The Taxman

I do like Narnia! The Last Battle is unfortunately my least favourite book in the series (too heavy handed and a bit rushed), but I love that scene. I think that CS Lewis did believe in a form of universalism called conditionalism, which basically said that people in hell were given the free will to repent or not. I nearly agree with him, except that that kind of view implies that some people would stay in hell for all eternity. I disagree on the fact that God's love is unfailing, and, thus, he'll end up redeeming all of humanity. I don't think that he'll take away the free will of those in hell or force them to go to heaven, but eventually his love will be so apparent that nobody will want to stay in hell anymore, not even Lucifer (if he does exist). ...I can only imagine if Stalin's still down there... Anyway, in the past few days, I've deicded I'm a theist Unitarian Universalist, though I still have a healthy interest in Christianity, and I'm still reading the Bible. I'm currently reading the Old Testament, and in between that and the New Testament I'll read the Jewish scriptures as well as the Apochyra. After the New Testament, I'll read some Christian background history and maybe the Book of Mormon before going on to the Koran and eventually the Hindu and Bhuddist religious texts (I'm too lazy to spell them at the moment don't kill me). ...welp, I really hope that either heaven has a really big library or the reincarnation theory is right. Also, when it's not plauged by some unecessary drama and some of the...less...desirable members, yes, this fandom is one of the friendliest I've seen. (:

You could say that this has been happening my entire life. When I was only five, my dad began to go big on sermons and downloaded a Paul Washer sermon (side note that while Washer has some good theological thoughts I do not approve of him as a whole) where it was said that 'Once an atheist steps into hell, the whole of creation rejoices'. Five year old me could seriously not wrap my head around that. In the follwing years. I only got all the more invested in end time theology due to my dad looking up it anymore. I honestly believed in it omly until a few years ago. But one thing I could not believe in was that God would sincerly use other faiths to bring about the world's end (yes, some people actually come up with these conclusions >.>). I wasn't very accepting yet, per say, but I never really grew uncomfortable with the idea of other belief systems. I got fascinated with Catholic tradition despite being Protestant. I thought agnoticism was fascinating. Now, these past three years...it's funny how God always uses secular things to speak to me. Seeing Jenny and Vastra kiss in Doctor Who? Welp, Clair, you're probably gay. But, hey, that's okay, all those verses on homoseuxality have been mistranslated, anyway. Look at Mulan, Clair, she's such a strong woman. You shouldn't be afraid to be Chinese, learn to love your yellow skin. Ever wonder why these liberals on the Internet are so nice most of the time? It's because they're doing the right thing. Leave Evangelicalism. And in November last year I got obsessed with this band call the Beatles you may have heard of them idk. I got particularly obsessed with George Harrison, and I listened to his solo career the most. In one of his songs, My Sweet Lord, he sings about his desire to see His Lord. He didn't specify on whether it was Jesus or Krishna or Allah or what, just 'My Sweet Lord'. That REALLY got me thinking. In finally hit the stride last Sunday where during church my friend, who's been getting more and more liberal these past few months (only a matter of weeks before she tells me she supports same sex marrige, me thinks) and one of the things she said was 'I think that a lot of Christian's don't go to heaven, but a lot of Bhuddists and Muslims and atheists end up going there. God looks at the heart, basically.' ...I found myself agreeing with her. During the car ride home I found myself wracking my brain a lot. It occured to me that humanity has been around for a million years and Judaism wasn't even the oldest recorded religion. What happened to all the people outside the Israeli area? Did God just condemn them to hell? Furthermore, there are legitimate experiences of people from other religions experiencing God in somewhat. The devil can disguise himself as an angel of light, true, but he doesn't have the power to play as God himself....and what kind of God gave infinite punishment for finite sins anyway? At night I was so fustrated that I finally wrote down this on a piece of paper: 'The road to heaven and hell is not as complicated as mainstream Christianity thinks it is. Different people are suited for different religions. The same faith is found in different things.' ...well, it wasn't that eloquent and I spelled a lot of things wrong since it was eleven in the night, but still. The next morning, I set to work. I googled a lot on universalism and found out some great blogs, much better in explaining their beliefs than anybody else I've heard before. ( I can recommend The Scientific Universalist, Experimental Theology and Window on Religion. ) What I learned is too much to summarize in one post, but what I learnd cause me to sincerly believe in Universalism. I've been identifying as a Universalist since Tuesday and nothing's changed. I'm still reading the Bible (it just occured to me, if God promised Ishmael to make him into a great nation and that nation is currently filled with Muslims...) and aside from my newfound inclusiveness I still hold my original theological beliefs. The only thing that's changed is now that I understand how patient God is, and how forgiving he must be, I try to be patient and more understanding too. So, yeah, that's my testimony. There wasn't any meditating under a tree, just in my room, and there wasn't any sudden burst of light either. The ways God speaks to you can be relatively mundane, can't they...all that matters is that I'm trying to understand every human being and what they believe in. After I finish the Bible I'm going into the Muslim and Hindu religious texts. I won't follow them, per say, but I will note how they compare to Christianity. Currently, I can see that there are more similarities than differences. It might take time, but we're all headed towards the same place. Someday.

