Football, Cults, Religion And War

Recently I was praised and chastised on Facebook for saying football is a cult religion. When looking at football it is clear to me that it shares aspects from the checklist of what cults generally look like.

It astonishes me at the way many friends of mine who are activists for peace and justice, have deep spiritual roots or in general are just goodhearted, loving and giving people seem to have a blind spot in regard to the “cult of violence” when it comes to football (or other contact sports) and gleefully engage in its rituals.

Also I am astounded by the fact that statistics show one hundred eighty-seven million Americans describe themselves as fans of the NFL. That’s 60% of the country’s population. Interesting that this statistic is also closely reflected in the ones on religion. “A global 2012 poll reports 59% of the world's population as "religious" and 36% as not religious, including 13% who are atheists.”

Football in our culture is the greatest spectacle of violence next to war. It is our version of the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome where death became a form of entertainment or the ritualistic sacrifices of ancient Aztecs. It fosters a tolerance for violence, greed, racism, and homophobia... Steve Almond articulated this well.

Football also shares many of the qualities of most religions. It isn't hard to extract the similarities of Footballism to most religions. A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, narratives (countless news print and web content devoted to it), symbols (logos), and sacred histories (halls of fame) where people may find moral and ethical metaphors. They have organized behaviors, clergy (NFL commissioners), holy places (stadiums), scriptures (play books) and special clothing while participating in the services. Devotees practice rituals, have sermons (pep rallies), commemoration or veneration (trophies) of its its deities (1,696 active players (priests) in the NFL), festivals/feasts (tailgate parties), meditation/prayer (The National Anthem), music/art/dance (cheerleaders), public service. They even have a Eucharist.. The common one being beer but within the clergy itself it is drugs. In may of 2014 More than 600 players filed a class-action complaint in U.S. District Court in San Francisco alleging the league illegally supplied them with painkillers to conceal injuries and mask pain. 

Football has its own mythology and origin stories. It shares a hierarchy like the catholic church consisting of its bishops, priests and deacons who exercise authority within the “church”. Currently Roger Goodell serves as the Pope. The mythos of football has taken over much of society reflecting the term coined by sociologist Leo Lowenthal "idols of consumption" as the swing in culture from "idols of production" to having our heroes being those people who are derived from purely entertainment sources.(Musicians, actors, sports personalities)

I understand, in part, why people join this cult. The huge football stadiums of the 21st century are the pagan temples of today. I see how people get “pleasure from feeling they belong to something bigger than themselves. They gain pleasure and satisfaction from the rituals, unified chanting and walk away afterwards with a feeling that life has been enhanced in some mysterious way.” (sic) We take active part in these ceremonies of hero worship, sing the hymns and generally get a feeling of being one with our fellow humans. Not a bad thing at all when viewed in isolation. These needs seem to be built into our DNA. This is in part what religions are designed for, to somehow service these needs as well as others. But taking on the larger view and shining light on it we can also see the shadow side of Footballism if one cares to look.

It disturbs me that with all the social/environmental/political issues around us we choose to spend so much of our money/time/energy on this cult. “The National Football League takes in more than $9.5 billion per year and is exempt from Federal taxes. As a nonprofit, it earns more than the Y, the Red Cross, Goodwill, the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities – yet it stands as one of the greatest profit-generating commercial advertising, entertainment and media enterprises ever created.” And they have plans to bring that number to $25 billion in the next 10 years. And just to touch base on another issue much has been said in regard to public universities. Many wonder about and question new stadiums being built while classrooms, libraries, and laboratories deteriorate, tuition going up and student debt skyrockets beyond comprehension. I could write a whole other blog post on this matter but not today.

Now back to the point of Footballism being a “cult of violence”. Football is a war game and players are trained to use force. Without this violence there would be no football. In soccer this is even more pronounced and some have called it “hooliganism “.  Europeans seem to see this connection much more than Americans do. The connections of war are unmistakable in their shared language and rituals. All of these connections of football, war and religion are not new and sharing all the links and stories could become an exhaustive effort. Although the shared language is noted some still think this comparison is wrong.

Moving along, even though the idea that violence against women increases after the Superbowl has been discredited, it isn't hard to see why many people continue to believe it. There are still studies that make this point and others on contact sports and violence against women in general.  A Facebook friend noted this and posted the National Domestic Violence Hotline number on her wall. (NOTE: my spell check told me Superbowl should be capitalized... hmmm... Another sign of the elevation of football toward divinity?) In regard to men, studies have been done on the hormonal levels of a men participating in sports and the effect on levels of violence and aggression. 

