James Cameron Solves the Problem to All Sexual Pressure Issues in Action Movies

Only nobody realized it til now.

Twenty-eight years ago, Cameron solved the problem of all the actresses who have been coerced and manipulated into acting sex, such as Jennifer Lawrence in Passengers and Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones.Unfortunately, his gem of wisdom lay hidden in plain sight for almost three decades.

Truth is always simple, and the simplicity of this gem is quite easy: if there is one male and one female protagonist, replace the male with a robot. Due to Sarah’s questionable choices in regard to partners, Cameron does insert a very bizarre voice-over in which Sarah compares the Terminator to previous boyfriends, but that’s the only area of failure. Otherwise, the plan works perfectly.

Guns are packed, things are exploded, and car chases are made, all with everyone’s clothes on. What a concept. No after-movie fights between spouses because the husband was watching a little too intently, no pressure on actresses to do nude scenes they have to get drunk to perform, no worry about watching movies on planes and having to check if a four-year- old is sitting behind you and watching over your shoulder. Which they typically are.

It’s incredible that everyone except me had already seen Terminator 2 and no one has figured this out yet. Good heavens, it came out the year I was born, and I have to solve this dilemma for everyone? I mean, you’re welcome, but can I not have this burden for the next film renovation of the century?

And don’t even start with it’ll be a redundant plot. What was the last action movie you saw that didn’t have a chase sequence? Yeah, thought so. Redundant plots are the bread and butter of filmmakers. This’ll just be not quite as satisfying for all the perverts who work behind the scenes at Hollywood, plus all the perverts in the cinema.

Ah well. Somebody has to suck it up, and it might as well be them.

If you appreciated my dark sense of humor and jabs at sexism, feel free to give me a follow! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic as well!

Originally published in The Haven on Medium.

January 27, 2020 0

2020 Reading List (only read if you love books)

blur book stack books bookshelves — Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com

Philosophy

The Art of Living — Just got this for Christmas, and have already started it, so technically this is a 2019–2020 reading list, but who ever only starts books on the first of the year?

On the Nature of Things — I have already started this as well, but this will make me feel more productive if I can put it on another list.

Art of War — My husband got this for me at Costco actually, because he noticed how much I was staring at it. Sun Tzu is delightfully commonsensical and concise so far. I wish politicians would read him. It would save so much time on C-span.

Democracy in America — Seems a good time to read, now that democracy appears to be on its deathbed.

Common Sense — Also need a reminder of what this is. I have not seen any examples for approximately 3.7 months.

Creators — Rereading for the history and the thoughtfulness Boorstin puts into all his work, although I disagree with him sometimes.

Happiness is a Serious Problem — Because I will not be considered a true American citizen unless I read at least one self-help book in my lifetime.

Amusing Ourselves to Death — Rereading again. I hope my time on Facebook wouldn’t be viewed disparagingly by Postman.

Presence of the Past — Another Christmas present, no pun intended. Should I start this in the future or the present? I will probably also read the Structure of Scientific Revolutions, as Sheldrake appears to be the new scientific revolutionary, and it would be interesting to contrast them.

Language

Inferno in Italian — I found this at a delightful used bookstore a year or so ago, and have not had time to read it since. The left page is in Italian and the right page is in English, so I can read the left page and then check it with the right.

Don Quijote in Spanish — A friend gave this to me for Christmas, and I was so happy! I had been waiting to read Don Quijote til I could find it in Spanish and had had no luck so far.

Harry Potter #3 in French — Of course I have already read Harry, but it will be fun in French. Plus I should be reading the third Harry with my kids sometime this year, so that will be fun. (In English with them, though.)

Conciencia Intelectual — Another find at a used bookstore. This one is an anthology of essays written by Central and South American authors. I have read some of the essays already, and they are mostly on the growth of education and the history of politics in the region. Mostly reading to broaden my higher-level Spanish vocabulary, as this is written by professors, etc.. as I may be doing some written translating later this year and would like to be prepared.

Ministry

When Helping Hurts — I am hoping this will be especially useful, as I am on the ministry team at my church that reaches out to the local community.

