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| Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151910422861751&set=pb.100133201750.-2207520000.1396041299.&type=3&theater |
28 March 2014
Wondering Zygote Emeritus Blog and Zonation Milestones
So, Wondering Zygote Emeritus blog just finished posting its 300th post! It's been a great time, especially with the dialogs I had with commenters.
Also, Zo had a five year milestone at PJTV. Congrats Zo!
The Matrix Did Not Incinerate Humans
***Spoilers Alert!*** This post was inspired by someone who usually doesn't talk about pro-life issues (link to YouTube video; UPDATE: Here's another video by Zo.) directly. He couldn't help but address it since this report came out from the UK, "Aborted babies incinerated to heat UK hospitals".
I've mentioned before that something like what happened in the UK shows that we have descended closer to Gehenna.
I've mentioned before that something like what happened in the UK shows that we have descended closer to Gehenna.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.” (Matthew 5: 27-29)
In my Bible commentary, Gehenna was described as the place of “an idolatrous cult” where “children were offered in sacrifice” (2 Kings 23: 10; Jeremiah 7:31). So, those who are “thrown into Gehenna” go with those who sacrificed their children.
26 March 2014
Churchmen Gone Wacky Wednesday
(Here's the full interview.)
There now is a Card'nal named Kasper
Who desp'rately wants now to plaster
Out words from the law
And words from God's jaw.
Will those with Burke pry out disaster?
© 2014 Wondering Zygote Emeritus
Image sources: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Raymond_Leo_Cardinal_Burke.JPG
http://www.lifesitenews.com/images/sized/images/news/Cardinal-Kasper-Paul-Haring-240x319.jpg
Premise: I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another [remarriage] commits adultery. Matthew 19: 9
Premise: Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin [Decalogue included] are not to be admitted to holy communion.
Conclusion: Since remarriage is a "manifest grave sin", those obstinately persevering in the state are not to be admitted to holy communion.
Corollary: Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corr 11: 27
25 March 2014
When the Time Has Come by Huey Lewis and the News on Redemption Time
So, Huey Lewis and the News has an entire song about their version of the eschaton, or the end of the world (many songs mention it, but briefly). It's "When the Time Has Come".
He mentions in the song that the eschaton is "redemption time". This made me thought of the time when Pope Francis said that everyone including atheists is redeemed by Jesus.
Many people were in an uproar and/or confused about the Pope's pronouncement since most assumed the Church taught that atheists could not enter heaven. Was he supposedly changing another Church teaching? Yet again, the teaching did not change.
All were redeemed by Jesus when he died on the cross. The thing is, for salvation, one has to join with Christ in baptism and carry his or her cross. There has to be a response by the redeemed. Redemption makes salvation possible.
This song by Huey Lewis confuses the matter further by calling the eschaton "redemption time". That time has been completed once and for all.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33764571@N00/2798074617/sizes/m/ |
Many people were in an uproar and/or confused about the Pope's pronouncement since most assumed the Church taught that atheists could not enter heaven. Was he supposedly changing another Church teaching? Yet again, the teaching did not change.
All were redeemed by Jesus when he died on the cross. The thing is, for salvation, one has to join with Christ in baptism and carry his or her cross. There has to be a response by the redeemed. Redemption makes salvation possible.
This song by Huey Lewis confuses the matter further by calling the eschaton "redemption time". That time has been completed once and for all.
24 March 2014
The Lego Movie and Dismissed Green Lantern
So, Green Lantern was in The Lego Movie.
I heard that Green Lantern revealed that he had same-sex attraction in one of his comics. What surprised me was that he was dismissed so blatantly by the main character Emmet in the movie, saying something like, "excuse me" while he pushed Green Lantern out of the way.
It was unexpected in this modern movie.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1uplego/8228145140/ |
It was unexpected in this modern movie.
22 March 2014
Sunday Snippets -- A Catholic Carnival Post VI
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week:
Question of the Week: How often do you go to confession? Do you have a regular confessor or do you go to different priests?
I try to go at least every 3 months. I do not have a regular confessor.
For the week of March sixteenth:
March 17-18 and 21
Commentaries on The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie Bad Cop Singing Danny Boy on Saint Patrick's Day
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movie-bad-cop-singing-danny.html
The Lego Movie's Prophesying by Vitruvius
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movies-prophesying-by-vitruvius.html
The Lego Movie and Tolerant Unikitty
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movie-and-tolerant-unikitty.html
March 20
The Search for Spock and the gods of Genesis
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-gods-of-genesis.html
March 19
Wacky Wednesday Limericks on Silencing Pro-life and Pro-marriage views on Sanford University Campus
Silencing Debate at Stanford Wacky Wednesday
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/silencing-debate-at-stanford-wacky.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week:
Question of the Week: How often do you go to confession? Do you have a regular confessor or do you go to different priests?
I try to go at least every 3 months. I do not have a regular confessor.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101030402@N03/12422054853/sizes/m/ |
For the week of March sixteenth:
March 17-18 and 21
Commentaries on The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie Bad Cop Singing Danny Boy on Saint Patrick's Day
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movie-bad-cop-singing-danny.html
The Lego Movie's Prophesying by Vitruvius
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movies-prophesying-by-vitruvius.html
The Lego Movie and Tolerant Unikitty
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lego-movie-and-tolerant-unikitty.html
March 20
The Search for Spock and the gods of Genesis
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-gods-of-genesis.html
March 19
Wacky Wednesday Limericks on Silencing Pro-life and Pro-marriage views on Sanford University Campus
Silencing Debate at Stanford Wacky Wednesday
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/silencing-debate-at-stanford-wacky.html
21 March 2014
The Lego Movie and Tolerant Unikitty
***Spoilers Alert!*** It's was hilarious that The Lego Movie had multiple jabs against liberal agenda items. One was against Unikitty's "tolerance".
In her cloud land, nice Unikitty made sure that the main characters knew that they could do whatever they wanted.
However, if they stopped or discouraged anyone from doing whatever they wanted...
... bad Unikitty appeared.
The hippy-dippy, modern version of tolerance personified in a Lego character. Yea!
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| Image source: http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131123061837/lego/images/e/e0/Unikitty.jpg |
However, if they stopped or discouraged anyone from doing whatever they wanted...
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| Image source: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/12311455604_065f10b077_o.jpg |
The hippy-dippy, modern version of tolerance personified in a Lego character. Yea!
20 March 2014
The Search for Spock and the gods of Genesis
***Spoilers Alert!*** Between Star Trek II and III, there were really three main people who wanted the Genesis device and its "secrets": Dr. David Marcus (Kirk's son), Khan, and Klingon Captain Kruge.
The Genesis device was capable of bringing to life a dead planet or killing a live one for its "new matrix" (or creating a new planet all by itself from nebula matter some how). In either case, already existing matter had to be present to reorganize matter at the subatomic level.
Dr. David Marcus, Khan, and Captain Kruge wanted the power to create or destroy for themselves (for honor and/or "ultimate power"). It was like the battle of the Roman or Greek gods once again, except now, the mortals used science.
The battle raged between them until they were all dead.
On the other hand, God created the universe (or multiverse, etc.) out of nothing. He (not male, just subject placeholder) created all time, matter, and dimensions. The Book of Genesis describes this in a poetic manner, where the point is that God created it out of love, not domination.
