Attention: You are about to read a rant.
My husband brought a news story to my attention this evening. The story announced that Muslims fire-bombed the offices of a satirical newspaper in Paris because of a drawing of Muhammad. I immediately began to question what happened. Was it really "Muslims" who did this as the story he paraphrased indicated... or was it unknown who took this violent action? While it is commonly characterized in our post-9/11 world that Muslims are violent, and make no compromises about their faith. But I think the more violent, disruptive groups of people always get more attention than they deserve. Within Christianity we don't hear news about moderates who are leading welcoming communities and ordaining GLBT persons as ministers. Instead we hear about suicides, molestation and murder. I detest that most of the media we encounter keeps affirming these stories rather than the ones I know to be true.
So...Why do some people keep drawing provocative pictures of the Prophet and why do some other people keep responding in violence?
Why are we not having conversations about this with real Muslims, not fundamentalists or whomever responded to these depictions?
Here's the most informative article. It shows two French Muslims speaking out criticizing both the actions of Charlie Hebdo as well as the violent attack. These are the people that should be highlighted in this debate. Western world-- these are what rational Muslims look like! Pay attention.
Is the "right to mock" greater than someone's religious freedom? I know this is a sensitive issue involving free speech but that doesn't cover this issue adequately enough for me. I have had conversations with Muslims that take the depiction of Muhammad seriously and There was a time not too long ago that religion was bound up in culture, politics, and every facet of life. Some of us who attempt to live our faith in the modern world act daily in ways that our religions affirm.
As a Unitarian Universalist I believe respecting the interdependent web of life of which we are all a part. What hurts my neighbor impacts me. On a larger scale, to see two neighbors (a satirical newspaper and a radical group) hurt one another disappoints me greatly. I hope that examples like this news story can begin more interfaith conversations and eventually understanding. Because what we need more of is human connection which occurs in relationships between two people whose aim is to create a more respectful, less violent world.
p.s. Sorry it has been a year since my last post. I hope to re-start this blog now that I am on my seminary journey. We shall see.
08 November 2011
11 November 2010
Taking deep breathes
There's something to be said for yoga. While I've never been able to stick to it, as a routine, it always seems to replenish me when I do it. After what seems like I long week, I need reminding to focus on my breathe and stay present in the moment. Sometimes that means noticing the pain in my shoulder or exhaling all the tension in my body OR just being at peace with myself in the current state I am in, not wanting to do, rush, perform, etc.
This all reminds me of a song we sang at my multi-faith internship this summer. It was very simple but I find myself singing it or thinking it and humming while I walk. "When I breathe in, I breathe in peace. And when I breathe out, I breathe out love". Singing this brings me back to where I am supposed to be. You can't sing this song and be upset, or worried about the future, or distracted by the internet. You can only sing this with your whole heart.
So, whatever song inspires you or whatever exercise brings you peace of mind and keeps you rooted in the present, savor it.
Blessings on the journey,
G
This all reminds me of a song we sang at my multi-faith internship this summer. It was very simple but I find myself singing it or thinking it and humming while I walk. "When I breathe in, I breathe in peace. And when I breathe out, I breathe out love". Singing this brings me back to where I am supposed to be. You can't sing this song and be upset, or worried about the future, or distracted by the internet. You can only sing this with your whole heart.
So, whatever song inspires you or whatever exercise brings you peace of mind and keeps you rooted in the present, savor it.
Blessings on the journey,
G
06 November 2010
Reel Nonviolence: How to Train Your Dragon
Stayed in with my family tonight, a luxury since my brother is in town visiting to celebrate my engagement. After a whirlwind party out in the 'burbs we settled in with a movie on the couch "How to Train Your Dragon". I was excited for an entertaining cartoon, but had little expectations for a take-home message. Boy, was I wrong.
This popular kids' movie really addressed violence and fear of the unknown in a moving and meaningful way. Instead of killing a never-before-seen, deadly species of dragon, a young scrawny (read: brainy) viking assists the wounded animal back to recovery, discovering friendship along the way. He had opportunity to kill the dragon and would not go through with it because he saw some of himself in what his village determined the most dangerous of beasts. In what most people feared, he recognized his own vulnerability as well as the dragon's. He takes time to get to know his enemy and make him his friend, an important message preached by most prophets and religious traditions. Amen to preaching not only nonviolence but loving your neighbor as yourself.
