Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
It was the dialog between Williams and the other character after Williams spent time wondering around the Martian's territory. On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 7:20 PM, brent wodehouse wrote: > The Martian Chronicles? May I ask: In what sense does it reveal Mr > Bradbury's leanings (I'm assuming political)? > > > Brent > > > "Mr. Worf" writes: > > > > > >I think Martian Chronicles kind of shows his leanings. > > > >On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM, Martin Baxter <[ > >mailto:martinbaxt...@gmail.com ]martinbaxt...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > >I'd love to be able to sit him down and ask him why at length. I've > >always held the notion in my head that anyone with more than a HS > >education could think well enough to see the holes in whatever > >Faux/Fixed/Fox churns out. I have a couple of his books somewhere in my > >files, and I intend to fish them out, when time allows, to see if there's > >any indication of his political leanings. > > > > > >On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 2:14 PM, brent wodehouse <[ > >mailto:brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yes. I found that fact somewhat disturbing, too. :-\ > > > >Brent > > > > > > > > > >Martin Baxter <[ > >mailto:martinbaxter7%40gmail.com > >]martinbaxt...@gmail.com> writes: > > > > > >> > >>Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by > >>day? > >> > > > >>On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse <[ > >>mailto:[ > >>mailto:brent_wodehouse%40thefence.us > >]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ][ > >mailto:brent_wodehouse%40thefence.us > >]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>[ [ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > > > >>][ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > > > >> > >>Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' > >> > >>By John Blake, CNN > >> > >>August 2, 2010 > >> > >>(CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of > >stuffed > >>dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized > >>Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. > >> > >>The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, > >>Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning > >>"the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. > >> > >>Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit > >451," > >>"The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything > >>from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. > >> > >>Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his > >>books late at night and cry out thanks to God. > >> > >>"I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam > >>Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so > >>grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer > >>is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " > >> > >>Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's > >>rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. > >> > >>'Joy is the grace we say to God' > >> > >>He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by > >>Eastern and Western religions. > >> > >>The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he > >>decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his > >>muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt > >Disney > >>to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. > >> > >>Bradbury is in love with love. > >> > >>Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas > >>shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, > >my > >>name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." > >> > >>Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is > >>filled with references to love. > >> > >>"At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which > >is > >>painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." > >> > >>"I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love > >>all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life > >>should be based on love." > >> > >>Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a > >>wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable > >>kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to > >>give him toys in place of any other gifts.) > >> > >>Weller, author of "[ [ [ http://listentotheechoes.com/ > >]http://listentotheechoes.com/ > > > >>][ http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen > >to The Echoes: > > > >>The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with > >>"God bless." Weller's book devotes
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
The Martian Chronicles? May I ask: In what sense does it reveal Mr Bradbury's leanings (I'm assuming political)? Brent "Mr. Worf" writes: > >I think Martian Chronicles kind of shows his leanings. > >On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM, Martin Baxter <[ >mailto:martinbaxt...@gmail.com ]martinbaxt...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > >I'd love to be able to sit him down and ask him why at length. I've >always held the notion in my head that anyone with more than a HS >education could think well enough to see the holes in whatever >Faux/Fixed/Fox churns out. I have a couple of his books somewhere in my >files, and I intend to fish them out, when time allows, to see if there's >any indication of his political leanings. > > >On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 2:14 PM, brent wodehouse <[ >mailto:brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > > > > > > >Yes. I found that fact somewhat disturbing, too. :-\ > >Brent > > > > >Martin Baxter <[ mailto:martinbaxter7%40gmail.com >]martinbaxt...@gmail.com> writes: > > >> >>Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by >>day? >> > >>On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse <[ >>mailto:[ mailto:brent_wodehouse%40thefence.us >]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ][ mailto:brent_wodehouse%40thefence.us >]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> >>[ [ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >>][ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >> >>Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' >> >>By John Blake, CNN >> >>August 2, 2010 >> >>(CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of >stuffed >>dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized >>Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. >> >>The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, >>Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning >>"the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. >> >>Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit >451," >>"The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything >>from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. >> >>Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his >>books late at night and cry out thanks to God. >> >>"I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam >>Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so >>grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer >>is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " >> >>Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's >>rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. >> >>'Joy is the grace we say to God' >> >>He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by >>Eastern and Western religions. >> >>The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he >>decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his >>muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt >Disney >>to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. >> >>Bradbury is in love with love. >> >>Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas >>shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, >my >>name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." >> >>Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is >>filled with references to love. >> >>"At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which >is >>painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." >> >>"I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love >>all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life >>should be based on love." >> >>Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a >>wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable >>kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to >>give him toys in place of any other gifts.) >> >>Weller, author of "[ [ [ http://listentotheechoes.com/ >]http://listentotheechoes.com/ > >>][ http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen >to The Echoes: > >>The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with >>"God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. >> >>"I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to >>God,' '' Weller says. >> >>Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a >>utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent >>churchgoers. >> >>His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for >>work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, >>synagogues and ch
