Dreadful Cthulumas

UserFriendly seems to have hit the nail on the head regarding the origins of secular winter celebrations.

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About Funky Dung

Who is Funky Dung? 29-year-old grad student in Intelligent Systems (A.I.) at the University of Pittsburgh. I consider myself to be politically moderate and independent and somewhere between a traditional and neo-traditional Catholic. I was raised Lutheran, spent a number of years as an agnostic, and joined the Catholic Church at the 2000 Easter Vigil. Why Funky Dung? I haven't been asked this question nearly as many times as you or I might expect. Funky Dung is a reference to an obscure Pink Floyd song. On the album Atom Heart Mother, there is a track called Atom Heart Mother Suite. It's broken up into movements, like a symphony, and one of the movements is called Funky Dung. I picked that nickname a long time ago (while I was still in high school I think), shortly after getting an internet connection for the first time. To me it means "cool/neat/groovy/spiffy stuff/crap/shiznit", as in "That's some cool stuff, dude!" Whence Ales Rarus? I used to enjoy making people guess what this means, but I've decided to relent and make it known to all. Ales Rarus is a Latin play on words. "Avis rarus" means "a rare bird" and carries similar meaning to "an odd fellow". "Ales" is another Latin word for bird that carries connotations of omens, signs of the times, and/or augery. If you want to get technical, both "avis" and "ales" are feminine (requiring "rara", but they can be made masculine in poetry (which tends to breaks lots of rules). I decided I'd rather have a masculine name in Latin. ;) Yeah, I'm a nerd. So what? :-P Wherefore blog? It is my intention to "teach in order to lead others to faith" by being always "on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers . . . or to the faithful" through the "use of the communications media". I also act knowing that I "have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors [my] opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and [I] have a right to make [my] opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward [my and their] pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." (adapted from CCC 904-907) Statement of Faith I have been baptized and confirmed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I, therefore, renounce Satan; I renounce all his works; I renounce all his allurements. I hold and profess all that is contained in the Apostles' Creed, the Niceno- Constantinopolitan Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Having been buried with Christ unto death and raised up with him unto a new life, I promise to live no longer for myself or for that world which is the enemy of God but for him who died for me and rose again, serving God, my heavenly Father, faithfully and unto death in the holy Catholic Church. I am obedient to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. That is, I promote and defend authentic Catholic Teaching and Faith in union with Christ and His Church and in union with the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter. Thanks be unto Thee, O my God, for all Thy infinite goodness, and, especially, for the love Thou hast shown unto me at my Confirmation. I Give Thee thanks that Thou didst then send down Thy Holy Spirit unto my soul with all His gifts and graces. May He take full possession of me for ever. May His divine unction cause my face to shine. May His heavenly wisdom reign in my heart. May His understanding enlighten my darkness. May His counsel guide me. May His knowledge instruct me. May His piety make me fervent. May His divine fear keep me from all evil. Drive from my soul, O Lord, all that may defile it. Give me grace to be Thy faithful soldier, that having fought the good fight of faith, I may be brought to the crown of everlasting life, through the merits of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Behind the Curtain: an Interview With Funky Dung (Thursday, March 03, 2005) I try to avoid most memes that make their way 'round the blogosphere (We really do need a better name, don't we?), but some are worth participating in. Take for instance the "interview game" that's the talk o' the 'sphere. I think it's a great way to get to know the people in neighborhood. Who are the people in your neighborhood? In your neighborhod? In your neigh-bor-hoo-ood...*smack* Sorry, Sesame Street flashback. Anyhow, I saw Jeff "Curt Jester" Miller's answers and figured since he's a regular reader of mine he'd be a good interviewer. Without further ado, here are my answers to his questions. 1. Being that your pseudonym Funky Dung was chosen from a Pink Floyd track on Atom Heart Mother, what is you favorite Pink Floyd song and why? Wow. That's a tuffy. It's hard to pick out a single favorite. Pink Floyd isn't really a band known for singles. They mostly did album rock and my appreciation of them is mostly of a gestalt nature. If I had to pick one, though, it'd be "Comfortably Numb". I get chills up my spine every time I hear it and if it's been long enough since the last time, I get midty-eyed. I really don't know why. That's a rather unsatisfying answer for an interview, so here are the lyrics to a Rush song. It's not their best piece of music, but the lyrics describe me pretty well.

