, state "We propose that Michelangelo, a deeply religious man and an accomplished anatomist, intended to enhance the meaning of this iconographically critical panel and possibly document his anatomic accomplishments by concealing this sophisticated neuroanatomic rendering within the image of God. We speculate that during his numerous dissections, Michelangelo possibly dissected the brain and spinal cord and that over the years he probably acquired a sophisticated understanding of gross neuroanatomy.
The "concealed neuroanatomy" is found in Michelangelo's painting of the Separation of Light from Darkness, one of a series of nine Sistine Chapel panels showing scenes from the Book of Genesis.
Suk and Tamargo aren't the first to suggest that Michelangelo included images of the brain in his Sistine Chapel frescoes. A previous researcher found an outline of the brain embedded in the famous panel depicting the Creation of Adam.
COMMENT: I won't believe a word of it unless it gets a thumbs-up from the Temperance Brennan, of the OCICBW... community, NancyP.
Michelangelo concealed an image of the human brainstem in a panel showing God at the beginning of Creation, according to an article in the May issue of Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Medical illustrator Ian Suk and neurosurgeon Rafael Tamargo, of The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, state "We propose that Michelangelo, a deeply religious man and an accomplished anatomist, intended to enhance the meaning of this iconographically critical panel and possibly document his anatomic accomplishments by concealing this sophisticated neuroanatomic rendering within the image of God. We speculate that during his numerous dissections, Michelangelo possibly dissected the brain and spinal cord and that over the years he probably acquired a sophisticated understanding of gross neuroanatomy.
The "concealed neuroanatomy" is found in Michelangelo's painting of the Separation of Light from Darkness, one of a series of nine Sistine Chapel panels showing scenes from the Book of Genesis.
Suk and Tamargo aren't the first to suggest that Michelangelo included images of the brain in his Sistine Chapel frescoes. A previous researcher found an outline of the brain embedded in the famous panel depicting the Creation of Adam.
COMMENT: I won't believe a word of it unless it gets a thumbs-up from the Temperance Brennan, of the OCICBW... community, NancyP.
HOMOPHOBE OF THE DAY
Last Friday, in the THE CATHOLIC HERALD, William Oddie had a go at Archbishop Nichols for not stopping the "sacrilegious masses" held twice a month at the Church of Our Lady and St Gregory in Soho, at which the congregation consists mainly of gay people.
But Oddie is not my choice for today's homophobe award. It goes, in stead, to the commenter, Brenda Mary Walsh, who sent in the following in response to the article.
My friends and I were there at Warwick Street a few years ago when those Masses began. I, myself chatted with various members of the Gay Attendees after Mass. All of them that I spoke to admitted that they were practising sex. Two Lesbians told me that they were very much in love and to defend their undying love for each other, they told me that they have been sleeping together, sharing the same bed for over 20 years. I have seen men actually kissing in the congregation. I actually seen with my own eyes, a man fondling another man's backside, rubbing him and squeezing him on the way up to Holy Communion.
I have witnessed overt flirting amongst homosexuals. They seem to get extra FLIRTY when Fr Timothy Radcliffe is the celebrant. God help us, thats all I can say. And yes Archbishop NIcols has the power to stop these Masses. The Pope has the power to say the word if bishops are opposing him 'I am the Pope" so Archbishop Nicols has this same power. Whilst we are delighted to see many refreshing changes under Archbishop Vincent, the CHANGE most needed has not come - Stopping these Masses - many Catholics have told me that they are so disappointed with our Archbishop over this. This is the ONE issue that we thought that Archbishop would put a Halt to it. And if the truly values his own soul, he really needs to listen to Pope Benedict about using the Rod. But I have always told catholics to give the Archbishop time, but that itme is now well and truly up!
I was so appalled, so shocked that I wrote a very serious letter to Cardinal Murphy O'Connor.
COMMENT: What the heck is Ms Walsh doing attending this mass if the thought of it repulses her so much? She sounds like a top of the league curtain twitcher to me, always poking her self-righteous nose into other peoples' business. get a life, Mary, and let other people get on with theirs!
But Oddie is not my choice for today's homophobe award. It goes, in stead, to the commenter, Brenda Mary Walsh, who sent in the following in response to the article.
My friends and I were there at Warwick Street a few years ago when those Masses began. I, myself chatted with various members of the Gay Attendees after Mass. All of them that I spoke to admitted that they were practising sex. Two Lesbians told me that they were very much in love and to defend their undying love for each other, they told me that they have been sleeping together, sharing the same bed for over 20 years. I have seen men actually kissing in the congregation. I actually seen with my own eyes, a man fondling another man's backside, rubbing him and squeezing him on the way up to Holy Communion.
