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Comparitive Religions

Some people say that Judaism is the Mother of all religion.
Some people say that it is an antiquated form of a discounted and senseless religion.

What do you know of this faith, and what are your own opinions?

*is sitting by the window today, in a long white robe, smoking his pipe*

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"I, it just, well... it has this incredibly rich history and people still keeping the faith alive and vibrant today. I don't know how anyone would think it was useless." Lana pauses, "Well, actually, I guess I do. There seem to be a lot of people who want to throw out anything old and only focus on what's new and shiny right now. They forget that the new is built upon the old and without it we wouldn't have anything."

so how do we do that? How do we teach honor of the old, without denying the new? How do we not get trapped by it?

"I think it has to be somewhat about respect. I think sometimes now people forget that. To respect your elders, your heritage, your past. We need to teach our children to remember where they came from, how we got here. Not to invalidate the new, but to always be aware of what it took to get where we are now."

and how do we aviod getting mired then in the past?

"We have to be aware, kind of live our life fully aware of what we are doing of the decisions we make - and the ones we make by *not* deciding. We need to remember and respect the old, but not throw out the new." She wrinkles her mouth a little, "I gues, obviously, it's not an easy thing or we wouldn't have to talk about it, but I think it's worthwhile."

so give me a practical example, of how we can integrate new and old, successfully?

Lana thinks for a moment, "Well, I guess for a religious example, in Christianity you can teach your children about where the rituals come from. So many of them are from old Jewish traditions or ideas. But you can also talk about why changes were made in order to make the religion more accessible to the people and talk about how some people think the changes are good and others don't. And kind of emphasize that the important thing here is the belief, the *faith*, more than how someone chooses to practice it and that all ways should be honored." She flushes, "I know that's all convoluted, but..."

You are very good at giving me theory.... but what I am asking for is something practical.
SOmething within daily life.

"I guess I don't know," Lana says feeling a little foolish. "Something *I* personally do or have done? I don't know that it's something I've ever thought about before tonight."

what about school? education?

is there not a balence between old and new there?

"I suppose. Like having to learn how to do long division out by hand because it's important to know *how* it all works, but using calculators or computers to do higher math."

yes, that is exellent.

now... what about lets say, Christmas?

"Christmas... Well, you have the masses and the rituals that have been done throughout the years, but you also have the family traditions."

practical, again please?

"I used to go to Midnight Mass with my Aunt Nell and then when we got home we would each get to open one present before we went to bed."

and how has that changed?

"For me? Well, now it's just me on my own. I don't go to mass that often and there aren't any presents to open. I usually just go and visit my parents' graves and the next day I go to someone's house for Christmas dinner - always kind of feel like the poor relation."

richer then you know, dear heart...

*smiles, warm*

"I know. Especially now," she says, thinking about Archie. "And I am grateful really I am. It can just be... hard."

new beginnings always are. They mean the end of a style of life with which we are comfortable.

Lana nods. "I think that's exactly how it feels. I know it's what I want and the way I want to be going, but it's new and different. And scary."

and so what do you need, to take the leap of faith?

"I think I already took it," she says, thinking of making love to Archie last Tuesday night. "And I'm glad. But it's still scary. And because it's unfamiliar territory I'm always wondering if I've done the right thing."

what does your heart tell you? *slightly wistful look*

"My heart?" she whispers. "My heart says that this is where it belongs. That this is *right*."

(no subject)

gandalfglamdrin.livejournal.com - 2005-10-26 02:54 (UTC) - Expand

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