The Coming of the Obamessiah – Link to Blog

Originally posted on http://digitaldiatribes.wordpress.com on June 11, 2008.

Just for kicks, I’m linking to Mark Shea’s blog on the coming Obamessiah.

To give a quick taste of this clearly tongue-in-cheek post:

And it came to pass that Obama called his delegates to himself. And going up on an exceeding high mountain, he opened his mouth and spake, saying:

I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.

Now, what I find funny about this is that I heard Obama say that last week and thought “You gotta be kidding me. How full of himself is he?” Looks like I’m not the only one to pick up on it.

Vote for Obama, and the oceans shall heal thyselves.

Um… sure.

A while ago, I alluded to this whole phenomenon of the Obamessiah. Pretty weird stuff, if you ask me. But, whatever your stripes, if nothing else, I thought Shea’s piece was funny. I guess if you like Obama, you may not think so.

Catholic Rock – Good or Bad?

Originally posted on http://digitaldiatribes.wordpress.com on February 8, 2008.

Late last year I completed a Catholic Rock CD. Now, bear with the short marketing schtick, but please check it out here at CD Baby or here at DigStation. Even if you’re not ready to buy, CD Baby is pretty cool because they allow you to listen to a couple minutes of each song. You can either order direct from them or download the music. DigStation doesn’t offer quite as long a clip, but you can download from there at a little less cost, I believe. If you’d rather buy direct from me, then just e-mail me at geezep@yahoo.com. Seriously, I know that everyone has choices to make with their money, and I appreciate any support. If cost is an issue, send me an e-mail and we’ll work something out. I’m not in this to make tons of money, and I appreciate interest. I’m serious about that.

So, that’s the marketing plug. But some of you may be wondering about this whole “Catholic Rock” thing. You’re not alone. Some of my good friends – good people and devout Catholics – haven’t exactly rushed to my door and bought a copy (some have – thanks, guys!) Now, lest you think I’m complaining, I am not. Everyone has their own preferences, and I knew that the Catholic Rock genre isn’t much more than a niche market. Thus, I am posting about it and hopefully drawing some attention via the internet when people search for Catholic Rock Music!

Anyway, I know one of the issues. It’s this whole Rock beat thing. Some are convinced it’s evil, demonic, what have you. And it’s not just strictly Catholic Rock. They would say the same about all Christian Rock, or secular rock. The theory being, I guess, that the beat itself is inherently bad, and everything it touches, Catholic or otherwise, is poisoned.

I am here to suggest, with the invaluable help of some recent articles by Mark Shea in the National Catholic Register (December 2007), that such thinking is faulty. Mr. Shea suggests that it is the kind of thinking that blinded the Pharisees. Since he can say it much better than I can, I urge those of you who have struggled with this question (as well as other questions about how in the world the Church can use candles in ceremonies like the pagans did, or other such things) to read the following three columns: Pharisaic Purity, A Christian Approach to Purity, and Sterility and Fruitfulness. It is worth the time.