Tuesday, November 27, 2007
E-Bullying at its worst...Homophobia in Halo online play
This was posted a Towleroad and the clip just makes me want to puke. Rednecks apparently have infested XBox Live as well. Props to GayBoy for his patience and for not backing down from this haters.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Christian zealots on the move again...
I recently received an email calling for a boycott of the Golden Compass movie and the "His Dark Materials" series of books it's based on. I'll post the entire email here without any email addresses of course...together with my reply. I'll leave everything untouched. I even reread my respnse and found some typos and missing words but I'll leave it as it is.
Have you read the books? I don't agree with this completely.
Although the series of books depict a certain "church" as the enemy, it doesn't refer to THE church. In my opinion the book expresses the oppression of certain religions. Just like when Ruta Skadi said that the church tries it's best to suppress our natural impulses and when it can't cuts it off. That isn't entirely wrong. For all the church's glory, it isn't infallible. If we're comparing this to the christian church, the SAME church that killed thousands of Muslims during the Crusades. The SAME church that believed slavery was acceptable. The SAME sexist church who never places women in position of honor and power. The SAME church where early popes were lechers and would be emperors who decided wars and the fate of nations. The same church that DID NOT defend against racism until the revolution. For all it's glory, the church isn't infallible and this is what the book sets out to expose.
The killing of a god who has come astray does not culture atheism, it only teaches the people who read the books to start learning for themselves. Some of us grow up blind to real theology. Being born Christian is not exactly a good starting point. When you grow up christian, you grow up with so much religious bias that your faith starts to blind you from the questions that should be asked.
Regarding the books being a slight at CS Lewis, have you guys tried to discern the hidden plots in all seven books of the CHronicles of Narnia? CS Lewis is a racist and a chauvinist pig to boot! He just writes so well and expresses the teachings of a single, all-powerful and benevolent god that we all think he's christian and he's good. Stupid much?
I'm not saying kids should throw away their fate but if god intended us to truly have freedom and free will then aren't we supposed to make the choice ourselves? If religion...or christianity to be exact, is the only way to salvation then I pity all the children who die of hunger in Africa all day. The same kids who die unbaptised and without ever hearing the so-called good news of god. What happens to them then? Do they get straight down to hell? Do they get thrown in limbo? Just because they were unfortunate enough to be born in a continent that did not INTEREST the Spanish missionaries as it did the Philippines?
What "His Dark Materials" is aiming at is the pride and pretentiousness of todays religions. Saying they are the only way to salvation. If this is the case, then we only have to look at the statisitcs and we could all eliminate a lot of people who wouldn't be going to heaven. This is the exact reason I personally frown upon christians who cringe everytime they hear the word "Jihad". Are they so stupid that they didn't know the sins of their forefathers when Knights sought out to kill every single Muslim during the Crusades? I believe that religion is important but the church is for the weak. We should all read the bible or Koran or whatever, and learn stuff our own way. We should stay away from being force-fed censored truths about what is good and not. The church for all it's glory is made up of humans as well. Humans who are bound to make mistakes. It's just that when the Pop makes a mistake, we can all say that "godd intended it so..."...MY FOOT! I believe in a god it's just not the god the the church portrays. I couldn't bring myself to worship a god who drowned out an entire population during the great flood just because they were sinners and then goes and sends HIS son to preach about love and forgiveness. Please...that is just too much hypocrisy for me to stomach.
So go out and read the books then maybe, just maybe, we all start to ask the difficult questions that should be asked. I don't pretend to know the reasons behind this email but it certainly comes from a standpoint lacking in evidence. The world has bigger problems than a movie and a series of books that may actually promote progressive thinking.
Thanks!
Joey Sta. Agueda
(0917)5777491
Have you read the books? I don't agree with this completely.
Although the series of books depict a certain "church" as the enemy, it doesn't refer to THE church. In my opinion the book expresses the oppression of certain religions. Just like when Ruta Skadi said that the church tries it's best to suppress our natural impulses and when it can't cuts it off. That isn't entirely wrong. For all the church's glory, it isn't infallible. If we're comparing this to the christian church, the SAME church that killed thousands of Muslims during the Crusades. The SAME church that believed slavery was acceptable. The SAME sexist church who never places women in position of honor and power. The SAME church where early popes were lechers and would be emperors who decided wars and the fate of nations. The same church that DID NOT defend against racism until the revolution. For all it's glory, the church isn't infallible and this is what the book sets out to expose.
