Saturday, May 24, 2008

a symptom of real despair

Despair must have become endemic to someone for him or her to be amused and patronizing toward a lack of cynicism or an outpouring of contentment. When the mere concept of innocence is a hilarious joke, and the enjoyment of life is a sign of immaturity, real despair is what remains. People in this state quite naturally fall into habits for dulling their minds and altering their moods. They don't pursue happiness; they dehumanize themselves to the bestial point at which happiness has a simpler, faker definition.

Who's escapist?

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

one obvious reason that cohabitation is on the rise

By "cohabitation" I mean an intimate, long-term, at-least-mostly monogamous arrangement between unmarried people, regardless of whether it's taking place under one roof. Children may or may not be involved. It seems to be most prevalent among those who are affluent, unconventional, and mutually independent (e.g., rich entertainers).

I just realized one obvious reason why this practice is considered preferable to the marriage bond: cohabitation makes divorce much less of a hassle. The commitments, responsibilities, and benefits conferred on marriage by law simply don't mix well with casual, ephemeral interactions between fiercely egocentric individuals. In view of this, the dismal statistical record of cohabiting couples isn't surprising because it's engineered at the outset. It's one of cohabitation's most salient "pros".

Sunday, May 4, 2008

a dissection of the lyric "the Earth is filled with His glory"

When I sing during a church service I strive to ponder the lyrics. I firmly believe that mindless worship is a self-contradiction. I keep silent during the lines and stanzas that I can't state honestly. One short assertion in that category is, if I'm repeating it faithfully, "the Earth is filled with His glory". It's more problematic than it may seem:
  • If the lyric means that the Earth is a strong representation of God's goodness, then it's false. I count my blessings like any other grateful being (it's always more than we deserve), but surely that matter of the Fall is a stumbling block to thinking the Earth is Good? Not only is there a dizzying array of ways to experience pain but there is an even greater number of ways that one inhabitant of Earth can inflict that pain on its counterparts. Consider another good quality, fairness. Aside from the difficulty of arriving at a definition that everyone will accept, any regime to enforce fairness will sooner or later fail because people are simply too clever.
  • If the lyric means that the Earth is a strong representation of God's power and majesty and creativity, then it's false. Infinite is infinite. Absolute is absolute. Merely from the standpoint of the rest of the solar system, Earth isn't terribly distinctive...apart from supporting life, a task at which it hasn't been perpetually successful. Sometimes people will speak of natural disasters and catastrophes that supposedly illustrate God's might. As if. Perhaps a greater sign is the very existence of the Earth and universe. Something from nothing is the true miracle.
  • If the lyric means that the Earth is filled with God, then it's false. God is separate. God's full force would flatten it. God's presence would crush our minds. Also remember that many things on Earth injure and kill indiscriminately. And annoy. Is it respectful to imply that "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" should be "Yahweh nipping at your nose"? Please, be thankful when everything seems to be favoring your happiness. Yet what should the response be when everything seems to be spiting your happiness? What about the beautiful sunshine...before and after it burns you? I admit to not being someone who sees God in everything. My intent is to provoke thought, not to challenge anyone's faith.