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“THE MYTHOS OF MUSIC”

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 8:07 am

                  An interesting point presented right at the beginning of the chapter is the response one can have, which can also be unconscious. Although, Rowell is interested in the deep stratum of musical ideas in Western cultural consciousness. Music, besides the classic concept associated with muses, a metaphorical way to wonder images. As Campbell explains in his work The Power of Myth, “… metaphor is an image that suggests another”(59).  We also have to consider the importance of archetypal criticism. In this attempt, Northrop Frye is suggested as an important reference in the study of archetypes, but he admits it is hard to get a clear picture of the myth of music as a whole. Although, this concept of myth is personal, it may contribute to such a difficult mission to define it. [Cunha 2002] “Myth is the way one can face truth, imposed or acquired, as far as there’s a belief, no matter the variety of interpretations and associations.” In accordance with Rowell, the authors have an agreement that “the single common denominator appears to be our need to explain that which cannot be immediately understood on the basis of everyday experience”(59).

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             The same author also explains, they’re not part of the conscious life, and “sometimes are associated with certain cyclical rhythms of the times and seasons and the spatial structure of the orderly cosmos, and seem — according to Lévis Strauss — to perform the same function for most societies, primitive or sophisticated”(59). Campbell explains in his work The Hero with a Thousand Faces, that the effect of successful adventure of the hero is the unlocking and release again of the flow of life into the body of the world and the miracle of this circulation of food substance, dynamically as a streaming of energy, or spiritually as a manifestation of grace (40). Then, the conclusion that  [Rowell 61] “reality imitates myths.” This circulation of energies should also include music, which enlightens such manifestations of grace, as far as there are evidences enough about the fact it has followed the development of societies.

          [Rowell 60] “According to Frye, a cosmic setting is essential to the operation of myth, bringing the divine, human, animal, vegetable, mineral, and sometimes the demonic worlds into alignment by means of some symbol of verticality, called by Frye a “point of epiphany”(A moment of insight, discovery or revelation by which a character’s life is greatly altered (Gioia G11).), also understood because the four musical scale forms the vertical at the point of epiphany, connecting the four material elements (earth, water, air, fire) with the pagan heaven of Apollo and the three Graces, shown in a dance with arms linked (See the illustration, Cunha 01), and his spirit descends into all of the Muses(61).”The original number of muses and their names varies in earlier times as their evolution blossomed in Greek mythology. At first, three muses were worshipped on Mount Helicon in Boeotia: Melete (“meditation”), Mneme (“memory”), and Aoede (“song”).

       

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            Another three were worshipped at Delphi and their names represented the names of the strings of a lyre: Nete, Mese, and Hypate. Several other versions were worshipped until the Greeks finally established the nine muses in mythology as: Calliope , Clio , Erato , Euterpe , Melpomene , Polyhymnia , Terpsichore,  Thalia, , and Urania. The Muses had several epithets which usually referred to places where they had settled.” 01He also sites two musical examples: “Orpheus (he has swayed wild beasts with this art, but to have moved rocks and forests with the modulation of his song… (62)) has descent into the underworld to revive Eurydice and, from Polynesian mythology, the vine by which Hiku climbs down into the undersea world to rescue his wife, Hawelu”(60).

          A relevant point is the fact that “the central issues of the mythos of music were already conventionalized by the beginning of the Christian era, crystallizing around the legend of Orpheus, which remains the single most explicit theme. Virgil mentions Orpheus in the fourth book of his Georgics. But there are more references to Orpheus’ rebirth like the one in Kathi Meyer-Baer who splited his figure in early Christian iconography. Clement of Alexandria also interprets Christ as a new Orpheus in a strikingly beautiful theology that has been conspicuously ignored by the Church in Rome (63). Dionysus is also an important myth (He plays aulos) (80). He was reported in a passage about Midas, “where Pan and Apollo compete, being judged by Tmolus.” 03 But Apollo was also adopted and included in the list of roman gods, because there were relations with Delphi. This god was known as the god of cure, but he became the god of oracles and prophecy, in accordance with Virgil (Harvey 45).

 

 

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There are references in musical iconography, like Pythagoras   (playing bells to the sound of hammers), David (with his harp) and Krishna (flute)”(64). Good references for the costumes in Greece concerning instruments can be observed in the vases which are now in the British Museum, and this artistic manifestations also provide rich documentation (Harvey 351).

