Wednesday 21 September 2011

Do you take time to remember the dead?

It is something, this relationship between religion and the dead; I wonder at the various ways in which we deal with death, the passing of loved ones, and how our beliefs affect this. Death was always something purposely remote in my upbringing; the Christianity I was raised with dismissed death, as it was believed that, for the believer, there was ultimately no death. As a result, we did not remember the dead much, once the passing of grief was accomplished. Cemeteries were neglected, no real reminiscences were held.



Having left behind Christianity, I am meditating more these days on the lives passed, and thinking of their relation to me, their meaning to my life. I have two things that I believe strongly about death: the only true comfort to be gleaned in the wake of a loved one's passing is in knowing that one was a part of that life, a good, loved, appreciated part. We are comforted in knowing that we were valuable to that person, that we made their lives a little better for our being in it.



The other thing I hold as true is that what we truly miss in a loved one's passing is the person we were with that person, the person that they allowed us to be. A loved one provides a mirror, you see, and the reflection we see of ourselves in the interaction with that loved one gives us definition. With these things in mind, I look back and reflect, and miss the loved ones past, and think of the person I was to them, to their lives.



Two people fill my thoughts at this time of year, this time of remembering the dead:



My brother Jeff died less than a month after his 21st birthday. I cannot help but think of how much in awe I was of him. I felt so much inadequacy, because he was so obviously a person of merit, a person who impressed himself on the lives of others. I was, in comparison, rather a let-down. I was unsure and hesitant, most often a embarrassment to him and to his friends. There was only a year between the two of us, but he was exactly what everyone his age wanted to be: good-looking and smart, confident, brash, charismatic, athletic, a person who was sure that the world was his, and who would go and get it, his due. Had he lived, his success was almost assured.



As it turned out, he died, and I am left, still fairly much a let-down; age does not decrease one's power to disappoint. I regret that he could not have survived to perhaps have lent me some of his strength; I might have done much more.



The other person I will not name; I miss them, but with no regrets. For all the hurt involved with this person, they left me with an invaluable gift: For one time in my life, for a little while, I knew what it felt like to feel I was the most important person in another's life. No matter what pain involved, no matter what humiliation I may have suffered, I have carried away from that relationship this gift, and I owe it all to this person, now dead, now only in my thoughts.



It is important, I think, to remember people, the bad as well as the good; a collage needs many different shades and forms to form beauty, you see.



Well, these have been my remembrances. Do you take time to remember the dead? If so, how do you remember them? What are the things that comfort you from their memory? How do your beliefs shape such things, and have your views on such things as commemorating the dead changed over the years?







Thank you for your answers.
Do you take time to remember the dead?
This is one of the best questions I've ever seen on Y!A. I thought I was the only person who did/wondered about this.



To answer, YES, I do remember the dead, and I consider remember to be a verb in this example. By this I mean that I spend time actively reviewing things the person did, said, and experienced. I treasure these memories because they are unique, they are mine alone, and I do not ever want to forget them. The way we remember our memories is to continually review them in our mind's eye.



Now, WHY is this so important to me. Because I lost my closest friend in the world when I was 22. We were like brothers. He was only 33, and died of a heart attack, literally on the floor in front of me. The ONLY thought I can take comfort in regarding this event is that at least I was there with him as it happened, and he did not die alone. He was unconscious, so I do not know if he was aware of my presence, but I like to think he was.



My friend was a genius who shared all he knew, and all he had, with everyone around him. He was the most selfless person I've ever known, and unfortunately, because he was overweight, he did not have many friends. This is another reason I honor his memory as often as possible... because I had the privilege to know such an amazing person that so many others ignored or ridiculed.



I also remember my father's father, because he was a big part of my childhood, but the memories are more vague and distant, so it's is harder, but I try.



Beyond simply remembering these people, I go one step further... I embrace some of their personal beliefs and try to impart them to others around me. In this way, I can continue to exert their unique influence on the world even though they are gone.
Do you take time to remember the dead?
I do. Every week my church (Episcopal) says a prayer for them. We always have. Every night I think about the people I've lost.
Yes. My grandmother often comes to my thoughts when I pray. So I ask her often to pray for me and others. It is a blessing.

Not seeing them does not mean they are not still here.





