Easter Sunday Service

On Easter Sunday we were treated to the Missa Gaia. which we didn't realize was not only based on the structure of the Catholic Mass, but contained parts of it.  When we came to the Beatitudes I almost lost it.  Part of the Sermon on the Mount, they proclaim that the meek, the poor, those in mourning, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful the peacemakers, the pure of heart, and the persecuted all suffer in this life but will find their rewards in heaven... and... yeah... I have a problem with that. While it's true that we all suffer to some extent in this life, the only reward after death is death itself, as in no longer being a participant in this world.  If you think that's a reward then I feel sorry for you, and you need to work to improve your lot right now and right here.  There is no other way.

Last week there was an article in the WaPost about five myths of Easter.  It closed with "Choose not to believe in the Resurrection, and Jesus is just another prophet. Believe in the Resurrection, and your whole life changes".  And yes, that's true.  Once you choose to believe in the Ressurection, you have to believe in a whole parcel of other stuff that comes along with it, otherwise the Ressurection is impossible and doesn't make any sense.  Much of what you have to believe in support of the Ressurection is just horrible stuff, most of which is either just not true, or not applicable in today's modern world.

So let me counter that.  If you choose NOT to believe in ressurections your whole life changes for the better, because things finally make sense.  Reject heaven and god, all things become clear and you are able to live in the here and now, which is where it all takes place.

SMBC Comics on God, Math and Religion

The point is, if you want certainly about god, you're almost certainly wrong.  Better to doubt or admit that you can't understand the complexity of the world than to accept an answer that is ... well... you get it...

If Prayers Worked

If prayers worked I would pray for your healing. I really truly would.  I would spend every waking minute prostrating myself and doing whatever it took to get the almighty to intervene and make right whatever's wrong with you or your spouse or your child or your relative or friend.

But prayers don't work like that.  So instead I'll work for more fair and equitable healthcare, to help get you access to doctors and hospitals and medicines who actually can heal you when you need them.  That seems like a better use of our time here on earth, so I hope you'll accept that instead of prayer.  It turns out to be a lot more work.

Bob

Amanda: How is the Dalai Lama the reincarnation of the Buddah if he achieved Nirvana?
Bob: I was raised Roman Catholic. If you want someone to explain conflicting religious mysteries, you got the wrong guy.

A Pope for the Atheists

We all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there,” – Pope Francis, in a homily today (5/22/2013)

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445

She is risen!

Everyone knows that they only ate unleavened bread during passover. And then three days later the bread would rise again because of naturally occurring yeast. Everyone would see that and yell Happy Yeaster! which today we shorten to Happy 'Easter.

And in France they used to sell matzos in packs of 12, which is why they call it Paques.

There's always a simpler answer for everything.

Andrew Sullivan almost gets it right

In his interview with Hitch... http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/03/17/hitch-and-sully-why-should-i-deserve-forgiveness  they talk about forgiveness, they talk about weapons of mass distraction, but I think he leaves it hanging at the end... asking why do you think it (the use of nuclear weapons) hasn't happened (beyond WWII).. and leaves it hanging... I'm sure Hitch had an answer.  And I'm certain that it wasn't that god was saving us for something else...