As we consider what the ancient's thought about their own myths , it is
important to remember that the views are not uniform, many different
voices are represented. Greek readers/listeners were not passive in
regards to their own mythic stories as they had their own ideas about
them; and like us try to figure out just what myth was all about.
ANONYMOUS MANUSCRIPT COMMENTATOR
Among some people these things are not permitted on account of the display of indecency.
It
seems that censorship is timeless!! Some ancient commentators were
scrupulous about what should/shouldn't be told. Worried about about
being scandalized. True censorship was alive and well in regards to
these mythic stories.
PLATO
Such
utterances are both impious and false. They are further more harmful
to those who hear them. For every man will be lenient with his own
misdeeds, if he is convinced that such are, and were the actions of [the
gods],,,
In Plato's view, myth constructs culture. Myths
are not just something that you listen to and get entertained by. They
are powerful; they actually shape the kind of person you are, and the
kind of values you have.
[A thought
that crossed my mind concerning something that Struck mentions here; in
describing how the ancients, Plato in particular, thought about
myth,,,MYTHS CONSTRUCT CULTURE.
In our first lecture, Struck
alluded to myths as an abstraction from on high; compare that to
biblical inspiration. Could we also see a parallel here between myth
and the Bible and the ability of both to influence culture?
Some
Christian apologists quite firmly state that both the Greeks and Roman
"stole" from Christianity (early Christians),,,but this may show that
the ideas of divine inspiration and the ability ti influence culture
long preceded Christianity.]
XENOPHANES (OF COLOPHON)
Mortals
consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech
and bodies like their own. The Ethiopians say that their gods are snob
nosed and black. The Thracians, that theirs have light blue eyes and
red hair. But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to
draw, horses would draw the forms of their gods like horses, cattle like
cattle.
I think Struck sums it up well:
Unless we
think that all the ancients walked around believing their own myths,
Xenophanes shows a sophisticated skeptical view,,,Xenophanes points out
that in these mythic stories that all the Greeks are doing is reflecting
back in the gods what the Greeks see in themselves.
We make our
mythic stories based on the cultural values that we hold. And if we
have ethnic differences (ie, Ethiopinians/Thracians) we would make our
mythic stories according to a reflection of specific ethnic qualities
that we have. In other words CULTURE CONSTRUCTS MYTH.
[One
could make a comparison to Genesis 1:27, "God created man in his own
image,,," The writer of Genesis compares man's form to God's.
One
thing to keep in mind with Xenophanes, he is not questioning the
presences of the gods but rather the conception of the gods by the Greek
writers.
I am also reminded of what Nicholas Wade present's in his book Faith Instinct
where he explores the evolutionary origins of religious behavior and
traces the cultural developments of religion from its origin up to the
present day.]
METRODORUS OF CAMPSACUS
Neither
Hera nor Athena nor Zeus, are the things which those who concentrate
temples and walls to them consider them to be, but they are
manifestations of nature and arrangements of the elements. Agamemnon is
air, Achilles is the sun, Helen is the earth and Paris the air, Hector
is the moon. But among the gods, Demeter is the liver, Dionysus is the
spleen, and Apollo the bile
To Metrrodorus there is
superficial action -gods interacting with humans, humans interacting
with gods or gods interacting with gods-BUT what is really represented
is deeper truths, symbolically carrying forward deep hidden wisdom. In
other words, ALLEGORY.
[As a pupil
of Anaxagoras, Metrodorus subscribes to an allegorical interpretation of
Homer -not only the gods but also the heroes represent primary elements
and natural phenomena.]
As one to subscribe to the
allegorical, or deep hidden truths of a myth, they (this school of
thought) believed that the surface level must be a code for some deeper
truths, and all kinds of meanings can be found in these mythic tales.
[The same could be said of biblical texts, rich in allegory.]
ARISTARCHUS OF SAMOTHRACE
Readers
ought to take things told by the poets as more like legends, according
to poetic license, and not bother themselves about what is outside the
things told by the poet.
Quite simply Aristarchus is
ANTI-ALLEGORICAL , a sober, more scholarly, literary approach to the
mythic tales. He is a skeptic who believes the poets like to tell
exaggerated stories, with exaggerated representations of events. His
advice, don't go around looking for hidden wisdom.
EUHEMERUS
The
gods, we are told, were terrestrial beings who gained immortal honor
and fame because of their gift to humanity,,,Regarding these gods many
and varied accounts have been handed down by the writers of history and
mythology.
