Easter and Passover, the Essay:

Well, it's this time of year again, when Christians and Jews celebrate at about the same time, but for quite different reasons.

Easter for the Christians means the resurrection from death of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, while the Jews celebrate the escape from Egyptian bondage.

There are issues in both these feasts which I do not quite understand. So, please allow me to talk about those for a moment.

:

The Christians celebrate the fact, that Jesus, the Redeemer, rose from his grave, after having been “dead” for three days.

First, he died, because the Scriptures predicted it, because his alleged father, is reported to have said words which are reported in his book:

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.

(John 3:16) and in Romans 3:23 it is stated that: Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us ...for all have sinned, but God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and satisfy God's anger against us.”

I've said this before, but it bears repeating. As I read this and many other similar biblical references, God actually said this: “If you kill my son, I will forgive your sins.”

Is this not just about the most incredible nonsense?

Would it not have been a lot better, if God had said: “I will send my son. If you follow his ways and his teachings, I will forgive your sins”

Now that would have made sense. But: Kill my son and your sins shall be forgiven? That's preposterous.

And now for the Resurrection:

God and Jesus ( who, according to Christian teachings are one and the same) knew full well, that this alleged “death” would last a little less than three days.

But still, the Bible makes a big deal of the “Sacrifice.”

On the third day, the physical body of Christ appeared to several of the disciples, and he even allowed Thomas to touch his wound. And then, some short time later, he, Jesus, was back up “in heaven” sitting to the right hand of his father. So since those two knew what would happen, it surely wasn't such a big Sacrifice.

I am afraid, that on closer examination the “Easter Story” is not such a big deal.

In the defense of Jesus and God it must be said, that neither speaks directly about any of this.

All is reported by several of 12 simple fishermen, who likely were not aware of the absurdities and contradictions they wrote down.

Now, let me ponder about “Pesach” or “Passover”

The Jewish Congregation, who accepts the Old Testament, along with several other writings, celebrates the escape, or the release from its people from Egyptian bondage.

God, it is reported, asked the Egyptian Pharaoh to “Let my people go, so they can worship me” (Is God that insecure that he needs common folk to “worship” him?)

The Pharaoh simply said words to this effect: “No way, Jose, we like them Israelites here to be our slaves and do all our dirty work.

So God mentioned in passing, that if his wish were not granted, he would send a number of plagues ( 10 in fact) to teach the Pharaoh a lesson. The Pharaoh still refused, so God sent those promised plagues:

After the Fourth Plague, the Pharaoh said: “Okay, I give up”

But God, so states the Bible: “hardened his heart” and made this Egyptian Leader change his mind and to back off the previously given promise.

So, after nine dilettantish, unsuccessful plagues, God got frustrated and pretty mad at the Pharaoh and he (God) said this. (or so reports the Old Testament): About Midnight, I will go throughout Egypt and every first-born in Egypt will die. From the Firstborn of the Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the first-born of the slave girl who is at her hand mill and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

Now, how is that for an “All Just God”?

Whether you are a tiny innocent baby, who had just seen the first light of the world, or an adult male, who had led an exemplary, life, or even if you were a young cattle, likely a bull, it mattered not:

Death is your reward, because He ( God ) had “hardened” the Ph's heart an made him keep the Jews in bondage.

Now, how is that for an “All Loving, All Just” God?

And then, before he went on this murder spree he advised the Israelites to mark their door with the blood of a lamb, so he may recognize it and “pass over” this house without killing a first born therein. Did the “all Knowing” Lord need such a tip off? Did he not know that there is an Israelite living within its walls?

Before I can believe any of the above, I shall believe in the Easterbunny.

Bertstravels

tells is as he sees it.

Easter - Passover

To all my Christian friends I wish a very happy Easter!
and to all my Jewish friends I wish a happy Passover!
May Peace, Joy and Health be yours, wherever you go.

This year's Easterbunny just isn't very talented

Bertstravels.

P.S. Unfortunately I have no friends in any of the other Religions.
But may they too be peaceful, healthy and happy.

Early in the mornin'

Arowhon Pines on Little Joe Lake

See ya soon

a daily visitor

Mothers and their kids

What else is there to say?

Amendment 2A, an Amendment to the Second Amendment.

There is something, among other things, that really cheezes me off no end. Each and every time there is a mass shooting in the USA, politicians of both stripes are heard that "with profound sorrow do I hear about this terrible happening. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victim and their families."

Neither the victims nor their families need the politicians' "thoughts. Certainly not their prayers"

What the world, and in particular the citizens of the United States of America need are some actions, not mealy-mouthed utterings, but truly hard fisted actions, in the direction of "Gun Controls"

Right away, the defenders of unlimited possession of firearms, including fully automated machine guns will come screaming:

"Second Amendment.. Second amendment... waving the American Constitution in their powder-burnt little fists.

Yes, in saying:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the Security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,"

the writers of the Constitution included the word "regulated" right along side Militia,

Please look with me at the word: "regulated."

