A Grievous Insult

Perhaps I shouldn't let things like this get under my skin. But at the risk of turning this blog into a Miss Manners column I'd like to share a little something with you, gentle reader.

An accepted personal invitation my not be disregarded.

Last night, Diane had invited some of her staff over to the house for dinner and a movie. She asked me to cook and host, which I agreed to gladly. Since it was a weeknight I decided on simple, but quality fare - porterhouse steaks, grilled, a side of roasted spaghetti squash with a simple tomato sauce, among other items. Although she had invited more, three had accepted invitations (a single and a couple). The first guest arrived relatively on time, but Diane received a call, after the invited time, that "Bill" was running very late, occupied with something else, but not an emergency. We took our time, then ate, and finally, after an hour and a half, I asked Diane to call him. He was still "busy". I asked her to tell him and his wife not to come.

These are people that Diane works with, so part of my impotent fury is that I can't directly address them. But here's why I'm angry and insulted:

• An invitation to our home requires us a large amount of effort and expense.
• We have to clean, arrange for the kids to be transported or cared for, and in this case fed.
• We purchased food and drink, at no small expense.
• I left work early to prepare the meal and expend a considerable effort in making the evening enjoyable and entertaining.
• A dinner party planned for 5 is an very different dynamic when only one guest appears.
• Other people were not invited that could have attended.

This person will NOT be invited again. It is my understanding that he runs a side business and became busy at a customer site. I do not accept this as an excuse. Once he accepted the invitation he was obliged to present himself at the appointed time, save for grave personal emergency. If this person was under my influence, this would severely bar his advancement. I would not consider it shabby or petty to shun avoid their company.

Behave with consideration and you're welcome in my home and table. Piss me off and you'll end up in this blog.

Rule #3. You can believe whatever damn stupid thing you want*

*as long as you claim no authority to enforce it.

Yes, here the crux of the matter. Virtually all of humanity's problems boil down to matters of belief. Very few issues are purely greed or lust (and frankly, they're much more fun and less damaging than the whole belief thing).

And it's the followers that are the problem. Leaders are powerless, but followers, or "functionaries" as my good friend Penny calls them, are the ones that shed the blood and attempt to force all into behavioral boxes.

Why? Because of one word: SHOULD. I've been inside the belief structure - I was raise that way. But from the very start, from my earliest memories, I was struck with the hypocrisies. Christianity has a big problem here and it isn't alone, but it's the one I know best. The complete practice of Christianity is incompatible with modern life. In it's current incarnation it is structured around allowing people the most minimal contact with religious life while exercising the maximum behavioral control. If one were to actually follow the precepts of Christianity as recognized by most of the major brands, you'd quickly be labeled either a fanatic or a nut. Do you really expect me to give up everything, accept everyone, turn the other cheek, and here's the big one, pretty much ignore all authority and hierarchy? And when you in turn look at those that do follow their religion religiously, you have the extremes that we find both humorous and dangerous.

Jesus, as presented in the New Testament, was a dangerous man. Why? Not because of the reported miracles or for anything he said. He's portrayed and the most unthreatening man you could imagine, even to his death. But his FOLLOWERS were becoming the threat. Frankly, they were right to be scared. I can't find any measure that will provide evidence of positive good done by these followers that can't be outweighed by a hundred times the evil they've perpetrated in his name.

Alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin; but you have overlooked the weightier demands of the Law, justice, mercy, and good faith. It is these you should have practised, without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain off a midge, yet gulp down a camel!

Alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish, which you have filled inside by robbery and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of the cup first; then the outside will be clear also.

Alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like tombs covered with whitewash; they look well from outside, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all kinds of filth. So it is with you: outside you look like honest men, but inside you are brim-full of hypocrisy and crime. . .

Matthew, 23rd Chapter

I'll admit, it's damn difficult to face that there's no purpose to human existence. This life we have is it. There's no second change, next round, higher plane. And building a life that has its own meaning, that is satisfying and is creditable (I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle laying that one out yet) is a challenge that most simply can't or won't face.

And frankly, I don't care if they do or don't, as long as they leave everyone else alone!

See? There's a good reason they haven't made me supreme ruler of this little galaxy.

Rule #2 - Use The Scientific Method

Listen, that old adage of "there are many ways of discovering the truth" and laments of "Western ways of thinking", I'm sorry about it, but poppycock. The Scientific Method is the only way.

I'll repeat, I'm not looking for arguments, so argue amongst yourselves. Here's the test: Demonstrate an instance when a method or practice other than the Scientific Method has uncovered and explained any physical phenomenon.

This rule is like unto the first. It is based on skepticism and does not rely on authority. The results are available to all who follow the experimental steps.

And while we're at it I'll tip my hat to Rule #3. You can believe whatever damn stupid thing you want as long as you claim no authority to enforce it.

See how this is working out?

Free Sheet Music

Wow - now here's something worthwhile - Welcome to the Mutopia Project.

Over 320 pieces of musice available, to date - and best for me - 170 piano works!

Ah!

Rules To Live By

First, there are no rules.

That may be the most difficult step to take.

"What, then how do I know if I'm doing it right?"

Well, you'll have to determine that yourself. If you expect me to tell you if you're a good person, if you're successfully, if you're smart, beautiful, or worthy, then you're in a heap o' trouble.

And if I can't tell you these things, who can?

No one.

More specifically, here's my first rule, restated and clarified: Always, without exception, mistrust and challenge anyone or anything that claims authority or seeks positions of command or control. Distrust more those who seek to be governed and attempt to include you within the body.

Chaos? Anarchy? No, not at all. I do not say resist authority, only to question it.

All other rules may be derived from this one alone. It is the central component of my philosophy.

The hard part is this: rejoice in this task. To not allow despondency and despair to rule. Peeling back the layers, discovering the real mechanism of the universe, of the affairs of men, or your very heart and soul is a joyous task. Revel in it. For every belief you leave behind, for every misconception and lie you shatter, for every step you take in sharpening the focus on your vision and understanding, declare victory and gain strength.

There are things I could tell you. But I won't rob you of the joy of discovery.