Sunday, 29 June 2014
Ramadhan Kareem to my Muslim readers / bloggers
Life...as I see, understand and appreciate.: Ramadhan Kareem to my Muslim readers / bloggers: Wish to share a wistful photo as Muslims embrace the holy month of Ramadhan. My dear tweetfriend managed to capture a shot which truly encap...
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Friday, 28 February 2014
Monday, 24 February 2014
Report of the Holy See by United Nations: Crimes Against Children
Life...as I see, understand and appreciate: Report of the Holy See by United Nations: Crimes
I have gone through the second periodic report ("Report") by the Committee on the Rights of Child ("Committee") on the crimes against children by the Holy See's priests.
But before I share my views on the Report, I wish to highlight on a few historical analysis on the state of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
For those who are not aware of Henry the VIII, he was the King of England from 21 April 1509 until 1547.
Henry VIII was known for his 6 marriages. He wanted to divorce his first marriage and became well known in how he separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church to manouver his ways in being divorced from Catherine of Aragon (the first wife) in order to marry his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
Henry VIII initiated the English Reformation.
Once his marriage to Catherine was annulled, he was able to marry Anne and Rome was separated from Church of England. It was only when Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, the Church of England's independence from Rome was restored.
My understanding and observation of Henry VIII
Henry VIII separated himself from the Roman Catholic and became Head of the Church of England. The English Reformation was carried out in order to legally marry another lady. Classic case of abusing his power for his sexual gains. Even during the 16th century, there are cases of blatant abuse. I guess it is not surprising to continuously have cases of abuse (sexually related or not) up until the 21st century.
Has anyone seen the series Borgias? Since I love history, any series concerning history would make me addicted.
It is set around the turn of the 16th century, and follows the Borgia family, an Italian dynasty of Spanish origin. It stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI. Please do watch for some understanding on politics / abuse of power back then.
I seriously feel the grandeur of abuse has not changed one bit. Only the clothes and technology has replaced the olden days. Greed, abuse of power, lust and murder remains!
My understanding and observation of Pope Alexander the VI & on adultery
It was blatantly obvious that having affairs / being promiscuous / committing adultery was seen as permissable under the eyes of a Pope in the 16th century. This seems to go against the teachings of Christianity as seen in the Old and New Testaments given below. For what it is worth, I would also comment that adultery is prohibited under a lot of religions and it is even criminalized in a lot of countries around the world
Based on the above, you may now have a brief understanding of persons with power and more so persons deemed to be the protector of Christianity to abuse his power for his sexual gains in the course of their respective ruling as the King of England and as a leader of the Catholic Church.
Please do not be alarmed at the extensive sexual acts committed by the priests of the 21st century deduced from the Report by United Nations.
However, before I proceed on the Report. Please have a look at the link below and the articles provided on reports of abuse by the Pope and the priests of the Holy See in the past years which may soften the blow of what the Report would explain on. I am unsure of the veracity of each article.
Always read anything with a pinch of salt. Never take anything at face value (Disclaimer on my part: However I would take Al-Quran at its face value and only the Al-Quran and nothing else)
I will continue about the Report (Part Three) on my next post.
.... Please click on link above....
I have gone through the second periodic report ("Report") by the Committee on the Rights of Child ("Committee") on the crimes against children by the Holy See's priests.
But before I share my views on the Report, I wish to highlight on a few historical analysis on the state of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
(1) King Henry VIII
For those who are not aware of Henry the VIII, he was the King of England from 21 April 1509 until 1547.
Henry VIII was known for his 6 marriages. He wanted to divorce his first marriage and became well known in how he separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church to manouver his ways in being divorced from Catherine of Aragon (the first wife) in order to marry his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
However, a divorce was not a simple issue. In fact, it was a very complicated one. Henry VIII was a Roman Catholic and the head of this church was the pope based in Rome.
The Roman Catholic faith believed in marriage for life. It did not recognise, let alone support, divorce. Those who were widowed were free to re-marry; this was an entirely different issue. But husbands could not simply decide that their marriage was not working, divorce their wife and re-marry. The Roman Catholic Church simply did not allow it.
This put Henry VIII in a difficult position. If he went ahead and announced that as king of England he was allowing himself a divorce, the pope could excommunicate him. This meant that under Catholic Church law, your soul could never get to Heaven. To someone living at the time of Henry, this was a very real fear, and a threat which the Catholic Church used to keep people under its control. [via http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/reformation.htm]
Henry VIII initiated the English Reformation.
