“Light One Candle” if Politics in America is Depressing You!

18 Jan 2025 6 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Hello America, well I’m your native son.  Born to a Southern Woman and a Northern man.  I grew up listening to hillbilly music and classical opera.  I grew up with a decorated WW II veteran for a dad who was mean as hell and a mom whom my friends all loved and called her an angel.  My dad saw the bad in everyone while my mom saw only the good.  My father disowned me when I joined the military without telling him, while my mom wept for days when she found out I was gone.

Today we are here to witness the dawn of a new era of greed and empire.  Some of you are no doubt mourning the demise of the old era of greed and empire.  Many Americans including the rich, super-rich and mega-rich are out learning how to do the “Musk Frolic and Prance” as they await their expected epoch of profits and returns.  Even the poor who voted for Trump expect that in making America great again, Trump will give everyone a turkey for Christmas along with a free bottle of Jim Beam Bourbon.

For those of us who share less than kindly sentiments towards Trump, American Exceptionalism and Corporate Profits, it can be said that one person’s heaven is another person’s hell.  I know many of my friends woke up sick and petrified by the election results.  Years of trying to figure out how anyone could vote for such a character, were demolished in one horrific nightmare of populism which saw Trump actually win by a majority of the votes cast.

Some are now saying that it is time to regroup and rethink our strategies.  Many more have decided that the stress and frustrations are not worth it and have turned off the news and tried to shut Trump and his minions out of their minds.  It is hard to do this when everywhere you turn you see people jumping up and down celebrating Trump’s victory.  I want to share with you a very famous song (Light One Candle) which I think provides some inspirational thoughts.

This song goes back to the days of the Civil Rights movement but in terms of its subject matter dates back more than two thousand years.  I would like to interpret some of the stanzas and describe what they mean to me.  I recently heard this song again while listening to some old tapes.  I could not help but think how relevant it still is.  I hope it moves you the way it moved me.

First, here is some background information about the song from Wikipedia:

“Light One Candle” is a song by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.  It is a popular Hanukkah song.  Peter, Paul, and Mary performed the song in concerts starting in 1982, before recording it for their 1986 studio album No Easy Walk to Freedom.

The lyrics commemorate the war of national liberation fought by the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greek empire from 167 to 141 BCE, a war described in the Books of the Maccabees and commemorated by the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.  After Judah Maccabee and his army defeated the Syrian-Greek forces, the Jewish people according to custom cleansed and rededicated the Temple by lighting a Menorah, or a candelabra with nine branches.  There are eight branches surrounding a central branch which holds a special candle called a Shamash.  The Shamash is used to light each of the other candles one at a time.  According to the Talmud—an extensive collection of rabbinic law and biblical commentary written between 200 and 500 CE—the Maccabees found only a small amount of oil to light the candelabra.  It miraculously lasted 8 nights, resulting in Hanukkah’s nickname, “The festival of lights.”

Light One Candle by Peter, Paul and Mary

  1. Light one candle for the Maccabee children with thanks that their light didn’t die:

I want to give thanks for my life, my wife’s life, the lives of my friends and the lives of the many people who are still willing to fight the good fight for freedom and justice.  I give thanks for the people who will not give up and for whom the light of hope has not gone out.

  1. Light one candle for the pain they endured, when their right to exist was denied:

I want to light a candle so my eyes can see the hardship and sacrifice that so many people who have gone before me have endured.  I want to see with my heart and feel with my soul the pain that the heroes and heroines have endured who gave their last breath for my freedom and rights.

  1. Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice justice and freedom demand:

Let the sacrifices made by other always be illuminated in my eyes by this candle.  Never let the realization dim for me that you gain what you strive for in this world and that as Frederic Douglas so famously said: “Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground”.

  1. But light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemaker’s time is at hand:

I light a candle that shows two wars being waged as I sit here at my computer.  I suspect many more wars are going on that I do not see.  The two wars the candle shows are killing innocent men, women and children each day while cries for peace and ceasefires are ritualistically ignored.  Day after day goes by while those with the power to stop the killings refuse to see the light shone by the candle.  Where are the leaders with the wisdom to know when the time for peacemaking is at hand?

maxresdefaultChorus:

Don’t let the light go out!

It’s lasted for so many years!

Don’t let the light go out!

Let it shine through our hope and our tears.

  1. Light one candle for the strength that we need to never become our own foe:

Pogo said that “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”  I light a candle so that I can see the truth and avoid the path of vengeance and retribution that guides so much of war.  It is easy to lose sight of the path that we want to be on and to go blindly down a trail that makes us “one of them.”  We become the “wolf that we feed.”

  1. And light one candle for those who are suffering, pain we learned so long ago:

I light one candle to see the grief and suffering that are afflicting humanity.  To see the many people who are in the shadows and cannot be seen.  The light from the candle shines on those who are deeply in distress but are being ignored.

  1. Light one candle for all we believe in, that anger not tear us apart:

I will light a candle to shine into my heart, to keep it from becoming dark.  A light to show me that all people who walk this earth deserve more than my scorn or wrath.  Under the light from this candle, we can all work together to made a better world for ourselves and our children.

  1. And light one candle to find us together, with peace as the song in our hearts:

Let the light from this candle shine like a million suns until we can all see the glow of peace that burns in every heart.  Humans from the beginning of time have sought peace wherever they have settled.  Let this light remind us of the common bond  that unites all of us in every part of the globe regardless of race, religion, gender or ideology.

Chorus:

Don’t let the light go out!

It’s lasted for so many years!

Don’t let the light go out!

Let it shine through our hope and our tears.

What is the memory that’s valued so highly

That we keep it alive in that flame?

What’s the commitment to those who have died

That we cry out they’ve not died in vain?

We have come this far always believing

That justice would somehow prevail

This is the burden, this is the promise

This is why we will not fail!

