‘You Always Get What You Deserve’: Another Blatant Bloody Lie?

Major religious groups (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week, I wrote a post titled, ‘Work Hard and You’ll Succeed: the Biggest Lie?’ Today, I want to explore, with you, another blatant lie.

We’re told, frequently and with much volume, that we get what we deserve. I think this is an attempt by some to encourage the first lie in the minds of those as yet unschooled in reality. It’s also, of course, a saying completely founded in the religious concepts that underpin the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Their sacred texts explicitly tell followers that their rewards will follow from their actions.

But is it true? Do we, or indeed anyone else, get what we deserve?

Does the innocent child deserve to starve to death by an accident of geographical location? Does the winner of millions on a lottery actually deserve this piece of great fortune? Does the drug baron deserve a life of luxury and ease at the expense of those who suffer and die through his activities? Does the Chairman of a business empire deserve the exorbitant income he awards himself?

There are millions more examples of people receiving things they don’t deserve. In fact, I’d say that more people get what they don’t deserve than get what they do. In fact, I can think of very few people I know who have actually been given what they deserved.

I hear those of a religious mind-set yelling that we get our real rewards in heaven, paradise, or whatever other presumed afterlife they believe in. But such destinations are pure speculation. There’s no way of knowing whether they even exist except by taking that final step to enter them. By then it’s too late to discover that all your effort, good, bad or indifferent, has, in fact, resulted in you reaching the same end as all living things on death: i.e. the recycling of your components. If there is an afterlife, and it’s something we can never know since no one has ever returned with a reliable report, then surely the creator of such a splendid reward system would want us to be certain?

There’s little point in any deity permitting us to have doubts about such things, since these are supposed to be the very motivations that make us do the bidding of that deity. Yet the tales that are sold by the various religions are so different and contradictory. Surely any deity worthy of the name would at least remove the elements of doubt and dispute and provide a means whereby we could actually experience such rich rewards? Nothing else makes sense.

Of course, I understand that many are now yelling at me that I have to have faith. I’m sorry, but faith in something for which there is no evidence, let alone proof, strikes me as little short of imbecility. Does anybody seriously believe in fairies, a flat Earth, that Mars is inhabited by little green men or any one of thousands of such tales? We’ve dismissed the myths of ancient times, the tales of Zeus and his clan, Odin and his cohorts, Ra and his comrades, as early attempts to explain what was then inexplicable. A similar fate is already undermining current deities as reason and rational thought supersede superstition and folklore.

It isn’t that I deny absolutely the possibility of religious dogma having a basis in truth; it’s that I see such division in interpretation and I don’t believe it can be proven. The very existence of God is a matter we, as humans, will probably never be able to determine one way or another. If such a power actually exists, it must, by its very nature, be so far outside our experience and knowledge as to be incomprehensible. Any attempt to define such a power must inevitably diminish any reality it might possess. So, I take the only sane and reasonable attitude possible: I can’t know, which is why I style myself agnostic.

I’d like to say, ‘religious considerations aside’ and give examples of my argument on that basis but, unfortunately, the world in which we live is so deeply imbued in religious foundation that it’s impossible to escape its influence.  

But I will set a challenge.

Can anyone, without citing religious concepts, please provide more examples of people actually getting what they deserve than those who most clearly do not deserve what they get? I’m open-minded enough to be converted to a different view, if I can be given evidence that ‘just deserts’ is something more than a meaningless lie disguised as truth by those with vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Go ahead; change my mind.

Ancient Symbol Worship, by Westropp & Wake, Reviewed.

This is a modern version, not the one I read,
and may contain more information.

Subtitled, Influence of the Phallic Idea in the Religions of Antiquity, this book came my way as one of a small collection given me by my brother when he was sorting stuff out prior to a move to a new house with less space. He used to work in a book store and has a number of fairly unusual titles in his library. This was one he hadn't got round to reading, but the title and subtitle intrigued me.

This small volume, first published in 1875, sets out to examine the influence of the phallic, or male, component in ancient religion. But it takes this idea into modern religion, suggesting that the ancient beliefs, customs and rites have been absorbed and altered by modern celebrants in forms recognisable to those who wish to see.

