Category Archives: Religion

Sing It Like It Is

Politics, Religion

 

Presidential candidates traditionally use popular music to set the tone for their campaigns, catchy tunes with which the office-seeker can identify. You may remember Franklin Roosevelt entering to “Happy Days Are Here Again” or Bill Clinton grooving to “Can’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”  However, there was a time when campaigns would create their own versions of a popular song.  Examples include “High Hopes with Jack Kennedy” performed by supporter Frank Sinatra who sang the original Oscar winning version in the 1959 movie A Hole in the Head.  Or Ed Ames’ 1968 version of “Hello, Lyndon,” based on the title song from the musical Hello, Dolly.

On numerous occasions during the last election cycle, Comrade Trump appropriated popular music to accompany his entrance at rallies.  There was just one problem.  He often chose songs written and performed by musicians who abhorred him and everything he stood for. Examples included Neil Young who requested the Republican nominee stop using “Rockin’ in the Free World” or Adele protesting Trump’s use of “Rolling in the Deep” as walk-on music at a January 2016 event.  There was even what you might call a Zombie revolt.  Deceased musicians such as Luciano Pavarotti and George Harrison, represented by their families or estates, asked Trump to cease and desist using music with which they were commonly identified.


As Trump gears up for 2020, as evidenced by recent, so-called campaign rallies in several deep red states, I have a suggestion which would solve his problem.  According to U.S. statutes, “Works created and copyrighted (that is, registered or published) prior to January 1, 1978, are protected for 95 years from the date the copyright was originally secured.” (Source: Alter, Kendrick & Baron Guide to Copyright Law)  All His Orangeness needs to do is find a song which was published before 1922.  And, of course, I found the perfect match.

It is a little ditty from 1905 with words by Jean Lenox and music by Harry O. Sutton.  It was regularly performed as part of the Ziegfield Follies and eventually recorded by Eva Tanguay in 1922.  Subsequent covers were recorded by Judy Garland, Mitzi Gaynor and Eydie Gorme.  It is titled, “I Don’t Care,” and includes the following chorus.

dont-careI don’t care, I don’t care,
What they may think of me,
I’m happy go lucky,
Men say I am plucky,
So jolly and care free,
I don’t care, I don’t care,
If I do get the mean and stony stare,
If I’m never successful,
It won’t be distressful,
‘Cos I don’t care.

However, if the Trump campaign team really wants to get a crowd worked up, maybe they need something with a bit more audience participation.  Perhaps Ivanka and Jared came to the same conclusion during their Seder last Monday night.  The traditional Passover song “Dayenu” is the model on which Trump could create his own campaign theme music.  “Dayenu,” which means “it would have been enough” thanks God for the many blessings he bestowed on the Jewish people following their deliverance from Pharaoh’s rule.  For example, the person who leads the Passover service recites, “If He had brought us out of Egypt,” to everyone’s response “Dayenu,” it would have been enough.  Then, “If he had brought us out of Egypt and not executed justice upon the Egyptians.” Dayenu.  And so on.

Instead of “Dayenu,” the new variation could be called “Lo Eekh-Paht Lee,” or “I Don’t Care.”  Here are a few samples of the many verses.

Trump: If you think I flip-flopped on Chinese currency manipulation.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you’re unhappy that I didn’t repeal and replace Obamacare on my first day in office.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you thought I would actually release my tax returns as I promised to do.

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

Trump: If you’re steeped in buyer’s remorse. (Last verse).

Audience: Lo Eekh-Paht Lee

An added bonus is that Trump and his campaign are, for once, operating within the law.  Since “Dayenu” first appeared in a ninth century Hagaddah, the book used during the Seder to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt, the copyright has surely expired.  Dayenu, it would have been enough.  But this version of “I Don’t Care” also falls within the fair use of copyrighted materials for the purpose of parody.  The only question left to answer? Is Trump also protected under Russian copyright laws?

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

WWJS

Politics, Religion

 

This is going to be short and sweet.

This morning’s post is triggered by Donald J. Trump’s 5:23 a.m. tweet directed at the Freedom Caucus (conservative Republicans who came into office on the Tea Party wave).  The tweet reads:

The irony is that the Freedom Caucus, which is very pro-life and against Planned Parenthood, allows P.P. to continue if they stop this plan!

