Music Is My Religion

Some people believe in God, I believe in music.  Some people pray, I turn up the radio.  Those very words were spoken by a girl at the end of the video clip for the 30 Seconds To Mars song, Closer to the edge.  When I heard that phrase I connected with it, I understood what she meant.  Religion for many people is about believing in something that speaks to your soul, whether its God, Buddha, Allah or one of the many other names used to describe the head deity within a religious movement. 

I was raised in a Christian home, granted it was just me and my mother in the home but Christian it was.  I don't mean the type of Christian a lot of people are, where they go to church on a Sunday, sing a few hymns, confess their sins and then go straight back to doing what they shouldn’t be, but feel absolved because they had done their weekly time in the house of the Lord.  I was a full on Pentecostal, evangelical, praying in tongues, healing the sick, casting out demons kind of Christian.

I’m no longer what is considered a practicing Christian in those circles, I left the church when I was 17 because I wanted to explore the world outside those walls.  I didn’t want to be another pew warmer that was out drinking, having sex and taking part in other “sinful” activities during the week and then say a few “praise be to Jesus'” to make me feel better about myself.  One thing I’ve never stood for is hypocrites and liars, so I made the choice to follow the ways of the world.

The funny thing I’ve noticed about the Christian world is that if you make the choice to walk away they tend to turn their backs on you, or try to convince you that you need to have some devils cast from you.  Either way if you’re not playing by their rules, they no longer want to have anything to do with you.  Of course you are always going to get the odd few who have outstanding values and uphold the laws of loving your fellow man despite what life they choose, but for the most part they will ignore you. 

Personally I find this method of treating those that have “back slid” disgusting and goes against all that is taught in the bible.  Are we not supposed to love mankind despite their sins and faults?  We don't necessarily have to agree with peoples actions or decisions, nor do we have to like them, but we have to love them despite all this.  As I’ve become older I’ve kept my faith in a higher power that I choose to call God.  However, I also believe that we can learn various important things from other religious movements and should implement them into our life journey.  What I have lost faith in is the idea of organised religion or Christianity, where we all meet once a week to worship our chosen “leader” and failure to do so means you are having problems with your faith. 

Which brings me to 30 seconds to mars.  There have been rumours abound and joking that they are in essence a cult.  Today I read a post by a girl where her father threatened to take her CD’s away from her because he believed the band to be a cult.  When they play their hit “Kings and Queens” they get a bunch of fans on stage to dance around, have fun and partake in The Church of Mars.  The video for Closer to the Edge touches on this a little more, with fans at the beginning and end of the video talking about what music and the band mean to them.

For these people music is about the sound and words speaking to your soul, making you feel alive and as if you have something to believe in to help you walk your path through life.  I’ve watched many times the videos of 30STM, and watched frontman Jared Leto raise his hands up as if he is praising something.  Much like we would see people in a church doing while they are singing their songs of worship. 

 

I’ve always liked this band and their music, but in the last few weeks I have really rediscovered them and taken the time to really listen to the message they are sending people.  Many of their songs are about discovering who you are, embracing who you are, embracing and protecting the earth we share.  I see their messages as being positive and one that is meant to uplift their followers and give them something positive to hold onto.  When I listen to their songs it reaches my core, it speaks to my soul and makes it soar, like I have found something amazing to put my faith in and believe in. 

Isn't that exactly what having faith is all about?  At the end of the day does it really matter what we have faith in?  Isn't the most important part that we have faith in something or anything?  These guys are speaking to the youth of today, filling them with hope and something great to believe in.  In my mind they deserve an award for managing to do that.  I don't see them as being a cult or that Jared Leto is our God, rather that we all have a love for music and how it makes us feel.  We are all believers in music, including the members of the band.

Some people may be wondering what has led me to even discuss this.  There is no one single reason for my post, other than I have too much time on my hands and a brain that works overtime churning thoughts.  So I’m here to say that ultimately music is one of my religions, next to writing of course, as I will always worship at the alter of the written word.  Blasphemy I can hear Christians crying across the world.  And my response is that at least I am part of something that comes with TRUE unconditional love and acceptance, no matter what path I walk in life, I have my brothers and sisters of music.  Perhaps churches might want to try testing that philosophy out once in awhile.

THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE

Here in New Zealand we are rather oblivious to these sorts of stories that are taking place, and I feel that its important we learn more and offer our voice in support.  I literally stumbled across this story several years ago when the documentary Paradise Lost when it featured on the Sky TV documentary channel.  This is a documentary I urge you all to watch, if you haven't already, along with Paradise Lost 2.  When I first watched Paradise Lost it really left me wondering what was really going on, a part of me doubted the guilt of these three young men.  It wasn't until I researched the case further and eventually watched the second documentary, that my belief in these boys innocence grew.  I have supported the fight for their freedom for many years, and now that I have this blog, feel it is important that in some way I add my voice to the many who have before me, in supporting these three.