Which brings me to a small step into the muddy pool of the effect of this “cult of violence” that men do to themselves. “A study commissioned by the National Football League reports that Alzheimer’s disease or similar memory-related diseases appear to have been diagnosed in the league’s former players vastly more often than in the national population —including a rate of 19 times the normal rate for men ages 30 through 49.” This too is a subject of much examination.

So in conclusion I stand firm in my original comments that war is a dangerous cult and a religion. At it's heart this is a post about war and violence as an undesirable archaic institution that must be eliminated in our societies if we are to survive the challenges before us and move us into a new evolution as humans. I encourage people to teach our children the ways of peace, not glorify war or violence in its many manifestations. There are so many wonderful things happening in the world. People working to create a sustainable future for all aspects of our life on this planet, our fellow creatures and the planet itself. Would not the redirection of money, time and energy be better spent on these endeavors? We all have choices to make. I do my best to choose mine wisely. I'm not perfect but I actively seek out these alternative choices. Teach Peace. Seek peace.

Image captured from Heroes of the Storm gaming site.

Vespers Whispered: A Query

Sifting For Gems

Some Thoughts On Veterans Day

2014 marks the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the First World War which began on July 28, 1914. In my desire to make a post on my blog to acknowledge Veterans day I found myself at a loss as the where to focus or even start. My difficulty arise from a few areas. I am not a veteran, I have been an active peace worker for most my life and I have mixed unresolved feeling about veterans in general.

As I seek my flow, a poem I ran into while collecting content for this post touched me very must so I think I will start with this poem written by Penny Rock, a nurse in the Vietnam, who wrote poems to help process the horrors of war. When she came home she found, much like Jerry Lembcke points out, that the myth of vets being spit on when returning to from Vietnam give way to the larger truth that conversely no one wanted to talk about the war. So she chose not to talk about it for 25 years. But after she was diagnosed with cancer she came out of her shell and wrote two acclaimed poetry books about war. Here is her poem “Before The War” for your consideration.  

From Homer's Iliad about the Trojan War to today Iraq and Afghanistan, like Penny Rock, poetry has help veterans deal with what they have seen and done in war. And in this era where more soldiers survive in our wars as medical science improves, folks like David Finkel remind us that, as with all war, the war continues for our veterans long after they leave the battlefield. This pain is illustrated so well by the story of Jacob George, a beloved vet who became a peace worker after war who sadly committed suicide.  While exploring this narrative I also ponder if Chris Hedges is right when he says war is a force that gives us meaning?

"War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." - John F. Kennedy

I knew at an early age I had no desire to kill for my country. In “68” Nixon, to his credit, began his campaign and finally fulfilled his desire to end the draft.  I turned 18 in the fall of 1972 and the selective service had assigned my age group draft numbers. But this was the year they quit sending out draft notices as the war in Vietnam was coming to its end. So by this time I knew the probability of me being drafted was small and my plan to go to jail rather then to war was thankfully derailed. Today we have an all volunteer military but the mechanisms of the draft are still with us. Here I could dive into the appalling practices of the military recruiters, the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act for all student information be turned over to the military or even the disrespectful ways were treat our returning soldiers. But that would make this little blog venture into a never ending vortex difficult to emerge from.

The cannon fodder of war has always been the young and this current “endless war on terror” is no exception. This new cannon fodder has been called the Millennial military. Some stats. >> Recent data shows that in the millennial military 43% of the active duty force age is 25 or younger and roughly 66% of it 30 or under. 4,491 U.S. service members were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2014. Nearly 1,300 were 22 or younger. In our current war on ISIS the first official casualty was Lance Corporal Sean P. Neal, who died on October 23, 2014. He was only 19 years old. The above millennial statistics where taken from this interesting article by Rory Fanning who walked across the United States for the Pat Tillman Foundation in 2008-2009, following two deployments to Afghanistan with the 2nd Army Ranger Battalion. Fanning became a conscientious objector after his second tour. My heart goes out with compassion to all our veterans of war. And to all the casualties also.

Besides the soldiers there are many casualties of war, starting with the first thing. The Truth. Women  and children are the unseen casualties of war. And the environment has long been a silent casualty of war.

In Conclusion.

I knew this venture into war and veterans would be a difficult one, but I felt the need to say something, anything about this significant issue to our society and world. Recognizing the pain suffered in our wars and treating the victims of war with understanding and compassion are necessary steps to finding a world where there is war no more.

Just a few bullet items of note on this day. First, I was struck by something I read on the Selective Service page on women and the draft “Although women would become part of the personnel inventory for the services to draw from, their use would be based on the needs and missions of the services.” The term “ personnel inventory” caused me to feel like our soldiers are like just so many gears and cogs sitting on the shelf. And indeed they are. And when the parts of the machine are broken you pull a new part off the shelve and write off the losses in the accounting book.