So just to be perfectly clear, Comrade Trump is trying to cajole recalcitrant Republicans to pass a draconian health care bill on the backs of vulnerable women who depend on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care.

Thus, the title, WWJS or “What would Jesus say?”  By now, you know I am a non-believer, but let’s assume for argument sake Jesus chose today as the moment of the second coming.  Would there be the Sermon on the Mount 2.0?  Or a plea for divine forgiveness?

I think not.  This week I was in the company of a friend who is as calm and mild-mannered as they come.  Even when you know she is irritated, she responds with a gentle suggestion and a smile.  Until Tuesday, when she felt she had been wronged.  She let forth a volley of F-bombs which would make any sailor proud.  I was stunned.  But I understood.

Back to Trump and this morning’s tweet.  I imagine Jesus would have replied as followed:

5:24 am
@ TheRealJesusChrist

WTF!!!

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

Radical Atheists

Religion

 

On July 29, 2014, American Atheists, “a non-profit activist organization in the United States dedicated to defending the civil liberties of atheists and advocating for the complete separation of church and state (Source: Wikipedia),” launched AtheistTV.

I went to the AtheistTV site and listened to the introduction by Dave Silverman, President of American Atheists.  His opening statement included the following:

AtheistTV is finally a place we can call our own where we can speak the truth as frankly as we want. If you want religious programming, there are hundreds of programs from which to choose. But if you’re looking for something new, something different, something…well…real, you’re in the right place. If we want to talk about the fact that religion harms people, we can.  And we will. If we want to show Mohammed on the screen, we can. And we will.  Being atheist means being liberated from the artificial rules religion pushes on everyone else.

Although I am an agnostic who likes to think of myself as an “orthodox Jedi,” I get nervous when anyone claims to know the TRUTH and what is REAL when it comes to spiritual matters.  I have no doubt the leadership of American Atheists is outraged any time representatives of the religious right, who defend a bakery for refusing to cater a gay wedding, claims a violation of their religious freedom. Or when the religious right accuses “godless Americans” of pushing THEIR artificial rules on the rest of us.

American Atheists claims it is an outgrowth of the law suit filed by Madelyn Murray O’Hair who challenged forced prayer in public schools (Murray v. Curtlett, 1959).  Although, O’Hair was an atheist, the organization she founded was called the Society of Separationists.  It’s primary purpose was to ensure public institutions operated in accordance with the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution.  While she defended atheists as moral and compassionate people in her opening statement before the Supreme Court, she did not vilify others’ beliefs.

I often wonder how different the discussion would have been if a devout Christian had filed suit against a school system which mandated public prayer. How refreshing it would have been to hear an opening statement before the Court which included the following.

This case is about prayer in our schools.  As a Christian, I believe Jesus Christ is my savior.  I try to follow his teachings.  I and my family attend church regularly where we are reminded Christ preached of our responsibility toward our fellow man.  That is why I am here today, as both a Christian and an American who believes in the Constitution and especially the First Amendment.  Today, many of my fellow Christians support reciting the Lord’s Prayer in schools.  But would they be equally supportive if their children were required to recite the Koran or Satanic verses.  The founding fathers did not want to take that chance.  We should honor their wisdom and vision of a nation where government and religion each have their own time and place.

By claiming the superiority of their own religious preference as the justification for enforcing the Constitution, American Atheists do exactly what they claim to abhor.  They have perverted the mission of their “prophet” Madelyn just as some members of all of the major religions have perverted the teachings of their prophets and teachers to justify political preferences.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

 

Love the Crime; Hate the Criminal

Politics, Religion, Uncategorized

 

In letter #211, St. Augustine wrote, “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” which translates to, “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.”  The more commonly quoted version of this sentiment comes from Mahatma Gandhi, “Love the sinner but hate the sin.”  In Gandhi’s case, he appealed to his fellow countrymen to challenge British rule without fomenting hatred toward the English, hatred which  might lead to violence and undercut international support for the Indian independence movement.  The British wanted nothing more than the world to see Indians as violent and dangerous, unable to govern themselves.

My thoughts turned to St. Augustine and Gandhi yesterday when I saw Donald Trump’s response to the shooting death of Dwyane Wade’s cousin Nykea Aldridge.  Within hours the Republican nominee tweeted:

Dwyane Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”

This is not the first time Trump has turned tragedy into a self-promoting vehicle.  It was one more in a series of initial reactions to tragic events in the United States and abroad.

