(Easter) Our traditions make us human...

[handmade34]

..our lack of respect for others' traditions makes us barbarian. I am in a hotel in San Jose right now and there has been a very anguish filled /somber/ joyous celebration going on across the hall in the 'conference room' for the past three days- thankfully Jesus arose today and it was much cheerier! Friday was awful.

I have been sitting here trying to do my work and reflecting on this stuff we call religion. I grew up in a 'Christian' home and was witness and party to all the regular Christian traditions -and some not so regular. I left home and joined an Ashram. I went to see Kathryn Kuhlman, a faith healer. I moved to Vermont and spent time at Milarepa and Kharme Choling, two Buddist Monestaries in Barnet,Vermont. I spent a year in Seminary in Boston. In between, I went to a Native American Sweat Lodge, studied with Dr. John Christopher (still do my cayenne pepper every day), attended synagogue, lived in the village where the American Society of Dowsers is located, and on.... One of my more memorable experiences was listening to Joseph Campbell (sorry I never met him in person) and hearing him talk of the need for a 'new' story. (science)
It is well overtime for that new Story. Traditions and ritual give us meaning and make us human, not bad things. It is the dogma and fundamentalism that turn it bad. I see signs that the time is coming.

[geckosfeet]

1. Joseph Campbell is one of my 'heroes'. Bill Moyers did a nice documentary with him before he died.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Poor, poor downtrodden christians. Always at war with the barbarians.

:rofl:

You guys crack me up.

[handmade34]

4. my experience is that most Christians are barbarians

[BlooInBloo]

6. Yup. Their traditions can rot. I also don't like their tradition of not allowing gay folks to marry.

Or their tradition of working with Nazis.

Or their tradition of wiping out Native Americans.

Or their tradition of diddling young altar boys.

Fuck their traditions. If they're the alternative, then call me a fucking barbarian.

[Oregone]

3. But aren't barbarians human too?

:)

Our lack of respect for barbarians makes us Neanderthals

[handmade34]

5. Oh... you're right

poor choice of words