Sci Fi Girl

[Guest guest]

Namaste

 

if i could ask Amma a question it would be. . . " Amma how do i and your

children not turn You and your message into another Fundamentalism?. . .

 

last week i read an interesting entry in Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes blog

that supplied me with information to ponder deeply and perhaps it dances

on the edges of what i am trying to unpeel because of the discussions. .

..Please know it is not about sides. . .but rather more about my own

questions and the tendency of the egoic to set legalistic standards for

other people based on beliefs rather than right relationship. .

..Please hear i am not saying that anyone else is attempting to do this.

.. .but when i hear the suggestion to censor these are the questions that

come forth. . .i am attempting an ongoing unpeel so i will not become

engaged in creating the soil that fundamentalism can spring up from. . .

that is one of my biggest fears to turn Amma into belief that tries to

regulate other people and how they express their Beingness as they

journey on towards Amma. . .rather than Beingness of the true Self that

we are attempting to realize. . .i still cry over an incident that

happened in India a few years ago when the love and fervor for Amma

perhaps turned briefly into an idolatry that lead to violence. . .

maybe i am wrong but have wondered if anytime mean spiritedness and

violence appears in religions is it not an indication of idolatry

rather than breath from the living God/dess?. . . .

 

I think Amma would say. . . love and serve. . . .love and serve. . .

..and love and serve. . . but for me there are often processes of peeling

in order to reside within the message of Her life. . . .

 

This is the entry and comment i shared with Dr. E. . . .not so much the

issue of Prop 8 but the ongoing dueling of the opposites. . .

 

Poli-Sci (Fi) Girl: On Gays and Marriage by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola

Estes blog on a Catholic site. . .( She is using an Sci Fi story in

order to make a comment about legalism. . .)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" In our galaxy, there is a place known as Brool-Yi, sometimes spelled

Broolyi, also called The Isle of Peace.

 

There, they have automated priests and ministers made of wax, ala Madame

Tussaud, who whir out of church portals built somewhat like cuckoo

clocks.

 

These reverend-puppets perform all sanctioned services for the masses,

including sanctioned marriage.

 

This came about in Broolyi, in part, because multiple interpretations

and exegeses of church law and writings by various priests and ministers

caused disagreement amongst the ranks of clergy and church

hierarchies….so the Broolyians decided to do away with heroic

human thought and feeling, and automate religion instead.

 

Thus, in Broolyi, Isle of Peace, all the churches, temples and other

places of Godness, are run by humanoid machines dressed in

vestments… all manufactured at an authorized ‘automated

religion factory.’

 

Meanwhile, on planet Earth, one wonders, are some who are concerned with

these matters of clerical uniformity of thought, considering the

same?… importing from the ‘automated religion

factory,’ standardized wax clerics who will only follow the

diagrams soldered into their copper and wire innards….

 

PoliSci(Fi) Girl cannot claim to understand all these matters, perhaps

because she’s just passed the van Allen Belt, but perhaps more

so, from lack of large enough mind to comprehend all the complex customs

of earth beings… yet, just as one small mind whirling through the

galaxy, I wonder as I wander…

 

Wouldn’t such services, such as marriages by rote, not dehumanize

all and any who marry under such automated rather than living, ever

expanding philosophy?

 

Wouldn’t it be more Imitatio Cristi, for instance, to base the

blessing of marriage on the inclusions of the earthlings’ God of

Love, rather than on the minds of mere men? Or lack of minds in

automatons?

 

Just asking.

 

___________

CODA

1. The Broolyians are written about by Sweven Godfrey in 1901 after one

of the obviously clearest circumnavigations of odd outposts in our

galaxy. His story was entitled Riallaro, The Archipelago of Exiles.

 

2. See too, this article today at TMV by Joe Windish: Urgent Call: Prop

8 in CA; Marriage Myths and Historical Facts

<http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/california/23970/urgent-call-prop-\

8-in-ca-marriage-myths-and-historical-facts/>

 

3. My views on Prop 8 in Calif, were shaped by being an activist on

resisting Amendment 2 here in the Rockies, which passed and was declared

finally, unconstitutional. Amendment 2 was also sponsored by a religious

group. It attempted to exclude GLBT people from equal rights under the

law.

