Happy Thursday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Oscar Wilde:
It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.
Be sure to check back Saturday, YMR will have a new post!
You, Me & Religion A blog exploring religion, and how it affects us. A series of questions are asked of participants, and then posted here on You, Me & Religion. Whether you are of a certain faith or not, I believe you will find their answers quite interesting! If you would be interested in participating, please contact ymr@bell.net Would love to hear from you!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Update on Featured Religions- Past and Present
Hello All and A Happy Tuesday To You!
Back in July I had published a post on the different religions/belief systems YMR has featured thus far and just wanted to update it as we've added a couple more since that time.
Below are the numbers collected so far:
Agnostics: 2
Apikoros- 1
Atheists/Objectivists: 9
Bahai: 1
Buddhists: 3
Christians: 7
Druid: 1
Feri Witchcraft: 1
Jews: 5
Messianic Jew: 2
Muslims: 5
Mystics: 2
Non-denominationals: 2
Polytheist: 1
Sufi Darvish: 1
Taoist: 1
Wiccans/Pagans: 7
and
Womanist: 1
Here's to learning even more from the groups featured and ones we've yet to feature!
We always need more participants, so hope you'll consider!
Have a great week!
Back in July I had published a post on the different religions/belief systems YMR has featured thus far and just wanted to update it as we've added a couple more since that time.
Below are the numbers collected so far:
Agnostics: 2
Apikoros- 1
Atheists/Objectivists: 9
Bahai: 1
Buddhists: 3
Christians: 7
Druid: 1
Feri Witchcraft: 1
Jews: 5
Messianic Jew: 2
Muslims: 5
Mystics: 2
Non-denominationals: 2
Polytheist: 1
Sufi Darvish: 1
Taoist: 1
Wiccans/Pagans: 7
and
Womanist: 1
Here's to learning even more from the groups featured and ones we've yet to feature!
We always need more participants, so hope you'll consider!
Have a great week!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Noor
Hello and Happy Saturday Everyone!
I wish to thank Ilene Rosenblum for her very interesting and informative interview last week. I enjoyed reading it and I urge all to check it out. Thanks so much for sharing with us Ilene!
Today we have a new post, so please welcome Noor.
Noor is a Muslim Convert and I know you will enjoy her post as well.
Here Is Noor's Introduction:
My name is Noor.--http://littlepinkstrawberries.blogspot.com
My name is Noor. I was born in east Tennessee as a Southern Baptist who used to be very religious. I left home for Chicago, IL where I studied art and during this time I met many people from different cultures and religions. I started exploring Islam at this time. My reversion has been a long and hard path but now almost a decade later life is smooth for me. I now live in Saudi Arabia with my husband and 3 year old son and we're all Muslim.
1) What religion do you practice?
Sunni, Islam
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I converted or as we call it in Islam reverted.
All one has to do is repeat the shahada and you're Muslim. The Shahada is : lâ ilâha illallâh, Muḥammadur rasûlullâh "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" in English.
I was a Southern Baptist prior to my reversion.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
This is really hard to describe because if you meet most people that are to the book religious you would want to call them conservative. Most people think conservatives are uptight but me, I am not uptight whatsoever so I guess you could say that I am somewhere in the middle.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I believe your overall personality is what makes you one of these. People tend to label you because of the vibe they get from your persona.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
In my opinion a conservative is more uptight and rather difficult to talk to. Sometimes it's hard to have a simple dialogue because they only want to see things their way. And a more moderate person is laid back but sometimes too laid back not caring about the things going on around them like news and just life in general. I prefer to be somewhere in the middle.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
God has described paradise as everything one has longed for in the world. One that is happy — without hurt, sorrow, fear or shame — where every wish is fulfilled. Their life is one of bliss including: wearing costly robes, bracelets, perfumes as they partake in exquisite banquets, served in priceless vessels by immortal youths, as they recline on couches inlaid with gold or precious stones. Other foods mentioned include meats, scented wine and clear drinks bringing neither drunkenness nor rousing quarrelling. Inhabitants will rejoice in the company of their parents, spouses, and children (provided they were admitted to paradise) — conversing and recalling the past. The dwellings for inhabitants will be pleasant, with lofty gardens, shady valleys, fountains scented with camphor or ginger; rivers of water, milk, honey and wines; delicious fruits of all seasons without thorns. One day in paradise is considered equal to a thousand days on earth. Palaces are made from bricks of gold, silver, pearls, among other things. Traditions also note the presence of horses and camels of "dazzling whiteness", along with other creatures. Large trees are described, mountains made of musk, between which rivers flow in valleys of pearl and ruby.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I am just a human and in being that I have no authority to answer this question. This question is for God alone.
God has told us numerous ways that is the incorrect and the correct way to live though so it is up to us.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It is not that Islam is a good fit for me it's just that I believed it and it felt correct. Being a Christian I had many questions and once I found Islam those questions were answered.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
We only have two Holidays in Islam and those are Eid al Adha and Eid ul-Fitr
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I choose my friends on how they treat me. I have friends from many faiths.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
No, because in Islam this is forbidden. We are only allowed to take part in our religious celebrations. I would not expect another faith to take part in mine so why would they expect that of me?
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I wear the niqab (face veil) anytime that I go out. I live in Saudi Arabia and its something very cultural but many women wear it for religious reasons as well all over the world. I know many women in western countries that do.
I am Muslim therefore I support shariah law.
I think that it is silly for other people to care so much about the beliefs of others. There are actually many crazy laws and cultural practices all over the world and I could care less because that's life. Not everyone is going to stop living the way they want because I say so.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
I think the catholic church has bigger issues to tackle than women being priests.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Yes, and it makes me feel comfortable. I do not have to worry about being stared at, etc. I have been in some mosques that do not practice this and the men just sit and stare the entire time. Men are men regardless of what faith they are.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
I always do think 'what does Islam teach about this'. Really it teaches the same things Christianity did in most matters like this.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I would worry about the way the person treated my child mainly.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No, we believe that God judges people on what they knew in the world and not by what they never did.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I see people daily that speak in the name of Islam yet I do not agree with them or the approach they go by. Of course I am very against the terrorists who have forever tainted the Islamic faith and falsely called themselves Muslims.