For more on this see this video by Fr. Barron.
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| Image source: http://cdn.filmschoolrejects.com/images/startrek2_commentary3.jpg |
Dr. David Marcus, Khan, and Captain Kruge wanted the power to create or destroy for themselves (for honor and/or "ultimate power"). It was like the battle of the Roman or Greek gods once again, except now, the mortals used science.
The battle raged between them until they were all dead.
On the other hand, God created the universe (or multiverse, etc.) out of nothing. He (not male, just subject placeholder) created all time, matter, and dimensions. The Book of Genesis describes this in a poetic manner, where the point is that God created it out of love, not domination.
For more on this see this video by Fr. Barron.
19 March 2014
Silencing Debate at Stanford Wacky Wednesday
The limericks and meme below was inspired by the recent article by Jennifer S. Bryson, Ph.D. entitled, "Stanford, Marriage and Abortion Controversies, and the Mission of a University".
Silencing at Stanford
At Stanford, it was an oasis
For all points of view to have places.
But marr'age for now
Is under the plow
For burying Truth from some faces.
And tolerance is just a ruse
Of many who outright refuse
To look at the facts;
It may stop their tracts.
Their views facing facts, they may lose.
© 2014 Wondering Zygote Emeritus
Image sources:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/dec/08122402
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/may/08050205
In engaging in debates, there is a possibility that one's previous view(s) may change. The purpose of a debate is not necessarily to win or lose, it is to find the truth that is outside ourselves by reason and facts. The college is the ideal setting for such activity.
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| Image Sources: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/dec/08122402 http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/may/08050205 |
Silencing at Stanford
At Stanford, it was an oasis
For all points of view to have places.
But marr'age for now
Is under the plow
For burying Truth from some faces.
And tolerance is just a ruse
Of many who outright refuse
To look at the facts;
It may stop their tracts.
Their views facing facts, they may lose.
© 2014 Wondering Zygote Emeritus
Image sources:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/dec/08122402
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2008/may/08050205
In engaging in debates, there is a possibility that one's previous view(s) may change. The purpose of a debate is not necessarily to win or lose, it is to find the truth that is outside ourselves by reason and facts. The college is the ideal setting for such activity.
18 March 2014
The Lego Movie's Prophesying by Vitruvius
***Spoilers Alert!*** So, Morgan Freeman's character Vitruvius (accent on "tru"; on the right in the picture below) revealed a prophesy in The Lego Movie that was pretty silly.
Looking to Jesus, there were many prophesies made about him in the Old Testament (Torah and other books). The ancient prophets of his Hebrew (Jewish) community said that there would be a person anointed Savior of Israel, to rule as a son of King David. There were many other prophesies about a new and eternal King of Israel that would deal with the enemies of Israel.
The thing is that if a prophet was found out to be a false prophet, or one who prophesied falsely, according to the Law of Moses (Jewish Law) that prophet should die. (That's one of the reasons that Jesus died, the Israel leadership believed that he was a false prophet.) This is one reason why the Hebrew community took prophesying seriously.
So, prophesying in the Hebrew world was not a light matter. Of course, the Lego world could take Vitruvius' prophesying lightly since they were just plastic who were filmed by stop action cameras (and/or CGI).
Looking to Jesus, there were many prophesies made about him in the Old Testament (Torah and other books). The ancient prophets of his Hebrew (Jewish) community said that there would be a person anointed Savior of Israel, to rule as a son of King David. There were many other prophesies about a new and eternal King of Israel that would deal with the enemies of Israel.
The thing is that if a prophet was found out to be a false prophet, or one who prophesied falsely, according to the Law of Moses (Jewish Law) that prophet should die. (That's one of the reasons that Jesus died, the Israel leadership believed that he was a false prophet.) This is one reason why the Hebrew community took prophesying seriously.
So, prophesying in the Hebrew world was not a light matter. Of course, the Lego world could take Vitruvius' prophesying lightly since they were just plastic who were filmed by stop action cameras (and/or CGI).
17 March 2014
The Lego Movie Bad Cop Singing Danny Boy on Saint Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
This week, The Lego Movie will be looked at. Yes, there are things to write about it.
For today, I looked for a clip of Liam Neeson singing "Danny Boy" on YouTube (etc.) but couldn't find one.
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| Image source: http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news/41545/_1391784396.jpg |
I'll just leave you with a prayer of St. Patrick (Jesus is "Christ"):
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| Image source: http://dioceseofgallup.org/religiouseducation/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/st-Patrick.jpg (I do not know about the Facebook link.) |
15 March 2014
Sunday Snippets -- A Catholic Carnival Post V
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Do you have any suggested resources for those trying to kickstart these last weeks of Lent?
Learning more about the faith is a very important thing to do and Lent is a good time to kickstart the process. A good resource online from Fr. Barron is his secondary YouTube channel playlist "Faith Seeks Understanding" (a phrase from one of the Christian Fathers) here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01F8772094235EC2
For the week of March ninth:
March 10-11 and 13-14
Commentaries on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
The Good Shepherd
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/star-trek-iii-search-for-spock-part-i.html
Search for Spock to Godforsakeness
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-to-godforsakeness.html
Search for Spock and the Fall Guy
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-fall-guy.html
Search for Spock and the Other Vulcan
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-other-vulcan.html
The Search for Spock and the Secrets of Genesis
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-secrets-of.html
March 12
Wacky Wednesday Pro-life Limericks on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC)
Wacky Wednesday Prolifers Go Beyond MLK's Dream
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/wacky-wednesday-prolifers-go-beyond.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Do you have any suggested resources for those trying to kickstart these last weeks of Lent?
Learning more about the faith is a very important thing to do and Lent is a good time to kickstart the process. A good resource online from Fr. Barron is his secondary YouTube channel playlist "Faith Seeks Understanding" (a phrase from one of the Christian Fathers) here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01F8772094235EC2
For the week of March ninth:
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lpachuta/5642063277/meta/ |
March 10-11 and 13-14
Commentaries on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
The Good Shepherd
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/star-trek-iii-search-for-spock-part-i.html
Search for Spock to Godforsakeness
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-to-godforsakeness.html
Search for Spock and the Fall Guy
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-fall-guy.html
Search for Spock and the Other Vulcan
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-other-vulcan.html
The Search for Spock and the Secrets of Genesis
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-search-for-spock-and-secrets-of.html
March 12
Wacky Wednesday Pro-life Limericks on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC)
Wacky Wednesday Prolifers Go Beyond MLK's Dream
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/wacky-wednesday-prolifers-go-beyond.html
The Search for Spock and the Secrets of Genesis
***Spoilers Alert!*** The Klingon Kruge had his mind sent on "ultimate power" in his pursuit of Genesis. He destroyed two vessels with their crew (including his love interest on a cargo vessel; the other one was the science vessel Grissom pictured below) and Kirk's son for its secrets for use as a planet-civilization-destroying weapon.
Just like the devil in the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis, Captain Kruge wanted ultimate power and destruction of his enemies. He was jealous of what others had, here the Genesis device. The devil was jealous of the relationship humans had with God.
May we not turn into Klingons.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/5421361985/meta/ |
May we not turn into Klingons.