Euhemerus had the view that the myths were
based of historical characters that got told and re-told over time until
they were deified. The characters become gods in this retelling, hence
where the myths came from, and the characters we have.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
No Olympic Horse
This is my response to a friend of mine who posted on my facebook wall her concern regarding RobmeRyan and health care ("Romney Health Care Plan May Come With Consequences For You" www.huffingtonpost.com), "With these 2 in office I will loose most of my coverage, I couldn't afford my meds, just to stay alive."
And BTW, unlike Mrs. Robme, my friend can not afford an Olympic horse for therapy for her MS!!
<Saying this with much acid dripping sarcasm I can muster> Well miss, we have a plan for that, it's called the ER. You see now little lady, an amblance will come pick ya up when you is not feelin well. It will plop ya into the nearest hospital. Where the fine, scientifically uneducated doctors, (who went to the Akin's school of medicine BTW) will bring your little ole fever down so you can return home and subserviently cater to your husband's every need. All the while pooping out young spiritual warriors for our grand cause!!
And BTW, unlike Mrs. Robme, my friend can not afford an Olympic horse for therapy for her MS!!
In 2008, Akin Claimed Women 'Who Are Not Actually Pregnant' Get Abortions | ThinkProgress
The highlighted quote starts at about 1:48,,,
This guy is a dolt, plain and simple how in the world did he ever get elected in the first place?? And if he is re-elected we have no one to blame but ourselves. For the record its not that he is "pro-life" but the fact that he is a stupid fucking idiot, this man should not be making any policies where women's health is concerned.
In 2008, Akin Claimed Women 'Who Are Not Actually Pregnant' Get Abortions | ThinkProgress
And then later, this came out: Todd Akin stands by 2008 comment: Non-pregnant women are receiving abortions
He is delusional,,,
Second problem, citing a 1978 article?? Dude it's not being reported because it is not likely not occurring: one abortion clinic,,,Chicago,,, 1978 (5 years after Roe v Wade).
What is even scarier, Akin is on the Senate science committee.
This article highlights some of what I was concerned about: Why Does Todd Akin Believe That Women Who Aren't Pregnant Get Abortions?
My question, cant they find new ideas that aren't 30+ years old?? Oh wait, duh me, their science and morality is based on a book that's 2000+ years old. At least they're consistent.
This guy is a dolt, plain and simple how in the world did he ever get elected in the first place?? And if he is re-elected we have no one to blame but ourselves. For the record its not that he is "pro-life" but the fact that he is a stupid fucking idiot, this man should not be making any policies where women's health is concerned.
In 2008, Akin Claimed Women 'Who Are Not Actually Pregnant' Get Abortions | ThinkProgress
And then later, this came out: Todd Akin stands by 2008 comment: Non-pregnant women are receiving abortions
He is delusional,,,
“There’s ample evidence that abortion doctors on any number of occasions have deceived women into thinking that they’re pregnant, and then collect money for a procedure that they don’t perform,” Rick Tyler, a spokesperson for Akin’s campaign, told BuzzFeed. “And I say they don’t perform it because obviously the women weren’t pregnant.”First problem, this is not about medical fraud or insurance fraud, Akin states, ",,,giving abortions to women who are not actually pregnant,,,"
Second problem, citing a 1978 article?? Dude it's not being reported because it is not likely not occurring: one abortion clinic,,,Chicago,,, 1978 (5 years after Roe v Wade).
According to Akin, it's still happening, frequently, "Tyler cited a Chicago Sun-Times article from 1978 that found,,,"Third problem, doesn't have a shred of evidence to support his claim:
"He said there were no more recent examples because the media had stopped reporting on it."Well let's see, given your position and your concern over this issue since 2008 why the hell haven't you investigated this issue yourself then? WTF,,,
What is even scarier, Akin is on the Senate science committee.
This article highlights some of what I was concerned about: Why Does Todd Akin Believe That Women Who Aren't Pregnant Get Abortions?
My question, cant they find new ideas that aren't 30+ years old?? Oh wait, duh me, their science and morality is based on a book that's 2000+ years old. At least they're consistent.
Billionaire Calls For The Rich To Battle Voter Suppression | Addicting Info
Besides the headline, the name is what caught my attention,,,and yes it is who I thought,,,but, on to the politics,,,
“There is no right more fundamental to our republic than the right to vote. And yet there is a countrywide effort to prevent hundreds of thousands of people from voting. Many supporters of that suppression effort have admitted or implied that its purpose is to win an election by preventing voters thought to be of a different political persuasion from voting at all…And that represents as great a danger to our democracy as has ever existed from within our borders.”
[,,,]
Louis-Dreyfus has a history of putting his money where his mouth is, including fundraising for environmental causes and providing scholarships for African-American students. In April, he told townvibe.com that “It’s time for us to fess up to our sins and do justice.” And if you recognize the name, yes, his daughter is Julia Louis Dreyfus, of Seinfeld fame. The father has just placed an even bigger stamp on history.