Just because someone says they are part of a religion that does not mean you should judge the religion. That's a very ignorant way to be. Study the religion, get to know it and then you will know.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Most people have treated me very good. I am good to people and that has always shed a good light on Islam.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
I do not feel my religion does but sometimes countries that claim to be religious yet they do not follow religious practices, well they can devalue us.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes!
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. It makes absolutely no sense to begin with. Why would we live life, die and then start all over again not knowing anything? God does not need to do that!
I wish to thank Ilene Rosenblum for her very interesting and informative interview last week. I enjoyed reading it and I urge all to check it out. Thanks so much for sharing with us Ilene!
Today we have a new post, so please welcome Noor.
Noor is a Muslim Convert and I know you will enjoy her post as well.
Here Is Noor's Introduction:
My name is Noor.--http://littlepinkstrawberries.blogspot.com
My name is Noor. I was born in east Tennessee as a Southern Baptist who used to be very religious. I left home for Chicago, IL where I studied art and during this time I met many people from different cultures and religions. I started exploring Islam at this time. My reversion has been a long and hard path but now almost a decade later life is smooth for me. I now live in Saudi Arabia with my husband and 3 year old son and we're all Muslim.
1) What religion do you practice?
Sunni, Islam
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I converted or as we call it in Islam reverted.
All one has to do is repeat the shahada and you're Muslim. The Shahada is : lâ ilâha illallâh, Muḥammadur rasûlullâh "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" in English.
I was a Southern Baptist prior to my reversion.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
This is really hard to describe because if you meet most people that are to the book religious you would want to call them conservative. Most people think conservatives are uptight but me, I am not uptight whatsoever so I guess you could say that I am somewhere in the middle.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I believe your overall personality is what makes you one of these. People tend to label you because of the vibe they get from your persona.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
In my opinion a conservative is more uptight and rather difficult to talk to. Sometimes it's hard to have a simple dialogue because they only want to see things their way. And a more moderate person is laid back but sometimes too laid back not caring about the things going on around them like news and just life in general. I prefer to be somewhere in the middle.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
God has described paradise as everything one has longed for in the world. One that is happy — without hurt, sorrow, fear or shame — where every wish is fulfilled. Their life is one of bliss including: wearing costly robes, bracelets, perfumes as they partake in exquisite banquets, served in priceless vessels by immortal youths, as they recline on couches inlaid with gold or precious stones. Other foods mentioned include meats, scented wine and clear drinks bringing neither drunkenness nor rousing quarrelling. Inhabitants will rejoice in the company of their parents, spouses, and children (provided they were admitted to paradise) — conversing and recalling the past. The dwellings for inhabitants will be pleasant, with lofty gardens, shady valleys, fountains scented with camphor or ginger; rivers of water, milk, honey and wines; delicious fruits of all seasons without thorns. One day in paradise is considered equal to a thousand days on earth. Palaces are made from bricks of gold, silver, pearls, among other things. Traditions also note the presence of horses and camels of "dazzling whiteness", along with other creatures. Large trees are described, mountains made of musk, between which rivers flow in valleys of pearl and ruby.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I am just a human and in being that I have no authority to answer this question. This question is for God alone.
God has told us numerous ways that is the incorrect and the correct way to live though so it is up to us.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It is not that Islam is a good fit for me it's just that I believed it and it felt correct. Being a Christian I had many questions and once I found Islam those questions were answered.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
We only have two Holidays in Islam and those are Eid al Adha and Eid ul-Fitr
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I choose my friends on how they treat me. I have friends from many faiths.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
No, because in Islam this is forbidden. We are only allowed to take part in our religious celebrations. I would not expect another faith to take part in mine so why would they expect that of me?
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I wear the niqab (face veil) anytime that I go out. I live in Saudi Arabia and its something very cultural but many women wear it for religious reasons as well all over the world. I know many women in western countries that do.
I am Muslim therefore I support shariah law.
I think that it is silly for other people to care so much about the beliefs of others. There are actually many crazy laws and cultural practices all over the world and I could care less because that's life. Not everyone is going to stop living the way they want because I say so.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
I think the catholic church has bigger issues to tackle than women being priests.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Yes, and it makes me feel comfortable. I do not have to worry about being stared at, etc. I have been in some mosques that do not practice this and the men just sit and stare the entire time. Men are men regardless of what faith they are.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
I always do think 'what does Islam teach about this'. Really it teaches the same things Christianity did in most matters like this.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I would worry about the way the person treated my child mainly.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No, we believe that God judges people on what they knew in the world and not by what they never did.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I see people daily that speak in the name of Islam yet I do not agree with them or the approach they go by. Of course I am very against the terrorists who have forever tainted the Islamic faith and falsely called themselves Muslims.
Just because someone says they are part of a religion that does not mean you should judge the religion. That's a very ignorant way to be. Study the religion, get to know it and then you will know.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Most people have treated me very good. I am good to people and that has always shed a good light on Islam.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
I do not feel my religion does but sometimes countries that claim to be religious yet they do not follow religious practices, well they can devalue us.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes!
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. It makes absolutely no sense to begin with. Why would we live life, die and then start all over again not knowing anything? God does not need to do that!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Swami Sivananda Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Swami Sivananda:
Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers.
New post this Saturday, so be sure to check back then!
Today's quote is brought to you by Swami Sivananda:
Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers.
New post this Saturday, so be sure to check back then!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Ilene Rosenblum
Hello and Happy Saturday Everyone!
