Blog Posts

198 St. Patrick’s Day’s a Comin’

3/10/2021

I see from the calendar that St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching!  That, of course, is the day when EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD claims that they are, really, truly Irish deep in their souls, no matter how obvious it may be that the closest they ever got to Ireland was a fake, plastic clover.  Now, as best I have been able to determine, I am largely of English and Irish extraction with, probably, more Irish than English.  Still, it’s not like I’m positive, as I am making guesses based on the rather extensive work my sister has done on our family’s genealogy.  That has provided a good deal of information as to the names on the family tree and some dates: marriages, births, deaths, etc.

She has also shared with me her DNA-based data from Ancestry and 23andme which is NOT in complete agreement as to specific ethnographic heritage.  Here one has to question how accurate the specific conclusions from any one source can be.  Both, however, do suggest strongly that the largest component is Irish.  Both also seem to agree that the rest of our genetic makeup is dominantly English, but with some “European,” (French and German, with some Scandinavian and a touch of Iberian also present).  And, of course, it’s true that the DNA examined is from my sister.  So, while I have no reason to think that there’s any problem with that, I suppose that one should never claim total surety in such things.  In any event, I’m satisfied that the probability of our DNA being pretty darn similar is quite high, and this isn’t a “scientific” tome in any event.

What this says to me is that I seem to have at least SOME genuine claim to having at least SOME Irish ancestry.  Normally, of course, I don’t see anything special about that, although I have enjoyed Irish “folk-type” music since I was going through my “folkie” period in the late-Fifties to mid-Sixties.  None of this is particularly relevant to anything except that I don’t wish to be accused of anti-Irish sentiments if I have some fun with “Irish” humor.  After all, Sheridan, the author of The Rivals and The School for Scandal, who may be thought of as English, was actually born in Dublin and described his homeland as the land of “happy wars and sad love songs,” which is certainly born out in traditional Irish music.  Anyway, in honor of the approaching of St. Patrick’s Day, here is a bit a humor which relates to the Irish.

For some reason, the vast majority of “Irish” jokes have to do with drinking.  Now, I am only making an observation, but here are a few which I have enjoyed.

I’m not suggesting that Irish priests drink, but…

An Irish priest was driving down to New York for the St. Patrick's Day parade and got stopped for speeding in Connecticut.
The state trooper smelled alcohol on the priest's breath and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car, so he asked the priest, "Sir, have you been drinking?"
"Just water," said the priest.
"Then why do I smell wine?"
The priest looked at the bottle, picked it up, sniffed it and said, "Good Lord! He's done it again!"

Still, the Irish ARE known for having more than an occasional tipple.

Two men were sitting next to each other at O’Reilly’s Pub in London.  After a while, one bloke looks at the other and says, “I can’t help but think, from listening to you, that you’re from Ireland.”

The other bloke responds proudly, “Yes, that I am!”

The first one says, “So am I! And where about from Ireland might you be?”

The other bloke answers, “I’m from Dublin, I am.”

The first one responds, “So am I!”   “Mother Mary, faith and begorrah.  And what street did you live on in Dublin?”

The other bloke says, “A lovely little area it was.  I lived on McCleary Street in the old central part of town.”

The first one says, “And it’s a small world, isn’t it?  So, did I!  So, did I!  And to what school would you have been going?”

The other bloke answers, “Well now, I went to St. Mary’s, of course.”   The first one gets really excited and says, “And so did I.  Tell me, what year did you graduate?”

The other bloke answers, “Well, now, let’s see.  I graduated in 1964.”

The first one exclaims, “The Good Lord must be smiling down upon us!  I can hardly believe our good luck at winding up in the same place tonight.  Can you believe it, I graduated from St. Mary’s in 1964 my own self!”

About this time, Vicky, a regular patron walks up to the bar, sits down and orders a drink.  Brian, the barman, walks over to her, shaking his head and mutters, “It’s going to be a long night tonight.”

She asks, “Why do you say that, Brian?”

“The Murphy twins are drunk again.”

I’ve also noticed that the Irish can’t seem to resist having a laugh, or two, even at the expense of their nuns. Here’s an example which isn’t too risqué.

The wise old Mother Superior from County Tipperary was dying.

The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her comfortable.

They gave her some warm milk to drink, but she refused it.  One of the nuns took the glass back to the kitchen.

Remembering a bottle of Irish whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.

Back at Mother Superior's bed, she held the glass to her lips.  Mother Superior drank a little, then a little more. Before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass down to the last drop.

"Mother," the nuns pleaded, "Please give us some wisdom before you pass."

She raised herself up in bed with a pious look on her face and said: "Don't sell that cow."

I am quite fond of a “local” pub here in Omaha known as the “Brazen Head.”  Here’s their logo:

It is named for what is said to be the oldest pub in Ireland, dating to 1198 A.D. (or, more correctly nowadays C.E.) I confess that I am attracted to it mostly because they do really great Fish and Chips and a variety of other Irish dishes. Combine that with draft Guinness and you have a combination which I find hard to beat. Of course, I haven’t been there in over a year because of COVID, but I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to our occasional dinners there. In any case, one time when we were there, I noticed a picture on the wall which I liked a lot.

While I have to admit that while I don’t drink much and never have, if I’m going to drink, I prefer Guinness to just about anything else. I will drink the odd glass of wine or Budweiser when it seems socially necessary for the occasion, but Guinness is my usual choice, even it generally requires an occasion beyond the usual. Still, I’ve always had questions about how “religious” a holiday St. Patrick’s really is.

Actually, most of the time, I find myself more likely to follow Snoopy’s example:

After all, a good root beer is ALMOST as much of a treat as a Guinness!

Speaking of being sober, St. Patrick was credited with have driven all of the snakes out of Ireland. I suspect there are SOME of the Irish who could wish he had done so with the English, but I’m not going to go there, being (partly) English myself. Still, I have, on occasion, wondered if St. Patrick had any regrets….

