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Let me sum up this evening
in
Posted on November 4th, 2008 at 11:00pm
Dear All,
Let me sum up this evening.
Frances is away so I'm on my own with D&W. I'd been invited to quite a few Obama events due to my support (vocally and financially). I had to turn them down because I chose to be with my kids. When Obama was declared the winner I experienced a nine and seven year old running around the room screaming. When I explained to Diva (9) who Jesse Jackson was and why he was crying she broke out in tears. She then said that "this is the first time in my life I've cried in joy."
There are no words than can explain what a momentous evening this was, the closest I could come was when my parents woke me up to see Neil Armstrong step on the moon. The fact that Barack Obama has inspired so many young children to take an interest in politics is amazing no matter what your political persuasion may be. For me - seeing Jesse Jackson (who was a Hillary Clinton supporter) in tears, and understanding that he fought alongside MLK for racial equality, witnessing an African American winning the presidency in his own lifetime will live with me forever.
Congratulations to all of you who voted. It was an amazing and historic night.
Your fellow American.
Comments
Posted by Suzanne_Dallapè on Friday, November 28, 2008 - 13:12.
MightyAni: "This phrase in particular is disturbing to me. You say--in a "loving, prayerful (non-offending) way"--that you hope non-believers eventually arrive at your view on spirituality, and that the very fact that they do not share your view, that they are somehow flawed and in need of correction."
I don't find this insulting, because I think the same thing in reverse! Granted, I don't say it very often--I prefer to simply lay out my "god is obsolete" argument and let people do as they wish with that--but inside I ABSOLUTELY wish everyone would give up religion! For one thing, most of the wars of the world have been the result of religion. For another thing, I want people to "see the light," so to speak, and experience that freedom and joy that only atheism can bring! I'm just not as proselytizing about it as religious people tend to be.
"I would add that, for me, belief in a deity is unnecessary for living an independent life, and I therefore take full credit for my accomplishments and my mistakes. When things sometimes go poorly, I launch into action to minimize or nullify the negative impact. Likewise, when things are going well (which is a significant majority of the time), I do not attribute my success to an outside force, but to my proactiveness and personal responsibility to accept that I wield the ultimate control over my life."
This hits home for me as well. I think that when you give up the idea of divine plan and start to see life as a series of perfectly random events, you lose a lot less sleep on the whys of life. When you agonize over WHY things happen to you, what you did to deserve your lot in life, then you lose time and energy that could be more productively spent elsewhere. When you learn that stuff sometimes happens that is really good or really bad, and it has very little to do with what you are, it is easier to accept. You also tend to take action to get the best outcome in life rather than passively turn to a god to help you.
Let me explain this latter concept in a more concrete way, using my own experience as an example. I recently learned that my 8-year-old son has a fatal disease for which there is currently no cure. He is expected to die in his teens if a cure is not found. The Muscular Dystrophy Association uses its donations to help fund research for a cure, yet when I ask for donations to that organization (you can check it out here: https://www.joinmda.org/2008stgeorge/dallape), there are many people who say they aren't donating but are praying. They find great comfort in praying that a cure will be found. I definitely find THIS offensive, because the assumption is that their prayers--in lieu of actual cash--will make a difference. Doctors don't get paid in prayers. Non-religious people, who don't have the luxury of prayer, are more likely to actually DO something to help; they know that action is what gets things done (and it's no surprise to me that the majority of the people who have already donated to our cause are non-religious). This is one of the ways in which I feel religion actually does more harm than good, when people sit back and assume that god will fix things, instead of taking action to fix things themselves. And this is why I cannot be offended when religious people wish that atheists could learn to be religious, because for my own personal reasons I wish that religious people would become atheists and realize that more than prayers are necessary to get things done.
Posted by Suzanne_Dallapè on Friday, November 28, 2008 - 12:45.
[Kate, quoting and replying to Suzanne Olden]:
"...and any other non-believer here, I hope that eventually you find that comfort and solace and joy, because it's there for you too, even up to the minute you draw your last breath."
Why assume that non-believers don't have or haven't found comfort and solace and joy now or on their deathbeds?
I even said in my post that atheists come to realize a different sort of comfort and solace and joy, and that the reason many people still have religion is the idea of everlasting life. I guess it all comes down to what you need in your life. When you need comfort that you can't seem to get elsewhere (such as at a time when you are dying, or when your loved one is dying), you find that comfort in the idea of god and love and everlasting life, and that emotion is so overwhelming that you simply cannot understand someone NOT feeling it or even caring to feel it. Believe me, I have been on the Christian side as well and I know exactly what Suzanne is talking about.
Atheism is more of an intellectual comfort. You have thrown off the myths and are suddenly free. You don't necessarily live your life any differently (indeed, most atheists remain good people simply because they want to be, not because they are afraid to not be), but you just feel freer. It is a very different comfort than the comfort of belief in god, but it's a joy nonetheless. I personally prefer the joy of intellectual freedom over the joy of belief, but I totally understand why most people just don't get it.
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 15:17.
The Funeral was today. Over the last three days I've seen people I haven't seen in decades. People who came from long, long distances away to show their respect for my father, and love and support for me and my family.
