Since when is reinterpreting a work of art sacrilegious? I'm sorry, but the painting by DaVinci is NOT Jesus. It's a PAINTING. These folks are just looking for dumb crap to be outraged by. It's performative pseudo Christianity
Inclusivity is Christian! It is tRump and MAGA that make a mockery of Jesus’ teachings and are pushing people who see their Christian Nationalism away from the church.
A good writing as usual John. It's hard to fathom how we've gotten to where we are but here we are. If my fellow readers have time, please try to watch "Bad Faith" & "God & Country", they do help you understand some of the history behind all of it. Currently trying to read "Jesus & John Wayne" but I'm only a few chapters in.
Thank you for the film recommendations. How did we get here? I ask myself that question every single day. I have family members who are trump supporters. They have an excuse for everything he says and does. For the life of me, I can't figure out the answer. Thanks for your post.
They have zero concept that life is art. The only art they appreciate is performative lying and chucking red meat in a corn hole. I thought it was fabulous darling! Liberty, Fraternity, Equality!!! 💋
I’m not a Christian, by birth, choice, or identity. I grew up with a religion I practice which like many (most?) chooses what tenets to follow/use/mock. I did, as a child, attend my own religion’s services and went with friends to those of others. A childhood friend, an Episcopalian, had a wonderful priest who’d let us come talk about teen angst and help us reflect. I can’t remember that any had a direct religious message. What I knew then was what “good” was in the areas of civil rights and justice and equity. Then and now, hate and exclusion are easy to identify. MAGA is hate. How has it come to this?
Jesus hung out with tax collectors, considered to be the worst scoundrels of society, and a few shady ladies once in a while. I think he would approve the inclusivity of this table. Jesus smiles.
I’m about to step on some toes in regard to the Opening Ceremony at the Paris Olympics.
The headless woman was Marie Antoinette. She ruled over France and was found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and stealing from the country.
Sound familiar?
Also, it was not the Last Supper. It was a depiction of an ancient Greek Bacchanal… because, you know, the Olympics are ancient and Greek. Surprise!
And if you didn’t know, a Bacchanalia is an uncontrollably promiscuous, extravagant, and loud party. The parties often spanned several days which honored the god of wine, Bacchus (the blue guy covered in grape vine). He is also known as Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, later known as the god of wine and pleasure.
And finally, it was not Death on a pale horse. It was Sequana, Goddess of the Seine, the River in which the boat precession took place. She was meant to be the representation of the Olympic spirit and of Sequana.
If some of you weren’t so busy trying to end the Dept. of Education, you might know this.
Loosen the clutch on your pearls.
Yours truly,
Lady Francis
••••••
“Paris is back on its feet, jubilant, flamboyant, creative and open. Free,” - Thomas Jolly, the artistic director.
This analysis of the performance art is, really, just that: a Bacchanal, a Greek celebration in keeping with the Greek Olympics. I must say that this entire brou-ha-ha brought not only disbelief but laughter to our after-worship donut deliberations yesterday. The consensus was that only if one wanted to be offended would this presentation than be construed as a depiction of the Last Supper. It was a healthy, hearty, good laugh at the expense of the "I wanna be a victim" magats. So, then we branched off onto the various intentional name-gamed characters we had known in literature and film. Our one-hour donut delight had to be called after almost 75 minutes because the group was going to be late for its weekly lunch date at a local eatery. We supposed that if anyone wanted to be offended, s/he could manufacture a phony reason for that offended response, but in so doing, s/he'd demonstrate that somehow s/he had slept through any/all of the world history and literature that was taught to most of us in high school and university. A good laugh at the expense of the haughtily offended.
How dare you call him on exactly what he is! Unfortunately, until his christian sheeple start saying words like this, not much will change their minds.
The John Wayne book resonated with me. I am 77 and lived so much of what the author describes. Will look for the videos you mentioned. Thank you to John for clearly stating what we are seeing on the news and in so many of our families and friends.
As I always say, these people are not Christians in an any shape or form. They have taken his name and and polluted it. Jesus the loving Son of God would call them out but he would also have opened his arms to save them. That is not in our power now.
Evangelical Christians have undergone some evolution while under the influence of mega church pastors and with the growing “prosperity message” coupled with a number of churches lead by pastors who wanted a piece of that prosperity for themselves. The six car garage McMansions were to prove that if you tithe enough you too could be rich. That message cleaned out a lot of savings.
The Moral Majority is neither. But it pushed many Southern Baptist churches towards a politically-based desire to “save” the world but getting people to believe a message that contradicts New Testament teachings.
All of this attracted white people who were not the “successful” community members and played upon racist beliefs. When you have a feeling of inferiority and are not sharing in the country’s wealth, you become a easy target for the “con man/woman” preaching the way to get back what should be yours. When you have a hole in your soul, you are seeking something to fill it. Evangelicalism has morphed into Christian Nationalism where politics are a critical part of the belief system.
