View allAll Photos Tagged Realization
(TMS) Ocean Beach Luxury JPS
The most beautiful and detailed (TMS)Ocean Beach ever seen on Second Life.Interiors and exteriors completely redesigned.A lot of working hours were needed to make this boat and about 50 textures have been applied.
Reflections, luminosity and alpha totally revised, but you do not have to worry because to apply all this you will have to do only one simple operation:
drag a script from the inventory to over your Ocean Beach . Just a simple mouse movement and your new boat will be ready to sail in the Linden seas. ⛵⛵⛵
Do you want see this? Come here : maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Faracity/163/251/25
Marketplace : marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Texture-Ocean-Beach-Luxury-J...
"n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk." - From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.
A photo of a canna flower today. And I'm a little perplexed with this image.
Lately I've started to utilize LAB color space in PS, and to wonderful effect. It lets me bring up certain colors without altering the whole pic. And it lets me up the contrast without greying out details. It's really very powerful!
However, it doesn't always translate fully to jpeg. The LAB color space has far more colors than RGB - which is what jpeg uses. Normally this isn't a problem, but when I converted this back to RGB to save it as a jpeg, the colors faded a little. I've never had this problem before, and am a little bummed about it. Now, I know. You're thinking: 'But Jake, those colors are already so vibrant! How could you need more color?' Well, all I will say is these flowers were amazing. Even more vivid than this image does them credit.
I futzed around for a good while trying to figure out how to 'fix' the image in jpeg so it would look like the LAB version, but to no avail. All I managed was to apply some tweaks that got me closer. So this will have to do.
Please don't misunderstand me; it's still a great image. I just wish I had been able to present you with the version I saw.
Well, I hope you like it.
"The Buddha is said to have given a 'silent sermon' once during which he held up a flower and gazed at it. After a while, one of those present, a monk called Mahakasyapa, began to smile. He is said to have been the only one who had understood the sermon. According to legend, that smile (that is to say, realization) was handed down by twenty eight successive masters and much later became the origin of Zen."
Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth
و مثل بادبزن، ذهن، سطح روشن گل را
گرفته بود به دست
و باد می زد خود را.
سهراب سپهری
Kintsugi; Spirited Beyond "Made with Care"
Sonder: The Realization That Everyone Has A Story
=Zenith=Ivory Flower Head Dress (Red)
=Zenith=Chinese New Year 2016 (Group gift)
(Yummy) Grace Ring Set
(Yummy) Autumn Array Ring Set
CURELESS [+] Bakeneko
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Kitty Geta EBONY
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Nekotabi Stockings / GOLD
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Obake Familiar / RED
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Shapeshifter Robe
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Shapeshifter Sleeves
•CURELESS [+] Bakeneko / Shapeshifter Tails
Glam Affair - Lelutka Applier - Yuki 009
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Eyeliner (A)
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Freckles (A) 50%
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Freckles (B) 50%
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Glossy eyes
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Darker Brows Tint +
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Eye Bag Layer 009
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Lip Gloss (B)
•[Glam Affair ] Yuki Moles
Makeup: Skoll - Thirst? GIFT
[theSkinnery] Kissed by Sun Freckles Bom 4
Cosmetize / Natural Hottie Hairbase / Genus Lelutka Catwa
Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V5.3
[Glam Affair] Body - Sm Breasts Freckles [ Maitreya ] 009
LeLUTKA Ryn Head 2.0
CATWA Mesh Eyes Pack
Ascendant - Defiant Nails 07
.:Vegas:. Tattoo Dark Geisha and the Cat vBlack
You see the fence in the back ? - HFF from Cookie Monster ~ Elmo ~ and Me :)
Etsy Shop | Catholic Realization Blog | Eleven's Photography Blog
© 2012 Teresa Escamilla, All rights reserved.
While the fog was pulled away by the constant pull of the ocean's current, a time of realization began to come upon her. A realization she was unable to express, but it meant something to her, and only her. Slowly she came out of her state she had been trapped in for years prior.
Interested in a print? Click here to view my Society6 gallery!
More fun here:
.
