07-06-2010, 04:27 PM
...from now on I guess I just open the door and let the dog express my opinion of organized religion and its narrow minded bigots...
Certainly do feel this way from time to time myself, but I think in the long run there are better results from inviting them in and having a conversation whenever I can afford the time to do so. Especially when there is a talkative older missionary with one or two quiet missionaries-in-training in tow, it seems to make a difference. The older one usually has him or herself so totally brainwashed that absolutely nothing will prompt any thoughtful reflection, but sometimes not so with the younger folks. They seem to listen on with heightened interest as my partner and kids are introduced and we all chat a bit. If my relationship and family is a threat to theirs or anyone else's then it is just a fantastic reach across thousands of years and several continents to dredge up some mistranslated bible quotes to justify the bizarre assertion, as is clearly obvious when we are all sitting there together sipping tea together.
There are times when one is being set upon and disenfranchised that slamming doors in faces, setting the dogs on 'em, shouting, and hitting back may be the appropriate response but for most average day to day encounters and interactions in the community I think in the long run we are better off to treat the missionaries better than they treat us. Most people --missionaries included-- have a core of common sense and basic decency down underneath the religious nonsense; I think after awhile their gut does the math and figures out something just does not add up right. Tough to keep on discriminating against people you know are actually fine folks. On the topic of the inevitability of equal rights (and not just for same-sex families in Puna, but for everyone, everywhere) a column I read a few days ago had some lucid comments. The fellow asked:
"...the really interesting question is who we are in this drama. Where do we position ourselves and why?"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-irwi...57976.html
In a way Kula offers a mechanism for the truth of that wonderfully reassuring epic quote from the Mahatma:
"Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall: think of it, always.”
The thoughtful blurb by Rabbi Irwin Kula linked below is the most logical and well-reasoned reflection on the topic I've read in a while. Prompted me to look Kula up to find out more on who he is (I've never heard of him before). He makes a very lucid 3 minute statement on religions in general in this videoclip (click on the Rabbi Irwin Kula link, second from the top in the right-hand column).
http://www.channels.com/episodes/show/68...-York-City
I sure wish the missionaries who come to the door in Puna and religious leaders everywhere were more like this Kula fellow rather than the scary troglodytes they more often resemble.
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
All creative work is derivative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvd5JZkUXY
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
Certainly do feel this way from time to time myself, but I think in the long run there are better results from inviting them in and having a conversation whenever I can afford the time to do so. Especially when there is a talkative older missionary with one or two quiet missionaries-in-training in tow, it seems to make a difference. The older one usually has him or herself so totally brainwashed that absolutely nothing will prompt any thoughtful reflection, but sometimes not so with the younger folks. They seem to listen on with heightened interest as my partner and kids are introduced and we all chat a bit. If my relationship and family is a threat to theirs or anyone else's then it is just a fantastic reach across thousands of years and several continents to dredge up some mistranslated bible quotes to justify the bizarre assertion, as is clearly obvious when we are all sitting there together sipping tea together.
There are times when one is being set upon and disenfranchised that slamming doors in faces, setting the dogs on 'em, shouting, and hitting back may be the appropriate response but for most average day to day encounters and interactions in the community I think in the long run we are better off to treat the missionaries better than they treat us. Most people --missionaries included-- have a core of common sense and basic decency down underneath the religious nonsense; I think after awhile their gut does the math and figures out something just does not add up right. Tough to keep on discriminating against people you know are actually fine folks. On the topic of the inevitability of equal rights (and not just for same-sex families in Puna, but for everyone, everywhere) a column I read a few days ago had some lucid comments. The fellow asked:
"...the really interesting question is who we are in this drama. Where do we position ourselves and why?"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-irwi...57976.html
In a way Kula offers a mechanism for the truth of that wonderfully reassuring epic quote from the Mahatma:
"Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall: think of it, always.”
The thoughtful blurb by Rabbi Irwin Kula linked below is the most logical and well-reasoned reflection on the topic I've read in a while. Prompted me to look Kula up to find out more on who he is (I've never heard of him before). He makes a very lucid 3 minute statement on religions in general in this videoclip (click on the Rabbi Irwin Kula link, second from the top in the right-hand column).
http://www.channels.com/episodes/show/68...-York-City
I sure wish the missionaries who come to the door in Puna and religious leaders everywhere were more like this Kula fellow rather than the scary troglodytes they more often resemble.
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
All creative work is derivative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvd5JZkUXY
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
Astonishing skill! This archer is a real-life Legolas and then some!
http://geekologie.com/2013/11/real-life-...rs-anc.php
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(
Astonishing skill! This archer is a real-life Legolas and then some!
http://geekologie.com/2013/11/real-life-...rs-anc.php
)'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'( )'(