Sunday, March 23, 2008

EASTER AND MY (Lack of) FAITH

Easter confused me when I was a child. My parents had a duty to raise me Roman Catholic, and the holiday is the most important celebration in their catechism. Today it is easy to see why, since the cornerstone of Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

I loved Christmas, and I remember making the argument Jesus had to be born first. He could not rise from the dead unless he lived. December 25th should be more important than March 23, or the first of April, or, wait, what ever the date of Easter is. The greatest celebration in the Church is not on the same day every year? I was so confused!

Thank god for the confusion! It started on me on the path to gain more information. It was on my own, and not with any aid from my parents or the local priest. Long ago, after catholic high school, I realized Roman Catholicism may be just baloney. After years of comprehending most of Roman Catholic doctrine, I decided it was pretty silly. By the way, one of the things I picked up was one should never address the faithful "Catholic." They are "Roman Catholic," since they take orders from the pope in Vatican City, which is located in the heart of Rome, Italy.

Today, I would never call myself anti-god. At heart I am atheist, meaning that I live my live with out a deity. To the faithful I am agnostic, which means "I don't really know," rather that their anti-god definition of "atheist."

I understand the value of religion and know how important it is to a society, especially in a free country, like the United States. In addition, I will not deny the United States was founded on religious principles (like some atheists do.) We all have the right worship the deity of our choice, or not choose one at all for that matter. Our wonderful wall of separation between church and state prevents any one religion or group to become politically powerful.

As for my Roman Catholic background, yes, I would have to say it probably was the framework for most of the moral code I live with now. However, there came a point where I did not want to add to it. No more! I had to get rid of some things, such as wasting an hour every Sunday in the boring mass service, where I never got anything out of. I still reject their silly constraints on sexuality, their condemnations of capitalism and their many centuries of being an enemy of science. Even today I cringe, as American Roman Catholic Bishops ignore the sovereignty of our nation as they are one of the leading advocates of unlimited illegal immigration. I decided years ago I was too smart for the Roman Catholic Church to hold me down. It may seem strange, but I have the Easter holiday to thank for that.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN IS IN DANGER BY REV. WRIGHT

To many of us, Religion is the most important aspect of our lives. It defines us, it is our moral guide. The weekly Sunday sermon at the church you attend is vital in our understanding of our faith. This is a fundamental precept American culture. It is also why Illinois Senator Barack Obama's Presidental bid is in trouble.

Senator Obama has belonged to the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, which, until last February 10th, has been lead by Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, since 1988. Even a casual look at the Senator's biography suggests a significant influence from Reverend Wright. Barack and Michelle Obama were married by Wright. In addition, the title of Obama's 2006 book, "The Audacity of Hope," was directly taken from one of Wright's sermons. This is the same Reverend that, on past occasions - from his pulpit, spoken about supporting racism, 9/11 conspiracies and antisemitism. Many of these sermons are colored with sexual innuendos.

This is troubling to the average American. Obama's recent statements seem like a boy sticking his gum in a leaky dam: ". . . in sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue." Barack Obama and his family have been members of Trinity United for twenty years now, and to simply reject Wright's statements just won't do. We all know how we bring our faith home in our lives, especially if we are a practicing member for a great deal of time.

Voters are worried exactly how much Reverend Wright has influenced Barack Obama's life. On the surface (marriage, a book and twenty years) it seems to be a lot. Much of we hear from Obama's former Pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, is opposite of what we believe. Right or wrong, the Senator may be found guilty by association. Not only is his presidential candidacy is in trouble, but his political life may be also.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

BRETT FAVRE RETIRES

Brett Favre was the reason why most of us watched Green Bay Packer Football games over the last decade and a half. He played the game like no one else. If you loved the Packers, or hated them, you had to admire Favre's competitiveness, his skills that never receded and his toughness. Over his seventeen year career he earned the respect of his peers and sports fans all over the world. Earlier this week, the veteran quarterback announced he would no longer grace the Lambeau Field gridiron anymore. He will be sorely missed.

The Kiln, Mississippi native was even more special to Green Bay Packer fans. Under head coach Mike Holmgren, Favre brought the first Super Bowl title to the city since the Vince Lombardi years. It was a long 29 year wait for the most storied franchise in the National Football League. The Packers never won another title, but with number four, they were always a contender. Fans cheered with his sometimes incredible touchdown passes and died with his incredibly stupid interceptions. Packer fans always forgave him. Just to watch him play was simply amazing.

After 17 marvelous years, Brett Favre's biography is now the NFL record book. He owns nearly all of the major records. Favre could have won anther Super Bowl or two, and thrown a lot less interceptions, but, he guaranteed his Hall of Fame legacy years ago. Last year, another championship was reachable as Green Bay hosted the NFC Championship. Unfortunately, it would be the Packer Quarterback's last game as the New York Giants won in overtime. Favre writes one more record with his retirement: most touchdown passes, last season in the league(28.)

Being so close to a Super Bowl last year, Brett Farve's retirement comes to a surprise to some, since the team looks like a contender next season. In his words: "There's no doubt I can still play. I just don't think I want to, and that's all there is to it." Citing the endless hours preparing for the three hours on Sunday he loved, Favre just could not spend that time anymore. The coming year proved no certainties, either. Yes, the Packers may be a good in 2008, but Favre knows how hard it is to reach Nirvana in the NFL, and getting close last year was, in his mind, a good time to leave the game.

Now, we have all those wonderful memories of Brett Favre. Where it all started was the 24-23 come from behind victory over Cincinnati in the third game of the 1992 season where he came off the bench to lead the team for victory. He started the next week, and the rest is history! A Packer fan can't forget the Super Bowl XXXI victory, where the Southern Mississippi graduate threw a touchdown with his first pass. His most memorable performance was in a Monday Night Game in Oakland, a day after losing his father. Green Bay won that December 2003 game, 41-7, with Favre throwing four touchdown passes in the first half. The recent 2007 season was treat as much as it was a surprise, where Favre lead the team to a 13-3 record. Through it all, the iron-willed quarterback started ever game! All 275 of them, including the postseason. That, maybe, is Brett's greatest achievement.

Where would Brett Favre rank on the list of the greatest quarterbacks is a topic that will be debated forever. His 12-8 playoff record and one title counts against him. His love for the game, natural ability and durability speaks volumes. With every game, he entertained us! Favre was just plain fun to watch! The NFL will not be the same without him. In the end, one thing is for sure: We will always think of Brett Favre as one of the game's greatest players.