There are those who say keep the faith.  Those who say do not give up hope.  Those who say when you get knocked down, you only succeed by getting back up.  We cannot fail if we keep trying.  We can only fail when we stop trying.  The days ahead may see and probably will see many of our dreams destroyed.  We may see a world tilting towards injustice and cruelty.  It may become a landscape full of the wreckage of many of our hopes and desires.  But it is only our own despair which will defeat us.  Each of our voices are needed.  Each of us must carry a candle to illuminate the visions of what could and should be.

Chorus:

Don’t let the light go out!

Don’t let the light go out!

Don’t let the light go out!

I Want to be More Like Jesus!

22 Dec 2024 7 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Every year, I try to post our “Annual Holiday Letter” and then follow up with some holiday or Christmas missives.  Today, I was struck by what a friend of mine wrote on his blog: 

“I want to be more like Jesus.”

Now just to be perfectly clear.  I believe that Jesus was a great prophet and humanist.  I do not believe that he was the “Son of God” or that, “He rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven.”  Nevertheless, many people would disagree with me and millions of people the world over celebrate his birthday on December 25th.  Jesus has inspired people to live a better life, and it would be no mean feat for anyone to follow in his footsteps.  I admire my friend for his goal.  I decided to see what or how ChatGPT would respond to his request.  I typed in his goal into my ChatGPT program:  “I want to be more like Jesus.”  The following is the ChatGPT reply that I received word for word: 

ChatGPT:

That’s such a meaningful and beautiful goal!  Striving to live more like Jesus involves focusing on qualities and actions that reflect His teachings and character.  Here are some practical ways to guide you:

1. Cultivate Love and Compassion

Jesus emphasized love above all: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).  Practice kindness, empathy, and care for others, especially those in need or who may be marginalized.

Look for ways to serve and help, whether through volunteering or simply being a good listener.

2. Practice Forgiveness

Jesus taught forgiveness, even for those who wrong us: “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  Let go of grudges and seek reconciliation where possible.

3. Live Humbly

Humility was a cornerstone of Jesus’ character.  Avoid arrogance and practice gratitude for your blessings, knowing that everything is a gift from God.

4. Spend Time in Prayer

Jesus often withdrew to pray and strengthen His connection with God (Luke 5:16).  Take time daily to pray, reflect, and seek guidance.

5. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).  This simple principle can help guide your decisions and interactions.

6. Embrace Patience and Peace

Jesus remained calm and patient even in challenging situations.  Practice patience with others and seek peace rather than conflict.

7. Live Faithfully

Make God the center of your life by reading Scripture, attending church or fellowship, and applying biblical teachings in your daily actions.

8. Show Generosity

Jesus cared deeply for the poor and was generous with His time and resources.  Share what you have, whether it’s time, money, or talents.

9. Stand for Truth and Justice

Jesus was unafraid to stand up for what was right.  Be honest and stand firm in your values, even when it’s difficult.

10. Be Servant-Hearted

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).  Serve others without expecting anything in return.

Becoming more like Jesus is a lifelong journey.  It’s about progress, not perfection, so give yourself grace along the way.  ❤️

___________________________________________________________________________________________

I think these are all beautiful goals.  The only one I might partially modify would be number seven.  “To make God the center of my life.”  Being an atheist, making God the center of my life would be hard to do.  Nevertheless, the way I see it is that I should not make the mistake of making “Myself” the center of the universe.  I remind myself regularly that the world does not revolve around me.  Neither do I make science or even rationality the center of my universe.  I try to read other books of wisdom like, The Tanakh: The sacred text of Judaism; The Quran: The sacred text of Islam; The Analects of Confucius: The sacred text of Confucianism; The Rig Veda: The sacred text of Hinduism and The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The sacred text of the  Baháʼí Faith. 

There is much wisdom in the world and the more I read, the more humble I have become.  The more difficult it becomes to take myself too seriously.  Reading and reflection are good antidotes to prevent oneself from being another god.  So, this year if you want to embrace my friend’s goals “To be more like Jesus,” you will get no argument from me.  I will salute you and wish you success on your journey.  That to me is the true meaning of Christmas.  What Jesus would have us all do this wonderful holiday season. Did he not say, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Growing Old with “Old” or is it “New” Memories

15 Dec 2024 12 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

Currently the thinking in Cognitive Psychology is that memories are not stored but are recreated.  Each time we “Remember” an event, our mind recreates the memory from bits and pieces of things that we associate with the event.  The impact of this process is that there is great latitude in the accuracy of what we believe happened in our pasts.  My spouse Karen and I often have totally different recalls of what happened at a given event.  Interviews with people who were on the “grassy knoll” at the time of JFK’s assassination show that their memories six weeks later had changed quite a bit.  From not seeing anything or hearing anything to suddenly remembering someone shooting or running and puffs of smoke appearing in the air.

Christmas is a wonderful time that serves as a catalyst for bringing up old memories.  Memories of days gone by with relatives.  Memories of cooking at Christmas or holidays with our mother.  Memories around the holiday dinner table.  Memories of gift shopping and gift giving.  Memories of decorating the house.  Memories of trees, lights and angels.

Many of our memories are poignant.  Some memories bring sadness as we remember the “Good” old days.  Most memories bring joy as we relive in our minds the love and happiness that we once shared with long-gone friends and relatives.  We conjure up pictures of a past that we paint with vivid colors, dramatic actions and a dream filled choreography which may or may not bear much resemblance to the actual event.  It doesn’t matter though.  We are not trying to sell it.  At worst, we want to share it with others and share with them the memories that they have.

