SJ

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Diana for her very interesting interview last week. It was wonderful to learn more of the Bahai faith. Thank you for sharing Diana!

This week we have a new interview so please welcome SJ.
SJ is a Messianic Jew and I know you will enjoy his interview as well!

Here Is SJ's Introduction:


I am SJ. I am a Messianic Jew after reading about Christianity for a long enough period of time. My beliefs changed gradually.


1) What religion do you practice?
Messianic Judaism, I'm not involved in any organization though.

2) Are you a convert/revert or were you raised within this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I don't feel a need for conversion since I am not apart of any org.

3) Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
It depends on the issue.

4) Within your religion what degree of observance are you (ie. Orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal) ? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
Someone conservative is someone who believes the Bible and is as social conservative as well (being against gay marriage and abortion). I am basically conservative except I'm not a young earther, God is not going to tell modern science to people from thousands of years ago.

5) What is the Afterlife within your religion? For example: what happens when a person dies? Are there places for reward/punishment? (such as a Heaven/Hell concept).
Heaven is a place of joy that does not seem to take up space the way we understand it so to speak of it in 3 dimensional or human terms I'm not sure is too accurate.

6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Everyone does not go to Heaven. There is evil in the world. As for atheists who are good people, that's for God to decide, I don't know.

7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It's primary focus is on morals.

8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I'm basically Christian in belief. The only reason why I'm not jumping ship from Judaism is that there are still fun aspects to it that I'd like to partake in. (In Judaism holidays and holy days are the same thing.)

9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Yes.

10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes as long as they don't expect me to pray. I'd come, be respectful, and have fun.

11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
You can bet that if it's a younger girl then the girl is being forced. You can bet that if it's in a totalitarian country the women are being forced.

12) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
I am not into organized religion but people who are against female clerics have the right to go to a place where there's a male cleric and people who want a female cleric have the right to go to where there is a female cleric.

13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
I pray by myself. I would only go to places without female clerics. I don't care about segregating the genders.

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've definitely been praying more often since I switched from being an atheist to messianic jew. Not out of fear though, out of belief. XD

15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I'd prefer my kids stay within the Judeo-Christian framework.

16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
That's for God to decide.

17) 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?
People who are immoral don't practice.

18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No.

19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Nooooooooo. Firstly, Judaism practically invented the concept that mankind is created in the image of God. Christianity says that God came down to Earth as a human to take the heat for our sins.

20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes. Believing in Christ adds a level of confirmation of the Old Testament that I couldn't get from being Jewish alone.

21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
There is an element of reincarnation in Judaism if a person didn't do what s/he was meant to in life.

Emmeline Pankhurst Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Emmeline Pankhurst:


Justice and judgment lie often a world apart.




New post coming Saturday so be sure to check back!

Diana

Hello and Happy Saturday Everyone!

I'd like to thank Michael Webb for his interview last week-I definitely enjoyed reading his answers so if you haven't had the chance to check it out, please do!

This week we have a new participant, so please welcome Diana.
Diana is a practicing Bahai and I know you will enjoy her answers as well!


Here Is Diana's Introduction:

My name is Diana and I was born in Romania as a Christian Orthodox. I moved to Cyprus to work as a computer engineer. In Cyprus I met many different cultures and loved the experience all the way. It is so nice to see that no matter the small differences in our lives, all people of all religions have basically same needs and same wishes. Here I met my Iranian husband who first introduced me to the Bahai religion. Now we are both Bahais and waiting for our first baby due in April. I love different cultures and discovering beauty in all parts of the world and all people of the world, and I write about this on my blog: http://eshgheman.livejournal.com

1) What religion do you practice?
Bahai: http://www.bahai.org/

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 and baptized as a Christian Orthodox. I embraced Bahai religion later on in my life. Bahai religion does not deny the truth of other religions, so I did not "convert" as such, I just added on the wonderful teachings of the Bahai religion to my "old" religion. Since the Bahai religion does not believe in rituals there was no ritual as such at "conversion". I just talked to my Bahai friends and confessed I want to be one of them.

3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I believe I am trying my best to contribute to the unity of the world and advancement of society, which are some of the purposes of the Bahai religion. I don't think these terms (moderate, conservative) apply to the Bahai religion which always encourages independent investigation of life and disagrees with mindless acceptance of practices.

4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
As I said above I don't think moderate or conservative are terms that can describe my spiritual life. Usually I try to see all situations from everyone's point of view and be understanding to the needs of others.

