This was a difficult essay because I chose very personal source material. I wanted to share something but at first tried to hide it in a more diplomatic veneer. The question I started with was what caused me to join the Mormons? I mean, in retrospect it was nuts, but at the time it seemed like any other Christian Church. Until they tell you there is always a Prophet in the Church with God on speed dial. The Pope is much more down to Earth than that and he HAS the message from God kind of credibility.
Anyway, I started it from an informational point of view with a deep agenda poking it's head out. I just wanted to express my frustration without insulting anyone or writing something offensive without citation of fact to lend substance. I didn't want to attack anybody but everytime I put the hands on auto-pilot a warning sheathed in a grand and informative dismissal of entire faith based communities came out in glaringly combative tones. I had to keep trying. I have that pound my head against the wall to get into the next room instead of opening the door next to me kind of stubborness. This felt like a big stretch to try and fit into the mold of the sample cause essays but I tried.
Then someone made me think about this:
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
I had to try and write the truth about what happened to me inside the confines of the assignment. I didn't want my reader to just scan past the dry and sterile information and then flush the intellectual toilet. I did it all in two or three marathon sessions of about three or four hours a piece. Some of the phrases came from scraps of paper I wrote on at work and still more of them were cobbled together lying in bed in the morning watching my son transfixed by the Wonder Pets. It is becoming obvious to me that writing is more construction than anything else. Like building a Liberty ship. You create prefabricated bits with care and attention to detail and then assemble them in the right order and hope it floats. To carry the metaphor further one also hopes the Germans don't sink it either. Too far? I don't think so, anyway. I wrote more truth into the the outro than I was really aware. My life since that horrid experience has become a tree bearing the greatest fruits a man can labor to attain, love, a healthy marriage, a rekindled relationship with my family and new family in Maine that now calls me their own. Tasty, crisp, and ripe but still not complete without peanut butter.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Essay 1
There are two essays here, one I wrote before and one after the comments on the outro. I'll explain in the meta-graph but please take whichever one you like better for the assignment. If you need something in between the two I will be happy to oblige I may just need a coupla more days. Thank you.
Number One:
What would cause one to become the willing pawn of an organization that they know means them harm? It's elemental in simplicity. When you grieve, when you worry, when life presents situations beyond your ability to cope you are vulnerable. When any organism is weak parasites are a natural eventuality. That is where [insert cult name here] comes in. They are immediately available and will seek you actively like the lioness hunts the sick and the lame of the herd. They offer salvation for the measly price of fealty. Then the loving and welcoming gestures become orders and demands. Slowly the focus of your life changes and now revolves around them and their wants and needs. It happens gradually, you at first accept the surface doctrines which seem logical and well-presented. The people you meet all have a testimonial of their success with [insert cult name here] and you are lulled into a sense of belonging. Then the threat of removal from the community in which you are now integrated becomes a very real tool of manipulation. Soon you are presented with the real belief system and it starts to get a little scary. It is very far-fetched even for a spiritual doctrine but your too far in and have to commit, hoping that you can fake-it-till-you-make-it. The worst part is that the same tactics are used in sickening similarity by almost all of them. They all have interchangeable parts that can be reassembled in any combination like Mad-Libs but must be used in the right order and measure. The unfortunate end is any one of the same sad finales we have seen in the news day in and day out. So why would we get involved?
People have sought spiritual solace for as long there has been pain. There are many different paths one can take and they all have their appeals. The Christians offer salvation through the Messiah Jesus Christ. Judaism a relationship with God based on obedience to doctrine and laws older than written langauge. Islam is simply the belief that "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." One might argue any of their validity but they all have one thing in common. You can read their books without really getting involved in any organization. You can be a solo practitioner of any of the above religions. You might not reap as much reward doing it alone but you can still achieve salvation or peace on your own. When you become involved with most cults they immediately will attempt to force to enter their organization. They attract you with the offer of something as simple as a free bible but to get it you have to entertain their missionaries. Then the problems start. They show up and are friendly and non-judgemental, they want your confidence. They get you talking and find out what your problems are, then they create solutions with the Church as the sole arbiter of your newfound security and happiness. This is where you get involved. This is why you get involved. You believe that these people are acting out of altruistic kindness and are truly representatives of the living God. No matter what you've heard you put it aside and open your heart and mind to these spiritual ticks.
You are welcomed into the Church and many of the top people in the hierarchy give you quite a bit of positive attention. They talk to you about your future in the organization and how happy they have been. They tell stories of a life lived in pious contemplation of their impending eternity. It is hard to be cynical or to ask questions in an environment full of those who believe so ardently.
It is a natural to want to please your new hosts and you jump in with both feet. You came here to find peace and salvation right? That can't come easy so you persevere. Many days and even weeks can pass as their tried and true methods begin to work on your resistance. They might use Church Services followed by indoctrinational groups masked as Sunday School. They might use moving up in the ranks of Church authority, or in knowledge of their core ideologies as a reward to get more deeply involved. Other organizations less centrally based in traditional Judeo-Christian theology resort almost immediately to separating you from friends and family and immersing you in their community. They cut you off from your lines of support and the only people you have to rely on are in the church. Their methods can then range from the simple threat of excommunication to sequestering you at a 'retreat' where you are deprived of protien and sleep or brow beaten during degrading forced labor in a brainwashing ritual as old as humans. No matter what happens you are expected to keep to a strict schedule of teaching and learning and then eventually recruiting. After you are theirs, after they own your heart and mind, they go after your money. In some organizations you are expected to pay a tithe, a percentage of your gross income, not net, gross. Others ask you pay for progressively more detailed explanations of the 'truth.' The worst thing that can happen is to you in their care is to have to sign power of attorney over to them regarding your total assets. Occasionally maxing out your credit and donating it all to themselves.
