Two Americas?

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There really are two Americas.

One of them is the exclusive America. The other, an America made up of the world.

In the exclusive America, this has become an America where the white man is free to rule, to subjugate and to foster a race of purity and righteousness. This is Donald Trump’s America and the America of those who wish to separate themselves into a nation of whiteness. This was Nixon’s “silent majority”. Think of this America as the modern Confederate State, but the borders are not yet fully defined.

This exclusive America harks back to an idea that may have never really existed, but is holy and iconic like some great totem of truth. That the founding fathers were white orthodox Christians from Europe who wished for a state ruled by their own kind is among these truths. This America is monolithic and never changes, only those around it change and that is the real problem.

This America is founded on Protestant notions of work and grace and with a strong sense that only white Europeans are God’s chosen people. This is the America of rural moral strength and God-fearing conservative values.

This America is as much the soil, the flag and the monuments as it is the ideals perpetuated by its acolytes. This is more symbol or a dream really than it ever was a reality.

The other America is a nation of immigrants and is something that is constantly in flux and changing. This is an America of the idea that all men and women were created equal be they black, brown, white or Asian, straight or gay, atheist, Muslim, Christian or Jew. This is an America of justice for all. This is an America that idealized and even aspired for a classless society even though it never really was. This is an America of the rights of the citizen over the institution – the frontier of the spirit of the individual. This is the American republic – what we call a democracy. This is the America of ideals that are more important than symbols and imagery. The only true symbol of this America is the natural ruggedness of its lands and the diversity of its citizens – its inherit natural beauty, the richness of its vistas, and the freedom and justice that is exalted through the love and empathy of its true believers.

The exclusive America is truly disappearing into oblivion. The fixes that have been placed on working people are being exposed. The truth, albeit hard to find, is out there and even the Tyranny of Lies that is this modern state they have erected can not hide the light completely.

The push is a major one and has been going on since Reagan. The inclusive America has been on its heels, but younger people replace those who mortally pass on. Immigrants and minorities continue to grow their population and whites intermix with blacks and Chicanos and Asians and other races blessed is the Lord our God of all. The women’s movement was too powerful for a backlash and the sexual revolution is here to stay having survived the diseased years of Ronald Reagan. So that genie really isn’t going anywhere soon.

They want to take away the vote. It starts by perpetuating the utter lie called “voter fraud” and the reinstatement and spread of Jim Crow. We have governance that has lost an informed voter. Indeed, those we elect make it their mission to spread their lies so wide and deep we barely can muster a prayer. The next step is logical – the complete and utter dismantling of the republic itself. This isn’t just un-American, it’s the greatest threat we’ve likely ever faced as the nation that should be leading the world to something better through peace, charity and love. Well anyway, it is likely the greatest threat since the last war between the north and the south – between the center and the periphery. The Union forces won that one, but the Right has hijacked the system this go around. Period…, so if that doesn’t get you up off your ass and moving, I don’t know what will.

Remember, United We Stand…and divided….

There really only is one America and this is an America for all of us – every one! We the People shall rule this land, not some sexually immature and predatory, ignorant, hate-filled, bigoted, third rate banana-republic autocrat.

This post originally appeared on the Reveille website on November 29, 2016.

WHY YOU MATTER Pt. 1: Metaphysics

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WHY YOU MATTER Chapter 1: Metaphysics

Science has become convinced that the universe evolved from a phenomenon known to us as the “Big Bang”. It is this cosmological event that has structured our universe and the laws in which it operates. The obvious question is, was this the genesis of the physical realm of matter in motion?

The revolution caused by the discovery and evidence in support of the Big Bang continues to reverberate through the sciences and our society today. The Big Bang had, in a real sense, found God – the Creator of the physical universe. Science had gotten some “ole time religion” and this discovery, along with the explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, more than anything, ushered in the post-modern age.

The major cosmological competitor of the Big Bang as “creation” seems to continue to be the “Expanding and Contracting Universe” theory or some variation of an Oscillatory Universe. Like Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Eternal Recurrence”, this was a way to explain the metaphysical or cosmological problems of alternative theories that seemed to shake the secular foundations of post-enlightenment learning. Here, life and the physical universe played out infinitely without a beginning and without an end in a never ending loop of repetition. Despite the apparently insurmountable evidence that the universe is expanding at an ever increasing velocity, a scientific community committed to a godless model have kept these ideas on a sort of complicated life-support. By arguing against “creation”, science can avoid bringing an intelligent creator into the mix.

Both the expanding and contracting universe and Nietzsche’s eternal recurrence accounted for the lack of the supernatural through the eternity or infinity of the physical universe. What they fail to account for is how matter in motion defines itself. This is to say both matter and motion are given definition by their very being.

Wait, is this not something not only profound, but obviously apparent? It is the physical universe that we perceive because it is definable and “definite”. What then defines these attributes?

