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ArchivesOT: Salve to Phyllis cont'd & Opinion Poll for All on "Evil"
Apologies for the off-topic posting, but everyone's invited to join in (and it's a cool way to find out more about the people who post here, too). I had to start a new topic posting in order to answer Phyllis, as the old one has since been archived.
Yes, Phyllis, I've read the *Malleus Malificarum* -- a work which I (and many others, I'm sure) believe was responsible for more genuine evil in this world than the so-called "evil" it purported to root out.
Out of curiosity, I'd like to take an opinion poll to see how people here might complete this phrase:
"_______ is the root of all evil."
Choose one:
1. Money
2. The Devil
3. Organized Religion
4. Politics
5. Ignorance
6. ? (fill in your own choice)
Choose only ONE, and post here why you believe it to be "the root of all evil". Goofy answers are okay, so long as you follow them up with what you *really* believe. :)
-- Nanaea
P.S. to Phyllis: P.L. tells me that little Nephele is "healthy as a horse" now. You must've included some oats in that request offering of yours, Phyllis. :)
Yes, Phyllis, I've read the *Malleus Malificarum* -- a work which I (and many others, I'm sure) believe was responsible for more genuine evil in this world than the so-called "evil" it purported to root out.
Out of curiosity, I'd like to take an opinion poll to see how people here might complete this phrase:
"_______ is the root of all evil."
Choose one:
1. Money
2. The Devil
3. Organized Religion
4. Politics
5. Ignorance
6. ? (fill in your own choice)
Choose only ONE, and post here why you believe it to be "the root of all evil". Goofy answers are okay, so long as you follow them up with what you *really* believe. :)
-- Nanaea
P.S. to Phyllis: P.L. tells me that little Nephele is "healthy as a horse" now. You must've included some oats in that request offering of yours, Phyllis. :)
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Replies
Inflexibility. It is the mother of all evils, including ignorance, the monistic pursuit money, intolerance, fanaticism, monotheism, chauvinism, lack of humor.
And a note concerning money: I agree with Nan that money is a worthwile means, but by no means is it an end. The most precious resource is time. A screwed-up choice in the work-leisure trade-off martix will only make shorter of breath.
And a note concerning money: I agree with Nan that money is a worthwile means, but by no means is it an end. The most precious resource is time. A screwed-up choice in the work-leisure trade-off martix will only make shorter of breath.
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Yep, inflexibility is right up there with excess as the mother of all evils, along with all those other evils you mentioned -- especially a lack of humor.
Which, in essence, can all be summed up in a single, definitive word:
"Uncoolness".
Uncoolness, therefore, is "the root of all evil." :)
-- Nanaea
Which, in essence, can all be summed up in a single, definitive word:
"Uncoolness".
Uncoolness, therefore, is "the root of all evil." :)
-- Nanaea
1
6. Stick deodorant -- if you've used it on a cold morning, you damn well know why.
5. That not a real enough answer? Try the original: "LOVE of
money". True then, true now.
5. That not a real enough answer? Try the original: "LOVE of
money". True then, true now.
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"Stick deodorant" is a highly plausible choice, I'll give you that. :) And, yes, I was aware of the original quote.
But, honestly, Daividh. Do you *truly* believe that love of money is *evil*? Were it not for our love of money, would most of us have been motivated to attain the careers we now enjoy? Were it not for our love of money, would we be able to provide ourselves (and our families) with the lifestyles which many of us enjoy?
What, exactly, is so evil about loving money? Or with success? Or with any of the lifestyle perks that go with money and success? "Money" represents "independence" to most of us. Freedom from want. Freedom to do as we please. There's nothing "evil" in loving that. :)
So long as we *earn* that money, why feel any accompanying guilt over it?
No, I'm afraid I don't agree with you on this one. Love of money is not the root of all evil. Although, I will grant you that a love of money (as with a perverted love of practically *anything*) can be a dark thing for nuturing genuine evil -- but not all people who love money turn that into a dark thing. Many times, love of money can be a positive thing.
