Bodies and More Bodies

The fuss over Robbie Williams' new song continues unabated. It seems to me like a bizarre mishmash of bible words, phrases and concepts thrown together without any understanding or coherence. For further thoughts on the song, you would do well to see David Keen's writings, and also the summary of other discussions he has compiled.

The song Bodies as reminded me that I intended to write about one of the most fascinating parts of our recent trip to New York: The aptly named Bodies Exhibition. Reading about it in the guide book on the flight over, I wasn't overly fussed on going to see it. I'm not great with blood, guts and gore in actual real life (despite enjoying a good horror film or two). Casualty or Holby City aren't on my must-see TV list. All rather amusing, given that I'm married to a real life doctor!

We went to see the exhibition, and it made a pleasant change from both churches and shops. Ever wondered what happens when people donate their bodies to medical science? Wonder no longer. Some are used for medical research, some are used for dentist and doctor training in medical schools for dissection, and some appear in the Bodies Exhibition in New York.

The displays are all former people, amazingly preserved using chemicals, and carefully dissected to show the various systems of the body- skeleton, muscles, skin, nervous system, blood system, reproductive, digestive, and anything else you can think of. In some cases, the dissection is of a particular organ, or joint, or structure, but in some, it's a full body striking a pose to highlight a particular body function - stretching, throwing, holding. One display is worth mentioning: it looks like two people holding hands and leaning backwards, balancing away from the other - but on closer inspection, it is the skeleton on one side and the muscle structure on the other, expertly dissected from each other, to show how muscles and bones need each other to function properly.

I've told some people about the exhibition already, and while it sounded interesting, there were a few moral questions raised, concerning the use of remains in this way. I think it's fine, though, as it's not sensationalist, but rather educational and informative. It's very tasteful, and throughout was a cause of wonder, at the strength, purpose, and wisdom of the Creator who knits us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139). Nowhere was this more evident than in the section with preserved stillborn foetuses - with human features and distinguishable hands, feet and more long before the 'legal' cutting-off point for abortions in the UK. How anyone could continue to favour abortions having seen these infants, and deny that they are people like us is incredible.

So from Robbie Williams and his bodies to the New York Bodies, one is just confusing, while the other is illuminating!

Dangerous Diversity

One of the highlights of our recent trip to New York was an afternoon in the American Museum of Natural History. The crowds were (as with everywhere else in NYC) massive, so there was quite a queue to get into the museum in the first place. The other immediate reaction was that it was just too big to try to see everything.



Our solution was to be selective, and to pick and choose the bits we really wanted to see. The African mammals were top of my list, with a big family of elephants taking centre stage in the hall, with the other exhibits lining the walls in their glass cases. Thankfully this was no Night At The Museum with them all coming to life again and running rampage!

The various bird displays from around the world were also interesting. However the European birds exhibit was quite 'tame' and boring compared to the eagles and hawks and penguins etc from the other continents and climates.

As well as animals and birds, a major part of the Natural History remit takes in peoples and their cultures. There were displays on home and family life, native clothing, food and diet, but the most interesting was the material on the religious life of the various cultures.

What was immediately obvious was that every culture had some sort of god or divine being, and had developed stories, rituals and images or idols relating to their understanding of the supernatural and death. There were no atheist societies featured!

But while each culture and people had some concept of the divine, each of their stories was very different. One south American culture had an elaborate story of the passage to paradise in the afterlife, whereby the soul had to cross a slippery tree bridge over a river, then avoid eye contact with two villages who would try to draw the soul to remain with them for eternity. After several other hazards, the soul would eventually reach the village of paradise and meet up with loved ones.

There was also a feature on the cult of ancestor worship in China, with shrines set up to forebears, who are still regarded as part of the family, even as much as a living relative would be. A great amount of display space was given to the various branches of Hindu, Sikh, Islamic and other eastern religions. Colourful representations of what the divine being was like were shown, with idols, images, and shrines.