Billionaire Calls For The Rich To Battle Voter Suppression | Addicting Info
“There is no right more fundamental to our republic than the right to vote. And yet there is a countrywide effort to prevent hundreds of thousands of people from voting. Many supporters of that suppression effort have admitted or implied that its purpose is to win an election by preventing voters thought to be of a different political persuasion from voting at all…And that represents as great a danger to our democracy as has ever existed from within our borders.”
[,,,]
Louis-Dreyfus has a history of putting his money where his mouth is, including fundraising for environmental causes and providing scholarships for African-American students. In April, he told townvibe.com that “It’s time for us to fess up to our sins and do justice.” And if you recognize the name, yes, his daughter is Julia Louis Dreyfus, of Seinfeld fame. The father has just placed an even bigger stamp on history.
Billionaire Calls For The Rich To Battle Voter Suppression | Addicting Info
After nearly a century, Weekly Reader is absent from classroom | McClatchy
A blast from the past,,,
After nearly a century, Weekly Reader is absent from classroom | McClatchy
But last month, for the first time in 84 years, it disappeared, at least in the way that decades of loyal readers came to know it.
After nearly a century, Weekly Reader is absent from classroom | McClatchy
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Thoughts on the misrepresentation of Carl Sagan
My parents
were not scientists. They knew almost nothing about science. But in
introducing me simultaneously to scepticism and to wonder, they taught
me the two uneasily cohabiting modes of thought that are central to the
scientific method.
Carl Sagan - THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD [1997, p.3]
Carl Sagan - THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD [1997, p.3]
Sagan could be called a Pantheistic Spinozean where God is nature, the sum total of the physical laws which describe our universe,,,(similar to Einstein), ",,,madness to deny the existence of physical laws." [Broca's Brain, p 330]
Also know for (re) coining the phrase, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence"
His wife Ann Druyan sums it up best,,,
When my husband died, because he was so famous and known for not being a believer, many people would come up to me-it still sometimes happens-and ask me if Carl changed at the end and converted to a belief in an afterlife. They also frequently ask me if I think I will see him again. Carl faced his death with unflagging courage and never sought refuge in illusions. The tragedy was that we knew we would never see each other again. I don't ever expect to be reunited with Carl. But, the great thing is that when we were together, for nearly twenty years, we lived with a vivid appreciation of how brief and precious life is. We never trivialized the meaning of death by pretending it was anything other than a final parting. Every single moment that we were alive and we were together was miraculous-not miraculous in the sense of inexplicable or supernatural. We knew we were beneficiaries of chance. . . . That pure chance could be so generous and so kind. . . . That we could find each other, as Carl wrote so beautifully in Cosmos, you know, in the vastness of space and the immensity of time. . . . That we could be together for twenty years. That is something which sustains me and it’s much more meaningful. . . . The way he treated me and the way I treated him, the way we took care of each other and our family, while he lived. That is so much more important than the idea I will see him someday. I don't think I'll ever see Carl again. But I saw him. We saw each other. We found each other in the cosmos, and that was wonderful. [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/ann_druyan_talks_about_science_religion]
So was Carl Sagan a believer? In science yes,,,to represent his views in any other light is a disservice to him, his work and his memory. You either accept science or you don't. You can not cherry-pick the parts of science that fit a preconceived hypothesis whilst ignoring the rest.
One final thought,,,
One prominent American religion confidently predicted that the world would end in 1914. Well, 1914 has come and gone, and - whole the events of that year were certainly of some importance - the world did not, at least so far as I can see, seem to have ended. There are at least three responses that an organized religion can make in the face of such a failed and fundamental prophecy. They could have said, Oh, did we say '1914'? So sorry, we meant '2014'. A slight error in calculation. Hope you weren't inconvenienced in any way. But they did not. They could have said, Well, the world would have ended, except we prayed very hard and interceded with God so He spared the Earth. But they did not. Instead, the did something much more ingenious. They announced that the world had in fact ended in 1914, and if the rest of us hadn't noticed, that was our lookout. It is astonishing in the fact of such transparent evasions that this religion has any adherents at all. But religions are tough. Either they make no contentions which are subject to disproof or they quickly redesign doctrine after disproof. The fact that religions can be so shamelessly dishonest, so contemptuous of the intelligence of their adherents, and still flourish does not speak very well for the tough- mindedness of the believers. But it does indicate, if a demonstration was needed, that near the core of the religious experience is something remarkably resistant to rational inquiry. [Broca's Brain, p. 332]
I worry that, especially as the Millennium edges nearer, pseudoscience and superstition will seem year by year more tempting, the siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive. Where have we heard it before? Whenever our ethnic or national prejudices are aroused, in times of scarcity, during challenges to national self-esteem or nerve, when we agonize about our diminished cosmic place and purpose, or when fanaticism is bubbling up around us-then, habits of thought familiar from ages past reach for the controls.
