Tuesday, December 25, 2007

christmyth quotes

Thought it might be interesting and revealing to compare christmyth messages from leading figures in Australia and other places. Send me more if you're so inclined.

Here’s a roundup of xmyth quotes from here... that got a slight thump:)

George Pell, agent of hope... confusingly compares baby jesus to all babies, with a special message to cruel people reminding them that "It is difficult to be angry with a new born baby".

"In his Christmas message, Australia's Catholic cardinal George Pell has urged his followers to spread hope throughout the country. "Babies are vulnerable, more helpless initially than any of the animals. So too was the Son of God. But every birth inspires hope, even when it is only hope against hope," he has said. "It is difficult to be angry with a new born baby. "As we celebrate again the birth of the helpless newly born Christ child, we should remember the sick and the sad, the lonely and the angry and reach out to help them. Christians in particular should be agents of hope."

Monkey boy primate Doc Phil Aspinall, also hopes for hope but adds what christ revealed about peace for good measure, along with what seems to be a special mention for heavy sleepers and no real word for the insomniacs, discrimination I say.

"The head of the Anglican Church in Australia, the primate Dr Phillip Aspinall, has reminded Australians to set an example of peace. "(Christ) revealed the things that make for peace: respect for all human beings, acceptance, neighborliness, kindness, gentleness, humility, forgiveness, wisdom. ” We sleep soundly in our beds at night and for the most part we rise each day with hope in our hearts," he said. "

Our Kev managed to keep any religious references out of his comments… I applaud him for that, the main gist of his message was be careful on the roads, reflect, celebrate and share, nice one Kevvy.

"Enjoying his first Christmas in The Lodge, Mr. Rudd used his own personal experience to plead with drivers to be careful on the roads. ” As someone who lost his dad nearly 40 years ago in a car accident, can I say to everyone: Please, please drive carefully. Take a break, have a rest, make sure you're not driving too tired." He said Christmas was a time for reflection and celebration, but added that many people would be without their loved ones. "Christmas can also be a time when people experience a great sense of loss and loneliness," he said. "A spare chair, a vacant chair at the Christmas table, reminding those present of either a loved one who has passed away or a loved one who can't be with us at this time. ”I'd say, therefore, to all Australians, that at this time of year it's important to reach out to our friends, to our neighbors, and those we don't know at all, to make sure that no one is alone this Christmas."

Morris Iemma let religion creep into his message…giving a special xmyth tribute to the SES for community services (I totally agree with that one), along with a reminder about faith, community and how good giving is (tipping his hat to the retail sector:) and threw in renewal of hope for 'the lucky country' for good measure.

"NEW South Wales Premier Morris Iemma has paid special tribute to the State's emergency workers in his Christmas message. It comes as heavy rain, though welcome in parched regions across the state, has placed some communities at risk from rising flood waters.” Christmas challenges each of us to think of others," Mr Iemma said.” Like the unsung heroes - our emergency service workers and volunteers who keep our community safe and functioning."Mr Iemma said Christmas was about faith, community and giving.” It’s about being grateful for the good things of life, and most importantly it's about family - as it should be," he said.” Christmas is a season for the renewal of hope.” We all want and deserve a place around the Christmas table where each of us are loved, valued and included.” Unfortunately that is not the Christmas many enjoy even in a society as rich and successful as ours.” The premier said Christmas was a time to embrace the poor, needy and lonely.” At Christmas 2007, we celebrate a good society and a truly lucky country," he said."


Old Benny the pope always mentions religion :) He let it all hang out this year and proclaimed - MAKE ROOM FOR GOD!

"POPE Benedict XVI has led the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas with a midnight mass, urging people to find time and space for God, the needy and the suffering. Benedict, marking the third Christmas season of his reign, said a solemn mass for about 10,000 people inside St Peter's Basilica on a chilly night. The ceremony was broadcast live to 42 countries.

This is also Benedict, in the NYT, asking Catholics, in an ill-treated world to protect the environment, telling them he's one jump ahead of the game and has got his hands on some carbon credits for the vatican. Then reminds them of the difficulty Mary and Joseph had finding good accom in Bethlehem back in the day…actually comparing it to the lack of room in peoples hearts today to hear the message of christs birth…..ho ho ho…make room folks!!!

This is curious, “Vatican says christ was born everywhere for everyone” huh? I thought the myth says it was Bethlehem, they must be able to change it whenever they like…

This has nothing to do with the christmyth, but it would certainly blow the myth out of the water if these guys actually found something, or should I say if something actually found us!

"A scientific paper published in this week's online edition of Astrophysical Journal suggests alien astronomers armed with a large space telescope could detect our planet and possibly determine the presence of life."

Here’s an interesting and subversive take on other ways to use your christmyth shopping time.

"Otherwise known as reverse shoplifting, shopdropping involves surreptitiously putting things in stores, rather than illegally taking them out, and the motivations vary.

Over at Powell’s Books in Portland, Ore., religious groups have been hitting the magazines in the science section with fliers featuring Christian cartoons, while their adversaries have been moving Bibles from the religion section to the fantasy/science-fiction section."

I tried to find some xmyth words from Dubya but I think it’s a bit early yet.

Reasons greetings one and all.

3 comments:

Protium the Heathen said...

I enjoyed that Thump...

"... alien astronomers armed with a large space telescope could detect our planet and possibly determine the presence of life."

I wonder how many scientics it took to come up with this?

If it's true I hope they don't get mistaken as a zombie messiah on first contact. How embarrasing...

:)

T T Eyes said...

Thanks Protium:)

Yeah I can just see the headlines now... "FIRST CONTACT WITH ZOMBIE MESSIAH"
The religious amongst us would be going into rapture, but secretly thinking it must be jeebus or big Al on drugs. Whilst the alien would be deeply sequestered with our 'leaders' getting to know our earthly ways:-D

T T Eyes said...

Just as a follow up, I've found dubya's 2007 xmyth message to the nation at Michnews.com...

The guts of it is extremely religious as expected, with reminders to rejoice, and have joy, hope, justice, peace, compassion... oh and remember you have a reponsibility to serve! Dont worry about a thing because he has spoken to god and asked him to watch over them that do and continues to pray for their safe return.

Well gosh oh golly, that's going to really help!

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...his kingdom will never end.'"

Luke 1:30-33

During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today. The simple and inspiring story of the birth of Jesus fills our souls with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and promises that God's purpose is justice and His plan is peace.

At this special time of year, we give thanks for Christ's message of love and mercy, and we are reminded of our responsibility to serve. America is blessed to have fine citizens who reach out with a compassionate hand to help brothers and sisters in need. We also remember our brave men and women in uniform who have volunteered to defend us in distant lands. Many of those who have answered the call of duty will spend Christmas far from home and separated from family. We honor their sacrifice, ask God to watch over them and their families, and pray for their safe return.

Christmas is a time to rejoice and remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Laura and I pray your Christmas will be blessed with family and fellowship, and we wish you a day of glad tidings. Merry Christmas.

GEORGE W. BUSH