I have witnessed overt flirting amongst homosexuals. They seem to get extra FLIRTY when Fr Timothy Radcliffe is the celebrant. God help us, thats all I can say. And yes Archbishop NIcols has the power to stop these Masses. The Pope has the power to say the word if bishops are opposing him 'I am the Pope" so Archbishop Nicols has this same power. Whilst we are delighted to see many refreshing changes under Archbishop Vincent, the CHANGE most needed has not come - Stopping these Masses - many Catholics have told me that they are so disappointed with our Archbishop over this. This is the ONE issue that we thought that Archbishop would put a Halt to it. And if the truly values his own soul, he really needs to listen to Pope Benedict about using the Rod. But I have always told catholics to give the Archbishop time, but that itme is now well and truly up!
I was so appalled, so shocked that I wrote a very serious letter to Cardinal Murphy O'Connor.
COMMENT: What the heck is Ms Walsh doing attending this mass if the thought of it repulses her so much? She sounds like a top of the league curtain twitcher to me, always poking her self-righteous nose into other peoples' business. get a life, Mary, and let other people get on with theirs!
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
FROM MRS MADPRIEST
Thank you all for your kind messages of sympathy. Callum was a wonderful dog and through my grief I do feel blessed to have spent over 14 years with him. I can't express my feelings any better than Professor Linzey does in his prayer and I know Callum's running free and barking loudly on the best bit of beach that God can find for him.
Jane (aka Mrs MP)
And a huge thank you from me as well. That so many of you took the time to leave a word of sympathy has been of enormous help to both of us. God bless you all and God bless the Internet tubes, without which I'd be a lonely, grumpy old sod and not a grumpy old sod with loads of friends. (MP)
Jane (aka Mrs MP)
And a huge thank you from me as well. That so many of you took the time to leave a word of sympathy has been of enormous help to both of us. God bless you all and God bless the Internet tubes, without which I'd be a lonely, grumpy old sod and not a grumpy old sod with loads of friends. (MP)
Monday, 19 July 2010
SAN ANTONIO GIRL HATERS
From THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS:
In its storied 99-year history, Christ Episcopal Church has fashioned itself into a pillar of orthodox beliefs, Anglican heritage and charismatic fervor for spreading Christian salvation worldwide. But in recent years, a gut-wrenching question has tested the bonds of this spiritual family. Should it leave its parent organization, the Episcopal Church, for making unwelcome liberal changes by accepting openly gay and lesbian clergy and modernizing time-honored theology?
One group had enough. They walked away from the 2,400-member parish in Monte Vista last month to forge a new one — free of potential intrusion from national leadership but one that will meet, at least for a while, in less ideal facilities. A larger group remains in the parish, and while equally disturbed about the direction of the national church, it is resolved to carry on the parish legacy despite the shifting winds.
The unraveling began in earnest in May when the parish rector, the Rev. Chuck Collins, announced plans to retire for a future outside the Episcopal priesthood. Most of the lay governing body resigned the next month to organize the new church, including architect Rick Archer, a 22-year member and former junior warden.
“We miss the people the most,” said Archer, 53. “Being in that place with that body of believers — young and old — is my fondest memory. But at the same time, we're not trying to re-create it. We're trying to understand what it is God wants of us.”
Retired Bishop Bill Frey has replaced Collins as interim rector, rallying those who remain with a message to be a light in a wayward denomination.
“I've often felt that the (national) church had been taken over by pirates,” Frey told them during a recent sermon. “And years ago when I was praying about the future, God said something like, ‘Don't let the pirates tempt you to jump overboard. If they make you walk the plank, OK. But don't do it voluntarily. It's my ship.'”
In its storied 99-year history, Christ Episcopal Church has fashioned itself into a pillar of orthodox beliefs, Anglican heritage and charismatic fervor for spreading Christian salvation worldwide. But in recent years, a gut-wrenching question has tested the bonds of this spiritual family. Should it leave its parent organization, the Episcopal Church, for making unwelcome liberal changes by accepting openly gay and lesbian clergy and modernizing time-honored theology?
One group had enough. They walked away from the 2,400-member parish in Monte Vista last month to forge a new one — free of potential intrusion from national leadership but one that will meet, at least for a while, in less ideal facilities. A larger group remains in the parish, and while equally disturbed about the direction of the national church, it is resolved to carry on the parish legacy despite the shifting winds.
The unraveling began in earnest in May when the parish rector, the Rev. Chuck Collins, announced plans to retire for a future outside the Episcopal priesthood. Most of the lay governing body resigned the next month to organize the new church, including architect Rick Archer, a 22-year member and former junior warden.
“We miss the people the most,” said Archer, 53. “Being in that place with that body of believers — young and old — is my fondest memory. But at the same time, we're not trying to re-create it. We're trying to understand what it is God wants of us.”
Retired Bishop Bill Frey has replaced Collins as interim rector, rallying those who remain with a message to be a light in a wayward denomination.
“I've often felt that the (national) church had been taken over by pirates,” Frey told them during a recent sermon. “And years ago when I was praying about the future, God said something like, ‘Don't let the pirates tempt you to jump overboard. If they make you walk the plank, OK. But don't do it voluntarily. It's my ship.'”