My dad was a man of integrity who saw the world in black and white; right and wrong. His career path enforced this - he brought in the bad guys - bad guys who Hollywood glorified in shows like the Sopranos and the Godfather. He also brought in the bad guys who attacked our country - terrorists (pre 1993). He did this mostly to keep his family safe, but also because they chose to break our laws, laws he took an oath to uphold. He wasn't perfect, by any means, but then again who is? I know he loved me, that he was proud of me, and that's what I choose to keep in my heart.
He left us behind, but I'll see him again. He's in peace, and as my daughter said "Mommy, Poppy is in Heaven with Uncle Bernie (his older brother who died in 2005)...and they're having a beer!" And I know she is absolutely 100% right.
Thank you, everyone, for your wishes and prayers. No matter how much we argue, we come together in times of need. Curt's Kooks rock! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and you cherish the family and friends you have.
And Curt...xoxoxo to you too...
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by IdeasAsOpiates on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 22:54.
Suzanne -
You already know via other means, but worth repeating here - you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Try to celebrate the best of your dad and learn from the worst.
Hang in there.
Brian
Posted by corinna on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 16:17.
Thanks Alissa
will be thinking of you all tucking into your turkeys - what a ugly bird that is!
Please think of me tucking into mine next month! Cannot believe Christmas is only 1 month away now - where has this year gone???
Cx
Posted by Alissa on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 15:59.
I'm swamped with assignmnets over the next few days, so I'm saying it ahead of time for all the Kooks in the house ... Happy Thanksgiving to you all :). So much to celebrate and reflect upon, and so much I want to give thanks for. THIS INCLUDES ALL OF YOU :). Even if you don't celebrate much on Thanksgiving, maybe share your time with those who do? Too many hungry (and lonely) people out in this world, so if you should volunteer to serve or share a meal with them, I'm SO VERY THANKFUL you do that. They will be too. Blessings, and thanks to everyone ...
With love,
~Alissa
Posted by Kent James on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 08:17.
Suzanne, now is a time to celebrate your fathers life and know he is in a much better place than all of us.A place with no pain or suffering with loved ones he hasn't seen in years knowing true peace.Life here on Earth is just a blink or an eye compared to eternity in heaven.Thank god he made ammends with god before he passed on or then yes it would have been a very very sad time instead of a joyous one.God bless your family and keep spreading the good news ! Kent
Posted by Alissa on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 12:07.
Suz: Sending my heartfelt sympathies to you and the kids. I'm thankful he lived so many years, and in his final days spent them with you. You did a good job being strong as you are, I know your dad must be so proud of you :). ~Alissa
Posted by yara on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 11:26.
Suzanne,
I am so sad to hear about the loss of your father. I wish that you and your family get through this really hard time okay. I think it's safe to say that we are all here for you in spirit! Hang in there!!! Sending a hug your way.
Yara
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 02:00.
Well, then Ani and Kate (and whomever else was offended or put off by my last post) too bad you can't just take it in the spirit intended. Too bad. I'll pray for you anyway. And Ani it's not arrogance, it's genuine caring and concern for your soul - that's what Jesus charged us with. Just so you understand and stop judging motives.
I just stopped back in to let anyone who cared to know that my father passed away about an hour ago. He was 72, left behind my mother, 4 children and 6 grandchildren. He was a police officer, FBI Agent and Judge. Mostly he was a man who loved his family, did the best he could, and took the chance to make peace with us and with God. All his foibles aside, I love him.
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by yara on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 00:55.
When I was younger and through college, I was having every so often really bad nightmares with 'demons' and creepy things like that. I had always been preached to by my parents that God was watching and knew of my sins...etc etc. I always had this religious based fear instilled in me that when I was under stress or questioning my choices it seemed I'd have these awful dreams.
After studying more about religions of the world and realizing that religion for me was not a valid option anymore, I became a calmer person without these irrational fears of hell/demons. I haven't had a single 'hell' or 'demon' nightmare since then and feel that sense of peace that I'd never had growing up going to Catholic school, Russian Orthodox, Methodist and Episcopalian churches. Religion, I can see, brings peace and comfort for many people but it's sad to me that so many people take all that the bible says so literally and criticize people who don't. It's not the 'word of god'. It's men's interpretation of what they think a God is and supposedly wants of us.
Also, how can we say that one religion is better over another? Muslims, Christians, Hindis (sp?), and all of the hundreds of various religions all argue that they are the 'right' choice. I agree Suzanne D. that religion was started with the necessity of understanding that which couldn't be easily explained without having scientific knowledge. Also, it was created as a way to keep the masses of people under control through having a greater consequence(hell) if you didn't follow the teachings than governmental laws alone.
I feel good living a moral, ethical life and know that I am doing my best for my family and myself. I don't have to be 'saved' by a church or a 'god' to be okay in life and feel at peace. No one REALLY know what happens at death anyway and how can one religion truly be an expert. It's absurd and disturbing that various religious groups try so hard to impose religious law into our government. It goes completely against the beginnings of our country.
I am way tired after a week of South Pacific rehearsals almost every night and was just catching up on all of your posts. We have 7pm to 10pm rehearsals 5 nights a week in December and then our 9 performances in January! It's been a lot of fun but time consuming for sure!
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Very well said! I second that. Praise God we have Heaven to look forward to and to know our loved ones are there waiting for us.