Buttons & Sayings : Part 1

For the next few weeks the blogs here are just for fun and sharing.

Buttons. Everyone just loves buttons. They're everywhere and cover ever subject on the planet.

Here are some the blogger owns. 

Mics.
1. We make the Arts good business.

 Books
1. "#@!" Watch Your Language. Websters New World.
2. I'm a Smart Woman! Smart Women/Foolish Choices. Super Signet.
3. See you next month, same Sime, same Channel.

USA
1. Proud American. (with a picture of the American Flag and a yellow ribbon.)
2. Made in the USA. (with a picture of Mickey Mouse.)

Movies
1. Beauty and the Beast (Disney Version)
2. Cat in the Hat
3. Dave
4. Highway Man
5. Jurassic Park : Visit, Brachhiosaurus, Velocirpator, Dilophosaurus
6. Labyrinth
7. Maverick
8. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (Kevin Costner version)
9. The Shadow knows! (Also originally an radio show, comic & movie)
10. Unknown : Federal Strike Force - Organized Crime and Vampire Squad

Various TV shows
1. Babylon 5
2. I'm a Slayer. Ask me how. (Buffy the Vampire slayer, both a film and TV show by Joss Whedon.)
3. Oz loves Willow!
4. Someday my frog will come. (Miss Piggy, the Muppets, both a TV show and movies.)
5. Get Lost. (ABC)
6. Dale Cooper: My Hero (Twin Peaks)
7. They Never Left! War of the Worlds: The Resurrection. (Pocket Books and a TV series)

Credits given if known.  Most buttons came from either Waldenbooks, private vendors or promotional props from various publishers or studios.





    

'Why Not Question' : Religion and Babylon 5

One TV show in particular showed a great deal of respect for the various religions on Earth. It was Babylon 5. During the first season there was one episode where the various ambassadors on the station shared their major beliefs with each other. When asked about Earth's, Commander Sinclair took the Minbari, Centuari, and everyone else to meet with not just one religious leader, but several. A very realistic approach to show that even in the future, mankind will not have 'one' major religion.

It is also interesting to note the second in command, Susan Ivanova, was a Russian Jew. Her beliefs were obvious, including sitting shiva, a type of wake where those who attend share stories about the dead loved one, apologizing to God when something was said that shouldn't have been, and a continued steadfast faith.

Commander Sinclair also had strong faith. In the end, he transformed into the Minbari leader, Valen, who founded their ruling Gray Council and taught them a religious system whose origins came from Earth. Granted, the Minbari believed in a type of reincarnation with the souls being reborn into the next generation and thought that Minbari souls were being born into humans. A belief playing an important component all throughout the series.

Included as well was a group of priests who set up shop on the station. In a wonderful episode about forgiveness they helped John Sheridan, who was in command for three seasons, come to terms with the fate of a serial killer. Such people suffered death of personality and were reprogrammed. They spent the rest of their lives serving humanity. It was hard for Sheridan, but it was the choice of leader of the priests who personally chose the killer to be part of his order and sent the man back to Earth to be trained.

In 'The Lost Tales', a DVD released after the series ended, one of the mini episodes shared was about a demon who hitched a ride to the station.The person was captured and then returned to Earth in the custody of a priest. The interesting premise introduced was a concept that the demons would always be Earth bound and only humanity's children would inherit the stars.

Although not strictly Christian, the screen writer showed all belief systems with respect and serves as an excellent example for writers of the Science Fiction genre to follow.