First up, I wish to thank Sarita for her excellent post last week and for sharing with us what it means to her to be a Pagan. I encourage all to read it!
Thanks Sarita!
This week we have a new post so please welcome Ilene Rosenblum.
Ilene is Jewish and I know you're going to enjoy her interview as well!
Here Is Ilene Rosenblum's Introduction:
As a child, I found Judaism uninspiring, wishy-washy at some times, and too dogmatic at others. I was also mystified by the Jewish community's fear of assimilation yet seeming inability to answer the question "Why Be Jewish"? While working in Washington, D.C., I was more exposed to Orthodox Jews I could relate to, and I slowly began to attend more Torah study classes and to spend Shabbat with local families. I felt totally out of my league despite having gone to a Jewish day school. I realized there was more to Judaism than I thought and decided that I wanted a Jewish lifestyle -- not simply to go to synagogue or do Jewish activities as a hobby. I chose to move to Israel to study Torah in a full-time, intensive program and have been there ever since.
My blog is at http://www.ilenerosenblum.com/blog. You're also welcome to follow me on twitter @ilenerosenblum.
1) What religion do you practice?
Judaism
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was born Jewish, but I grew up practicing differently. I am more observant than my parents, or stricter in according with Jewish law, halacha.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Moderate
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I try to draw the best from strict observance while keeping in touch with the modern "real" world, other Jews and other people of all stripes. There is probably an equal number of Jews would consider me conservative (lower case "c") as there are Jews who would consider me too liberal.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
Someone is more conservative if they stay more tied to the law and traditional values. Someone who is more moderate is more tolerant of other ways of doing things besides that which they conform to, and they are also probably more willing to try and accept new things.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
Judaism is much more focused on the present life, so I don't think much about heaven. A Jew's mission is to repair this world, which means elevating the physical. Ultimately, in olam habah, the next world, we should be able to be 100% spiritual, and closer to Gd, without being distracted by the physical. Meanwhile, I have my work cut out for me here, and I will deal with that when it comes. I do think about divine retribution from time to time, and owning up to what choices I make in the present. I hope that in the next world, olam habah, I am able to achieve a greater closeness with Hashem, my maker, and a sense of full completeness.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I don't believe that there are two destinies - heaven or hell. Everyone's soul ends up doing what it needs to do.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It includes absolutely everything. So many people, and Jews in particular, I find, are searching all over for something that will give their life meaning and purpose. This is contained in Judaism, though it often seems to be a well-kept secret these days. It recognizes the cycles of nature, connecting me to a more natural, peaceful way of being. The Jewish holidays are times of meaning and reflection and restoration, when observed properly.
I don't know what I would do without Shabbat, a full day of rest. Without the distractions of e-mail and telephone calls, I can have meaningful conversations with those close to me, take relaxing walks, and read a book. Without an externally imposed day to relax, I probably wouldn't.
Judaism is a religion that encourages open dialogue, with one another and with Gd. While it may seem so from the outside, it is not about strict dogma. To the extent that it is limiting and strict, I find that it provides my life with necessary structure. A child obeys the rules set by a loving parent, and I choose to obey the laws of my Father in Heaven, because I believe that they are for my benefit, even if I do not yet understand why.
I have not studied other faiths extensively, but Judaism makes sense to me. I do not feel a need to look elsewhere.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Explaining all of the ritual and significance in each Jewish holiday would take quite a long time. I welcome those who wish to learn more about Jewish holidays to look at Chabad.org and MyJewishLearning.com.
Most holy days are called "Yom Tov" and they involve the strictures of Shabbat, which create an atmosphere of peace and rest. Families gather for festive meals and pray at synagogue. I try to learn something new about an approaching holiday and add something new to my observance or keep with me a thought that adds spiritual uplift that I may share at the festive meal. Sometimes I buy a new outfit that I will wear for the first time on Yom Tov.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Definitely.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Depending on what the celebrations involved, I would join at least to observe. I believe that tolerance can only be fostered through understanding others, however, at the end of the day, I am a Jew, and I am unwilling, for instance, to eat something non-kosher in a festive celebration or pray to another God.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
It seems to me that the burka and Shariah are often used to oppress women.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
In modern society, gender roles are becoming increasingly blurred, for better and for worse. I think that we will increasingly see female priests and rabbis, even in more conservative movements. On the one hand, women often serve alongside men as lay leaders, so it would make sense that they could serve in leading a religious community. On the other hand, I believe that a woman's first priority is in her own home. I cannot comment further on priests specifically, but the Judaism I practice is home, not synagogue-centered. A woman sets the spiritual tone for her home, and if men run services in the synagogue, I do not feel that it is in order to exclude women. It's more of a logical distribution of labor.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Men and women sit separately at synagogues that I attend. At first this bothered me. Eventually, I got used to it. I also internalized that prayer is about deepening my connection to Gd. Therefore, it should not matter who, or even if anyone at all, sits next to me. There are plenty of other times to speak with a male friend, boyfriend, husband, or son. While the prayers at synagogues I attend are led by men, I usually manage to find synagogues that are more architecturally designed to include women, even though they sit separately.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
My religion is my spiritual guide and affects practically every decision I make - small ones, as well as large moral decisions. There are often no simple answers about "hot topics" such as abortion. Judaism understands nuances and each individual's personal history and needs. When I think I need help making a decision, I often turn to a trusted teacher or rabbi.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I would be very upset.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No. I do not believe that everyone should be Jewish.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
There is not one voice for Judaism. Not myself, and not any rabbi.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Occasionally I feel that some interpretations of Jewish law devalue women. That does not mean that my religion does. Much more often, I come across things that value me as an individual and as a woman.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Although it makes some areas of life more complicated than it would otherwise be, a driving higher purpose does bring peace of mind.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
I believe it is possible that if a soul has not finished its work on Earth, that it can return again in another body. This may help explain why innocent young children die. According to Jewish tradition, there were 600,000 Jewish souls that stood at Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah. These souls would have had to have been somehow been split up and reincarnated in order to constitute the "body" of the Jewish people today. It's not something I fully understand.