Instead of following the teachings of Jesus, they are following pastors who have totally lost their way. They have selectively taken God’s word and created messages which beget hatred, ignorance, bigotry, desire control over others and are willing to commit violence to prove their divine relationship with God.
These churches and religious organizations have sucked in the ignorant (not stupid but lacking the knowledge) and are building legions of followers who are so convinced they are doing God’s work that they have walked away from disapproving families, become critical of anyone who doesn’t accept their church’s dogma and are becoming more outspoken and accepting of violence to control others.
These changes within major denominations have been set on fire by the rhetoric of non-Christian Donald Trump. They have forsaken any tenets of love and compassion because the message of power is critical to their belief that if they don’t “save their country” they will fall prey to the will of the others. We are the others, the sinners because we do not worship their version of Christianity.
There are hundreds of Christian denominations that are their foes. Their versions of non-christian religions include Catholics Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sikhs, Mormons, Agnostics/Atheists/Secular/Nonreligious, and dozens of smaller religions. You don’t even need to be part of any religion to be their definition of a “sinner” - Democrats, Independents and anyone with differing political beliefs are lumped together.
By setting themselves apart and above everyone else, these christians have decided that power is more important than anything else and they have joined with thousands of other (99% white) people to “take back in the name of Christ” THEIR COUNTRY.
Because these people have abandoned moral constraints, they have no reason to do anything other than what they are doing. Thanks to a handful of religious leaders, they have sold their bodies and minds to the wealthy who rule our government. The powerful synergy created is going to require every other non-infected person to stand up and protect our country, our democracy and our freedom from dictatorship.
We do this for ourselves, our future and even for those who may not be totally lost to these false teachings.
Thank you. As I watched the Olympic Opening in real time and in French, I found myself laughing, crying and deeply appreciating the openness, profound kindness, wisdom and outreach underlying this presentation. With appreciation for your daily wisdom. Ann Scoffier
We must keep this narrative out front and center!!!! Stop accepting these really ugly misfits and their hog-wash about being Christian. They harm the word! They are all hiding something about themselves that they pretend to abhor in others. Looking in the mirror is a good idea. Thank you for putting truth before unbelievable!
Since when is reinterpreting a work of art sacrilegious? I'm sorry, but the painting by DaVinci is NOT Jesus. It's a PAINTING. These folks are just looking for dumb crap to be outraged by. It's performative pseudo Christianity
Inclusivity is Christian! It is tRump and MAGA that make a mockery of Jesus’ teachings and are pushing people who see their Christian Nationalism away from the church.
Inclusivity is the Word. A person asked, “Who is my neighbor?” The quick answer: All of humanity. See them? Love them.
A good writing as usual John. It's hard to fathom how we've gotten to where we are but here we are. If my fellow readers have time, please try to watch "Bad Faith" & "God & Country", they do help you understand some of the history behind all of it. Currently trying to read "Jesus & John Wayne" but I'm only a few chapters in.
Thank you for the film recommendations. How did we get here? I ask myself that question every single day. I have family members who are trump supporters. They have an excuse for everything he says and does. For the life of me, I can't figure out the answer. Thanks for your post.
They have zero concept that life is art. The only art they appreciate is performative lying and chucking red meat in a corn hole. I thought it was fabulous darling! Liberty, Fraternity, Equality!!! 💋
I’m not a Christian, by birth, choice, or identity. I grew up with a religion I practice which like many (most?) chooses what tenets to follow/use/mock. I did, as a child, attend my own religion’s services and went with friends to those of others. A childhood friend, an Episcopalian, had a wonderful priest who’d let us come talk about teen angst and help us reflect. I can’t remember that any had a direct religious message. What I knew then was what “good” was in the areas of civil rights and justice and equity. Then and now, hate and exclusion are easy to identify. MAGA is hate. How has it come to this?
Jesus hung out with tax collectors, considered to be the worst scoundrels of society, and a few shady ladies once in a while. I think he would approve the inclusivity of this table. Jesus smiles.
Update per David Spearman
Dearest Gentle Reader,
I’m about to step on some toes in regard to the Opening Ceremony at the Paris Olympics.
The headless woman was Marie Antoinette. She ruled over France and was found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and stealing from the country.
Sound familiar?
Also, it was not the Last Supper. It was a depiction of an ancient Greek Bacchanal… because, you know, the Olympics are ancient and Greek. Surprise!
And if you didn’t know, a Bacchanalia is an uncontrollably promiscuous, extravagant, and loud party. The parties often spanned several days which honored the god of wine, Bacchus (the blue guy covered in grape vine). He is also known as Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, later known as the god of wine and pleasure.
