First Word

The best argument for a liturgical calendar is that having a ceremonial calendar seems to be an inescapable concept. I am not there yet, but I have to admit that our secular civic-religious state, built on the ruins of a calendarless Protestantism, proffers a calendar that veritably bristles with memorials. February, for example, is designated Black History Month. So, to honor it in my own way, I propose to quote Hegel on Black History. After listening to his discussion, it will be possible to state rather unhesitatingly what Hegel’s view of Black History Month would be. (more…)

A quick Google search indicates that different organizations claim today’s holiday as (a) Washington’s birthday (in which case, “President’s Day”), or plural “Presidents’ Day,” with either the interpretation of (b) “Washington and Lincoln,” or (c) “all presidents.” Apparently, at the Federal level, it is technically still (a), though Nixon issued a proclamation making it (b); but the public, no doubt following advertisers’ lead, mostly believes the reference to be (c). (more…)

Biblical scholars have debated the meaning and types of sacrifices given in Scripture. Calvin says there are two types, sin offerings and offerings of worship (Inst. 4. 18. 13). Aquinas maintains there are three: burnt offerings, sin offerings and peace offerings (ST IaIIae 102.3). Their division differs according to their emphasis. Calvin is more concerned with the purpose of the sacrifice and Aquinas more with how the victim’s carcass is disposed. Both have their merits (and demerits: neither seem to recognize the atoning element in all sacrifices), but for reasons that will become obvious, I shall follow Aquinas. (more…)

Today, for the remembrance of the 63rd anniversary of the annihilation of Dresden, I review David Irving’s Destruction of Dresden (bibliog. info at end). Dresden, the capital of Saxony, an art city, “the Florence of the Elbe,” had almost no military importance, and was not fortified. Because it was believed that no civilized nation would attack it, it had also become a hospital town, and a destination for refugees. By February 1945, news of horrendous atrocities inflicted on German civilians in towns swept by the Red Army impelled a frightened wave of millions of refugees to flee westward, taking whatever item or two of their most precious possession they were able to carry, and leaving all else forever behind. The lucky ones were able to pack into the dwindling trains, but most went on foot. When the bombers came to Dresden, schools had been suspended in order to convert the buildings into hospitals and so that the children and young people could serve to assist the refugees arriving hourly in trains and by foot in flight from the Red Terror which was now only 80 miles to the east of the city (83). “The city which in peacetime had a population of 630,000 citizens was by the eve of the air attacks so crowded with Silesians, East Prussians and Pomeranians from the Eastern front, with Berliners and Rhinelanders from the West, with Allied and Russian prisoners of war, with evacuated children’s settlements, with forced laborers of many nationalities, that the increased population was now between 1,200,000 and 1,400,000 citizens, of whom, not surprisingly, several hundred thousand had no proper home and of whom none could seek the protection of an air-raid shelter.” (98) (more…)

This video documents some of the lies of Bush and his cronies.

If you don’t need convincing that Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld are all liars, send the link to the many Christians you know who think that they are all men of integrity.

Watch up to 4 minutes 15 seconds.  The last part is not very good.  Also a few Bush/Cheney-type vulgarities can be heard.