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posted by
Xeno-x
on February 7, 2007 at 8:57 AM
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Presley - good point, in many cultures throughout the world; women are
still in subserviant or marginalized social roles.
I don't fully agree with you on your beliefs getting you in trouble though. In the short time that you have been here, you have demonstrated much common sense in your approach to discussing religion. I am certain that same common sense would carry you through a bit of culture shock in a foreign land.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 9:40 PM
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Gomedome
I'm not too sure I'd fare all that well in another culture. I would certainly try to be open minded, but in some cultures I wouldn't be accepted because of my beliefs and because I'm a woman.
posted by
Presley
on February 6, 2007 at 6:00 PM
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Gome
Why, thank you!
Lady Ariela and I are proud that we are so accepted and loved by our Spanish hosts and neighbours, and I'm sure that they know that we have the utmost respect for them and their customs.
Some of which we find repellent ; but it's their country, their way of life, and we have a duty to fit in with their ways.
posted by
ariel70
on February 6, 2007 at 1:04 PM
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I've lived in a couple different countries and visited more
And you are right.
posted by
SuccessWarrior
on February 6, 2007 at 12:38 PM
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Gomedome, LOLOLOLOLOLOL 
Jesus, are people nuts or what?
MoonSpirit 
posted by
syzygy
on February 6, 2007 at 12:25 PM
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MoonSpirit - I know what you mean, religion was treated in a similar manner
in the Star Trek series, albeit without attempts at humor.
The Klingons for example had an elaborate mythology pertaining to "Stovacor" (sp.) which was really nothing more than an amalgamate of a number of our ancient mythologies. It also seemed that whenever Federation members landed on some distant planet, the inhabitants worshipped something absurd but not so unlike some of our religiosu traditions. . . .In the last series, "Enterprise" ....Capt. Archer and company came across these religious loonies that were at war with other religious loonies of their own species over a Lillipution style disagreement. ..... They worshipped these artificial spheres (not knowing that they were artificial). One group contended that the sphere creators made them in 11 days, the other group contended that the sphere creators made them in 12 days. They killed each other over this disagreement for centuries. ....I'm sorry to say this but from my perspective; all religious disagreement appears to me be just as these sphere worshippers.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 12:20 PM
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Gomedome, Here's an extraneous thought. Don't know where it came from. May or may not have anything to do with your post. I always thought that Woody Allen's character in his many movies gave one of the best perspectives on religion. He managed somehow to reduce religion to its most absurd. I smile just at the memory. MoonSpirit
posted by
syzygy
on February 6, 2007 at 12:04 PM
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ariel70 - I just can't imagine you as someone that would impose a religious
perspective on another person, let alone citizens of another country.
Why you get along so well in a country other than your place of birth is evident in the way you handle yourself in communication with others.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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MoonSpirit - I have to agree that some of the stories as taken from ancient
holy texts are important and sometimes invaluable lessons.
That is one of the things I lament about modern day organized religion. The importance of the lessons to be learned is all but lost. Using the crucifixion as an example; there are numerous important lessons to be learned pertaining to human nature. Everything from "you can't always fight city hall" to the greed, fear and suspicion that are inherent in our species.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 11:57 AM
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Whinge - I have a copy of a classic movie that came out of your country
"The Butcher Boy" . . . I'd like to see the one that you are recommending. I've never lived in the USA but have spent a lot of time there on business. It has been my experience that Yankees are the most decent people on this planet but that may be due in part to the fact that I talk "Canadian" and sometimes it seems I am privvy to special treatment. Religion or religious issues have never been a problem during any time that I have been in the USA. Mind you, I have not spent much time in the bible belt. Cleveland is a great city with a widely diverse religious base. I don't think you will have any problems there.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 11:45 AM
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Talion - that is the only attitude to have when visiting other countries
I didn't fare very well in attempting to "do as the Roman's do" during my brief stop in Tehran but all other instances of world travel, I can say that I have. By adopting an attitude of respecting other people's cultures and their religious beliefs, it becomes clear how much it is appreciated by the locals. Besides it's a lot safer to do so.
posted by
gomedome
on February 6, 2007 at 11:36 AM
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Gome
I'm, doing very well, and am very happy indeed living in another culture, 'cos the Spanish are my kinda folk, and Spain's my kinda country.
Shoulda been here decades ago!
posted by
ariel70
on February 6, 2007 at 11:22 AM
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Gomedome, Regarding 21st Century NA Christianity, the culture that I would like to see it compared to is 1st Century Christian culture. I have a feeling that 21 C. NAC would not hold up well against what the earliest of Christians did or in how they lived. Of course there is not much by way of historical record from that period. The Dead Sea scrolls are one source. It's curious about all of the effort to discredit the Gnostic Gospels. There's some really interesting stuff there. I think that Christians could learn a lot about J.C. from these materials rather than to try to undermine the teachings. I recall one story where as a child, J.C. got really angry and withered and killed a child. The dead child's parent were naturally upset and accosted Jos. and Mary about what the little 'godchild' had done. I like this story a lot. The story of his withering the fig tree is obviously a 'sanitized' version. I have no problems with a God who does this sort of thing. In fact, I believe that the event (like all events) is a teaching tool; trying to get us to learn something about ourselves. Instead of trying to make "Him" over into our idea of how a "God" really acts; why not concede to his superior wisdom and try to understand what it is he is teaching us through his sometimes bizarre actions. I'm not a scholar. I'm not an academic. I'm not a theologian. I have no knowledge. I have no wisdom. I concede to all who know more than I do. And, I'll probably catch all kinds of flak for posting this. I'm not going in search of the story to support my post. I read it. It's there somewhere in some Gnostic Gospel. MoonSpirit
posted by
syzygy
on February 6, 2007 at 11:19 AM
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Gome, that's the very thing that scares me, fundamentalist religions.
Being that I'm moving from Ireland to U.S. mid year, the thoughts of coming across a few Holy Joe's bent against Darwinism is a pain in the arse I'd rather not contemplate.
Ireland has had a huge fall off in practising Catholics because of clerical abuse and just a general generational evolution.
Actually, I don't know how Americans would take it, but there's this brilliant comedy 'Father Ted' that completely takes the mick out of stereotypical Irish priests (alcoholic priest, church funds siphoner priest, and village idiot priest on a small island off the coast). I wanted to play that in the coffee shop we're hoping to open in Cleveland somewhere down the line.... My husband assures me that it's not PC enough, and people will take offence.
posted by
CringeintheUSA
on February 6, 2007 at 11:02 AM
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gomedome
I've travelled outside the United States, but only to Western countries. The fact I was a tourist exonerated me from having to "adapt," but if I had to live in another culture (assuming of course it wouldn't put me in any danger), I could. When in public, I'd adopt the "when in Rome" philosophy as much as I could. I'd keep my culture shock under wraps as much as possible and attempt not to "correct all the wrongs" I witnessed. In private, however, I'd revert to being an American. Of course such things are easier said than done, but at least I'd make a concentrated and sincere effort.
posted by
Talion
on February 6, 2007 at 10:55 AM
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