Thanks for the post. We fought Escambia County and Pensacola on prayer but got nowhere. They are too groomed to their religion and afraid to hear anything else. Now DeSantis wants to groom every kid. Public school prayer is coming up again.
Once again Substack seems to have transplanted a comment on one essay to the page of another essay--no idea why that happens. But thank you for your comment on the school prayer essay, Andre Ryland
Largely as a result of having grown up with two three-pack-a-day smokers, and living with a former partner who smoked and could not be bothered to smoke outside, I’ve ended up with a chronic, progressive, and ultimately fatal lung disease. (Don’t worry, I’m going to be around for several more years!)
I take ten separate prescriptions a day to have the “luxury” of breathing. These prescriptions help me breathe. They also kill sex drive. I can stop taking these prescriptions, and have all the sex I want — if I don’t mind feeling like I’m breathing through several layers of wet paper towels while I’m having sex. (“Breathing” wins every time.)
I’ve had to change my love language. I’ve always loved cooking, to the point where I took three years of culinary classes in Texas so I could have the tools to prepare anything I want.
The way I show love in through the food I prepare. When I learned about my illness going on three years ago, I, too went into a very dark space. My pulmonologist started treating the disease aggressively, which has pretty much stopped the progression of the disease and the quality of my life improved dramatically— to the point where I started cooking again; only this time, I’m cooking to show love.
Three years ago, I was told I would probably not lived the age of 70. The spring I was told with a little bit of luck and taking good care of myself, I could probably make it to 80. I can handle dying at 80 a lot better than I can handle dying at 70.
Tita, in “Like Water For Chocolate”, sublimates her emotions in the food she prepares. It’s fair to say that cooking is a gauge of my emotional health: if I’m not cooking, I’m probably in a dark place; and if I’m cooking and feeling optimistic and hopeful. Today I’m going to start the process of making frijoles refritos - not those awful things you get from cans that are served in homes (and in most Mexican restaurants), but the real things which one begins making the day before, and then the next day are mashed into an iron skillet with a little bit of bacon grease or lard. The difference between these beans and the kind you get in the store or a restaurant is the difference between night and day.
It may be a little bit vanity on my part, but I would think one can taste the love, and the care which goes into the food that I prepare.
I don’t know why Substack keeps putting comments on wrong posts, but I like this—except for the dying crap. I’ll likely expire before you do—in my 78th year, after all —but it still sux to think of you struggling to breathe
1. Your picture of Odin is incorrect. As all Marvel movie fans know, he looks like Anthony Hopkins.
2. Regarding the Georgia law that prohibited “obscene” bumper stickers, I would favor a companion law that allows those offended by them to spray paint over them. With minimal repercussions if they get outside the lines.
When I was in seminary, I wrote a paper on “Whose God Is “The Right One”. The ancient Greeks believed their pantheon of gods were the correct ones. Ditto the Canaanites. Ditto the Assyrians. Ditto the Babylonians. Ditto the Romans. Ditto the Norse.
Pretty much by sheer luck the one God of the Jews, YHWH, became dominant and was finally adopted by the early Christians, who separated God into three co-equal, co-existent entities (“The Trinity”).
Even today, we have a dozen major world religions, and several hundred thousand smaller religions all saying “their” god is “the correct” one.
My contention is that the concept of a Supreme Being has evolved over several millennia, and in a thousand years when Christianity has ceased to exist and Judaism and Islam are dying out (if they haven’t done so, already) the concept of God will have changed, just as the concept of a unitary God developed out of the pantheon of cultural gods.
And really, given that the concept of a Supreme Bring is continually (bad word!) *evolving*, who is to say that the Greeks, the Canaanites, the Assyrians. the Babylonians, the Romans, the Norse etc weren’t ALL at least partially “right” in that they perceived Something greater than themselves?
I don’t believe one automatically spends an eternity in Hell for believing in Zeus, or Venus, or Aphrodite, or Thor, or Apollo — or no god at all.
For the record: you’ll never, EVER hear me make any claims for Christian exclusivity or superiority. I’ve known far too many people of all faiths (or no faith) who have lived exemplary, even saintly lives. (You’re one of them.)
I finally figured out why comments have been attached to the wrong essays--my stupid fault. I'll sort it on any future essays and correct these if I can. --Ed B.
Yes! When I clicked on "leave a comment" at the bottom of the Danse Macabre email, it sent me to this page. I didn't realize until now that I was commenting on the wrong post.
