RPC - Western Civ - Common Misconceptions About the Crusades

Greetings, my friends! Welcome back to my old blog--Saint George Academy! Or simply welcome, if you are new.

Yes, I'm back. But, as it should be, I will be posting a school writing assignment. This one is for the Ron Paul Curriculum, and the Western Civilization class in particular. I'm going to be posting another of these, hopefully tomorrow.

I won't generally put a little introduction like this in front of all my school writing assignments. I just decided to do it for this one, my first post back on Saint George Academy with Grace. I hope you enjoy, or better yet, learn from this little historical work of mine!

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            The Crusades, taking place in the late 1090s to early 1290s, were the efforts of Western Christians, working with Eastern Christians, to win back the Holy Land, and especially Jerusalem. This much is fairly common knowledge. But beyond this, there are a lot of misconceptions about the Crusades. In this writing assignment, I will play the historian. And historians have an obligation to tell the truth about what they teach.

I will bring up several misconceptions about the Crusades, and address why they are incorrect.

#1 – The Crusades were simply unprovoked aggression on the part of the Crusaders.

A simple look at history proves otherwise. The Muslims (the Crusaders’ opposition) had taken over two-thirds of the Christian world by the time of the Crusades. Asia Minor—including the important cities of Antioch, Ephesus, and Nicaea—the Middle East, North Africa, and most of Spain had been conquered by the Muslim armies. They had made attempts to conquer France, but were driven back by Charles Martel (an ancestor of my family!).

            There was particularly a lot of conflict between the Muslims and Byzantium, also known as Turkey. Things only got worse for them as the Seljuk Turks entered the scene, and became rulers of Islam. At that point, even the uneasy peace that had existed was gone. Christian pilgrimages became very dangerous. Eventually, the Byzantine emperor had to send pleas for help back West, as the Muslims threatened Constantinople (currently Istanbul). Rather than unprovoked aggression, it was an act of self-defense.

#2 – The Crusaders were fixated on wealth.

            This is a very silly idea. The Crusades were immensely expensive, and were actually a source of financial ruin for many. People had to sell off or mortgage their lands to raise the money needed. According to recent research, many crusaders were already wealthy landowners, and the Crusades were only going to eat away at that fortune.
            A popular theory along these lines is the “Second Sons” theory. Fathers would leave all their lands to their firstborn son as inheritance. The younger sons, who didn’t get any lands, went off on crusades in order to gain lands. However, there is no evidence for this theory. As a matter of fact, it was the “first sons”, the sons that inherited lands, who answered the calls to crusade.

#3 – The Crusaders wanted to convert the Muslims by force in the Crusades.

            This idea is probably just the product of anti-Christian bias. Muslims living in Crusader states were never forced to give up their religion. In fact, Muslims always outnumbered Catholics in the Crusader State of Jerusalem. The truth of the matter is, almost everybody who went on the Crusades really did go for the reasons they gave—to do penance for their sins and to help their Christian brethren.

#4 – There was even a “Children’s Crusade”.

This is not true. There was no army of children, no crusade started by little kids. There was just a variety of uprisings and processions. One such uprising centred around a young man from Cologne named Nicholas, around 1212. Since the rich and powerful had apparently failed to take back Jerusalem, he started a mass movement, his own crusade with the peasants of the Western world. He got a lot of people behind him. Unfortunately, his movement came to an end when they came to the sea. He believed it would open before him, showing the way to the Holy Land. It didn’t. After that, most of the people went home, though some went to Rome.

#5 – The Crusades led to festering resentment among Muslims, which in turn led to 20^th- and 21^st- century terrorism.

To be honest, if you asked a Muslim in the 17^th century about the Crusades, he would have no clue what you were talking about. The Crusades were minor episode—blips—and hardly worth mentioning, from the Muslim perspective. The first Muslim mention of the Crusades in a scholarly work was in 1899, eight hundred years after the First Crusade. Trust me, the Crusades weren’t even on their radar. Not until we modern Westerners started making a big deal about them, anyway.

So there you have it. The Crusades were started and fought for the exact reasons that they said: to aid their Christian brethren in the East, and to retake the Holy Land. And, as they said in their Crusade's battle cry--and ours--"Deus Vult! God wills it!"

