August 24, 2008
Tricycle's Daily Dharma
Boredom, Impatience, and Fear
If we do a little of one kind of practice and a little of another, the work we have done in one often doesn't continue to build as we change to the next. It is as if we were to dig many shallow wells instead of one deep one. In continually moving from one approach to another, we are never forced to face our own boredom, impatience, and fears. We are never brought face to face with ourselves. So we need to choose a way of practice that is deep and ancient and connected with our hearts, and then make a commitment to follow it as long as it takes to transform ourselves.
--Jack Kornfield in A Path with Heart
from Everyday Mind, edited by Jean Smith, a Tricycle book
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Asatru
Asatru
Posted by: "Grannulus1 at [childrenofgaia]
Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:50 pm (PDT)
Asatru (Norse Heathenism)
History:
Asatru is frequently regarded as one of the Neopagan family of religions.
That family includes _Wicca_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm),
_Celtic Druidism_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm), and
re-creations of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other ancient Pagan religions. However,
many Asatruers prefer the term "Heathen" to "Neopagan" and look upon their
tradition as "not just a branch on the Neopagan tree" but as a separate tree.
Unlike Wicca, which has gradually evolved into many different traditions, the
reconstruction of Asatru has been based on the surviving historical record.
Its followers have maintained it as closely as possible to the original
religion of the Norse people.
Asatru or Ásatrú is an Icelandic word which is a translation of the Danish
word "Asetro." Asetro was "first seen in 1885 in an article in the periodical
"Fjallkonan". The next recorded instance was in "Heiðinn siður á Íslandi"
("Heathen traditions in Iceland.") by Ólafur Briem (Reykjavík, 1945)." It means
"belief in the Asir," the Gods. "Asatru" is a combination of "Asa" which is
the possessive case of the word Æsir (Aesir) and "Tru" which means belief or
religion.
Throughout Scandinavia the religion is called Forn Siðr (which means the
Ancient way or tradition), Forn sed (the Old custom), Nordisk sed (Nordic
custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom). Other names are:
Norse Heathenism, Germanic Heathenism, the Elder Troth, the Old Way, Asetro,
Vor Si r (our way), Forn Si r (Ancient way), Forn sed (the old custom),
Nordisk sed (Nordic custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom), Odinism or Folkish
Ásatrú.
The religion's origin is lost in antiquity. At its peak, it covered all of
Northern Europe. Countries gradually converted to Christianity. In 1000 _CE_
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm), Iceland became the second last
Norse culture to convert. Their prime motivation was economic. Sweden was ruled
by a Pagan king until 1085 CE.
Icelandic poet Gothi Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson promoted government recognition
of Asatru as a legitimate religion; this status was granted in 1972. Since
the early 1970's, the religion has been in a period of rapid growth in the
former Norse countries, as well as in Europe and North America.
Corruption of Asatru:
It is not unknown for otherwise decent religions to become corrupted by
incorporating racist, sexist, anti-semitic, and homophobic beliefs. For example:
The _Christian Identity_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/cr_ident.htm) movement is one wing of the Christian religion which has adsorbed such
beliefs. During the early part of the 20th Century, The National Socialist Party
in Germany under Adolf Hitler attempted to pervert Asatru by grafting parts
of the religion onto the Nazi racist beliefs. This blasphemy died by the end
of World War II, although some neo-Nazi groups -- largely in the U.S. -- are
now attempting to continue the practice.
This type of activity is in no way related to the restoration of Asatru as a
legitimate Heathen religion. There is a very strong anti-racist, anti-Nazi
stance among national Asatru groups in the Scandinavian countries. This is also
found in almost all Asatru groups in English speaking countries. They
typically have a clear rejection of racism written into their constitutions.
Unfortunately, some anti-racism groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in its Megiddo report) have mistakenly
accused the entire religion of racism.
Many people are exposed to the name "Asatru" through _role playing games_
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/d_a_d.htm), such as Mage: The Ascension.
Unfortunately, the Asatru of these games bear little resemblance to the real
religion.
Asatru Beliefs:
Asatru is a polytheistic religion. There are three races of Deities in the Norse pantheon. They are all regarded as living entities who are involved in human life:
The Aesir: These are the Gods of the tribe or clan, representing Kingship, order, craft, etc.
The Vanir: These represent the fertility of the earth and forces of nature. They are associated with the clan but are not part of it.
The Jotnar: These are giants who are in a constant state of war with the Aesir. They represent chaos and destruction.
At the battle of Ragnarok, many of the Gods will die, the world will come to an end and be
reborn.
Specific Gods:
Some of the more important are:
Thor is the Thunderer, who wields Mjolnir, the divine Hammer. His chariot racing across the
sky generates thunder. Thursday (Thor's Day) was named after him.
Odin is the one-eyed God; he gave up one of his eyes in order to drink from the
Fountain of Knowledge (some sources say Fountain of Wisdom). He is a magician. He
learned the secrets of the runes (Northern European alphabet) by hanging
himself on the tree Yggdrasil for nine nights.
Frey (a.k.a. Freyr) is the God of fertility, the weather and farming. He was born on the _Winter Solstice_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/w_solsti.htm) , typically December 21. His
father was Njord.
Specific Goddesses:
Some important ones are:
Freya (aka Freyja) is the Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality, and perhaps a dozen other attributes. She leads the Valkyries who take the souls of slain soldiers to Valhall (Odin's great hall).
Frigg is Odin's wife. Her name has been secularized to a slang term which refers to sexual intercourse. She is the patroness of the household and of married women.
Skadi is the Goddess of independence, death, hunting and skiing. Scandinavia may have been named after her.
Ostara, is a Goddess of fertility who is celebrated at the time of the Spring equinox. She was known by the Saxons as Eostre, the Goddess of Spring, from whom we have derived the word Easter. Ostara's symbols are the hare and the egg.
Other Entities Other Deities are Aegir, Balder, Bragi, Forseti, Heimdall, Hel, Loki, Njord, Ran, Tyr, Ull and Vithar.
Followers of Asatru also honor the Landvaettir (land spirits) of the forest, earth and streams.
Life Values: Asatruars in North America have created a list of Nine Noble Virtues: Courage, Truth, Honor, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance and Perseverance.
The family is greatly valued and honored. They reject any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, language, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or "other divisive criteria".
Origins: Humanity is literally descended from the Gods. Three brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve created people from two trees and gave them the names Ask and Embla. One deity, Rig visited the earth and established the social classes.
Od: This is the gift of ecstasy provided to humans by the Gods. It is what separates humanity from other animals, and is our eternal link with the Gods.
