lagilman | Entries tagged with religion

It is Yom Kippur. I am not fasting (health reasons) and I have to work (there’s nobody to take my shift for me), but I am very much aware of what day it is, what the High Holy Days are, and what it means both to my greater community, and to myself, personally.

In the Jewish tradition, confessing to a sin and repenting does not immediately anoint you with forgiveness. Words are not enough, be they between you and another person, or you and your understanding of God. It is the point of where you recognize and acknowledge that you did wrong, and begin the effort to carry that wrong no further. But it is future actions that earn forgiveness, not merely mouthing the word of repentance.

(read more at the link: http://www.lauraannegilman.net/5304-2/)

I cried more today during the yizkor service than I did at my father's funeral. This is...not surprising. At the funeral we were still feeling shock that he was gone, and relief that he was no longer in pain.

Today, I was allowed solely to miss him, and mourn the space where he had been.

May all those who sorrow find peace.

Rosh Hashanah snuck up on me this year, here in a new city. Whoops.

The world is its usual too-shitty, chaotic place, and sometimes it feels like considering the idea of forgiveness, of a new page, a fresh start, is hopeless at best. But finding hope in the midst of hopelessness is what faith is all about.

And so, l'shana tovah to all, even if you don't observe. Happy new year. May the next 12 (lunar) months be full of joy, peace, and good-health for us all.

More predominantly Black churches are burning, this morning.

I am not particularly religious - I believe in the universe, not a particular quantifiable god. But there is nothing but the work of our worst devils in the destruction of a house of god - any god, all god. It is an offense against love.

And history has never painted such arsonists in anything but the darkest colors.

Springfield (MA) city councilor Bud Williams announced that “Jesus is the reason for the season” in the middle of a menorah lighting ceremony.

And then proceeded to goysplain Jewish history to justify his statement.

Protip: don’t do that.

It is the day after the Superbowl, which means I am slightly tired in the "I had a few drinks and a lot of rich food, spent a lot of time in the company of other people and therefore my resources are drained, and like a good classic social introvert I now need to spend a day or two alone."

(where "alone" means either alone, or in the company of individuals who do not drain me. Not-people, as an ex of mine once termed them.)

It was a good party, though, cumulating in the now-almost-traditional inebriated argument with David Silverman (president of the American Atheists organization), about his repeated attempts to co-opt me [and others] under the umbrella of "atheists' even though that is not how I self-identify. The argument is always in good fun, but there are times when I just want to drop an anvil on his head (Me: "you know who redefines terms in the middle of an argument, David?" Republicans!" David, recoiling in horror: "Low blow!")

For the record, although I do not consider myself particularly religious, I do believe in something greater than the individual, a spark (for lack of any more specific and accessible term) that connects all living things (and possibly non-living things too). I can describe it via faith and I can describe it via science, but the base result is that I do not require any proof or verification of that greater spark, but accept it as a thing that exists because hey look, Life and Self-Awareness! Yes, I suppose that this spark could be seen by others as a deity (I neither accept nor refuse that term but find it useless, since we all are part of the spark and therefore we would all be god). But I do not see it as being 'conscious' in the way we've oft-portrayed a deity. Then again, our idea of "conscious" is limited by our own current awareness, which may or may not encompass all that exists. So why must we assume godhead is a conscious entity? Wheee.

(I also reject the use of "supernatural" in this instance (which atheism arguments seem fond of) because if it exists in and of itself, rather than by fabrication, it is by definition "natural." )

No, David, I'm not an atheist. You don't get to claim me. I'm not a theist, either, unless you expand the term to the broadest possible definition. It's possible I'm a reconstructionist* deist**?

(It's worth noting that the conversation started to break up in laughter when I told David "of course we're both Jewish! Listen to how we're arguing over this!")

*for those unfamiliar with the term, Reconstructionst Judaism sees the collective body of Jewish laws, customs and traditions not as binding, but as a valuable cultural remnant that should be upheld unless there is reason for the contrary.

**and while the Authorities often decried deists as atheists, they were using it as an insult, along with 'heretic,' rather than an accurate description.

An old friend of mine, who happens to be a minister, posted the following link to her facebook page:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/pope-francis-good-atheists_n_3320757.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

"Pope Francis Says Atheists Who Do Good Are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics"

Pope Francis rocked some religious and atheist minds today when he declared that everyone was redeemed through Jesus, including atheists.

