So on the nose, Bill. It's time to phase out the patriarchy in the church and the government. I've gotten to the point that I think most religions are cults and hijack their member's ability to think for themselves. Churches walk the walk, but the Vatican is laden in jewels, gold, and a ton of dough; I don't think it's the good that Jesus had in mind.
Great article Bill, and I'm inspired to watch. The points you make are why I no longer participate in the organized church and how I started the reading that led me to the conclusion that, as all of us are more alike than we are different, so all religions, at the fundamental level teach the same principles and suffer from perversions inflicted by mortals in the pursuit of what we are told not to pursue. Thanks.
Brilliant article hitting the right bases. I’ve not seen the movie, but I do believe that Catholic rightists and evangelicals have combined to turn off many devout members. As the pews empty, the coffers go down and may encourage leaders to see the damage they have done supporting Trump and other supposed Christians who do not practice the faith in reality. Good article!
Prime. I use the IMDB app to keep a "watch list" of movies and series that we follow or hope to watch. It guides us to the platform where the shows can be viewed. I add movies even when they are only available in theaters. IMDB sends me a notification when it becomes available on one of our streaming services.
Haven't seen the movie but, historically, there was no separation of Church and politics. The Pope literally had the power to excommunicate you if you bought goods from other than Church-owned sources. As an aside, those Cardinal Red robes came about because of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Tyrian purple was the incredibly costly pigment used to made Cardinal Purple, but at the time, the only place it was made in volume, under the Church's control was Constantinople. I'd have to refresh my memory but sometime around 1471 the Church had to switch to red. Seeing all that red on a daily basis instead of purple must have been infuriating.
Boy. Once again, I am late to the party. Bill, this is one of your best.
Life could be so simple in the world could be such a good place if somehow we just followed that golden rule.
My five-year-old granddaughter recited it to me a while ago. I hope she remembers it and lives it. Bravo to her parents for telling her that that’s the way the world should work.
Bill have you ever read "Conversations with God" by Neale Donald Walsh ? A good friend gave me the audio book 25 years ago when I was going through a hard time and a big transition in my life. For the first time ever, I was commuting 90 minutes to work and back. One day I put the cassette in and started to listen. I had to rewind it a lot and re-listen to a lot of passages. It was a very different approach to spirituality for me. A few years later my friend and I had the opportunity to go interview Neale and document the beginning of Humanity's Team at a 3 day event. They were the most open, loving group I've ever encountered. One very large black man that we interviewed cried as he described feeling totally accepted by the group for being gay. Those experiences started evolving my thoughts and research about religion and spirit a lot.
I would put you at the top of my list of Substack authors and participants who have my high respect and admiration. You seem to have found a really good "balance of life".
I have read lots about how we should view humanity and how we can be better humans. But once it veers into spirituality and and deism, I lose interest. I have absolutely no reason to think there is a god or gods (for most of our history we had many). And if there is one I have no idea why it is so cruel. My wife does hug trees - really feels they are "beings".
I am an agnostic leaning to atheist leaning to the idea that maybe humans will never achieve their potential as an intelligent species. I don't think that we are anything other than little tiny specs of dust who can't possibly grasp the nature of the universe. For now, I work with the Golden Rule and Respect for the planet and its other inhabitants.
But, IF I were to engage in a "faith" there would be one that might work for me.
Have you read the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Key ideas:
1. The only dogma is that there is no dogma
2. Be nice. Mock ideas and religions if you want - but not people.
3. Nobody has ever died in the name of the FSM
4. The food and drink is really good
5. An impenetrable wall between religion and government (see origin of FSM)
6. No church property, no tithing.
7. You can keep your old faith while you try us out.
8. The FSM created all this in a drunken night - woke up and realized it was big mistake.
9. As a result he hasn't bothered us since. Although it's like UFOs. There are "sightings".
10. Fridays are our sabbath days. We drink and cook pasta (your choice).
I thank the FSM (or whatever) for providing us with a sense of humor. Survival tool.
Hi Bill, thanks for the Substack compliment...that means a lot to me. I love your thought process and reflections. The "Golden Rule" is my core principal.
Your wife might want to check out Kent Nerburn's "Voices in the Stones". I've gotten a lot from Nerburn's writings.
I'll have to look into the Flying Spaghetti Monster...
So on the nose, Bill. It's time to phase out the patriarchy in the church and the government. I've gotten to the point that I think most religions are cults and hijack their member's ability to think for themselves. Churches walk the walk, but the Vatican is laden in jewels, gold, and a ton of dough; I don't think it's the good that Jesus had in mind.
Yup. As we took the tour of the art at the Vatican, I was thinking how many mouths all that wealth could feed.
I just googled and came up with a guess of 10 to 15 $Billion - just for the art.
I think Jesus would say SELL! And feed the poor.
I believe that also
My wife and I watched it too. The politicization of the Vatican. Who’da thunk?
Spoiler alert. The not so subtle social commentary was interesting. I was surprised by the ending. I guess that's what makes a good film.