May the peace of the lord be with you.
Often... In various ways. From organizations I donate to around the holidays and the birthday of one, to the roses I fuss over all summer. Two very old ones that were my grandmother's, uprooted and brought home before their old house was sold. And a third that I planted for someone else. The final buds of the season are now inside so they have a chance to bloom. Lots of reminders.
i pray for the dead daily and remember mine frequently. In the nicene creed we look for the ressurection of the dead. i pray for the souls of my parents. Everyone in my family is gone ,i am an only child.. i love my children, but they have families of their own, they include me but you know what i mean. so i have a lot of time to remember their lives. I think i was meant to return to the church because of my disconnection and it has been a comfort to me. ironically everyone we pray to in our minds is dead except God..go figure.
I pray for my related dead, and the dead, on a daily basis.

It is something that I feel I should do as a Christian. I am in constant prayer for two of my deceased brothers who were in law enforcement. My prayers focus on rest for their souls and that their lives and service to society was not in vain.

I also pray for all my relatives, and long decease ancestors. The blood of my ancient people, runs through my veins, why should I not take time to pray for them?

Also in my prayers are requests to keep safe the souls of friends who have been kind to me in this life, and are now deceased.

There is no obligation by any one for me to do this. I do so because it comforts me and I feel that you must not forget a fellow human being, just because they have past on from this life.

I would like to think that when it is my time and I am gone from this Earth, that someone, whether it be family or a friend, would remember me in their prayers also.
Yes.Especially this time of year.I am a Wiccan High Priest and as you may know )ct. 31 Is Samhain (sowen).It is Celtic New Year,Last Harvest until May,The cyclical death of our God and the year and a time when we feel the veil between this world and the next are the thinnest.It is a time when we welcome our dead back to this world.We set out a plate of food for them and in some case write thier name and maybe a message on paper and toss it in the fire.As a Wiccan High Priest it is my job to write and perform this ritual for other Pagans And Wiccans in my community.While we do mourn our dead we also celebrate as we believe in reincarnation and death is like moving to the next lesson.We do not rush death (we are not a death cult or anything) I am just talking as it happens.Death to my religion is just part of a cycle of life death and re-birth that we all must face at some point.I must comment on missing the person you were around the departed Very Deep and Caring and True,Thanks for sharing that.Respect and Regards Mike the Witch
in my family, we often reminisce on those we've lost, but i don't give them nearly as much time as i should.
i don't forget people that i have known that are now passed on i am a christian and it got nothing to do with the bible but i go to the cemetery and plant flowers on my parents grave i know they are not spiritually there but i feel close to them there probably because this is the last place i saw them physically i dont mourn them to the point it interfers with my life i miss them and wish i could share things in my life with them but i know i will see them again in heaven so that is a good feeling my ma would have wanted the flower planting i know because when she was living she and i planted together on my dads grave she was big into tradition so this would put a smile on her face (me carrying on the tradition) it also is a sign of honoring them(to me)
That part about missing %26quot;the person they allowed us to be%26quot; is beautiful. Those particular reflections of myself are gone to ghosts and whispers - to speak in dreams.
Hey bebe! I like to remember all the good bits about the people I've lost, mate. Those memories literally are the after-life, buddy! So keep remembering!





((((Jack))))
I agree with our Gaz :)



In my family, we never go to cemeteries, we prefer to remember our loved ones at home, any day of the year, talking about them, telling old stories, looking at old pictures, cooking the foods the liked...



We also enjoy visiting places that were important to them, or to our lives together, like an old neighbourhood or cities where they used to live, and to show these places to the younger members of the family, and tell them stories about their grandparents and other family members and old friends.



Thank you for the beautiful question, and for the memories, my friend!!



((((((Jack %26amp; family)))))))
Like the people who raised you, I believe that the people in my life who have passed have gone from death into life. Thus, I do not visit their graves or hold what you call %26quot;real reminiscences%26quot;. There is little point in dressing up a grave. My loved ones are not there.

But, like you, I do treasure the memories of the people in my life who have gone on before me.

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your brother...so young, and so promising! And also sad to hear you compare yourself so unfavorably to him!! Humilty is a beautiful trait...but it can be %26quot;overdone%26quot;.

Anyhow, may God bless you, my friend...and every life you will touch as you pass through this vale of tears!!

