In High Priests Group today, the subject came up of disaffected people's objection to the persnicketiness of mormonism. Coffee, baptism, etc. My comment was that when people say drinking coffee or not getting baptized are no big deal, they are right. Living an ethical life, treating other people kindly, etc. these are requirements for a terrestrial life.
The afterlife is strangely a subject that is glossed over sometimes by many religions. They don't like to talk about it too much, and view it as maybe a bit beside the point. In fact, mormonism is usually viewed as kind of silly because we have such a detailed and seemingly complex map of, not just the afterlife, but of an existence before birth. I think it reminds people of pagan mythology. Yet, our fate after death looms hugely in our minds, whether we talk about it or not. I came to find this out on my mission. People were very concerned about if there was a life after they died and where their dead loved ones were, etc. The major problem with sectarian Christianity is that it has never proposed anything other than a heaven and hell. The extreme granularity of this formulation has frustrated and scared and disaffected people for ages. Yet, the book of Revelation, where some of Christianity's cosmology comes from, says that at some point hell will deliver up the dead that are in it. Mormonism teaches that hell is a temporary place where those who have not availed themselves of the atonement of Jesus Christ will suffer for their own sins. But after this is over they, along with those who have repented and everyone else, will go to heaven, a place of unspeakable bliss, i.e. one of the three kingdoms of glory.
The genius of mormonism is that it affirms the idea that it doesn't matter which church you belong to, what you believe in, etc. as long as you live a good life. That is, in fact, the law of the terrestrial kingdom, and of terrestrial beings. These beings live with Jesus Christ in a realm very much as traditional Judeo-Christian-Islamic descriptions of heaven. They will live in the millennium. etc. There is nothing wrong with aspiring for a terrestrial life. It is admirable and wonderful. And this kingdom itself, if we understand Jesus and latter-day prophets, is not singular. Everyone will be rewarded for everything good they have ever done, whatever kingdom they go to. The Celestial kingdom, is a very special case. It has additional requirements on top of the requirements for the Terrestrial kingdom. It requires an incredible suspension of incredulity (i.e. faith) in order to do many things that most people consider a bit crazy. i.e. like abstaining from coffee, believing and reading books with unsubstantiated and miraculous origins, participating in arcane rituals, etc. So naturally a small minority of humanity will participate in a lifestyle that is required for Celestiality. Of course we desperately hope that everyone will join in, but we also are incredibly glad for all of the good that exists in the world and the joy that each kind and good act will bring temporally and eternally, from whatever source or religion.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wall Street
Don't bother. I liked the original Wall Street. This was a real mess. Completely disorganized collection of non-sequituurs. The weirdest thing is that it doesn't make a point. It doesn't even seem to be committed to a critique of the excesses that led to the 2008 meltdown. Oliver Stone's movies have gotten more and more rambling, as have a lot of Hollywood movies. I get the impression that they are so flush with money that they create to much stuff and then try to edit a 5 hour movie down to 90 minutes. It never works. I prefer the opposite. An economy of means.
I'm listening to a wacky Braxton piece. Composition 173 for actors, instrumentalists, video projections and constructed environment. He uses the term mythodology. I think that's the only word to describe this.
I'm listening to a wacky Braxton piece. Composition 173 for actors, instrumentalists, video projections and constructed environment. He uses the term mythodology. I think that's the only word to describe this.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Glenn Beck at Ozz
Tonight (or I guess last night) I played some wonderful pool with our former home teacher who gave me some great mentoring in the game. As we were getting ready to leave and as the juke box stopped playing, I noticed a somewhat familiar and sickening sound coming from one of the tv's. It was Glenn Beck fomenting about some ghastly conspiracy pulled directly from his butt at that very moment. I just remember hearing the word "soviet" and a bolshevik and a few other things that made no sense. The lady at the desk was very nice. I asked her if she ever played MSNBC. She said that Fox News scared her "s' much". So I said "Well, why don't you change the channel." She said she wouldn't watch or listen to "any of the other ones anymore."
The whole thing reminded me of nothing so much as the the Book of Mormon, specifically when Amalikiah takes over the Lamanite nation by treachery and then, by means of weird, yucky, but effective propaganda, gets a reluctant people to go to war with the Nephites against their own best interests, scruples, and judgment:
Alma 48
1 And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites.
2 And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the *latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.
3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
4 For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage.
I honestly don't know how anyone listens to even 15 seconds of the political pornography on Fox News or right wing radio. It is so toxic and hate-filled, whatever your political beliefs, that I can't imagine anyone consuming it without being injured. This is particularly true of Glenn Beck, who is, I suppose, more disturbing to me because of our shared faith.
I call it political pornography. I used think of it as the news equivalent of professional wrestling or televangelism. The wrestling is phony but ultimately benign. The televangelism rips dumb people off and turns smart people off of Christianity. But right wing tv and radio darken and pervert minds the same way pornography does. But as damaging as pornography is, it is not destroying civil discourse, thus democracy, thus America, and thus the world.
