Posts Tagged ‘Religion’

6 items.

Ground Zero

by Seraphine Khorana on August 21st, 2010
Posted In: Comics
Ground Zero

The United States Constitution established freedom of religion in America in 1791. The right is guaranteed in the First Amendment, along with freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Specifically, it says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Even though 60% of Americans currently oppose an Islamic Cultural Center near the World Trade Center site, freedom of religion is what makes America different from many other countries. If we deny some people the right to worship the way they please, then the nature of our society will change and none of us will truly be free again.

But let me be clear. As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are.
Quotation from President Barack Obama

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Fountaingrove Winery: Part 2

by Seraphine Khorana on February 22nd, 2010
Posted In: Comics
Fountaingrove Winery: Part 2

Called “The Eden of the West” or simply Eden, the Fountaingrove Winery was built according to the precepts of the Brotherhood of the New Life, a utopian religious community located in Northern California. The leader, Thomas Lake Harris, called himself the “Pivotal Man” from whom the announcement of Christ’s “Second Coming” would emerge. He believed the winery itself would be physically taken into the “Celestial Sphere” at the turn of the millemium. He also saw Fairies roaming in the vineyards.

Also see Fountaingrove Winery: Part 1. And click here for another photo of the winery.

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Fountaingrove Winery: Part 1

by Seraphine Khorana on February 6th, 2010
Posted In: Comics
Fountaingrove Winery: Part 1

The Fountaingrove Winery was established in 1875 in Sonoma County (California) by Thomas Lake Harris. Harris believed he was chosen by God to grow grapes and to make rare wine “filled with the divine breath.” He also believed himself to be immortal. The winery became home to the Brotherhood of the New Life, a “cult” that believed God is bisexual and that each person has a counterpart in heaven. Harris expected complete surrender from his disciples, including the surrender of all their their material wealth to him. He was eventually, perhaps predictably, forced to leave the winery after a sordid sexual scandal. When he died in 1906, his followers earnestly declared he was only “sleeping.” The winery closed in 1934. A fire destroyed about half of the remaining ruins in 1991. Today, the winery is mostly visited by local teens who like to get loaded and spray colorful graffiti.

Give me a severely dilapidated building, some broken bottles and cryptic graffiti, and I’m pretty much mentally and emotionally revitalized.
Quotation from Gabe Meline, The Fountaingrove Winery

Although the sun shone high and strong, I got a serious case of the heebie jeebies. I kept expecting to see ragged, misty faces looking at me through the cracked window panes. I love that feeling.
Quotation from Leilani Clark, Ghosts in Our Midst

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Metta Metta

by Seraphine Khorana on February 3rd, 2010
Posted In: Comics
Metta Metta

3) The unexamined life is not worth living.
2) Be mindful of the questions you ask.
1) All questions ultimately have the same answer.

Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Quotation from Sutta Nipata

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Guardian Angels

by Seraphine Khorana on January 23rd, 2010
Posted In: Comics
Guardian Angels

Do you have a Guardian Angel?

If you want a clear and concise message from your angel, you must ask a direct question. Your angel will always answer your questions. You must ask your question out loud.
Quotation from Robert Graham

The universe will match your level of sincerity.
Another quotation from Robert Graham

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Blind Diplomacy (children rule the world)

by Seraphine Khorana on April 19th, 2009
Posted In: Comics
Blind Diplomacy (children rule the world)

The United States is boycotting a United Nations Conference on Racism because Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address the plenary on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Instead of avoiding the conference, the U.S. should attend, listen and speak out against racism and hate. The world needs meaningful dialogue, not more “lines in the sand.”

Diplomacy means all the wicked devices of the Old World, spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, triple alliances, and, during the interwar period, appeasement of Fascism.
Quotation from Barbara Tuchman, If Mao Had Come to Washington in 1945

All war represents a failure of diplomacy.
Quotation from Tony Benn

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