Friday, May 21, 2010

Quotes: Infamous, satirical and inspirational


Moezel, Germany

Since my MPhil/PhD theses topics are theodicy/the problem of evil, I thought I would take a few infamous quotes and look at them through the lens of my academic study.

Please feel free to provide your own quotes/citations in comments.

Infamous quotes:

Stalin1

Stalin2

Death solves all problems - no man, no problem.

Joseph Stalin

My comment and take on what is meant:

Human opposition to Stalinist communist political philosophy is a problem.

Death for such persons is preferred.


Stalin3

Stalin4

Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.

Joseph Stalin

My comment and take on what is meant:

Thinking intellectuals could be a threat to Stalinist communist political philosophy.

Non-intellectual citizens are preferred.


Mao1

Mao2

Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy.

Mao Tse-Tung

My comment and take on what is meant:

Communism is rule by dictatorial, totalitarian force.

No one must be allowed to be a serious threat to the State.


Mao3

Mao4

Passivity is fatal to us. Our goal is to make the enemy passive.

Mao Tse-Tung

My comment and counter to what is stated:

Communism is a threat to democracy.

Political freedoms should be maintained through diligence.


Hitler1

Propaganda must not serve the truth, especially as it might bring out something favorable for the opponent.

Adolf Hitler: Mein Kampf.

Below appears to be a more full citation:

Hitler2

Propaganda must not investigate the truth objectively and, in so far as it is favourable to the other side, present it according to the theoretical rules of justice; yet it must present only that aspect of the truth which is favourable to its own side. Mein Kampf, Chapter VI War Propaganda

My comment:

Propaganda uses persuasian.


Propaganda appeals to emotion.

Propaganda uses filtered information.

It is not necessarily truth.

A few years ago I came up with the idea of putting the words promotion and propaganda together.

Promoganda.

I am not stating that I am the originator of the word. But at that point I had never heard of it or seen it. I have since then seen it on the web elsewhere.


Satirical quotes:

Wilde1

Wilde2

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. Oscar Wilde

On a British comedy T.V. program in 2004, Jonathan Ross stated that a Muslim extremist suicide bomber was expecting to be taken to heaven where he would be rewarded with 72 virgins. Instead he was given a 72 year old virgin.

Inspirational quotes:

My comment:

The way of Biblical salvation and the ultimate benefits.


John 14:1-6 (New American Standard Bible)

1"(A)Do not let your heart be troubled; [a]believe in God, believe also in Me.
2"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for (B)I go to prepare a place for you.
3"If I go and prepare a place for you, (C)I will come again and receive you to Myself, that (D)where I am, there you may be also.
4"And you know the way where I am going."
5(E)Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?"
6Jesus said to him, "I am (F)the way, and (G)the truth, and (H)the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Revelation 21:1-9 (New American Standard Bible)

1Then I saw (A)a new heaven and a new earth; for (B)the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
2And I saw (C)the holy city, (D)new Jerusalem, (E)coming down out of heaven from God, (F)made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, (G)the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will (H)dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them[a],
4and He will (I)wipe away every tear from their eyes; and (J)there will no longer be any death; (K)there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; (L)the first things have passed away."
5And (M)He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am (N)making all things new " And He said, "Write, for (O)these words are faithful and true."
6Then He said to me, "(P)It is done I am the (Q)Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (R)I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the (S)water of life without cost.
7"(T)He who overcomes will inherit these things, and (U)I will be his God and he will be My son.
8"(V)But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in (W)the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the (X)second death."
9(Y)Then one of the seven angels who had the (Z)seven bowls full of the (AA)seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "(AB)Come here, I will show you the (AC)bride, the wife of the Lamb."

42 comments:

  1. The Revelation 21 passage is one of my favourites.

    Re: Hitler quote, and promoganda
    This is why it is dangerous to rely exclusively on mainstream information. There is so much that gets filtered out for us, or presented in a way so as to evoke a specific reaction.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks.

    Blogging allows for more non-conformist viewpoints than does the mainstream media.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Quite disturbing but interesting quotes by some of humanity's notorious world leaders. Causes thought...nice rebuttals.
    -Blogger Doddler-

    ReplyDelete
  4. 'Quite disturbing but interesting quotes by some of humanity's notorious world leaders. Causes thought...nice rebuttals. -Blogger Doddler-'

    This article has me look at personified evil somewhat. In contrast, my MPhil and PhD philosophical work is generally more abstract.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As some of you know, I am a fan of 'The Joy of Painting' with the late Bob Ross.

    Bob mentioned God quite often on his show. I do not know what his core beliefs were but after he died in 1995, on an online memorial page a person claimed they had known Bob and that he was a Christian.