My friend, who is a genuinely good person, was pleased by this, as though it was a good thing. And yeah, compared to "all who are not devout Catholic are going to hell" I guess it is. Anything that cuts down on the justifications for abuse is a good thing. Far better behavior than his unlamented-by-many predecessor.

However...

Like the Mormons posthumously "baptizing" Jews and claiming them for their heaven, this strikes me as vaguely offensive chutzpah. He's saying "it doesn't matter what YOU believe, we're going to co-opt you anyway through OUR belief." And I'm not sure how that's supposed to make us feel better about our relations with the Church.

Dude. Try asking. If we want to convert, we will. if we don't, we've got our exit plan worked out already, thanks.

At the family Channukah dinner tonight, my sister gave me a lovely mala (prayer beads) bracelet, and a mug that says "wake up!" on it.

On the surface, it's an amusing gift. But there's more to it than that, since my sister is a practicing Buddhist.

"Wake up" is the call of Buddhism, where waking up into enlightenment is the path and the goal. And so every morning, when I pour coffee into my mug, I will be reminded not only to wake up, but also to wake up.

And yes, in my family, the non-observant Jew and the practicing Buddhist get together for latkes. That's how we roll...

and we have both apple sauce AND sour cream.

(my sister also referred to the contents of the monastery's gift shop/website as "dharma bling." It's entirely possible I laughed so hard I snarfed my wine)

*unfair, as I've lit the menorah every night. A holiday that celebrates reducing our reliance on oil/making things last longer is a good thing to observe, IMO

I am not - as most of you know - an observant Jew. I am, in fact, a forgetting-to-practice Jew who is far more cultural than religious, more in tune with the Buddhist philosophy than anything my Conservative (and even the Reform) cousins might recognize. But Yom Kippur... Yom Kippur I observe, in my own way. Although I am not a member of a synagogue, I listen to the Kol Nidrei (thank you, Internets) and I refrain from food, and I consider what it means, to open yourself up and offer forgiveness, to open yourself to others, and ask for forgiveness.

And how very hard, sometimes, both of those things are.

And how very necessary, and good, both those things are, in this world we all inhabit.

If, in the past year, I have caused you pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I apologize, and I ask your forgiveness. May there be peace between us.

If, in the past year, you have caused me pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I let go of any grudge or resentment. I forgive the harm, I let go of the hurt. I am at peace with you.

On this eve, may we be released from all vows made to ourselves, or with our god(s), that proved impossible to keep, from all promises attempted but unfulfilled. May we be at peace with ourselves.

From this Day of Atonement until the next.

Amen.

G'mar Hatimah Tovah. May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.

1. L'Shana tovah to all, even if you don't celebrate - may the next 12 (lunar) months be full of joy, peace, and good-health.

2. Bits and pieces of things accomplished today, but most important: "Promises to Keep" (the follow-up to "Miles to Go") officially started! Opening lines: “Hey boss. Coffee maker’s broken.”

3. My shoulder has decided to make like b'fast cereal (snap crackle & pop). And my previous massage therapist has left the area. I'd ask my local folk for recs, but I suspect they'd give me names in Brooklyn, and spending an hour on the subway is NOT the way to maintaining that post-massage calm... Meanwhile, I ice and wince and try to NOT use my right arm. Yeah, good luck with that....

4. Today is the one-year anniversary of OWS. The fact that we're still fighting to be heard over the Corporate Money is... sad. But there have been changes over the past year, too. And people aren't going to sit down or shut up any time soon - the more citizens told to be good little sheep, the more we channel our inner sheepdog, instead. Wolves, beware.

5. I owe people a Gilman Quarterly. in fact, I owe people TWO Gilman Quarterlies. I should write it all up and send it out, shouldn't I? Yeah. Along with everything else.... (see #3 for part of the reason why it's all delayed)

(and a bonus, reposted from FB):

You know what would make me believe in God? A worldwide visitation of the faithful by all incarnations, saying "humanity, cut that out. If I want someone smited I will do it Myself."

Then? I'd be "okay, God, you got me."

Until then? It's just people being assholes in the name of "mine's exactly the same as yours, only better."

8 hours work + 1 hour movement + 2 glasses of wine = a day that achieves and does not hurt.

I should probably tattoo that somewhere I can see it easily... maybe I can shave it into the cat's fur?

So, I finished the first pass of FIXED (Gin & Tonic #2), and am now pretty sure I know where I broke things during the fixing. So, revisions pass #2 begins on Monday, and I'm on schedule to hand it over to Madame Micki at Pocket on the 8th.

