God and Lord: The Battle with nouns

Often times people confuse the use of the word God. Often times people use the word as a proper noun and not as a common noun.

This is evident in Tagalog. People will often say si God instead of God. The same applies to the word Lord. Often times this mistake is made by born again Christians and Catholic charismatics. I often wonder why.

I think the confusion comes from the way most Bibles are translated or printed often times you will that when it refers to the central deity in the book the printer or the publisher makes sure that the word God is capitalized, the same applies to the word Lord.

But clearly earlier Bibles didn't prioritize on capitalization because most of the were written in all caps. With the later and modern translations they had to differentiate their God from the other gods by that simple device. Without even reading the fine print.

I bet that most of the people don't even know why LORD is spelled that way in the Bible. Or pastors and priests explaining it well. Ignorance is bliss I say.

So is God a common or proper noun? Let us see the definition and difference.

Wikipedia explains:

A proper noun is a noun that in its primary application refers to a unique entity, such as London, Jupiter, Sarah, or Microsoft, as distinguished from a common noun, which usually refers to a class of entities (city, planet, person, corporation), or non-unique instances of a certain class (a city, another planet, these persons, our corporation). Some proper nouns occur in plural form (optionally or exclusively), and then they refer to groups of entities considered as unique (the Hendersons, the Everglades, the Azores, the Pleiades).

But there are parts of the article that says it can be used as a proper noun. That is when referring to the Judeo-Christian god. I find that idea disturbing as if its saying that other gods are illegitimate. Such is the power of English in the way it makes it's rules work for its own ideals.

Who wrote the Bible? by Richard Elliot Friedman (on bargain)

I am almost out of money and then I went to National Bookstore in Megamall. It's one of the places I go to. Then I bought some pineapple hopia from Holland. Too bad they didn't have kundol hopia.

After that I passed by Powerbooks to look at magazines. So far nothing interesting. I browsed without thinking through their bargain books then I saw this book. "Who wrote the Bible." The fuck I read this book for free from a PDF file I got online. I grabbed it and paid for it.

"Who wrote the Bible" by Richard Elliot Friedman is the common's man guide into the origin of the Bible. It presents the scholarly facts that was gathered concerning the authorship of the Bible without the crap most Christians put in the name of their religion.

It talks about the documentary hypothesis and how each of the first five books of the Bible were created. It's a must read for everyone since many people are still blind about their Bible and just assume everything they hear in Church is real.

Who wrote the Bible? by Richard Elliot Friedman

I am re-reading it again with much more gusto.

Teh Ten Commandments ob LOLcat

The Decalouge is a very interesting piece of literature from the Bible, it's even more interesting to read from the lolcat Bible.

Here is the excerpt (Exodus 20:1-21):

1 Then Ceiling Cat spoked all them werds:

2 I iz Ceiling Cat An I iz Top Cat, An I broughted u out of hawt litturbawx wit no cheezbrgrs for hard mousin at all

3 No can has other ceiling cat!! U gotz other Ceiling Cat, I shoot yous wit mah lollazer eyes. Srsly.

4 If u try be Ceiling Cat of any of mai creayshunz up in floaty skai, down in erth or in watr or I shoot yous wit mah lollazer eyes.5 If u think faek Ceiling Cat iz Ceiling Cat, I mek u ded An ur kittenz ded An if yur kittenz have kittenz, dey be ded too, for being stupid and stuffs.6 If not I wuv u An all ur lotz uf kittenz!

Creationism vs Evolution: the age old debate (one more time)

Be ready with your facepalm guys as well as your note pads. This debate would be something you should take note on.

The debate is on creationism by Ken Ham versus the evolutionist stand of Bill Nye (our science guy).

It is interesting that Ken Ham starts with a wonderful argument about how science seems to be taken by evolutionists as their own but what follows is up to you.

Enjoy learning!

One more post...