First up, I wish to thank Sarita for her excellent post last week and for sharing with us what it means to her to be a Pagan. I encourage all to read it!
Thanks Sarita!
This week we have a new post so please welcome Ilene Rosenblum.
Ilene is Jewish and I know you're going to enjoy her interview as well!
Here Is Ilene Rosenblum's Introduction:
As a child, I found Judaism uninspiring, wishy-washy at some times, and too dogmatic at others. I was also mystified by the Jewish community's fear of assimilation yet seeming inability to answer the question "Why Be Jewish"? While working in Washington, D.C., I was more exposed to Orthodox Jews I could relate to, and I slowly began to attend more Torah study classes and to spend Shabbat with local families. I felt totally out of my league despite having gone to a Jewish day school. I realized there was more to Judaism than I thought and decided that I wanted a Jewish lifestyle -- not simply to go to synagogue or do Jewish activities as a hobby. I chose to move to Israel to study Torah in a full-time, intensive program and have been there ever since.
My blog is at http://www.ilenerosenblum.com/blog. You're also welcome to follow me on twitter @ilenerosenblum.
1) What religion do you practice?
Judaism
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was born Jewish, but I grew up practicing differently. I am more observant than my parents, or stricter in according with Jewish law, halacha.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Moderate
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I try to draw the best from strict observance while keeping in touch with the modern "real" world, other Jews and other people of all stripes. There is probably an equal number of Jews would consider me conservative (lower case "c") as there are Jews who would consider me too liberal.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
Someone is more conservative if they stay more tied to the law and traditional values. Someone who is more moderate is more tolerant of other ways of doing things besides that which they conform to, and they are also probably more willing to try and accept new things.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
Judaism is much more focused on the present life, so I don't think much about heaven. A Jew's mission is to repair this world, which means elevating the physical. Ultimately, in olam habah, the next world, we should be able to be 100% spiritual, and closer to Gd, without being distracted by the physical. Meanwhile, I have my work cut out for me here, and I will deal with that when it comes. I do think about divine retribution from time to time, and owning up to what choices I make in the present. I hope that in the next world, olam habah, I am able to achieve a greater closeness with Hashem, my maker, and a sense of full completeness.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I don't believe that there are two destinies - heaven or hell. Everyone's soul ends up doing what it needs to do.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It includes absolutely everything. So many people, and Jews in particular, I find, are searching all over for something that will give their life meaning and purpose. This is contained in Judaism, though it often seems to be a well-kept secret these days. It recognizes the cycles of nature, connecting me to a more natural, peaceful way of being. The Jewish holidays are times of meaning and reflection and restoration, when observed properly.
I don't know what I would do without Shabbat, a full day of rest. Without the distractions of e-mail and telephone calls, I can have meaningful conversations with those close to me, take relaxing walks, and read a book. Without an externally imposed day to relax, I probably wouldn't.
Judaism is a religion that encourages open dialogue, with one another and with Gd. While it may seem so from the outside, it is not about strict dogma. To the extent that it is limiting and strict, I find that it provides my life with necessary structure. A child obeys the rules set by a loving parent, and I choose to obey the laws of my Father in Heaven, because I believe that they are for my benefit, even if I do not yet understand why.
I have not studied other faiths extensively, but Judaism makes sense to me. I do not feel a need to look elsewhere.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Explaining all of the ritual and significance in each Jewish holiday would take quite a long time. I welcome those who wish to learn more about Jewish holidays to look at Chabad.org and MyJewishLearning.com.
Most holy days are called "Yom Tov" and they involve the strictures of Shabbat, which create an atmosphere of peace and rest. Families gather for festive meals and pray at synagogue. I try to learn something new about an approaching holiday and add something new to my observance or keep with me a thought that adds spiritual uplift that I may share at the festive meal. Sometimes I buy a new outfit that I will wear for the first time on Yom Tov.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Definitely.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Depending on what the celebrations involved, I would join at least to observe. I believe that tolerance can only be fostered through understanding others, however, at the end of the day, I am a Jew, and I am unwilling, for instance, to eat something non-kosher in a festive celebration or pray to another God.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
It seems to me that the burka and Shariah are often used to oppress women.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
In modern society, gender roles are becoming increasingly blurred, for better and for worse. I think that we will increasingly see female priests and rabbis, even in more conservative movements. On the one hand, women often serve alongside men as lay leaders, so it would make sense that they could serve in leading a religious community. On the other hand, I believe that a woman's first priority is in her own home. I cannot comment further on priests specifically, but the Judaism I practice is home, not synagogue-centered. A woman sets the spiritual tone for her home, and if men run services in the synagogue, I do not feel that it is in order to exclude women. It's more of a logical distribution of labor.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Men and women sit separately at synagogues that I attend. At first this bothered me. Eventually, I got used to it. I also internalized that prayer is about deepening my connection to Gd. Therefore, it should not matter who, or even if anyone at all, sits next to me. There are plenty of other times to speak with a male friend, boyfriend, husband, or son. While the prayers at synagogues I attend are led by men, I usually manage to find synagogues that are more architecturally designed to include women, even though they sit separately.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
My religion is my spiritual guide and affects practically every decision I make - small ones, as well as large moral decisions. There are often no simple answers about "hot topics" such as abortion. Judaism understands nuances and each individual's personal history and needs. When I think I need help making a decision, I often turn to a trusted teacher or rabbi.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I would be very upset.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No. I do not believe that everyone should be Jewish.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
There is not one voice for Judaism. Not myself, and not any rabbi.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Occasionally I feel that some interpretations of Jewish law devalue women. That does not mean that my religion does. Much more often, I come across things that value me as an individual and as a woman.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Although it makes some areas of life more complicated than it would otherwise be, a driving higher purpose does bring peace of mind.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
I believe it is possible that if a soul has not finished its work on Earth, that it can return again in another body. This may help explain why innocent young children die. According to Jewish tradition, there were 600,000 Jewish souls that stood at Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah. These souls would have had to have been somehow been split up and reincarnated in order to constitute the "body" of the Jewish people today. It's not something I fully understand.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Harriet Beecher Stowe Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Harriet Beecher Stowe:
It's a matter of taking the side of the weak against the strong, something the best people have always done.
