(no subject)
From Nick:
"The commodification of religion is interesting to me, at least in part because so many people insist that it doesn't happen. I remember a polite-on-the-surface conversation I had where I spoke of people as consumers of religion. There was a complete disconnect. The person I was speaking too kept on trying to find the way that I was denigrating the spirit, and I kept on insisting that spiritual experiences are just as real as any other, and that people judge churches on a variety of factors, including their sense of spiritual wellness. I think she was worried I was sneaking the money-changers into the temple. Ironically, the next thing that came up was the placing of the cross, the fish, and "Christian-owned" on various businesses, and how I thought that was actively satanic, and how Jesus would have kicked those people's asses. But people don't want to see "religious" actions as "economic" ones. I'm not fully sure why. Is it because the typical goal of religion is to transcend this totally lame physical dross, including the seeking of filthy lucre?
I suddenly remember how shocked I was when Kara told me that "Bodies were gross." How could she think that and remain sane? How could she ever be physically close to anyone, love anyone, love herself? We think different things at different times, I suppose, but reaction to grossness isn't useful. Reverend Mother Mohiam said a true human being can override pain out of rationally recognized necessity. Pain is there to tell the animals what to do, while humans can recognize and weigh dangers and risks with their minds. How much more a sense of revulsion? If something constitutes a genuine risk to your health or appearance, then simply avoid it, and don't waste your energy on being disgusted. How much more so when it isn't an actual health risk, when you can't possibly avoid it, when it's you that you are disgusted by.
Truths that deny the body aren't true. Truths that conveniently ignore the needs and actions of the body are hypocritical.”
"The commodification of religion is interesting to me, at least in part because so many people insist that it doesn't happen. I remember a polite-on-the-surface conversation I had where I spoke of people as consumers of religion. There was a complete disconnect. The person I was speaking too kept on trying to find the way that I was denigrating the spirit, and I kept on insisting that spiritual experiences are just as real as any other, and that people judge churches on a variety of factors, including their sense of spiritual wellness. I think she was worried I was sneaking the money-changers into the temple. Ironically, the next thing that came up was the placing of the cross, the fish, and "Christian-owned" on various businesses, and how I thought that was actively satanic, and how Jesus would have kicked those people's asses. But people don't want to see "religious" actions as "economic" ones. I'm not fully sure why. Is it because the typical goal of religion is to transcend this totally lame physical dross, including the seeking of filthy lucre?
I suddenly remember how shocked I was when Kara told me that "Bodies were gross." How could she think that and remain sane? How could she ever be physically close to anyone, love anyone, love herself? We think different things at different times, I suppose, but reaction to grossness isn't useful. Reverend Mother Mohiam said a true human being can override pain out of rationally recognized necessity. Pain is there to tell the animals what to do, while humans can recognize and weigh dangers and risks with their minds. How much more a sense of revulsion? If something constitutes a genuine risk to your health or appearance, then simply avoid it, and don't waste your energy on being disgusted. How much more so when it isn't an actual health risk, when you can't possibly avoid it, when it's you that you are disgusted by.
Truths that deny the body aren't true. Truths that conveniently ignore the needs and actions of the body are hypocritical.”