If we were left to ourselves, given the very variety of the range of religions, we wouldn't know where to turn. Which is the right one? How can we know what God is truly like?

What is clear is that when we turn aside from the living God, humans seek to fill the God-shaped hole with all manner of contrivances and myths. Very religious, but not according to the truth.

For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:21-23)

So how can we know what God is truly like?

Thankfully we don't have to worry, or invent God, or fret. We can never know God by ourselves or our imagining, but God has graciously revealed himself, through his word delivered by the prophets, and now in these last days by his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many deities and many gods, but one God, who reigns over all in the glory of his Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Green Grassy Slopes

I paid a visit to the new Battle of the Boyne visitor centre today. I have to say it was very good, and well worth the visit. The house itself, Oldbridge House, contains some audio-visual information, displays and maps, which are good at describing and explaining the events on 1st July 1690 on the green grassy slopes of the Boyne.

The best display was the model of the battle site with running commentary and a coloured light display showing the movement of troops and the main points of activity. But the highlights of the trip had to be the outdoor exhibits. At 3pm there was a display of cavalry, where a lady dressed in Williamite garb demonstrated cavalry movements and associated warfare; then at 4pm two appropriately dressed men demonstrated musket fire.

All in all, a good new museum which will positively contribute to a better understanding of our shared past. Plan your visit today!

Golfing

Today I enjoyed a bit of golfing, without a club in sight! It was my soon-to-be parents-in-law's last day off, and they wanted to do something a bit different, so we went on a trip to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra. The added bonus was that I got to drive their Volkswagen Golf TDI!

Wow! Their car has so much more power, and was very enjoyable to drive! They also seemed to enjoy the chauffeur service, so no one was complaining. But anyways, enough about the car.

Even though I've been many times before, the museum was still interesting, with some new exhibits since my last visit. Among the new highlights are the Presbyterian Meeting House from Omagh, with a great display in the back corner of items associated with Presbyterian worship, and some pre-recorded samples of Psalm singing. As far as I can remember, this was the first time I have been in a Presbyterian pulpit, but hopefully not the last!

The Gilford Picture House was also new to me - showing a Charlie Chaplin film; and the next door Photographer's Studio where an 80-year old camera was being demonstrated. Some extra shops have also been added to the town section, but the best moment was going into the sweetie shop for a quarter of sweets!

The transport section seemed to be mostly the same as the last time I was there, but the huge trains were still impressive!

Reflecting on the day, it has struck me that in some ways, Ulster has moved on so much in the last hundred years. While most of the houses were small and poky (including the houses from Meeting Street in Dromore, where my great aunt lived, as far as I know) with only an open fire and no running water or inside toilet; nowadays we live in comparative luxury. We would think we were inconvenienced if one room in our houses now was the size of the entire floor plan of one of those terraced houses. The abundance of possessions knows no end, as our houses fill up with stuff.

Yet in the acquiring of all this, we have lost something as well. In virtually every house we visited in the Museum, we noticed a framed picture of some sort. And on the picture, there was a Bible text. Perhaps 'cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you' or 'God so loved the world...' Or in some houses, the simple phrase 'bear the cross to wear the crown'.

Money has become the idol, the false god, of our society. I can remember a poem from GCSE English Lit. It goes something like this - 'The world is too much with us, getting and spending we lay waste our powers.' (A google search reminds me it is by Wordsworth).

Oh that we would rekindle and rediscover the faith of our fathers - not in its excesses and errors, for there were some of those too - the simple faith of the apostles, declaring that 'Jesus is Lord' - Lord, King, Ruler over all that we are, and all that we have.

In the simplicity of the hovels of the past, the age-old good news is still proclaimed, for those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear.

Liverpool!

And now a special report on our day away to Liverpool. I was up at 3.30am and Ruth arrived at 4am, so we set off to Banbridge to lift Robert. As we pulled into his drive, there was the ominous sign of no lights. No sign of life at all (although bizarrely, there were lights on in the house across the road...). Maybe the sound of the car would bring him out of the house. Nope. Maybe if we rung his phone, he would come out. Nope, phone was off. What to do?

