After the recent earthquake in Bohol Philippines and the world's worst typhoon Yolanda Haiyan also in Central Philippines, the media noticed how certain holy Christian statues survived these cataclysms, which killed thousands of people and destroyed houses and churches. This miraculous phenomena makes both believers and skeptics puzzle about why these holy Christian statues escape destruction and damage? Usually those of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Jesus himself are able to remain intact after such cataclysms: earthquake, typhoon, tornado, tidal wave, fires and bombs! How to explain this in religious or scientific terms? In the Holy Bible Old Testament, the idea that God punishes Mankind: in Genesis Chapters 6 to 9 He sends The Flood to Earth to correct our evil corrupted souls but saves good righteous men such as Noah whom He advised to build an Ark for his family and animals; The Tower of Babel Genesis Chapter 11 He scatters (probably a strong hurricane) and confuses Mankind who were speaking one language and building a city together; and Sodom and Gomorrah Chapter 19 He sends burning sulfur from the Heavens, (probably a volcanic eruption) to destroy the wicked cities. The term 'Acts of God' is used in insurance as unavoidable natural circumstances. For scientists who are agnostic or atheistic, nature is explained in weather conditions due to geography such as proximity to water bodies, or differences in high to low pressures, and temperatures, or the hot molten core of Earth exploding, or solar flares, etc. There is no mention of God punishing Mankind with natural disasters. But despite the advancement of Mankind in science and technology, how to explain that these Holy Statues remain intact undamaged by nature's energy and force, whereas churches and people do not survive? The rare devout person, such as the 4 German Jesuit priests who survived the bombing of Nagasaki in Japan in World War II remain to puzzle us with the possibility that being good, devout Christians will allow us to survive a nuclear bombing, but this was caused by Mankind. Some even talk about global warming and carbon pollution as the cause for many of these natural disasters. But for religious people, it makes one think that perhaps being good and devout and having such Holy Statues at home may be a protection from future cataclysms? Although there are scientific explanations too for these weather calamities and most people survive but lose their homes, for devout Christians, maybe God also does test and strengthen our faith by the survival of these Holy Statues of Mother Mary and Jesus as Saviour. We can follow their example and pray and devote our lives to obeying God, our Creator and perhaps save ourselves from further corruption and such destruction? (But for those who remain corrupt or anyone believing scientists, moving to a safer area may be the way to live longer without punishment from God and natural disasters... Even devout people such as Noah, Abraham and Lot escaped by forewarning from The Lord!)
Note: Photos copied and pasted from Google search online and links below.
References:
EARTHQUAKE
Bohol Philippines
http://worldwar42.blogspot.ca/2013/10/mother-mary-in-ruins-of-maribojoc.html
http://monkshobbit.blogspot.ca/2013/10/miraculous-survival-virgin-mary-picture-amidst-destruction-bohol-churches-reply-filipino-freethinkers.html
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/10/18/photos-hundreds-dead-historic-churches-destroyed-in-philippine-quake/
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/archbishop-manila-find-faith-midst-ruins
Dubrovnik
http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/st_blaise_church.htm
Peru
http://enperublog.com/2009/04/11/cuscos-senor-de-los-temblores/
http://www.city-data.com/forum/religion-spirituality/926952-statue-christ-survived-1970-peru-earthquake.html
Haiti
http://www.flixya.com/photo/2253714/HAITI-EARTHQUAKE-MIRACLE-OF-GOD-CHRIST-STATUE-PHOTO-gfb
TYPHOON
Haiyan
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/15/jesus-statue-typhoon_n_4284415.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
USA
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Virgin-Mary-Statue-Storms-Dover-New-Jersey-Fallen-Trees-158448835.html
TORNADO
Oklahoma USA
http://catholicphilly.com/2013/06/us-world-news/national-catholic-news/tornado-victims-receiving-overwhelming-outpouring-of-prayer-support/
TSUNAMI TIDAL WAVE
Matara, Sri Lanka
http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/35030-the-church-of-our-lady-of-matara-celebrates-the-annual-feast.html
VOLCANO
Las Manchas
http://www.tenerifemagazine.com/lifestyle/the-miracle-of-chinyero.htm
BOMB
Japan Nagasaki Bomb
http://www.shrineofsaintjude.net/home1345.html
Spanish Civil War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Pillar
Philippines WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Manaoag
FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, BOMBING
http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_festivals/black_nazarene.html
http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/Our_Lady_of_the_Rosary.htm
STATUES SURVIVE
http://www.spiritdaily.org/stuffsurvives.htm
STATUES RESTORATION
http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/gallatin-parishioners-restoring-tornado.html
____
Buddhist Monastery Bomb
http://www.news.com.au/world/bomb-blasts-at-bodh-gaya-buddhist-temple-complex-two-monks-hurt/story-fndir2ev-1226675648949
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ACTS OF GOD, INSURANCE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God