On the Road Home, Keep Christmas, Lose the Self

I don't know if most of you have heard of John C. Wright, but I've been told he's rather famous. He's a writer on the Right, and is really the one who started the Last Crusade movement, I suppose. (My first post explains what that is, if you're wondering). I read his blog, or website, or whatever it's called. A few days ago, he posted part of an article he wrote for... I believe it's called Dangerous? He also included a link to the rest of the article. Click that link. It is well worth your while.

http://www.scifiwright.com/2017/12/keeping-christmas-losing-self/

I disagree with him on only one point: the three versions of A Christmas Carol that we watch every year are the 1970 musical, the 2009 Disney version, and either Mickey's Christmas Carol or Stingiest Man in Town (both animated). I have never yet seen the versions he mentions. But this is simply our tradition. It has little bearing on matters such as these.

You see, Mr. Wright has written something truly wonderful. Christmas is a time of pictures and images of elsewhere, a time of homesickness for that same elsewhere, a time of selflessness and redemption, a time of mercy and magic and love. All of this is made very clear in Mr. Wright's article. And this article has brought me joy this Christmas, and I wanted you all to know of it too.

"In the place where God was homeless, all men are at home." ~ G. K. Chesterton.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Mid-Week Music #18 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Last week, I put up a song called "The Last Halloween". It was one of the funniest Halloween songs I've ever run across, especially with Dakota singing the whole thing. But, like my dad reminds me, things like that are like cotton candy, really. They're fun to have sometimes, but we need things that will fill us--the meat and potatoes of the thing, really. And today, I am posting a song that is just along those lines. It's not a song, though: not just a song, I mean. This is a hymn, to remind us of why we celebrate.

"But Grace!" you may say. "You're getting mixed up! It's not Christmastime yet--now's not the time to be pulling out 'Reason for the Season' messages." Still others may wonder what on earth I'm talking about: Halloween isn't a Christian holiday. Everybody knows it. Ask anyone you like. Unless you happen to be one of the few who do realize my reasons for this, do read on for your own knowledge.

You see, Halloween (especially by that name) has always been Christian. The name itself means "All Hallows Eve", which precedes All Hallows Day. Just like Christmas Eve precedes Christmas Day. From what I've been told, the origin of the way we celebrate today was that people believed that demons and all manner of evil would run wild on All Hallow's Eve, in order to try and ruin the festivities of the next day. Thus (and this is according to people I've heard), the folks would dress as demons, goblins, and witches because they were afraid of them, and wanted to hide and protect themselves from the creatures.

Some Christians today believe this means All Hallow's Eve is a holiday that's all about evil, and the Devil, and so are wary of celebrating it. The Adventures in Odyssey lost episode "What Are We Gonna Do About Halloween?" addresses this. All Hallow's Eve was just a day for the Devil to run wild--why would they want to celebrate it?

But, in case any of you are thinking of stowing your Halloween costumes next year, let me tell the real reason we celebrate, why we dress up in costumes like that every October the 31st. You see, people didn't dress like demons and things like that out of fear--they were mocking the evil things. No one thought all witches were green with warts all over them, no one thought the Devil was red with pointy horns and a pitchfork. They were doing it to mock him and his servants, because they knew he can't stand being mocked. He and his hate it, and so we do it even more.

And we can do it, because we know they can't hurt us. The servants of darkness can't separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, no matter what they do. That's why they run wild, you see: it's as if they're making a last desperate attempt to gain a victory. But Jesus has thrown their kingdom into disarray, and we will surely be the victors. A theologian by the name of James Jordan has a wonderful article on the matter, which has even more than what I've included here. Please do give it a read.

That's not the only reason, either, as my brothers and sisters eagerly pointed out when we listened to the Odyssey episode. It was on this very day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenburg and begun the Reformation, 500 years ago. That's part of the reason why I chose this hymn: to commemorate Luther and the Reformation. This is his most famous hymn, and has been called the Battle Hymn of the Reformation. 500th anniversaries only come once, you know.

