One of the reasons for ‘Phil’s Notes’ being a less publicized blog, is that I tend to be more expansive and inclusive of a broader spectrum of studies and opinions than most of my ‘Phil’s Place’ readers would be comfortable with.
Some of them have not had the benefit of a well rounded education.
Unenlightened, under-educated, and intellectually challenged, they are fearful of what they don’t understand. This means that they live in a state of constant fear because there is so much that they don’t comprehend. They distrust science, history, philosophy, and all knowledge that comes as a result of higher learning. They don’t read books, listen to classical music, or give a rat’s ass about healthy nutrition.
They can get confused easily, and when they are confused, they become frightened, and their state of fear makes them dangerous. They are good people if you don’t scare them with big words and unfamiliar subjects. I consider some of those people to be my friends. I don’t direct them here.
Here is where I can examine religious belief systems and present a broader concept of the power that brought about this universe.
I can call this infinite power God.
It, She, He, is much bigger than any religious description we humans can conceive of. I figure if it can create the universe, and all that is in it, it certainly is capable of being anything we can imagine. Can God possibly have an individual, personal plan for each and every human on the planet? Sure, why not? That would be child’s play compared to creating the milky way galaxy.
Explaining this simple concept to someone without the knowledge or mental capacity to understand it, is difficult. Siddartha Gautama, (The Buddha), tried to explain how to engage the essence of creation in ourselves, I can understand him.
God has been explained with hundreds of metaphors, images, parables, songs and plays, and I can reach God through each and every turtle story and fervent praying exercise that I have tried. But how can I share that joy, that bliss, that serenity with those who’s minds and hearts are imprisoned by a lack of education and compassion?
I am learning that the best way I can give the key to happiness, is to just be me. Like the song says; “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine”.
This seems simple enough, but to illuminate the darkness? To shine a light into the fog of negativity that is being pumped over the land like inky emissions from coal fired power plants? To banish the lies and anger that drives the Fox Faithful, the Apocalyptic Christians, and the plain old crazy, can be a little scary.
They cling to their beliefs because they are frightened. They are frightened because they lack the tools to obtain further knowledge and information. Their fear causes them to burn witches at the stake, to storm the castle with pitchforks and torches, to mistrust anything scientific.
However, this experiment in writing is mine. I am sharing it with you, but I am also writing it for the future me who will read it and observe myself from another perspective. Part journal, part research, part chapters for the book, and part therapy, I present this years take on my Christmas in 2009.
Santa's Birth Certificate?
Some of them have not had the benefit of a well rounded education.
Unenlightened, under-educated, and intellectually challenged, they are fearful of what they don’t understand. This means that they live in a state of constant fear because there is so much that they don’t comprehend. They distrust science, history, philosophy, and all knowledge that comes as a result of higher learning. They don’t read books, listen to classical music, or give a rat’s ass about healthy nutrition.
They can get confused easily, and when they are confused, they become frightened, and their state of fear makes them dangerous. They are good people if you don’t scare them with big words and unfamiliar subjects. I consider some of those people to be my friends. I don’t direct them here.
Here is where I can examine religious belief systems and present a broader concept of the power that brought about this universe.
I can call this infinite power God.
It, She, He, is much bigger than any religious description we humans can conceive of. I figure if it can create the universe, and all that is in it, it certainly is capable of being anything we can imagine. Can God possibly have an individual, personal plan for each and every human on the planet? Sure, why not? That would be child’s play compared to creating the milky way galaxy.
Explaining this simple concept to someone without the knowledge or mental capacity to understand it, is difficult. Siddartha Gautama, (The Buddha), tried to explain how to engage the essence of creation in ourselves, I can understand him.
God has been explained with hundreds of metaphors, images, parables, songs and plays, and I can reach God through each and every turtle story and fervent praying exercise that I have tried. But how can I share that joy, that bliss, that serenity with those who’s minds and hearts are imprisoned by a lack of education and compassion?
I am learning that the best way I can give the key to happiness, is to just be me. Like the song says; “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine”.
This seems simple enough, but to illuminate the darkness? To shine a light into the fog of negativity that is being pumped over the land like inky emissions from coal fired power plants? To banish the lies and anger that drives the Fox Faithful, the Apocalyptic Christians, and the plain old crazy, can be a little scary.
They cling to their beliefs because they are frightened. They are frightened because they lack the tools to obtain further knowledge and information. Their fear causes them to burn witches at the stake, to storm the castle with pitchforks and torches, to mistrust anything scientific.
However, this experiment in writing is mine. I am sharing it with you, but I am also writing it for the future me who will read it and observe myself from another perspective. Part journal, part research, part chapters for the book, and part therapy, I present this years take on my Christmas in 2009.
Santa's Birth Certificate?
A man named Nicholas was born in Turkey in 280 AD. He was very pious from an early age and devoted his life to Christianity. He eventually became a Christian priest and later became a bishop.
Nicholas had a reputation as a kindly, wise soul who was generous toward the poor. He was a rich young man who didn't like to be seen giving gifts. He traveled the country helping people, always at night after the children were asleep.
Who Is This?
- Virgin birth
- Twelve followers
- Killing and resurrection
- Miracles
- Birthdate on December 25
- Morality
- Mankind's savior
- Known as the Light of the world
If you guessed Jesus, you would be mistaken. This describes a Persian sun god named Mithras.
Zoroastrian worship of the sun god included such notions as Mithras being born of a virgin in a cave on December 25. His birth was attended by shepherds. He was considered to be a master and a teacher. He traveled with 12 companions, performed miracles and promised immortality to those who believed in him. Upon his death, he was buried in a tomb and rose again after three days on March 25 (Easter).
Mithras preceded Christ by approximately 600 years.
The Saturnalia was the Roman Winter holiday.
Saturn (Cronus in Greek) was the original creator of man in the Golden Age, when there was no winter and everyone was happy.
In A.D. 354, the birth of Jesus Christ was set on December 25. The date is not believed to be accurate and is the same as the birth date of Mithras. Like the other holidays, Christmas is celebrated with festivity and gift-giving. It seems to have absorbed Mithras and Saturnalia traditions.
Hanukkah 164 B. C.
(Hanukah / Hanuka / Chanukah) is a festival of lights that is symbolized by the candelabrum known as a menorah. Hanukkah celebrates a lighting miracle when one night's worth of oil lit candles for 8 days. Special foods and gift-giving are also a part of Hanukkah.
Brumalia was a Greek winter holiday associated with Dionysus (1,500 B.C.), and wine. By the time of the winter Brumalia, the wine was ready to be poured into jars for drinking. Although a Greek holiday, the name Brumalia is Latin, bruma being the Latin for Winter Solstice.
The Hindu Sankranti historically takes place on the Solstice, although the date is January 14, which gives evidence to how much time has elapsed since it started. It is believed that people who die on this day end the reincarnation cycle, for which reason it is very lucky. Gifts are exchanged, sweets and other special food are consumed, and bonfires are lit on Sankranti eve, which is known as Lohari.
Yule
At the Winter Solstice, a boar's head is offered to the Vanir god Freyr.
There are many ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice, and every one of them are just as valid as the others. The one thing you can count on is that the days will be getting longer after the celebrations.
Recent excavations in German caves have revealed art and musical instruments from 15,000 years before the Hebrew God created the world. Musicians and artists have been around before creation, if you take the Bible literally.
Happy Holidays
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