Anthropax's Old Blog

Today is The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where she notably pronounced the Magnificat (called the 'Universal hymn of Social Change' by some. I just love the Magnificat, it being my favourite canticle, and will waste no time in reproducing it here:

My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy His name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the might from their thrones
and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, His servant,
remembering His mercy,
the mercy promiced to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.

Technorati Tags: Our Lady, Visitation, Magnificat

I found this via Kieron's Blog here, and while most of it is a rambling homily on the link between sex and war, a little bit at the end stood out.

"It's the gulf that exists in any time, some more true than others. There seems to be an awful and unquestioned wave of repression, and a tokenism, in the best sense of the word. I was reading something written by the Vatican astronomer -- it's been a long time since I found myself agreeing with anything said by the Catholic Church -- and he was talking about how it's important that Religion should embrace Science, because Science is the only thing that keeps Religion from falsehood, and gives it a clear grasp of reality as opposed to Creationism, which is a kind of paganism. I was impressed by that, because it echoed something I said myself a few days before. 'Paganism' is a pegorative term that means 'rural.' 'Oh, those are country gods. Those are the kind of gods who are worshipped by people who screw their livestock and marry their sisters.' It was a way of dismissing anything that was rural. Gods from the sticks. Actually, fundamental Christianity, at least as I understand its American manifestation, which is its major manifestation, the Bible Belt and the Farm Belt, these are not two separate belts we're talking about, are we? So, fundamental Christianity, paganism, and a particularly dangerous form of paganism, seems to be going unquestioned because of its fire and vehemence. Nobody wants to get on the wrong side of a big, angry, unreasonable beast. But the thing with big, angry unreasonable beasts like National Socialism in Germany in the Thirties, you kind of have to get on the wrong side of them eventually, because they'll just eat everything. It is important to occasionally wave a red flag in front of them and see what they do. They might trample you, they might devour you, but it's the only way that you can ever keep them in line."

Technorati Tag:USA, Religion

I'm in the library at the moment, having just purchased a good few books that were being sold off on the cheap. First of all we have "Ceremonial of the English Church" (mine having a nicer cover, being the 1911 Edition) a bargain at only £1, and the plates at the back being more than enough reason to purchase it. Next up is "The Man of God" by Peter Green from 1935, followed swiftly by "The Christian Sacraments" by Oliver Chase Quick from 1929. As well as two little paperbacks, I picked up the fine copy of "English Church Teaching" by a couple of Bishops from 1908. All the books came to six fine British pounds in total, a real bargain. I'll post about my weekend in a bit dear readers, with wild tales of a house built in 1500, and a grandfather clock eaten away by mice.

Technorati Tags:Books, Anglican, Bargin

...I'm off home for a nice long weekend. The Family moved into our newly renovated house last week, so I may take a few photos of the pile. I'm looking forward to seeing Humphrey and Alice. I'm not sure what the broadband situation is like at home, so don't expect much over the next few days.

Today's Ascension, and so last night I went to Mosque Mass (A Lampeter in-joke) at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, with John, Sandra and Elliot. Not a dreadfully exciting service, and I couldn't receive because despite being a Catholic Anglican, I am still an (alledged) Protestant. Talking of Protestants, today in 1521, a certain chap was declared an outlaw and heretic after nailing somethings to a cathedral door. I've heard that the reason Luther went to confession about 15 times a day, was because he kept on committing a certain sin that happens in private. 15 times a day. The beast!

Technorati Tags:Anglican, Ascension

The CofE has released a report called 'Faithful Cities' which the BBC talks about:

"The experience of the faithful on the ground is that the poor are the losers in a widening prosperity gulf. "We live in one of the most economically unequal countries in Europe and not only has the 'trickle down' promise of market forces failed to deliver but a draconian asylum system consigns a small section of the population to unacceptable destitution."

Those cool cats at CULF also recomend a 'living wage' above the current minimum wage that is very tricky to live on. Thinking Anglicans has a collection of useful links here.

Technorati Tags: Anglican, Social Action

I've been asked in the comments on this post to respond to the following

"Well...if you say its not God giving these mediums their information, i have just one thing to say...........prove it."

Very well, I'll give it my best shot, bearing in mind that this is not an area that I have studies, or indeed read on other than general tit-bits .

I have, I feel, given a good explanation for my view that 'mediums' are, in general either self-deluding fools, or knowing charlatans, giving examples of the 'Cold Calling' technique from here, and pointed you towards the Houdini case (where Houdini and his wife agree on a set of words that Harry was to utter to his wife via a 'medium' after his death. After a decade of trying with various 'mediums' all of who claimed to be in touch with Houdini, none of whom produced the code words, his wife gave up.). However, if we are to assume that there is something supernatural taking place when 'mediums' talk to the dead, I will try to prove that it is not 'God inspired'.

1) God works in mysterious ways. These ways do not include allowing the dead to talk to the living via a 'medium' for a paying audience, for one, God would not be so tacky, but more importantly, God's blessings simply don't work in that way. God loves us all, yet when someone asks for a new car in a prayer, very rarely does one turn up on the doorstep the next morning. God only provides miracles if it will help someone's faith develop, and if one would increase ones belief in God if He gave you a car, then that's the wrong sort of faith

2) What ends would result from God giving a person this 'gift'? This sort of mild new-ageyness is only the first stepping stone on the road towards sticking a Quartz crystal in your belly-button an 'omning' to yourself. Wouldn't it seem a lot more rational that something that wants to lead the believer away from God is doing this sort of thing?

3) The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church condemns it.

4) Scripture condemns it.

I would imagine that's enough of my poorly thought through and hastily scribbled-down arguments for one night.

Technorati Tags: Theology, Mediums

This weeks 'The Tablet' has a few articles on The Da Vinci Code that I've talked about here, and one is by my academic advisor and director of the Centre of Marian Studies here at Lampeter, Sarah Jane Boss. I'll nip off and buy it in a bit, and report back.

Technorati Tags: The Da Vinci Code, The Tablet, Lampeter, Virgin Mary

Well, Montenegro has voted to split from Serbia, as the BBC reports here. Jolly good for them and all that, but has anyone considered the most pressing issue on my mind in this time? It's effect on Eurovision. Another Balkan state giving 12 points to its neighbours all the time, and increasing the amount of time the competition takes by for ever. Oh well.

Technorati Tags: Eurovision, Montenegro, Balkans, Europe

My new Wordpress blog is up and running here. I'm not sure how it will fit in relation to this blog, but I'm thinking of having this blogger blog for more personnel things, and the wordpress one for more serious things. Anyway. I may move onto Wordpress gradually over a few months, or may stick with this 'duel nationality' of blogging. The weather's been rather naff up in Lampeter - torrential rain. I countered this with loads of tea and another episode of Brideshead Revisited.

As a keen young European, I feel it my duty to have a good blog about the institution that is The Eurovision Song Contest. I'll be blogging through the night (with maybe a small break to go to the local funfair that's in town), to ensure that you, my devoted audience can be kept up to date with Europes premier cultural event of 2006.

8.05 Ah! The Campness begins!

8.09 "You're my lover! Under covers!" What wordsmithery!

Every 5 minutes "amazing!"

I voted! Romania and Croatia - partly because Romania is going to join the EU next year, and needs all the help it can get.

22.13 The Results! Slovenia - Hmm - political voting!

22.17 Oh dear- I do hope Finland doesn't win - Lordi are quite ghastly, and not at all eurovisiony

22.24 Balkan Foxtrot - all the Balkans give votes to their neighbours - nice

22.27 Go Ireland - take that Moldova!

22.38 Ukraine making up for the Fuel spat with Russia by giving it 12 points

22.50 Anyone been to Helsinki before? What's it like this time of year?

22.03 I guess that Lordi are kind of in keeping with the Eurovision 'camp+costumes' thing
Buenos Noches Amigos! Botherer Blog talks about Lordi here. In the meantime, I'm just the sort of tipsy that Gin makes one. I'm going to say a rosary and then off to the land of nod.

Technorati Tag:Eurovision

I made a little pilgrimage yesterday to Llanddewi Brefi, the sight where Saint David made a hill rise up so the synod of Brefi could hear him (the synod was convened to condemn the Pelagian Heresy). The church on the hill that he made rise is lovely, and pretty long, with some superb 6th century Christian headstones (one of which had writing on that looked just like 'Christus' - it was ace). No photos I'm afraid, as my camera was playing up - I'll go back another time though and get some good ones. I found this one of the hill and church via google.

