Throwing out my Shennanigans! card.

[stoney321]

Why must the religious right/Republican extremists tell their flock such easily refuted BS? My uncle, a Jewish Mormon (I know. It makes so sense to us, either) still thinks Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich are intelligent, thoughtful Americans with only the Little Guy at heart. *heavy siiiiiigh*

He sent me an email this morning that shows how often Iraq is mentioned in the Bible (called Mesopotamia, The Cradle of Life, etc.) and it's all wrapped up neatly with how the symbol of the US is an Eagle, and how Saddam Hussein doesn't even KNOW the Koran because why would he wage war with us (I'll give you a minute to find the fallacy in those previous five words) when it CLEARLY states in the Koran:

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.
(Note the verse number! note from my uncle)

OoooOOooh, 9/11!! Clearly we should be at war with the people that attacked us. I mean, the people that hid/raised/grew the people that attacked us. I mean, the people that have all the oil. Except, here's the fun part. THAT IS NOT THE VERSE IN THE KORAN. I'm assuming the "creator" of this email didn't think people would bother to LOOK IT UP. Because what good red-blooded American would own a copy of the Koran? Or... have access to a downloadable version?

The actual 9:11 verse: [9.11] But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for a people who know.

Yeah. That lacks... zazz. Oh, and for those that are religious/spiritual/Christian, please do not forget that YOUR LEADER (aka Jesus Christ, Son of Man, Son of God, the Omega to God's Alpha, Jehovah, Messiah, Savior of All Mankind) said the following:

* Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [Matt 5:7]
* Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. [Matt 5:9]
* For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (me: others), ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [Matt 5:20]
* But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. [Matt 5: 44]

*cough*

* Freely ye have received, freely give. [Matt 10:8]

*coughhackcough*

* This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [Matt 15: 8]

(Further thoughts on BLINDNESS in religion: Matt. 23, the whole thing. Woe unto ye, blind guides, ye hypocrites! Oh, and there's the second commandment Jesus gave: love thy neighbor as thyself. (But that just means next-door, right?)

But no, let's all ignore the words of [y]our leader. Let's bend and twist those VERY LOVELY IDEAS so we can justify our wanting to conquer and say "god" wanted us to. Yep, Jesus was all about the wars huh? *eyeroll* Know your own religion, people. (Mostly directed at people who blindly follow without ASKING QUESTIONS.)


Spring Break is OVER and I have my house back to myself and I have ideas and paper and a NEW ROCKING CHAIR outside to enjoy the nice cool/sunny weather. I also have a few chapters left in the AMAZING book I'm reading, "Never Let Me Go," by Kazuo Ishiguro, and boy, were you all right. I am HOOKED on it. Fabulous fabulous, subtle, wonderfully written, delightfully creepy/sinister, and I cannot wait for the end. Because then I can read it all over again. I'm also really REALLY enjoying the new Finger Eleven album (thanks, Andrea!! *kiss kiss kiss*) and a CD my lil' sister made me. Music = happiness.

There will be a second post today of all the recipe clippings I've been collecting, but I'm kind and will cut for your scrolling pleasure. :)

Also, LAST NIGHT'S ROME, OMG. Put "spoiler" in the comment heading if you're going to talk about it, as there are a few on my flist who haven't seen it yet, and I want to talk about it! HOLY CRAP. I love that show. AHHHHH!!! HAPPY MONDAY!

[ETA] AHahahahahaha, Chris Rock! And don't forget tonight is The Riches on FX at 9pm CST! Eddie Izzard as a con man, yay!

Comments

Rome Spoilers

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

... Jewish Mormon. Um. Is that like Military Intelligence?

And you liked last night's ep? Huh. As far as moving certain plotlines forward yes, and the guy playing octavian has finally figured out how to act -- also. kinky porn. breath play holy fuck -- but as far as Mer's writing it felt... eh. Too much focus on women that made them sound stupid. "I did it all for love" was, well, let's just say I liked her better when she was conniving for a position rather than getting goopy, and Cleopatra... that bothered me less. Same with the Atia/Octavia storyline. So I guess it was only Gaia's that made me roll my eyes.