And finally, it was not Death on a pale horse. It was Sequana, Goddess of the Seine, the River in which the boat precession took place. She was meant to be the representation of the Olympic spirit and of Sequana.
If some of you weren’t so busy trying to end the Dept. of Education, you might know this.
Loosen the clutch on your pearls.
Yours truly,
Lady Francis
••••••
“Paris is back on its feet, jubilant, flamboyant, creative and open. Free,” - Thomas Jolly, the artistic director.
This analysis of the performance art is, really, just that: a Bacchanal, a Greek celebration in keeping with the Greek Olympics. I must say that this entire brou-ha-ha brought not only disbelief but laughter to our after-worship donut deliberations yesterday. The consensus was that only if one wanted to be offended would this presentation than be construed as a depiction of the Last Supper. It was a healthy, hearty, good laugh at the expense of the "I wanna be a victim" magats. So, then we branched off onto the various intentional name-gamed characters we had known in literature and film. Our one-hour donut delight had to be called after almost 75 minutes because the group was going to be late for its weekly lunch date at a local eatery. We supposed that if anyone wanted to be offended, s/he could manufacture a phony reason for that offended response, but in so doing, s/he'd demonstrate that somehow s/he had slept through any/all of the world history and literature that was taught to most of us in high school and university. A good laugh at the expense of the haughtily offended.
How dare you call him on exactly what he is! Unfortunately, until his christian sheeple start saying words like this, not much will change their minds.
The John Wayne book resonated with me. I am 77 and lived so much of what the author describes. Will look for the videos you mentioned. Thank you to John for clearly stating what we are seeing on the news and in so many of our families and friends.
As I always say, these people are not Christians in an any shape or form. They have taken his name and and polluted it. Jesus the loving Son of God would call them out but he would also have opened his arms to save them. That is not in our power now.
Evangelical Christians have undergone some evolution while under the influence of mega church pastors and with the growing “prosperity message” coupled with a number of churches lead by pastors who wanted a piece of that prosperity for themselves. The six car garage McMansions were to prove that if you tithe enough you too could be rich. That message cleaned out a lot of savings.
The Moral Majority is neither. But it pushed many Southern Baptist churches towards a politically-based desire to “save” the world but getting people to believe a message that contradicts New Testament teachings.
All of this attracted white people who were not the “successful” community members and played upon racist beliefs. When you have a feeling of inferiority and are not sharing in the country’s wealth, you become a easy target for the “con man/woman” preaching the way to get back what should be yours. When you have a hole in your soul, you are seeking something to fill it. Evangelicalism has morphed into Christian Nationalism where politics are a critical part of the belief system.
Instead of following the teachings of Jesus, they are following pastors who have totally lost their way. They have selectively taken God’s word and created messages which beget hatred, ignorance, bigotry, desire control over others and are willing to commit violence to prove their divine relationship with God.
These churches and religious organizations have sucked in the ignorant (not stupid but lacking the knowledge) and are building legions of followers who are so convinced they are doing God’s work that they have walked away from disapproving families, become critical of anyone who doesn’t accept their church’s dogma and are becoming more outspoken and accepting of violence to control others.
These changes within major denominations have been set on fire by the rhetoric of non-Christian Donald Trump. They have forsaken any tenets of love and compassion because the message of power is critical to their belief that if they don’t “save their country” they will fall prey to the will of the others. We are the others, the sinners because we do not worship their version of Christianity.
There are hundreds of Christian denominations that are their foes. Their versions of non-christian religions include Catholics Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sikhs, Mormons, Agnostics/Atheists/Secular/Nonreligious, and dozens of smaller religions. You don’t even need to be part of any religion to be their definition of a “sinner” - Democrats, Independents and anyone with differing political beliefs are lumped together.
By setting themselves apart and above everyone else, these christians have decided that power is more important than anything else and they have joined with thousands of other (99% white) people to “take back in the name of Christ” THEIR COUNTRY.
Because these people have abandoned moral constraints, they have no reason to do anything other than what they are doing. Thanks to a handful of religious leaders, they have sold their bodies and minds to the wealthy who rule our government. The powerful synergy created is going to require every other non-infected person to stand up and protect our country, our democracy and our freedom from dictatorship.
We do this for ourselves, our future and even for those who may not be totally lost to these false teachings.
Thank you. As I watched the Olympic Opening in real time and in French, I found myself laughing, crying and deeply appreciating the openness, profound kindness, wisdom and outreach underlying this presentation. With appreciation for your daily wisdom. Ann Scoffier
When Trumps refers to Christians . Jesus cringes.
We must keep this narrative out front and center!!!! Stop accepting these really ugly misfits and their hog-wash about being Christian. They harm the word! They are all hiding something about themselves that they pretend to abhor in others. Looking in the mirror is a good idea. Thank you for putting truth before unbelievable!
The evil one has twisted the tails
Say it like it is John!
Amen, John, Amen.