GALILEO'S GALLANTRY

GALILEO’S GALLANTRY: Reading “[4.2.2] Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (1615),” in THE ESSENTIAL GALILEO (2008), edited and translated by Maurice A. Finocchiaro today, I was struck by certain compelling passages, which I have opted to share. When confronted with the daunting prospects of ex-communication, banishment, torture, or death, Galileo Galilei, rejected that banal invitation to self-righteous obstinacy displayed and exhibited by his priestly traducers, deftly preferring, instead, to reconcile science and religion, scripture and mathematics, with scholastic, even ecclesiastical, gallantry. Thereby, he and the truths which he discerned from reviewing the heavens, both won in the end. Galileo Galilei’s lessons are legion. Enjoy: “It is most pious to say and prudent to take for granted that Holy Scripture can never lie, as long as its true meaning is grasped; but I do not think one can deny that this is frequently recondite and very different from what appears to be the literal meaning of the words. From this it follows that, if in interpreting it someone were to limit himself always to the pure and literal meaning, and if the latter were wrong, then he could make scripture appear to be full not only of contradictions and false propositions, but also of serious heresies and blasphemies; for one would have to attribute to God feet, hands, eyes, and bodily sensations, as well as human feelings like anger, contrition, and hatred, and such conditions as the forgetfulness of things past and the ignorance of future ones. Since these propositions dictated by the Holy Spirit were expressed by the sacred writers in such a way as to accommodate the capacities of the very unrefined and undisciplined masses, therefore for those who deserve to rise above the common people, it is necessary that wise interpreters formulate the true meaning and indicate the specific reasons why it is expressed by such words… “Therefore, I think that in disputes about natural phenomena one must begin not with the authority of scriptural passages, but with sense experiences and necessary demonstrations. For the Holy Scripture and nature derive equally from the Godhead, the former at the dictation of the Holy Spirit and the latter as the most obedient executrix of God’s orders; moreover, to accommodate the understanding of the common people it is appropriate for the Scripture to say many things that are different (in appearance and in regard to the literal meaning of the words) from the absolute truth; on the other hand, nature is inexorable and immutable, never violates the terms of the laws imposed upon her, and does not care whether her recondite reasons and ways of operating are disclosed to human understanding; but not every scriptural assertion is bound to obligations as severe as every natural phenomenon; finally, God reveals himself to us no less excellently in the effects of nature than in the sacred words of Scripture, as Tertullian perhaps meant when he said, “We postulate that God ought first to be known by nature, and afterwards known by doctrine—by nature through His works, by doctrine through official teaching” (‘Against Marcion,’ I.18.); and so it seems that a natural phenomenon which is placed before our eyes by sense experience or proved by necessary demonstration should not be called into question, let alone condemned, on account of scriptural passages whose words appear to have a different meaning…. “Moreover, even in regard to those propositions that are not articles of faith, the authority of the same Holy Writ should have authority over any human works composed not with the demonstrative method but with either pure narration or even probable reasons; this principle should be considered appropriate and necessary inasmuch as divine wisdom surpasses all human judgment and speculation…. “But let us go back and examine the importance of necessary demonstration and sense conclusions about natural phenomena, and how much weight has been assigned to them by learned and holy theologians. Among hundreds of instances of such testimony we have the following. Near the beginning of his work ‘On Genesis’ Pererius asserts: “In treating of Moses’ doctrine, one must take diligent care to completely avoid holding and saying positively and categorically anything which contradicts the decisive observations or reasons of philosophy or other disciplines; in fact, since all truths always agree with one another, the truth of Holy Scripture cannot be contrary to the true reasons and observations of human doctrines.” And in St. Augustine (Letter to Marcellinus, #7), one read: “If, against the most manifest and reliable testimony of reason, anything be set up claiming to have the authority of Holy Scriptures, he who does this does it through a misapprehension of what he has read, and is setting up against the truth not the real meaning of Scripture, which he has failed to discover, but an opinion of his own; he alleges not what he has found in Scriptures, but what he has found in himself as their interpreter…. “Indeed, who wants the human mind put to death? Who is going to claim that everything in the world that is observable and knowable has already been seen and discovered? Perhaps those who on other occasions admit, quite correctly, that the things we know are a very small part of the thing we don’t know. Indeed, we also have it from the mouth of the Holy Spirit that God “hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work that God has made from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11); so one must not, in my opinion, contradict this statement and block the way of freedom of philosophizing about things of the world and of nature as though they had all already been discovered and disclosed with certainty.” pp. 115-121

BEING ON EARTH BINDS & DEFINES

Faith in God, alone, will not exempt us from earth's hurts, pains, sins, sufferings or death. Faith will afford us a modicum of comfort and care in the midst of these earthly tribulations. Faith in God, alone, will not guarantee us earth's pleasures, well-being, righteousness, fulfillment nor eternal life. Faith will spiritually insulate by reducing, explaining, and contextualizing all of the discomfort and distress that we must bear in the midst these earthly blessings . Faith stabilizes, energizes, and with work and grace, actualizes. Even so, adherents of any faith are as amenable to earth's laws, being as susceptible as other persons who claims no faith to all the laws of earth or on earth, without exception of any nature! Being on earth binds, defines us.

ROOT OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND CUTURE

At the root of American history and culture was the absence of race as caste, or as infirmity--just indentured servitude of Africans and Europeans. The later engraftment into the Declaration of Independence and U. S. Constitution, of racial preferences and distinctions--driven by profits--led inevitably to war; deferred but foreseen, even by Thomas Jefferson who "trembled for his country when he reflected that God was just, and that his justice would not sleep forever." Jefferson's mea culpa was prophetic then as it is now.

CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIANITY by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper "Christianity is a system of claiming God for it author, and the welfare of man for its object . It is a system so exalted, uniform and pure, that the loftiest intellects have acknowledged its influence, and acquiesced in the justness of its claims. Genius has bent from its erratic course to gather fire from its altars, and pathos from the agony of Gethsemane, and the sufferings of Calvary. Philosophy and science have paused amid their speculative researches and wondrous revelations to gain wisdom from her teachings and knowledge from her precepts. Poetry has culled her fairest flowers and wreathed her softest to bind her Author's 'bleeding brow.' Music has strung her sweetest lyres and breathed her noblest strains to celebrate her fame; whilst Learning has bent from her lofty heights to bow at the lowly cross. The constant friend of man, she has stood by him in the hour of his greatest need. She has cheered the prisoner in his cell, and strengthened the martyr at the stake. She has nerved the shrinking heart of woman for high and holy deeds. The worn and weary have rested their fainting heads upon her bosom , and gathered strength from her words and courage from her counsels. She has been the staff of decrepit age and the joy of manhood in its strength . She has bent over the form of lovely childhood and suffered it to have a place in the Redeemer's arms . She has stood by the bed of the dying , and unveiled the glories of eternal life, gilding the darkness of the tomb with the glory of resurrection." P.750, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by William Still (1877)

THE BITTER IRONY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN SLAVERY

This is a true and correct recitation of the origin of American slavery, ironically! Of course this court action of Johnson-Parker over Casor, was seized upon by colonial legislators in Maryland and Virginia around the same time, if not sooner, to like effect African slavery was ratified & multiplied! Frank Bussey‎SCV Camp #1904, 2nd Texas Frontier District---DeLeon, TX The 1st Legal Slave Owner in America Many Americans think they know the history of slavery because it has been taught in schools, repeated through popular films, and mentioned on numerous occasions by those in the media. But here is something you probably didn’t know: The first recorded American slave owner was a black man. Anthony Johnson came to colonial America in the 1600s. He worked as an indentured servant to a tobacco farmer in Virginia. In colonial times servants typically worked under a contract of up to seven years to pay off their passage, room and board, and then their “freedom dues” — materials they would need to start life as a free person. They were then released after the contract expired, with many of the former servants receiving land and equipment. This was the case for Anthony Johnson, who came to America under the name Antonio from Angola. After his contract expired, he eventually received 250 acres of land. He then started a farm and enlisted the servitude of four white men and one black, who was said to be his son Richard Johnson. While these contracts did not make one a slave, the case of John Casor — a black servant Johnson later acquired — would set a precedent and change that minor detail forever. John Casor was working for Anthony Johnson on an indentured contract when he began seeking help from outsiders, claiming that his contract had well expired but Johnson refused to release him. A neighbor, Robert Parker, brought a civil case against Johnson, demanding Casor be released. Parker intended to help Casor find another indenture contract. The courts initially ruled in favor of Parker and demanded that Casor be released. Johnson did so, but after stewing in his defeat, he appealed. On March 8, 1655, the court of Northampton County upheld Johnson’s right to hold Casor as a slave, stating in it’s ruling: “This daye Anthony Johnson negro made his complaint to the court against mr. Robert Parker and declared that hee deteyneth his servant John Casor negro under the pretence that said negro was a free man. The court seriously consideringe and maturely weighing the premisses, doe fynde that the saide Mr. Robert Parker most unjustly keepeth the said Negro from Anthony Johnson his master … It is therefore the Judgement of the Court and ordered That the said John Casor Negro forthwith returne unto the service of the said master Anthony Johnson, And that Mr. Robert Parker make payment of all charges in the suit.” This case marked the first time anyone who had not committed a crime was held as a slave for life, thus making Anthony Johnson one of the first, if not the most notorious, slave owners (H/T Gateway Pundit). The problem with slavery is not a race problem, but a human problem. Greed, cowardice, and childishness made Anthony Johnson and countless other slave owners commit such treacherous acts against humanity. More schools should teach about the story of Anthony Johnson … but while they’re primarily funded by the government, we don’t expect to see that happen soon.

"EUCLID" REVISITED

http://www.kevinhouston.net/blog/2012/05/euclid-and-eratosthenes-greek-or-african/ "Euclid" was African; or, more properly, was the work product of a black learned lodge of hereditary priests-scribes. These labored for thousands of years on astronomical, theological and geometric scholarship, whose practical applications are built in countless monuments in Kemet and Nubia, as noted by Plato. "Euclid" is a Greek named ascribed to their rigorous and proven work product, hellenized under the moniker, "Euclid," during the Greek rule in Egypt (another Greek name) under the reign of the Ptolemies, I assert based on my reading, studying, intuiting and working on the 13 books, THE ELEMENTS.

POWER OF AN HOUR

POWER OF AN HOUR The power of an hour is a mighty thing to feel. The rush of sixty minutes meets fleshly will. Its potency and power attends to us each day. Coaxing uses that honor its gifts along the way. Both giving time and keeping time as it rolls. Indiscriminate in the possibilities that it holds. Giving to the beggar and rich one alike. Withholding yet from gifted, fool adult, and tyke. Perfectly fair, and perfectly just, it carries on. Governing man, galaxies, earth and sun. Bestriding all and missing none. Hour's 1/24 is but a fractal of day. As day is but a fractal of month. As month is but a fractal of year. As year is but a fractal of decade, of a century, of an eon, of God. So each hour is a fractal of divine power equally entrusted to all; what each does with its own hour determines ultimate wherewithal. "A minute is just a minute with sixty seconds in it" says a poem. Those sixty minutes are 1/60 of one hour's sexagesimal though ever enabling infinitesimal power!