It's 10.15 pm and I haven't done my hour of writing, so it's time to delve into the box of prompts.
Today's card: What are your views on religion?
Well, to paraphrase a wrongly quoted Violet Crawley of Downton Abbey, "Religion is like a penis. It's a perfectly fine thing for one to have and take pride in, but when one takes it out and waves it in my face we have a problem."
I am not religious. I am spiritual, Some say the difference between the down is spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, while religion involves a group of people brought together by their common faith or beliefs about the divine. For me, I believe there's something bigger than us out there, but don't ask me what that is. I don't have to go to church/synagogue/temple/ mosque to celebrate this with others. I'm good on my own, thank you very much.
And this to me is the crux of the matter. My belief in the divine is my own. It really doesn't have much to do with anybody else, which is why organised religion turns me off completely. I tend to have a more polytheistic view - and I resonate with Hinduism and Buddhism more than I do Christianity. Part of me thinks I'd make a good Jew. I like that the former two religions are a bit more opt in, hands on, quiet and introspective on a daily basis. I get some joy from Islam - well, the Muslims I know are are all glorious people, and a religion that gave us Rumi can't be that bad....
However, religion has a place in some people's lives, and so may it be - but as I said, don't wave it around in my face.
I'm happy to have open, honest and inquiring conversations about religion. In one of my last jobs I sat next to this wonderful fellow who's Muslim. We talked all the time about our beliefs - both of us interested in what the other believed and thought, but without any disrespect or animosity. It was great. It was a joy to find out more about what he believed, some of the things done in devotion and all manner of things I would never know - and he asked questions in kind, normally about Freemasonry, but the conversation went both ways. We found out so much. I love talking to people like this.
Another friend who's a committed Christian and I have similar conversations. We have polar opposite beliefs on some matters, but can discuss things rationally, respecting each other's opinions, but knowing that we won't agree on some things - and that is fine. Abortion and euthanasia being the big ticket sticking points. But we both came to the agreement that we liked each other as people - and we're both good eggs, and want the best for people - so all is well. We can be friends. And we are.
Other friends do things for religions. Raj, a Hindu, is vegetarian on Tuesdays and Thursday because of God. He's never really explained which god or why, but it makes him happy - and he has no aspersions that others have to do what he does. And all is well.
In all these cases, the penis adage comes into play. All of my friends are religious in their own way. We know it. It's an intrinsic part of them. But it's not seen. It's just there tucked away in the background.
I do shake my head at doing religious things for the reasons which seem to have no merit. A couple of cases in point. A friend of mine had her children baptised in the Greek Church, mostly as her husband willed it so. She's an atheist. I remember the day only for the stress everybody was put through.
My friend Blarney is Roman Catholic - she's Irish, it's part of who you are. We also have some great discussions - a lot of them have her incredulous over my beliefs - such as I don't believe in sin, I'm not up on evil, and I certainly don't believe in the sanctity of Jesus Christ. (She once old me that you don't need to believe in Jesus Christ to be a Christian.... ah yeah....) I know she's looking to have her boys do their first communion later in the year, with a big party. That's her perogative. I don't quite understand it, but if it makes her happy - so be it. It's not hurting anybody unless somebody breaks a limb on the bouncy castle after the confirmation ceremony.
I get that these markers, the baptisms, marriages, confirmations, and other ritual are there as markers. So be it. If it makes people happy, go ahead.
But there are things that really make me angry about religion.
I truly believe that religion has ABSOLUTELY NO PART in deciding how we are governed. I wish somebody would tell this to our current federal government. Separation of Church and State are essential.
The tax free status of religions I reckon needs reviewing. Sure, if you can account for where the money is going to charitable acts, sure. But when you're making money like a corporation, and none of this is seen in good deeds for the community, they yeah, cough up some coffers. If you want to be part of the community, pay your way. Maybe start paying some land tax. Our Freemasons' temple has to at a reduced rate.Why can't all religious buildings?
Another thing. Just because you're religious doesn't mean you're automatically a good person. Case in point, our current Prime Minister. Pentacostal Christian. Right douchebag.
Oh, and we say we're a secular nation, but we still celebrate Easter and Christmas on a national level - but not Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah. That seems a bit unfair.
As a spiritual agnostic (or a wiccan kabbalist - depends on the day) I get a lot of peace from places of worship. I love religious buildings, particularly old ones. I adore the vibe they give off - it's like bearing witness to hundreds of years of prayers. England was good for old churches. I get a buzz from placing a hand on nave columns - I love the vibes.
But organised religions - for me, no thanks. I'm good.
Strangely, I went to Sunday School until I was about sixteen - then I worked out that what they wanted me to believe was a pile of bollox. I was christened as a baby, but never confirmed. Thank goodness for that. I have a lot of religious folk in my family. One cousin is married to an Anglican minister. He's the bloke I used to bum cigarettes off of at family functions.
And I'm fine with people being religious as long as their views are not paraded in front of me to take up.
Like willies, it's okay to know you have one. Just keep it out of the way.
