"The Dirty Parts of the Bible"

I finished The Dirty Parts of the Bible the other day. Although it's not the most amazing novel I have ever read, it is funny and a delightful distraction from the depressing books on my homework list. The novel, according to the author, combines the Book of Tobit and his grandparents courtship. There is a great reference to the Biblical Song of Solomon. The author actually fit the comparison between deer and breasts into the story. I am glad I read it and have recommended the novel to others.

An amazing novel I finished for a class is Remainder, but that will take a blog entry of it's own. If anyone is out there actually reading this, which I doubt, I encourage you to read this novel. It's weird and amazing, and not like anything I've read, yet like everything. It has tons of Biblical references but you have to pay attention. Honestly, I am going to have to read this book at least two more times before I am happy. This book will leave you dizzy; as if you have been going around in figure eights. (You will understand that reference if you read it).

I need to get back to preparing for midterms. Good journeys.

Bible

   I can't believe how much reading the Bible has changed my view of literature. It's like I am finally getting the big picture. I cannot imagine reading a Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon  without it. I have to say that I truly miss studying the Bible. I can see why Dr Sexon loves it so much. I miss the side journeys as well. Hopefully during spring break I can get back to it.

Another benefit to finishing The Bible.

     Looking at the amazing amount of reading and assignments I am faced with this month, I began to reflect. Thinking back to finishing the Bible and all the other reading I completed last semester, and I feel like I can complete it. After the Bible, reading other books that are challenging really seem manageable.

The Worst Christmas EVER!!!

     We actually got the noro virus as an extra special Christmas gift this year. Hoping everyone was going to recover, hearing my 83 year old father's voice sound weaker than after his heart attack, having to leave my daughter at home sick with a friend while I was in the ER, a surprise visit from my future mother-in-law, and and a general feeling of DOOOOOOMM!! made our Christmas unforgettable. We managed to unwrap our gifts and sort of toss them aside. Some of us managed to nibble at Christmas dinner before getting sick. That's about it really. It was like we got a bit of the commercial empty traditions without being clear headed enough to even ponder the rest. The feeling of togetherness was out since we were not really together at all. The appreciation of family was more of a panic and any prayers of thankfulness turned to desperate pleas for the health of others. But with Christmas snatched out of my grasp, I began to miss it. I admit I am one of those people who think the whole thing is a big hassle; there must be ways to make people know you care without the overspending and crowds was my mantra. But missing out on seeing everyone actually be able to appreciate what they were given, without that feeling of Christmas cheer, without everyone dropping EVERYTHING for the day, or in the case of our family, two days, things seem empty. Honestly, Bible no Bible, God no God whatever. This is why I celebrate Christmas, I can figure the rest out later. For the record, since class has ended and I no longer am confined to a strictly literary view, I do believe in God, I am just not sure about the details. Sounds odd, I know, even as I type it I think it just does not quite fit. I am going to blog on and continue to make connections in literature in my life. If anyone is out there still reading this, I welcome your comments. Journey with me if you like.

Christmas After the Bible-Posted after class ended

I am not sure exactly what to do about Christmas after having actually read the Bible. I was given the Hallmark version of the story of the Nativity and Jesus' ideas and works. It turns out that in reality there was no Jesus who brought peace. The benevolent God I grew up knowing had nothing to do with the Bible. The great protector who watched over me personally that made my feelings swing wildly from safe and free from worry to almost paranoid and trapped in a bubble. What am I celebrating exactly? The peaceful and loving holiday of my childhood that celebrates the birth of the supposed savior, the commercialized over-spending crowd gathering orgy of capitalism, or the birth of the son of God who came to rip apart everyone's beliefs and change their values? Honestly, after actually reading the Bible, I can see why many have given up Jesus for Santa. I am so going to hell for this one; oh well, if this blog is the only reason I am cast into the pit it would be a Christmas miracle. It's amazing that I actually believed or at least tried to believe in the ideas of a book I never even read. I guess it just seems that you sort of absorb the information from society and then get an arrogant idea that you know something. I don't know; I guess I just always kind of went on what little knowledge I had combined with a gut feeling. Now, after reading it, now what? I mean, I think it is essential to believe in something higher. I am just not sure that I am being honest with myself to say I am a Christian. Yet not to say that seems wrong as well. So I guess I will take this holiday to ponder the meaning of all this and search my heart. The answer is probably there somewhere. I could always just blame the redactor for not being able to reconcile my early beliefs with the book. (yes I am joking). I guess for now I will leave it at-----
Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

the fact of the myth

     The Bible is a collection of myths that help us understand and, at times, embrace the unknown. It additionally contains a history of its followers. The following are some of my observations concerning the myths of the book.

