Roland, fine answer on the women's question. I am totally satisfied. On the Greek civilization, they were in their Golden Age from about 300 to 200 B.C.. The Roman Civilization conquered them and annexed them to be part of the Roman Empire. It wasn't until about 230 years later that Jesus was wandering around Judea, also part of the Roman Empire doing his preaching. Two hundred and thirty years is the approximate length of time from when the U.S.A. gained its independence until now. When Jesus was alive Greece did not exist as a separate Civilization, it had been absorbed into the Roman Empire. Much of the Greek culture was adopted along with Greek lands and their citizens but what Jesus experienced in his traveling about Judea was Roman Civilization. Greece was now part of Rome and besides that, people often lived only within a 10 or 20 mile radius their entire lives and Jesus had no real method to get to Greece. I don't know the distance but it has to be at least 500 miles from Judea to Greece, probably closer to 1,000 miles Jesus was never in the Roman Army or Navy and his family was of very modest income level so there was no way he could get to Greece but even if he had made it there, he would have found mainly Roman culture with perhaps lots of Greek accents. It would be similar to California which once belonged to Spain and then for a short time to Mexico. The culture here, 165 years after we took California over is totally United States Culture but there are very strong Spanish and Mexican accents, the architecture, the names of places, a strong presenece of Mexican foods and Mexican music and a lot of Spanish spoken. I believe that in Jesus's time, Greece would be the same, a total Roman culture with tremendous greek overtones. The Great Golden Age of Greece was long gone.
As far as being off topic, pretty much any worthwhile topic is taken up here. Roger had already introduced Jesus and your remarks concerned Jesus so I believe your topic is quite appropriate for our discussion.
Lakey
Lakey, I believe I understand what you are saying, and to me it seems perfectly natural and normal to be feeling as you do currently. I agree with you that I think it is a temporary state, that you have not reached the "ep" of this line of self-examination and learning about the greater world view of COS and it's belief systems. You are still making a transition from someone who not too long ago was a "true believer" in Ron and his works, to someone who is able to look at COS, it's and Ron's history from a different viewpoint, to get a clearer, more truthful and accurate look at it all.
It is to be expected that your viewpoints and feelings will change as you make the transition from "true believer" and loyal dues paying supporter to former Scientologist. This just seems natural and normal to me. Not "pts" at all.I think you're doing great, and am so glad you did not drop this thread, look at the great discussion party it's grown into! A very large tent indeed!
May I say that I agree with you, that I also feel that I still have "ties" to Hubbard, me who probably had less to do with him and his works than anyone else posting on this thread...because he still haunts the lives of several people whom I care about a great deal. I cannot say anything truthfully "critical" about Ron to my friend still in, or he disconnects from me for a time. Like it or lump it, this self imposed restriction on where he may look and what he may think impinges on me as well, and damages our relationship.
I do question Lakey, are you are allowing yourself to go a little pts to your viewpoints of what MAB has posted about this? That is something that you can handle, and I see you doing so in your posted responses.
Rog has shared some thoughts to assist with this, which are useful to all of us in avoiding "traps", or freeing ourselves from same.
Nobody has the right to tell anybody else if you are making this transition in a "right" or "wrong" manner, there is no right or wrong about this journey. It is as individual as each former member's life experiences, authentic personality, hopes and dreams, etc. Each must follow their own path, and blaze their own trail to total freedom from Scientology and COS influence over their minds and their lives. I applaud you and others on your efforts to do so here and elsewhere, and the evidence of your collective and individual progress, which is GREAT!!!
My hope for this thread is that we can all do our best to support and encourage each other while each is finding their way with this journey...(and maybe play a little together and have some fun along the way, too.)
I want to make it clear that every single one of us (Ex or Non) is on a transitional journey of healing, each one of us has our own wounds and disappointments that must be tended to, that's just the process and progress of life...none of is is any higher or lower than another in this respect...one thing I truly HATE about the Scientologist mindset...
I'm not sure that MAB's intention was to attack or try to "make wrong", perhaps he was trying to help, and just worded things in a way that was less than helpful. That's easy enough for all of us to do, especially if we post in a hurry, without a lot of forethought for how our message may be received.
I won't try and evaluate his intention, as he can speak for himself, but what effects you is the way you felt about it, and your feelings are important. I have confidence in you that you are able to handle this in a way that will help further you forward in your personal journey.
Lakey, I believe I understand what you are saying, and to me it seems perfectly natural and normal to be feeling as you do currently. I agree with you that I think it is a temporary state, that you have not reached the "ep" of this line of self-examination and learning about the greater world view of COS and it's belief systems. You are still making a transition from someone who not too long ago was a "true believer" in Ron and his works, to someone who is able to look at COS, it's and Ron's history from a different viewpoint, to get a clearer, more truthful and accurate look at it all.
It is to be expected that your viewpoints and feelings will change as you make the transition from "true believer" and loyal dues paying supporter to former Scientologist. This just seems natural and normal to me. Not "pts" at all.I think you're doing great, and am so glad you did not drop this thread, look at the great discussion party it's grown into! A very large tent indeed!
May I say that I agree with you, that I also feel that I still have "ties" to Hubbard, me who probably had less to do with him and his works than anyone else posting on this thread...because he still haunts the lives of several people whom I care about a great deal. I cannot say anything truthfully "critical" about Ron to my friend still in, or he disconnects from me for a time. Like it or lump it, this self imposed restriction on where he may look and what he may think impinges on me as well, and damages our relationship.
I do question Lakey, are you are allowing yourself to go a little pts to your viewpoints of what MAB has posted about this? That is something that you can handle, and I see you doing so in your posted responses.
Rog has shared some thoughts to assist with this, which are useful to all of us in avoiding "traps", or freeing ourselves from same.
Nobody has the right to tell anybody else if you are making this transition in a "right" or "wrong" manner, there is no right or wrong about this journey. It is as individual as each former member's life experiences, authentic personality, hopes and dreams, etc. Each must follow their own path, and blaze their own trail to total freedom from Scientology and COS influence over their minds and their lives. I applaud you and others on your efforts to do so here and elsewhere, and the evidence of your collective and individual progress, which is GREAT!!!
My hope for this thread is that we can all do our best to support and encourage each other while each is finding their way with this journey...(and maybe play a little together and have some fun along the way, too.)
I want to make it clear that every single one of us (Ex or Non) is on a transitional journey of healing, each one of us has our own wounds and disappointments that must be tended to, that's just the process and progress of life...none of is is any higher or lower than another in this respect...one thing I truly HATE about the Scientologist mindset...
I'm not sure that MAB's intention was to attack or try to "make wrong", perhaps he was trying to help, and just worded things in a way that was less than helpful. That's easy enough for all of us to do, especially if we post in a hurry, without a lot of forethought for how our message may be received.
I won't try and evaluate his intention, as he can speak for himself, but what effects you is the way you felt about it, and your feelings are important. I have confidence in you that you are able to handle this in a way that will help further you forward in your personal journey.
Well OK then...
OK, the Greek thing is like this.
Alexander the great conquered pretty much everything in about 325BC, and of course as you say his empire dissolved as soon as he did, pretty much. Indeed the Roman empire took it over, and politically, the Greeks were more or less finished at that point.
But *culturally*, things were very different. As a result of his conquests, most cities in the ancient world were colonized by Greeks, and the important people within the cities were very strongly influenced by Greek culture. Greek was used as the lingua franca of the day - all the books of the New Testament for example were written in Greek. The culture of the Roman empire was dominated by the Greeks, even though they did not dominate it politically.
Somewhat recently, a poll of ancient historians (historians of ancient history I mean, not really really old historians) which asked who they thought was the most influential person in history came up with Alexander for exactly this reason. He far and away beat out Jesus!
So when I talk about Greek culture as being the dominant culture of the age, that is what I am meaning.
If Jesus was able to read, it would probably have been Greek that he would have read, along with Hebrew. There is no indication that he could write, except for what is almost certainly an apocryphal story in John.
Nowadays to some degree with have a similar situation - America is politically overwhelmingly dominant, but European and particularly British culture is influential far out of its political importance. How many American Operas have you seen?
Roland
Thanks Roland, a little earlier, with MAB's help, I realized my comments were in error and made a post to that effect. Even so, I appreciate the added insights you have given us with your own story of how Greek culture permeated through the Roman Empire.
Would you say that there is any parallel with Spanish and Mexican culture permeating so strongly through the Southwest United States. I mean our architecture, the names of our cities and points of interest, our food, our music, our artwork......There is such a presence of Spanish and Mexican culture here in the Southwest and it is a real enhancement and an intrinsic part of our culture. What do you think Roland, is this a valid parallel?
Lakey
Hi Lakey,
(What a civilized conversation this is! Such a pleasure!)
...snip...
If the Americans who conquered California had learned to speak Spanish, and the Californian government was run in Spanish, and we used Mexican law rather than English law as the basis for the constitution, and you really had to be a bit dark in skin color to get into a good school (oh, sorry, that is true...) then our situation would be more parallel.
All the best
Roland


Hi Lakey,
(What a civilized conversation this is! Such a pleasure!)
Yes, I realized Mark had answered you sometime after I wrote my answer...
But in answer to this question of yours, I'd say no, it's different. Here in the Southwest (I am in Orange County myself) it seems to me that the Mexican culture is the local culture that is more or less submerged under the dominant American one. The dominant culture is happy to take some input from the Mexicans - we eat Mexican from time to time, and the streets tend to be called Spanish names - but that's as far as it goes.