Second. There was a gala for IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) that raised over $33million. I am simple dumbfounded by this. Another vortex I am not going to approach today. And then there is the irony I found in this situation.

The Poppy is the symbol in Britain, and internationally, for their Remembrance Day for veterans of war. Recently there was an event called the Poppy Rocks Ball that was sponsored my Lockheed Martin. All I could do was sigh a deep sigh and shake my head. And finally is this story about Harry Leslie Smith, a 91 year old British veteranof says he will no longer wear a poppy after this year.

I will end as I started, with another poem for you. The poem that sparked the poppy as a symbol. It is called “In Flanders Field” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3, 1915. Be well. Help the vets. Work for Peace.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

We are the dead; short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high!

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

On Living Ghosts and Revolution

Living Ghosts

"I think therefore I am." is René Descartes' famous thought on existence. Now before you roll your eyes and hit exit on this post let me assure you this is not a venture into the philosophical merits of Cartesian dualism versus Naturalistic dualism. Even my head hurts at the thought of that! But ghosts, that is an attention grabber. Halloween images still linger with us at this time like those spots we see when looking into the sun too long.

Did you know there are 10 million Living Ghosts wandering among us? A standard definition of a ghost is “an apparition of a dead person that is believed to appear or become manifest to the living, typically as a nebulous image.” But what if you never died but still felt you were just “an apparition” to those you engaged with? Further imagine being born invisible. Or being alive, but unable to prove you exist. Well my friends, this is the state 10 million souls find themselves in worldwide. And here is why.

At least 10 million people worldwide are currently stateless. Most of them refugees fleeing wars. Just for instance 3 million have fled from Syria in recent years. It is estimated a baby is born stateless every 10 minutes and 1/3 of the stateless are children. If you are stateless you can be denied the rights and services that countries normally offer their citizens. Statelessness can mean a life without education, without medical care, employment, the right to marry, no ability to move freely and when you die there won't even be a death certificate to say you were even alive.

Special envoy to the U.N. Angelina Jolie, Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many others are backing a global campaign to end this horrific injustice. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)  has launched 10-year global campaign to end statelessness being called the #IBELONG campaign  Seeking 10 million signatures for the 10 million. You can sign on to the Open Letter HERE I signed on. I am hoping you will too. Flowing onward.

Modern Revolution

“Remember remember the 5^th of November”. Here I begin a short stroll down what could be a very long road of questions and debate. Tomorrow is Guy Fawkes Day  Increasingly the Guy Fawkes mask has become a worldwide symbol of resistance for activists who are angry with the “establishment” and its policies that are viewed to be unjust, suppressive or simply lacking in compassion for our fellow man. The mask can be seen being adopted by groups such as the Occupy Movement  but most notably the group that calls itself Anonymous.

Across the world people are calling for change via Resistance or Revolution, even here in the United States. The “revolutionaries” are increasingly coming out of the shadows. Our country was created by revolutionaries and many wish to resurrect that spirit again. You know, “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.....” Fueled by increasing discontent with our political system simple families to those who believe the theories of world domination from the Illuminati, the mood is palatable. It hangs in the air like an aroma you can't see, touch or pinpoint but you can taste it in your mouth. Many wish to think on more positive things and dismiss it in general, and I applaud them, but they too realize its presence.

My thoughts. Two things on revolution. 1: Historical data and evidence shows that if only 3.5% of citizens embrace non-violent civil disobedience they can overpower the government. In the USA right now that means it would take 11 million people. 2: Historical data and evidence shows also that non-violent revolutions succeed on an average of 3 years compared to armed violent struggles that take on an average of 7 years.  I choose non-violent civil disobedience if and when it comes to that time. John Lennon said, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you – pull your beard, flick your face – to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor." - John Lennon

So today I encourage you to think about the state of the world, what you would like to change and how would you like to do it. I also ask a few questions, to start one that has been asked quite a bit before and after the events of 911. Who are the terrorist and who are the freedom fighters? And another, where do hacktivists fit in to this new model of resistance?  Are you Anonymous or cDc?  Secretly do you wish you were? “We are Anonymous, We are legion, We never forgive, We never forget, Expect us.” Well now.

So my friends I leave you today suggesting we all take a deep breath, reach out and tell those you love that you love them. We will not change the world over night, but we can change ourselves. Today do something kind to one person you may or may not know who is having life difficulties and assist them if you can. Remember what ThichNhat Hanh  says. “Compassion is a verb.” And as always, please share this post freely.