     The single most important function, in my opinion, of the Bible is to give people evidence that there exists something beyond themselves. The belief in a higher power, no matter what god or ideal is chosen, is (in my opinion) vital. The Bible does not only allow this belief through religion. The reader is not required to join any organization or even believe in God. Through reading the text, one may find belief in the power of language. After all, this is not just any book; this library of stories has impacted lives throughout history. The tales of the book may guide believers and nonbelievers. The story of Ruth may guide the reader to establish and stand behind relationships. Some say the book of Job teaches patience, I personally would not think that would be a lesson contained in this story, but it is up to each reader to decide what to take from these stories. It would be remiss to omit the guidance of Proverbs concerning relationships, faith, action, and discipline.

     The paradox of the creation myth satisfies the human yearning to discover their origins and still have mystery. The Bible states how God and man were created, yet there is the enigma of what or who created God. It seems that the Word created God (see the book of John), but God created the Word and they were one. This leads to the obvious question of how they came into being. Many people seek knowledge while reveling in the mysterious this paradox satisfies both desires.

     There are interesting stories to explain the world scattered through out the Bible. Where do rainbows come from? They are the symbol of the covenant of God. Where is the tree of knowledge? We will never find it; God had it hidden and locked away. Do animals have everyday worries? No, God takes care of even the tiny birds. Why not be greedy? If you are rich you will have difficulty getting into heaven.

      Another crucial function of the Bible is to establish societal order and law. Reason is given for the importance of kings and spiritual leaders. Laws are written in hopes that a peaceable community will result from the code. Justification of the laws and incentive to follow them comes from stories of the power of God.

      The fact is that the myths contained in the Bible explain the unexplainable. Additionally, they give reason for the belief in a higher power, and they establish order. Do we not still today swear on a Bible when testifying in court and while taking oath of office? The stories of the Bible and the beliefs that it creates and their power that encompass it are its truth.

    

Final paper Universal Slavery

“Who ain’t a slave? Tell me that” (Melville 20).

Freedom is a concept celebrated by many, but enjoyed by none. Something or someone, it seems, binds everyone. The things that ensnare us are as diverse as people themselves. Enslavement can come from nature, a job, an agreement, a code of ethics, desires, government religion, fear, and language. How many people can truly say they have no commitments or impediments? Very few if any have no ties. We are trapped not only by the actions ideas of others, but sometimes even more absolutely by our own. Waclaw, the ferryman in Singer’s The Slave insists, “One thing I’ve learned in my life: don’t get attached to anything. You own a cow or a horse and you’re its slave. Marry and you’re the slave of your wife, her bastards, and her mother” (Singer 259).

            From the time in which we begin to understand, our parents begin to impress upon us their rules, notions, and ideals. Wishing only the best for their offspring, they teach them about the world, their morals, and their ideals. These lessons encourage the child to grow, and caution them about the dangers of the world.  The Bible gives these lessons in the book of Proverbs. Some of this guidance may allow the child to avoid harmful situations. For example, Proverbs 4:14 advises “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men”. Other information given is meant to persuade the individual into accepting a belief system. This type of advice is seen in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” and again in Proverbs 3:1,”My son, forget not my law; but let they heart keep my commandments” the writer goes on to say, “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart” in Proverbs 3:5. While both types of wisdom are given to limit the actions of the son, the second goes much further than the first. Avoidance of danger in the first example limits a select few choices and situations; belief in a god, commandments, and the power of a divine as shown in the latter examples are much more restrictive. It is these beliefs that have the power to dominate all aspects of a person’s life.     

            In The Slave, the character Jacob is confined not only by his captors, but also by his religion. Due to his strict religious beliefs, he is limited in many activities including keeping to a strict diet, reciting prayers at predetermined times, and observing days of rest. The hardest religious law for Jacob to keep however, concerns Wanda, the daughter of his master with whom he is painfully in love. If he agreed, the two of them could live together with or without the benefit of wedlock. He abstains from having a relationship with her because he believes that doing so would be a mortal sin. It is not the man who owns Jacob who is keeping him from his desire; it is his religious beliefs that are more perfectly binding him. After regaining his freedom, he caves to his yearnings for Wanda and reunites with her. They are then forced to live a lie in order to be welcomed into his society. Instead of residing where they could be free, they entangle themselves in layers of deceit. The couple never have the life they dream of; instead of doing so, they resign themselves to the laws of others so that they may at least be together. Perhaps Voltaire was correct in saying, “He who voluntarily subjects himself to a master is designed by nature for a slave” (Voltaire 372). Although Jacob broke the bonds of his physical and religious slavery, Jacob and Wanda became entrapped by their own desires.