I sit here thinking of some Holiday memories.  Some less related to the holidays and more or less related to the “good old” days.  I am not sure if they are real, but I tell myself that they are.  Here are a few that come to mind:

  • 18 cent a gallon gasoline
  • 25 cent movies
  • 15 cent popcorn
  • 10 cent bus rides
  • Ferris wheel rides at Coney Island
  • Swimming with my sisters at Lake Ronkonkoma
  • Walking by myself when I was only 7 to PS 171 school in Brooklyn
  • Propelling myself down a Brooklyn street on a scooter made with a wooden box and old roller skate wheels
  • Carrying groceries in my little red wagon for people from the store to their Apt. for 10 cents
  • Visiting with my cousin Louis
  • Dreaming that someday I would be an astronaut
  • Deciding if I really wanted to be an astronaut or maybe a world-famous archaeologist
  • Wishing that I had my own set of encyclopedias
  • Midnight mass on Christmas eve
  • Wondering if I would get a bicycle for Christmas when I was seven years old

To paraphrase the famous song from The Sound of Music, these are a few of my favorite memories.

Bows on gift boxes and dreams of new toys,

Shiny new building blocks and Lincoln log homes.

A bicycle with three speeds that was meant mostly for boys,

Trains that ran on 1/64 scale tracks, some with a cute little dome.

These are a few of my favorite Christmas memories.

I hope this holiday season brings joy, peace and prosperity to you and your loved ones.  I would love to hear from you what your favorite memories are.  Please use the comment section to post as many as you like.

I will post our annual holiday letter next Monday. 

 

What Are You Up To These Days?

18 Nov 2024 7 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

Have you ever run into an old friend, and they ask you “Well, what are you up to these days?”  I find this a very difficult question to answer for several reasons.  One is that I am not sure if they are just being polite or if they really  want to spend an hour or so listening to what I have been up to.  I generally presume that they won’t want to spend the time.  Another reason is that it does not seem polite to regale them with what some might construe as bragging.  For instance, I would like to say the following:

“I am building a new wall in China to rival the old one.  However, the China wall project is just a side hobby that keeps me busy until I get to play my new symphony with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.  I have to couple my symphony debut with my visit to the King of England.  I am being awarded an OBE for my contributions to English literature.  After that, Karen and I will leave on another round the world cruise.”  “Oh, do you know what an OBE is?”

“Kids and grandkids are all above average and Karen is happier than ever.” 

“And what are you doing these days?”  “Oops, times out, I have to run.  Call me for lunch the next time you are in town.”

More likely I will answer the above query with a very different response.  As a matter of fact, after our church breakfast this morning, one of the friends at our table asked me what I was going to do today.  My reply was honest, “I have no plans to do a darn thing today and I have nothing that I want to do.”  I actually cannot think of anything I would rather do than nothing.  Well, I may take a nap or help Karen eat some unbaked cookie dough.

As it gets nearer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Karen’s baking genes kick in.  She  will bake enough lefse and Christmas cookies to last at least until Easter.   Most of Karen’s baking  goes to our stomachs, the stomachs of friends and neighbors and Karen’s children.   I keep wondering each year as the cost of sugar, butter, chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, oil, flour and other cooking supplies go through the roof,  how long our IRA will last.

I suggested to Karen last year that we ask for a good-will donation from anyone she gives cookies to.  She thought I was being rather mercenary.  I tried to tell her about the “Prosperity Gospel” but being a good Lutheran from birth she would have none of it.  If you are not familiar with the “Prosperity Gospel”, it goes something like this:

Jesus was really very depressed because he was poor and did not have a limousine or private jet.  Jesus died because he wanted us all to be happy.  He knew the secret to happiness was to be wealthy.  He said, “It is very easy to thread a needle when you are rich, but poor skinny camels can never get through the eye of a needle.  Rich people will have many servants who are good at threading needles.”

The New Testament in some versions have Jesus saying the following: Luke 12:15

ESV:  And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one ‘s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

 NIV:  Then he said to them, “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

As we get closer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday and Christmas and Boxing Day, we will again be able to watch all the good Christians trying to decide what Jesus really said or perhaps what he really meant about prosperity and wealth.  Did he really mean it when he said,  “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.” — Matthew 19:21

Or did he mean that you should plan your shopping spree very carefully, so you will be able to beat the other shoppers to the bargains and sales.  Get up early in the morning with a great shopping list and carefully measure the distance between the stores you want to go to.  Remember some stores will open earlier and some will have better bargains, so you need to plan your shopping very astutely.

Time, prices, sales, bargains, money and crowds are all factors to consider in developing your strategic shopping plan.  For those of you who are planning challenged, you can find online help in navigating the hoards of other shoppers who are just waiting to get the best bargains before you do.  Go to Godshopsmart.com  for a list of bargains and strategic shopping plans. Strategic shopping plans can be purchased for as little as $19.99, and they will be worth every penny.

If you want to have some great lefse (Do you know what lefse is?) or wonderful chocolate chip pecan bourbon cookies to keep you from starving while you wait in line, I will give you a good deal on a batch of either.  Your choice.  You pay shipping and handling costs.  A good friend of mine bakes many churros this time of the year.  They call her the Churro Lady.  Another acquaintance makes great tamales.  You can choose either pork or beef tamales or mixed.  I prefer the mixed.  I can get you a good deal on these as well.  Nothing like a hot tamale or warm churro while you stand in line at the cashier on Black Friday.

So, this holiday season, forget the elections.  Forget politics.  Jesus would want you to shop.  Get out there and do your best to get the best bargains.  The US economy depends on shoppers like you.  However, this Holiday season, please be mindful not to purchase any products from China, North Korea, Russia or Iran.  Anyone caught doing so might be in trouble with the new Office of Strategic Buying.  I hear from highly placed sources that either Lauren Bobert or Marjorie Taylor Greene might be named Director.  Big Brother Will Be Watching You!

1200px-Shop_till_you_drop

 PS:

Here is a great poem for those of you who want to start celebrating a “Do Nothing Day.”

I’m Sitting Doing Nothing

by Jack Prelutsky

I’m sitting doing nothing,

which I do extremely well.

Exactly how I do it

is impossible to tell.

I scarcely move a muscle,

but serenely stay in place,

not even slightly changing

the expression on my face.