New post this Saturday so be sure to check back!
Today's quote is brought to you by Harriet Beecher Stowe:
It's a matter of taking the side of the weak against the strong, something the best people have always done.
New post this Saturday so be sure to check back!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sarita
Hello and Happy Saturday!
I wish to thank Kola Boof for sharing what it means to her to be a Womanist. An interesting read that I very much enjoyed. Thanks for sharing Kola!
Today YMR has a new post so please welcome Sarita.
Sarita is a Pagan and I know you will enjoy her post as well!
Here Is Sarita's Introduction:
Hullo! I am a 21 year old English major, attending a Catholic university.
I enjoy reading, talking about books, writing, music (playing piano, singing Barbershop, singing solo, singing with a choir, etc.), loom knitting, doing needlework, mending books, gardening, learning about other religions/spiritualities, and writing poetry. I'm even a published poet!
I have a couple of blogs that I keep up regularly.
My main one is A College Girl's Day's (http://collegegirlsdays.blogspot.com/) and my book blog is Sarita's Library (http://saritaslibrary.blogspot.com/).
1) What religion do you practice?
I am a semi-eclectic Pagan. I'm also a shamanic practitioner, but I'm still just getting started on that path.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
Whether I converted sort of depends on who you ask. I didn't figure out that I was Pagan until I was in my teens, but if you ask my mom I was born Pagan and was Pagan all along.
My mom was raised Protestant and my dad Catholic. By the time they met and married they were "liberal Christians" (my term), so my brother and I were raised celebrating Christmas and Easter, hearing all about Jesus Christ, and praying before meals. However, we never set foot in a church. When I was young I did start praying at bedtime, all of my own accord. I actually don't know if my parents even knew about that. :)
There were certain things about Christianity that I didn't understand. Holes that I couldn't fill in with the explanations given to me, I guess you could say. I started to study other religions and spiritualities, and I discovered that some forms of Paganism filled in those "holes" and that it made sense. After some time studying it I suddenly realized "Hey, I'm Pagan." (And immediately after that realization I wondered "When did that happen???")
So I would say that I didn't exactly "convert." It was more a case of me figuring out where I belonged.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
That's hard to say, since I don't know what would make a moderate or conservative Pagan.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
See above.
5) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I really don't know, because I think that there are so many ways a person can go once they die. They could be reincarnated, spend some time in a purgatory type place, or wind up in a heaven like place. Or something else could happen.
I can tell you that when I envision a heaven it is a place where I can be outdoors, garden, read my books, and be with those I love. Basically, a place where I could relax and do what I like to do.
6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I believe that everyone gets to the same place eventually. Remember, reincarnation. :) I just don't know what that place we eventually get to is.
7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Perhaps because it's just what I am. My spirituality is just a part of me. I can't really explain it better than that.
8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
The solstices and equinoxes, and times halfway between each of them. So that's eight total.
What I do to celebrate can vary, and for most of them it can be something just as simple as having something special for dinner. The two that I do go out of my way to make a fuss about are Yule (winter solstice) and Samhain (pronounced so-when, it is October 31st).
On the longest night of the year I keep a fire going all night long. Preferably it will be a fire in the fireplace but candle flame also works. Ideally I'll stay awake until dawn, but in actuality I have been known to take short naps accidentally.
For Samhain I remember those who have passed away in the last year, do something (maybe crafts) to honor the time when the veil between this world and the Other world is the thinnest, and have something special for dinner. And since Samhain is the same day as Halloween I also hand out candy to trick or treaters. It's a fun day.
9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Definitely. It's nice to have friends who share my beliefs, but sharing a belief with someone doesn't guarantee that you'll get along with them. And anyways, things would be boring if everyone believed the same thing. I think it's good that other people see the world differently than I do.
So yes, I definitely consider non-Pagans to be my friends.
10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes. My immediate family is interfaith: Pagans and Christians. So we celebrate the Christian and Pagan holidays together.
I think I will always celebrate Christmas and Easter because I was raised with them, and I do still love Jesus. Also, they seem to fit the Pagan celebrations that occur close to them.
11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
It depends on why the burka is worn. If it's worn for the proper reason -- as modesty -- then that's no problem. If it's worn for the wrong reason -- as oppression -- then there's a problem.
I've never known anyone who wore the burka, but I've had friends who wore the hijab, which is another kind of head covering. Truthfully, I always thought it was cool to see the different styles of hijab they would show up wearing. It seems to me that hijabs (and maybe even burkas) can show a woman's personality more than a hair style does.
I also want to say that I view wearing the hijab (or the burka) as no different from wearing a shirt. Look at it this way: in the USA it's considered wrong for women to run around topless, right? But in other parts of the world it's completely normal. So for Muslim women who wear the hijab it's the same kind of thing: they cover their hair for reasons of modesty, even though other people (even their neighbors in the USA) have no problem showing off their hair.
As for the Shariah Law, I don't like what I know of it, but I haven't exactly studied up on it either.
12) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
In Paganism women can be priests along with the men.
I do tend to get irritated with religions where women aren't allowed to be priests. Perhaps I should work on being more accepting and less judgmental.
13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
My church is the great outdoors, and it doesn't segregate.
14) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
I think that yes, my thoughts on things such as abortion and gay marriage have been affected by my spirituality. At the same time, how do I know that my ideas on things like that haven't affected my spiritual path?