Ministering Cross-Culturally — Reading this for similar reasons, as our community is culturally extremely varied. Learning Arabic for that reason.

blurred book book pages literature — Photo by Caio Resende on Pexels.com

Fiction

Hunchback of Notre Dame — Because I need to read something depressing.

Les Mis — Just in case the Hunchback isn’t depressing enough.

Legend of Sigurd — This is a story of Tolkien’s, published posthumously by his son Christopher. I read the Children of Hurin, and it was horrifically depressing. Hoping this is better.

House of the Dead — I was going to read The Brothers Karamazov again, but this was another present! Haven’t read this Dostoyevsky yet.

The Dean’s Watch — Rereading because in this book Elizabeth Goudge is able to capture light with words.

The Citadel — I rarely see A.J. Cronin’s work anymore, but it should be more widely read. He is a great author.

Persuasion — All right, I already started this, but if I put it on this list, I can cross it off.

Plays

Man for all Seasons — I can’t remember how many times I have read it, but I never get tired of it. Bolt has so many layers through this book, but it is so concise.

Much Ado About Nothing — Because it never hurt anyone to read Much Ado About Nothing.

Merchant of Venice — Same.

Works of Moliere — So far, I’ve just read the Misanthrope and it was one of the best plays I’ve read in a while! Will now read all of them.

Culture

Koran — This will be a dull read. Have you ever started Thus Spoke Zarathustra or the Book of Mormon? Then you know what I’m talking about. You seriously get the sense that the author is insane. There is no coherency or logical flow; in fact, there have been multiple contradictions so far in the first five pages. But I guess I should suck it up and read it.

Bookseller of Kabul — Reading because I am interested in the cultural background of the region the book was written in. I may pick up some other books along the same lines if I find them throughout the year as well.

To-do

Developing Story Ideas — Because I just really need to read something else and I am obsessive-compulsive about books?

How to Write a Play (Raymond Hull) — Not like I’m actually going to or like I have enough time.

Normally I won’t bore you with my personal life, but I figured that everyone is going to be posting New Year’s resolutions, and I definitely won’t be doing that, so this is a substitute, (and a better one, if I do say so myself). Feel free to throw me a line on any questions on the afore-mentioned books, or if you need ideas for next year’s reading list! Happy to oblige! 🙂

turned on floor lamp near sofa — Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com

December 18, 2019 0

Christian Disagreements and Church Discipline (part 2)

In my last post, we discussed the necessity of unity among believers. Although division on account of heresies is necessary, there are several issues underlying general disunity that have nothing to do with heresy. These are rampant within churches and all over social media and we ought to know the Biblical answer to these issues.

One is that of “foolish controversies”(Tit. 3:9). This is so serious that Paul only allows Titus to give a divisive person two warnings (Tit. 3:10). Churches nowadays tolerate much more, possibly because church size prevents the elders from knowing or perhaps because they do not take it as seriously as God does. Proverbs says that God hates “a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (6:19). Paul purposefully contrasts the description of these divisive arguments as “unprofitable” (3:9) to the description of good works as “excellent and profitable” (3:8). “Unprofitable” can certainly describe many debates on social media, which are often rancorous, heated, and unintelligent. Some people look incessantly for fights and dive into arguments on eschatology, Pentecostalism, rock music, and paintings of Christ with unholy zeal. These quarrels detract from the time that could be spent on healthy pursuits.

Jesus said that His followers would be known for their love (Jn. 13:35) not for their theological victories, however scintillating they might be.

Some concerns about unity are as follows: Some might object to seeking unity because lost friendships after doctrinal squabbles or messy church splits are unavoidable. Others bring up the point that the Bible commands the practice of church discipline (Matt.18:15-20), and is that not incompatible with unity? Finally, a common objection is that you KNOW you are right, and the other person is wrong. Let me answer these one by one.

