Category Archives: Weirdload

Strange thoughts for strange days

Crystal Cathedrals and Falling Bricks

Meet the new boss...

This news just in. The Crystal Cathedral, preacher Rev. Robert E. Schuller‘s glorious glass palace, will become the actual cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County. The steel and glass monument to liberal Protestantism and positive thinking, designed by Philip Johnson, was the longtime home of the famous “Hour of Power” broadcasts. It featured casual upbeat services, talky inspirational presenters with lots of choral and organ music. Now the site will doubtlessly host bland liturgies with bad congregational singing and spiritless sermons in the traditional Catholic manner. Somehow perky happy thoughts didn’t cut it through the gloom of … More…

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Guy Fawkes and the Failures of November

November from Les Très Riches Heures de Duc du Berry

Ah, the many failed feasts of fall! This month’s calendar is a litany of despair, with the anniversaries of many historic bungles, downfalls, flops, false starts, and total fiascos. Is it because this is the season when life itself falters against the lengthening night, when the last leaves fall from the trees, the air turns chill, and the very light grows dim? Does hope die too? And why does this November in particular especially feel more like everything is falling apart everywhere than any I can remember? Partly it’s personal as right around Thanksgiving was my father’s passing and my … More…

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“Did Jesus Die for Klingons Too?”

Cross him and he'll kick your ass.

This may be the only time I could use the name of an actual speech from a DARPA symposium for a post, but this is for real. Philosophy professor Christian Weidemann of Germany’s Ruhr-University Bochum used it for the title of his talk at the 100 Year Starship Symposium. Putting aside the fact that DARPA is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the folks who brought us the Internet. DARPA is a bleeding-edge military think tank. Why would they be not only speculating on interstellar travel when the country (supposedly) can’t even get to the International Space Station, much less … More…

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Why Priests Are So Damned Happy

Where's the beer?

[HUMOR] – Despite all the negative publicity of recent years from lawsuits, indictments, and perp walks, research shows American Catholic priests are demonstrably among the happiest, most job-fulfilled and satisfied men in the country, according to theologian, psychologist, professional apologist, and former used car salesman, Msgr. James “Smilin’ Jim” McCashbag. Key reasons seem to be their avoidance of prayer for the cozy relations they have established with certain fellow priests and laity in their parishes, he said. “These days, most priests are far too busy for long prayers. The rosary? Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament? Litanies?” he snorted. “Too much … More…

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From Victims to Laughingstocks

The sheeple rise up?

I stumbled across a brand-new website, that of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State, no less, and could not believe my eyes. Can this possibly be for real? With such a name, they must be extremely, impressively serious. But on a closer look, this is either a sophisticated tongue-in-cheek joke, or there are some desperate deluded people out there. Or both. In their quest for justice, the ITCCS formally issued a “Public Summons to Joseph Ratzinger (aka “Pope Benedict”) and six senior cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church, inc. to appear before our opening session on September … More…

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Breaking News: St. Anthony Swiped

Tony, tony, turn around...

Such times we live in; the Age of Science, and yet ancient scraps of dead people are still treasured by many for their magical powers. Well, as long as it’s not a case of “furtim sacrim“, the time-honored practice of sacred theft, wherein it’s OK under some circumstances to “liberate” relics if they are to get a better home with more veneration, the statue should return just fine. As they mention, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost objects, and one of the few that’s ever answered any of my prayers, I can tell you. The nuns taught that … More…

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Crucifiction?

Have you seen this man?

For almost two thousand years now, one single week in Jerusalem and the events that followed have gotten a lot of attention. Everything that led to the execution of Jesus and after has been scrutinized, pondered over, and interpreted by thousands of believers and scholars four ways from Sunday. The slim Gospel accounts have been pounded and kneaded together in countless popular works, so that there seems to be one seamless, albeit incredible, story. The greatest one ever concocted. Because, folks, as the song says, “it ain’t necessarily so”. Like any single narrative made from Gospel stories, pieces do not … More…

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