Local Spotlight On Unfairness and Protest

Hello faithful readers. Today I wish to address a situation happening in my area that has, as I see it, numerous implications to us as a society. Where one stands on this issue depends much on ones own history and story. So as a mini prolog I will start with a bit of my own history to illustrate my position on the issue and why I chose to write about this today. The prolog may in itself be prolix I will try to be engaging as not to lose your interest and fair warning the last section of this narrative, wherein lies the main intent of this post, will be much more straightforward in it's dialog. I wonder now, is this first paragraph a prolog to the prolog?

When I was in Jr. High school it was a time of major social unrest and change. Protesting for a cause was coming into it's own all acrossAmerica. A time of vocal dissatisfaction with the established norms had reached social critical mass. We, as young rebels in training (as all teens are and always had been) took up the mantle of the current activism we saw on the news each night and applied it to our own angst within our peer group.

We applied the techniques of marching and holding signs and stormed the local school board offices with our still developing voices, loudly proclaiming our demands. At that time students could be expelled and reprimanded for the intolerable offenses of boys hair being over their ears or girls having skirts too short and, oh my god banish the thought, that a girl would wish to wear pants to school! And if a boy were found to have “hippie beads” visible under your shirt you were surly going to be ridiculed, ostracized and most likely considered a candidate for deprogramming therapy. Well look around and it will be obvious that our efforts were not in vain as we changed these archaic norms in our school and that effort has expanded exponentially, like the rice on a chessboard

over the years. Some may argue that was a bad thing but we will leave that for another discussion. Now edging toward the point of this post  a bit more of my personal history of those days.

I had a 9^th grade algebra teacher whom I shall call J.C. (his real initials for those of who may be my friends reading this). Now J.C was a young man not much more than 10 years older than his students. He was a much loved teacher and engaged with us on a level not seen in the other teachers of the time. He understood us and had a way of connecting that made him seem more a friend than an educator. Over the course of time his teaching style, his closeness with the students and his own personal openness and familiarity with us became a major concern for the powers that be, as they felt he was a direct threat to the type of control they wished to hold over us. In brief they moved to have him dismissed and even take his license away from him. And we, as his his loyal charges, took up our protests on his behalf. Unfortunately, in this instance, our efforts were in vain. He was fired and removed. Eventually this man became one of my best friends, for a while a roommate and my mentor as a carpenter which led me on to a long career as such. Now this is a story in itself too.

Okay, now to it. Currently there is a situation coming to a head nearby that struck at my heart and sensibilities that is causal to this particular post. There is a teacher named Clay Hatfield at Eagle High School in Idaho that is being threatened for removal as a teacher under circumstances that, to me and others, seem totally out of line in the possible consequences in relation to the “offense”. Those of you who know me know I have a acute sense for fair play and justice. So this has struck a nerve.

Rather than attempting to rewrite what has already been articulated well I would like you to read the article submitted by our local news paper. You can read about >> here <<

Please take note and go to his supporters Facebook Page and listen to the video made by them to gain a better understanding of how they feel and receive a clearer explanation of the charges against him than the news article gives us.

In closing. Good teachers are hard to find. Don't let them be thrown them away by those kowtowing to some ambiguous politically correct notions that may be archaic in their origins. So I invite you to support the efforts to save Clay Hatfield from this unnecessary injustice. And while I have your ear, teachers should be paid better so vote for those who also believe this. Work for Peace!

The Writing On The Wall

The Writing On The Wall

Kether Muse ©

10.27.2014

The disembodied Fingers of Fate

weave stories in my dreams.

Oh, Daniel where are you now

so I may beseech of your wisdom

to decipher these foggy visions of tomorrow?

Angry voices cry out their warnings

from ever changing faces crafted of fire

whose words burn my flesh.

I stand in bewilderment reaching for a reason

that would explain my mantle of dread.

Like Belshazzar shall I let this moment pass

oblivious to my message from beyond?

In my panic my heart is like the spring rivers

swiftly cascading unrestrained and uncontrolled.

The White Rabbit hurries by

reciting his mantra, “I'm late. I'm late.”

as Cassandra stands silent vigil

with knowing in her eyes.

But my own eyes remain clouded

no matter my efforts to see the Light.

The warp and weft complete

the steady beat of the loom goes silent.

I lay down on this tapestry

knowing it was made for me

as everything else fades away

like smoke in the wind.

Even my fears have departed.

Yet still the vision eludes my understanding

as I caress the patterns around me.

I feel there is a choice to make

and assistance is not forthcoming.

The task is mine alone.

Slowly I awake as the sunlight replaces

the darkness in the shadowy rooms

of the dream temple I recently inhabited.

Looking out to the sky the patterns of my tapestry

linger there for a moment

imprinted on the swirling clouds

before fading away like a morning mist.