I am not a film critic, nor will I ever attempt to be, but I do recognize a meaningful movie when I see one. While most films condone the vigilante killing for justice, protecting the innocent, destroying the unknown, this movie reveals the mask of redemptive violence and refuses to take part (as well as entertain with funny viking caricatures). My thanks go to the original writer of the book series that spurred this film, Cressida Cowell and the wonderfully imaginative screenwriter who transformed Ms. Cowell's ideas in this film, William Davies, and writer/directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.
This popular kids' movie really addressed violence and fear of the unknown in a moving and meaningful way. Instead of killing a never-before-seen, deadly species of dragon, a young scrawny (read: brainy) viking assists the wounded animal back to recovery, discovering friendship along the way. He had opportunity to kill the dragon and would not go through with it because he saw some of himself in what his village determined the most dangerous of beasts. In what most people feared, he recognized his own vulnerability as well as the dragon's. He takes time to get to know his enemy and make him his friend, an important message preached by most prophets and religious traditions. Amen to preaching not only nonviolence but loving your neighbor as yourself.
I am not a film critic, nor will I ever attempt to be, but I do recognize a meaningful movie when I see one. While most films condone the vigilante killing for justice, protecting the innocent, destroying the unknown, this movie reveals the mask of redemptive violence and refuses to take part (as well as entertain with funny viking caricatures). My thanks go to the original writer of the book series that spurred this film, Cressida Cowell and the wonderfully imaginative screenwriter who transformed Ms. Cowell's ideas in this film, William Davies, and writer/directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.
26 October 2010
How to really restore sanity
Let's start out by saying that I am one of Jon Stewart's biggest fans. He's been hosting his satiric news show since I was 16. I am thankful for his almost nightly contribution to the otherwise boring new circuit. But now he's going where no comedian has gone before, hosting a national rally. I remember when folks were wearing those "Stewart Colbert '08" shirts a few years back and now I'm sure they will be re-surfacing.
As much as we need to restore sanity in this country, a rally of liberals (myself included) is not the solution. We're doing something quite similar to what Glenn Beck and his group did, minus a lot of religious overtones. We're separating ourselves from the "other side". And further division is NOT what this country needs to solve its problems.
What this country really needs is dialogue. We need to see the humanness in one another. It's time to grab coffee with that person in your office who supported George W. Bush or who watches Fox News and have a conversation. Let a person you don't agree with share his/her story while you share yours. While we're at it, let's conquer our fear of the unknown. If you're skeptical of Muslims, go to a mosque and talk to one. If you're not sure about what it mean to be GLBT, find a friend who is or knows someone who is and be open to hearing that story.
We're in two wars and serious debt. The problems of our food system, poverty and education will only continue to prevail if we remain divided. There are systems in this country that have "fallen", as Walter Wink puts it, from their good natures (corporations, banks, the government). It is our job as Americans together (from many different backgrounds of faith, gender, race, origin) to unmask the bad things going on so that we can confront them as a nation. If we remain divided into extreme parties on either side, everyone loses. We must come together through conversation to grow into a health nation once again.
To all you head down to the rally here in DC this weekend, please bring an open mind. Don't just hang out with all you liberal friends, but engage with whomever who deem the opposite side.
As much as we need to restore sanity in this country, a rally of liberals (myself included) is not the solution. We're doing something quite similar to what Glenn Beck and his group did, minus a lot of religious overtones. We're separating ourselves from the "other side". And further division is NOT what this country needs to solve its problems.
What this country really needs is dialogue. We need to see the humanness in one another. It's time to grab coffee with that person in your office who supported George W. Bush or who watches Fox News and have a conversation. Let a person you don't agree with share his/her story while you share yours. While we're at it, let's conquer our fear of the unknown. If you're skeptical of Muslims, go to a mosque and talk to one. If you're not sure about what it mean to be GLBT, find a friend who is or knows someone who is and be open to hearing that story.
We're in two wars and serious debt. The problems of our food system, poverty and education will only continue to prevail if we remain divided. There are systems in this country that have "fallen", as Walter Wink puts it, from their good natures (corporations, banks, the government). It is our job as Americans together (from many different backgrounds of faith, gender, race, origin) to unmask the bad things going on so that we can confront them as a nation. If we remain divided into extreme parties on either side, everyone loses. We must come together through conversation to grow into a health nation once again.