14 March 2014
The Search for Spock and the Other Vulcan
***Spoilers Alert!*** What and who was the entity that the Genesis Planet regenerated in The Search for Spock and then was found by Saavik and David? What was taken to Mount Saleya?
Who (or what?) is the person that is in the picture below after the mind meld on Mount Saleya?
The really interesting question is what was the entity who saved the Enterprise in the last movie (The Wrath of Khan) after Spock mind melded with McCoy, giving away his Katra?
It can make your mind spin.
My opinion is that the movies are inconsistent. I won't go into why (that would take a while and I'm tired tonight).
Let's just say that the movies do not follow the Christian idea of the soul.
Who (or what?) is the person that is in the picture below after the mind meld on Mount Saleya?
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14531705@N00/4021512392/meta/ |
It can make your mind spin.
My opinion is that the movies are inconsistent. I won't go into why (that would take a while and I'm tired tonight).
Let's just say that the movies do not follow the Christian idea of the soul.
13 March 2014
The Search for Spock and The Fall Guy
***Spoilers Alert!*** Why did David die in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock? The short answer is that he sacrificed himself as the fall guy in order that Spock and Saavik could live.
When the Klingon Captain Kruge ordered that someone be executed on the planet for Project Genesis' secrets, Saavik was the soon-to-be target. Instead, David was executed when he chose to attack the Klingon that was carrying out the execution. David seemed to do it in order to save Saavik, at least temporarily.
I think an alternative explanation below is more interesting and even more relevant to David's motive.
In the scientific-research stage of Project Genesis, it was revealed in this movie that Dr. David Marcus (at least) used proto-matter. Saavik was stunned when David revealed this fact to her in the movie since proto-matter was banned by the scientific community as being too unpredictable. Kirk's son made the excuse that using the contra-banned substance helped solve certain problems in the project.
God made creation for us to prosper in, to love and to be loved. There are almost an infinite number of things that we could legitimately do, with relatively fewer things that God forbids us to do. The main forbidden fruit is to decide for oneself the criteria for good and for bad apart from God. That's God's domain.
In the Genesis story of the Judea-Christian Bible, the forbidden fruit tree in the Garden of Eden represents this knowledge. God said of it, "The LORD God gave the man [Adam] this order: You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die." (Genesis 2:16-17)
In The Genesis Device's development, when David took the shortcut in using proto-matter, he took to himself the prerogative to decide what was acceptable and unacceptable, or perhaps decided that there is neither criteria for good nor for ill.
Just like when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Book of Genesis, in what Christians call "The Fall", they did not die right away, it took some time before David took the fall for his actions in Project Genesis. In a similar way that Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit, once the forbidden proto-matter did its dirty work, the Genesis Planet creation essentially threw David out of paradise to his death.
David realized that none of the events on the Genesis planet would be happening at all if he had not eaten the proto-matter forbidden fruit. He must have thought that it was a just act to volunteer for the execution. He was the Fall Guy.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40346087@N02/5314148058/meta/ |
I think an alternative explanation below is more interesting and even more relevant to David's motive.
In the scientific-research stage of Project Genesis, it was revealed in this movie that Dr. David Marcus (at least) used proto-matter. Saavik was stunned when David revealed this fact to her in the movie since proto-matter was banned by the scientific community as being too unpredictable. Kirk's son made the excuse that using the contra-banned substance helped solve certain problems in the project.
God made creation for us to prosper in, to love and to be loved. There are almost an infinite number of things that we could legitimately do, with relatively fewer things that God forbids us to do. The main forbidden fruit is to decide for oneself the criteria for good and for bad apart from God. That's God's domain.
In the Genesis story of the Judea-Christian Bible, the forbidden fruit tree in the Garden of Eden represents this knowledge. God said of it, "The LORD God gave the man [Adam] this order: You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die." (Genesis 2:16-17)
In The Genesis Device's development, when David took the shortcut in using proto-matter, he took to himself the prerogative to decide what was acceptable and unacceptable, or perhaps decided that there is neither criteria for good nor for ill.
Just like when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Book of Genesis, in what Christians call "The Fall", they did not die right away, it took some time before David took the fall for his actions in Project Genesis. In a similar way that Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit, once the forbidden proto-matter did its dirty work, the Genesis Planet creation essentially threw David out of paradise to his death.
David realized that none of the events on the Genesis planet would be happening at all if he had not eaten the proto-matter forbidden fruit. He must have thought that it was a just act to volunteer for the execution. He was the Fall Guy.
12 March 2014
Wacky Wednesday Prolifers Go Beyond MLK's Dream
Prolifers show how it is done:
How *MLK’s dream can be won.
Preborn babies of all,
No matter how small,
Their mothers, all shades ‘neath the sun.
Beyond their inherent worth giv’n,
Beyond how their mothers are liv’n,
**CPC’s help them all,
Even if they have flaws,
Beyond King, they treat all as forgiv’n.
© 2014 Wondering Zygote Emeritus
*Martin Luther King, Jr. (Dr. King)
** Crisis Pregnancy Center
Image sources:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmanuelgonot/6793545130/meta/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbimedialibrary/4351582722/meta/
The above limericks were inspired by Alfonzo Rachel's (ZoNation) recent commentary here ("Stephanie Miller: A Liberal Licensed Racist").
11 March 2014
The Search for Spock to Godforsakeness
In the last post, Kirk was likened to a Good Shepherd. He can also be seen as someone who went into godforsakeness for the benefit of his friend Spock.
The Genesis planet on which Spock was left by Kirk (in TWOK) was self-destructing. It was burning up. The images in the movie looked like the planet was turning into hell, with the Klingon Kruge as the substitute Satan. In the image above, Kirk is fighting Kruge in order to commandeer his ship which has Spock and his other friends on board.
Kirk went to hell to rescue his friend from the brink using violence and deception. In his world, violence and deception brings down more of the same. On the other hand, Jesus rescued and rescues his friends using peace and truth and the cross. In his world, peace and truth gives rise to more of the same.
Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13) His way of doing things is indeed strange and otherworldly. It leads those who follow him, who love him to heaven.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14531705@N00/4472722984/meta/ |
Kirk went to hell to rescue his friend from the brink using violence and deception. In his world, violence and deception brings down more of the same. On the other hand, Jesus rescued and rescues his friends using peace and truth and the cross. In his world, peace and truth gives rise to more of the same.
Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13) His way of doing things is indeed strange and otherworldly. It leads those who follow him, who love him to heaven.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. (John 14:15-17)
10 March 2014
Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival Post IV
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is A Man for All Seasons. It's about St. Thomas More and his journey toward martyrdom in the kingdom of Henry VIII. It's my favorite because of the dialog and the reminder that such things can come to pass in any lifetime, ev'n in a "rational culture" (not like passionate Spain), and usually from the marriage issue (St. John the Baptist, too; Leviticus XVIII). I recall many lines from this movie adaptation of the play quite often.
For the week of March Second
March 3-7
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-iii.html
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-iv.html
How I Live Now For Ash Wednesday - http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-v-ash-wednesday.html
How I Live Now For Lent in General - http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-vi-lent-edition.html
March 4
Announcement about updating my limericks about Arizona's Conscious Law
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/update-to-wacky-wednesday-arizonas.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is A Man for All Seasons. It's about St. Thomas More and his journey toward martyrdom in the kingdom of Henry VIII. It's my favorite because of the dialog and the reminder that such things can come to pass in any lifetime, ev'n in a "rational culture" (not like passionate Spain), and usually from the marriage issue (St. John the Baptist, too; Leviticus XVIII). I recall many lines from this movie adaptation of the play quite often.
