9/11, the Spiritual Climate, and Charity

September's just about over, but I still have time to squeeze in one more 9/11 reference. Here's an interesting article that looks at the effects that 9/11 has had on the spiritual climate in America. Research has found that, though church attendance rose significantly after the attacks, it has since leveled off. Despite the attendance numbers, studies show that Americans are continuing to grow more generous, with charitable giving rising 12 percent since 2001 ... Now, Americans are rather spiritual. Don't let the not-going-to-church thing fool you into thinking otherwise. It's like these researchers are saying, "Hey, only church-going folks give to charity, so what's going on here? What accounts for these numbers?" But is that really the case? I don't think so. And I don't think there is any true mystery behind the increase in charity. For one thing, since 2001, the world has experienced the December 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina (2005). And people dug deep (monetarily and literally) to help out in both cases. For another thing, the research is only looking at giving as tied to a function of Christianity. But Christians are not the only people who do outreach work. They are probably the most recognized, but that is mainly due to societal conditioning. (This is not to say that Christian charities are unworthy of recognition. I'm just saying that there are lots of fine people out there, of all sorts of religious persuasions, who are doing good work and giving to charity). If there is a mystery to the numbers, I would say it lies in why the mainstream press does not do a study on Pagan, Buddhist, Heathen, etc. approaches to charity.

Friday Pet Blogging | Design Feline

Milo, though a bit cautious or skittish, is insatiably curious. And he really has a thing for my books and such near the couch -- particularly my backpack. Well, while I was out on Sunday, and had the backpack with me, Mrs. Brainwise snapped some excellent shots of Milo milling about my stuff. He was probably looking for the backpack. Instead, he found himself on (digital) film. Now, you tell me: Doesn't he look like he is ready to unleash a life-changing design?

My slipcover is orange, of course .... it is covered with my divine fur.

One by one, the pet blogging posts steal my sanity (but I don't miss it much)...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!

Friday Pet Blogging | Extreme Synchronized Napping

As you can see, my internet connection has been restored. And not a minute too soon. Otherwise, you might have missed this rare occurence of Milo & Otis taking synchronized napping to new heights. What Nap-thletes!

One by one, the pet blogging posts steal my sanity (but I don't miss it much)...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!

Friday Pet Blogging is Delayed

[Photo from The Visual Dictionary]

Today's installment of Friday Pet Blogging is delayed. I had no Internet connection last night, so I could neither upload new photos nor enter a post about an existing photo. I think things are worked out now. I will try to upload a sampling of new photos and then select an excellent specimen for your viewing pleasure. Please accept my apologies. I apprecate your kind consideration and patience.

Lessons from Hellblazer

While I was laid up with a broken foot this summer, I fell behind in my comic book reading. I just couldn't maneuver around the store on crutches. Heck, it would have been too much of an effort to get to the store in the first place. But now I've now been off the crutches for about two weeks. So on Sunday, I stopped by and picked up my books. Fortunately, it was a short stack -- John Constantine: Hellblazer is the only title I collect on a regular basis these days. Still, it was about 3 or 4 months worth of stories, and I got to read them all in one sitting. While reading, I noticed that there are many practical lessons packaged with these tales of British occult horror. And I decided to share a few with you... John Constantine on relationships:

"If I've learned one thing about relationships, it's this: Friends believe the best about us. They need to. Because they feel what we feel. And given a choice between feeling good or feeling bad … no one's picking up the shitty stick."

Evans (supporting character in current storyline) on hiring help:

"Honestly, lackeys these days..."

John Constantine on art appreciation:

"I know a lot about art, but I don't know what I like."

And JC on work ethic:

"I was up all night grinding fairies to make this stuff."

OK. So maybe that last one doesn't actually convey a lesson. But it is laugh-out-loud funny.

Other Hellblazin' links:

• Wikipedia entry
• Hellblazer Index

Quotable | Best

Sometimes it is not enough to do your best. Sometimes you must do what is required. -- Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Friday Pet Blogging | Too Close!

Still using some older shots. This one is from July of this year. It illustrates an important adage in photography: You don't always get the shot you want. This is particularly true of a camera-averse kitty like Milo.

Milo in "witness protection" mode.

This reminds me of the video that often accompanies news stories about obesity. Have you ever noticed that all those people are shot from the neck down? Not that Milo is obese! He is pleasantly plump, right boy?

And here come the opportunities to see more pet blogging posts...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!

Controversy Nabs Prizes

That presidential snuff film I mentioned on this blog a few weeks ago ("Yes, But Is It Art?" August 31, 2006) won the critic's prize at the Toronto Film Festival. Apparently, the jury liked it "for the audacity with which it distorts reality to reveal a larger truth." Story at Yahoo News: "Bella" Wins Top Toronto Film Festival Award.

Quotable | Elephants

When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. -- Kikuyu Proverb

I think today's quotable is quite appropriate in light of the skirmishes, both verbal and physical, that are in effect around the globe today.

The Pope Said ... What?! (Part II)

A few astute people have shown me that the Pope might have known exactly what he was saying when he quoted a 14th century document that was critical of Islam. (See my previous post and these news items). In fact, two of those people left rather thoughtful comments here. And now ... I am doing some more reading ... and I see that the Pope is taking shots at the Jews and the Pagans. What is he thinking?? Shortly after -- or "minutes after" as the Age reports it -- offering an apology for the speech that incited Muslims around the world, the Pope was commenting on two recent Roman Catholic festivals relating to the crucifixion. He slipped this little gem into his commentary:

"We preach the crucified Christ — a scandal for the Jews, a folly for the pagans." --The Age

Do you recognize that statement at all? Here is a hint: Try cracking open 1 Corinthians. The Pope has paraphrased the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:23: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." Note that he has changed "stumbling block" to "scandal". And he has exchanged "Pagans" for "Gentiles" (or "Greeks" in some translations). Now, why would he do this? And why would he use it on the same day he offered an apology for his apparent verbal gaffe of a few days ago? If you take the time to read the Biblical passage (1 Corinthians 1:18-30 NIV | KJV | NRSV | CEV), you will see that it deals with wisdom. Particularly, the supremacy of God's wisdom. And, by extension, I suppose the wisdom of the Christian path as well. So, we have to ask, in sharing this bit about preaching "Christ crucified" and connecting it to the wisdom of God, could the Pope in fact be claiming that he acted with great wisdom and forethought in what the media is calling his "blunder" that has enraged the Islamic community? Remember, now, that the Pope -- for millions of Catholics around the world -- is the representative of Christ on Earth. He is considered to be the only person who is in direct contact with God the Father. And he is considered to be infallible. So, there was no mistake for which to apologize. Something more is certainly going on, and this bears watching. (Aside: If I am not mistaken, the concept of Papal Infallibility is only applied to statements he makes that can be considered solemn papal definitions or ex cathedra teachings. So, if he was at a conference of scholars in Germany, can those statements be taken as ex cathedra? And if the statements are not ex cathedra, then are we back to calling the whole thing a mistake, thereby cancelling out everything I just wrote?)