Smokers don't love their kids!

This is a statment I saw the other day. It truly is apauling that one would judge whether a person loves there child based off whether or not they smoke. I mean really? The justification for this was that "if you smoke you don't care if you live or die there for don't care about your kids. You are willing to continue a habit knowing the dangers instead of quite." Well by this logic there would be a lot more parents out there who do not love their kids.

For ex. Parents who drive. 115 people die of car accidents daily. Approximately one person every 13 seconds. So with the dangers and possible risk of driving does this mean parents who drive are not loving their children?

Heart disease is caused by clogged arteries and is the number one killer today. The number one provider for this is fatty foods, fast foods. How many of you eats fatty foods? In 2007 there were 616,067 (25.4%) deaths associated with heart disease cause specifically by clogging the arteries. So would that make parents who like fast food or burgers bad parents?

I wont bore you with the entire list I could give on this I think I made the point on how insane the comment is to only focusing on one group of hazards with out considering the others.

Smoking related illnesses...

• Periodontal disease (gum disease leading to tooth loss), :now smoking is not the only cause of this. Hormonal changes, illness, medications and poor oral hygiene can cause this as well.
• Brittle bones :The biggest cause of weak bones is Vitamin- D deficiency.
• Stomach ulcers: other causes stress, coffee, spicy foods aspirin and spicy foods.
• Erectile dysfunction: other causes are anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, thyroids and hormone disorders, injury, and surgery.
• Cancer: other causes are the sun, natural and man made radiation, work place hazards, asbestos, viruses, infections, genetics, and age are all causes.
• Atherosclerosis: other causes High amounts of fat and cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high amounts of sugar in the blood due to diabetes.
• Bronchitis : other causes are dust, air pollutants, jobs such as coal mining, grain handlers and metal molders.
• Pneumonia : other causes are viral and bacteria infections, any thing that construct the tubes such as tumors, or something that was swallowed done the wrong pipe, fungi, inhaling vomit, gasoline, kerosene, and cleaning products. (note there are 30 causes I did not list them all.)
• Emphysema : other cause are deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin, as well as jobs such as coal miner, air duct cleaning, construction, and drywalling.

Now I am putting my personal views aside here I am not condoning, excusing, nor condemning smoking. However  I am stating you can not judge whether or not a parent is a good parent or not off if they smoke. Nor can you judge whether or not they love their kids or value their own life. I'm not saying all smoking parents are good ones, nor that they all love their kids, however to make an assumption off of an addictive habit they do is very presumptuous, and an over all waste of energy. There are just as many non-smoking parents who are not good parents if not more. We need to pay attention to factors that actually indicate poor parenting skills. Such as abuse, none active in education of the child, neglect, etc. My point is don't point the finger on others for not caring about there life or their kids based off a choice of what they do with their own bodies. Know how they parents not just what they choose to intake the results just might amaze you and who knows you may even learn a thing or two. Judging love based off dangers is pure ignorance, there are dangers all around us. People have dangerous jobs, live in dangerous areas, but that does not affect how well one parents.

Do you remember?

 