For the week of March Second
March 3-7
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-iii.html
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-iv.html
How I Live Now For Ash Wednesday - http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-v-ash-wednesday.html
How I Live Now For Lent in General - http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-vi-lent-edition.html
March 4
Announcement about updating my limericks about Arizona's Conscious Law
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/update-to-wacky-wednesday-arizonas.html
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Part I The Good Shepherd
***Spoilers Alert!*** In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kkan (TWOK), Spock sacrificed his life for the lives of the entire crew of the Enterprise. By contrast, in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (TSFS), Kirk sacrificed his career, other friends, and possibly his life to save his friend and colleague Spock.
Before he went on his mission to save Spock, Kirk asked permission of the commanding Admiral of space dock, Admiral Morrow, to use the Enterprise that was being decommissioned. He also mentioned that he had to take the Enterprise to the quarantined planet Genesis (from TWOK). He was denied permission.
After being denied permission, Kirk passionately said that he would find a way to get to Genesis and save Spock. Admiral Morrow warned Kirk not to disobey his orders and ruin his career that always exemplified rationality.
Was Kirk being irrational or illogical?
The same could be asked about Jesus in the parable of the Good Shepherd.
This parable is about a sinner, a "lost one" who repents. When the lost one is found, he is said to have repented and returned to the path toward heaven with Jesus.
This act of finding the lost sinner meant that Jesus the Good Shepherd would have to sit and eat with sinners. This act itself could potentially ruin His reputation among his community.
However, in the Gospel of John, it says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
It is more important to get the one sheep than to save one's own life or stay with the safe people, the in-crowd. The Good Shepherd made that choice with the full knowledge that the search for the lost sheep would end His own life on the cross and His reputation.
Jesus the Good Shepherd and Kirk were indeed being rational and free in their choices to save the one that they loved. They knew the risks. Since they were free, they had the liberty to make the hard choice even though it may end their lives and potentially ruin their future reputations.
To be continued ...
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| Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31428610@N05/3350673287/meta/ |
After being denied permission, Kirk passionately said that he would find a way to get to Genesis and save Spock. Admiral Morrow warned Kirk not to disobey his orders and ruin his career that always exemplified rationality.
Was Kirk being irrational or illogical?
The same could be asked about Jesus in the parable of the Good Shepherd.
[Jesus said,] “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’" Luke 15:4-6
This parable is about a sinner, a "lost one" who repents. When the lost one is found, he is said to have repented and returned to the path toward heaven with Jesus.
This act of finding the lost sinner meant that Jesus the Good Shepherd would have to sit and eat with sinners. This act itself could potentially ruin His reputation among his community.
However, in the Gospel of John, it says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
It is more important to get the one sheep than to save one's own life or stay with the safe people, the in-crowd. The Good Shepherd made that choice with the full knowledge that the search for the lost sheep would end His own life on the cross and His reputation.
Jesus the Good Shepherd and Kirk were indeed being rational and free in their choices to save the one that they loved. They knew the risks. Since they were free, they had the liberty to make the hard choice even though it may end their lives and potentially ruin their future reputations.
To be continued ...
07 March 2014
How I Live Now Part VI Lent Edition
**Spoilers Alert!*** In this post on the movie How I Live Now, a connection will be made between the last post about fasting and the post about Daisy's dialog.
During the movie, Daisy went through a transformation in three main steps. Daisy said, "Before the war, I used my will power for stupid stuff like not eating chocolate." During the war, as was mentioned in the last post, she had to give up many things to help the war effort. In the post with her dialog, she gave things up for the sake of Eddie.
In Lent, many of us give up "stupid stuff" like chocolate, sweets, or ice cream. This is a good start, for to get to the last stage like Daisy did, it has to start with the small things. It may seem stupid in the beginning, but with reflection, it may turn out that it wasn't so stupid after all.
Since we are corporal beings ("embodied souls"), quite often it takes corporal actions for us to realize things. For Daisy, it could well be the case that the "stupid stuff" was actually a jumping off for her next challenge during the war that is shown in the image above, namely, taking care of her cousin.
In a similar way, even though our motives may not be the best for fasting from whatever we gave up, we may eventually realize in a more profound way what the fasting is for (like in the last post).
From there, as a final goal, fasting during Lent will hopefully lead us to reach out for Our Lord as Daisy reached out for Eddie. "Now I use my will power to wait for you Eddie."
May we use our will power to (1) love God and neighbor and (2) wait for the Lord at His second coming for, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." Amen.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
How I Live Now Part IV
How I Live Now Part V Ash Wednesday Edition
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9627836210/meta/ |
In Lent, many of us give up "stupid stuff" like chocolate, sweets, or ice cream. This is a good start, for to get to the last stage like Daisy did, it has to start with the small things. It may seem stupid in the beginning, but with reflection, it may turn out that it wasn't so stupid after all.
Since we are corporal beings ("embodied souls"), quite often it takes corporal actions for us to realize things. For Daisy, it could well be the case that the "stupid stuff" was actually a jumping off for her next challenge during the war that is shown in the image above, namely, taking care of her cousin.
In a similar way, even though our motives may not be the best for fasting from whatever we gave up, we may eventually realize in a more profound way what the fasting is for (like in the last post).
From there, as a final goal, fasting during Lent will hopefully lead us to reach out for Our Lord as Daisy reached out for Eddie. "Now I use my will power to wait for you Eddie."
May we use our will power to (1) love God and neighbor and (2) wait for the Lord at His second coming for, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." Amen.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
How I Live Now Part IV
How I Live Now Part V Ash Wednesday Edition
06 March 2014
WZE Format Update
Hello all. I've noticed that it has been taking a long time for WZE to load, especially compared to other blogs. So, in an effort to improve the efficiency of WZE, many gadgets have been removed to decrease loading time.
For future posts, only pictures relating to movies, TV programs, and music will be used for visuals instead of embedded preview links to YouTube. Embedded YouTube videos take forever to load.
Thank you and God bless you and yours.
For future posts, only pictures relating to movies, TV programs, and music will be used for visuals instead of embedded preview links to YouTube. Embedded YouTube videos take forever to load.
Thank you and God bless you and yours.
05 March 2014
How I Live Now Part V Ash Wednesday Edition
Collect [for Ash Wednesday, First Day of Lent]
Grant, O Lord,
that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
In the How I Live Now movie, during the war, Daisy and her cousin had to eat only rations. Rations were only eaten because most resources had to be used for the war effort. People back home had to sacrifice for their long-term safety and prosperity. Their weapons were "self-restraint" to strengthen the chances of victory on the battlefield. All of this was done so that all could go home in peace, so Daisy and Eddie could meet again "at home".
