I was kind of surprised to see Jesus hanging around with all the French flags in the transept of
l'eglise Saint-Martin in Ligueil. Apparently he's part of a memorial to honor the parish's soldiers who died in war. I'm not sure which war, because I didn't read the whole thing. Maybe it's all wars, or maybe it's the big one: World War II. I did see memorial plaques on one street marking where German soldiers executed members of the
maquis (the French Resistance), including one whole family, as the war was ending.
Prove to me that you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool.
Our stretch of nice weather continues. On Friday I picked what may be the last of our green beans and some more tomatoes that made it through the blight. I also raked all the hedge trimmings into neat little piles that need to be taken away. Today I need to pick up apples and deal with the mole mountains so that I can cut the grass.
Despite the (presumably) reasonable motivation for doing this, nevertheless there seems to me something incongruous about seeing a crucifix - symbol of just one among so many religions - adorned on either side by tricolour and blazons (or, indeed the national flag of ANY country), here even moreso in view of the enviable secular attitude that France's government institutions enjoy. Still, let's not carp too much. Perhaps whoever's decision it was longs for the return of 'La Pucelle d'Orleans'. Oh, hang on - isn't that historical personage the heroine of the FN? Better say no more, methinks.
ReplyDeleteooooooooh, like the show tune caption! but the mix of church and state...a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteAnd better yet, prove to my that you're divine; change my water into wine.
ReplyDeletemitch, I thought about using that one, but it seemed a little too self-serving...
DeleteWalt,
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for that personal conversation that Jesus will have with me. I would like him to explain to me why he talks to TV evangelists and not me. Am I not as worthy?
Ron
Interesting photo
ReplyDeleteCould be something to do with WW I since it started 100 years ago. We Americans are used to separation of church and state, but many churches fly American flags now. I'm leaving mine if they ever do that....
ReplyDeleteI have an impression/assumption France is not an overall religious/Catholic country - yes? no?
ReplyDeletemichael, catholicism is historically significant here, of course. The kings were crowned and buried in cathedrals, after all. With the revolution came a serious secularism in government that continues to this day. For example, religious weddings performed in France are not recognized by the state. Only civil marriages, performed by a mayor or adjunct, are legally recognized here. Then, while many state holidays are secular in nature, just as many have their roots in the catholic religion. And most people will say they are catholic, but many of them will also say they are non-believers or don't practice, except on Christmas and Easter, etc. There are also significant populations of jews and muslims throughout the country.
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