Religion Revisited

Okay, so I was sifting through the internet today, and I came upon a facebook page for Atheists.  It was full of Atheist memes and whatnot saying how much they hate Christians, how Christians are stupid, how intolerant Christians are, and how they are ALL this way.  Now, usually I don't get bothered by this sort of thing, but this made me a little upset.

Now, before we get any further into this, I want to make a few things known.  First and foremost, I am a Christian.  More specifically, I am Episcopalian.  I believe that Jesus of Nazareth was in fact the son of God, and that he died to atone for the sins of mankind, and that he is my personal savior.

However, it really bothers me when people get at Christians for being intolerant, hateful, etc.  Now I do admit that there are those of us who condemn, discriminate, and participate in generally unchristian behavior.

It hurts me when those who are not believers lump people like me into those groups.  Especially those who say "I hate associating with Christians" or "I will never date a Christian."  It is increasingly bothersome when it is said by people that I know or those that I am friends with.  By taking such an adamant and unwavering stance that Christians are naive, cruel, ignorant, or any number of things, aren't those people being just as bad as those they claim to be so superior of?  If you decide not to ever date or have a relationship with a Christian because of the fact they are Christian, arent you just as close-minded as those who say they refuse to date anyone other than a Christian?

As a believer, I understand that the world is full of people with views that are not necessarily my own.  I recognize that the church is not infallible.

I do not hate those who are not Christian, I do not hate those who are not believers in a higher power.  To discriminate against those for what they believe is the very opposite of what Christ taught.  I believe in science, I support marriage equality for homosexuals, I support the ability of people to choose what they do with their life, I believe in evolution, (which is NOT a "theory"in my opinion, its pretty much been proven) I believe in the stories of the old testament, not as fact, but as analogies in which people tried to explain where they came from, and to tie in life lessons.  I believe in the "truth" of these stories, not the "fact."

Neither do I condemn those of other religions.  Is it not true that the very basis of Christian teaching is "God is love?"  Do so-called "pagan" religions such as the Shinto, Sikhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism not also preach the importance of love and tolerance?  That in itself makes them holy.  I cannot make myself believe that groups who treasure such teachings would be condemned by God.  I have never pushed anyone away from me because they do not share my religious views.  I do not shove my religion down the throats of ,others.  I am more than happy to discuss religion with anyone, regardless of their beliefs and I will speak of what I believe, but I would never attempt to condemn them or convert them if they were not comfortable with the advance.

So, my Atheist friends, I offer you a question.  Do you hate me because I am a Christian?  Do you think that I am a close-minded sheep because I am a Christian?  Have I ever "condemned" you for having a different spiritual opinion?  Would you think that I would make a terrible spouse because I am a Christian?  If not, then reconsider your position.  Or else, you risk becoming the very thing that you claim to despise.

Trucks and Tobacco

Whew, has it been a week!

So I helped my cousin move on Wednesday, she's moving from her current place to a town about 50 miles north, so its quite a bit of change.  The area is more rural and it is far prettier than suburban Ohio.  Luckily, its close to me, so the family cookouts wont be so far away.  My Uncle (her dad) was there, so it was the first time I got to see him in over a year.  Thank goodness I showed up early, poor Uncle Roger was not looking forward to lifting all of those bookcases and dressers by himself.

Anyway, three exams today.  One in music in western culture, one in physics, and one in political science.  Started at 8 am and it was one after another.  I know that I messed up some questions on the music exam.  A song was played for us, and we had to name the composer, the name of the song,  I couldn't remember the order of the proper mass, and I got two composers confused.

Political science was much easier, I mean, I love politics and that sort of thing, so I really pay attention in class.  Physics was what is was.  I studied, I knew the math, and I feel pretty good about it.  Now that they are done and over with, I am feeling a lot better.  Just went home and relaxed, took a couple of Tylenol for my knees, and had a great nap.