While I think about it; corned beef and cabbage isn’t truly Irish at all, although it’s widely associated with St. Paddy’s Day.  Actually, it’s an “Irish-American” substitute for the more traditional (and authentic) bacon and cabbage.  Who knew?

This isn’t really an “Irish” joke, as it could be told about anyone from anywhere, but this is the way I heard it.

Seamus opens the newspaper and is shocked to see his OWN obituary.

In a panic, he phones his friend and asks: “Did you see the paper?  They say I died!”

The friend replies: “Yes, I saw it!  So, where ya calling from?”

Then, there’s this one, which clearly REQUIRES an Irish frame of reference:

What do you call an Irishman sitting on a couch?  "Paddy O'Furniture."

For some reason which I have never been able to figure out, anyone NOT wearing Kelly Green on St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to be pinched, while anyone who IS, is supposed to be kissed.  I’ve not been able to figure how this notion got mixed up with a celebration in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, but there it is.  Anyway, this has led to all sorts of cute variations, of which THIS (below) is a favorite of mine.

I don’t know if this is really supposed to be Yoda or “the child,” but I find it amusing.

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!

As Arnold says, “I’ll be back!”

LLAP,

Dr. B

0 Comments

197 A “Religion” I Can Believe In

2/24/2021

0 Comments

In my last post (#196 in the archives), I tried to explain some of my concerns about “established” religions, or more specifically, the established churches.  I think I can say with some accuracy that I have NO familiarity with ANY religion which doesn’t, deep in the depths of its beliefs, espouse the idea that WE (the members of the religion in question) are the ones who have it “right” and, therefore anyone who doesn’t believe as we do is, essentially, wrong and is, therefore, outcast, or going to burn in hell, or otherwise inferior and/or stupid.  I say this in full knowledge of the fact that I have not engaged in extensive study of any religion, but I believe it to be true, in any case,

I find that this is completely unacceptable to me.  Having previously argued that I believe religion to be personal, I refuse to accept such notions.  I accept that what I believe to be the right approach to such things for me, may not work for you; AND THAT’S OKAY!  If we happen to agree, that’s great, but it’s NOT mandatory, at least to me.

Now, I accept that this probably disqualifies me from fitting into (being a member of) any of the established religions, denominations, cults or practices, that I know of, and probably most (all?) which I don’t, as well.  Therefore, if I wish to attempt to provide MY personal religion with a name, it appears that such a name would have to include the idea that it is “non-denominational.”

Now, I am perfectly willing to allow you to believe whatever you want, as long as it DOESN’T include the idea that I have to at least pretend to conform to YOUR ideas.  I INSIST on the right to be allowed to have my own beliefs, as long as they don’t interfere with your right to have yours, and as long as we both obey the law.  I would state that this as an idea with universal applicability.  Therefore, whatever my religion is, it also seems to be “Universalist” at its core, since “Universalism is the philosophical and theological concept that some ideas have universal application or applicability.”  Since I also accept the “Golden Rule” as a “universal” truth, the “Universalist” denotation is even more appropriate, since: “A belief in one fundamental truth is an important tenet in Universalism.”

So, what IS it that I believe?  While I was thinking about this, I ran across an article called “What Theaters Learned From 2020” in a recent issue of the Shakespeare Plus newsletter published by the Folger Shakespeare Library.  In it, Ty Jones, the Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem, was quoted as having written:

What have I learned during the pandemic?  That the power of theater is real and the people who make it
   are heroes.  We have shifted to Zoom/online platforms to continue to tell stories that give meaning to our
   lives.  We as theater people have been conditioned to improvise, adapt and continue to shine light on the
   human condition.  I continue to stand in awe of my brothers and sisters, who despite the terrible conditions,
make art that moves us in profound ways.

Now, THERE is something which I know I believe in, the importance and power of theatre.

Therefore, stealing a notion from the Reduced Shakespeare Company, I am hereby founding St. Genesius’ Non-denominational Universalist Church.  While this is my personal church, all are welcome to be members who believe in the power of Theatre.  So, what do I mean by “the power of Theatre?”  There are probably a lot of ways to describe it.

First, it acknowledges that theatre is a form of art which can, as Mr. Jones said, “… shine light on the human condition.”; it can move us in profound ways; it can help give meaning to life.  As a part of this, I would suggest that, among other traits, those who practice theatre may be, at least generally, more accepting of social, religious, sexual and cultural differences than some other groups in contemporary society.  I am perfectly willing to acknowledge that this acceptance is not always present among all theatre people, nor has it always been present.  But I would suggest that theatre people today, as a rule, don’t give much of a hoot about what you are, or do, in your personal life, as long as you contribute your best efforts to the success of our joint theatre project, whatever that may be.  I admit that some people who work in the theatre have had exclusionist attitudes and behaviors for various “reasons” and some probably still do.

A case in point, which I think is appropriate, is that of Ira Aldridge, “the African Roscius,” who performed with the African Company in New York in the 1820’s to some acclaim.  It is sadly true that racism in American society forced him to spend most of his career in England and Europe, where he played many roles (especially Othello) and achieved considerable fame.  But he was accepted as a member of the Theatre community!  In fact, he is the only actor of African American descent among the thirty-three actors of the English stage honored with bronze plaques at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon.

I confess that I DO believe that he would be widely accepted in the US theatre community today, as he WAS accepted in the European theatre communities which were at least somewhat less attuned to the racism which was common in the USA.  In any event, I would suggest that, in spite of occasional cases of racism, prejudice, and bigotry, theatre people today, generally, just want someone to demonstrate his/her competence to do the job assigned to her/him every time, and for every performance to achieve acceptance.