The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir. [Demon Haunted World, p. 29]
_____
Another cross post in response to an author misquoting Sagan and totally changing the meaning.
A connected mind is an intelligent mind,,,lecture #2
In an attempt to clarify and refine what a myth is, Struck started with Kevin Sorbo's depiction of Hercules and worked our way back in time in an attempt to "find" the real Hercules. Conclusion, chances are the real Hercules will remain elusive. But why??
One must remember that a myth is a story that is always being retold; the coming together of separate parts into a whole. We are not going to find a ground truth when it comes to a myth. Myth defies our attempt to find a pure authentic representation of any of the great stories, as they have existed functionally forever. Our "heroes" are an amalgamation of different versions, by different myth tellers, who have added their version to the long tradition. All of the different versions of a myth are just that, versions. They are going to help us get get a window into what we are looking at.
Throughout mythology, and the study of, numerous themes or questions are ever present:
1] What it is to be human?
2] Animals of all kind populate mythic stories,. Of interest to the ancients,,,where we as human beings fit in relationship to them?
3] Is the distinction between humans and animals as apparent as we may think and has it ever been transgressed? Creatures that are half-human/half-animal have a spookiness to them and they populate some interesting corners of mythic tales. (hmmm,,,DNA manipulation/Nephilim/Ancient Alien Hypothesis??)
4] The gods,,,their world is not our world, we are different from the gods; they exist -up there. Typically the gods appear in dreams and visions, disguised as if mere mortals interested in the mundane aspects of humanity.
5] Ah the wonderful one-eyed monster of so many mythic stories!! What would a myth be without the Cyclops. As we know in Odysseus, the Cyclops is giant but not so bright. He makes the mistake of crossing Odysseus and Odysseus gets the better of him.
6] Connection and connectedness, the mythic/ancient world versus our modern scientific world. Our fantasy like scientific technology that is extraordinarily sophisticated that we are in awe and wonder at our ability to connect with each other. That same awe and wonder the ancients had towards the gods. We should ask ourselves -how different are we from those of the ancient world?
Today we have the internet and other technologies to maintain our connectedness, the ancients had the corrupting sea. The Greeks were inter-connected with other cultures all around the Mediterranean Sea via shipping. Extraordinary ancient civilizations, each with their own distinct ways of doing things but all sharing a common backdrop. It opens a window to the broad Mediterranean themes that are relevant across all cultures.
7] The Greek culture/world and understanding it all. Some things will be obvious and immediately understood. Others, we may be scratching our heads wondering WTF. Keeping track of what is both similar and what is different is going to be most interesting in studying the Greek mythos and what this course is all about.
One must remember that a myth is a story that is always being retold; the coming together of separate parts into a whole. We are not going to find a ground truth when it comes to a myth. Myth defies our attempt to find a pure authentic representation of any of the great stories, as they have existed functionally forever. Our "heroes" are an amalgamation of different versions, by different myth tellers, who have added their version to the long tradition. All of the different versions of a myth are just that, versions. They are going to help us get get a window into what we are looking at.
Throughout mythology, and the study of, numerous themes or questions are ever present:
1] What it is to be human?
2] Animals of all kind populate mythic stories,. Of interest to the ancients,,,where we as human beings fit in relationship to them?
3] Is the distinction between humans and animals as apparent as we may think and has it ever been transgressed? Creatures that are half-human/half-animal have a spookiness to them and they populate some interesting corners of mythic tales. (hmmm,,,DNA manipulation/Nephilim/Ancient Alien Hypothesis??)
4] The gods,,,their world is not our world, we are different from the gods; they exist -up there. Typically the gods appear in dreams and visions, disguised as if mere mortals interested in the mundane aspects of humanity.
5] Ah the wonderful one-eyed monster of so many mythic stories!! What would a myth be without the Cyclops. As we know in Odysseus, the Cyclops is giant but not so bright. He makes the mistake of crossing Odysseus and Odysseus gets the better of him.
6] Connection and connectedness, the mythic/ancient world versus our modern scientific world. Our fantasy like scientific technology that is extraordinarily sophisticated that we are in awe and wonder at our ability to connect with each other. That same awe and wonder the ancients had towards the gods. We should ask ourselves -how different are we from those of the ancient world?
