UNCoran Did you see the news item about the hub-bub surrounding the suggested reading of a book about the Koran for all incoming freshmen at UNC? People are all in a tizzy because they thing that the school is trying to push islamic ideals on the freshmen - make them forsake their God or something.
When I was in college, I took a great class called Comparative Religion (taught by an equally great Ben Ramsey). We studied various religions and compared them. We had this southern baptist guy who was a perfect "MTV Real World he's the christian guy with a baseball cap on" stereotype. He was always a bit anxious and cranky when we discussed anything, and was always having to throw in his two cents about Christianity. Which is fine. You gotta give props to your own peeps. But he seemed to fight the class the whole time - as if he refused to learn anything.
What was the point? Oh yea, I think so many people think that studying a religion will make their kids leave their own religion and go off to a commune or something and disappoint the family and not show up at christmas for ham and casserole.
BTW, I have forgotten almost everything from that class. I couldn't tell you a thing about Buddhism for instance, other than Kristen wanted to be one. Judaism? No clue. Islam. Can't help ya. Hinduism? Huh? Maybe I am not the right person to even cover this topic. Our pal Pam should - she went to school for religion. Or someshit.
But, I studied them, and I wasn't converted by their 'brainwashing'.
Respect It's all about respect I guess. Or not. I was reading the new Harpers and they had a collection of emails about that whole controversy about the parody of the king of Thailand used in an ad here in the states. People in Thailand were in an uproar yelling at America about being jerks and saying stuff like, "I hope you have another WTC bomb" and "Your mother sleeps with dogs". They were quite mad.
And I guess one society or religion should respect the other's beliefs or values, BUT I also feel like if they don't, you can't take it to personally. Didn't our mothers say that when we were growing up? Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that we all love and honor George Bush. Imagine George Bush demands the same respect as Han Solo or Chewbacca. I mean we really like him. Well, if someone down the street is calling him a wiener and a dork, it will make me mad, but I am not sure if I should run down there and kill him and his family. If someone makes a photoshop picture of him in a dress, so what? It would be nice if they at least respected my honoring him, and maybe didn't say these things when I was around, but if they do.... Well, that sucks for me, yes?
I don't know. What do I know.
Ok, so, if you are involved in some religion, it's probably not nice to go around dissing your neighbor's value system. It's also not right for you to expect others to respect or honor what you hold as holy - I mean it would be nice if you did, but let's not expect it. It would also be nice not to harass people about your religion by knocking on other people's door - say on a Saturday morning.