I’m fond of doing nothing,

so I do it all day long.

Whenever I do nothing,

I don’t ever do it wrong.

When I am doing nothing,

there is nothing that I do,

for if I started something,

it would mean that I was through.

When I am doing nothing,

I’m immobile as a wall.

When I am doing nothing

I don’t do a thing at all.

It’s easy doing nothing

and I find it lots of fun,

though when I’m finally finished

I’m uncertain that I’m done.

A Conversation with Jesus about Love

27 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

Love Is All You Need or Is It?

I had this conversation with Jesus nine years ago now. I think it is worth reposting as so many people have a need for love in their lives but so few people know what love really entails. John

Only God Can Save You!

17 Oct 2024 13 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

This past year marks my 41st Jesuit Silent Retreat.  I may be the only Atheist at the retreat.  Each year brings new insights and thoughts.  I wonder if I have grown any during my retreats.  I can’t say that I feel any closer to God, yours or theirs.  I wonder if there is a God but I doubt it.  I wonder if there are multiple Gods.  A God for each religion.  Is the Muslim God and the Catholic God and the Jewish God the same entity?  Were the Romans, Greeks, Hindus and many others more on the mark with different Gods for different functions?

This year reading as I usually do many of the assigned Gospel readings and many other Gospel passages I was struck with how many of the old prophets emphasized the need to believe in God’s goodness.  Only God can save us and we must have faith in God’s goodness.  God has a plan for all of us if we will only listen to him or perhaps her.  God knows what we need but we ignore his/her messages.  Pray to God.  Love God, for God loves us.  He loves us so much that he sent his only “begotten” son (Not sure what a begotten son is) to save us.

Exodus 33:18-19 (NKJV)

“And he said, ‘Please, show me Your glory.’ Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’”

Frankly, I still don’t get it.  Many people have taken a shot at saving my soul, but I still don’t see any value in God.  During the past five years, he/she has allowed Global Warming to destroy much of the climate that I once loved.  He sent a scourge called Covid 19 to help ruin the last few years of my life.  And to top it off, he allowed a low life called Trump to run for President again.  I guess I am lost to the damnations of hell fire, but I still don’t see a God that is going to save me.  If so, he/she is about 78 years past my patience.

C. S. Lewis was the great “converter.” The conversion of an Atheist to a Theist is an aphrodisiac for the devoted religious. I suppose it justifies their belief in a future fiction that requires a complete abandonment of reason and logic.  A place called Heaven where we can all live happily ever after.  Just as long as we are willing to listen to daily sermons about how good God is for us.

“[God] will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of heaven as a shortcut to the nearest chemist’s shop.” — C.S. Lewis

But “Only God Can Save You” has a ring of truth to it.  No one on earth can save you from death.  No one can be trusted to be by your side forever regardless of the consequences.  Friends and lovers come and go like shadows in the night.  One day someone loves you, the next day they hate you.  One day someone is your friend, the next day they unfriend you on Facebook.  Tragedy of tragedies.  Loneliness is a Satan stalking all of us all of our lives.  I would wager more people have committed suicide out of loneliness than any other reason on earth.

Psalm 107:8-9 (NKJV)

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

Only the concept or idea of an All Knowing, All Seeing, All Powerful and All Compassionate God can guarantee us that we will never be alone.  Never be forgotten.  Never be forsook.  One popular song goes:

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you’ll never walk alone

You’ll never walk alone

This song was first written by Oscar Hammerstein II and composed by Richard Rodgers for their musical Carousel, which was released in the USA in 1945.  It has since become one of the most popular funeral songs (Next to Amazing Grace) of all time.  Many people interpret it to have faith.  Faith in friends.  Faith in lovers.  Faith in a God who will always be with you in time of trials and tribulations.  It is a song to give hope to people in time of grief and suffering.

But where does one find such a God?  The Bible shows us at best an arbitrary God.  Sometimes belligerent.  Sometimes vindictive.  Sometimes vengeful.  Sometime cruel.  A God that many of us see in the world wreaking havoc on humanity for any number of transgressions.  From Sodom and Gomorrah to massive floods to sending his “Chosen people” into slavery.  A God who threw Adam and Ever out of the Garden of Paradise because they dared eat an apple.  A God who destroyed cities because they did not live up to his/her expectations.  A God who sent a flood to wipe out humanity.  This is a compassionate loving God?

Psalm 31:19 (NIV-84)

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.”

Or is it a God who feeds his people.  A God who watches out for his Chosen ones.  A God who rewards those who obey him/her.  A God who destroys the enemies of those who worship him.  A God who is loving, kind and compassionate.  I wonder what God really is.  Here are some questions that still nag at my Atheist beliefs.

  1. Do I think that I am smarter than all the wise and great people who believe in God?
  2. Who or what created us?
  3. What if there is a God? What does he/she think of me?
  4. What if there is no God?
  5. Is God simply a metaphor for “Unconditional Love?”
  6. Is God Death or Life or Both?

The Atheist by Martin Braun

Science defines my virtue.

Factual and fictional books are my domain.

Don’t speak to me of pixies, fairies, and unicorns,

Or of your monopoly on morality, love, faith, and shame.

I am what I am

And of what I do I claim my own.

I fight for my survival

Of which need not be told, judged or shown.

There is no all knowing

Or an immortal god of my fate he will judge.

For when my heart ceases to beat

It will return from whence it came, a kind of primordial sludge.

What if Jesus Ran for Office?

10 Aug 2024 1 Comment

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

A Political Play in One Act:

Place:  A campaign headquarters somewhere in America.  Two political campaign advisors sit discussing campaign strategy for their candidate:

Jake:  A ten-year veteran of smear campaigns

Bryan:  The head campaign manager for a Republican candidate for office

____________________________________________________________________

Jake:  I hear the Democrats have nominated some guy named Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth.  Sounds like a foreigner to me.  Do we have anything on this guy?