           After 1700, there was a decline set in, considering the use of myths, because of the ascendant tendency of interpretation based on cosmology and teleology (62). Rowell concludes that “the mythos of music, in a word, went underground and has rarely since emerged in explicit narrative or in other than piece-meal references”(62). “Critics writing from the social perspective in many significant ways mirrors its society and therefore the literary work is a historical document, a lifeless fossil that needs to be vitalized by illuminating that produced it”(Smith 06).

            In this attempt, Guido of Arezzo is an example of a celebrated preserver of the mythos of music because he compiled music repertoires (St. Gregory), during the Middle Age. Saints like St, John, and Saint Cecilia are also invoked by writers like Chaucer, and John Dryden. Names like Niccolò Paganini and Franz Liszt are also mentioned because they are related with the myth of Orpheus to the nineteenth-century musical world (The energy was said to come from the devil). Thomas Mann’s Doctor Faustus is the most compelling portrait of the demonic in music. Authors, like Shakespeare, T. S. Eliot, are also included in the gallery of those who revived myths and music, during middle ages and Renaissance up today. The effect that music produces on people has been considered positive, however, music has associations with sexuality, death, resurrection, powerful force, harmony, but if divine it is also demonic. “Orpheus and Apollo were linked with the curing of disease, oracular prophecy, and purifying ritual-three different ways of focusing the healing forces of nature upon the body and the mind (70).

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In this attempt, music should have three benefits. “First: regulation, the restoring of the soul and / or body to a state of equilibrium… Second: the creation of a sensation of pleasure through movement, and the third is the inducing of an ecstatic experience (catharsis) which purges the soul of emotional conflict expelling evil spirits”(70). And music is described as a specific language that can communicate directly from performer to listener: it penetrates the body in the form of air, pressure, meaning, and soul (71). Another interesting point to incorporate the body of this essay, is transcience. As Rowell explains, the most striking paradox in the myth is that this incredibly powerful force is also infinitely perishable, and forever in danger of being lost (73).

“Concepts about harmony are at once the most abstract and the most grandiose of all musical metaphors”(77).

          The association with the myths and the instruments they play, is very interesting because some of them can be prototypes of later string instruments, symbolizing the principles of Apollo – harmony, formal clarity, reason, moderation, and objectivity. An example of this progress is the “ch’in”, the most respected of Chinese instruments, considered a symbol of harmony. Even bells have been cited in so many literary works, besides flute (it was invented by Mercury) 02, which is the most symbolic of all musical instruments (81).  Percussion symbolism appears in such an assortment of shapes, sizes, materials, and locations that generalization becomes impossible. And the last instrument mentioned by Rowell is the organ, which is another symbol of world harmony, and this is an Elizabethan concept, mentioned even by John Donne in his poetry (82).

 

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For the Greeks, music was understood to several cultural, artistic and intellectual manifestations incorporating a new sense to myths and music. As it’s mentioned in the book “The Republic”: “Physical exercise for the body and music for the soul”(Plato, 136). This statement is an example of the importance of myths and music for educational aims, in such a superior resource level, contributing with didactics. The revolution about this subject is already done. The new century is a promise of sensational productions and resources (especially because of the computers), so that we can enjoy the greatest of life, with music, heroes, and myths, of course! This is our history!

And this is not a privilege of those that can invest on trips, and can be musically educated. This treasure is avaluable with the advent of Internet nowadays. The negative aspect of history is the emergency of negative energies. We also have victims and anti-heroes in the adventure of life. Is there music for them? The sound of a gun? Or a bomb? We already know the sounds of death and misery.  The answers for so many secrets of ancient civilizations and their uses do not remain in secret anymore. Maybe because myths and music could survive. No matter for how long, it has been preserved for us, for such an extraordinary amount of investments.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, New York:

       Modern Language Association, USA, 1988.

Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a thousand faces. Library of the Congress, USA, 1973. 

Dicionário de Mitologia Greco Romana. Abril Cultural, 1976, Brasil.

Campbell, Joseph. O Poder do Mito. Editora Palas, São Paulo, Brasil, 1990.

Gioia, Dana. Literature. Longman, USA, 2002.

