Here’s a chance to read one of my favorite essays in a different format.
Republished today in OffGuardian, you can read it HERE
It’s been interesting to see how some people are offended I suggest cathedrals (also mosques, the pyramids, etc.) were built by slaves. Perhaps this is why it is so easy for the public to accept enslavement now. They don’t accept that they have been enslaved by the elite down through history. I love these beautiful buildings. I have walked through many of them around the world. I especially fell in love with churches while in Sucre, Bolivia. At the same time, there is always a part of me that is troubled because the wealth amassed by religious institutions has always been at the expense of the poor. The corruption and exploitation within the most powerful religious institutions is certainly as bad as that of governments.
Uh, where the fuck do people think giant structures honoring enormous phalluses come from? They sure as fuck aren't built by those showing off their penis envy.
As far as organized religion, using slavery to build cathedrals are some of their lessor sins. The Catholic church church had a very unhealthy relationship with Herr Hitler, and there's the children. I make it a point to be skeptical about all large institutions, including religious, secular or government.
I read this back in August and am still amused by the hubris of these elites attempting to play God. Our air conditioner has been out of commission since Monday. A part had to be ordered, and it may be next week before the part comes. Can you imagine (I can't) how many air conditioners it will take to keep NEOM comfortable? And they, like all technology, break and need parts. This technological wet dream will have numerous machines and systems that will break. Most of us are all too aware of hearing "the system is temporarily down". The elites are used to their creature comforts. The unintended consequences of this NEOM nightmare are too many to imagine, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth will be unreal. After all, they have never lived in real Luxor before. Karma.
The central church structure i.e. Catholic, Episcopalian etc are very wealthy (although individual parishes may not be.) It is certainly true that many people actually volunteered their time and money or labour then, and now, to help build many magnificent cathedrals and modern buildings today, around the world. Many people of faith enjoy serving G*d in this way, they are proud of the beauty created, which led (and leads) to having a place of worship and sanctuary for all people who wish to enter in.
I have no doubt that some people were exploited, at times, as they still may be today. Some of the wealthy too, but they were more able to stand it. We know that some famous artists were exploited to leave us the many magnificent frescoes etc that adorn church buildings. Given what the church stands for, it has no excuse to exploit anyone. But churches, like governments, are full of imperfect people who do wrong things. This is why it is everyman's task to call the leaders to account, starting at the local grass roots level, and all the way to the national bodies. It is easier to do this today than in the past, when education and information sharing was so limited. But even now power imbalance exists and accountability can be sometimes avoided.
When discussing the hypocrisy around MBS's lethal order, it's worth mentioning that Nobel-Peace-laureate Obama signed off on drone strikes that had similar effects with more "collateral damage".
In his resignation letter, McFadden refers to Munger Hall as "a social and psychological experiment with an unknown impact on the lives and personal development of the undergraduates the University serves."
I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. We Central Americans are quite glad the Catholic Church came to town. In fact, we’re quite devout. No anger from me, and I’m a confirmed octoroon who can actually point to the slaves in my family tree. Raised on an island that still had plantations when I was born.
Slavery is relative. Is the worker toiling away for meager wages less a slave than one who is forced to work for food? Few people are really free.
Uh, where the fuck do people think giant structures honoring enormous phalluses come from? They sure as fuck aren't built by those showing off their penis envy.
As far as organized religion, using slavery to build cathedrals are some of their lessor sins. The Catholic church church had a very unhealthy relationship with Herr Hitler, and there's the children. I make it a point to be skeptical about all large institutions, including religious, secular or government.
I read this back in August and am still amused by the hubris of these elites attempting to play God. Our air conditioner has been out of commission since Monday. A part had to be ordered, and it may be next week before the part comes. Can you imagine (I can't) how many air conditioners it will take to keep NEOM comfortable? And they, like all technology, break and need parts. This technological wet dream will have numerous machines and systems that will break. Most of us are all too aware of hearing "the system is temporarily down". The elites are used to their creature comforts. The unintended consequences of this NEOM nightmare are too many to imagine, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth will be unreal. After all, they have never lived in real Luxor before. Karma.
The central church structure i.e. Catholic, Episcopalian etc are very wealthy (although individual parishes may not be.) It is certainly true that many people actually volunteered their time and money or labour then, and now, to help build many magnificent cathedrals and modern buildings today, around the world. Many people of faith enjoy serving G*d in this way, they are proud of the beauty created, which led (and leads) to having a place of worship and sanctuary for all people who wish to enter in.
I have no doubt that some people were exploited, at times, as they still may be today. Some of the wealthy too, but they were more able to stand it. We know that some famous artists were exploited to leave us the many magnificent frescoes etc that adorn church buildings. Given what the church stands for, it has no excuse to exploit anyone. But churches, like governments, are full of imperfect people who do wrong things. This is why it is everyman's task to call the leaders to account, starting at the local grass roots level, and all the way to the national bodies. It is easier to do this today than in the past, when education and information sharing was so limited. But even now power imbalance exists and accountability can be sometimes avoided.
When discussing the hypocrisy around MBS's lethal order, it's worth mentioning that Nobel-Peace-laureate Obama signed off on drone strikes that had similar effects with more "collateral damage".
We also have our own super-wealthy experimenting with people's lives: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/uc-santa-barbara-backlash-dorm-student-housing-dormzilla-project/611287/
In his resignation letter, McFadden refers to Munger Hall as "a social and psychological experiment with an unknown impact on the lives and personal development of the undergraduates the University serves."
I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. We Central Americans are quite glad the Catholic Church came to town. In fact, we’re quite devout. No anger from me, and I’m a confirmed octoroon who can actually point to the slaves in my family tree. Raised on an island that still had plantations when I was born.
YES Karen. Yes!