Great article Bill, and I'm inspired to watch. The points you make are why I no longer participate in the organized church and how I started the reading that led me to the conclusion that, as all of us are more alike than we are different, so all religions, at the fundamental level teach the same principles and suffer from perversions inflicted by mortals in the pursuit of what we are told not to pursue. Thanks.
Yes. There is a common theme. Someone suggests a faith or philosophy. With the best of intentions. It gains traction. Sounds positive.
Then opportunists take over and pervert the message to their selfish purposes.
And, at least once, get driven out of the temple with a lash. I wonder if the cat'o'nine'tails is still available.
Brilliant article hitting the right bases. I’ve not seen the movie, but I do believe that Catholic rightists and evangelicals have combined to turn off many devout members. As the pews empty, the coffers go down and may encourage leaders to see the damage they have done supporting Trump and other supposed Christians who do not practice the faith in reality. Good article!
Thank you.
We watched Conclave streaming for $5.99. It's compelling and there are multiple interesting real life parallels.
Where is it streaming Bill? I'm immobile but have access to TV.
Prime. I use the IMDB app to keep a "watch list" of movies and series that we follow or hope to watch. It guides us to the platform where the shows can be viewed. I add movies even when they are only available in theaters. IMDB sends me a notification when it becomes available on one of our streaming services.
Thanks Bill. I'd never explored IMDB that thoroughly.
Haven't seen the movie but, historically, there was no separation of Church and politics. The Pope literally had the power to excommunicate you if you bought goods from other than Church-owned sources. As an aside, those Cardinal Red robes came about because of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Tyrian purple was the incredibly costly pigment used to made Cardinal Purple, but at the time, the only place it was made in volume, under the Church's control was Constantinople. I'd have to refresh my memory but sometime around 1471 the Church had to switch to red. Seeing all that red on a daily basis instead of purple must have been infuriating.
Thank you for your honest assessment. We watched Conclave as well. I concur with your post. 🙏🏻🇺🇸
And all these actions and infrastructure are tax-free in god-loving USA.
Madalyn Murray O’Hair—« Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer »
Useful essay. Thank you, Bill.
Great article for this Sunday morning. Thanks!
One more comment… I was raised Catholic, but have not been Catholic for a long, long time.
I raised my kids in reform Judaism…though did not convert to Judaism. (one true religion, and a lifetime is enough.🙂)
I was very comfortable with that “ Religion” because of what seemed to be their single mission: “Tikkum olam .” To make the world a better place.
That’s my kind of religion.
Boy. Once again, I am late to the party. Bill, this is one of your best.
Life could be so simple in the world could be such a good place if somehow we just followed that golden rule.
My five-year-old granddaughter recited it to me a while ago. I hope she remembers it and lives it. Bravo to her parents for telling her that that’s the way the world should work.
Excellent article Bill. I seem to remember that Jesus was born a Jew. He did an amazing job creating religion for the world.
Bill have you ever read "Conversations with God" by Neale Donald Walsh ? A good friend gave me the audio book 25 years ago when I was going through a hard time and a big transition in my life. For the first time ever, I was commuting 90 minutes to work and back. One day I put the cassette in and started to listen. I had to rewind it a lot and re-listen to a lot of passages. It was a very different approach to spirituality for me. A few years later my friend and I had the opportunity to go interview Neale and document the beginning of Humanity's Team at a 3 day event. They were the most open, loving group I've ever encountered. One very large black man that we interviewed cried as he described feeling totally accepted by the group for being gay. Those experiences started evolving my thoughts and research about religion and spirit a lot.
Hey Mike,
I would put you at the top of my list of Substack authors and participants who have my high respect and admiration. You seem to have found a really good "balance of life".
I have read lots about how we should view humanity and how we can be better humans. But once it veers into spirituality and and deism, I lose interest. I have absolutely no reason to think there is a god or gods (for most of our history we had many). And if there is one I have no idea why it is so cruel. My wife does hug trees - really feels they are "beings".
I am an agnostic leaning to atheist leaning to the idea that maybe humans will never achieve their potential as an intelligent species. I don't think that we are anything other than little tiny specs of dust who can't possibly grasp the nature of the universe. For now, I work with the Golden Rule and Respect for the planet and its other inhabitants.
But, IF I were to engage in a "faith" there would be one that might work for me.
Have you read the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Key ideas:
1. The only dogma is that there is no dogma
2. Be nice. Mock ideas and religions if you want - but not people.
3. Nobody has ever died in the name of the FSM
4. The food and drink is really good
5. An impenetrable wall between religion and government (see origin of FSM)
6. No church property, no tithing.
7. You can keep your old faith while you try us out.
8. The FSM created all this in a drunken night - woke up and realized it was big mistake.
9. As a result he hasn't bothered us since. Although it's like UFOs. There are "sightings".
10. Fridays are our sabbath days. We drink and cook pasta (your choice).
I thank the FSM (or whatever) for providing us with a sense of humor. Survival tool.
Hi Bill, thanks for the Substack compliment...that means a lot to me. I love your thought process and reflections. The "Golden Rule" is my core principal.
Your wife might want to check out Kent Nerburn's "Voices in the Stones". I've gotten a lot from Nerburn's writings.
I'll have to look into the Flying Spaghetti Monster...
All the best, Mike