You have surely touched mine this day!
I definitely do. In fact, when the mother of my adopted children died, your answer on here was one of the things that got me through it. I remember her everyday I look at my children. She lives on in them and in my heart.
i'm disappointed in you for thinking you are a disappointment. i mean really, jack, come on...
Jack, what you've written here demonstrates to me that you are touching, incredibly brave, admirable, humble, and contemplative. I can't imagine you being a disappointment to anyone, unless their standards are that you must be able to walk on water.



So far in my life I've lost all four of my grandparents and one cousin. I hadn't seen any of them in over a decade. I haven't felt a loss of someone close to me and I am, admittedly terrified of the prospect. I know there will come a day when I will not be able to send a text message to my mother, or send my dad a birthday card. I think I would simply fall apart into a blubbering mass of unidentifiable pulp if I lost my brother or my husband. I sat and cried when I heard about Debra M, and I'd never actually met her.



So to answer your question, I haven't felt the sting of death so close yet, so I haven't instituted any commemorations. So while I cannot empathize with you, I send you my deepest sympathies and warm thoughts.



((Jack))
alittle late to pray



no
Wow Mr. Jack, you must have done some serious thinking while you were away. An awe inspiring post. Thank you!



Hun, I could write a mini novel on this subject. I am in my mid-fifties. The buffer between myself and the unknown is slowly drifting away. I have always felt parents were meant to be a protective wall between children and death. Sadly, it doesn't always work out that way. It seems we lose a family member in my parents generation monthly. So yes, I have been thinking about death and remembering my loved ones who have passed away.



We have a very close family. There are many who helped mold my life. I also lost my brother when he was young. There were three of us. He was the best of us. Physically beautiful, talented, kind and loving. I suppose the deceased members I miss the most are my maternal grandmother and my younger brother.



I truly believe when our loved ones die they take a piece of our heart to the grave with them. However, I feel they live on through their sweet memories which fill the void where the tiny piece of heat is missing.
What a lovely post. Yes, I often think about my loved ones who have passed away. I try not to remember them with sadness but treasure the wonderful things they did in life. I also cherish the love we shared.

November rain : Is it also raining for you?

Are you agree with this song?

Did you know these feelings in yours relationship?

Did you live these situation once in your life?



Guns 'N Roses November Rain Lyrics



When I look into your eyes

I can see a love restrained

But darlin' when I hold you

Don't you know I feel the same



Nothin' lasts forever

And we both know hearts can change

And it's hard to hold a candle

In the cold November rain



We've been through this such a long long time

Just tryin' to kill the pain



But lovers always come and lovers always go

An no one's really sure who's lettin' go today

Walking away



If we could take the time

to lay it on the line

I could rest my head

Just knowin' that you were mine

All mine

So if you want to love me

then darlin' don't refrain

Or I'll just end up walkin'

In the cold November rain



Do you need some time...on your own

Do you need some time...all alone

Everybody needs some time...

on their own

Don't you know you need some time...all alone



I know it's hard to keep an open heart

When even friends seem out to harm you

But if you could heal a broken heart

Wouldn't time be out to charm you



Sometimes I need some time...on my

own

Sometimes I need some time...all alone

Everybody needs some time...

on their own

Don't you know you need some time...all alone



And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

When there's no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

Nothin' lasts forever

Even cold November rain



Don't ya think that you need somebody

Don't ya think that you need someone

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one

You're not the only one
November rain : Is it also raining for you?
this song pretty much screams my life at this point in time
November rain : Is it also raining for you?
yes
Love tha song. Thanks for the lyrics, never actually read them before
Sure...
Probably when I find out they having an affair with their friend then most people would think like this.


i agree with it, but not personally

it's on my all time top 10 favorite song list!!!
Yes, yes, and yes. Thanks for posting the lyrics!
made me quite emotional! me and the love of my life are going through a bad batch and the words just hit home.

HELP!!! My SISTER is treating me like she's my MOM!?

