The Week In Review

It's time that we return to our regular content, and since I am now commuting an hour each way to Surrey 4 times a week - I've had ample time to work my way through my new collection of books. This week I completed: The Word and The Bomb - Hanif Kureishi and on Friday finished a copy of a speech given by Arundhati Roy - it's a 60 page little book entitled Public Power in the Age of Empire.

The both had some interesting points I would like to share with you - Kureishi while writing as a Londoner and specifically in relation to the rise in militant Islam in their country made the following statement that grieved me when I really thought about it.

"We have not seen religious revolutionaries for a long time. Apart from liberation theology in South America - the church being used as an outlet for Left opposition - the only significant religion we saw for a long time was the new Soft Age, as well as other right-wing cults, like the Moonies. Even Martin Luther King was considered by use to be a black leader rather than a religious one.

For us, religious commitment, particularly if it was political too, entailed not emancipation but rejection of the Enlightenment and of modernity. How could we begin to deal with it? You respect people who are different, but how do you live with people who are so different that - among other things- they lock up their wives?" pg 7-8

Now to look at that statement - we have not seen religious revolutionaries - and it is true we have not - we have not seen a clear non-violent focused movement seeking to change a social mindset coming from the Church but even worse it isn't even in the Church - the core of where it should be and starting, within the Christian Community as a whole - thus big C church - community. Where is the cry for peace, for social justice, for a movement clearly away from the American/North American way of life? I still find it continually hard to support my desire for a life of service against the weight of all that surrounds me and the one thing that should be there reinforcing that call isn't - my big C church - continually scoffs at me with every James Dobson radio address, with every 500 Club show, Joel Osteen book bought and spiritually hollow mega church built while children starve, while we turn out backs on those in need saying we can't afford to, ignoring the fundamental needs of clean water, food, safety and love.

The thing with revolution is one with passion and a call - one that is true - like the civil rights movement, is that it inspires - which is what we need now - instead of fear mongering and governments jumping at shadows and myths in an effort to inspire a country to hate all that is seen as "other."

As to the second quote - it highlights the current struggle with the Church in North America today - where the Religious Right serves primarily to be the pendulum swing or the knee jerk reaction to all that is seen as "other:" Gays, Lesbian, Transgender, Bi-sexuals or Gender Identified as, Feminists, Vegans/Vegetarians, Environmentalists, Pro-Choice, Democrats, Drug users, Hip-Hop music lovers, Post Modernists, even just plain old educated folks. That's all we served to do is to push away at the other saying stay over there - don't come near our kids - and in essence pushing one generation and the subsequent ones back in their understanding of the world and those who are not Christian - which simply pushes the Church even further from those it should serve. Note I said serve not convert - this isn't a frequent convert project - Jesus set out to serve - and through His love and action brought people to Him. We should really we should be saying quite the opposite, "So what do you have to say?" Why do you like Leah believe God is Green, why like me do I believe God designed us to work in partnership not one gender beholden to the other, Why do you like Jocelyn believe the Democrats have it right?

I need to invest in some PETA t-shirts

Or for that matter Heribovre's "All This and Vegan Too..." Why? Well apparently since I've made it official that I'm taking myself off the market, but I don't have that big rock on my finger yet (the one I haven't decided about buying yet... since Steph's engagment ring is almost identical), apparently I'm now even more available. There have been numerous times in recent memory when I could have begged for a guy to look at me and now I can't seem to get them to stop. I know that sounds so horribly conceited - even worse is I hate it. For those who manage to follow the incessant ramblings of my fingers and brain you will remember we (Joel, Leaha and I) had an extensive conversation about this topic - post The Fray concert. Which was basically summed up as a don't look at me like that because I don't look at you like that... we aren't going back there - as nothing was solved. And the only thing to come out of my being asked out today by a very nice and might I add handsome man was, nothing - I said no, well what else was I going to say?

And I guess I'm going to have to figure out something since Jess and I are heading to Vegas, sans l'enfant, the last weekend of August - before Labour Day - either Caesar's or the Bellagio - I would love to stay in the Venetian but the prices haven't dropped enough yet - because of the easy access to yoga and good veggie food. And as mentioned before then I am planning on getting another piece - the lotus seems right for now - I'll get my foot done after Cheryl's wedding - hint, hint - that would be a unique attendant's gift - ink. Off to bed - I've got lots of research to start tomorrow, Clairborne's book and bizarre comments on Relevant's website have got me thinking about postmodernism, feminism and Christianity.... amongst other related topics. And I get to do it all with my big new Starbucks mug (containing tea, if you are wondering Cheryl).

PS. Did talk to handsome guy about Claiborne's book...

Note: As a response to Cheryl's question about my choice of a lotus flower

"The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises (drawn towards the light) and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck."

As to Herbivore, I added a link to their website, they have a magazine and clothing company and as far as I am aware they do publish in a "minimal" format, namely I love them for their slogan - putting the FU in to Tofu...

More irresistible than me or my vegan chocolate cupcakes...

Leaha requested my opinion on Shane Claiborne's "The Irresistible Revolution." I feel that I must preface my response, I do not normally read "Christian" books in any form, the ones I have read consist of Don Miller and Mike Yaconelli - the kind of authors I would sit down, have coffee and share with. Miller and Yaconelli are often criticized for their post modern style, which is more a euphemism for "anti pop culture christian." It isn't watered down, it's honest: shows doubt, brokenness and genuine grace, nothing cheap and easy.
I mentioned in the previous blog that I feel like I should just walk around with this book, and give it to everyone who does not seem to understand me. My family and friends all view me now as a hippie, all peace, love and save the animals. Personally I find it offensive. I understand the label, but I believe it belittles the choices and the changes I have and desire to make, just like the word "rebel" or even "christian" has lost its true definition. There is so much more than just a movement away from the commercial that I have wanted to see in Willingdon, SFU, or in the Church in general for a long time now. It's a change in the hearts and minds of believers to see that we've got it all wrong. We have got this loving our neighbors thing wrong if we declare war or if we are attempting to love our friends and families into heaven by cheapening grace.
More often then not in reading this book, I felt like stopping, calling up The Simple Way and saying will you take me? Can you really use me as I am? Claiborne mentions several organizations from: The Simple Way to Mother Theresa's Home for the Dying. The latter especially has me captured. He had me crying on the bus with his retelling of his time in India (word to the wise - do not read on the bus if you are prone to tears or Amen's). On top of all the amazing encouragement, insight and hope that I can do what I dream with my life, he reassures the part of my soul that loathes Christian books - all the profits from sales go direct to charity - he doesn't see a cent. And he even encourages the passing around of the text. Granted I read Leaha's copy, and will be returning it to her, I will be buying myself a copy so you can have it and possibly a dozen more for Club's Day, Sheldon or for the next person who believes my life would be better married and or living in Canada making a "good" living.

Leaha, would you be interested in any of his adventures? Like India?