The English Reformation was a series of events in 16th century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church.
Once his marriage to Catherine was annulled, he was able to marry Anne and Rome was separated from Church of England. It was only when Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, the Church of England's independence from Rome was restored.
My understanding and observation of Henry VIII
Henry VIII separated himself from the Roman Catholic and became Head of the Church of England. The English Reformation was carried out in order to legally marry another lady. Classic case of abusing his power for his sexual gains. Even during the 16th century, there are cases of blatant abuse. I guess it is not surprising to continuously have cases of abuse (sexually related or not) up until the 21st century.
The Archbishop of Canterbury granted Henry VIII his divorce - against the wishes of the Pope. But what else could the archbishop do if he wanted to remain on good terms with Henry?
This event effectively lead to England breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome. Henry placed himself as head of the church and in that sense, in his eyes, his divorce was perfectly legal. In 1533, few were brave enough to tell him otherwise! [via http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/reformation.htm]
Has anyone seen the series Borgias? Since I love history, any series concerning history would make me addicted.
It is set around the turn of the 16th century, and follows the Borgia family, an Italian dynasty of Spanish origin. It stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI. Please do watch for some understanding on politics / abuse of power back then.
I seriously feel the grandeur of abuse has not changed one bit. Only the clothes and technology has replaced the olden days. Greed, abuse of power, lust and murder remains!
The Borgias are the most infamous family of Renaissance Italy, and their history normally hinges around four key individuals: Pope Calixtus III, his nephew Pope Alexander IV, his son Cesare and daughter Lucrezia and the family name is associated with greed, power, lust and murder.http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/italyandthecitystates/a/The-Borgias.htm
Pope Alexander VI, born Roderic Llançol i de Borja (1 January 1431 – 18 August 1503) was Pope from 11 August 1492 to his death on 18 August 1503. He is one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes. Pope Alexander became an Italian dynasty but was of Spanish origin.
He was one of the most outstanding popes since St. Peter (the First Pope). His reputation rests more on his considerable skills as a diplomat, politician, and civil administrator rather than as a pastor.
Of Alexander's many mistresses the one for whom passion lasted longest was a certain Vannozza (Giovanna) dei Cattani, born in 1442 and she bore him four children whom he openly acknowledged as his own: Giovanni, afterwards duke of Gandia (born 1474), Cesare (born 1476), Lucrezia (born 1480), and Goffredo or Giuffre (born 1481 or 1482).
Three of his other children, Girolama, Isabella and Pedro-Luiz, were of uncertain parentage. However, his son Bernardo, a product of his liaison with Vittoria (Victoria) Sailór dei Venezia in 1469, is much less known.
He obviously gave up hiding his many children after he fathered four more.
Before his elevation to the papacy Cardinal Borgia's passion for Vannozza somewhat diminished, and she subsequently led a very retired life. Her place in his affections was filled by the beautiful Giulia Farnese (Giulia Bella), wife of an Orsini, but his love for his children by Vannozza remained as strong as ever and proved, indeed, the determining factor of his whole career. He lavished vast sums on them and lauded them with every honour. The atmosphere of Alexander's household is typified by the fact that his daughter Lucrezia lived with his mistress Giulia, who bore him a daughter, Laura, in 1492.
My understanding and observation of Pope Alexander the VI & on adultery
It was blatantly obvious that having affairs / being promiscuous / committing adultery was seen as permissable under the eyes of a Pope in the 16th century. This seems to go against the teachings of Christianity as seen in the Old and New Testaments given below. For what it is worth, I would also comment that adultery is prohibited under a lot of religions and it is even criminalized in a lot of countries around the world
Adultery is criminalized in many African countries, often with harsh penalties, especially in those countries that are Muslim majority. For instance, stoning sentences have been given in Sudan and Somalia.
"You shall not commit adultery", one of the Ten Commandments, is found at Exodus 20:12 of the Tanach (or Old Testament).
The New Testament supports the sanctity of marriage and affirms the gravity of the commandment:
Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.— Hebrews 13:4 (New American Bible Revised Edition)
Based on the above, you may now have a brief understanding of persons with power and more so persons deemed to be the protector of Christianity to abuse his power for his sexual gains in the course of their respective ruling as the King of England and as a leader of the Catholic Church.