EAST AND WEST UNITE TO CONFRONT
SILLY NON-ISLAMIC AFFECTATIONS
From THE BBC:
Female students wearing a full face veil will be barred from Syrian university campuses, the country's minister of higher education has said.
Ghiyath Barakat was reported to have said that the practice ran counter to the academic values and traditions of Syrian universities.
His ruling, published on the All4Syria website, was said to be in response to requests from students and parents.
COMMENT: Although we are not naive about their undemocratic government and the other naughty stuff that goes on in Syria, the English tend to have a certain respect and, almost, a fondness for Syria. We certainly regard them as not as crazy as other Islamic nations in the Middle East, including Israel. Most of all we are supportive of its rulers insistence on a relatively high level of religious freedom. Many Christians have fled to Syria from persecution elsewhere in the region. It is the home of some of the most ancient and primitive examples of the Christian church and other religions that have been suppressed elsewhere, including in the West. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that the authorities are taking a hardline on the non-Koranic practice of making women look like walking potato sacks. It fits in with their wise fear of allowing any of the religious groups in Syria to descend into fundamentalism.
I pray that all the gods of Syria will protect them from reprisals from those men who have made Allah in their own, misogynist image.
Female students wearing a full face veil will be barred from Syrian university campuses, the country's minister of higher education has said.
Ghiyath Barakat was reported to have said that the practice ran counter to the academic values and traditions of Syrian universities.
His ruling, published on the All4Syria website, was said to be in response to requests from students and parents.
COMMENT: Although we are not naive about their undemocratic government and the other naughty stuff that goes on in Syria, the English tend to have a certain respect and, almost, a fondness for Syria. We certainly regard them as not as crazy as other Islamic nations in the Middle East, including Israel. Most of all we are supportive of its rulers insistence on a relatively high level of religious freedom. Many Christians have fled to Syria from persecution elsewhere in the region. It is the home of some of the most ancient and primitive examples of the Christian church and other religions that have been suppressed elsewhere, including in the West. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that the authorities are taking a hardline on the non-Koranic practice of making women look like walking potato sacks. It fits in with their wise fear of allowing any of the religious groups in Syria to descend into fundamentalism.
I pray that all the gods of Syria will protect them from reprisals from those men who have made Allah in their own, misogynist image.
A SERIOUS QUESTION
I'm doing some thinking on the prevalence of life in the universe. Does anybody have any info they can give me regarding the following question?
How many times has life begun on earth?
Or, if you lean towards such a theory, how many times has life arrived on earth from somewhere else?
How many times has life begun on earth?
Or, if you lean towards such a theory, how many times has life arrived on earth from somewhere else?
THOU SHALL NOT... (CONTD.)
From AFP:
Switzerland's Catholic Church has barred one of its priests from taking part in a religious ceremony held during the annual Zurich Gay Pride festival. A gay rights groups slammed the decision by the bishopric of Chur, in the canton of Zurich, as "medieval" and demanded it be withdrawn. The Catholic Church believed the participation of one of its priests in the June ceremony "conveyed an ambivalent message."
The decision surprised the homosexual community in Zurich as a priest has been part of the ceremony for years.
Switzerland's Catholic Church has barred one of its priests from taking part in a religious ceremony held during the annual Zurich Gay Pride festival. A gay rights groups slammed the decision by the bishopric of Chur, in the canton of Zurich, as "medieval" and demanded it be withdrawn. The Catholic Church believed the participation of one of its priests in the June ceremony "conveyed an ambivalent message."
The decision surprised the homosexual community in Zurich as a priest has been part of the ceremony for years.
GETTING THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT
From THE DAILY MAIL:
Making a woman a priest is as sinful as abusing a child, the Roman Catholic Church declared yesterday (15th. July 2010). New religious rules published by the Vatican set both sins at the same level of gravity and recommended the same punishment for guilty priests.
Church officials in Rome insisted that the new version of Canon Law showed it was 'very, very serious in its commitment to promote safe environments'. But it had the appearance of an own goal by Pope Benedict XVI in his attempt to cool the scandal over Catholic cover-ups of child abuse by paedophile priests. Victims' groups protested that criminal offences against children should be given far greater weight than doctrinal arguments over whether women can be ordained. The Vatican move also appeared badly-timed as it followed the debate in the Church of England over appointing women bishops that won worldwide publicity at the weekend.
The new rules mean that priests can be defrocked or excommunicated for paedophile offences, sexual abuse of mentally handicapped adults or attempting to ordain women. Erring priests will be punished by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department once known as the Inquisition.
COMMENT:
Free Barabbas!
Making a woman a priest is as sinful as abusing a child, the Roman Catholic Church declared yesterday (15th. July 2010). New religious rules published by the Vatican set both sins at the same level of gravity and recommended the same punishment for guilty priests.
