Quick Oscar Thoughts

-I would have been outraged if Sean Penn hadn't one Best Actor for his performance in Milk.

-I'm glad Kate Winslet won Best Actor. She had to win it. 

-Likewise, the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire was very deserving to win.  (And did)

-Though he wasn't nominated for anything, Ralph Fiennes proved again in The Reader that he is second-to-none in acting right now.

-Too bad Mickey Rourke couldn't win an award for Biggest Comeback for The Wrestler.

-This year's nominees for Best Picture, in totality, were not as good as last year's nominees.  

-I liked watching Man on a Wire far more than any other documentary.

Out of Touch

The other day while watching TV, I came upon a show discussing this year's Academy Awards. The show was talking about fashion at the Academy Awards.  They were discussing all of the hot outfits last year and the major fashion faux paus.  They discussed the greatest sin of all: two celebrities wearing the same outfit to the awards.  Oh no, how terrible!  (It's a major scandal that will be discussed on the entertainment shows for several days.)  They then had to talk about the diamonds, of course.  What necklaces were looking good this year, which ones should be tossed.  Sadly, the sales of high-priced diamonds (those over $2 million) are down this year.  I soon flipped the channel.

The next channel I discovered had a very different show.  This show was talking about the 1.3 billion people currently living without clean drinking water.  They discussed all of the complications this creates.  Sore throats, burning throats and eyes, stomaches and headaches. Usually in impoverished areas, with men working, women or children must make a dangerous trek, which often takes a complete day, to get clean water. That's if you want to call it clean water.  The water usually contains human and animal urine and feces.  Of course, often the women and children have to wait for hours or fight for what little clean water their is.

These are just the minor problems created by the situation.  There is often not enough water to feed livestock, and without lifestock the family often has no way to support itself.  And because the children must go get the water and do other chores, they aren't able to attend school.  If you are lucky enough to have a school in your area.  And of course, lastly, without water diseases are much more difficult to treat.  This would already be a major problem, but it is much greater because the contaminated water creates disease pandemics.

I'm so glad  that some people have time to obsess over who is wearing what.  I'm so glad that some people can afford to spend millions on a dress or diamond bracelet.  To be able to shop the hot designer and get advice on which piece of million dollar jewelry should be thrown out     I'm so glad that the night is focused on things like this.  Then kids know what's important. When they find out what is important maybe they can find a few dollars to donate to charity after they spend most of their cash on the popular, expensive clothes at the mall.   It's alright though, I just hope we don't have another episode like the Chris Brown-Rihanna one.  That is a much bigger scandal than how billions are dying an suffering because rich westerners exploit their  money and resources, like the millions of gallons of water everyday they simply waste.

The same day, I saw on television how President Obama and the country's governors are holding a dinner at the White House.  The dinner includes a lavish buffet dinner.  It also includes entertainment by  Earth, Wind, and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John, along with the Marine Corps Band. By all accounts, it's expected to be a night of grandeur and luxury.  Of course, it's not anything different from what Republicans have done.

Millions of Americans are losing their jobs, can't find work, can't afford health insurance, and can't afford to put themselves through school.  They are living pay check by paycheck.  And we have the president spending millions on a dinner?  What is it that politicians don't get? Why do politicians think they need these expensive parties?  Paid for, by the way, by the taxpayers right now who are struggling to get control of their finances.  Everyone is so upset about the excesses of corporate executives.  But for some reason this is okay.  I'm sure people don't mind throwing their hard-earned money at events like these.  Just look at the record-low approval ratings.  Call me crazy, but perhaps they could have just one of the entertainers.  Would that be so terrible?  I've been pretty pleased with the Obama administration.  I don't like the stimulus package and I don't know why Obama keeps talking down the economy -which clearly hurts both trading and banking- but besides that I've been happy with the things he's done.  (Though I haven't paid attention to every single detail)  But in this situation, this seems like anything but change we can believe in.

I don't mind money or all the things that come with it.  Not at all. Everybody would like to have those things.  But it is OUTRAGEOUS how out of touch some people are, especially some politicians and celebrities.  

What is Christianity?

I would like to challenge the prevailing attitude that Christianity is a belief system.  Instead, I would argue that Christianity is primarily a lifestyle.  This is not to devalue the beliefs that Christianity is founded on.  They are the foundation for this Christian lifestyle.  

These beliefs, for me, include: the presence of a loving and involved God (yet indescribable), who is the creator, the belief that Jesus provides the ONLY path to heal broken lives and a broken world, a belief that Jesus became the manifestation of God, a belief in service, a belief in the promotion of and the fight for justice, a belief in the ultimate triumph of justice, a belief in the power of love and forgiveness, a belief in the possibility of sanctification (becoming Godly) and justification (becoming pure) before God, a belief that all actions have consequences, positive or negative, a belief in free will and freedom, a belief that humans do fall short of the expectations of God, a belief that true salvation (or wholeness, which is the actual Biblical term) entails humility, peace, patience, and the rest of the fruits of the spirit, and a belief that every life, young and old, has innate worth which God expects us to care about.

These beliefs inform my lifestyle.  Contemporary Christianity, especially since the revival movements of the 19th century, has, I believe, constructed a flawed view of the message of Jesus.  It simply calls us to accept him, or believe in his lifestyle.  (And the goal of this is to escape an everlasting hell; I also disagree that this was the chief goal and result of Jesus' message.  I think it encompasses much more.)   According to most Protestants, we can be "saved" by simply making a decision for Christ.  I STRONGLY disagree.  I believe that we must accept not just him, but his lifestyle.  His purpose.  Simple belief doesn't change the world. Simple belief isn't hard.  Simple belief is not what God calls on us to have.  He calls us to have a lifestyle that "bears fruit".  As James 2:20 says, "faith without works is dead".

I find the belief that Jesus is our savior very ironic.  Ironic because of many people that believe it.  Since He is our savior, the question is "What is He saving us from?"  I would argue it is not just hell, but a life without purpose and true satisfaction.  People say that Jesus is "their savior".  They say they believe in Him.  Yet they live no different from anyone else.  They lie, they gossip, they cheat, they hate, they are materialistic.  What do they need a savior from if they enjoy the very life that Jesus preaches against?  Why do they say they "accept Him" if they don't accept his lifestyle and life purpose?  

Jesus death and resurrection is important.  It should not be understated or undervalued. However, I care more about the way He lived than died.  I don't care to fight over dense theology.  I don't like rigid moralism or strict beliefs.  I believe in respect for other religious traditions, not just inside Christianity, but outside.  I believe in a respectful dialogue.  I think other religions offer a great deal and can be used by God.  This is because I don't base everything on definitive beliefs.  I support inquiry.  While most Christians like to act like they know exactly what the Bible means or how exactly God works, they don't.  What is important is that we live out our values.  That we serve God with humility and try to understand and respect the lifestyle of others,  even if we may disagree.  I think it is wrong to be obsessive when it comes to theology.  Jesus will ask "Did you clothe the naked?  Did you feed the hungry and the thirsty, did you visit the prisoner, did you invite the stranger in?"  (Matthew 25:34-36).  God does not require us to answer multiple choice questions on theology correctly.  He requires us to "Love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with Him"  (Micah 6:8)

These are not beliefs, they are actions.  

First Spouse

I think one of the most interesting jobs one could have would be First Lady.  (I guess it should be called First Spouse.)  I also believe it would be one of the most difficult jobs around.  That's if you want to call it a job.  I'm not sure if it is technically classified as such.  But there hasn't been a president of the United States since James Buchanan in the 1850s, so there has nearly always been someone who fills this role.  (He is likely the United States' only homosexual president as well.)  Overall, I think it must be one of strangest jobs there is.

There is, for one thing, no job description.  Everyone seems to have a little different idea of what exactly the role of the First Spouse should be.  And it is not just one thing you have to with.  People look at your dress, your demeanor, how involved you are with policy, and what you are involved with.  It is not just like people look at the job you're doing, they look at your entire life.

On top of all that, how hard would it be to be the wife or husband of the president?  They would have little free time to spend with you.  When they did have the time, they would probably be extremely tired or stressed.  Often you would be separated, sometimes on different continents. What if you disagree with your spouse's handling of a situation?  How do you go about telling them?  Or do you?  How do you act in public when dealing with that issue.  And what would 

it feel like if your spouse was the most powerful person in the world.  

This, of course, doesn't even mention kids.  How difficult would it be to raise kids in this environment?  Imagine your schedule.  Imagine the security.  How do you stay connected to them when you are so busy?  How do you manage to go to their school and events?  Imagine the press and all the people.  Think about how difficult it would be for you to help the kids with their fame and the attention.  Keep in mind this is going on with the whole country watching.

I think it would be especially hard if you were a male spouse.  The First Man.  First, let's be honest, it would be a little awkward having your wife be so much more famous and powerful. And you would get flack from both sides.  Men would likely make fun of you, while women would question your skills being a proper First Spouse because they would have the imagine of a First Lady in their mind.   I will be curious to see if Todd Palin ever writes a book about his experiences.

Despite all of these difficulties, I think I would still like to be in this position.  There would be so many interesting people to get to know and places to get to see.  So many unique experiences.  There is nothing else like it.  It is very intriguing to see how each person in the position handles it. 

Michael Phelps and the Media

It seems like the last few days you can't turn the TV on and not see or hear about Michael Phelps.  The Olympic record-setter is in hot water because he was caught on camera smoking weed and going to gentlemen's clubs.  Of course, there's been outrage because he is "America's hero" that everyone looks up to.  (Supposedly, that is.)

I don't know why everyone is so outraged.  How many people smoke weed and go to strip clubs?  Are those things really that big of a deal?   Of course, there is something to be said for the fact that he is a role model.  But if he admits his mistakes and changes, isn't that all the more powerful testament?  I believe the issue is the expectations placed on famous people. 

Imagine the pressure on such celebrities.  God blessed them with athletic abilities, not necessarily wisdom.  I think the media is to blame.  I think they are the outrage.  The problem is that they have made celebrities gods, that we idolize and follow their every move.  (At least millions of Americans.)  Americans have bought it, hook, line, and sinker.  

The media creates scandals.  Then they tear people down.  Any minor mistake is a huge ordeal. Instead of looking at people realistically as humans, with lives that are a little screwed up, they promote whatever their view of perfection is.  One minor mistake is huge drama.  A perfect example of this is drugs.  Especially drugs and presidential candidates.  If a presidential candidate used drugs in their past, it is a HUGE ordeal.  Is that really going to change anyone's vote?  Does anybody really believe Bill Clinton didn't inhale?  

Barack Obama used illegal drugs.  But I couldn't care less if a presidential candidate did.  In fact, it probably makes me more likely to vote for them, because they were involved in that lifestyle and had the wisdom to use their time for better things.

I hope this doesn't permanently change people's view of Michael Phelps.  He already conquered learning and behavioral problems.  Getting past this would make his story even more of an inspiration to kids.

Snowdays...What's it Like?

Today was a snowday for many people.  Many students around the world don't know what a snow day is like.  This got me thinking:

What is it like for the people that have never seen snow?  And the people that never will, in Africa for instance?

What is it like to not have a Super Bowl and everything that comes with it in your culture?  Or Christmas and Thanksgiving and all the tidings?

What is it really like for the three billion people that live on less than two dollars a day?  For the child born with AIDS?  For the refugee?  What is it really like for the woman in a Muslim country that is raped and can't recover her reputation?

What is it really like to grow up in a radical Muslim family?  Or a radical Christian family?  

What is it like for the orphan or the adopted kid?

What is it like to live alone and unloved?  To be homeless?

What does it feel like to get a life sentence?  What does it feel like after you've spent thirty years in prison?

What does it feel like to attain your life's goal?

What does the fear feel like for the soldier in his (or her) first gunfight on the battlefield? What is the feeling after a pilot drops their first bomb?

How is life as a president's child?  Or to know you're the most powerful man in the world?  To not have the right to vote every November?

Americans have a hard time identifying with others in other countries.  They have a difficult time putting themselves in another's shoes.  When everyone has such a different background and a different personality, it is easy to say why people don't get along.  But I believe that if people stopped and listened to each other for awhile alot of problems could be avoided.

Tolerance and Love

I'm not against the movement to improve the quality of life for those of the homosexual persuasion.  This movement encompasses many streams who are fighting for many different things.  The most easily definable things are homosexual marriage (and/or civil unions), laws that protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, church membership, and the right to adopt.  I am not necessarily against these things.  I'm a strong supporter of civil unions and am somewhat undecided about marriage.  (More on that in a blog soon.)  I strongly support the movement to help gays live a more equal life and hope a more comfortable environment is being created for them.  While one may disagree with the lifestyle, it is certain that they should not placed in an awkward position.  The high rate of mental problems and suicides of those in this community is a sad manifestation of the discrimination, whether it be overt or hard to see, that befalls these individuals.  

However, I am deeply distraught and disturbed by what I see as the radical stream of the homosexual rights movement.  The movement has become very aggressive and very angry. They have stormed into churches and made scenes.  They have, on several occasions, gone into churches, run up front, and thrown literally thousands of sexually explicit pages of material in the air (to be cleaned up by those at the church) and run out.  They have made a circus, literally, dressing up as animals and clowns to disturb others, out of communion at a few churches. Recently, an elderly woman kneeling and praying by a church during a discussion for those with concerns about same-sex marriage was hit and had a crucifix knocked out of her hands.  They are taking kindergarteners to same-sex weddings for school field trips.  They are insidiously angry at those who don't agree with them.  

When Rick Warren was chosen by Barack Obama to give the invocation at his inauguration, there was a culmination of this anger.  He's been compared to a Nazi, a KKK member, been called "evil", "hateful and ignorant", "gluttonous", "homophobic", and many have criticized his supposed "bigotry".  There was a large demonstration in Washington against him the day of the inauguration, as well as many others across the country.  A website, called "dumprickwarren.com" was also created.  

I like Rick Warren a great deal.  I certainly disagree with a good amount of his theology, but the way he has transformed the Evangelical community, to be not just relevant, but to be a force for social justice, should be greatly admired.  He should be thanked and honored for his work on AIDS, abstinence education, third-world education and literacy, the climate, and poverty.

It baffles me to no end why people would be upset with his choice for the invocation.  If he was the only speaker I could understand somewhat.  However, Gene Robinson, the first openly-gay man (or woman) to be ordained as an Episcopal bishop also offered a prayer during inauguration festivities.  The Gay Mans' Choir also performed.  

Rick Warren is NOT a bigot.  He is NOT homophobic.  He is CERTAINLY NOT hateful.  I have never heard him say anything hateful about gays, nor anything slanderous.  What I have heard him say is that we should love gays and support them.  In fact, when Bishop Robinson, who has been extremely controversial and divisive in his comments, was invited, Warren applauded the decision to invite Robinson.  

It doesn't make sense to get so excited over Rick Warren.  He is one of the best-selling authors in the world and stands as a sort of bridge between liberals and conservatives, both religiously and politically.  There is no doubt he is one of the most influential men in America.  He is also clearly an affable, jolly fellow.   Barack Obama choose him because he is popular and because he wants to represent everyone as president.  So why would it make people so upset?

The radical gay community is so naive, confused, and arrogant that it now sees anyone who disagrees with them as bigoted and homophobic.  Aren't gays trying to spread tolerance and love?  Or do they just want whatever helps them the most?  By the standard definition of the word they, the radical homosexual rights movement, is filled with bigotry.  They are certainly hateful.  They are the ones who are truly being intolerant and unloving.  They are the hypocrites.  They know nothing of true evil and true hatred.  Their struggle is not the same of blacks in the 60s.      

What they don't seem to understand is that you're not going to change the minds of religious people.  A belief that homosexuality is a sin is not just an opinion, it is a sacred belief.  It is something that, according to those who do believe it is a sin, God doesn't like.  One's belief about homosexuality is a deeply personal conviction.  Nobody is going to be able to change someone's mind that believes homosexuality is wrong on religious grounds.  And, in fact, it is wrong to make them forget about it.  In fact, it is just plain dumb to criticize someone's belief when you don't understand their faith.  How can you criticize somebody who is trying to do what their faith tells them?

What can a Christian who believes homosexual relations are wrong do?  They can love the gay. They can pray for them.  They can be friendly and not judgmental while still believing it is wrong.  What more could a gay person ask for from a person who believes their lifestyle is wrong?  It is certainly more tolerant and better than their reaction.  But the radical gay movement doesn't see this.  Tom Hanks recently said that those who supported the California ban on same-sex marriages (Proposition 8) in California are "un-American".  Thankful, he apologized.  What is un-American, is when people deem anyone who disagrees with them hateful and evil.