And though I grow old
I’ll keep mining the ground
To deck you around
In sunlight and gold
I’ll build you a desmene
Where love’s everything
Where love is the king
And you are the queen
With the realization that Korvat would never compete with it's neighbors at sea, there is an increase in focus in land forces. Lacking a quality tank, the KFv II was developed, a fairly mobile tank while also well armed and armored.
Finally, a tank I actually like. Granted this is like the 6th tank I've built ever, starting with a certain infamous Amadeus tank destroyer, but I think it's pretty good.
Through life we dig ourselves a deep hole, that symbolize who we are. It can be really hard to get up from it, even though we realize that we have changed.
What circumstances made us like this? When we realize why the hole is shaped like it is, then we might find a way to climb up from it.
It´s not until now I feel like I have the power to become who I really want to be.
3.3.2011, ca. 4,50 x1,40 m, Acryl auf Leinwand
3.3.2011, each about 180 x 55 inch., acrylic on canvas
Für die Hafenszene zu Beginn der Rokoko-Oper Zanaida malte ich als nächstes Kulissenbild Reste einer antiken Bebauung. Eine lockere, kleine, entdeckte Barockskizze diente mir als Vorbild für die Verwirklichung zum großen Gemälde.
For the harbor scene at the beginning of the rococo opera Zanaida I painted next backdrop image remains of an ancient building. A loose, small, discovered baroque sketch served me as a model for the realization of the large painting.
...en concert à l'Espace Culturel St Grégoire à Munster le 04/01/2022
VIDEOS :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc5ft08OUyM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DlwAof7tmk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBqWKTX0IpY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbDRHDuY45w
A la fois roots et contemporaine, leur musique se veut forte et accessible. C’est dans cet esprit que le cercle s’est retrouvé en studio pour enregistrer leur tout premier album, qui fera sans doute réagir dans le monde du Blues, et même ailleurs...
Ce groupe nait sous l’impulsion du guitariste Gino Monachello, rejoint rapidement par le jeune Flo Bauer au chant et à la guitare, puis par une section rythmique de choc, à savoir Matthieu Zirn à la batterie et Franck Bedez à la basse. Le tout dirigé d’une main de maître par David Husser, prodige de la réalisation qui propulse ce projet dans des sphères inespérées...
Both roots and contemporary, their music is strong and accessible. It is in this spirit that the circle found itself in the studio to record their very first album, which will undoubtedly react in the world of Blues, and even elsewhere...
This band was born under the impulse of the guitarist Gino Monachello, joined quickly by the young Flo Bauer on vocals and guitar, then by a rhythm section of shock, namely Matthieu Zirn on drums and Franck Bedez on bass. All directed with a master hand by David Husser, prodigy of realization that propels this project in unexpected spheres...
© Philippe Haumesser. TOUS DROITS RESERVES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©.
Merci beaucoup pour vos visites , commentaires et favoris♥
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and favorites
www.flickriver.com/photos/philippe_haumesser/popular-inte...
77/365
Whoa. A lot of realization has happened in the past day or so. Some of my close friends and I were talking about Instagram, Flick, etc. and it was brought up how negatively I use them with all my rantings and such. As much as I'd like to deny it, I have to agree. It seems as if I'm never happy, so I owe all you guys a big apology. I'm still not as satisfied with my work, along with this photo, but instead go whining about it, I need to evaluate what I'm doing wrong and fix it next time. For example, this picture has a wacky composition. The angle I shot at is way off. What I'm getting at is I now know the steps I need to take in order to improve and get the quality shot I'm hoping for.
Also, sorry for a late post. As soon as I came home from shooting I took a nap and didn't wake up till 9 pm.
Realization broke into a grin on the soldier's face. "Really? Then I am really, really happy for you. This day has been a long time coming. And I bet you've also been holding in that 'late' line for a while."
Liza grinned as well, the euphoria of her completed task bubbling through her tranquil mood and coming out with a laugh.
"You have no idea how hard it was to get this assignment before I leave. Eventually I persuaded Gikhor that we could celebrate the royal wedding by freeing Mythron of a corrupt politician and the Organization of rogue debtor at the same time."