The first- the proposal that church splits are inevitable- is based not on faith, but on experience. Simply because something does happen does not mean it must happen. This is not to imply that Christians are perfect and that unity will be easy. As Paul would say, “By no means!” or “Not at all!” (depending on the translation). Well, technically, he would say “μὴ γένοιτο”, but that is beside the point. More important than one’s experience is Christ’s desire for Christians to be unified. Jesus prays no less than three times in a short space that His followers “be brought to complete unity” (Jn. 17:23). It is better to try for unity than to wail that it is impossible. Yes , church splits might happen, does not mean we ought to give up.

The second worry is a very serious one. Its Biblical basis and the apparent contradiction urge believers to consider the question with gravity. It is necessary to distinguish between essentials, non-essentials, and sin when discussing this. Division over essentials used to be rarely questioned and would be typified by the common understanding that Christians do not worship with Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons. Today, churches struggle more with the insidiousness of division over non-essentials, rather than the Biblical mandate of division over sin. Disagreements over worship music is more common than disciplining the pastor’s son who got his girlfriend pregnant and got her an abortion. Church discipline is a severe separation, and one that is only countenanced if the party is found to be in unrepentant sin. Paul writes, “You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler”(1 Cor.5:11).

Furor often rises at this point, and two parties take sides, one claiming that we must extend immediate and unlimited trust to a pastor caught in adultery, and the other side claiming that he is not even a believer because of his gross sin. But Paul does not tumble to either of these extremes. Without falling into other of these ditches of thought, we may treat sin scripturally in the church, which will sometimes have to include “division” from a sinner. Matthew 18 makes it clear that the church is to act as a unit, and not to divide into factions to either support or defame an exposed sinner. The purpose of church discipline is either to eventually reconcile (2 Cor. 2:5-8) or to enable the other members of the congregation to enjoy uninterrupted unity (Tit. 3:10).

Finally, in answer to the objection that one’s position is right and others are wrong, Romans 14 comes to the stage. Quite often disagreements over minor issues are phrased as issues of salvific importance, such as questioning another believer’s salvation because he puts up a Christmas tree or because they use a non-hormonal contraceptive. Romans 14 is the perennial answer to such disputes. Paul commands the group who are stronger in their faith not to look down on their weaker brothers (14:3).

For example, Calvinists have no business being proud of their faith in God’s providence and sovereignty. “What do we have that we did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7) This attitude of pride does not recognize the body of Christ nor show consideration for brothers who have a different understanding of the Gospel. To give another example, Paul orders those who are shocked by their brothers’ “licentiousness” not to judge them (14:3). In the early church, the issues were of celebrating holy days or eating meat sacrificed to idols. Today the issues are more likely to be whether a divorced person can remarry, whether women must wear skirts, if believers can use barrier methods of contraception, and whether the gift speaking in tongues is still valid. In general, if Scripture does not condemn a behavior, one ought not to make any rules forbidding it.

For example, Scripture only condemns drunkenness, not drinking wine (1 Tim. 3: 8), which means that weaker brothers are not to make it a condition of fellowship, nor judge their brothers in Christ if they choose to drink a glass with dinner. In conclusion, Paul urges both groups of believers to mutual consideration and honor. Similarly, it is unnecessary to make derogatory comments about a Christian friend who eats at McDonald’s every so often, even if the one commenting believes deeply that Christians should only eat organic food. Similarly, if a family wishes to celebrate Easter, another who is convinced that its origins are doused in paganism should not try to dampen their celebration. “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5) and not try to belabor everyone else with his own opinion. The key here is realizing that it is your own opinion and not something commanded in Scripture. You may think that the KJV is the best thing since false teeth, but others are not similarly inclined to share your rapture.

In conclusion, unity is deeper than surface agreement on the choice to sing hymns or praise songs in the church. Unity is based on one’s vertical relationship with God, which leads to a correct view of one’s horizontal relationship with other believers.

This simple statement sums it up: “In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things, charity.” Let us live by this.