Filipino Freethinkers Meetup

Awesome FF attendees

Location: Moshi Moshi, Regis Center Katipunan
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Google Map: http://goo.gl/eEjqTd

Topics
- Porn addiction; Japan preferring porn; Don Jon
- What makes sex satisfying? (better than porn)
- Superstition and child abuse
- Are freethinkers still afraid of the paranormal?
- What scares you (rational and irrational fears)?
- The Giraffe

After the meetup we usually go for dinner and drinks somewhere nearby. If you’re not a meetup regular and can’t make it for the meetup but would like to go for the post meetup, please indicate on a post in the wall or comment so we can contact you.
Got questions about the meetup? Contact us at 0927 323 3532

* Newbies are welcome.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.

RSVP: Filipino Freethinkers Meetup, November 2, 2013, Saturday

What's with the name?

The Tetragrammaton

Many Christians are obsessed with names and meanings especially ones that pertain to their God. Last Sunday (actually this morning too) I stayed and used my time at Rizal Park (or Luneta) in Manila. There is a place I always go to there near the Chess plaza. It's the haven for ideas of all sorts, weird and interesting.

So after listening to the same talk about the basic teachings of the Bible and religion, the clash of Islam and the teachings of Christ a group decided to talk a bit deeper about the Bible. Me and my friend another new found friend sat with the group and the question raised was with the name of God.

Some people need to have a name they want to preach. During the discussion I realized that the Bible doesn't even talk about the need to know the name of God to have salvation. Somehow it's the doctrine that came after the text that needed to reinforce the importance of the name of God.

The Old Testament has always kept the name of God to an almost secret status. Divine beings in the Bible have always eluded the question or even state their names. In the ancient Near East a name is important because with it many prayers and spells were cast and the deities are required to assist when their names are invoked.

Here is where The Catholic and most religions got it right. They never try to say the tetragrammaton or the YHWH. Most of the time it is replaced by the word that equivalent or the same with LORD (usually in all caps).

Think about this what Bible verse says you must know the divine name in order to be saved? So far I have read none. Such knowledge is not even required for salvation.

Jesus: Real or fake

Was Jesus Invented?

Many atheists still deny the existence of God and goes as well with Jesus. Unless you come from a camp similar to Bart Ehrman, you would have a more interesting answer for this.

This week my feed was full of this article that Jesus was an invented idea of the Romans. According to Joseph Atwill, Jesus was not a real person according to the ancient sources he had found.

Honestly, I have read many theories about Jesus. We live in a culture forever obsessed with the Jesus story, it might be for or against the character or the person Jesus represents. And most of these stuff written about Jesus is crap. The same goes for the many books written about the Bible and anything related to it. So I urge you guys to be careful.

I am interested with the sources he has to prove his point. But reading the articles about such a report proves that it will just go down the drain for too much conspiracy.

Read more here: http://www.covertmessiah.com/

Another article from Independent: Story of Jesus Christ was 'fabricated to pacify the poor', claims controversial Biblical scholar

Where is God?

Faith as small as a mustard seed

It's my second Sunday at San Agustin Church. I like the mass here because it's much more solemnly done compared to most churches. So this atheist still observes the mass from the perspective of the atheist.

It's 27th Sunday in Ordinary time (Year C) and the topic is about faith in the light of the harshness of human life especially suffering.

Here are the readings for this Sunday and I heed you to read them for you to understand the context of what I will be talking about later:

1st Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4
Psalm 95
2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 17:5-10

The sermon of the priest started with his own version of the barber paradox. He said the barber is an atheist and doesn't believe in God. He shares his disbelief in God to a customer who were unable to explain the much suffering in the world. If indeed there is a God there would be a problem since God is all good. The customer goes out done with his hair and sees a person with a long hair. The customer goes back to the barber and tells the barber that barbers don't exist. And the barber was shocked and asked how that is possible. The customer said that the person with the long hair should have cut his hair but he chose that on his own as if barbers doesn't exist. The same goes with the idea of God man is just too stubborn to go to God.

Be ready for books tomorrow

Tomorrow is the start of the Manila International Book Fair which I also call the Christian Book Fair because the best deals you can get is from the Catholic and Christian Bookstores as well as other religions. But be sure to be ready and know where to get to your favorite sellers.