On September 11,2001 a horrific event shocked our Nation. Four planes were high jacked by Al Quida. Two plane hit the twin towers of the world trade center in New York City, One hit the pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane however thank fully missed it's mark, Washington D.C. and crashed in a field near Shankville, Pennsylvania. Regretfully and gratefully after the passengers and crew on the plane realized what was happening they fought to regain control of the plane and brought it down early. In this attack well over 2500 people were killed in this tragedy. From at least 70 different countries. This tragedy though it hit us so close to home it affected many different people from many different back round countries, and religions.  So many though seemed to have forgotten. So many seem to think this tragedy was secluded to one Nation, one religion, and one voice. It wasn't many people who lost loved ones or who died them self's seem to get left out of the equation. They have been forgotten. If one good thing came from this tragedy it was that for at least a little while we stood in unity. All as one as this country was meant to be. For the first time in a long time we all remembered the goal of our founding fathers. Today I ask you to look at those who pass you by or you come in contact with not as an opposer, lesser being, or even notice their differences. I ask you today to notice what we have in common, acknowledge them as equals as the other half of all of us. Today we need not pass blame or claim that one group as a whole was responsible, but rather realize that this is what happens when psychotic people take a religion or belief and twist it for their own personal gain. Remember we all have our skeletons in the closet. Though yes this shook us  so much more then most events it is not the only example of Terrorism. In fact we may see an example very soon from a Pastor who is suppose to represent God.  Who is going to use fear to get his way. We owe it to the heroes, and the fallen of 9/11 to stand up and say we will not let this happen this time, We we will not sit idly by and wait for the fall. This time we see it coming and we will stand in your way. For ever strong, unyielding, and unbreakable. Forever an American. We are a nation of freedom, and we are a Nation of equality. Though some times we forget Equality is meant for all not just some. So tonight we need to remember what happened. We need to vow to prevent it at all costs. A terrorist gaol is to cause fear and force you into submission and hate. We are the only ones who can prevent that. By standing up against it and bringing in love, and unity. So tonight say your prayers, light your candles, but when you do don't forget to include the fallen, the survivors, those who lost loved ones, your country,  your neighbors, and your fellow Americans!

List of the fallen. 
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/lists/by-name/index.html

Paganism and influences in the building of America.

Following my last blog... So often we hear "America is a Christian Nation". How ever how often are we told of the influence Paganism had on the building of this great land? It seems so often certain facts get left out to adhere to the masses, but why? Isn't the truth worth so much more then adhering and making the majority agree with what you say? I say YES so I am going to shed some light on the influences these interesting groups had on our country.

I would first like to address the six Nations. They were also known by the French
term, Iroquois Confederacy, they called themselves the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee) meaning People Building a Long House. They were located in
the northeastern region of North America, originally the Six Nations was five and included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, migrated into Iroquois country in the early eighteenth century. They comprised  the oldest living democracy. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson drew much inspiration from this Confederacy.
Truth is they had a lot to due with how our government was set into action.

The birth of Democracy. Democracy was first establidhed in Athens in 490B.C. when the people rebelled and  drove the spartan Government Cleisthenes instituted a limited democracy which kept the majority od the power in the
aristocracy, but allowed participation of the middle class in some legislative and judicial functions. This system then slowly evolved fifty years later to allow all male citizens to participate in decision making. 

Our calender is founded by paganism. Are also based on this veneration of the Sun and His yearly cycle, entwined with the ancient agricultural cycles of planting and harvest. The Zarathushtrian Gahanbars (Thanksgiving Festivals) are based on these Solar and agricultural cycles of the year. They are: Nowruz (Novruz), New Year, literally the New Day or First Day (Spring Equinox); Maidyozarem, Mid-Spring (May 1st); Maidyoshahem, Mid-Summer (very near the Summer Solstice); Paitishahem, Harvest (very near the Autumnal Equinox); Ayathrem, No-Travel/the End of caravan season (mid October); and Maidyarem, Mid-Year (very near the Winter Solstice). Or January which came from Janus Roman god of doors and gateways, and March which came from Mars the Roman god of war.

The declaration of independence itself has a pagan back round. The idea that
that all men are created equal. echoes John Locke's idea [1] that in the "state of nature," all human beings lived free and equal (Locke would remain a hero of Jefferson throughout his life). [Mapp] The idea that "all men are created equal" goes against Biblical doctrine. The Bible supports inequality from a top down hierarchy: God-man-woman-beast (Catholic dogma adds the church and their priests between God and man). Moreover the word "Creator" describes a Deistic term in the 1700s.

The constitution of the United has a metion that can be said to refer to
paganism. Within Amendment XX, you will find the word "January" which comes from the Latin Janus which refers to our God Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. Sunday (mentioned in Article 1, Sec.7) comes from the word Sunne which refers to the Saxon Sun god. March (see Amendment XII), comes from the Latin, Martius, and refers to our Pagan God Mars. As well it uses terms such as,
"Senate," "Justice," "Liberty" which describe Greek and Roman concepts, all of them Pagan to the very core.