For more reading, please see https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/why-we-need-to-rethink-in-essentials-unity-in-nonessentials-liberty

June 12, 2019 1

What Unity in the Spirit Actually Means (and why you might not like it)

Unity in the Church appears to be an outdated idea. It was easier for New Testament Christians; they didn’t have so many arguments. Now we have denominations to separate us and to categorize different kinds of Christians. Disputes over who gets to pick the worship music, if one’s baby may be baptized, or whether one can read fantasy fiction are obviously essential. Unity means that all Christians can pretend to agree on everything, because that is real unity, isn’t it? Some sort of spiritual blancmange?

Well, it would be…. if God were Unitarian. But He isn’t. Because the truth is Trinitarian, the unity of believers is consequently not like tofu, but more like an exotic fruit salad. With nuts. Lots of nuts. The flavors of each character complement and enhance the character of the others. We were not saved to live alone, but in community. (“Unfortunately”, some might say).

Unity does not mean that we all must agree on every single doctrinal issue, nor that we do not, in fact, debate at one time or another. Rather, unity finds its identity in concurrence on the essentials of Biblical faith. Dissension, on the other hand, looks for areas of disagreement by which to define itself: “I am a Presbyterian; you are a Baptist.” “We send our kids to Christian school- you homeschool?” “Tattoos are sinful; why do you have one?” Unity, however, identifies the other as fundamentally as a child of God. Christians “are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:26).

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, and others emphasize the importance of unity in the body of Christ, giving three reasons for that necessity. One is to glorify God (Rom. 15:6).

This is the chief end of every Christian, and even more so when it is for the good of their fellow believers. Paul explains how to keep unity: “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Rom.15:7). Colossians reflects this thought–“Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (3:13). Those whom Christ has forgiven realize their obligation to forgive others freely, seeing that they themselves have sinned and been forgiven more than anyone could ever sin against them. Likewise, those whom Christ accepts realize the stupidity of refusing to accept brothers in Christ (Rom. 14:1), even if their brothers do drink beer or have tattoos. God is glorified when we put aside our differences and opinions to reflect the love that He showered upon us.

Another motive for unity is to have a good testimony: Jesus prays “that all of them may be one…to let the world know you sent Me” (John 17:20-21). It is reasonable to ask, “What does it mean to be one?” A Christian’s testimony is not merely verbal, but is demonstrated in actions, for “all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Love in action, therefore, ought to be the defining characteristic of Christ’s followers.

The third reason for Christians to be unified is “so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding” (Col. 2:2), that is, “that they may know…Christ”(Col. 2:2). This thought echoes in Ephesians, which says that the church must reach “unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4:12). The Biblical emphasis on unity makes it plain that Christianity is not an ethereal religion to which one ascribes without any practical ramifications. Nor can one say that he loves God if he does not, in fact, love his neighbor (1 John 4:20). Getting along with other believers is, therefore, actually necessary to knowing Christ Himself. Darn, we say…And I was just getting this Christian thing down pat.

Interestingly, the Bible uses three metaphors for the Church when talking about unity- a body (1 Cor. 12:27), a building (Eph. 2:21), and brothers (James 1:2,19). The coincidence of all three starting with “b” (in English, at least) is extremely helpful. The three demonstrate respectively the humility, wisdom, and love that ought to be evident in the Church’s unity, and together form a picture that enables believers to grasp the vision God has for His Church.

Body–First of all, Paul does not say that the Church ought to act like a body. He says that the Church is a body- “the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27), not a pile of separated limbs. Therefore, Christ’s body will either be functioning well or poorly. The parts do not have the option of functioning autonomously. First Corinthians 12 is the longest passage dealing with the Church as the body of Christ, and the chief emphasis is on humility- not saying in pride to another part, “I don’t need you!” (12:21) Paul elaborates in another passage on the same subject: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Rom. 12:3) Humility will be characteristic of those who discern the body of Christ.