If you’d like to know more about how I was involved with helping

to fight Amendment 2 in the 1990s, (along with thousands of other good

souls) you can go here and read the story… “Not a witch

hunt †" a treasure hunt: GLTB personsâ€

<http://ncrcafe.org/node/1864>

 

 

 

below is my comment to Dr. E.

 

 

so agree with you on the prop 8. . .for me it is an attempt for a

constitutional amendment that would protect the right to discriminate by

fundamental christianity. . .with issues of separation of church and

state and equal protection for the GLTB persons. . .

 

But once again when i read your article. . . am left with a question

that this psyche has attempted to peel for years. . . It seems for the

GLTB person this issue has to do with tolerance, love, equality and

equanimity. . . whereas when i listen to the Religious Right stance on

this and many social isses. . . am taken back by the " WAR " language as

to how they confront the many social issues. . . it is like for the

Religious Right prop 8 and part of the War of Armageddon war with the

attempt to censor and renouce that which they oppose. . . So many times

i struggle to hear the issues because of the language that is used. . .

 

Here is an example: Charles Colson from Charisma magazine. . . " ALL is

at stake here. . . This is where if we LOSE, it would be VERY HARD to

TURN THE SHIP right again. . . if we WIN, we might start rolling back

the OTHER side. . . This is a MAJOR, MAJOR STRUGGLE, and we should SPARE

NOTHING in DEFENDING marriage the way every civilization has, as the

union of one man and one woman joined together in one flesh, as we

believe in the SCRIPTURE in order to PROCREATE. . . "

 

Why the War language DR. E.?. . . .

 

I am once again left with the question. . . What is going on in the

psyche of the Religious R ight that the language of war is utilized in

the opposition of others that do not follow the dictates of their

perceived interpretation of religious belief?

 

These are two pieces my mind often brings up when this question is

pondered ?. . . .

 

The first comes from a mentor from Denver. . . .a Dr. C Kenner. . . near

twenty years ago, heard him say, " The inability to withstand ambiguity

leads to splitting. " . . . i have found that sentence to contain powerful

healing in the deepest of places. . .

 

.. . . .Dr. E. i can understand the need for SCI-FI in the attempt to

supply frame . . . I have a base belief that if i can understand a

person or situation then there is an opening for compassion. . . have

wanted to honor, understand and feel compassion for the Religious Right

.. . . The following story is where i find a soft spot where

understanding can open to compassion. . .

 

" Jackie was the youngest son of four boys. He was a raised on a Texas

ranch and the only life he knew was Cowboy. . . .When Jackie was five

years old his Mom decided it was time for Jackie to go to Sunday School

for the first time. . . it was Easter Sunday. . . .Jackie was a big

little kid. . .and he loved everything Hoss Cartwright. . . he dressed

like Hoss with the big ten gallon hat, scarf, and cowboy boots. . . The

only way little Jackie would go to Sunday School was if he got to wear

his boots and hat. . .

 

This is the account of the event as told by his Sunday School teacher,

Melba. . . .little Jackie came in and she asked him if he wanted to take

his hat off. . . Jackie decline and said, " No, i have to wear my hat. " .

.. . .He sat down in the little pre-school chair and was really quite. .

.. Melba began the lesson. . .She told the story of the crucifixion. . .

..how Jesus was beaten. . . how he had to carry the cross and people made

fun of him. . .how his hands where nailed to the cross. . . then his

feet. . .how a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus head. . . and how

Jesus was given vinegar when he wanted a drink of water. . . at this

place Melba looks at Jackie and notices the huge tears that are running

down his cheeks. . . .Melba asked, " Jackie what is the matter with you?

" . . . .Jackie then took off his hat and held it over his heart. .

