I'm sorry. When I talk about religion, I can go on tangents. It just seems to me like all these works of literature we are reading--dips heavily into the religion of that time period. I'm also taking a world religions course and I am fascinated by other religions. What do they believe in? Why do they believe that? What do they follow?
I'm not trying to figure out which one is true or right. (My instructor insists that there can only be one truth--he's a pastor or something...I never know the difference between pastor/priests.) I don't want to debate on spiritual truth. I like to think that I can be open-minded and not discriminate against others with different beliefs. Anyways--who the hell knows for sure. Shit, it might play out like a South Park episode and the only people who get past the heavenly gates are Mormons.
Anyways, it seems like all religions are trying to find an escape from suffering. We all suffer here on earth. We are constantly moving towards our death. And it seems that we are not so very different from one another. We live on the hopes that we can be saved from this suffering, poverty, and unhappiness. As I've said in my other blog tonight, no one is excluded. Even if you're an atheist. You still have some thoughts about death. Some opinion about religion. Something! As much as we, here in America, would like to say that we are civilized and can separate the church and the state--we are affected by religion. Sometimes it divides us and sometimes it brings us together.
Sometimes I want to tell my world religions instructor: Stop telling me to find the 'truth.' What if I'm happy the way I am? And who cares? No one knows what's going to happen after we die. Just put yourself in my shoes. If you were to relocate in a different country and you were considered a minority, would you still be confident in proclaiming your beliefs? What if your religion was a minority, an obscurity? What if I walked up to you to preach about the good of Shamanism and told you that everything you've ever believed in were lies? Everything your parents taught you were wrong! Wrong! All of it. You whole life has been a lie. Everything you've cherished is worthless. You were living against the will of the gods. And beware!! For karma exists! Do not turn away! But look to your ancestors and know that you are reincarnations of yourself in past lives! You are given the gift of another life, so that you may live this one well. May you prosper and be good! May you do only good and live a life worth dying for. What would you do then? If everyone said you were wrong. If everyone told you that you're hallucinating and that there is no God and Jesus. There never was no such thing. Let me tell you what you would feel--inferior and confused.
Preach what you want to preach. But people will not change simply because you've told them to. From personal experiences, one has to want to change. One has to want to believe. Otherwise, there is no point in going to church just to get through the motions of going to church. I don't want to lie to myself. I don't have to lie to myself. I would like to say that I've synchronized Shamanism and Christianity to fit my life, needs, and wants. I understand you want to share your faith and good news. And I will be happy for you. I promise. I will celebrate your happiness. But do not force upon me something that I do not willingly take.
God--I'm rambling again. =) Well, this should be my eighth blog. So I'm probably signing out. Thanks for reading and replying.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Ramblings about the Research Paper
So I'm writing about man's innate nature to be selfish and pleasure-seeking. I'm basing it off of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus. And I really do think that people are selfish and pleasure-seeking. Don't get me wrong--I am selfish and pleasure-seeking also. It's just a personal observation of those around me. I'm talking about people I know and love and strangers I pass by.
Let's take religion. We strive to find a religious/spiritual peace within ourselves--because it feels good! I think people want to dwell on religion because no one knows for sure what happens after you die. For all we know, we might just die and that's it. But that's a bleak outlook on it, right? So we have religion. We want to feel good about death. We want to anticipate a heaven, a reincarnation, and new life. So we go to church, follow Dao's teachings, practice worship rituals, send prayers. All in the hope that we are good people and that we will meet a heavenly end. I know it sounds cynical and blah, blah, blah... But I feel that religion shapes our thoughts and opinions and actions. We base our beliefs and world views on religion--whether you are monotheistic, polytheistic, or even atheist. I think that atheists have opinions about life and death and the hereafter. They are probably the most selfish and pleasure-seekers! Not that they crave money or power. But that they yearn for experience. If they cannot experience and know from personal encounters with god/gods, they do not believe in it.
We search for those experiences--mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually--to enhance our lives. That is what I mean when I say we are selfish. We are self-centered beings--even when we donate our time/money for a good cause, we still feel good about ourselves. We pat our backs, if someone doesn't do it, and say "Good job! That was a nice thing you did! Don't you feel all nice and fuzzy inside, now?"
.........To be continued... hopefully!
