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Confirmation of a youth in the Usus Antiquior |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Should confirmation be delayed? Reflecting on the "restored order"
30 comments:
In Sacramentum Caritatis 17 and 18, Benedict XVI teaches:
"It must never be forgotten that our reception of Baptism and Confirmation is ordered to the Eucharist. Accordingly, our pastoral practice should reflect a more unitary understanding of the process of Christian initiation. . . . The Holy Eucharist, then, brings Christian initiation to completion and represents the centre and goal of all sacramental life. . . In this regard, attention needs to be paid to the order of the sacraments of initiation. . . . Concretely, it needs to be seen which practice better enables the faithful to put the sacrament of the Eucharist at the centre, as the goal of the whole process of initiation."
Seems pretty clear, eh?
Polycarpo - May 28, 2011 at 8:01 AM
- tharmon said...
I'm entirely open to an early date of Confirmation. Here's an argument I find compelling, rising out of Aquinas' analogy between bodily and spiritual life. Confirmation the sacrament is ordered to spiritual combat. The anointing in Confirmation is analogous to the anointing that took place in Roman legions, signifying the initiation of the recruit into the legion. Just so, Confirmation's anointing signifies the initiation of the Christian into Christ's legion to engage in spiritual combat. Bodily combat is fittingly done by a man with a mature body. Spritual maturity, clearly, does not map bodily maturity; but there is a relation. So, it seems fitting that the sacrament empowering engagement in spiritual combat would be administered at the time of life during which bodily combat also could be undertaken, as a reminder of what it signifies and as a more readily intelligible sign.
- May 28, 2011 at 8:06 AM
I have been an advocate of the restored order in the past several years, in favor of Grace and Tradition.
Many people fear that having it delayed to 15-17 gives kids an incentive to go to Church to get their Confirmation.
I think the Grace of the Holy Spirit is the real incentive. The Grace we cannot earn merely by proving how adult or mature we are. Rather, the grace proves us by making us more mature.
Ephrem - May 28, 2011 at 10:02 AM
- John R.P. Russell said...
Your reading of Pseudo-Dionysis the Aeropagite strikes me as erroneous. The first three mysteries he lists are "illumination," "synaxis," and "ointment."
By "illumination," Pseudo-Dionysius refers to baptism and he includes what many would later call chrismation or confirmation under this heading. As baptism and chrismation are parts of one rite, he presents them as parts of one mystery. After he describes the rite of baptism, he writes that the newly baptized person is brought again before the bishop and the bishop "has sealed the man with the oil that produces divine effects."
By "synaxis," he refers to the Eucharistic communion.
By the mystery "of the ointment," he does not refer to chrismation or confirmation itself, but rather to the consecration of oil for use in baptism, chrismation, consecrating altars, and anointing the dead. - May 28, 2011 at 10:57 AM
- ABehm said...
You briefly reference the practice of the early Church to administer all three Sacraments at the same time (for an infant around 40 days old). This practice is still held within the Eastern Rite Churches (Catholic and Orthodox). The given intention for the individual to be given new life in Christ (Baptism), the strength of the Holy Spirit instilled like the dove at the Jordan river (Chrismation), and Communion with the whole Church with the Mystical Body and Blood of Christ.
What is your opinion on this Tradition? Would you find this worth returning to for the Latin tradition? - May 28, 2011 at 2:28 PM
All I want to say that my fifteen year old son has been talking about entering seminary for a few years. He has been asking if he can do that immediately after graduation from his Catholic high school, and then he would like to go to Rome for an STD. He has been in Catholic school for years, he has been serving at the altar every Sunday for years, he has been attending Sunday catechism classes for years, he helped me to bring Communion to the sick every weekend. In a month he will attend one more time a diocesan vocation retreat. However, he cannot be confirmed in his faith until next year. Does it make sense?
Cristiano - May 28, 2011 at 3:02 PM
- Marco da Vinha said...
The Eastern Churches still stick to the practice of the proper order of the Sacraments of Initiation. True, they have a somewhat different take on the Sacrament of Confirmation (in the Latin Church it has more to do with the connection to a particular bishop), but still I think that the reasons that led to the delay in the past are no longer a reason.
- May 28, 2011 at 3:22 PM
- Stomachosus said...
The argument you present for delaying confirmation seems flawed in more than just the way you pointed out. If a person were not mature enough to understand the sacrament, a fortiori he is not mature enough for the Eucharist. I see no way around that, as the Eucharist contains a greater mystery
Further, my understanding is that the age of 12 was standard for confirmation. Indeed the Catechism of Trent places 7-12 years (the same it gives for the Eucharist...St. Pius X held he was still implementing Trent here). I find it most unfortunate that the CIC gives the option of delaying up to 16yrs, that certainly is very novel
There are still further considerations. I am not certain at all that your interpretation of Thomas makes any sense. He probably was not referring to the temporal order in which they are usually administered. In the early and high middle ages confirmation still followed immediately baptism in most of Italy and S. Europe. In N. Europe and England it was delayed, but not considerably. Often bishops would confirm whilst riding through a town with mothers holding out their babies of whatever age.
Now, it would be extremely odd if Thomas was not aware of the customs of his day. And He defends confirming children, arguing that the age of the body does not matter. Whereas with the Eucharist who argues that the use of reason is necessary, that is denied with confirmation.
Indeed, again as the Catechism of Trent states ALL should be confirmed. Hence in the 1983 CIC an infant may be confirmed in danger of death. If an infant can be confirmed, there can be no strong argument for delaying to 16.
Again, St. Thomas states that confirmation bring the perfection of spiritual age, and hence it is fitting that it should precede Communion which, not only is a greater sacrament, but is union with God. That is my take at least. I am very opinionated here admittedly as one who was denied confirmation until 18 and thereby forced to continue in CCD (which in my experience was an utter joke and more a danger to the faith than anything...so I am a bit jaded about the catechetical argument). Indeed, even if most CCD programs are orthodox and substantive, still a delayed confirmation gives a very false impression of a graduation or completion to learning about the faith...often involving robes like that of a graduation. So that catechetical argument is dual edged - May 28, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Excellent treatment of the issue. I couldn't see where you have previously treated of the "baptism in the Holy Spirit", which many Catholics are prayed over for at the end of the Life in the Spirit Seminar, given by members of the Charismatic movement.
Now, I agree with you regarding the importance for the Sacrament, I received First Holy Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 5th. Certainly we grow all the time in the appreciation of the Sacraments and in how to cooperate with the grace they give us in our lives as we mature, so I would agree with you that earlier is better for Confirmation.
But what of the theology to incorporate the practical benefits of the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" as seen in the lives of so many Catholics? It has been called a "release" of the gifts of the HS in our lives. You being such an excellent theologian, I'm sure we would all benefit from the synthesis you might give, but only if you would like to, no petulant insistence here! Thank you, Father. - May 28, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Where does the eastern tradition of administering both chrismation and holy communion at the same time as baptism fit in all of this? Was that ever a part of the Western tradition? And, if so, what prompted the change? As a convert to the Latin rite with little theological grounding on the topic, the practice of the eastern Churches makes more sense. But I'd be grateful for a better understanding of the Latin tradition's development.
