Free will and Satan.

 Robert admires a Catholic apologist, named Trent Horn*, who likes to use big arguments to prove that Catholics are correct in their beliefs**. Okay, let's take a look at God's number one enemy - Satan.

Hey, Satan has got a belly button! Why?

Okay, God creates the angels. Let's assume that he gives them free will so that, if they fuck up, it's their own fault. Remember, if He doesn't give them free will, God is responsible for whatever they do.

Now you must remember that God is all knowing and therefore sees the future (which, incidentally, must make His 'life' a bit boring). As He is about to make the angel Lucifer, he knows what Lucifer's fate will be - Hell forever***. Wouldn't a kind, loving God think, "Ah, look, I just won't make him." Remember that He knows how much Lucifer will suffer. 

Anyway, Lucifer rebels and tries to defeat God. This is an impossible task, and not a fair fight, because God can do anything - He's always going to win. It's like the All Blacks playing a primary school rugby team. Hey, no mean jokes about the ABs!

Make no mistake, God is responsible for Lucifer's (now known as Satan) actions. He just won't own up to it.

I'd really like to hear Robert's views on this - if he reads it.

Back to do some more practice.

Ciao.

* No relation to Tent Horn.

** Though the word 'belief' suggests a guess.

*** Well, at least he will be in charge.

Project Violin 100 update.

 After a lot of squabbling, it appears that the old blogging boys are all falling in love with each other, so I thought I'd better change the subject. I mean, next thing we'll all be moving into bedrooms in The Vatican!

* * *

I'm about a month and a half into Project Violin 100.

Today I will have completed 20 hours of the 100 hour project. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but there are lots of other things I need to practise too. However, I can tell you that those 20 hours are very concentrated and full on. Slow, repetitive practice is an important part of proceedings. Also, a lot of thinking and planning is going on away from the instrument, the time spent on this does not get recorded. Little advances are seen, advances that will add up nearer the end of the project. At least, I hope they will.

* * *

I've checked Rob's blog. He has proved, beyond any doubt, that atheists are wrong in their beliefs. Actually, atheists don't have beliefs to be wrong about. He challenges readers to read a link to some Catholic apologist. I started to look at it but was interrupted by Shelley. Maybe I'll try again later.

Actually, I'll have a quick look at it now.

Be right back.

Back.

Here's the Catholic apologist's opening shot.

I guess that the opening idea is that 'Whatever begins to exist has a cause'. Seems true.

Then we find out that the universe has a cause. Seems logical.

Then we get a picture of how science thinks the universe started.

Well, that one has got to be a theory.

Then he starts talking about some hotel.

This is a bit naughty of me, but at that point I started to get restless because I have practice (and other things) to do.

I'll try and watch the rest of it some other time.

Ciao for now. Practice calls.

It probably would have been better if the Catholic apologist got to the point quicker.

And now for the dessert!

 

"YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE".

What a cracker post from The Curmudgeon!

Firstly, a beautiful quote from his mother and then a very appropriate joke.

How can other bloggers compete with this genius?

He finishes off with a shot at his aging opposition.

Brilliant.

I bet that Rob is rethinking his posts.

The Curmudgeon's post? Short but brilliantly short!

God might have got it wrong when making Satan, but he certainly succeeded with Peter.

Maybe it's time for the Holy Trinity
to become a foursome?

The Desert.

 

Peter had simply run out of steam.

Obviously, Richard (of RBB) was a lot younger than Peter and still in full flight, having set up his first blog in 2007. The other two boys followed his lead. Rob(ert) was younger too and was an agent for the Roman Catholic church, a church that Peter had stolen communion hosts from in earlier days.

Back in those days, Peter had been a star in the St. Patrick's College soccer team - maybe because he wasn't grossly overweight and all four of his limbs still worked. 

Now (2024) the little blogging community was in trouble. 

Peter was off falling down banks at his local golf club and picking fights at the tennis club. Robert was rewriting the scriptures and chatting up Joseph's wife.

Richard (of RBB) was left to keep the whole blogging community afloat - nothing new there.