Bryan:  I had two aides dig up a bunch of stuff.  This guy has a checkered background.  I think we can really nail his ass to the cross.  I have five major areas that I think we can get him on.  Let’s go through them together and see what you think.  We need to prioritize our attacks.  Maybe start with the biggest ones first?

Jake:  Yeah, the sooner we destroy his credibility the better.  The more we can dump on him, the more he will drop in the polls.  So, what have you got?

Bryan:  Well first of all.  He claims he is some sort of itinerant preacher who can heal the sick and raise the dead.  But he does not have any theology training or any bona fide theology degrees.  And he is practicing medicine without a license.

Jake:  Beautiful.  We will nail him for being a fake faith healer and being incompetent as well.  Imagine preaching without a degree from a Bible College?  As for the license thing, I have some friends in the FBI who can start an investigation and maybe even charge him with a felony for practicing medicine without an MD degree.  What else have you got?

Bryan:  This guys got a bunch of followers but one in particular named Judas would be willing to go on Fox News and denounce Jesus as a fake and hypocrite.

Jake:  How much does he want?

Bryan:  He says for only thirty pieces of silver, he can make Jesus look really bad.

Jake:  Okay, we will run with that first.  How about several ads with Judas talking about Jesus being a fake faith healer and not following his own advice.  Let’s get them running as soon as possible before he builds up any momentum.  The press will eat this up.  Anything else?

Bryan:  I was saving the best for last.  You won’t believe this.  He has a platform called “The Eight Beatitudes.”  He wants to take from the rich and give to the poor.  Some type of income redistribution.  He says the “meek will inherit the earth.”  This guy is obviously a Communist.  He says a rich man will have less chance of getting to heaven than a camel would have of going through the eye of a needle.  He tells story after story of rich people getting screwed.

Jake:  Unbelievable.  What is this guy a total idiot?  Man, we will bury him with this.  We will label him as “The Communist Candidate.”  Has a ring to it.  I will tell all of our Fox Media outlets that they need to start an “anti-communist” line on this Jesus guy just as soon as they can.  I want radio, tv, podcasts describing how he plans to increase taxes on the rich and give it to the poor.  The usual stuff we label Democrats with: More welfare queens; Tax and spend; Soft on crime.  Does he say anything about crime?

Bryan:  I hear he hangs around with prostitutes and pimps.

Jake:  That’s great.  We can bring up his anti-family values as well as coddling criminals.  Any evidence he is screwing any of them?

Bryan:  Some of our informants say that he has a girlfriend, but we don’t have any corroboration for that.  He may be gay.  He is not married, and he hangs around with a lot of young men.

Jake:  See if we can follow up on the queer angle.  Hanging around with young men sounds suspicious to me.  Anything else Bryan?  I think we have enough to go on with just what you have already.  The key thing though is I would like to find more people who can testify what an asshole this Jesus really is.  Find some people he didn’t cure or some rich people like Elon Musk who will condemn Jesus.

Bryan:  One last thought.  He may be an Anarchist.  He talks about tearing the capital down and building it up again in three days.  He also talks about changing the law.

Jake:  OK, have someone follow him and get some good tapes of his talks.  Spread some money around and see if anyone else will come forth with some juicy stories about this Jesus.  I think he is dead already.  Crucified by his own ideas and words.  He won’t come back in three days; I can promise you that.   Jesus is history.

The End   

Some books on Jesus that you might like to read:

 

 

 

A Candid Conversation With God:  What Do We Talk About?

24 Jul 2024 11 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , ,

How does an atheist or agnostic talk to God?  What do I call him or her?  What about the irony or would it be hypocrisy of an atheist talking to God?  I guess if I can be an agnostic, you can understand or dismiss my conversation as the musings of a man sitting on the proverbial fence.  Someone who wants to hedge his bets “just in case.”  However, even an atheist might want to hedge his bets.  (Listen to the song “Word of God Speak”- Mercy Me with Lyrics (High Quality)

talking-to-god (1)So what do I talk to God about?  The meaning of life?  When will the world end?  How can we eliminate evil in the world?  The weather?  Sports?  TV?  Movies?  What could I talk about that would keep his interest?  What if God is a her?  Would the same things interest her as him?

John:  Dear God, I am not doing much today, so I thought maybe we could have a little talk.

God:  I’m kind of busy, will it take long?

John:  Uhn, I dunno.  Got fifteen minutes?

God:  I guess so.  Who do you want saved?

John:  No one I can think of.  I know a lot of people I would like to send to hell.

God:  I don’t do that.  Talk to Satan.

John:  Just kidding.  Thought you might have a sense of humor.

God:  If I didn’t, I would not have created humans.

John:  Good point.  So why did you create us?

God:  For the hell of it.  (Laughs)

John:  Good one God.  But really, what was your purpose in creating humans?

God-creationGod:  If you really want to know, it was kind of an experiment.  In the entire universe, I was the only sentient being.  I wondered what would happen if I created a whole bunch of sentient beings and put them in one place.  So I created stars, planets, the solar system, earth and all the things that you would need to satisfy your emotional and intellectual needs.  I then created humans and let you grow and develop.

John:  You mean you never interfered or interceded on our behalf?

God:  Well, sometimes. I like to speed things up a bit, so I sent some prophets and a few demagogues.

John:  So you sent Jesus and Buddha and Mohammed and Abraham?

God:  Nope, just Jesus and Mohammed.

John:  What about Hitler?

God:  Nope

John:  So who created Hitler and where is he now?

God:  You created Hitler and he is now in Hell.

John:  Where is Hell?

God:  For Hitler, it is a land ruled by Jews.

John:  Is that your idea of justice or is it vengeance?

God:  Justice is where kindness and compassion and love flourish.  Hitler will someday come to appreciate the Jewish people.  I don’t do vengeance.  It throws the entire universe out of kilter.