- May 28, 2011 at 10:28 PM
- Michael Barber said...
Great piece. I'm in total agreement. However, I did not know that there was a "movement". Isn't this a USCCB issue? Who renders the decision here? What exactly constitutes the "movement" you speak of? Has a report been filed? Have any bishops expressed interest? As a theologian, I'd like to participate? Which other theologians have signed on to this?
- May 28, 2011 at 10:38 PM
I do not agree with your stand on early confirmation. Most children do not even understand this sacrament let alone the theology behind it - and a confusing one at that. I made my confirmation in the 5th grade in 1947. I only remember the nun telling me I was now a soldier of Christ. Of course in time its meaning became apparent and I teach RCIA. I find it is a sacrament of beauty - the receiving of the holy spirit. Today's reading in ACTS talks about it. And it was to adults that the hands were laid upon. Better to understand a sacrament than to receive it without meaning.
- May 29, 2011 at 7:01 AM
- Unknown said...
St Vincent Ferrer says that Christians will not be able to persevere under the Antichrist without the sacrament of Confirmation.
Also, in the USA (which includes lots of non-Christians) the average age of exposure to pornography is 8 years old! In our culture, they need the extra graces and gifts up front and early. Young people enter battle much more earlier - they need the strength given in Confirmation.
Also, Catholic royalty typically received Confirmation in infancy (like Eastern Christians). - May 29, 2011 at 7:14 AM
Thanks for your fine article, Reginaldus. I find it refreshing to hear that there is a movement back to "early age" confirmation. Based on my research on this topic, it appears as though the primary reason for the USCCB's preference for "late age" confirmation is to keep public school students in the weekly religious education program for a longer period of time. Surely this is a good intention, but I think it is theologically flawed in that it essentially results in a sacrament being held "hostage" until the public school student has passed through perhaps ten years of weekly religious education, which is often of dubious value as was mentioned in one of the earlier comments.
Another problem with the practice of late age confirmation is that it overlooks an important aspect of the development of children. Middle school teachers will testify that there is a significant difference between the attitudes of fourth graders and seventh graders. Near the time of fifth grade the psychological and physical development of children puts them in a new phase of spiritual warfare. They are certainly better off entering that warfare having been "equipped" with the sacrament of Confirmation, which makes them "soldiers of Christ," rather than entering that warfare without Confirmation.
Finally, the code of canon law itself seems to prefer early age confirmation. Canon 891 says that "confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion unless the conference of bishops determines another age . . ." and canon 842 says that "the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Most Holy Eucharist are so interrelated that they are required for full Christian initiation." It is certainly difficult to justify waiting eight years (i.e., from second grade till tenth grade) to administer a sacrament that is "so interrelated" to the Holy Eucharist, and is essential for Christian initiation.
For those parents who want to have their children confirmed at an early age, be aware that the code of canon law provides you with an option: "The sacred ministers can not refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them" (CCL 843). Petition your bishop! - May 29, 2011 at 7:52 AM
@ Darren:
The practice was common in both the Western and Eastern Churches, since in time of persecution it was necessary to grant all children the maximum participation in the mystery of Christ: martyrdom was a daily matter in those times. Nevertheless, as the Church turned from the model described in st. Ignatius (all people assembled around the bishop for the Mass), as the number of the faithful grew, the Latins and the Greeks took different approaches. The Greek regarded the union and order of initiation as fundamental, so bishops bestowed to the parish priests the power to administer the Myron on the children at their baptism. The Latin regarded the role of the bishop in giving the Chrism as prevalent, so they delayed Confirmation and First Communion at the time the bishop could visit the community in their long pastoral travels.
Personally I appreciate the Eastern tradition, but I like the solution introduced in the Ambrosian Rite in some parishes: First Confession, Confirmation and First Communion at once to children at the age of 10.
In Christ,
Alex - May 29, 2011 at 8:39 AM
- CaseyT said...
Darren, the Latin rite separated the celebration of Baptism from the celebration Confirmation because the bishops were not able to be at every Baptism. The focus, in the west, is on the bishop as possessing the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, so he must be present at the Confirmation (he confirms the Baptism). The eastern focus is on the 3 sacraments of initiation working together, so they are all administered to the infant in the same Mass. The Confirmation must be done with myron (chrism) that has been blessed by the bishop. Thus the Confirmation is linked to the bishop, but the focus is on the 3 sacraments of initiation. This is also the case of western candidates at the Easter Vigil. The bishop is not present at all of the Easter Vigil ceremonies in his diocese, but most/all of them have people being confirmed. Thus, we can see that both practices are valid and licit, but it comes down to a question of what one chooses to emphasize.
Michael: As far as I know, the USCCB has opened the decision for each individual bishop to determine the age at which he will confirm. I know my previous diocese (Gaylord, MI) restored the order around the turn of the millennium, and a few others across the nation have done the same (some before, some after). If, indeed, it is a movement, I am glad. I'm all for giving people the grace of the sacrament working in as much of their lives as possible. - May 29, 2011 at 10:50 AM
My diocese, the Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, moved Confirmation to the second grade about twenty year ago. The parish priests were delegated by the bishop to administer the sacrament, so the bishop no longer performed any confirmations in the diocese.
A couple of years ago, with a new bishop, the age of confirmation was moved back to the eighth grade. My guess is that there was a steep drop-off in religious education attendance after the second grade, so the new bishop had pastoral reasons for the change back.
I must say, as a mother of grade-school-age children twenty years ago, that the implementation of the new system was poorly done, to say the least. - May 29, 2011 at 2:28 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
John R.P. Russel,
As I am not a particular scholar of St. Dionysius' works, I am open to your interpretation.
The one I have given in this article is that of St. Thomas Aquinas, which he has received as the general reading of the text of the Areopagite ... hence, it has some level of authority.
In any case, my main point in that portion the article was to say that St. Dionysius is not really a witness to a delaying of confirmation ... and your comment would support this primary claim. - May 29, 2011 at 2:52 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
I think you need to re-read my article. You seem to think that I am advocating delaying confirmation ... this is precisely what I am NOT saying.
My whole point is that St. Thomas gives the theological foundation for affirming an early confirmation. - May 29, 2011 at 2:55 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
@Anonymous (7:01am, May 29),
Regarding whether or not a sacrament should be given to one who does not understand what they are receiving ...
Your comment would lead us to conclude that Baptism should be delayed until well past the age of reason.
Likewise, you would seem to advocate that children should not make either their first communion or first confession till much later.
I find this emphasis on "understanding the meaning" and "accepting responsibilities" to be a bit Pelagian ... we do not earn the sacraments. Rather, the sacramental graces move us toward perfection and holiness.
How can anyone hope to understand the mysteries of the faith (including the sacrament of confirmation) without the full influx of the grace of the Holy Spirit which is given through the sacrament? - May 29, 2011 at 3:00 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
Regarding the "movement" to give confirmation at an earlier age ... I only mean to say that the practice is slowly becoming more and more popular. Not that there is a defined group of people advocating the "restored order".
