A positive move by the Church of England!

In a huge positive move by an organised religion, the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, has voted to ordain women bishops.

Mary with Jesus Christ and Angels . . .

Image: www.medjugorje.ws

I don’t have much interest in organised religions because they do not permit free thought. As a result, almost all organised religions still exhibit mediæval characteristics that are totally out of tune with the 21st century. It is very rare that a religion reforms itself for the better. The Church of England has just done that.

As expected, the Church of England had to overcome stiff opposition from within before taking this huge step forward. It must have been a difficult time for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, as many Anglicans feared a split in the Church as deep divisions exist on this issue. But it is a progressive move that Dr. Williams can be proud of. A proposal to have “super bishops” for objectors to women bishops was also rejected. I am terribly disappointed that the Vatican has expressed “regret” over this progressive move by the Church of England.

Organised religions do not appeal to me because they do not treat women as equals. I would never associate myself with something that treats one half of the human population as inferior beings. I cannot understand why organised religions do not allow women priests. Even religions whose followers worship Goddesses do not allow women priests.

It is not too late for religions to reform themselves. The Church of England has shown the way forward and I hope other religions take a leaf out of the Anglican Church’s book and treat women as equals for their own good!

A tribute to mothers and motherhood from a son

Photo:Burl Hays (Japan Today)

Dearest Mother,

From two half cells, I formed within You,
I grew and divided . . . and grew and divided . . . and grew and divided,
I became a bunch of rapidly expanding cells,
I grew in size till I became uncomfortable for You,
I drank Your blood all the while,
Yet You never complained even a bit,
But took care of me to the hilt like any Mother.

I grew so much that I gave You unbearable pain,
I refused to step out into the bad world,
They had to cut You up to take me out,
Yet You did not complain,
I cried because I caused You so much pain,
But You smiled when You heard me cry,
I will never understand why You did that, Mother.

You sacrificed so much of your time to take care of me,
I was selfish enough to think I deserved it,
But You were selfless enough to give up so many things for me,
And when the first word escaped from my lips,
You were delighted beyond what words could describe,
Your Heart must have leapt with joy,
When You heard me say “Mother”.

I grew up to be a boy,
And Your joy grew up with me,
For I was, I am and I will always be Your little bundle of joy,
When I took my first step, I could see the joy on Your face,
And when I fell down, I could see it turn into concern,
When I fell down from my bicycle and injured myself,
I could see the sorrow on Your face, Mother.

When I left home to attend school,
I could never stop thinking about You,
And You could never stop thinking about me,
The day I went missing on my way home, You searched frantically for me,
Along with the man who gave me my Y-chromosome, and when You found me,
You hugged me so hard, that it brought tears to even the eyes of Your companion,
I guess he must have been reminded of his Mother.

When I broke my leg, it must have broken Your Heart,
I was no longer a boy, and You did not want me to remain a Mamma’s boy,
When I bloodied myself, I shouted hard as they stitched me up,
But I heard You sobbing, and I stopped shouting,
Please forgive me if I have hurt You inadvertently, as I do not have that right,
But there is only one person in the world who has a right to hurt me,
Ofcourse, that person is You, Mother.

Besides me, You have made a difference in the lives of many other children and young people,
But why did You go through so much for me?
I know I should not ask You that, for that is what Motherhood is all about,
But how on Earth can I ever repay You?
I think I know the answer too,
And that is to do exactly what Father Time wanted me to do on Mother Earth,
So that when I die, I can happily say, “Thank You very much, Mother!“

I truly love You, dear Mother!

On Mother’s Day, I express my heartfelt gratitude to every Mother. Enjoy Your day, Mothers! The world would be nothing without You! As far as I am concerned, since we live on Mother Earth, every day is a Mother’s Day!

Danica does it!

Danica Sue Patrick has become the first woman driver to win a major closed course race with her recent win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300.Click here to read more about the career of this American racer.

Danica Sue Patrick . . .

Photo:From Danica’s weblog

There have been women racers before,including in Formula 1,but none of them have managed to win a race.In the link,you will find that she has had to deal with sexist remarks from her male competitors.But with her win,she has proved that not all women on the track are pit girls.Some women can race against men and win!There are very few male bastions left now . . .

Congratulations Danica!

(Click on the link to go to Danica’s blog)