Cross-quarter Days

Cross-quarter Days

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-quarter_day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_calendar

Heath Etymology

http://keithbriggs.info/heath.html

Wheel of the Year

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheel_of_the_Year.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year

Knights of the Round Table

The table is round and this gives no one member of those invited to the table any advantage. But you have to be a Knight and this means a stakeholder (stick your stake in the ground), which means property, and are representatives of the commoners allowed around the table?

The game is Capitalist Poker and your stake is represented by the amount of resources (represented by money tokens) that you can call on to play, representing castles and armed retainers, agricultural land and serfs (possessions) and possibly benefactors (from over the sea).

But the hands are dealt by God (whoever he may be) and who is going to take the Pot? Now being a commoner my stake is low and although my cards are high what card is going to appear in the river? Will the benefactor invest when the wrong card means Death?

Dark clouds of the Revolution are in the sky, Thunder and Lightning, the new game is Chess and the armies are gathering. This is to be expected when the commoners are not allowed at the Round Table. The gate is locked and the paid Guards are watching.

Our Way of Life

In introducing the inherited spirituality of his people, T.P. Tawhai, a Maori writer, said that “the purpose of religious activity here is to do violence with impunity”. He explains that rather than reaching for redemption and salvation, or conveying messages of praise and thanksgiving, religious activity “seeks permission and offers placation”.

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-faith-column/2007/03/eat-world-life-problem-others

Our Religions: Are they the Religions of Humanity Itself

Wherever you find indigenous peoples who have not swallowed (under force) the bitter pill of civilization, you find animism.

…there once was a religion that could plausibly be called the religion of humanity. It was humanity’s first religion and its only universal religion, found wherever humans were found, in place for tens of thousands of years. Christian missionaries encountered it wherever they went, and piously set about destroying it. By now it has been all but stamped out either by missionary efforts or more simply by exterminating its adherents. I certainly take no pride in its discovery, since it’s been in plain sight to us for hundreds of years.

Of course it isn’t accounted a “real” religion, since it isn’t one of ours. It’s just a sort of half-baked “pre-religion.” How could it be anything else, since it emerged long before God decided humans were worth talking to? It wasn’t revealed by any accredited prophet, has no dogma, no evident theology or doctrine, no liturgy, and produces no interesting heresies or schisms. Worst of all, as far as I know, no one has ever killed for it or died for it–and what sort of religion is that? Considering all this, it’s actually quite remarkable that we even have a name for it.

The religion I’m talking about is, of course, animism.

Daniel Quinn
Our Religions: Are they the Religions of Humanity Itself?

http://wilderix.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/animism-baptism/

Agnosticism

agnostic | anstk | n. & a. M19. [f. A-10 + GNOSTIC.] A n. A person who holds the view that nothing can be known of the existence of God or of anything beyond material phenomena. Also, a person who is uncertain or non-committal about a particular thing. M19. B adj. Of or pertaining to agnostics or agnosticism. L19.
Coined by T. H. Huxley (OED); but occurs earlier in a letter of 1859 from Isabel Arundell.
agnostical a. L19. agnostically adv. L19. agnosticism | -sz()m | n. the doctrine or tenets of agnostics, an agnostic attitude L19.

cf. Nihilism on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism

Demographic research services normally list agnostics in the same category as atheists and/or non-religious people.[4] Some sources use agnostic in the sense of noncommittal.[5] Agnosticism often overlaps with other belief systems. Agnostic theists identify themselves both as agnostics and as followers of particular religions, viewing agnosticism as a framework for thinking about the nature of belief and their relation to revealed truths. Some nonreligious people, such as author Philip Pullman, identify as both agnostic and atheist.[6]
Thomas Henry Huxley defined the term:
Agnosticism is not a creed but a method, the essence of which lies in the vigorous application of a single principle... Positively the principle may be expressed as in matters of intellect, do not pretend conclusions are certain that are not demonstrated or demonstrable.

Etymology
Agnostic (Greek: ἀ- a-, without + γνῶσις gnōsis, knowledge) was used by Thomas Henry Huxley in a speech at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in 1876[7] to describe his philosophy which rejects all claims of spiritual or mystical knowledge. Early Christian church leaders used the Greek word gnosis (knowledge) to describe "spiritual knowledge." Agnosticism is not to be confused with religious views opposing the ancient religious movement of Gnosticism in particular; Huxley used the term in a broader, more abstract sense.[8] Huxley identified agnosticism not as a creed but rather as a method of skeptical, evidence-based inquiry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism
Nihilism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Nihilism (pronounced /ˈnaɪ.əlɪzəm/ or /ˈniː.əlɪzəm/; from the Latin nihil, nothing) is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life[1] is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. Moral nihilists assert that morality does not inherently exist, and that any established moral values are abstractly contrived. Nihilism can also take epistemological, metaphysical or ontological forms, meaning respectively that, in some aspect, knowledge is not possible or that contrary to our belief, some aspect of reality does not exist as such.
The term nihilism is sometimes used in association with anomie to explain the general mood of despair at a perceived pointlessness of existence that one may develop upon realizing there are no necessary norms, rules, or laws.[2] Movements such as Futurism and deconstruction,[3] among others, have been identified by commentators as "nihilistic" at various times in various contexts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism

Gnosticism

Gnosticism (Greek: γνῶσις gnōsis, knowledge) refers to diverse, syncretistic religious movements in antiquity consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that the material cosmos was created ...