Creation Story: A poem Voluspa (Prophecy of the Seeress) contains an Asatru story of the creation of the universe. Between Muspelheim (The Land of Fire) and Niflheim the Land of Ice was an empty space called Ginnungigap. The fire and ice moved towards each other; when they collided, the universe came into being. Odin, Vili and Ve later created the world from the body of a giant that they had slain.
After death: Those who die in battle will be carried to Valhall by the Valkyries. There they will eat Saehrimnir (a pig that is daily slaughtered and resurrected) with the Gods. The Goddess Hel (who's name has been borrowed by Christians) rules over dishonorable people (oath breakers)
and those who die ingloriously of old age. Niflhel is the the abode for all others.
The end of the world: Ragnarök (a.k.a. Ragnarøkkr, Ragnarøk, Ragnarok; literally the fate of the Gods) is the anticipated apocalypse. It involves a great battle between the Gods and the Jötnar -- a race of giants with superhuman strength. Unlike Revelation in the Christian Scriptures, prophecies of Ragnarök are very specific: the events leading up to the battle, the timing of the battle, who will kill whom, etc. are all known. Wolves will eat the sun and moon. The stars will stop shining. Mountains will fall; trees will be uprooted; "Fumes will reek and flames will burst, scorching the sky with fire. The earth will sink into the sea." Most of the Gods will die. Only one woman and one man, Lifthrasir and Lif, will survive. Their offspring will
eventually repopulate the world and live in peace. 13
Posted by: "Grannulus1 at [childrenofgaia]
Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:50 pm (PDT)
Asatru (Norse Heathenism)
History:
Asatru is frequently regarded as one of the Neopagan family of religions.
That family includes _Wicca_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm),
_Celtic Druidism_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm), and
re-creations of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other ancient Pagan religions. However,
many Asatruers prefer the term "Heathen" to "Neopagan" and look upon their
tradition as "not just a branch on the Neopagan tree" but as a separate tree.
Unlike Wicca, which has gradually evolved into many different traditions, the
reconstruction of Asatru has been based on the surviving historical record.
Its followers have maintained it as closely as possible to the original
religion of the Norse people.
Asatru or Ásatrú is an Icelandic word which is a translation of the Danish
word "Asetro." Asetro was "first seen in 1885 in an article in the periodical
"Fjallkonan". The next recorded instance was in "Heiðinn siður á Íslandi"
("Heathen traditions in Iceland.") by Ólafur Briem (Reykjavík, 1945)." It means
"belief in the Asir," the Gods. "Asatru" is a combination of "Asa" which is
the possessive case of the word Æsir (Aesir) and "Tru" which means belief or
religion.
Throughout Scandinavia the religion is called Forn Siðr (which means the
Ancient way or tradition), Forn sed (the Old custom), Nordisk sed (Nordic
custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom). Other names are:
Norse Heathenism, Germanic Heathenism, the Elder Troth, the Old Way, Asetro,
Vor Si r (our way), Forn Si r (Ancient way), Forn sed (the old custom),
Nordisk sed (Nordic custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom), Odinism or Folkish
Ásatrú.
The religion's origin is lost in antiquity. At its peak, it covered all of
Northern Europe. Countries gradually converted to Christianity. In 1000 _CE_
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/ce.htm), Iceland became the second last
Norse culture to convert. Their prime motivation was economic. Sweden was ruled
by a Pagan king until 1085 CE.
Icelandic poet Gothi Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson promoted government recognition
of Asatru as a legitimate religion; this status was granted in 1972. Since
the early 1970's, the religion has been in a period of rapid growth in the
former Norse countries, as well as in Europe and North America.
Corruption of Asatru:
It is not unknown for otherwise decent religions to become corrupted by
incorporating racist, sexist, anti-semitic, and homophobic beliefs. For example:
The _Christian Identity_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/cr_ident.htm) movement is one wing of the Christian religion which has adsorbed such
beliefs. During the early part of the 20th Century, The National Socialist Party
in Germany under Adolf Hitler attempted to pervert Asatru by grafting parts
of the religion onto the Nazi racist beliefs. This blasphemy died by the end
of World War II, although some neo-Nazi groups -- largely in the U.S. -- are
now attempting to continue the practice.
This type of activity is in no way related to the restoration of Asatru as a
legitimate Heathen religion. There is a very strong anti-racist, anti-Nazi
stance among national Asatru groups in the Scandinavian countries. This is also
found in almost all Asatru groups in English speaking countries. They
typically have a clear rejection of racism written into their constitutions.
Unfortunately, some anti-racism groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in its Megiddo report) have mistakenly
accused the entire religion of racism.
Many people are exposed to the name "Asatru" through _role playing games_
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/d_a_d.htm), such as Mage: The Ascension.
Unfortunately, the Asatru of these games bear little resemblance to the real
religion.
Asatru Beliefs:
Asatru is a polytheistic religion. There are three races of Deities in the Norse pantheon. They are all regarded as living entities who are involved in human life:
The Aesir: These are the Gods of the tribe or clan, representing Kingship, order, craft, etc.
The Vanir: These represent the fertility of the earth and forces of nature. They are associated with the clan but are not part of it.
The Jotnar: These are giants who are in a constant state of war with the Aesir. They represent chaos and destruction.
At the battle of Ragnarok, many of the Gods will die, the world will come to an end and be
reborn.
Specific Gods:
Some of the more important are:
Thor is the Thunderer, who wields Mjolnir, the divine Hammer. His chariot racing across the
sky generates thunder. Thursday (Thor's Day) was named after him.
Odin is the one-eyed God; he gave up one of his eyes in order to drink from the
Fountain of Knowledge (some sources say Fountain of Wisdom). He is a magician. He
learned the secrets of the runes (Northern European alphabet) by hanging
himself on the tree Yggdrasil for nine nights.
Frey (a.k.a. Freyr) is the God of fertility, the weather and farming. He was born on the _Winter Solstice_ (http://www.religioustolerance.org/w_solsti.htm) , typically December 21. His
father was Njord.
Specific Goddesses:
Some important ones are:
Freya (aka Freyja) is the Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality, and perhaps a dozen other attributes. She leads the Valkyries who take the souls of slain soldiers to Valhall (Odin's great hall).
Frigg is Odin's wife. Her name has been secularized to a slang term which refers to sexual intercourse. She is the patroness of the household and of married women.
Skadi is the Goddess of independence, death, hunting and skiing. Scandinavia may have been named after her.
Ostara, is a Goddess of fertility who is celebrated at the time of the Spring equinox. She was known by the Saxons as Eostre, the Goddess of Spring, from whom we have derived the word Easter. Ostara's symbols are the hare and the egg.
Other Entities Other Deities are Aegir, Balder, Bragi, Forseti, Heimdall, Hel, Loki, Njord, Ran, Tyr, Ull and Vithar.