The killing of a god who has come astray does not culture atheism, it only teaches the people who read the books to start learning for themselves. Some of us grow up blind to real theology. Being born Christian is not exactly a good starting point. When you grow up christian, you grow up with so much religious bias that your faith starts to blind you from the questions that should be asked.
Regarding the books being a slight at CS Lewis, have you guys tried to discern the hidden plots in all seven books of the CHronicles of Narnia? CS Lewis is a racist and a chauvinist pig to boot! He just writes so well and expresses the teachings of a single, all-powerful and benevolent god that we all think he's christian and he's good. Stupid much?
I'm not saying kids should throw away their fate but if god intended us to truly have freedom and free will then aren't we supposed to make the choice ourselves? If religion...or christianity to be exact, is the only way to salvation then I pity all the children who die of hunger in Africa all day. The same kids who die unbaptised and without ever hearing the so-called good news of god. What happens to them then? Do they get straight down to hell? Do they get thrown in limbo? Just because they were unfortunate enough to be born in a continent that did not INTEREST the Spanish missionaries as it did the Philippines?
What "His Dark Materials" is aiming at is the pride and pretentiousness of todays religions. Saying they are the only way to salvation. If this is the case, then we only have to look at the statisitcs and we could all eliminate a lot of people who wouldn't be going to heaven. This is the exact reason I personally frown upon christians who cringe everytime they hear the word "Jihad". Are they so stupid that they didn't know the sins of their forefathers when Knights sought out to kill every single Muslim during the Crusades? I believe that religion is important but the church is for the weak. We should all read the bible or Koran or whatever, and learn stuff our own way. We should stay away from being force-fed censored truths about what is good and not. The church for all it's glory is made up of humans as well. Humans who are bound to make mistakes. It's just that when the Pop makes a mistake, we can all say that "godd intended it so..."...MY FOOT! I believe in a god it's just not the god the the church portrays. I couldn't bring myself to worship a god who drowned out an entire population during the great flood just because they were sinners and then goes and sends HIS son to preach about love and forgiveness. Please...that is just too much hypocrisy for me to stomach.
So go out and read the books then maybe, just maybe, we all start to ask the difficult questions that should be asked. I don't pretend to know the reasons behind this email but it certainly comes from a standpoint lacking in evidence. The world has bigger problems than a movie and a series of books that may actually promote progressive thinking.
Joey Sta. Agueda
(0917)5777491
----- Original Message ----
Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 5:34:01 AM
Subject: [wamu4d] The Golden Compass
There will be a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden Compass" starring Nicole Kidman. The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.
Clearly, Pullman 's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."
While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God. Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." In the final book, characters representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse regarding Pullman 's hatred of Jesus Christ.
"The Golden Compass" is set to premier on December 7, during the Christmas season, and will probably be heavily advertised. Promoters hope that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that they will enjoy the movie, and that the children will want the books for Christmas.
Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this information along to everyone you know. This will help to educate parents, so that they will know the agenda of the movie.
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Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 5:34:01 AM
Subject: [wamu4d] The Golden Compass
Subject: Fwd: book & movie boycott
For anyone with kids, grandkids other relatives or friends who this may concern, I have checked it out at snopes.com and it is true. http://www.snopes. com/politics/ religion/ compass.asp
There will be a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden Compass" starring Nicole Kidman. The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.
Clearly, Pullman 's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."
While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God. Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." In the final book, characters representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse regarding Pullman 's hatred of Jesus Christ.
"The Golden Compass" is set to premier on December 7, during the Christmas season, and will probably be heavily advertised. Promoters hope that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that they will enjoy the movie, and that the children will want the books for Christmas.
Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this information along to everyone you know. This will help to educate parents, so that they will know the agenda of the movie.
Gen 
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God" - John 14:1
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Monday, November 19, 2007
four eyes...again...
It might have not been the smartest thing to do but refusing to wear my prescription glasses has finally caught up to me. Where there used to be lenses for farsighted vision, now there are lenses for BOTH farsightedness and nearsightedness. Damn it! DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!
I can't even describe how loopy it feels to adjust to bifocals. I'm scared of going down flights of stairs...my depth perception is shot to hell. Whatever... The only good thing tha tcame out of this whole ordeal was I got to buy new glasses. I got progressive lenses because I'd die if I got one of those bifocals where you could clearly see where each type of lens ends and where the other one begins...giant EEEEEW!