Today we have the internet and other technologies to maintain our connectedness, the ancients had the corrupting sea. The Greeks were inter-connected with other cultures all around the Mediterranean Sea via shipping. Extraordinary ancient civilizations, each with their own distinct ways of doing things but all sharing a common backdrop. It opens a window to the broad Mediterranean themes that are relevant across all cultures.
7] The Greek culture/world and understanding it all. Some things will be obvious and immediately understood. Others, we may be scratching our heads wondering WTF. Keeping track of what is both similar and what is different is going to be most interesting in studying the Greek mythos and what this course is all about.
Chris Christie Goes Off Script and Raises Expectations for Romney in Debates
Debates unfair because Obama is a gifted speaker?? WTF,,, I've heard some lame excuses but not being smart is a new one,,,,dude if you cant stand the heat get the hell outta the kitchen,,,
Chris Christie Goes Off Script and Raises Expectations for Romney in Debates
Yet another surrogate of Mitt Romney’s seems to be suffering from message confusion or a personal agenda. The Romney campaign has been busy telling the press how unfair the debates are going to be because Barack Obama is Superman of the Spoken Word whereas poor Mitt Romney has only been practicing every single day for weeks now. They set Romney up as the victim of a President Obama’s unfair skills, hoping to lower the bar for a Romney handicap similar to the one given to Sarah Palin in 2008, when a wink passed for solid debate skills.
Chris Christie Goes Off Script and Raises Expectations for Romney in Debates
Not All Republicans Want To Do This To Women, But The Ones Who Do Are Running For President
NOt sure how to classify this one,,,but definitely makes ya think,,,
Not All Republicans Want To Do This To Women, But The Ones Who Do Are Running For President
Not All Republicans Want To Do This To Women, But The Ones Who Do Are Running For President
Why Mitt Romney's Lyme Disease Mailers Are Dangerous
A highly influential social conservative in Virginia, Michael Farris, believes that people can contract “chronic Lyme disease” that must be treated with long-term antibiotics. The Center for Disease Control says there is no such thing as “chronic Lyme disease” and “long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease has been associated with serious complications.”
[,,,]
Farris, who has no medical training, was invited to speak with Romney on his campaign bus a couple of weeks ago. Farris said that he and Romney “talked about Lyme disease. It was cordial and encouraging.”
[,,,]
The Romney flier advocates providing “local physicians with protection from lawsuits to ensure they can treat the disease with the aggressive antibiotics that are required.” Farris’ wife receives treatment from “Dr. Joseph Jemsek, who moved his practice to Washington, D.C., after losing his medical license in North Carolina for treating patients with long-term antibiotics.”
Why Mitt Romney's Lyme Disease Mailers Are Dangerous
[,,,]
Farris, who has no medical training, was invited to speak with Romney on his campaign bus a couple of weeks ago. Farris said that he and Romney “talked about Lyme disease. It was cordial and encouraging.”
[,,,]
The Romney flier advocates providing “local physicians with protection from lawsuits to ensure they can treat the disease with the aggressive antibiotics that are required.” Farris’ wife receives treatment from “Dr. Joseph Jemsek, who moved his practice to Washington, D.C., after losing his medical license in North Carolina for treating patients with long-term antibiotics.”
Why Mitt Romney's Lyme Disease Mailers Are Dangerous
Daily Kos: New questions emerge about Mitt Romney's run-in with the law
This is funny in a way,,,not "really" news worthy, BUT does show his wonderful sense of egoism and character,,,will he ever learn,,,
Daily Kos: New questions emerge about Mitt Romney's run-in with the law
Daily Kos: New questions emerge about Mitt Romney's run-in with the law
Reparative therapy and the power of an explanation
This article was mentioned in a comment from the previous article,,,, and yes this is one of the authors that destroyed David Barton,,,
Reparative therapy and the power of an explanation
Reparative therapy and the power of an explanation
My So-Called Ex-Gay Life
This highlights the true dangers of reparative therapy,,,
My So-Called Ex-Gay Life
I indeed had to go home for a year before returning to school. By then my father, who flew to New Haven the day I committed myself, realized that therapy—and the pressure he and my mother had placed on me—was doing more harm than good. “I’d rather have a gay son than a dead son,” he said.A phenomenal article and worth reading!!
My So-Called Ex-Gay Life
State bans gay-repair therapy for minors - SFGate
Altho a victim of this mentality, I never had to deal with this type of therapy,,,the "pray the gay" away was very popular in college in the 80s,,,
This legislation comes just months after psychiatrist Robert Spitzer repudiated his own 2001 study in which he claimed that homosexuality could be cured.
