Thank You All and Happy New Year!

Hello and Happy New Year everyone!

As we head into 2013, I'd like to take this time to look back on 2012 and thank all who contributed to this blog- the amazing participants who shared so much with everyone, as well all who have left comments and to all who took the time to vote on the polls, and of course all the YMR followers too!


We've had such a wonderful and wide variety of participants and I for one, have learned a great deal from all.

Thank you to 2012's ymr participants:

Heather Cardin
Manuel Araujo
Helio Pires
H. Jeremiah Lewis/Sannion
Emberlyn Rayne
Ian Crossland
Courtney
Galina Krasskova
H. Kaur
Laura Dartez/Onyx Moon
Kristine Mckee
Christian Mengele
Ed Grainger
Marie Liane Rioux
Thomas
Kendrick MacDowell
On Her Own
Barry Bell
Rev. Allyson Szabo
Kallista Silverheart
Aine O'Brien
E. Perren Hayes
Sophie Reicher
Cora (aka Tink)
Deborah Lipp
Cheryl Petersen
Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold
Kari Tauring
Paul Dvorak
Elena-Maria
Tansy Firedragon
Dana
ABtMS/Brother
Red Griffiths-Haynes
Nar
Mina
and
Margaret Bremner


Thank you all and I wish everyone a safe and wonderful New Year!

~Debra

Margaret Bremner

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Mina for her wonderful interview. A unique and interesting read that I very much enjoyed and I thank you for sharing with us Mina!

Today we have a new interview so please welcome Margaret Bremner. Margaret is a Baha'i and I know you will enjoy her interview as well!

Here Is Margaret Bremner's Introduction:

Margaret Bremner is married with three children, and a temporary dog. She is an artist, illustrator and Certified Zentangle Teacher. After her faith, her family, and her art, nothing is of much import - but those few things encompass a great deal. May peace prevail on earth.

http://www.enthusiasticartist.blogspot.com




1) What religion do you practise?
I have been a member of the Baha'i Faith for almost 40 years.

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 was raised in a Protestant Christian household and became a Baha'i when I was 19. I had always been uncomfortable with the prickliness (or worse) between faith groups, and even among sects of the same faith. I felt they were all really parts of some greater whole. I did not need to give up my belief in Jesus in order to be a Baha'i. In fact, I could not be a Baha'i if I didn't believe in Jesus! (and Muhammad, and Moses, and...)

To become a member of the Baha'i community one must accept Baha'u'llah as God's messenger to this current age. The registration process is a simple one of providing contact information, often on an 'enrollment card'.

3) Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
No, there are no sects or divisions. Baha'is participate in community life according to their time and interest, so you could certainly say that levels of participation vary.

4)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)
Baha'is believe that life goes on after this one. The soul continues its journey without the physical body and we believe that this progress of the soul continues in further stages of existence, each stage being an opportunity to learn and develop.

5) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Each person's soul continues its journey following the death of the physical body. For Baha'is, heaven/paradise is nearness to God, and - conversely - hell is distance from God. We are all at some point on that continuum, constantly making the choice of which direction to move.

6) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I had always felt that there was one God, so there was one religion, right? The divisions we've promoted and accepted were not created by God, they come from our own ignorance and silliness. Things change in the world (we are progressing, after all) and we need updated guidance to accomodate developments in social structures, scientific knowledge, contemporary questions, etc.. So it makes sense to me that from time to time God sends a messenger with teachings more socially appropriate to a particular time and place. When I encountered the Baha'i Faith it became evident that there was a huge group of other people with the same understanding. Woohoo!

7) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
There are 11 holy days in the Baha'i calendar. Nine of these are days on which work should be suspended if at all possible. We comemmorate such things as the birth and the death of Baha'u'llah (the founder of the Baha'i Faith) and the day on which He made the formal, public declaration of His station and mission. The Baha'i new year is celebrated on the first day of spring (March 21).

8) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Absolutely.

9) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Most definitely. I have done so. Friendship and fellowship are essential to understanding, combatting prejudice, and eventually unity.

10) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
Nowhere in the Qu'ran does is say that women must wear a burka, niqab, hijab, or whatever. What it does say is that people should dress modestly. Many in the current western world could take that advice more to heart.

Laws which were useful and appropriate in a nomadic, desert culture are very likely not so in other situations.

11) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
The Baha'i Faith has no clergy, but the administrative system has both elected and appointed positions. Women are eligible in both spheres.

12) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No. An essential teaching of the Baha'i Faith is unity and we work to embody this. There is no segregation along lines of gender, race, age, income level, etc..

13) 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?
It is always in the background of my brain. We have a practice of daily prayer so spirituality is constantly present. The Baha'is have a community meeting every 19 days; being a different schedule from the generally followed calendar it's another reminder. I believe that the teachings of the Baha'i Faith offer truth, so, of course, if I have a question about an issue I'll find out what the Baha'i teachings say about it.

14) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
If my child's choice of a mate is a good, moral, upstanding individual, who accepts the importance of my child's faith to my child, I'm just fine with it.

15) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Baha'is don't subscribe to the Christian concept of Hell. Our souls advance or regress depending on our decisions and actions. I'm sure there are people of other faiths who are better people than I am.

16) 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 want to back the truck up a ways in order to answer this question, and start by saying that there are many holy books in the Baha'i Faith. The most sacred one is the Kitab-i-Aqdas (literally "most holy book"). The opening paragraphs of that book state that a person's first duty is to recognize God's messenger for their time and place, and the second duty is to obey the laws and guidance prescribed by that messenger. We believe Baha'u'llah to be that messenger for this time. So, to me, someone who has accepted Baha'u'llah's station as God's messenger to this age, but who is not making an effort to obey the laws He has brought, is less of a practising Baha'i than those who are making more effort. Of course, none of us is perfect. I like the idea of being a PRACTISING whatever. We need to keep practising until we get it right! :D

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

19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
No.

20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
In many ways, yes, but it's not a situation of "I've joined this, now everything is hunky-dory." It's more a case of, "I've joined this, now I have guidance I trust so I know what to do. It will take effort from everyone, including me, to make it all hunky-dory." It gives me peace of mind because I know I can be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

20) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. This physical existence is but one of many stages in the development of the soul. We progress to the extent that we progress, and then move on.

Hans Hofmann Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Hans Hofmann:

Being inexhaustible, life and nature are a constant stimulus for a creative mind.


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

Alan Alda Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Alan Alda:

Begin challenging your assumptions. Your assumptions are the windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile or the light won't come in.


Have a great day everyone!

Mina

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Nar for her wonderful interview! I very much enjoyed reading your answers and learning more about your faith. Thank you so much for sharing with us all Nar!

Today we have a new interview so please welcome Mina.
Mina is a Pagan and I know you'll enjoy her interview as well!

Here Is Mina's Introduction:


My name is Mina. I am a pagan and solitary green witch. As my blood line is largely Scandinavian, I honor many Nordic/Heathen traditions as well. I am a writer and a lover of the earth as well as all of her inhabitants. I reside in Tennessee with my husband, a dog and 2 cats. I'd love for you to visit my blog, “Green Witch With Sprinkles”, or stop by my monthly column at Pagan Pages, “Gems of the Goddess.” Brightest Blessings.


http://greenwitchwithsprinkles.blogspot.com/
http://paganpages.org

1) What religion do you practice?

I see a difference in religion and spiritual practice. My spiritual path is who I am when I am alone, how I speak to the Divine, and how I feel about the world without the confinements, rules or regulations that have been established outside of myself. I actively practice Green Magic, Paganism and several Heathen traditions

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?
As a child I did not attend a church, nor did my mother or grandmother call themselves pagan. In our home, traditional holidays were always celebrated but natural life (the earth, animals) was always included. For instance, at Christmas we went outdoors as a family to leave various foods for the wildlife; at Easter, our days were filled with the marvels of springtime gifts. We were taught that all actions had a reaction and that what you did mattered, be it positively or negatively. You had to be responsible for your actions.

3) Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
This does not apply to my beliefs

4)Within your religion what degree of observance are you ((ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal) ? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
This does not apply to my beliefs

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)
The afterlife is a vision that I contemplate often and may change my view on any given day. However, what I do tend to always come back to, is the belief that nothing could be more peaceful than to be “home”, to have your “spark” reabsorbed into a protective womb.

6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
It is my opinion that everyone’s soul gets what it needs to be whole, to learn what it lacks, to experience all there is.

7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
It is not stagnant. It grows and expands just as I do as a human. It does not belittle me in any way and never do I feel unworthy.

8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
My main holy days are the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the four seasons. I celebrate with a ritual and family meal unique to that time, and attend events related to the seasons. I do observe all other sabbats as well as cultural holidays. Honestly, there is not a day in life that should not be celebrated.

9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
My friendships are only based on the individual and have no bearing on their chosen spirituality.

10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes, providing it is a respectful and heartfelt ceremony

11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
Everyone should be free to live their lives as they choose, providing they do not cause intentional harm to any other living thing.

12) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
Yes. Gender has no bearing on one’s ability to lead

13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
This does not apply to my beliefs

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 live by my religion and every decision I make must meet my own moral code of honor, justice and integrity.

15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I have no preconceived judgments or intolerances for any other religion so they would have my blessings. I am far more concerned that they choose a mate who honors and loves them as the unique individuals they are.

16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
I don’t believe in hell or the devil, but I do believe there is evil in humanity which is often bred by judgment, intolerance and ignorance.

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?
This does not apply to my beliefs

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

19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Never. My religion lifts and supports me

20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes, when I am able to hush the negative outside voices that trouble me, I can find peace in what I believe is really important in life.

21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
I believe in reincarnation for many reasons but will list two here. First, I cannot tell you how many children I have encountered or heard of other’s conversations with small children that begin with a variation of, “remember when I was big and you were small?” which are then followed up by entire tales of love, tragedy, or both that far surpass the knowledge of the child. Second, given the inequities in life, the flawed nature of humans, and the many conditions of the world, it would take more than one lifetime for a soul to fully experience and learn balance and justice.

Carol Burnett Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Carol Burnett:


When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go.



There'll be a new interview coming up Saturday, so be sure to check back!
Have a great day everyone!

Participants Always Welcome!

Hello and Happy Saturday!

Be sure to have your say on ymr's latest poll!

And ymr is always on the look out for new participants, so if you are interested, just send a note to ymr@bell.net. Would love to hear from you!

Thanks and have a great Saturday everyone!

Henry Ford Quote

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today's quote is brought to you by Henry Ford:


Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.


Have a great day everyone!

Nar

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Red Griffiths-Haynes for her wonderful interview of two weeks ago! I very much enjoyed reading your answers and I thank you for sharing with all of us Red!

Today we have a new interview so please welcome Nar. Nar is a Kitchen Witch and I know you will enjoy her interview as well!

Here Is Nar's Introduction:


I am a teacher, eternal student, and a kitchen witch. I retreat to my kitchen to honor the wheel of the year and to pay respect to Hestia. I'm just a nature-loving, goddess-worshipping woman trying to forge a path to the divine. :)


http://witchininthekitchen.blogspot.com



1) What religion do you practice?
 - I am a nature-worshipping kitchen witch

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 discovered the path of the kitchen witch a few years ago. I started reading and researching Wicca and other earth-based spiritualities when I was in high school. In college, I took a good year-long break from religion of any kind. I just took time to be myself and see what resonated with me. At nineteen, I did a sort of self-dedication to the Divine as I see it. I continue to learn and discover all the time.