Let's take religion. We strive to find a religious/spiritual peace within ourselves--because it feels good! I think people want to dwell on religion because no one knows for sure what happens after you die. For all we know, we might just die and that's it. But that's a bleak outlook on it, right? So we have religion. We want to feel good about death. We want to anticipate a heaven, a reincarnation, and new life. So we go to church, follow Dao's teachings, practice worship rituals, send prayers. All in the hope that we are good people and that we will meet a heavenly end. I know it sounds cynical and blah, blah, blah... But I feel that religion shapes our thoughts and opinions and actions. We base our beliefs and world views on religion--whether you are monotheistic, polytheistic, or even atheist. I think that atheists have opinions about life and death and the hereafter. They are probably the most selfish and pleasure-seekers! Not that they crave money or power. But that they yearn for experience. If they cannot experience and know from personal encounters with god/gods, they do not believe in it.
We search for those experiences--mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually--to enhance our lives. That is what I mean when I say we are selfish. We are self-centered beings--even when we donate our time/money for a good cause, we still feel good about ourselves. We pat our backs, if someone doesn't do it, and say "Good job! That was a nice thing you did! Don't you feel all nice and fuzzy inside, now?"
.........To be continued... hopefully!
More Thoughts about Taming of the Shrew
One part about the Taming of the Shrew really stuck with me: the obedient wife. In Hmong cultures, women are to be obedient and submissive. BUT! We are also appreciated for our intelligence and our part in the family. Although, sadly to say, the husband takes the credit for most of everything. Its understood that behind every man, is a dutiful wife. But no one wants to be thought of as "dutiful" especially wives of the generation that have been raised in America.
But personally, I feel that it is part of my responsibilities to be "obedient" and "dutiful" when in front of others--such as family members, guests, and elders. As a wife, I want my husband to be respected by the Hmong community. And a big aspect of that comes from the fact that his wife is loyal to him. Physically, emotionally, and mentally loyal. It is the foundation in which the Hmong community is built on. The wife should be able to cook, clean, rear children, and all that good stuff. But we must understand our roles in religious ceremonies (preparing and cooking meals), in community activities, and our role in families. A good home is the basis in the fundamentals of a good husband.
The thought process is.... if the husband is a good husband/man; so will his wife/children will be. It shows that he can handle stress and responsibilities. He has the makings of a good person and can be called upon when the time comes--for ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, hu plig, etc...
But personally, I feel that it is part of my responsibilities to be "obedient" and "dutiful" when in front of others--such as family members, guests, and elders. As a wife, I want my husband to be respected by the Hmong community. And a big aspect of that comes from the fact that his wife is loyal to him. Physically, emotionally, and mentally loyal. It is the foundation in which the Hmong community is built on. The wife should be able to cook, clean, rear children, and all that good stuff. But we must understand our roles in religious ceremonies (preparing and cooking meals), in community activities, and our role in families. A good home is the basis in the fundamentals of a good husband.
The thought process is.... if the husband is a good husband/man; so will his wife/children will be. It shows that he can handle stress and responsibilities. He has the makings of a good person and can be called upon when the time comes--for ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, hu plig, etc...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Taming of the Shrew
I usually like to think that Shakespeare is a genius! And he usually is. But damn it. This story was awful! I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I wasn't very impressed with the plot. I have to admit that Kate's behavior and ideas are one's that we favor in this day and age. And I'm glad that a woman can have a brain and be applauded for that. But the thing is, she wasn't!! Petruchio is just loud and arrogant. And Kate willingly submits to him. There wasn't much else to it. BLAH.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Everyman
First of all, let me say that I really liked this morality play. There is a great emphasis on beauty, strength, confession, knowledge, and discretion. Sometimes I wonder why we put such great importance on these "things." Today in class, some students were talking about how some family members had wanted a closed casket and how elderly grandparents can't go out without makeup. This just seems to exemplify that "beauty" is very important to almost each one of us--whether you are vain or not. Some people, myself included, strive to be beautiful, strong, intelligent, and discrete.