State bans gay-repair therapy for minors - SFGate
"LGBT youth will now be protected from a practice that has not only been debunked as
junk science, but has been proven to have drastically negative effects on their well-being. We commend Gov. Brown for putting children first, and call on all states to take California's lead on this issue," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
This legislation comes just months after psychiatrist Robert Spitzer repudiated his own 2001 study in which he claimed that homosexuality could be cured.
State bans gay-repair therapy for minors - SFGate
Bush-Appointed Judge Upholds Obama Administration's Birth Control Coverage Rules | ThinkProgress
A major victory not just for the ACA but separation issues as well,,,
Bush-Appointed Judge Upholds Obama Administration's Birth Control Coverage Rules | ThinkProgress
[Federal religious freedom law] is a shield, not a sword. It protects individuals from substantial burdens on religious exercise that occur when the government coerces action one’s religion forbids, or forbids action one’s religion requires; it is not a means to force one’s religious practices upon others.
Bush-Appointed Judge Upholds Obama Administration's Birth Control Coverage Rules | ThinkProgress
The Trash |
Trăsh- 1. Foolish ideas or talk; nonsense 2. Disparaging, often abusive speech about a person or group
From “getting rid” of Planned Parenthood to questioning what constitutes “legitimate rape,” politicians across the country have been saying some pretty trashy things.
Unfortunately, there are so many violent, offensive and utterly false comments made about women and reproductive health that it is hard to stay on top of them all.
This is where The Trash comes in.
Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte created The Trash as a way to keep voters informed of all the trash-talking that is going on out there.
The 2012 election is critical for women, their families and the state of reproductive health care in this country. So stay informed, share with your friends and join with us in holding politicians accountable for their actions and their words.
The Trash |
Gov. Brown unintentionally continues sexual abuse of children, says ‘gay cure’ advocate | The Raw Story
"We do competent therapy, therapy that truly works,” Pickup insisted. “And for the governor to sign into law that continues the potential — unintentionally — continues the sexual abuse and the heartache of these children who walked into my
office who are crying, depressed, lonely, gender-identity confused, and sexually confused, for them to have a bill that says, ‘No, we can’t even talk about these issues, we can’t do anything to help these children resolve their homosexual feelings and maximize their heterosexual potential’ — that’s the height of political and therapeutic irresponsibility.”
Gender Identity confusion?? Sorry, nothing to do with being gay,,,and personally it shouldn't even be classified (GID) as recent research is now showing structural differences within the brain of transgendered people,,,second, gender identity in children has more to do with sex-role stereotypes which are beliefs (ie. boys wear blue/girls wear pink,,,boys learn sports and cars/girls to sew and be happy homemaker),,,these alleged "norms" are influenced by family and friends, the mass-media, community and other socializing agents,,,since many cultures strongly disapprove of cross-gender behavior, it often results in significant problems for affected,,,
Repartive therapy,,,dude your own people are abandoning that principle as Spitzer has recanted his 2001 study and Nicolosi's work (1991) has largely been discredited,,,even Exodus International is changing their tune,,,
The fact that NARTH is funded by NOM and FRC should raise a huge red flag as both are religious organization that propagate the anti-gay bullshit and hate,,,
Gov. Brown unintentionally continues sexual abuse of children, says ‘gay cure’ advocate | The Raw Story
Maddow: GOP forced to cease voter registration efforts in five of the swingiest swing states | The Raw Story
A good analysis of the ceasing of the RNC voter registration mess in Florida,,,
Strategic Allied Consulting was the only firm hired by the Republican National Convention (RNC) to run voter registration drives in those states. With many voter registration deadlines quickly approaching, Republicans have little chance to restart the registration drives.
Maddow: GOP forced to cease voter registration efforts in five of the swingiest swing states | The Raw Story
Strategic Allied Consulting was the only firm hired by the Republican National Convention (RNC) to run voter registration drives in those states. With many voter registration deadlines quickly approaching, Republicans have little chance to restart the registration drives.