In a similar way, "holy fasting" is a necessary course for the "battle against spiritual evils". We personally and corporately (Church) battle against forces who want to separate us from God. All of this is done so that we can go home to peace in heaven.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
How I Live Now Part IV
Grant, O Lord,
that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9624592747/meta/ |
In the How I Live Now movie, during the war, Daisy and her cousin had to eat only rations. Rations were only eaten because most resources had to be used for the war effort. People back home had to sacrifice for their long-term safety and prosperity. Their weapons were "self-restraint" to strengthen the chances of victory on the battlefield. All of this was done so that all could go home in peace, so Daisy and Eddie could meet again "at home".
In a similar way, "holy fasting" is a necessary course for the "battle against spiritual evils". We personally and corporately (Church) battle against forces who want to separate us from God. All of this is done so that we can go home to peace in heaven.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
How I Live Now Part IV
04 March 2014
How I Live Now Part IV
***Spoilers Alert!*** As was mentioned in the last post, Daisy and Eddie were de facto married in the marital relations scene.
This will come into play for the comments below about Daisy's ending monologue.
It seems as though he is far off, but she is still caring for him like he is there. If it is correct that this movie can be seen as a Christian allegory, then there are two things that can be gleaned from this monologue's corresponding actions.
First, she is loving Eddie by taking care of him even though he does not seem to love her back as he used to. She is essentially taking care of someone else.
Quite often, Christians (like Mother Theresa) take care of people because they see the face of Christ in them. So, when they are taking care of sick and/or distressed people, they believe that they are taking care of Christ. Mother Theresa often said by using her five fingers, "You did it for me." This comes from Matthew 25:37-40.
It was easier for Daisy since she could actually see Eddie's face, but in a way it was not the Eddie who she once knew. Nevertheless, whatever she did for the new Eddie, she did it for the Eddie she once knew and hoped would see again.
As she said, Daisy used to use her will power for herself. But at the end of the movie, the will power that Daisy used was for her Love, her husband, for Eddie's sake. That's how she lives now.
The second thing about Daisy's dialogue will be in the next post.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9624599585/meta/ |
This will come into play for the comments below about Daisy's ending monologue.
Before the war, I used my will power for stupid stuff like not eating chocolate. I think I thought if I could control myself, then maybe the world around me would start to make sense. I guess I was pretty naive back then.She's wedded herself to Eddie. She now yearns for him.
During the war we stopped looking for reasons why things happen. We don't know what happened to Eddie [in the war] -- what he saw, the things he had to do. ...
Now I use my will power to wait for you Eddie. To care for you. To love you. I have to believe that one day you're going to get better. It was like I said to you all that time ago. If the world doesn't end, I wanna be here ... at home ... with you. And that's how I live now.
It seems as though he is far off, but she is still caring for him like he is there. If it is correct that this movie can be seen as a Christian allegory, then there are two things that can be gleaned from this monologue's corresponding actions.
First, she is loving Eddie by taking care of him even though he does not seem to love her back as he used to. She is essentially taking care of someone else.
Quite often, Christians (like Mother Theresa) take care of people because they see the face of Christ in them. So, when they are taking care of sick and/or distressed people, they believe that they are taking care of Christ. Mother Theresa often said by using her five fingers, "You did it for me." This comes from Matthew 25:37-40.
Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
It was easier for Daisy since she could actually see Eddie's face, but in a way it was not the Eddie who she once knew. Nevertheless, whatever she did for the new Eddie, she did it for the Eddie she once knew and hoped would see again.
As she said, Daisy used to use her will power for herself. But at the end of the movie, the will power that Daisy used was for her Love, her husband, for Eddie's sake. That's how she lives now.
The second thing about Daisy's dialogue will be in the next post.
How I Live Now Part I
How I Live Now Part II
How I Live Now Part III
Update to Wacky Wednesday Arizona's Conscience Law
Update 3/4/2014: Upon rereading the second stanza from last week's Wacky Wednesday Arizona's Conscience Law post, it did not
convey what was meant to be said. Therefore, the
second and third lines have been changed including the inline post text and meme picture. I am sorry for the confusion.
03 March 2014
How I Live Now Part III
So, in the last post, the swimming scene in the movie How I Live Now was explored. ***Spoilers Alert!*** In this post, the wedding scene between Daisy and Eddie will be looked at.
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9627836862/meta/ |
If you saw the movie, you may be wondering when the wedding scene was. Well, it was the scene where the marital relations take place between Daisy and Eddie.
Before any religion or society, marriage was naturally taking place all the time. No vows were taken, just two people who consummated a marriage and usually raised their children (or adopted children) for life were living it out. In this movie with "no rules" (as the kids at the house said), the natural law rule of marriage still took place. From that intimate scene on, Daisy and Eddie were married, in what is called a de facto marriage, or natural marriage.
As was said in the first post on this movie, I saw this movie as an allegory of the Christian mysteries. This particular scene between Eddie and Daisy can be seen as the marriage between Jesus and the Church. After recognizing the beauty in Christ, whom Eddie represents, and then the life changing act of letting go in the swimming scene (baptism), Daisy who represents a Christian or the whole Church is nourished in the relationship with Eddie. She desires this nourishment wholeheartedly.
For Christians, when Jesus gave his entire self, his entire life up for the Church (those who where baptized in the "bath of water"), he was mysteriously marrying the same Church. When we receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist at mass, we remember and participate in this saving act. We desire to be intimately joined to Christ.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband. Ephesians 5:25-33
01 March 2014
Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival Post III
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: What are your plans for Lent?
Keep writing everyday (except Sunday) on Christian focused posts as it pertains to movies, TV, and music. I just started on this topic in January, and Lent can help me on this activity to give glory to God through my blog (in some small way).
For the week of February twenty-third:
February 24
Commentary on The Host movie
The Host Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-ii.html
February 25
Commentary on The Host movie
The Host Part III
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-iii.html
February 26
Commentary on Arizona's Conscience Law to further protect business owners from suits for their religious conscience
Wacky Wednesday Arizona's Conscience Law
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/wacky-wednesday-arizonas-conscience-law.html
February 27
Small commentary on the Hunger Games movie. Embedded Fr. Barron's commentary on the first The Hunger Games movie.
Fr. Barron on The Hunger Games
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/fr-barron-on-hunger-games.html
February 28
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
How I Live Now Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-i.html
March 1
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
How I Live Now Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-ii.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: What are your plans for Lent?
Keep writing everyday (except Sunday) on Christian focused posts as it pertains to movies, TV, and music. I just started on this topic in January, and Lent can help me on this activity to give glory to God through my blog (in some small way).
For the week of February twenty-third:
February 24
Commentary on The Host movie
The Host Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-ii.html
February 25
Commentary on The Host movie
The Host Part III
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-iii.html
February 26
Commentary on Arizona's Conscience Law to further protect business owners from suits for their religious conscience
Wacky Wednesday Arizona's Conscience Law
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/wacky-wednesday-arizonas-conscience-law.html
February 27
Small commentary on the Hunger Games movie. Embedded Fr. Barron's commentary on the first The Hunger Games movie.
Fr. Barron on The Hunger Games
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/fr-barron-on-hunger-games.html
February 28
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
How I Live Now Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-i.html
March 1
Commentary on the movie How I Live Now
How I Live Now Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-i-live-now-part-ii.html
How I Live Now Part II
In the last post, Daisy's encounter with beauty was discussed (comes out in the video below in one "somehow" moment 3:25). ***Spoilers Alert*** In this post, the scene where Eddie and the children push Daisy into the water will be examined.