From researching online and books, considering the issue of who wrote the plays of William Shakespeare, the following arguments in defense of the Stratford view that they are written by Shakespeare himself, are as below:
1. Printing/Publishing -- Some of the printed Quartos which were published during his time before his death in 1616 have his name. Wikipedia has a list with copies of the cover pages showing by William Shakespeare:
- The Tragedie of King Richard the Third 1598
- The Tragedie of King Richard the Second 1598
- History of Henry the Fourth 1599
- A Pleasant Conceited Comedy Called Love's Labours Lost 1598
- The Second Part of Henry the Fourth 1600
- A MidSommer's Night's Dreame 1600
- The Most Excellent Historie of The Merchant of Venice 1600
- Much Adoe About Nothing 1600
- A Most Pleasant and Conceited Comedie of Sir John Falstaffe and Merriie Wives of Windsor 1602
- The Tragical Historie of Hamlet Prince of Denmark 1603
- True Chronicle Historie of The Life and Death of King Lear 1608
- The Historie of Troilus and Cresseida 1609
- Pericles, Prince of Tyre 1609
These Quartos were printed for public sale during that time and are written public evidence of Shakespeare's authorship, which is usually the most convincing proof which most authors continue to use -- that a published work credits their name without a doubt as the creator.
Refer to Wikipedia List of Printed Quartos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Shakespeare_plays_in_quarto
2. Roles -- Shakespeare was the main Playwright and an Actor of the licensed acting troupe, The Lord Chamberlain's Men which was funded by The Lord Chamberlain's Office, responsible for the Royal Household Court functions, including Court performances approved by The Revels Office. The Lord Chamberlain during Shakespeare's time were: Henry Carey, First Baron Hunsdon, William Brooke, Baron Cobham and George Carey Second Barun Hunsdon. The Master of Revels was Edmund Tilney during Queen Elizabeth I and King James I reigns. Edward De Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford held the position of The Lord Great Chamberlain from 1562 to 1604 which according to Wikipedia is an inherited position with certain authority over House of Parliament including coronations. Since the Revels Office had to read and censor all plays performed for The Court and funding and orders came from The Lord Chamberlain's Office, obviously there had to be written manuscripts submitted by Shakespeare which passed through all these men. It is no wonder that the authorship is sometimes questioned considering De Vere also wrote and published, but had probably read Shakespeare's works as well prior to performances in Court.
Refer to Wikipedia Lord Great Chamberlain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Great_Chamberlain
Refer to Wikipedia Lord Chamberlain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Chamberlain
Refer to Revels Office
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revels_Office
Refer to Lord Chamberlain's Men, during reign of Queen Elizabeth I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Chamberlain%27s_Men
Refer to King's Men, during reign of King James I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Men_(playing_company)
Refer to Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Vere,_17th_Earl_of_Oxford
Refer to Edmund Tilney, Master of Revels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Tilney
Refer to Queen Elizabeth I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_I
Refer to King James I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_I
Also Refer to Anonymous movie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_(film)
3. Education -- Shakespeare attended King Edward VI's grammar school in Stratford. He had School Masters, both Oxford University graduates: Simon Hunt 1571 to 1575 and Thomas Jenkins 1575 to 1579. Several branches were patronized by the King with selected students.
Refer to King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Edward_VI_School,_Stratford-upon-Avon
4. Status -- Coat of Arms applied for by his father John Shakespeare, High Bailiff was finally approved with William Shakespeare. It has a falcon with a spear in its talons. Their family was probably upper business class because of the father`s public positions and businesses.
Refer to John Shakespeare
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shakespeare
5. Talent and Imagination -- Although lacking a university degree, Shakespeare obviously had the natural talent and imagination which made him popular and wealthy. He based several of his plays on real historical royalty with a fictional poetic recreation of their lives and important events. They performed for The Court as well as The Public in the Globe Theater and others.
6. Success -- Shakespeare co-owned The Globe Theater along with the other members of The Lord Chamberlain's Men later known as The King's Men.
Refer to The Globe Theater
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Theatre
With all the facts above, it is simple to conclude that William Shakespeare must be the real true author of all the works under his name, with a few final collaborations with John Fletcher in his later years who became a playwright with The King's Men.
Refer to John Fletcher
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fletcher_(playwright)
Refer to William Shakespeare
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare
Also Refer to William Shakespeare, The Extraordinary Life by Andrew Gurr, Harper Perennial