Maddow: GOP forced to cease voter registration efforts in five of the swingiest swing states | The Raw Story
TV anchor responds to her bully on the air | The Raw Story
Preach it sista,,,,this is fucking awesome y'all,,and yes this is Anti Bullying month so spread the word,,,her words come from the heart!! Bet this asswipe isn't bragging now,,,
TV anchor responds to her bully on the air | The Raw Story
Bully Calls News Anchor Fat, News Anchor Destroys Him On Live TV
TV anchor responds to her bully on the air | The Raw Story
Bully Calls News Anchor Fat, News Anchor Destroys Him On Live TV
Judge Halts Pennsylvania Voter ID Requirement | Northeast | United States | Epoch Times
A very important win,,,especially considering the fiasco in Florida and now engulfing more states,,,
Judge Halts Pennsylvania Voter ID Requirement | Northeast | United States | Epoch Times
Judge Halts Pennsylvania Voter ID Requirement | Northeast | United States | Epoch Times
Daily Kos: Families USA: Romney health plan would leave millions more uninsured, higher premiums
Two important articles concerning Romney's idea of what health care should be,,,it ain't pretty,,,
Daily Kos: Families USA: Romney health plan would leave millions more uninsured, higher premiums
Mitt Romney Health Care Plan Would Make Consumers Pay For Basic Services
Daily Kos: Families USA: Romney health plan would leave millions more uninsured, higher premiums
Mitt Romney Health Care Plan Would Make Consumers Pay For Basic Services
Teacher Fired for Refusing to Make Students Buy Pricey Textbooks
One of many issues with for-profit schools,,,besides the fact that many "graduates" are also unemployable and credits are not always transferable,,,
But there’s more going on here than meets the eye. According to an article on Good.is, all fifty schools bearing the Art Institute’s name are owned by a company called Education Management Corporation (otherwise known as EDMC.) EDMC exclusively uses e-books offered through a service called Digital Bookshelf, which is run by EDMC’s distributor, VitalSource. Art Institute requires students to pay $50-$75 to Digital Bookshelf to download a copy of each e-book required by their teachers―but the downloads are only temporary, lasting just the duration of the semester. Students are not allowed to substitute a hardcopy for an e-book; they may buy one in addition, but the download is required under all circumstances.
According to the article, Tracy feels that the Art Institute has constructed a system to insure students pay money for books they may not even need, and ones they can't even sell back after the semester is over.
Teacher Fired for Refusing to Make Students Buy Pricey Textbooks
This is the petition to sign if you are interested:
Petitioning The Art Institute of California - Orange County: Stop forcing students to buy unneccesary books
But there’s more going on here than meets the eye. According to an article on Good.is, all fifty schools bearing the Art Institute’s name are owned by a company called Education Management Corporation (otherwise known as EDMC.) EDMC exclusively uses e-books offered through a service called Digital Bookshelf, which is run by EDMC’s distributor, VitalSource. Art Institute requires students to pay $50-$75 to Digital Bookshelf to download a copy of each e-book required by their teachers―but the downloads are only temporary, lasting just the duration of the semester. Students are not allowed to substitute a hardcopy for an e-book; they may buy one in addition, but the download is required under all circumstances.
According to the article, Tracy feels that the Art Institute has constructed a system to insure students pay money for books they may not even need, and ones they can't even sell back after the semester is over.
Teacher Fired for Refusing to Make Students Buy Pricey Textbooks
This is the petition to sign if you are interested:
Petitioning The Art Institute of California - Orange County: Stop forcing students to buy unneccesary books
My class, that this post with more to follow, started Sept 24th. This is a cross post from another blog I have so they will be a week behind,,,
Well I took the plunge and re-entered the world of academia. Thanks to Coursera, I am able to test the waters and see if my addled brain will be able to survive the rigors if I decide to return to school and get my Masters/Doctorate in Metaphysical Theology. My first class is none other than Greek and Roman Mythology, which falls in line with a personal project that I'm currently researching. So I have and ulterior motive for taking this class.
Our fist lecture discussed and attempted to define what a myth is, and all ready questions are flying about in our forums as to our personal opinions. Three discussions that piqued my interest:
1] What is Myth? And what does it mean to me?
A generational narrative that attempts to explain and describe the world. The gods and their powers were used to exemplify the order we as humans so crave. I like Struck's analogy to a container into which people toss what is most valuable within their culture; the myth itself may change over time but the underlying truths remain (hence the Romans borrowing from the Greeks). I believe there is both cultural and universal truths are associated to a mythos and why we still have them today.
2] Do you think myths are lies or truth?
Without a frame of reference, like we have today, to explain natural wonders, the gods and their mighty powers where used to exemplify the order we as humans so crave. Being that it was an oral tradition and not a written one, the myths, were done with rhyme and meter to make memorization easier; the truths were of a moral nature, in some ways a foundation of education
One thing that must be taken into consideration as well when talking about the "truth" of a statement or myth. In our case, is it subjective or objective -to the victors come the spoils of war- thereby shaping the truth. But does that make it right or wrong?
3] Do you think that there would come a time when the Bible will be treated as Greek and Roman Myth? Why do you think that?
In the strictest sense of the definition it could be considered a myth, but in essence it is a collection of histories of the Jewish people and, the life and ministry of Jesus. As an atheist I do not believe in the innerancy, infalliability or the divine inspiration of the texts.