Followers of Asatru also honor the Landvaettir (land spirits) of the forest, earth and streams.
Life Values: Asatruars in North America have created a list of Nine Noble Virtues: Courage, Truth, Honor, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance and Perseverance.
The family is greatly valued and honored. They reject any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, language, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or "other divisive criteria".
Origins: Humanity is literally descended from the Gods. Three brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve created people from two trees and gave them the names Ask and Embla. One deity, Rig visited the earth and established the social classes.
Od: This is the gift of ecstasy provided to humans by the Gods. It is what separates humanity from other animals, and is our eternal link with the Gods.
Creation Story: A poem Voluspa (Prophecy of the Seeress) contains an Asatru story of the creation of the universe. Between Muspelheim (The Land of Fire) and Niflheim the Land of Ice was an empty space called Ginnungigap. The fire and ice moved towards each other; when they collided, the universe came into being. Odin, Vili and Ve later created the world from the body of a giant that they had slain.
After death: Those who die in battle will be carried to Valhall by the Valkyries. There they will eat Saehrimnir (a pig that is daily slaughtered and resurrected) with the Gods. The Goddess Hel (who's name has been borrowed by Christians) rules over dishonorable people (oath breakers)
and those who die ingloriously of old age. Niflhel is the the abode for all others.
The end of the world: Ragnarök (a.k.a. Ragnarøkkr, Ragnarøk, Ragnarok; literally the fate of the Gods) is the anticipated apocalypse. It involves a great battle between the Gods and the Jötnar -- a race of giants with superhuman strength. Unlike Revelation in the Christian Scriptures, prophecies of Ragnarök are very specific: the events leading up to the battle, the timing of the battle, who will kill whom, etc. are all known. Wolves will eat the sun and moon. The stars will stop shining. Mountains will fall; trees will be uprooted; "Fumes will reek and flames will burst, scorching the sky with fire. The earth will sink into the sea." Most of the Gods will die. Only one woman and one man, Lifthrasir and Lif, will survive. Their offspring will
eventually repopulate the world and live in peace. 13
Catholic Group Calls for More Women in Mass Texts
Friday August 22, 2008
Catholic Group Calls for More Women in Mass Texts
By Mallika Rao
c. 2008 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) A letter was sent from Ohio to Vatican City this month with a message for Pope Benedict XVI backed by thousands of women from around the world.
"We want women to stop being invisible in the church's proclamation," said Sister Christine Schenk, executive director of Cleveland-based FutureChurch. "If you try to make it look like God likes men better than women, people just aren't going to buy it."
FutureChurch, an independent Catholic renewal group that counts some 5,000 members worldwide, is broadcasting a plea ahead of a key Vatican meeting this October. The group wants more Bible passages featuring women to be read at Catholic Masses throughout the world.
So far, FutureChurch has sent more than 18,000 e-mails and letters to bishops, including Benedict, who will preside over the synod on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
"When we heard that the synod was going to focus primarily on Scripture we knew that we had to raise awareness about the hidden women of the lectionary," said Schenk, a member of the Cleveland-based Congregation of St. Joseph.
The body of scriptural texts read at Mass every day, known as the lectionary, is determined by the Vatican. For churchgoers who seldom read the Bible, those extracts may comprise their only knowledge of the holy book, Schenk said.
And women are conspicuously absent from the lectionary, she added.
"When you can show a systematic exclusion of biblical women leaders in the text," she said, "it sends a really unhealthy message to our daughters and our sons."
Schenk's argument appears to be bolstered by a 1996 article in the American Benedictine Review. The article's author, Sister Ruth Fox, cites Mass readings that stop just before a woman's vital role is mentioned, or leave her out altogether.
For example, Fox writes, take Exodus 15:20-21, in which Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, is identified as a prophet and leads a liturgy of thanksgiving after the crossing of the Red Sea. That passage is not in the lectionary.
And Phoebe, a woman who in the Greek translation of the New Testament is called a "deaconess," does not appear once in the daily readings.
Likewise, the role of Mary Magdalene, who according to the Gospels is the first to witness Jesus' resurrection, is never recounted on Sundays, Schenk said, while "we hear about doubting Thomas every single year."
At a time when women hold powerful political offices worldwide, the lectionary seems, at best, outdated, the sister said.
The one woman the lectionary does mention is Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, as a virgin and a mother, is "a pretty hard act to follow," Schenk said. "And it's not all women can be. We also need to hear about women leaders who evangelized, proclaimed the gospel and founded churches."
Monsignor Anthony Sherman, of the Secretariat for Divine Worship at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said FutureChurch is not alone in questioning the Mass readings.
The world -- and the status of women -- has changed drastically since the current lectionary was approved in the 1960s, Sherman said.
But the lectionary has not. "It's been around for 40 years, since Vatican II. A lot of people have problems with it."
He said FutureChurch has a shot at achieving its goal, as long as bishops are persuaded to speak.
Schenk said most bishops have responded positively. Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., met with FutureChurch women, she said, and other bishops say they are interested. None, however, have committed to bringing the topic to the synod.
Even if the issue gets play in October, Sherman said, rewriting the lectionary is a "monumental" task. But that doesn't mean the Bible's women will necessarily go unheard.
As Sherman pointed out, "There's nothing preventing Catholics from owning and reading a whole copy of the Bible themselves."
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
Catholic Group Calls for More Women in Mass Texts
By Mallika Rao
c. 2008 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) A letter was sent from Ohio to Vatican City this month with a message for Pope Benedict XVI backed by thousands of women from around the world.
"We want women to stop being invisible in the church's proclamation," said Sister Christine Schenk, executive director of Cleveland-based FutureChurch. "If you try to make it look like God likes men better than women, people just aren't going to buy it."
FutureChurch, an independent Catholic renewal group that counts some 5,000 members worldwide, is broadcasting a plea ahead of a key Vatican meeting this October. The group wants more Bible passages featuring women to be read at Catholic Masses throughout the world.
So far, FutureChurch has sent more than 18,000 e-mails and letters to bishops, including Benedict, who will preside over the synod on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
"When we heard that the synod was going to focus primarily on Scripture we knew that we had to raise awareness about the hidden women of the lectionary," said Schenk, a member of the Cleveland-based Congregation of St. Joseph.
The body of scriptural texts read at Mass every day, known as the lectionary, is determined by the Vatican. For churchgoers who seldom read the Bible, those extracts may comprise their only knowledge of the holy book, Schenk said.
And women are conspicuously absent from the lectionary, she added.
"When you can show a systematic exclusion of biblical women leaders in the text," she said, "it sends a really unhealthy message to our daughters and our sons."