Harvey, Paul, Dicionário Oxford de Literatura Clássica. Jorge Zahar Editor, Rio de Janeiro,

       Brasil, 1987.

National Geographic. The Eternal Etruscans. June 1988.

Philip Neil. The illustrated book of myths: tiles and legends of the world, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 

Rowell, Lewis. Thinking about Music, The University of Massachusetts Press, USA, 1983.

Smith, Lyle E.  Archetypal Criticism: Theory and Practice, Carson, CSUDH, USA, 1997.

 Seyffert Oskar. Enciclopédia Clássica. Ateneo Editorial, Buenos Aires, 1947.  

 

 Appendix

List of some  myths associated with music and its mythical powers.

 

1.      Apollo

Son of Jupiter was born in Deos. He was exiled in Olympus, refuges in the reign of Admetus. He had a long journey in the Earth till his father gave him the mission to spread light throughout the world.   He drove the car of the sun and conquests eternal youth. He’s the god of music, arts, medicine, and poetry.

2.      Calliope

Calliope (Calliopeia), the “Fair Voiced” and the eldest Muse, is the muse of epic poetry and is seen holding a writing tablet in hand, sometimes seen with a roll of paper or a book, and crowned in gold. Calliope is known for taking a fancy to Achilles and taught him how to cheer his friends by singing at banquets. She also was called by Zeus to mediate the quarrel between Aphrodite and Persephone over possession of Adonis. She settled the dispute by giving them equal time, providing Adonis some sorely needed free time to himself. By Apollo, she bore Linus, who was slain by Hercules, and Orpheus.

3.      Clio  

  

4.      Dionysus

Dionysos is an atypical Greek deity. While the Olympian gods are bright beings of sunlight, Dionysos is a creature of mystery, his very essence an enigma. His realm is shadowy, and his followers flirt with madness, drunkenness, and death. He is the patron deity of the Maenads (or Bacchantes), those wild women who roamed the lofty peaks shouting “evoi, evoi” and were said to tear living animals apart in their trance of divine possession. He is the god who brings wine, but also an intoxication that merges the drinker with the deity. And, perhaps most significantly, his connection with a certain type of cult activity, known as a “mystery”, separates him from his fellow Olympians (with the exception of the goddess Demeter, who inspired her own mystery cult).  

5.      Erato

 

 Erato the “Lovely” is the muse of love poetry and mimicry, and is seen with a lyre and sometimes wears a crown of roses.

6.  Euterpe

Euterpe the “Giver of Pleasure” is the muse of music and is represented with a flute. It has been said she is the inventor of the double flute. By the river Strymon, she bore Rhesus who was slain at Troy. 

7. Hebe

She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She is the goddess of youth. She, along with Ganymede are the cupbearers to the gods. Hebe is Heracles wife. 

 

 8. Hercules

 

The most popular of Greek heroes, Hercules (sometimes called “Herakles”) was celebrated in stories, sculptures, paintings, and even in the geography of the ancient world. 

 9. Krishna

Krishna foi um Mensageiro de Deus que viveu na Índia antiga há mais ou menos 5.000 anos. Sua Mensagem foi a Mensagem do amor. Ele nasceu numa prisão. Isso foi um sinal para ficarmos sabendo que todos nascemos na prisão do “eu”, a prisão deste mundo.  

10.   Mercury

Mercury in Roman Mythology. Hermes – Greek. According to Hesiod] “Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia. He presided over commerce, wrestling, and other gymnastic exercises, even over thieving, and everything, in short, which required skill and dexterity. He was the messenger of Zeus, and wore a winged cap and winged shoes. He bore in his hand a rod entwined with two serpents, called the caduceus. Hermes is said to have invented the lyre. He found, one day, a tortoise, of which he took the shell, made holes in the opposite edges of it, and drew cords of linen through them, and the instrument was complete. The cords were nine, in honor of the nine Muses. Hermes gave the lyre to Apollo, and received from him in exchange the caduceus.”

11.  Melpomene

 

12.  Orpheus

Orpheus was a legendary singer and musician in Greek mythology. Indeed, many stories about Orpheus focus on his ability to enchant audiences with a song. From his exploits with the Argonauts, to his most memorable myth – that of rescuing his wife Eurydice from the Underworld – Orpheus dazzled listeners with his mellifluous voice in tale after tale. To learn more about this master musician, read on.

