Long time no Blahg

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shaddup arready.

So, I've been lamenting the death of Sci-Fi. You know, when our technology has evolved to such a degree that it is essentially a wish-machine, why would we need sci-fi?

I suspect that science-fiction would be a field of study found in a histories program.

"An examination of the prescience and naivete of previous times. The amusing Historical Futures of science-fiction. Rocket-cars, nonsensical FTL drives, 'hyperspace', the fall of humanity under the heels of its wayward robotic/bioengineered/artificially intelligent creations. Or most amusingly, the so-called 'dystopias' so prevalent in the later part of the 20th Century. 1 credit"

I think at some point, it's just going to be called 'fiction'. Fantasy, could continue I suppose, excepting that with 'wish-machines' what would be the point? You could simply live out the stories. Which doesn't necessarily invalidate the story itself, I guess. It would simply be a new form of media, one in which fantasy could easily retain its gallery of monsters, magicians, and ridiculously sexy half-cat, half-human concubines.

Well, its been on my mind, that's all I'll say. *grin*

So, I'm reading an e-book called 'The Forbidden Books of the New Testament". Originally published sometime in the mid-1800's, then later re-issued with commentary by some Bishop or other. Obviously, a protestant from his bias. But that's alright, it's my bias too, to a degree. Mine's merely more generalized, not so focussed on papist claptrap as it is on the willful ignorance of most organized religions. (Such as my extremely limited experience has revealed to me.)

The book is quite interesting actually. I've only read so far as partway through the second 'book', which is the book of Mary, actually - same as the first 'book'. Some very interesting ideas expressed in it. Apparently, all of these books were used up until the 4th Century, when they were discarded as apocryphal, not having performed the miracle of climbing onto the table under which they were placed. (Really surprising how closely the Hebrews lived with God. I mean, the priest could actually go and sit on the Ark of the Covenant and get answers DIRECTLY from God. While not undertaken lightly 'Oh Lord, what toppings shall we order on the bountiful pizza you have provided?' its a remarkable open door policy God had.)

According to the book, Mary's mother Anna was barren, and her father Joachim was a wealthy builder who gave double offerings to God at each opportunity, to make up for his lack of children. Then at one feast, the priest proclaimed it unlawful that Joachim give offerings to God seeing as he had not followed God's decree and had children. Very distressed, Joachim leaves and is visited by an angel who tells him Anna will conceive, and that they shall have a daughter and her name shall be called Mary. And as Joachim and Anna had vowed to God, they should give her to God, to worship and praise Him. OH, and she must be kept completely pure since from her virgin womb shall come the Son of God.

Another angel tells Anna essentially the same thing. And all the priests accept it, and raise Mary accordingly, and she is fed by Angels, and then comes time for her to be wed, and Joseph's rod is the one that sprouts and a dove either alights on it, or is born from it and alights on his head (details vary). Then Joseph and Mary are wed, but not married (no consummation) and Joseph takes off for a while to take care of things at home, either to prepare his house for his new bride, or to build houses for others, and when he comes back Mary is HUGE with pregnancy. Rather disconcerting. Oh, and Mary is Joseph's second wife - he has sons through his previous marriage, but his wife is long dead.

Now, apparently Joseph and Mary are considered criminals for breaking the pact they had with God, both swear their innocence and are forced to drink 'God's water' which will kill them if they have sinned. The priest grudgingly sets them free when they pass the test, and off they go towards Bethlehem.

Towards Bethlehem, but not to it. They don't make it before it's Mary's time, so they seek shelter in a cave, and Joseph goes out to find a good Jewish mid-wife wherein he notices essentially that time has stopped around him. He meets a woman who mid-wifes for Mary in the cave and a bright cloud over-shadows the cave, before entering the cave and becoming so bright as to blind the occupants and when the light recedes, Jesus is already born.

Quite different from how I remember it from Sunday School. Ah, well. Presbyterians and facts - never the twain shall meet.

I highly recommend checking out the book. Especially those of you who are theologically minded.

Spoiler alert though - He dies in the end. Sorry to ruin it for all the Protestants out there *grin*.

Buster with special thanks to Sister Mary Catherine.