I blew that one--I just copied the "Leave Comment" button from an earlier essay, not realizing that would link comments to the wrong essay. I will forward your great comment directly to Keith. Thanks!
The right-wingers who go on so about "prayer being taken out of public schools" obviously have never taken classes in medieval music theory, organic chemistry or calculus.
We think of folks from the medieval period as being so "backward" and "unenlightened" -- and if one really wants to study something arcane, study music theory from the medieval period. Their system of modes does not correspond to our system of modes. and very often the only way one can find which mode is being used is to check to see what the dominant pitch MIGHT be.
In music written before 1270, we have to guess what the rhythms might be because medieval composers didn't have a system of notating rhythm as we have now. Between 1270 and 1350, a set of six rhythmic modes was devised. Once these modes were established, composers went wild and the music between 1350 and 1425 can be as rhythmically complex (and nearly as dissonant!) as the music of Stravinsky and Messiaen!
The most fervent prayers I ever heard, in all sorts of religions and religious traditions, were before exams in medieval music theory, organic chemistry and calculus exams! An average grade in these classes, based on a 100 point exam, was somewhere in the mid 40s.
People are free to pray whenever and however they like. They can't be organized prayers led by a leader in settings such as schools or in government (at least, supposedly) where everybody is expected to participate in these prayers.
I remember kids who were Muslim, Jewish and Hindu in my elementary school classes, which makes sense since my school was located in a town with a major university with students (and faculty) from all over the planet. Even back in 1960 and 1961, we didn't say the "Lord's Prayer" or any other prayers, because we recognized that not everybody was Christian and not everybody wanted to recite a specifically Christian prayer.
As elementary and junior high students, we recited the "Pledge of Allegiance", which today I do NOT say, nor do I place my hand over my heart, nor do I sing the National Anthem, since I am not about to get involved in the syncretism between religion and the state -- and as a socialist, I have plenty of issues with "the state" as it currently manifests itself.
If prayers worked, we'd all me millionaires, hospitals and doctors wouldn't be needed and all teams in all sports would win.
Thanks for the post. We fought Escambia County and Pensacola on prayer but got nowhere. They are too groomed to their religion and afraid to hear anything else. Now DeSantis wants to groom every kid. Public school prayer is coming up again.
Once again Substack seems to have transplanted a comment on one essay to the page of another essay--no idea why that happens. But thank you for your comment on the school prayer essay, Andre Ryland
I so relate to this!
Largely as a result of having grown up with two three-pack-a-day smokers, and living with a former partner who smoked and could not be bothered to smoke outside, I’ve ended up with a chronic, progressive, and ultimately fatal lung disease. (Don’t worry, I’m going to be around for several more years!)
I take ten separate prescriptions a day to have the “luxury” of breathing. These prescriptions help me breathe. They also kill sex drive. I can stop taking these prescriptions, and have all the sex I want — if I don’t mind feeling like I’m breathing through several layers of wet paper towels while I’m having sex. (“Breathing” wins every time.)
I’ve had to change my love language. I’ve always loved cooking, to the point where I took three years of culinary classes in Texas so I could have the tools to prepare anything I want.
The way I show love in through the food I prepare. When I learned about my illness going on three years ago, I, too went into a very dark space. My pulmonologist started treating the disease aggressively, which has pretty much stopped the progression of the disease and the quality of my life improved dramatically— to the point where I started cooking again; only this time, I’m cooking to show love.
Three years ago, I was told I would probably not lived the age of 70. The spring I was told with a little bit of luck and taking good care of myself, I could probably make it to 80. I can handle dying at 80 a lot better than I can handle dying at 70.
Tita, in “Like Water For Chocolate”, sublimates her emotions in the food she prepares. It’s fair to say that cooking is a gauge of my emotional health: if I’m not cooking, I’m probably in a dark place; and if I’m cooking and feeling optimistic and hopeful. Today I’m going to start the process of making frijoles refritos - not those awful things you get from cans that are served in homes (and in most Mexican restaurants), but the real things which one begins making the day before, and then the next day are mashed into an iron skillet with a little bit of bacon grease or lard. The difference between these beans and the kind you get in the store or a restaurant is the difference between night and day.
It may be a little bit vanity on my part, but I would think one can taste the love, and the care which goes into the food that I prepare.