According to some sources, Orpheus was the son of the god Apollo and the Muse Calliope. These parents – a god of music and the Muse of epic poetry – help to explain the origin of Orpheus’ extraordinary musical gift. And the power of this god-like gift for song was undeniable. The ancient poets Aeschylus and Euripides both tell of how Orpheus used his talents to charm wild animals, trees, and rocks.  

 

13.  Pan

Pan is the son of Hermes. He is the god of goatherds and shepherds. He is mostly human in appearance but, with goat horns and goat feet. He is an excellent musician and plays the pipes. He is merry and playful frequently seen dancing with woodland nymphs. He is at home in any wild place but, is favorite is Arcady, where he was born. He is always in pursuit of one of the nymphs but, always rejected because he is ugly.  

 

14.  Pythagoras

Pythagoras (fl. 530 BCE) must have been one of the world’s greatest men, but he wrote nothing, and it is hard to say how much of the doctrine we know as Pythagorean is due to the founder of the society and how much is later development. It is also hard to say how much of what we are told about the life of Pythagoras is trustworthy; for a mass of legend gathered around his name at an early date. Sometimes he is represented as a man of science, and sometimes as a preacher of mystic doctrines, and we might be tempted to regard one or other of those characters as alone historical. The truth is that there is no need to reject either of the traditional views. The union of mathematical genius and mysticism is common enough. Originally from Samos, Pythagoras founded at Kroton (in southern Italy) a society which was at once a religious community and a scientific school. Such a body was bound to excite jealousy and mistrust, and we hear of many struggles. Pythagoras himself had to flee from Kroton to Metapontion, where he died.  

 

 

 

15.  Polyhymnia

Polyhymnia (Polymnia), “She of Many Hymns,” is the muse of Sacred Poetry and is seen with a pensive look upon her face. She brings distinction to writers whose works have won them immortal fame. She has also been called the Muse of geometry, mime, meditation and agriculture. Polyhymnia is often veiled.

 

 

16.  St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia
d.
Feastday November 22
In the fourth century appeared a Greek religious romance on the Loves of Cecilia and Valerian, written, like those of Chrysanthus and Daria, Julian and Basilissa, in glorification of the virginal life, and with the purpose of taking the place of the sensual romances of Daphnis and Chloe, Chereas and Callirhoe, and so on.

 

17.  Terpsichore

 

 

 

18.  Thalia

Thalia (Thaleia) the “Flourishing” is the muse of comedy and of playful and idyllic poetry, and is seen with a comic mask. She is sometimes seen with a crown of ivy and a crook. By Apollo, Thalia had the Corybantes, priests who castrated themselves in identification with the goddess, Cybele. 

19.  Urania

Urania the “Heavenly” is the muse of astronomy and is represented by a staff pointed at a celestial globe. She foretells the future by the position of the stars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terpsichore the “Whirler” is the muse of dancing and is often seen dancing with her lyre and a plectrum, an instrument used for plucking stringed instruments. By the river god Achelous, she bore the Sirens.

Melpomene the “Songstress” is the muse of tragedy in spite of her joyous singing and is represented by the tragic mask. She is sometimes seen with garland, a club and a sword. She is often seen wearing cothurnes, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors, and a crown of cypress.

Clio the “Proclaimer” is the muse of history and is often seen sitting with a scroll and accompanied by a chest of books. She has been credited with introducing the Phoenician alphabet into Greece. Clio had teased Aphrodite’s love of Adonis, and in consequence of her wrath, Clio fell in love with Pierius, the son of Magnes and the king of Macedonia. By Pierus, she bore Hyacinth.

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The Political Outcomes of the Second Glass of Wine

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 7:07 am

In Genesis 9, the first glass of wine Biblically justifies Racism, Color discrimination and Slavery. Herein, the second glass of wine Biblically justifies.

Herein in Genesis 19, , the second glass of wine Biblically justifies committing adultery between the daughter and her father (Lot); a very shameful evil act that ended up with the creation of two big nations, Ammon and Moab.

The bible says that Lot’s daughter said: let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

This Biblical story contradicts with the science, the behavior, the social issues etc.

It is hard to believe that Lot did that and he never condemned what he had done.

Also, Abraham’s family and nation were not far from Lot and his daughters.