Schenk's argument appears to be bolstered by a 1996 article in the American Benedictine Review. The article's author, Sister Ruth Fox, cites Mass readings that stop just before a woman's vital role is mentioned, or leave her out altogether.
For example, Fox writes, take Exodus 15:20-21, in which Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, is identified as a prophet and leads a liturgy of thanksgiving after the crossing of the Red Sea. That passage is not in the lectionary.
And Phoebe, a woman who in the Greek translation of the New Testament is called a "deaconess," does not appear once in the daily readings.
Likewise, the role of Mary Magdalene, who according to the Gospels is the first to witness Jesus' resurrection, is never recounted on Sundays, Schenk said, while "we hear about doubting Thomas every single year."
At a time when women hold powerful political offices worldwide, the lectionary seems, at best, outdated, the sister said.
The one woman the lectionary does mention is Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, as a virgin and a mother, is "a pretty hard act to follow," Schenk said. "And it's not all women can be. We also need to hear about women leaders who evangelized, proclaimed the gospel and founded churches."
Monsignor Anthony Sherman, of the Secretariat for Divine Worship at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said FutureChurch is not alone in questioning the Mass readings.
The world -- and the status of women -- has changed drastically since the current lectionary was approved in the 1960s, Sherman said.
But the lectionary has not. "It's been around for 40 years, since Vatican II. A lot of people have problems with it."
He said FutureChurch has a shot at achieving its goal, as long as bishops are persuaded to speak.
Schenk said most bishops have responded positively. Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., met with FutureChurch women, she said, and other bishops say they are interested. None, however, have committed to bringing the topic to the synod.
Even if the issue gets play in October, Sherman said, rewriting the lectionary is a "monumental" task. But that doesn't mean the Bible's women will necessarily go unheard.
As Sherman pointed out, "There's nothing preventing Catholics from owning and reading a whole copy of the Bible themselves."
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
Five Religions You've Never Heard Of
From Beliefnet.com: Five Religions You've Never Heard Of
Yeah, right, if they can name 5 I've never, ever heard of, I'll be surprised...may not know much about, but I'll bet I've heard of them...
Five Religions You've Never Heard Of
Beliefnet Community members represent more than 120 faith traditions. In addition to a wide array of Christian denominations, and major world religions like Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, we also host faith communities for an astonishing variety of belief systems that are widely practiced and historically grounded... even though you may never have heard of them.
Here are five of our most interesting Beliefnet faith communities, and some of their members to tell you why they chose their faith. Visit them and ask them about their beliefs--they will be happy to answer your questions.
Whatever your beliefs, Beliefnet welcomes you!
Asatru: Faith of the Vikings
Asatru is a modern revival of the beliefs in the ancient Gods of the Germanic and Nordic peoples: Freya, Thor, Odin and others. For many Asatruar, embracing this faith feels like being called home to the way of their ancestors. Although a small number of white supremacists have claimed to follow Asatru, generating controversy in the news, they are not representative of Asatru at large. Following a moral code, Asatruar believe that life is good and should be lived with boldness and enthusiasm, and value courage, honor, industriousness, and personal responsibility. Gathering by "hearths" and "kindreds" they honor the Gods, ancestors, and tribal connections to family and kin.
"Asatru fits like a comfortable pair of jeans. It's intrinsic and natural. The honor code appeals to me as well; chief among these the concept of personal responsibility. I also like the rootedness of it. That being how it connects me to my European and Northern Isles ancestors." --Beliefnet member Rimes_Glimmer
"I was always very fascinated with mythology, especially Norse. I kept on reading and also began to notice my thoughts start to change from 'what a load of...' to 'well that's interesting' and then finally to 'well that's just plain awesome.' I started to get more and more interested in Asatru and eventually found I was calling myself one." --Beliefnet member Jonny
"I will face my challenges with a grin, accept nothing less than victory until death, and face my gods and ancestors secure in the knowledge that I made the most of the life they gave to me, and that my children and neighbors will face less danger and strife for my efforts." --Beliefnet member John_T_Mainer
Visit Beliefnet's Asatru community
Yep, heard about this one, and know a few people who believe in this one.
Sant Mat: Heaven Within
"Kabir" posted by agochar Sant Mat, which means "teachings of the saints," teaches that everything lies inside us and that God is within. Revived in 1891 from a 13th century practice, spreading to North America and Europe in the 1950s-1960s, Sant Mat is a practical path of spiritual self-development based on Sikh traditions, with Sufi influences. Through a simple version of Yoga known as Surat Shabd Yoga, practitioners learn to listen within for the Inner Light and Sound of God. Sant Mat is a solitary practice done in one's own home for 2 1/2 hours each day, while remaining in one's present religion (Sant Mat teaches that all major world religions are rooted in the same Divinity). Followers are strict vegetarians and do not consume alcohol or recreational drugs. Sant Mat emphasizes an ethical lifestyle, selfless service, nonviolence, truthfulness, and love for all.
"I find this approach of inner seeing and hearing to be extremely logical and necessary in order to explore the 'Kingdom of the Heavens that are within' or Inner Space. I am very happy with this direct path to God here and now via contemplative meditation." --Beliefnet member agochar
Visit Beliefnet's Sant Mat community
Okay, so they got me, I have never heard of this one...(above)
Eckankar: Dream Better
Eckankar is an offshoot of Sant Mat, founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965 following his studies with Sant Mat masters from India and Tibet. Like Sant Mat, Eckankar emphasizes meditation to listen to the Inner Light and Sound of God, but also teaches lucid dreaming, past life discovery, and soul travel as ways of hearing God. Eckists describe the Inner Sound as "the voice of God calling us home" and the Inner Light as "a beacon to light our way." Through chanting, contemplation, meditation, singing, trance work and visualization, Eckists seek to reunite the soul with God.
"Eckankar had all the answers that I had found elsewhere, all in a coherent form, consistent with itself so I didn't have to keep changing gears all the time. Eckankar is literally beyond your wildest dreams, because it teaches you how to understand your dreams and to dream better, as it were. It teaches you how to find and listen to the voice of God in your life. What could be more rewarding than that?" --Beliefnet member charlesnotprince
Visit Beliefnet's Eckankar community
Okay, heard of this one (above) but don't know much about.
Ahmadiyya: Heretics or Reformers?
The Ahmadis are a messianic Muslim sect based in Pakistan, with perhaps eight million members in seventy countries. The Ahmadi movement was founded in 1876 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a Punjabi Muslim believed by his followers to have been the Mahdi or Messiah, sent to reform and purify Islam. Members of the movement are considered heretics by most Muslims and are barred entry to Mecca. In the Ahmadi version of religious history Jesus escaped from the cross and made his way to India, where he died at the age of 120.