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
I think Martian Chronicles kind of shows his leanings. On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM, Martin Baxter wrote: > > > I'd love to be able to sit him down and ask him why at length. I've always > held the notion in my head that anyone with more than a HS education could > think well enough to see the holes in whatever Faux/Fixed/Fox churns out. I > have a couple of his books somewhere in my files, and I intend to fish them > out, when time allows, to see if there's any indication of his political > leanings. > > > On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 2:14 PM, brent wodehouse < > brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > >> >> >> Yes. I found that fact somewhat disturbing, too. :-\ >> >> Brent >> >> >> Martin Baxter > >> writes: >> >> >> > >> >Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by >> >day? >> > >> >On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse <[ >> >mailto:brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ] >> brent_wodeho...@thefence.us > wrote: >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >[ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >> >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >> >> > >> >Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' >> > >> >By John Blake, CNN >> > >> >August 2, 2010 >> > >> >(CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of >> stuffed >> >dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized >> >Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. >> > >> >The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, >> >Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning >> >"the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. >> > >> >Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit >> 451," >> >"The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything >> >from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. >> > >> >Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his >> >books late at night and cry out thanks to God. >> > >> >"I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam >> >Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so >> >grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer >> >is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " >> > >> >Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's >> >rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. >> > >> >'Joy is the grace we say to God' >> > >> >He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by >> >Eastern and Western religions. >> > >> >The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he >> >decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his >> >muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt >> Disney >> >to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. >> > >> >Bradbury is in love with love. >> > >> >Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas >> >shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, >> my >> >name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." >> > >> >Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is >> >filled with references to love. >> > >> >"At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which >> is >> >painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." >> > >> >"I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love >> >all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life >> >should be based on love." >> > >> >Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a >> >wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable >> >kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to >> >give him toys in place of any other gifts.) >> > >> >Weller, author of "[ [ http://listentotheechoes.com/ >> >]http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen to The Echoes: >> >> >The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with >> >"God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. >> > >> >"I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to >> >God,' '' Weller says. >> > >> >Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a >> >utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent >> >churchgoers. >> > >> >His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for >> >work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, >> >synagogues and charismatic churches on his own to figure out his faith. >> > >> >Bradbury has been called a Unitarian, but he rejects that term. He >> >dislikes labels of any kind. >> > >> >"I'm a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself," he says. "I don't think >> >about what I do. I do it. That's Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build >> >my wings on the way down." >> > >> >Ex
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
Yea I got a bit queasy on that thought. On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 4:04 AM, Martin Baxter wrote: > > > Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by > day? > > On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse < > brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > >> >> >> http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >> >> Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' >> >> By John Blake, CNN >> >> August 2, 2010 >> >> (CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of stuffed >> dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized >> Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. >> >> The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, >> Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning >> "the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. >> >> Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit 451," >> "The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything >> from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. >> >> Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his >> books late at night and cry out thanks to God. >> >> "I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam >> Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so >> grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer >> is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " >> >> Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's >> rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. >> >> 'Joy is the grace we say to God' >> >> He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by >> Eastern and Western religions. >> >> The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he >> decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his >> muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt Disney >> to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. >> >> Bradbury is in love with love. >> >> Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas >> shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, my >> name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." >> >> Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is >> filled with references to love. >> >> "At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which is >> painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." >> >> "I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love >> all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life >> should be based on love." >> >> Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a >> wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable >> kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to >> give him toys in place of any other gifts.) >> >> Weller, author of "[ http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen to The Echoes: >> The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with >> "God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. >> >> "I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to >> God,' '' Weller says. >> >> Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a >> utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent >> churchgoers. >> >> His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for >> work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, >> synagogues and charismatic churches on his own to figure out his faith. >> >> Bradbury has been called a Unitarian, but he rejects that term. He >> dislikes labels of any kind. >> >> "I'm a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself," he says. "I don't think >> about what I do. I do it. That's Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build >> my wings on the way down." >> >> Examples of faith in Bradbury's stories >> >> Bradbury started writing for pulp magazines like "Weird Tales" and >> "Thrilling Wonder Stories" at the beginning of his career. But even then, >> faith was an important theme. >> >> In his 1949 story "The Man," Bradbury tells the story of a rocket crew >> landing on Mars, only to see their thunder taken by a Christ-like figure >> who had arrived only hours earlier. >> >> In subsequent stories such as "Bless Me, Father, For I Have Sinned," >> priests and other ordinary people search and find redemption. >> >> Allusions to Christianity are common in his stories, but Bradbury doesn't >> define himself as a Christian. He considers Jesus a wise prophet, like >> Buddha and Confucius. >> >> "Jesus is a remarkable person," Bradbury says. "He was on his way to >> becoming Christ, and he made it." >> >> Weller, also author of "[ http://www.bradburychronicles.com/index.htm]The >> B
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
I'd love to be able to sit him down and ask him why at length. I've always held the notion in my head that anyone with more than a HS education could think well enough to see the holes in whatever Faux/Fixed/Fox churns out. I have a couple of his books somewhere in my files, and I intend to fish them out, when time allows, to see if there's any indication of his political leanings. On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 2:14 PM, brent wodehouse wrote: > > > Yes. I found that fact somewhat disturbing, too. :-\ > > Brent > > > Martin Baxter > > writes: > > > > > >Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by > >day? > > > >On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse <[ > >mailto:brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ] > brent_wodeho...@thefence.us > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > >[ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > > > > >Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' > > > >By John Blake, CNN > > > >August 2, 2010 > > > >(CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of stuffed > >dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized > >Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. > > > >The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, > >Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning > >"the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. > > > >Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit 451," > >"The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything > >from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. > > > >Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his > >books late at night and cry out thanks to God. > > > >"I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam > >Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so > >grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer > >is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " > > > >Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's > >rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. > > > >'Joy is the grace we say to God' > > > >He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by > >Eastern and Western religions. > > > >The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he > >decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his > >muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt Disney > >to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. > > > >Bradbury is in love with love. > > > >Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas > >shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, my > >name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." > > > >Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is > >filled with references to love. > > > >"At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which is > >painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." > > > >"I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love > >all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life > >should be based on love." > > > >Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a > >wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable > >kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to > >give him toys in place of any other gifts.) > > > >Weller, author of "[ [ http://listentotheechoes.com/ > >]http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen to The Echoes: > > >The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with > >"God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. > > > >"I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to > >God,' '' Weller says. > > > >Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a > >utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent > >churchgoers. > > > >His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for > >work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, > >synagogues and charismatic churches on his own to figure out his faith. > > > >Bradbury has been called a Unitarian, but he rejects that term. He > >dislikes labels of any kind. > > > >"I'm a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself," he says. "I don't think > >about what I do. I do it. That's Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build > >my wings on the way down." > > > >Examples of faith in Bradbury's stories > > > >Bradbury started writing for pulp magazines like "Weird Tales" and > >"Thrilling Wonder Stories" at the beginning of his career. But even then, > >faith was an important theme. > > > >In his 1949 story "The Man," Bradbury tells the story of a rocke
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
Yes. I found that fact somewhat disturbing, too. :-\ Brent Martin Baxter writes: > >Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by >day? > >On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse <[ >mailto:brent_wodeho...@thefence.us ]brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > > > > > > >[ http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ >]http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > >Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' > >By John Blake, CNN > >August 2, 2010 > >(CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of stuffed >dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized >Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. > >The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, >Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning >"the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. > >Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit 451," >"The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything >from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. > >Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his >books late at night and cry out thanks to God. > >"I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam >Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so >grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer >is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " > >Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's >rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. > >'Joy is the grace we say to God' > >He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by >Eastern and Western religions. > >The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he >decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his >muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt Disney >to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. > >Bradbury is in love with love. > >Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas >shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, my >name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." > >Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is >filled with references to love. > >"At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which is >painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." > >"I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love >all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life >should be based on love." > >Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a >wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable >kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to >give him toys in place of any other gifts.) > >Weller, author of "[ [ http://listentotheechoes.com/ >]http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen to The Echoes: >The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with >"God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. > >"I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to >God,' '' Weller says. > >Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a >utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent >churchgoers. > >His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for >work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, >synagogues and charismatic churches on his own to figure out his faith. > >Bradbury has been called a Unitarian, but he rejects that term. He >dislikes labels of any kind. > >"I'm a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself," he says. "I don't think >about what I do. I do it. That's Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build >my wings on the way down." > >Examples of faith in Bradbury's stories > >Bradbury started writing for pulp magazines like "Weird Tales" and >"Thrilling Wonder Stories" at the beginning of his career. But even then, >faith was an important theme. > >In his 1949 story "The Man," Bradbury tells the story of a rocket crew >landing on Mars, only to see their thunder taken by a Christ-like figure >who had arrived only hours earlier. > >In subsequent stories such as "Bless Me, Father, For I Have Sinned," >priests and other ordinary people search and find redemption. > >Allusions to Christianity are common in his stories, but Bradbury doesn't >define himself as a Christian. He considers Jesus a wise prophet, like >Buddha and Confucius. > >"Jesus is a remarkable person," Bradbury says. "He was on his way to >becoming Christ, and he made it." > >Weller, also author of "[ [ http://www.bradburychronicles.com/index.htm >]http://www.bradburychronicles.com/index.htm ]The >Bradbury Chronic
Re: [scifinoir2] Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels'
Is anyone else cringing at the thought that he watches Faux/Fixed/Fox by day? On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM, brent wodehouse < brent_wodeho...@thefence.us> wrote: > > > http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/02/Bradbury/ > > Sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury on God, 'monsters and angels' > > By John Blake, CNN > > August 2, 2010 > > (CNN) -- Ray Bradbury lives in a rambling Los Angeles home full of stuffed > dinosaurs, a tin robot pushing an ice cream cart, and a life-sized > Bullwinkle the Moose doll lounging in a cushioned chair. > > The 89-year-old science fiction author watches Fox News Channel by day, > Turner Classic Movies by night. He spends the rest of his time summoning > "the monsters and angels" of his imagination for his enchanting tales. > > Bradbury's imagination has yielded classic books such as "Fahrenheit 451," > "The Martian Chronicles" and 600 short stories that predicted everything > from the emergence of ATMs to live broadcasts of fugitive car chases. > > Bradbury, who turns 90 this month, says he will sometimes open one of his > books late at night and cry out thanks to God. > > "I sit there and cry because I haven't done any of this," he told Sam > Weller, his biographer and friend. "It's a God-given thing, and I'm so > grateful, so, so grateful. The best description of my career as a writer > is, 'At play in the fields of the Lord.' " > > Bradbury's stories are filled with references to God and faith, but he's > rarely talked at length about his religious beliefs, until now. > > 'Joy is the grace we say to God' > > He describes himself as a "delicatessen religionist." He's inspired by > Eastern and Western religions. > > The center of his faith, though, is love. Everything -- the reason he > decided to write his first short story at 12; his 56-year marriage to his > muse and late wife, Maggie; his friendships with everyone from Walt Disney > to Alfred Hitchcock -- is based on love. > > Bradbury is in love with love. > > Once, when he saw Walt Disney, architect of the Magic Kingdom, Christmas > shopping in Los Angeles, Bradbury approached him and said: "Mr. Disney, my > name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." > > Bradbury's favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John, which is > filled with references to love. > > "At the center of religion is love," Bradbury says from his home, which is > painted dandelion yellow in honor of his favorite book, "Dandelion Wine." > > "I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love > all people. I love the world. I love creating. ... Everything in our life > should be based on love." > > Bradbury's voice booms with enthusiasm over the phone. He now uses a > wheelchair. His hearing has deteriorated. But he talks like an excitable > kid with an old man's voice. (Each Christmas, Bradbury asked his wife to > give him toys in place of any other gifts.) > > Weller, author of "[ http://listentotheechoes.com/ ]Listen to The Echoes: > The Ray Bradbury Interviews," says Bradbury ends many conversations with > "God bless." Weller's book devotes an entire chapter to Bradbury's faith. > > "I once asked him if he prayed, and he said, 'Joy is the grace we say to > God,' '' Weller says. > > Bradbury was raised as a Baptist in Waukegan, Illinois, by his father, a > utility lineman, and his mother, a housewife. Both were infrequent > churchgoers. > > His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression to look for > work. When he turned 14, Bradbury began visiting Catholic churches, > synagogues and charismatic churches on his own to figure out his faith. > > Bradbury has been called a Unitarian, but he rejects that term. He > dislikes labels of any kind. > > "I'm a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself," he says. "I don't think > about what I do. I do it. That's Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build > my wings on the way down." > > Examples of faith in Bradbury's stories > > Bradbury started writing for pulp magazines like "Weird Tales" and > "Thrilling Wonder Stories" at the beginning of his career. But even then, > faith was an important theme. > > In his 1949 story "The Man," Bradbury tells the story of a rocket crew > landing on Mars, only to see their thunder taken by a Christ-like figure > who had arrived only hours earlier. > > In subsequent stories such as "Bless Me, Father, For I Have Sinned," > priests and other ordinary people search and find redemption. > > Allusions to Christianity are common in his stories, but Bradbury doesn't > define himself as a Christian. He considers Jesus a wise prophet, like > Buddha and Confucius. > > "Jesus is a remarkable person," Bradbury says. "He was on his way to > becoming Christ, and he made it." > > Weller, also author of "[ http://www.bradburychronicles.com/index.htm ]The > Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury," says Bradbury's religious > antenna is most attuned to Christianity. > > "The guy keeps writing about Jesus, but he doesn't consider himself a > Christian," Weller says.