The founding fathers even have pagan grave sites.

Benjamin Franklin's Tomb
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Statesman, inventor, and the greatest American scientist of the period.
Although his tomb sits on the property of the Christ Church burial ground in Philadelphia, his modest tomb had no references to Christianity. This shouldn't surprise anyone considering that the deist Franklin criticized Christianity.
Note the pennies thrown on the grave for good luck (a Pagan practice that persists to this day).

Thomas Paine's Pagan monument
Thomas Paine (1737-1809). Political Philosopher and Advocate of freethought and free expression. Perhaps the single most important person to influence Americans toward independence. He authored Common Sense, The American Crisis, Rights of Man, The Age of Reason, Agrarian Justice, Dissertation on First Principles of Government, and much more.
Because of his attacks against Christianity, Christians accused him of atheism and denied him burial on "consecrated" grounds. They buried Paine at New Rochelle on 10 June 1809. In 1819, William Cobbett dishumed Paine's bones and took them to Liverpool where they remained until Cobbett's death in 1836 as part of the property of his son, who became bankrupt. The bones were last heard of in possession of a Mr. Tilly in 1844. A monument erected at New Rochelle in 1839 [photo at left] cites Paine's own words.
" ~ my country is the world, and my religion is to do good ~ "
Rights of Man, part 2, 1792
As a Deist and freethinker, clearly Paine's life and death reflects a legacy of freethought Paganism.


George Washington's vault
George Washington (1732-1799), American General of the Revolutionary war and 1st President of the United States.
George Washington gave his own instructions to build a modest brick grave site on his own land, Mount Vernon. The grave marker reads: "Within this Enclosure Rest the remains of Gen. George Washington." Nothing about the grave resembles a Christian burial site; no crosses, no appeals to God or heaven. Inside the brick building sits a modest vault (Egyptian style).
Note the two Pagan Egyptian obelisks. The obelisk on the left went to the memory of Bushrod Washington, Associate Supreme Court Justice appointed by John Adams, nephew of George Washington. The obelisk on the right went to the memory of John Augustine Washington, nephew of Bushrod Washington.
You can veiw things like this on more than just the founding fathers grave sites. You see examples in our government buildings, which are replicas of the Parthenon, and the Patheon. The U.S capitol
Building has Twelve stars surround the headdress of the Statue of Freedom which represents the Zodiac, an ancient Pagan astrological concept.

The original American currancy:
First American Coin
The first coin minted in America did not use the motto "In God We Trust." Instead we find Benjamin Franklin's motto, "Mind Your Business." Even the Pagan references appear hidden. However the sundial, invented by the ancient Egyptians suggests its Pagan origins.

The list of findings for pagan foundation goes on and on...

The bottom line is this. Yes we can trace some things of the founding of America back to Christianity, however more things are and can be traced back to paganism. The difference is the pagans in America wish to retained religious freedom, and founding to be share and not claimed by one religion or another. Unfortunately many many Christians wish to claim it as a Christian Nation. Well facts show that this nation was built more with a replica of paganism then any other religion. So in reality based of foundation this would be a Pagan Nation, who may just have an occupancy of mainly Christians. However it also may not. That discovery is for a future blogs. So a suggestion to those who wish to claim the Nation as theirs is to Chill, because the outcome may become more unsettling to you then you wish it be. 




The six nation:
http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/
Forgotten Founders, Benjamin Franklin, the Iroquois
and the Rationale for the American Revolution, complete 1982 book
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2738983

Birth of democracy:
http://www.realmagick.com/articles/13/13.html

America The Christian Nation!

This is said so often. However is there any truth to it at all? The simple answer is no. Just because the Country was started by our founding father who were thought to be Christian, does not make it a Christian Nation. This by far the biggest misconception you will ever hear.

