http://everything2.com/?node=New%20Writeups%20Atom%20Feed&foruser=Streber 2003-08-05T05:23:40Z http://everything2.com/user/Streber/writeups/The+Music+MachineStreberhttp://everything2.com/user/Streber2003-08-05T05:23:40Z2003-08-05T05:23:40Z <p align="center">The Music Machine <p align="center">"A Musical Adventure Teaching the Fruit of the Spirit to All Ages" <p> "The Music Machine" was originally a <a href="/title/record">record</a> copyrighted in <a href="/title/1977">1977</a>. A <a href="/title/tape">tape</a> of the record was then made, and a children's film as well, though the content was somewhat altered for this version. The various media versions feature a variety of upbeat songs that teach the value in Paul's words of <a href="/title/Galatians">Galatians</a> 5:22-23 "…the fruits of the spirit are <a href="/title/love">love</a>, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.<\p> <p> The story begins with two <a href="/title/children">children</a>, awakening in Agape Land. They meet the Conductor, who shows them the Music Machine. "Put something in it and a song comes out" is one of the lines in the machine's introductory songs, so, naturally, the children do. They start with the conductor's whistle, a smile, and a piece of string. Then the real business starts: the Conductor puts the <a href="/title/verse">verse</a> from Galatians into the <a href="/title/machine">machine</a>. A string of wonderful songs is produced that take up the rest of the <a href="/title/album">album</a>. <\p> http://everything2.com/user/Streber/writeups/RagnarokStreberhttp://everything2.com/user/Streber2003-06-23T06:43:33Z2003-06-23T06:43:33Z <p>I find it very interesting to compare <a href="/title/Ragnarok">Ragnarok</a> to Christianity. There aren't many direct parallels, but some of it works. <a href="/title/Odin">Odin</a> can partially represent the wise and just Christ before the crucifixion who gives everything he can to gain wisdom he can share with his people. <a href="/title/Balder">Balder</a> can be seen as Christ after the resurrection. He loves and is loved, as well as being one of the few major gods to come out of Ragnarok alive and raised from the dead. Balder's brother Hodur can be seen as a representation of the human race or Judas Escariot. He unwittingly kills Balder, yet in the end, at Ragnarok, is forgiven and rises with Balder.</p> <p>The Christian/Jewish creation story can also be compared to stories of the most recent Ragnarok in the cycle. After Ragnarok, a man and a woman emerge from a forest to start the race of man. There are only a few gods left, and they can all represent someone: Balder as Christ, Hodur as humanity, Hoenir as the creator (having participated along with Odin and Loki in&hellip;