5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
All people evolve and are influenced by many factors. I would say first the family is very important in shaping the life of people then friends and the culture they live in. I do believe the culture has a great influence on people, maybe more than the family and friends. Media as well is extremely powerful to make people think one way or another.

6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
Bahais believe the soul is eternal and is bound to evolve. During this earthly life our duty is to develop all the virtues of the soul to the maximum. After death the soul will need these virtues as the baby after birth needs organs that are developed inside the womb of the mother (even though inside of the womb it does not need the eyes eg). Bahais heaven is not a physical place which can be described, it is a more spiritual closeness to God and further development of divine virtues.

7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
All souls are traveling the same path but in a different way. The souls that have not developed the virtues and they are not spiritually developed will not be able to grasp the future reality of the "next" world and will be "handicapped".

8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I love Bahai religion because it promotes peace, world unity, kindness. Because it has no priests or religious authorities. Because everyone is encouraged to contribute to the betterment of the world and the community he/she is a part of.

9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Bahá'í New Year - The Spring Equinox.
In addition, the Baha'i community gathers regularly for prayer, consultation on community affairs and socializing every nineteen days.

10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Of course! I make no difference between people of any religion, I try to look at their personality not ethnicity, race, religion or these kind of differences.

11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Of course, even before I became a Bahai and even now I enjoy being in the company of people from different backgrounds and religions and seeing them at the height of happiness on their holy days is a pleasure and privilege. I love diversity.

12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I believe people should be free to wear what they please, but they have to be sensitive as well to the culture of the country where they live. The choice of clothing should be a free choice based on situation, climate and culture. Laws in general should come from the state and frequently improved to fit the current times that we are living. Common sense should be applied to all legislation.

13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
As a Bahai, I believe all should educate themselves in religion and priests should not exist. As humanity now we are educated enough to understand scriptures and apply them as fitting to our daily lives.

14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No. When I meet my fellow Bahai friends, I feel in the middle of family and there is no segregation in family I believe.

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?
One of the important principles of Bahai religion that has shocked me when I first heard of it, NEVER do backbitting. This is a very difficult to follow principle yet so useful. I do have to admit, I always ponder on this in my daily life when confruted with "friendly chats".

16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
The Bahai religion encourages individuals to independent investigation of the truth. So children are not born into the religion, they are free to choose their own beliefs and partners. I would not object to anything that benefits my child's happiness.

17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Not at all.

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 believe the Bahais are very transparent people and united in intentions.

19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. Most people who know about Bahai religion, really appreciate the Bahai people, no matter what is their own religion.

20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
No, not at all.

21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes of course.

22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No, I believe the soul evolves gathering knowledge and experience....

Elvis Presley Quote

Hello and Happy Thursday!


Today's quote is brought to you by Elvis Presley:


Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away.




New post coming Saturday!

Polls Reopened

Hello All and Happy Tuesday!

A strange place this blogging world can be! For some reason, the poll votes have disappeared! So YMR has reopened all of them so if you didn't get a chance to vote the first time or want to vote again, please do.

Thanks everyone.

Michael Webb

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Tricia for sharing her journey with us. Thought provoking and unique, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you Tricia!

This week we have a new interview so please welcome Michael Webb. Michael is an Agnostic and I know you will enjoy his post as well!

Here Is Michael Webb's Introduction:



Michael Webb has been blogging, among other things, since 2003, but hasn't really been good at it until recently. He remains lousy at the rest of the things. His blog, which contains too much Boston Red Sox nonsense, is located at innocentsaccidentshints.blogspot.com.



1) What religion do you practice?
Currently, I would say I am an agnostic. I believe in the teachings, if not the divinity, of Jesus Christ.

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 a Protestant, into a local branch of the United Church Of Christ, maybe the most liberal Protestant branch.

3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Liberal.

4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I believe, to the maximum extent possible, scriptures of any sort must be read with a skeptical eye. To take a relevant modern example, yes, the Bible condemns homosexuality. It also condemns sitting on a chair that has been previously used by a menstruating woman.

5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
A conservative believes in fidelity to an ancient text at the expense of common sense.

6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
Box seats to a baseball game that never ends.

7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I find it hard to imagine a just and righteous God would condemn anyone who was honestly trying to do the right thing. People who are sociopathic, maybe.

8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I don't know anything about anything. I am constantly learning that things I thought I knew aren't true, or at least are much more complicated than I thought they were.

9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Opening Day? I don't know. I celebrate Christmas, but that's peer pressure more than it is an actual observance of anything.

10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I don't consider anyone my friend. That being said, as long as you can laugh, I am willing to be your friend.