3)Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
- Honestly, there are a lot of kitchen witches out there, but we're all pretty different. I'm quite eclectic and really in-the-moment with the things I do. I can't really say if there are any degrees of observance since I see us as more scattered, as opposed to a community.

Now, when I do my kitchen witchin' - honoring Hestia as a hearth goddess - I do tend to cover my head. That's something that may be seen by some as being too strict or weird or whatever.

4)Within your religion what degree of observance are you ((ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal) ? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
- I call myself a priestess of the deities of the hearth. There might be other people out there using that title, but as far as I know, I'm the only one.

I'm fairly liberal in ideas and practices, I suppose.

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)
- I believe that reincarnation is a possibility, but I don't know if it happens to us all, or how long the resting period is. I imagine it varies greatly from entity to entity.

I've heard some lovely names for that resting place - The Summerlands, Avalon, the Isle of Apples - but I don't really have a name for it.

I don't believe that we get punished after we die. Well, maybe if you're Hitler...

I don't think we're necessarily rewarded after we die, either. I think it's more important to concentrate on the existence we have now, and make the best of it, and try to make it better for others, too.

6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
- I couldn't say. If I've ever been there, I don't remember it. It's not up to me to decide, anyway. No matter what I think of a person, how good or how foul, I'm not the one looking into their hearts and weighing their hearts.

I really like the image of Maat with the scales and the feather. I am trying to be light as a feather, but my human emotions and opinions get in the way sometimes.

7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
- It's a good fit for me because it is me. It's the way I feel about the divine, and nature, and the wheel of the year. It incorporates things I love - creativity, feeding people, etc.

8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I more or less observe the eight sabbats that many other Pagans and Wiccans observe. I don't do an elaborate ritual for each of them, but I do try to make a special, seasonal meal and take some time to reflect upon the wheel of the year.

9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
- I have friends from many different faiths. We get along because we realize that one's path to god is personal. It's not something we all have to do in the same way.

10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
- I would. I was actually raised Methodist and have attended a Catholic mass or two. There are a lot of different celebrations I would like to experience. I'd be interested in Diwali, for example, or possibly celebrating an important Jewish holiday if I had the opportunity. Even if it isn't my personal belief, I would still like to see how others celebrate days that are important to them. I'd also enjoy the opportunity to learn more about why that day is important.

11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
- This is a pretty hot topic. I cover my head for spiritual reasons (not all the time), but it's my choice. I do not believe in enforcing my versions of modesty, for example, on others. However, there is more to it than that, and as I do not know all of the history behind it, I shall refrain from commenting further.

12) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
- Absolutely.

13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
- No, there is no segregation. My place of worship is my hearth, and all are welcome.

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?
- My spiritual beliefs help guide me. They do not exist to guide other people.

Personally, I am pro-choice and I don't think gay marriage should be an issue because it is just marriage. That's it. There is no gay marriage, no straight marriage. It's marriage, period, and who the hell am I (or who the hell is anybody, for that matter), to decide that for someone else?

15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
- That's entirely up to my child. I have no children right now, but if I ever do, I don't even know how I would approach spirituality.

16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
- I don't think there is a place of eternal torment.

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?
- My mother always told me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything."

18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
- No, I don't believe so. Someone stole a plant off my porch once, but I don't think it was a hate crime. S/he probably saw the mugwort and thought it was weed or something. I don't go around shouting "I'm PAGAN!!!" from the rooftops because it's my personal business, so most people who know me have no idea what I believe anyway.

19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
- If it did, I wouldn't practice it. That's why I'm not a Methodist anymore.

20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
- See above

21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
- I do. I believe in it because I believe I have been here before. When I was very young, younger than three, I told my parents the story of a boy who had lived nearby and drowned. My parents were able to confirm the story of a 9-year-old boy with the name I had given them, and he had drowned in a creek in the 1930s. My granny cleaned and pressed the suit he was buried in. How could I have known these things? Anything is possible.