Progress is even currently being made on Broadway in the various areas of technical theatre which have been behind the curve in this area for far too long.  Therefore, while there is still much to be done, I still believe that it is generally true that most people can find acceptance in the theatre no matter who she/he is or what he/she believes, provided that they demonstrate competence on the job.  I won’t argue that theatre people are perfect-I know I’M not and I don’t expect it from others.  But my observation suggests that, generally, theatre people seem to look most seriously at their co-worker’s competence, not their race, sexual preference, or other unrelated criteria.  I suspect that that MAY arise out of the fact that real theatre people understand that theatre is a group art which pursues perfection, while knowing that it will never be achieved, but the dedication of ALL is a major factor in any success we all achieve.

So, what makes theatre special enough for it to form the basis of my religion?  I think it may begin with my notion of Art.  Historically, the five Fine Arts were painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and poetry.  Note that the performing arts of theatre and dance, are not included.  I would suggest that this is because Theatre (and Dance, which I would argue is a form of theatre) essentially combine all of the historical fine arts in their existence.  To explain: Architecture provides a place for the performance; Sculpture is based on the human body and the human body is an essential part of theatrical performance; Painting provides the decoration of the performers (sometimes as costume) and the performance space to contribute to the impact and meaning of the performance; Poetry, which includes all forms of literature, provides the structured words and ideas which establish the specific actions and words used; and Music is created by the voice speaking and/or singing those words (along with accompaniment, if present).  Theatre (and Dance), I would argue, do not exist without all of these.

In the School of Stage and Screen, we used to say that “We are storytellers.”  That’s not a bad start in explaining this concept more completely.  The theatre, as I see it, is a place (similar to a “church,” if you will) where people gather to share ideas.  In the theatre, these ideas are usually presented in the form of a dramatic performance, and that performance has a PLOT (see Aristotle), which is, most commonly, built from a story, in much the same way that many religious teachings often tell a part of the story of the “sacred.”  The performance includes the presenters (priests, ministers, shamans; the storytellers) and the audience (a congregation, the observer/participants).  While traditional folk/religious stories may contain ideas to explain the origins, beliefs, etc., of a specific tribe (group, people), the theatre, l would suggest, goes further than just telling (reciting) the story, it interprets it, encouraging contemplation and debate as to the ideas and questions which the story presents.  I believe that this allows us to participate more fully in those questions of existence which “religion” often attempts to explain.  But rather than providing the specific answers often stated by religions, l would suggest that it is fairly unusual for good theatre to provide specific answers to the questions it arouses.  Rather, the theatre usually raises awareness, suggests alternatives, and encourages thought, so that one can arrive at a more personal solution.

It may be worth noting that theatrical performance most commonly, perhaps even definitively, is created as a celebration of a PLOT (a sequence of events, of which a story is a common form).  I begin with Aristotle because I was taught to do so throughout my education in theatre.  It’s also worth noting that Aristotle states that theatre, at least to his knowledge, began as a part of religious worship of the lesser god, Dionysus, in Ancient Greece.

Personally, I think it’s probably true that what could be called theatre predates Dionysian worship, especially if you will accept that ALL ceremonies are, fundamentally, theatrical in nature.  AND all ceremonies are ritualistic by definition, as Wikipedia points out:

A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed in a sequestered
   place and according to a set sequence.  Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including
a religious community.  Rituals are characterized, but not defined, by formalism, traditionalism, invariance,
      rule-governance, sacral symbolism, and performance.
Rituals are a feature of all known human societies.  They include not only the worship rites and sacraments
      of organized religions and cults, but also rites of passage, atonement and purification rites, oaths of allegiance,
   dedication ceremonies, coronations and presidential inaugurations, marriages, funerals and more.  Even
   common actions like hand-shaking and saying "hello" may be termed as rituals.

Thus, rituals are common in human society.  If one looks at this definition, however, I believe it becomes obvious that theatrical performance clearly fulfills the characteristics of ritual.  But that only focuses on practice, be that practice religious or theatrical.

As it seems to be traditional to name a “religious” organization in honor of a major idea considered to be essential to it, or a person or deity being honored by it, I have chosen to include St. Genesius as a part of the name of my “church.”  So, you ask, “Who or what is this “St. Genesius” that you should name your church for him?”  Well, having been (sort of) raised in the general Christian tradition of much of Western Civilization, I trace my religious roots back to the early Christian church of the Roman empire, which was the most dominant of the early sources of Christian power.  Now, it is said that Genesius, was an actor in Rome who “converted” during a performance intended to mock the Christian practice of baptism.  He is/was(?) considered by the Roman church to be the patron saint of actors, lawyers, barristers, clowns, comedians, converts, dancers, people with epilepsy, musicians, printers, stenographers, and victims of torture.  His feast day is/was August 25.

Now, from what I read, we can’t prove that Genesius actually existed and, in any case, I confess that I have no belief in his “holiness.”  I vaguely remember that he may have even been de-sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church, which had made him a saint during the Fourth Century C.E., although I’m less than sure about that.  In thinking about founding a church based on theatre, however, I was drawn to The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged), which I saw performed here in Omaha, a few years ago.  That play, is about a Christmas Show being performed at “St. Everybody’s Non-Denominational Universalist Church, where all faiths are welcome because we’ll believe anything.”

So, in that spirit, and acknowledging that I am NOT really into “Organized” religion (see #’s 78 and 196 in the archives), I decided that my church of the theatre should be called St. Genesius’ Non-Denominational Universalist Church and that the motto of that church should be: “Where all who believe in the importance and power of Theatre are welcome.”  I believe that this statement agrees with the stated principles of the Universal Life Church that “Every individual is free to practice their religion in the manner of their choosing, as mandated by the First Amendment, so long as that expression does not impinge upon the rights or freedoms of others and is in accordance with the government’s laws.” (see archives #196), so I’m probably not being heretical to my ordination.
So, how do I practice this “religion?”  Simple.  By participating in the rituals of the theatre.  Those include participating in the creation of performances (sadly rather limited to me at this time of my life); seeking out and attending performances; and even viewing movies and theatrical television programing; reading plays; and supporting theatre and theatre workers as I can.

