A Lot of TRUTH In This

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards.

Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

I post this because this is so true but in the same sense if we worship God in schools and in government which god will that be? Then other religions will be ignored I beleive he brings up a good point but why cant we allow everyone 5 minutes out of there day wherever they are to worship whatever GOD they choose? Since this is the last class I hope people have been inspired as much as I have and really think about every word we speak, every action we take and how we are quick to blame others................. I really enjoyed this class it was great to meet you all !!!!!

Father John Martin

Father John Martin, the spiritual director of Shantivanam, a Christian ashram (learning community) in southeastern India that focuses on the relationship between Christianity and the religions of India (particularly Hinduism and Buddhism) asserts that all the major religions of the world can be compared to a group of hikers climbing up different sides of a high mountain. Each hiker (and religion) takes a unique route to the top. While they are climbing the mountain, they cannot necessarily see one another. They may not even be aware that those in the other climbing parties are also ascending the mountain. They think they are alone as they make the ascent. Yet when they reach the peak, the climbers are surprised to find one another. Think back over the religions studied this semester.

I think John Martin wanted everyone to see religions as being very similar and focus on the similarities rather than focus on the differences. This is so religious groups can focus on the comparisons and share rather than focus on negative. All religious groups reach the top of the mountain because all get what they are looking for within their religious group. Everyone's god may be different but they all have faith in something and if having that faith gets them through whatever obstacles they undure then basically all religions are similar just that they worship the same individual just call him different names and obide by different rules.

Hindu Service

The Hindu temple Chonte and I went to is called BAPS Shri Swaminharayan Mandir, located at 556 Yonkers Ave in Yonkers, NY. We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived it was a new building very nicely kept and very quiet. Once we entered we introduced ourselves to the clergy man Sudhil Patel. We were instructed that if we were to go into the temple we needed to take our shoes off.The temple was very vibrant, colorful, and quiet. Straight ahead were two statues of spirit gods, Lord Sami Nariyan and Bjatjumahraj they were dressed in bright yellow clothing, They are consider saints or guru’s and they are never associated with money or women. The other gods that are praised are Bhagatju Manharaj, Shashtriji Manharaj, Xogiji Manaraj, and the most important Pramukhswami Maharaj because he is still alive. We were informed he stayed in America for 120 days this year and showed in the temple in Yonkers.The clergyman also informed us that in the morning the saints get bathed, teeth brushed, clothing change and fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner they also get water every hour and offered fruits at 3:30pm everyday. On the stage where the saints were located were three individuals on the floor playing mini drums. They were chanting songs and chanting the gods names, the woman on the floor were bowing their heads and clapping in tune. The smells are calming like inscents burning and colorful flowers all over.Women are not allowed to sit with the men during a ritual or any kind of service. The men are located closest to the stage and the women sit behind them between a divider on the floor. While we spoke with the clergy the ritual was in process. He informed us that the priest lives in the temple and they have a service everyday one at 7am and one at 4:30pm. Inside the temple was like a mini community they had a convenient store, like a thrift shop that sold books, food, and clothing.What amazed me is when we were leaving the clergyman’s grand-daughter looked at us as if we were monsters and asked him what we were doing there. He stated to her we were there for a school project and wanted to know about Hindu religion. She asked him why we wanted to learn and ran off. I got a sense that this religion is very accepting but overall not many “outsiders” or people who look different are a part of this congregation.

My Family

Christianity Video

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Pope to Visit Ground Zero and Celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium

By Sewell Chan
Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in April will be his first as pope. (Photo: Alessia Giuliani/AFP/Getty Images)
Updated, 2:12 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI will make his first visit to the United States as pontiff over six days in April, and he plans to visit ground zero, address the United Nations and celebrate Masses at National Stadium in Washington and St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Yankee Stadium in New York, officials at the Vatican and the Archdiocese of New York announced today.
The papal visit will be only the fourth in New York City’s history. Pope Paul VI visited in October 1965, during the first-ever papal visit to the United States. Pope John Paul II visited New York in October 1979 and October 1995.
Citing remarks by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Associated Press reported that Pope Benedict will travel to Washington and New York.
The pope will be in Washington from April 15 to 17 and in New York from April 18 to 20. He is to attend a reception at the White House on April 16 and celebrate Mass at the new National Stadium in Washington on April 17. On April 18, he is to address the United Nations and participate in an Ecumenical Service at a New York parish. On April 19, he will celebrate a morning Mass with priests, deacons and members of religious orders at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by a visit to Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, where the pope will participate in an event with youth and young people.
On April 20, the final day of his visit, Pope Benedict is to visit Ground Zero and celebrate a Mass in Yankee Stadium. He is scheduled to return to Rome that evening.
Cardinal Edward M. Egan, the archbishop of New York, said in a statement:
When our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, told me last July that he would be visiting New York this coming April, I was delighted with the news and shared it with the People of God of the Archdiocese of New York and the entire community of Greater New York. The response of all was both rejoicing and thanksgiving to the Lord for the great grace of the presence of the Successor of Saint Peter in our midst. I have assured the Holy Father of a warm and prayerful welcome. We all look forward to his visit with pleasure and anticipation.
As City Room reported in July, this will Pope Benedict’s first visit to New York since he was elected in 2005, but not his first visit to New York City. In January 1988, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany and the Roman Catholic Church’s top theologian, he attended a theological conference in Manhattan. During that visit, several rabbis refused to attend a meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger because he had maintained that Judaism finds its fulfillment in Christianity. Gay demonstrators, angered by the cleric’s contention that homosexuality is a “moral disorder,” heckled him.
Many New Yorkers have memories of the papal visits of 1965, 1979 and 1995, which were major events in the life of the city.

I posted this article b/c it interests me on how followers of religions are so intrigued and excited about a visit from another human being. Grant it I am aware of the Roman Catholic Religion as I was raised as so. I just never understood the concept of why individuals praise another. The pope is basiclly appointed "POPE" by the vatican. Why is it that just because this person is appointed as such that Catholics praise him as so Divine. I just never really understood the concept Im not saying its wrong or saying anything negative about doing so I just never really understood it. As I stated earlier I was raised roman Catholic but since growing up and having a say for myself I chose to be a spiritual individual not labeling myself in any religion just a person who believes that there is a GOD and thats basically it. So, if you have any input please comment.

Judaism

Sukkot Festival

The most recognized symbol of Judaism is the six pointed Star of David. Jewish legend says that a Hebrew king named David went into battle with the hexagram on his shield. When Jews were minorities in Christian and Muslim nations, they were forced to wear the star on their clothing to identify themselves.

Beleifs of Judaism is God, Commandments, Covenants, Humanity, Marriage, Sin, the "Messiah", on Earth, After-death, Creed of the Jews. The Torah is the most holy book of Judaism The Talmud is another holy book in Judaism. The Talmud is a collection of the laws and customs of the Jewish people. Their holiest period is the weekly Shabbat, which lasts from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday other important Jewish holidays include Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (a Day of Atonement or confession), Simchat Torah (celebrating receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai), Chanukah (a celebration of a military victory), and Passover (a remembrance of the time the Hebrews lived in Egypt).

I think Orthodox Judaism is a very strict religion. I can not believe they actually follow all 613 laws. I feel like i could never convert into Orthodox Judaism. It would be to hard for me to try and follow all the laws when I have been living my way for years. It would be a definate culture shock and totally different way of living. I have alot more respect for them now than i did. To know they obide by so many laws and follow through on a daily basis deserves the utmost respect.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