Church officials in Rome insisted that the new version of Canon Law showed it was 'very, very serious in its commitment to promote safe environments'. But it had the appearance of an own goal by Pope Benedict XVI in his attempt to cool the scandal over Catholic cover-ups of child abuse by paedophile priests. Victims' groups protested that criminal offences against children should be given far greater weight than doctrinal arguments over whether women can be ordained. The Vatican move also appeared badly-timed as it followed the debate in the Church of England over appointing women bishops that won worldwide publicity at the weekend.
The new rules mean that priests can be defrocked or excommunicated for paedophile offences, sexual abuse of mentally handicapped adults or attempting to ordain women. Erring priests will be punished by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department once known as the Inquisition.
COMMENT:
Free Barabbas!
WISH YOU WERE HERE
From THE DAILY MAIL:
The CofE leadership has now urged ministers to stop banning Jerusalem from weddings for being un-Christian and ‘too nationalistic’. The Rev Peter Moger, the CofE’s national worship development officer, said William Blake’s much-criticised lyrics can be used a springboard to explore deeper theological themes.
But he may have a hard time persuading many of the clergy. Their objections include that the hymn’s opening lines ‘And did those feet in ancient time/Walk upon England’s mountains green’ are inspired by the apocryphal story that a young Jesus visited Glastonbury in Somerset.
Donald Allister, now the Bishop of Peterborough, has complained: ‘What it is actually saying is, “Wouldn’t it be nice if Jesus lived in England?” Yet we all know he did not, so it is just nonsense.’
COMMENT:
Apocryphal? Nonsense?
Teenage Jesus wept!!!
The next thing we know the revisionist scum will be claiming that King Arthur was Welsh!
Will somebody bring me my bow of burning gold?
I'm going heretic hunting.
The CofE leadership has now urged ministers to stop banning Jerusalem from weddings for being un-Christian and ‘too nationalistic’. The Rev Peter Moger, the CofE’s national worship development officer, said William Blake’s much-criticised lyrics can be used a springboard to explore deeper theological themes.
But he may have a hard time persuading many of the clergy. Their objections include that the hymn’s opening lines ‘And did those feet in ancient time/Walk upon England’s mountains green’ are inspired by the apocryphal story that a young Jesus visited Glastonbury in Somerset.
Donald Allister, now the Bishop of Peterborough, has complained: ‘What it is actually saying is, “Wouldn’t it be nice if Jesus lived in England?” Yet we all know he did not, so it is just nonsense.’
COMMENT:
Apocryphal? Nonsense?
Teenage Jesus wept!!!
The next thing we know the revisionist scum will be claiming that King Arthur was Welsh!
Will somebody bring me my bow of burning gold?
I'm going heretic hunting.
A SONG FOR NEWMAN -
DON'T LET MACKILOP TAKE THE CAKE
From ABC NEWS:
A baker is hoping to create a commemorative dessert for Mary MacKillop's sainthood, to offer to pilgrims visiting the south-east of South Australia in October. Jason Van Leuven says he is working on a dessert he hopes it will be as popular as the Australian favourite, the pavlova.
"I want to come up with a commemorative dessert for Mary MacKillop - Gateaux Saint Mary MacKillop," he said.
From AFP:
Australia's first saint-to-be Mary MacKillop has been immortalised in a new pop song.
"Saint Mary MacKillop", a soulful ballad composed and performed by Australian singer-songwriter Gary Pinto, has been released on the online music store iTunes, ahead of her canonisation on October 17.
"It was an incredible song-writing experience because the words and melody just came so easily and quickly," said Pinto. "I knew then that my prayers had been answered."
From THE MOSMAN DAILY:
The story of Mary MacKillop is to be brought to life on-stage in a musical extravaganza.
"MacKillop: The Musical," still in its auditioning phase, has been written by Melbourne composer Xavier Brouwer, who started the project 10 years ago.
Director Anthony McCarthy said Mary MacKillop’s life was an ideal subject matter for a staged musical. It will be staged in October at the Seymour Centre with a full orchestra in conjunction with Mary MacKillop’s October 17 canonisation.
COMMENT: Come on you English faithful! You've gone and allowed those Aussies and their mere female saint to steal a march from us and our more blessed male saint, John Henry Newman.
So what we need are your suggestions of suitable songs that could become anthems for our John Henry, as well as your ideas for a confectionary by which we can gastronomically celebrate his promotion.
Oh, and us English are not proud. We are quite happy for foreigners to offer their suggestions as well.
A baker is hoping to create a commemorative dessert for Mary MacKillop's sainthood, to offer to pilgrims visiting the south-east of South Australia in October. Jason Van Leuven says he is working on a dessert he hopes it will be as popular as the Australian favourite, the pavlova.
"I want to come up with a commemorative dessert for Mary MacKillop - Gateaux Saint Mary MacKillop," he said.
From AFP:
Australia's first saint-to-be Mary MacKillop has been immortalised in a new pop song.