@Michael Barber -- you can join the "movement" simply by promoting a good sacramental theology! I am sure that the work you are already doing is helping! - May 29, 2011 at 3:02 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
You make a good point about the analogy between bodily combat and spiritual combat.
What I would say is this: Even from a very young age, children are able to be great warriors for Christ. Consider how many times Our Lady has used children to change the world (especially in modern time: Bernadette, and Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta).
Thus, while the analogy would indeed be more clear if confirmation was given at the age of entering into physical maturity (so as to fight in a battle), the necessity of the sacrament to wage the spiritual battle (from the age of even 7 years) inclines me to vote for an early confirmation.
See, Taylor Marhall's comment (below, 7:14 am on May 29) -- it is quite clear that our children are already in the midst of the spiritual combat (even if they are too young for physical battle).
[moreover, if we really stuck to the analogy, then we might end up concluding that only men should be confirmed ... since it does not seem very fitting for women to be soldiers]
Still, I will admit that your point about "spiritual maturity" is important.
It is on this account that I favor the Latin practice of delaying confirmation at least until 7 years of age (as opposed to the Eastern practice of administering the sacrament shortly after birth).
Once the child reaches the age of reason (but not before), he is able to enter into the spiritual combat; still, in danger of death, the sacrament ought to be given even to infants so that they may come to "the perfection of salvation" (as St. Thomas says). - May 29, 2011 at 3:12 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
Over at the "Ask Reginaldus" page, 'Mary' left the following comment. It is a beautiful testimony to the power of sacramental graces active in children.
You mention that in the last three centuries confirmation has been delayed until early adulthood. I received my First Holy Communion when I was six and my Confirmation when I was eight, as did all of the First and Third Graders, so this practice was widespread in the 1950's. Did I misunderstand what you said? And in support of early reception of Confirmation, I can assure everyone that an 8 yr. old child is indeed receptive to the Graces bestowed, and is strengthened in Faith and able to live it. I am sure that it was because of being confirmed when I was eight that I acted as I did afterward, for instance, in choosing to subject myself to rejection for being friendly to the children everyone else shunned or made fun of; or in being the most loving, obedient child towards a father whom I would loose to cancer just 5 years later; or in accepting the suffering that came from being in a car crash that claimed my little brother's life and put me in casts for over a year. Picture a little child awakening from a coma, with a wooden cross secured to her back, to keep her bones aligned while they healed. My first reaction? Pure joy! I thought "I have a wooden cross, just like Jesus!" I'm sure all off this is due to the effects of Grace, received in the Sacraments which were thankfully administered to a little girl. What would have been the outcome if the Church had said I couldn't have these wonderful, life-giving Sacraments until I had reached early adulthood? Better for me that I received them as an innocent child, happy to do God's will, than as a teen-ager who might have rebelled because of all she had been through.
--------------------------------- - May 29, 2011 at 3:18 PM
- helgothjb said...
It seems here that the Confirmation is being spoken of only in terms of grace for personal holiness. However, the Sacrament is ordered to our mission as Christians and the graces given are for that purpose, namely, spreading the Gospel. This is no small point. Confirmation is not so much about our personal struggle for holiness as it is about our sanctifying the world for Christ. When one is ready for to take on this mission varies. It is for this reason that I would argue, with St. Thomas, that pastoral consideration should be given to the individual circumstance both in giving it early and in delaying the reception of Confirmation. A more pastoral approach would, however, mean that pastors needed to be much more involved in the sacramental decisions of their parishioners. The easy path of treating all the same, such as we do cattle, by declaring some magical age that is appropriate for all, will likely remain because, well, it is easier.
- May 30, 2011 at 1:30 AM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
Not sure how you can claim St. Thomas Aquinas to be on your side ...
He most certainly thinks of Confirmation as the perfection of the individual's soul and not primarily as for the perfection of the mission of the Church.
When he discusses the sacraments in general, he lists Holy Order and Matrimony as sacraments for the benefit of the whole mystical body.
Confirmation is considered as being for the sanctification of the individual -- in ST III, q.72; the Angelic Doctor continually speaks of Confirmation as bringing about the perfection of the soul of the individual.
It is needed for the individual to come to the perfection of salvation ...
And, since the spiritual combat begins with the age of reason, it is more fitting that confirmation be given at that time and not be delayed.
[I do not deny that confirmation gives us graces to spread the Gospel ... I only emphasize that the primary purpose of confirmation is personal holiness] - May 30, 2011 at 8:36 AM
- helgothjb said...
"And therefore by the sacrament of Confirmation man is given a spiritual power in respect of sacred actions other than those in respect of which he receives power in Baptism. For in Baptism he receives power to do those things which pertain to his own salvation, forasmuch as he lives to himself: whereas in Confirmation he receives power to do those things which pertain to the spiritual combat with the enemies of the Faith. This is evident from the example of the apostles, who, before they received the fulness of the Holy Ghost, were in the "upper room . . . persevering . . . in prayer" (Acts 1:13-14); whereas afterwards they went out and feared not to confess their faith in public, even in the face of the enemies of the Christian Faith. And therefore it is evident that a character is imprinted in the sacrament of Confirmation." - ST III q. 72, art. 5. I agree that sanctifying grace is given through the sacrament, for growth and stability in righteousness, but St. Thomas does clearly say that the baptismal grace give the power to do those things which pertain to his own salvation and confirmation gives the power to do thing that pertain to spiritual combat and confessing Christ Jesus. The error I made, may be in making a false distinction between evangelization and personal holiness, for spreading and defending the faith are nessecary requirement of holiness.
- May 30, 2011 at 11:48 AM
- helgothjb said...
Furthermore, it would seem that if what you are saying about personal holiness were true that Confirmation would be necessary for justifcation. What are your thought about this? St. Thomas does seem to say the the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are necessary for salvation. What does that mean for a person who dies without being Confirmed?
- May 30, 2011 at 12:03 PM
- Father Ryan Erlenbush said...
First, I hope that my previous comment was not too terse; sometimes when I try to answer quickly and succinctly, it can come off a bit harsh.
I do agree with you that confirmation does have a lot to do with preaching the Faith -- hence, it is directed toward salvation of others.
Still, it is principally a matter of the perfection of the individual soul -- hence it is compared to adulthood.
Thus, confirmation is necessary for salvation insofar as it is the most becoming means of coming to the perfection of salvation.
Regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit -- you are quite correct that they are necessary for salvation. However, we must recall that they are given in baptism.
In confirmation, the gifts are brought to a certain perfection -- but they already exist in the soul from baptism, since it is impossible for the soul to be in the state of grace and lack the gifts.
Regarding a man who dies without confirmation ... certainly, they can be saved. However, their soul lacks a certain sacramental perfection (since it has not received the sacramental character) -- there is no need to think, however, that this would entail a less beatific heaven.
Peace to you, and thanks for the great questions! It helps me to clarify the points in my own mind as well! + - May 30, 2011 at 12:24 PM
- Jack Quirk said...
Baptism is followed immediately by confirmation in the Eastern churches, and that seems to me to be by far the better practice. In any event, delaying Confirmation until the child is a teenager in the secular western world is child abuse.