The pushing-into-the-water scene seemed to be the point when Daisy changed. She was so hesitant to let go of all the weight she put on herself. It was the act of being plunged that seemed to drown all that weight. She was free.
This is much like baptism through water where the Holy Spirit does the pushing and the changing in the sacrament. The Holy Spirit takes all of our sins and baggage away so we can be free.
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| Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9627821236/meta/ |
The pushing-into-the-water scene seemed to be the point when Daisy changed. She was so hesitant to let go of all the weight she put on herself. It was the act of being plunged that seemed to drown all that weight. She was free.
This is much like baptism through water where the Holy Spirit does the pushing and the changing in the sacrament. The Holy Spirit takes all of our sins and baggage away so we can be free.
How I Live Now Part I
I just watched How I Live Now with Saoirse Ronan. ***Spoilers Alert!*** This movie could be a Christian allegory. I seem to be seeing a lot of movies recently through the eyes of faith. I wonder if it's because I'm doing more of these movie/music/TV commentaries?
The first thing that stuck out was how Ronan's (main) character Daisy, the "I" in How I Live Now, turned from a punk to a lady when she was first introduced to her future love interest.
This reminds me of how people respond to beauty. When we are faced with beauty, we tend to be more open to reflect on the beauty itself and the amount of it in ourselves. When Daisy saw him, she knew that she needed to shape up.
When have you thought the most about Christianity? Was it from a piece of art or music? How did it change you or your outlook?
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| Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirror_of_erised/9624589945/meta/ |
The first thing that stuck out was how Ronan's (main) character Daisy, the "I" in How I Live Now, turned from a punk to a lady when she was first introduced to her future love interest.
This reminds me of how people respond to beauty. When we are faced with beauty, we tend to be more open to reflect on the beauty itself and the amount of it in ourselves. When Daisy saw him, she knew that she needed to shape up.
When have you thought the most about Christianity? Was it from a piece of art or music? How did it change you or your outlook?
27 February 2014
Fr. Barron on The Hunger Games
***Spoilers Alert!***
Fr. Barron says it best about the first The Hunger Games movie in the video below. All I have to add to Fr. Barron's commentary is the realization that all of the names of the people in the movie were non-Christian names. If The Hunger Games is indeed a movie that relates to this planet and this universe in the future with these name changes, perhaps the fumes of Christianity are really running out as Fr. Barron said may be happening.
Fr. Barron says it best about the first The Hunger Games movie in the video below. All I have to add to Fr. Barron's commentary is the realization that all of the names of the people in the movie were non-Christian names. If The Hunger Games is indeed a movie that relates to this planet and this universe in the future with these name changes, perhaps the fumes of Christianity are really running out as Fr. Barron said may be happening.
26 February 2014
Wacky Wednesday Arizona's Conscience Law
Update 3/4/2014: Upon rereading the second stanza, it did not convey what was meant to be said. Therefore, it has been changed in the second and third lines. I am sorry for the confusion.
Grand Canyon State's holding the ball.
Comparisons work
For even a jerk
Unless the analogies fall.
And owners have rights to deny
A service to one that is high ‡,
Or raises the finger,
Or clocks one a ringer,
Or other acts that go awry.
Analogies are hard to align,
But here's one that's going to chime.
If 'Zona's law passed
When *More held his fast,
His head would have stayed all the time.
© 2014 Wondering Zygote Emeritus
wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com
Image Source HT
https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei/photos/a.737221629640626.1073741825.205344452828349/882719645090823/?type=1&theater
*St. Thomas More was held in the Tower of London instead of revealing his beliefs that the supposed marriage between King Henry VIII and his second Queen was valid and that the King was the head of the Church of England (CoE). He was beheaded for treason for these beliefs. See the movie and play Man for All Seasons for more dramatic details.
‡ For those who are foreign and are translating this stanza: high = high on drugs and/or alcohol; the finger = the middle finger which is highly offensive; clocks one a ringer = punches and/or beats someone up.
The analogy between serving food to all people regardless of any ** accidental trait of a person is not consistent with requiring a caterer or photographer providing services for an event that either directly or indirectly supports an act that is morally repugnant to said caterer or photographer (etc.).
** An "accident" is a philosophical term for some trait that doesn't necessarily define a substance. An accident may change while the substance stays the same.
Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival Post II
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: What is your favorite Bible verse and why.
My favorite Bible verse is 1 Corr. 15:16-17 (yes, two verses, but one sentence), "For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins." Since Christ has been raised from the dead, these verses remind me that my ultimate beliefs are hopeful, historical, reasonable, and not in vain.
For the week of February sixteenth:
February 17
Commentary on the Big Bang Theory Theme Song
The Big Bang Theory Theme Song Part V
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-bang-theory-theme-song-part-v.html
February 18
Commentary on the movie Ender's Game
Ender's Game Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/enders-game-part-i.html
February 19
Commentary on Heidi Klum and Seal healing their marriage
Wacky Wednesday Klum and Seal
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/wacky-wednesday-klum-and-seal.html
February 20
Commentary on California breaking into 6 regions
CA Splitting Up
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/ca-splitting-up.html
February 21
Commentary on the movie Ender's Game
Ender's Game Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/enders-game-part-ii.html
February 22
Commentary on the movie The Host
The Host Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-i.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: What is your favorite Bible verse and why.
My favorite Bible verse is 1 Corr. 15:16-17 (yes, two verses, but one sentence), "For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins." Since Christ has been raised from the dead, these verses remind me that my ultimate beliefs are hopeful, historical, reasonable, and not in vain.
For the week of February sixteenth:
February 17
Commentary on the Big Bang Theory Theme Song
The Big Bang Theory Theme Song Part V
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-bang-theory-theme-song-part-v.html
February 18
Commentary on the movie Ender's Game
Ender's Game Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/enders-game-part-i.html
February 19
Commentary on Heidi Klum and Seal healing their marriage
Wacky Wednesday Klum and Seal
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/wacky-wednesday-klum-and-seal.html
February 20
Commentary on California breaking into 6 regions
CA Splitting Up
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/ca-splitting-up.html
February 21
Commentary on the movie Ender's Game
Ender's Game Part II
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/enders-game-part-ii.html
February 22
Commentary on the movie The Host
The Host Part I
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-host-part-i.html
25 February 2014
The Host Part III
In the last post on The Host with Saoirse Ronan, the concept of the soul was introduced. In this post, I would like to look at another aspect of the soul, freewill.
***Spoilers Alert!*** There was a whole bunch of will assertion in this movie, especially in Saoirse Ronan's characters (two persons together for most of the movie).
But first, backing up further to see the larger view, the alien race that took over Earth was pushing their agenda to keep the native people from destroying themselves and their environment (as was mentioned in the first post). Unlike the Ender's Game movie, the reason for the takeover was not for land or resources, but to essentially save the planet by inserting an alien world government and populace (that sure sounds familiar).
This scenario of the movie seems forced. Why would a peaceful alien species who values non-violence forcefully take over people against their own will? Do they see themselves as the doing the right thing (good means and ends) or simply the necessary thing (good ends matter only, not means)? Do they really believe in free will?
This last question seemed to be a shock to the aliens. There was never reported to be a human that still asserted his or her (free) will after becoming a host. This is why Saoirse Ronan's alien character was alarmed and kept secret (for most of the movie) the fact that her host was asserting herself.