The Hindu temple Chonte and I went to is called BAPS Shri Swaminharayan Mandir, located at 556 Yonkers Ave in Yonkers, NY. We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived it was a new building very nicely kept and very quiet. Once we entered we introduced ourselves to the clergy man Sudhil Patel. We were instructed that if we were to go into the temple we needed to take our shoes off.
The temple was very vibrant, colorful, and quiet. Straight ahead were two statues of spirit gods, Lord Sami Nariyan and Bjatjumahraj they were dressed in bright yellow clothing, They are consider saints or guru’s and they are never associated with money or women. The other gods that are praised are Bhagatju Manharaj, Shashtriji Manharaj, Xogiji Manaraj, and the most important Pramukhswami Maharaj because he is still alive. He is in the picture above and is 87 years old. We were informed he stayed in America for 120 days this year and showed in the temple in Yonkers.
The clergyman also informed us that in the morning the saints get bathed, teeth brushed, clothing change and fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner they also get water every hour and offered fruits at 3:30pm everyday. On the stage where the saints were located were three individuals on the floor playing mini drums. They were chanting songs and chanting the gods names, the woman on the floor were bowing their heads and clapping in tune. The smells are calming like inscents burning and colorful flowers all over.
Women are not allowed to sit with the men during a ritual or any kind of service. The men are located closest to the stage and the women sit behind them between a divider on the floor. While we spoke with the clergy the ritual was in process. He informed us that the priest lives in the temple and they have a service everyday one at 7am and one at 4:30pm. Inside the temple was like a mini community they had a convenient store, like a thrift shop that sold books, food, and clothing.
What amazed me is when we were leaving the clergyman’s grand-daughter looked at us as if we were monsters and asked him what we were doing there. He stated to her we were there for a school project and wanted to know about Hindu religion. She asked him why we wanted to learn and ran off. I got a sense that this religion is very accepting but overall not many “outsiders” or people who look different are a part of this congregation.

Funeral Protests Cost Church $11 Million

By ALEX DOMINGUEZ,
Posted: 2007-11-01 09:59:46
Filed Under: Nation News
BALTIMORE (Nov. 1) -Members of a fundamentalist Kansas church ordered to pay nearly $11 million in damages to a grieving father smiled as they walked out of the courtroom, vowing that the verdict would not deter them from protesting at military funerals.

"Absolutely, don't you understand this was an act in futility?" said Shirley Phelps-Roper, whose father founded the Westboro Baptist Church.Members promised to picket future funerals with placards bearing such slogans as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."They believe that U.S. deaths in the Iraq war are punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. They say they are entitled to protest at funerals under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.Albert Snyder sued the Topeka, Kan., church after a protest last year at the funeral of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. He claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.A jury agreed. On Wednesday, the church and three of its leaders — Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Phelps-Roper and Rebekah Phelps-Davis — were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.

Jurors awarded Snyder $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $8 million in punitive damages.It's unclear whether Snyder will be able to collect the damages.The assets of the church and the defendants are less than a million dollars, mainly in homes, cars and retirement accounts, defense attorney Jonathan Katz said. The church has about 75 members and is funded by tithing.Craig Trebilcock, one of Snyder's lawyers, had asked jurors to question the truthfulness of the defendants' financial documents, one of which show Phelps-Davis having only $306 in the bank. He noted that Phelps-Davis is a practicing attorney, who could afford to travel to spread the church's message."Rebekah Phelps-Davis has $306? She must be using Priceline.com. It doesn't make any sense," Trebilcock said.The attorney had urged jurors to award damages that would send a message to the church: "Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again."Trebilcock later called the verdict "Judgment Day for the Westboro Baptist Church.""They're always talking about other people's Judgment Day. Well, this is theirs," he said.Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.They are confident the award will be overturned on appeal, Phelps said."Oh, it will take about five minutes to get that thing reversed," he said.Another of Snyder's attorneys, Sean Summers, said he would tirelessly seek payment of the award."We will chase them forever if it takes that long," he said.A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. Snyder's lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.Snyder, of York, Pa., said he hoped other families would consider suing."The goal wasn't about the money, it was to set a precedent so other people could do the same thing," he said.Earlier in the day, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse, while passing motorists honked and shouted insults.Phelps held a sign emblazoned with "God is your enemy," while Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag as she carried a sign that proclaimed "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group also sang "God Hates America," to the tune of "God Bless America."

I do not understand why this group would invade this mans sons funeral. This is a time for him to mourn his loved one and they come and scream hateful things and hold hateful signs. Why do people waste there time with HATE? They should put all there energy into something useful. If they do not like whats going on in America then get out of it!!! we are not all going to agree but to make matters worse than they are. It just makes no sense to me. I am glad they were found liable ? I have never heard of a "CHURCH" preaching hate I know they have there beleifs but preaching hate is a whole other ball game.