"Saint Mary MacKillop", a soulful ballad composed and performed by Australian singer-songwriter Gary Pinto, has been released on the online music store iTunes, ahead of her canonisation on October 17.
"It was an incredible song-writing experience because the words and melody just came so easily and quickly," said Pinto. "I knew then that my prayers had been answered."
From THE MOSMAN DAILY:
The story of Mary MacKillop is to be brought to life on-stage in a musical extravaganza.
"MacKillop: The Musical," still in its auditioning phase, has been written by Melbourne composer Xavier Brouwer, who started the project 10 years ago.
Director Anthony McCarthy said Mary MacKillop’s life was an ideal subject matter for a staged musical. It will be staged in October at the Seymour Centre with a full orchestra in conjunction with Mary MacKillop’s October 17 canonisation.
COMMENT: Come on you English faithful! You've gone and allowed those Aussies and their mere female saint to steal a march from us and our more blessed male saint, John Henry Newman.
So what we need are your suggestions of suitable songs that could become anthems for our John Henry, as well as your ideas for a confectionary by which we can gastronomically celebrate his promotion.
Oh, and us English are not proud. We are quite happy for foreigners to offer their suggestions as well.
"ALIEN" GODS JOIN CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN BISHOPS
From ONE INDIA:
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has extolled Church of England for its decision to allow women bishops, calling it a 'step in the right direction'.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged the Church to empower the women bishops with exactly equal roles as men bishops and without any limits or conditions. As women were equal partners in the society, they should be equal partners in Church also.
Quoting Hindu scriptures, Rajan Zed said: Where women are honored, there the gods are pleased.
COMMENT: I expect misogyny is as rife among adherents of Hinduism as it is in Christian culture. However, as in Christianity, misogyny is completely contradictory to the original tenets of the faith.
There is much that modern day Christians can learn from the Hindu concept of the divine and how this informs the correct understanding of the worth of all human beings. This is especially true when it comes to the worth of people who are not straight males as the "birth" of the Hindu gods was a time of androgyny and the creative goddess. Those who study the Old Testament seriously, will realise how close early Jewish and early Hindu understandings of our creation are to each other. There has been very little that has been new under the sun, with the exception of varying expressions of hatred.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has extolled Church of England for its decision to allow women bishops, calling it a 'step in the right direction'.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged the Church to empower the women bishops with exactly equal roles as men bishops and without any limits or conditions. As women were equal partners in the society, they should be equal partners in Church also.
Quoting Hindu scriptures, Rajan Zed said: Where women are honored, there the gods are pleased.
COMMENT: I expect misogyny is as rife among adherents of Hinduism as it is in Christian culture. However, as in Christianity, misogyny is completely contradictory to the original tenets of the faith.
There is much that modern day Christians can learn from the Hindu concept of the divine and how this informs the correct understanding of the worth of all human beings. This is especially true when it comes to the worth of people who are not straight males as the "birth" of the Hindu gods was a time of androgyny and the creative goddess. Those who study the Old Testament seriously, will realise how close early Jewish and early Hindu understandings of our creation are to each other. There has been very little that has been new under the sun, with the exception of varying expressions of hatred.
CAPTION COMPETITION
This is a photograph of the novelist, Beryl Bainbridge's funeral.
My caption is "Bela Lugosi is not dead."
Now it's your turn.
Thanks to Grandmère Mimi for sending the pic in.
My caption is "Bela Lugosi is not dead."
Now it's your turn.
Thanks to Grandmère Mimi for sending the pic in.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
To believe that animals have the same characteristics as human beings is anthropomorphism. To believe that human beings have the same characteristics as animals is just plain common sense.
THE LIE OF THE INVENTION OF GAYNESS
The following is taken from "The sad demise of celibate love" by Jack Valero (THE GUARDIAN, 8th. July 2010):
Now, it is impossible to know what struggles went on in Newman's heart; but had he been asked, he would have found the question very strange. For him, the idea of "being homosexual" would have been an unfamiliar and even pointless categorisation; what mattered was what people did. And on that question, Newman's contemporaries and modern biographers all agree: the author of the Apologia Pro Vita Sua never broke his vow of celibacy. His friendships may have been intense and emotional – but they were consistently chaste.
Aged 16, Newman had a "deep imagination" that "it would be the will of God that I should lead a single life". As an Anglican he did not disdain marriage, and thought it a good thing for most people: "I think that country parsons ought, as a general rule, to be married – and I am sure the generality of men ought, whether parsons or not." But he himself was a dedicated celibate, as both an Anglican and (from his mid-40s) a Catholic priest. For Newman this was a state of life that allowed him to love God with a wholehearted focus – but also to love many others intensely, in the pattern laid down by Jesus.