The second reason I chose this hymn was because of what Luther preached. Among other things, he taught that the Bible said we cannot be saved through works of the flesh. Without God, we are nothing. If Jesus had not died to conquer sin, then risen again to conquer death, we would have good reason to fear these demons and witches and evil spirits. But because God has saved us, and we have faith in this promise, we will not fear the Prince of Darkness or his servants. Whatever happens, God's Truth abideth still, and His Kingdom is forever. And if God is for us, who--be they witch or demon, goblin or ghoul--can stand against us?

With that in mind, dear readers, let us listen to the great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask Who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His Truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little Word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's Truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Mid-Week Music #14 - All Falls Down

This song has been following me around a little. I listened to it on Sunday, then it popped up on Pandora (a music app or some such), and I read something in the Bible today that inspired a line in the song. I felt I had to use it for this week's MWM. (Be forewarned: it is very heavy. You might want to keep a hand near the volume control, especially when wearing headphones).

A lot of things have been happening recently. Some are good, some are bad. I don't know all of it, but I know some. It's beginning to feel like a movie--with real superheroes and supervillains. Even though the Right side has had some victories recently, the enemy is still trying to tear everything apart. In the media, in politics, in the streets of the cities: wherever they possibly can, they cause chaos.

And this is why we need to fight. We cannot allow ourselves to be enslaved to fools who would destroy us: therefore, we must fight back. Whether you enforce laws to protect liberty and abolish those that steal it. Whether you defend those threatened by the mobs, and rescue those abandoned by their cowards to die. Whether you create new worlds and people and stories that hold to truth, to goodness, to beauty. Whatever you do, we will fight against evil and we will win.

So fight on, and fight faithfully. For he who is faithful from ashes will rise, when it All Falls Down.

***

Red knights coming to Rome
Blood in the streets
Kingdoms die overthrown
Lay down your lives or be slaves to a fool
When it all falls down

**

Freedom stolen in sight
Do you love destruction or do you want life?
He who is faithful from ashes will rise
When it all falls down

(chorus)
Wake up, chosen ones
Stand up, fight for love
Where lies your treasure
So shall you become
When it all falls down

***

(chorus)

***

(chorus)
Wake up, chosen ones
Stand up, fight for love
Where lies your treasure
So shall you become
When it all falls
When it all falls
When it all falls down!

**

Mid-Week Music #9 - Lift Up the Suff'ring Symbol

This time, I'll be giving you a song I had in my head after tonight's Bible study at our church. We're going through the Ten Commandments at the moment, and what Martin Luther wrote about them in his Large Catechism. I think that's what it is, the Large Catechism. I will correct it if I am wrong.

Today, we talked about the First Commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." In the Lutheran Church, however, that First Commandment also includes the Second Commandment: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images, neither of anything in heaven nor in the earth nor in the waters beneath the earth, neither shalt thou worship them."

Obviously, this doesn't mean we should never make pictures or paintings or any kind of artwork. The First and Second Commandments together mean we shall worship the Lord our God and Him alone, and we shall worship Him in the way He tells us. For example, those people in Exodus who made the golden calf--they didn't say it was a new god. They thought they were worshipping the same God that brought them out of Egypt.

Worshipping God through images doesn't work. Sorry, but no. That was the main problem with relics among the Roman Catholics of Luther's day. We can only pray to God: nothing and nobody else will do. The only intercessor we have is Jesus Christ. So the 'images' we make--whether paintings or sculptures or even those talking pictures I've heard so much about--should be made to glorify God, just as we are meant to glorify God. And to teach and inspire others, as well.

Iconoclasm, oddly enough, has been somewhat rampant in the South recently. To be sure, it's of a different nature, but it is the eradication of images in any case. I will be putting up a more detailed post about it. Perhaps in a day or two? For the moment, though, here is the Michael Card song I had in my head: Lift Up the Suff'ring Symbol.