11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
If they asked, certainly. I'd be uncomfortable, but if someone wanted me there, and it meant something to them, I don't have a problem with being there.

12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
It's tough. I have read accounts by people who find it very comfortable to wear a burka. I went to college with people who did (pre 9/11), and it wasn't really an issue. I don't have a problem with people doing it, if that's what they want to do. No one should be compelled to do it.

That being said, we live in a society with other people in it-we all have to make sacrifices. If that means you can't wear a burka once in a great while, like at an airport, well, that's the price you pay for living in a society with other people in it. If you don't like it, I'm sorry-but there are lots of things in this society that offend me, too-and I don't get to ban them.

13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
I recall a joke by the Boston comedian Jimmy Tingle: the disciples were men, yes. But they were also Jewish fishermen. It is hard to find a Jewish fisherman who wants to join the church.

It's silly. It is the ultimate "because we've always done it this way" argument. There isn't any rational reason to keep them out.

14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No. I don't think I could have gone very long to a church who keeps anyone out. One of the wisest things my pastor ever said to me was that our congregation takes you as you are-from men in suits to teenagers in sweats, everyone is welcome, whatever state you find yourself in.

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 don't think a lot when making decisions. I may reflect on the more Christian way to go at times, but I'm much more of a gut level thinker.

I wouldn't say my religion has much impact on my views on abortion or gay marriage, except in the most theoretical ways.

I am personally against abortion-but that view only extends to a fetus that I have helped create. And since I have a vasectomy, it is now an utterly theoretical view. I think that God is saddened when an abortion occurs, but I think He is also wise enough to understand why they are sometimes necessary.

The gay marriage question is mostly addressed above. The Biblical prohibition on homosexuality is real-but there are a number of other prohibitions that we feel free to ignore, so there isn't any reason why this one is more special. I've never heard a single good reason why gay marriage should be outlawed.

16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
If he finds someone he wants to marry that makes him happy, that is absolutely fine with me, whatever their creed. Or race. Or gender.

17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Nope.

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 would point to Richard Dawkins or maybe Christopher Hitchens, I guess. I generally agree with them-they are formidable logicians.

19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
I have been hated-everyone who has a teenager has been. But seriously? No.

20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
I have bouts of pointlessness. I think if I had a stronger faith it might be of some comfort when everything seems senseless.

21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
No. I haven't had that in a while.

22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. It just doesn't hold much appeal or sense for me.

Elie Wiesel Quote

Hello and Happy Thursday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Elie Wiesel:


I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

March Posts

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Here's a sneak peek into the March interviews:

we'll hear from Lily Shahar Kunning who practices Feri Witchcraft, Leah Jane who is a practicing Apikoros, Derek Leman who practices Messianic Judaism and Upasana who is a practicing Hindu.

All wonderful interviews you won't want to miss!

Tricia

Hello and Happy Saturday!

Thank you so much Carina for your interview last week; thoughtful, interesting and unique. Thanks for sharing Carina!

Today we have a new post so please welcome Tricia.
Tricia is a Pagan and I know you will enjoy her interview as well!


Here Is Tricia's Introduction:


Tricia, aka PENolan, has been writing on her blog, Menopausal Stoners (http://menopausalstoners.blogspot.com) , since 2007. She is a contributing writer on Black Magpie Theory (http://blackmagpietheory.com)and frequently comments at World Wide Hippies (http://www.worldwidehippies.com). Her primary theological influences have been Christopher Moore's well-researched novel, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal,
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, and Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. Her perspective on mainstream American Christianity has most recently been informed by a brief affair with a not-quite-divorced Lutheran minister. Details of that encounter will soon be available in her short story, The Preacher and The Pagan.


1) What religion do you practice?
I don’t feel like I have a “religion” per se, but my son says I’m a witch. I say that I’m simply creating personal rituals that help focus my energy – but I’ll admit that these may look a lot like new-agey pagan rituals. Carolyn Myss says that Pagans simply connect with God through Nature. I don’t feel particularly connected to Nature here in New York City, but I do feel connected in other places – like in the Texas Hill Country or in Vermont.

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 don’t think you can convert to your own interpretation of Life, The Universe and Everything. You simply stop recognizing someone else’s authority over your thoughts and feelings. The original Quakers said something like that back in Merry Old England and got kicked out.
I enjoy silent meetings because the Quakers have made a fundamental point that loud mouths of all varieties should adopt: Shut the Fuck up and You might Learn Something.

3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Other and/or militant

4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
I am militant about not being bossed around by conservatives.