Building— Both Paul and Peter use a building as a figure of speech to describe the Church. Perhaps its meaning has been muddied by the association of a church with a building, not as a building, so it is necessary to clear the waters. In Ephesians, it is a “building with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone…which rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (2:21). In 1 Peter, he writes that we are “living stones…being built into a spiritual house (2:5). The Bible’s culminating vision is of the Church as a “holy city…(shining) with the glory of God,” and with a “brilliance like that of a precious jewel” (Rev. 21:11). The succeeding verses parallel Ephesians in affirming the apostles as foundation stones for the building (cf. Rev. 21:14)

Yet the church today tends to be rather near-sighted, always peering up at the most recent famous pastor and discussing the latest theological controversy. Having isolated themselves from centuries of past wisdom and knowledge, Christians find themselves fighting the same battles their ancestors fought, but without the weapons they forged. Understanding the Church as a building means that one will be familiar with the works of the Church fathers, Reformers, Puritans, and other great thinkers of ages past and will be able to develop upon them.

Christians are called to serve each other with spiritual gifts, which were given “so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). Pastoring, teaching, encouraging, administrating, giving, hospitality, and serving can all help other believers to grow in their faith.

Brothers–Familiarity has cast a dullness on the vivid metaphor of other believers as brothers. The modern church has largely ignored this figure of speech, to its own detriment. The deterioration of families may have led to the devaluing of family language, but if so, it is even more necessary to recover the fullness of its meaning in the church. Each community of Christians ought to look after each other, checking up on the sick, helping the elderly, mentoring the youth, and providing for the single mothers and widows.

There are many directions on how to practically live in unity. Galatians tells us to “carry each other’s burdens” (6:2). If one of the members of the body is hurting, the other parts ought to empathize with it. Perhaps a single mother is having trouble with a threatening ex-husband or an elderly widow is in need of companionship. In both situations, the church should be there as their family. Donations to overseas missions impress very few; even non Christians can do that. Loving one’s neighbor– those close to you–is what counts.

Loving the whole world is easy. Loving your neighbor is hard.

Unity is found in this- the humility, wisdom, and love of a community who knows the worst of each other and believes the best (1 Cor. 13:7). The New Testament is not romantically optimistic that believers will always get along perfectly. Indeed, Ephesians is a composed, yet fervent, treatise on brotherly oneness, the last three chapters building a case for the practical implications of the spiritual reality that chapters 1–3 describe.

By living Biblically, Christians can “keep the unity through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Seeing themselves as brothers, they will grow in wisdom, humility, and love as they fulfill their roles in the Body of Christ. The Biblical understanding of “how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Ps. 133:1) will be reflected in their words and actions. This unity will glorify God, being both a testimony to the world and the means of His followers growing in the knowledge of His Son. In love, the Church will be able to branch out into even more ministry and service with unity as its center.

Note: This blog dealt mostly with true believers. The second one on this topic deals with typical debates in the church, church discipline, and heresy.

June 12, 2019 3

Memorial Day Reflections

American society has become so politicized that it is impossible to even celebrate a national holiday without the bray of a donkey or the trumpet of an elephant sounding in the background.

Millennials forget the sacrifice of generations past in their rush to debate strangers online about the policy of war. They discuss the propriety of politics while ignoring hurting humanity.

The fact is, yes, America has erred, and erred badly, in many of its decisions to interfere or refrain from interfering in international warfare.

However, this does not change reality, which is that thousands of U.S. soldiers have died. It’s easy to discuss death in the abstract, reducing it to political statistics, but reality is not made up of numbers. Real families are missing real husbands, fathers, friends, and sons. There are real graves filled with real bodies. We do not live in the land of the free without a cost.

Those who see war policy in terms of its failure denigrate the service and bravery of those who fight in those wars. American international policy is indeed broken and flawed, but then, what is not in this world?

Dismissing wars because of the idiocy of the orders of those who sit behind desks is disheartening and crushing to those who obeyed the orders. Do we blame the leader in The Charge of the Light Brigade? Or do we applaud him and his men for their bravery?

We are becoming dangerously close to imitating the generation who could not even welcome home with pride the veterans of the Vietnam War. And with veteran suicide rates regularly higher than the rest of the population, rampant PTSD, and the failure to adequately care for veterans, there is no time for the average citizen to waste speculating on what the Pentagon should do. Instead, perhaps they should befriend a veteran and check in on them. If you really want to change the world, start with yourself. Turn your computer off.

Let me summarize: Stop politicizing everything and be humane.

June 3, 2019 0