So the question persists, why would we do this? The answer is simple. Because their methods work. People are attracted for the same reasons and people are snared by the same gambits. The more important question is why someone would do this to another person. Power, plain and simple. It always begins with an individual who has the 'best intentions' for your soul. They can be a modern day prophet with the revised word of God in hand given to them by the Almighty Himself or the fevered inspirations of a writer mistaken for divine intervention. The ultimate draw is the discovery that with even a pretty thin cover story you can make an awful lot of money and gain power that your state government envies. You don't have to pay taxes, and hey, you are responsible for millions of salvations right? Then the government begins poking around your records and words like racketeering and fraud, kidnapping and misappropriation are tossed around. Your flock begins to thin except for the most 'loyal' and you sequester. This is point at which most of the cult leaders become so mad with their own delusions that we end up with fatal fires, gunshots and suicides directed by your local neighborhood religious icon. Even if they are too big to topple the end is the same, you discover it's bunk and walk away hurt in many ways. The worst part is some get trapped for their whole lives. The greatest cost could be a living death, losing control of your mind while still in it.
It is impossible to prove that one religious belief is more valid than any other with empirical certainty, but if you buy a car you research it a little first, right? I can only offer you my stern admonition against believing anything without doing your homework first. This is your soul we're talking about. Possibly your personal safety as well as that of those you love. Do your homework, please, just do your homework. 'Okay,' you think, 'what is the homework?' What do you look for? What separates the cults from the faiths? The Bible offers hint. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-44 [43] "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Many of those I've seen come in contact with these organizations end up estranged from family, friends, entire communities and their own assets for the understandable mistake of simply seeking enlightenment. Congregations of devout Christians have been burned alive and whole villages, women and children forced to commit suicide. People have been kidnapped and forced to believe then forced to surrender their possessions. No matter how hungry you are remember that some fruit is crisp and red on the outside but can be rotten to it's core.
Number Two
The question I still can't really fully answer is what caused me to make the first call to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I called the Mormons because their commercial said that they would give me a free copy of the King James Bible and I thought, hey, I just gave away my last Bible so what's the worst that can happen? My first clue that something was amiss should have been when our friendly-voiced operator said "Just listen to what they have to say with an open mind, please." I shrugged it off and invited the local missionaries over the next day. The next day Elder Krage and Elder Hunstman showed up, one looked like Opie and the other was a non-descript blonde youth. Both seemed beyond reproach and had the confidence and humility of truly holy people. They brought the Bible and said that in return they would like us to simply hear a lesson in LDS (Latter Day Saints) theology. At first they only went into the aspects of the church that mirrored standard Christian faith. I listened with interest. They began to come over with increasing frequency, sometimes not bothering to call first. They were always polite and tried to help with any chores or work around the house that they could. I would cook and then we would have a lesson. After a proscribed number of lessons they invited us to their church. They said that to actually be members we would have to meet with the local leader of the Missionaries and the Bishop of the Local Church, then we had to be baptised. I had wanted to belong so badly to the body of Christ that I simply hadn't been listening to what they all had been saying.
The meetings went well and they seemed to like us so they told us what had to happen next. My live-in Girlfriend and I would have to get married to be baptised. We hastily prepared a ceremony and got married in their church not inviting any of our family on either side, then were baptised. At the time it simply did not occur to us that our families might want to be involved since they were all non-religious. They didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for our families either. It seemed the separation from those who might disagree was a good thing to them. Right after the marriage Petra got pregnant. I told my mother first that she was to be a grandmother and she initially recieved the news with joy. Then the whole family stopped answering their phones. Once they found out what we had done, getting married without inviting them, they all turned their backs on us. So here we are, a young couple with nothing, and now with no one. The only people that we had to turn to now were in the Church. The tapestry of manipulation was stretched wide and beautiful before me yet I still refused to see. Petra was sick all the time from the pregnancy and had just been fired from the restaurant she was working at for being pregnant. Yes it's illegal but only if you can afford a lawyer to sue them, and even then what did you win? We got a job at a telemarketing firm (I'm sorry, world) qualifying mortgage leads all day. It was the only thing she could do in her condition and we only had one car so we had to work together. When the missionaries found out they tried to get us a car from someone in the church and I flatly refused. I was beginning to see the web that was forming in our path. First a car, then a job, then I could not get out if I wanted to. Still I tried to be a dutiful Mormon, telling others of my faith and going on teaching errands with the Missionaries.
Then the Bishop took me in his office. He spoke to me of the joy the Church had given him and how much it could do for me. A long admonition ensued about the danger of apostosy and then he asked, nonchalantly, if I had started tithing yet. I responded in the negative without details. He looked at me disdainfully and said "Why?" as if the notion of not tithing was absurd. My wife and I were poor at that time. We had no family and support, piling bills and were one step above welfare. We were charity cases and he was asking for our money. That was the last straw. I stopped attending services and stopped communication with the missionaries. Then they fought back. The local leader of the 'home teaching' endeavors in my area just happened to get a job at the same telemarketing firm we were at. He would try to chat with us all day and at one point went so far as to say that he was concerned for my spiritual welfare because I continued to drink coffee at work. I was fortunate to find a job shortly after with a fine-dining Italian restaurant that payed enough for Petra to stay home until the baby was born. The missionaries continued to show up uninvited and did everything but put up tents on our front lawn. It was always personal, why are you hurting us this way? So now we were adrift in a very lonely sea. We had been estranged from our families, and had an infant to support with a still small income. Neither of us could sleep and I was working twelve to fourteen hours with only one day off a week. Finally we gave up and decided to move to Maine where my wifes family lived. Then my family decided it was time to reconcile, but things are still not the same almost two years later.
In less than six months just being a dilettante in the LDS church had cost me my family, my security, and forced me five-hundred miles north. This was in a mostly Catholic state, New Jersey. Now imagine our plight if we had lived in a predominately Mormon community like Salt Lake City. I began to research the Church and found out that there are many people who suddenly find out they now have no place to work and no friends yet still have to support their family. I also found out what they really believe and it had very little to do with the Bible. The names remains the same but the theology is totally different. There is a very valid reason that before baptism they make you sign a paper saying that you are not a member or any anti-mormon group. I would advise anyone curious to research beyond the book of Mormon into the true and pivotal doctrine of the faith which is not to be easily found in any of the books they give you at first. Whatever you do don't try and get the word from them. That can be a very costly mistake. They know how to get you in and keep you in. It took less than a year for basic contact with their missionaries to lead to total life crisis. Now I'm just suspicious of all 'new age' faiths. Give me that old timey religion back.