-- Nanaea
But, honestly, Daividh. Do you *truly* believe that love of money is *evil*? Were it not for our love of money, would most of us have been motivated to attain the careers we now enjoy? Were it not for our love of money, would we be able to provide ourselves (and our families) with the lifestyles which many of us enjoy?
What, exactly, is so evil about loving money? Or with success? Or with any of the lifestyle perks that go with money and success? "Money" represents "independence" to most of us. Freedom from want. Freedom to do as we please. There's nothing "evil" in loving that. :)
So long as we *earn* that money, why feel any accompanying guilt over it?
No, I'm afraid I don't agree with you on this one. Love of money is not the root of all evil. Although, I will grant you that a love of money (as with a perverted love of practically *anything*) can be a dark thing for nuturing genuine evil -- but not all people who love money turn that into a dark thing. Many times, love of money can be a positive thing.
-- Nanaea
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It's important to differentiate between the *need* for money and the *love* of money, i.e., greed.
As I often tell my hordes of admiring minions, we ain't there because we love to build forktrucks, we're basically there to provide for our families, and what we're doing is a legit means to that end.
Ambition and a desire for success are about more than money, fortunately. But all too often we've seen wars fought over the desire for economic gain, and decisions in business motivated entirely to increase the personal bottom line, far beyond what's needed to live comfortably or even to prosper.
In the latter case, the result is otherwise-sound companies ruined by merger or takeover, careers and lives turned out to pasture to maximize someone's stock return, and the shift of jobs overseas to further line someone's pockets. If that's not evil, I don't know what is. Maybe not the root of ALL evil, but bad enough.
As I often tell my hordes of admiring minions, we ain't there because we love to build forktrucks, we're basically there to provide for our families, and what we're doing is a legit means to that end.
Ambition and a desire for success are about more than money, fortunately. But all too often we've seen wars fought over the desire for economic gain, and decisions in business motivated entirely to increase the personal bottom line, far beyond what's needed to live comfortably or even to prosper.
In the latter case, the result is otherwise-sound companies ruined by merger or takeover, careers and lives turned out to pasture to maximize someone's stock return, and the shift of jobs overseas to further line someone's pockets. If that's not evil, I don't know what is. Maybe not the root of ALL evil, but bad enough.
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Yes, you're absolutely right on that account. "Maybe not the root of ALL evil, but bad enough."
Okay, I'll tell you now how I would have answered my own question. While "ignorance" is way up there in my estimation of what truly encompasses the root of all evil, there is something else which is far more insidious...
And that is: Excess.
"Excess" is the genuine root of all evil. Excess in love, excess in ambition, excess in religion, excess even in ignorance.
When human beings neglect to maintain a sane balance in their lives, in their desires, in their ethics, in their *everything*, the evil of excess is what results.
*Anything* can lead to genuine evil, when taken to excess.
-- Nanaea
Okay, I'll tell you now how I would have answered my own question. While "ignorance" is way up there in my estimation of what truly encompasses the root of all evil, there is something else which is far more insidious...
And that is: Excess.
"Excess" is the genuine root of all evil. Excess in love, excess in ambition, excess in religion, excess even in ignorance.
When human beings neglect to maintain a sane balance in their lives, in their desires, in their ethics, in their *everything*, the evil of excess is what results.
*Anything* can lead to genuine evil, when taken to excess.
-- Nanaea
1
Salve, Nanaea. I personally choose #5 on your poll because if a person really understood another, we wouldn't have as many stupid reasons behind some of the even stupider (if there is such a word) actions. I mean, killing another because s/he is seeing your ex boy/girlfriend, killing someone for a necklace (or a bicycle, etc.,) just because s/he is different... I could go on forever, but I think you understand.