To all you head down to the rally here in DC this weekend, please bring an open mind. Don't just hang out with all you liberal friends, but engage with whomever who deem the opposite side.
23 October 2010
I'm back
Only two and a half months between blog posts, not horrible. I've definitely gone years before. But let's get down to business.
My current life, consisting of two jobs, one class, a wedding to plan, and grad school applications, may seem like chaos but I am slowly harnessing it. I've started working on my applications which for a while were gnawing at me. I thought my avoidance of them meant that I was scared to to go to seminary or that I lacked the confidence to move forward with my plans. I have decided that those assumptions are incorrect. Yes, going to grad school is a big step but I've taken this year "off" to thoroughly explore my options. And I am doing a good job of that so I shouldn't be fearful. All of the schools I am applying to are awesome and I would be happy to get a great education at any one of them.
The wedding plans are also coming along nicely. We've secured our venue and put some effort into an informative webpage. Yes, I worry that it will be a peculiarly cold or undeterminably hot April 16th, but I am praying about it. I do not worry about my partnership ahead with my husband-to-be. I am secure in knowing that our union is and will continue to be strong.
The jobs, one paid and one not, are alright. My unpaid internship lets me work in a great field with wonderful people, all while in a cubicle. I'm not a fan of the latter. But I am grateful to be exposed to new things and people along this part of my journey and know that it will help me in the long run. Job two, busting my butt at a restaurant for minimum wage, is wearing on me. I am leaving that job in the near future to return to the happy and lucrative world of childcare, inshallah.
My class on urban ministry fascinates me. We discuss real issues about where "evil" comes from and how it exists in our cities today and what can we as religious leaders do to address it. My fellow students come from a variety of backgrounds, theologically and socially. I am the only Unitarian in the class which makes things especially interesting when we talk about the nature of God and Christ. My faith strays from the prescribed Christian views. My idea of God is vast, unknowable, and ever-expanding. It became interesting that at the end of class this week I came out with my beliefs. While it is incredibly intimidating telling a group of Christians that while Jesus rocks, he's not my savior, I am happy I stepped forward a bit. I think it was good for my personal/spiritual development to be true to myself out loud in mixed company. Bottom line is that I plan on doing it again and making my voice known.
That's all that's fit to print this morning. Enjoy the weekend. I promise it won't be another ten weeks without another post.
Grace
My current life, consisting of two jobs, one class, a wedding to plan, and grad school applications, may seem like chaos but I am slowly harnessing it. I've started working on my applications which for a while were gnawing at me. I thought my avoidance of them meant that I was scared to to go to seminary or that I lacked the confidence to move forward with my plans. I have decided that those assumptions are incorrect. Yes, going to grad school is a big step but I've taken this year "off" to thoroughly explore my options. And I am doing a good job of that so I shouldn't be fearful. All of the schools I am applying to are awesome and I would be happy to get a great education at any one of them.
The wedding plans are also coming along nicely. We've secured our venue and put some effort into an informative webpage. Yes, I worry that it will be a peculiarly cold or undeterminably hot April 16th, but I am praying about it. I do not worry about my partnership ahead with my husband-to-be. I am secure in knowing that our union is and will continue to be strong.
The jobs, one paid and one not, are alright. My unpaid internship lets me work in a great field with wonderful people, all while in a cubicle. I'm not a fan of the latter. But I am grateful to be exposed to new things and people along this part of my journey and know that it will help me in the long run. Job two, busting my butt at a restaurant for minimum wage, is wearing on me. I am leaving that job in the near future to return to the happy and lucrative world of childcare, inshallah.
My class on urban ministry fascinates me. We discuss real issues about where "evil" comes from and how it exists in our cities today and what can we as religious leaders do to address it. My fellow students come from a variety of backgrounds, theologically and socially. I am the only Unitarian in the class which makes things especially interesting when we talk about the nature of God and Christ. My faith strays from the prescribed Christian views. My idea of God is vast, unknowable, and ever-expanding. It became interesting that at the end of class this week I came out with my beliefs. While it is incredibly intimidating telling a group of Christians that while Jesus rocks, he's not my savior, I am happy I stepped forward a bit. I think it was good for my personal/spiritual development to be true to myself out loud in mixed company. Bottom line is that I plan on doing it again and making my voice known.
That's all that's fit to print this morning. Enjoy the weekend. I promise it won't be another ten weeks without another post.