Perhaps the aliens did not believe in free will. I've argued before that if there is no free will (no God), there is no morality. If they did not believe, the alien actions would not have to be justified, since it's just those whom blind processes (nature) determine are stronger who get to decide (determinism). However, the hosts did assert their freewill, therefore, there are good and bad means (means matter).
The aliens who became friends with the humans realized that there was a right-and-wrong that the humans had at least a grasp of. This realization was attractive to them.
This attractiveness seemed to be ultimately an attractiveness towards God.
***Spoilers Alert!*** There was a whole bunch of will assertion in this movie, especially in Saoirse Ronan's characters (two persons together for most of the movie).
But first, backing up further to see the larger view, the alien race that took over Earth was pushing their agenda to keep the native people from destroying themselves and their environment (as was mentioned in the first post). Unlike the Ender's Game movie, the reason for the takeover was not for land or resources, but to essentially save the planet by inserting an alien world government and populace (that sure sounds familiar).
This scenario of the movie seems forced. Why would a peaceful alien species who values non-violence forcefully take over people against their own will? Do they see themselves as the doing the right thing (good means and ends) or simply the necessary thing (good ends matter only, not means)? Do they really believe in free will?
This last question seemed to be a shock to the aliens. There was never reported to be a human that still asserted his or her (free) will after becoming a host. This is why Saoirse Ronan's alien character was alarmed and kept secret (for most of the movie) the fact that her host was asserting herself.
Perhaps the aliens did not believe in free will. I've argued before that if there is no free will (no God), there is no morality. If they did not believe, the alien actions would not have to be justified, since it's just those whom blind processes (nature) determine are stronger who get to decide (determinism). However, the hosts did assert their freewill, therefore, there are good and bad means (means matter).
The aliens who became friends with the humans realized that there was a right-and-wrong that the humans had at least a grasp of. This realization was attractive to them.
This attractiveness seemed to be ultimately an attractiveness towards God.
24 February 2014
The Host Part II
***Spoilers Alert*** Other than the demonic-like parallels in The Host, it's magnificently surprising that the movie writers got the concept of the human host soul right (notice that I didn't write "human host's soul").
It's been said very often that people have a right to their body, specifying a type of ownership of one's body by the self. This is a modern concept called Cartisian dualism. Someone's body and concept of self are said to be two separate entities. (This is very evident in the abortion and same-sex "marriage" debates.)
The Christian concept of self is the integration of body and soul. Pope John Paul the Great summarized this concept best by referring to a person as an embodied soul.
In The Host, the alien "soul" who was really an embodied soul, not just spirit, seemed to be in competition with the hosting embodied soul. This was evident by the way that the main character host was able to physically overrun the alien symbiont by force of will.
Fr. Barron further explains the relationship of the soul to the body ("Faith Seeks Understanding Pt. 12: What is the relationship of the soul to the body?"):
Here's The Host Part I.
It's been said very often that people have a right to their body, specifying a type of ownership of one's body by the self. This is a modern concept called Cartisian dualism. Someone's body and concept of self are said to be two separate entities. (This is very evident in the abortion and same-sex "marriage" debates.)
The Christian concept of self is the integration of body and soul. Pope John Paul the Great summarized this concept best by referring to a person as an embodied soul.
In The Host, the alien "soul" who was really an embodied soul, not just spirit, seemed to be in competition with the hosting embodied soul. This was evident by the way that the main character host was able to physically overrun the alien symbiont by force of will.
Fr. Barron further explains the relationship of the soul to the body ("Faith Seeks Understanding Pt. 12: What is the relationship of the soul to the body?"):
Here's The Host Part I.
21 February 2014
The Host Part I
The Host is a relatively new movie with Saoirse Ronan that was written by the same person as the Twilight series (I found this out just now). I never watched any of Twilight, but this Host movie was creepy.
It was creepy because it reminded me of a reverse demon possession.
Usually, in the Bible and in movies, when people are possessed by a demon, they try to destroy their host. For example, "Lord [Jesus], have pity on my son, for he is a [possessed] lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water." (Here's another example (Legion).)
There was a reversal of this tendency in The Host. The alien "souls" who were possessing the humans were stopping them from being violent to other humans and the Earth.
Why is this a bad thing? (Why don't you tell me in the comments below?) Perhaps it is because taking away someone's freewill is against God's prime directive (God's will).
(Speaking of prime directive, the Trill on Star Trek (Dax et al.; Dr. Beverly's Trill) had hosts who freely submitted to being used as hosts. So, the same objection can't really be raised in that case.)
It was creepy because it reminded me of a reverse demon possession.
Usually, in the Bible and in movies, when people are possessed by a demon, they try to destroy their host. For example, "Lord [Jesus], have pity on my son, for he is a [possessed] lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water." (Here's another example (Legion).)
There was a reversal of this tendency in The Host. The alien "souls" who were possessing the humans were stopping them from being violent to other humans and the Earth.
Why is this a bad thing? (Why don't you tell me in the comments below?) Perhaps it is because taking away someone's freewill is against God's prime directive (God's will).
(Speaking of prime directive, the Trill on Star Trek (Dax et al.; Dr. Beverly's Trill) had hosts who freely submitted to being used as hosts. So, the same objection can't really be raised in that case.)
Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival Post I
This is for the weekly Catholic Carnival! This is my first one!
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: Name a favorite book and tell us what you like about it.
My favorite book for now is Fill These Hearts by Christopher West.
I like this book since it presents the Theology of the Body of Pope John Paul the Great in a casual style. This style is further accentuated by his connections between the topic and popular music (a niche of my blog). It was so understandable, in my opinion, that I suggested it to a non-Catholic acquaintance for further understanding of the Theology of the Body (she's from Turkey).
For the week of February ninth:
February tenth:
Commentary on the movie The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-i.html
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-ii.html
February twelfth:
Commentary on the movie The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-iii.html
Commentary on the creationism/scientism debate between Bill Nye and Bill Ham.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/nye-ham-debate-wacky-wednesday.html
Commentary on the TV show The Big Bang Theory theme song.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-bang-theory-theme-song-part-iv.html
February fourteenth:
A video of my Valentine from my wife.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-saint-valentines-day.html
Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?
Question of the week: Name a favorite book and tell us what you like about it.
My favorite book for now is Fill These Hearts by Christopher West.
I like this book since it presents the Theology of the Body of Pope John Paul the Great in a casual style. This style is further accentuated by his connections between the topic and popular music (a niche of my blog). It was so understandable, in my opinion, that I suggested it to a non-Catholic acquaintance for further understanding of the Theology of the Body (she's from Turkey).
For the week of February ninth:
February tenth:
Commentary on the movie The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-i.html
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-ii.html
February twelfth:
Commentary on the movie The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lone-ranger-part-iii.html
Commentary on the creationism/scientism debate between Bill Nye and Bill Ham.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/nye-ham-debate-wacky-wednesday.html
Commentary on the TV show The Big Bang Theory theme song.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-bang-theory-theme-song-part-iv.html
February fourteenth:
A video of my Valentine from my wife.
http://wonderingzygoteemeritus.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-saint-valentines-day.html
Ender's Game Part II
***Spoilers Alert!*** One other big thing in Ender's Game was that Ender unknowingly wiped out the entire alien species, except for what looked like a worker and a queen. This reminded me of that story in the Bible where the Israelites where commanded to put the ban on an entire people, or tribe.
