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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
Pride Goes Before What? and Random Blasphemies
To Christians, pride is a sin. To the best of my
understanding, this has something to do with needing to be humble, as anything
you do is actually God working through you. Therefore, pride is implying that
you take the credit for the works of
God.
Ewww. Why go on living? Oh wait, killing yourself is sinful as well. Do you ever wonder why the founders of Christianity chose to consider suicide a sin? Think about it. Think Reeeeeal hard.
Believe it or not, I don't consider myself much of a Christian-basher. I like Christians (insert parenthetical reference to the use of condiments during their consumption here), or at least some of them. I have a couple of Christian cousins for whom I don't particularly care, but then, well... they're creepy and fundamental. I really can't imagine Jehovah caring for them too much, either. It's like trying to imagine... oh, let's say Tammy Faye Baker, in heaven. She'd probably just make everyone else really uncomfortable, and be really unhappy, unless there's a way that a spirit can wear 10 pounds of makeup (I have nothing against Tammy Faye personally, and hope that she recovers from her cancer speedily and painlessly).
There I go again! I'm just begging to be dragged behind a truck by a bunch of fundamentalists. Sorry 'bout that. I'm way too blasphemous for my own good. If it makes the Christian reader feel any better, I'm just as blasphemous about my faith. Ask anyone. Being a Tyrsman, I always have a "hand" pun available. For Yule gifts I gave Bob and Erich, the Odinsmen of KOSH, "Psychedelic Eye" Pez Dispensers (it's the one that may have given you nightmares as a child if you grew up in the 70's -- an oversized eyeball being cupped in the palm of a hand. Available in all sorts of non-skin colors).
Sorry, that went WAY off topic really quickly. I was talking about pride.
So Christians frown on pride, which is odd, considering how often they exhibit it (but then, not so weird. Look at gluttony). To me, though, pride is as important a part of Asatru as any of the Nine Noble Virtues. It's a result of being faithful to each of them, in a way. Here's a partial list of things I am proud of, as examples:
I'm proud to serve the military in combat zones (courage)
I'm proud to be open and honest with my Hall family (truth)
I'm proud to stand behind what I say (honor)
I'm proud to be true to myself and to the Aesir (fidelity)
I'm proud that I go to the gym at least twice a week, usually more (discipline)
I'm proud that in my work, people feel that my office is an escape for them (hospitality)
I'm proud that I do more work on my shift than my co-workers do on theirs (industriousness, but also my luck for being on shift when it's daytime in the US)
I'm proud that I CAN take care of myself (self-reliance)
I'm proud that I've stuck with the same job, through good times and bad times, for over 5 years (perseverance)
See what I mean? Following the Nine Noble Virtues gives us pride. Writing about pride gave me a chance to brag, and to feel really good about myself. Yay me! :)
Christianity often seems to strive to make people dependent on their god. In Asatru, I think most would agree with me that we work to be independent of our gods, so that we may have their respect. Kind of like a parent-child relationship -- as the child grows older, he becomes more independent so that he may gain the respect of his parents, which may not actually be possible considering how many times they wiped things off of your lower extremities when you were a baby. It is nonetheless a noble effort.
Strive to have pride in everything you do. As Scarlett O'Hara learned, it won't feed you or clothe you in time of need, but it is a well of strength upon which you can draw. The proud individual need never fear the accomplishments of others. However, for the most part, be proud of yourself. Do not place value on others being proud of you. Be proud of yourself, and let others choose to be proud to know you.
And that's really all I have to say on the matter. Anyone feel differently? Anyone feel the same? Anyone still trying to get over the psychedelic eye Pez dispenser? Comment away.
Ewww. Why go on living? Oh wait, killing yourself is sinful as well. Do you ever wonder why the founders of Christianity chose to consider suicide a sin? Think about it. Think Reeeeeal hard.
Believe it or not, I don't consider myself much of a Christian-basher. I like Christians (insert parenthetical reference to the use of condiments during their consumption here), or at least some of them. I have a couple of Christian cousins for whom I don't particularly care, but then, well... they're creepy and fundamental. I really can't imagine Jehovah caring for them too much, either. It's like trying to imagine... oh, let's say Tammy Faye Baker, in heaven. She'd probably just make everyone else really uncomfortable, and be really unhappy, unless there's a way that a spirit can wear 10 pounds of makeup (I have nothing against Tammy Faye personally, and hope that she recovers from her cancer speedily and painlessly).
There I go again! I'm just begging to be dragged behind a truck by a bunch of fundamentalists. Sorry 'bout that. I'm way too blasphemous for my own good. If it makes the Christian reader feel any better, I'm just as blasphemous about my faith. Ask anyone. Being a Tyrsman, I always have a "hand" pun available. For Yule gifts I gave Bob and Erich, the Odinsmen of KOSH, "Psychedelic Eye" Pez Dispensers (it's the one that may have given you nightmares as a child if you grew up in the 70's -- an oversized eyeball being cupped in the palm of a hand. Available in all sorts of non-skin colors).
Sorry, that went WAY off topic really quickly. I was talking about pride.
So Christians frown on pride, which is odd, considering how often they exhibit it (but then, not so weird. Look at gluttony). To me, though, pride is as important a part of Asatru as any of the Nine Noble Virtues. It's a result of being faithful to each of them, in a way. Here's a partial list of things I am proud of, as examples:
I'm proud to serve the military in combat zones (courage)
I'm proud to be open and honest with my Hall family (truth)
I'm proud to stand behind what I say (honor)
I'm proud to be true to myself and to the Aesir (fidelity)
I'm proud that I go to the gym at least twice a week, usually more (discipline)
I'm proud that in my work, people feel that my office is an escape for them (hospitality)
I'm proud that I do more work on my shift than my co-workers do on theirs (industriousness, but also my luck for being on shift when it's daytime in the US)
I'm proud that I CAN take care of myself (self-reliance)
I'm proud that I've stuck with the same job, through good times and bad times, for over 5 years (perseverance)
See what I mean? Following the Nine Noble Virtues gives us pride. Writing about pride gave me a chance to brag, and to feel really good about myself. Yay me! :)
Christianity often seems to strive to make people dependent on their god. In Asatru, I think most would agree with me that we work to be independent of our gods, so that we may have their respect. Kind of like a parent-child relationship -- as the child grows older, he becomes more independent so that he may gain the respect of his parents, which may not actually be possible considering how many times they wiped things off of your lower extremities when you were a baby. It is nonetheless a noble effort.
Strive to have pride in everything you do. As Scarlett O'Hara learned, it won't feed you or clothe you in time of need, but it is a well of strength upon which you can draw. The proud individual need never fear the accomplishments of others. However, for the most part, be proud of yourself. Do not place value on others being proud of you. Be proud of yourself, and let others choose to be proud to know you.
And that's really all I have to say on the matter. Anyone feel differently? Anyone feel the same? Anyone still trying to get over the psychedelic eye Pez dispenser? Comment away.
Posted: Tue - March 23, 2004 at 04:14 PM