Matter is defined (that is defines itself) as something that occupies space and is therefore limited by space. Matter occupies a measurable amount of space that must necessarily be finite. As we are able to measure any part of matter by the amount of space it must occupy, then matter occupies a limited parcel of space. As any matter is space limited, all matter is finite. Matter is something that occupies space and this space is measurable and in turn limited or finite.

This is how matter has become definite and how it defines itself. That which does not occupy a measurable amount of space is not matter and that which occupies a measurable amount of space is matter.

In the same way, motion is defined by time and is limited by time. Motion is also measurable, and in this case it is measured by time. As matter moves, its motion takes a measurable amount of time to go from point of space to point of space. Motion is something that takes place during a measurable amount of time and so all motion is limited and finite. We are able to measure any part of motion by the time of its movement so that all motion is limited and finite.

The motion of matter through space is how motion is definite and how it defines itself. It is the finitude of time that defines all motion that is the movement of the defined matter through the space it occupies and travels.

These measurable qualities are bound by their finitely defined metrics. Matter has boundaries, and motion must have a beginning and end. As we can measure any part of these, then the whole is measurable and finite. The idea of an “infinite number” of anything is absurd. If we can number them, they are countable or finite qualities.

Time and space then are the measurements of the finite universe of matter in motion. Time is how motion is defined or measured and space is how we define the finitude of matter. The great formula E=Mc2 explains this, or the entire physical universe is matter (M) in motion (c) and this is definable and quantitative. Energy, or the movement of all matter (space time), is measurable. We may agree that the numerical quality if astonishing, but it is finite. This formula demonstrates as much. It is, after all, a mathematical formula that concerns itself with finite and definable qualities and not the infinite.

So the Big Bang makes sense. Time is simply a measurement of motion. The hands of a clock move, the earth rotates and the universe is expanding at an ever increasing rate. There is the genesis of motion in the creation of matter.

The cosmological or metaphysical questions demand something that is eternal or outside the limitations of time as it defines motion. The idea of Eternal Recurrence or of the eternal motion of matter runs head into this problem. If we are able to use time as a measurement of any amount of motion as matter moves through space, how are we able to support a theory that argues that this motion is somehow circular and without beginning or end? The very observable behavior of our physical universe and the “arrow of time” fail to support a hypothesis that seems to be based on little other than the support of an ancient belief system that denies any existence outside what can be observed. Those who cling to such systems are like Ptolemaists dueling with the mounting evidence in support of Copernicus.

As we begin to understand what time is – that is the measurement of finite movements of matter through space – we begin to understand what eternity is – that is something outside of the limitations of time. This is the infinite that is outside of and that encompasses the finitude of the physical universe.

What then encompasses this finitude? This physical universe was created from nothing in the sense of nothing being “no-thing” of a material composition. The real question then becomes did this thing come from “nothing at all” or can a value come from a non-value? Certainly to get something from nothing is anti-intuitive. Finally, this becomes the argument of the atheist though. Either the physical universe – something finite – is actually not finite but infinite (with an expanding and contracting universe), or this material cosmos came from absolutely nothing at all.

Science, though, pursues truths through the empirical studies of observable phenomena and goes through revolutionary changes which Thomas Kuhn described as the paradigm shift. Modern science is entering its own “post-modern” phase and seems to be converging with the more ancient mystical explorations of the psyche. As we explore the very “borders” of the physical universe with the Big Bang, quantum science and the study of black holes, there are now descriptions of the space time dimension as a sort of holographic reality or a projection of something akin to what a computer program might generate.

Where we were once led to believe that faith in the supernatural was based on the unsound histrionics of an immature and illogical society, we are beginning the find that a faith in science itself can provide evidence of something beyond the perceived “reality” of this physical plane in which we all live.

Life is. This is the inarguable truth that Descartes declared for us all. We exist or “I am”. Our perspective is from this point of consciousness or what we inelegantly term “the mind”. To irrefutably prove anything beyond this seems destined to failure, so it is this existence and consciousness that we know to be real. Self-awareness is the foundation of all “faith” outside this truth which is, indeed, based upon a reflection of something beyond this truth or “I think, therefore I am.” It is really the only truth even the most ardent skeptic can not call into question. A dream may be a dream, but life is.

So instead of a purely material universe that somehow and without purpose creates the consciousness from which we all perceive this physical universe, we have the consciousness itself as the mystical center of reality. The conscious and infinite “mind” or psyche formulates the material not a purely material universe randomly formulating the consciousness that can study this world and conceive of something beyond.

Post originally appeared on the Reveille website (and Ecce Aeon before that) and was published on November 14, 2016.

 

WALLS

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Religion has a big knock against it – do these institutions cause divisiveness rather than bringing people together? History seems to play this complaint out and with deep corruption running through mainstream “orthodox” religious institutions, this shouldn’t be surprising.

There is no church of the Radical Spiritualists or really a gnostic church either and that’s ok since organized religion seems to routinize the Way of the spirit. Where two or more are gathered in His name…right?