Cliche for everybody born since the late 90's, I know, but The Black Parade makes me weep everytime. As a concept album, the Black Parade, like the Wall and American Idiot, is hard to put to in places, but like those two albums it's such a powerful expression as a while, whatever story it's trying to tell. As a solo artist, George Harrison makes me cry too. The shift from a Christian chorus to a Hindu one in 'My Sweet Lord' is so powerful. 'All Things Must Pass' is a reminder that nothing remains forever, and 'Isn't It A Pity?' makes you quite sad too. It's not just from the All Things Must Pass Album, too, I can name plenty more. 'Living In The Material World' is great, so is 'All Those Years Ago' (a tribute to John Lennon), 'Any Road' and most of the Brainwashed album in general. WHY GEORGE. WHY.

Well, I've deicded to vote for both. (I almost typed 'I've decided to both for vote'. These exams are getting to me...)

This reminds me of a time in an online academy where I met another Christian. We were having a discussion about the book of James in a public online studying room. I moaned that James seemed like a great theologian and that it was a shame he had to be stoned (probably). There was this guy named James in the study room with us and he was confused as heck. A friend pointed out that 'no, they mean Saint James,' and James had a laugh. Other guy in the room typed 'ugh, religion'. I then left to do my homework. You could argue that we shouldn't have been talking about religion in a public study room, but it wasn't forbidden and we actually had a nice religious discussion the week before. I just wonder why anybody could think religion is a bad thing. If anything, it's the misuse of a religion, not the religion itself. *cough* Evangelicals *cough* Multiple religions have known to help people to be more comfortable with their lives somewhat. Also, religion benefits other things too-Hinduism has contributed to Indian culture significantly, and look at all the beautiful pieces of Christian and Muslim art. If the South Park creators don't treat religion as bad, why should other people?

As in classical music, such? Well, I like classical, but I'm not an avid fan of it...I would be willing to follow the series, though. I'll vote after I get these stupid exams out of the way. *wearily gets ready to type an answer to thousands of questions on the Frank cassett*

I'm torn. I obviously won't pick the last one. And I do actually like modern pop as long as it's not too obnoxious, so I don't agree with the 20th century option, either. On the other hand, going until the present day, assuming that means 2014, would kind of kill the point of 'century'. Also, this century isn't even a fifth over yet, we don't know how popular music will really affect it yet. But always going back to 1899, even recycling artists...I fear for your health. Then again, I'm a lazybutt. I'm actually supposed to be doing my Runic Translation exams (there are three of them) but I'm talking with you. What's wrong with me?

No, not at all. I now suscribe to the original Jewish view that we'll be forced to aknowledge the shame of our sins for a time in God's presence before we're allowed in heaven. Punishment on Earth is still a thing, too.

Well, after about a week of meditating, I think God's told me that He wants me to become a Universalist Christian. I've decided that the road to heaven and hell isn't simply 'Become a Christian' and that hell, while a horrible place, will eventually be emptied. Am I still welcome in this group?