A clarification so to speak,,,
That is why I use the term myth very carefully in regards to any religion's scared text as too many immediately focus on the negative connotations of the word. And yes archeology is verifying some of the historicity of the biblical texts (ie. the Kings List in Gen 10) which even as an atheist I do not doubt. BUT there is still much to be discovered and I firmly believe in the idea, that it is usually the victors (and by that I mean the Roman church) that write the history, so we are thereby only seeing one side of said history. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but one must remember that the information may be tainted.
I think in a sense Struck alluded to the idea of divine inspiration early in the first lecture when he was laying the foundation for defining myth -that some may believe that myths are an abstraction come down to us on high- a sort of textual inspiration as stated in 2Tim 3:16-17 (divinely breathed out):
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness(KJV)
A bit of a side note: if one looks at the etymology of the word inspire/inspiration -to blow into or to breathe deeply- its use can be traced back to the Roman poet Ovid in Metamorphoses.
On to lecture #2,,,
(To learn more about Coursera, and what they are, check out the above link,. These are free college/university level courses taught by professors from many schools across the country).
Updated 10/2/2012: The posts concerning my class Greek and Roman Mythology are taken from my personal notes and transcription of the lecture videos. Tho not word for word, the thoughts presented are those of my instructor. This first post is my thoughts in reaction to the first lecture and facebook conversations, but following that everything else is what I have gleaned from class. My personal thoughts are in in orange.
Well I took the plunge and re-entered the world of academia. Thanks to Coursera, I am able to test the waters and see if my addled brain will be able to survive the rigors if I decide to return to school and get my Masters/Doctorate in Metaphysical Theology. My first class is none other than Greek and Roman Mythology, which falls in line with a personal project that I'm currently researching. So I have and ulterior motive for taking this class.
Our fist lecture discussed and attempted to define what a myth is, and all ready questions are flying about in our forums as to our personal opinions. Three discussions that piqued my interest:
1] What is Myth? And what does it mean to me?
A generational narrative that attempts to explain and describe the world. The gods and their powers were used to exemplify the order we as humans so crave. I like Struck's analogy to a container into which people toss what is most valuable within their culture; the myth itself may change over time but the underlying truths remain (hence the Romans borrowing from the Greeks). I believe there is both cultural and universal truths are associated to a mythos and why we still have them today.
2] Do you think myths are lies or truth?
Without a frame of reference, like we have today, to explain natural wonders, the gods and their mighty powers where used to exemplify the order we as humans so crave. Being that it was an oral tradition and not a written one, the myths, were done with rhyme and meter to make memorization easier; the truths were of a moral nature, in some ways a foundation of education
One thing that must be taken into consideration as well when talking about the "truth" of a statement or myth. In our case, is it subjective or objective -to the victors come the spoils of war- thereby shaping the truth. But does that make it right or wrong?
3] Do you think that there would come a time when the Bible will be treated as Greek and Roman Myth? Why do you think that?
In the strictest sense of the definition it could be considered a myth, but in essence it is a collection of histories of the Jewish people and, the life and ministry of Jesus. As an atheist I do not believe in the innerancy, infalliability or the divine inspiration of the texts.
A clarification so to speak,,,
That is why I use the term myth very carefully in regards to any religion's scared text as too many immediately focus on the negative connotations of the word. And yes archeology is verifying some of the historicity of the biblical texts (ie. the Kings List in Gen 10) which even as an atheist I do not doubt. BUT there is still much to be discovered and I firmly believe in the idea, that it is usually the victors (and by that I mean the Roman church) that write the history, so we are thereby only seeing one side of said history. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but one must remember that the information may be tainted.
I think in a sense Struck alluded to the idea of divine inspiration early in the first lecture when he was laying the foundation for defining myth -that some may believe that myths are an abstraction come down to us on high- a sort of textual inspiration as stated in 2Tim 3:16-17 (divinely breathed out):
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness(KJV)
A bit of a side note: if one looks at the etymology of the word inspire/inspiration -to blow into or to breathe deeply- its use can be traced back to the Roman poet Ovid in Metamorphoses.
On to lecture #2,,,
(To learn more about Coursera, and what they are, check out the above link,. These are free college/university level courses taught by professors from many schools across the country).
Updated 10/2/2012: The posts concerning my class Greek and Roman Mythology are taken from my personal notes and transcription of the lecture videos. Tho not word for word, the thoughts presented are those of my instructor. This first post is my thoughts in reaction to the first lecture and facebook conversations, but following that everything else is what I have gleaned from class. My personal thoughts are in in orange.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)