Sven nodded. "Well, if you can tell the story as we walk, Dame Assassin, the Krak lies waiting for the morning tide to take you to Consord, and my cabin is a more comfortable place to spend the night than any tavern in this port. Shall we?"
"We shall."
Taking Sven's arm and beginning a recap of her day's adventures, Liza continued on through the celebrating city.
The sudden cut of loss and realization is painfully sharp.
Acceptance and understanding is elusive; the suffering deeper still.
Late Sunday afternoon I went to Seymour Mountain. On each anniversary of my accident, I try to visit and go for a walk. After just missing sunset at the parking lot I took my headlamp and camera gear for a hike to Dog Mountain. Not much snow but plenty of quiet time to revisit my fall, 7 years ago now.
January 17, 2007
Simon and I went for a snowshoe hike around the east side of Seymour and went up Runner Peak. During the traverse back, about 1/2 hour from the ski runs, I fell. A long way. 600 feet below I ended up at Theta Lake. My backpack & coat ripped from my body, never to be found again. One boot and snowshoe gone. Broken shoulder, missing teeth and a neck fracture. Blood. Disorientated and cold. Though truth be told, I was very lucky to be in such good condition.
Nearly impossible to hike down but Simon makes it halfway regardless. Relieved to hear me alive, he manages to call for help. Somehow within 40 minutes and moments before dark sets in, a helicopter comes in and drops off 2 men. I clearly remember their headlamps coming towards me. I'm pretty sure I was mumbling and yelling, wondering why the helicopter had gone away. One of them told me to shut up. I had just met Tim Jones.
It took about an hour to reach the viewpoint at the end of the trail. Most of the fog below had disappeared so I sat down and decided to wait for a bit. Maybe the colder night air would bring the low cloud cover back. Besides, just sitting there gave me a chance to look up at the stars and check things out in my head.
January 18, 2007
Tim & Gord had wrapped me up within a heated blanket. They kept me alive. I think Tim's outer layer was a garbage bag with arm holes cut in it. How they had kept warm overnight I have no idea. I didn't know it at the time but Tim has been involved in over 1,500 rescues during his time with NSR since 1987. I couldn't have been in better hands.
SAR personnel had mobilized and were sent in to assist. The first group of 5 made it in before the worsening weather and terrible snow conditions forced everyone else to turn back for their own safety. Thank you Jeff, Bruce, Doug, John & Rollie. We were badly in need of help. The snow continued to fall. At one point a loud rumble headed down towards us, stopping within throwing distance. Unable to see what had happened I asked what was that. Tim replied, "Mother Nature". That avalanche forced the group to move base camp. They dug a snow cave and put me inside. I spent the next 14 hours within the hole. There was no getting home today. They all suffered worse than me I'm sure.
After realizing that only a few lingering clouds would make their way back over the city, I took this photo and packed up. No one else was out here. I headed back just before 7pm. When I passed First Lake I was surprised to hear what sounded like people above. Seemed unusual to me. Later along the trail I bumped into 3 paramedics who were on their way to help with a cardiac arrest near Dinky Peak. I gave them a hand carrying some of their heavy gear. I thought about asking if Tim was up here, as I hadn't seen him in a while, but it seemed inappropriate as they were on an emergency call so it never came up. [Tim Jones is an advanced life-support paramedic and paramedic-in-charge for the B.C. Ambulance Service in North Vancouver] On the way, they were told via radio, that another group were bringing the subject down the mountain. So we returned to the parking lot, where I left them and all the other many rescue personnel.
January 19, 2007
There was talk of a insane 10+ hour rope rescue to lift me out of this bowl if the deep clouds continued to prevent an air rescue. But finally a small opening appeared in the afternoon, and a helicopter popped in. They basically tossed me in while it hovered just above the frozen lake. Inside the helicopter and on the way to the hospital, I was laying down on the legs of Curtis Jones, Tim's son.
I simply would not have survived had his father not risked his life to rescue me. Words cannot not express the gratitude my family continues to feel towards him. I don't recall ever hearing Tim or any of the others complaining, even though none of them could have been comfortable. These volunteers are heroes in my books.