John:  So you mean, we can all get to Heaven some day?

God:  Only if you want to.

John:  Since we don’t have much time, I would like to be very candid with you.

God:  So?

John:  Well, you really made a mess with the earth and humanity.  Have you bothered to look at the earth and see the wars, poverty, disease, crime, injustice, famine and misery that you have created?

God:  You people.  You always want to blame someone else.

creation-of-the-universeJohn:  Who more than you?  You are All Knowing and All Powerful.  Yet you sit up there and laugh at the human race or perhaps worse, you take pleasure in our misery.

God:  I never said I was all powerful or all knowing.  I told Moses I always was and always will be, but I never said anything about omniscience or omnipotence.   You created those myths with your stories and desires; always hoping that someone like Superman or some super-hero will get you out of the shit that you create for yourselves.

John:  People look up to you. They pray to you.  They sacrifice lambs and goats for you. They build altars for you.

God:  Yes, and they fight for me.  They kill for me.  They wage war in my name.  They pray that I will protect them and destroy their enemies. They pray for their relatives and ask for death for their neighbors in the next state or next town or next country.

John:  Are you blaming people for praying for these things?

God:  Have you not heard that I gave people free will?

John:  Free will for what?  To kill and maim and scourge and rape and destroy?  Is that supposed to be some kind of a blessing?

adam and eveGod:  I meant to give humans a choice.  Maybe I made a mistake.  I never told anyone that I was infallible.  I have toyed with destroying the entire human race and trying something else, but nothing really comes to mind.  How could I create a race of sentient beings and not give them free will?  Should I have created a race of puppets or robots?  Say the word and I will destroy your entire planet and all the people on it!  It is really a very small thing to do in terms of creativity and imagination.

John:  Please, don’t put that on me!  I don’t want that decision on my shoulders.  I thought maybe you would have some better ideas.

God:  Well, if you think of any, let me know.  I have things to do now and I need to end this conversation.

John:  One last question.  Are you planning to send any more prophets?  I think we need some help down here.

God:  Each time I sent one, you listen for a while and then you somehow change the message back to what you want to hear or what you want to do.  The Ten Commandments become the two “maybe” Commandments.  The Eight Beatitudes become the Christ_at_the_Cross_-_Cristo_en_la_Cruzeight “Would be nice to do” but they are kind of impractical.  The Eight Fold Path becomes “I don’t have time.” The Six Articles of Faith become a prescription for Jihad.   You have a propensity for converting the words of the prophets I have sent into formulas for bigotry and intolerance.  Nevertheless, when I can, I will continue to send more prophets and messengers.  Keep in mind; they will all say the same thing:  “Love One Another.”

John:  Well, thanks for your time God, and Merry Christmas.

God:  Merry Christmas to you John, but I don’t do Santa.

Time for Questions:

Do you ever speak to God? Does he answer? Is God a he or she? Does it matter? Do you get the answers you need from God?  Do you think God should wipe out the human race and start over? Why or why not?  Did God screw things up with “Free Will?”

Life is just beginning.

“In the beginning..
when ray and day hadn’t yet come into existence at all,
there was a kind of radiance that illuminates universe.
That radiance is the light of knowledge and goodness.
That radiance will persistently and consistently shine brightly
even after all the stars and moons in this vast universe die out.”
― Toba Beta,

My Final Will and Testament – Scriptures – Reflection #10

07 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

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Last year at my 40th Demontreville Retreat, one of the exercises that we were given by the Retreat Master included a very challenging set of thoughts.  The worksheet for the activity was labeled as “A Testament.” I took the worksheet and instructions home with me.  It had fourteen tasks or reflections to complete.  I did not desire to complete them during the retreat.  It is now almost a year since my retreat, and I have decided to make the mental and emotional effort necessary to complete this “Testament.”

The worksheet started with these instructions:

Imagine that this is the last day of your life on earth.  In the time that you have left, you want to leave a “Testament” for your family and friends.  Each of the following could serve as chapter headings for your “Testament.”  This is Reflection Number 10 on the worksheet.

  1. These are the Scripture Texts that have touched and helped me.

My being an Atheist some people might think that I would have a hard time with finding Scriptures that have touched me.  In truth, it is one of the easiest reflections for me to think about.  I have so many wonderful parables from the New Testament and many proverbs and wisdom from the Old Testament that I use to guide my life and decisions.  I see the Bible as another source of great wisdom that has been compiled over the ages.  It is a combination of history, storytelling and profound thoughts compiled into one large book.  I do not view the Bible as infallible or “The Word of God” unless I use that interpretation very loosely.  If there is a God, perhaps he does reside in all of us and all of us are “Children of God.”

In 1775, Thomas Paine wrote a short essay criticizing slavery and reflecting on “Pretended” Christians who could support such a practice.  His words were:

“to catch inoffensive people, like wild beasts, for slaves, is a height of outrage against humanity and justice, that seems left by heathen nations to be practiced by ‘pretended’ Christians.” — African Slavery in America, 1775

Today we have a system that seems somewhat analogous to the system of “Pretended Christians” that Thomas Paine described 250 years ago.  “Pretended Christians” who can support a man and party that attacks, insults, abuses, and maligns minorities, immigrants, women, disabled people, and veterans.  A man who swears vengeance against the people who disagree with his policies.  A man who pays no attention to Scripture which says:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:19-21 King James Version

Many of the people insulted by this man continue to feel that he is some sort of Christian Savior.  A man who will restore Christianity as the Mother Religion of America.  A position for religion that not one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers either desired or supported.  We have a country full of people who want to call America a Christian nation but who neither practice nor believe in one iota of what Jesus of Nazareth taught and died for.  We have a nation full of “Pretended Christians.”  I do not pretend to be a Christian or a Saint or a Holy Man.  God (If he/she exists) save me from these “Pretended Hypocritical Christians.”