- May 30, 2011 at 1:07 PM
- ndp465 said...
I enjoyed reading your article on delaying Confirmation. I wonder if will get this rite right. A decent understanding of Confirmation depends upon solid and effective catechesis, especially when those desiring this Sacrament are young adults. A stark reality to which we must pay attention involves determining the extent to which effective catechesis concerning Confirmation applies to parents as much as it does to their children.
- May 31, 2011 at 7:21 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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As far as puzzle design goes I absolutely loved this but it broke when I was putting it back together. I didn't put much force on it. The nob on the silver egg on the back is attached to a piece of cast only about 1.5mm wide. I used it for about 1 hour before it gave out. I love the concept and it was a lot of fun but sadly it didn't last. As far as I know Puzzle Master doesn't refund or replace broken puzzles.
I didn't use to be a fan of maze puzzles but this one is so good that turned me into one. This puzzle does NOT need force, it just needs proper alignment. The design is incredible how with 2 simple mazes, a much more complicated one arrises and how you are forced to go back and forth to get to the final solution. Designing this must have been really fun!
Most frustrating Hanayama so far. As people mentioned it requires force at certain points. Very slight, but still uncommon thing for Hanayama design. If you don't use it - you'll fiddle with it forever. And it broke apart when I tried to put it back together
Even though I don't care much for the maze-style puzzles, I rated this one at five stars because it is a great example of the type. It is kind of oversized, which is necessary because of the thin sections of metal in some parts. Like a few others in this series, it really isn't suited to be made by casting. If it were laser cut from steel plate it could be smaller and stronger. As other reviewers noted, you should be careful not to damage the thin metal strip that is clearly seen in the photo above. Also, in one tricky part of the solution, it is possible to cheat by forcing the pieces and allowing that thin strip to spring to one side. You'll just have to rely on your will power to avoid that shortcut.
I did not enjoy this puzzle. It is more trickier than you may expect, even after reading the warning on the description. For me, it is an egg from hell. At several points I need to use some force to proceed (points part of the solution path) and I have a feeling that one of the pieces can break any time soon. What I really like is the design - I doubt that the paths were created without the aid of a computer.
I think I should clarify something posted by the other reviewers. This puzzle, like all Hanayama puzzles, is meticulously designed and crafted to be challenging and solvable WITHOUT forcing or breaking any parts. Yes, there is one particular section of the path that seems very tight to navigate through. It's a red herring - if you find yourself needing to force the puzzle, you've gone down the wrong path. Back up, try to rotate the pieces a different way and try the path again. This is my favourite of all Hanayama puzzles for many reasons. I think it's a brilliant design (how do they come up with these ideas?!?), and it's very satisfying for tactile people like me. It's fairly rated as an 8 difficulty. The first few tries took me over 20 minutes to solve, now I can get it apart and together in under 5 minutes. A hint to solving this one: you need to backtrack a lot in order to move forward. Don't force anything. Buy this puzzle. Enjoy it as much as I do.
It was great fun unless it broke. Ok, I admit that it was heavily used (not forced, but used many times). So if you want a puzzle that will serve you for ages than I don't recommend it.
Pretty good puzzle, but not too difficult. It took me about a half hour to take it apart and put it back together. It is easy to bend the narrow strip of metal that George referrs to (on the right hand side of the picture), but you just have to keep an eye on it and use the button to bend it back.
Nice puzzle, but my copy is misaligned. There is a narrow strip of metal in this puzzle, if it bends slightly you have to force the button along the track.


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Whether it's the wildlife, scenery, or people you remember most, Africa is out on its own for sheer scale, variety and dramatic impact. It's an extraordinary place that will entice you back again and again, from the elegance and charm of Cape Town to the primal attractions of the Serengeti and the impossibly-perfect beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean.
With its gleaming towers rising out of the desert, constantly sun-drenched beaches, world-beating designer shopping and fabulous hotels, the UAE serves up the very last word in urbane glamour, while Oman is a stylish and sophisticated choice for those looking to enjoy the very best Arabia has to offer.
How can you begin to sum up Asia? Mysterious, majestic, surprising, spiritual, energetic, enticing… it's all those and more. A trip here is a true voyage of discovery, not least because its cultures and history have been hidden to Western eyes for too long, and with so much to explore, you'll be back time and again.
Explore, cherish and fall in love with Australia, the world's largest island; the epic countryside and adrenaline-junkie Eden of New Zealand, or the spectacularly laid-back islands of French Polynesia – which bring to life just how dreamy reality can get.
Hunker down by translucent shores and shady palms to breathe in jasmine and hibiscus and watch the hovering of miracle-winged hummingbirds. Why not explore the stunning tiny islands of the Caribbean?
From the sun-kissed Mediterranean to sophisticated cities, Europe's diversity is without equal. Its converted castles, restored monasteries, refurbished palaces and rolling landscapes are all testimony to its fascinating history, whilst the gourmet cuisine, vintage wines and glamorous nightlife reflect the continent's irrepressible joie de vivre.
Choose from idyllic islands adrift in the Indian Ocean, seducing you with overwater villas, underwater reefs, iridescent white sands, swaying sugar cane and cerulean oceans; or the magnificence of the Indian Subcontinent's temples, Buddhist Kingdoms and beaches throughout Sri Lanka – all serving up a feast for senses as well as the soul.
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The news that Egypt's military has attacked groups of what it says are "Islamist militants" in the Sinai with missiles from aircraft and shells fired from tanks underscores how "extremely dangerous" the situation has quickly become along that nation's border with Israel, NPR's Leila Fadel said earlier today on Morning Edition.
With so much happening on that border "it's possible that this will escalate," she told host Steve Inskeep. The Egyptian military hasn't undertaken such operations in the Sinai since the 1973 war with Israel. Now, it is going after militants for the first time since new Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi — from the once-repressed Muslim Brotherhood — took office. As Leila has previously reported, the situation in Sinai is a huge challenge for Egypt's new leader, who must show he can protect his country, work with its army and keep things from spilling across the border.
The Egyptian military's moves against the militants follows an attack by those militants Sunday that left 16 Egyptian border guards dead.
Militants struck again in the region Tuesday night, The New York Times writes, "when, at around 11 p.m. in what appeared to be a series of coordinated assaults, gunmen fired on at least seven government checkpoints as well as a military cement factory, according to security officials."
According to The Washington Post, the military's strikes early today "killed at least 20 suspected militants, state television reported. There was no independent corroboration of the claim, but witnesses confirmed hearing warplanes and loud blasts in the area overnight."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Fairfield, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Hartalika Teej Vrat is observed during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. On this day, makeshift statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are made with the sand and worshipped for marital bliss and progeny.
Hartalika Teej is known by this name due to the legend associated with it. Hartalika word is combination of Harat and Aalika which means abduction and female friend respectively. According to the legend of Hartalika Teej, the friend of Goddess Parvati took her to the thick forest so that her father can not marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish.