It is impossible to prove that one religious belief is more valid than any other with empirical certainty, but if you buy a car you research it a little first, right? I can only offer you my stern admonition against believing anything without doing your homework first. This is your soul we're talking about. Possibly your personal safety as well as that of those you love. Do your homework, please, just do your homework. 'Okay,' you think, 'what is the homework?' What do you look for? What separates the cults from the faiths? The Bible offers hint. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-44 [43] "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Many of those I've seen come in contact with these organizations have ended up estranged from family, friends, entire communities and their own assets for the understandable mistake of simply seeking enlightenment. No matter how hungry you are remember that some fruit is crisp and red on the outside but can be rotten to it's core.
Number One:
What would cause one to become the willing pawn of an organization that they know means them harm? It's elemental in simplicity. When you grieve, when you worry, when life presents situations beyond your ability to cope you are vulnerable. When any organism is weak parasites are a natural eventuality. That is where [insert cult name here] comes in. They are immediately available and will seek you actively like the lioness hunts the sick and the lame of the herd. They offer salvation for the measly price of fealty. Then the loving and welcoming gestures become orders and demands. Slowly the focus of your life changes and now revolves around them and their wants and needs. It happens gradually, you at first accept the surface doctrines which seem logical and well-presented. The people you meet all have a testimonial of their success with [insert cult name here] and you are lulled into a sense of belonging. Then the threat of removal from the community in which you are now integrated becomes a very real tool of manipulation. Soon you are presented with the real belief system and it starts to get a little scary. It is very far-fetched even for a spiritual doctrine but your too far in and have to commit, hoping that you can fake-it-till-you-make-it. The worst part is that the same tactics are used in sickening similarity by almost all of them. They all have interchangeable parts that can be reassembled in any combination like Mad-Libs but must be used in the right order and measure. The unfortunate end is any one of the same sad finales we have seen in the news day in and day out. So why would we get involved?
People have sought spiritual solace for as long there has been pain. There are many different paths one can take and they all have their appeals. The Christians offer salvation through the Messiah Jesus Christ. Judaism a relationship with God based on obedience to doctrine and laws older than written langauge. Islam is simply the belief that "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." One might argue any of their validity but they all have one thing in common. You can read their books without really getting involved in any organization. You can be a solo practitioner of any of the above religions. You might not reap as much reward doing it alone but you can still achieve salvation or peace on your own. When you become involved with most cults they immediately will attempt to force to enter their organization. They attract you with the offer of something as simple as a free bible but to get it you have to entertain their missionaries. Then the problems start. They show up and are friendly and non-judgemental, they want your confidence. They get you talking and find out what your problems are, then they create solutions with the Church as the sole arbiter of your newfound security and happiness. This is where you get involved. This is why you get involved. You believe that these people are acting out of altruistic kindness and are truly representatives of the living God. No matter what you've heard you put it aside and open your heart and mind to these spiritual ticks.
You are welcomed into the Church and many of the top people in the hierarchy give you quite a bit of positive attention. They talk to you about your future in the organization and how happy they have been. They tell stories of a life lived in pious contemplation of their impending eternity. It is hard to be cynical or to ask questions in an environment full of those who believe so ardently.
It is a natural to want to please your new hosts and you jump in with both feet. You came here to find peace and salvation right? That can't come easy so you persevere. Many days and even weeks can pass as their tried and true methods begin to work on your resistance. They might use Church Services followed by indoctrinational groups masked as Sunday School. They might use moving up in the ranks of Church authority, or in knowledge of their core ideologies as a reward to get more deeply involved. Other organizations less centrally based in traditional Judeo-Christian theology resort almost immediately to separating you from friends and family and immersing you in their community. They cut you off from your lines of support and the only people you have to rely on are in the church. Their methods can then range from the simple threat of excommunication to sequestering you at a 'retreat' where you are deprived of protien and sleep or brow beaten during degrading forced labor in a brainwashing ritual as old as humans. No matter what happens you are expected to keep to a strict schedule of teaching and learning and then eventually recruiting. After you are theirs, after they own your heart and mind, they go after your money. In some organizations you are expected to pay a tithe, a percentage of your gross income, not net, gross. Others ask you pay for progressively more detailed explanations of the 'truth.' The worst thing that can happen is to you in their care is to have to sign power of attorney over to them regarding your total assets. Occasionally maxing out your credit and donating it all to themselves.
So the question persists, why would we do this? The answer is simple. Because their methods work. People are attracted for the same reasons and people are snared by the same gambits. The more important question is why someone would do this to another person. Power, plain and simple. It always begins with an individual who has the 'best intentions' for your soul. They can be a modern day prophet with the revised word of God in hand given to them by the Almighty Himself or the fevered inspirations of a writer mistaken for divine intervention. The ultimate draw is the discovery that with even a pretty thin cover story you can make an awful lot of money and gain power that your state government envies. You don't have to pay taxes, and hey, you are responsible for millions of salvations right? Then the government begins poking around your records and words like racketeering and fraud, kidnapping and misappropriation are tossed around. Your flock begins to thin except for the most 'loyal' and you sequester. This is point at which most of the cult leaders become so mad with their own delusions that we end up with fatal fires, gunshots and suicides directed by your local neighborhood religious icon. Even if they are too big to topple the end is the same, you discover it's bunk and walk away hurt in many ways. The worst part is some get trapped for their whole lives. The greatest cost could be a living death, losing control of your mind while still in it.