It surely means that the Militia shall be subject to certain regulations. For instance: A member of the Militia must not be certifiably insane, must not have a criminal record, must have reached a certain age, must be formally well instructed in the use of such firearms.

Why can it not also be necessary that "the People" must comply with all the above, plus have documents of recommendation from a responsible person etc etc and must demonstrate their technical and psychological preparedness for such possession.

There simply must be a narrower set of conditions for the "right to bear arms" other than being a member of "the people".

My neighbours grandson is 5 years old. Should he have a right to bear arms? I know of a man who was just released from jail where he had served 5 years for armed robbery. Should he have a right to bear arms? I have 100 such questions. You know what I am talking about. Don't you?

It is regrettable that the framers of this Constitution left this rather skeletal assurance without a more detailed explanation.

I can hear the complaints about the political strength of the NRA,

the National Rifle Association.

I am certain that the NRA is not more powerful than "the people" and if "the People" want serious restriction be placed upon the ownership of firearms, such restriction will be placed.

I am aware that whatever restriction may be placed, they will not completely eliminate the actions of some, (see:Norway's Anders Breivik) but they may substantially reduce the possibility of some frustrated teenager going on a manhunt.

Existing Legislation regarding the possession of firearms, from a single shot hunting rifle to a fully automated machine gun and everything in between is simply inadequate, does not protect the people, but, in fact, endangers them.

Since the Constitution of the USA came into force in 1789 it was amended 27 times, conforming to the needs of a growing and changing Nation.

Well, the need to carry a weapon was different in 1789 than it is today.

So, come on, America, let's do something to improve a seriously flawed situation.

Let's write "Amendment 2A!"

an Amendment to an Amendment.

Canadian Native Art

Carl Ray a member of the First Nations,  a true Canadian Native was born on the "Sandy Lake Reserve" in 1943. After a turbulent life, he died at age 35 in 1978.
Carl Ray was the founder of "The Indian Group of Seven."

During his short life he produced some stunningly beautiful pieces of art, three of which I will show here for your pleasure and edification.

"JUDAS"

Fredrik Jan Hofmann, Actor,

 presents a thought provoking alternative 

to the commonly accepted portrayal of "Judas Iscariot" 

The Dutch author, Lot Vekemans wrote the monologue “Judas” in which she presented the archetypal Traitor in an interesting, new light.

The Theater Graz, last evening, gave a riveting performance in Bleiburg's Catholic church, with Fredrik Jan Hofmann playing a convincing "Judas Iscariot"

Vekemans allows “Judas” to explain himself, his motives and the conditions out of which his actions arose.

Hardly any reference is made to God, who, according to the only existing work in which Judas is mentioned, should play a central role.

This Monologue, however, deals with Judas as a person, motivated by issues other than God.

It was the Bible and the subsequent religious movements which painted the one sided picture of Judas as the evil, money hungry traitor,

In their grab for power, Christianity, and in particular Roman Catholicism, made Judas, the Jew, responsible for Christ's martyrdom and eventual death.

The slogan was loud and clear: It was the Jews who killed Christ, and Judas, the Traitor, gave the Romans the tool they needed to rid themselves of a “revolutionary.

But, according to the play, “Judas” expected Jesus Christ to have come as a liberator from the Roman joke, and finally to save the world. He, so tells us Vekemans, no longer wanted to be suppressed by the Romans. He wanted to be the Master in his own land.

Was Judas just disappointed in Jesus's seeming disinterest in Politics, in his almost exclusive concern with the afterlife?

This one-man-play urges the viewer/listener to consider Judas in a new light. It asks many questions but stops short of giving answers, leaving the “thinking” to the viewer..

In the Bible, John 17:12, Jesus says:

While I was with them I protected them and none of them is lost, except the son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

The question rises: Was Judas's betrayal an act necessary for the fulfillment of the Scripture? If so, why is he not celebrated instead of being condemned? Why does Jesus call him “the son of Perdition?”

Does any of this really make sense? Or is it just part of the entire biblical gobbledygook?

Communication Pause.

I have been silent on this Blog since 28th Feb. That is a whole 12 days.
11 people have written to me, complaining about such neglect. In fact, one of my readers, spoke of "serious withdrawal symptoms". 
I think this lady is wildly exaggerating....
Now for the reason: I am currently working on my second book about Safaris in Africa. This last one is limited to my 3 weeks in Zimbabwe and Zambia during April 2017
and, quite frankly, as I work on the selection of pictures and some limited text, my desire to return there "One More Time" grows...  As I consider which of the 100 images of this specific Lion or that Leopard I should actually use for the pages of this book, all the feelings, smells, memories and emotions come back with undiminished force.
I can almost feel my friend, John  Nolan, standing beside me, encouraging me to take just one more shot. I can almost sense that he held his breath for a moment as we saw the first Leopard in the beam of the searchlight. 
So that's the reason for my silence on these pages.

Bertstravels
is alive and well