The following are four of the scripture quotes that have had the most influence on my life.  I will briefly describe the impact that each has had on my thoughts and behaviors.

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  1. What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world but suffer the loss of his own soul? — Matthew 16:26

The first Jesuit retreat that I did at Demontreville in 1984, upon entering the grounds I saw the larger-than-life sized statue of Saint Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order.  He stands on a large concrete pedestal.  I was forty years old at the time and just finishing my Ph.D. degree.  I was hungry for fame and fortune and success.  During the retreat, I walked up to the statue and discovered the words “What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world but suffer the loss of his own soul?’ written on the base of the pedestal.  These words are perhaps the most profound words I have ever heard in my life.  I went back several times during the retreat to read and reflect on these words.  Over the past forty years or so, despite these words being etched in my brain, I always go to see the statue of St. Ignatius and silently repeat these words to myself several times.

My first visit to these words did not stop me from chasing what some call the elusive gods of fame and fortune.  Over the years, my chasing has become less vigorous, but the goal posts still exist in my mind.  Part of me longs to carry the football over the goal line and to hear the roar of the crowd and bask in shouts of “hurrah” and “you’re the greatest.”  The fortune part has never really mattered as much to me as the adulation and recognition that I still thirst for.  Thus, every year that I go back to Demontreville, (this will be my 41st retreat), I will make my pilgrimage to the statue to restore my commitment to the fact that fame and fortune are no substitute for the real nutrients that nurture the soul.  No amount of fame and fortune can substitute for integrity, compassion, kindness and charity towards others.

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  1. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. — Matthew 6:34

Another phrase from the teachings of Jesus as marked down by Matthew.  Throughout history, this same thought has been voiced by most of the great prophets, thinkers and philosophers.  “Live each day one moment at a time.”  “Live in the now.”  “Be mindful of today.”  Doing so is akin to walking a tightrope.  It requires a sense of balance.  We must plan for the future, but we must also live one day at a time.  How to find that balance is a Herculean task.  A second Herculean task is maintaining our balance.   These two tasks are by far more difficult in the modern world than slaying the Nemean lion or capturing the Cretan bull.  Hercules managed to complete 12 very difficult tasks.  I have yet to manage completing even one of my two challenges.  I suppose I will be working on “Living in the Now” for the rest of my days.

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  1. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities!  All is vanity.  — Ecclesiastes 1

The Book of Ecclesiastes is reported to have been written by King Solomon.  Solomon as you know was one of the wisest men in history.  He was granted wisdom by God because Solomon did not ask for fame or fortune.

“And God said to Solomon: Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked for long life; but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king.”  — (2 Chronicles 1:11-12 NKJV)

Buddhism, Advaita, Zen and other religions talk about the major problem that leads to all of humanities other problems being what psychologists call our Ego.  Solomon called it vanity.  Some might call it self-conceit, narcissism, self-centeredness, self-absorption, me-ism or egotism.  Its all the same.  People become the center of the universe.  I saw a sign the other day that read “When I am not the center of the universe, people become human.”  This is another difficult battle to overcome.  We can focus only on our own needs or desires, or we can expand our awareness to notice the needs and desires of other people.

The Eight Beatitudes given by Jesus in his famous Sermon on the Mount are the greatest exposition of our responsibility to other people that has ever been written.  Jesus elucidated what are called the Eight Beatitudes.  I will not list them all as they are easy to find on Google.  These eight thoughts clearly define how we should treat other people.  I often wonder why so many “Pretended Christians” want to put up the 10 Commandments from the Old Testament, when their Jesus gave them the 8 Beatitudes to obey.   I have actually read that many “Evangelicals” believe that the 8 Beatitudes are wimpy.  The lack of respect for the man that founded Christianity is beyond belief.

I try ever day to remember that I am not the center of the universe.  The world does not revolve around me.  For every one of my rights, there is a responsibility.  I need to look out for others and to help those in need, be they gay, women, immigrants, minorities or even right-wing bigots.  They are all part of the human race.  To paraphrase Ben Franklin, “Either we all work together for a better world, or we shall surely all perish together in ways that none of us desire.”

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  1. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. — Mark 10:25

My friend Kwame says that we should be grateful that we are not rich.  Money is a corrupting influence.  It is somewhat like a drug.  It is addictive.  The more you get the more you want.  The more you have the more you need.  Another friend of mine whom I met in China told me before we left Shanghai in 1989 that we were rich.  I explained that we were not rich, but very middle class.  In fact, we were definitely not even upper middle class.  Xibo said, “you are rich to us in China.  You have nice house, and you can afford to travel to distant countries.”  Xibo’s comments were very accurate, and they had the effect of making me realize just how selfish I often am.  I am bemoaning my mundane middle-class status when to most of the rest of the world, I am regarded as rich.  Never mind regarded.  I am rich to possibly 90 percent of the world.

I am told by biblical interpreters that Jesus never said “rich people were bad” or that rich people could not go to heaven.  What Jesus did say and used many parables to illustrate the fact was that it would be hard for rich people to get to heaven.  Money is a heavy load to carry, and it corrupts.  Lord Acton said that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  The same can be said of money, “Money corrupts, and excessive money corrupts excessively.”

Regard the quest for money in the USA today.  Everyone wants more than they have.  We worry about Inflation, about immigrants stealing our jobs, about the Chinese sending too many products to us.  On the other hand, billions of dollars are now spent on people trying to get rich quick through pull-tabs, lotteries, online gambling and now sports betting.  The mania for money is fueled by the incessant celebrities, media influencers and TV shows touting the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  The airwaves, newspapers, Internet and all of our media are full of non-stop advertising.  “Shop till you drop” should be the title of a song or at least put on the US dollar bill right under George Washington’s picture.

To be mindful of what I have I keep repeating this thought in my head.  ‘It is easier for the camel than the rich man to get to heaven.”  By the way, I do not believe in heaven or hell but I take it metaphorically that it is better for the human race if I try to be the camel and not rich and greedy.