New World Man He's a rebel and a runner He's a signal turning green He's a restless young romantic Wants to run the big machine He's got a problem with his poisons But you know he'll find a cure He's cleaning up his systems To keep his nature pure Learning to match the beat of the old world man Learning to catch the heat of the third world man He's got to make his own mistakes And learn to mend the mess he makes He's old enough to know what's right But young enough not to choose it He's noble enough to win the world But weak enough to lose it --- He's a new world man... He's a radio receiver Tuned to factories and farms He's a writer and arranger And a young boy bearing arms He's got a problem with his power With weapons on patrol He's got to walk a fine line And keep his self-control Trying to save the day for the old world man Trying to pave the way for the third world man He's not concerned with yesterday He knows constant change is here today He's noble enough to know what's right But weak enough not to choose it He's wise enough to win the world But fool enough to lose it --- He's a new world man...
2. What do you consider your most important turning point from agnosticism to the Catholic Church. At some point in '99, I started attending RCIA at the Pittsburgh Oratory. I mostly went to ask a lot of obnoxious Protestant questions. Or at least that's what I told myself. I think deep down I wanted desperately to have faith again. At that point I think I'd decided that if any variety of Christianity had the Truth, the Catholic Church did. Protestantism's wholesale rejection of 1500 years of tradition didn't sit well with me, even as a former Lutheran. During class one week, Sister Bernadette Young (who runs the program) passed out thin booklet called "Handbook for Today's Catholic". One paragraph in that book spoke to me and I nearly cried as I read it.
"A person who is seeking deeper insight into reality may sometimes have doubts, even about God himself. Such doubts do not necessarily indicate lack of faith. They may be just the opposite - a sign of growing faith. Faith is alive and dynamic. It seeks, through grace, to penetrate into the very mystery of God. If a particular doctrine of faith no longer 'makes sense' to a person, the person should go right on seeking. To know what a doctrine says is one thing. To gain insight into its meaning through the gift of understanding is something else. When in doubt, 'Seek and you will find.' The person who seeks y reading, discussing, thinking, or praying eventually sees the light. The person who talks to God even when God is 'not there' is alive with faith."
At the end of class I told Sr. Bernadette that I wanted to enter the Church at the next Easter vigil. 3. If you were a tree what kind of, oh sorry about that .. what is the PODest thing you have ever done? I set up WikiIndex, a clearinghouse for reviews of theological books, good, bad, and ugly. It has a long way to go, but it'll be cool when it's finished. :) 4. What is your favorite quote from Venerable John Henry Newman? "Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt." 5. If you could ban one hymn from existence, what would it be? That's a tough one. As a member of the Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas, there are obviously a lot of songs that grate on my nerves. If I had to pick one, though, I'd probably pick "Sing of the Lord's Goodness" by Ernie Sands.

29 thoughts on “Dreadful Cthulumas

  1. Jerry Nora

    A George Will essay on this subject sparked the article in the Economist and another in the Washington Post. The wide agreement across those three sources (with the Economist sort of standing between the Post and Will ideologically, albeit from a British view) is notable, and one of them, at least, said that the younger crew is further to the left than their elders. I’ll look that up for you, though.

  2. Tom

    A interesting question, I agree. We don’t tend to qualify things very well.

    It’s amusing- I think we’re reading the same stuff, and coming to different conclusions. But that is also wonderful,and good, so I’m not complaining.

    WHich version of FnP are you reading?

  3. John

    Also, you went seemlessly from talking about anti-Christian bias to anti-conservative bias.

    Be careful about that. There can be liberal Christians and conservtive atheists.

  4. Jerry Nora

    And Tom, thanks for asking for proof. I hate it when people chase each other’s tails with groundless arguments. It helps make this blog better!

  5. John

    And what priests have been indicted for such thoughtcrimes?
    Also, if it is in the domain of a priest to discuss politics, is it not in the domain of the parishoner to be sure that he does not do so in an immoral way?

  6. Tom

    I use the 1997, although I do have access to the latest one when I’m at home, which I just searched for and can’t find *chuckles* but I believe is 2000 or so.

    Could I ask, how do you define conseravtive/liberal christianity?

  7. Funky Dung

    I’d also add that though most of the symbols are borrowed from pagan religions, those religions haven’t been practiced by more than a handful of people for a very very long time. Those symbols became thoroughly Christianized, in that most ordinary folks didn’t know about the old meanings. For many generations in this country, Christmas was most definitely a solemn religious holiday, albeit with a healthy dose of fun thrown in. Recently, it seems as though the PC police want to roll back the clock to the pagan days so that Christ can be ignored during this season. Christianity is being specifically targeted and discriminated against. There’s no rebellion against Channukah. A menorrah can be called a menorrah and not be taken down. God forbid you have a Christmas tree or throw a Christmas party. Someobidy might be offended. *grumble*

  8. Tom

    I’m so glad I found this blog.

    Intelligent discourse. Now, I happen to disagree, but let the discussions begin.

    I’ll start with Jerry:

    1. Please give some sort of proof or substantiation to that claim. Basically, what you are saying is that hiring practicies bias against one side or another based on their beliefs. That works for either side equally as well. What you have to show to gain any traction with that point (at least in universities), is that universities throughout the nation bias against conservative thinkers. And I’m sure you’ll agree that there are significant numbers of conservative universities, and professors.

    2. Media. This just seems to be a general rehash of the “liberal media” arguement. Regardless of if we accept the arguement, we’ve seen over the last years that the media does impact viewership. The largest viewed news shows? Those on Fox News. The most impact on viewer’s views? Please look at the PIAP study on common misconceptions regarding the war in Iraq, and Fox News.

    3. Media Cont. Please show me how the media are attacking and destroying christmas for all those who want to celebrate the “Christian” version of it.

    Onto Funky Dung:

    1. I agree with you about adoption of the holiday.

    2. And every other day there is an article about how moral values won the election, and how that should be reflected in the government. I also do not see “jesusland” ever used in any mainstream media outlet. Please show where it has been. Regardless, talk about issues, talk about what happened, does not mean a vast conspiracy. In a country where the seperation of chruch and state is of the greatest importance, it does strike a chord with many people that a majority voted based on morals, and not issues. Whether that is good or bad is up for each individual to decide.

    3. Spying. Please reference? explain? Etc. We do it to mosques, I know. Are we using the FBI and CIA to infiltrate christian as well as muslim churches?

    4. yes, yes you do. Please show examples of the ACLU attacking christians for practicing their beliefs on private property. The same comment regarding the non-Christian half not tolerating Christians could be made about the Christian half not tolerating Non-Christians…. and I can find you many many cases of people trying to put G-d into situations where not everyone believes in him.

  9. Funky Dung

    It also greatly depends on what you mean by liberal and conservative. Christian c/l or c/l Christian? The Body of Christ needs to get poltical and religious language straight.

    Pardon the joke, but I’ve heard Quakers described as Unitarians with an attention span. That wasn’t always so. Quakerism was more Scriptural than it is today in most instances and thus more “conservative”. “Faith and Practice” describes a pretty “old school” faith. I’ve met Jewish Quakers and Buddhist Quakers. Once upon a time, that wouldn’t be possible.

  10. John

    It must be noted that at no point in the history of Western Civilization has Christmas ever given Christ more than a polite nod.

    The modern Christmas replaced a bachanalian Christmas that preceeded it. It’s always been about having a good time; all that’s varied is whether that good time was spent sharing gives with your family or getting drunk with whores.

  11. Tom

    Jerry,

    That’s an interesting little article. It lists UCal, Berkerly, Harvard, and Stanford.

    It’s central arguement is that younger professors are more liberal. And my question is… where is the young conservative professor core?

    We can see throughout the nation that in different areas different age groups/parties are doing well. Promiment Republicans in campaigns are ruling the day- leadership in democratic campaigns doesn’t get as much press, and tends to be a bit older.

    But regardless, your point was that liberal hiring practices are affecting the politics of professors in universities. You need to show a harm- why is this bad? Loss of discourse? What? Quantify it please, so I can know your point. You also need to show your point- you can provide articles that show a slight, tiny, tiny bit of information saying that professors are mainly liberal, but that has nothing to do with hiring practices. Maybe more liberals are applying to be professors (to be a professor, you need to have a degree- degree holders are typically more liberal than not). Please, more info.

  12. Tom

    My family are actually all new convinced Quakers, starting about 7 years ago. My family’s background on both sides is rather conservative Christianity, from Baptists through Roman Catholics, I believe.

  13. John

    My knowledge admittedly has gaps.

    But I know that the holiday was initially created by a Roman emperor to co-opt the high holiday of the Sun Worshippers in the empire. That’s why it’s so close to the solstice.

    I know that early Protestants tended to denounce it because it paid very little attention to Christ. The Puritans went so far as to illegalize it in the American colonies.

    I know that at least in cities it was a drunken raucus activity in the nineteenth century.

    Also, if you look at it, all of the symbology surrounding it is pagan. The tree, the wreaths, the burning of yule logs, these are all germanic pagan symbols. Any Christian meanings have been tacked on afterwards to explain to young children why we do the silly things we do.

  14. Funky Dung

    Once again I state my discomfort with the Church’s decision to co-opt a pagan holiday in a bid to win converts. It’s confusing for Christians and non-Christians alike. The “holiday” that’s celebrated before Thanksgiving is about money, not faith.