Some of you reading this probably have no idea what I’m talking about, so let me give you a quick run down of the story.  On the afternoon of May 6 1993 the naked and hog tied bodies of three young boys were discovered in West Memphis, Arkansas.  Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers had all been reported missing the previous day by their families.  What followed in the coming days, weeks, months and years will go down in history as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice, and is still continuing to this day.  Three teenagers Jessie Misskelley 17 years old, Jason Baldwin 16, and Damien Echols 18 were arrested for the murders based on the fact that it was believed these three were devil worshippers.  Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.

One thing I learnt watching these documentaries is there seemed to be a lot of covering up and mutual back slapping by the authorities.  I consider this to be disgusting behaviour from people we literally trust with our lives.  Police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments with a total of 46 minutes.  Even though an abundant amount of new forensic evidence has come to light in the last few years, which proves these boys innocence, this case has continued to be run like a three ringed circus.  Mostly this has occurred a the hands of circuit court Judge David Burnett, who it seems since day one has had a personal vendetta against the west Memphis three and has continued to ignore both evidence and the law.  In September 2008, he denied Echols' application for a hearing on the new DNA evidence. The Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral argument on Burnett's decision on September 30, 2010.  On November 4, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Burnett's interpretation of the DNA statute was too narrow and reversed and remanded all three cases for hearings as to whether new trials should be ordered.  The hearings, to be presided over by Judge David Laser, are tentatively scheduled for October, 2011.  It would seem that finally someone is actually listening and paying attention.  However, the damage has already been done, these boys who have now become men behind bars, have spent 16 years of their life in prison.

Thankfully these three have the backing of some rather influential people, such as Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, even Disturbed earlier in the year released a song called “3”, of which all proceeds will go to funding this case.  I urge you to get behind this landmark case and offer your support in any way possible to these young men who deserve a chance at realising freedom once more.  I also encourage you to watch both the Documentaries, “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Lost 2”.  If you wish to know more information about this or offer support in any way please visit Free The West Memphis Three.  I intend to keep updating the information regarding them on my blog and promote any help that is being offered to them.

To Damien, Jessie and Jason stay strong and know that there are so many people that are fighting in your corner.  I am just one voice, but together we are deafening and can’t be ignored.

Modern Day Witch Hunt

I thought I’d bring you something of the more bizarre nature today, seeing as the bizarre and unexplained are one of my personal interests.  Now call me crazy, but I was fairly certain that we left behind the witch hunts in the 18th century, with the last executions taking place then.  Personally I think being that it is 2011 people would have enough sensibility to realise that all these ridiculous tales of witchcraft are in fact just that, tales.  It would seem this is not the case in South Africa where a community decided to take what they believed was evidence of witchcraft and the law into their own hands.

Twelve people stand accused of setting alight and burning a local Pastor, Albert Malwane, with their trial date to be set this coming Thursday.  Here people, is where it truly turns bizarre, when we discover why exactly these twelve felt it necessary to deliver such a punishment on their Pastor.  They believed that Albert Malwane had in fact an “invisible” penis that he was using to seduce the women of the local community.  His other crime was talking to animals.

I sit here in wonderment that in this day and age people can believe these crazy ideas in the first place.  They even went so far as to accuse his wife of turning into a snail to terrorise the community.  I think if you were going to turn into any thing in order to terrorise a community, that a snail would be rather far down on the list of potential creatures.  Also I’m fairly certain he had himself a perfectly fine “real” penis with which to seduce women.  I’m puzzled as to why in fact it would have to be invisible.  And if talking to animals is reason enough to suspect someone is up to no good, then I’d suggest my local community come and fire up the barbeque, as I talk to my animals daily.

This story remains amusing and yet slightly scary to think that there are people out there that have no sense of logic available to them.  Much like those who have chosen to follow the words of Harold Camping.  It seems in the evolution of mankind some of us really haven't come far at all.  For those wishing to read the full story it can be found Here.

SCORN FOR WELLYWOOD SIGN GOES GLOBAL

It was only on Monday that I wrote about the dreaded Wellywood sign, voicing concern at how other countries would now have further reason to poke fun at us.  And it would seem that concern has now become a reality.  The Americans are now up in arms about this ridiculous notion courtesy of Wellington Airport.  I must admit deep down inside I knew it wouldn’t take long for the US to get wind of this and have a conniption, I guess I’d just hoped it would be long enough for us to quash the evil that is the Wellywood sign. 

According to an article published in the New York Times the Wellywood sign is considered blasphemy.  AGREED!  The article goes on to say, "Not much is sacred in Hollywood.  Classics are remade; final cuts are subjected to focus groups and re-edited.  But the Hollywood sign? That is sacrosanct."  The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which owns the original Hollywood sign, had their own strong opinions on the copy cat, stating it thought the Wellywood sign was dead and buried, and was surprised to see it back in the news.  They were also quoted as saying, "We are not without a sense of humour, nor without legal rights.  Over the years, we’ve been contacted by a lot of people who want to mimic the sign. We usually tell them, ‘Do something of your own.”  It is at this point that I would like to point out to our friends from the US, that the majority of us back your opinion and by being Kiwi's are in no way affiliated to the imbeciles that wish to bring this ridiculous idea into fruition.