The gnōsis referred to in the term is a form of mystic, revealed, esoteric knowledge through which the spiritual elements of humanity are reminded of their true origins within the superior Godhead, being thus permitted to escape materiality.[5] Consequently, within the sects of gnosticism only the pneumatics or psychics obtain gnōsis; the hylic or Somatics, though human, being incapable of perceiving the higher reality, are unlikely to attain the gnōsis deemed by gnostic movements as necessary for salvation.[6][7] Jesus of Nazareth is identified by some Gnostic sects as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnōsis to the earth.[8] In others (e.g. the Notzrim and Mandaeans) he is considered a mšiha kdaba or "false messiah" who perverted the teachings entrusted to him by John the Baptist.[9] Still other traditions identify Mani and Seth, third son of Adam and Eve, as salvific figures.[10]

Whereas Gnosticism has been considered by scholars to originate as a branch of Christianity, alternate theories have proposed traces of Gnostic systems existed some centuries before the Christian Era, thus predating the birth of Jesus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

Epiphany to the Magi

e·piph·a·ny (-pf-n)
n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
1. Epiphany
a. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
b. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3.
a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: "I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself" (Frank Maier).

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/epiphany

JC (the Nazz) was a Skylark (INFJ*) and the Magi (ENTJ*) rode on sneering Camels (ESFJ variant) from a different camp.

Intuition is not the whole world.
(* unsure, these could be complex shape-shifters)



Pervasive throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia until late antiquity and beyond, Greek mágos "magian"/Magician was influenced by (and eventually displaced) Greek goēs(γόης), the older word for a practitioner of magic, to include astrology, alchemy and other forms of esoteric knowledge. This association was in turn the product of the Hellenistic fascination for (Pseudo-)Zoroaster, who was perceived by the Greeks to be the "Chaldean" "founder" of the Magi and "inventor" of both astrology and magic. Among the skeptical thinkers of the period, the term 'magian' acquired a negative connotation and was associated with tricksters and conjurers. This pejorative meaning survives in the words "magic" and "magician".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magi

The Special One

The Special One (for dialogue)

S: Special (believes he or she is special and unique)
P: Preoccupied with fantasies (of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love)
E: Entitlement
C: Conceited (grandiose sense of self-importance)
I: Interpersonal exploitation
A: Arrogant (haughty)
L: Lacks empathy


http://www.personalityresearch.org/pd.html

Universal Morality

Universal Morality

One of the main theses in Lewis's apologia is that there is a common morality known throughout humanity. In the first five chapters of Mere Christianity Lewis discusses the idea that people have a standard of behaviour to which they expect other people to adhere. This standard has been called Universal Morality or Natural Law. Lewis claims that people all over the earth know what this law is and when they break it. He goes on to claim that there must be someone or something behind such a universal set of principles. (Lindskoog 2001b, p. 144)

These then are the two points that I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we live in. (Lewis 1952, p. 21)

Lewis also portrays Universal Morality in his works of fiction. In The Chronicles of Narnia he describes Universal Morality as the "Deep magic" which everyone knew. (Lindskoog 2001b, p. 146)

In the second chapter of Mere Christianity Lewis recognizes that "many people find it difficult to understand what this Law of Human Nature [...] is". And he responds first to the idea "that the Moral Law is simply our herd instinct" and second to the idea "that the Moral Law is simply a social convention". In responding to the second idea Lewis notes that people often complain that one set of moral ideas is better than another, but that this actually argues for there existing some "Real Morality" to which they are comparing other moralities. Finally he notes that sometimes differences in moral codes are exaggerated by people who confuse differences in beliefs about morality with differences in beliefs about facts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis

Moral universalism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Universal morality)
Jump to: navigation, search
Moral universalism (also called moral objectivism or universal morality) is the meta-ethical position that some system of ethics, or a universal ethic, applies universally, that is, for "all similarly situated individuals"[1], regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, sexuality, or other distinguishing feature. Moral universalism is opposed to moral nihilism and moral relativism. However, not all forms of moral universalism are absolutist, nor are they necessarily value monist; many forms of universalism, such as utilitarianism, are non-absolutist, and some forms, such as that of Isaiah Berlin, may be value pluralist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_morality

Social Democratic

SOCIAL DEMOCRATISM

Social Democratism is a moderate form of Socialism.

The Social Democratic current came into being by a break within the Socialist movement in the early 20th century. One reformist group of Socialists rejected the idea of a Socialist revolution, and instead tried to achieve the Socialist ideals through Democratic means.

Social Democrats are in favor of a highly regulated Capitalist market economy, but with a strong and large government [Moderate Interdependence].