It is impossible to prove that one religious belief is more valid than any other with empirical certainty, but if you buy a car you research it a little first, right? I can only offer you my stern admonition against believing anything without doing your homework first. This is your soul we're talking about. Possibly your personal safety as well as that of those you love. Do your homework, please, just do your homework. 'Okay,' you think, 'what is the homework?' What do you look for? What separates the cults from the faiths? The Bible offers hint. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-44 [43] "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Many of those I've seen come in contact with these organizations end up estranged from family, friends, entire communities and their own assets for the understandable mistake of simply seeking enlightenment. Congregations of devout Christians have been burned alive and whole villages, women and children forced to commit suicide. People have been kidnapped and forced to believe then forced to surrender their possessions. No matter how hungry you are remember that some fruit is crisp and red on the outside but can be rotten to it's core.
Number Two
The question I still can't really fully answer is what caused me to make the first call to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I called the Mormons because their commercial said that they would give me a free copy of the King James Bible and I thought, hey, I just gave away my last Bible so what's the worst that can happen? My first clue that something was amiss should have been when our friendly-voiced operator said "Just listen to what they have to say with an open mind, please." I shrugged it off and invited the local missionaries over the next day. The next day Elder Krage and Elder Hunstman showed up, one looked like Opie and the other was a non-descript blonde youth. Both seemed beyond reproach and had the confidence and humility of truly holy people. They brought the Bible and said that in return they would like us to simply hear a lesson in LDS (Latter Day Saints) theology. At first they only went into the aspects of the church that mirrored standard Christian faith. I listened with interest. They began to come over with increasing frequency, sometimes not bothering to call first. They were always polite and tried to help with any chores or work around the house that they could. I would cook and then we would have a lesson. After a proscribed number of lessons they invited us to their church. They said that to actually be members we would have to meet with the local leader of the Missionaries and the Bishop of the Local Church, then we had to be baptised. I had wanted to belong so badly to the body of Christ that I simply hadn't been listening to what they all had been saying.
The meetings went well and they seemed to like us so they told us what had to happen next. My live-in Girlfriend and I would have to get married to be baptised. We hastily prepared a ceremony and got married in their church not inviting any of our family on either side, then were baptised. At the time it simply did not occur to us that our families might want to be involved since they were all non-religious. They didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for our families either. It seemed the separation from those who might disagree was a good thing to them. Right after the marriage Petra got pregnant. I told my mother first that she was to be a grandmother and she initially recieved the news with joy. Then the whole family stopped answering their phones. Once they found out what we had done, getting married without inviting them, they all turned their backs on us. So here we are, a young couple with nothing, and now with no one. The only people that we had to turn to now were in the Church. The tapestry of manipulation was stretched wide and beautiful before me yet I still refused to see. Petra was sick all the time from the pregnancy and had just been fired from the restaurant she was working at for being pregnant. Yes it's illegal but only if you can afford a lawyer to sue them, and even then what did you win? We got a job at a telemarketing firm (I'm sorry, world) qualifying mortgage leads all day. It was the only thing she could do in her condition and we only had one car so we had to work together. When the missionaries found out they tried to get us a car from someone in the church and I flatly refused. I was beginning to see the web that was forming in our path. First a car, then a job, then I could not get out if I wanted to. Still I tried to be a dutiful Mormon, telling others of my faith and going on teaching errands with the Missionaries.
Then the Bishop took me in his office. He spoke to me of the joy the Church had given him and how much it could do for me. A long admonition ensued about the danger of apostosy and then he asked, nonchalantly, if I had started tithing yet. I responded in the negative without details. He looked at me disdainfully and said "Why?" as if the notion of not tithing was absurd. My wife and I were poor at that time. We had no family and support, piling bills and were one step above welfare. We were charity cases and he was asking for our money. That was the last straw. I stopped attending services and stopped communication with the missionaries. Then they fought back. The local leader of the 'home teaching' endeavors in my area just happened to get a job at the same telemarketing firm we were at. He would try to chat with us all day and at one point went so far as to say that he was concerned for my spiritual welfare because I continued to drink coffee at work. I was fortunate to find a job shortly after with a fine-dining Italian restaurant that payed enough for Petra to stay home until the baby was born. The missionaries continued to show up uninvited and did everything but put up tents on our front lawn. It was always personal, why are you hurting us this way? So now we were adrift in a very lonely sea. We had been estranged from our families, and had an infant to support with a still small income. Neither of us could sleep and I was working twelve to fourteen hours with only one day off a week. Finally we gave up and decided to move to Maine where my wifes family lived. Then my family decided it was time to reconcile, but things are still not the same almost two years later.
In less than six months just being a dilettante in the LDS church had cost me my family, my security, and forced me five-hundred miles north. This was in a mostly Catholic state, New Jersey. Now imagine our plight if we had lived in a predominately Mormon community like Salt Lake City. I began to research the Church and found out that there are many people who suddenly find out they now have no place to work and no friends yet still have to support their family. I also found out what they really believe and it had very little to do with the Bible. The names remains the same but the theology is totally different. There is a very valid reason that before baptism they make you sign a paper saying that you are not a member or any anti-mormon group. I would advise anyone curious to research beyond the book of Mormon into the true and pivotal doctrine of the faith which is not to be easily found in any of the books they give you at first. Whatever you do don't try and get the word from them. That can be a very costly mistake. They know how to get you in and keep you in. It took less than a year for basic contact with their missionaries to lead to total life crisis. Now I'm just suspicious of all 'new age' faiths. Give me that old timey religion back.