I knocked on the front door. Nothing. Knocked again louder. Nothing. Knocked a third time. Nothing. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I rang the doorbell. Nothing. Doorbell again, more sustained ringing. Nothing. Doorbell again and again, and behold, the sound of stirring from inside - Robert had awakened! 'Gimme two minutes' was the hurried cry from inside the door. We retired to the car, laughing.

And then we were off, on the road to Dublin. Er, well, we got as far as Scarva Street before turning back so Robert could get his college room key and his band card. But you get the idea. Eventually we were on the road to Dublin; parked up at the Quickpark and into the airport.

Flight was smooth, once we got out onto the runway to take off - the queue at the airport was as bad as the Westlink. Into Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and onto the bus to the city centre.This was Ruth's first time in Liverpool, I had been there a couple of times, but Robert was the Liverpool guide supreme. From the bus station we walked to Paddy's Wigwam - the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral. (I almost wrote the Metropolitan Tabernacle there!) We had a look around it - such a huge structure, but well laid out liturgically. Everyone could see what was happening. Sadly the original crypts were out of bounds due to exams being held there, so we made our way out to the bus stop for the city sightseeing tour bus.

Even though it was a short distance to Liverpool Cathedral, we were able to have the ticket for the whole day to jump on and off as required. Liverpool Cathedral is massive - seemingly the biggest in the British Isles, with the highest and heaviest peal of bells in the world. Up we went to the top of the tower to enjoy the view of the city and further afield. Then back down to explore the cathedral, and get lunch in the cafe. One of the most refreshing things about both cathedrals in Liverpool was the fact that you aren't confronted with a till as soon as you arrive. Rather, visitors are asked to make a donation - much better than being forced to pay a set fee when you arrive at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, or St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin, or Westminster Abbey. The respective Deans, take note!

We got back on the tour bus, and were taken right round the two cathedrals again, before going on through the city centre, and arriving at Albert Dock. Here we find the headquarters of Granada Television. This Morning used to be filmed here, but sadly the floating weather map has been removed. In the sunshine, we had a wander around the dock, calling into the Tate Liverpool, then the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Customs and Excise Museum. Fun stuff, although I couldn't help but wonder if the displays could be used to help the forgers and smugglers get better at their trade...

Back onto the bus again, and surprise, surprise, back round by the two cathedrals for the third time, before back to the city centre, where we left the bus tour for the day. Speaking of the two cathedrals reminds me of a couple of problems with the bus tour commentary. The claim was made that Liverpool is unique in being the only city with two working cathedrals. I'm not sure where their catchment area is - possibly only England, because within Northern Ireland there are three cities with two working cathedrals in each - Londonderry, Belfast and Armagh. The other howler was when the commentary talks about the four bells in Paddy's Wigwam's bell tower. I quote - 'They are named after the four apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.' Hmm, slight problem in that they are four Evangelists, rather than apostles. Matthew and John were apostles, but Luke and Mark didn't have that role or function!

Having got off in the city centre, we wandered about, finding the essential commodity of water (in a roasting hot day). We then went into the Cavern Quarter to find the home of the Beatles - the Cavern Club in Mathew Street. From there, it was on to the World Museum Liverpool, which we explored in the last hour before it closed. This was a brilliant place - completely free (museums in Northern Ireland take note!) and packed with brilliant displays.

My favourite was the Wallace and Gromit exhibition. There you could see some of the models used in the 'Were-Rabbit' film, and there were interactive elements. One such element was where you could add your own sound effects to a clip from the film, then watch it back! In total there were five floors of stuff, with a bugs exhibition with tanks of tarantulas, beetles, scorpions, bees, stick insects and many others; and an aquarium feature with lots of colourful fish.

