ernest828 Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 I have slowly come to the conclusion in the last three years that my job is no longer in agreement with my own principals as they used to be. Therefore this has focused me to look elsewhere for work and also to generate more income through my studio. I work as a Music Director for a Roman Catholic Church and we had a staff meeting this past evening where the topic can up about a family that was not able to pay tuition and they were "non Catholic". The principal of the school kept making this point and it really bothered me to hear her say that she would not help a family that was "non Catholic". I know theres already alot of Catholic bashing out there and I`m not trying to start another thread on the subject but it NEVER really amazes how ignorant and closeminded people can be, especially those in "Organized" Religion. I sat mostly silent throughout the meeting as the other staff members tried to figure out why the Church was losing so many of its members. Personally, I think all religions are cults but still I have a job to do and couldn`t help but think, "I am no longer willing to subject myslef to this." This has been a long three years in which I have forced myself to attend meetings listening to this shit and going to the Church on weekends and experiencing anything but a "God Experience". Several weeks ago my boss asked me what do I listen to when I go home and want to just relax. He and the others in the room flipped when they heard me say, "Hindu Chant". BLASPHEMY!!! Anyway, I don`t want to ramble on and on because its getting late and I`m tired but I just had to get this off my chest. What do you do when your job goes against your principals and philosophy? EJB
Oiled Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 You have to ignore close-minded people. You probably know as well as I do that alternative lifestyles are not accepted by everyone, and many people just can't deal with that. Well too bad. Live your life the way you want to and don't look back. Oiled
Soundscape Studios. Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 Hailing from Brooklyn, you must see alot of my type - Orthodox Jews. As an ordained Rabbi (who interestingly enough runs a studio), I come across this kind of stuff all the time. To put it simple, there is G-D and there is religion. The point of religion is to honor G-D, and to appreciate the fact that we are alive. When personal things start getting in the picture, such as one person's OPINION what the religion is - that is no longer relevant to the religion. It is a personal agenda. That being said, IMHO, religion can be the most amazing thing as long as it isn't imposed on you. There is nothing better than coming to your own realization of things, based on your own thought process. whatever...
ernest828 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Posted January 9, 2003 Soundscape, Yes I live around many Jews. So you are a Rabbi? Interesting. I wish there were some priests on here too than we could really get into it. Huh? With all due respect, religion is an easy way to control the masses. Moses and the rest of the prophets were no more special than you or me even though you will dissagree with that. We are all capable of being highly evolved beings as some prophets were and I KNOW that revelations are continously made today but Organized Religions will not accept that because it would shut them down. I`d be interested in carrying on this discussion with you... Shalom, Ernest
Soundscape Studios. Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 In regard to Moses, If you gauge greatness in terms of belief in G-D, than he was undoubtedly better than we are. In terms of other things, maybe he was , maybe he wasn't - who cares. People are so scared of religion because of all the crap that goes on with unscrupulous leaders, who only use the religion as a conduit for money, power and respect. This, once again is an obvious abuse of an otherwise harmless institution. It's really unfair that religion as a concept has such a bad name because of this. There really is nothing wrong with having a simple appreciation for life and nature and who provides it to us - which is the basis of religion, really. When a clerical figure does something objectionable, the public has to realize that, the religion he subscribes to has nothing to do with it. The whole R.C. church scandal - what a mess. None of these guys should be part of the church. They are less religious than the avg. construction worker who has far better morals than to molest kids.
ernest828 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Posted January 9, 2003 I agree with most of your points. Religion is a mans way of describing "god"/life. Depending on a prophets understanding, many are limited to that prophets belief. When someone is unwilling to learn more on their own and unwilling to question certain things that don`t sit right, that individual is no better for it if they simply accept what their priests/rabbis teach. Religion will always be "successful" in attracting followers because: 1.It has been handed down from generation to generation and who wants to go against the tribe? 2. As long as people are unwilling to explore life on their own terms, they will be subjected to viewing god as an angry, jealous man with whte hair living in some palace in the sky. This is so childish, I completey disregard all religions for their stupidity and lack of courage to explore new ideas/concepts about spirituality and life. I am from the school of Emerson and self reliance. It takes a tremendous leap of faith in one self to cast away all organized religion and find ones own truth like Moses did for himself. His truths are not mine. (Not all anyway.) There is nothing wrong with this as long as it is not the only way to experiences ones god or experience of that "inward splendor". Shalom, Ernest
Soundscape Studios. Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 Actually, Judaism encourages questioning the religion. If something bothers someone, it is usually rectified by the fact that he/she is misinformed about things. If a religion is truthful to it's principles, it should be able to stand up to any amount of questioning.
