Connection.

The more I read, study and think about things, the more I realise that everything, yes everything, is connected. In the past I've read and been told this but back then, say thirty years or so, I didn't get it. Now, after reading about and by simply thinking about my own life experiences, I do get it. The different religions, ancient and modern, have obvious connections, from messiahs/God's/Goddesses and the time of the year they were born and died, to the length of their lives and the pattern of their lives. The connections between Christianity, Judaism and Islam are obvious but while reading "comparative religions" articles I began to see connections between ancient Paganism and Christianity, especially the timing and nature of the religions festivals. ie.Christmas/Yule, both on or around the winter solstice, the re/birth of the Sun/Son. That brings me to something i've only recently come across, Astrotheology. I have not studied the subject long or thoroughly enough but the subject has caught my interest enough to warrant more study. 

Studying and understanding comparisons between religions is an extremely complicated subject and I would be grateful to anyone who reads this for any advice or guidance they could give me on any part of the subject. 

All comments are welcomed and appreciated and I will reply to questions.

Till next time.

PS. I found a good site for this subject. www.comparativereligion.com  

The Ultimate Self Sacrifice.

We all, I presume, have people we admire and look up to. I know parents, immediate family and friends come into that remit but, I mean people out with that, for instance, historical figures.The person I have admired from a very young age is Leonidas, king of Sparta at the time of the Persian invasion of Greece. He and his personal guards, made up of three hundred hoplites chose to confront a massive Persian invasion force at a place called Thermopylae. Unfortunately, after managing to hold the narrow strip of land for a few days, the Spartans were betrayed by a farm hand and were being outflanked. Instead of retreating, Leonidas and his three hundred hoplites stood firm knowing that their position was hopeless. They were willing to lay down their lives to give the forces from the Greek city states valuable time to prepare for the battles to come. They were indeed, all killed, the Persians marched on, only to be defeated in a naval battle at Salamis. 

I often wonder if I had been in the same position, would I have had the same courage as the Spartans. 

I will leave it there for whosoever reads this to think about.

Till next time.