Click to enlarge
Source: Facebook

Weekend activities for August 31st and September 1st

It's the end of the month and things can be exciting. I know there is laundry to do and cleaning at home but there are things that needs to be experienced and to be had every weekend. Whatever it is you want, just do it. No questions and be brave join something and learn.

Here are some activities that I will be joining:

Source: Facebook

Special Guided Tour 67th Mid-Year Orchid and Garden Show

Where: Hardin ng mga Bulaklak, Quezon Memorial Circle
When: August 30,2013; 7:00 AM to 11 AM

Details (from Facebook):

This will be the 67th Mid-Year orchid and Garden show to be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle -Hardin ng mga Bulaklak . Special Opening will be held on August 29, 2013 Thursday for members, invited guest , media and vips . The event will be officially opened to the public starting August 30 to September 9, 2013 .

For special guided tour : Mr. Lawrence Chan (0919-3901671) SMART on August 31, 2013 saturday.
Assembly Place: Max's Restaurant -Quezon Memorial Circle ( outside)
Assembly Time: 7:30am to 8:00am

Highlights of the Show:

1.) Individual Orchid plant competition
2.) Individual Ornamental plant competition
3.) Best in Orchid flowers in landscape competition
4.) Best in Ornamental plant in landscape competition
5.) Flower arrangement competition
6.) Trade Exhibits and Commercial booths where plants, orchids , gardening tools and fertilizers are for sale.
7.) Daily Lectures

Note : For writers, photo journalists , students , nature lovers, and bloggers - There will be a special tour to be conducted by Mr. Lawrence Chan ( life time member) on August 31, 2013 saturday from 7:30am to past 12noon. Please PM for details.
7:30 to 8:00am - Assembly Place ( Max's restaurant ) sa labas lang po . RSVP

Entrance fees : For Students and Senior Citizens with valid ID's -Php 20.00 for General Public -Php 30.00 based on the previous entrance fees last February 2013.

Contact the POS Secretariat :
Ms. Jenny Rivera or Mr. Jiffy Alegre for more information : 929-44-25

RSVP: The event is a special tour by a friend but here are the details. And yeah its kinda closed.

Filipino Freethinkers Meetup

Where: Holy Trinity Church, 48 Mckinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati
When: Sunday, September 1, 2013; 2:30pm – 5:30pm

Google Map: http://goo.gl/wCMAl

Topics
1) Introvert vs Extrovert: Sense and nonsense
2) Miley Cyrus' VMA performance: art or crap
3) Smart people vs. dating
[www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-ali-binazir/why-the-smartest-people-h_b_169939.html]
4) Scrap pork: Updates and next actions
5) 8 Million Peso Flagpoles, why bother?
6) Raunchy topic of the week

After the meetup we usually go for dinner and drinks somewhere nearby. If you’re not a meetup regular and can’t make it for the meetup but would like to go for the post meetup, please indicate on a post in the wall or comment so we can contact you.

Got questions about the meetup? Contact us at 0927 323 3532

* Newbies are welcome.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen

RSVP: Filipino Freethinkers Meetup, September 1, 2013

Then at night I have a meet-up with some atheists in Manila but I am still undecided if I should go or not. lolz

Prayer beads: The Anglican Prayer Beads

As a born Catholic the rosary has been a standard item, sometimes people even use it as an accessory. Even after being an atheist for so long I still have a some rosaries with me. I even have a big rosary in my bag and if asked I can still recite the rosary.

Prayer beads have been a part of many religions like Islam, Hinduism and much more. But with the rise of other Christian sects who have much hate and disgust for anything Catholic, like Mary, the Saints, Images and the rosary.

I just recently found out that there is such a thing called as an Anglican Prayer Beads. It's mainly used by Anglicans and Episcopalians as an aid in prayer. Most people have this bias against such acts of prayer as they find it somewhat against what they think is what the Bible disallows or what they think is prohibited by the Bible. For me I am fine with prayer for it can be meditative in itself.

Unlike the rosary the Anglican Prayer Bead is shorter and is less repetitive. You can give it a try if you want.

Here are interesting links for more reads: Prayer Beads and Deuteronomy 6.5 + Leviticus 19.18 + Matthew 5.44

Just follow these simple steps. 

