But then it seems that you also overlooked the fact that, whether we like it or not, we, that is, all forms of life on Earth, including houseplants, are descended from LUCA#, and then archae — which evolved into eukaryota. Bacteria split off from LUCA long ago.
As an interesting side note, one of the reasons why there are so few anti-fungal drugs compared to the number of anti-bacterial drugs is that the fungi and mammals — humans — are so similar genetically. The drugs which can kill pathological fungi, are also lethal to us. Paradoxically, we could not survive in the absence of some kinds of bacteria and fungi with which we have an eons old symbiotic relationship.
These are two of the reasons why I suggested that your comparison: " … there are [sic] a sector of the population that have the thinking ability of a typical house plant." is casting an insult to (the thinking ability of) houseplants.
Seems to me that isnrchrd’s comment is congruent with your response. Also, I would be more careful about casting such an insult as that to houseplants, if I were you.
I take your point. Perhaps Fr. K’s statement, since this was Good Friday, was to make a graphic, and somewhat iconoclastic, point about the crucifixion, and its reality as a cruel, degrading practice. If so, I must admit that, in my own case, he succeeded better than he (probably) knew.
There is in scripture, I think a brief description of Christ’s physical appearance. This description would naturally incline toward the appearance of people in the region of Galilee or Judea at the time, unless Christ’s visage was much removed from that of the locals. As regards artistic depictions of an “Aryan” or “Caucasian” Christ, it may be well to consider more than a single source. There is a plethora of religious art to investigate in this vein. Also, it’s to be expected, I think, that artists from different backgrounds would depict Christ with characteristics that they were familiar with. Thus, a Byzantine image of Christ would probably look different that of a Germanic or Italian one. Especially in an insular world where most people didn’t travel much, or far. Then there is also the fact that some of those depictions, thanks to the variable artistic customs of the time, would try to reflect a realist image instead of an idealistic or sanitized one.
I think that you overlooked my attempt at irony.
But then it seems that you also overlooked the fact that, whether we like it or not, we, that is, all forms of life on Earth, including houseplants, are descended from LUCA#, and then archae — which evolved into eukaryota. Bacteria split off from LUCA long ago.
As an interesting side note, one of the reasons why there are so few anti-fungal drugs compared to the number of anti-bacterial drugs is that the fungi and mammals — humans — are so similar genetically. The drugs which can kill pathological fungi, are also lethal to us. Paradoxically, we could not survive in the absence of some kinds of bacteria and fungi with which we have an eons old symbiotic relationship.
These are two of the reasons why I suggested that your comparison: " … there are [sic] a sector of the population that have the thinking ability of a typical house plant." is casting an insult to (the thinking ability of) houseplants.
(#) see Wiki.