The morning time is considered good to perform Hartalika Puja. If morning Puja is not possible due to some reason then Pradosh time is also considered good to perform Shiva-Parvati Puja. Teej Puja should be done after taking early bath and getting dressed up with fine clothes. Sand made Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be worshipped and legend of Hartalika should be narrated during the Puja.
Hartalika Vrat is known as Gowri Habba in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and it is a significant festival to get blessing of Goddess Gowri. On the day of Gowri Habba women observe Swarna Gowri Vratha to seek blessings of Goddess Gowri for happy married life.
Teej festivity is observed with much fanfare by women in North Indian states, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Three famous Teej(s) which are celebrated by women during Sawan and Bhadrapada months are -
Other Teej festivals like Akha Teej which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of above three Teej(s).
Haritalika Teej is celebrated during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. Haritalika Teej comes one month after Hariyali Teej and most of the time celebrated one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. During Haritalika Teej women worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati which are made of clay.


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This months Daring Bakers challenge was Dorie's perfect party cake. I had mixed feelings about this challenge. On the one hand, I had never baked a cake before and I was really looking forward to trying. On the other hand, the last time that I tried making a butter cream it did not work out…
The cake recipe seemed pretty straight forward and easy but for some reason the cake did not rise at all. Luckily I had enough ingredients to try making the cake again. I figured that I would either be able to use the second cake if it came out right or in the worst case I would be able to use both the first cake and the second cake to get the required 4 layers if it did not rise. The second time I paid even closer attention to the directions, but it did not rise either… I am not sure what went wrong but in the end I had enough cake to continue.
I was not looking forward to making the butter cream as I had not been able to get it right the last time. Before starting I made sure that everything was ready and at hand and fully at room temperature. I pulled out my bowl and trusty pair of forks and got to beating. For the final step of beating the eggs and butter the recipe called for 6-10 minutes of beating time using a machine. I figured that doing it by hand would take longer but at the 10 minute mark the eggs and butter were still liquid and did not seem to be getting any thicker. I decided that if by 20 minutes of beating nothing had changed I would throw in the towel. Then at the 15 minute mark all of a sudden the eggs and butter went from a liquid to perfectly thick and smooth cream. The butter cream was really amazing! It tasted great and it had a really nice texture. I had a hard time keeping my finger out of the bowl while I assembled the cake.
I decided to decorate my cake with fresh strawberries as there were some really nice looking ones at the store. By going with a strawberry theme I also got the chance to use some of the strawberry jam that I made last year. Assembling and frosting the cake was pretty easy and kind of fun.
In the end the cake turned out pretty good! It looked nice and tasted great. The cake park of the cake was a little denser than I would have liked but it tasted good and that is what matters most. I am still not sure why the cake did not rise properly but things worked out so it was not a big problem. I was really pleased with the buttercream. I came into this recipe not really even liking the concept of a buttercream and I came out really enjoying it. I look forward to using buttercream again in the future.
Dorie's Perfect Party Cake
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk or buttermilk
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
- 1 jar strawberry jam
- buttercream (see below)
- * fresh strawberries
- Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- Mix the milk and eggs in a large bowl.
- Mix the lemon zest and sugar together in a large bowl. Rub them together with your fingers.
- Beat the butter into the sugar until they are light.
- Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture until incorporated.
- Beat in 1/2 of the milk mixture until incorporated.
- Beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture until incorporated.
- Beat in the the remaining milk mixture until incorporated.
- Beat in the remaining flour mixture until incorporated.
- Pour the batter into 2 greased and lined 9×2 inch round baking pans.
- Bake in the middle of a preheated 350F/180C oven until a tooth pick comes out clean, about 20-30 minutes.
- Let the cakes cool.
- Cut the cakes in half.
- Spread a layer of jam onto the top of one slice of cake.
- Spread a layer of the butter cream onto the bottom of another layer of cake and place it on top the the first layer.
- Continue in this fashion until all layers of cake have a layer of jam and butter cream between them but do not place jam on the top layer.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream and decorate with strawberries.
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (from 2 large lemons)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Whisk the sugar into the egg whites in a bowl over a pan of simmering water until the mixture is hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. (The sugar should be dissolved and the mixture should look like shiny marshmallow cream.)
- Remove the bowl from the heat and beat until the cream is cool, about 5 minutes.
- Beat in the butter one stick at a time.
- Beat the mixture until it thickens and becomes smooth, about 10-20 minutes.
- Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla extract a bit at a time until they are incorporated.
Chocolate Stout Cake with Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting
Guinness Chocolate Pudding
Hollandaise Sauce
Avgolemono Sauce
Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream
Black Sesame Ice Cream


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I have been trying to eat seafood at least once per week. This week I decided to go with a simple pan seared white fish with avgolemono sauce. Avgolemono sauce is a sauce made from eggs and lemons with a bit of broth. I have really been enjoying using avgolemono recently and I though that it would go nicely on fish. I like to add dill to my avgolemono sauce for some extra flavour. This week the tilapia looked good at the fish monger so I went with that. I served the pan seared tilapia with some Israeli couscous. Keeping with the theme I cooked the couscous in chicken stock with some lemon juice and then finished it with some dill. To complete the meal and add a little green was some steamed asparagus. Of course I poured the avgolemono sauce over the couscous and the asparagus along with the tilapia. Overall this was a really tasty lunch.
Pan Seared Tilapia in Avgolemono Sauce
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (warm)
- 1 lemon (juice)
- 1/4 cup dill (chopped)
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Season the tilapia with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fry the tilapia until cooked and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Heat the eggs in a double boiler while whisking until they are frothy.
- Slowly pour in the lemon juice while whisking.
- Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking.
- Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough for your tastes.
- Serve the tilapia with avgolemono sauce.


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The nation's hearts and wallets opened last week for Karen Klein, the bus monitor in upstate New York who was mercilessly taunted by a pack of feral-minded middle schoolers. But the gold rush of online donations (more than $600,000 and a free trip to Disneyland for 10 people) leaves a slag heap of questions. When we grow tired of the bus video heard 'round the world, we might start by asking, What is a bus monitor's role exactly?
(MORE: After Abuse Video Goes Viral, Campaign Raises Money for Bus Monitor)
It's not victim blaming to acknowledge that Klein was both horribly abused and also hired to prevent the kind of torment she endured. It's therefore puzzling that neither she nor the bus driver — the adults on the bus — took any measures to prevent, stop or report the atrocious behavior. Did she ever receive any training in how to manage unruly or abusive kids? Why didn't the bus driver chime in, or stop the bus immediately, and tell the kids to straighten up? The episode wouldn't even have come to the attention of school administrators or parents if a student hadn't filmed and posted it. This isn't a chain of authority that inspires confidence.
Video affords multiple interpretations, but what I saw was that the Lord of the Flies perps seemed to escalate, emotionally, as if waiting, even wanting, the adults to take charge. When there was no reaction, they revved up further. It also seemed clear that this abuse didn't come out of nowhere but was likely the product of a dysfunctional bus culture honed over weeks or months of chronic misbehavior.
(MORE: What You Need to Know About Bullying)
I want to be very clear: I am not dismissing the horrible mistreatment. But it's equally unfair to ignore the role of external forces in shaping the kids' behavior on that fateful day.