And it does affect my daily life. Every time I eat or drink I try to remember to give thanks to the spirit of whatever I am eating or drinking. I pray every day. I don't have particular times set aside to pray, though I do tend to pray at bedtime. But I pray at odd times throughout the day, sometimes telling a trickster god that something isn't funny if strange things (that are entirely too strange) keep happening, or praying to a healing deity if I see an ambulance go by on the road.
Also, if I want a spiritual experience I just need to step outside my front door and take a deep breath, pausing long enough to really notice Mother Nature. That's one of the upsides of following a nature centered path, and it's something that can be done pretty much any time if you just take the time.
15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
Speaking as someone who is nowhere near having a child, I think that I would have no problem with any child of mine who wanted to marry outside our spirituality, or wanted to adopt a different spirituality/religion. All I would ask is that they still respect nature, themselves, and other people, and everyone's right to follow their own path.
16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
First of all, I do not believe in the Christian concept of hell. However, I do suspect that there are hell like places just like there are heaven like places.
But I don't think that someone is going to end up in a hellish afterlife just because they don't share my spirituality.
17) Who do you think is not a practicing Pagan in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I've seen some people in the news saying they were Pagans who I thought were doing it just for the publicity or as an excuse for crimes, but none of their names stuck with me. One fairly recent case (again I don't remember names) that comes to mind is a guy who killed his girlfriend and then said that it was part of a Wiccan ritual. Um, the Wiccan Rede is "do as you will but harm none." No true Wiccan would kill their girlfriend, especially not in the name of their religion.
18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
A hate crime? No. Discrimination? I don't know. I can tell you that when I was trying to get my passport last year I was given trouble extra trouble that my mom and brother didn't experience, even though I provided all the exact same paperwork and same kind of stuff that they did. I don't know for sure why they flagged me as trouble, but they might have done it because of my pentacle, which neither my mom or brother wear. After a few weeks they did bend over backwards to be nice to me when my mom wrote to our elected official and asked if the trouble I had was normal, or if it might be religious discrimination.
To this day I don't know for sure if it was religious discrimination.
19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
No. If it did, there would be something wrong.
20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
I guess so. I mean, sometimes I wish the gods did things differently (and I can get irritated with certain tricksters), but it's nice to have them there for me.
21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
Yes I do believe in it. Why? I do because it just seems right. However, I don't believe that it's the only way to "get things right" so to speak.
---
"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." ~ Pablo Picasso
I wish to thank Kola Boof for sharing what it means to her to be a Womanist. An interesting read that I very much enjoyed. Thanks for sharing Kola!
Today YMR has a new post so please welcome Sarita.
Sarita is a Pagan and I know you will enjoy her post as well!
Here Is Sarita's Introduction:
Hullo! I am a 21 year old English major, attending a Catholic university.
I enjoy reading, talking about books, writing, music (playing piano, singing Barbershop, singing solo, singing with a choir, etc.), loom knitting, doing needlework, mending books, gardening, learning about other religions/spiritualities, and writing poetry. I'm even a published poet!
I have a couple of blogs that I keep up regularly.
My main one is A College Girl's Day's (http://collegegirlsdays.blogspot.com/) and my book blog is Sarita's Library (http://saritaslibrary.blogspot.com/).
1) What religion do you practice?
I am a semi-eclectic Pagan. I'm also a shamanic practitioner, but I'm still just getting started on that path.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
Whether I converted sort of depends on who you ask. I didn't figure out that I was Pagan until I was in my teens, but if you ask my mom I was born Pagan and was Pagan all along.
My mom was raised Protestant and my dad Catholic. By the time they met and married they were "liberal Christians" (my term), so my brother and I were raised celebrating Christmas and Easter, hearing all about Jesus Christ, and praying before meals. However, we never set foot in a church. When I was young I did start praying at bedtime, all of my own accord. I actually don't know if my parents even knew about that. :)
There were certain things about Christianity that I didn't understand. Holes that I couldn't fill in with the explanations given to me, I guess you could say. I started to study other religions and spiritualities, and I discovered that some forms of Paganism filled in those "holes" and that it made sense. After some time studying it I suddenly realized "Hey, I'm Pagan." (And immediately after that realization I wondered "When did that happen???")
So I would say that I didn't exactly "convert." It was more a case of me figuring out where I belonged.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
That's hard to say, since I don't know what would make a moderate or conservative Pagan.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
See above.
5) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I really don't know, because I think that there are so many ways a person can go once they die. They could be reincarnated, spend some time in a purgatory type place, or wind up in a heaven like place. Or something else could happen.
I can tell you that when I envision a heaven it is a place where I can be outdoors, garden, read my books, and be with those I love. Basically, a place where I could relax and do what I like to do.
6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I believe that everyone gets to the same place eventually. Remember, reincarnation. :) I just don't know what that place we eventually get to is.
7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Perhaps because it's just what I am. My spirituality is just a part of me. I can't really explain it better than that.
8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
The solstices and equinoxes, and times halfway between each of them. So that's eight total.
What I do to celebrate can vary, and for most of them it can be something just as simple as having something special for dinner. The two that I do go out of my way to make a fuss about are Yule (winter solstice) and Samhain (pronounced so-when, it is October 31st).
On the longest night of the year I keep a fire going all night long. Preferably it will be a fire in the fireplace but candle flame also works. Ideally I'll stay awake until dawn, but in actuality I have been known to take short naps accidentally.
For Samhain I remember those who have passed away in the last year, do something (maybe crafts) to honor the time when the veil between this world and the Other world is the thinnest, and have something special for dinner. And since Samhain is the same day as Halloween I also hand out candy to trick or treaters. It's a fun day.