After giving a Mexican hitchhiker a ride down the mountain I received a shocking text telling me who had died on Seymour that night. The facts all tumbled into place. Tears began to fall. And the local outdoor community was devastated. Tim Jones had passed away from a heart attack.
Tim had an amazing spirit and strength. Determined and passionate. He was a larger-than-life leader of North Shore Rescue. I know he will be missed deeply by his team, friends & co-workers.
My deepest condolences to his family. I can't imagine the grief you must be feeling right now.
“It turns out we were some people
which has been chosen by God to be happy in a different way
# beggars”
― ys sroyer
I was walking down the Mirpur - Gabtoli Road, Dhaka with some of my friends as i was going to capture photos of a client. While crossing the road of Asad Gate, this old man drawn my attention, sitting beside the road, looking at endless running of the life's.
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So. I came to a realization today that my build wasn't going to work in SL as it is now. The physics were just too taxing on the sim. So, it's gone into my inventory until Havok 4 and perhaps mono are released on the main grid, that's where it will live. Until then, I'm working on something fun, and imaginative... and it all starts with this one, lonely, pink tree.
Posted by Second Life Resident Strawberry Holiday. Visit prodigiosus II.
FOR THE REALIZATION OF THIS PHOTOGRAPH, WE HAVE USED A SIMPLE REAL LASER (FOR ASTRONOMY)...
A raygun is a science-fiction directed-energy weapon that releases energy, usually with destructive effect. They have various alternate names: ray gun, death ray, beam gun, blaster, laser gun, laser pistol, phaser, zap gun, etc. In most stories, when activated, a raygun emits a ray, typically visible, usually lethal if it hits a human target, often destructive if it hits mechanical objects, with properties and other effects unspecified or varying.
Realization through a flash positioned at 90 degree and triggered simultaneously shooting at or strawberry into milk.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF Objectif 50 mm f/1.4 USM
Tripod Manfrotto MT055XPRO3
Flash Canon Speedlite 430 EX II
Post processing Aperture 3.
I celebrate Halloween more than any other holiday. Probably because it syncs up so well with my artistic vision. One that attempts to extract beauty and poignance from dark and eerie backdrops. It's a balancing act, and at its best captures the odd juxtaposition of light and dark, either literally or metaphorically (or preferably both). Autumn marks the transition of lightness fading to black, as summer dies a slow death. And Halloween serves as the perfect bookend. And so the trappings of Halloween seem to celebrate that death, itself a weird juxtaposition for in life, death is not something to be feared rather than celebrated. It's just fun to let go sometimes. Most of like a good scare, so long as no real danger is involved. I simply love seeing the extent to which people decorate their yards with symbols of the macabre. All manner of ghosts, skeletons, fake cemeteries, jack-o-lanterns, and on and on. Creepier the better is my motto. I find myself going up and down the Halloween aisles, much like a kid, inspecting all of the merchandise and imaging what horror they will come upon with next. However when it came tome to decorate my yard, none of that store-bought stuff seemed appropriate. So I set about making my own spirits. One of them took the form of this ethereal looking ghost woman. Truly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. A simple combination of chicken wire and cheesecloth and a cheap Cosplay wig. Yet it seems so animated as it floats over my front yard, free to react to the wind. It spins about, the arms waving at times, and the hair and loose bits of wispy cloth billowing out. It's the perfect realization of the kind of thing I imagine as I wander about in dark places, conjuring spirits in my mind.
“Mesmerized.
Whisked away by her eloquent gaze;
Her breath caressed my cheek like poetry.
The realization came;
My heart was mine no more;
Stolen as most precious things eventually are.
Left clutching to this feeling;
Much like a child with a lonely past would.
Unthinking.
Frightened not by the whirlwind at our backs,
With your hand in mine we are weightless.
A perpetual feeling has sparked inside,
Running wildly just as the hands on my time piece.
Fiery winds carry away embers of the past;
As trumpets beat within blossoming hearts.
If there is no tomorrow and only temporary affairs will thrive
Then we must run forever to keep this dream alive.
