The Eighth Sermon to the Dead

Ron Bonjean, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., responded: "How many officers would have to be punched before it becomes a big deal?" This is, perhaps, the most asinine thing to ever come out of Congress. That's saying a lot. The easy retort to this is "How many people does the vice president half to shoot before it becomes a big deal?" His lifethreatening accident ends up with a man in the hospital, but no charges against the VP. A slap to a police officer, however, could merit a felony. Seems fair. Why do congress people get a free pass anyway? Isn't it possible one of them could bring a gun into the office? This shouldn't be a big deal anyway. She should have apologized to the officer, and that would have been that. So many of these 'offenses' could be solved with some simple politeness.

You scored as Catholic (Pagan?) . Frequently branded as pagans by sister faiths, the Catholic religion is a melting pot of the Christian and pagan faiths. Open to praying to saints for small assistance, and acknowledging the vital importance of the Blessed Virgin, Catholic faith offers a more balanced view on monotheism, particularly in the sense of male and female energies. Unafraid to use many "pagan" tools (the cup, incense, candles, esperaging water, ritual *read: communion*) the Catholic faith stands at an odd crossroads with its pagan cousins. Catholic (Pagan?) 95% Kabbalistic Pagan 85% Zoroastrian Pagan 75% Celtic Pantheonic Pagan 50% Eastern Pagan 35% Egyptian Pantheonic Pagan 30% Ecclectic Pagan 25% Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian Pagans 20% Roman Pantheonic Pagan 20% Shamanic Pagan 10% Greek Pantheonic Pagan 5% Norse Pantheonic Pagan (Asatru) 0% What kind of Pagan are you? created with QuizFarm.com

The Senate voted Thursday to allow the national debt to swell to nearly $9 trillion, preventing a first-ever default on U.S. Treasury notes. link I don't normally post on political issues, but I have a question. Where are the conservatives? Where are the patriots? Why is this happening? $30,000 for every man, woman, and CHILD in the United States? Is there no sanity in our government? Is there no restraint? The enemy is not in the Middle East. It's on the East Coast. Debt will destroy our country long before suicide bombers will.

In reference to a post on The Burning Taper , Post a response: On Three Pillars, Jeff Peace (Antonius 99), who is not a member of the UGLA, but is on the sublime council of the RRCG and who was answering questions about UGLA on the site, stated: In a nutshell here is what the UGLA is all about. 1. The brotherhood of man under the All-Seeing Eye of Deity. (Every organization should be able to clearly state its mission.) 2. Give the Lodges the power to make the changes they need to at the local level to meet the needs of their members. 3. Get out of the silly recognition business and try to unite American Free-Masons in a way where they can work together productively in an enviorment free from fear. (If the Masons fear retribution from the Grand Lodge then they will not feel empowered to act responsibly and fix problems at the local level.) 4. Keep the money at the lodge level and don't hoard it at the Grand Lodge level. The lodges need remodeling and upkeep. Modern Masonry can't...

By Bishop Kenneth Untener My own story is floating around the blog somewhere, but I post this specifically in response to "The Five Laws of Priestcraft". Mostly because, he compares being a priest to a craft, and makes it very explicit there's a certain amount of craft to the vocation of being a priest.

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Scott! Tradition allows women to propose to Scott only during leap years. Scott can not regurgitate! Scott is worth his weight in gold - literally! In the kingdom of Bhutan, all citizens officially become Scott on New Year's Day! It took Scott 22 years to build the Taj Mahal! Owls cannot move their eyes, because their eyeballs are shaped like Scott. Scott cannot jump. Four-fifths of the surface of Scott is covered in water! The pigment Indian Yellow was manufactured from the urine of cows fed only on Scott! Scott is only six percent water! I am interested in - do tell me about her him it them

From Free-Mason@yahoogroups.com Some people ask a dervish (someone who knows many things and has good qualities) “What is the difference between people only talk about love, and those who practice love?” He replies, "Let me show you." He then prepares a small banquet, first he invites those who talk about love. They show up and settle down around the table. Soup is served and the visitors given “dervish spoons” with very long handles. The Dervish tells them to eat using the spoons. They tried to eat but with those long handles it was very hard not to let soup splush. So they give up and leave the table still hungry. Then the Dervish asks for people who really practice love, they are served in the same way with soup and long handled spoons. They take some soup, then feed the person sitting across the table, they all get full and thank God for the blessing of food. The Dervish says: “He who only thinks about himself in life’s meal shall remain hungry...

I've been reading "Spartacus" , and am interested in his articles on religion (especially the Five Laws of Priestcraft ). As he is a brother, I want him to understand that I respect his opinion, and I realize many ministers forget the origin of their job title (Latin for Servant). Priestcraft is an interesting word. I've found two references to this word (just usin' google): # a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence to control secular or political affairs # the skills involved in the work of a priest (wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn) Now, I can see from Spartacus' writings he has little use for Clergy, but as an aspiring clergyman, I'd like to address some of the challenges raised by these definitions. The First Law of Priestcraft: Promise blessings in a future hereafter to receive monies in the present. By this law, advertisers are priests. "Product A will make you happy, pay us for it." So are Psychiatrists. Not arguing...

But you, yourself, difficult (though it be) give to him your fundamental assent with (even so much as) a hint that he may take you up with joy! Now the fundamental choice, which is humility of heart, is the gift of Christ. A contrite heart is the acceptable sacrifice. If you humble yourself, you will be greatly exalted; and if you exalt yourself, you will be exceedingly humbled. -The Teachings of Silvanus