Okay, so I'm 15 years old. I have 3 older sisters, one's 26, one's 23, and one's 19. The 23 year old graduated from college about 2 years ago and has been living at home since then, while she's applying to medical school. The 26 year old is married and lives in Boston. The 19 year old is in college and comes home every wknd. So it's just my mom %26amp; dad, me %26amp; my 23 year old sister, who's name is Sarah. So, all of us have noticed that Sarah has been snappy for a while, but my mom %26amp; dad kind of just let it go, bc they think she's just stressed about getting into med school. What they don't realize, is that since she can't snap at my mom or dad, or any of my other sisters bc they aren't at home that much, she's left with me to put her moodswings on. Now, at first it was bearable, bc she would just say little things that weren't that nice, but I'd just let it go. But then she started getting bossy. Which, I'm used to being bossed, I'm the youngest in the family, I don't mind it. But when she bossed it was about things in MY life. For example, she's comment on how I acted or things I did in my life everyday, saying how I should change my habits. And the things she commented on weren't even of concern to my mom, it wasn't like I was doing things that were out of place or something. And my 19 yr-old sister even noticed it, when she came home on the wknds, so I knew I wasn't just imagining it. So, I tried to just lay off of the things I said to Sarah, bc it was like if I said anything that she could take as an insult, even if it was a joke and my other sisters wouldn't be offended by it, then she would just go off on me. It helped a little, but not for long. So, I confronted her about it.I said she was acting like she was my mother. And she slapped me. Haha, if that doesn't prove my point, what does, right? And I'd told my mom about how she bossed me around before, but she didn't used to believe me, bc I was the younger one. Afer my sister slapped me i told my mom and finally to did believe me. So, after that, my sister did stop bossing me around mostly. But I don't think I'll ever forget that she slapped me, especially since the reason why she slapped me was so inexcusable. But recently, it's started again. She's bossing me around, she always has bad mood swings. PLEASE HELP ME! WHAT DO I DO????????????/


HELP!!! My SISTER is treating me like she's my MOM!?
mmm... I know y'all are in the same house...but just do your best to stay out of her way. Play in your room or outside. If your other sisters are home, stay with them. After a while she'll come to you and she'll be much nicer!
HELP!!! My SISTER is treating me like she's my MOM!?
relax, then just pretend that she is mom.



say %26quot;yes mom%26quot; when she is bossing. and maybe you 2 will argue. so maybe you don't need to follow this.
dude, don't put up with her crap, if it was me she slapped i woulda punched her lights out, sister or not, stand up for yourself, don't let her walk over you like that or it will keep happening
Tell your Mom again what is going on. Do not argue with your sister. When she starts up leave the room get away from her. When you argue with people all you are doing is hurting each others feelings and saying and doing things you would not normally do.



You might tell your sister she owes you an apology for slapping you. Better yet try this write your sister a letter telling her how you feel sometimes a visual can help. Include in your letter that you love her and you want the two of you get along. It can't hurt anything to try.



I promisee this situation will get better time will cure it.

Edit my essay/Critique. Thankkk you!?

Pride and Prejudice



It has been said by Roland Barthes that “Literature is the question minus the answer.” Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, poses many questions to the individual about societal and political dogma. The questions posed in Pride and Prejudice help the reader to understand the purpose and message Austen is trying to convey through her literary work. Without some of the central themes, the novel, in my opinion, would be dry and unimportant. One of the central themes, pride, is crucial to the understanding of the novel. The definition of pride as stated by www.dictionary.com is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc; however, the question throughout Pride and Prejudice is what Jane Austen’s definition of pride is. Does Austen view pride as a positive or negative trait and how should the reader’s view of pride change throughout the novel.

Within the first several chapters of the book, Mary claims, “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us” (pg. 14). This quote makes it seem as if vanity is a far worse trait to have than pride. It seems as if a person can be proud without being vain, but a person cannot be vain without being prideful. It seems as if Austen is saying pride is acceptable even beneficial to possess to some degree. Austen goes on to describe one’s pride as something that must not be damaged regardless. In chapter five, Elizabeth says of Darcy, %26quot;I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.%26quot; Austen places emphasis on the importance of one’s pride and how the damage of one persons pride is irreparable. Pride is placed on a pedestal and must not be tampered with.

Austen’s idea that forgiving one for their prideful ways as long as they do not damage anothers is represented the majority of the novel through Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth and Darcy in my opinion are the two most prideful characters which is why they have drama throughout the entire novel. In chapter 34, Darcy says, “these offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design.” The question of whether pride is able to be mended is another question without an answer in Pride and Prejudice. Although Elizabeth and Darcy are constantly damaging one another’s pride, the two end up together in the end. Regardless of the two ending up together, are both characters able to conquer the emotional offense they have received from one another and does Austen place as much importance on the idea of pride by the end of the novel?