It is impossible to prove that one religious belief is more valid than any other with empirical certainty, but if you buy a car you research it a little first, right? I can only offer you my stern admonition against believing anything without doing your homework first. This is your soul we're talking about. Possibly your personal safety as well as that of those you love. Do your homework, please, just do your homework. 'Okay,' you think, 'what is the homework?' What do you look for? What separates the cults from the faiths? The Bible offers hint. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-44 [43] "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Many of those I've seen come in contact with these organizations have ended up estranged from family, friends, entire communities and their own assets for the understandable mistake of simply seeking enlightenment. No matter how hungry you are remember that some fruit is crisp and red on the outside but can be rotten to it's core.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Outro
It is impossible to prove that one religious belief is more valid than any other with empirical certainty, but if you buy a car you research it a little first, right? I can only offer you my stern admonition against believing anything without doing your homework first. This is your soul we're talking about. Possibly your personal safety as well as that of those you love. Do your homework, please, just do your homework. 'Okay,' you think, 'what is the homework?' What do you look for? What separates the cults from the faiths? The Bible offers hint. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-44 [43] "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Many of those I've seen come in contact with these organizations end up estranged from family, friends, entire communities and their own assets for the understandable mistake of simply seeking enlightenment. Congregations of devout Christians have been burned alive and whole villages, women and children forced to commit suicide. People have been kidnapped and forced to believe then forced to surrender their possessions. No matter how hungry you are remember that some fruit is crisp and red on the outside but can be rotten to it's core.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Intro #2
Early in the morning, before the sun has started drying out your overwatered lawn, there they are. They walk down the street in white shirts and black ties. Shades get pulled and doors get quietly locked. They are from various 'churches' in various states and all have one thing in common. They believe that they have all the important answers to all the important questions and they are willing to do most anything to get you to hear them. They have massive assets and there is usually a trail littered with the broken lives of the hopeful who gave all theirs to simply be able to believe in something. Some of them are splinter groups from Christianity and some are simply complete fabrications. Much like the Emperors new clothes they all show themselves transparent under even the lightest inspection. Unfortunately, most of their victims are in such dire circumstances already that they will accept any pill sugar-coated with hope.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Graf #8
I always feel lame trying to describe how writing makes me feel. How am I supposed to feel? I feel resentful that at 1:00 in the morning I am on my laptop reading essays and not in bed. But one of them actually touched me enough to turn off the self-pity and turn on the attention span. I loved the story of the skating chicken girl looking wantingly at the black sequined tights, I was very amused. It had a human quality to it. Most school essays are written for the purpose of satisfying a requirement without the greatest artistic imperative, "I was inspired." "I was inspired." created Mona Lisa whereas "I had to write a report on the Six Day war" created a non-narcotic substitute for Lunesta.
The overall impression I get from the writing I read in this class is that most people who would otherwise be speechless and mute spill their emotional guts the minute you put them in front of a keyboard. Funny thing that, reminds me of an autistic child I was staff for once, Jimmy was his name. His eyes told you nothing and his mouth said less. He would scream for no reason and sit rocking back and forth all day, only stirring when you turned off the "Raffi" video. If you put him in front of a keyboard he would type things though, like "My name is Jimmy, I am hungry." and all in perfect punctuation, spelling and grammar. I wondered why his doctors never used that more. The point is that many of the essays tell remarkable stories of plain life. Simple common experiences given a lovely life by focusing in on them. I think it is fun to see what other people consider the beautiful moments in their lives. It tells you more about them then any head-shrinker ever could hope to.
The overall impression I get from the writing I read in this class is that most people who would otherwise be speechless and mute spill their emotional guts the minute you put them in front of a keyboard. Funny thing that, reminds me of an autistic child I was staff for once, Jimmy was his name. His eyes told you nothing and his mouth said less. He would scream for no reason and sit rocking back and forth all day, only stirring when you turned off the "Raffi" video. If you put him in front of a keyboard he would type things though, like "My name is Jimmy, I am hungry." and all in perfect punctuation, spelling and grammar. I wondered why his doctors never used that more. The point is that many of the essays tell remarkable stories of plain life. Simple common experiences given a lovely life by focusing in on them. I think it is fun to see what other people consider the beautiful moments in their lives. It tells you more about them then any head-shrinker ever could hope to.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Intro 1
What the hell is wrong with Tom Cruise? He is on television, in the news media, and all over the world preaching the virtues of Scientology. The claims that he makes boldly storm the gates of absurdity and lay siege to all good sense. What could cause a man like him to abandon the life he lived and become the willing puppet of a spurious "faith" like Scientology? The frightening answer is that it can happen to anyone. Cults are nothing new, there are many mainstream cults like Hare Krishna, Mormonism and Scientology that have managed to become mainstream religions. These organizations prey upon peoples deep and inherent need to believe in something. Cult recruiters use clever tactics to draw you in and then the brainwashing starts. Once they have you firmly in their grasp they use training methods developed for orgaizations like the Military and the C.I.A to keep you there. They take everything you have and everything you can possibly get in the future and offer relatively little reward. If you do finally manage to get out you will often face lengthy legal battles for things like your money, your house, and your children. Cults fight dirty. The battleground is your heart and mind, the prize, your soul.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
graf #7
When I think of my teachers a few jump out as shining examples of how to inspire. There are a chosen few who actually still cared enough to engage even the rockiest of young adult minds and Joe Duffin was one of them. One hot and sticky New Jersey Summer day my Public Speaking class sat fanning ourselves with our notebooks. The door swung open and slammed into it's stops. A red headed blur charged into the room with briefcase swinging wide and eyes bright. "Yoo ya ya yaooo yo!" he said with great enthusiasm. He put his briefcase on the desk and sat down deliberately. The locks on his briefcase clicked open loud as thunder in the now silent room, we all stared, mouths agape. He perused his papers as if not aware of the gibberish he spoke and then stood up and gave us a fifteen minute lecture consisting solely of the syllables 'yoo' and 'ya' juxtaposed in infinite combinations. To up the ante a little bit he then passed out pop quizzes written in 'yooya.' We all struggled to grasp what he was getting at while he sat down and motioned for us to get started. Ten minutes of us looking around at eachother and trying to finish the nonsensical quizzes he finally let us off the hook. "The point of this," we listened, rapt, "is to illustrate the importance of tailoring the langauge you use to suit your audience. If you don't they might not understand your message." Then he gave us all an 'A' for the quiz. I will never remember the date the Bastille was stormed or what the formula for sulfuric acid is but I will NEVER forget that day. Now that, I say, is a teacher.
Graf #6
Alright, I think I misunderstood the assignment. Here is another try.
What do you want to write about? Fitness
What do you want to find out about your topic? How to get back the energy I had as a teenager?