So how did Richard (of RBB) manage to survive all this mayhem?

Simple.

He had a project - Project Violin 100.

Neither of the boys had inside information about what he was really up to.

Peter thought that it was something to do with bagpipes. Robert wondered if he was practising to play in church. 

WRONG ON BOTH COUNTS!

Maybe it was time to guide the boys? 

I'll keep you informed.

A senior moment.

 

"Hi Mrs. Walker. We've had a busy morning so far."

"Yes, I've noticed that. That was a great sermon by Father Thomas about rosary beads. I've decided to get some, my old ones are somewhere at home but I'm not sure where I left them."

"That's not good, they should always be kept close by. Did you want to try the new 'Straight To Mary' model? It has two extra decades."

"No, just the standard model will do, but I might grab a scapular too."

"Sure, would you like the monastic or the devotional scapular?"

"Devotional please. Hey, what was that big word you used to describe Father Thomas the other day? It began with 'P'."

"Big word? Oh, yes, that. It just means that he's very keen to spend time with young boys. Not a big deal. The bishops like to keep people like him moving around different parishes, so I guess the hierarchy of the church approves of them - I guess they want to give everyone a go. One set of standard rosary beads and a devotional scapular. That will be fourteen shillings. Yes, I know they're not cheap, but they'll almost guarantee you a place in Heaven."

"Thank you, Tent."

"Hello, young sir, how can I help you?"

"I'd like a copy of Man."

"Ah, well, that was one of our committee member's ideas. We only got a few in and they're quite expensive at four shillings."

"I'll take one, thanks."

"And do you want change for the condom machine?"

"No, thank you, sir. I'm a good Catholic boy."

* * *

Yes, Tent Horn Senior certainly put a lot of time and effort into his church. Especially on a Sunday.

This was, indeed, one of his senior moments!

Sunday with Tent Horn Senior.

 

1950

Sunday was always a special day for Tent and he always attended the three Sunday masses at his Wellington church. 7am, 8.30am and 10am. However, today was a special day because he had organised the opening of a church shop.

Tent had always been one of those guys who passed the plate around. He'd suggested to the church committee that, with a small shop, they could make a lot more money.

The conversation went something like this:

Committee member 1: But what would we sell? Altar wine? Things to stop our girls getting pregnant?

Tent Horn Senior: I love you Ted. No, we'd sell things like holy pictures, rosary beads and maybe some plenary indulgences. Flowers could go well too.

Committee member 2: That 'Man' magazine is very popular with the young guys. We'd make quite a few quid if we added some of them.

Tent Horn Senior: I love you Patrick. No. If we promote rosary beads during the sermon, I reckon we'd make a killing. Also, we tell the congregation that wearing a holy picture in your shirt pocket, or inside your blouse, gives you extra protection from Satan.

Committee member 3: I'm with you Tent. Do you love me too?

Tent Horn Senior: Yes Brent, but only if you're not a homosexual.

Committee member 4: I think Father Thomas might be one of those. Have you seen the way he watches the boys when they're changing into their altar boy outfits?

Tent Horn Senior: No Mrs. Walker, Father Thomas is just a paedophile. That's different.

The church shop was quite a success. Tent Horn Senior was a smart guy who just continued to do good things for the church.

Tent Horn - The Back Story.

 

Okay, you're probably aware by now, that the blogger formally known as Roberto, and Rob, now goes by the name Tent Horn.

Tent Horn Junior with his superior, il capo.

Notice how I added 'junior' to his name, because there was a Tent Horn Senior.

Tent Horn Senior.

Come on, you can't miss the resemblance!

Tent Horn Senior was a Catholic Apologist who was at his peak around 1950. 

He did a lot of work to keep women in their place. His catch phrase was, "Abortion is legal murder. We, older men, must take charge of their bodies!"

For Tent Horn Snr., his first name was a sign that men provided a house (for wife and family) and his surname was what made a family possible. Mr. Horn was a devout Catholic. We, at Richard's Bass Bag*, hope to give you, in further posts, an insight into his teachings. 

Stay tuned.

* the original bass bagging site