Theatre is, I believe, a ritualistic act, just as worship services are.  Western theatre, as we know it, apparently began as part of the worship of Dionysus in ancient Greece, but we know that something closely resembling theatre has existed in Asia, Africa, South America, literally all over the world and in a wide variety of different cultures, probably for as long as there have been people and cultures.  The specifics vary considerably, but the ideas of exploring questions like: “Who are you as a part of a greater people?”; Where do you fit into a greater universe?”; How do you define right and wrong?”; How should you relate to others?”; and all of the other “religious” questions that I can think of have been among the subject matter of the Theatre, I believe, for as long as human beings have existed.

As I said when I started this journey, I have yet to discover THE answers to these, and many other such questions.  I have come to believe, however, that the value of such questions MAY lie in the SEEKING for the answers, not necessarily only in the finding of them.  I find this to be parallel to the idea that we SEEK perfection in our theatrical endeavors, but we know it will never be achieved.  As the recent Super Bowl Michelob ULTRA ad called “Happy” asks; “What if Joy is the whole game, not just the endgame?”  Or, as Jennifer James suggested: “Success is the quality of the journey.”

It’s just possible that the answer lies in the attempt, not only in the achievement.  Achieving perfection, if that’s possible, doesn’t leave you anyplace else to go.  But the fact that it may never (can’t?) be achieved doesn’t make the seeking less meaningful.  I would suggest that that is what gives it value.

So, what I’m saying boils down to the idea that, at least for me, my work in Theatre (especially including my work as a teacher of Theatre) has been much more than just an occupation, a way to earn a living.  It’s been a cause for me to work for and which has provided considerable meaning (and happiness) to my life.  Bonnie jokes that she understood early on that the Theatre was my “first wife” and she was my second.  I suppose that’s true in a way.  Without Theatre, I don’t think I would be who I am, for better or for worse.  I suspect that I may not be the only one who feels this way, at least to some extent.  I hope those who feel as I do will join with me to keep St. Genesius’ Non-denominational, Universalist Church strong.  I think it’s something to which it’s worth dedicating one’s life.

As I close this, consider the picture below from the Universal Life Church:

I confess that I’m not familiar with ALL of the symbols presented in this logo, but I recognize enough of them to believe that the attempt is being made to include all of the major religions of the world. I like that idea. We need to learn to give the other guy a bit of understanding. I think my “church” is an attempt to do that.

So, there you have it, my statement of MY religion. Anyone who believes with me in the power of Theatre and its value and importance, is welcome to be a member. And, lest you think that this is leading up to some sort of plea for money, as suggested below:

Let me assure you that the only cost of membership is your belief in the power and importance of Theatre and your dedication to its enjoyment, creation and the study of its history and literature.  I have found these to be worthy of my life’s time, energy and spirit.  If you agree that this is true for you, you are a part of St. Genesius’ Non-Denominational Universalist Church and I’m happy to have you as a fellow member.

However, if you don’t feel right about “joining” a “church” without putting an offering in the plate, make a donation to one of the many groups trying to provide support for all of the theatre workers who are currently without work due to COVID; or make a donation to your local community or educational theatre (or BOTH).  Theatres, even non-profit theatres, REQUIRE income to pay their bills and continue to exist. Whatever we can do to help assure the survival of these theatres is needed at this time, so that the larger theatre community can continue to make its contribution to human existence.

I plan to be back in a couple of weeks, with a return to more usual fodder.  I thank you for allowing me to indulge my personal traumas in these last couple of posts.  I think I needed that….  Perhaps you found the ideas worth some thought, as well.

LLAP,

Dr. B

0 Comments

196 Some Thoughts on Religion:

2/10/2021

0 Comments

As I start this, I am acutely aware that some people may take offense at my ideas and believe that I am, somehow, mocking their beliefs. This is not my intent at all! However, in the light of my becoming ordained as a minister of the Universal Life Church in order to fulfill my daughter’s desire to be married on the day chosen by herself and her then-to-be-husband, during the pandemic (see #177 in the archives), I found myself with a real desire to consider, somewhat seriously, how I feel about religion and religious beliefs. So, for the past several months, I’ve been trying to figure out (mostly to/for myself) how, and what, my feelings are about such things. That’s the background of this post.

I will confess that my credentials were from the Universal Life Church largely because it was possible to satisfy the legal requirements to serve as their “officiant” through this simple, online process. However, I DID take a look at what the group SAID were its principles, and I found that I agreed with them. Here is their basic statement.

The Universal Life Church was founded of the basic belief that we are children of the
   same Universe and, derived from that basic belief, has established two core tenets by
   which it Expects its ministers to conduct themselves:
1. Do only that which is right.
2. Every individual is free to practice their religion in the manner of their
   choosing, as mandated by the First Amendment, so long as that expression does
   not impinge upon the rights or freedoms of others and is in accordance with the
government’s laws.

I like this because it’s about as free of specific doctrine as one is likely to find and, it establishes the idea that one’s religion is personal to oneself; it does not have to conform to someone else’s idea of what it is SUPPOSED to be.  I like that, as I am sure that I have not yet found “THE ANSWER” in any of the various religious practices I have yet heard espoused.  It’s also true that the idea of beliefs being personal appeals to me.

I take that to mean that MY “answer” doesn’t have to be the same as yours, nor is it any of your business what mine IS, as long as I don’t expect you to conform to MY beliefs.  In the same way, I don’t need to know your beliefs, as long as you let me have mine.  We actually MAY share our beliefs, but it is not our place, or right, to try to force others to accept them as CORRECT!  That’s how religious wars start; and we’ve had too many of them. My religion is between me and whatever deity, if any, I choose to acknowledge.  I think religion should be personal and private.  I’ve read Matthew 6, 1-8 and I support the principles expressed.  One can argue about the details of “the Father,” but the basic ideas expressed there seem sound to me.