They grew tired of bread from heaven
And of Moses and of God
And longed to live the life of slavery once again
So they muttered and they grumbled
And they whimpered and they whined
With each faithless word sank deeper into sin

He took the pen of pain once more
To write upon their hearts
The lesson they had been so slow to learn
And writhing in the sand, the fiery serpents came to call
With a holy message and a bite that burned

(chorus)
Lift up the suff'ring symbol
And place it high upon a pole
Tell the children to look up and be made whole

So Moses made a metal snake
And nailed it to a pole
Sent out the saving word so they would know
That the symbol of their suffering was now
The focus of their faith
And with a faithful glance, the healing power would flow

In time the brazen serpent became
An idol in the land
And they left the living God to worship clay
When they forgot their suffering soon true faith had disappeared
And so some idolize a brazen cross today

(chorus 2x)

***

(chorus 2x)
Tell the children to look up and be made whole

Workings of a Wordsmith: Scene One

Today, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into some of the things I'm writing. If you weren't aware, I plan on being a professional wordsmith--thus the page entitled "Writing Projects". Unfortunately, I forgot to put anything on there when I posted it. Oops. But I promise I'll get to that soon. For the moment, here's part of what should be there.

Right now, I'm working on two things: a novel and a novella. Neither, at the moment, has any official title. (Typical me, very typical.) The novel is the first in a series, which is called Hanesion House. I haven't been working on it as much lately, however. That's due to my working on the novella.

This novella is for a writing contest called "Five Poisoned Apples", for Snow White retellings. At first, I had no ideas, though I wanted very much to enter. Then I was swamped with ideas, and wasn't sure which one to do first! But finally, I've gotten it down to two. The one I'm working on now is the one I'm definitely going to enter in the contest.

I began the project on the first of the month, and finished it... I can't remember when exactly, but I think it was about two weeks later. Maybe even less. I don't know, but that was the fastest I've ever finished any writing project in my life. I'm in the editing stages now. And I'm planning to send it to Rooglewood Press (the publishing company) sometime in the first week of September.

This retelling is a science-fiction story, hopefully in the vein of something good. Perhaps Space Opera*, perhaps something else. In any case, this is a story that excites me very much. Brave heroes, beleaguered princesses--mystery, suspense, some bits of action here and romance there. Hopefully though, the story itself will do a better job of getting your interest than that brief... would it even be called an overview?

Anyhow, I would appreciate it if you were to give your thoughts on my workings. Now, if you don't mind, I'll set forth a scene for you--the very first one--and you can see what you think. I may or may not be posting the rest of the story here on my blog, so enjoy the cliffs while you can: you may be hanging onto the side of one soon.

Apologies: there are still one or two unfinished parts lurking about. I've put them in bold text so you can see them better. Sorry!

*Star Wars is an example of Space Opera, if any of you are uncertain of the term.

     "Starlog 27.3, or, uh, like us Earthlings say it, August 1, 2317, on a Tuesday. My twenty-seventh adventure." Carter Prince sighed and rubbed his hands together. "It's odd how I've been counting time by how many adventures I've had. It feels like it's been forever since I've been home.

     "Speaking of which, how are things back in Virginia? You still in charge of the American Alliance, Dad? I'll bet Mom's still trying to convince you to [do something]. Oh, and let Luke know I said happy birthday! You've gotta transmit the images soon." He sighed. "I really miss you guys. All this adventuring is exciting beyond belief, and I do a lot of good. A lot of good. But... it's pretty lonesome out here."

     He paused. Then, grinning, he got up out of his chair. "Say, you haven't forgotten me, have you? Carter Prince--adventurer, protector of the innocent, and the first Intergalactic Knight?" He chuckled. "Remember that, Dad? You gave me that idea, back when I was younger than Luke. Now, I'm doing it for real, sword and all. I--" He was interrupted by a white flash outside the window, directly at the front of his ship.

     "Whoa! What the heck was--okay, you know what? I'll get back to you. Love you." Carter turned off his recorder and started pushing buttons. "Computer, damage report."

     "No damage sustained."

     "Then what was--" Before he could continue, he noticed a sound like heavy breathing nearby. He listened for a while, trying to discern the source. Then the voice, half-whispering and shaky, spoke. It was the voice of a young woman.

     "I don't know if there's anybody out there, listening. But I--I can't bear it anymore, I can't!"

     "Are you all right?" Carter asked.

     "I can't stand having no one to talk to, and I... have to tell someone about all this, even if I can't hear them." Carter then realized what was going on: this lady, whoever she was, had recorded and sent out this message. He listened intently. "The Droids that watch me just say it's only silly dreams and fears, over and over. They never listen. No one does."

