Stephen Fry on God | The Meaning Of Life | RTÉ One

THE GOOD OLD CAUSE OF WAR & PEACE

LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS was the best selling
novel of the 19th century and made into an anti-war film.

TWO MONTHS before the start of WW1 the first woman Nobel Peace Prize recipient died. Her name was Bertha-Von - Suttner.

 As the 100 year anniversary of the 'war to end all wars' is commemorated I think it so important we learn about the Pacifists who were courageous in their arguments and actions in the build up to the major conflicts hoping/praying they would prevent slaughter of millions.
What We Owe to Bertha Von Suttner » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

She is worth getting to know if you are looking for inspiration.

http://metta-spencer.blogspot.nl/2005/10/bertha-von-suttners-nobel-peace-prize.html

Anne Shelton - Lay down your arms (Lipstick OYC mini series)

History and Women: The Outspoken Venetian Nun - Elena Cassandra Tarabotti (Arcangela) 1604 – 1652

History and Women: The Outspoken Venetian Nun - Elena Cassandra Tarabotti (Arcangela) 1604 – 1652

THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY

SUNDAY SCHOOL was a hop, skip and a jump away for my twin sisters and I. Brown Owl our leader in the Brownie Guides was also one of the Sunday teachers at St. Wulstan's Church of England hall. It was a creative hive of activity so Mum and Dad could have a sleep-in...Link to St. Wulstan history, Bournbrook and Selly Oak

We learned our God was in Heaven with his son Jesus Christ.
There were also Angels in Heaven standing beside the Golden Throne.
I had seen pictures in books. Somewhere up above the clouds, a place of peace and gentle joy, a place where all your family who have died before you would be waiting to take you by the hand.

If you were good. 

I tried to imagine what Heaven was like. God was like a slim Santa with long white beard, Jesus long white robes and of course the Angels with mighty wings  - God's messengers. Mary must be somewhere. Where was she? 

I trusted what the godly middle-class Anglican folk told me: Jesus wanted me for a sun-beam to shine for him each day, in every way try to please Him, at home, at school, at play...
... Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

Such sweet brain-washing, especially for little me who liked to sing on the hall's stage. St. Wulstan's was my first paid gig, singing in the Choir. 

My neighbours all had portraits of Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus on their wall. Another Roman Catholic perspective I got was enjoying Irish comedian Dave Allen's sketch show on T.V. 
I was the oldest and got to stay up late to baby-sit the twins who were usually in bed by 8 o'clock.

Nuns in full medieval habits were still visible around our streets in the early 1970's. My friend across the road had them as teachers. 

Before I had fully explored notions of Heaven and Hell I became bored and cynical with Catechism around 10 or 11. My parting words to the volunteer teacher on a part of the Biblical passage was, "Do you really believe that?"

Whatever it was has sank into the mud of memory, but mainstream culture kept me plugged into the mysteries and realms of spiritual connection. 

It wasn't until 6th form in a Melbourne second-hand records shop I risked spending my small amount of money on Pink Floyd's 1973 album "The Dark Side of the Moon." 
Persevering as best I could with study to achieve a High School Certificate without parental support, in a safe house, but not my home - 
I listened and felt connected to the wonders of creation. My faith was in the Muse.

This last year I have been absorbed in writing and researching for a historical fiction inspired from what I found in my family tree. It is set during the English Civil War - contests of who has the authority to tell us what to believe, how to believe and whose interpretation of the translated editions of the Holy Gospel are the Truth!

There are various versions of these sectarian battles continuing today in many of the world's religions. In my small life so far I have been witness to 

THE BIG DILEMMA: ROMAN CATHOLIC OR PROTESTANT HEAVEN? - THIS SIMPSON'S EPISODES OFFERS INSIGHT!

PRISCILLA UNDER THE VATICAN CATACOMBS

IN AUSTRALIA PRISCILLA IS OUR QUEEN OF THE DESERT. She is a lesson in acknowledging the kalaidescope of human beings and the best we have to offer - often in a cultural heritage of bias, judgement, prejudice, homophobia - whatever life means, you've gotta laugh.

The lesson for this Sabbath is to make a virtual visit to Rome - here are the details: Priscilla is revealing herself to us yet again.

As a woman with a brain chemistry which delights in scintillating new knowledge of inspirational other women in history, negated by patriarchal powers, I have a great reason to visit Rome before I kick the bucket!

Vatican unveils frescoes in Catacombs of Priscilla with paintings of FEMALE PRIESTS | Mail Online

PRIESTS, PASTORS, POLITICIANS AND OTHER PREDATORS.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 

Mark 10:13-14 King James Bible 

Who are the Apostles of Christ that claim they are Christians, are Christ-like, and then in the name of their religion form policies supposedly to protect the sanctity of Life? Yet go to war if their allies tell them to, cover-up, cover-up, lift the veil, teaching innocence, trust, blind faith only to perpetrate betrayal?

I tell my children question, research, explore, analyse, be wiley with a predator - be aware the nice guy, the religious guy could be grooming you with phoney fairy-tales.

POST-ELECTION IS QUIET WITH THE NEW ABBOTT GOVERNMENT, proving a point David Marr(my favourite journalist) makes in this interview about the new Prime Minister's tactics which he learned from his DLP days - Don't tell the electorate much, hide your principles, your politics, your policy so you don't scare the electorate.
Thanks to the Global Mail for making a presence on the Australian scene, providing us with informed content and pictures with loads of artistry. theglobalmail.org

 As I was writing about the English Civil War between absolute monarch, and absolute males, and absolute anti-papists or protestants, my other favourite Journalist, Phillip Adams was talking to David Marr about Cardinal Pell.
Our current Prime Minister and others are now at the top of the institutions of power, once adolescent acolytes of  B.A. Santamaria who created an ALP civil war, forming the Democratic Labor Party(DLP).
The Ghost of Bartholomew Augustine S. is with us today in Tony Abbott(P.M.) Cardinal Pell(Roman Catholic), Gerard Henderson(Journalism, Greg Sheridan(Journalism). The conversation between these good, non-Godly men reinforced the belief that women and children have borne the brunt of Secular and Religious Patriarchal control particularly this time when the Royal Commission of Institutional Child Abuse is listening to evidence. 

Priests were molesting and raping children and being shifted around to protect their own and not the Parishioners. Suffer the little children.

Thankyou David Marr for shining the Light and articulating the real Truth with your words. 

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/george-pell-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-catholic-church---ade/5041382

1950's and 1960's were not the golden years of harmonious society for thousands like my mother when she was in the 'care and protection' of the Catholic Church. Commentators are always wondering why the cynicism of the hierarchy of Religious and Ministers of Government. Why the lack of trust? What are they hiding from us?

Channel 9 - Point of View