I registered for next semester's classes on Friday - and I can't wait for September. I am taking a class on the history of Christianity. This is a straight-up anthropology course so no theology. That will be a first for me. I spent the first 13 years of my education in private Catholic schools, so I can't wait to finally have a "religion" class without the spin. I hope we cover EVERYTHING - rejected books of the bible, the Crusades, the politics of the early popes. I'm hoping this class WON'T be a breeze for me, though, because it could be an excellent opportunity to toughen up my organized religion debates.
Speaking of things like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Easter was a great day for the History Channel. I had a hard time tearing myself away for the family dinner. I was happy to watch some educational stuff about the actual history of the bible or cathedrals instead of just "Was Jesus Real??" features.
One show I am NOT excited about watching on the History Channel: The Real Face of Jesus. Um... hasn't the scientific community pretty much dismissed the shroud as a medieval fraud? I could have sworn I actually saw the story of the debunking on the History Channel. So why would a fake shroud reveal a real face? I'm sure the technology is cool, but why not apply it to mummies or something? This is definetely a step backward for the History Channel in my mind. Next step - find another ark. :(
S.A.M.
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Godfather II
Over the past week, the Godfather saga has continued. (Okay, so that last statement makes it sound much more dramatic than it is. Discussion of the topic takes up maybe five minutes of the time Josh and I spend together each day. It is just a big issue in my mind.)
First, a few days ago, I was surprised when, having received no word from the priest, Josh said, "Oh, well. If he won't give me the letter I just won't do it. No big deal." It was a plesant surprise for me. I felt like he had taken a deeper look at the situation (or thought about the horror of "lying to God!") and decided that it was more important to be true to his own values and common sense than to jump through the hoops of a church in which he doesn't really believe. I thought the matter was over and done with.
Then, the priest replied. He explained that the letter was actually a certified form, and that he would try to get one for Josh - like he did before for Josh's friend's daughter's baptism. I guess I am less worked up now that I know that he was at least willing to just drop it instead of concocting a big scheme to lie to the church. Part of me wanted to call that priest up myself and ask him why HE was so willing to participate in this. Anyway, it has become a minor daily update between us and mostly an afterthought. The topic did stir the pot a little between us though. As I was drifting off to sleep last night while watching a rerun of a particularly good episode of Bones, Josh asked me why I like the show so much. I mumbled sleepily, "Bones is, like, ultra-rational and I like to hear her talk about religion and science and stuff." He said, "You can be rational and still have faith." I said something to the effect of, "Yeah, right." I was nearly asleep and only realized how awful that probably sounded to him, but I was too tired to defend myself and he was just quiet after that. At least it's out there, right?
On another note - CNN's Anderson Cooper is doing a week-long series about the Church of Scientology. Check it out! It's both well-researched and entertaining (and a little disturbing as well). I'll write more about this in the future.
S.A.M.
First, a few days ago, I was surprised when, having received no word from the priest, Josh said, "Oh, well. If he won't give me the letter I just won't do it. No big deal." It was a plesant surprise for me. I felt like he had taken a deeper look at the situation (or thought about the horror of "lying to God!") and decided that it was more important to be true to his own values and common sense than to jump through the hoops of a church in which he doesn't really believe. I thought the matter was over and done with.
Then, the priest replied. He explained that the letter was actually a certified form, and that he would try to get one for Josh - like he did before for Josh's friend's daughter's baptism. I guess I am less worked up now that I know that he was at least willing to just drop it instead of concocting a big scheme to lie to the church. Part of me wanted to call that priest up myself and ask him why HE was so willing to participate in this. Anyway, it has become a minor daily update between us and mostly an afterthought. The topic did stir the pot a little between us though. As I was drifting off to sleep last night while watching a rerun of a particularly good episode of Bones, Josh asked me why I like the show so much. I mumbled sleepily, "Bones is, like, ultra-rational and I like to hear her talk about religion and science and stuff." He said, "You can be rational and still have faith." I said something to the effect of, "Yeah, right." I was nearly asleep and only realized how awful that probably sounded to him, but I was too tired to defend myself and he was just quiet after that. At least it's out there, right?
On another note - CNN's Anderson Cooper is doing a week-long series about the Church of Scientology. Check it out! It's both well-researched and entertaining (and a little disturbing as well). I'll write more about this in the future.
S.A.M.
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