Grace
31 July 2010
Shabbat Shalom/Final Day
I think what I will miss the most about my multi-faith community is our shabbat service. Each Friday evening, as the sun begins to set we gather together in our home. Each week has brought new challenges, overwhelming information, self discovery and doubt and beyond. But no matter what happens each week, we gather together to think of a more perfect world.
This is not an easy practice. A week ago we visited a maximum security prison. As we shared this space with incarcerated men, their stories and poems unearthed emotion in us all. We reflected on the brokenness of our society and the injustices of the prison system. Coming home that night we started our shabbat service with troubled hearts and minds. How could our country be so entrenched in wrong doing? How do we reconcile the good we seek to do with the bad systems holding justice back? But I was reminded as we began to sing in Hebrew that life is not perfect. Shabbat is not living perfection, but a reflection of our earnest attempts to ameliorate society. Yes, we may be bogged down by injustice, weary and cynical at times, but shabbat reminds us to rest and take care of ourselves so that we may continue our journeys.
Yesterday, shabbat reminded me that the world is what I make of it. I can dream big dreams of what I want the world to look like. In Genesis, the creation story tells us that God created the world in six days and on the seventh day God rested because the world was good. Whether you believe this story is literal or not bears no importance. God saw the world as wonderful after six days of work and God rested. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that there is ever a time to rest because our world is so full of suffering. But shabbat has taught me that rest gives us the chance to break from the ruckus of our weekly work and return to envisioning a more perfect world.
During my last night's shabbat I was not sad about leaving my multi-faith community but inspired to bring shabbat home with me to my own community. Maybe I won't know the tune to every Hebrew song and prayer, but I can rest assured that my intention will remain pure-- to rest, pray, dream and act. Shabbat shalom.
This is not an easy practice. A week ago we visited a maximum security prison. As we shared this space with incarcerated men, their stories and poems unearthed emotion in us all. We reflected on the brokenness of our society and the injustices of the prison system. Coming home that night we started our shabbat service with troubled hearts and minds. How could our country be so entrenched in wrong doing? How do we reconcile the good we seek to do with the bad systems holding justice back? But I was reminded as we began to sing in Hebrew that life is not perfect. Shabbat is not living perfection, but a reflection of our earnest attempts to ameliorate society. Yes, we may be bogged down by injustice, weary and cynical at times, but shabbat reminds us to rest and take care of ourselves so that we may continue our journeys.
Yesterday, shabbat reminded me that the world is what I make of it. I can dream big dreams of what I want the world to look like. In Genesis, the creation story tells us that God created the world in six days and on the seventh day God rested because the world was good. Whether you believe this story is literal or not bears no importance. God saw the world as wonderful after six days of work and God rested. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that there is ever a time to rest because our world is so full of suffering. But shabbat has taught me that rest gives us the chance to break from the ruckus of our weekly work and return to envisioning a more perfect world.
During my last night's shabbat I was not sad about leaving my multi-faith community but inspired to bring shabbat home with me to my own community. Maybe I won't know the tune to every Hebrew song and prayer, but I can rest assured that my intention will remain pure-- to rest, pray, dream and act. Shabbat shalom.
13 July 2010
Day 7
I am surround by beautiful people and beautiful creation. Feeling very blessed to be where I am right now. It's exactly where I am supposed to be. People here aren't afraid to ask big questions, like "What do you think God is?". It's like candy for my spirit. To say that engaging in these topics excites me is an understatement. I am wowed by how many chances I get here to define and refine my personal faith and the mystical force out there in the universe.
We broke ground on our 30' x 50' plot today, turning a piece of a field into a brand new garden (or "gan" in Hebrew). We were only digging for about 45 minutes but many of us felt exhausted afterwards. Tomorrow's work session will be a lot longer with hopefully a lot more progress. The ground we dug today was dry and verrrrry tough but the combination of rain and sprinkler on the field now should really help.
Connecting to the earth and sweating because of working with soil is a wonderful feeling. We should all do it more often. Amen.
We broke ground on our 30' x 50' plot today, turning a piece of a field into a brand new garden (or "gan" in Hebrew). We were only digging for about 45 minutes but many of us felt exhausted afterwards. Tomorrow's work session will be a lot longer with hopefully a lot more progress. The ground we dug today was dry and verrrrry tough but the combination of rain and sprinkler on the field now should really help.
Connecting to the earth and sweating because of working with soil is a wonderful feeling. We should all do it more often. Amen.
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