Rotting Christ: Visions of the Dead Lovers

The old glory is failed
The old emperor in a lonely empire
Eternity so shiny
But followed by noone

Among the crowd
Princes & kings
Those who defeated
All lovers... of monarchy

The sky is mourning
Near to the sun... human blood
It's too late for nation

After this misery
A bigger one is coming
The promised centuries... recycling

The dog have died
Around the tyrant

Mythic sovereigns
In sea and land
Shout loud
But voices come back

The eagle has throwned
The beast has enough
The days of the omen
Visions of the dead lovers

Read more: Rotting Christ - Visions Of The Dead Lovers Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Here is why I have no problem with this video, although I still identify as Catholic, albeit a very unorthodox one.

The video was not disparaging the suffering that Jesus endured. In fact, it showed a fairly accurate depiction of the horrors of crucifixion. Anyone being killed in this manner would have suffered greatly. 

Whether or not they believe in Jesus as the Messiah, they respect the fact that Jesus the man suffered. This video in no way mocks that suffering. In fact, it asks us to examine whether any of the followers of Jesus truly realize what he endured, or if he is for them simply a symbol of their belief system. To make him simply a symbol is to deny the real horrors he was subjected to.

The band professes anti-religious beliefs, stating that Christianity is one of the worst things to happen in human history. In many ways, they are correct. For the most part, Christianity has had nothing to do with Jesus other than to use him as sort of a holy enforcer. In other words, if you don't do what we say  Jesus says, you are going to endure eternal torment in the fiery pit.
Jesus the activist, Jesus the kind, forgiving person, Jesus the evolved soul would have deplored the tactics of the so called "Christian" church. Jesus loved the outcasts. The "flock" of most churches sanctimoniously pushes the outcasts away. They do not want the homeless, the mentally ill, the unpretty making their house of worship look bad.
Jesus would deplore the existence of mega-churches.

In any case, I have a much bigger problem with the theocratic extreme right in the United States today than I do with the viewpoint of the members of Rotting Christ that religion is a social negative. It is a social negative because of the fact that it has been primarily used as a political tool to control people, no matter what the claim may be.
I actually do believe in a "great beyond," although I have no way of knowing what it is really like. I like the imagery used in depicting Heaven. I like the positive messages that Jesus left for us. I do not like those who use his name as an excuse to act like bigoted assholes.

~Viki~

The Yule Tree of Life

 Image found here.

What Really Matters

 Visit the Photo Prompts blog for inspiration

  
 This piece isn't fiction. But it is a little bit flashy!

What Really Matters

The biggest mistake I’ve made in life is berating myself mercilessly for being at odds with certain dogmas and tenets, or failing to live up to certain arbitrary social standards, when there is only one rule which really matters in the scheme of things:

 Image found on this blog, which everyone should go read, right after they finish reading this!

My actions matter, not my system of belief or my appearance.

~The Cheese Hath Spoken~

Cross-Posted to:

The Cheese Whines

One Love

Biblical Theology: The Book of Acts

Presented by Pastor Robert Herrgott of Queensland Theological College.

This video is shared for informational purposes to help students of religion or spiritual seekers. It is not shared with the intent of telling anyone what to believe or not believe.

~Spectra~

The Challenges of Modern Orthodoxy by Dr. Barry Freundel

~

Note: I am not Jewish, and I don't claim to understand all that is being discussed or the importance it might have to an Orthodox Jew. I was raised in a liberal Catholic household. I ended up an agnostic who believes in a higher power but doesn't claim to understand its nature. In my search for what truths there may be, I have enjoyed studying various faiths.

What the Rabbi discusses in this video seems to me to be more cultural than having to do with particular spiritual beliefs. He discusses the need to find common ground and the need for evolution within the culture. Extremism benefits nobody, and his arguments seem well thought out. The video is long, but I found it worthwhile.

~Wanda~

Relaxing Fireplace Video

Set this on full screen. Meditate. If you're like me, you'll probably end up...

ZZZZZZZZZZ!

~Lily~

Think About It

Here's what I like about Greg:
He doesn't tell you what you should or shouldn't believe.
He simply tells you to think about what you believe.
He has a number of ebooks and articles on his website that you can check out. Not all of them are religious in nature.

Cross-Posted to:
One Love
Sly Fawkes