The written word is certainly flawed and been manipulated by mankind who put the original gospels down into manuscript form two generations after the events recorded. As the Living Word is in each of our hearts, we might call this Bible they eventually put down in writing the “dead word” that was taken, mistaken, omitted and transposed from the purely oral preaching tradition that came before it. To many heterodoxical believers through history, the Old Testament was the workings of Satan (possibly as the demiurge) himself.

Unless we want to continue to believe that our creator God can doom a group of His children to eternal damnation in the misery of Hell, then we should be able to look at all of our brothers and sisters without judgment.

When asked why He hung out, broke bread and communed with the dredges of society – fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes and beggars – Christ told them the righteous have no need for the physician, so he spent his time with those who needed his guidance – the sinners. Deep and multiple meanings were generally involved with anything Christ said and this particular example is steeped in irony. You, the self-righteous who find the highest places in public to pray, have no need or use for correction – only the sinners and lowly will have ears to hear.

We are – every living creature – His children. Love shall win over hate. You may point out that much of history seems to contradict this, yet humanity continues to evolve and write its history. You may call this dogma – so it is then, but call it a dogma of inclusion, of peace and of love. Nothing else is acceptable. There are no exceptions to God’s love or His grace. There can not be, so to believe otherwise is false and doomed. You must enter the fold of sinners before you have a chance to follow Christ to paradise.

This is to be born again. To be like Christ, each of us must love without conditions or judgment. Find the Way, live in peace, and follow the First Key – through strict vegetarianism and pacifism. Exactly, according to Gibbon, as the early Christians did.  

If you live in hatred or conflict with your brothers and sisters, then physician, heal thyself. God’s children, indeed those that you will find Christ sitting among include all sinners be they black, white, brown, LGBTQ, Muslim, Jew, pagan, agnostic, atheist, or Christian. This intolerance or even hatred and its accompanying wars, oppression and coercion is an abomination to the Father and to any loving Christian. Amen, brother. Do the Harlem shuffle.

This post originally appeared on the Reveille website November 14, 2016 and has been slightly altered for publication today.

JUDGMENT DAY

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Now listen to this most ancient myth of secret knowledge. For this is a story of salvation and redemption and asks the most important question of God and His righteous judgment. Listen now as this is your story too.

We know of Satan the rebellious son. It was his council that tempted mankind to lose paradise. A new kingdom was erected to this worldly lord. New truths were whispered and the seductive veil of oblivion was lowered over our eyes. Each in turn to be enslaved – masters above all others.

Of these new truths we were told that heaven was for another time and in another place. We started to believe these new truths and forgot who we were. This artifice we constructed with our own hands and this became our purpose and our place. Human suffering – indeed the suffering of every living creature – was its very end, but we believed – we refused to call it Hell.

Now know you that the morning star, called the Son of Man, was the first who came back to God’s garden and it is He that would lead us back. He is the good shepherd. To seek the lost, He must tarry until the end. To hold the gate ajar, we need His strength. Alpha-Omega: the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Is this the end times? That day that Satan appeared before God on one knee and begged for his Father’s mercy with bowed head. This too was our morning star.

Satan uttered his first word before God, “…Father…” he implored.

This too was God’s son…God’s child…. Begotten by the creator of all…well must God bear some responsibility or is it ultimately all responsibility?

So in the end, what is justice? Is this to be a merciful God or the god of angry retribution? He made us in His image, yet we continue to create him – a fanciful him – in our own sinful image. Are we all sinners? Does each and every one of us require His grace and forgiveness? Can we forgive ourselves and how many lifetimes does that take…how much forgetting…how much bad feelings…how many deaths and rebirths?

Much of our pride comes from seizing upon this thing called God’s grace. Call it righteousness. Only we, the elect, are the chosen people. Only we, the elect, are destined for redemption and salvation. Our pride – is it another whispering from the father of lies? Does this damnation to the eternal fires of Hell come from Christ and His love or is the image of His return to the flock carrying the lost lamb the true image of the savior. Is He the savior of just the elect or the savior of all of humanity?

These are the central questions of God the Father. Is He Father to us all and if so doesn’t that mean we are, each of us, given a Father’s love, the mercy of this greatest of love, and ultimately the Holy mirror of self-forgiveness – true and absolute salvation?

Could Christ be in paradise if there were one of us left out? Is that paradise? Do you understand what it means that the first will be last?

This post originally appeared on the Reveille website on November 9, 2016 and has been somewhat modified for publication today.

Heil to the Chief

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This post originally appeared on the Reveille website on November 9, 2016. Regards a subject we’ll do our best to avoid!

Too much of this going around, but the three pillars of the Trump campaign have propelled him to a fear-mongering victory in the US Presidential elections:
  • Ignorance – What can we expect when the rich and powerful feed working-class voters nothing but lies and deceit?
  • Hatred – The horror of nihilistic moral decay in our modern, self-absorbed and self-destructive society that breeds impotence and rage.
  • Bigotry – That most dark and disturbing underbelly of America rising to the surface in the form of the “white male backlash”.