9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Definitely. It's nice to have friends who share my beliefs, but sharing a belief with someone doesn't guarantee that you'll get along with them. And anyways, things would be boring if everyone believed the same thing. I think it's good that other people see the world differently than I do.
So yes, I definitely consider non-Pagans to be my friends.
10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes. My immediate family is interfaith: Pagans and Christians. So we celebrate the Christian and Pagan holidays together.
I think I will always celebrate Christmas and Easter because I was raised with them, and I do still love Jesus. Also, they seem to fit the Pagan celebrations that occur close to them.
11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
It depends on why the burka is worn. If it's worn for the proper reason -- as modesty -- then that's no problem. If it's worn for the wrong reason -- as oppression -- then there's a problem.
I've never known anyone who wore the burka, but I've had friends who wore the hijab, which is another kind of head covering. Truthfully, I always thought it was cool to see the different styles of hijab they would show up wearing. It seems to me that hijabs (and maybe even burkas) can show a woman's personality more than a hair style does.
I also want to say that I view wearing the hijab (or the burka) as no different from wearing a shirt. Look at it this way: in the USA it's considered wrong for women to run around topless, right? But in other parts of the world it's completely normal. So for Muslim women who wear the hijab it's the same kind of thing: they cover their hair for reasons of modesty, even though other people (even their neighbors in the USA) have no problem showing off their hair.
As for the Shariah Law, I don't like what I know of it, but I haven't exactly studied up on it either.
12) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
In Paganism women can be priests along with the men.
I do tend to get irritated with religions where women aren't allowed to be priests. Perhaps I should work on being more accepting and less judgmental.
13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
My church is the great outdoors, and it doesn't segregate.
14) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
I think that yes, my thoughts on things such as abortion and gay marriage have been affected by my spirituality. At the same time, how do I know that my ideas on things like that haven't affected my spiritual path?
And it does affect my daily life. Every time I eat or drink I try to remember to give thanks to the spirit of whatever I am eating or drinking. I pray every day. I don't have particular times set aside to pray, though I do tend to pray at bedtime. But I pray at odd times throughout the day, sometimes telling a trickster god that something isn't funny if strange things (that are entirely too strange) keep happening, or praying to a healing deity if I see an ambulance go by on the road.
Also, if I want a spiritual experience I just need to step outside my front door and take a deep breath, pausing long enough to really notice Mother Nature. That's one of the upsides of following a nature centered path, and it's something that can be done pretty much any time if you just take the time.
15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
Speaking as someone who is nowhere near having a child, I think that I would have no problem with any child of mine who wanted to marry outside our spirituality, or wanted to adopt a different spirituality/religion. All I would ask is that they still respect nature, themselves, and other people, and everyone's right to follow their own path.
16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
First of all, I do not believe in the Christian concept of hell. However, I do suspect that there are hell like places just like there are heaven like places.
But I don't think that someone is going to end up in a hellish afterlife just because they don't share my spirituality.
17) Who do you think is not a practicing Pagan in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I've seen some people in the news saying they were Pagans who I thought were doing it just for the publicity or as an excuse for crimes, but none of their names stuck with me. One fairly recent case (again I don't remember names) that comes to mind is a guy who killed his girlfriend and then said that it was part of a Wiccan ritual. Um, the Wiccan Rede is "do as you will but harm none." No true Wiccan would kill their girlfriend, especially not in the name of their religion.
18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
A hate crime? No. Discrimination? I don't know. I can tell you that when I was trying to get my passport last year I was given trouble extra trouble that my mom and brother didn't experience, even though I provided all the exact same paperwork and same kind of stuff that they did. I don't know for sure why they flagged me as trouble, but they might have done it because of my pentacle, which neither my mom or brother wear. After a few weeks they did bend over backwards to be nice to me when my mom wrote to our elected official and asked if the trouble I had was normal, or if it might be religious discrimination.
To this day I don't know for sure if it was religious discrimination.
19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
No. If it did, there would be something wrong.
20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
I guess so. I mean, sometimes I wish the gods did things differently (and I can get irritated with certain tricksters), but it's nice to have them there for me.
21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
Yes I do believe in it. Why? I do because it just seems right. However, I don't believe that it's the only way to "get things right" so to speak.
---
"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." ~ Pablo Picasso
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Freya Stark Quote
Hello and Happy Thursday!
Todays quote is brought to you by Freya Stark:
Pain and fear and hunger are effects of causes which can be foreseen and known: but sorrow is a debt which someone else makes for us
Be sure to check back this Saturday~ YMR will have a new post!
Til then~ take care.
Todays quote is brought to you by Freya Stark:
Pain and fear and hunger are effects of causes which can be foreseen and known: but sorrow is a debt which someone else makes for us
Be sure to check back this Saturday~ YMR will have a new post!
Til then~ take care.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
October Interviews
Hello and Happy Tuesday!
Here's a sneak peak into October's Interviews:
We'll hear from Anne Johnson who is a Druid, Jake Collyer who is an Atheist, Chanan who is Jewish, Rand who is Christian and Rachel who is a Jewish Convert.
All excellent interviews you won't want to miss!
Have a great day everyone!
Here's a sneak peak into October's Interviews:
We'll hear from Anne Johnson who is a Druid, Jake Collyer who is an Atheist, Chanan who is Jewish, Rand who is Christian and Rachel who is a Jewish Convert.
All excellent interviews you won't want to miss!
Have a great day everyone!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Kola Boof
Hello and Happy Saturday!
Thank you so much to Don Emmerich for his post last week. Thank you for sharing so openly with us. Be sure to read Don's open and honest interview.
YMR has a new post so please welcome Kola Boof.
Kola is a Womanist and I know you will enjoy her interview as well!
Here Is Kola Boof's Introduction:
Kola Boof is an acclaimed author and poet with such works as
Flesh and the Devil, Long Train to the Redeeming Sin, Nile River Woman, and Diary of a Lost Girl.