Social Democracy is often considered the most commonly embraced political ideology in the world.

http://www.moral-politics.com/xpolitics.aspx?menu=Political_Ideologies&action=Draw&choice=PoliticalIdeologies.Social_Democratism

Moral Matrix: Political Ideology

A Political Ideology is a sub-section of a Political System typically mapping to the specific beliefs of a group or to a theory.

Because certain ideologies are complex and include multiple factions, they can easily span multiple Political Variations. Ideologies can also overlap.

While some of the ideologies listed here are well known and hardly disputed (i.e. Social-Democracy), others are often the subject of intense discussions (e.g. Trotskyism).

Where a clear ideology name was not established, we came up with our own or picked the term that we thought best represented the zone on the Moral Matrix.

Click on the Matrix to learn more.


http://www.moral-politics.com/xPolitics.aspx?menu=Political_Ideologies&action=Draw&choice=PoliticalIdeologies.All

Moral Matrix

OVERVIEW

This test is a morality-based political test. It finds your political position not by asking you what you think about political issues but by defining your Personal Moral System.

Political opinions are shaped by your moral values. Once we map your personal moral system, we can accurately tell you what your stance is on any political issue.

Note that moral values is not the same as 'traditional values'. Moral values can be of any political flavor. Everyone has moral values.


PERSEUS'S SCORE

Your scored -3 on Moral Order and 1 on Moral Rules.























The following categories best match your score (multiple responses are possible):

System: Socialism
Ideology: Social Democratism
Party: Democratic Party
Presidents: Jimmy Carter
04' Election: John Kerry
08' Election: Barrack Obama



Of the 639,098 respondents (11,539 on Facebook):

11% are close to you.
50% are more conservative.
8% are more liberal.
15% are more socialist.
14% are more authoritarian.

http://www.moral-politics.com/xpolitics.aspx?menu=Home&action=Test&choice=Long

Slithering in the grass down by the Lake .....

According to Dr. Hare and Dr. Babiak, psychopaths are always on the lookout for individuals to scam or swindle. The psychopathic approach includes three phases: the assessment phase, the manipulation phase and the abandonment phase. "Some psychopaths are opportunistic, aggressive predators who wil take advantage of almost anyone they meet, while others are more patient, waiting for the perfect, innocent victim to cross their path.

http://toogoodtobereal.blogspot.com/2006/06/beware-techniques-of-sociopath.html

This is a work of the Guardians.

"Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?"

"Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" is a quotation – sometimes misquoted with "on" in place of "upon" – from Alexander Pope's "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot" of January 1735. The line has entered common use and has become associated with more recent figures.

It can be taken as referring to putting massive effort into achieving something minor or unimportant, and alludes to "breaking on the wheel", a form of torture in which victims had their long bones broken by an iron bar while tied to a Catherine wheel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_breaks_a_butterfly_upon_a_wheel%3F

In Finnish teilata, "to execute by the wheel", refers to forceful and violent critique or rejection of performance, ideas or innovations. In Norwegian, the verb radbrekke is generally applied to art and language, and refers to use thereof which is seen as despoiling tradition and courtesy, with connotations of willful ignorance and/or malice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_wheel

The Boxer

boxer | bks | n.1 rare. M16. [f. BOX v.1 + -ER1.] A person who puts things in boxes.
boxer | bks | n.2 L17. [f. BOX v.2 + -ER1.]

1 A person who boxes; a pugilist. L17.
2 Hist. (B-.) [Repr. Chin. yi he quan lit. 'righteous harmonious fists'.] A member of a Chinese nationalist secret society responsible for a rising in 1900. E20.
3 A dog of a smooth-coated square-built breed of the bulldog type, originating in Germany. E20.
Comb.: boxer shorts: men's loose shorts or underpants

box | bks | n.1 OE. [L buxus f. Gk puxos.]
1 More fully box tree. A small evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Buxus (family Buxaceae);

box | bks | n.2 LOE. [Prob. f. late L buxis, -id- var. of L PYXIS box of boxwood.]
1 A case or receptacle, usu. rectangular or cylindrical and with a lid, of wood, metal, card, etc. (Freq. w. function, type, etc., specified or understood contextually.) LOE
-------------------------------------------
Excerpted from The Oxford Interactive Encyclopedia
Developed by The Learning Company, Inc. Copyright (c) 1997 TLC Properties Inc.


1742 FIELDING J. Andrews III. ix, A stout fellow and an expert boxer. 1875 JOWETT Plato (ed. 2) I. 154 As if I had received a blow from the expert hand of a boxer.
OED

Strain Theory (Sociology)

Strain theory (sociology)


In criminology, the strain theory states that social structures within society may encourage citizens to commit crime.

Structural: this refers to the processes at the societal level which filter down and affect how the individual perceives his or her needs, i.e. if particular social structures are inherently inadequate or there is inadequate regulation, this may change the individual's perceptions as to means and opportunities;

or

Individual: this refers to the frictions and pains experienced by an individual as he or she looks for ways to satisfy his or her needs, i.e. if the goals of a society become significant to an individual, actually achieving them may become more important than the means adopted

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strain_theory_(sociology)