They could go there and marry and have kids without the need to commit adultery with their father, Lot.

Politically speaking, the Bible puts the two nations Ammon and Moab down because their root is the adultery between the daughter and her father; however, Ruth the Moabites was the grandmother of the Lord Jesus.

Minded with this Biblical story, in addition, many fathers in the Western countries committed adultery with their daughters.

You smart reader is invited to read the story of Lot in the Bible and the Quran to judge by yourself which of which.

Lot and His Daughters in the Bible

Genesis 19

1] And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

2] And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

3] And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5] And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

6] And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

7] And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

8] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

9] And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10] But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11] And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

12] And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13] For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

14] And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

15] And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

16] And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

17] And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

18] And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my LORD:

19] Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

20] Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

21] And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.

22] Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

23] The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

24] Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

25] And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

26] But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

27] And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

28] And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

29] And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

30] And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

31] And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

32] Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

33] And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

34] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

35] And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

36] Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

37] And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

38] And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

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Lot and His Daughters in the Quran:

Lot’s nation was homosexual.

Allah told Lot to warn them and stop their evil acts but .they denied Lot.

Allah sent some Angels to Lot in the form of beautiful men.

Lot’s nation wanted to have sex with Lot’s guests.

Allah punished Lot’s nation and saved Lot and his daughters.

His daughters were more than two (at least three and may be more).

The Quran says that Lot’s nation was the first in the history of mankind to commit homosexuality. The Quran says that Allah left a sign for Lot’s nation; this sign needs serious scientists to dig for.

The Quran and Islamic teachings deny the Biblical story about Lot and his daughters.

The Quran consider Lot as a Messenger who had done his job perfectly.

The Quran describes Lot’s daughters as clean and pure and they never ever thought to sex with their father as the Bible claims.

Surah 7:80-84

[80] We also (sent) Lot: he said to his people: “Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?

[81] “For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.”

[82] And his people gave no answer but this: they said, “Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!”

[83] But We saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who lagged behind.

[84] And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!

Surah 11:77- 82

[77] When our Messengers came to Lot, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”

[78] And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practicing abominations. He said: “O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if ye marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?”

[79] They said: “Well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!”

[80] He said: “Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support.”

[81] (The Messengers) said: “O Lot! we are Messengers from thy Lord! by no means shall they reach thee! now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: is not the morning nigh?”

[82] When Our decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer.

[83] Marked as from thy Lord: nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!

Surah 15:57-74

[57] Abraham said: “What then is the business of which ye (have come), O ye messengers (of Allah)?”

[58] They said: “We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin,

[59] “Excepting the adherents of Lot: them we are certainly (charged) to save (from harm), – all –

[60] “Except his wife, who, we have ascertained, will be among those who will lag behind.”

[61] At length when the messengers arrived among the adherents of Lot.

[62] He said: “Ye appear to be uncommon folk.”

[63] They said: “Yea, we have come to thee to accomplish that of which they doubt.

[64] “We have brought to thee that which is inevitably due, and assuredly we tell the truth.

[65] “Then travel by night with thy household, when a portion of the night (yet remains), and do thou bring up the rear: let no one amongst you look back, but pass on whither ye are ordered.”

[66] And We made known this decree to him, that the last remnants of those (sinners) should be cut off by the morning.

[67] The inhabitants of the City came in (mad) joy (at news of the young men).

[68] Lot said: “These are my guests: disgrace me not:

[69] “But fear Allah and shame me not.”

[70] They said: “Did we not forbid thee (to speak) for all and sundry?”

[71] He said: “There are my daughters (to marry), if ye must act (so).”

[72] Verily, by thy life (O Prophet), in their wild intoxication, they wander in distraction, to and fro.

[73] But the (mighty) Blast overtook them before morning,

[74] And We turned (the Cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay.

Surah 26:160-174

[160] The people of Lot rejected the Messengers.

[161] Behold, their brother Lot said to them: “Will ye not fear (Allah)?

[162] “I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust.

[163] “So fear Allah and obey me.

[164] “No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

[165] “Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males,

[166] “And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!”

[167] They said. “If thou desist not O Lot! thou wilt assuredly be cast out.”

[168] He said: “I do detest your doings:”

[169] “O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!”

[170] So We delivered him and his family, all

[171] Except an old woman who lingered behind.