What are your questions about the topic?
1. Why at 32, a relatively young age, do I have reduced energy?
2. What changes in my lifestyle are necesary to get my energy back?
3. Can these changes increase my lifespan?
How does it connect to your life?
You plod to the bathroom and try to open your crusty eyes succeeding only in making yourself dizzy with the effort. You open the medicine cabinet and take out the toothpaste hoping maybe the reflection will lie a little this time. No luck, it tells the same story as yesterday, sleep has given you a funny hairstyle and your old and fat. Sighing you begin the routine you go through every morning as you wearily trudge from activity to activity knowing at any time you could probably fall asleep standing up. Is this the way you want to feel?
So how do you fix it?
Give three reasons you like the topic
1. I want to enact a positive change in my life.
2. It seems like others might be interested in finding out as well.
3. I want to teach my son the right habits from the beginning, first I have to know them
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I'll have more time
2. I'll feel better
3. I'll look better
What do you want to write about? Fitness
What do you want to find out about your topic? How to get back the energy I had as a teenager?
What are your questions about the topic?
1. Why at 32, a relatively young age, do I have reduced energy?
2. What changes in my lifestyle are necesary to get my energy back?
3. Can these changes increase my lifespan?
How does it connect to your life?
You plod to the bathroom and try to open your crusty eyes succeeding only in making yourself dizzy with the effort. You open the medicine cabinet and take out the toothpaste hoping maybe the reflection will lie a little this time. No luck, it tells the same story as yesterday, sleep has given you a funny hairstyle and your old and fat. Sighing you begin the routine you go through every morning as you wearily trudge from activity to activity knowing at any time you could probably fall asleep standing up. Is this the way you want to feel?
So how do you fix it?
Give three reasons you like the topic
1. I want to enact a positive change in my life.
2. It seems like others might be interested in finding out as well.
3. I want to teach my son the right habits from the beginning, first I have to know them
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I'll have more time
2. I'll feel better
3. I'll look better
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Graf #6
What do you want to write about?
The formation of the State of Israel.
What do you want to find out about your topic?
How the formation of Israel has impacted the world and the current mideast situation.
What are your questions about the topic?
1. How did the settlers gain control of enough land to found Israel in a mainly Arab owned territory?
2. What is the United States connection with Israel?
3. Was (and is) there really a credible threat to Israel and her allies?
How does it connect to your life?
I have personally sailed in defense of my homeland to the middle east during the sanctions against Iraq. This doesn't just connect to me though, I think it is a topic of import to the whole country. This affects us all every time we step up
to the gas pump.
Give three reasons you like the topic
1. I enjoy studying war. The study of war is the study of the history of war and the political failures and reasons that led to it. It is also the easiest way to prevent it.
2. I am a Christian and the foundation of the state of Israel was phrophesied by the bible. I am always interested in studies of the fulfillment of prophesy.
3. The Jewish people and their culture, history, and language is of neverending interest.
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I might have more to talk about with conservatives.
2. I might make more responsible voting decisions based on the candidates views on the situation.
3. I might be able to illuminate others more effectively.
Reaction:
Firstly, these seem a bit overwhelming. The amount of detail and research will definitely be challenging but I am anxious to try. The paper about brewing beer really touched me. This is an issue that really hits right at the heart of the matter. I think I really will take the time to study that paper and it's wonderful language to see what I can take out of it and apply in my life. The Wedding Cake was actually very rewarding. Being a culinary arts student I took quite a bit from it that I can really use. The shooting and wooden boats were informative but did not hold my interest while the paper on Fatherhood seemed to hit on many issues I have in my own past. The author shared a lot of very personal details and showed great courage and honesty. Overall the impression I get from them is that a good one will keep the readers interest and then leave them with something to really think about. Even if it is just when I can start my Oktoberfest brewing.
The formation of the State of Israel.
What do you want to find out about your topic?
How the formation of Israel has impacted the world and the current mideast situation.
What are your questions about the topic?
1. How did the settlers gain control of enough land to found Israel in a mainly Arab owned territory?
2. What is the United States connection with Israel?
3. Was (and is) there really a credible threat to Israel and her allies?
How does it connect to your life?
I have personally sailed in defense of my homeland to the middle east during the sanctions against Iraq. This doesn't just connect to me though, I think it is a topic of import to the whole country. This affects us all every time we step up
to the gas pump.
Give three reasons you like the topic
1. I enjoy studying war. The study of war is the study of the history of war and the political failures and reasons that led to it. It is also the easiest way to prevent it.
2. I am a Christian and the foundation of the state of Israel was phrophesied by the bible. I am always interested in studies of the fulfillment of prophesy.
3. The Jewish people and their culture, history, and language is of neverending interest.
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I might have more to talk about with conservatives.