After the murder of 49 members of the LBGT community at The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida:

Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!

And following a terrorist attack in Brussels, Belgium in which two Americans were among the 35 victims:

Remember when I recently said that Brussels is a “hell hole” and a mess and the failing @nytimes wrote a critical article. I was so right!

Thus, the title of this post.  Donald Trump sees crime and terrorist acts as a validation of his world view of America and the world as a dangerous and scary place.  He does not understand that Brussels was an ISIS target, NOT because it is a “hell hole,” but because it is a vibrant example of a free and open society.  Or that The Pulse was a symbol of tolerance.

Only after these tweets resulted in bi-partisan and public outrage, did Trump express sympathy for the victims and their families.  Trump is also quick to point out that criminals and terrorists are “really bad” people.  On that count he is right. However, instead of calling for justice for the victims, his initial exhortation is VOTE TRUMP!

Last night, Chicago police apprehended and charged two men accused of Nykea Aldridge’s murder.  Yet the master tweeter was silent as this development does not fit his narrative in which everything is “going to hell” and everybody is “not smart.”  I cannot help but wonder whether campaign strategists in Trump Tower believe more of these kinds of tragedy are just what their candidate needs to win in November.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

 

Irrational Fear of Islam IS-LAMe

Culture, Religion

 

Janet Adkins, a candidate for school superintendent in our community, included the following in an op-ed piece in the local paper:

As a mom, I have had my child come home and share with me how he was offered “extra credit” if he could memorize the “five pillars of Islam.”…I am opposed to instruction of Islam ideas in our public schools. We should not allow instruction in the classroom to minimize the threat that is posed by Islamic terrorists who are seeking to destroy us. (Source: Fernandina Beach News Leader, August 17, 2016)

In contrast to Ms. Adkins’ immediate and visceral response to the assignment, my first thought was, “Why would a teacher give this assignment?” And since I was unfamiliar with the specifics of the “five pillars,” I Googled the term. Guess what? The only difference between the “five pillars” and similar tenets of Christianity and Judaism is semantics. Consider the following:

Pillar #1: Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith. How does this differ from Christian belief that salvation is only possible through Christ the savior or the conviction by Jews they are the chosen people? Are these not also religion-specific professions of faith?

Pillar #2: Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day. Who could argue Judaism and Christianity do not have their own rituals? What is communion? What is the wearing of the yarmulke and prayer shawl?

muslim prayercommunion jewish prayer

Pillar #3: Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy. Do the terms tithing and tzedakah ring a bell?

Pillar #4: Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan. According to beliefnet.com, the Muslim fast during Ramadan is a way to seek purity of heart and mind. Is that not the same goal for Jews who fast on Yom Kippur or Christians who observe Lent?

Pillar #5: Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca. At the end of the Passover seder, Jews close the ceremony with the words, “Next year in Jerusalem.” When I Googled the term “holy land tours,” the first listing described the trip as “a Christian journey of a lifetime.”

So why would a teacher offer extra credit to students who research the five pillars of Islam? Perhaps that educator felt, in light of some individuals’ efforts (including a candidate for superintendent) to divide people, this was an opportunity to demonstrate that even diverse cultures have more in common than we are led to believe. What would be more heartening than a Christian or Jewish student reaching out to a Muslim classmate and having the following conversation?

Jewish Student: I can’t believe you have to fast for a WHOLE month. We only have to do it for 24 hours.

Muslim Student: Our fast is just during the day. We break fast every night. Is it true you don’t even take drinks of water during your fast? I don’t know if I could do that.

Christian Student: Sounds like we have it easy. All we have to do is give up one thing of importance to us. I gave up video games last year.

Muslim Student: I have a great idea. Let’s observe each others’ tradition during Ramadan, Yom Kippur and Lent.

Christian & Jewish Student: It’s a deal!

If opponents of multi-cultural content in our schools find the pillars of Islam so distasteful, are they willing to make the same pronouncements about similar tenets and rituals of their own religions. I challenge people like Janet Adkins to tell me what they find so offensive about the five pillars of Islam? Education should be about enlightenment. It appears she would rather keep our students in the dark.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP