What were they thinking?

This is a quick rant about something I heard on the radio as I drove into work. Every year, the government give out grants and funding to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to do good things and help people. These are usually wonderful things like fighting homelessness, hunger and oppression. Well usually, the USCCB (United States Council of Catholic Bishops) gets a large amount and they deal it out to Catholic Charities in various states. Well, one of the programs that Catholic Charities does helps people who are victims of sex trafficking. They have helped people with the help of government funds for decades. Well now, there are certain people trying to rescind the contract and stop the funding to CC for help for sex trafficking victims because they feel they do not offer every health service to them that they should. What health service are they not giving? Condoms and Birth Control Pills. Because of the Church's stance against these things, they do not supply these victims with this. They give them EVERY other form of medical help, counseling and support they desire, but not that. (Which anyone could obtain free from countless other sources if so desired.)

The thing that caught my attention was, do you really think that after being forced into prostitution and the sex market that these victims would want to hop right into having sex more? So, we should encourage them to go out and have more meaningless sex right away as part of the treatment? Sorry, we were going to help you and address the mental/physical/emotional pains you are going through, but we can't now because if we don't shove condoms and the pill in your pockets right away, we can't do anything for you. This is sad. personal bias and politics stop qualified and eager people from helping those who need it most. And these are not always simply prostitutes, many times these people are drugged, stolen from their families and home countries, or kidnapped while on vacation. They are sold internationally and shipped like cattle. They are forced into horrible things and don't do this for money or desire for more drugs or even to make a living, they do this at threat of death or threats to their family. But sure, let's let them wait while we argue about condoms and telling them to now have sex because it's safe and fun.

Excuse me while I go throw up now.......

Putting things in perspective

I love my new job. I've already in the short time that I've worked there got to me some really interesting people. Tonight I meant to genocide survivors 1 from the congo and 1 from rwanda. After speaking with him for dinner afterwards I realize that the need of some other people are so much simpler than what we think. The young man from the condo, justin, was in need of something very simple to help his cause. He wants to make a documentary about the crimes going on in the congo in all he needs is a good camera. And all he wants is the laptop to make the movie with. I was so moved by talking with him about what he needs an the congo then I decided to talk with others to make it happen. Now working with other groups and religious organization, we're gonna do some fundraisers and thinking and make it happen for him.

What I got in the car, I heard an interview on npr about social media. They talked about the need of social media and cultures obsession with twitter and facebook. They talked about what it is to tweet too much and to go on facebook too much. I wondered, is this our biggest problem in our society? I just spent an hour talking about the congo war people are being murdered for belonging to the wrong tribe. Americans only seem to care about things when it's convenient for them. Is a hypocritical that I'm posting this on a blog? I don't think so. I think this social media can be good if you the right way. If I use it to let you know about raising money to get this young man a camera it's a good thing. If I tweet to tell you what I had for breakfast I should probably stop and think. I've said it before, technology is a double edge sword.

Political prospects

OK, this is probably going to piss a few people off. This is why I could never vote for Mitt Romney. Does religion come into play on politics? Does it form policy making decisions? Perhaps not in the way that most people fear like they did when Kennedy ran for office. They thought the Pope would make his decisions. As if. The thing is though, it does affect the way one makes a decision. For Romney, his LDS belief contains the concept of continuing revelation. So, in essence there is no sustainable truth. There could be something that is dictated that is so pertinent and needed it is determined that it will last forever and never be taken from the earth. But, lo and behold, things happen, times change, needs aren't met and that solid truth changes. The LDS have done this with polygamy, who can hold the priesthood and such. Things that were never supposed to change did. For the better? Sure. But this mind set could have dire consequences. What if it was determined that free speech was no longer acceptable? Could someone like Romney deem that this truth our country was founded on should and could change? That's a scary thought. Also anyone who could change their stance in this way when its convenient, could do much harm to our national identity. Personally, if you believe the LDS faith, good for you. But for me, I can't have someone in the highest office in our land who believes it. It is doctrinally unsound and lacks reason. I can not back someone who I need to use reason so effectively that lacks using it in his faith life. I don't know who I'll vote for, but it can't be him.