My Kami

These are some of the things i would put in my Kami:

A Sunflower b/c it is my favorite flower and to bring sunshine and light to my life
A guardian Angel as I would want her to watch over me and my family
My fathers obituary as I would want him to watch over me
My grandmothers obituary i would want her to do the same
My favorite poem by Maya Angelou b/c its an inspiration to me

DWYER, WILLIAM MICHAEL
2002-12-02
William Michael ("Bats") Dwyer died suddenly on Friday, November 29, 2002. He was 51 years old. Mr Dwyer was born April 16, 1951 in Yonkers to Martin and Felicia Montella Dwyer. He graduated from Yonkers H.S. William served in the US Army with the First Calvary and was a Vietnam War veteran. Mr. Dwyer was a member of the VFW Lowerre Post #3083. He was employed with the NYS Dept. of Transportation in the Eastview Garage from 1990 as Highway Equipment Operator. His wife Elizabeth Barone Dwyer survives him. Beloved father of William, Jr., Staci, Wayne Dwyer and Patricia Pugsley. Dear brother of Martin A. and Gerard M. Dwyer. Adored grandfather of Wayne, Jr. and Aaron. Visitation Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Funeral Mass Wednesday, St. John the Baptist Church, 10 AM. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery. FLOWER FUNERAL HOME, INC. 714 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers 1-800-2-FUNERAL
Back to the Obituaries front page E-MAIL TO A FRIENDPRINTER-FRIENDLY FORMAT

GENTILE, MARY
2006-08-22
Mary Gentile died on August 20, 2006. She was born in Dora, AL on May 26, 1927. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Vito. Mary was the mother of William, Frank and Mike Cole, a grandmother and a great-grandmother to numerous children. As a young widow she worked various jobs to raise three sons prior to marrying Vito in 1961. She then became a full-time homemaker and “Mom“ to neighborhood kids. She may die poor in man's eyes, but she will live as a rich woman in God's presence. Funeral Service Wednesday 1 pm at the Flynn Memorial Home Inc. Interment private. FLYNN MEMORIAL HOME INC. 325 South Broadway Yonkers 914-963-5178
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Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,They think I'm telling lies.

I say,It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That's me.
I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.
Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.
Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,'

Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I would place my Kami near the entrance of my home by the front door. This is so if any negativity may try and pass my kami can protect from all negative vibes.

Canada Publicly Welcomes Dalai Lama, Defies China

By REUTERS
Published: October 29, 2007
Filed at 4:58 p.m. ET

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government defied China on Monday, proceeding with public meetings with the Dalai Lama and criticizing Beijing's efforts to prevent the talks.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted the Tibetan spiritual leader in his office in Parliament, with television cameras and photographers present, and presented him with a maple-leaf scarf.
"I hope that the entire world gets the message that attacking a 72-year-old pacifist Buddhist monk, who advocates nothing more than cultural autonomy for his people, is counterproductive," junior cabinet minister Jason Kenney, who attended the meeting, told reporters.
In 2004, then-Prime Minister Paul Martin met the Dalai Lama privately at the home of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Ottawa, but the venues were upgraded to government buildings for his current visit.
"I don't care. The important (thing) is meeting (in) person. That I consider is the most important," said the Dalai Lama, wearing a maroon and saffron robe.
"So whether meeting (the) prime minister in the office or private house doesn't matter, so long as (it is) a meeting with people face to face."
The Dalai Lama was also scheduled to meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth. Earlier on Monday, he met Kenney, secretary of state for multiculturalism, at the Department of Heritage.
The Dalai Lama -- who was granted honorary Canadian citizenship in June -- is also meeting leaders of Canada's opposition parties on Tuesday, though this time in a hotel.
The Chinese embassy would not answer phone calls but in a statement to the Globe and Mail newspaper the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the Dalai Lama as a separatist who operates under the guise of religion.
"China has on many occasions made solemn representations to the Canadian side on the proposed visit of the Dalai Lama," it said.
"We call on the Canadian side to clearly understand the nature of the Dalai Lama's separatist activities and treat seriously China's serious concerns, and not to allow the Dalai Lama to visit, not allow him to use Canadian territory for activities to split China, and not to do anything to harm Sino-Canadian relations."
U.S. President George W. Bush and leaders of Congress gave the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal in a packed ceremony in the U.S. Capitol on October 17.
China canceled an annual human rights dialogue with Germany to show its displeasure with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's meeting last month with the Dalai Lama.