    There are apparently some claims online that Ross was a Mormon.

    wikianswers

    wikianswers 2

    chacha

    This chacha link connects with the following:

    famous dead mormons

    Quote

    'Bob Ross

    Dec 3, 09:32 PM

    Robert Norman “Bob” Ross (October 29, 1942 – July 4, 1995) was an American painter, art instructor, and television host.

    With his calm, patient demeanor, Ross came to prominence as the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a television program that ran for twelve years on PBS stations in the United States. He parlayed this success into a commercial “Bob Ross” brand: an industry of art books and supplies. He died of lymphoma in 1995 at the age of 52.

    Well, this explains why his show was on KBYU for 10 years. They were just laying groundwork for his eventual baptism.

    BOB ROSS
    Male

    Event(s):
    Birth:
    1942 Orlando, Orange, Florida
    Christening:
    Death:
    1995
    Burial:

    LDS Ordinances:
    Baptism:
    01 NOV 1997 MTIMP
    Baptism:
    23 MAR 1999 MTIMP
    Endowment:
    12 AUG 1999 SGEOR

    — Nom de Cypher
    Hollywood,'

    All the Ordinances listed happened after 1995, after Bob Ross died.

    I would have thought a known Mormon would likely have been baptized in that system prior to death.

    But, I have no firm opinion on his what his religious views were.

    There.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A strange practice, baptising the dead. I thought a choice like that
    had to be made by a conscious/living individual.


    Richard Dawkins

    ReplyDelete
  7. I never knew BoB was a mormon, My dad loved watching him, but not me.

    I'm going to use some of those quotes in my environmental science class, thanks for posting them. Rick b

    ReplyDelete
  8. 'A strange practice, baptising the dead. I thought a choice like that
    had to be made by a conscious/living individual.


    Richard Dawkins'

    Matthew 28:18-20 (New American Standard Bible)

    18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "(A)All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

    19"(B)Go therefore and (C)make disciples of (D)all the nations, (E)baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

    20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, (F)I am with you always, even to (G)the end of the age."

    I reason disciples are likely persons that can with significant freedom make a choice to be baptized.

    Also:

    'I never knew BoB was a mormon, My dad loved watching him, but not me.'

    I will need to see more evidence to have a firm opinion concerning the religion of Bob Ross.

    'I'm going to use some of those quotes in my environmental science class, thanks for posting them. Rick b'

    Welcome and thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Jehovah's Witness in comments on an old blog post of mine has slowed down his comments quite a bit, not commenting every day anymore like he was. But now a girl on Facebook is debating me about the Trinity, calling it unbiblical.

    I have a prayer request. Rifqa Bary, the teenage girl who ran away from home after her Muslim father said he would kill her because she became a Christian (and who was beaten by him a number of times in the past), in the midst of all the ongoing court cases (where she is living in a foster home, denied any visitors, with a gag order placed), has now been found to have cancer.
    Rifqa Bary Diagnosed with Cancer

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't know about his religion, but it seems that when Bob Ross first began, he was a bit overweight (I guess painting helped him lose weight later on), had longer hair (I guess as his fame spread, he got a better haircut later), was not a very good painter (but "practice makes perfect," as they say), and may have had some slight emotional issues:

    Bob Ross Has Issues

    ReplyDelete
  11. 'The Jehovah's Witness in comments on an old blog post of mine has slowed down his comments quite a bit, not commenting every day anymore like he was.'

    Sweet. You must miss the everyday debater.

    'Jamal Jivanjee, a Florida ministry leader close to Bary, sent an email to her friends and supporters saying, "Her situation is very serious" and she will need further treatment.'

    I pray that the Lord, although he has willed this, will provide healing. In Christ's name. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  12. From the link Jeff left:

    Quote:

    'Bob, I am very, very, frightened of the paint. I have nightmares when I sleep, the paint is chasing me through a long dark tunnel.'

    'And I always write back and tell them to look in the yellow pages for a psychiatrist or somebody that can prescribe something for them.'


    Bob Ross returns to YouTube, although minimally.

    mountains


    Quote:

    'He's my idol.'

    Lol.

    npt

    ReplyDelete
  13. it's been ages since i last visited ur blog.. actually this is the 1st blog i visited :-) after more than 6 months...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks, Miel.

    I hope you are very well.

    I am glad this was the first blog that you visited.

    Once I am working full-time as opposed to being a full-time student with related part-time blogging for CV teaching experience, I will not be blogging as much.