I guess that I could probably most accurately be referred to as an agnostic, but I really don’t care what you call me, I’ve probably been called worse.  AS I see it, an agnostic is one who admits that he/she doesn’t know THE answers to all of those “religious” questions.  Still, I find that I do, somehow, feel that the world/universe has meaning, is somehow good, and that my being here has purpose, even if I don’t know exactly what it is.

When I took a course in what was, at the time, called “Comparative Religion” (Wow, isn’t THAT a currently NON “politically correct” name!) quite a long time ago, one of the things I learned was that a point of commonality among every religion we looked at (most [all?] of the prominent Western religions and several of the Eastern ones) is what is often referred to as “The Golden Rule,” the principle of treating others as you want to be treated.  In passing, I am told this idea is accepted by the vast majority of religions AND most cultures, as well),

I’ve read that this “rule” may be expressed in a variety of ways, such as:
1. Treat others as you would like others to treat you (positive or directive form)
2. Do not treat others in ways that you would not like to be treated (negative or
   prohibitive form)
3. What you wish upon others, you wish upon yourself (empathetic or responsive form)

These are, obviously, simply various ways of stating the same, basic idea.  That may get us to the crux of my issue with religion.  If (essentially) all religions agree that fairness and equity in the treatment of others (treating THEM as YOU wish to be treated) is a fundamental principle, how is it possible to understand that “… more people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason.” as Harvey Milk once said and has be stated in a variety of ways by many others.

As one who has studied a bit (a very LITTLE bit) of the history of Western civilization, I find myself forced to agree with Ruth Hurmence Green that “There was a time when religion ruled the world.  It is known as the Dark Ages.”  I find it sad that that appears to be the case, but, based on my own, limited, studies, it does appear to be true.  The REAL problem, then would appear to be why religious communities, which claim to have kindness, fairness and equity as fundamental principles in common, can’t get along to the point of going to war to destroy those who don’t have religious practices which are identical to their own?

This leads me to suspect that my real issue isn’t with RELIGION, but with CHURCHES!  I should note that I’m using the term, “church,” in the broadest possible sense, as a body or organization of people professing to “believe” the same thing.  I would suggest that once a body or organization is formed, a hierarchy, an organization, a leadership structure becomes necessary and, hence, the opportunity for individuals, or groups, to establish authority (power, superiority) over others by defining the “beliefs” of the particular organization.  My suspicion is that it is usually quickly established (at least implied) that this power structure rules by “divine” authority, so that anyone who opposes the will of that structure is defying the “correctness” of the “church,” and that challenges the church in its entirety.

Once that structure is created, however, the possibility (I would even venture to say inevitability) of power struggles developing among those who wish to be at the top of that structure seems almost inevitable.  It also establishes the idea that the followers will be encouraged to believe that for THEIR specific set of beliefs to be acceptable, ALL others MUST be unacceptable.  After all, if THEY (we) don’t have the exclusive sanction of Divinity, then SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT, which would make them (us) wrong, and that simply can’t be permitted.

My experiences in the theatre have taught me to observe others.  In doing this, I have found that it is often wise to follow the advice of Rachel Maddow and not pay much attention to what people say, but to focus quite intently on what they do.  In doing this, I have all too often become aware how many people do NOT suit their actions to their words and their words to their actions.  That is, that all too often what people SAY are their beliefs and values don’t seem to agree with their actual behavior.  I suspect that that may well be at least a major factor which explains most (if not ALL) of the violence, war, and destruction which has made up so much of human history.  I suspect even so-called “trade route wars” and many other forms of violence may well have a component of religious conflict within their causes, but I certainly can’t prove that.

As I said before, I would argue that Religion is PERSONAL!  If it violates YOUR religious principles to drink alcohol, or to dance, or to have an abortion, or to wear purple with polka dots, then DON’T DO those things!  That’s your belief and YOUR choice.  I would argue that that’s what “freedom of religion” means.  However, I refuse to allow you to make a law to prevent me from having different beliefs and acting on them as long as I don’t try to force those beliefs on you.  I have often wondered how so many people can wish to legislate against abortion because they insist that it involves killing, yet apparently are perfectly happy to demand the death penalty.  I don’t understand how they can believe that “Thou shalt not kill.” allows one, but not the other.  Still, I WILL grant them the right to have religious beliefs which I find completely incoherent and inconsistent.

Carl Sagan once noted that:

In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument;
   my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you
   never hear that old view from them again.  They really do it.  It doesn't happen as often
   as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful.  But it
   happens every day.  I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics
   or religion.

I suspect the reason for this is that scientists are trained to understand that science is based on the idea that we accept as true those things which appear to be supported by the best evidence available.  Hence, science adopted the idea that the Earth was flat because the available evidence supported that idea.  Once the evidence against this notion seemed more supportable than that for it, the earlier idea was abandoned.  Much the same can be said of many ideas from the “superiority” of one race over another; to one sex over another; to one culture over another; to meat-eaters over vegetarians (or, vice versa); to democratic vs autocratic political systems; and on, and on.

The difficulty with many (most?, all?) “religious” belief is that there is NO specific, verifiable evidence to support it; it is simply DEFINED as “TRUTH” with no room for debate.  Stephen Hawking pointed out, “There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, and science, which is based on observation and reason.”  I would suggest that the key to the problems this causes MAY be that politics and religion have been, and are, so inter-twined, at least in much Western thought, as to make it virtually impossible to separate them, creating political consequences to religious disagreements.  I believe one can say that studies of “primitive” peoples would appear to suggest that even in such situations the political leaders of the group quite commonly include, if they are not limited to, the shamans (medicine men, priests) of the group.  As Arthur C. Clarke once said, “One of the greatest tragedies in mankind's entire history may be that morality was hijacked by religion.”  To which I would add that then religion proceeded to hijack politics.