What is the big oredeal with the Dalai Lama visiting on the Canadian side? Whats up with China? Why all the controversy? Could someone please elaborate ?

Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism & Buddhism

In Jainism they believe in nonresistance, nonattachment, renunciation of sexual pleasure, honesty and monastic beliefs. Jainism broke away from Hinduism, Hinduism believes in the caste system, you are born into it.They also believe in only one God. Sikhism is that there is a God even though they can not describe him/her they are aware of him/her and to anyone who is prepared to dedicate the time and energy to become accepting to him or her to become one with God . Buddhism is a religion without a Creator God who created the universe. Buddhism focuses on the present time making it as good as possible. We are responsible for our own lives. We should improve what we can around us. Buddhism and Jainism both believe in nirvana which is the highest place to be in both religions-its the cream of the crop...........

A Few Voices From the Deepening Silence

CLOSELY WATCHED Burmese soldiers guard Sule Pagoda in Yangon, a site of protests last month.
By SETH MYDANS
Published: October 14, 2007
Bangkok
THE world saw them flooding the streets in Myanmar last month, Burmese citizens emboldened by tens of thousands of red-robed monks to cast aside the fear that had held them down for two decades. For a few buoyant days, the streets of Yangon, the main city, belonged to them, and they were free.
But few outsiders have heard their individual voices. The ruling junta crushed the protests at the end of the month, and since then has carried out a campaign of nighttime arrests, cleansing monasteries and neighborhoods of people they say rose up against them. The fear has returned, people say, and is sharper than before.
And so it was an act of courage for a few Burmese to share their thoughts with a long-time foreign resident of Yangon who knows them well and is known to this reporter. The foreigner recorded and transcribed the words of a dozen people and translated the accounts of those who did not speak English. The texts were then sent out through a private channel, evading a government clampdown on the Internet.
The anonymity of these people is part of their story. Neither the foreigner nor the speakers can be identified for fear of retribution against those who speak out. Two teachers, a young man, a housewife, an abbot, a businessman — all tell the same story in their different ways. It is the story of a people ruled by terror, stripped of freedom, who do not know when their suffering will end. SETH MYDANS
A housewife recalled the brutality she saw while shopping for food Sept. 28:
I saw people in the street just beaten up for no reason — just walking along the road, not even part of the protests. There was this young boy, he was alone and not shouting with the crowd or clapping. This captain came up to him, just started beating him and the boy fell on the street. Then the police pushed him into one of those trucks that were lined up to take demonstrators.
As they pushed him, he fell again. Then the police took out a big stick and gave him a huge blow on the back. After that, the captain told everyone in the street that they had 10 minutes to clear off. People were running for their lives. The vendors started to grab their things. There was one lady selling fritters and she had a big vat of hot oil — she had to walk with this oil and they came after her and beat her to make her move faster. I saw two boys at that moment walking up with cellphones. The captain grabbed the boys, took their cellphones and pushed them into the truck.
Someone who was with me at a previous job lost her son in these protests. He might have been on his way home, but we don’t know. This mother had a friend in the army and she asked him for help. He told her to stay home and — no questions. The son, her only child, is still missing.
A young man described how the junta has clamped down on social exchange, destroying trust among people:
There is no more connection between people. It’s been broken. In our own neighborhood, the security groups will arrest anyone who is heard talking about these events. Even at tea shops we can’t talk about these things. These thugs will remember who you are and come to arrest you later. We can only talk to people we know on the street and never to strangers now. No one says anything at the market and everything has to be in secret. The bars have emptied out both because no one has any more money and what fun is it to get drunk when you can’t talk?
Even now we don’t dare take our transistor radios to listen to foreign broadcasts outside. Just in the last few days, we have been threatened with arrest by local authorities for doing this in our ward. Anyone with a cellphone or camera will have it confiscated.
This is not the end. This is just a stopping point and we are not satisfied. We don’t know the future but we will keep our anger burning inside.
A teacher talked about the pain of seeing Buddhism desecrated and the fear of the military that spread among the monks.
It is almost coming on 50 years that we have clung to our culture by tolerating this military government. But something we revered was insulted.
I cannot continue to tolerate this. We only hope that bad karma will fall upon them but there’s nothing else we can do now.
I know dozens of monks. One monk is very old. He is 78. It never occurred to him that in his lifetime he would have to hide. The day after the shootings started, I went to this monastery and the faces that I saw on those monks was something I had never seen. It is not fear. It was a sadness so unbelievable.
Now the young monks that I talked to — who weren’t rounded up — they want to disrobe. They don’t have the moral courage to go on. “Better to be a layman,” they said.
I told them that this would be a terrible loss for our Buddhism. “No,” they say, “What’s the use of meditation? The power of meditation can’t stop them from beating us.”
The worst thing now is that no amount of persuasion from the abbots will stop the young monks from disrobing.
An abbot of a monastery where hundreds of children are taught said three-quarters of the monks had fled:
How difficult this is. ...They ran away for their security. ... We have students studying English but our English-teaching monks have left us. We are very unhappy now. I would like to invite guests to see this, but I am afraid.
A teacher who organizes the curriculum for the monks added:
When the soldiers raided the monastery, they came into the school and tore down pictures of some tourists with whom the monks had been practicing English at Shwedagon Pagoda. The soldiers would circle the monastery at night to see if these monks would come back so they could be arrested.
A businessman whose company lost an enormous amount of business during the upheaval lamented Myanmar’s isolation:
I joined the peaceful demonstrations to show my support. I would do it again. I don’t agree with sanctions on Myanmar. Of course, I may be biased because I’m a businessman. My own experience of traveling to other countries opened my mind and changed my life. I loved the freedom I found in the United States. It was something I had never experienced. If I hadn’t spent time abroad, I would have ended up as a military man. Or else I could have been an informer exposing the conversation we’re having right now.

