No doubt this offends those who would like to believe that their religion is all about seeking "heaven above" while allowing millions even billions of people to continue to live in misery or without hope of a decent existence, or who think they can save their own souls by substituting "charity" for fundamental justice (more about that in the future).
Tomorrow someone will stare north over the Imjin River, sky the color of solder, someone grieving a father or mother or brother sister, 11 million separated families, 11 million lost relations -- soul-light seeking the heaven of another, bittersweet, sweet-bitter as a hope hoped until it comes true, crossing where?
Kirkus Reviews described the book as "a rightly disturbing record of malignant child neglect by people who sought a heaven, but made a hell".
Kirkus Reviews called the book "a rightly disturbing record of malignant child neglect by people who sought a heaven, but made a hell", and William Leith of New Statesman described it as "an excellent study of what happens when a charismatic leader comes into contact with a group of rudderless, dispirited people".
In one version the great warrior Achilles, driven by his "madness for glory," journeys through the gates of heaven to seek a match among the gods an adversary worthy of his seemingly invincible talents In another, Achilles dies of a snake bite on his heel, and Odysseus helps fashion an Achilles-like golem who goes to war and slaughters Trojans and Greeks alike.
When Jesus said, "Seek the kingdom of Heaven within," he was pointing to this very continuity.
This is all the more reason to seek the kingdom of heaven within and find the peace that leads to understanding.
The song "And Shot Each Other" from The Fiancée fades out into a Sacred Harp choir singing the song 'Child of Grace', which features the lyrics "How happy is a child of grace, who feels his sins forgiven / This world, he cries, is not my place / I seek a place in Heaven".
Should the heavens open, seek shelter at the recently revamped World of Wedgwood (01782 282986; worldofwedgwood.com) in Stoke-on-Trent.