Well, James is at it again. This week, The Da Vinci Code is the target of his cutting wit and flock of lower-case 'I's.

I dont usually comment on recently released films, but after reading an article posted by Boris Johnson MP on the Da Vinci Code, i thought i might as well give my point of view towards the film (especially as im a confirmed Christian). In all truth, i can understand why the Catholic church is fearing its release, after all, surveys show that over 60% of the adult population in Britain believe it to be true (which according to old Boris here, is about 7 million people in this country).

You seem to have mis-read Old Boris' article, he in fact states the figure that out of the 22% of people in Britain who have read TDVC, 60% believe that there may be some truth in the work. Easy mistake to make, mind, so we'll be charitable and not hold it against him

But being a Christian, most people would expect me to be completely against this book by author Dan Brown, believing that not only is it blasphemous, but also mocks the Catholic church by claiming that they have covered up the descendants of Christ who are supposingly living in France........not true. In fact, when i have the time, the chances are that i will be visiting my nearest cinema in Newport (most likely with my girlfriend) and viewing this film which is supposed to be one of the best films of all time.

One of the best films of all time? I'll wait until I see it before I decide that, but judging from the quality of writing in the book, I would be doubtful.

Dont get me wrong, i cant exactly say that i agree with Dan Browns argument, i dont even believe that Jesus married Mary Magdalene (let alone had a child/children)

Thank Goodness! Some Orthodoxy! Although the 'exactly' worries me slightly...

...but then again, i also consider that Dan Brown (like the rest of us) is only human, and therefore (like most Christians in the world) conjure their own opinions to the meaning of the bible.

'Conjure'? To an extent, yes, but there is a reason for the temporal church - to guide the faithful. I, for example would guess that St. Luke's Gospel would recomend a favourable stance towards the poor, perhaps reflected in a progressive tax system, but, well, The Magnificat and Lucan Beatitudes are quite ambiguous in relation to social values...

And im one of them. Too right 'Jesus was for the death penalty' anyone?

There are many situations in my life where i dont fully agree with the bible, such as its belief that all spiritual mediums are contradictory to God. Call me crazy, but i dont agree with this at all, as i regularly visit my family medium for advice and guidance in life, even though the bible forbids this

OK - mediums are psuedo-scientific folk, who are merely self-deluding (to be charitable) or knowing charlatans, out to exploit people's grief and willingness to believe any 'non-traditional spirituality' for the sake of profit. Perhaps the medium influences James' beliefs - after all, no rational person who identifies as a Christian could afirm that it's fine to kill prisoners if they cost too much money could they? I know James is a Tory, but even I accept that not all Conservatives are dreadful people. I'd recomend that James pop along to see a proper priest (I know the school chaplain is a decent sort, who could put Master Skinner back on the straight and narrow).

...and i think its also the same with Dan Brown. He may have his different opinions on the New Testament, but we cant judge him as being any less of a Christian as us......it is un-Christian to do that in the first place!

Granted, we shoulf no judge 'lest ourselves be judged', but it is still permissable to point out to a person when they have crossed the line into heterodoxy, or indeed heresy.

He may have created a best-selling book, which may have turned into one hell of a film, but lets not get carried away with this. It doesnt mean that his story must be added to the gospel...it simply means that, like most us, Dan Brown has differing opinions about the bible, and it is up to us whether we choose to believe it.

Brown presents his views in a very clever way, loads of small things that add up to give the impression that it must be true, and one would be a fool not to believe it. Granted, he puts a disclaimer in front of the book, stating that it is fiction, but it presents ideas that undermine the faith of those that simply don't have the background to check the details out. Granted, one of the saints does look a little feminine in 'The Last Supper', but no serious art scholars are going to believe that the Friars who sat below it for their meals for many years didn't notice and investigate things like this. There's a propper site dedicated to answering your questions about The Da Vinci Code here. People are always going to have some distrust of authority, and conspiricy theories are hugely popular, partly because of the "well you would say that wouldn't you?" answer to any reasoned criticism. The book's a gripping read (if rather formulaic), and great fun, but to be honest, as Umberto Eco said: "Anyone who starts talking about the Knights Templar is almost certainly going to be a loony".

Technorati Tags: The Da Vinci Code, Theology

# posted by Anthropax @ 5/18/2006 11:58:00 PM |