    I will still maintain satire and theology and thekingpin68 but will not have as much time to visit the blogs of others.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I decided it was time to make a return blog visit. I must say that I much prefer being a Cat. Cats do not have to worry about understanding such things. Cats understand the order of creation and their place in it. That means they do not have questions to seek answers to. Any disturbing problem can be resolved with a bath and a nap. But then, Cats are after all, the superior species.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rascal,

    Thank you, and I enjoyed visiting your blog. I stated:

    'An attractive cat and 'devious' looking at the same time.

    Russ (via Blogger next blog)'

    One of my professors at Bible school, now departed, stated that indeed some involved in the occult did find a way to have black cats demonized.

    I am not sure if that occurs or not.

    However, I like cats, including black ones.

    When I was a child and very young adult I had an orange cat with white trim named Muffin.

    I miss him and my German-Shepherd Husky.

    Yes, they fought.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey, have you ever thought of creating your own memorable quotes and posting them on your blog?? Sometimes a clever thoughtful phrase, idea, or teaching can be quite powerful and long lasting.
    -Just Asking-

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes, I have.

    If done, it may be a collection of quotes from thekingpin68 and satire and theology.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Quote:

    'He's my idol.'

    Lol.

    npt


    Wow, I never knew Bob Ross was such an attraction for women. Poor guy. He was no Bob Ross.

    In college, one of my art professors used to talk about "happy accidents," and tell us not to worry about them, but to take advantage of them.

    ReplyDelete
  20. 'Mormon Temples and Temple Rituals (video)'

    I am listening to this right now.

    Thanks, Jeff.

    'In college, one of my art professors used to talk about "happy accidents," and tell us not to worry about them, but to take advantage of them.'

    Well, between you and I, you are the artist.

    There.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The connection between the LDS and Freemasonry has been documented.

    masonry

    'Joseph's Personal Involvement in Freemasonry.

    Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated:

    Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett .... With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo .... it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members. Joseph Smith became a member (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1 volume, pp. 357-358).

    Joseph Smith admitted to being a Mason in his History of the Church, volume 4, page 551. Under the date of March 15, 1842 it reads: "In the evening I received the first degree in Free Masonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office." The record for the next day reads, "I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree" (page 552).

    How did Joseph's Masonic membership affect the development of the Mormon Church? The most significant area appears to be in the development of the Mormon temple ceremonies. As noted above, Joseph became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and "rose to the sublime degree" the following day. Less than two months later, on May 4, 1842, Joseph introduced the temple endowment ceremony (History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 1-2).

    Masonry and Mormon Temple Ceremonies.

    The pervasive influence of Freemasonry in Mormon Temples is expressed well by LDS historian Dr. Reed Durham. Dr. Durham, who has served as president of the Mormon History Association, provides a number of interesting parallels between the two. He gives these as evidence for Masonry's clear influence on Mormonism...'

    ReplyDelete
  22. Manson testing the real estate market?

    Looks like the sign costs more than the "building."

    It says "Green Living" on the sign. There won't be any gas or electricity spent by that building, for sure.

    It doesn't mention the price for the cardboard building. I might just be interested, if I don't find a job soon and lose my house.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jeff, I really understand what your going through. If I am lucky I might work 30 hours a week, thats if I'm lucky, This next week it looking closer to 10-15 hours. I am losing my house as you know, the sheriffs sale was may 20th. Maybe you could move up here and we can build a "green" card board projects housing and all live together. At least we will have "happiness" LOL. Rick b

    ReplyDelete
  24. I pray for financial blessings for both Rick and Jeff.

    From:

    dystopic horizons

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    Basic models available starting in the mid 100s.

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    "It's not a cardboard house... it's a cardboard home."

    New! D.H.R. is very pleased to announce a proud addition to our family of affordable urban homes... The Head House!'

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rick,

    Jeff, I really understand what your going through. If I am lucky I might work 30 hours a week, thats if I'm lucky, This next week it looking closer to 10-15 hours. I am losing my house as you know, the sheriffs sale was may 20th. Maybe you could move up here and we can build a "green" card board projects housing and all live together. At least we will have "happiness" LOL. Rick b

    Even though you are working and I am not, it seems you definitely have it harder than I do. LOL at your last two sentences!

    May the Lord work things out for you and your wife, Rick, as far as having a place to live, and finding more work.

    Out of the blue, a couple from a church I used to attend called me and said, "We're on our way to your house." I never had a clue that they would ever visit me. We talked for a few hours, and they said that, if I do lose my house, I can stay with them. That is a blessing, if it comes to that.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 'Out of the blue, a couple from a church I used to attend called me and said, "We're on our way to your house." I never had a clue that they would ever visit me. We talked for a few hours, and they said that, if I do lose my house, I can stay with them. That is a blessing, if it comes to that.'

    Good news.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Russ,

    I pray for financial blessings for both Rick and Jeff.

    From:

    dystopic horizons

    Welcome to Dystopic Horizons Realty.


    That site is hilarious. I think I'm going to post that link on Facebook, Russ.

    Wikipedia says that "A commonly occurring theme (of dystopian societies) is that the state is in control of the economy."

    On the site, under "DHR Agents," it says "Spy Emerson, Top Producer." Would I trust a Real Estate Agent with the first name of "Spy?"

    It also says, "Whether you're a welder, painter, musician, or an "outsider" artist working in the medium of bovine earwax..." and "From shipping containers to corrugated domiciles to Mission style Tubo de Desagüe micro mansions, she's your gal."

    Is that what the anti-utopian vision of the future is? Corrugated domiciles?

    Another "DHR Agent" on the site is "Dan Davis, Unrealtor." About him, it says, "He's since become a master of both singlewall and doublewall box construction. He may know which edge crush test tolerance is right for YOU and your home!"

    ReplyDelete
  28. Good news.

    Yes, and thank you for your prayers, Russ.

    ReplyDelete
  29. livefaceonweb.com

    I came across the above site via a webpage today.

    I am tempted to take the free trial when I have a friend or two over.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hmmm maybe the "livefaceonweb"
    talking babe could add some zip to your blog, KingPint?

    Couldn't hurt... !

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think it could be hilarious to demo the "livefaceonweb" on both of my blogs and it is free.

    Especially with some people over.

    I ordered the free CD as well.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Well I went back, or should I say, I keep going back to the delirious mormon blog. All I can say is, Typical mormons. They claim they are ready to start deleting every thing I say, They claim I am full of anger and hate, and they say I keep misquoting them and what they believe.

    But I told them before and said it again, they keep claiming I am wrong, yet they never say exactly what I am wrong about or what I am supposedly misquoting, all they can say is, I do it but then leave it at that, and they wonder why I get upset or even claim they are liars and frauds.

    If you going to tell someone they are wrong, then back it up with where, or how or why, other wise it looks like your the one who is wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  33. In 1948, 91% of Americans claimed to be Christians.
    Last year, Gallup reported that only 78% of Americans claimed to be Christians.

    The Pew Research Center reports that 24% of Americans now believe in Reincarnation, and 25% believe in Astrology.

    According to Barna Research, only 9% have a biblical worldview. Barna defines a “biblical worldview” as believing that:
    -Absolute moral truth exists
    -The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches
    -Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic
    -People cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works
    -Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth
    -God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who rules the universe today

    Politics is important, but in the light of the above research, a simple change of politicians would not seem to make that much of a change in the country.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Rick.

    I had a glance at the latest comments on Delirious' site.

    One commenter noted:

    'I have studied religions of the world as part of my degree, and it is amazing to me that a "Christian", like yourself cannot take the simplest of Christ's teachings to heart. "Love one another. Do good to them who despitefully use you."'

    Love of others does not negate the call to reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction.

    2 Timothy 4:1-5 (New American Standard Bible)

    "Preach the Word"

    1(A)I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to (B)judge the living and the dead, and by His (C)appearing and His kingdom:
    2preach (D)the word; be ready in season and out of season; (E)reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great (F)patience and instruction.

    3For (G)the time will come when they will not endure (H)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

    4and (I)will turn away their ears from the truth and (J)will turn aside to myths.

    5But you, (K)be sober in all things, (L)endure hardship, do the work of an (M)evangelist, fulfill your (N)ministry.

    ReplyDelete
  35. 'Politics is important, but in the light of the above research, a simple change of politicians would not seem to make that much of a change in the country.'

    I have noted similar ideas in the past on this blog concerning politics and the Western world.

    Good news. I am back from the eye surgeon and post-surgery from several weeks ago my retinal tears are repaired and healed up.

    On the 16th I will be getting my vitrectomy. Good-bye floaters.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Good news. I am back from the eye surgeon and post-surgery from several weeks ago my retinal tears are repaired and healed up.

    On the 16th I will be getting my vitrectomy. Good-bye floaters.


    Congratulations, Russ! I'm sure you must be happy and relieved about that.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks, Jeff.

    A relief it shall be. No more shades while blogging.

    I hope the PhD final pass is in the mail soon.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Well I have been deleted by the Mormon, she does not want to hear the truth and me telling her she is wrong is evil and hateful according to her. Rick b

    ReplyDelete
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