Steve Fitzgerald, what more do you need to hear to realise that no one wants this to happen?  Are you so arrogant that you seem to think you can afford to piss off the movie heavy weights?  Even John Keys has said that he is not overly impressed by the decision for the sign to go ahead.  That’s the first thing John Keys has said since he became prime minister, that I actually agree with, so that’s pretty monumental in my books.  Add to that the fact that there are now over 26,000 people on the “Wellingtonians Against the Wellywood Sign” Facebook page, surely you are going to have to pay attention to the masses eventually.

Amusingly in comparison there are only 50 members on the “Wellingtonians for the Wellywood Sign” Facebook page.  That really makes me want to do my “Suck on it bitches” happy dance.

LUCKY BUGGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

 

This weeks lucky bugger award goes to Steve McCormack, a 48 year old truck driver from Opotiki, New Zealand.  I’m sure some of us have been accused of blowing hot air up peoples arses in our time, but this one takes the cake.  In what can only be described as one of the most bizarre of freak accidents, Steven found himself literally blown up like a balloon.  At the time of the accident he was standing on the platform between his truck and trailer.  Unfortunately for him, he slipped and landed on the brass valve that pumps compressed air to his brake system.  Upon landing the valve punctured his skin entering his body in his lower left buttock.

Because of the weight of his body on the valve it activated the compressed air, causing it to enter his body at a rate of 100 pounds per square inch.  Now we have all seen what happens when we over inflate a balloon and continue to blow air into it, it explodes.  Apparently the same happens to a human body when it is filled with compressed air.  But being the lucky bugger that Steven is, his colleagues managed to save him before it got to that point.  He did however swell to twice his normal size, causing his eyes to shut and his one of his lungs to fill with liquid.  Below is a picture example of what happened to him when his body swelled.  The light blue colour in the picture depicts how much his body actually swelled.

The amusing side of this story is that when he was finally safely in hospital, Steven told of how the air left his body.  And that is the only natural air does leave our system, through burping and farting.  Immature I know but a great fart always gets a chuckle out of me.  It was also mentioned that if his workmates hadn’t of been there to help him he would have literally popped like a balloon.  Now there is an image I can’t just seem to get out of my head.  I keep picturing Violet from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory being rolled out by the Oompa Loompa’s.  Slightly distasteful perhaps, but I tend to find amusement in the most dire of circumstances.

And on that note, here is to Steve McCormack, our lucky bugger of the week.  Two thumbs up for you!

107 Years Young

Big congratulations and warm birthday wishes go out to Peg Wilson, of the Kapiti Coast (funnily enough where I live), who turned 107 today.  She celebrated her birthday surrounded by her family and friends.  Her sister Betty who is 101, travelled by Interislander ferry from the south island to be with her sister.  Obviously longevity is in this families genes, with both sisters looking considerably more spritely than one would expect for people in their 100’s.  Now there is a sentence you don't get to use very often.

Peg has three children, five grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  Up until two weeks ago she was living in her own house, but has now settled in one of Kapiti’s retirement homes.  In 1932 she did her O.E by ship, one of the many amazing stories I’m sure she has to tell from her many years.

Again happy birthday wishes to you Peg.  May you see many more happy returns.

 

Peg Wilson (L)  Her Sister Betty (R)

END OF THE WORLD NOW SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 2011

It would seem that Harold Camping hasn’t learnt his lesson yet.  You would think that now with two failed predictions of judgement day and the apocalypse, he would realise he is flogging a dead horse.  First predicting the end of days in 1994, he claimed he got that wrong due to mathematical error.  Flash forward to May 2011 and we had millions fearing and believing that the time was upon us once again.  Funnily enough May 21st came and went without incident, and up until this point Mr Camping has kept rather quiet on the subject.  However he has now come forward and claimed once again that because of mathematical error his dates were out by 5 months.  Now we can wait with bated breath for October 21st 2011.

It looks like Harold Camping isn’t happy with the amount of chaos he has created already among his followers, with people leaving jobs and putting pets down.  No he is not satisfied, he is set to stir up the hornets nest all over again.  I urge you Mr Camping to go back and read your bible once again, paying particular attention to the following:  Matthew 24:36, "but about that day or hour no one knows" except God.  I would like to know why exactly you believe that you are the exception to that particular piece of scripture.  Why exactly do you believe that you are special enough that God has blessed you with the ability to figure out exactly what day Christ will return, when no one shall know.  How arrogant and egotistical do you have to believe that you are that important.  I think that if God was going to pass on this sort of knowledge he would have at least chosen someone that had a greater knowledge in the field of maths.  Not some dried up old man who obviously lacks the ability to count past one hundred.

The only rapture you will experience is the day you hear rapturous applause due to you finally learning to keep your mouth shut.

On that note I would enjoy hearing from Mr Camping and any of his faithful followers who wish to defend themselves in the wake of this debacle.  But I wont hold my breath for that to happen or the apocalypse.