I opened an empty can of my old pipe tobacco in the room today, and it had an excellent aroma and made the room smell quite pleasant.  Got me back on a pipe smoking kick, and took out my pipe which I hadn't smoked in quite a while.  The old tastes and aromas were a welcome break from the stresses of the week, and it suddenly came back to me why I started in the first place.

I enjoy my pipe smoking, and I know the whole "cancer" thing.  I gave up cigarettes and I intend to keep doing so.  I understand that it is bad for me, but it is no worse than the crap that is in our food anyway.  And it isn't as bad for you, since you don't (well, you shouldnt) inhale.  A pipe smoking session takes a long time if you do it right, so its not something that you can do a whole lot of a day, like you can with cigarettes.

Anyway, so I went to my old tobacco website and sifted through some new brands, new pipes and the like.  Next time I come into some extra spending money, I just may get some new leaf and blow some smoke rings for old times' sake.

 

Folk Tale Friday

Keeping with the schedule, it is folk tale Friday.  This is the story of St. Patrick and St. Odran.  St. Odran has the distinction of being the first Irish Christian Martyr.  (Not to be confused with St. Odhran of Iona)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Long ago, Saint Patrick roamed the country of Ireland, preaching the word of God, converting pagans, and performing miracles.  During his travels, he was often accustomed to walking, but at times, when the journey was particularly long, he rose in a chariot driven by his disciple. Odran.

Now, Patrick came to County Kildare, where a chieftain worshiped a terrible idol.  Patrick, claiming the spot of God, destroyed the idol and converted the populace.

The chieftain was enraged, and ordered that Patrick be killed.  He called a secret meeting in the woods with his assassin, and instructed him to throw his spear at Patrick when he passed by the spot in his chariot.  The assassin agreed, and took his spot in the brush.  Unbeknownst to the plotters, Odran was gathering food for himself and Patrick in the, and he overheard the evil plan.

That morning, the chariot set out for the next county.  Odran had not forgotten what he had heard, but he did not wish to worry his teacher.  A mile or so away from the place where Patrick was to be killed, Odran stopped the horses.

"Dear Master, I have become tired and I believe that I am becoming sick.  Could you take the reins from me so I may rest?"

When Patrick obliged, Odran thought that just a change of places would not be enough, so he carried his plan further.

"Dear Master, I am cold, could I please wear your cloak to keep me warm while I rest?"

Patrick, being more than happy to help his friend, draped his green and gold cloak around Odran's Shoulders.

Then, when they passed by the place, a lance flew forth from the briar and struck Odran in the heart, killing him.

When Patrick learned what Odran had done, he was very sad and wept for his loyal friend.  He buried his friend and built a church over his grave.  Patrick never forgot the sacrifice of Oran, and he was made a saint.

Strumming and frailing

 My dad brought by my guitar and my banjo today, which made me really happy.  I haven't had the time or the cargo space to get them from my parents house, so I asked him to bring them along when he was in the area today.  I havent played my banjo in maybe three weeks, so I was super excited to finally have it again.  Apparently I played for over an hour.  My door was open and a guy came by and we started to talk guitars and music and the like, and he noted that he wanted to take guitar lessons.  So, I offered to teach him.  It turns out, he is LEFT HANDED....a little awkward, but I think that I can manage.  I've never taught guitar before, so this will be a new start for me as much as it is for him.

So I went to my first musical production at my University.  It was late and I wasnt doing anything, so a couple of friends and I decided to see a show entitled "cabaret" that was being put on by one of the theater students.  It was a one person show with a piano accompaniment, but it was a good time.  10:00 PM is a little late for a show, but eh, why not.  I then realized that it was midnight and I had work in the morning....so, that said, I need to get to bed.

Pipes and Vice-Presidents

Physics lab was better today, actually finished it without wanting to tear my own ears off with a pair of salad tongs.

The Vice-President was on campus today giving a speech or something, I dont know, and I care even less.  The campus is right next to an airbase, so I got to see Air Force One fly overhead which was pretty cool.  I always love to look up and see the military aircraft flying around.