I think this notion was stated quite well in a comment attributed to Robert A. Heinlein in Religion in Science Fiction: The Evolution of an Idea and the Extinction of a Genre.  He said, “Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so, and will follow it by suppressing opposition, subverting all education to seize early the minds of the young, and by killing, locking up, or driving underground all heretics.”  A quick look at, say, anti-abortion political activists would seem to reveal their essentially religious justification for their position on this issue, just as alcohol was once outlawed largely due to objections by religious “do-gooders.”

Since religious worship (in my opinion but based on three-fourths of a century of observation) remains the most divisive portion of American life (which may be true in other countries, as well, but I don’t have enough information to assert this as a fact), I do not find it improbable that the mixture of religion and politics, which is technically unconstitutional, but is, in fact, supported by many laws, has contributed to much of the toxic state of affairs in much of American life today.  In the USA, especially, the division of Christianity into a “White” church and a “Black” church has probably done more damage to American culture than anything else, certainly it’s responsible for much of the racism which so infects our society.  And that doesn’t even touch on the arguments over which is the truly “proper” denomination of Christianity.

I think it’s important that we remember the words of John Adams, “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”  This does NOT suggest, at least to me, that Mr. Adams was, necessarily, anti-Christian, just that he did not see the actions (or desires) of the Founding Fathers as being based on the notion of founding a specifically “Christian” nation. I suspect Mr. Adams might, as I do, tend to agree with Mark Twain when he said, “In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.”

I think Mr. Twain was suggesting that religious, and, therefore, political, beliefs, should be understood to be different from scientific ones.  That they are NOT subjected to the same scrutiny as scientific ones, and are, in fact, based on emotion and “authority,” NOT on serious, careful examination of the best evidence available.  Perhaps, Joseph Campbell expressed it better when he pointed out that “Every religion is true one way or another.  It is true when understood metaphorically.  But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.”

This may have turned into a more negative treatise on churches than I intended.  I am well aware that some church organizations make valuable contributions to our society, especially in times of need, such as the current pandemic.  However, I take considerable issue with the actions of ANY church, or religious-based organization, which insists on using its “charitable” activities as a form of propaganda and/or recruiting.  The notion that in order to obtain a meal when I am hungry, I have to agree to “pray” according to someone else’s religious practices, turns my stomach.  I agree with Phillip Pullman when he said,

I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing
  God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere,
   hiding away.  Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his
   followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his
name.  If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them.

I have probably spent too many words discussing these issues, but (obviously) I find them difficult, confusing, and upsetting. I do, however, agree with Garrison Keillor when he said, “Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

I ‘m finding it helpful to say (write down) these things, and, again, I apologize if they upset you. I repeat, that was NOT my intent. I’m trying to determine and express MY truth here, to satisfy my own needs. Like a penitent at confession, I’m finding that writing my thoughts down and trying to edit them into coherence, is helping me to clarify them in my own mind. And, who knows, I just might be engaging in what some might call my “ministerial” duties. After all, I AM a “minister” and have the credentials to prove it. (see below)

Next time, I plan to take a stab at trying to explain more specifically what I DO believe beyond just discussing the Golden Rule and what troubles me about what I see all too often around me in “religious” practices. That is, of course, if I can be at least this coherent about them.

LLAP,

Dr. B

0 Comments

195 Winter, Driving and That Sort of Thing

1/27/2021

0 Comments

Until recently, winter hasn’t amounted to much in Omaha this year, which isn’t surprising since we’ve been in a drought. We were in a sort of cycle of having some “want to be winter” weather every few days, with some reasonably acceptable ones in between. About three weeks ago, we actually had what might be called “meaningful” snow, but nothing too serious. Then we got hit with a real blizzard a week, or so later. And I DO mean a blizzard; although the snow didn’t get to be more than three to four inches thick, the wind was 50 mph and higher for over twelve hours, the Interstate was impassible for several hours, etc. It was wild. Then there was this past weekend.

Actually, Saturday and most of Sunday weren’t bad, but It started snowing (and blowing fairly hard), Sunday night and continued all day Monday, only stopping early Tuesday morning with almost 12” (11.9”) officially at the airport. This (note 11+”) was by our back porch.

The city managed to cope with most of the plowing issues fairly well yesterday, but we got another inch (or a bit more) early this morning.  It looks like things MAY be back to something like “normal” by tomorrow, but I’m going to wait to see.

Still, it’s probably fair to say that real “Omaha” winter hasn’t set in yet.  That is, we haven’t had days with a high temperature of -15° and a 30+mph wind!  So, it will almost certainly get worse before it gets enough better to be “nice” in any realistic way.  I confess, it’s enough like winter to suit me.  I really don’t mind the cold weather so much, as long as I can stay in and the furnace works.  I do not like to have to deal with packed snow, ice, traffic snarls, and, eventually, the inevitable potholes in the streets.  Nor do I like shoveling snow (especially with my arthritic knees), nor watching Bonnie do it.  Thankfully, we have a couple of neighbor kids who are happy to make a bit of money by “scooping” (as they say around here) snow off various neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways.  I guess that about the only “good” thing I see about the COVID situation is that I am considered “at risk,” so it’s perfectly acceptable for me to not go out unless I absolutely must.  So, I don’t, nor does Bonnie, unless it’s really necessary.  Anyway, I got to thinking about winter, driving, etc., and decided to do a post about such things.  Enjoy!

I have noticed that quite a wide variety of people are more than willing to offer advice about how one should drive during winter conditions.  I am reminded of one of our neighbors in Sylva/Cullowhee (who had come up from Alabama) who thought that the best way to deal with snow on our (rather steep) hill was to get out and run up and down the hill a few times in his pickup to “pack the snow down real good.”  This was one of the reasons why we parked our car at the bottom of the hill during bad weather for several years.

Still, apparently not everyone in the southern states has mistaken ideas about bad weather driving.  For example, there’s this weather guy from a CBS station somewhere in North Carolina who recognizes good winter weather driving advice when he sees it, even on Twitter.

It does NOT take a genius to figure out that this is VERY good advice. Of course, some people have other sorts of solutions to difficult driving conditions but may not have thought the entire situation out completely ….

While I am unconvinced that this is a particularly viable solution (I know I couldn’t even get such a vehicle INTO my garage), but I will admit that it might well handle snow and ice pretty well. Just don’t have a flat, as the spare seems inadequate for the task at hand and would be hard to get to.

On the other hand, there ARE some parents who have solved the problem of their children wanting to “borrow” the car all the time through a simple, and obvious, process.

This MIGHT provide some sort of solution in some cases, but I have noticed that there are a lot of people who don’t handle traffic very well, even in the best of weather conditions. So, for them, I would suggest that they remember that ….

In Omaha, the most common traffic-related problem I’ve noticed since we moved here is potholes. While it’s never been quite as bad as this example from Id, it’s been close on some streets ….

Now our mayor has proposed what she claims will be a long-term “solution” to the pothole problem in Omaha, although I find it just a little hard to believe it’s actually going to BE a permanent fix. I’d like to think that it might HELP reduce the problem while I’m still active enough to actually care, but I confess that I am not really convinced. I think that it’s all too likely that, before too long, things will return to the current situation.

Things COULD be worse, however.  It’s beginning to look like COVID may, eventually, be under something resembling control and we MIGHT be able to return to something like normalcy (whatever THAT means) in terms of schools, businesses, etc.  It’s going to take a while, however.

In the meantime, here’s a question to ponder -- You are driving in a car at a constant speed.  On your left side is a 'drop off', (The ground is 18-20 inches below the level you are traveling on), and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you.  In front of you is a galloping horse, which is the same size as your car, and you cannot overtake it.  Behind you is a galloping zebra.  Both the horse and zebra are also traveling at the same speed as you.  What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?  (If you can’t figure it out, the answer is provided below.)

I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise.  Or perhaps I should make some provision for blizzards and snow?

LLAP,

Dr. B

0 Comments

194 Thoughts for Thinking

1/13/2021

0 Comments

I guess that I’ve been in something of a retrospective sort of mood recently, probably due to the fact that there’s so little on television (including the news) which is worth watching.  Yes, I DO watch the news (from several sources) so I DO keep aware of what’s going on, but that doesn’t mean that I enjoy it, or take much pleasure from watching people insist that black is white and up is down because someone who will not be named said that’s how it was.  One of Nebraska’s (therefore my) members of the Senate stated the other day: "I think it's obvious that the president's conduct wasn't merely reckless and destructive. It was a flagrant dereliction of his duty to uphold and defend the Constitution." Then, he argued that he didn’t think impeachment was appropriate because it would just cause further division in the country.  That seems to me like suggesting that we should HAVE laws, but they shouldn’t be enforced because that upsets people.  And this Senator(?) has been the President of a University and is now a Member of the US Senate?  Is it any wonder that I am finding the world a bit confusing?  But I’m trying to avoid the total lack of reason, or logic, displayed by those who live in “Alt fact world,” so I won’t pursue THAT line of thinking any farther.

Anyway, I looked through my files the other day and came up with some things which I thought seemed weird enough to be worth thinking about.  Hence, here I offer some “Thoughts for Thinking,” in an attempt to provide some, perhaps pleasant, distraction from more serious matters.  I hope you’ll find them to be that.

The other day, I ran across the notion that perpetual motion MIGHT be possible by strapping buttered toast to a cat’s back (butter side out) and tossing the cat into the air. Since the toast MUST land butter-side down, and the cat MUST land on its feet, what, therefore, MUST happen is that the assembled parts will rotate in such a way that the combination will spin forever, generating power.  OR gravity will, in fact, be suspended and the array will simply float in space through eternity.  Of course, I do NOT suggest that you try this experimentally.  I suspect the ASPCA would find it an inappropriate use of a feline in an experimental situation.

I was surprised not too long ago, when Bonnie, Maggi, Brian and I went to a carefully “socially-distanced” dinner in honor of Bonnie’s birthday at the Joslyn Castle here in town.  Now, given the location, it was, obviously, quite a fancy affair, one of a series of dinners they were sponsoring to attempt to maintain some income during the current pandemic.  This one was set up with Spanish-themed courses with appropriate wine, and properly themed "dinner music" was provided.  The music struck me as interesting because there was a cellist and an oboe player, which seemed a somewhat unusual choice of instrumentation and not exactly what one (at least I) would think of as particularly “Spanish.”  It also struck me, as we were being seated at our table, that the musicians would almost certainly play Ravel’s Bolero, in spite of the fact that it was written by a Frenchman. And, as luck would have it, I was correct, it was played, in a somewhat shortened version from the full orchestral piece, and I am pleased to note that it actually worked much better than I would have thought, given the instrumentation available.  In fact, I enjoyed it a lot, as did the rest of our party!

I was moved, a while ago, while seeking diversion from the news, to read The Ickabog, the book J. K. Rowling wrote for her children a good while back and which she released to the internet, then had published, fairly recently so that children could read it (or have it read to them) for some diversion during the current, rather depressing, times.  I confess that, while it was NOT aimed at the 70+ crowd, I enjoyed it a good deal, but it got me to thinking that perhaps, if we are lucky, all of us can learn to grow from the recent experiences of our world; and, OUR Ickaboggles will be bornded into a world of reason, equity, peace, justice, and tolerance.  If you don’t understand that thought, perhaps you should read the book, or, better yet, read it TO someone.  I think this idea just MIGHT be worth pursuing.

Like a lot of people, I suspect, I watched more than one version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol over the recent holiday season.  So, when I saw this cartoon, I have to admit that it rather struck home:

As the new year got close, I encountered a list of Points to Ponder for the New Year.  Most of them seemed worth considering, so I offer some of them for your consideration.

Me: (Sobbing my heart out, eyes were swollen, nose red) ….  “I can’t see you anymore.  I am not going to let you hurt me like this again!”
Trainer: “It was a sit up.  You did one sit up.”

Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.

It’s weird being the same age as old people.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be older…this is not what I expected.

Life is like a helicopter.  I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.

Chocolate is God’s way of telling us he likes us a little bit chubby.

It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.

Marriage counselor: “Your wife says you never buy her flowers.  Is that true?”
Him: “To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.”

Never sing in the shower!  Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked.  So, remember…Don’t sing in the shower!

During the middle ages they celebrated the end of the plague with wine and orgies.  Does anyone know if there is anything planned when this one ends?

I don’t think the therapist is supposed to say “Wow,” that many times in your first session but there you are…

If 2020 was a math word-problem, it would read something like this: "If you’re going down a river at 2 MPH and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to re-shingle your roof?"

I see people about my age mountain climbing. I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.

We can all agree that in 2015 not a single person got the answer correct to, “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?”

So, if a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?

If you can’t think of a word, say, “I forgot the English word for it.”  That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.

I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.

Coronacoaster (noun): The ups and downs of a pandemic.  One day you’re loving your bubble, doing work outs, baking banana bread and going for long walks and the next you’re crying, drinking gin for breakfast and missing people you don’t even like.

Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you.  Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.

I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.

I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.

How many of us have looked around during a family reunion and thought, “Well, aren’t we just two clowns short of a circus?”

At what point can we just start using 2020 as profanity?  As in: “That’s a load of 2020.” or “What in the 2020.”  or “Abso-2020-lutely.”

You don’t realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up.

We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads.  At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

This is the day dogs have been waiting for.  They realize their owners can’t leave the house and they get them 24/7.  Dogs are rejoicing everywhere.  Cats, of the other hand, are contemplating suicide.

If you are trying to impress me with your vehicle it better be a food truck.

Who says rich people don’t have a sense of humor?  As evidence of the fact that some do, I offer the Ferrari Bakery.

I suppose all these “thoughts” do, in fact, is prove that I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet, so, I’ll stop now.

I’ll probably be back in a couple of weeks, when, perhaps, I’ll have found my missing brain cells.

LLAP,

Dr. B

0 Comments

193 A New Year - Getting Older #1

12/31/2020

0 Comments

A new year!  Somehow, that always reminds me that “I ain’t as young as I used to was!”  Now, I’m more than willing to accept that that IS a perfectly normal state of affairs and, considering the alternative, is actually to be desired, at least as long as I’m having a good time, which I am, at least most of the time.

Sure, I have my aches and pains and I can’t do all the stuff I used to when I was younger, although, thinking back on some of the things I DID when I was younger, I’m not sure that that must be viewed as a truly bad thing.  I still manage to enjoy myself most of the time and, if I discover I’m NOT enjoying myself, I can always take a nap (the height of pleasure).  After all, that’s the ONE thing one can ALWAYS enjoy!  But not until retirement, of course!

Anyway, I have a sub-folder in my “Waiting for a Blog Post” computer folder which is entitled “Getting Older” where I’ve filed interesting/amusing stuff touching on the subject (obviously) of getting older. Here are some examples of a few of the things which I had stashed in that file.  There’s a lot more than I could possibly use in a single post, however, so I may do this again some time.

One of the things I’ve noticed about getting older is that some things have changed a good deal and there are now young folks” who simply can’t conceive of things we “olders” remember with ease.  As a case in point, I suspect that one has to be of a “certain age” to even know what this is a picture of, although anyone can probably figure it out.

Being a “city” boy, I didn’t have a lot of familiarity with the above on a regular basis, but I CAN certainly remember when highway rest stops weren’t much more than this!

Still, it’s not JUST such things which demonstrate the difference between an “older” and a “younger,” as I realized when I encountered this Thatababy cartoon in the paper not long ago.

Oh, the “wonders" of modern technology!

In a similar fashion, when I saw THIS the other day, I had to stop and think about the idea that maybe, just maybe, there IS some virtue is being “older,” at least some of the time. After all, unless one has really worked at it, age DOES tend to provide one with a background of knowledge and experience which can still be useful.

Xmas having recently passed, makes me wonder how many remember when THIS was the height of Xmas fashion? (Since I wrote this, Bonnie informed me that such things had been available this year, so they MAY be “coming back!”) I confess that my only thought was WHY?

I doubt that there are too many people under the age of 50 (60?) who remember the “Dick and Jane” early readers which my generation read (as I remember it) in early elementary school, probably First Grade. But, when I saw this Shoe cartoon a while back, I found it wryly amusing.

I know that we “older people” can be the source of amusement to the “youngers” who surround us. I’ll even go so far as to admit that there, eventually, comes a time when it’s wise for us to accept the fact that we can’t do everything which we used to do, and probably shouldn’t try to do them anyway. The recent situation with hospitals trying to get retired medical personnel to come back to work seems like it could have been a reasonable way to deal with a very dangerous situation, but it does, potentially, have some concerns related to it.

On the other hand, it MIGHT be wise for “youngers” to consider this!

One COULD even go so far as to point out to those who wish to put us “olders” on a shelf and let us rot, that it just MIGHT not be too wise to say that too loudly. It just MIGHT be a better policy to remember:

It even MIGHT be true that, sometimes, we “older people” just MAY be capable of doing more than many folks, even other “olders” think we can do, as Earl told Edna in this Pickles cartoon.

You can just never really be sure about us “olders!”

On the other hand, New Year’s partying is something which Bonnie and I have never gotten into in a big way, although I have to agree that Blondie and Dagwood have a nice system worked out. Of course, it means one has to set the alarm