     She sighed shakily. "I've had... every night, I have these dreams. And every time, it's the same one. Or almost. They start out... that's one of the strange things, because they don't start out the way they end. I walk in a forest, a beautiful forest. Almost unlike anything I'd seen before. It looked almost..." she paused, considering her words, "...it seems magical. I don't even know what the word means, but it sounds--well, somehow right. I walk through it, in beautiful clothes, and I hold an...an apple. A very red apple, shining in light. Like a jewel, almost."

     The voice paused, and Carter could hear her breathing, which was getting more rapid and shaky by the second. "Then, as I stare at it, it gets larger as if it's coming up toward my face. And then it... the apple disappears like fire, and everything flashes into darkness. I'm... down and down, I fall. I feel as though it will never end. Then--" She cried out, and Carter jumped toward the sound, and his hand to the sword at his side, only to remember with frustration that he couldn't do anything.

     "I jerk to a stop, and I feel as if I'm dangling on a string in the middle of the darkness. I blink, and I'm... suddenly, I find myself in a beautiful case. Of glass, and gold. There are flowers around me, but they are all dead. This place... yes, it is beautiful, but it's a tomb. I will be trapped forever... I must get out, I must! I struggle to get out, but I can't... move. Not at all.

     "Then I look out of the glass case, and there is... someone is out there, outside the case. Or something is there. I feel its eyes on me, staring at me, and I squirm, trying to escape. But I can't even blink or look away. Then it... I hear it laughing at me, laughing wild and cruel, and then there are eyes of fire, and I--I can't--ahh!" She screamed. Carter could not help but slam his fist on the dashboard.

     "No! I will not let--"

     "Then I... wake up, alone in the dark, in utter silence." The voice let out a little sob. "No one is there to help me. The only thing I ever see when I wake up is the stars, hovering in the darkness. But even those aren't there all the time. The Droids don't understand, they say it's an irrational fear. They don't do a thing. It doesn't help.

     "And then, there's... when I'm awake, there's something from my dream. I..."  She said something more, but it could not be heard: the message was fading in and out. "I can't ... much longer ... "

     "No! Computer, trace the message, quickly!"

     "Please, if there's ... if anybody is out ... really out there ... help me ... only hope ... please, help me!" The voice fell silent. Carter stared at the dashboard, open-mouthed.

     "Trace successful."

     He sighed and blinked slowly. "Show me."

     "Showing coordinates. Orders?"

     Carter stood silently for a few moments. "Computer, set a course for..." He looked closer at the information. "Set a course for the Septimon System."

     "Affirmative, sir." Carter straightened and put his hands behind his back.

     "Don't worry, my lady," he murmured. "I'm on my way."

***

Well, how's that for an introduction? Now y'all have met Carter Prince, and have embarked on a quest to help this mysterious girl. Do you plan to follow him all the way through? If so, please let me know! What are your thoughts on the first scene?

Also, I have a sort of idea for the title. However, I'm not sure about it. It seems it might work. Any suggestions on that wise would be greatly appreciated, as well!

My idea:
Princess of the Seventh Star

Please leave all your thoughts about my story in the comments below!

A Song for Harry (And a Word or Two)

Two nights ago (maybe three), I finished it. I finished watching the Harry Potter series.

To say I have mixed feelings would be the understatement of the wizarding world. My mind went from "Awww, that's so sweet" to "You JERK!" to "Whoa, now I get it!" to "How could you do this to me, JK? Why?!" to "YESSS!!! Finally!" to "Whaaaaat? That makes zero sense!"

So... very strange experience, huh?

I liked it far better than Part One of Deathly Hallows, where Harry did nothing but camp out in the wilderness with angstyness. Sorry if I spoiled the movie for you. But I think it was a (mostly) great end to a series that comes up with ways to keep my attention. And I think Miss Rowling enjoys lobbing those surprises at the heads of us readers.

I have much to say on the matter of Harry Potter. But that, for the moment, must wait. I have limited time to write. So I'll briefly address one thing that has really been annoying me for awhile, but that was dealt with in the last movie: Harry's 'hero's journey'. He doesn't really undertake it.

