Jephthah

For me, the most horrific part of the Jephtha story is the way that priests, religions and even scholars insist on pushing this blame onto Jephtha himself -- posting this as a Rash Vow to God. Which is complete BS as near as I can tell, after re-reading the story several times. Since the 18th century, some scholars have questioned the traditional interpretation of Jephthah's sacrifice of his daughter. Alternative views of the events have been proposed claiming mistranslations or comparing the sacrifice to other biblical events and given the contradiction in the moral message, seeking a more poetic interpretation. But the fact is there is nothing wrong with the interpretation of the Hebrew, and it was exactly what it says. This isn't a few verses taken out of context... this is three chapters making it perfectly clear that Jephthah sought to save the people of the tribe, and offered the sacrifice of God's choosing for success.

There are several more disturbing details of this story. The first being that Jephthah is pointedly described as being the son of a Harlot. This declaration is even more disturbing when the writer goes to great lengths to point out later, that after his daughter is sacrificed, Jephthah is not given any more off-spring by God.

The second is the custom of Israel which is said to be a four day a year lament for the daughter of Jephthah by all women... which I can find no record of ever being on a Hebrew calendar. It is probably there... but so far I haven't been able to find this period of lament for his daughter.

So this is one of the places in the bible that God asks for and gets the blood sacrifice of a child. There are others, which we don't like talking about either... we sort of brush over them like they were no big deal... but when our blinders are removed, they are exactly what they say they are.

Facebook Lockup

My account on Facebook is locked up. Has been most of the night. So if you don't see me on there for a while, its because I have no access.

Not really happy about the fact either. Facebook has not been the most stable of systems lately and when I think about putting more time and effort into placement and advertising, Facebook is not at the top of my list.

Yes, I hear you and I Apathize

This idea hit me in the forehead this evening and I can't seem to get it out, so I guess I'm going to have to write it out.

apathize
(verb)

- to actively show no interest in something, or anything
- the act of intentional attention failure
- to not care

usage: It's normal for people to empathize with those in trouble, but all he does is apathize when someone else is struggling.



On the Internet, in blogs, Social Networks and forums I come across a large number of sticky sentimental, crappy articles which are based on faulty logic, heart strings and mis-construed facts (normally from the bible, or political platforms) which should be laughed off the pages, but instead are applauded and taken as Biblical Facts. I have stood aloof and in awe of these atrocities long enough… the only sane response to such arrogant ignorance is cold Apathy.

While I am certainly using these sicky sticky melodramatic landmines for the purpose of trafficking my idea of an Apathizing life, these books are more important to me than this quibble. These books are focused on the ideal of Living on Purpose, rather than droning through life as a victim.

The posts I focus on are not randomly picked, nor are they what-ever-I-could-find, but rather posts, which perpetuate the idea of living as a victim, or worse, victimizing our responsibilities. The most sinful phrase I have ever heard spoken, and then agreed with on a group level, was “I did this because I had to, and now look what has become of me.” In every human atrocity known to our history, there is someone in a position of authority, uttering these words at the accusing eyes across the funeral pyre.

These posts are viral infections, which decay our nation, our neighbors and our futures. What is grievous about them, is that I strongly doubt that the original authors of these quips had this goal in mind when composing them.