5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
It’s a tricky question because these days, Conservative often equals Extremist, which isn’t an accurate definition of the term “conservative.” I suspect that Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and other entertainers have given conservatives a bad name. I guess that conservatives like things to stay the way they are, so we could say that Conservatives support the status quo. Moderates and Progressives are more open minded in general.

6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I don’t believe in Heaven/Hell – although I like the idea that our energy joins some greater energy in the universe when we die.

7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
They would have to because their energy would automatically join the other energy. Like an apple falling to earth from the tree, it’s as natural as Gravity.

8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Religion has to be a perfect individual fit because everybody interprets information in a way that suits them individually – whether they are implicitly following orders from a Rabbi or Preacher or whether they have rejected the idea of God altogether. To say that you are a certain kind of Christian because your parents were – even though you’re uncomfortable with some of the policies (such as rejecting Gays) simply means that you’re the kind of person who swallows bullshit because of your family. Maybe that means you don’t trust your own mind and give authority to bigots, but if the shoe fits . . .

9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Tashlich – toss bread crumbs into a river, unless there is no river handy in which case I toss them into the breeze
New Moon and Full Moon – miscellaneous personal rituals including lighting candles and asking the Goddess (and lately the energetic influences that many people call Angels) to shed a little light. You don’t have to wait for a particular day to perform rituals, but I do consider whether the moon is waxing or waning in order to frame my thinking. For example, if the moon is waning, I focus on what I’m trying to shed – like fear. If the moon is waxing, I focus on what I’m trying to grow – like love.
I don’t consider any Gift Giving Fiesta a “holy” day, but I sure like the parties. And I like having a Christmas tree. I tend to see the tree as a Pagan ritual, too, since it celebrates the natural cycle of life and brings life and light into the barren darkness of winter - but I also love seeing the ornaments that hung on our family tree when I was a little kid hanging on my own tree, and eventually, they will hang on my son’s tree. That kind of continuity is cool.
I like springtime too – and really, most Christian holidays were hidden around pagan holidays so that the Romans wouldn’t arrest everybody.

10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Of course – as long as they don’t try to boss me around, and that’s as true of other stuff as of religion. I don’t like somebody telling me how to parent my child either. When he was a baby and other moms would tell me I needed to Ferberize my child or he’d be ruined for life due to my own weakness, I chose to avoid those moms in the future. People who think they are smarter than you are never really friends.

11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
I wouldn’t crash a funeral for kicks, but if a friend invited me to join his/her family for any celebration at all, I’d be there with bells on. Birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, Chanukka, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. You could say that as long as there’s cake (or latkes) I’m there.

12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
Those things are deeply embedded in a culture that I, frankly, don’t understand. I would be more comfortable with some of the ideas if I felt like women freely chose to wear burkas, etc. It sounds like Patriarchal Imposition to me – but so does Christianity as practiced by many Americans.

13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
That’s bull shit any way you slice it.

14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Since I’m a solitary practitioner, nobody else is there anyway.
One of my best girlfriends attends a synagogue where men and women are separate and she likes it because she feels support among women. Lots of times Men have to talk about Men Stuff; and Women have to talk about Women stuff. Having the other in the room stifles the conversation. I imagine that if Black people need to talk about their experience, having white people there could interfere with an authentic discussion.
As a society, everyone should be included everywhere – but for the purposes of focused study, segregation can be beneficial for short periods of time.

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 don’t separate my “religion” from my core values. Our core values underlie every single thing we say and do. That’s what a core value is. Certainly there are times when we have to examine whether our practices accurately reflect our core values.
I don’t think sexual preference is a choice. Nevertheless, a person can chose to honor or deny his/her nature. Denying your own nature must be a devastating choice, but if you are gay and in the military, that’s what our society asks you to do. Lots of Christians ask you to deny your own inner nature – but I’m pretty sure Jesus would think that they have sadly missed his point.

16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I hope my child marries someone who respects him for who he is – but one of the main reasons I went along with having him circumcised when he was born was just in case he decided to convert to Judaism as an adult.

17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No – I’m pretty sure people who think that way are trapped in their own personal hells and enjoy spreading misery.

18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? i.e. who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I wish there were more people in the public domain speaking up for this way of connecting with each other and the universe. Carolyn Myss, Eckhart Tolle and Marianne Williamson are a few “big names” and their works are relegated to obscure Occult or New Age sections in Book Stores.

19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No

20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
My “religion” values everyone.

21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Absolutely

22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
I like the idea of reincarnation, but there’s no way that any human can know, absolutely, what happens after we die.

Florence Nightingale Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Florence Nightingale:


I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.



There'll be a new interview coming Saturday, so be sure to check back!