People will tell you all day long: America was born on Christian principles. It was founded by Christians.  We say "under God" in the pledge. The dollar says in "God We Trust". Usually these comments are followed by this means it is a "Christian nation". However many have been fooled into this not so accurate thinking by those who wish to help build rapport, and make Christians more important to our country then any other religion. Here's where the notion is merely an illogical claim...

First and foremost let's look at the Constitution of the United States: It does not in any way give any inclination that this is a "Christian nation".No where in it does it say any thing Christian. As a matter of fact one of the amendments says the opposite.

Amendment I"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Then we  founding Fathers: Some of the founding fathers them selves were not even Christian, they didn't follow the Christian faith.  For instance Tomas Jefferson was a deist.

The founding fathers actually were  quoted opposing religion on several occasions.

Ex,.

    The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations.  The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious.  If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him.  They are always of two classes; fools and hypocrites.  To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.

Thomas Jefferson

    Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.
Thomas Paine 

History of the term in God we trust: This was added to our currency on April 22,1864 to the two-cent coin and then began appearing on various coins through out the years. It finally became introduced to paper money in 1957 replacing the original motto, "E Pluribus Unum" (which meant "From many, one".

The origins of "One nation under God": These two words were added to the pledge. It was adopted into congress in 1954 and signed by president Eisenhower. However the idea came about in a meeting on President Lincoln's birthday February 12, 1948

by, Louis A. Bowman at a meeting of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, he lead them in repeating the Pledge with the added two words, "under God," after "one nation."He explained that adding this two words were following the precedence of the Gettysburg address. Where President Lincoln said "This nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom" Between this time and the time of the revival of the pledge Bowman repeated this act several times.Eisenhower signed the bill on flag day June 14, 1954

Was the Nation was built on Christian principles: Yet again another miss-informed claim,

Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Question with boldness the existence of God. I do not believe any of the Christian doctrines." "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."

Truth be told most of the principles of America have Pagan history. Like many other things borrowed by Christians,  For instance the U.s capital building itself Prominently displayed to the right of the main entrance, you will find a statue of Mars, Roman god of agriculture and war. The Great Hall of the Justice Department Building is home to a statue of the Spirit of Justice, based on the goddess of Justice herself, Justitia. (Here we also find another word in our language with pagan origins: justice.) Even in the military we can see the presence of the ancient divine. The Army’s Medal Of Honor features the Roman goddess of wisdom and martial prowess, Minerva. However, the largest and most obvious example of Pagan influence in our capital has to be the Washington Monument, which is, without a doubt, an Egyptian Obelisk.

America , Justice system , also is derived from Pagan Greek and Pagan Romans concepts. Courthouses throughout America honor our Goddess of Justice with magnificent statues.

The Latin term ANNUIT COEPTIS does not refer to the Christian God . Gaillard Hunt, the Department of State's first publisher on the seal in 1892, took official notice .... Hunt described Annuit Coeptis as an allusion to line 625 of Virgil's book IX of the Aeneid, "JUPPITER OMNIPOTES, AUDACIBUS ANNUE COEPTIS," (All-powerful Jupiter favor [my] daring undertakings). To translate the motto, the translator must supply the subject of the verb and the tense. In his 1892 brochure, Hunt suggested that the missing subject, in effect, represents the eye at the apex of the pyramid ... and he translated the motto-in the present tense-as "it (the Eye of Providence) is favorable to our undertakings." Regardless of how you translate it, the eye can only refer to the eye of the God Jupiter, the Supreme God of the Pagan Romans.

OK there are many more things that can be listed here, however I will come back to that in another blog. 

Next I would like to address the laws.

First the ten commandments:

The only three commandments found in our laws are:

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT MURDER.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS.

Who doesn't know you shouldn't lie, steal, and murder. That is just common sense and has no proof that this influences our laws in any way. If the bible influenced our laws so many other things would be illegal, our punishments would be completely different, and even our justice system would not be the same.

