Well, inspired by the Blog of one my friends, I have finally decided to succomb to the pressure and get one of my own. I’m not quite sure how this will turn out, since I have never really been a ‘journal user.’ I have made my efforts to have a sort of prayer journal, but that always fails, whether it be from my lack of interest in writing down my prayers or because of my natural human inconsistencies in my prayer life. Maybe this will offer a sort of catharsis, allowing me to vent about issues that seem to only bother me and no one else. We all have these weird internalized problems that no one seems to be struggling with, but ultimately everyone has them to some degree or another within these ever changing years of college life. If I may be so morbid, maybe this will allow people to have a sort of diary of life and thoughts in case anything traumatic may happen (knock on wood). I guess ultimately it will just let me talk, and communication and self examination are two of the most integral parts of life.
I am about to embark on another journey (i.e. homework) of the study of secular religion, the common task of a religion major at the university of florida. It is amazing, the mix of reactions offered up by various friends of mine when told of my venue of study. There are non-Christian friends who think that it’s interesting, though not practical, and offers no way of making any substantial amount of money (as if that is truly important). Maybe another blog I will talk about how I’m a closet socialists, that will take a while. Amongst my Christian friends, I got a dual reaction of, “Well, that’s interesting… it must be fun to study religion all day,” to people who actually know what it may be like to be a Christian in these classes and react with, “that’s rough, man. I’m sorry for you.” I’ll admit, it ain’t easy on my faith, but ultimately rewarding. There is a lack of engagement by christians today in the culture of secular america. Christians have their own music, theme parks, clubs, restaurants, you name it, and we have pigeon holed ourselves to avoid confrontation with our newly pluralistic society. We are not of the world, but we are also no longer in the world, and we need to change that. I have learned fascinating things about Buddhism, Hinduism, and Ecological Theology and ethics that I have allowed to help mold my Christian theology. There is a fear of christians to allow other aspects of faith the alter their thinking, but as long as you take the action, look at its benefits, and see if it’s biblical, then what’s the big deal. If a christian wants to practice meditation, why should other christians oppose, since meditation is similar to the mystical teachings of paul or david, when we are called to ‘be still’ or when we are to ‘renew our minds’ or ‘be slow to speak.’ There is something in christianity that relates to meditation, so what’s the point in fighting it. This is just one example of the many, though each is still ultimately interpretation of scripture.
Alright, I do have to end this rambling, which could last for hours. I have to write a paper about the mix of spirituality and social justice, which is actually a fascinating topic and part of my distain for our campus ministies and gainesville churchs, but i will get into that later, i’m sure. Until then, take care of yourself, and each other.