"Our philosophy, attitude and approach towards the spread of our faith is tolerant, progressive, rational, and liberal and meets the needs of our times in the modern age, which allows us to live peacefully among all religions and nations and peoples of the earth." --Beliefnet member Muhammad_Ahmad
"Ahmadiyya is something new, something I enjoy learning about, and teaches many beliefs I hold myself." --Beliefnet member TheMungunjiasticMan
Visit Beliefnet's Ahmadiyya community
Okay, got me again, never heard of this one either, geesh.
Maltheism: God vs. Humanity
Maltheism is the belief that God does exist, and that God is evil. Maltheists see God as the true spiritual enemy of humanity, and oppose God because of this. The Maltheist movement was founded by Paul Zimmerman, who was active on Beliefnet until his death in 2003. His motto was "God against Humanity: choose a side!" Maltheists believe the most important thing is how we treat each other as human beings, and support the self-empowerment of the human race.
"I think living in a world where we get to define the meaning and purpose of our lives is something extremely positive that generates hope, not hopelessness." --Beliefnet member Maltheist (Paul Zimmerman)
"I came to believe in God through a personal spiritual experience, and came to hate God through personal hardships, tragedies and disappointments. I wish there were a benevolent God who wanted happiness for the human race, but experience tells me that God is really a egomaniacal control freak who craves worship and suffering... We are simply a group of people who share a negative view of God." --Beliefnet member Mohanchous
"Maltheism allows me to criticize and question God. Maltheism allows me to consider myself a imperfect but still valuable decent human being. I can reject completely the label that I am a worthless sinner who deserves eternal damnation. Maltheism makes more sense of the condition of the world and the nature of religious conflict than anything else to me." --Beliefnet member Whichone
Visit Beliefnet's Maltheism community
Never heard of this one either, but geesh, really?
Okay, so I really knew of 1.5...amazing.
Yeah, right, if they can name 5 I've never, ever heard of, I'll be surprised...may not know much about, but I'll bet I've heard of them...
Five Religions You've Never Heard Of
Beliefnet Community members represent more than 120 faith traditions. In addition to a wide array of Christian denominations, and major world religions like Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, we also host faith communities for an astonishing variety of belief systems that are widely practiced and historically grounded... even though you may never have heard of them.
Here are five of our most interesting Beliefnet faith communities, and some of their members to tell you why they chose their faith. Visit them and ask them about their beliefs--they will be happy to answer your questions.
Whatever your beliefs, Beliefnet welcomes you!
Asatru: Faith of the Vikings
Asatru is a modern revival of the beliefs in the ancient Gods of the Germanic and Nordic peoples: Freya, Thor, Odin and others. For many Asatruar, embracing this faith feels like being called home to the way of their ancestors. Although a small number of white supremacists have claimed to follow Asatru, generating controversy in the news, they are not representative of Asatru at large. Following a moral code, Asatruar believe that life is good and should be lived with boldness and enthusiasm, and value courage, honor, industriousness, and personal responsibility. Gathering by "hearths" and "kindreds" they honor the Gods, ancestors, and tribal connections to family and kin.
"Asatru fits like a comfortable pair of jeans. It's intrinsic and natural. The honor code appeals to me as well; chief among these the concept of personal responsibility. I also like the rootedness of it. That being how it connects me to my European and Northern Isles ancestors." --Beliefnet member Rimes_Glimmer
"I was always very fascinated with mythology, especially Norse. I kept on reading and also began to notice my thoughts start to change from 'what a load of...' to 'well that's interesting' and then finally to 'well that's just plain awesome.' I started to get more and more interested in Asatru and eventually found I was calling myself one." --Beliefnet member Jonny
"I will face my challenges with a grin, accept nothing less than victory until death, and face my gods and ancestors secure in the knowledge that I made the most of the life they gave to me, and that my children and neighbors will face less danger and strife for my efforts." --Beliefnet member John_T_Mainer
Visit Beliefnet's Asatru community
Yep, heard about this one, and know a few people who believe in this one.
Sant Mat: Heaven Within
"Kabir" posted by agochar Sant Mat, which means "teachings of the saints," teaches that everything lies inside us and that God is within. Revived in 1891 from a 13th century practice, spreading to North America and Europe in the 1950s-1960s, Sant Mat is a practical path of spiritual self-development based on Sikh traditions, with Sufi influences. Through a simple version of Yoga known as Surat Shabd Yoga, practitioners learn to listen within for the Inner Light and Sound of God. Sant Mat is a solitary practice done in one's own home for 2 1/2 hours each day, while remaining in one's present religion (Sant Mat teaches that all major world religions are rooted in the same Divinity). Followers are strict vegetarians and do not consume alcohol or recreational drugs. Sant Mat emphasizes an ethical lifestyle, selfless service, nonviolence, truthfulness, and love for all.
"I find this approach of inner seeing and hearing to be extremely logical and necessary in order to explore the 'Kingdom of the Heavens that are within' or Inner Space. I am very happy with this direct path to God here and now via contemplative meditation." --Beliefnet member agochar
Visit Beliefnet's Sant Mat community
Okay, so they got me, I have never heard of this one...(above)
Eckankar: Dream Better
Eckankar is an offshoot of Sant Mat, founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965 following his studies with Sant Mat masters from India and Tibet. Like Sant Mat, Eckankar emphasizes meditation to listen to the Inner Light and Sound of God, but also teaches lucid dreaming, past life discovery, and soul travel as ways of hearing God. Eckists describe the Inner Sound as "the voice of God calling us home" and the Inner Light as "a beacon to light our way." Through chanting, contemplation, meditation, singing, trance work and visualization, Eckists seek to reunite the soul with God.
"Eckankar had all the answers that I had found elsewhere, all in a coherent form, consistent with itself so I didn't have to keep changing gears all the time. Eckankar is literally beyond your wildest dreams, because it teaches you how to understand your dreams and to dream better, as it were. It teaches you how to find and listen to the voice of God in your life. What could be more rewarding than that?" --Beliefnet member charlesnotprince
Visit Beliefnet's Eckankar community
Okay, heard of this one (above) but don't know much about.
Ahmadiyya: Heretics or Reformers?
The Ahmadis are a messianic Muslim sect based in Pakistan, with perhaps eight million members in seventy countries. The Ahmadi movement was founded in 1876 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a Punjabi Muslim believed by his followers to have been the Mahdi or Messiah, sent to reform and purify Islam. Members of the movement are considered heretics by most Muslims and are barred entry to Mecca. In the Ahmadi version of religious history Jesus escaped from the cross and made his way to India, where he died at the age of 120.
"Our philosophy, attitude and approach towards the spread of our faith is tolerant, progressive, rational, and liberal and meets the needs of our times in the modern age, which allows us to live peacefully among all religions and nations and peoples of the earth." --Beliefnet member Muhammad_Ahmad
"Ahmadiyya is something new, something I enjoy learning about, and teaches many beliefs I hold myself." --Beliefnet member TheMungunjiasticMan
Visit Beliefnet's Ahmadiyya community
Okay, got me again, never heard of this one either, geesh.
Maltheism: God vs. Humanity
Maltheism is the belief that God does exist, and that God is evil. Maltheists see God as the true spiritual enemy of humanity, and oppose God because of this. The Maltheist movement was founded by Paul Zimmerman, who was active on Beliefnet until his death in 2003. His motto was "God against Humanity: choose a side!" Maltheists believe the most important thing is how we treat each other as human beings, and support the self-empowerment of the human race.
"I think living in a world where we get to define the meaning and purpose of our lives is something extremely positive that generates hope, not hopelessness." --Beliefnet member Maltheist (Paul Zimmerman)
"I came to believe in God through a personal spiritual experience, and came to hate God through personal hardships, tragedies and disappointments. I wish there were a benevolent God who wanted happiness for the human race, but experience tells me that God is really a egomaniacal control freak who craves worship and suffering... We are simply a group of people who share a negative view of God." --Beliefnet member Mohanchous
"Maltheism allows me to criticize and question God. Maltheism allows me to consider myself a imperfect but still valuable decent human being. I can reject completely the label that I am a worthless sinner who deserves eternal damnation. Maltheism makes more sense of the condition of the world and the nature of religious conflict than anything else to me." --Beliefnet member Whichone
Visit Beliefnet's Maltheism community
Never heard of this one either, but geesh, really?
Okay, so I really knew of 1.5...amazing.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Catholics Will No Longer Recite "And Also With You"
Commentary
Catholics Will No Longer Recite 'And Also With You'
by James Martin
Some Mass Changes
The changes to the Roman Catholic Mass announced Aug. 4 won't take effect for a few years. In the meantime, new prayer books will be printed and distributed to dioceses, parishes and priests. Below, a few of the old responses, followed by the new:
"The Lord be with you"
Old : "And also with you."
New : "And with your spirit."
Before Communion:
Old: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
New: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
The refrain, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" has been deleted.
All Things Considered, August 11, 2008 · The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Aug. 4 released the official text of a new English-language translation to the Roman Catholic Mass. It's the first time the Mass will change since the 1960s — though the changes will not take effect for a few years. Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest, reflects on the changes.
What's your response to the following: "The Lord be with you."
If you said, "And also with you," you're probably a Catholic who goes to Mass on Sunday.
Not so fast. That response is about to change, along with other familiar parts of the Mass.
Overall, the language in the new English translation, just released by the bishops, is more elevated than before.
Critics of the old translation thought that the language was too conversational to be reverent. On the other side were those who thought that conversational language helped people to pray to God more naturally.
One easy place to see the change is when the priest prays a blessing over the bread and wine.
Here's the old translation: "Let your Spirit come upon these gifts, to make them holy."
Here's the new one: "Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall."
And the familiar refrain, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again"? That's been deleted. Frankly, those two changes I'm not too crazy about.
But here's one I like.
Right before Communion we say this: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
Pretty soon we'll say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." That sounds odd until you realize it's from the Gospels, when a centurion tells Jesus that he's not worthy to have him come under his roof.
By the way, the new response to "The Lord be with you" is "And with your spirit."
That means one of my favorite jokes goes by the wayside. A priest starts shouting into the microphone saying: "Is this thing on?"
He makes lots of noise and finally says: "Something is wrong with this mic!" And the congregation replies: "And also with you!"
Language is important in the spiritual life: The way you relate to someone influences the way you speak to someone, and vice versa. It's the same with God. The way you relate to God influences how you speak to God in prayer. And your language will influence your image of God.
What does all this mean? Well, for a few months, maybe even a few years, most Catholics aren't going to know what to say in Mass. Some parishioners will be delighted, others annoyed, others just confused. For a time, the most familiar thing in many Catholics' lives will become, at least in parts, unfamiliar.
But overall the upgrades are small. I don't mean to minimize the changes, or the change in tone, but in the end, Catholics will get used to the new Mass.
And I believe that, happily, God hears everyone's prayers, whether they're in conversational language, elevated speech, through tears or through laughter, or even in the midst of dewfall.
James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of A Jesuit Off-Broadway: Center Stage with Jesus, Judas and Life's Big Questions.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93419478
Catholics Will No Longer Recite 'And Also With You'
by James Martin
Some Mass Changes
The changes to the Roman Catholic Mass announced Aug. 4 won't take effect for a few years. In the meantime, new prayer books will be printed and distributed to dioceses, parishes and priests. Below, a few of the old responses, followed by the new:
"The Lord be with you"
Old : "And also with you."
New : "And with your spirit."
Before Communion:
Old: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
New: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
The refrain, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" has been deleted.
All Things Considered, August 11, 2008 · The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Aug. 4 released the official text of a new English-language translation to the Roman Catholic Mass. It's the first time the Mass will change since the 1960s — though the changes will not take effect for a few years. Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest, reflects on the changes.
What's your response to the following: "The Lord be with you."
If you said, "And also with you," you're probably a Catholic who goes to Mass on Sunday.
Not so fast. That response is about to change, along with other familiar parts of the Mass.
Overall, the language in the new English translation, just released by the bishops, is more elevated than before.
Critics of the old translation thought that the language was too conversational to be reverent. On the other side were those who thought that conversational language helped people to pray to God more naturally.
One easy place to see the change is when the priest prays a blessing over the bread and wine.
Here's the old translation: "Let your Spirit come upon these gifts, to make them holy."
Here's the new one: "Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall."
And the familiar refrain, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again"? That's been deleted. Frankly, those two changes I'm not too crazy about.
But here's one I like.
Right before Communion we say this: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
Pretty soon we'll say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." That sounds odd until you realize it's from the Gospels, when a centurion tells Jesus that he's not worthy to have him come under his roof.
By the way, the new response to "The Lord be with you" is "And with your spirit."
That means one of my favorite jokes goes by the wayside. A priest starts shouting into the microphone saying: "Is this thing on?"
He makes lots of noise and finally says: "Something is wrong with this mic!" And the congregation replies: "And also with you!"
Language is important in the spiritual life: The way you relate to someone influences the way you speak to someone, and vice versa. It's the same with God. The way you relate to God influences how you speak to God in prayer. And your language will influence your image of God.
What does all this mean? Well, for a few months, maybe even a few years, most Catholics aren't going to know what to say in Mass. Some parishioners will be delighted, others annoyed, others just confused. For a time, the most familiar thing in many Catholics' lives will become, at least in parts, unfamiliar.
But overall the upgrades are small. I don't mean to minimize the changes, or the change in tone, but in the end, Catholics will get used to the new Mass.
And I believe that, happily, God hears everyone's prayers, whether they're in conversational language, elevated speech, through tears or through laughter, or even in the midst of dewfall.
James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of A Jesuit Off-Broadway: Center Stage with Jesus, Judas and Life's Big Questions.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93419478
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Lord's Prayer: toddler-wise
This little girl is just so adorable. No matter what your religious beliefs, you have to admit that it is amazing that she remembered the whole thing to near perfection and had all the notes pretty much right too! Just too too cute!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
James Vanderkam - The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Significance For Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity by James VanderkamMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
needs more in depth reading, more that I can get out of it with a library check out. Of all the books at the library dealing with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammuradi Library, this one seemed the best and the easiest to read or comprehend.
Added to wish list so I can peruse more thoroughly.
View all my reviews.
Denise Linn - Altars
Altars by Denise LinnMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very interesting in that it gives you ideas for a personal altar and pictures. Just a "gives me creative ideas of setup" guide.
Wish List
View all my reviews.
Ari Elon - Trees, Earth, and Torah: A Tu B'Shvat Anthology
Trees, Earth, and Torah: A Tu B'Shvat Anthology by Ari ElonMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another library book that needs more in depth reading. Very interesting. Earth centered Judaism.
View all my reviews.
Richard D. Bank - 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Judaism
101 Things Everyone Should Know About Judaism: Beliefs, Practices, Customs, And Traditions by Richard D. BankMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Very basic, rather easy to understand fundamentals that you would need/want to know about Judaism.
Added to wish list, checked out of library.
View all my reviews.
Historical Atlas of Religions by Karen FarringtonMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Checked this out of the library. It is really just a "primary" level book, but it does cover some lesser knows beliefs, and some interesting articles. Rather non-biased too, and I do appreciate that. Of course it covers Judeo-Christian-Islamic beliefs and origins, but also covers Hinduism, Buddhism, Tao, Confucianism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism,Shinto, the beliefs of the Australian Aborigines, Native Americans (north, central and south- I believe), Rasta, Voodoo, Old Norse, Old Greek/Roman, Egyptian, Maori, Easter Island, Quakers, Reformation, Moon, Theosophy, and several more.
Like I said, it's just an overview, introductory book, but a good simple format.
View all my reviews.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
St. John of the Cross: Dark Night of the Soul
Dark Night of the Soul: A Masterpiece in the Literature of Mysticism by St. John of the Cross by St. John of the CrossMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
First heard of this work thru a song by Loreena McKennitt, who based a song on it. I love it. Very moving and very, well don't really know the word. A must read, if at least once. And find the song by Loreena McKennett as well, it is just slightly different, but beautiful and haunting.
View all my reviews.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Interesting blog entry about...
the author of The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan:
http://rollanscensoredissuesblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/unexpected-kathleen-mcgowan.html
~~~~~~
http://rollanscensoredissuesblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/unexpected-kathleen-mcgowan.html
~~~~~~
Time, 1961: Massacre of the Pure
Time Magazine
Friday, Apr. 28, 1961
Massacre of the Pure
"These heretics are worse than the Saracens!" exclaimed Pope Innocent III, and on March 10, 1208, he proclaimed a crusade against a sect in southern France that became one of the bloodiest blots in European history.
The heretics called Cathari (from the Greek word for pure), or Albigenses, from the town of Albi, one of their centers in Languedoc, were stamped out in 35 ruthless years of fire and sword. But as the centuries rolled on, they have had a measure of revenge against the Roman Catholic Church. The hatred generated by the crusade prepared the way for Protestantism. And in modern France, where popular apostasy from Catholicism is today wider and deeper than anything Pope Innocent could have imagined, the ancient heresy of Catharism is enjoying a remarkable revival of interest.
The long-lived tradition of anticlericalism in southern France, which recruited the Huguenots in the 16th century and fueled Communism in the 20th, is finding a new outlet in a spreading bush fire of enthusiasm for the vanished sect whose 750-year-old lost cause against the church gave anticlericalism its biggest beachhead in France. Some 30 books have been published during the last 15 years about their beliefs and practices and their slaughterous persecution—most of them highly favorable to the heretics and critical of the church. Several plays have been written about them, and literary reviews have published long articles. Hundreds of weekenders are climbing the 4,000-ft. rock atop which stands Montségur, the holy citadel of Catharism, where 300 soldiers and 200 unarmed, pacifist Cathari stood off an army of 10,000 for ten months before being burned at one huge stake for their "pure Christian" beliefs.
How to Be Perfect.
Catharism was not an isolated phenomenon. It was part of an ancient heresy that flowed like an underground stream beneath the surface of Christianity and burst forth in many forms during the church's first 1,000-odd years. Gnosticism, Manichaeanism, Paulicianism, Bogomilism and the Albigenses all had basic characteristics in common: 1) rejection of the world of matter as a trap imprisoning the divine "spark," 2) the concept of the Saviour as a heavenly being merely masquerading as human to bring salvation to 3) the elect, who often have to conceal themselves from the world, and who are set apart by 4) their special knowledge and personal purity (sexual intercourse is usually forbidden as serving the ends of the evil creator-god).
Thanks to recent research, an increasing amount is known about Catharism. It began to spread through southern France and northern Italy in the 11th century; as early as 1022 in Orléans, 13 Cathari (ten of them canons of the church) were condemned to the stake. The heresy was aided by the corruption of the clergy of the time—against whose wenching and venality the puritanism of the "Pure'' was an attractive contrast. The inner circle of Cathari were the "perfect," who had received the "consolation"—a rite performed by another "perfect" in the laying on of hands and the placing of the Gospel of John on the head of the candidate. The "perfect" eschewed sexual intercourse, taking oaths, practicing war, owning property, eating meat or dairy products (since they are the products of the act of reproduction). Some of them carried their asceticism as far as the endura—suicide by self-starvation. Most of the Cathari, however, remained among the "believers," free to live ordinary lives in the world in the hope of salvation without the rigor of living as a "perfect."
The Cathari built no churches; they worshiped in private houses without the sacraments (being material, they were evil) or the cross (because Christ had no real body and died no real death). They read the Scriptures—especially the Gospel of John—listened to a sermon, said the Lord's Prayer (in native Languedoc dialect rather than Latin) and shared a common meal. The clergy wore black robes—until Pope Innocent's crusade began.
In July 1209, an army of crusaders marched down from northern France into Languedoc and besieged the city of éeziers. When the city fathers refused to hand over 222 Cathari heretics, the crusaders broke in and massacred every man, woman and child—priests included—of Béziers' 20,000 inhabitants. Before the massacre one of the crusaders is said to have asked his leader, Abbe Arnaud Amalric, head of the Cistercian monastic order, how to distinguish between the heretics and the faithful. "Kill them all," was the abbot's alleged reply. "God will recognize his own!" From then on, the crusade became a war without mercy, in which almost any southern Frenchman was assumed to be a heretic. Historians estimate the total number of casualties at 1,000,000.
A Period of Darkness.
The enthusiasm of these new-style heretic hunters is being fanned by a number of antiquarians. Dean of them all is tall, gaunt Déodat Roche, 79, a former magistrate of Arques, whose lifelong dedication to spreading the Cathar gospel, organizing pilgrimages to Montségur, and following the strict vegetarian regimen of his heretic ancestors has earned him the nickname "the Cathar Bishop." More active is Sociology Professor René Nelli of the University of Toulouse ("the vicar of Catharism"), who lectures on the subject all over France and has been commissioned by the French government to collect relics and documents for a Cathar museum-in the fortified city of Carcassonne.
Neo-Cathar Nelli explains the growing interest in the medieval heresy: "First the continued retreat of Roman Catholicism. Rome fails to answer people's questions. Secondly, the crusade's sites are admittedly picturesque, and the drama has an appealing epic character. Finally, we are living in a period of darkness, anguish, desperateness, wars, massacres, torture, atomic bombs. Isn't science itself satanic? People will talk about Catharism more and more unless we enter a period of 50 years of peace and prosperity. And that isn't likely."
Click to Print
Find this article at:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,897752,00.html
Friday, Apr. 28, 1961
Massacre of the Pure
"These heretics are worse than the Saracens!" exclaimed Pope Innocent III, and on March 10, 1208, he proclaimed a crusade against a sect in southern France that became one of the bloodiest blots in European history.
The heretics called Cathari (from the Greek word for pure), or Albigenses, from the town of Albi, one of their centers in Languedoc, were stamped out in 35 ruthless years of fire and sword. But as the centuries rolled on, they have had a measure of revenge against the Roman Catholic Church. The hatred generated by the crusade prepared the way for Protestantism. And in modern France, where popular apostasy from Catholicism is today wider and deeper than anything Pope Innocent could have imagined, the ancient heresy of Catharism is enjoying a remarkable revival of interest.
The long-lived tradition of anticlericalism in southern France, which recruited the Huguenots in the 16th century and fueled Communism in the 20th, is finding a new outlet in a spreading bush fire of enthusiasm for the vanished sect whose 750-year-old lost cause against the church gave anticlericalism its biggest beachhead in France. Some 30 books have been published during the last 15 years about their beliefs and practices and their slaughterous persecution—most of them highly favorable to the heretics and critical of the church. Several plays have been written about them, and literary reviews have published long articles. Hundreds of weekenders are climbing the 4,000-ft. rock atop which stands Montségur, the holy citadel of Catharism, where 300 soldiers and 200 unarmed, pacifist Cathari stood off an army of 10,000 for ten months before being burned at one huge stake for their "pure Christian" beliefs.
How to Be Perfect.
Catharism was not an isolated phenomenon. It was part of an ancient heresy that flowed like an underground stream beneath the surface of Christianity and burst forth in many forms during the church's first 1,000-odd years. Gnosticism, Manichaeanism, Paulicianism, Bogomilism and the Albigenses all had basic characteristics in common: 1) rejection of the world of matter as a trap imprisoning the divine "spark," 2) the concept of the Saviour as a heavenly being merely masquerading as human to bring salvation to 3) the elect, who often have to conceal themselves from the world, and who are set apart by 4) their special knowledge and personal purity (sexual intercourse is usually forbidden as serving the ends of the evil creator-god).
Thanks to recent research, an increasing amount is known about Catharism. It began to spread through southern France and northern Italy in the 11th century; as early as 1022 in Orléans, 13 Cathari (ten of them canons of the church) were condemned to the stake. The heresy was aided by the corruption of the clergy of the time—against whose wenching and venality the puritanism of the "Pure'' was an attractive contrast. The inner circle of Cathari were the "perfect," who had received the "consolation"—a rite performed by another "perfect" in the laying on of hands and the placing of the Gospel of John on the head of the candidate. The "perfect" eschewed sexual intercourse, taking oaths, practicing war, owning property, eating meat or dairy products (since they are the products of the act of reproduction). Some of them carried their asceticism as far as the endura—suicide by self-starvation. Most of the Cathari, however, remained among the "believers," free to live ordinary lives in the world in the hope of salvation without the rigor of living as a "perfect."
The Cathari built no churches; they worshiped in private houses without the sacraments (being material, they were evil) or the cross (because Christ had no real body and died no real death). They read the Scriptures—especially the Gospel of John—listened to a sermon, said the Lord's Prayer (in native Languedoc dialect rather than Latin) and shared a common meal. The clergy wore black robes—until Pope Innocent's crusade began.
In July 1209, an army of crusaders marched down from northern France into Languedoc and besieged the city of éeziers. When the city fathers refused to hand over 222 Cathari heretics, the crusaders broke in and massacred every man, woman and child—priests included—of Béziers' 20,000 inhabitants. Before the massacre one of the crusaders is said to have asked his leader, Abbe Arnaud Amalric, head of the Cistercian monastic order, how to distinguish between the heretics and the faithful. "Kill them all," was the abbot's alleged reply. "God will recognize his own!" From then on, the crusade became a war without mercy, in which almost any southern Frenchman was assumed to be a heretic. Historians estimate the total number of casualties at 1,000,000.
A Period of Darkness.
The enthusiasm of these new-style heretic hunters is being fanned by a number of antiquarians. Dean of them all is tall, gaunt Déodat Roche, 79, a former magistrate of Arques, whose lifelong dedication to spreading the Cathar gospel, organizing pilgrimages to Montségur, and following the strict vegetarian regimen of his heretic ancestors has earned him the nickname "the Cathar Bishop." More active is Sociology Professor René Nelli of the University of Toulouse ("the vicar of Catharism"), who lectures on the subject all over France and has been commissioned by the French government to collect relics and documents for a Cathar museum-in the fortified city of Carcassonne.
Neo-Cathar Nelli explains the growing interest in the medieval heresy: "First the continued retreat of Roman Catholicism. Rome fails to answer people's questions. Secondly, the crusade's sites are admittedly picturesque, and the drama has an appealing epic character. Finally, we are living in a period of darkness, anguish, desperateness, wars, massacres, torture, atomic bombs. Isn't science itself satanic? People will talk about Catharism more and more unless we enter a period of 50 years of peace and prosperity. And that isn't likely."
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