Christian Fundamentalist Caught Telling the Truth

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Bradlee Dean

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is being sued for quoting Christian rocker Bradlee Dean word for word. The excerpt from his radio broadcast was aired during an August 9, 2010 broadcast and reads as follows:

"Muslims are calling for the execution of homosexuals in America. They themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible, the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than the American Christians do. Because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination. If America won't enforce the laws, God will raise up a foreign enemy to do just that."

Dean does not dispute the accuracy of the quote. But despite the fact that Maddow also quoted his disclaimer -- "we have never and will never call for the execution of homosexuals" -- Dean argues that his intent was distorted.

Despite the very clear disclaimer by Bradlee Dean on his ministries website and elsewhere regarding the false accusation that he was calling for the execution of homosexuals, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and others seized on and accused Dean on her show of supporting the killing of homosexuals, as is the practice in some radical Islamic countries. This seriously has harmed Dean and the ministry, who pride themselves on respect and love for all people.

Irish Ambassador Headed for Prague

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Buy From Art.com

As discussed, the relationship between Irish lawmakers and the Vatican have become so toxic that the Vatican withdrew its ambassador. Now comes news that Archbishop Leanza will be moved to Prague.

The Vatican has made a first move towards restoring relationships with Ireland and transferred Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza to the Czech Republic.

Leanza is seen as damaged after the Cloyne report crisis over sex abuse was allowed to occur on his watch and ineptly handled.

So once again, the Church is trying to defuse a sex abuse scandal with a game of rotating priests. And civil authorities are left staring into the gaping maw of an opaque and inscrutable bureaucracy.

Tragedy in Sedona

Article first published as Book Review: Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Jay on Blogcritics.

On July 25, 2009, Colleen Conaway plummeted to her death in San Diego's Horton Plaza mall; an apparent suicide. She had no history of mental problems. She was by all accounts very happy with her life and her direction. So how did the Minnesota native meet such a sad and inexplicable fate so far from home? She was participating in a James Arthur Ray "Creating Absolute Wealth" seminar for which she had paid thousands of dollars.

The exercise was one in which seminar participants were directed to dress as homeless people and wander around downtown San Diego. They were not allowed to carry money, identification, or cell phones. In what would become a pattern for those who had the misfortune to be severely injured during James Ray seminars, Colleen Conaway spent many hours listed as "Jane Doe."

Connie Joy's daughter Erica participated in that same seminar and both Connie and her husband Richard attended the final dinner. None of them were aware that a participant had died. Only Ray and his closest staffers knew that Conaway was lying on a slab in the San Diego County morgue. And they weren't telling. People who asked about why she hadn't returned were told that she was fine but wasn't coming back to the seminar. It was over two months later, in the wake of yet another horrific tragedy on Ray's watch, that his long-time followers learned that the unnamed woman who had died in the mall that day was the seminar participant who had never returned from her homelessness adventure.

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Sacred Balinese Healing Practices meet Globilazation with Daniel McGuire

"Balian," a documentary by filmmaker, Dan McGuire, tells the story of the rise and fall of a charismatic Balinese shaman (or "Balian") named Mangku Pogog. In Bali healers enter powerful trance states in which they embody their spirit help, often drawing the patient into trance as well. Mangku Pogog engaged in full embodiment trance states curing conditions like blindness and leprosy by guiding the power of spirit through yoga postures, large stones, heavy sticks, and sucking extractions. Join Dan and host Christina Pratt as they explore the world-view of Balinese healers and their attitudes towards sickness, health, and the healing power of transformative ritual. Through the story of Mangku Pogog we can see the effect of globalization on the belief systems of traditional people. What new challenges are presented to traditional healers as people come for healing with different worldviews and diverse beliefs about healing? Will traditional wisdom survive or be changed by "spiritual tourism." Dan, a journalist with many years experience in Indonesia, immersed himself in the world of the Balian, the Balinese traditional healer/shaman, in 1996 and is currently completing his documentary "Balian."