And then, because the universe loves me and doesn't want me to get bored, Madame Matrice sent back her pithy and useful notes on "Miles to Go," the first installment of the Sylvan Investigations series. Since it's due to go to First Reader (aka "She Who Must be Entertained") on Friday.... yeah, I know what's on-deck for the weekend.

Along, that is, with cleaning the apartment, plotting the rest of 2012's travel schedule, and getting outside into the OMGYAYit'sAutumn! weather, and doing my share of cooking for Sunday night's Rosh Hashannah gathering at my folks. As I told a friend recently, I'm not a practicing (religious) Jew, but the High Holy Days mean something to me, spiritually. I don't try to explain it, I just accept and embrace it....

so there will be more on that, come Monday.

So have yourselves a lovely, productive, entertaining, restful, fill-in-the-blank weekend!

*facepalm/headdesk twofer*

http://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/17783110089/you-mentioned-you-like-stephen-fry-be-wary-he-is-a

Current Mood: depressed

I am not - as most of you know - an observant Jew. I am, in fact, a forgetting-to-practice Jew. But Yom Kippur... Yom Kippur I observe. Although I am not a member of a synagogue, I listen to the Kol Nidrei (thank you, Internets) and I fast, and I consider what it means, to open yourself up and offer forgiveness, to open yourself to others, and ask for forgiveness.

And how very hard, sometimes, both of those things are.

If, in the past year, I have caused you pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I apologize, and I ask your forgiveness. May there be peace between us.

If, in the past year, you have caused me pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I let go of any grudge or resentment. I forgive the harm, I let go of the hurt. I am at peace with you.

May we be released from all vows made to ourselves, or with our god, that proved impossible to keep, from all promises attempted but unfulfilled. May we be at peace with ourselves.

From this Day of Atonement until the next.

Amen.

G'mar Hatimah Tovah. May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.

Walking home this evening, I saw a couple walking toward me, their arms around each other, heads tilted together, laughing. They were comfortable and affectionate, clearly in love, and enjoying each others' company. And it made me angry.

No, it made me furious.

Because wherever their relationship went, by the current laws of this state, they were considered inferior, not worthy of respect or protection. Because they - affectionate, respectful, in love - were of the same gender.

Because there are people who believe that such relationships are immoral, wrong, an affront against god and nature.

The same arguments, I add, that were made in Virgina vs Loving, the year I was born - forty-three years ago, when The trial judge in the case, Leon M. Bazile... proclaimed that “Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix."

Nice, huh?

And yet this -- "God says it's wrong" - is the same mentality that today claims the legal protections of marriage only belong to the union of a man and a woman. Religion - no matter what the religious beliefs of the people involved. Religion being used as the reason to and support of discrimination.

(if you are going to claim that "marriage is for procreation" then you need to disallow the marriages of all hetero couples without children, too. Logic - and law - demands it.)

And for the past two days, you - the NY State legislature - have dragged your heels, refusing to even bring Marriage Equality to a vote, despite urgings from citizens. Whatever back room negotiations you're working on, whatever bargains are being brokered, you are refusing to come out and say "this is where we stand. Either we DO believe all people are equal, or we don't."

Show your hand, Senators. Where do you stand?

This isn't about gay rights. This is about human - straight and gay and trans, all colors, all creeds, and all beliefs - rights, and equal protection under the law.

[and it's a shame, because especially compared to some states (NJ, MI), you guys are doing Good Work. But this... this is embarrassing]

Current Mood: angry

1. The copyedit from hell is done. Okay, I still have to go over it again, to make sure I caught everything, and my stets and corrections are readable, but it's done. On deadline. And nobody died.

2. The page proofs are done. Yay. Yes, the copyedits for Book 3 arrived at the same time as the proofs for the reprint of book 2. Due back on the same day. Another item for the "why writers drink" list.

3. My one outstanding story submission came back with the dread "good, but not what we're looking for." Argh. I will never find a home for this story. But good-but-no is better than crap-hell-no. Right?

4. Due to various conversations occurring today while my brain was susceptible, I will apparently be writing a picture book featuring Spymaster the Turtle, & a skinless zombie squirrel named Frank. Any illustrators out there want to volunteer for the insanity?

5. I have celebrated today's achievements by clearing out my in-box. No, my 'real' in-box. The paper one. Everything's filed. Everything. Which means that tomorrow, more crap will land in my mailbox. Or I will die. One or the other.