Then we sat in the gardens for a while, taking it easy, and marvelling at the lack of traffic in the city for rush hour. Had it been London, Dublin or Belfast (or even Lisburn) at the same time, traffic would be crazy, but in Liverpool, you could hardly notice any cars, and there were no queues!

We then went for dinner in a Chinese buffet restaurant, where there was a special offer of 10% off food for students. I have to admit, that partly swayed our decision, and in we went. We said we were students, and the waitress asked to see our cards. On seeing that we were students at Trinity College, Dublin, she refused us the student discount, because we weren't students at a British university. We were the victims of racism from Chinese people! The food was decent, although they were very prompt in coming to clear away plates almost as soon as you had finished eating, which I wasn't too fussed on.

From there, we went back out to the airport, getting photos taken beside the Yellow Submarine fixture outside the airport. Inside, it was virtually deserted as there were just two more flights going out that evening, so we grabbed the comfy chairs at the (closed) Starbucks and relaxed until the flight was called.

All in all, it was a great day. Just a pity Simon Genoe (to name and shame him) wasn't able to go with us as he was tired!

Photos will soon be available at the usual place - Flickr!

Adventures in Scotland

How quickly the time seems to go when away from home... I'm fast approaching my last night in Scotland (for another while), and can only remember the week that has gone. So what have I been up to while here?

Lynsey hasn't been well... so aside from looking after her, I've managed to get away for a wee while each day. Tuesday, I just went down into Dundee for the usual round of bookshops etc... although I may already have told you about that.

Wednesday I went to Broughty Ferry. I've been there before - it's a wee village up the coast from Dundee, which is very nice. It also has a castle, and a (windy) path along the shore from the village to the castle. When I was there, a family of swans had encamped on the roadside and seemed to be having a meeting! I also managed to get a special parcel posted - so Kosova, be ready!

Yesterday I was in pastures new, visiting the city of Perth. Got a lift with Louise, which was nice - and no scary moments this time! My first stop was the Black Watch Regiment's Museum, where I did the full tour. It's kind of similar to Enniskillen Castle or the regimental museum in Armagh (can't remember which regiment at this moment in time). I then stumbled into the Scottish Episcopal Cathedral, and had a look round it... but the lights weren't on, and there was only a cleaning lady in it who didn't talk...

Today I've been over to St. Andrew's (where Prince William attended university). As is my custom, I found a wee bookshop, and wandered about the main streets. I didn't go down to the ruined cathedral and castle this time as it was very windy! Then I came back on the bus, and did the last wee bit of picking up stuff from Dundee - some discount music books in the Wesley Owen bargain basement and another wee book in the bookshop.

So after watching the Ireland game tomorrow it's back on the bus to Edinburgh, the plane to Dublin, and the car home to Dromore!

Ballymena

Yes, once again, the magical mystery tour that is a Saturday afternoon landed in Ballymena. But there was something new and different today. As well as ma wandering around the shops and me wandering to Faith Mission etc, we also visited the Royal Irish Regiment museum in St Patrick's Barracks. In what is a site very close to the town centre, we had never been past it up close before, but we ventured in anyway (getting in past the security man!).

A group from my work had been there yesterday, but I was unable to go along (due to having meetings to go to), so I thought I might as well, while I was in the area. The tour started outside, looking at various memorials from Korea, and to the UDR and RIR, as well as some armoured vehicles and tanks in the grounds down towards the parade square. Then inside, there are a series of models and exhibits charting the progress of the regiments that would eventually become the Royal Irish Regiment (which only began on the 1st July 1992), begin merged from the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Ulster Defence Regiment.

The museum was very good, and the shop was well stocked with posters, postcards, books, cds, videos and other products connected with the RIR and preceding regiments. The staff were also helpful, giving a good tour of the outside elements, and then letting us wander inside. If you're ever about Ballymena on a Wednesday or Saturday from 2pm - 5pm, call into St Patrick's Barracks and have a look. It is well worth a visit, and a bargain for £1 entrance fee!