KARL, JOHN AND ME

I must admit that I've given Robert a bit of stick over the last few years over his religious beliefs.
Admittedly they're a bit whacky and may have been the result of breathing in the fumes from those cleaning agents he uses at work. There's no other way to explain it since he had a very similar education at the same school that Richard and I also went to and he completed a degree at Victoria university so the guy's not stupid - just maybe misguided.

Recently though he started up another blog (he continually deletes all his blog posts and occasionally the entire blog and has to start again) titled  Life In The Spirit.  LIFE IN THE SPIRIT


Now I'm not saying that this isn't wacky and will no doubt dive down into diatribes about god, sin, heaven, hell, Satan and creationism but at present it seems to be on an even keel.

In one post where he recounted going to Confession which is a ridiculous construct purported to be a 'sacrament' he came away feeling elated and happy -

"I was totally forgiven for all my infidelities and that I just had to pray for the success of my current marriage. I did that and joy of joys I feel great."

I'm pleased for him and it underscores my belief that there is a place in the world for religions if they just concentrate on making people feel good instead of preying on their fears and insecurities.

I don't necessarily believe in the Marxist theory that 'Religion is the opiate of the people' - the full quote from Karl Marx translates as:

"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people"

Nor do I entirely subscribe to John Lennon's view in his song Working Class Hero -

"Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV. And you think you're so clever and classless and free. But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see. A working class hero is something to be".

I believe in churches and religions being havens for people who are busy, sad, tired,  stressed, unwell and needing some affirmation and support. It's no coincidence that the older churches had architecture that aided this. Unfortunately some of the modern constructs are plain, soulless and deeply unsatisfying.

No wonder that Robert liked the photograph Richard took of a Roman church.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD (OF RBB)

THE BIBLE

Richard (of RBB) wrote a post derogating The Bible HERE

No doubt Robert, the Christian Cleaner will remind him that he's going to hell for that.
Robert The Christian Cleaner isn't the guy who checks out your underwear drawer or who steals things from your washing line, he's more likely to browse through your library of books and your record collection while cleaning your house. He does this to see whether you are worth redeeming or not. If you show any interest in his religion then look out - there'll be lots of story swapping about his imaginary friends Jesus, God and The Holy Ghost.

In John's Gospel which is basically the story of Jesus (the real Jewish one) he says:

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

          John 21:25 

....... which suggests that the Bible is incomplete and that every nutter out there can add his or her bit to it.

Scary.

The Bible of course is a bit of nonsense as Richard alludes to but it has a few raunchy stories that have fuelled many a writer or filmmaker's imagination, particularly the Old Testament ones.

Both the Old and the New Testaments have a few stories about Satan who maybe wasn't such a bad guy after all. He was poorly treated by Robert's God and was only trying to eke out a living. Some of the things written about him - particularly the drug-induced ravings of John in The Book of Revelations could actually be defamatory.

OK, NOW I'M REALLY FREAKED OUT

I checked out Robert's blogs blog to check on what he's up to just in case he's planning a crusade or intending to come north.

I was impressed by the music he's writing - the kid is talented even though a bit misguided with his religiosity.

I clicked on a tag 'videos what I've made' sic and BOOM - there it was, this recording like something out of The Exorcist.


Sue still talks strangely when asleep


The 'language' is consistent like some sort of archaic latin or aramaic or something. Scary.

I wonder if Robert has had it analysed?

I think he'd better check out Amazon to see if they have a bulk deal on holy water.

HOLY WATER

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

I was christened with the names Peter (primary) and John (secondary).
These apparently are pretty good names in the Christian churches' hierarchy as they are the names of two of the twelve apostles. Apostles were the very best mates of Jesus who got invited to all the best parties. Being named after two of these jokers puts me into a kind of special club - like a secret society.

I also have a Confirmation name which is Michael. Michael wasn't an apostle but he was an archangel which is pretty cool.

Scuttlebut of the time hinted that Michael was actually the true father of Jesus. Old Joseph didn't impregnate Mary apparently and certainly not that deviant The Holy Ghost. The story about Mary being a virgin and that Jesus was miraculously conceived was an early form of PR.

*****************

I did some investigation into the christian names of other bloggers in the community and discovered that neither Richard nor Robert have names of apostles or even of the early 'who's who' of christendom. In the later centuries the whole concept of saints was diluted and any old beggar could be given the title and in far flung outposts of christianity.

Nope. No Richards or Roberts here

Richard's primary christian name - Richard is derived from Richard of Chichester. Well, I guess it's better that being Bill from Taita but only just:

Richard of Chichester Saint
Richard of Chichester, also known as Richard de Wych, is a saint who was Bishop of Chichester. In Chichester Cathedral a shrine dedicated to Richard had become a richly decorated centre of pilgrimage.
Born 1197, Droitwich Spa, UK
Died 3 April 1253, Dover, UK

Robert's primary christian name - Robert is derived from Robert Bellarmine an Italian doctor

Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J. was an Italian Jesuit and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was one of the most important figures in the Counter-Reformation.
Born 4 October 1542, Montepulciano, Italy
Died 17 September 1621, Rome, Italy.

No doubt that Richard will be jealous to learn that Robert has Italian connections and that Montepulciano produces a pretty good red wine.

Richard's secondary christian name is Stephen. Stephen was almost an apostle but had the misfortune to not be born early enough.

Saint Stephen is traditionally venerated as the first martyr of Christianity,. He was according to the Acts of the Apostles ,a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who aroused the enmity of members of various synagogues by his teachings.

Born 5 AD - no-one knows where
Died 34 AD, Jerusalem

Robert's secondary christian name is Maurice (don't laugh. Maurice was a Roman legionnaire so would stab you at the drop of a hat).

.

Saint Maurice.
Saint Maurice was according to tradition the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group.

Born: Thebes, Egypt
Died: 287 AD, Agaunum, Switzerland

I hope that this was informative. We at THE CURMUDGEONS INC.ⓒ strive to keep our readers up to date with important issues and relevant news.

ATHEISTS

Atheists, according to Christians and other religious people are scum and not to be trusted.
Their reasonable views of existence are insidious and could lead to children believing that the earth is not flat and that we all descended from apes - perish the thought.

They are very naughty people who challenge our belief system. A consolation is that when they die they won't go to heaven.

.

HE HAS RISEN

I read a post recently where the writer spoke of meeting a workmate after Easter.
This workmate appeared out of a shed and said (quietly) "Jesus has risen".

Now I don't wish to scare anyone but to me, it is a bit creepy that a strange bearded chap when being said 'Hi' to comes back with "Jesus has risen".

Is there some arcane cult thing going on within christianity whereby secret messages are passed on amongst the cognoscenti?

We know that christianity and in particular the catholic church has mysterious groups like Rosicrucians, Golden Dawn, The Knights Templar and Opus Dei etc.......

...... but has this creepiness distilled down to the average christian Joe?