In the beginning of the novel, Austen describes pride as one’s opinion of themselves and sensitive to offense, but by the end of the novel, Austen claims that pride can get the best of what is proper. By chapted 48, Darcy claims, “As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.” The admirable principles that Darcy had been taught as a child were left to be defined by pride and conceit. Austen now sheds light on pride as a negative trait where as in the beginning she sculpted it as a sacred, even favorable trait.

By the end of the novel, I believe Austen views pride as somewhat destructive. Because this novels definition of pride is not completely black or white and remains gray is why I believe it continues to be so impressive. I believe that Austen herself would view pride the way she portrayed it in the end of the novel; however, this book is made more powerful by using prideful characters like Elizabeth and Darcy and attempting to form a relationship with two very similar people. My understanding of the novel was enhanced once I saw that Elizabeth and Darcy became successful together when pride was no longer as involved and both characters became less prideful. I believe Austen’s purpose in writing her 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice, was to form a gray question about whether pride is a positive or negative trait and change the reader’s definiton of pride throughout the novel.
Edit my essay/Critique. Thankkk you!?
SERIOUSLY? i cant believe you would post this piece of crap on the internet. You are one of the worst writers i have ever encountered. this isnt even TRUE!
Edit my essay/Critique. Thankkk you!?
short essayyyyy!

Does This Sound Okay?

It's for homework and I was assigned to pick a poem and analyze it.

So I've done a small random essay of sorts for the beginning, then went over and broke down the poem at the end-



Isolation is a poison. An induced toxin born to rip you of your mentality. The slow lingering death upon one’s fate brings unto us all, eventually, one final silence.

Are we aware of our seclusion? One’s solitude and peace? And if we are, why then, do we let this life style hold grip and rein to both our mental and physical mechanics? The sluggish infestation rots over a beautiful world, and we allow it, we embrace the change, because it’s simple and easy.

Those who can identify with Poe’s despairing sentiments understands with such a range of emotion, that if left alone one can experience both kinds of silence.

The theory of dualism plays out in front of you. This seclusion appears to separate both body and soul, leaving you feeling like a parasite leeching onto a body, your host. The time spent alone is what prominently leads into this. It’s a snap, a wake up call of sorts, that sharpens your mind and eye to reality.

Realization settles in, a permanent cavity. Ignorance to truth unfolds a simpler path, yet awareness tends to invite insanity whether welcome or not.

An optimistic warmth encircles you when in company. Imagine being the only being on Earth. Visualize what feelings would be running through your head, what attitude you’d take up, and what was worth living. Now, insert fifty or more people on Earth and envision the emotions and relief, the thoughts of companionship. The difference between the two, other than the obvious, is when alone all you can think of is the end.







“There are some qualities-some incorporate things,

That have a double life, which thus is made

A type of twin entity which springs

From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.”



Here Poe describes a clear separation between the two silences. He puts “which springs from matter and light” to explain your mental isolation, then says “evinced in solid and shade” to portray the physical death. It’s a path which leads into the other.



“There is a two-fold Silence-sea and shore-

Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,

Newly with grass o‘ergrown; some solemn graces,

Some human memories, and tearful lore,”



We delve into the more mental of silences, here he describes your mind. “Newly with grass o’ergrown” paints a descriptive representation of a land which has slowly begun to rot. “Some solemn graces, some human memories, and tearful lore” accentuates a ringing echo over this abandoned land.



“Render him terrorless: his name’s “No More.”

He is the corporate silence: dread him not!

No power hath he of evil in himself;”



This would be the depiction of yourself. You are nothing to fear, yet you represent your own isolation. “No power hath he of evil in himself” says you can not control what has started infesting your mind, it is too late, you have no more power over it.



“But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!)

Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf,

That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod

No foot of man), commend thyself to God!”



Your shadow would be death himself. “Nameless elf, that haunteth the lone regions where hath trod no foot of man” symbolizes a form of afterlife, lonely, cold, and dead. Poe, being the religious man he was, advises anyone who is aware of their isolation to place their fate in devotion to God.
Does This Sound Okay?
It's really good! 5/5
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  • How do you Catholics and Other Religious People Feel About This Article, What Do you Think?