Phyllis
P.S. I didn't add any oats, but I think Rhiannon, Mananon mac Lir, Poseidon and a few other of the *horse* spirits liked the particular blend of Saigon cinnamon, hibiscus, rose petals, lemon balm, white sage (and a few other herbs and spices) in my offerings. ;)
Phyllis
P.S. I didn't add any oats, but I think Rhiannon, Mananon mac Lir, Poseidon and a few other of the *horse* spirits liked the particular blend of Saigon cinnamon, hibiscus, rose petals, lemon balm, white sage (and a few other herbs and spices) in my offerings. ;)
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...I think i'll add a bit of Havana Club to that and take a dose myself!
1
Good choice, Phyllis, and good reason stated, as well. :)
-- Nanaea
-- Nanaea
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Hey, Nanaea.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa. I hadn't gotten around to *cornering* my teacher until late last Wednesday, and she concurred with your statement concerning satanists. I finally got a chance to log on (for a paper I need to do for Wicca class :D) I was assigned to do a paper on jewitches, so I thought I'd drop the other info off while I'm at it.
Phyllis
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa. I hadn't gotten around to *cornering* my teacher until late last Wednesday, and she concurred with your statement concerning satanists. I finally got a chance to log on (for a paper I need to do for Wicca class :D) I was assigned to do a paper on jewitches, so I thought I'd drop the other info off while I'm at it.
Phyllis
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So, they've got you doing a paper on Jewitches now? I'm wondering if your instructor will be covering Christo-pagans next. :)
But I can dig the Jewitch concept. Because there's an inordinate emphasis placed on things Celtic in the Wiccan religions, and not all of us are Irish. Some of us prefer blintzes 'n' Manischewitz to cakes 'n' ale. ;)
-- Nanaea
But I can dig the Jewitch concept. Because there's an inordinate emphasis placed on things Celtic in the Wiccan religions, and not all of us are Irish. Some of us prefer blintzes 'n' Manischewitz to cakes 'n' ale. ;)
-- Nanaea
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Nanea
If you are interested (or if anybody else is), there is a cool website run by a bonafide jewitch. The address for it is http://www.bbzzz.com. You might find it kinda interesting, especially since you might be able to link with other jewitch sites.
I think you're gonna have to exit this site since I haven't got the hang of underlining e-mail. Sorry. :(
Phyllis
If you are interested (or if anybody else is), there is a cool website run by a bonafide jewitch. The address for it is http://www.bbzzz.com. You might find it kinda interesting, especially since you might be able to link with other jewitch sites.
I think you're gonna have to exit this site since I haven't got the hang of underlining e-mail. Sorry. :(
Phyllis
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"Blessed Bees"?
I checked out the website, and Melissa Oringer is a genuine witch, all right. Cool sense of humor and the abstract. :)
Interesting that she says she's not quite sure why she associates the goddess Shabbat with the honeybee, except for perhaps the traditon of eating apples dipped in honey at Rosh Hashona. I wonder if Melissa realizes that her name means "honeybee"?
Also liked her description of the Horned One: "He's the beasts and the life and the swirling energy that is free and wild." Very apt prose.
Blessed Beast
-- Nanaea
I checked out the website, and Melissa Oringer is a genuine witch, all right. Cool sense of humor and the abstract. :)
Interesting that she says she's not quite sure why she associates the goddess Shabbat with the honeybee, except for perhaps the traditon of eating apples dipped in honey at Rosh Hashona. I wonder if Melissa realizes that her name means "honeybee"?
Also liked her description of the Horned One: "He's the beasts and the life and the swirling energy that is free and wild." Very apt prose.
Blessed Beast
-- Nanaea
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Wow, and thanks for the comments. This is what happens when a friend of mine runs a Google search on my name - he forwards me a post about my site :)
In answer to you question: yes, I know "Melissa" translates into "honeybee" in Greek, thus the name of my personal site. Melissa, one of two daughters of King Melisseus, the other being Amalthea. Amalthea ("goat") is said in some stories to have suckled Zeus.