Now, I just refuse to look down. I still have quite a ways to go before I'm 100% with the lens grade below my field of vision. I seldom use it...only when I read books. It's also nice to know there IS a thing called Computer Screen Syndrome...obviously, I'm a statistic now. I have it, yes and it sucks...BIG TIME!
Where you would usually have a single grade for your prescription lenses. I have effing three grades!!! One for far stuff, one for reading and one for when I'm in front of the PC (which, incidentally is the thing I spend most time on next to sleeping). I almost decided to get the transition ones, which change color with the amount of sunlight or harsh light present, but nah...I didn't the black shade of the thing. Besides, I'm a big fan of sunnies.
I can't even describe how loopy it feels to adjust to bifocals. I'm scared of going down flights of stairs...my depth perception is shot to hell. Whatever... The only good thing tha tcame out of this whole ordeal was I got to buy new glasses. I got progressive lenses because I'd die if I got one of those bifocals where you could clearly see where each type of lens ends and where the other one begins...giant EEEEEW!
Now, I just refuse to look down. I still have quite a ways to go before I'm 100% with the lens grade below my field of vision. I seldom use it...only when I read books. It's also nice to know there IS a thing called Computer Screen Syndrome...obviously, I'm a statistic now. I have it, yes and it sucks...BIG TIME!
Where you would usually have a single grade for your prescription lenses. I have effing three grades!!! One for far stuff, one for reading and one for when I'm in front of the PC (which, incidentally is the thing I spend most time on next to sleeping). I almost decided to get the transition ones, which change color with the amount of sunlight or harsh light present, but nah...I didn't the black shade of the thing. Besides, I'm a big fan of sunnies.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Top 11 Reasons Why Gay Mariage Is UnAmerican...
I got this off the net (somewhere) yesterday and I just remembered I had it tonight.
I'm sure that it seems like it doesn't need to be said, but for the benefit of our readers from overseas who don't read/speak English as a first language or are using a translator like Babelfish, this post is 100% sarcastic.
1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.
7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
11. Gay marriage is icky and uncomfortable for “decent” people. Therefore it should be outlawed just like porn, scary movies, most TV news coverage, almost every CSI episode and many books.
I'm sure that it seems like it doesn't need to be said, but for the benefit of our readers from overseas who don't read/speak English as a first language or are using a translator like Babelfish, this post is 100% sarcastic.
1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.
7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
11. Gay marriage is icky and uncomfortable for “decent” people. Therefore it should be outlawed just like porn, scary movies, most TV news coverage, almost every CSI episode and many books.
yesiree...blogging away...
It seems like I've been bitten by the blog-bug yet again. I find myself sitting in front of my notebook for longer hours on end these days. I do nothing but surf and play my tunes loud...loud enough to drown out everything I don't want to hear.
I've stopped packing for the meanwhile just because I don't want to have to close my big luggage just yet...I don't think I'm ready for that sense of finality.
In the meanwhile, I've been reading up on Singapore. How rich the country is, how happy the people are, how good the schools are, how high their literacy rate is, how much they spend on their military, how they heavily fine and/or imprison bloggers (on account of "sedition"), how they publicly cane people for sodomy (well, only gay people now since heteros can now legally sodomize the hell out of each other)...wait, I forgot what point I was trying to make.
Oh, I remember...I'M FUCKING SCARED.
Yeah, that's right. At first I was just worried being fined hundreds of bucks for smoking, SO I QUIT; and being fined for litering, WHICH I NEVER DO...but apparently, having an opinion is not THAT welcome in that country either. Hmmm...so what now? I have to open a new account and post boring stuff that would threaten to end my sanity and just post the good stuff everytime I come home...at whopping six month intervals!!! - if I'm lucky...
I think I'll miss democracy more than I'll miss my family. Sure, they tell me it's going to be fine. "Just look at your brother, he's been there for years and nothing bad has ever happened to him." HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT BLOGGING IS!!! Damn it! Blogging is starting to paint me as the black sheep in this family. How fucking crazy is that?!
I just fear ending up saying "MY BROTHER IS NOT A PIG" complete with the Nora Aunor accent before being handed over for the death sentence...it's funny right now but I bet it will be anything BUT when you're there.
I've stopped packing for the meanwhile just because I don't want to have to close my big luggage just yet...I don't think I'm ready for that sense of finality.