Next Reflection:    

  1. These are things that I Regret about my life.

My Final Will and Testament – Sufferings – Reflection #7

22 May 2024 3 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

images (1)Last year at my 40th Demontreville Retreat, one of the exercises that we were given by the Retreat Master included a very challenging set of thoughts.  The worksheet for the activity was labeled as “A Testament.” I took the worksheet and instructions home with me.  It had fourteen tasks or reflections to complete.  I did not desire to complete them during the retreat.  It is now almost a year since my retreat, and I have decided to make the mental and emotional effort necessary to complete this “Testament.” 

The worksheet started with these instructions:

Imagine that this is the last day of your life on earth.  In the time that you have left, you want to leave a “Testament” for your family and friends.  Each of the following could serve as chapter headings for your “Testament.”

7.  These are the Sufferings that have seasoned me and made me more compassionate.

How to start talking about Sufferings without sounding like a whinny spoiled brat?  Sure, I have had some downs, and I will mention them.  But my life has not been anywhere near the life that I know other people have lived.  In my 77 years on this earth, I have met people who have been through unimaginable and unspeakable sufferings.  If anything has made me more compassionate, it is listening to their stories.  Let me just tell you one that I recently encountered.

A week or so ago, I had a substitute teaching job for the JROTC program at our local high school.  I looked forward to this work since the kids who take this program are usually UBER well-behaved.  JROTC is a program staffed by Marine personnel with the blessing of the school administration.  When I arrived, the full-time teacher was away but there was another staff member.  He was a retired Marine Corp NCO.  I will call him Nick but that is not his real name.  Nick was missing a leg.  He had served in the Gulf Wars and been hit with an IED or Improvised Explosive Device.  He spent several months in a VA hospital but finished his tour of duty and retired from the Marine Corp.

Nick suffered from many other injuries and also had a form of degenerative MS which was slowly killing him.  We talked most of the day as you can imagine two veterans would do.  Nick had a family and two children.  I met one of his kids and was impressed by her closeness with her dad, something I never experienced with my daughter.  Despite his disabilities, Nick claimed no special privileges in life.  He was positive and happy to be alive.  He enjoyed working with the schoolchildren and trying to make a difference in their lives.  Throughout the day, I detected not one bit of remorse or self-pity on Nick’s part.

When I left home at 18 and joined the military, I resolved never to blame my parents for anything I would experience in life.  I was now an adult.  It did not matter that I had an abusive father growing up or that I often felt like a “motherless” child.  I was now an adult and my destiny in life was in my own hands.

I experienced suffering when I caught my first wife in bed with a co-worker and she wanted to leave me for him.  I experienced suffering for nearly twenty years when my only daughter did not want to speak with me.  She was married twice, and I was not invited to either wedding.  She had two grandchildren whom I have only seen maybe three or four times in the last thirty years.  I have improved my relationship with my daughter somewhat over the past five years.  She and I get together for lunch each time I come back to Minnesota.

imagesAm I a very happy person?  Most of my friends would probably say no.  My sufferings though are mostly self-inflicted.  My thoughts on the life that I should have lived haunt me.  Try as I might I can’t let go of the things I fucked up in this world.  I can’t even forget the teacher in the third grade who told me to, “Shut my mouth and stop singing.”  Seventy years later and it feels like if I try to sing, something awful will happen to me.  I would rather jump off of a cliff than sing a note.

A number of years ago, I had a job which required me to do some collections from overdue purchasers of various products.  I did a car repo, and I did not feel too bad about it since I thought, “Why should anyone have a brand-new car if they could not make the payments?”  At this point in my life, I was still just scrapping by financially.  I had never had anything more than a ten-year-old vehicle.  I was still buying cars from the junk yard as well as used tires from the junk yard.

images (2)One day, I had to go out to do a repo on a guy who bought a TV set and was not making his payments.  I went to the poor section of town and walked up to the address I had been given.  It looked like maybe a three-room small bungalow.  The yard was gated, and I looked for a dog.  Not seeing any, I opened the gate and walked up to the front door.  There was a screen door.  The main door was open, and I could see into the house.  I knocked loudly on the door as there was no doorbell.  I could see a living room and a kitchen.  Out of the kitchen, a large man started coming to the door.  As he drew closer, I could see he had no legs.  He was missing both legs and was walking with two crutches.  He asked me what I wanted.  I hesitated and then answered “Sorry, I must have the wrong house.”  I went back to my office and quit the same day.  I figured he needed the TV more than my company needed the money.  I could not do a job that required me to take from poor people what little they had in life.

These are some of the sufferings that try men’s souls and women’s as well.  In some sense, they are also our sufferings.  John Donne (1572-1631) wrote, “For thee Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls.”  The sufferings of humanity are all of our responsibilities.

My years working as an AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) counselor taught me that while I might have one or two things to cause me suffering, many other people have three, four, five or more problems.  I cannot begin to describe all the inhumanity that I saw reflected in the lives of my clients.  And then you have the “financially responsible politicians” who demand that many of these people get a job if they are going to receive welfare.  A whole cadre of human beings who disparage and denigrate the less fortunate as “welfare queens,  free loaders, leeches and parasites.”  Many so-called Christians who forget the words of Jesus,  “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” — Mark 10:21:

Helping+someone+get+up+Annie+Spratt+Unsplash_49d20648-4035-49ac-acb7-56f660c19fc8-prv

So that’s all Folks.  My life has been a breeze.  My friend Kwame always says that he is blessed.  I never use that word, but I suppose I have been blessed.  I have good health.  I have a great wife.  I have enough money to pay my bills and go on a vacation each year.  My only sufferings in life now are watching so many of my friends and relatives pass away.  I fear I might be the last man standing in a world that I feel increasingly alienated from.

Next Reflection:    

  1. These are the Lessons that life has taught me.

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