This week's guest:
Daniel McGuire

Daniel McGuire is a journalist with many years experience in Indonesia. He first went in 1984 to study the Javanese Shadow Puppet theater, and has written a book and Master's thesis on the subject. He speaks Indonesian and Javanese. He's also practiced Ashtanga yoga for 20 years, and studied in India with Sri Pattabhi Jois. Beginning in 1996 he immersed himself in the world of Balian - Balinese traditional healer/shaman, and is completing a documentary on the subject.

He got his start in documentary as an editor on the Academy Award-winning feature documentary "The Panama Deception". He won a Soros-Sundance grant for "Crash Course""a documentary on the 1998 upheaval in Indonesia. He has worked as a Foreign Correspondent for ABC News and as a Producer/Cameraman for New York Times Television, the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, PBS, ABC News and as Boston field producer for Al Jazeera and Good Morning America.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific

Log on to Listen
Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-512-772-1938

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Vatican Pulls Ambassador to Ireland

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Departing Papal Nuncio Giuseppe Leanza

Things have become so heated between Irish officials and the Vatican that the Holy See has recalled its ambassador. With characteristic tone-deafness, the Vatican cited "excessive reactions" to the priestly abuse scandal. At issue is the reaction of Prime Minister Enda Kenny who publicly rebuked the Vatican for its role in the cover-up as detailed in the recently released Cloyne Report.

During a July 20 parliamentary debate, Kenny said an independent judicial investigation into the handling of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne "exposes an attempt by the Holy See to frustrate an inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic as little as three years ago."

"And in doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism and the narcissism that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day," he said.

. . .

Kenny said that "this calculated, withering position" was "the polar opposite of the radicalism, humility and compassion upon which the Roman church was founded."

He said that "the Irish people, including the very many faithful Catholics who -- like me -- have been shocked and dismayed by the repeated failings of church authorities to face up to what is required, deserve and require confirmation from the Vatican that they do accept, endorse and require compliance by all church authorities here with, the obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether current or historical, to the state's authorities."

Referring to a tendency identified in the Cloyne Report to put the rights of accused clerics ahead of victims, Kenny said "clericalism has rendered some of Ireland's brightest, most privileged and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to address the horrors" of abuse.

Horoscope for July 25-31

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
A creative mental challenge is possible at the start of your week, Aries. You may have a divinely-inspired idea that you are striving to make perfect, but this is earth, not heaven yet! A little persistence, a touch of genius, and a love of what you are doing are enough to help you unravel red tape, argue your case, or find the ways and means to do what you want to do. Some Rams may be surprised by a desire to become a parent or have a pet, despite the restrictions and work being responsible for a child or animal may bring. When you tap into your hidden desires, they can reshape your life and redefine who you are. The new moon in your 5th house of creativity, children, and pets amplifies the creative yearning you already feel and signals a green light - GO! Values and self-definition shift or expand as a result.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
Here is a special video for you, Taurus. When I looked at your chart for the week, "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'!" is what I heard - orchestra and all! If there is one energy you need this week, it is the kind of feeling this song imparts. The moon lines you up with a new personal cycle at the start of the week. Commit to a new and improved attitude and decide that everything really is going your way. You may have to negotiate, sell to, or be firm with faceless organizations that oppose you. Don't waste a moment on negative thoughts of other people or entities over which you have no control. Direct your energy toward loving and feeling wonderful about yourself and all the good you see around you and you will be able to sing, "Everything's going my way!" The new moon in your 4th house of home, family, and psychological foundations begins a new cycle of home improvement or a positive, action-oriented attitude. Put that Leo crown on your head and start ordaining and decreeing good things.

Gemini (May 21st - June 21st)
If someone says you can't do something the way you would like to do it, you will find an alternative, better way, Gemini. Some of your best ideas come to you when conventional doors close. The new moon in your 3rd house of formative ideas, mental creativity, local transportation, and communication stimulates a great deal of errand running, local socializing, and networking. One of your brilliant ideas this week could become a viable product or business that becomes popular and profitable faster than you could have expected. Look at every limitation as an opportunity for experimentation, exploration, and inevitable success. Write, speak, and spark new friendships.

Astrological Trends for July 25-31

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

It may seem as though you just cannot make something happen, no matter how hard you try, the morning of Monday, July 25th, due to a challenging T-square. The moon in the fixed earth sign of stubborn Taurus squares Mercury, planet of communication, in arrogant Leo, and also squares Neptune, planet of ideals, conjunct healing Chiron in Pisces, while Mercury in Leo opposes Neptune/Chiron in Pisces. You may have to stand up for what you believe in now or fight to get what you want or feel you deserve. Persistence is the key to overcoming this temporary challenge. There are other planetary aspects that can support you today. The creative Leo sun gets an inventive boost of genius through a favorable trine between the sun and Uranus in Aries, indicating unusual solutions to problems can be found or there are such things as exceptions to rules. The sun also forms a quincunx to Neptune/Chiron in the mutable water sign of Pisces and still receives some beneficial support from nearby Venus in the late degrees of Cancer. Venus in Cancer conjunct the sun in Leo forms a supportive sextile to the moon in Taurus and a semi-sextile to Mars in the mutable air sign of Gemini. Use courtesy and kindness in your negotiations and appeal to people by presenting the common bond between you. Jupiter in Taurus is still involved in a favorable trine to Pluto in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn, helping you to manifest material things when you need them. Pluto gets some supportive energy from a sextile to Neptune/Chiron in Pisces, but the difficult square between Pluto and Uranus in the cardinal fire sign of Aries is still in effect. Yes, there can be changes or breakthroughs that are ultimately healing or for the highest good, but they won't necessarily come easily. Many people have been reporting that material things in their lives are breaking. This is a good example of the Pluto/Uranus square releasing the old (Capricorn) and making way for the new (Aries), whether we like it or not! At midday, the moon enters the mutable air sign of Gemini, enhancing communication and lifting the general tone of the day to a more playful vibration. The T-square begins to fade early this afternoon as the moon/Mercury square dissolves. Your problems may be solved now or negotiations come to a satisfactory conclusion. The Leo sun now forms a quincunx to Pluto in Capricorn, locking a decision into place and activating an action or procedure. At dinnertime, the moon in Gemini also forms a quincunx to Pluto, enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and firm expression of emotions.

The Look On Her Face

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Think of a woman who spent the previous evening contemplating the works of William Blake, Gustave Moreau, and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who awakens the next morning to read a news item about how James Franco sold a piece of "non-visible" art for $10,000. This woman learned that the work conceptualized by Franco instructs the observer to imagine "Fresh Air" and was sold by the Museum of Non-Visible Art (MONA) which specializes in purely conceptual art -- pieces of paper that tell people to imagine various things. Now imagine the look on the woman's face.

This original work is offered free for contemplation on this blog. But for $10,000 I will print this out on a piece of paper and send it to you so that you can appreciate it in your home. Makes a wonderful conversation piece!

I'm currently working on my next non-visible piece called "Very Bored Rich People" but it's not quite ready. 

The Giving Tree is a Sap

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Better Book Titles: Children's Book Edition

As a child, I loved The Giving Tree. I read it over and over. As an adult, a feminist, and a gratefully recovering codependent, I've long since given the book a rethink. So much so that I won't expose my daughter to it. It's not allowed in the house. What I once thought of as a sweet and moving story with a  moral about the beauty of altruism, I realized one day is an appallingly sexist book filled with poisonous ideas about the role of women and of earth itself.

I don't know why the book struck such a cord for me. Perhaps it had something to do with my profound fascination with trees. Perhaps it was something more prosaic like my nascent codependency. The book presents a dangerous message, overall: Imbalanced relationships in which one person sacrifices endlessly for the happiness of another are an ideal state. In fact, happiness can be derived entirely from pleasing someone else. This is the very definition of codependency.

Codependency is not necessarily a gendered phenomenon. There are plenty of male codependents. But girls are actually acculturated to be codependent, even in families where alcoholism and other major dysfunction aren't the issue. If we don't get it from our families -- and my family was probably more progressive than most -- we get it from our communities, from our schools, from movies, from books... books like The Giving Tree.