I don’t know why Substack keeps putting comments on wrong posts, but I like this—except for the dying crap. I’ll likely expire before you do—in my 78th year, after all —but it still sux to think of you struggling to breathe
Two thoughts…
1. Your picture of Odin is incorrect. As all Marvel movie fans know, he looks like Anthony Hopkins.
2. Regarding the Georgia law that prohibited “obscene” bumper stickers, I would favor a companion law that allows those offended by them to spray paint over them. With minimal repercussions if they get outside the lines.
Thought-provoking words, Ed.
When I was in seminary, I wrote a paper on “Whose God Is “The Right One”. The ancient Greeks believed their pantheon of gods were the correct ones. Ditto the Canaanites. Ditto the Assyrians. Ditto the Babylonians. Ditto the Romans. Ditto the Norse.
Pretty much by sheer luck the one God of the Jews, YHWH, became dominant and was finally adopted by the early Christians, who separated God into three co-equal, co-existent entities (“The Trinity”).
Even today, we have a dozen major world religions, and several hundred thousand smaller religions all saying “their” god is “the correct” one.
My contention is that the concept of a Supreme Being has evolved over several millennia, and in a thousand years when Christianity has ceased to exist and Judaism and Islam are dying out (if they haven’t done so, already) the concept of God will have changed, just as the concept of a unitary God developed out of the pantheon of cultural gods.
And really, given that the concept of a Supreme Bring is continually (bad word!) *evolving*, who is to say that the Greeks, the Canaanites, the Assyrians. the Babylonians, the Romans, the Norse etc weren’t ALL at least partially “right” in that they perceived Something greater than themselves?
I don’t believe one automatically spends an eternity in Hell for believing in Zeus, or Venus, or Aphrodite, or Thor, or Apollo — or no god at all.
For the record: you’ll never, EVER hear me make any claims for Christian exclusivity or superiority. I’ve known far too many people of all faiths (or no faith) who have lived exemplary, even saintly lives. (You’re one of them.)
Ed - what a story! Your Dad sounds like a lovely, brave man. Pam
I finally figured out why comments have been attached to the wrong essays--my stupid fault. I'll sort it on any future essays and correct these if I can. --Ed B.
Wow, that is so powerful. It brought me to tears. If only it could make a difference ...
Fine praise and welcome—but which post did it apply to? Danse macabre, maybe?
Yes! When I clicked on "leave a comment" at the bottom of the Danse Macabre email, it sent me to this page. I didn't realize until now that I was commenting on the wrong post.
I blew that one--I just copied the "Leave Comment" button from an earlier essay, not realizing that would link comments to the wrong essay. I will forward your great comment directly to Keith. Thanks!
Thanks Ed! I love your blog!
The right-wingers who go on so about "prayer being taken out of public schools" obviously have never taken classes in medieval music theory, organic chemistry or calculus.
We think of folks from the medieval period as being so "backward" and "unenlightened" -- and if one really wants to study something arcane, study music theory from the medieval period. Their system of modes does not correspond to our system of modes. and very often the only way one can find which mode is being used is to check to see what the dominant pitch MIGHT be.
In music written before 1270, we have to guess what the rhythms might be because medieval composers didn't have a system of notating rhythm as we have now. Between 1270 and 1350, a set of six rhythmic modes was devised. Once these modes were established, composers went wild and the music between 1350 and 1425 can be as rhythmically complex (and nearly as dissonant!) as the music of Stravinsky and Messiaen!
The most fervent prayers I ever heard, in all sorts of religions and religious traditions, were before exams in medieval music theory, organic chemistry and calculus exams! An average grade in these classes, based on a 100 point exam, was somewhere in the mid 40s.
People are free to pray whenever and however they like. They can't be organized prayers led by a leader in settings such as schools or in government (at least, supposedly) where everybody is expected to participate in these prayers.
I remember kids who were Muslim, Jewish and Hindu in my elementary school classes, which makes sense since my school was located in a town with a major university with students (and faculty) from all over the planet. Even back in 1960 and 1961, we didn't say the "Lord's Prayer" or any other prayers, because we recognized that not everybody was Christian and not everybody wanted to recite a specifically Christian prayer.
As elementary and junior high students, we recited the "Pledge of Allegiance", which today I do NOT say, nor do I place my hand over my heart, nor do I sing the National Anthem, since I am not about to get involved in the syncretism between religion and the state -- and as a socialist, I have plenty of issues with "the state" as it currently manifests itself.