[Caelum's Scrapbook] Use Your Words.

[Caelum]

A Note on Religion At the beginning of my scrap I stated that I have absolutely no interest in arguing religion or politics with anyone, but that I might choose to discuss them here. Comments up to and including those of differing opinions are welcome. However, even so much as a hint of hate mongering will earn my immediate ire. Aware that such topics have a habit of being catalytic, I've for the most part avoided any -- serious, at least -- involvement with them in game. This is mostly a ramble, abusing my scrap like it is a blog. Please keep your intolerance out of it. There have been a great many discussions of faith going on around me this morning. I have come across it in my email box, in another player’s scrap and here at work. Not all of it was good, but then matters of religion when channeled through the imperfect vehicle of a human mind rarely are. Christian incestuous bigotry and factionalism have played an unfortunately significant role in my life. I am a Catholic and was raised as one thanks to a very Irish traditionalist father. My husband was raised Baptist and presently attends church with me from time to time but has not indicated an immediate interest in converting though he is considering it in the long run. He has no interest whatsoever in returning to the Baptist church. The Baptist church in which Dan, my husband, was raised harbored some of the worst prejudices commonly associated with extreme southern protestants. They focused a great deal of hate on homosexuals and were hypocritical racists. It became bad enough that Dan’s family was eventually “strongly encouraged” to worship “elsewhere”. The motivation behind this was the fact of two of Dan’s younger siblings being black and adopted into their white family. Needless to say, this crowning incident left a bad taste in Dan’s mouth and he has a chip on his shoulder the size of a freight ship. It took a long time for him to consider attending Catholic mass with me and this was mostly due to the equally as bad prejudices commonly associated with catholics. Having experienced my fair share of what my mother would refer to as "reverse prejudice" as a middle class white woman brought up in the South's high society, I am aware of the causes for his concerns and understand his hesitation. The Catholic Church has a history rife with intolerence and prejudices. It is not unlike many other long standing organizations in that regard. Jilitse mentioned an article in her scrapbook that is reporting the closed minded and inflammatory statements made by Pope Benedict four years ago that further alienated Protestant religions from the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict is a political dumbshit (yes, I said dumbshit), a PR nightmare and one of the most narrow minded members of the Catholic Church. That stated, it is also true that everything he actually said in that particular situation is nothing new. It is exact same viewpoint of Protestant faiths as derived from the core of Catholic dogma since Henry VIII founded a schism in the Catholic church on his early upbringing to become a bishop, his political need to define himself autonomously from his neither Roman, Catholic nor Emperor nephew and his personal wish to divorce his wife. It was the same when Martin Luther began banging on cathedral doors and John Wesley fled incarceration in colonial Savannah to give rise to the Methodist movement in Europe. Even when you attempt the massive and improbable effort to extract politics from the Church opinion, what Pope Benedict said is a direct reflection of Catholic doctrine wherein the Seven Sacraments create the backbone and Holy Orders is one of them and the Catholic Church is as historical fact the church founded by the original followers of Jesus Christ and the Protestant religions branched from it. Does any of that make what Pope Benedict said less offensive? No, I don't think it does. I think he was stupid to say it. He is my pope and I have a very low opinion of him. Why? Because it is increasingly and painfully clear that he is inept, even disastrous, in his portrayal of the Catholic religion and the people who adhere to it to the world as a whole. Having lost the pope who brought us the much needed Vatican II, Benedict is a cold slap in the face. Once again I've managed to ramble without proper conclusion and my time is thin. So what's my point? My point is that Christian churches are man made and not infallible as the God they worship, that no religion is without flaw as all of them are ultimately made up by flawed human worshippers/devotees/followers/etc. Faith is a funny thing. It's a lot like words. It is sometimes too powerful, but gutters when borne by strange breath. Note to self: I probably should have taken this time to reply to some posts rather than word vomit on religion. - k.

[Paragon]

Interesting thoughts... I've always seen religion as something wildly different to faith. This isn't aimed personally at anyone (so please don't act all offended) but I will never be a follower of 'religion'. The word to me means mass, organised worship, dictated by some authority. It leads the way into misinterpretation (or chosen interpretation) of 'religious' texts, and an almost brainwashing effect on the masses. I agree with you regarding politics. Religion isn't truly religion anymore anyway, it's a muddied pool of water, with all sorts of politically charged motivation behind it. But faith is personal belief. I will never follow religion, but I will always hold my own faith. It's a private thing, and no book or text can tell me what I need to do to follow it. That's the way I have, and always will be.

[Tabarnac]

[Legion]

Dani, I’m gonna find you someone else to harrass. And tell your mother. Luke? You, I like.

[Legion]

Afternoon. I am going out of town for the weekend. If you PM me, there is a high chance I will answer via my phone; but otherwise I’ll be out of touch. Many and more apologies to all of you lovely people with whom I have threads (Legion, Caelum, Dor, Toli, Izdihar) awaiting my reply. I know I am behind, but the past few weeks have been crammed with issues. Hopefully my time will open up a little in the new year. Have no fear. I have not forgotten you. I am just a snail. Be safe this weekend! And have fun. - k.

[Caelum]

I have returned from an awesome and fun weekend. Alas, I have returned sick as a dog. I had to make a run to the urgent care center on Monday as my regular doctor's office was closed and they loaded me down with drugs. Standard bronchitis, upper respiratory sort of thing, just an especially crap one. This means I've been in and out of my office and trying to do work from home. My energy has been going to the paycheck stuff, not the fun game stuff. I really hope to catch up on everything this weekend as, well, if I'm not better by then I might jump off a bridge. I'm so sorry for this that is turning into an endless delay. Maybe I can get off a couple before this weekend too. I'll do my best and I miss all of you. Yes, even you.

[Gossamer]

My evil plan to share my URI with everyone is working I see.

[Tabarnac]

Better than sharing a UTI, Jen. And Katie, feel better. Nao.

[Paragon]

Get well soon Katie - we have plotting to do!

[Caelum]

I hate you a little bit now, Jen. Dani, I'm trying to get better. I've been teddy bear snuggling and hot toddy drinking and medication taking and the things good girls who want to be well do. I swear. Luke, PLOT. Yessss. Everyone: