I spoke with Dr. Shaw in class on Thursday, and he made some truly intriguing - if Nietzschian - points regarding faith. Catholicism, he suggested, is a religion founded by slaves for slaves... designed to make them feel better about being slaves. Because they could not realistically expect their lot to improve in this life, they dwelt on the afterlife. It's a fundamentally unhealthy religion, he told us in lecture, one founded upon the most repugnant principals of masochism: it idolizes the image of a man nailed to a cross, nailed through the hands and feet. (Consider Drakulić - J., akimbo, says "You look like a whore": but S. knows that by accepting the pain with open arms, one can fool oneself into ceasing to feel it.) There is a decided emphasis on denial and mortification - it makes the suffering worthwhile. It makes the suffering mean something.

. . .
:.. To Find Patience in Grace (And End Up Nothing) ...:

cuivus dolori remedium est patrentia
[patience is the cure for all suffering]
 

:... Miroslav Satan ...:
. . .

• apostasy
• heresy
• schism
• desecration of the eucharist
• violence against the pope
• ordination of bishops sans papal mandate
• violation of the seal of confession

• Interdict may result from attempting to marry while having a perpetual vow of chastity

 

[I propose a new bout in the word war, Imp. An additional 5,000 words by next Saturday at midnight, certo? Say yes. Voglio il tramezzo, and I won't have the motivation to write otherwise. ;)]

On the topic of religion - we were on the topic of religion? - I watched Constantine tonight. It was a bit of a blast.