6. It has been determined that the currently-predicted Rapture will occur, assuming it occurs, at 6pm Eastern on May 21st. At which time, much of the English-speaking skiffy world will be at the pre-awards cocktail hour at the Nebulas. I have proposed Rapture Bingo; first person to get five Raptured SF writers in a row.....

What? It could happen!

Okay, no, it probably couldn't.

Tomorrow, dear universe, I get to go back to writing. And editing (on someone else, rather than being edited myself). This? Should make my temper much smoother. Yay.

Current Mood: exhausted

New Neighbor: "are you Hindu?"
Me: what? No, I'm Jewish."
NN: "You have a shrine set up to Ganesh."
Me: "I'm a publishing freelancer."
NN: [enlightened] "ah."

Maybe not only in NYC, but close...

Oh HELL no. Out of my city, assholes.

"Bringing English Flags [and the EDL] to Ground Zero"

Among the non-New Yorkers who traveled to Lower Manhattan on Saturday to protest the neighborhood’s decision to allow an Islamic community center to be built were 14 men who came from England bearing their national flags embroidered with slogans and a symbol of the Crusades.

The E.D.L. is.. well, I will let our LJ-resident Brits give their feelings about the EDL, if they choose to. But this is who you stand with, if you're protesting the right of one group to gather with no obvious malign intent (other than what you create out of your own fear) on American soil. Think long and hard about that....

Current Mood: angry

swiped from

madrobins, the text of Mayor Bloomberg's speech about Park51's proposed community center.

“Our doors are open to everyone. Everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard and play by the rules. New York City was built by immigrants, and it's sustained by immigrants -- by people from more than 100 different countries speaking more than 200 different languages and professing every faith. And whether your parents were born here or you came here yesterday, you are a New Yorker.

“We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors. That's life. And it's part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance. It was exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11, 2001."

Yes. I'm not sorry I call him Mini-Mayor, but I promise, I'll say it with respect.

and then he nails the point home, in no uncertain terms:

“Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question: Should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here."

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of the "Oh Noes Mosque on Sacred Amurican Ground!" hysteria seems to come from people with a vested (or not so vested) interest in NYC -home of those danged liberals - not actually recovering, ever?

Because it seems to me "yay the real estate in the 5-block radius is coming back to finance-generating use!" is a much better response to the news than fear. Especially since I don't recall anyone saying anything similar about Catholic-based organizations around Oklahoma City...

For those coming in late: it's not a mosque, it's a Muslim community center (akin to a YMCA/YMHA), it's not on Ground Zero, it's two blocks away, which in NYC is Actual Distance, and I've yet to find any verified links suggesting the man who is spearheading all of this has ever condoned the attacks or been anything even remotely resembling the actual definition of a terrorist. If you can give me a legitimate source that says otherwise, sing out. But if you link me to Faux News or its ilk, I will scorn your ass into orbit.

[New Yorkers will also point out that the 'sacred ground' has more than its share of "gentlemen's clubs, (aka expensive strip joints)" tacky tourist shops, and the much-beloved-by-New Yorkers lunch trucks -- many of which are Halal trucks owned and operated by Muslims. Nobody seems to think that any of this is an insult to the memory of those who died...

Current Mood: aggravated

from NYT headline: "Buffeted by sex abuse scandals, the Vatican kept up its stiff defense of Pope Benedict XVI Sunday"

*facepalm* Dear NYT: You are not the Post. We don't want you to be the Post. Stop that.

Despite the news, I hope everyone who celebrates Easter has a good one, be it celebrated with Mass, chocolate bunnies, or both. In respect, no undead savior jokes.

Current Mood: laughing, but appalled, too

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Laura Anne Gilman

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Where Personal and Professional Life Collide...

My life in 8 words: Organized chaos, by preference. Exhausting, but never boring

Entries tagged with religion

Yom Kippur 2017/5778

quietly, quietly.

L'shana tovah....

Elsewhere in America...

multi-cultural leadership: you're doing it so very fucking wrong.

It's Monday so hey...let's talk about the deeper, boozier stuff!

a small but heartfelt rant

On the third night, we actually observed...*

erev Yom Kippur

Five Things make a L'Shana Tovah Post

State of the Meerkat, rollin' out of the old year

Bigot: 0. Gaiman: +1 (plus massive snark-style points)

Yom Kippur

An Open Letter to the NY Senate

Five Things Make a Day. Or maybe Six.

local amusement...

Oh HELL no.

to those within NYC, and those without.. our mayor has words for you.

in passing, not so much politics as "dear God(s), teh Stupid they claim in Your Name..."

no, seriously?