justice or fairness? ... same thing? 

what about balance? ... possible?

what about, "life is not fair, just get over it."? 
seriously? 

I really just want to backhand those kind of people... and shake them hard. but, then I would be no different then them, and their own trivial lack of depth. and, I would mirror their shallow souls...

this one is a struggle for us constantly... some people see things in only black and white - with only concrete certainty. they want absolute justice. and, others opt to err on the side of mercy, compassion, and fairness... that is what makes us human, the trying for balance...

“Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.” 
― Victor Hugo

jus·tice  
Just behavior or treatment.
The quality of being fair and reasonable.
fairness - equity - right - righteousness - justness

"I think perfect objectivity is an unrealistic goal; fairness, however, is not." -Michael Pollan

fair - fairness
marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism
free from discrimination, dishonesty, etc.; just; impartial  
in conformity with rules or standards; legitimate 

confident and assertive... or... arrogant and obnoxious?

I often hear people referring to themselves as "strong" or "assertive" or "confident" or "honest",

when in reality, they are actually arrogant, obnoxious, and rude... there is a huge difference.



"There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. This is especially true given both entail a strong belief in one's own abilities. When it comes to the responses they provoke, however, that's where the similarities end.

Confidence is inspiring; arrogance is a turn-off. Confidence gets hired; arrogance is shown the door. Building confidence takes work; arrogance is simple. In fact, it's easy to come off as arrogant." -The Ladders

source:The Ladders - 10 Ways to Tell if You're Confident – or Arrogant http://bit.ly/Kd5Xle

How did Easter come to be the holiday that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the ascension of life over death?

The simple answer - somewhat short version, Christians had long celebrated Sunday as resurrection day, in remembrance of Christ's passion and ascension. Constantine was the Roman Emperor from 306 AD to 337 AD. His mother had adopted Christianity. It is generally accepted that Constantine was a clever opportunist. Christianity's popularity had grown past being able to be suppressed by the Roman Empire. So, Constantine had Christianity legally recognized. He "christianized" common cultural holidays of the time. It was a brilliant political move. The lasting effect on the purity of Christianity is still passionately debated. Constantine continued throughout his lifetime to practice the Roman pagan religion - he worshipped the sun-god "Sol". Constantine was baptized on his deathbed as a Christian, at the request of his mother.

"Pagan roots of Easter - Daily Kos

The March or spring equinox is used as a determinant for what modern Christians celebrate as the holy day of Easter.

As a budding young feminist, I was fascinated with the idea of female symbols of power, and lapped up tales of Eostre (Ostara) along with Aphrodite, Ashtoreth, Demeter, Ishtar, Kali, and Yemaya.

The name 'Easter' originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similarly, the 'Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos.' Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: 'eastre.' Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime." -Denise Oliver Velez, Daily Kos: Pagan roots of Easter

Judas the skeptic, cynic, critic, pragmatist... Judas the "realist" was completely "right"... 

He was right about the fickleness of people and the temporal nature of popularity. He was right about people that seek power and wield power and how those types will viciously protect their endless climbing and privileged positions... He was very very right about a lot of things... 

but, his fearful caution clouded his perception of purpose and its meaning...

"Listen Jesus
I don't like what I see
All I ask is that you listen to me
And remember
I've been your right hand man all along
You have set them all on fire
They think they've found the new Messiah
And they'll hurt you when they find they're wrong

I remember when this whole thing began
No talk of God then, we called you a man
And believe me
My admiration for you hasn't died
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied..."