    Martin Luther: Religious Reformationist

    By: Lauren Ritchie



    Martin Luther was a man who wanted to serve God with all he had, baptized a Catholic at birth set him on a journey that made him consider all the possibilities and even question what he was taught as a child. Both parents being devoted Catholics had high expectations for him. When he went off to school He learned what he was taught and even went beyond the class room once he was able to understand the Fundamentals, the Doctrine of the Church anything else a person can learn as a Catholic, in his quest he became a Catholic Priest, now keep in mind he studied for many years, we can鈥檛 even ponder in our minds what he had to learn in order to be prepared to teach and counsel and even hear one鈥檚 confession. We think of a lot of things when it comes to the word PRIEST. However when Martin Luther kept being educated, he decided he was going to write literature that could change way people think, he wanted it to be a good thing even if it did get top honors he was happy he could betray the ways of the Catholic Church, A piece of literature that comes to mind is the 95 Theses. In this he wrote this hoping everyone and anyone would read it and cite with him, once it got to the Pope in his time, there was much objection to his writing, and when Martin retaliated the Pope would not hear of it. He told Martin Luther that the rules of the church were as they stand and if Martin could not abide by them that he would be in serious trouble.

    Wouldn鈥檛 you know Martin kept pursuing the thoughts of how he felt about the Catholic Church, especially everything he was taught he did not seem to agree with it all. He felt that certain rules should not have to apply when not necessary. In this effort he disregarded what the Pope had said to him, and him kept spreading the material he had written, hoping those he knew even those with same vocation as himself or higher could convince the Pope to make some changes. However in his time as a Priest he did whatever it took even push the envelop and it cost him dearly, the Pope got word, and he was immediately excommunicated for not following orders, and he would go on trial for his writings and his theology on the subject had, those who knew Martin Luther, tried to petition on his behalf but his 95 Theses and other writings we subjected to much scrutiny. On trial before his peers Martin Luther tried in everyway possible to show his writings were beneficial, but it turns out they were disregarded and Martin was banned. He had been asked to do lectures before this ban occurred, because he knew much of what he was writing and what he had study before and after the Priesthood. He wanted to be influential but it was not enough to convince the Pope.

    Martin Luther decided if he could not portray what was right and wrong as the far as the Doctrine of the Church goes, then he would start a reformation where most of the rules and regulations of the church did not apply. He wanted be able to worship, so kept writing and giving lectures not just based on his intelligence but on his feeling. He portrayed anything that might help others understand, especially to keep going to church if they even had to follow him. During the reformation he wrote Biblical Literature based on the Ten Commandments and other Prayers of the Catholic faith which he was no longer apart of. He used this and other materials to create and form the Lutheran Church ( hence the word Lutheran -an = Luther)

    He made changes to the liturgy, even the Mass, (kept these a bit similar to the Catholic Church) and how others confess. He thought that we as humans despite our mistakes and sins we commit do not require confession before a priest, that one could pray to God to forgive them. Martin Luther showed those who were faithful they did not have to compromise much. It might be said he wanted to make the religious community simpler, was not about simplicity, It was about understanding Gods Word and continuing to do his WILL. Martin did not want to change people鈥檚 minds but he also had to alter himself and his teaching. The first reason for the Reformation was to get back at the Catholic Church for not agreeing with him, but later on it was more apparent of the changes that should have been made, and he knew it was up to him if he wanted to make changes. I don鈥檛 personally think Martin Luther wanted to show anyone up, but his problems only got bigger when he did not get his way in the Catholic Church.

    At one point in his life he became a monk, committing himself to prayer and fasting, but it did not turn out so well, and it was putting pressure on him to become someone he knew he could not be. He was sent away from the Monastery to pursue a career. Martin did not want to do it but he knew it would kill him if did not get his mind into better things. Martin had to have been sure that God would only give him what he could handle. I believe Martin wanted the importance of his
    How do you Catholics and Other Religious People Feel About This Article, What Do you Think?
    First, a lot of run-on sentences and poor construction. Incorrect uses of capitalization and punctuation Also, your thoughts don't run in a coherant manner, nor in any sort of logical order. If you are going to discuss Luther's life, at least put it in chronological order. It will be much easier to follow and make much more sense. You have some good thoughts, but they good lost in the mess.

    Born a Catholic

    Sent to Law school

    Trapped in a storm

    Became a monk, then a priest.