Fleeting.”
--Ryan Closson
This shot was an adventure in itself. I had an idea of what I wanted to capture but I decided I just had to do it near a volcano, and, what do you know I found one. We packed up my camera gear, grabbed a couple sleeping bags and drove on into the night towards Flagstaff, AZ. 5 hours later 11pm came and we were roughly an hour north of Flagstaff essentially in the middle of nowhere trying to find this old dirt road that supposedly will take us to this volcanic crater through google maps. The GPS was fading in and out, there was a storm coming in from the east and it was kind of creepy out with no light to guide us. We traveled down this rough dirt road for a while and submit to our tired bodies and parked the truck throwing our sleeping bags in the bed and tossing a large tarp over us in case rain was to come. After a couple hours of being asleep I woke up to the light of light sprinkling rain drops on the tarp that was draped over our faces, lol but when I looked up I found the most amazing stormy sky I had ever seen! The clouds were dark and gritty, yet opaque in nature and a large moon was shinning bright from behind them, in the foreground I realized that we had made it to our intended destination, I faced three giant silhouettes of these old cinder cone volcanoes! I laid back and watched the moon peak in and out of the hypnotizing clouds above. This was a great moment. A couple more hours later we woke to beat the sun to work, and we did. <3
Prescott, Arizona Photographer
Ryanclossonphoto.com
First afternoon off work because I felt like it...upon arrival...the realization that idle time is a burden set in...the mind wanders...there was only one solution...take a walk with the MKIII and the 100-400mm. After about 15 minutes in the still 85 Deg F heat I was done...my first thoughts on what to call this shoot was "Butterflies & B.S." A Variety of Things Seen.
The Butterflies are next.
Please do not use without my explicit permission
© All Rights Reserved
Walter C Snyder
The realization the Delicate Arch is in shadow at sunrise. Ha ha! Still, it was cool watching the light slowly creep and open up the Winter Camp Wash (canyon) below a little later.
The Skyrim Nord Funko Pop meets Samurai Boba Fett action figure and they start talking about their adventures.
As they share their epic deed the Nord says:
“I used to be a figure like you, then I took an arrow in the knee.”
Boba knows it is impossible the Funko Pop was ever a figure like him but he enjoyed many hours playing Skyrim and so he gives the Nord his little moment of glory.
The Funko Pop’s line is a reference to The Elder Scrolls Skyrim Fantasy role play video game :)
If you played the game you already know what I mean, if you didn’t play it I’ll quickly explain the reference :)
In the game there a catchphrase frequently spoken by cities and villages guards when the player character walks near them that says:
“I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee.”
The catchphrase became so famous it went beyond the video game community. It’s probable you have heard of it even if you never played the game. I remember it was once even quoted in an episode of NCIS Tv series, for example :)
The Funko Pop is not actually a Nord from Skyrim video game but from the multiplayer The Elder Scrolls online game. However I spent so many hours playing Skyrim I wanted to make this photo a little tribute to the game :)
Samurai Boba Fett is the amazing Ronin Boba Fett action figure made by Bandai for their Tamashii Nations Movie Realization line.
I have to say I was quite surprised when I got that Funko Pop Nord. I expected it to be like all the other Funko figures I got, namely with the “pop” bubble head, but instead it has a head without any “popping” sound but that can rotate.
I hope you like this photo :)
Watch out for arrows, protect your knees and May the Force be with You :)
after years, I've come to the realization that no picture can paint a thousand words. not with everything there is. with the emotion, the atmosphere, the feeling ... and I guess that will never change.
so today was the day. I don't know why this feeling already crept into my head and what to think about that. after just a week, I felt empty. not in the sense of having no inspiration, not in the sense of close to giving up; I was convinced this was not the end yet, but with this day, with this time, I did not know what to do. I felt as if all the ideas I've had had this morning where suddenly wiped out right after I came home from school. and I just didn't know what to do about it. I just decided to do what I have to do and as I was done with baking something for school tomorrow, I suddenly realized; you can't carry on like this. you've got to rip yourself together and just focus on your inside and what is there.
and I think it somehow helped. I don't know why, but I am so happy about how this turned out. How it is nothing like any of my other work and there is barely any depth of field ... I shall try out more different things like this. It's way to appealing.