But. Otherwise. James Prufoy in black-eye-makeup oh my god. Seriously, for that alone just... and that she actually killed the man and poor Ceasarion and Vorenus figuring out that fatherhood thing much too little too late and eeeeeeeeeee.

Did I mention breath play on tv in a show not actually about, you know. Porn? Holy fuck was I glad not to be watching that with my father!!

Re: Rome Spoilers

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

ANDREA I SLID OFF MY CHAIR AT NAKED OCTAVIAN. I MOANED OUT LOUD. HOLY MARY MOTHER OF MY FRIEND TIM.

Gaia - I was ready for her to go, since she became all goopy. I liked the ass kicking evil Gaia. HOWEVER. I think that when you watch the last three eps altogether, you can see how much more of an impact Octavian's "Women are the source of virtue and power in Rome" speech is.

ANTONY IN EYELINER. I could NOT get enough of that. Nor the sight of Octavian FUCKING his wife with RAGE oh my god his BODY. *passes right the fuck out*

Re: Rome Spoilers

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

That was... jesus, when she hit him to make him fuck her again it ... I mean, the Octavian/Livia love story is more like a How To on BDSM and that's been well-known since when they lived. Livia was pretty much a dominatrix in the bedroom. But holy god, they showed it to us. Jesus.

I can't imagine what the actors had to do for that scene. I mean, I know, sex scenes when you act them are like kissing scenes -- you're so busy hitting your cues and making sure the lighting's right that it's professional but jesus.

I really can't get over the scene. Good god.

And hmm, when it comes to Octavian's speech. I think... maybe yes, but my issues are two-fold. For all Pullo's performance was chilling -- the way he just iced down and gave her a quicker, if more dishonorable death was scary -- she's a manipulator and always has been. That scene Mer didn't get the manipulation out enough -- because she wanted the quick death. That's the only reason to tell him that, as far as I'm concerned.

The other issue is I'm not sure how much Octavians speech is going to matter to a common woman who is a) a slave and b) not actually Roman. That just doesn't ring to me, although it's clear that's where they were going, yes.

I am so glad that actor finally figured out how to put some life into Octavian! There was my darling boy!

Re: Rome Spoilers

[crevette.livejournal.com]

OMG!!! The way that Pullo's eyes just went completely ice cold when he choked her, and then took her body out and dumped her like she was trash.

AND can I just say that I never in a million years thought that my heart would break for Atia, but it did. When she started hitting Vorenus and crying and then collapsed, I just started crying for her. I know it killed Octavia to see her mother so hurt.

Interesting character arc on Octavia too. She started first season being torn away from a husband she loved, being sold to Pompey, rejected and humiliated by Pompey, having the husband killed out from under her, being manipulated into sleeping with her own brother by Servillia... The beginning of this season she was pretty much 'blah' about everyone and everything until Agrippa. Then she was passionate.

Now? She's turned into her mother. She's jaded, cruel at times, and bitter.

I like her.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I loved how Atia and Octavian switched roles, too. Oh, ATIA. I was so sad for her. And I have to admit, I would have liked a little more reasoning for Antony to just dump the woman he stood toe to toe with a line of Centurions to kiss goodbye. I mean, I know he's addicted to power and sex, but... I mean, I can fill in the blanks in my head I just want to SEE it. Especially since we know historically that Antony/Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories ever told. I'm really looking forward to next week.

PULLO. My god, wasn't he frightful? I'm very interested in the final Octavia/Agrippa scenes we BETTER GET.

Um, why is there no drool over hot body Octavian rage-fucking his wife, Irene?!?! GOOD. HELL.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[crevette.livejournal.com]

I don't know... I didn't find it that hot as much as just a very in depth presentation of their personalities.