The Double Edge Sword of Life

http://bit.ly/pnQlYp I was walking to work today and thinking about the fact that Steve Jobs passed away yesterday. I am sad about it, not only because it is the loss of another life, but also because of his potential. Sure, he had some personal issues in how he worked with people and the way he did some things, but no one can deny that he was an innovator. The products that he developed and sold have changed the world and they way in which we communicate in it. So as I walked, I decided it would be strangely poetic if i listened to my rarely used Ipod. As I plugged it in drawing in all the subtle thoughts of Apple in my life, it wouldn't come on. It was dead. The battery had gone out and i haven't charged it in a while. Ironic, maybe. Too soon? perhaps. But as I took the earbuds out, I started to think it may be better this way. I could listen to the sound of the birds, the hum of the traffic and all the sounds of Nashville coming to life. Then I started to think about how technology is truly a double edged sword in our society. We have it, we feel like we need it, and we do too much with it. We put too much out there publicly. We spend more time virtually chatting and emailing than we do speaking to one another. We can't put our phones down to save our lives. The internet is great and so much is at your finger tips, but the smut and trash that compose over half the available space in the clouds isn't worth a digital pile of dog crap. Do we need all this? Do we need the latest and greatest I-whatever to function in this world? Do we need to post every thought, feeling, breakfast item we consume for the world to see? This double edge sword is immense. Ironic to complain about this in a blog too. =) But then I thought about the metaphor. The Japanese have swords that only cut one way. Does their society have the same effect? What about their internet use? Apparently, they welcome technology open armed. They embrace it, but at the same time, juxtapose it with religious tenets that speak of simplicity, a soft still voice, nature and the real world. They eat better than us. They make some weird packaged food for sure, but many eat very fresh. More rice, seafood, vegetables and things that don't get plagued down with high fructose corn syrup and preservative like we do. So is balance the key? Is technology not wrong, but how we're using it? Perhaps it should free us up to do other things. We should not be slaves to it. I should take my own advice. I'm logging off now, but I won't delete my account. Not yet anyways.

This is a test.............

Enter your guess between 1 and 10:

I think this rings true today.............

Why does our president need to campaign so much???

This is not a anti-Obama rant, nor is it one in favor. What I don't understand is why our current president has spent millions of our dollars retrofitting tour busses to be secret service capable to go talk to the citizens and give speeches, yet insist he is not campaigning. I have a news flash, YOU'RE ALREADY THE PRESIDENT!! please, go back to Washington and do something. Then, he tells the Congress, televised of course, HIS new plan for job creation. Like HE can do anything by himself. Congress will vote and be the downfall if they don't create jobs. Its all a joke. Our government is a joke. I think I'd eager go back to a monarchy. At least their upfront that its THEM who is screwing you over.

McDonalds failures: anyone else remember the McDLT? Arch Deluxe? I remember these, ah memories. (but not McSpaghetti) http://yhoo.it/qDBeiR

When we long for younger days ...

Sometimes i find myself longing to be a young kid again. i love old Nintendo video games, comic books, hockey cwards, and the 80's in general. Anyone who knows me knows i love Saved By the Bell. It's a sick addiction. In fact, I'll share a sick fact with you..... there was a facebook app that had Saved by the Bell trivia. i was ranked 9th out of 34,000 people....and i was pissed cause i knew i could do better. 80's music is awesome. i love 80's movies. i could watch the Goonies, the Breakfast Club, and Back to the Future repeatedly. Seriously i can quote them from beginning to end. i guess what im trying to say is that im glad im a dork. i love the ComicCon and simple things. i hope my son has the courage to like whatever he likes and not care what people think. i respect those who enjoy life and not care about what others think. My cousin Aaron is like that. Listening to him jump on a trampoline at 9pm laughing with the younger kids. I keep him in mind when i think im getting too serious. Thank you Aaron.

Trying again...........

This is a test. It is only a test. I have decided to attempt to revamp my digital life a bit and participate once again. Yes, I said I would do this before, but I failed. Same boat rules apply, nothing too personal, just thoughts, links and the occasional rant. Basically, this is just for me. You don't like it...................................... (?)

New Blog!

Sorry, but I am moving this blog. I found a much easier and snazzier one I like better. At least this way, I will post more. Please follow the link bellow.


http://rantsandrandomthoughtsofmike.tumblr.com/

What would you say?

I was listening to a band called Flyleaf on the way home from work today. They are one of those "Christian Hard Rock" bands. They're actually really good. At any rate, they have a song on their first album called "Cassie". This song is about a girl who was a student at Columbine High School during the shootings. As the story goes, and it is debated for some reason or another, she was hiding under a table while the gunmen went around shooting people and the school. When one of the shooters found her, he recognized her and new that she was outwardly Christian. He pointed the gun at her face and asked her if she wanted to die. She of course replied that she didn't. He then provoked her and asked her if she believed in God. If she replied yes, he would kill her. Knowing what he would do, she still confessed she did. He murdered her on the spot.

If you were faced with the same choice, would you deny God and answer to God for that later? Or would oh have the true faith to be martyred for what you believe? Ask yourself that question and you will know how real your faith is.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

It's fine, He'll fogive us anyway.....