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

The Wild Heart Hypothesis with Will Taegel

The Wild Heart Hypothesis states: "If we are to survive and thrive as humans on planet Earth, we will need to dive deeply into the roots of the shamanic era and retrieve our soul connections, our intimacy with all forms of the Universe," explains our guest Will Taegel. Will joins host and shaman, Christina Pratt, to share the Wild Heart Hypothesis and what the role of the Wild Heart is in shaping our future. We will explore what it means to develop right relationship with your own Wild Heart, how you can do that, and why it is essential to do so now, so that you can participate in shaping a new direction for humanity on Earth. Will, a renowned author and leading-edge thinker, practiced psychotherapy for decades, which lead to serving as an eco-spiritual mentor, received training in Native American shamanism and co-founded a three decades old eco-spiritual community Earthtribe with his spouse, Judith Yost. He joins us for the next show in the Society of Shamanic Practitioners sponsored interview series where we explore how contemporary shamans are meeting the challenge of their world where the relations of things are profoundly out of balance. It is the ancient role of the shaman cross-culturally to tend the balance of things. How are these shamans meeting this extraordinary need today?

This week's guest:
Will Taegel, D Min, M.Div, LPC, LMFT

Renowned author and leading-edge thinker Dr. Will Taegel grew up on the Llano Estacado in Texas where he began his lifelong and intimate relationship with Nature. Choosing an integrative approach early in his career, Dr. Taegel received his formal education at Emory University gaining a Masters degree; and at the University of California Berkeley where he earned a Doctorate from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Concurrent with his formal education he explored his Native American heritage and received traditional training in the ways of the Shaman.

Always fascinated and happily challenged by human psychology and one's relationship to the self and others, Dr. Taegel conducted a successful psychotherapy practice for 35 years, which evolved into his current role as a sought-after Eco-Spiritual Mentor. He has written eight books weaving together nature, spirituality, psychology, and relationship, and is Vice President of Community Leadership for Wisdom University.

Dr. Taegel and his spouse, Judith Yost founded a three decades old eco-spiritual community in the Texas Hill Country called Earthtribe. His newly published book is entitled The Sacred Council of Your WILD HEART: Nature's Hope in Earth's Crisis, and is currently available in paperback and Kindle at Amazon.com and on Earthtribe.com.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific

Log on to Listen
Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-512-772-1938

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Horoscope for July 18-24

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Healing on a soul level is possible for you this week, Aries. At the beginning of the week, you may want to retreat so that you can observe the transformation, but even if you have no time to do this, it will happen anyway - most likely during your dream state. A renewed love of your life and yourself is the result of this deep energy shift. When you begin to present the new you, there may be some challenge from people at home, at work, or in your relationships who think you should have checked with them first or who are caught off-guard, but things fall into a new order by the end of the week. The list of things you launch or accomplish bears testimony to the positive new power at work in you.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
A powerful week of growth and learning awaits you, Taurus. Friends and organizations are supportive of you and can help you meet your goals. Teaching, learning, writing, and communicating are supported, but there is one small blip on the radar screen. If you enter a conversation already thinking someone will want to oppose you, they probably will. All your lessons this week come down to state of mind and belief. If you think something is too incredible or impossible, it will be and you may not get it, but if you allow for something wonderfully impossible, you could manifest something beyond your imagination. By the weekend, you will be feeling like a Master Mighty Manifestor.

Gemini (May 21st - June 21st)
Your creativity and drive is at an all-time high, Gemini. The desire for more money is the motivating factor. You are razor sharp when it comes to knowing what you must do to increase your business or advance in your chosen field, but there may still be blocks to abundance that are inherited from your family or left over on a deep emotional level from past trauma or failure or a past life of restriction or austerity. A surprising emotional revelation may occur this week that helps you get to the core of your prosperity block. Would being famous or highly successful make you feel trapped or pinned down? Do you fear being stuck doing just one thing forever? Having a flex schedule and doing something that offers you variety may be the solution to your self-created limitations. Give it thought - you'll get it.