Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: we’re all equal

Biggs On: Catholicism

By

On February 11, 2013

In Biggs On

DG-Roasry-BeadsIt is a pretty historic day today for Catholics around the world; for the first time in nearly 600 years the Pope has announced he will resign from the papal office. I’m not what you call a “Cradle Catholic” nor was I raised a Catholic. In fact this Easter I will have been officially Catholic for only 7 years though I feel like I have tried to practice the faith while I was growing up and even while in college.

I think that’s why I decided to complete the RCIA program and officially become Catholic. I know that I probably didn’t practice the faith as rigidly as I do now but my morals and values, as well as my belief in God and Jesus Christ, most aligned with Catholicism. Despite all the negative criticism and press the Catholic church often receives, I enjoy, immensely, being apart of such a rich and historical religion. Granted, prior to RCIA, I didn’t realize the amount of discipline that is required for a practicing Catholic but I feel that only enriches my faith.

This post isn’t to evangelize Catholicism nor am I attempting to say my religion is better than yours. I do wish people would refrain from making blanket statements about Catholics and Catholic priests. Just because a handful of priests were creeps, doesn’t mean all of them are. I try to remain pretty open minded when it comes to some of the more controversial issues but in the end its about my personal relationship with God and my religion. What other people decide to do isn’t for me to judge or criticize. Judge not less ye be judged; if I refrain from judging the choices of others, perhaps others will refrain from judging me because I’m a Catholic.

We all want to change the world and the Catholic Church is no different. I think where we all struggle, Catholics included, is that we can’t force people to change who they are and what they believe. But we can change how we behave in situations with those that do believe or live differently. It will be patience and acceptance that will change the world, or to put it more biblical, Faith, Hope and Love.

/cheers

SoapBox: I Can’t Wait Until November

By

On October 9, 2012

In General Cogitation, Soapbox

I am so frakking tried of all the political commercials and the party bashing. I don’t care what side of the fence you sit on, what is the damn point of the merciless verbal bashing of the other party or supporters of the other party. I’m glad that I have DVR because every other commercial is a political slander ad. I don’t even turn live TV on anymore and I won’t until November 7th when I know that I will be free of all the frakking ads.

The hypocrisy is disgusting, the media just perpetuates it and the Internet throws gasoline on the flames. If someone like Natalie Portman or Tom Hanks expresses who they support, they are worshiped; but when Clint Eastwood exercises his right to free speech, or Stacey Dash tweets her support for the opposition, then everyone is quick to demonize and chastise. Show me where it is written that if you are a celebrity you must always support the same candidate the rest of Hollywood supports. Why are celebrities treated so much differently then everyone else??

This is why I admire some celebrities, like Mila Kunis (who, btw, shares an opposite political viewpoint then myself) who treats the social networks like they should be treated, to socialize. She doesn’t flaunt her personal philosophies in an attempt to sway others to vote like she does. She just likes to reach out to her millions of fans. It breaks down that barrier between celebrity and average citizen. Celebrities are people too and have the same rights to free speech as everyone else.

People will vote for who they feel is the right person for the job. Verbally berating them and making blanket derogatory remarks about their political affiliation isn’t going to change their mind. In fact it may have a greater probability of further enforcing who they are voting for; viciously attacking the other party only makes your own party look bad. It’s time to grow up and act like adults, folks!

On the same note, don’t let others (celebrities, on Facebook, on Google+, on Twitter, etc) dictate to you who you should vote for. Learn about the issues, learn where each candidate stands on that issue, and vote for the one you think best represents how you feel about the issue. Have a mind of your own for frak’s sake!

/endsoapbox

This Is The Test

By

On August 29, 2012

In General Cogitation

This is the post that I alluded to previously. I am going to test the solidarity of my friendships and associations. I am going to tell you my personal stance on some of the hottest topics that people seem most inclined to post comments, cartoons and articles about. I’m not going to try to sway anyone to agree with me, this is merely a leap of faith.

These are the topics I plan on addressing: Gay Rights, Abortion, Health Care & Welfare, Illegal Aliens

So here goes (by the way, this is going to be a long post, probably my first multi-pager)… 

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We Are Going to Kill Each Other

By

On August 28, 2012

In General Cogitation

Yes, that is a harsh title but I fear it is true. We are so caught up in our own beliefs that we damn anyone that believes different. We can’t expect everyone to agree, even those that are your friends. In fact there are even family members that have opposing views on certain topics or even opposite political associations. We must stop trying to force people to believe the same thing because the more we push the greater the possibility that things will turn to violence.

Now I am not a peace lovin hippie, I’m glad we bombed the shit out of Iraq (oil or no oil) but we can’t keep fighting among ourselves. We bicker like children. We stop speaking to people or we behave rudely just because they believe something different. Sometimes this behavior can entice people to be more aggressive because nobody likes to be ignored. Our country was founded on the principals of freedom of speech and freedom of choice so everyone is free to believe what they want without retaliation. On the same token, people are also free to believe the opposite and we must be willing to accept that.

If we don’t learn to agree-to-disagree and still coexist then we are on the road to another civil war. In a way I think social media is partially responsible for the increase in political tensions. Ten years ago we weren’t so preoccupied with what other people believed or felt unless a protest was reported on the news. Today everyone hides behind the anonymity of the Internet which gives us courage to speak our minds more boldly. The true test of our characters is if we can learn to accept it and move on. I know it’s easier said then done and its definitely something I struggle with everyday. On the same token, we need to learn to stop trying to shove our beliefs down the throats of those that believe differently.

I am going to perform a test, or perhaps its more of a leap of faith. I don’t like to do political posts and posts on controversial topics but this time I am going to break my own rule for the purposes of social experimentation. Look for my next post which will address a couple of the most controversial issues that have been flooding the Internet and social media outlets. I am going to tell you how I stand on those topics. It will be up to you if you choose to still accept me.

Peace will not be achieved by everyone believing the same thing. Instead we must learn to accept people for who they are. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, how we respond is what will define our character.

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