The Israelite king tried to save one person from this enemy nation, but the Israelite prophet Saul chastised him and killed the last one himself.
Just like the whole creation/evolution debate, this genocide problem in the Bible had been thought about from the beginning of Christianity.
The one obvious move was to deny that the Old Testament is really inspired by God or reveals a God that Jesus was talking about in the New Testament. This banning of the Old Testament was declared a heresy called Marcionism by the early Church.
Another option was to see if these and other vexing stories in the Bible (like the creation story in Genesis) could be seen as more allegorical. Origin of Alexandria was a leading proponent of this idea.
Father Barron can say more about this option.
I think this allegorical option is a good one, especially since the Old Testament, "contain[s] matters imperfect and provisional".
Ender knew that the genocide he unknowingly carried out was wrong. He tried to make amends at the end of the movie.
The Church officially has the same take on genocide, it is to be rejected. She is with Ender. She teaches that "One is morally bound to resist orders that command genocide."
Here's Part I.
The Israelite king tried to save one person from this enemy nation, but the Israelite prophet Saul chastised him and killed the last one himself.
Just like the whole creation/evolution debate, this genocide problem in the Bible had been thought about from the beginning of Christianity.
The one obvious move was to deny that the Old Testament is really inspired by God or reveals a God that Jesus was talking about in the New Testament. This banning of the Old Testament was declared a heresy called Marcionism by the early Church.
Another option was to see if these and other vexing stories in the Bible (like the creation story in Genesis) could be seen as more allegorical. Origin of Alexandria was a leading proponent of this idea.
Father Barron can say more about this option.
I think this allegorical option is a good one, especially since the Old Testament, "contain[s] matters imperfect and provisional".
Ender knew that the genocide he unknowingly carried out was wrong. He tried to make amends at the end of the movie.
The Church officially has the same take on genocide, it is to be rejected. She is with Ender. She teaches that "One is morally bound to resist orders that command genocide."
Here's Part I.
20 February 2014
CA Splitting Up
On yesterday's Wacky Wednesday, I reported that Seal and Heidi Klum may be patching up their marriage.
Not so good news for their state of California: it may be splitting up into six states.
Well, Facebook is already prepared. It just added six more gender options to its list.
I already put in brackets ("[ ]") the six regional names that were proposed in the quote above. What do you think the names or nicknames of these regions should be?
Some ideas of mine:
[1] "South California." California Caliente
[2] "West California" California Cara
[3] "Central California." California Liberal
[4] "Silicon Valley." California Próspera
[5] "North California" California Corrupta
[6] "Jefferson" California Ventosa
Not so good news for their state of California: it may be splitting up into six states.
[Tim Draper] proposed dividing California into six states. San Diego and Orange County would make up [1] "South California." [2] "West California" would include Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, while Bakersfield, Fresno and Stockton would make up the larger [3] "Central California." San Francisco and San Jose would be in the new [4] "Silicon Valley." [5] "North California" would include the Sacramento area, and [6] "Jefferson" would be home to the Redding and Eureka areas.
 |
| http://news.yahoo.com/petition-split-california-6-states-gets-green-light-213801353--abc-news-topstories.html |
I already put in brackets ("[ ]") the six regional names that were proposed in the quote above. What do you think the names or nicknames of these regions should be?
Some ideas of mine:
[1] "South California." California Caliente
[2] "West California" California Cara
[3] "Central California." California Liberal
[4] "Silicon Valley." California Próspera
[5] "North California" California Corrupta
[6] "Jefferson" California Ventosa
19 February 2014
Wacky Wednesday Klum and Seal
 | |
| http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/could-heidi-klum-seal-reportedly-back-together-202700107.html |
Is seems like Seal's range is elastic.
I hope that's it's true:
This picture's a view
Of runways re-latching. Fantastic!
17 February 2014
Ender's Game Part I
I read Ender's Game, the 1985 science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card, in a book club a few years ago. The Ender's Game movie, like many movies-from-books, took out many necessary items and added some political jabs (if something is repeated enough, it must be true).
This post is about one of the political jabs in the movie.
Despite the lack of communication from the aliens in the movie (who were not excessively referred to as "bugs" in the movie as they were in the book; more on this in Part II), the humans knew that they were being attacked/annihilated for more land. The additional land for the bugs was necessary since they over-bred on their own planet (they sort-of looked like a cross between an ant and a bee in the movie, at a human scale).
That was the first instance of the so-called over-population meme in the movie. Watch out! or the Earth may turn out like the bug planet.
Second, Ender was the third child of his family. Normally, in the movie universe, a family was permitted to have only two children. Hmm, a two-child policy was the second instance of the over-population meme.
Why do many Christians care about the proliferation of the so-called over-population movement? First, it is not true. We usually don't like falsehood, being one part of the Decalogue n' at.
Second, it treats a family as a ward of the state. The family is pre-state and each particular one determines how that family is constituted within the natural-law framework (man-woman; open to life). Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew said, "no man must separate" the couple, including in the process of procreation (one-flesh union).
Communist China's one-child policy treats each family as a unit of the state that must follow state laws above all else. However, natural law, which is to regulate state law, takes precedence. The number one natural law is that people are rational creatures who are due respect and dignity of the state, not for the state to claim them as commodity units for its own means or ends.
Many Christians have reported on the brutality and immorality of population control programs, especially in China.
The producers and/or writers of Ender's Game have just jabbed another fictional example of the Malthusian lie of over-population that quite often looks up to China as an ideal for population control.
If it's portrayed enough, it must be true. (sarcasm)
This post is about one of the political jabs in the movie.
Despite the lack of communication from the aliens in the movie (who were not excessively referred to as "bugs" in the movie as they were in the book; more on this in Part II), the humans knew that they were being attacked/annihilated for more land. The additional land for the bugs was necessary since they over-bred on their own planet (they sort-of looked like a cross between an ant and a bee in the movie, at a human scale).
That was the first instance of the so-called over-population meme in the movie. Watch out! or the Earth may turn out like the bug planet.
Second, Ender was the third child of his family. Normally, in the movie universe, a family was permitted to have only two children. Hmm, a two-child policy was the second instance of the over-population meme.
Why do many Christians care about the proliferation of the so-called over-population movement? First, it is not true. We usually don't like falsehood, being one part of the Decalogue n' at.
Second, it treats a family as a ward of the state. The family is pre-state and each particular one determines how that family is constituted within the natural-law framework (man-woman; open to life). Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew said, "no man must separate" the couple, including in the process of procreation (one-flesh union).
Communist China's one-child policy treats each family as a unit of the state that must follow state laws above all else. However, natural law, which is to regulate state law, takes precedence. The number one natural law is that people are rational creatures who are due respect and dignity of the state, not for the state to claim them as commodity units for its own means or ends.
Many Christians have reported on the brutality and immorality of population control programs, especially in China.
The producers and/or writers of Ender's Game have just jabbed another fictional example of the Malthusian lie of over-population that quite often looks up to China as an ideal for population control.
If it's portrayed enough, it must be true. (sarcasm)
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