JWSTSOOY #007: Faith Healing Instead of Medicine

Prayer is wonderful. Faith is a good thing. I have it, but I don't impose it on others. It's a very personal thing. I wouldn't want someone to judge me on mine and I try my best not to judge others, but it's hard not to find fault on this kind of awful abuse of someone's own children:

Teen from faith healing family dies at Ore. home

This couple were members of the Followers of Christ group in Oregon, and this horrible, easily preventable outcome is consistent with previous deaths associated with members of this group.

Jesus was modern in his own time. So was every prophet who ticked off the authorities or said anything radical for his time. What's wrong with accepting the idea that modern medicine could be a gift from God too? The talents of scientists and doctors I see as such a gift. You shouldn't trust anything (including science or medicine) blindly. I would ask anyone who relies on prayer instead of medical care to read that last sentence again and then post a thoughtful response.

Maharishi Maheshi Yogi Left Us on Tuesday

Who was Maharishi Maheshi Yogi? Although many influences were quickly awakening American spiritual sensibilities to Eastern religious practices, Maharishi can be arguably considered one of the earliest and most influential Eastern spiritual influences during the Summer of Love. He was the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM). Pop culture icons from the Beatles to Donovan, Mia Farrow to Clint Eastwood, David Lynch to the Beach Boys followed him at some point during American culture's fascination with Maharishi and TM.

He died on Tuesday, but as he purportedly told the Beatles when their manager died, we should, "[not get] overwhelmed by grief, and to -- whatever thoughts we have [...] to keep them happy, because any thoughts we have of him will travel to him wherever he is."

Maybe I'm Not Wrestling Enough?

I'm scared.

It seems as if my life is going pretty well these days, but I know there's the clear and present possibility that trouble's just around the corner. I know it's important to enjoy this time, but I can't help but think that maybe there's something to my concern (which makes that difficult).

I hope everyone in my life lives longer than I do. I know that's not technically likely (or maybe even desirable) , but I can't help feeling some dread in going through the loss of a parent or friend or mate... hell, even the loss of a pet is tough.

I'm generally a happy person, but I know trials probably loom ahead. I know they will help me grow, but I like it where I am. Just as I'm getting comfortable here, I can sense change coming. Writing all this down makes it seem more inevitable too.

Maybe I just won't publish this and everything will stay the same...

Tammy Faye Goes to Huge Diamond-Encrusted Auditorium in the Sky

On the heels of the last post about mega churches comes the news that one of the earliest and most iconic examples of televangelism, Tammy Faye Messner has died.