Please do not be alarmed at the extensive sexual acts committed by the priests of the 21st century deduced from the Report by United Nations.
However, before I proceed on the Report. Please have a look at the link below and the articles provided on reports of abuse by the Pope and the priests of the Holy See in the past years which may soften the blow of what the Report would explain on. I am unsure of the veracity of each article.
Always read anything with a pinch of salt. Never take anything at face value (Disclaimer on my part: However I would take Al-Quran at its face value and only the Al-Quran and nothing else)
.... Please click on link above....
UN report urges Vatican to act over child sex abuse
Life...as I see, understand and appreciate.: UN report urges Vatican to act over child sex abus...:
Anything relating to children is a matter close to heart for me. I cant imagine if any harm were to be posed to my children or any child I know. As a mother, I would feel the pain of any other mother / guardian when harm is carried out towards any child.
A child is innocent, pure and is meant to be raised by the parents / guardian in the best possible way. Of course it depends on the economic and health conditions of the parents / guardian.
A child is a miracle and once blessed with one, as a normal human, we would want to protect the child in any possible ways.
Before I proceed further, I wish to inform that what I am about to blog is basically my analysis of the facts given, what I have researched from mostly wikipedia, the Vatican website and from online news. I will try and read the UN report and explain my understanding there to. These are not conclusive findings but merely an observation on my part.
Further, I wish to state that I am a Muslim female from Malaysia and I sincerely hope I do not offend anyone from the Christianity faith in stating my thoughts. I have utmost respect to anyone from any faith and what has happened currently does not make me apply the same to others.If I have offended anyone, I deeply apologize and hope that you will forgive any misunderstanding on my end.
Child abuse. It comes in many forms. One of which is sexual abuse or Pedophilia.
Pedophilia or paedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children, generally age 11 years or younger, though specific diagnostic criteria for the disorder extends the cut-off point for prepubescence to age 13[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia]
When a child is abused, sexually and claimed to have been abused by a trusted guardian. It makes my heart swell with pain and truly wonder what had caused all this?
When 'the Vatican has described a scathing United Nations report in which the Catholic Church is accused of turning a blind eye to decades of child sex abuse by priests' [http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/06/vatican-calls-un-child-abuse-report-distorted-and-unfair/] this makes it very hard to comprehend.
Of course, we cant simply judge anything at face value. An accusation which is not backed by any evidence is a meaningless insult.
However, would the UN make a report out of a baseless accusation.
My immidiate questions are:
1) How is it even possible given the role of a priest.
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which also may apply to such persons collectively [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest]
2) Even more so, it happened not by any priest but priests at the Vatican [http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm]
Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by the Bishop of Rome—the Pope
The Pope (Latin: papa; from Greek: πάππας pappas, a child's word for father) is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. The importance of the Roman bishop is largely derived from his role as the traditional successor to Saint Peter, to whom Jesus gave the keys of Heaven and the powers of "binding and loosing," naming him as the "rock" upon which the church would be built. The current pope isFrancis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope]
3) How could it be unnoticed for decades? How could children be abused by someone who puts God first and foremost and to hurt one of God's miracles?
Despite the above, lets do apply logic and to our current scenario. There are several cases on children being abused. In Malaysia or anywhere else. Children being abused by adults are pretty common.
Although it pains me each time reading news of children, being murdered, raped, abused and mutilated, this makes it even more excrutiating when the children is victimized by persons you would least expect to victimize the child.
But then again, we hear day in and day out of children being abused by their parents / guardians and this again is not something which surprises us.
I always wonder what goes through the minds of what it seems as mentally unstable adults doing unthinkable acts to children.
Do we just blame the priest? Blame the children? Blame the parents / guardians of the children? How do we resolve this issue?
4) Were the priests for the several decades mentally unstable?
I am currently reading "the Shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer" as I am passionate in understanding how people behave.
And more so, what made a serial murderer kill so many people.
What drives them up to the point where it seemed normal to end another person's life. Similarly, what drives priests to carry out sexual acts to children?