To be sure, he defeats several enemies (particularly in the first five stories), but Harry doesn't really do much to become worthy of his title of Chosen One. What, you think it all comes to you just like that? Honestly though, one time he accomplished something literally by luck. I'm not joking: watch or read the stories. Of course, this being the last one, Harry has to finish this, or everyone shall die. I will talk more about Harry's progression, what there is of it, at length another time.


Back in... I think it was May... I had just watched the Half-Blood Prince for the first time. That night, newly-made memories and imagination met to create inspiration. That inspiration ensnared my mind and utterly refused to let me go. So I dashed into the library to write it down. The words I wrote turned into these lyrics. I had most of it written down that night, then finished it the next day.

It doesn't have a title yet. I also haven't worked out the tune yet. Someday, I'm going to do a Mid-Week Music post about it, once I make a video of it. This song is for those Christians who have adopted a worldview of quietism, who just pine away waiting for Jesus to come back and take them away. It's also about Harry Potter. It's a call to arms. You're a wizard, Harry: now act like it.


You're living in a war zone
And you're sitting on your hands
You're still just goofing off instead
Of making battle plans

You're snogging and you're shuffling

And not sticking to your guns

Come on!

You are the Chosen Ones

It's high time you get out there

And learn just what to do

It's time to fight

For what is right

Give You-Know-Who

His devil's due

Take up now your weapons

This is a war we're in

Why are you still sitting there?

You've got a world to win

If you're waiting for the End Times

You've got a while to go

If you're gonna live in this old world

You need to learn and grow

You're in the Master's Army

Don't you get it, son? You're on

Take up the Hero's Journey

Through darkness into dawn

Our enemies are dangerous

They don't mess around

Come on!

Now learn to stand your ground

It's high time you get out there

And learn just what to do

It's time to fight

For what is right

Give You-Know-Who

His devil's due

***

When our enemies steal a little more freedom every day

When ones we love are casualties and ones we trust betray

Know that you've a Mighty Fortress

And you'll never stand alone

A hope for us to cling to

In this world that's made of stone

***

Now make your spirits light up

Like a fireworks display

With a sword to slay the Serpent

And a map to show the way

Lumos in a dark world

Hope to all who truly hear

Come on!

Our destiny draws near

It's high time you get out there

It's the only thing to do

It's might for right

For truth and light

Beat You-Know-Who

His reign is through!

Learn from the Greatest Hero

The self-sacrifice He gave

Why are you still sitting there?

You've got a world to save

Why are you still sitting there?

You've got a world to save

What is the Difference Between Aliens and Humans?

No, this isn't the setup for a punchline. It's a real question. In most science-fictional stories, what is the difference between Earthlings--humans--and aliens from distant planets? I knew I had to do more than one post this week, and this is one I've wanted to do for awhile. And, funnily enough, it's related to last week's Mid-Week Music.

So what is the difference? Not an outward difference, such as how they look, but fundamental differences. And a consistent difference, between humans and all aliens. It's not reason, surely. I highly doubt that it's spunk. And please don't try to convince me of that 'advanced technology' story, because I won't believe it. First, in some stories, the inhabitants of other planets are incredibly primitive. Second, who says that humans themselves won't someday reach the same degree of technological prowess?

Then what can the answer be? I have a theory--with an occasional exclusion, I'm sure--and it is this: we are different from the aliens of distant planets in that we can tell stories. And not merely telling facts in an enjoyable way, nor just cautionary tales of 'do this or you will die a horrible death': I mean creating stories with our own imagination. Allow me to show my evidence.

In Galaxy Quest (a favourite film of mine, starring Tim Allen), we see the Thermians, who are in desperate need of help from their all-time heroes... who just happen to be characters from a Star Trek-esque TV show. These Thermians believe the episodes of that show to be 'historical documents', because they have never heard of fiction. Deception, they know well enough, due to Sarris (the villain) using it on them constantly. But they've never heard the concept of telling a fictional story for enjoyment. This makes things very difficult for the had-been heroes of Galaxy Quest. But let's not stray into spoiler territory just yet.