This saddens me monks have went into hiding due to fear of retaliation from the government. What isthis world coming too? It infuriates me to know that these religious individuals are scared to show there faces and are even disrobing .

Assigment-October 9th, 2007

What seems to amaze me is the way individuals view "POVERTY" everyday when leaving for work,I get on the bus and on my way down South Broadway I see people sleeping in doorways and especially in Lincoln park on the benches wrapped up in a blanket or newspaper covering them. I could remember when i was younger on holidays I made it a point to take a dish out to someone in that same park, they didnt have to ask and i didnt make them feel as if they were needy. I just walked with two of my friends and said hey its the holidays and Im stuffed would you like a hot dish. With a smile on their face, taking it gladly and thanking me continuosly. What happened to the generousity, empathy, and just giving a damn about people who are less fortunate?

Now a days individuals are consumed with their everyday life they do not even focus on what others do not have. They are to consumed with what they are getting to worry about the next individual. The nasty looks the less fortunate get, snarls, stares from people amazes me on how this generation is so materialistic and quick to turn their head to the side because someone looks different, or doesnt live the same way. What happened to us? we are so quick to go to other countries to feed the poor but what about the poor in the U.S.A? It just makes me so furious how we all never really stop to think about this. We can send canned goods to other countries, donate money to certain charities for foreign countries. What about just walking outside your own house to the local park, corner, train station and giving a plate, a canned good or just a nice simple hello. It doesnt cost anything to make a difference in someones life for one day.

I understand there are some individuals that do not want the help that choose to be in poverty(very rare) but it does happen. There are some that do not utilize the resources out there but who are we to judge and how do we know if that individual we just passed is the one who denied help WE DONT !!! all Im saying is just b/c someone doesnt live the "NORM" doesnt mean they are not deserving of the American dream or for that matter a MEAL!!