Will continue more when I receive the report document on the child abuse in the Vatican. Have a good evening lovely readers xx
Friday, 21 February 2014
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Monday, 10 February 2014
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Thursday, 6 February 2014
UN report urges Vatican to act over child sex abuse Part One
UN report urges Vatican to act over child sex abuse Part One:
Anything relating to children is a matter close to heart for me. I cant imagine if any harm were to be posed to my children or any child I know. As a mother, I would feel the pain of any other mother / guardian when harm is carried out towards any child.
Anything relating to children is a matter close to heart for me. I cant imagine if any harm were to be posed to my children or any child I know. As a mother, I would feel the pain of any other mother / guardian when harm is carried out towards any child.
A child is innocent, pure and is meant to be raised by the parents / guardian in the best possible way. Of course it depends on the economic and health conditions of the parents / guardian.
A child is a miracle and once blessed with one, as a normal human, we would want to protect the child in any possible ways.
[Please read on at the blog post given above]
Thursday, 16 January 2014
True Friends
What would be your definition of a true friend be?
According to Wikipedia:
"Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship)
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-33
Someone posted on Instagram that true friends are the ones who have "nice things to say about you behind your back"
I sincerely feel that that true friendship is about honesty and a deeply connected relationship. Honesty means sharing the good and bad of life's turmoils together. Deeply connected refers to being able to be ourselves every single time and allowing each of us to be the best that we should be and the other to simply be sincerely happy for the other.
Sincerity and respect with constant diplomacy.
Sincerity and respect with constant diplomacy.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
-My Sanctuary-: Artikel No 4: Rasis adalah subjektif. Sila fahami ...
-My Sanctuary-: Artikel No 4: Rasis adalah subjektif. Sila fahami ...: Read, analyze, verify and try to understand. Always look at the source. Always doubt the source and question the credibility.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
-My Sanctuary-: Your Friends are a Reflection of Yourself
Absolutely love this post by Vivy at http://www.proudduck.com/. Click on link for the full post by Vivy.
Its so true about what she describes on friendship. Especially the statement in blue below.
In the recent years, I have had my fair share of close relationships with male and female. I have come to realize that you cant always divulge to every Tom/Tina, Dick/Dina & Harry/Harriet. You just seriously cant.
There will be those who uses the information about you to twist it around to benefit him/her. There will also be those who likes to prod here and there to assert him/herself as being extra nosy but with no relevance but just to alleviate him/her as a ms/mr Know it All.
I have realized especially commencing 2013 that I shall have enough of being with those who makes me cringe, speak or think bad thoughts and any of the negative vibes.
I choose to be with those who wants to be with me. I love to surround myself with those who I can truly relate and can be myself without any judgements flung at me as to what I wear, say or think. Crude jokes acceptable in front of me but not behind me.
I could totally relate to what Vivy explained about. I have maybe 2 hands of my close girlfriends. They are those who I have posted photos with off and on or speak off more than once in a while.
Its these people that I can safely share my dreams, my aspirations, my positivity or any of my worries.
But only you can decide who you want to be friends with.
For me, I choose those who are real and honest to themselves, speak of good and aspires to be true to themselves wherever they are.
Your friends are a reflection of yourself. So surround yourself with good people. Insyaallah, we’ll all want to change to be better too.
Find good friends and most importantly, be a good friend too.
Friday, 15 February 2013
The Secret Daughter - My Review
-My Sanctuary-: The Secret Daughter - My Review:
Photo via
Despite my TO READ list which I have been updating every now and then in my previous posts, I ended up buying a book recommended at MPH and which was on sale last Christmas.
It was so apt with the moment that I was in when I read it, while I was in Brunei visiting my parents. My father is currently working there for the past 7 years.
I was emotionally connected to the book instantaneously. The author addressed the issues of a mother who is passionate in having kids and the emotional turmoils she had to endure when she physically could not conceive.
I shared similar concerns as I am not blessed like some mothers who is able to conceive naturally and easily. I cant imagine myself if I am actually her, to not being able to conceive forever.
Being a mother has taught me a lot and I am still open in reading anything new on parenting skills. Reading a book is very much different than having to apply to your child. I am blessed that I am able to go through the experience with my girls when there are so many women who are trying to conceive.
The author also wrote about a woman who was able to conceive naturally yet was unable to keep her daughters due to cultural reasons. In the Indian culture, having sons are celebrated more. More so at that particularly time the mothers were in.
It is so ironic. Women who wants to have kids and is not able to conceive against women who are able and have disposed of their duties by either murdering or giving the baby up for adoption.