(day nine)
Sometimes, the realization of our dreams unfolds in ways we never anticipated. This is keenly illustrated by an abandoned relic of the Cold War: a former monitoring and broadcasting station for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), now lost to time.
Formed by the National Committee for a Free Europe (NCFE) and the American Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia, RFE and Radio Liberty initially had different target audiences but the same goal: to broadcast uncensored news to communist countries. By 1976, both stations were operating out of Munich and eventually merged into one entity.
The photograph you see captures one of the critical technical facilities of RFE/RL, the Monitoring and Broadcasting Station located at Oberschleißheim Airport. From 1953 until its abandonment in 1995, this station was the ears and voice of free Europe. Its mission was both simple and Herculean: to break through the Iron Curtain using state-of-the-art technology.
But as history turned its pages, the winds changed. The Warsaw Pact dissolved in 1989, the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the station's mission seemed fulfilled. Yet the aftermath brought its own challenges. RFE/RL found itself an expensive relic in a changed world. The transition wasn't smooth for everyone. Many employees who specialized in Russian broadcasts found themselves jobless and directionless.
The station was eventually deserted in 1992, and since then, it has been deteriorating, left with no purpose or future.
My own life was profoundly shaped by the fall of the Soviet Union. Growing up in Kiev, I wished for the communist regime to end, not for political reasons, but for a more materialistic future. When the Union did collapse, my family and I found ourselves destitute in the new capitalistic society that emerged. Despite gaining access to a world of material goods, we were left with empty pockets.
This station, like my personal history, stands as a testament to the unpredictability of fulfilled dreams. While its walls may be crumbling, the stories they contain—of geopolitical shifts, of personal tragedies and triumphs—remain as relevant as ever.
Winter days in March are not like winter days in January here in the northern hemisphere. Yes, you can still be socked with heavy snow. But odds are it's not going to last for long. The sun angle is much higher now and you can feel the increasing warmth of its rays. With that comes a sense of optimism borne on the knowledge that we will soon be out of the grip of winter and spring is on the way. This realization makes it so much easier to revel in the wonder of winter without the worry that there are weeks and months of cold weather ahead. That's the sense I had as I wandered through this storybook landscape with the this almost artificial looking snow clinging to anything and everything. I was amazed to see the snow on many branches was far thicker than the actual branch (note the tiny branches at the top of this frame; the temperatures during this storm were just at the freezing mark, creating a very sticky type off snow that stuck to everything). All very photogenic but still rather flat. But then suddenly the sun flared up from behind a thinning layer of cloud and the scene was electrified. That patch of blue sky was icing on the cake.
(From .......A photo story in progress.......maybe the last episode?)
At that moment we looked at each other and came to the same cosmic realization.......This "story" was going nowhere fast ........or maybe, as we rearranged the "chairs on the decks of the Titanic", this story was going in the most dangerous direction possible! We asked ourselves: What would we do if we saw our nation going fascist?
(A photo story in progress www.flickr.com/groups/85044792@N00/)
What would you do if you saw your nation going fascist?
By Gary G. Kohls, MD
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Mar 28, 2006, 01:23
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Okay, so you call yourself a patriot. But what exactly do you think that word means?
Is it the patriotism that says, “My country, right or wrong?” Is it the patriotism that says, Might makes right? Is it the patriotism of Samuel Johnson who defined it as “the last refuge of the scoundrel?”
Is it the patriotism of the 16th century Protestant “reformers” who believed that every leader of any “Christian” nation was ordained by God, no matter how much that leader promoted the satanic mass slaughter of fellow children of God, and, therefore, Christians were to be unconditionally obedient to that leader? (See Psalm 137.)
Or are you the type of patriot that loves your country so much that you won’t let tyrants or the super-rich or the mega-corporations take it over out of their greed for more power and wealth? Are you the type of patriot that is willing to have a lover’s quarrel with your beloved country that may be temporarily under the control of those that are close to being indicted as international war criminals?