If the Americans who conquered California had learned to speak Spanish, and the Californian government was run in Spanish, and we used Mexican law rather than English law as the basis for the constitution, and you really had to be a bit dark in skin color to get into a good school (oh, sorry, that is true...) then our situation would be more parallel.
All the best
Roland
OMG!
Been doin' a quick, very brief perusal of the the posts. Whatta bunch of literate, brilliant, irreverent and f-u-n beings yall are.
Gawd I love this thread and all yall!
Is it time to discuss language, dialects, etc? :confused2:
English is my native language and few know it better than I. (modest, ain't I?)
Hubbard and his "stuff" sucked me in via the written word, lecture tapes and a few of his videos - my "case" shelled out like dried ears or corn when watching/listening to one of the "Factors of Clearing" videos some 20 years ago.
Talk to me about language...it may just be the stuff of which we are made.
EP
I've eaten the world over. Generally speaking, whether I am speaking about Korean, Italian, French, Szechuan, Mandarin, Indian, Mexican, Spanish, organic, vegan, vegetarian, hamburgers and fries, Japanese, Viet Namese, Guatemalan, or Cuban food, it is the best or equal here in California. Bar None.
All right Mister - let's hear some bona fides! I'm a foodie and I want to hear time, place, form and event on these claims made above!!![]()
All right Mister - let's hear some bona fides! I'm a foodie and I want to hear time, place, form and event on these claims made above!!![]()
Planet Raw, Santa Monica, CA terrific raw food
http://www.planetraw.com/
Brooklyn Bagel Factory , Los Angeles, CA. best bagels, always fresh. I used to devour them when I was on the briefing course. The factory is on Beverly Blvd near the old ASHO on West Temple
Chef Chu's in Los Altos, CA better Szechuan food than anything I had in China.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chef-chus-los-altos
Falafel Drive In San Jose, CA best falafels in pita bread sandwiches I've had anywhere. They were featured on Guy Fieri's show, (triple D) Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. There is always a long line out the door. I've been addicted for thirty years. They know me so well, that I can walk up to the counter, order a tri tip roast on rye, and get my large falafel with two hot sauces.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/falafels-drive-in-san-jose
Armadillo Willy's many Nor Cal locations great Tex Mex barbeque
http://www.yelp.com/biz/armadillo-willys-bbq-los-altos-2
Mexican food -- many roach coaches by the side of the road especially in seaside towns. Mariscos fresh and delicious just as good or better than Baja
Pizza My Heart ,Capitola, CA. This little hole in the wall pizza place has a five food counter and no seating. Lines are always out the door any time of day or night. My wife and I would drive an hour to get there just for a slice or two.
http://pizzamyheart.com/Pizza_My_Heart_Home.html
Polar Bear Ice Cream, Santa Cruz, CA. I've eaten ice cream everywhere. This is the best. My favorites are "ollalalaberry and honey" and "where have you bean" - the latter with coffee beans in a mocha ice cream. Served at The Cafe Violette, Capitola, CA
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/6/765065/restaurant/Santa-Cruz/Cafe-Violette-Capitola
Peet's Coffee across the USA, but founded by Mr. Peet in Berkeley before coffee was the "in" thing.
http://www.peets.com/shop/coffee.asp
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co., Los Gatos, CA. best coffee, Cafe Borgia is my favorite espresso drink.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-gatos-coffee-roasting-company-los-gatos-2
microbrews - too many to mention. Walk down the street, you'll find one. Sierra Nevada started small, look at them now. Do you remember when Bud was an American company? In San Diego, Green Flash Brewery has my favorite ales bar none.
http://www.greenflashbrew.com/
Phil's Fish Market, Moss landing, CA. great food fresh from the ocean
http://www.philsfishmarket.com/
If you want the best Creme Brulee, I've ever tasted, go to the Cliff House above Ocean Beach on the Great Highway on the coast of San Francisco
The garlic fries at AT&T Park are better than anywhere.
I'm not sure that MAB's intention was to attack or try to "make wrong", perhaps he was trying to help, and just worded things in a way that was less than helpful.
If Jesus was able to read, it would probably have been Greek that he would have read, along with Hebrew. There is no indication that he could write, except for what is almost certainly an apocryphal story in John.
... and you really had to be a bit dark in skin color to get into a good school (oh, sorry, that is true...) ...


We should add Langer's Deli next to MacArthur park in Los Angeles - the world's best Pastrami Sandwich.
And I'm partial to Dr Babcock's restaurant in Seal Beach - he also owns a very nice unpretentious winery towards La Purisima mission near Solvang.
Roland