This kind of celibate love has challenged most ages, but ours seems to have given up the struggle altogether. Such love, if it is directed towards one other of the same gender, is now assumed to be homosexual – conditioned by homoerotic attraction, even if not acted upon – or if it does not have a particular object will be thought of as disembodied devotion, like the love of an idealist for the human race as a whole (but not necessarily for individual members of it).
Do we – can we – today applaud such friendship? Do we – can we – make room, now, for such "evidences of sweet brotherly love"? Men and women often have intense friendships with members of their own sex, friendships that have no sexual component; yet we are losing the vocabulary to speak about them, or we are embarrassed to do so. A "friend" is one you add to a social networking profile on the web; or it is a euphemism for a sexual partner outside marriage. Can a man nowadays own up with pride to having a dear and close friend, another man to whom he is devoted? Can he, without it being suspected as repressed homosexuality? I fear the answer to both may be "no". And it is hard to know which is the sadder.
COMMENT: There is one thing in Valero's article that I do agree with. In England we are extremely prone nowadays to assume that two men, or women (but slightly less so), living together are a gay couple. When I was a kid I knew quite a few same sex couples who lived together, some of them were related, but not all of them. At that time the chances that the arrangement was simply for companionship or for financial reasons was just as great as the couple being in a sexual relationship. Heck, when I first ran off to London at the age of nineteen I lived with another bloke for a while simply because it was the only way we could afford a place to live. In fact, at that time it was considered more scandalous for a man and woman, who were not married to each other, to live together than for two young people of the same sex to share accommodation. The modern, puerile poking of noses into other people's business has, no doubt, led to a lot of loneliness and financial hardship.
However, I think Valero makes assumptions elsewhere in his article that are lazy. No academic would ever state that Newman did not have a physical relationship with another man during his lifetime. Most would say that there is absolutely no proof that he did, and they would be right. Most believe that he most probably didn't. However, that is not the same as saying that he definitely didn't.
Secondly, I think sexuality plays a role in all relationships, same sex "platonic" friendships and familial relationships included. You simply cannot put sex into one box and friendship into another. Our brains do not work like that. For example, the instinct in humans to form hierarchies is, to an extent, a sexual urge. This is more obvious in pack animals, such as dogs, as I have observed first hand recently. To split the platonic and the sexual in such a way as Valero does lessens the worth of the beautiful complexity of personality and makes it easier for bigots to create hate objects.
Finally, I have come across the statement that for people of Newman's time "the idea of "being homosexual" would have been an unfamiliar and even pointless categorisation." I may have alluded to it myself in the past. But I've been thinking about it lately and I have come to the conclusion that it is a load of bollocks. I think it is extremely arrogant of us to project such ignorance onto our forebears. Newman was an intelligent man in a single sex university. Of course, he knew what being homosexual was all about, even if he didn't use our terminology or have the same physiological information regarding the sexual tendency that we have nowadays. Of course, he philosophically believed that sexual relationships between two men, and any other unmarried couple, was sinful and scandalous (you only have to check out his reaction to the publication of Richard Hurrel Froude's "Remains" to see how worried he was that the Oxford Movement should become associated with homosexuality). But, this proves that he had a definite understanding that some men were attracted to other men.
The Victorians did not invent homosexuality when they made it illegal in England. There was never a "golden age" of non sexual platonic love. Gay people have always known they were gay even if it confused the hell out of them, and there has always been a name for it.
It will only be when we stop giving a damn about the difference between platonic and sexual love and accept the right of all people to be who they are sexually without fear of persecution that we will come to a more Christlike understanding of ourselves. Splitting the platonic from the sexual, with the implication that the platonic is somehow more wholesome and normal, delays the coming of this day of enlightenment.
Now, it is impossible to know what struggles went on in Newman's heart; but had he been asked, he would have found the question very strange. For him, the idea of "being homosexual" would have been an unfamiliar and even pointless categorisation; what mattered was what people did. And on that question, Newman's contemporaries and modern biographers all agree: the author of the Apologia Pro Vita Sua never broke his vow of celibacy. His friendships may have been intense and emotional – but they were consistently chaste.
Aged 16, Newman had a "deep imagination" that "it would be the will of God that I should lead a single life". As an Anglican he did not disdain marriage, and thought it a good thing for most people: "I think that country parsons ought, as a general rule, to be married – and I am sure the generality of men ought, whether parsons or not." But he himself was a dedicated celibate, as both an Anglican and (from his mid-40s) a Catholic priest. For Newman this was a state of life that allowed him to love God with a wholehearted focus – but also to love many others intensely, in the pattern laid down by Jesus.
This kind of celibate love has challenged most ages, but ours seems to have given up the struggle altogether. Such love, if it is directed towards one other of the same gender, is now assumed to be homosexual – conditioned by homoerotic attraction, even if not acted upon – or if it does not have a particular object will be thought of as disembodied devotion, like the love of an idealist for the human race as a whole (but not necessarily for individual members of it).