In order to find out which type of patriot you might be, you should read the following “hypothetical” situation; and then you can judge for yourself.
Suppose you are a white, God-fearing, church-going citizen in a country that prided itself on its inventiveness, its literacy, its art, its culture, its glory in past wars and its superpower status, and suppose you saw your democratic institutions and the human rights of your neighbors being degraded by the lawmakers of your nation.
Say that you saw a bunch of powerful legislators and corporations, who lied consistently to enrich themselves and who were obsessed with the desire to wage aggressive war. Say that they started to grab control of our country’s legislature, judiciary and military. Say these cunning politicians, with the support of ruthless financiers, gained control of the highest office in the land -- without winning the majority vote in any fair election -- and started taking away, in rapid succession, the rights of many of its minority citizens, declaring left-wing peacemakers traitors, purging anti-fascists and other resistance groups from their positions of power, eviscerating its democratic institutions, silencing the “liberal” sectors of the press, working to weaken and eventually violently destroy all political opposition, censoring or usurping the open-minded media and marginalizing and silencing the artists, the poets, the writers and the creative thinkers.
You would be in 1930s Germany and the tyrants would have been Adolf Hitler’s cunning henchmen. And what would you have done in that situation?
If you were an average white, affluent, employed citizen, with all the privilege and power granted to you by that majority status, you would have said virtually nothing in opposition, even as the rights of the Nazis targeted minority groups were legally being taken away, disappearing into the gulag of prison and mental institutions.
As an average Bible-believing Christian, you would probably have obeyed your German war-supporting bishops or pastors, almost all of whom had pledged a solemn oath of loyalty to the Fuhrer, duty-bound to follow him instead of their “Lord and Savior,” the nonviolent Jesus of Nazareth. Because of an out-of-context single passage in the Epistle to the Romans you, as an obedient German Christian would have been inclined to obey St. Paul and therefore the existing rulers in Berlin in the time of crisis rather than courageously and faithfully following Jesus, who forbade homicidal violence, said that all are equal in the eyes of God and that the followers should love -- instead of kill -- their enemies.
If you were an average white lawyer, physician or psychiatrist, you would have joined the Nazi Party, for doing otherwise would have jeopardized your practice. And you would have kept your mouth shut when witnessing the anguish of your Jewish, Slavic, Gypsy, socialist, liberal, or gay clients as they were forced to march toward -- and disappear into -- the concentrations camps and gas chambers.
But the question remains -- would you have been a good patriot? Or would you have been on the wrong side of justice by being obedient to the Fuhrer (“Leader”) and to the cloth flag (swastika) that symbolized his rule?
Knowing that any German citizen seen helping the “enemies of the state” was guilty of treason, on whose side would any of us have stood? Would we have taken the side of the innocents -- those oppressed or outcast -- or would we have stood with the fascists?
Knowing that revering the flag was regarded as a crucial act of patriotism would we have saluted along with the victimizers or would we have resisted?
On whose side would we have been, the freedom-fighting groups (labeled “terrorists” by the State) who were courageously and patriotically trying to save their beloved nation from fascism, or would we have been on the “safe” side with the militarists and corporatists and right-wing politicians who looked like they were going to be the winners? Our answer will reveal our politics -- and our theology.
Now fast forward to America 2006 . . . but that shouldn’t be necessary, for the point has been made.
Dr. Kohls is a Duluth, Minn., physician and a peace and justice activist who has an aversion to human slaughter, for any reason, in times of war or in times of “peace.” He is also a member of the faith-based peace organization, Every Church A Peace Church.
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Karpathos. 477 BC.
We should have died a hundred times over.they seem too amused by us to simply execute us,and instead have thrown us into dungeons and courtyards to fight until we die.
Savages and crazed criminals are our main adversaries thus far.
Our bodies bear marks from each of our victories, as our minds do of the
realization that we are probably never going to be free men again. tomorrow we are fighting for the amusement of some official, our foes are 10 Thebans from the north.My companion Baunius mentioned,that today would not be such a bad day to die.
I informed him that was only if i gave him permission to die,and i do not.