For example, we know that when teachers spend time with students at lunch and recess, there are lower rates of bullying and other disciplinary problems. Yet school budgets perennially ignore areas of the school experience that aren't directly linked to academic performance. It's costly to add a lunch hour to a teacher contract (even though it was commonplace in previous generations), so supervision — such as it exists — is delegated to paraprofessionals and volunteers often lacking the training and temperament to work with children.
And while no one would fault American's venerable tradition of generosity, we might also ask why Americans are so eager to write a check to an individual, even one as sympathetic as Klein, when they seem perfectly happy to watch the steady erosion of professionalism of our schools.
(MORE: The Outrageous Bus-Monitor Video: Why Kids Don't Fear Consequences)
We need to look at our role as parents too. It's well known that parenting shapes preteen and adolescent behavior. In fact, one of the biggest risk factors for becoming a bully is having the misfortune of being born to parents who withhold warmth or who are violent. We also know that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely, for a variety of reasons, to be bullies.
Finally, we know that even decent people can behave monstrously when the conditions are ripe, especially when they act in groups. But here, too, we have reason not to focus only on these appalling 12- and 13-year-olds who verbally assaulted Klein. We love to pile on when we hear stories of teen mobs run amok. It seems to embody our worse fears as a society. But adults behave outrageously and with impunity in crowds too, whether destroying property after a sporting loss or looting after a hurricane. (Not to mention gang rape and murder.)
(MORE: Judith Warner: The Lesson of Jessica Barba and Her Bullying Video)
I can already hear the outrage. How can I pick on an elderly, hearing-impaired woman who was just doing her best? But blaming kids in a vacuum is not merely unproductive but also wrongheaded. The reality is that bullying has actually decreased in the past decade, and one of the main reasons is the prevalence of antibullying curriculum, antihazing policies and other measures to draw attention to the problem and involve adults.
We know, in other words, that the right kind of school environment can help to reduce harmful behaviors like the ones Klein was hired to "monitor," so it's disingenuous at best to place the blame entirely on the shoulders of families.
Social scientists have for centuries explored the issue of responsibility for human behavior. Is it societal structures or individual free will? A few rotten apples, or a rotten barrel? And who if not all the adults who care for children?
MORE: Cohen and DeBenedet: Have We Gone Overboard About Bullying?


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Notes on connecting to the internet with products manufactured by Sony
When you connect a product manufactured by Sony such as a TV or Blu-ray recorder to the internet, use a router to connect, or connect the product to a LAN port with a router function.
Wired/wireless connection via router
[A]: LAN port on the wall
[B]: LAN cable
[C]: Router (equipped with IP conversion function, and functioning as a hub)
[D]: Wireless LAN -
Connecting to a LAN port (*1) with a router function
[A]: LAN port on the wall
[B]: LAN cable
If a security problem occurs, the product may be affected by malware (malicious software) resulting in the risk of theft or falsification of personal information or content. In addition, you can cause unintentional harm to network services if the device is affected.
*1 Check with your apartment manager or internet service provider to determine whether your outlet device for network lines has a router function.


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Cross Training-how it can help you!
Before you start any exercise program, consult your therapist and physician.
Cross Training - You may have heard the term in the gym, know of athletes that cross train, or you may even be wearing cross-training shoes. The simple definition of cross training is the use of more than one type of exercise to achieve your training goals.
For example, you may want to improve your vertical jump to better your basketball skills. To improve your jump, your therapist could show you some cross training exercises. We might have you do some leg press weight training and plyometric jumps. In this example, we are using two different types of exercise to help you achieve your goal - to jump higher.
But why should you cross train? The answers are that the body gets real good at the specific exercise(s) we perform. This is called specificity of training. If you do wrist curls every day you'll get real good at wrist curls but your chest muscles won't get any stronger. Or, if you cycle all day you will be a good cyclist but not nearly as good at swimming. Cross training stresses the muscles with a variety of exercises. It prepares the body for the myriad of stresses that you experience each day. If you cross train, you'll develop better strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination over a greater variety of challenges and movements.
Secondly, cross training works all three types of muscle fibers. The slow twitch, endurance muscle fibers and the both types of fast twitch fibers benefit from cross training.
Finally, cross training keeps you psychologically interested in training. You're not doing the same thing every day when you cross train. It is hard to stick to an exercise program. However, with proper instruction and motivation and a good cross training program, you'll be on your way to success.
Cross training can be performed with a variety of resistance exercises or a variety of aerobic exercises. Here is an aerobic cross training sample for you.
Day 1
- Walk on the treadmill 10 minutes.
- Stationary cycle 10 minutes.
- Rowing Machine 10 minutes
Day 2
- Jogging on the treadmill 10 minutes.
- Cross trainer machine 10 minutes.
- Stair stepper 10 minutes
Day 3
- Swim 20 minutes.
- Rollerblade 20 minutes
Day 4
- Walk 20 minutes.
- Climb stairs 20 minutes
If you want a good cross training program. Just give us a call. We would be happy to put something together for you.
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Television Show: Kath and Kim, comedy, Australia, 2002 - 2007
What it means to me:
Kath and Kim is a comedy about a dysfunctional mother and daughter in the working class outer suburbs of Melbourne. It is a show that makes me cringe because there is so much truth in the characters and it can feel uncomfortable to laugh at them. But I do in the nicest way possible. (Think the discomfort of watching The Office.)
This show is full of actors that I have been watching for a long time. They are particularly memorable for all their roles on sketch shows. I remember loving Glen Robbins on the Comedy Zone when I was at school and many others were on Fast Forward. The characters reflect people I know and visit places that are familiar to me - Flinders Street train station, the shopping centres and Ikea. Their catch phrases have entered out local lingo. 'Noice, different, unusual', 'But mum, it's all you can eat', 'It's mummy's turn now'.
First attempt at vegan gf sausages - too dry |
The mother in the series, Kath Day, has a boyfriend called Kel Knight. Her 'great hunk o' spunk'. He greases his hair and combs it over the bald spot. He is a health nut and a butcher: 'purveyor of fine meat'. (As E likes to say, meat to please you, pleased to meet you!) To use some Aussie slang, he is a bit up himself!
Kel Knight is very proud of his sausages. He likes to spend time searching for new flavours and in the third show, spends time trying to develop a new gourmet sausage to celebrate his forthcoming wedding with Kath. I love a vegie sausage so this was a great excuse to make some.
The process for making sausages. The chickpea flour dough was a little more yellow than the second batch of sausages. |
I have tried chorizo sausages with gluten flour before but I have never been a fan of the gluteny taste of seitan. I saw a recipe for vegan and gluten free sausages on The Crabby Crafter a couple of Vegan MoFos ago and have intended to make it ever since. Finally its time had come.
I am not so keen on rice flour so I had decided that chickpea flour would work well. Unfortunately the first attempt was not successful. The mixture was a bit dry but would come together if squeezed hard. But once cooked it was too dry. Even when drowned in caramelised onion gravy. I learnt my lesson when making them again.