    Asked to teach at the seminaries

    Saw issues within the church

    Tried to get them changed

    Was willing to recant if the church could prove him wrong using scripture

    Excommunicated

    Did NOT start a new denomination in order to get back at the Pope. (That is a load of nonsense, not sure where you got that!) Started it as a response to his excommunication and originally was known as Evangelical Catholicism. Did not want it to be Lutheran.
    How do you Catholics and Other Religious People Feel About This Article, What Do you Think?
    Thew above answer is correct, but I would like to further correct a couple of misconceptions you have:



    Martin Luther did NOT abolish confession before a pastor/priest. Even today, the Lutheran liturgy contains a general confession of sins with absolution by the presiding pastor. Private confession is also available for those who desire it. Lutheran teaching on this subject is in many ways similar to Catholic teaching.



    Luther, and the other Lutheran Reformers, had NO intention of starting a new Church or denomination. Rather, they considered themselves to be faithful Catholics, and wished only to rid the Catholic Church of abuses, scandals, and superstitious teachings which had arisen during the Dark Ages. They also wanted to make sure that the Church reflected the teachings of the Bible. Lutherans and Catholics tried for decades to 'iron out' their differences, but were ultimately unsuccessful, as much from secular political reasons as differences in theology.

    What do you think of my poem?

    Please, not just, %26quot;It's good.%26quot; %26quot;It's bad.%26quot; etc. I'd prefer more concrete examples of what you like and dislike, things you would change, etc.



    You should know

    What it鈥檚 like to lose your mind.

    If only for a moment, well, if so, that鈥檚 fine.Nataliee R 694

    But even then, share the fright.



    Tedious, to live a separate reality.

    Phantoms trekking through the mind

    Fiction and factuality blended

    In your own autobiography.



    Time progresses, and yet you can鈥檛 be relieved

    The gruesome knowledge that keeps you shaking

    Everyone鈥?s always watching, judging

    You fall too fast, too hard, with fixation.



    Astounded by the clarity of self-destruction,

    Pessimism, skepticism, insecurity

    Too lost in one鈥檚 one degrading head.

    To ever be brought back to a peaceful actuality.



    Sound a bit terrifying?

    Only to the lucid

    When all is gone awry in the unstable mind

    Insanity replaces normality.
    What do you think of my poem?
    Like another said, u stuck with a theme, which keeps the poem interesting.



    To me, because u used words like 'tedious, fright, fiction, reality, fixation', etc, the poem feels like it's about thoughts that keep nagging at your mind and pulling at your heart. I've been through that- daily, actually. So I can relate to this.



    The tiniest thing I would change is in the line 'Time progresses, and yet you can't be relieved.' It is redundant to use 'and' with 'yet'. lol That's the only critique that I have. Really doesn't matter.

    (=
    What do you think of my poem?
    good
    I definitely think the themes here are interesting; unlike many authors, you stick to the topic and don't diverge distractingly. I'm a little confused about %26quot;Nataliee R 694.%26quot; Is this an allusion to something? If it's important, keep it in, but many readers may not understand it.



    Also, the second and third lines %26quot;lose your mind%26quot; and %26quot;well...that's fine%26quot; rhyme, which gives the impression that you will continue to rhyme in the rest of the piece. If you really don't want to use a rhyme scheme (which is of course, completely fine) I would avoid the first rhyme there.



    And, because I'm a bit of a grammar (and spelling, etc) Nazi, just a few errors: %26quot;one's one degrading%26quot; should be %26quot;one's OWN degrading.%26quot;

    %26quot;All is gone awry%26quot; should be %26quot;All HAS gone awry.%26quot;



    Last thing -- I know your goal is free verse (no rhyme scheme or consistent rhythm) but you may want to have some sort of loose structure that is consistent among the stanzas. Just my two cents.
    I absolutely loved it. I relate to it so much. I know exactly what you're talking about. My favorite part was...



    Astounded by the clarity of self-destruction,

    Pessimism, skepticism, insecurity

    Too lost in one鈥檚 one degrading head.

    To ever be brought back to a peaceful actuality.



    Sound a bit terrifying?

    Only to the lucid

    When all is gone awry in the unstable mind

    Insanity replaces normality.



    I understand that part completely. I honestly wouldn't change anything, I feel like your portrayed the feelings perfectly.



    read mine?

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>