So I have decided to get back into my piping a little more.  Possibly less of the traditional stuff and more into the old Ceòl Mór also known as Piobaireachd.  Piobaireachd is Scots Gaelic for "piping" or "act of piping," and can refer to any sort of specifically bagpipe music.  Ceòl Mór is "big music" to distinguish from Ceòl Beag (little music) which included reels, strathspeys, etc.  It's the "traditional" Scottish bagpipe music, and has been played for hundreds of years.  It is known for its length and complexity.

In the old times, Piobaireachd was originally taught by using caintaireachd.  Caintaireachd was music that was passed orally, not through written notation.  This way, the piper could learn through hearing the song and learn the phrasing, feel, and movements of the song.  In this tradition, piobaireachd is very difficult to write with the limitations of modern notation.  It has no meter, but has a pace for the tune.  The best way to learn the tunes today is through an experienced instructor, using notation as a supplement.

This is the music of the pipes that I enjoy above all others.  One of my favorite players is the venerable Allan MacDonald, one of the most famous players of pibroch and some claim the man responsible for the survival of the music into the modern piping world.   Here he is playing his interpretation of one of my favorite tunes, Cumha Na Chloinne, "Lament for the Children"  A tune written by the "father of pibroch," Padruig Mor MacCrimmon.  Legends say the tune was written to lament the loss of 800 men of the Clan Macleod at the battle of Worchester in 1651.

As you can see, the emotion Allan puts the tune is something you rarely hear in music that is restricted by time and notation.  Many, myself included, consider the Piobaireachd to be as much a living breathing entity as the one playing it. It has its own pulse, its own breath, and its own spirit. 

Note, the old gaelic words are:

Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gaol dhut
Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gràdh dhut
Thug mi gaol is thug mi gràdh dhut
Thug mi gaol nach dug mi chàch dhut
Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gràdh dhut

Boy with the black hair I gave you love
Boy with the black hair I gave affection.
I gave you love, I gave you affection.
I gave you a love that I did not give to the rest
Boy with the black hair, I gave you affection."

Uninspired

So, I got a little disappointed today by something...kind of bringing me down.  Not really feeling the motivation to write anything.  Thats all.

Soap, Shavers, and Mugs

So I shaved for the first time in three days this evening, and I got some pretty bad razor burn.  I think its mostly because the hair was a little too thick, I shaved a little to fast, and I made the mistake of using the cheap, single-blade bic razors.

I usually use shaving soap anyway for a number of reasons.

1) I am allergic to some of the artificial scents/chemicals in the modern gels and foams
2) Shaving soap generally is smoother on the skin, has a more pleasant, natural scent.
3) Shaving soap, because unused lather can build back into the cake, you do not waste as much and your product lasts longer.
4)You dont have to throw away the can and cause more trash buildup.

Besides the practical reasons, shaving is a very intimate personal ritual.  The wetting of the brush and the lathering of the soap was the way my grandfather shaved.  His father taught him to shave this way, and his father taught him to shave that way, and so on.  By going through the same steps that they went through, I have a way of connecting to them. (I am however, not yet brave enough to attempt the deadly straight-razor)

I would like to get a better razor, preferably one of the good quality double-bladed safety razors.  Some good quality soap, a nice badger hair brush and an actual shaving mug.  I have been looking around on the net, and have found some soaps I would like to try out that may be better than the stuff I am currently getting at Wal-mart (ugh.)

There is some at work I would like to try, they use clay as a natural lubricant and lye as a base.  I've always had good experiences with homemade lye soaps, so I may give this a try.  Plus, I get the benefit of an employee discount. 

So I found a mug that I reeeealy liked, and the damage comes to about $30.00, not including shipping.  Its resin, so it is going to hold up well, although many mugs are made of porcelain, like the cheap bowl that I have now.  I fancy the darker one on the far left.  Luckily it comes with a free soap selection.

Yes, please.