My first attempt at the sausages - drowned in onion gravy to compensate for being too dry. |
Rolled sausages ready to be wrapped in foil. |
We eat sausages a lot. I usually buy them but I like to make them occasionally. This recipe takes longer than buying them, despite being just a matter of mix and steam. I love making bangers and mash for an easy meal. The second lot of sausages was made for a visit by my dad. He enjoyed them. I was a little stressed because it took me so long but at least I didn't try making chips. As you will see in the photos, I was experimenting with sausages and chips in a few meals.
I am posting the sausage recipe today because it seemed topical. Today was a federal election in Australia. All of Australia loves a bbq sausage and never more so than at the polling booths. In fact with all the discussion of people voting early, one of the issues was about missing out on the sausage sizzles on election day.
Election day sights (sausage sizzle: top middle) |
It was a nice day but goodness it has been a depressing campaign with the race to the bottom with refugee policies (including buying all the leaky boats in Indonesia to stop asylum seekers getting ti Australia), 'suppositories of wisdom', more arrogance than compassion, and lacklustre leaders. So rather than dwelling on results (we live in a safe seat where there are no surprises), here are some things that made me smile today:
- Being handed how to vote cards by a fellow blogger. It's a small world. (And if you wonder why we need how to vote cards, pity us for having 97 senate candidates to choose from this year! Argh!)
- Our local member arriving at our polling booth, handing out about 3 how to vote flyers before racing off to the next booth. (To be fair, I have been at a function with him and he is very personable.)
- Kevin Rudd announcing he was standing down from the Labour leadership. It was a bright moment in a tortuously long concession of defeat.
- The young girl pouting and posing behind an exhausted Bill Shorten, an MP on the losing side of politics, as he spoke to the television cameras.
Sausages with sweet potato chips, stir-fried rainbow chard and plum and apple chutney. |
Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
One year ago: Mad Mex and Melbourne Central
Two years ago: CC Bookshops, pretzel buns, burgers and corn salad
Three years ago: Winchelsea Larder - regional goodness
Four years ago: Chocolate cookies and pizza
Five years ago: A bloody tale of burritos and beans
Vegan GF Sausages
Adapted from the Crabby Crafter
Makes about 8-10 sausages
400g can of white beans, drained and mashed
1/2 cup quinoa flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup buckwheat flour
*2 tbsp psyllium husks
4 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
1 tsp powdered sage
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp fennel seeds, ground
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
2 tbsp water
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
seasoning to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)
Mix together all ingredients. Check seasoning and adjust according to taste. It should come together to make a dough that you can knead with perhaps a few cracks. Grab handfuls and roll into sausage shape. Wrap each sausage in foil (twisting each end like a Christmas cracker to seal them) and place in a steamer basket. Steam for about 40 minutes. They are now ready to grill or fry and I think they would even be sturdy enough for the BBQ.
* Psyllium husks are not essential. The Crabby Crafter didn't use them when she made them but I really like their binding properties - and I also have a tub of the stuff that needs to be used. (I have had a few comments ask about this so hopefully this helps)
On the Stereo:
50 favourite nursery rhymes, vol II: Patsy Biscoe
This post is part of Vegan Month of Food September 2013. This year for Vegan MoFo I am cooking recipes inspired by some favourite tv shows - and veering off topic occasionally. Go to my Vegan MoFo list for more of my Vegan MoFo posts.


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on www.kriyayoga.com
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Maoists Say They Killed Hindu Leader
Still blaming Christians for assassination, Hindu fanatics continue attacks.
9/1/08 NEW DELHI (Compass Direct News) – A Maoist group today claimed responsibility for killing Hindu extremist leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his disciples in Orissa state on August 23, saying that fanatical Hindus' claims that Christians murdered him were "lies."
The violence that has claimed the lives of least 36 people, most of them Christians, and destroyed hundreds of churches and homes continued over the weekend as Hindu extremists continued to blame Christians for the killing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) leader.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, an extreme Marxist group banned by the Indian government, released a statement today saying that Sangh Parivar, the family of Hindu extremist groups led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, have deliberately misled people about Saraswati's death.
"The Sangh Parivar leaders like Praveen Togadia have been trying to divert the people by uttering lies that it is not the Maoists but Christian organizations that had carried out the attack on the VHP leader," the Marxist group stated.
The statement said Saraswati was a "rabid anti-Christian ideologue and persecutor of innocent Christians who was responsible for the burning down of over 400 churches in Kandhamal district alone."
Saraswati, who had run a campaign against Christian missionaries for several decades in Orissa, was allegedly behind a spate of anti-Christian attacks in Kandhamal district last Christmas season. The violence lasted for more than a week beginning December 24, and killed at least four Christians and burned 730 houses and 95 churches.
The Maoist statement warned the VHP of "more such punishments if it continued violence against religious minorities in the country" and called for a ban on groups linked to the Sangh Parivar, such as the VHP, its youth wing Bajrang Dal, right-wing Hindu political party Shiv Sena and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On August 30 private news channel NDTV 24X7 quoted unnamed government sources as saying that their assessment was that Christians had no role in the killing of Saraswati, and that the probe was leading to Maoist culprits.
Christian leaders said that as a result of the violence more tha 50,000 Christians are living as refugees in jungles.
Fresh Attacks
According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), today at least two churches and a motorbike were burned and a pastor was beaten in Koraput district.
The Orissa Missionary Movement Church and the Bible Mission Church were set ablaze by mobs in Jeypore town, according to EFI, and also in Jeypore a pastor of the Blessing Youth Mission was attacked.
The state government today said 543 houses had been burned in Kandhamal alone thus far, IANS reported.
Although the number of incidents has come down compared with last week, fresh attacks were reported yesterday. Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported today that the violence had spread to three more districts of Orissa.
"Security forces had been deployed in nine districts [of Orissa] since August 23, but policemen are now being deployed in an additional three districts," Inspector General of Police Pradeep Kapur told IANS.
Security forces had been deployed in the districts of Bolangir, Bargarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Bhadrak and Kendrapada. Kapur, however, refused to tell the three additional districts where police personnel had been deployed.
Yesterday several churches and houses were burned in Bataguda and Parampanga areas of Kandhamal district, Boriguma area of Koraput district and in parts of Rayagada district, according to IANS.
The Hindu newspaper reported that eight prayer houses were damaged in Kundra area of Koraput district on Sunday.
"Violence erupted in the district following a clash between two groups in Jeypore town on Saturday and five churches were damaged," the newspaper reported, adding that a curfew was still in force.
Although the violence began more than a week ago, police are still saying they are not able to reach interior villages of Kandhamal. The state government has now reportedly asked for additional central paramilitary forces to control the violence.
While many parts of Orissa remained under curfew today, over 13,000 people were reportedly living in relief centers set up by the state government in seven places in Kandhamal.
With violence continuing with little or no police protection, Christian leaders said many fearful believers have been forcibly "reconverted" to Hinduism.
According to The Indian Express, more than a hundred Christians "reconverted" to Hinduism in Kandhamal on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 29-30).