Rog Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 If you get down on your job just think yourself lucky that you don't work in advertising like I do ;) If I was a religious person, I'd have to say that a job in advertising involves working for the 'other side' "That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." - Banky Edwards.
Rim Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 I've also been thinking that people shouldn't equate church with religion, as weird as that sounds. Especially with Catholic churches, I have gone to many of them that seem to contradict what I believe the Catholic religion is. I still think the church is a good thing to instill basic morality in children, though. If I had kids, I would raise them Catholic because I do feel the church does a good job with basic morality. But when you grow up, you start seeing the blemishes of the church. To me, it's kind of a natural progression. IMO, it's the same with your parents. When I was a kid, I thought my parents were perfect. But as I grew up, I started seeing they were human beings and as flawed as anyone else. It was unsettling at first, but you start to understand I do believe religion is important and I will always have religion - I have a problem in its implementation though. aka riffing Double Post music: Strip Down http://rimspeed.com http://loadedtheband.com
ernest828 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Posted January 9, 2003 Soundscape, All organized religions will say they welcome questions and they will all say that they have the answers. The problem with this again is that there is this "holier than thou" attitude that one must confront with oneself. The answer is that there are no chosen people, contrary to a Jews belief or even a Catholics. Obviously these talks of religion can go on and on because we are all set in our frame of mind and we all have experiences that validate our our truths and that is my entire point here. No one or no one religion is more this or that over any other. There are points of view and experiences that lead one to their own truths. My biggest gripe with Organized Religion is its unwillingness to accept individuals truths. therefor thousands of years have passed with the same truths and they have not been allowed to develope. Theres a saying that you are either busy living or busy dying. Organized Religion (OR) has been dying. If OR had any positive affect on society, we would not be using the excuse that God is on our side. "in gods eyes" or a favorite "in God we trust" etc... 6000 years of rules and rites and the world is no better for it. Shalom, Ernest
Wrave Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 I sometimes think I may be the only addict to NPR (National Public Radio) and PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) on these forums. :( I watched Bill Moyers' show last Friday night. They had a panel discussion about religious intolerance. It was a very good show. Hopefully you were all out playing a gig! :) I've been torn most of my life about the apparent intolerance if the Christian religion. It's interesting that when they are teaching their children they quote "love thy neighbor" but when it comes to world problems and other non-Christian religions the quote is often "an eye for an eye". I finally gave up on organized religion of any kind. I kinda think God has also. Thats why I have found I feel closer to the Creator when I have read about beliefs that would certainly be deemed blasphemous by most good go-to-church Christians. I know that in every religion I have investigated, there are statements that are meant to invoke self-protection as well as those intended to foster good will and love. I guess my faith (if I have any) lies between the lines. The Native American respect and awe of nature is one spiritual point of view that, to me, seems to embody the message that religion ought to impart. There are others too, the Japanese culture's respect for their ancestors, Eastern Indian realization that sex is a gift of spiritual significance and certain concepts that have seemed to me to be correct from the many sub-sects of Christianity as the Quaker's value of friendship and the basic idea of forgiveness found in all Christian doctrine. But then, this is all forseen and I am damned becuase the Bible tells me so simply because I AM confused. I admit to confusion and I admit that I cannot find my way amoungst the apparent contradictions. So, for myself, I am hoping that if there is a Christian (or Jewish or any other) God, He will understand my confusion and forgive me for it. Otherwise, I kinda think Hell is gonna be very crowded. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ME: "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen!" Unknown Voice: "The Shadow do!"
vintagevibe Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 Religion is about faith in doctrine. Faith in the creator is something completely different.
Soundscape Studios. Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 By the way guys, I'm having a special 15% off sale on circumcisions. Buy 2 get one free!
Tedster Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Soundscape Studios: [b]By the way guys, I'm having a special 15% off sale on circumcisions. Buy 2 get one free![/b][/quote]:D Already taken care of, in my regard, Rabbi. :D But, I would like to know of a Rabbi who is afflicted with advanced Parkinson's, so he can perform circumcisions on convicted sex offenders... :D "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.