The next example can be found in the cartoon show, Transformers: Rescue Bots. Specifically, the episode called "Once Upon a Time". In said episode, the Burnses and the Bots find themselves lost and separated in a forest. The catch? This forest is the home of fairies, according to local legend. Most of the characters couldn't care less about the legends, though one of these thinks it good for his own story he must write. Still, one or two of them wonder if these things--literal old wives' tales--might be true. Especially after...shall we say, certain strange happenings.

But this is just part of the picture. The main focus of the story is that of stories, stories that may or may not be true. Chase (one of the Bots) tells the humans that on their planet, they didn't have things like fairy-tales. They do, however, have stories like "The Bot Who Didn't Clean His Windshield": cautionary tales and such like. They usually end with the titular Bot being eaten by a giant space monster. Cybertron may have some of the most advanced tech in the universe, but I wouldn't want to live there if those were the only kinds of story to hear.

Which brings me back to my point. How many sci-fi stories have you found in which the aliens tell things like fairy-tales? It's usually just them telling what they believe to be facts, even when they are legends. To be sure, there are exclusions to this theory. I just can't really think of any. Even those on other planets (such as Malacandra) that tell stories in exciting or epic ways do not create the stories themselves: they tell those stories about things that truly happened. And this is storytelling too, good and important. But not the same kind.

And why does this matter, you may ask? I mean, fairy-tales are just people trying to explain things they didn't understand, or trying to force their little moral systems on other people, right? Only if you happen to be one of those modern, Politically Correct types. In the real world, they are something different entirely. And that leads me to a very important point.

In both of those examples from before, in both Galaxy Quest and Rescue Bots, those fictional fairy-tales... come true. In the first example, those had-been heroes from a Star Trek show are summoned by an alien people--who believe these actors to really be their characters from the show--to help defeat a space villain. As this is a comedy, in both senses, you can be assured that they save the day. I won't say how they manage to do this, but I will say that, the moment the Thermians find the stories of the Galaxy Quest heroes to be lies, they turn round to see the stories come true for the first time. And the heroes of the movie become the heroes they had before only pretended to be.

In the second example, the Burnses and Bots get lost and separated in a forest while trying to understand why its trees are falling over. They unwittingly act out several familiar tales, which you may recognize when you watch it yourself. In that way, the fairy-tales do come true, as well as in another, smaller way, but no less important. A way very similar to what they did in "The Haunting of Griffin Rock". Put quite simply, "It's Griffin Rock. Anything can happen."

I've found that people love disproving magic and fairy-tales. I personally have mainly only come across it in movies and TV shows, and such like. People in those say things like 'magic's only science we haven't figured out yet', or 'there are no such things as that!' Sometimes they're disproved, sometimes not. In Sherlock, in a great many kid's shows, all kinds of things. I've found few things that aren't specifically fantasies that include real fairy-tales and legends.

And oftentimes, folks like disproving heroes in general, showing that they aren't really great, and are just lying to you and everybody. Sometimes this goes hand-in-hand with disproving the idea of villains, showing that they aren't really bad, and are just misunderstood victims of the heroes. These things are themes running through today's culture.

And this is why we must not lose what makes us different. Aristotle tells us that what makes us different and unique in regards to animals is our reason, our logic, rational thought. This is something we cannot lose, not without losing all humanity within us. But what makes us different from those of other planets?

You know this by now, right?

It is our ability to tell fairy-tales. To create something in our own minds, to do "such noble feats as bringing forth new worlds, stories, and adventures", to weave words into an image for those who will hear it. It is to reveal an eternal truth in something that may not be true, to create characters that strive for goodness even in situations that are not, to inspire hearts for beauty. To kindle a light in the eyes of the hearers, whether they be our families, our friends, or complete strangers. Or even those who have never yet heard of the tales of Faerie: those of far-flung worlds?

Perhaps someday...

Mid-Week Music #2 - Aliens and Strangers

I'm back again! Today, I have a song by DeGarmo and Key, called Aliens and Strangers.

Sunday morning, the pews are filled with friends of mine
Yeah, friends of mine
And for the first time, I look around and I realize
I realize

(chorus)

My closest friends are aliens and strangers

Travelers here, living with danger

My closest friends are aliens and strangers

Travelers here, living with danger

I used to wonder why they act so strange

Now I know, yeah, now I know

I heard the preacher say this world we're in

Is not our home, it's not our home

(chorus)

They're pilgrims just passing through

Heroes away from their homeland

And since I've discovered the truth

I look at my friends

And I can't help but think that

All of my friends, they're aliens

Just passing through, yeah, they're aliens...