The Bible - How it came to be

Source: Knowreligion.net

The Latin Mass in Makati

Facade of St. Peter and Paul

Last Monday (June 24th) I attended a Mass at the oldest Church in Makati - The St. Peter and Paul Parish in Poblacion, Makati. I remember one going to this Church when I was in Elementary. It was old and dark like many thick walled Churches made by the Spaniards.

I had some problems going to the place since I used the MRT to there. starting with MRT Cubao. Yes, Cubao and the tons of people who go in and out of this station. That day despite not sleeping because of insomnia and going out early the MRT had its occasional and traditional technical problems. The line was long and the cars of the train jam packed with people.

Going down Guadalupe station was a great relief and I was able to breathe in again normally. Taking a jeep just below the station takes you to the place in just minutes. You will go down at the end of Rivera street, where you can see the Old Makati City Museum and the Poblacion Baranggay Center.

The invite for the Latin Mass was shared by some of the very traditionalist and cnservative Catholic friends on Facebook. This is actually my second time to attend an Extraordinary Form of the Mass.

Facade of St. Peter and Paul

So why the Latin Mass? Because the Latin Mass has been the Mass of the Church for hundreds of years now and was just replaced just recently. But you are an atheist, what are you doing there? And I say why not? The celebration of the Mass is unique and interesting in and of itself and there is something with Gregorian chant that just brings the idea of the other into context (despite my non-belief).

Historical Marker

Inscrption in Latin
This one is quite new since I remember an older one is marble and broken.

New paint

I arrived at the place early despite all of the delays in travel. Living ina Manila I have to leave at least leave two hours early for anything (unless I am walking) just to arrive on time. I like being on time, no need to hurry and make lame excuses. I took some pictures around like a fucking tourist would.

Everything inside looks new

Even the statues look new and made in China. 

The old and new holy water stoup

An inscription in Latin. Looks important since they have to palce it in view. 

The Altar of Our Lady of the Rose. 

Left side of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rose. 

Right Side of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rose.

Another view inside the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rose

Stained glass at the top of the Retablo

The Retablo of the Church

 I don't like the way they have made the restoration of the Church. It looks old and anceint outside and sickening new and cheap inside. You know the age and color inside just don't go together but is a nice place for the celebration of the Latin Mass.

Before the Mass starts the priest explain on why we are having a Latin Mass. He wa saying that the Mass is something so beautiful to be just set aside and to also make it a point that the Latin Mass is more universal because it is the same anywhere in the world.

There were few people inside the Church despite the small size of the Church, there were only so few people that we were just about a third of the whole Church. A few things I noticed is that people are already ready for the mass with the breavariums and handouts. Yes some people are dressed for the Mass well because of the veils and the works. But some people just wear whatever they want. In this Mass no one checked people if they wearing shorts and no veils. The first Mass I have been to asks people to dress properly or to go out. I like the later one's approach.

The Mass is in celebration of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and is an important Feast thus this Extra Ordinary Form of the Mass.

Priest explaining the Latin Mass
There is a small separate room below the retablo. 

The priest enters with the altar servers and this hooded figure in black. 

 This Mass has many similarities with the regular mass of Vatican II except that everything is in Latin. So I think that is the only barrier in here but once the veil and incomprehension of Latin things would be easier to follow. But as a beginner it is better to just follow everyone around since there is no one to tell you when to sit, kneel, bow or stand. If you are interested with the Latin Mass I suggest you try Musica Sacra for FREE books and sources.

The main celebrant

Yes, he is facing the altar together with the people. 

 One interesting point said by the priest is that the priest is not turning his back to the people in fact he is with the people in the worship of the Lord or the deity. some ignorant Catholics think the Latin Mass is snob by pointing at the laguage, which few understand, and the mere fact that the priest turn his back.

There are only  few moments when the priest faces the people that is when he says Dominus vobiscum where he basically tells the people that we are doing this together.

Dominus vobiscum

During the Gospel

Washing of hands, rarely done in the mass nowadays.

It is hard to tell of the experience in words alone and even in pctures because what you will see is a priest assisted by altar boys with their backs all the time. You better check youtube on this and many sites like SantaMissa for more information.

