22 Aug 2011 – that Money can buy…

… the rich would live and the poor would die! Another Mon morning in my house here in Norway awakened by singing birds and a silver lining in the clouds to start the week!

Spike in complaints against burning of joss paper during Hungry Ghost Festival…
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_704428.html

On the 15th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar is the start of the GhostMonth/鬼月 (31Jul-28Aug for 2011). Activities during the month would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, joss paper, a paper form of material items and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors. Nowadays there are laptops, credit card, brand-name clothing and stuff etc, including notes from the Bank of Hell!

The issue for me is not the ritual but the environment! Even if only 1mil out of the 5mil of the pop practice this, think of the pollution! Some of the other SE Asia countries like Japan and Thailand mark this occasion by floating lanterns on the river. Perhaps certain people can be educated to find a better solution to help with the slowing down of global warming. An ulterior motive with good intentions for the living!

Religious groups offer free bus rides, meals, haircuts and more…
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_704422.html

Is this a case of organized religion buying its congregation? OK call them do-gooders and in their beliefs, their ultimate destination is heaven! If that is the case, we are back to ulterior motives again!! Or perhaps is it possible that after experiencing and seeing the real world for over 6 decades might have contributed to cynicalness??

The never-ending of beliefs, faith and hopes triumph over logic and reality again! As Denise puts it so eloquently – Our humanness makes us vulnerable and we all seek solace in different ways. I suppose it depends on the devils that haunt one from life’s experiences that determine what manner of solace we choose.

Hush little baby don’t you cry
You know your mamma was born to die
All my trials Lord will soon be over – Bahamian lullaby