            It is not only religious beliefs that can enslave the masses; non-religious philosophical systems are very effective masters as well. Even those who believe as Nietzsche did that people should do what is right for them still have obligations. From this philosophical standpoint, it is advisable to do whatever makes them happy. This is in some aspects a very free system in that one only has to consider their own wellbeing when making a choice; in many philosophies others must be considered as well. The problem comes when Nietzsche’s followers are at odds with society. They may be able to accomplish what they want to do, but because of the consequences it may not be the right thing action. Even under this system of individual power, there are constraints.

We must use extreme caution when accepting ideas as fact or bringing them into our hearts as ideals. With the current amount of conflicting information that constantly washes over society vigilance is imperative. James Poniewozik observed in his Time magazine article “The Myth of Fact” that fact alone does not necessarily lead people to believe the truth. He uses the controversy concerning President Obama’s legal citizenship as an example. According to Poniewozik, a recent CNN Research poll concluded that “27% of Americans say Obama was probably or definitely not born in this country” he further states, “…they believe it despite, or perhaps because of the fact that the rumor has been repeatedly and thoroughly debunked by the press (and dismissed by Hawaii’s Republican governor)” (Poniewozik). These people continue to reject all claims by legitimate officials contrary to their beliefs. Once they decided Obama was not a citizen they would not or could not change their opinion. This is the danger of accepting something as absolute fact. Poniewozik himself was forced to reevaluate his notions after hearing this poll. He states,

“Journalists and those who critique them, like to believe that facts conquer all. If the press reports quickly, fully and responsibly, myths will be dispelled, scales will fall from eyes, and society will be guided along the path of reason. It’s time to wonder whether that belief is itself a myth” (Poniewozik).

This acceptance of false information as truth is not new, nor is it limited to any one subject or idea.

 The Bible cautions against this in Genesis; the serpent convinces Eve that by eating the forbidden fruit she will gain knowledge and not die as God had promised. Although they did not die that day, there were dire consequences, when limiting man’s lifespan in Genesis 6:3 God states, “…his days shall be a hundred and twenty years”. By choosing to believe the serpent instead of their creator, Eve and Adam angered God immensely which caused their banishment from paradise and intense punishment. The freedom Adam and Eve enjoyed from providing for their own basic needs ended. All ways of Biblical life stem from that mistake; had they not made this choice, they would live in the garden, there would be no flood story, no slavery to foreign kings, no exodus, no kings or rituals to worry of, no savior would be required, and revelation would be unnecessary.

In 1762 John Woolman examined the matter of misguided beliefs in his article “Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes” in it he parallels having believed misinformation to being a lost traveler:

“…where false ideas are twisted into our minds, it is with difficulty we get fairly disentangled. A traveler, in cloudy weather, misseth his way, makes many turns while he is lost; still forms in his mind, the bearing and situation of places, and though the ideas are wrong, they fix as fast as if they were right. Finding how things are, we see our mistake; yet the force of reason, with repeated observations on places and things, do not soon remove those false notions, so fastened upon us, but it will seem in the imagination as if the annual course of the sun was altered; and though, by recollection, we are assured it is not, yet those ideas do no suddenly leave us” (Woolman 634).

This is the jeopardy of belief; if we presume something is factual it takes a great effort to change our own minds. Some would rather change every belief in the universe to make their false idea true than just let go of the falsehood. As Woolman declared,

“… A wrong beginning leads into many difficulties; for to support one evil, another becomes customary; two produces more; and the further men proceed in this way, the greater their dangers, their doubts and fears; and the more painful and perplexing are their circumstances” (Woolman 632).

     Fears are another faction that, if allowed, enslaves us. People must assess situations and act in response. This protects individuals and groups from danger or limits the damage from the situation. When fear becomes a factor in the decision, there is a high propensity for error. David Ropeik, Director of Risk Communication at the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis in Boston comments,

“…our fears often do not match the facts…they may be just as big a risk as the specific hazards about which we are worried. They contribute to potentially dangerous misperceptions of risk, which can lead to unsafe behavioral choices, either when we are more afraid of relatively small risks, or not afraid enough of relatively large ones” (Ropeik).

Anxiety limits and guides our choices, and therefore takes away our freedom. We must consciously look for situations in which fear factors into our judgment.