Today's Song:
Today's card: What are your views on religion?
Well, to paraphrase a wrongly quoted Violet Crawley of Downton Abbey, "Religion is like a penis. It's a perfectly fine thing for one to have and take pride in, but when one takes it out and waves it in my face we have a problem."
I am not religious. I am spiritual, Some say the difference between the down is spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, while religion involves a group of people brought together by their common faith or beliefs about the divine. For me, I believe there's something bigger than us out there, but don't ask me what that is. I don't have to go to church/synagogue/temple/ mosque to celebrate this with others. I'm good on my own, thank you very much.
And this to me is the crux of the matter. My belief in the divine is my own. It really doesn't have much to do with anybody else, which is why organised religion turns me off completely. I tend to have a more polytheistic view - and I resonate with Hinduism and Buddhism more than I do Christianity. Part of me thinks I'd make a good Jew. I like that the former two religions are a bit more opt in, hands on, quiet and introspective on a daily basis. I get some joy from Islam - well, the Muslims I know are are all glorious people, and a religion that gave us Rumi can't be that bad....
However, religion has a place in some people's lives, and so may it be - but as I said, don't wave it around in my face.
I'm happy to have open, honest and inquiring conversations about religion. In one of my last jobs I sat next to this wonderful fellow who's Muslim. We talked all the time about our beliefs - both of us interested in what the other believed and thought, but without any disrespect or animosity. It was great. It was a joy to find out more about what he believed, some of the things done in devotion and all manner of things I would never know - and he asked questions in kind, normally about Freemasonry, but the conversation went both ways. We found out so much. I love talking to people like this.
Another friend who's a committed Christian and I have similar conversations. We have polar opposite beliefs on some matters, but can discuss things rationally, respecting each other's opinions, but knowing that we won't agree on some things - and that is fine. Abortion and euthanasia being the big ticket sticking points. But we both came to the agreement that we liked each other as people - and we're both good eggs, and want the best for people - so all is well. We can be friends. And we are.
Other friends do things for religions. Raj, a Hindu, is vegetarian on Tuesdays and Thursday because of God. He's never really explained which god or why, but it makes him happy - and he has no aspersions that others have to do what he does. And all is well.
In all these cases, the penis adage comes into play. All of my friends are religious in their own way. We know it. It's an intrinsic part of them. But it's not seen. It's just there tucked away in the background.
I do shake my head at doing religious things for the reasons which seem to have no merit. A couple of cases in point. A friend of mine had her children baptised in the Greek Church, mostly as her husband willed it so. She's an atheist. I remember the day only for the stress everybody was put through.
My friend Blarney is Roman Catholic - she's Irish, it's part of who you are. We also have some great discussions - a lot of them have her incredulous over my beliefs - such as I don't believe in sin, I'm not up on evil, and I certainly don't believe in the sanctity of Jesus Christ. (She once old me that you don't need to believe in Jesus Christ to be a Christian.... ah yeah....) I know she's looking to have her boys do their first communion later in the year, with a big party. That's her perogative. I don't quite understand it, but if it makes her happy - so be it. It's not hurting anybody unless somebody breaks a limb on the bouncy castle after the confirmation ceremony.
I get that these markers, the baptisms, marriages, confirmations, and other ritual are there as markers. So be it. If it makes people happy, go ahead.
But there are things that really make me angry about religion.
I truly believe that religion has ABSOLUTELY NO PART in deciding how we are governed. I wish somebody would tell this to our current federal government. Separation of Church and State are essential.
The tax free status of religions I reckon needs reviewing. Sure, if you can account for where the money is going to charitable acts, sure. But when you're making money like a corporation, and none of this is seen in good deeds for the community, they yeah, cough up some coffers. If you want to be part of the community, pay your way. Maybe start paying some land tax. Our Freemasons' temple has to at a reduced rate.Why can't all religious buildings?
Another thing. Just because you're religious doesn't mean you're automatically a good person. Case in point, our current Prime Minister. Pentacostal Christian. Right douchebag.
Oh, and we say we're a secular nation, but we still celebrate Easter and Christmas on a national level - but not Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah. That seems a bit unfair.
As a spiritual agnostic (or a wiccan kabbalist - depends on the day) I get a lot of peace from places of worship. I love religious buildings, particularly old ones. I adore the vibe they give off - it's like bearing witness to hundreds of years of prayers. England was good for old churches. I get a buzz from placing a hand on nave columns - I love the vibes.
But organised religions - for me, no thanks. I'm good.
Strangely, I went to Sunday School until I was about sixteen - then I worked out that what they wanted me to believe was a pile of bollox. I was christened as a baby, but never confirmed. Thank goodness for that. I have a lot of religious folk in my family. One cousin is married to an Anglican minister. He's the bloke I used to bum cigarettes off of at family functions.
And I'm fine with people being religious as long as their views are not paraded in front of me to take up.
Like willies, it's okay to know you have one. Just keep it out of the way.
Today's Song:
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