Is faith serious? I think it should be. I think of it this way; if you believe in God, or better yet, if you believe that there is something after this life at all, shouldn't you treat it as serious as possible? If you believe that there is a heaven, then there by default is hell or whatever you term is outside heaven. If you believe it, then you should do everything you can to ensure that you get there. If you don't, then what's the point. People who half attempt their faith, whatever it may be, I just don't understand. Why go to Mass and leave right after receiving the Eucharist? Why only go to church every once in a while? Why listen to some of the commandments but not others? I know we all fail constantly and are flawed, but some things are blatant and show no effort at all. We should strive to show that the change that took place at our Baptism was real. It was not a one time event that needs no constant maintenance. Jesus forgives us, but that doesn't mean we can count on this forgiveness and do whatever we feel like. A relationship is all about effort. It can not be one sided. If you want to believe, then believe. Do it all, not a half hearted effort. Otherwise, stop. Openly say you don't really care and stop pretending. God can see what's real and what's not.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Have you found jesus? I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him. is he lost?

It's funny. I was reading my school work today about catechism. One of the main complaint about the catholic church is that most people don't have a personal relationship with Jesus. People say that we're good at rituals but not at our relationship with Him. In explaining how the Catholic Church feels about this they used the analogy of a marriage. The relationship is extremely important. You have to know about the other person as well as knowing them personally. However if you can't do the first without the second. You can't have a marriage where you only met once and then live separate and only know and learn about each other without the other person. But when the person is supernatural and not physical you have to figure out ways to get to know them. That is what the sacraments are all about. In participating in the sacraments studying theology and learning as much as we can through prayer and books we get to know the intangible. The personal relationship will grow from there. Is a personal relationship with Jesus important? Of course it is! But you can't have a close relationship with someone if you don't have the desire to learn about them. If your significant other wrote a book or gave a lesson or talked about something important do you think he or she would want you to read it listen to it or know about it? Of course they would. However could you get to know somebody just by being with them and just talking to them in a normal fashion? Sure. But if you want a deeper relationship with them you should desire and make an effort to get to know them in every way possible. So the next time somebody asked me if I have found Jesus I can honestly say sure; I have found him talked with him read what he had said and done what he asked me to do. He told me to do those things because he loves me. I listen and do them because I love him back.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

A Quick Rant About the Goverment

I just wanted to let the world know that our government is completely incompetent. I have student loans. I intend to pay them back. I am still in school so that I can get a job to pay said loans back. Supposedly, if you are in school, you can defer your loans until you are no longer in school. Unless of course you go to a school that doesn't give our government money. So for the year of additional study that I am doing at the Maryvale Institute in England before my phd work at Liverpool, I can not defer my loans, only get forebarence. I still wont be paying, but the govt likes to stick it to you any way possible. Since the institute doesn't " participate " in the gov't program, they don't qualify. No loans, no deferment, no help. What a bunch of crap. We'll help you as long as you go to a school that helps us. Lame.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

General Misunderstandings

On my drive home, I was thinking about some of the misunderstandings in the world in regards to the Church. I listen to Catholic radio alot and when I drive home, a show called "Catholic Answers Live" is always on. It is an appologetics show and that means that it is a show about answering questions and defending the faith ( not an apology for anything). I really love this show in the most dorky way. But what I was noticing is that people have some of the same questions way too frequently. The same misconceptions and misunderstandings are EVERYWHERE. I think that is where I get my desire for what I want to continue to study and do my phd on. When I finnaly get set to teach at a university, I can teach about it and some of the other things I love to study.

There are so many misunderstandings about the Catholic Church. I see the same things all the time; where is this or that in the Bible? What's with purgatory? Why do you worship Mary? What's with confession? This or that about the priesthood. Blah blah blah. The funny thing is that all these ( and so many more ) questions can be so easily answered. I got good at that at Vanderbilt. Going to such an eccumenically diverse school, I was constantly explaining my faith. Plus, I was one of, oh say, 5 Catholics at that Divinity School. Others only wanted to tear down my faith. Perhaps they have an agenda or they don't know how to express themselves, but they always try to pull their " Trump card ". They bust out any scandal or scar on the Church and try to use it to tear it down. Ready for the keywords? Crusades. Pedophelia. Corrupt Popes. Blah blah blah..... the funnier ones say things about the " whore of Babylon" or 666 this or that. It makes me giggle with how ridiculous it is. Most of these fun comments are very not " love your neighbor " type.

I guess what got me thinking was that what I am studying, Mary Magdalene, is one if those topics. She is SO highly misunderstood. She has been marked as the wife of Jesus, a repentant whore, the real leader of the apostles, holder of some dramatic secret or the Holy Trail itself. There are answers to all these things as well, they need a little bit more to explain, but there is such a rich history to her that explains why there was such a large devotion to her. She is wonderful. She is the greatest example for someone to turn their life around. I will spend a lot of time in the future writting about this. ( so I wont do it here )

I guess I'll stop, otherwise I'll start writting my dissertation proposal right here. Bleh.... more later.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5