2. I might make more responsible voting decisions based on the candidates views on the situation.
3. I might be able to illuminate others more effectively.
Reaction:
Firstly, these seem a bit overwhelming. The amount of detail and research will definitely be challenging but I am anxious to try. The paper about brewing beer really touched me. This is an issue that really hits right at the heart of the matter. I think I really will take the time to study that paper and it's wonderful language to see what I can take out of it and apply in my life. The Wedding Cake was actually very rewarding. Being a culinary arts student I took quite a bit from it that I can really use. The shooting and wooden boats were informative but did not hold my interest while the paper on Fatherhood seemed to hit on many issues I have in my own past. The author shared a lot of very personal details and showed great courage and honesty. Overall the impression I get from them is that a good one will keep the readers interest and then leave them with something to really think about. Even if it is just when I can start my Oktoberfest brewing.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Graf #5
It is a standard bowling pin. You might find eleven other pins like it in any bowling alley in America but instead this one sits alone on my mantle. It is a trophy of sorts from the insanity of my youth. I was once a regular at a bar called Brewsters. I spent many nights there and much money that I didn't have. My three amigos, John, Matt, Anchor and I would raise havoc there every time we had the chance. One night they shut down Karaoke early and our drunken crew wandered into the bowling alley attached to the bar to find a bathroom. The bowling alley had been closed for hours and was empty with noone to watch it. The bartenders next door were busy with their thirsty customers. We were off at the races. We spent an hour bowling every ball in the place down the lanes and the bar actually closed while we were busy wreaking awful mischief on the bowling alley. In my stupor it seemed like a good idea to bowl myself down a lane and I learned that although they are slippery to the shoes they give you, the lanes actually have great traction. I got a running start and threw myself hard onto the floor, realizing my mistake immediately. I moved approximately zero inches very quickly. Undaunted I crawled on my hands and knees and grabbed one of the pins, using it to smash down the others I stood like a conquering hero brandishing a war club. Then I fell down because I forgot that the lane was slippery to my leather soled shoes. I snuck that pin out shoved in my pants looking like the victim of a pornographic accident and kept it as a trophy. Since then it has been with me. Not because of the craziness of that night or the many that followed but because I used it to destroy a bottle of rum. One night, lying drunk and despairing in my dirty, unfurnished apartment I said 'enough.' I stood on shaky legs and wobbled to the kitchen, kicking aside the empty bottles and the rotten food containers. I picked up the pin lying on the floor next to the sink and I swung hard at the object of my wrath. The bottle smashed into a million pieces and sprayed dark, sticky rum like blood onto all the white walls. I fell on the floor cut in many places and decided that my karmic debt was finally paid. The destruction of that bottle became a symbolic act to me and allowed me to finally gain control of my life. After the wasted years and the suicidal self-pity I was freed from a life of walking regret by the simple smashing of a bottle in a fit of defiance. I defied my pain, my past, and the memories that held me in sway with their stinging bite. I became a man that day and I owe it all to a simple bowling pin.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Graf #4
I have a big scar on my chest from when my first girlfriend stabbed me. It's not the only knife wound she left me with. I have a great tolerance for strong drink from years at sea and a fondness for 'colorful' langauge. My body is covered, inside and out, with lessons and reminders of the destructive nature of pride. Mine was the angstridden existence of the young man and I knew many complex and engaging people. I was once complex. I have since forsaken it as inconvienent. I grew simple instead of growing up. Now I like simple food and drink. A hunk of beef and dark beer. I like simple toys. A Craftsman woodsplitting maul. I keep it in case I ever get a wood stove. I like simple faith. I keep a Bible in every room of my house in case someone needs it, although I don't have even one first aid kit. I like a simple life like my life with my family.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Graf #3
This is in inventory of my tools in the kitchen. It spans the top drawer, and the two bottom cabinets as well as much of the counters.
Drawer
- complete set of barbecue tools
- One pronged pasta spoon
- One baster with gravy stains
- two sets of measuring cups, one black and one white, Only one connected with the original ring.
- One set of tongs with a retaining ring.
- one set of salas tongs with white handles
- one candy thermometer
- two sets of measuring spoons with only one connected to the original ring and one black, one white.
- on broken winchester camping chef's knife missing a large portion of the tip.
- One potato peeler
- one butter brush and several unusable brushes with various things growing on them
- one dough cutter
- seven odd large spoons ranging from ladel to large wooden spoon with slats.
- one set of cutter molds for biscuits, cookies, and other medallion shaped baked goods
- one set of pictures of my son, Matthew
- three mismatched sets of beaters and dough hooks for my various mixers.
- one cheese grater that smells constantly of garlic
- one wine key
- one can opener
- one rolling pin with the handles removed so it rolls more easily
- one refrigerator magnet bottle opener
- one small maglight flashlight
- three spatulas, two metal and one plastic
- one pizza cutter
- one tool to easily remove the skin of an orange
- one knife stone with medium and soft edge stones
- one ceramic blade sharpener with Ergonomic handle
- two large salad spoons
- one large fork
- set of shishkabobs
- many corn holders
- coring tool
- melon baller
- small mesh strainer for sauces
- two potato mashers of different size, one large with a zig zag steel blade and one small with small holes on a flattening plate
- seasonal cookie cutters from Halloween and Christmas
- Birthday candles
- Cigarette lighter
Cabinets
- two large saucepans, one black metal and one burnished aluminum
- one extra large saucepan and lobsterpot burnished aluminum
- three medium saucepans one burnished aluminum and two black metal
- two small saucepans of black metal
- three skillets, non-stick
- one skillet aliminum not non-stick
- tops to all saucepans, half glass and half aluminum
- Blooming onion maker
- silver blender goblet and professional grade blended
- George Foreman Grill
- Cuisinart Small 4 cup chopper and food processor
- Cover to a Fry Daddy long gone in the trip to Maine from New Jersey
- 200+ piece set of Betty Crocker pastry tips and bags with letter stencils and icing knives
- 6 cake pans
- 4 muffin pans, 2 of 12 muffin capacity and 2 of 6 muffin capacity
- 3 lasagna pans small, medium and large
- two non-stick loaf pans
- one 16" round pizza pan
- one hand mixer
- one broken hand mizer
- my beloved Sunbeam large mixer that resembles a jet engine with two silver bowls
Counters:
-one spice rack with salt,pepper,oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, parsley, sage, all-spice, nutmeg, chervil, chive, lemon-pepper, sea-salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, garlic salt, paprika, cumin and curry
- one black toaster oven
- one black microwave oven
- one toaster
- one knife set, Farberware with serrated edges
- one knife set for school with high quality steel chopper and cheap boning, filleting, paring, and scaling knives set in non-matching knife block
- three knife blocks
- three cutting boards: one of bamboo and two of plastic for meat, vegetables and fruits, and herbs and garlic respectively
- two cherished cast iron skillets, one large and one small; both lovingly rubbed with olive oil many times a week until they are shiny
This kitchen says that's it's owner, obviously not a person of means, has sacrificed much financially to have the right tools. This kitchen is full of many tools that one might find in a professional kitchen. It might indicate that the owner is obsessed with all things culinary. One would expect to find many cookbooks stacked in this kitchen and one would not be dissapointed with the caution that the cookbooks might actually be scattered throughout every room in the house. The used quality of these items suggests that the owner disdains anything purchased merely for show in the kitchen and reveres old and well-worn reliable tools of the trade. Seems the owner loves a dogeared copy of a musty smelling paperback for it's lived in and loved condition more than a brand new and still stiff in the binding hardback with that new-book smell. He probably never throws anything away, each item is meticulously cared for and maintained suggesting these tools are loved greatly. If this kitchen says anything it echoes the sentiment of Mr. Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise. "The right tool for the right job."