..(the way Cowboys do at funerals to show respect and sorrow ) . . . then

he wiped the tears from his face. . .then said, " Those God Damn Son of

Bitches would not of done that if Roy Rogers would of been there. "

 

Cousin Jackie grew up to be a big Texas lawman that continues to notch

his gun handle each time he draws fire. . . .Little Jackie at five only

knew there where " good guys " and " bad guys " and i have wondered if the

Crucifixion narrative is too much for little psyches?. . . .Is the

protection and defense of Religious Right, that cast good guys and bad

guys a split from the inability to withstand the ambiguity of the

message of the Cross?. . . What is it that causes so many to feel and

then act in violence in order to " Protect " their God. . . When i heard

the War language of the Religious Right i see little Jackie and then

feel compassion. . . and then can listen from a different place. .

..Does any of this make sense Dr. E?. . .

 

 

 

comment from Dr.E. . . .

 

 

To my mind, you're making sense dear river, and I think your question is

a worthy one.

 

Re chronic war metaphors used by some Christians: I would suggest

looking a bit more into some of the less savory history of Christianity,

the Crusades in particular where a height of 'religious war' language

was elevated as though it was given by Creator. I don't believe it was.

And, I dont believe it is now. I'd look too at, say, Bernal Diaz'

diary... a conquistador who wrote about the Conquest of Mexico in terms

of glory of God, when in fact it was greed for land, slaves, money,

fame, women, and fabulous riches to plunder and steal. In other words

their God had an L in it: GOLD

 

I think the language legacy handed down by those very long campaigns,

and others, has barely been examined in our times... in part because

there would be a ton of apologizing to do and shameful confessions over

matters that were anything but Xrist-like... and 'the hand me down'

language from those long ago times continues.

 

Some of the early church 'fathers' also wrote of Satan as the Chieftain

of the armies of demons and etc. I am not sure that given the state of

constant incursions and conquests and slaughters between tribes of long

ago, that people who wrote the histories /inspired words then had much

other language, besides that of murder and mayhem, to express

themselves.

 

Perhaps paucity of language and a paucity of experience of meeting/

seeing G!d --which changes a person and leaves them for a time not

knowing Anything, but to wander around half out of one's mind-- is why

the language of war in our times sometimes continues to be tired and

dull. lol. Viz: For instance, stories of Moses and his contacts with

Yahweh gives us some idea of the disorganization of the ego and the

re-seating of the soul after meeting the Ineffable.

 

I liked the story you put here. The profound mystery of the passion and

resurrection is perhaps, for many, only understood at whatever depth one

usually thinks about life in general. Some seem to have understandings

beyond not only the literal and rote, but in a range of visceral contact

with the Divine...cheek to cheek experiences, such as Franscis of Assisi

wrote about... ones that cannot report in common language; such a person

has often to move to poetry or music because the experienced phenomena

is representable in ego's language.

 

Also, the archetype of destruction, being saved by magical means, facing

the demon, the imperfection of the hero/ heroine, the helping creatures

and communities that the protagonist meets along the way; the

protagonist's own demons etc., the great and ever more inclusive heart

of the hero/ heroine, the sorrow of the hero/ heroine about their own

failings, being loved by a force greater despite all foibles... all

these are probably the far richer leitmotifs that underlie the language

of 'war only,' ...as though some have broken the archetype and only

fondled and characterized 'war' as some small part of a far greater

idea.

 

There is a reason why many persons understand Lord of the Rings

innately. It is not only a 'war' story. Not only about demons. But quest

for consciousness, to know oneself and one's place in the mundane and

divine worlds; a meeting of the mundane world in finding nourishment and

shelter and like companions, but also seeking to master some of the

mysteries.

 

this is just my two cents worth. And I am glad you can see the parallels

between how I am writing about politics and culture--- and science

fiction and fantasy stories. I am ever wowed by human imagination; so so

rich in ways that can bring so much good...

 

" have wanted to honor, understand and feel compassion for the Religious

Right " ... Good, and agreed. I join you in this river. I row toward this

with 'all sides' as much as i can, for there are many sides, not just

two. Many. I'd also add to your good intent, 'speak to, talk to with

respect, learn about, bless what can be blessed, even if all cannot

agree...'

 

dr.e, who cannot spell