[172] But the rest We destroyed utterly.

[173] We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

[174] Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.

Surah 27:54-58

[54] (We also sent) Lot (as a Messenger): behold, he said to his people, “Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?

[55] “Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant!”

[56] But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, “Drive out the followers of Lot from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!”

[57] But We saved him and his family, except his wife: her We destined to be of those who lagged behind.

[58] And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

Surah 29:28-35

[28] And (remember) Lot: behold, he said to his people: “Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever) committed before you.

[29] “Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway? And practice wickedness (even) in your councils?” But his people gave no answer but this: they said: “Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth.”

[30] He said: “O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do mischief!”

[31] When Our Messengers came to Abraham with the good news, they said: “We are indeed going to destroy the people of this township: for truly they are (addicted to) crime.”

[32] He said: “But there is Lot there.” They said: “Well do we know who is there: we will certainly save him and his following, except his wife: she is of those who lag behind!”

[33] And when Our Messengers came to Lot, he was grieved on their account, and felt himself powerless (to protect) them: but they said: “Fear thou not, nor grieve: we are (here) to save thee and thy following, except thy wife: she is of those who lag behind.

[34] “For we are going to bring down on the people of this township a Punishment from heaven, because they have been wickedly rebellious.”

[35] And We have left thereof an evident Sign, for any people who (care to) understand.

Surah 54:33-39

[33] The People of Lot rejected (his) Warning.

[34] We sent against them a violent tornado with showers of stones, (which destroyed them), except Lot’s household: them We delivered by early Dawn,

[35] As a Grace from Us: thus do We reward those who give thanks.

[36] And (Lot) did warn them of Our Punishment, but they disputed about the Warning.

[37] And they even sought to snatch away his guests from him, but We blinded their eyes. (They heard:) “Now taste ye My Wrath and My Warning.”

[38] Early on the morrow an abiding Punishment seized them:

[39] “So taste ye My Wrath and My Warning.”

Back to the main topic of my series of articles (1- 57); this is my question to you smart readers: “Is the Quran quoted from the Bible “?

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How To Eliminate Your Bodily Deficiency And Treat Cold Sores Now

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 6:20 am

Unfortunately just as any drug addict has to hit rock bottom before they are truly in the mental position to make a change for the better, many people who suffer from cold sore outbreaks due to Herpes simplex type 1 virus eventually reach a rock bottom of their own and have to make a decision. Are you going to continue to apply creams or take prescription medication that you know from previous experience will only offer you temporary relief from the problem? You remember having had an outbreak at a most inconvenient time of your life and now you have decided to put your foot down! You have reached the cross roads and are now determined to rid yourself of the ongoing problem forever. You have come to the conclusion that there must surely be a way of preventing them rather than just repeating what you have done in the past and just treat them after they appear.

So, where have other sufferers turned to when they hit rock bottom? Have any long lasting solutions to cold sore outbreaks been found by them?

The great news is that many of them have found a way of preventing cold sore outbreaks and they have been living free of them for months, and some for years. The secret is ditching the creams and medications for all natural cold sore treatments. There are comprehensive programs which teach all the secrets and strategies for preventing them from ever developing. It all comes down to identifying a key deficiency that is found inside most Herpes sufferers, which can lead to repeat outbreaks.

Rock Bottom

So, if there are natural cold sore treatments which can actually eliminate future outbreaks, why isn’t everyone who suffers from cold sores following these programs? Why do most people continue to believe what they are told by doctors: preventing cold sores in the long term is impossible. You cannot get rid of this virus; you will simply have to endure the outbreaks time and time again and continue to purchase ever more costly medications over and over again.

Many people continue to believe that old line from their doctor and every book they may have read because they simply haven’t looked for any further answers. Perhaps they haven’t reached rock bottom at the moment or maybe the outbreaks that they have experienced have only been minor and do not come very often. Or, perhaps they simply believe preventing them is impossible so they don’t know they need to be looking for all natural cold sore treatments!

For many, rock bottom will come. They will develop horrible cold sores on a very important day of their life or find themselves unable to kiss someone they love at a very special moment. Maybe a woman will find herself unable to kiss her husband on her honeymoon, or perhaps a man will find himself walking his daughter down the aisle to be married, but unable to kiss even her cheek as he leaves her with her new husband. These are just some of the critical moments where sufferers find themselves at rock bottom and are ready to find a lasting solution to cold sores.