So in the end the experience was way better than the Mass we have in English and Tagalog. As an observer you are forced to focus on what the priest is doing and also to admire the Music, the Liturgy and as well as the Architecture. 

BONUS!!!!

As I was going home I decided to walk back since the way is just a straight line along the Pasig River. This area in Makati is quite old and I bet there are many more ancestral and old houses around street corners but I was an old house quite in bad shape but still being used and an abandoned one. I actually saw lots of abandoned houses in here. Makes me think. 

An old house I passed by. The joys of walking. 

A fallen roof of an abandoned old house.

Even abandoned old houses are not safe from politics

How to read the Bible?

Seriously? On an atheist and agnostic site? Yes, you are reading this here on this site. I know you seemed irked by this. If you are then I suggest you stop reading by now. Otherwise, I will present to you my way of making the Bible reading and fun and mind-blowing.

Even Dawkins is aware of the importance and the impact of the Bible in human though. It has shaped and has changed civilizations for many years (good and bad).

So why read the Bible? I don’t believe anything in it. It’s too outdated and primitive compared to our ideas now.

Really? I think you are putting the wrong perspective in this small library of books (Yes! the Bible is not a book but a library.). If you put aside your presupposition and hate for things that has been tainted and so misunderstood then you will see that you can also find a good reading in the Bible.

So how should I read the Bible? Here are some simple tips:

1.       Read the Bible like the way you read any book.
2.        Read it as if you are reading it for the first time. Like you never heard the story.
3.       You need to set aside your presuppositions about the stories in the book. Do not bring in ideas and teachings you learned in Church or in Theology class.
4.        Humanize the characters in the book and think of them as acting like you and I would (except God).
5.       Put the stories in their proper context and sitz im leben.
6.       Do not refer to any literature explaining things in the Bible. There is a high probability that it’s crap. There is lots of crap written about the Bible.
7.        Let the text be difficult and contradictory. Do not homogenize them.
8.        Do not assume the Bible will agree with you or that it will agree with itself.
9.       Get a good and honest version of the Bible. If your Bible talks about the Bible referring to Saddam or Osami Bin Laden, stop using it and use real Bibles.  
10. .  . . Do not read into the Bible what you have in mind. Let the Bible tell you its story.

I hope this simple guide helps you since as atheist and agnostics we just see the Bible as another literary piece and a piece of man’s contribution.

Enjoy reading the Book. If you have crazy questions you can ask me at http://twitter.com/bornokyo.

Good Shepherd

John 10:11-18



moar funny pictures

I really like the idea of the Good Shepherd. Its to find refuge in times of grief and a shoulder to lean on in times of need. Maybe we everyone needs a shoulder to lean on. Someone to call their name just because they need to be called.

Many atheists I've met always say that sheep are blind followers and are often dumb. Most animals are dumb.

It's an amazing sight on how some shepherds manage to make their flock follow when called. But on the side of the sheep there seems to be no kind of thinking like what cats do. At least some pets at home have the dignity of declining their masters orders at times. Sometimes its easy to just let go and leave everything to your Master. I wouldn't be happy in a relationship like that.

When the lolcat Bible was released I was more comfortable with its translation of Psalm 23. I think it's because I am more familiar with cats than with sheep.

Psalm 23

1 Ceiling Cat iz mai sheprd (which is funni if u knowz teh joek about herdin catz LOL.)
He givz me evrithin I need.

2 He letz me sleeps in teh sunni spot
an haz liek nice waterz r ovar thar.

3 He makez mai soul happi
an maeks sure I go teh riet wai for him. Liek thru teh cat flap insted of out teh opin windo LOL.

4 I iz in teh valli of dogz, fearin no pooch,
bcz Ceiling Cat iz besied me rubbin' mah ears, an it maek me so kumfy.

5 He letz me sit at teh taebl evn when peepl who duzint liek me iz watchn.
He givz me a flea baff an so much gooshy fud it runz out of mai bowl LOL.

6 Niec things an luck wil chase me evrydai
an I wil liv in teh Ceiling Cats houz forevr.