I guess being raised in a non-Christian home--my religion is shamanism--I view the play in a different light. We [my family and I] value beauty, strength, knowledge, discretion, goods, good deeds, fellowship, and our kin. The way I feel about it is--live now. Enjoy the things you have either been blessed with or have worked hard to earn. I'm not saying that you should go about sleeping around, cheating, and lying. I'm just saying that if I were to live life the way I wanted, I would enjoy my things and the time I have with people I love. And I guess, from my religion, we revere our kin (living) and ancestors (dead) to an extent that Christians can't seem to understand. (I feel this way because of my teacher--has to do with a discussion with my World Religions professor, who happens to be a preacher--and I told him that I flip flop between shamanism and Christianity on a daily basis. And I somehow got the feeling from his argument that I should not be doing that--which really offended me. The way I feel about it is, I have that right to exercise whatever I believe--regardless of what others believe. Because right now, I feel like I'm in a transitional stage in where I take the good 'lessons' and 'morals' from both religions and incorporate them into my life...anyhow...) At our funerals, friends and kin alike come to "watch" or "look after" (if translated literally) the dead. We offer libations, or sacrifices, such as money, animals, food, etc. to our dead. We want to prepare our dead for his afterlife, in taking great care to provide things for that person to have. We also believe that our ancestors are in the afterlife awaiting us when we die.
-----to be continued
I guess being raised in a non-Christian home--my religion is shamanism--I view the play in a different light. We [my family and I] value beauty, strength, knowledge, discretion, goods, good deeds, fellowship, and our kin. The way I feel about it is--live now. Enjoy the things you have either been blessed with or have worked hard to earn. I'm not saying that you should go about sleeping around, cheating, and lying. I'm just saying that if I were to live life the way I wanted, I would enjoy my things and the time I have with people I love. And I guess, from my religion, we revere our kin (living) and ancestors (dead) to an extent that Christians can't seem to understand. (I feel this way because of my teacher--has to do with a discussion with my World Religions professor, who happens to be a preacher--and I told him that I flip flop between shamanism and Christianity on a daily basis. And I somehow got the feeling from his argument that I should not be doing that--which really offended me. The way I feel about it is, I have that right to exercise whatever I believe--regardless of what others believe. Because right now, I feel like I'm in a transitional stage in where I take the good 'lessons' and 'morals' from both religions and incorporate them into my life...anyhow...) At our funerals, friends and kin alike come to "watch" or "look after" (if translated literally) the dead. We offer libations, or sacrifices, such as money, animals, food, etc. to our dead. We want to prepare our dead for his afterlife, in taking great care to provide things for that person to have. We also believe that our ancestors are in the afterlife awaiting us when we die.
-----to be continued
The Canterbury Tales
This is my version of a 'traveler' who is destined for Disney World: The Real Housewife of ???
She smiled invitingly at college boys abroad the bus, destined for the great Disney World. She was with her two daughters, ages 11 and 15, along with her 55 year old husband. She sighed inwardly, at the prospects of having to room with her husband for a whole week. But a promise was a promise, and she couldn't let her daughters down this time. She pulled out her compact mirror and pasted on lipstick, the dark shade of fresh blood. She pouted prettily and warily eyed the furrows across her forehead. The botox the Hollywood doctor injected was apparently failing. Her meticulously, manicured fingers dove into her Prada bag for the blackberry and she promptly scheduled another roundtrip to Hollywood, exclusively for another visit to Dr. 90210. She frowned as she noticed that her body of 34 years, did not truly portray how young she felt. She still went out with her other married girlfriends to the local bars and clubs, dancing most of her nights away. She primly crossed her long, slender legs and carefully placed her five inch-heels at just the right angle to present an alluring picture. Her bleached blond locks were crimped and curled cruelly around her face, falling beneath her breasts, which were showcased by her risque-Marilyn Monroe-inspired, white dress. Clearing her throat once, she replaced her Gucci sunglasses upon her powered face and leaned back into the uncomfortable seat to silently stare at her aging husband.
She smiled invitingly at college boys abroad the bus, destined for the great Disney World. She was with her two daughters, ages 11 and 15, along with her 55 year old husband. She sighed inwardly, at the prospects of having to room with her husband for a whole week. But a promise was a promise, and she couldn't let her daughters down this time. She pulled out her compact mirror and pasted on lipstick, the dark shade of fresh blood. She pouted prettily and warily eyed the furrows across her forehead. The botox the Hollywood doctor injected was apparently failing. Her meticulously, manicured fingers dove into her Prada bag for the blackberry and she promptly scheduled another roundtrip to Hollywood, exclusively for another visit to Dr. 90210. She frowned as she noticed that her body of 34 years, did not truly portray how young she felt. She still went out with her other married girlfriends to the local bars and clubs, dancing most of her nights away. She primly crossed her long, slender legs and carefully placed her five inch-heels at just the right angle to present an alluring picture. Her bleached blond locks were crimped and curled cruelly around her face, falling beneath her breasts, which were showcased by her risque-Marilyn Monroe-inspired, white dress. Clearing her throat once, she replaced her Gucci sunglasses upon her powered face and leaned back into the uncomfortable seat to silently stare at her aging husband.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
I did my class project on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. At first, I picked it because there was pretty much nothing else to do it on. But now that I've read it, I must admit that I really enjoyed reading it. When at first I started reading, I thought, "Okay--so this game...where is this story going? What in the world is it about?" But once I got further into my reading, due to procrastination on my part, I liked the concepts behind Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
This story has a great emphasis on chivalry. And personally, chivalry is essentially respect, honor, and courtesy. It's pretty much about doing what's right and what's noble. And I think that this code of chivalry would work if this world was colored in black and white and there were lines to distinguish between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. But life isn't that easy. As human beings, we all make mistakes but what makes the difference between good and bad is if we learn from our mistakes. I feel that we should make mistakes, little ones and really, really big ones. How else would we learn? I for one, take into account advice given freely from others, but I never believe them until I have fallen into hard times and seen, firsthand, what a horrible choice I made. As humans, we tend to go through a phase in which temptation stares us in the face, and we fall. I find that that is the only natural way that we grow as a person.