Please check out her website @ http://www.kolaboof.com/naima.htm
1) What religion do you practice?
My religion is called "The Womb." I created it myself. I was tired
of Man-Made religions such as Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
I wanted to create a religion that was more Goddess based and Nilotic. I incorporated figures such as Christ, Muhammad and others into my religion--but my religion is centered around the belief that the Female womb is our direct connection to the universal energy that is God. I don't believe in "sin". I believe that we make mistakes and that our goal should be to heal each other.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was born Sunni Muslim in Omdurman, Sudan. As an orphan adopted by African-Americans, they switched me to Baptist Christian. As an adult, I chose to reject both and started The Womb. You could say that novelist Alice Walker and her writings about "Womanism" influenced me to do this.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I don't really care about politics. I'm a liberal Democrat. But I loathe
even them on occasion.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
The fact that I'm open to thinking very deeply about any and
everything makes me a Liberal Democrat.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
This is a boring topic for me. Boring as hell. I don't care about
politics very much.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I'm not old enough yet to envision it. But I've never seen anything in earthly movies or books or church talk that represent it.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
People will go where they want to go...whatever they created
on earth is where they will go.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I created it.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I don't have "set" holy days. They announce themselves randomly throughout life.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Most definitely. I have love for all human beings, though many
of them I can't stand. But still...I have love for them.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Definitely I would. I do it all the time. You join them to show
your friendship and acceptance of them. It doesn't matter if
it's not your personal beliefs. You just show support and respect
for their beliefs.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I feel that anyone who wants to wear a Burka should have that
right, anywhere in the world. I don't like Islam personally, not
for me or my children. And I certainly despise any type of religious laws. I believe in separation of church and state.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
Well, obviously, it's stupid. And it's why I don't take
part in Man-Made religions.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
My set of values and beliefs affect everything that I do. I suppose that's part of my religion.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
My children can be both--they are raised in The Womb
and they can also adopt another religion if they want.
But I know that they will never be able to disengage
the principles of The Womb.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
I don't believe in hell. People who create hell on earth
will reap what they lived--to some extent.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
Religion is superstition, conjecture and here-say, so that's every human, practically. We share many delusions, because we don't really know shit.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Of course. All my life. Targeted by Arabs, by Muslims,
by the White Race and most of all by Black self-haters.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
I did feel that way about Christianity and Islam. Which
is why I left.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes, it does.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
Yes, I do believe in it.
I believe that anything is possible.
Do I care? Not much.
Thank you so much to Don Emmerich for his post last week. Thank you for sharing so openly with us. Be sure to read Don's open and honest interview.
YMR has a new post so please welcome Kola Boof.
Kola is a Womanist and I know you will enjoy her interview as well!
Here Is Kola Boof's Introduction:
Kola Boof is an acclaimed author and poet with such works as
Flesh and the Devil, Long Train to the Redeeming Sin, Nile River Woman, and Diary of a Lost Girl.
Please check out her website @ http://www.kolaboof.com/naima.htm
1) What religion do you practice?
My religion is called "The Womb." I created it myself. I was tired
of Man-Made religions such as Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
I wanted to create a religion that was more Goddess based and Nilotic. I incorporated figures such as Christ, Muhammad and others into my religion--but my religion is centered around the belief that the Female womb is our direct connection to the universal energy that is God. I don't believe in "sin". I believe that we make mistakes and that our goal should be to heal each other.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was born Sunni Muslim in Omdurman, Sudan. As an orphan adopted by African-Americans, they switched me to Baptist Christian. As an adult, I chose to reject both and started The Womb. You could say that novelist Alice Walker and her writings about "Womanism" influenced me to do this.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I don't really care about politics. I'm a liberal Democrat. But I loathe
even them on occasion.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
The fact that I'm open to thinking very deeply about any and
everything makes me a Liberal Democrat.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
This is a boring topic for me. Boring as hell. I don't care about
politics very much.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I'm not old enough yet to envision it. But I've never seen anything in earthly movies or books or church talk that represent it.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
People will go where they want to go...whatever they created
on earth is where they will go.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I created it.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I don't have "set" holy days. They announce themselves randomly throughout life.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Most definitely. I have love for all human beings, though many
of them I can't stand. But still...I have love for them.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Definitely I would. I do it all the time. You join them to show
your friendship and acceptance of them. It doesn't matter if
it's not your personal beliefs. You just show support and respect
for their beliefs.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I feel that anyone who wants to wear a Burka should have that
right, anywhere in the world. I don't like Islam personally, not
for me or my children. And I certainly despise any type of religious laws. I believe in separation of church and state.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
Well, obviously, it's stupid. And it's why I don't take
part in Man-Made religions.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
My set of values and beliefs affect everything that I do. I suppose that's part of my religion.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
My children can be both--they are raised in The Womb
and they can also adopt another religion if they want.
But I know that they will never be able to disengage
the principles of The Womb.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
I don't believe in hell. People who create hell on earth
will reap what they lived--to some extent.
18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
Religion is superstition, conjecture and here-say, so that's every human, practically. We share many delusions, because we don't really know shit.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Of course. All my life. Targeted by Arabs, by Muslims,
by the White Race and most of all by Black self-haters.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
I did feel that way about Christianity and Islam. Which
is why I left.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes, it does.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
Yes, I do believe in it.
I believe that anything is possible.
Do I care? Not much.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sammy Davis Jr. Quote
Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Sammy Davis Jr.:
I'd learned a lot in the Army. I knew that above all things in the world I had to become so big, so strong that people and their hatred could never touch me.
New post this Saturday~ we'll hear from Kola Boof~ so be sure to check back!
Today's quote is brought to you by Sammy Davis Jr.:
I'd learned a lot in the Army. I knew that above all things in the world I had to become so big, so strong that people and their hatred could never touch me.
New post this Saturday~ we'll hear from Kola Boof~ so be sure to check back!
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