"I have heard that reconversions are taking place and I am looking into it," Kandhamal Revenue Divisional Commissioner Satyabarat Sahoo told the newspaper.
A number of reconversions have reportedly taken place in Raikia, Baliguda, Barakhama and others areas of Kandhamal, the newspaper reported.
Dr. Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of India Christians, told Compass that Hindu extremist groups are "reconverting" Christians by force.
"We have collected evidence and given it to authorities," he said. "However, the police and other state government authorities are not doing anything."
George led a sit-in protest with local Christians in front of the state legislative assembly building in state capital Bhubaneswar, and submitted a memorandum to the state governor on Saturday (Aug. 30).
Brahmachari Shankar Chaitanya, successor of the slain Saraswati, asserted that the conversions were "purely voluntary."
"If misguided people want to come back to Hinduism they will do so, and it is our duty to extend all necessary help and embrace them," Chaitanya told The Indian Express.
'Punish the Killers'
Christians noted that the violence by VHP extremists is in a state ruled by a coalition of Biju Janata Dal party and the BJP.
A delegation comprising a noted filmmaker and Christians from various denominations today submitted a memorandum to the Indian President Pratibha Patil demanding action against the VHP and other groups for leading mobs to kill and attack Christians.
The delegation urged the president to invoke Article 355 of the constitution, which states that the federal government has a duty to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance.
The delegation included film director Mahesh Bhatt; Dr. Abraham Mathai, vice chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission; Dr. John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council of India; Mehmood Madani, member of Parliament; Archbishop Raphael Cheenath from Orissa; Delhi Archbishop Vincent Concessao; the Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India; Joseph Dias from the Catholic Secular Front; the Rev. Madhu Chandra of the All India Christian Council, and Jenis Francis of the Federation of Catholic Associations.
"More than 50,000 Christians are living as refugees following the violence in Orissa," Mathai told reporters. "All the political parties are sitting as mute spectators."
Christians make up 2.4 percent of the state's population, or 897,861 of the 36.7 million people.


text:
"I haven't done much. Honestly, I had a good fight, that's it. So I just gotta stay focused, keep grinding, and keep on my toes." - Justin Lawrence
It was a couple weeks early, but Benny Voyles couldn't have asked for a better Father's Day gift. His son, Justin Lawrence, came off the Ultimate Fighter's 15th season, won his first UFC fight via third round knockout over John Cofer, and picked up two bonuses for his efforts: Fight of the Night and KO of the Night.
Yet as the win sunk in for the 22-year old from Pacific, Missouri, the win wasn't just the perfect way to kick off a UFC career, but a realization that everything his father taught him and put him through in their gym over the years was for a reason. And "The American Kidd" couldn't have been more thankful.
"I trained so much through high school," said Lawrence, who actually began training in combat sports at the age of six. "I didn't party in high school, my dad was super strict, and back then, I was really upset."
The pleas were the usual ones from a teenager.
"Why can't I go out with my buddies?"
"Why can't I go party?"
"Why can't I go on a date with this girl?"
"The girls will come," responded Voyles.
"That's what he always said," laughed Lawrence in the days leading up to his featherweight debut in the Octagon this Saturday night against fellow prospect Max Holloway. "I never realized it until now that I'm 22 and fighting in the UFC, and I look back at those four years of high school, and I could have gotten in a lot of trouble, but he was super strict on me and he kept me grounded. When that was happening, I hated it. I look back now and I see all my buddies and I say, man, I'm glad I had a good dad that kept me grounded and kept me structured, and kept me into it. And that's the thing – he never really burned me out. There are a lot of guys that start out at the age of six and a lot of those dads push them really hard. My dad pushed me very hard, but he didn't burn me out, and that's the key. I was extremely blessed, I really was."
You would be hard pressed to think of a better situation for Lawrence to be in. Sure, he's only 4-0 as a pro mixed martial artist, but before making the leap into the pro game, he was a high school wrestler, a two-time Golden Gloves champion, and a six-time IKF national kickboxing champ with over 150 amateur bouts. This experience was evident when he stepped into the TUF house earlier this year, and even though he barely made it into the competition with three fights, "you never would have known," he says, and he's right. Beating veterans James Krause and Cristiano Marcello is serious business, and though he lost to eventual show winner Mike Chiesa, having a lesson-filled loss that doesn't count on your official record is pretty much the only way to fly.
But back to the original premise, which is that despite his record, he's got a lot more experience than anyone with a similar slate, and perhaps even more than many of his more-seasoned UFC peers.
"The amateur experience is huge," said Lawrence, whose work with the renowned BlackHouse team (home of Anderson Silva) is pretty impressive for the resume as well. "You can't put a number or can't explain how important the amateur experience is. I've been there, I've trained hard my entire life, I've been in over 150 amateur fights and there's nothing better. They say if you want to be a great wrestler, you gotta have that mat time, and if you want to be a good boxer, you have to have that ring time. Sparring is great. God knows how many rounds I've sparred and hit the mitts. But until you're actually out on the stage and out in a fight, there's nothing like it. And when you have numerous amateur fights, it makes you feel so poised and so comfortable inside the cage or ring. And that's huge. This is second nature to me. A guy can start now at 22, and he'll never have as much experience as I have. I had no responsibility; all I had to do was go to a gym and train. At 22, you're a grown man – you've got responsibilities, you got bills to pay, you have a full-time job if you're not making money as a fighter, and that's huge."
You can tell that there's a maturity to Lawrence that goes hand in hand with his youthful enthusiasm to scrap. It makes him a compelling prospect in a tough division, but after being in the nation's collective living room for the 13 weeks of TUF and then delivering one of the most bonus-decorated debuts ever, he keeps a cool head.
"I haven't even really sat down and thought about it," he said of the hype surrounding him. "I get so lost in my training, and that keeps me focused. I work hard every day and I don't pat myself on the back too much. Those (the bonuses) are all great things, but I'm at the bottom of this pyramid still. I haven't done much. Honestly, I had a good fight, that's it. So I just gotta stay focused, keep grinding, and keep on my toes."
And Holloway's likely the kind of fighter to keep him on those toes. The youngest fighter currently on the UFC roster at 20, Holloway also has a mature outlook on things, likely developed by already being a husband and father. In the Octagon, he's shown glimpses of top-level skills, and while still raw, he has the talent to give anyone a run for their money.
"He's young, he's hungry, and he wants the goal that I want," said Lawrence of Holloway. "He's very talented, he's got good striking, good shot defense, but I think I'm the more well-rounded fighter, I think I'm gonna be a little bit bigger, and I think I'm gonna hit a little harder. He does a good job at keeping people at his range, but he hasn't fought a kickboxer like me. That's the key. My kicks are gonna set up everything in this fight, and that's the plan."
What about the bonuses? Do they factor in to this master plan?
"I just go out there and try to put on a great performance," he said. "That's my goal. Getting a Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night was great for my UFC debut, but that's the goal every time I go out there, just to put on a great show for the fans. I fight for the fans and if I can put the fans in the seats, that's the best thing for me and that's how I keep my job."
Looks like Justin Lawrence will remain gainfully employed for a while.