A school in Mississippi had an "optional" assembly that was opened in prayer. Someone sued, the school was fined ($7k i think) and now, of course, the Religious Right is crying that Christians are oppressed, the courts are being used against them, the end is near, the boogeyman ("Satan") is attacking the church...blah blah blah. I asked if they would be as upset if during an "optional" assembly, someone opened the meeting with an invocation to Isis and someone was offended and sued the school; would they rush to the defense of the "persecuted" worshipers of Isis? My suspicion is that in THAT instance they would support (perhaps even lead) the suit against the school for allowing the Isisian prayer!
Moreover, I chimed in with the following:
"1. Jesus instructed people to NOT pray in public...but this is about Christian dominance and Christian fragility, so never mind Jesus' opinion on the matter.
2. Why would anyone go to a public school for prayer meetings? [It wasn't billed as a prayer meeting, but once you pray, it's a prayer meeting, unless, like at government functions, invocations are offered by people of many religions or in neutral language that is more or less to the idea of goodness, hope, and civility and not to any deity or promoting any dogma].
Optional or not, there could certainly be peer pressure to attend, and proselytizing could result (If I were a Jewish or Agnostic or Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu or Wiccan parent, I wouldn't want my children being targets of convrsion tactics at the tax supported public school).
3. When you have to pay a worship tax or have to get state approval to hold worship services on church grounds, then you will have an argument for being oppressed for your faith. When you don't get to have "optional" Christian worship services (where there are also no "optional" Buddhist, Satanist, Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, or Scientology worship services) at a non-religious, tax supported venue, that is not oppression. That is the denial of unearned privilege. Your child can still pray all day long (who would even know?), worship every Sunday with you in the church of your choice, even be driven to school with a rosary dangling from the rearview mirror. Your faith isn't being attacked; it just isn't being given preferential treatment. It's a non-issue."
I await my hate mail.
Showing posts with label pagan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pagan. Show all posts
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Vernal Equinox...Blessed Be
Today marks the Vernal Equinox. In ancient, earth-based, goddess traditions, the deity Ostara (Germanic) or Eostre (Northumbrian) or Eastre (Old English), whose name inspired our word "Easter," was honored with painted eggs and symbols of hares (bunnies)...both symbols of fertility, new life (both still used in Easter celebrations). The Equinox marks a shift in seasons when days start getting longer (and hopefully, in cold places, warmer) and flora starts to bloom again (life emerges from Winter's tomb). Spiritually, it's a time to embrace personal renewal, to be reminded that all things are made new, that life is resilient, and that beauty always returns. Wishing everyone a meaningful Equinox and beautiful days to follow. Bright Blessings!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Happy Mabon
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Full Moon
I love a full moon...lots of positive energy. Good for new beginnings. Make a wish. Better yet, make a commitment, and get started moving toward the goal! Happy Full Moon everyoone :-)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Happy Solstice
“…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Cosmic Source.” – Jesus, Matthew 5.16
In the fourth century of the Common Era, Christianity became the imperial religion of Rome; that is, the Roman emperor embraced and endorsed the Christian faith. Old images of the Roman sun-god were reinterpreted to symbolize Christ. The rays of light that had artistically signified the divinity of the sun-deity now radiated as Christ’s halo.
I recall these images from church history and from art today because today is the Summer Solstice. This is the longest day of the year, when the astronomical commonwealth seems to feature the powerful, life-giving sun.
In ancient times (in northern lands), the Summer Solstice became a time for celebration. The snow was all gone. The days were long and warm and Nature seemed full of life, which would be birthed in abundance in the later autumnal harvest. It was assumed that this happy time of life and warmth and renewal was a divine gift, and so the sun-god was revered and praised for his rich blessings of life and light. Rather than cosmic rays radiating from his head, he often was seen in these cultures with cloven hoof, impressive antlers, and lush greenery demonstrating the richness of summer.
I even recall stories from the Hebrew Scriptures that show a fascination with or reverence for solar power. Days before and after the solstice, the sun appears to stand still. It remains high in the sky (from our view) and the light just keeps shining into what at other times of the year is night. There is a story in the bible of Joshua making the sun stand still. Realizing that the sun doesn’t actually travel across the sky, I assume the image is meant to suggest that time appeared to stand still; but I also wonder if the story doesn’t refer to a time of solstice when the sun does appear to linger in our view. The prophet Malachi also predicts that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. Summer is a time when vitality seems to flourish.
What does the Solstice mean to you? How might it reconnect you with a sense of wonder or awe or hope? How might the Solstice remind you that divine energies are very active within and around you? How might divine Life shine forth brightly in your experience today?
In his sermon on the Mount, Jesus is said to have told his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Maybe that’s a good word for us today on this Solstice. We are light and love and energy and brilliance and possibilities. We are meant to shine and thrive. Perhaps the sun shines a bit longer today in hopes that we will remember our own light and that we will let it shine in powerful and world-changing ways. Happy Solstice!
In the fourth century of the Common Era, Christianity became the imperial religion of Rome; that is, the Roman emperor embraced and endorsed the Christian faith. Old images of the Roman sun-god were reinterpreted to symbolize Christ. The rays of light that had artistically signified the divinity of the sun-deity now radiated as Christ’s halo.
I recall these images from church history and from art today because today is the Summer Solstice. This is the longest day of the year, when the astronomical commonwealth seems to feature the powerful, life-giving sun.
In ancient times (in northern lands), the Summer Solstice became a time for celebration. The snow was all gone. The days were long and warm and Nature seemed full of life, which would be birthed in abundance in the later autumnal harvest. It was assumed that this happy time of life and warmth and renewal was a divine gift, and so the sun-god was revered and praised for his rich blessings of life and light. Rather than cosmic rays radiating from his head, he often was seen in these cultures with cloven hoof, impressive antlers, and lush greenery demonstrating the richness of summer.
I even recall stories from the Hebrew Scriptures that show a fascination with or reverence for solar power. Days before and after the solstice, the sun appears to stand still. It remains high in the sky (from our view) and the light just keeps shining into what at other times of the year is night. There is a story in the bible of Joshua making the sun stand still. Realizing that the sun doesn’t actually travel across the sky, I assume the image is meant to suggest that time appeared to stand still; but I also wonder if the story doesn’t refer to a time of solstice when the sun does appear to linger in our view. The prophet Malachi also predicts that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. Summer is a time when vitality seems to flourish.
What does the Solstice mean to you? How might it reconnect you with a sense of wonder or awe or hope? How might the Solstice remind you that divine energies are very active within and around you? How might divine Life shine forth brightly in your experience today?
In his sermon on the Mount, Jesus is said to have told his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Maybe that’s a good word for us today on this Solstice. We are light and love and energy and brilliance and possibilities. We are meant to shine and thrive. Perhaps the sun shines a bit longer today in hopes that we will remember our own light and that we will let it shine in powerful and world-changing ways. Happy Solstice!
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