There's some Latin, untranslated, and a colossal amount of reference to often obscure issues that were, presumably, well known to scholars of the time. But, for a modern reader, these references remain unexplained and would require a great deal of research to track down and more time than most people have these days for such esoteric issues. Whilst those who already have a deep interest in the symbolism employed in worship will undoubtedly understand the references, the rest of us will remain confused. However, much is clarified by context and, having an interest in many subjects, I was able to apprehend a lot of what the authors allude to, though other items consisted of listings of arcane information lacking any hook on which I could hang it.

That the book was written in the Victorian era, with its dreadful hypocrisy regarding all matters sexual, shows in the circumspection that rules the writing. Where, today, we would name the penis, testes, vulva and breasts without fear or embarrassment, the authors are constrained by the customs of their times and therefore have to express much of their ides in convoluted form or by the use of metaphor, much of which is couched in classical references that will be lost on many modern readers.

A second factor in preventing the authors expressing themselves frankly and with clarity is their sensitivity to the feelings of those who profess a faith. Again, today, such sensitivities can be dealt with more openly, showing respect rather than reverence. In the time the book was published however, such frankness, leading to real clarity, would have probably prevented publication.

So, an already difficult subject is made more obscure for reasons that are no longer valid. As the ideas and information explored are still valid and in need of wider publicity, I'd love to see some modern scholar produce a similar volume for today's reader with a much clearer text. Perhaps it's been done and I simply haven't come across the book.

As it is, this book can really only be read by the general reader as a partial glimpse into the subject. Those with a good knowledge of ancient history, religion and symbolism will glean a good deal more, however. Many of the ideas expressed as certainties have, of course, been placed in doubt or even refuted by more recent discoveries of texts from such sources as the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient records and parchments retrieved from many different sources by modern archaeologists.

Members of religious organisations will no doubt be outraged by suggestions that the roots of their current dogma and rites grew from ancient forms of worship that were definitely based in reproduction and sexuality, often in very explicit acts of devotion, sacrifice and propitiation to the early deities. But a dispassionate and disinterested examination of the rites, customs and beliefs of such groups quickly establishes their ancient links with many practices and myths no longer considered either right or sensible.

A demanding read, not for the faint-hearted.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Sa

Sa, as the word for today, represents another of my occasional dives into the complex and diverse world of deities and gods.

Sa one of a pair of underground or chthonic creator gods from eastern Guinea on the west coast of Africa. He lived in the primeval swamps in the area before any other living things appeared on Earth; before even the sky or light existed. His daughter eloped with his partner deity, bearing 14 children of different colours and speaking different languages. Sa gave these children the tools to survive in the world.

As with so many creation stories, there are the seeds here of an attempt by primitives to explain what must have been inexplicable at the time the myth was born. In this respect, of course, it bears a striking resemblance to the story of creation told in the Bible and borrowed from Judaism by both the Christian and Muslim religions.

Author Interview with Chris Hambleton

Chris Hambleton resides in Denver, Colorado, where he is employed as a software developer and consultant. He has authored several websites, software applications, and other programming-related articles.

Chris is also the creator and administrator of BookBlitzer.com, a website that helps authors get more exposure for their books through reviews, contests, and other networking tools. In 2008, he developed the iWriterPro book-writing software to help authors manage and write books more efficiently.

His other interests include spending time with his family, reading, hiking, studying Bible prophecy, Ice Age/ancient civilizations, and archaeology.

To learn more about Chris Hambleton and his other books and writing, please visit his website at http://www.cwhambleton.com

Other Books by Chris Hambleton

"Endeavor in Time" (2008)

"The Cell – Twilight’s Last Gleaming" (2010)

"The Last Aliyah – Book 1 of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble" (2011)

"The Son of Shinar – Book 2 of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble" (2011)

"The Siege of Zion – Book 3 of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble" (2011)

"The Castors of Giza" (2011)

Connect with Me Online:

Website: http://www.cwhambleton.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cwhambleton

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chris_hambleton

Tell us about “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” in a few sentences.

My current book is part of a trilogy called “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” – it’s a saga about an Israeli family as it goes through the End Times as described in the Bible. It was the first novel I wrote in 2008, but I decided to rewrite it after touring Israel in 2010. The trilogy heavily builds upon current trends in the Middle East and weaves in passages from various parts of the Bible (especially the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation). I also have another book in progress called “The Castors of Giza” which is a adventure story about how the Great Pyramid was built.

What qualities do you need to be a successful writer?