In the meanwhile, I've been reading up on Singapore. How rich the country is, how happy the people are, how good the schools are, how high their literacy rate is, how much they spend on their military, how they heavily fine and/or imprison bloggers (on account of "sedition"), how they publicly cane people for sodomy (well, only gay people now since heteros can now legally sodomize the hell out of each other)...wait, I forgot what point I was trying to make.
Oh, I remember...I'M FUCKING SCARED.
Yeah, that's right. At first I was just worried being fined hundreds of bucks for smoking, SO I QUIT; and being fined for litering, WHICH I NEVER DO...but apparently, having an opinion is not THAT welcome in that country either. Hmmm...so what now? I have to open a new account and post boring stuff that would threaten to end my sanity and just post the good stuff everytime I come home...at whopping six month intervals!!! - if I'm lucky...
I think I'll miss democracy more than I'll miss my family. Sure, they tell me it's going to be fine. "Just look at your brother, he's been there for years and nothing bad has ever happened to him." HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT BLOGGING IS!!! Damn it! Blogging is starting to paint me as the black sheep in this family. How fucking crazy is that?!
I just fear ending up saying "MY BROTHER IS NOT A PIG" complete with the Nora Aunor accent before being handed over for the death sentence...it's funny right now but I bet it will be anything BUT when you're there.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
the pink elephant...
I feel trapped. There are things I'd like to tell my family. Things that I had no problem telling my friends. Secrets that I wholeheartedly divulged to my workmates.
They say the truth will set you free but for me, the truth is a festering wound that threatens to kill me by slowly rotting away until my whole body is rendered useless. I always thought that staying away from my blog ought to give me more control over my emotions. That by refusing to vent, I, in turn am effectively making the issue non-existent...hence the title of this post.
For those of you with half a brain, you probably know by now what I want to tell my parents. It's "up" there somewhere...trust me. I can't imagine telling my parents but I dread leaving them behind without them knowing. This is it, my plan. To get out of this house and to never return. To go to a place where my inner self could "bloom"...yet another clue for the dimwits who haven't figured it out up until now.
(If you're readaing this and still don't have a clue what I'm talking about...don't read on. And grow a brain...I heard it's a very important organ to have.)
Impending change has an uncanny way of making you want to tie off loose ends. I just want peace. I want effing closure. Is that too much to ask for?
They say the truth will set you free but for me, the truth is a festering wound that threatens to kill me by slowly rotting away until my whole body is rendered useless. I always thought that staying away from my blog ought to give me more control over my emotions. That by refusing to vent, I, in turn am effectively making the issue non-existent...hence the title of this post.
For those of you with half a brain, you probably know by now what I want to tell my parents. It's "up" there somewhere...trust me. I can't imagine telling my parents but I dread leaving them behind without them knowing. This is it, my plan. To get out of this house and to never return. To go to a place where my inner self could "bloom"...yet another clue for the dimwits who haven't figured it out up until now.
(If you're readaing this and still don't have a clue what I'm talking about...don't read on. And grow a brain...I heard it's a very important organ to have.)
Impending change has an uncanny way of making you want to tie off loose ends. I just want peace. I want effing closure. Is that too much to ask for?
Monday, November 05, 2007
"IV" now up!
Come hither Led Zeppelin fans and rejoice! Here's IV, which is, in my opinion, the best Led Zeppelin album EVER!!!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
"Kerplunk" now up!
I totally spazzed out and didn't notice that the upload was complete. My baaaaaad...but what the heck. It's there now! Here's the cover to go with it for you people (like me) who are obsessed with making sure iTunes is complete...album cover and all.
I might be uploading other stuff today but it all depends. I'm kinda swamped at the moment but it seems like things are bound to get finished soon. I'm thinking about uploading albums by Toad the Wet Sprocket...what do you guys think?
uploading "Kerplunk"...
While I was checking in to see my page I saw a request via one of my album uploads for older albums of Green Day.
"ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!"...I say.
The only widely available album I know of that's older than Dookie is Kerplunk. I, of course, haven gotten my dirty hands on a copy of 39/Smooth as of yet but time will tell...
The new album should be up in a few. Album art will be posted together with the "finished upload" announcement. Stay cool people!
"ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!"...I say.
The only widely available album I know of that's older than Dookie is Kerplunk. I, of course, haven gotten my dirty hands on a copy of 39/Smooth as of yet but time will tell...
The new album should be up in a few. Album art will be posted together with the "finished upload" announcement. Stay cool people!
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