    As for Christianity rising to prominance in politics, wake up and smell the blue coffee. It seems like every other day there’s an article about blue-staters lamenting that the inhabitants of “Jesusland” reelected Bush. There’s more than enough anti-Christian invection in the mass media.

    Churches aren’t being infiltrated? Really? How about people spying to make sure nothing political comes from a pulpit?

    Need I continue? I’m not saying we’re living under tyranny, but roughly half of this country is growing increasingly intolerant of conservative Christians and/or Christian conservatives. People and organizations shouldn’t have to cower in fear that if they attract too much attention the ACLU will sic their lawyers on them.

  15. Funky Dung

    Orthodox, Hicksite, or something else? My grandfather was a Quaker (a rather Deistic one, though) and I have a great deal of respect for the faith. I’ve read “Faith and Practice” (put out by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting) a couple times. I disagree with the renunciation of all outward sacraments, but I find certain aspects of the relationship to the Holy Spirit (the Inner Light) to be quite inspiring.

  16. Tom

    Philly Yearly Meeting is my meeting- actually, my Meetinghouse is Horsham meetinghouse back home…. one year older than the Phildadelphia meetinghouse (we just had our 200 year anniv. of the meetinghouse being built… originally founded in 1716 though).

  17. Funky Dung

    Quakerism isn’t liberal by default. While the beliefs are quite heterdox when compared to “high church” Christianity, the faith has a very conservative history. The trend toward liberal “spirituality” over conservative “revealed religion” is relatively recent.

  18. Funky Dung

    Quakers are a big part of my family history. My paternal grandfather’s lineage left Wales in 1683 in order to practice Quakerism freely in Pennsylvania. William ap John and his fellow emmigrants founded Merion Township. My paternal grandmother’s lineage includes Thones Kunder, an influential Quaker who helped found Germantown.

    My grandfather’s meeting was in Wrightstown.

  19. Tom

    Really depends on which group/history you are following, at least, from what I have read.

    This although, is not my strong point- more my father’s. I am still discovering/understanding/reading. Takes time.

  20. Tom

    Um, where did the massive attack against Christmas come? Let’s see, Christmas is brought to the fore before Thanksgiving has even occured: Christians themselves are more active and vocal than ever before.

    The FBI is not investigating churches or households that practice Christmas. The same cannot always be said for our neighborhood Muslims and their holidays.

    Politicians are not denouncing Christmas on any large or persuasive scale.

    Now that we have a resurgance of religion, and specifically Christianity in America, how can you claim that Christmas is being attacked?

  21. Jerry Nora

    Well Tom, it doesn’t take a conspiracy. For instance, the lack of conservative professors is not the result of conspiracy, it’s just that in order to get into academia, you need to write about things that hiring and editorial committees consider significant. In the humanities and social scientists, a conservative thinker may not be discussing problems that liberal hiring and editorial committees consider interesting. So nobody is overly prejudiced, but things have a way of maintaining the status quo.

    Now extend that same sort of groupthink to CBS, the NY Times, ABC, and NBC as well as academia and the “chattering classes” of well-off people that derive most of their opinions from these entities, and there you go. Anti-Christian bias. And without any help from the FBI or whatever. One reason why Christians are so vocal, as you mentioned, is that we realized that we have to say things pretty loudly before anyone hears!

  22. Jerry Nora

    Well, the Christmas tree also has its roots as a German tradition, partially in memory of St. Boniface’s cutting down a sacred tree that the Goths worshipped. And so what if there’s some pagan symbolism? That doesn’t mean that it’s debauched per se. I know that we have some pagan traditions mixed in with things, but it doesn’t compel me to get drunk.

    The date for XMas falls close to the solstice, and if what I heard was correct, was specifically set to help woo members of the Mithraic cult.

    I’m not surprised that people have abused the season at various times, but that still doesn’t mean that people have *always* done so, as your post implied. And celebration is legitimate for the birth of the Savior. The Bridegroom is with us at last! Jesus Himself said that it was only natural to celebrate while the Bridegroom was here. Lent will come soon enough.

  23. Jerry Nora

    Well, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with having a good time, given that we’re *celebrating* the birth of the Savior. I don’t know that bit about polite nods, but I assume that with such a sweeping generalization you could show good proof for any given Western country that reverence for Christ was token. I’m skeptical of this, but would be curious to hear your proof, given that the history of culture is a growing interest of mind. (What of the Slavs and Greeks, perchance? Did anyone aside from the West have a better track record? I don’t know if your historical work extends that way.)

  24. John

    You yourself have advocated people taking notes during Mass as a tool to suppress heresy. You cannot now feign moral indignation that people would “spy” on an event that is open to the public.

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