First and foremost, you need to have a good story to tell, one that hopefully can catch (and hold) your readers’ interest. Secondly, you need to be able to describe characters, settings, and scenes in such a way that the reader feels like they can ‘see’ what’s happening as though they were watching it in the theater or on television. Third, you need passion and a certain ‘flair’ for story-telling.

What is your working method?

Typically, I start with a handful of ideas for a story and weave in an underlying message I want to communicate, such as repentance, forgiveness, etc. From there, I begin adding in the main characters and secondary characters, along with some of the scenes I think would catch the readers’ attention. Then I begin plotting out the book in rough chapters and scenes, and then plug them into the writing software I use – iWriterPro (http://www.iwriterpro.com). I developed this software specifically for writing novels in 2009, and it’s been one of the best investments of my time I’ve ever made.

What is the single biggest mistake made by beginners to writing?
For myself, it was not reading “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” before writing my manuscript. I found I spent far too much time describing scenes and settings to the reader instead of showing them through the eyes of the characters. I used to have a big issue with “telling” instead of “showing”, which I’m getting better at. The trick of seeing and writing novels from the perspective of a camera was a big help in improving my books.

How did you come to write this particular book?

I first took a passing-interest in Bible prophecy in 1996, and then in 1998 began to study it much more seriously. In 2006, I began writing "The Time of Jacob's Trouble", which was then published in 2008. Several years later in 2010, I was fortunate enough to visit Israel on a study-tour, and I saw for myself the miracle of modern Israel.

When I reviewed my book after visiting Israel and learning more about the land and its people, I realized there were numerous inaccuracies that I felt compelled to resolve. Several reviewers also recommended that the original book be divided into three and expanded to focus more on the characters than the mere circumstances/settings of the End Times.

If you have a favorite character in your novel, why that particular one?

Since most of my books have underlying themes of redemption and spiritual change, my favorite characters are usually the main character (or one of their friends or supporting characters), who the stories revolve around. Some sort of spiritual transformation is nearly always involved in the plot and in the development of the character.

How can people buy your book(s)?

My books are available on my website at http://www.cwhambleton.com, and also at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and most other book sites. “The Last Aliyah” is the first book I’m releasing exclusively in eBook format rather than paperback.

To what extent are grammar and spelling important to a writer?

Spelling and grammar are quite important, as they directly reflect on the time and care the writer has put into their manuscript – not necessarily their story, but their finished work. However, sometimes proper grammar can interfere with the beat and dialogue in the story, so using proper grammar may not always be the best way of communicating your story. For example, “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” would sound terrible if Twain had used “proper grammar”.

How much revision of your MS do you do before you send it off?

Typically, I revise a manuscript at least three times after the initial draft, with typically a “week off” between revisions. When I find I start to hate the story/book, I know I’m about done with it.

Where and when is your novel set and why did you make these specific choices?

My latest novel, “The Last Aliyah”, is set in the near future in various parts of Israel, but predominantly in the north at Haifa. I decided to have the story take place in Israel because that’s where most of the ‘action’ in the End Times occurs, and I had noticed that few other authors had placed their End Times story predominantly in Israel and from the perspective of the Jewish people.

To what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?

I think the importance of genre depends largely upon the author and their purpose (such as trying to make a living from their work). My genre would likely be much different if I was trying to sell thousands of books a year. However, since novel-writing is primarily my hobby and an “escape” from the exciting world of software-development (LOL), I have the freedom to write what I want, when I want, and how I want.

What are your writing habits?

I do most of my writing with the book-writing software I’ve developed called iWriterPro (http://www.iwriterpro.com). I will often go to a coffee-shop either early in the morning or after work to hammer out the manuscript (especially the first draft). Much of the revision-phase then takes place either at home in the evenings or before work.

How do you know where to begin any given story?

I typically “sketch” out the book in my head in the weeks/months before I begin working on it and jot down some notes or rough scenes I think would make a good story/plot. Once I think the plot is workable, I create a rough plot outline and then develop it. If the story makes it through that phase, the story-writing phase is ready to begin.

As for where to begin a story, I often try to throw the main characters right into the action from the beginning and start off the story with a BANG! to get the reader immersed in the story as quickly as possible. I’m a big fan of “24” and “Lost”, and that was a hook those screenwriters always used quite effectively.

What sort of displacement activities keep you from actually writing?