I remember when I first heard that song. The idea that we're aliens really captured my imagination. I even worked it into a poem I wrote once. (More on that anon).

It occurs to me now that you can't help being an alien to one thing or another. "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world..." Ephesians 2:12. Now we are aliens to the worldliness that fills our culture, and our own Middle Earth.

But you see, that's where most people misinterpret things. Some people take this to mean we are aliens to this world, this earth, and heaven is where we're really supposed to be. But that isn't so. Why would we be 'taking dominion over the earth' if we were not supposed to abide in it?

We're not supposed to be disembodied spirits floating around in the ether. Even heaven won't be our permanent home. Yes, it will be wonderful. But when we die, and join the cloud of witnesses, we will be watching and waiting for Mankind, through the grace and power of God, to bring about heaven on earth. And when all has been done, then, and only then, will Christ bring everything back together, and the Resurrection will finally come to be.

We are not aliens and strangers to our world, to Tellus, to this Middle Earth, but to the evil that has taken it over. Our homeland is a perfect world, and that just isn't here. So we are taking it back from those who have invaded it. Our enemies are dangerous. They don't mess around. And so we are engaged in a war, a Last Crusade, against them. The fate of an entire planet, and its people, is at stake.

The Welcoming Introductory Debut Post

     Greetings, my friend! Welcome to my blog, St. George Academy with Grace!

     May I interest you in some writing? I have all sorts of things in here. Over here is a collection of SCHOOL PROJECTS--history, and literature, and even a few other things from the pages of Omnibus and Ron Paul Curriculum. Some of these even date back to the days of long ago: 2013! I--I'm afraid they're rather out of order, but I'm sure I'll be able to fix that...someday.

     Or if that fails to interest you, perhaps these will catch your eye. A collection of original works, not yet completed. Many things are to be found here, from fantasy to mystery and beyond. The author (who does not wish to be named, but does bear a striking resemblance to myself, along with sharing the exact same name), wishes to hear of your thoughts on her writings, so do leave a little note. And please allow me to inform you of a certain pastime of these parts, called 'Yelling at Culture'. This activity involves writing articles on, or simply discussing, matters pertaining to culture, and particularly, well, the more erroneous aspects of it. Unlike Yelling at Passersby, it is very pointed, and more comprehensive by far--most of the time.

     And, ah yes, that leads me to the next bit. Perhaps you're not looking for any of that. I also have included a number of articles on the workings of other writers in word and in image, visual and verbal. In short, reviews. Reviews of films--along with its smaller-screened successor, TV shows--and of course, reviews of books. And there are also occasionally reviews of another medium--perhaps you still listen to it?--radio shows. And audio dramas, of course: I'm not terribly picky. Since there are quite a lot of children on the physical end of this blog, you must not be surprised if there are a great many children's books, films, and TV and radio shows being reviewed.

     What's that, you say? This is a blog, not a bookshop? How very observant of you!

     Yes, you've caught me. And I must admit this is not the style in which all of my blog posts will be written, either. But one certainly couldn't blame me for making an interesting impression first!

     But now, a word of--shall we say--caution. This place has a very specific air about it. It is a fortress and a stronghold, however small, for the Last Crusade, and the Last Crusade consists of "all who hold true faith within the majesty of truth; the impartiality of reason; the objectivity of reality; the authority of virtue; the verity of beauty; the dignity of man; the equality of the law; the love of patriots; and we hold faith with Christ."

     In short, if you are a Leftist, an atheist, a feminist, or someone who makes a hobby of being triggered--and unless you would be glad to listen to a different point of view, and use your own logic and point of view to contest what you still find to disagree with--then you may as well leave now.

     Silly me! I haven't introduced myself! I am a Christian, Southern, homeschooled girl, who is growing to become a Lady. One who believes in magic, and who loves the old things. One who lives for the furthering of Christendom, and who is not afraid to offend. And my name is Grace.

     Will you stay awhile? If so, elen sila 'lummen omentielvo, and howdy-do, to you!