This story has a great emphasis on chivalry. And personally, chivalry is essentially respect, honor, and courtesy. It's pretty much about doing what's right and what's noble. And I think that this code of chivalry would work if this world was colored in black and white and there were lines to distinguish between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. But life isn't that easy. As human beings, we all make mistakes but what makes the difference between good and bad is if we learn from our mistakes. I feel that we should make mistakes, little ones and really, really big ones. How else would we learn? I for one, take into account advice given freely from others, but I never believe them until I have fallen into hard times and seen, firsthand, what a horrible choice I made. As humans, we tend to go through a phase in which temptation stares us in the face, and we fall. I find that that is the only natural way that we grow as a person.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Beowulf
I've always particularly loved my English classes--but I have always wonder why I never read Beowulf in high school. And quite honestly, I have never been interested in literature where the hero goes on this great quest that lasts forever and ever. So, you can assume that I did not take the initiative to read it on my own. Fortunately, our instructed has mandated this read. I do not believe that I feel a powerful connection to Beowulf because he is very prideful and "masculine."
If I were to meet Beowulf in present-day America, I would say that he was the stereotypical 'jock.' (Please believe I was more along the lines of the nerdy-only-Asian-female in my classes.) I wouldn't exactly think that he had no brains--just that his strength overshadowed his intelligence. I hate to admit it, but Beowulf does have some good characteristics that we more or less value. Honesty. Courage. Loyalty. Strength. I just feel that Beowulf's honesty, courage, loyalty, and strength is overly exaggerated. Of course, anyone who has read the story would agree. But then, I guess that that is what made the story famous. It's emphasis on these good qualities were perhaps used like a guideline among the men of that time. Be honest.Be courageous. Be loyal. Be strong. Living during that time period, it was survival of the fittest--the weak and evil fell; the strong and good prospered.
And wouldn't it be wonderful if that concept of evil being diminished by the holy and the good was true everywhere? What kind of world we be living in? Wouldn't it be great if everyone did was what right and true? (Sigh, one can only imagine.) And I guess to this, I would get the response that without evil there would be no good. So what am I to comment on that note? Perhaps it is well and good that there are stories out there like Beowulf, to remind ourselves that we must stay true to our morals and beliefs.
If I were to meet Beowulf in present-day America, I would say that he was the stereotypical 'jock.' (Please believe I was more along the lines of the nerdy-only-Asian-female in my classes.) I wouldn't exactly think that he had no brains--just that his strength overshadowed his intelligence. I hate to admit it, but Beowulf does have some good characteristics that we more or less value. Honesty. Courage. Loyalty. Strength. I just feel that Beowulf's honesty, courage, loyalty, and strength is overly exaggerated. Of course, anyone who has read the story would agree. But then, I guess that that is what made the story famous. It's emphasis on these good qualities were perhaps used like a guideline among the men of that time. Be honest.Be courageous. Be loyal. Be strong. Living during that time period, it was survival of the fittest--the weak and evil fell; the strong and good prospered.
And wouldn't it be wonderful if that concept of evil being diminished by the holy and the good was true everywhere? What kind of world we be living in? Wouldn't it be great if everyone did was what right and true? (Sigh, one can only imagine.) And I guess to this, I would get the response that without evil there would be no good. So what am I to comment on that note? Perhaps it is well and good that there are stories out there like Beowulf, to remind ourselves that we must stay true to our morals and beliefs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)