Let me know what you think I feel very strongly about this and would love others opinions

Assignment- Gandhi

After learning about Mohandas Gandhi, in what ways do you think he practiced Hinduism? What parts of Hinduism did he emphasize? What parts seemed less important to him? Would he consider himself a good Hindu? Would you agree with his self-assessment? Based on both the material in your textbook and the film we saw in class, reflect on these questions and then answer them in a well-developed essay for one of your blog posts this week

Gandhi practiced Hinduism the way he felt best. Gandhi did not praise gods he preached for peace and non-violence He would not be considered a good Hindu b/c he did not follow the traditional laws. Gandhi has stated he did not think he was a good Hindu. What Gandhi is known for is his non-violent protests. Gandhi was agianst the caste system he felt everyone should be treated equally as a person. Gandhi would be considered a peace maker. He practiced unselfishness and was totally devoted to his belief's as he understood what a good Hindu should be.

He continuosly fasted, and was being arrested for his protest and beleifs. This was a man who truly believed in trying to change his people. He not only made an impact on his people but Mahandas Gandhi is known all over the world for his efforts for non-violence. Some of our greatest leaders like Martin Luther King took on some of Gandhi's teachings. This was a man devoted to making a change and he did.

Yoga Master and Vishnu

To the right this picture Stemming from ancient Hinduism, the Yoga Master has the knowledge of uniting with divine source. Mind, body and spirit become "one" and each yogic practitioner has the direct experience of the "connectedness" of the universe. With his chakras in alignment, the energy of Kundalini rises up the spine and into the crown where the divine current transforms physical life into the higher realms of consciousness.

Here is a beautiful picture of Vishnu above the ocean. This picture caught my eye with all the beautiful colors and al the nature around. i hope you enjoy as well.

More Than 1,000 Monks Protest Myanmar

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 18, 2007
Filed at 12:52 p.m. ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Hundreds of defiant monks marched through Yangon on Tuesday, walking 10 miles through streets lined with cheering crowds, after being barred from Myanmar's most important Buddhist temple, witnesses said.
The marches were the latest in a series of anti-government protests, which began Aug. 19 after authorities raised fuel prices by as much as 500 percent, putting the squeeze on already impoverished citizens. The protests have continued despite the detention of more than 100 demonstrators and the rough treatment of others.
At least 400 saffron-robed monks, walking in rows of two and three and cheered on by thousands of onlookers offering water, were locked out of Yangon's famous Shwedagon pagoda and then both the Sule and Botataung pagodas. After pro-junta toughs and plainclothes police intervened, the monks sat in the street and chanted before returning to monasteries.
Some senior monks -- generally seen as more conservative -- also asked the group of mostly young monks to end their march. The two groups argued but finally the procession continued.
Meanwhile, in the city of Bago about 50 miles away, another 1,000 monks peacefully marched to the Shwemawdaw pagoda, residents said. Witnesses in both cities spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Soldiers and armed police were deployed near some major monasteries with truckloads of barbed wire barricades waiting nearby.
Supporters of the country's junta government snatched video and still cameras from some journalists and attempted to seize one journalist and force him into a truck, witnesses said.
No one was arrested in Tuesday's marches, and both ended peacefully.
The monks gave authorities a Monday deadline to apologize for beating hundreds of them two weeks ago when they marched peacefully in Pakokku, a center of Buddhist learning, to protest the rising fuel and consumer prices. The apology never came.
''We are grateful to the monks for making good on their promise despite heavy security presence and obstacles,'' said a man who followed the monks throughout the march. He refused to give his name for fear of reprisal.
In addition to the protests, monks threatened to cut off contact with the military and their families, and to refuse alms from them -- a humiliating gesture that would embarrass the junta.
Monks have been at the forefront of political protests in Myanmar, also known as Burma, since British colonial times. Because they are so revered by the public, repressing them is politically risky. The junta is wary that demonstrations could gain momentum.
Tuesday's marches also marked the 19th anniversary of the coup in Myanmar, in which the current junta took over after crushing a failed pro-democracy rebellion that sought an end to military rule, imposed since 1962. The anniversary was also commemorated by protesters in the Philippines, India and New Zealand.
The junta held general elections in 1990, but refused to honor the results when pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won. Suu Kyi has been detained under house arrest for more than 11 years.

