Stand with me?

There are stories that touch the heart, stories that all too often represent humanity. No matter how old these stories are- the characters and moments live on in today's world and culture.

I know I made a couple Les Miserables posts on here, but was encouraged by a friend to post this. It deals directly with religion today, and the barricades.

The barricades? you may be thinking- what do revolutions have to do with anything?

Well, they have to do with alot- which you will discover in this short discourse by yours truly.

Well, let me explain the revolution in Les Mis. It is not the French Revolution, but a small revolt years later.

The Revolutionaries are a small group of idealistic college students, let me introduce you to them?

Enjolras- the leader of the revolt, he is honorable, has a sense of justice, is very idealistic and trusting- believing the people will rise.

Combeferre- Enjolras' right hand man, practical, logical and prefers a peaceful route but joins the barricades.

Courfeyrac- the friendly, welcoming one

Joly- the hypocondriac with a sense of humor

Lesgle- the unlucky one who is always happy

Feuilly- the creative, hard-working one with a heart for Poland. (he is a worker, not a student though)

Jehan- the poet, who writes lovely verses.

Bahorel- the fighter who is angry at the false doctrine the church is teaching.



Grantaire- the skeptic, does not believe in anything- but it drawn to Enjolras' light


Now- not a revolutionary but Marius- a friend of the group who lands up falling in love with Cosette.






These young activists in the movie verse of Les Miserables burst into song "Do you Hear the People Sing?" in an attempt to get the people to join them- the people rise and join in the singing, everything seems triumphant, Enjolras is confident, will this feeling stay forever?


No.




The barricades went up, but as soon as the army came- the people retreated into their homes. Enjolras and the revolutionaries, with help of a few others attempt to hold off the coming enemy. The revolutionaries did not get enough people who truly believed to the point they would lay down their lives.


All too often humans get caught up in the moment and "sing along" so to put it, but do not believe the words they are saying. They just are there for the fun, but forget about it the next morning.
Much like the citizens of Paris in Les Miserables.


The song is reprised in the heaven scene with different new lyrics

What kinds of people are we? Do we "feel the spirit" at alter call when the piano is playing in the background, then forget about our "feeling" when the barricades go up?  Are we Enjolras and aren't afraid to express our beliefs to others and act daring about them? or are we the masses of people who just closed the shutters and pretended not to hear the screams of the revolutionaries although they joined in song?

will you be not afraid to say "these are my beliefs" no matter what your beliefs are? 

Whatever religion or creed you hold to, express it from your heart so we know who you truly are- and don't be the people who joined in the song but their hearts weren't there?

This is directed at Christians, but this truth can be applied to anybody- why don't we actually say what we believe instead of becoming the masses that sung but did not believe?

This is my question to you reader- in the words of Enjolras "will you be strong and stand with me?"

Made with my friend Janae--- just for fun =P

Middle Ages

[] You believe the church has divine authority [] you believe in hierarchy [] we are in society for a reason [] everything has order [] don't shake society [] the church is from God [] the king is God on earth
I won't be able to help with all of these, but I can a little.
[] you like simple art
(there isn't much to say about medieval philosophy )
[] people can speak the will of God
[] we can't read the Bible, only special peopel can
[] you like to obey
[] rules are good
[] revolution is bad
[] you have strong religious views
[] invasion is a real concern
[] crusades are ok
[] so is much work and little pay
[] you like rationalism
[] the earth is in the center of the universe

Renaissance

[] you like high quality

[] you like to integrate both Christian and pagan ideas

[] you question authority

[] you love the ancients

[] you want to go to Italy

[] you like art

[] you like to create new things

[] you take pride in being able to draw naked people well XD lol jk

[] art is the key to the future

[] you know the difference between art and porn (disclaimer) lol

[] you want to challenge the old

[] you're a bit humanistic

[] science is awesome

[] you are self-aware

How Enlightment Influenced are you?
[] Religion is a natural right
[] the government should not interfere in religion
[] Speech is a natural right
[] rebellion is needed if authority oversteps bounds
[] the government is of consent of the governed
[] liberty and equality!
[] reason is very helpful
[] revolutions are at times necessary in society
[] government should stay out of church affairs
[] the people are the final authority
[] God does not place people in power- people do
[] Ben Franklin is awesome
[] hermeneutics before hype
[] education can accomplish alot
[] scientific method is great
[] independence is good
[] you'd rather be reading
[] you value rational thinking
[] Thomas Jefferson has your admiration
[] you identify more as a thinker than a doer
[] you support the American Revolution
[] you avoid the crazies
[] people are supposed to be active in their affairs
[] you don't necessarily think of yourself as spiritual
[] people are above human authority or equal to it
[] you are more the scientist

Romanticism [] you love nature [] natural beauty is pure [] God is in nature (or seen through it) [] emotions are good [] follow your heart [] less government the best [] you are a libertarian [] you think we should all go back to nature [] the past was wonderful

[] we can be perfected

[] we need to tap into nature

[] country life is the best!

[] libertarian-socialism sounds cool

[] the world is too much with us

[] I blow things out of proportion

[] live life to the fullest

[] I live for the sublime

[] I like eastern philosophies

[] perfection is in our reach

Postmodernism [] everything is relative [] your interpretation is your interpretation [] nature is wonderful

[] you like not making sense

[] fragmentation is good

[] deconstruction yeah!

[] you are easily depressed

[] this whole thing is relative

[] the world is gonna burn

[] we're living in a wasteland

[] Ecclesiastes is your favorite book of the Bible