The economy is one situation in which fear affects large groups of people. Consumer confidence, is defined by The Economist as, “How good consumers feel about their economic prospects” this is important because it indicates, “…how much consumers are likely to spend. Combined with measures such as Business Confidence, it can shed light on overall levels of economic activity” (Economics A-Z). This is a very powerful factor in capitalistic and world economies. A widespread fear of downturn can negatively affect the economy overall. An economic recession may lead to cuts in government spending as well. This impacts programs such as education, welfare, roads, etc. If we cut back far enough, the quality of life for the citizens of our country decreases, this may lead to a huge downward spiral for many. Since our economy is one factor in that limits our freedoms, those who accept The Bible as truth may also agree with Melville’s character, Ishmael, when he places blame on Adam and Eve for his reliance upon a monetary system. He alleged, “The act of paying is perhaps the most uncomfortable infliction that the two orchard thieves entailed upon us” (Melville 21).

The country we live in is another factor in determining our freedom. A child born in an underdeveloped country, or under rule of a different form of government, will face different choices than one who is born in a prosperous democratic nation. While the first child may be a slave to their poverty, the second may be just as hindered by societal expectations. While the poor child may have fewer choices, as long as he has the necessities of life, he may in fact be happier and possibly enjoy more freedom. Young people in some areas have opportunities to explore and learn while others may be forced to work or to perform academically or physically at such a demanding level that they must give up their liberties. Some people choose to live simply because they do not wish the yoke of materialism to hinder their existence; to others, object wealth seems freeing. People often judge each other but as, David Hume warns, “We are apt to call barbarous whatever departs widely from our own taste and apprehension: But soon find the epithet of reproach retorted on us” (Hume 322).

The United States is touted as being a free country, but there is a strict system of laws and expected behavior that goes along with the “freedom”. Unlike residents of some lands, US citizens have freedom of movement, for the most part, but they are required to do such things as obtain license to drive, file taxes, obey laws, and even be willing to go to war or give up property for the good of the country. One of the many great ideals of the US is the separation of church and state; this concept is much older than our government; the Bible describes this system. The Book of Judges illustrates what happens when people do not have rulers or religion and ends stating ominously, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). David Plotz sums up this lesson saying, “Men who abandon God-and reject earthly authority-will find themselves in a chaotic, frightful land, a place of hideous crime and persistent idolatry, a place where law is dead, and only personal vengeance remains” (Plotz 122). If Plotz and the Bible are correct, then if we do not give ourselves to a higher authority calamity will envelop us. The forefathers of this country created documents such as the Bill of Rights and the Constitution in an attempt to organize and preserve their ideals, and to avoid the pandemonium of ambiguous regulation of government. They chose their words very carefully so that even through many interpretations their intentions would not be misconstrued; their words grant and limit power and freedoms of this nation. People in other nations may be forced to live according to a stricter set of regulations.

Language is one factor that both dominates and empowers everyone. The Bible illustrates the immeasurable potential of language in the creation story,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).

In this narrative, language has such awesome power that it is God. Northrop Frye believes creation instead of being the beginning of time,

“…is rather an intensely vivid image of the objective world as a spread-out picture of intelligibility awaiting discovery and interpretation. Traditional religion claims that creation is a product of the Word of God, the creation itself being a second Word of God, and infinite source of what is intelligible to man and can be responded to by him” (Frye 156).

He goes on to cite the Sepher Yetzirah, “Set the Word at its origin and put the Maker in his place” (Frye 156). Gods and their creations are dependent upon the Word. The creation story is an illustration of how we are inseparably entangled by the mighty power of language.

Soon after the flood, in the Bible’s story, language assists men in an endeavor to reach the heavens. To do so, they begin to build an immense tower; this is possible because they all speak the same language. God sees what they intend and acts quickly, destroying their work and to insure they would not make another attempt, he scattered them and, “…the Lord did confound the language of all the earth” (Genesis 11:9). This myth explains why we so many different languages in the world, and observes the power and difficulty in language. If we cannot understand each other, we are unable to work together. This language barrier separates and limits us until we find a way to overcome it; learning another tongue does not happen overnight.

According to Frye, there are also levels in language. Even though we may speak a common language, there is no guarantee that our ideas are communicated to each other. Frye’s levels of understanding are:

1.      Factual or descriptive-the recording of events; a history text for example.

2.      Conceptual or dialectic-connections between ideas; mathematics uses this type.

3.      Persuasive-the writer using emotion attempts to inspire emotion in the audience.

4.      Mythic or Literary-No border exists between fact and subjective realism.

5.      Kerygmatic-unique to the Bible-God’s words spoken through another. The Word in the creation story fits this category. It is an explanation of the world so that people can comprehend what is beyond our intellectual capacity.