* * *
I was also reading in the Book of Acts today while my two youngest kids climbed around the play structure at Carl's Jr. What an inspiring book. I think Acts is my favorite. Primitive Christianity was so inspiring and pure (it rocked). The right wing evangelical movement has nothing discernible in common with Christianity as described in Acts, other than the names of Deity. The early Christians were strict communitarians. I mean, really strict. I'm not sure, honestly I have no earthly idea where the capitalism/Christianity connection was concocted. Here are just a few excerpts from Acts:
Acts 2
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 4
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
The whole thing reminded me of nothing so much as the the Book of Mormon, specifically when Amalikiah takes over the Lamanite nation by treachery and then, by means of weird, yucky, but effective propaganda, gets a reluctant people to go to war with the Nephites against their own best interests, scruples, and judgment:
Alma 48
1 And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites.
2 And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the *latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.
3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
4 For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage.
I honestly don't know how anyone listens to even 15 seconds of the political pornography on Fox News or right wing radio. It is so toxic and hate-filled, whatever your political beliefs, that I can't imagine anyone consuming it without being injured. This is particularly true of Glenn Beck, who is, I suppose, more disturbing to me because of our shared faith.
I call it political pornography. I used think of it as the news equivalent of professional wrestling or televangelism. The wrestling is phony but ultimately benign. The televangelism rips dumb people off and turns smart people off of Christianity. But right wing tv and radio darken and pervert minds the same way pornography does. But as damaging as pornography is, it is not destroying civil discourse, thus democracy, thus America, and thus the world.
* * *
I was also reading in the Book of Acts today while my two youngest kids climbed around the play structure at Carl's Jr. What an inspiring book. I think Acts is my favorite. Primitive Christianity was so inspiring and pure (it rocked). The right wing evangelical movement has nothing discernible in common with Christianity as described in Acts, other than the names of Deity. The early Christians were strict communitarians. I mean, really strict. I'm not sure, honestly I have no earthly idea where the capitalism/Christianity connection was concocted. Here are just a few excerpts from Acts:
Acts 2
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 4
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thoughts
I went to the temple last week and had a couple of thoughts.
God created things that sustain themselves and are themselves creative. We can and should create things that do the same, that bloom and blossom more abundantly with time on their own, that are themselves creative entities. Maybe this is what eternal increase is. I think Emily Dickinson said that she only planted perennials.
Our future is formed by our sacrifices, whether we realize it or not. Sacrifice and creation are one in the same. I am defining sacrifice here by the traditional LDS concept of "giving up something good for something better."
God created things that sustain themselves and are themselves creative. We can and should create things that do the same, that bloom and blossom more abundantly with time on their own, that are themselves creative entities. Maybe this is what eternal increase is. I think Emily Dickinson said that she only planted perennials.
Our future is formed by our sacrifices, whether we realize it or not. Sacrifice and creation are one in the same. I am defining sacrifice here by the traditional LDS concept of "giving up something good for something better."
Friday, March 5, 2010
RNC Fundraising Powerpoint Cynicism
This slide from the recently leaked RNC fundraising powerpoint
presentation lists only extremely cynical or ignorant reasons for
contributing to the republicans. I think it is a window into the
extreme cynicism of the party and movement:
http://images.politico.com/global/slideshow/100303_slide5.jpg
presentation lists only extremely cynical or ignorant reasons for
contributing to the republicans. I think it is a window into the
extreme cynicism of the party and movement:
http://images.politico.com/global/slideshow/100303_slide5.jpg
Monday, February 22, 2010
Economists
We've had a series of Nobel laureate economists that have dictated some very damaging policy to pretty much the whole civilized world (and the discipline of economics) for decades. I'm not super impressed with the discipline in its current form, I have to say. It comes off as kind of junk science when it oversteps its reach. Economics starts from a set of weak premises, the main one being that individuals don't matter and that prosperity of some makes up for the poverty of others. The discipline also seems to be saddled with a metaphysical dogma that one would assume to be anathema to a scientific pursuit. The dogma I am speaking of is the idea that "markets" are magical or divine and that any tampering with them is like steadying the ark of old. Never mind that there never has been a purely free market and there certainly is nothing like that in our modern highly complex and interconnected world. If economists could think about individual human beings and actually solving the myriad problems faced by humanity, we might make some progress.
Poverty and the Old Testament
I have been teaching and learning about the Old Testament recently, as have many mormons. I am constantly impressed with how much of the scriptures dwell on the subject of poverty.
The lack of poverty is one of the two defining traits of Zion:
Moses 7: 18
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
Moreover, one of the main sins of Sodom was the simultaneous existence of wealth and poverty:
Ezek. 16: 49
49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
I don't think I have a problem with wealth, but I have a major problem with poverty and wealth existing side by side. I believe that any society that tolerates poverty when it has resources to eliminate it will be judged of God. And I don't think God gives a darn about labels like socialism or capitalism, or whatever. Those are all man-made words that actually don't mean a heck of a lot.
The lack of poverty is one of the two defining traits of Zion:
Moses 7: 18
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
Moreover, one of the main sins of Sodom was the simultaneous existence of wealth and poverty:
Ezek. 16: 49
49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
I don't think I have a problem with wealth, but I have a major problem with poverty and wealth existing side by side. I believe that any society that tolerates poverty when it has resources to eliminate it will be judged of God. And I don't think God gives a darn about labels like socialism or capitalism, or whatever. Those are all man-made words that actually don't mean a heck of a lot.
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