h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It seems like such a shame to me that religions mask the spiritual with smoke and mirrors. Then it's always our fault if we don't believe because we "lack sufficient faith."

Why is it that as thinking humans we are supposed to use our intellect and our reason in all areas of our lives except religion? Then it's not only frowned upon to use reason, but is forbidden on pain of eternal damnation.

Believe this.

Why? It doesn't make sense?

Because I say so. And God, who really loves you, will send you to burn in hell for eternity if you don't.

Give me a break.

H

At least we don't have the Spanish Inquisition to put up with now.

Torture you to death and them condemn you to burn in hell !!

I join in the

Jazz

Well, at least there are 3 sensible people on site.

Good morning Hypatia



Jazz

even

eats and promises to send Jazzme a long chatty e-mail soon.

Hypatia love,

please translate 'fluctuat nec mergitur' for me - my 9 percent final grade in latin does not carry me very far!!!!

Jazz

Jazz, that is the motto of the city of Paris. It means 'it is tossed by the waves but does not sink". I've been feeling a bit tossed about lately and thought it was appropriate.

I am too busy to breathe. I grab a minute online here and there. I have an important meeting tomorrow evening that is requiring tons of preparation. After it is over, I should be able to relax for a few days.

H

I'll wait for you love.

Thanks for the translation.

Jazz

I finally got a copy of 'The da Vinci Code' and am more than half way through it.
Strange coincidence that it came in just in time for me to read over the Easter break.

It's really fascinating. I'm sure that some of you are like me and will want to go and have another look at 'The Last Supper'. Here's a great site that gives you detailed pictures.

http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/ffolliott/arth342/slide_lib/group4.htm

Hope you enjoy the remainder of the book - I couldn't put it down - nor could my son and I had to wait for him to finish it so I could get at it.

Thanks for the picture gallery website - it's great.

I had a look at your personal space and enjoyed the bit about the jury service - I did jury service twice. The first time I had a similar experience to you except that our service goes on for a week. The second time I did get on to a jury - a man had stolen two jars of coffee. The case finished late Friday afternoon and everyone was so desirous of going home that they returned a not guilty verdict. Two of us disagreed but were overruled. He had a list of convictions as long as your arm but, English law being as it is, we didn't know that until after he was discharged.

Jazzme

There were two programs on the National Geographic channel over the weekend about da Vinci. One claimed that he actually created the Shroud of Turin. The other was about Mary Magdalen and the theory that da Vinci put clues about her really being the grail into his paintings. Both were extremely interesting.

There are some very credible people who believe in the theories set out in The Da Vinci Code. An interview with Dan Brown was included in the program. He said that he started out to disprove the theory of Jesus and Mary being married, but the more he researched, the more convinced he became that it was actually true.

Anyway, I have translations of the Nag Hamadi manuscripts and hunted up the Gospel of Mary and read it. It is interesting and certainly leaves the impression that she was an apostle, not a hanger on or a fallen woman.

h

Sorry Hypatia - I do wander off track don't I ?



Jazz

I imagine I'll get over it.

Taralome, have you finished it yet?

H

Yup, I finished the book before the Easter break was over. It was fantastic! The theory sounds credible enough. Though, it's always going to involve a bit of guess-work and interpretation when you're talking about times that far back in history.
I saw pieces of a program about the (forget what it's called) block of wood attached to Jesus' cross, that said something like 'Here lies Jesus, King of the Jews'. Apparently Constantine had sent his mother, Helena, in search for evidence of the Crucifixion. She came back with that, and helped Constantine to build a new religion, overtaking the pagan religions of the time. It was interesting the different light that Constantine was painted in, compared to how he was spoken about in the book. They mentioned the baptism, but not whether Constantine approved or not. They didn't go into any symbology either, or describe how he took some symbols from pagan religions, and put them into Christianity.

jazzme, I can't believe they put someone on trial for stealing two jars of coffee! I guess it was still shoplifting. Imagine all the cost of a trial and legal fees compared to two jars of coffee!

I must must must read this book. Thanks guys, I'm gonna get right on it.

I just took another peek at the painting of John in the Last Supper. 'He' sure looks like a 'she' to me.

Lizzardy, do read the book. You'll love it. It is a great thriller whether or not you agree with the author's conclusions about Mary.

Dan Brown wrote a novel titled Angels & Demons before he wrote The Da Vinci Code. It also has Langdon as a character. It's excellent, as well.

H

Taralome,

The accused has the right to opt for trial by jury - it's a gamble, he could get off or he could face a much heavier sentence from the Crown Court. In this case the gullible let him off !! A high public price to pay for two jars of coffee indeed.

The piece of wood you refer to was nailed above the head of Jesus by the Roman legionaires. It read Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum (except that the Romans did not have a letter J so it was Iesus...Iudaeorum - the inscription INRI is sometimes displayed on models of the crucifiction to this day - especially by the Roman Catholic Church !)

The latin translates as Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. Roman pagan mockery of the Jewish faith at that time.

Guess he didn't have the right to trial by jury - but the crowd shouted for his blood in any event if the scriptures are to be believed.

Jazz

There was an interesting article this week from the Associated Press about the Left Behind novels and The Da Vinci Code.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RELIGION_NOVELS?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Sory if this makes your screen wide.

As a librarian I realize that the public at large easily confuses fact and fiction. The Left Behind series is a publishing juggernaut. I will confess to not reading these books. I started the first one and couldn't get through it and never tried the others. They are definitely not my cup of tea. This has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. I am not a fan of apocalyptic novels. (Unless we're talking high fantasy. )

One thing I've noticed - and this is strictly a personal observation - is that my Da Vinci Code readers are more intelligent and sophisticated than my Left Behind readers. Perhaps this is not the case in other areas.

H