...damn, not Bridge Over Troubled Waters? D: I like this song, but I usually don't listen to Led Zeppelin. I like their music (though Stairway to Heaven, while not Satanic, is vastly overrated), but they're not really my thing. Oh, yes, those four trippers finally split up. Thank the Lord. Now to wait for Keith Richards to get so damned by weed that he won't be able to tour at fourty.

You were honestly going to skip Sinatra for the Archies? Glad you decided against it o.o Fortunate Son is good. Get Back is...alright, but All You Need Is Love is better, and if you were going to pick a Beatles song from 1969 Something would be a better pick anyway. As for the Seventies, I was having a party the other day when somebody suggested that this decade is actually going to encourage people to be themselves. Another suggested that we're going to get music styles even heavier than that Helter Skelter song McCartney did last year, and another said that religious fundamentalists were going to go wacko. With people like that, I'm not even sure if we'll have enough time to colonize Mars. Well, I'm sure Nixon will help us all. Seems like a fine guy. (I'm not familiar with the Seventies music, much-Pink Floyd and the Beatle's solo careers are the only things I listen to. Hopefully the next few blogs could educate me more! (: )

This nation is going down to the dogs, I swear. The Philippines is slowly turning into a dictatorship, and yet we're not helping them, either. Perhaps some of these protestors are too over the top, but I'm starting to agree with the liberals here. Well, I am aware that a black and an Asian actor were able to get work for a television series King liked (may he rest in peace). That does give me hope. I can't remember the name or the plotline, but it sounded awfully like the one you gave to your friend Gene. I'm sure it's just a coincidence, though. God, if only everybody could be happy. Just imagine all the people having no need for greed or hunger, having a brotherhood of man, living for today. That would make a nice poem. Lennon's getting more political, recently. I should mail my lyrics to him and see if he thinks I could become a bonafide songwriter. He'll probably ignore my mail, still.

Indeed! And it seems like John Lennon is going for an Asian chick, and that George Harrison has converted to another religion other than Catholicism! Unacceptable! You'll have to wait for about a couple of decades to do that. ...the song is catchy, though. Magical Mystery Tour is a solid album, though my favourites are The White Album and Revolver. I never got into Sgt Pepper's for some reason, though I can respect it and enjoy a handful of tracks from it. I've heard that those four are arguing a bit already. Mark my words, these drugs are bad for you. We should declare a war on them. Won't be surprised if it turns out that Hendrix is using them too...

Wait Did I check the Billboard hot 100 for 1967 instead of 1966??? What is wrong with me

AGHHHH NO. Now, I bumped into a guy named Nixon once. He seems like a much more reasonable fellow. Either way, for tomorrow, I'm guessing that you'll feature either one of these: -All You Need Is Love/Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever (Well, the latter was a B side, but I feel like it's the best) -Somethin Stupid-You haven't featured Frank Sinatra yet, tis a most deadly sin. We'll have to bring Nancy in the picture if you want to redeem yourself! -Light My Fire-...I actually don't like this song, never really got into the Doors. But I can't think of any other song from them that had as much of an effect, so... -I Can See For Miles-It barely got into the Top 100 overall, so barely a chance, but it is one of the Who's best songs IMO.

*looks back* Oh, My God, I misread your reply :s ...which is...what...no, I don't even want to know anymore.

Wait, you told me it was going to be either Like A Rolling Stone or Help! YOU LIE! D: Eh, I love this song anyway. And Revolver came out next year, which means that you're waiting for The Beatles to come back from India before you feature them. As I might have indicated, that's my favourite era from their careers, so I forgive you XD And I don't like this LBJ person. Perhaps he can settle this whole racial matter once and for all, but I'm not sure if he'll do well in foreign relations. Plus, he seems like some dude who would nickname things that aren't meant to be nicknamed...like...

Nope, I wasn't concieved during the winter. There is no winter in the tropics! So, according to this horoscope...I was never born at all D:

5. We're almost 12% there! Not much to celebrate about, I know, but at least there's something.

Beef, fried eggs, corn and vegetable soup for lunch

It's lunch where I am. Speaking of which, I'll check to see if the meal my mum cooked is something I like. Be right back...

Really? That's clay-zy!

Yeah. Keep on dreaming, mate.