My comment about honeybees and Shabbat is because the association is purely intuitive on my part, based on trancework on such. There's nothing (that I'm aware of) to verify such an association.
For those interested in Jewitchery, I've gone live quite recently with a new site focused on the topic: http://www.jewitchery.com. If you have thoughts, essays, articles, book recommendations and/or links to contribute, please drop me an e-mail :)
And thanks again!
B*Bzzz
-M
In answer to you question: yes, I know "Melissa" translates into "honeybee" in Greek, thus the name of my personal site. Melissa, one of two daughters of King Melisseus, the other being Amalthea. Amalthea ("goat") is said in some stories to have suckled Zeus.
My comment about honeybees and Shabbat is because the association is purely intuitive on my part, based on trancework on such. There's nothing (that I'm aware of) to verify such an association.
For those interested in Jewitchery, I've gone live quite recently with a new site focused on the topic: http://www.jewitchery.com. If you have thoughts, essays, articles, book recommendations and/or links to contribute, please drop me an e-mail :)
And thanks again!
B*Bzzz
-M
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Hey, Nanaea.
I found out that you guys do the underline for me. Thanx.
Phyllis
I found out that you guys do the underline for me. Thanx.
Phyllis
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...which gives a whole new meaning to the term "Jap": Jewitch American Priestess!
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Hmmm... I wonder if I would be a SAM -- Satanic American Magistra. :)
-- Nanaea
-- Nanaea
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As long as you aren't a SAP --Satanic American Pervert -- who needs to be *saved*. Ran into a bunch on my way to school and told them that I was saved from "The Guiding Light", "General Hospital", "One Life To Live", etc.
Strange, these *elders* didn't seem older than twenty or twenty five. I won't see that side of thirty again.
Strange, these *elders* didn't seem older than twenty or twenty five. I won't see that side of thirty again.
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Hahahahaha! Loved it! :)
Those so-called "elders" who got in your face are "elders" because they are OLD. Doesn't matter if they're 20 or 25 -- it's their mentality that make's them OLD.
I've know people who describe themselves as being "old" in chronological terms, but they are by no means OLD. They're bright, vibrant, witty, challenging and highly entertaining. That ain't OLD by my definition. :)
Heheh. Daividh here sometimes makes references to himself as being "old" -- but he ain't OLD by any means, either. :)
And, you already know what I think of PriaposLovs -- he rocks.
You're exceptionally cool too, Phyllis. :)
-- Nanaea
Those so-called "elders" who got in your face are "elders" because they are OLD. Doesn't matter if they're 20 or 25 -- it's their mentality that make's them OLD.
I've know people who describe themselves as being "old" in chronological terms, but they are by no means OLD. They're bright, vibrant, witty, challenging and highly entertaining. That ain't OLD by my definition. :)
Heheh. Daividh here sometimes makes references to himself as being "old" -- but he ain't OLD by any means, either. :)
And, you already know what I think of PriaposLovs -- he rocks.
You're exceptionally cool too, Phyllis. :)
-- Nanaea
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Nanaea
Go raibh maith agat (thank you). (Picture doffed hat and graceful bow ala Three Musketeers).
I was thinking of you guys (the Anagram Caballeros) while doing my Wicca homework (reading, of course). Too bad you guys can't take this class, too. It rocks, too.
I try not to think or act "old" but there are some times that it's impossible. I hope I'm still rockin' when I'm in my late eighties.
Phyllis
Go raibh maith agat (thank you). (Picture doffed hat and graceful bow ala Three Musketeers).
I was thinking of you guys (the Anagram Caballeros) while doing my Wicca homework (reading, of course). Too bad you guys can't take this class, too. It rocks, too.
I try not to think or act "old" but there are some times that it's impossible. I hope I'm still rockin' when I'm in my late eighties.
Phyllis
1
You'll probably be rockin' all your life, Phyllis. :)
Favorite quote time:
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?" – Satchel Paige
Favorite quote time:
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?" – Satchel Paige
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