I chose this article b/c of the content... its states that the Monks were beat about two weeks prior to this article for quietly marching. This really irriatates me due to the fact if they were quietly protesting the rise of gas prices why were they subjected to beatings ?

Is this b/c of their religious beliefs? or b/c they are defying the government and they are a religious group? Either way you look at it it some sort of discrimination toward these people.

Am I misunderstanding the reasons behind the big controversy of a religious group marching?

Belief-O-Matic Survey

This was my results:
Your Results:
The top score on the list below represents the faith that Belief-O-Matic, in its less than infinite wisdom, thinks most closely matches your beliefs. However, even a score of 100% does not mean that your views are all shared by this faith, or vice versa.Belief-O-Matic then lists another 26 faiths in order of how much they have in common with your professed beliefs. The higher a faith appears on this list, the more closely it aligns with your thinking.How did the Belief-O-Matic do?
1.
Liberal Quakers (100%)
2.
Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (96%)
3.
Neo-Pagan (94%)
4.
New Age (89%)
5.
Unitarian Universalism (89%)
6.
Mahayana Buddhism (84%)
7.
Bahá'í Faith (80%)
8.
Theravada Buddhism (76%)
9.
Orthodox Quaker (72%)
10.
Taoism (69%)
11.
Reform Judaism (65%)
12.
Secular Humanism (62%)
13.
Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (62%)
14.
Jainism (59%)
15.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (57%)
16.
New Thought (57%)
17.
Hinduism (55%)
18.
Sikhism (52%)
19.
Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (48%)
20.
Scientology (48%)
21.
Jehovah's Witness (45%)
22.
Orthodox Judaism (45%)
23.
Islam (37%)
24.
Nontheist (36%)
25.
Seventh Day Adventist (34%)
26.
Eastern Orthodox (27%)
27.
Roman Catholic (27%)

Ok... so, I didnt think my top religion I would be paired up with would be Liberal Quaker. Kind of shocking if you ask me. I do not associate myself with any one religion I am an open minded individual an am interested in a variety of religions. I looked over all and see a little bit of my beliefs in a few of them. I guess you can say my belief system is a little scattered? I wasnt shocked to see all that were listed because as I said my belief system is an absorbant sponge and I am kind of happy that my percentile in each category is not less than 25% this tells me im pretty open minded with a tad bit of narrowness!

1.Do I have to necessarily choose a religion?
2.Can't I have beliefs in a variety of religions?
3.Why do I feel the need fora LABEL?

I am going to be totally honest here I have never heard of Neo-Pagan and I am very interested in this religion I see alot (most) of my beliefs in this religion. Could it be that I am no longer spiritual that I have found a religion that fits me like a glove. I will explore the Neo-Pagan religion and get back to everyone. Until then let me know what you think ..........

First Religious Blurb.............
Hi All Welcome to my domain! I want to first tell All of you that I do not consider myslef a religious person rather a spiritual one. I enjoy questioning everything and anything that could bring up a good constructive conversation.I have been a blogger for quit some time but chose to make a new one specifically for this class.
I have a few blogger friends and channel around various ones and I came across one blog that I visit everyday. I will share this blog with you b/c as I say I am not a religious person but this blog makes me question myself. To give you a heads up its a family that gave birth to a baby boy Isaac Leino who was born this year in March with HLSH (a rare heart condition) they are practicing Christians and their faith makes me question mine everyday so go visit this blog read every entry and you will understand what I mean then come back to my page here and read the questions I ask myself everyday after reading the Leino's blog. www.babyleino.blogspot.com

Questions:1. Why is it that I can complain about the littlest day to day things when this family lost their child and still has faith?

2. Their "Saviour" took their child and they were greatful for this because their child was not in any pain. Does anyone really think like this??

3. To see their faith and see what they ahve been through always makes me think is there really a "GOD"

These are my thoughts on a constant basis after reading their blog entries I leave their page in tears and feeling sort of bad that i feel the way I do. Is this wrong to question my faith on a day to day basis? I dont really know but any and all suggestions will greatly be appreciated.