Commitment

If you find yourself at this point right now, or you know someone who is, be prepared for a real commitment to preventing cold sores. An all natural program will show you how to identify and eliminate a real deficiency inside your body which is likely leading to many of your cold sore outbreaks. In order to make those changes last forever, you have to remain committed to this type of cold sore treatment long term.

A natural program will be easy to follow, and it will bring about a huge change to your life!

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Should it be legal to name your daughter after a woodland animal or alcoholic beverage?

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 6:07 am
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The Crucible

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 4:08 am

This book is about the witchcraft events in Salem. The story takes places in a small town called Puritan village. In the beginningof the book Betty, Daughter of Samuel Parris, gets sick. Betty, his father and his niece Abigail live together. Abigail saw his parents murdered by Indians and he is an orphan. One day Betty,Tituba, Abigail and some other girls from town dance in the woods and Parris sees them, she becomes ill after this. There are too much rumors about Betty’s illness. People say that her illness is due to the witchcraft.

 

Harris asks his niece about what was going on in the forest and he says he admits that they were dancing but it has nothing to do with witchcraft like people say. They also speak about the rumors for example: one of the girls was naked when they were dancing, someone was screaming, and a formal employer Elizabeth Proctor thinks that Abigail is immoral. Abigail denies this. One day Thomas and Ann Putnam arrives to the town and they tell Parris that their daughter Ruth is ill to ask for help. They say they sent her to Tituba (slave of Parris) because they heard that he is able to speak to the dead so that she can find out who murdered her seven children. Nurse Rebecca visits Betty and tells her thatit is nothing serious other than a childish phase. People blames Abigail about this, then all the sudden Abigail blames Tituba saying that Tituba made her and Betty drink blood and that Tituba sends her spirit out. Putnam thinks that Tituba must be hanged.

 

One day John Proctor comes home a bit late at night because he was planting in the fields. Elizabeth Proctor suspects that he had been in town. A court official, Mary Warren, was also there to discuss about Tituba and Abigail. Elizabeth tells John that she will tell the cops that Abigail admitted that Betty’s sickness has nothing to do with witches. John tells her that nobody is going to believe him because he was alone. Mary Warren tells Proctors that the courd have decided that  39 people will be arrested and Sarah Osburn will be hang but not Sarah Good because she has confessed. John Hale visits Proctors to let them know about the court. He says that Elizabeth’s name was mentioned in the court and Rebecca Nurse was charged of this. he makes Proctor state the ten commandments to be sure that he is not lying. He remembers 9 of them, Elizabeth reminds him the last one. Proctor tells Hale what Abigail admitted about Parris in the woods. Hale thinks it makes no sense. Hale asks Proctor whether he believes in witchcraft or not. He says he does believe but not the fake ones like in Salem.

 

Ezekiel Cheever arrives to arrest Elizabeth on the charge that she sent her spirit out for Abigail and put a needle in her. Cheever finds the doll, which has a needle on it, but Mary Warren says that she made the doll on the day of the court , even though Abigail saw her making it.John Proctor goes to the court with Mary Warren and shows a deposition signed by Mary that asserts that she had never seen any spirits. Parris knows that they are there to overthrow the court, but still Danforth questions if Proctor has any ulterior motive and tells Proctor that his wife is pregnant and which means that she will live at least one more year, even if convicted. When Putnam goes to the court Giles Corey blames him being the murderer. They have long discussions in the court. Marshal Herrick arrives drunk to the jail and wakes Sarah Good and Tituba up. They speak about the witchcraft events. Parris arrives and tells Danforth how Abigail vanished with Mercy Lewis and stole his money. Danforth calls Elizabeth Proctor and Hale tells her that he

does not want Proctor to die because he would feel responsible for the murder. Elizabeth thinks that this may be the Devil’s argument. Hale begs Elizabeth for Proctor to sign a confess but Elizabeth says that Proctor now has his goodness, and nobody should take it away from him.

