On Beauty

     Presently, in a philosophy class, we're going over Plato's concept of "sensible particular" in The Republic. We, as it seems, are only able to have an opinion of something and deem it as beautiful or not. Because there are differing opinions, it seems to reflect something that is truly beautiful, possibly its form. Either way, he seems to be giving the basis of the cliche "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
     I've often thought about that cliche. Is that which I hold to be beautiful only truly beautiful to me, and possibly no one else? Is something elevated to me only so to me. Maybe it would be better stated: is beauty thus subjective that it would be no different than a delusion in favor of something or someone? In a world of fragmented beauties, it seems as though every instance of declared beauty would be a singular psychotic episode. To say that something, or someone, is beautiful is to say that one's perception of reality is like a thumbprint, unique, and is so in that things, or person's, favor. If two men were to agree that a woman is beautiful, she could likely not be so, rather it would likelier be that those two men were just having the same psychotic episode simultaneously.
     Of course, that's silly. I have found myself agreeing with others that person X (always a woman) is beautiful. Likewise, I have heard others agreeing about someone else. If I knew that person they thought to be beautiful and if they knew the person I thought beautiful, we'd likely agree. But why? Do we all share the same eyes? Or could beauty be something outside of the beholder? ...maybe on the beautiful person herself? Thus, a grape-filled vineyard ready for the press, a woman's lovely, large brown eyes, a lush garden, or a piece of Bach well played are all beautiful, and are so without my opinion.

 

Lesser of Two Evils...

I cringe when I hear that someone is choosing "the lesser of the two evils." It is, by default and admission, choosing evil. When one chooses to support one thing, because it is less evil, one still legitimizes it. "Sure, I'm against murder and sexual violence, but sexual violence isn't murder, so...". It seems absurd, because it is. I truly don't wish to go into politics, but I can't help but be appalled and sickened by my fellow Christians who see two despicable choices and justifies one, because of party sympathies. "Trump is a Republican, so he's better." Or "Hillary is Democrat, and they are for the workers, so...". They are BOTH vile! I think a bit of Chesterton would be appropriate here:

''My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.' No doubt if a decent man's mother took to drink he would share her troubles to the last; but to talk as if he would be in a state of gay indifference as to whether his mother took to drink or not is certainly not the language of men who know the great mystery."

It is thus with our system. We simply cannot choose, because of our sympathies towards a party. We cannot choose, because of fear of another candidate. To choose from fear is to lose faith. Our commitment, brothers, is to Christ and his kingdom, not our parties, or their leaders. I ask those who read this to carefully consider your reasoning behind your choice, and then consider why you choose Christianity. If these don't align, then choose according to that to which your soul belongs. The likes of Falwell, Dobson, Paula White and others are biting to access this world's power. We must hunger and thirst, instead, after righteousness. I've been told this repeatedly: "I fear Clinton, therefore I must act..." I've never once heard in regards to our political mess, "I trust in God, therefore, I must pray."

-Steven C.

Der Kaffee

Earlier this summer, I tried to give up on daily coffee consumption. Sometimes, throughout the semester, my drinking habits would become excessive. To curb that, I decided to let it go. That, however, failed. Some may think that my habits are too strong, and verge on addiction. That may be so, but I just simply love coffee: I love its smell, preparing it and, especially, its taste. So to celebrate coffee, I dedicate this ode, Bach's Kaffeekantate (well, because, Bach is the musical equivalent to coffee):

Also, here's what the best founding father, Thomas Jefferson, had to say of it:  "the favorite drink of the civilised world."

Ein Neuer Blog

I've created a new blog to organize my language studies. When you have a chance, give it a read.
http://altegeschichtedersprachen.blogspot.com/

Blog Recommendation

I just recently found a fun blog via Twitter. I bumped into a picture of cupcakes with Greek alphabets and followed the link (click bait for nerds). It led to "It's All Greek To Me", a pretty good blog. I find pastries with ancient scripts captivating, and this blog has that! The first pasty I've seen with ancient script were cookies with cuneiform:

After I seen that, I knew that the occasional peak into google images for these would be an occasional distraction from work. The new blog recommendation doesn't do cuneiform, but it has cupcakes with Greek, and what's funner than Greek? Very few things are.

Disagreements as Passive Violence?

After the heinous mass shootings in Orlando last week, there was a lot of commotion on whom to blame. Needless to say, it was the shooter's fault. Some on the left agree with the right: that Islam is inherently violent, and it might be so (I really don't know as its theology goes-I don't have an interest in studying it). Nevertheless, history of Christianity (and Judaism) will show the violence perpetrated. The OT had called for genocide, e.g., I Samuel 15, and later Roman Judea had terrorist, the Sicarii. Violence, it seems, is part of the grand narrative of horrible human nature, a consequence of sin. One can easily see this in reading Thucydides.  Yes, Pericles spoke great of Athens'  democracy and the finest qualities of its people, but after the plague, people had no limits in their debauchery. Now, I am not condoning violence; I am against it wholeheartedly. I pray that I have no need for it ever-(part of faith requires that we trust in God, especially when violence is an answer). What I wish to say is that violence is a part of reality. No one in their right mind wants to experience it. And those who do need to be kept away from society. I wish violence on no one, too, whether I disagree with someone completely. And this is my point: I, as a Christian, wish violence on no one, especially a heinous murder such as what happened in Orlando, even though traditional Christianity disagrees with the practice of homosexuality. I am still found, however, to be blamed for an act which I condemn.

https://twitter.com/Residente/status/742147412924506112

Here and there, one will find some who feel that we, as traditional Christians, are complicit in the attacks in Orlando. We are not. My beliefs are that which I find in ancient Christianity, as is the case for many Christians. Just as many Muslims disagree with the practice of homosexuality, they are also not guilty for the shootings, even though they are Muslims, as the Orlando shooter claimed to be. It is absurd to spread guilt on those who disagree with one on something for something someone else did. My lovely older (not quite elderly) traditional Mexican mom is not to blame, nor is her mother or father. Likewise, neither are those from older generations who are not even Christians to be blamed. It is the act of the shooter. This is not to say that he worked off of a clean slate, but whether his slate was clean (which it was not) or filled with self-loathing or hate, it simply cannot be blamed on every group that might share some similarities. To try to rid opposing views simply by blaming them for actions that weren't their own is lazy and irresponsible. Now, as a citizen, one's sexuality is one's own business. It would be equally wrong for me to attempt to rid homosexuality from our society, and the world. Nevertheless, as a Christian, I see sexuality as clearly placed in the scriptures and its practice clearly defined. Hence, the churches with which I affiliate see things differently than others, and it's okay. We can disagree.

Happy Fathers' Day

Happy Fathers' Day to all the good dads out there. Sadly, my dad has passed away a few years ago, but he left me with a good memory of what a man ought to be. I hope what I am becoming would be pleasing to him. Though I do not have my dad anymore, I still have good men from whom I learn. My brother, my pastor, and some of my professors (two in particular) have been great to me. I pray that I may be as impactful as they have been to me.