In all Honesty I am a Christian however I am not deluded, I refuse to claim things that are not mine nor true. By making such preposterously false claims you are hurting the religion not helping the goal. Why do so many feel that they need to claim every great thing? So what Christianity didn't influence or build America does that hurt the Christian faith? No. So, Why try so hard to keep the misconception alive? Why try and claim a individual group created this GREAT LAND OF THE FREE? This country is for all. Not for some. Trying to make it a Christian nation goes against every ting this country and our founding fathers built it for. Yes I proved it is not a Christian Nation, however that does not make the Christian faith insignificant? Not at all, it instead leaves room for others. It gives this country to all not one. It restore it to what it was meant to be. So Why can't we accept it? Do we not all deserve the legacy?

Quotes of the founding fathers about religion:
http://www.zenhell.com/GetEnlightened/FoundingFathers/
http://www.anotherperspective.org/advoc550.html

The change in currency motto:
http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/dispatch/fathers_quote2.htm
http://www.shgresources.com/us/symbols/motto/

The addition to the pledge:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_pled1.htm
http://undergod.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000067

Religion of the founding fathers:
http://earlyamericanhistory.net/founding_fathers.htm
 http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/secular.html

What is aChristo-witch?

When the term Christo-witch is brought up the most common thoughts are...

How can one be a Christian and a witch? Aren't these two conflicting equaling an oxy-moron? 

While I can see the thinking behind this statements, they are not reality. However in order to understand why you must know what a Christo-witch is. In this blog I will be explaining these things. What it is? What they believe? As well as misconceptions to why the two can not mix.
Buddah said: “In theory there is but one religion, in practice, there
are as many religions as there are people.”
First topic is. What is a Christo-witch?
 In simple form it is a Christian who practices witch craft. However what explanation is that? It still leaves room for misunderstandings.
The problem here is each persons understanding and definition of the terms Christian and Witch. So let's examine each term.

Christian: When most people hear Christian they think a Traditional or "fundie" Christian.
Meaning they believe:
There is only one path.
The bible in its' whole is the accurate unfailing word of god.
That witch craft is forbidden.
They believe in the trinity.

To me it means:
Some one who believes in God, Jesus and the holy spirit
Striving to live by Jesus teaching.
Accepting Jesus as your Saviour.
A personal relationship with god.
The bible being a spiritual guideline and history to be respected.

Witch: What most people think when they hear the term witch!
They are devil whorshippers
They are evil
Witch craft is against god.

My definition of witch:
Having a connection to nature.
Respecting and cherishing all life, and nature.
One who is knowledgeable in herbology, and uses magickal works and ritual to help better them selves and others.

Basically the biggest two things I think that cause the issue in people thinking it can be combined is...
1 Many think Witch craft in itself is a religion. It is not. It is a practice and like any practice any religion can do it. For instance you do not have to be Hindu to practice Yoga.
2 Is the term Magick. Many believe that the bible strictly prohibits magick. This is simple not the case. If it were then how can you explain all the magickal practices found in the bible. Now yes it is common sense that god would be against the harming or cursing of others however a Christo-wicth strictly follows the harm none rule.
However I will farther into this in another post.

What does a Christo-witch believe?
We do not take the bible as a whole and literal truth. ( there were many things left out.) We believe Jesus died for all of us so that we can have a just connection with the perfect Divine as imperfect beings, and it doesn't take saying some sort of incantation about taking Jesus into your life to have the connection his death created. That Christianity does not have a monopoly on truth. While we all believe in god, Jesus and the holy spirit, many of us (not all mind you) beleive that there is a mother goddes (or heavenly mother) either in place of or as the holy spirit. Some, but not all of us use spells/rituals. However we do use and study herbs, nature. We pray to god and call out to  him the heavenly mother (holy spirit), Jesus and angels, in our spells, and magickal workings. In reality it is a blend of two things that really do not differ as much as many think. I will address this farther in a future blog.