That is life. The harsh facts of life determines what you do. The unfairness is apparent however with the cultural intervention, it seems natural.
The book solidified my passion to become a mother who will nurture her children with the right values but at the same time instill fun to anything and everything that they do.
It is all about having the right balance. Very simple to want and imagine but very difficult to carry out.
Let's not give up.
I shared similar concerns as I am not blessed like some mothers who is able to conceive naturally and easily. I cant imagine myself if I am actually her, to not being able to conceive forever.
Being a mother has taught me a lot and I am still open in reading anything new on parenting skills. Reading a book is very much different than having to apply to your child. I am blessed that I am able to go through the experience with my girls when there are so many women who are trying to conceive.
The author also wrote about a woman who was able to conceive naturally yet was unable to keep her daughters due to cultural reasons. In the Indian culture, having sons are celebrated more. More so at that particularly time the mothers were in.
It is so ironic. Women who wants to have kids and is not able to conceive against women who are able and have disposed of their duties by either murdering or giving the baby up for adoption.
That is life. The harsh facts of life determines what you do. The unfairness is apparent however with the cultural intervention, it seems natural.
The book solidified my passion to become a mother who will nurture her children with the right values but at the same time instill fun to anything and everything that they do.
It is all about having the right balance. Very simple to want and imagine but very difficult to carry out.
Let's not give up.
To the mothers reading this, let's treasure our children and always remember that to be able to conceive and have healthy babies being born are miracles in itself.
To the women hoping to be mothers, please do not give up. There is always a way to shower all the love that you have. Be it to your natural family or to any strangers.
Here's a reader's review of the book via http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/review-secret-daughter-by-shilpi-somaya-gowda/article1374464/
To the women hoping to be mothers, please do not give up. There is always a way to shower all the love that you have. Be it to your natural family or to any strangers.
Here's a reader's review of the book via http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/review-secret-daughter-by-shilpi-somaya-gowda/article1374464/
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Knowing Yourself
-My Sanctuary-: Knowing Yourself:
Listen to your heart. Ask yourself. Debate with the inner goddess. Rationalize with you, yourself and you. Its about understand your wants, your needs, your desires.
Listen to your heart. Ask yourself. Debate with the inner goddess. Rationalize with you, yourself and you. Its about understand your wants, your needs, your desires.
What do you want to achieve?
Career wise. Family. Personal growth. Spiritually.....(read on)
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Hyperemesis gravidarum - Know Your Condition
Duchess of Cambridge has been reported by St James Palace to be pregnant
via
Hyperemesis gravidarum - PubMed Health
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Nearly all women have some nausea or vomiting, or "morning sickness," particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy. The cause of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is believed to be rapidly rising blood levels of a hormone called HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is released by the placenta.
Extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can happen if you are pregnant with twins (or more) or if you have a hydatidiform mole.
Symptoms
- Severe, persistent nausea during pregnancy, often leads to weight loss
Signs and tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam. Blood pressure may be low. Pulse may be high.
The following laboratory tests will be done to check for signs of dehydration:
Your doctor may need to run tests to rule out liver and gastrointestinal problems.
A pregnancy ultrasound will be done to see if you are carrying twins or more, and to check for a hydatidiform mole.
Treatment
Small, frequent meals and eating dry foods such as crackers may help relieve uncomplicated nausea.
You should drink plenty of fluids. Increase fluids during the times of the day when you feel the least nauseated. Seltzer, ginger ale, or other sparkling waters may be helpful.
Vitamin B6 (no more than 100 mg daily) has been shown to decrease the nausea in early pregnancy.
Medication to prevent nausea is reserved for cases where vomiting is persistent and severe enough to present potential risks to you and your unborn baby. In severe cases, you may be admitted to the hospital, where fluids will be given to you through an IV.
Expectations (prognosis)
Nausea and vomiting usually peaks between 2 and 12 weeks of pregnancy and goes away by the second half of pregnancy. With proper identification of symptoms and careful follow-up, this condition rarely presents serious complications for the infant or mother.
Complications
Too much vomiting is harmful because it leads to dehydration and poor weight gain during pregnancy.
Social or psychological problems may be associated with this disorder of pregnancy. If such problems exist, they need to be identified and addressed appropriately.
Hyperemesis gravidarum - PubMed Health
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