Drawer
- complete set of barbecue tools
- One pronged pasta spoon
- One baster with gravy stains
- two sets of measuring cups, one black and one white, Only one connected with the original ring.
- One set of tongs with a retaining ring.
- one set of salas tongs with white handles
- one candy thermometer
- two sets of measuring spoons with only one connected to the original ring and one black, one white.
- on broken winchester camping chef's knife missing a large portion of the tip.
- One potato peeler
- one butter brush and several unusable brushes with various things growing on them
- one dough cutter
- seven odd large spoons ranging from ladel to large wooden spoon with slats.
- one set of cutter molds for biscuits, cookies, and other medallion shaped baked goods
- one set of pictures of my son, Matthew
- three mismatched sets of beaters and dough hooks for my various mixers.
- one cheese grater that smells constantly of garlic
- one wine key
- one can opener
- one rolling pin with the handles removed so it rolls more easily
- one refrigerator magnet bottle opener
- one small maglight flashlight
- three spatulas, two metal and one plastic
- one pizza cutter
- one tool to easily remove the skin of an orange
- one knife stone with medium and soft edge stones
- one ceramic blade sharpener with Ergonomic handle
- two large salad spoons
- one large fork
- set of shishkabobs
- many corn holders
- coring tool
- melon baller
- small mesh strainer for sauces
- two potato mashers of different size, one large with a zig zag steel blade and one small with small holes on a flattening plate
- seasonal cookie cutters from Halloween and Christmas
- Birthday candles
- Cigarette lighter
Cabinets
- two large saucepans, one black metal and one burnished aluminum
- one extra large saucepan and lobsterpot burnished aluminum
- three medium saucepans one burnished aluminum and two black metal
- two small saucepans of black metal
- three skillets, non-stick
- one skillet aliminum not non-stick
- tops to all saucepans, half glass and half aluminum
- Blooming onion maker
- silver blender goblet and professional grade blended
- George Foreman Grill
- Cuisinart Small 4 cup chopper and food processor
- Cover to a Fry Daddy long gone in the trip to Maine from New Jersey
- 200+ piece set of Betty Crocker pastry tips and bags with letter stencils and icing knives
- 6 cake pans
- 4 muffin pans, 2 of 12 muffin capacity and 2 of 6 muffin capacity
- 3 lasagna pans small, medium and large
- two non-stick loaf pans
- one 16" round pizza pan
- one hand mixer
- one broken hand mizer
- my beloved Sunbeam large mixer that resembles a jet engine with two silver bowls
Counters:
-one spice rack with salt,pepper,oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, parsley, sage, all-spice, nutmeg, chervil, chive, lemon-pepper, sea-salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, garlic salt, paprika, cumin and curry
- one black toaster oven
- one black microwave oven
- one toaster
- one knife set, Farberware with serrated edges
- one knife set for school with high quality steel chopper and cheap boning, filleting, paring, and scaling knives set in non-matching knife block
- three knife blocks
- three cutting boards: one of bamboo and two of plastic for meat, vegetables and fruits, and herbs and garlic respectively
- two cherished cast iron skillets, one large and one small; both lovingly rubbed with olive oil many times a week until they are shiny
This kitchen says that's it's owner, obviously not a person of means, has sacrificed much financially to have the right tools. This kitchen is full of many tools that one might find in a professional kitchen. It might indicate that the owner is obsessed with all things culinary. One would expect to find many cookbooks stacked in this kitchen and one would not be dissapointed with the caution that the cookbooks might actually be scattered throughout every room in the house. The used quality of these items suggests that the owner disdains anything purchased merely for show in the kitchen and reveres old and well-worn reliable tools of the trade. Seems the owner loves a dogeared copy of a musty smelling paperback for it's lived in and loved condition more than a brand new and still stiff in the binding hardback with that new-book smell. He probably never throws anything away, each item is meticulously cared for and maintained suggesting these tools are loved greatly. If this kitchen says anything it echoes the sentiment of Mr. Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise. "The right tool for the right job."
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Graf #2
A thousand times you told me, Miss May, that you were wasting your time with pathetic little 'wierdos' like me. 'That's O.K.' you said, "somebody has to empty the garbage." Eventually, I gave up and believed you. I decided your class would be better spent in dreams. One boring drone was indistinguishable from the next so one might as well just drift off. Asleep I at least had a 50/50 chance of enjoying your class. Then the drone became a scream. Roused from my revery very irreverently I started at the heavily blemished and unpleasant face suddenly so close to mine. She panted, flushed with barely contained rage, and waved a pudgy fist. Waddling back to her desk she sat back heavily on her massive haunches, her comicly overstressed chair groaning in protest. Her beady blue eyes spit lightning and she pointed a finger screaming "the next words out of my mouth are gonna be 'get out!' Get out!" A large woman but a small person. A tiny bully won again. I skulked down to the office happy to be out of the witch's cauldron.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Graf #1
My trusted hands are much larger than I think they should be. They have so many oven and knife scars that they might be the surface of the moon to the unknowing observer. My knuckles are mishapen and overgrown for all the abuse they doled out during my rough and tumble days as a sailor and drunkard. My hands have travelled more than almost any person I went to school with. The index fingers are twisted inward and slightly crooked at the tip. I have the lived in, comfortable, confident hands of a workman. They have earned me a living and saved my life again and again. They have reliably held, at one time or another, everything I have ever held dear in this world. I fondly recall that my son was in these hands only moments after he entered this world and he was safe then as they always keep him. Safe in my trusted hands.
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