Since I’m still working full-time as a software developer, my work schedule cuts into the time I’d love to spend writing, along with family time and church/friend activities. Also, I’m in the process of creating several websites/services centered around authors-helping-authors and social-networking (such as http://www.bookblitzer.com), and those development/support activities cut into my time also.

Do you have support, either from family and friends or a writing group?

Certainly! My family, friends, and extended family have been very supportive in my work. Sometimes I feel bad about announcing/giving them my books all the time, since it seems like a new one is always coming out.

Is presentation of the MS as important as most agents and publishers suggest?

Yes – agents and publishers know what looks good and what is sellable (according to the market). If they’ve defined a format that sells better than others, then that’s what authors should try to use.

How long does it normally take you to write a novel?

I can usually crank out a first draft between 2 and 3 months, especially if I’ve been thinking about the story for awhile and have done much of the research beforehand. I love reading, and often a story will emerge from the various books I read. Often I’ll have several stories bouncing around in my head for months or sometimes even years before I actually begin writing them. The trilogy I’m starting later this year, “The Starstone Chronicles”, has been in my head for about five years now.

What are your inspirations?

My main inspirations are other authors who have written great stories – not necessarily the best-selling authors or books, but the best stories that I can identify with and relate to. There have been several books I’ve encountered where I’ve literally shouted, “I WAS GOING TO WRITE THAT!” and that inspires me to keep pushing. The potential of making money in the book-industry doesn’t really inspire me at all compared to being able to tell a great story (though making some good side-cash would be nice).

If there’s a single aspect to writing that really frustrates you, what is it?

The part of writing that really bothers me is finding extra or dropped words in my books once they’re in print. Something else that bugs me is when I think of a scene or character that I could’ve added to the story to make it better after the book has already been published. That’s one of the reasons I’ve transitioned over to writing eBooks, since I can improve them anytime I want without much cost or hassle.

Do you think writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?

I think it’s a bit of both a natural gift and an acquired skill. I’ve heard that everyone has story inside them and just needs to drawn out, and I believe that’s true – the gift is being able to extract that story and turn it into a book (or several books). The “acquired skill” portion is developing that gift and turning it into a craft.

What are you writing now?

My current work in progress is called “The Castors of Giza”, which takes place in ancient Egypt during the design and building of the Great Pyramid of Giza. I’m very excited about it, since the idea for the book suddenly came about in early 2011 and was completely unexpected, and it gives me an opportunity to learn about a country/era I am relatively unfamiliar with.

Is there any aspect of writing that you really enjoy?

I particularly enjoy the research and plot-development phase of writing slightly more than working through some the scenes and dialogue (which can get tedious at times). And of course, I like thumbing through the finished product (or clicking through it, such as with my eBooks).

Do you have a website or a blog that readers can visit?

Sure – my blog is http://fictionsoftware.wordpress.com and my author-website is http://www.cwhambleton.com. My Facebook fan-page is under “Chris Hambleton (Author Page)” and my Twitter feed isat @chris_hambleton. I also run a website at http://www.bookblitzer.com which helps authors get reviews for their books and also provides other author-related services.

Given unlimited resources, what would be your ideal writing environment?

My ideal writing place would be at a beach-house somewhere sunny and warm, though I probably wouldn’t get as much writing done.

Where do you actually write?

I do most of my writing at Starbucks or Caribou Coffee, or at least the rough scenes and dialogue. A lot of the finishing work takes place at home after the kids go to bed or early in the morning. I find that I don’t write very well unless there are other people around, as long as there aren’t many interruptions.

Stuart’s Daily Word Spot: Rabbi

Image via Wikipedia

Rabbi noun - Jewish scholar or teacher with authority regarding law and doctrine; someone ordained to deal with questions of law and ritual, and to perform certain functions; a title of respect and form of address; person whose learning, authority, or status is like that of a Jewish rabbi; US slang - a senior official who exerts influence on behalf of someone.

‘Rebecca sought out the rabbi to explain to her a point of doctrine that seemed to contradict another she had read in a sacred text.’

Stuart’s Daily Word Spot: Cabbala

Image via Wikipedia

Cabbala: noun -   (also spelt -Cabala, Cabbala, Kabbala, Qabalah) ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible using esoteric methods; oral tradition; esoteric doctrine; mystic interpretation; occult lore.

‘Judith reckons herself a real mystic, dealing in some weird cabbala that no one else seems to understand, and making the most unlikely connections in her own mind.’