Do we – can we – today applaud such friendship? Do we – can we – make room, now, for such "evidences of sweet brotherly love"? Men and women often have intense friendships with members of their own sex, friendships that have no sexual component; yet we are losing the vocabulary to speak about them, or we are embarrassed to do so. A "friend" is one you add to a social networking profile on the web; or it is a euphemism for a sexual partner outside marriage. Can a man nowadays own up with pride to having a dear and close friend, another man to whom he is devoted? Can he, without it being suspected as repressed homosexuality? I fear the answer to both may be "no". And it is hard to know which is the sadder.
COMMENT: There is one thing in Valero's article that I do agree with. In England we are extremely prone nowadays to assume that two men, or women (but slightly less so), living together are a gay couple. When I was a kid I knew quite a few same sex couples who lived together, some of them were related, but not all of them. At that time the chances that the arrangement was simply for companionship or for financial reasons was just as great as the couple being in a sexual relationship. Heck, when I first ran off to London at the age of nineteen I lived with another bloke for a while simply because it was the only way we could afford a place to live. In fact, at that time it was considered more scandalous for a man and woman, who were not married to each other, to live together than for two young people of the same sex to share accommodation. The modern, puerile poking of noses into other people's business has, no doubt, led to a lot of loneliness and financial hardship.
However, I think Valero makes assumptions elsewhere in his article that are lazy. No academic would ever state that Newman did not have a physical relationship with another man during his lifetime. Most would say that there is absolutely no proof that he did, and they would be right. Most believe that he most probably didn't. However, that is not the same as saying that he definitely didn't.
Secondly, I think sexuality plays a role in all relationships, same sex "platonic" friendships and familial relationships included. You simply cannot put sex into one box and friendship into another. Our brains do not work like that. For example, the instinct in humans to form hierarchies is, to an extent, a sexual urge. This is more obvious in pack animals, such as dogs, as I have observed first hand recently. To split the platonic and the sexual in such a way as Valero does lessens the worth of the beautiful complexity of personality and makes it easier for bigots to create hate objects.
Finally, I have come across the statement that for people of Newman's time "the idea of "being homosexual" would have been an unfamiliar and even pointless categorisation." I may have alluded to it myself in the past. But I've been thinking about it lately and I have come to the conclusion that it is a load of bollocks. I think it is extremely arrogant of us to project such ignorance onto our forebears. Newman was an intelligent man in a single sex university. Of course, he knew what being homosexual was all about, even if he didn't use our terminology or have the same physiological information regarding the sexual tendency that we have nowadays. Of course, he philosophically believed that sexual relationships between two men, and any other unmarried couple, was sinful and scandalous (you only have to check out his reaction to the publication of Richard Hurrel Froude's "Remains" to see how worried he was that the Oxford Movement should become associated with homosexuality). But, this proves that he had a definite understanding that some men were attracted to other men.
The Victorians did not invent homosexuality when they made it illegal in England. There was never a "golden age" of non sexual platonic love. Gay people have always known they were gay even if it confused the hell out of them, and there has always been a name for it.
It will only be when we stop giving a damn about the difference between platonic and sexual love and accept the right of all people to be who they are sexually without fear of persecution that we will come to a more Christlike understanding of ourselves. Splitting the platonic from the sexual, with the implication that the platonic is somehow more wholesome and normal, delays the coming of this day of enlightenment.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If the hunting of witches was still legal in England, many of those now opposed to the ordination of women as bishops in the Anglican Church would be out there lighting the fires and building the gallows.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
From Marcia:
Jonathon,
This is my new favorite site for the exposure of Christian hypocrites. It's worth a daily look.
TEA PARTY JESUS
Jonathon,
This is my new favorite site for the exposure of Christian hypocrites. It's worth a daily look.
TEA PARTY JESUS
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME ELLIE
A new doctor had arrived in town. He could cure anything and anybody. Everyone was amazed with what he could do - everyone except for Mr. Thompson, the town skeptic. Grumpy old Mr. Thompson went to visit this 'miracle doctor' to prove that he wasn't anybody special.
When it was time for his appointment he told the doctor, "Hey, doc, I've lost my sense of taste. I can't taste nothin', so what are ya goin' to do?"
The doctor scratched his head and mumbled to himself a little, then told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47." So the doctor brought the jar out, opened it, and told Mr. Thompson to taste it.
He tasted it and immediately spit it out, "This is gross!" he yelled.
"Looks like I just restored your sense of taste Mr. Thompson," said the doctor.
So Mr. Thompson went home.... very mad.
One month later, Mr. Thompson decides to go back to the doctor and try once again to expose him as a fake, by complaining of a new problem.
"Doc," he started, "I can't remember anything!"
Thinking he had the doctor stumped now, he waited as the doctor scratched his head, mumbled to himself a little, and told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47, it's......"
But before the doctor could finish his sentence, Mr. Thompson was cured and fled the room.
When it was time for his appointment he told the doctor, "Hey, doc, I've lost my sense of taste. I can't taste nothin', so what are ya goin' to do?"