If Frye is correct, then decoding the words of another stops short of understanding. We must also figure out what the speaker or author is intending. If we are not able to accomplish this task, the walls that separate us from the ideas of each other will not crumble. Frye’s observations may help many to break down their barriers of misunderstanding.

Language is more than a mere means of communication of the ideas of man; it helps us to describe our observations of our existence. Through observation and translation into language, we are able to unlock some of the chains that bind us. Francis Bacon wrote, “Man, being the servant and interpreter of Nature, can do and understand so much and so much only as he has observed in fact or in thought of the course of nature: beyond this he neither knows anything nor can do anything” (Bacon 39). Language allows us to interpret nature. The sciences have their own languages to help describe these observations. Mathematics, for example, is a language of its own. Dr Warren Esty, professor of Mathematics at Montana State University explains,

“That language, like other languages has its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, word order, synonyms, negations, conventions, abbreviations, sentence structure, and paragraph structure. It has certain language features unparalleled in other languages (for example, theorems expressed using the letter “x” also apply to “b” and “2x-5” (Esty).

Knowing a diverse palate of subjects opens doors to ideas that would otherwise be lost to us. When our language is limited, our thoughts and understanding are limited as well. The fewer ways we know to describe not only objects in nature, but thoughts, feelings, and concepts, the more our ignorance enslaves us. Language makes us who we are by manipulating our point of view, how we think, and creates our identity collectively and individually.  

Language enslaves us when we allow others to use it to control us or to twist our beliefs. It may not entirely hold our chains instead it is the weapon that keeps us shackled. It is the words of our parents, religion, government, friends, enemies, scientists, and authors that carve our thoughts and share their knowledge. Through parental guidance, religious text, comfort, propaganda, scientific knowledge and literature, encounters and observations we find our identity. When someone twists the truth, labels us, or takes us with them in their disoriented travels, we become encumbered.

Our slavery to language, family, government, etc is not without benefit. In a somewhat cumbersome paradox, we must give some of our freedom to gain more liberty or happiness. As we give our loyalty to our government, hopefully, the benefit is protection. Our family and friends offer us love and support. As we gain knowledge of language, we are free to explore more of our existence. The key is to instead of seeking to avoid slavery, which is nearly impossible, is to instead choose our own masters. Even if we manage to evade the influence of others, nature is unavoidable. By making good choices concerning our tradeoffs, we will still be enslaved, but we have the opportunity to make the best of it. Mary Wollstonecraft optimistically believed, “Nature has wisely attached affections to duties to sweeten the toil” (Wollstonecraft 620).

Chasing the notion of freedom may be an endless folly. The more we think about it, the more we identify the bonds that hold us. It is more effective to become aware of the chains that bar our freedom so we may shake off the ones that hold us back without benefit. If we do not, we risk wasting the precious time we are allotted chasing the phantom of freedom. As Mellville wrote, “…In pursuit of those far mysteries we dream of, or in tormented chase of that demon phantom that, some time or other swims before all human hearts; while chasing such over this round globe, they either lead us on in barren mazes or midway leave us whelmed” (Melville 254). The best way to find happiness and avoid disaster is to use language as a tool to better understand the world and to mold an existence of our own design.

Works Cited

Bacon, Francis. "The New Science." Kramnick, Isaac. The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1995. 39-47.

"Economics A-Z." 2010. The Economist. 25 November 2010 <http://www.economist.com/research/economics/alphabetic.cfm?letter=C#consumerconfidence>.

Esty, Warren. The Language of Mathematics. 9 August 2010. 26 November 2010 <http://augustusmath.hypermart.net/>.

Frye, Northrop. Words With Power. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990.

Hume, David. "Of the Standard of Taste." Kramnick, Isaac. The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1995. 322-329.

Melville, Herman. Moby Dick. New York, NY: Bantam Dell, 1967.

Plotz, David. The Good Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2009.

Poniewozik, James. "The Myth of Fact." Time 23 August 2010: 62.

Ropeik, David. "The Consequences of Fear." 1 January 2004. Science and Society. 25 November 2010 <http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v5/n1s/full/7400228.html>.

Singer, Issac Bashevis. The Slave. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1962.

"The Bible. King James Version."

Voltaire, Francois-Marie Arouet de. "In Defense of Modernity." Kramnick, Isaac. The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1995. 369-378.

Wollstonecraft, Mary. "Vindication of the Rights of Women." Kramnick, Isaac. The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1995. 618-628.

Woolman, John. "Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes." Kramnick, Issaac. The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1995. 630-636.