I need to drag out my I, Claudius DVDs.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[brandil.livejournal.com]

Blame the producers, what was it? 3 episodes cut out of the season? They did do a pretty good job of showing how much time had passed, Antony's boy by Cleo had to have been, 7? 8?

Re: Rome Spoilers

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

I love Octavia, which is so strange because Octavia the Younger was pretty much the equivalent of an earth mother in rl (took in all of Antony's kids regardless of who the mother was, and the kids from her prior marriage). Well. What we know irl, and how much of that was manipulated by Octavian who wanted the matronly, demure sibling we have only guesses, but still. Watching her evolution on Rome has been fascinating. She was so different from Atia at first, and not just because she was young and niave. She was genuinely caring, and I think, underneath, she still is. But experience has taught her Atia's way is safer and man she's taken to it.

I said early on that Atia was training for Octavian's marriage to Livia and I still think it. She's as much the master manipulator --and extremely intelligent woman -- as Atia is and Octavia is becoming.

That's a fascinating arc, even with Mer's bumbling writing.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[brandil.livejournal.com]

I cried for Atia too!

Re: Rome Spoilers

[luvxander.livejournal.com]

Naked? Breath play? Um....what was the episode number? I must run and download this immediately. And then, ya know, maybe backtrack and watch it from the beginning.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

GO HERE: http://www.mininova.org/tor/626171

Holy. Crap. CJ - it's SO HOT.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[luvxander.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I can't wait. Yet I must. So, whilst I wait, may I borrow a bowl of soup from your icon? Damn girl, that looks good.

Re: Rome Spoilers

[brandil.livejournal.com]

The entire episode was like - one big orgasmfor me.

::flails::

::Fingers in Ears/Shades Over Eyes:: aka NO Rome Spoilers

[fiveandfour.livejournal.com]

Because I'm weird this way, your Bible quotes reminded me of what Bono has said about working with people like Jesse Helms to squeeze out some debt relief for Africa. He pointed out to them that the verses admonishing people to show mercy and compassion to the less fortunate outnumber those advocating selfishness and vengeance-seeking and 'stand on your own 2 feet' admonishments by a large margin. And gave examples - often he'd find himself pointing out verses and praying by the end of those meetings.

There's a part of me that feels frustrated by this. I mean, that whole separation of church and state thing that, as a believer in Democracy, I think is necessary for any non-religion based form of government to work. But then again, if a person's value system is based on a narrow (if not warped) view of the tenets a religion is based on, and making a person realize it is what it takes to get them right in the head and truly 'love thy neighbor' I suppose I shouldn't complain.

But completely re-wording a religious text certainly takes warped view of the tenets of a religion to a whole new level. Not only for the blasphemy of changing the text (though I imagine the person who did it figured 'it's just Islam' so couldn't even conceive how very insulting and wrong it is), but also because it's so blatantly lying in order to try to convince people that Iraq is practically rejoicing at what we have done. (As I saw someone say elsewhere a few days ago, there's a reason the war isn't being shown by our media and instead focuses on Britney shaving her head. If people really knew what was happening, no doubt the sense of outrage and betrayal would have us practically hanging our own leaders.) It's worse than obscene and so very dangerous when you consider how gullible people are. [And was Mesopotamia ever called 'Arabia' in ancient times when the Koran was written? That was red flag #2 after the 'convenience' of the verse being numbered 9:11. Yeah, gullible barely covers it sometimes.]

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*completely does not say anything at all about Rome to you*

See, your frustration is my frustration. It's okay for us to change THEIR religious documents, but we'd raise Cain if they did it to us? Foolish. But I didn't see the changing of this text to be anything other than old fashioned propaganda to get the people to support the current Administration's war effort. Bush's admin. has been blatant about using the pulpit to spread their dogma, which sickens me.