The doctor scratched his head and mumbled to himself a little, then told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47." So the doctor brought the jar out, opened it, and told Mr. Thompson to taste it.
He tasted it and immediately spit it out, "This is gross!" he yelled.
"Looks like I just restored your sense of taste Mr. Thompson," said the doctor.
So Mr. Thompson went home.... very mad.
One month later, Mr. Thompson decides to go back to the doctor and try once again to expose him as a fake, by complaining of a new problem.
"Doc," he started, "I can't remember anything!"
Thinking he had the doctor stumped now, he waited as the doctor scratched his head, mumbled to himself a little, and told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47, it's......"
But before the doctor could finish his sentence, Mr. Thompson was cured and fled the room.
A PRAYER FOR CALLUM
From Professor Andrew Linzey:
My deepest sympathy, Jonathan. These bonds go very deep. Other creatures' communication is so mysterious. When our cat, Mitzi died, our other cat, Rufus, spent days just sitting on her grave in the garden. Below is my favourite prayer from my Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care and it comes with my sympathies, prayers and blessings. Yours ever, Andrew
Pilgrim God
who journeys with us
through the joys and shadows
of this world
be with us
in our sorrow
and feel our pain;
help us to accept
the mystery of death
without bitterness
but with hope.
Among the shadows
of this world,
amid the turmoil of life
and the fear of death
you stand alongside us,
always blessing, always giving
arms always outstretched.
For this we know:
every living thing is yours
and returns to you.
As we ponder this mystery
we give you thanks
for the life of Callum
and we now commit him
into your loving hands.
Gentle God:
fragile is your world,
delicate are your creatures,
and costly is your love
which bears and redeems us all.
Amen.
My deepest sympathy, Jonathan. These bonds go very deep. Other creatures' communication is so mysterious. When our cat, Mitzi died, our other cat, Rufus, spent days just sitting on her grave in the garden. Below is my favourite prayer from my Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care and it comes with my sympathies, prayers and blessings. Yours ever, Andrew
Pilgrim God
who journeys with us
through the joys and shadows
of this world
be with us
in our sorrow
and feel our pain;
help us to accept
the mystery of death
without bitterness
but with hope.
Among the shadows
of this world,
amid the turmoil of life
and the fear of death
you stand alongside us,
always blessing, always giving
arms always outstretched.
For this we know:
every living thing is yours
and returns to you.
As we ponder this mystery
we give you thanks
for the life of Callum
and we now commit him
into your loving hands.
Gentle God:
fragile is your world,
delicate are your creatures,
and costly is your love
which bears and redeems us all.
Amen.
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME SAINTLY RAMBLINGS
Last week, we took some friends out to a new restaurant, and noticed that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket. It seemed a little strange, but I ignored it. However when the busboy brought out water and utensils, I noticed he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket, then I looked around the room and saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets.
When the waiter came back to serve our soup I asked, "Why the spoon?"
"Well," he explained, "the restaurant's owners hired some Efficiency Consultants in order to revamp all our processes. After several months of statistical analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. This represents a drop frequency of approximately 3 spoons per table per hour. If our personnel are prepared to deal with that contingency, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift.
As luck would have it I dropped my spoon and he was able to replace it with his spare spoon. "I'll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now." I was rather impressed.
I noticed that there was a very thin string hanging out of the waiter's fly. Looking around, I noticed that all the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. My curiosity got the better of me and before he walked off, I asked the waiter, "Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there?"
"Oh certainly!" he answered, lowering his voice. "Not everyone is as observant as you. That consulting firm I mentioned also found out that we can save time in the restroom." "How so?" "See," he continued, "by tying this string to the tip of your you know what, we can pull it out over the urinal without touching it and that way eliminate the need to wash the hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39 percent."
After you get it out, how do you put it back?"
"Well," he whispered, lowering his voice even further, "I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon."
When the waiter came back to serve our soup I asked, "Why the spoon?"
"Well," he explained, "the restaurant's owners hired some Efficiency Consultants in order to revamp all our processes. After several months of statistical analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. This represents a drop frequency of approximately 3 spoons per table per hour. If our personnel are prepared to deal with that contingency, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift.
As luck would have it I dropped my spoon and he was able to replace it with his spare spoon. "I'll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now." I was rather impressed.
I noticed that there was a very thin string hanging out of the waiter's fly. Looking around, I noticed that all the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. My curiosity got the better of me and before he walked off, I asked the waiter, "Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there?"
"Oh certainly!" he answered, lowering his voice. "Not everyone is as observant as you. That consulting firm I mentioned also found out that we can save time in the restroom." "How so?" "See," he continued, "by tying this string to the tip of your you know what, we can pull it out over the urinal without touching it and that way eliminate the need to wash the hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39 percent."
After you get it out, how do you put it back?"
"Well," he whispered, lowering his voice even further, "I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon."
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