 

Review:

           

The book was pretty exciting especially at the beginning. I liked reading this book because it is very realistic. We see how people blame each other in front of the court. I had some confusions with the characters because there were over 20 characters in the book. In this book we realize how people in old days lived and how different the life was back then. I realized weaknesses each of the characters in the book. Each of them had weird characters, none of them cared whether the person is their best friend or best enemy they suspected each other to get rid of the court. In overall the book is fascinating because it is because of it’s content. the speech is, as it was in that time.it tells a tale of a little girl who gets caught being “naughty” and blames it on the circumstances of those she doesn’t like or has problems with.

 

I think the main thing that this book teaches that to lie about something that is very small might make it much bigger  and much more complicated to deal with. We reliaze that how narrow minded and uneducated the Puritans were.

 

I think although Abigail and the girls initiate the tragedy, responsibility lies with the whole Salem community. I believe that Abigail and the other girls started the tragedy what with all their talk about spirits during the first act. For one reason it can be said that the blame lies with the whole Salem community. In my opinion, if people get hurt and the whole community falls apart then it is a tragedy. I think this book is a tragedic book Many different emotions and different characters are in the play and each one holds part of the blame about the witches it causes people to turn against each other and all the principles that these people  once believed in.

 

Abigail and the other girls deny everything. Part of their denial is blaming. By shifting the blame on someone else, they think that they will not be responsable for their own sins so these girls are the main ones that messed up everything in Salem. Everybody in Salem wants the whole tragedy to end almost everyone in the community had a way of making the tragedy continue on longer than it needed to be because they likes gossiping and watch people punished. Bu still Salem witchcraft trials will never be forgotten, fortunately now the facts are understood and people in Salem lived happily uptodate.

 


 


 


 

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Party in a Luxury Limousine!

  • Posted on January 16, 2010 at 12:07 am

Organizing a special event such as an 18th or 21st or someone’s leaving party can be a lot of hard work. There are lots of things to take into consideration including the location, catering, invitations and music. For a really unique venue how about hiring a party bus for the occasion? Party buses offer a great place for events as you can relax in the back whilst someone else does all the driving! They provide a safe and fun alternative to a night out on the town, and a guarantee that every minute of the evening is spent partying.

Often the worst part of a night out is getting home. Trying to organize a taxi for a group of people often involves waiting around in a long taxi queue, freezing cold weather, and drunken people, never mind the expense. Hiring a party bus can avoid all this, it can either be used to pick you up then ferry you around various bars and clubs, or it can even be the actual venue, the party is held on the bus!

A party bus is ideal as a venue as everyone gets picked up and is sure of a lift home afterwards. Everybody can have a few drinks and let their hair down without worrying about drink driving, and there is no issue with parking, let the bus driver do all the worrying.

If you have a young son or daughter, perhaps celebrating their 16th or 18th birthday, then a party bus is a safe alternative for them and their friends. You don’t have to sit at home worrying about them and how they will get home as you know exactly where they are.

Party buses can be used for a number of occasions, whether they are a special event or not. They are also suitable for entertaining business associates, a party bus can provide a fun and relaxing tour of the city, and is sure to impress as an alternative night out.

Hire a luxury party bus and everything you could possible need for a nights entertainment is included on board. Huge plasma TV’s, high tech stereo systems, DVD players, fibre optic lighting systems and even built-in bars will give the atmosphere of being in an ultra trendy nightclub or bar, and there’s no entrance fee!

If you are looking for a venue for your hen party then a party bus can be a chic and stylish place to host it, as well as being easy on the pocket. With a relaxed atmosphere for the guests the extra advantage is no closing time, the party can go on all night long if that’s what you want. The interior of a Party bus can be pretty spacious and include tables for light finger food and drinks to be made available with enough seating for more than 30 guests.

Most people are very surprised when they actually see how the inside of a party bus can be transformed. Designed to impersonate a stylish bar or fashionable club, they have luxury seats laid along the sides of the bus so there is enough room in the centre aisle to socialize or turn it into a dance floor. Sit around and chat with some of your oldest friends, or dance the night away!

Party buses are deliberately set up for unique events and have extra elements that are guaranteed to make the night a great success that will be remembered by everyone for years to come. Modern sound systems, mirrors on the ceilings and modern décor all add to the occasion, and once you set off you forget you are on an actual bus. Just give the directions to the driver and sit back and enjoy.

Hiring a NJ party bus for your event is a truly innovative idea, and a safe and reliable method of getting around. Check online for companies that specialize in party buses and stretch limo rentals.

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