And the current trend with religion in the US seems to be the exact OPPOSITE of what Christ taught: tolerance, love, turning the other cheek, sharing, kindness to fellow man. It's like they've (the religious right) have chosen to forget that Christ chased the money lenders out of the temple, that he chided the wealthy, that he told his disciples to give away ALL of their wealth and trust in the Lord. Now, you're told that you should STRIVE for wealth so you can give. Which, lovely, but let's be honest: Jerry Falwell doesn't give all of his money to the poor.

And right: Arabia? What the hell?

Re: ROME SPOILER!!!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

THE UPSIDE DOWN KISS/TIT SQUEEZE made me moan outloud. holy shit, how is that man so flippin' HOT????

Octavian's ass. And abs. And everything about him, Beth, I slid OFF MY SOFA when that scene played. I want to make my screen saver Antony high with eyeliner on.

ATIA. :(((((

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I'm averting my eyes from the Rome spoilers! How long is it going to be before we can see S2 on DVD, I whine? We're proceeding apace through S1.

Anyway, I love that you stomp through these crackpots' spam like Godzilla through Tokyo. Go Laura go! I'll cheer and shake pom-poms.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hopefully the DVDs will be out soon - I want all the commentary while watching the eps now!

Just, what on earth, Anne? And there were 30 people on the mailing list from him, I wonder how many of them just sucked it down as truth? Or how many just deleted it without reading, hee!

[samsom.livejournal.com]

somebody *made* that verse up?? Dear God in heaven.

*cringes*

Also, the blessings on the mount was about the only part of the bible I bothered to read repeatedly because even at age 10, I felt that there was some great truth there.

Too bad it can't be force-fed to some people that seriously need it.

I fear for this country, I truly do.

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

Wow. The Jewish Mormon concept blows my mind, but I guess I can understand. Kinda? Okay, not really.

Chris's aunt e-mails me stuff all the time about Islam and Christianity and blah blah blah. Most of it I don't read, I open the message to see if there's a personal note at the top and then delete. Sometimes it's just not worth arguing with people about. But yeah, the misquoted Koran (or Qur'an as I prefer) drives me batty. These people know nothing about Islam. Nothing at all, because what they think they know is wrong information from crappy e-mails like these. But I generally don't have the time or patience to try to educate those who really don't want to know they're wrong.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, the Jews are the Chosen People, right? 12 tribes and all that? Mormons believe (and it's what the Book of Mormon is based on) that they are literal descendants of two of the lost tribes of Israel, so they, too, are Chosen. Which is insane. They also believe the Native American Indians are actually displaced Jews, and that there were horses and steel in Pre-Columbian America. WTF.

And while ever person I've spoken to about Islam (that was raised in it) agrees that there is a level of violence that is understood in their religion, the blatant propaganda of this particular email just pissed me off. I mean, talk about laziness. (And I'm like you - I normally delete this crap, because that branch of the family sends shit like this all the time.)

in conclusion, <3 U.

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

I grew up with Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh friends. I can actually say that your the first Mormon (or former-Mormon *g*) I've ever known (I've met others, but I didn't know them). I also had only Catholic friend before college and it was when I was really young and so I didn't learn anything about Catholicism until college and then more when I met silvertedy 5 years ago. It was all Southern Baptists and Methodists (family and most everyone in hometown area of SE Missouri) and eastern religions (all my friends in Maryland) for me. What a mix, huh? LOL. But it was great because I didn't grow up with bad thoughts about "those people".

One good thing has come from the Mormon beliefs about Native Americans -- their geneology research. I haven't used it, but I understand they've been helpful to a lot people tracing their Indian heritage. Someday I will get around to actually verifying my own ties, just to be on record.

[viciouswishes.livejournal.com]

My paternal grandma sent me the same e-mail about a year or so ago. It was before she learned how to BBC her spam, so I e-mail back everyone on her list de-bunking it. Then I got a phone call from my father telling me to be nicer to my grandma. So I refrained when she sent me the "don't buy holiday stamps, blah, blah terrorists, blah blah 9/11" one because the Post Office actually, you know, recognized Islam as a religion to include in their stamp collection.