The Art of Moving On

mousepod · 03-20-2006, 11:34 AM

Y'know, I have to admit that, as a Jew, I've always found myself identifying with Catholic guilt - so I can appreciate where you're coming from. My own religious self-identification has been very fluid through the years. My Dad's father was a Conservative (leaning toward Orthodox) cantor, and my Mom was a card-carrying atheist in high school, so I was brought up with the culture attached to my Jewishness while being given the freedom to explore my own understanding of Judaism. I found that there are things that I both appreciate and despise about the religion, and I'm fascinated mostly with Reconstructionist Judaism, though I'm not at all observant. I also dug Allen Ginsberg contention that all Jews were basically Buddhist.

I guess what intrigues me about your predicament is that you seem like you want to reconcile your self with someone else's dogmatic beliefs. Martin Luther had a rough time with the Catholic Church too, IIRC.

My advice to you would be to take a good look at yourself and figure out what you really believe in. If there are others who share your beliefs, great - then you have a support group (or church, if you will). If not, start your own. Just remember, be flexible and don't force yourself into your own (or anyone else's) dogma. As you get older and wiser, your view on the Universe is bound to change - and you should never beat yourself up for growing.

My prayers (as it were) are with you.

Gemini Cricket · 03-20-2006, 12:11 PM

Steve~

I like the distinction you made between being certain and final on something. I have never thought about it in that way before.

There's this stubborn part of me that is black and white about things. I guess that's one thing I need to get over. For instance, Ralphie and I love love love the artist Michaelangelo. Ralphie said to me the other day that he'd love to see the Sistine Chapel to see the ceiling someday. My initial reaction was, 'Ugh. I'd never, ever want to go there. Much less, pay to go... supporting Catholic Church... blah blah...' But then I thought about it later. Why not go? I'd be going as an art lover...

No, not a grant. I meant it more like I'd love to see more results from these organizations. They say this and that, but where's the beef? Sometimes I wonder where it's all going... Not to mention that they seem to try and play this fence balancing thing where they will not be labelled as extreme at the cost of actual results...

Thank you for the nice things you said. I appreciate it. And for the record, I hate dolphins. They get all the research grant money because they're cute. Squids, sea squirts and tubeworms get shafted because they're gross.

-------------------

mousepod ~

It does feel like I'm trying to fit into someone's dogmatic mold for me. I think I have to remind myself that it won't work. It's hard.

I have thought about Buddhism from time to time.

While doing research for three characters I played on stage who were Jewish, I thought a lot about Reform Judaism. I even told my mom once that I was going to convert just to give her a heartattack. It almost worked.

I knew there was a reason I asked for advice at the LoT. So many cool, smart people here...

03-20-2006, 11:34 AM	#1
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Y'know, I have to admit that, as a Jew, I've always found myself identifying with Catholic guilt - so I can appreciate where you're coming from. My own religious self-identification has been very fluid through the years. My Dad's father was a Conservative (leaning toward Orthodox) cantor, and my Mom was a card-carrying atheist in high school, so I was brought up with the culture attached to my Jewishness while being given the freedom to explore my own understanding of Judaism. I found that there are things that I both appreciate and despise about the religion, and I'm fascinated mostly with Reconstructionist Judaism, though I'm not at all observant. I also dug Allen Ginsberg contention that all Jews were basically Buddhist. I guess what intrigues me about your predicament is that you seem like you want to reconcile your self with someone else's dogmatic beliefs. Martin Luther had a rough time with the Catholic Church too, IIRC. My advice to you would be to take a good look at yourself and figure out what you really believe in. If there are others who share your beliefs, great - then you have a support group (or church, if you will). If not, start your own. Just remember, be flexible and don't force yourself into your own (or anyone else's) dogma. As you get older and wiser, your view on the Universe is bound to change - and you should never beat yourself up for growing. My prayers (as it were) are with you. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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03-20-2006, 12:11 PM	#2
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Steve~ I like the distinction you made between being certain and final on something. I have never thought about it in that way before. There's this stubborn part of me that is black and white about things. I guess that's one thing I need to get over. For instance, Ralphie and I love love love the artist Michaelangelo. Ralphie said to me the other day that he'd love to see the Sistine Chapel to see the ceiling someday. My initial reaction was, 'Ugh. I'd never, ever want to go there. Much less, pay to go... supporting Catholic Church... blah blah...' But then I thought about it later. Why not go? I'd be going as an art lover... No, not a grant. I meant it more like I'd love to see more results from these organizations. They say this and that, but where's the beef? Sometimes I wonder where it's all going... Not to mention that they seem to try and play this fence balancing thing where they will not be labelled as extreme at the cost of actual results... Thank you for the nice things you said. I appreciate it. And for the record, I hate dolphins. They get all the research grant money because they're cute. Squids, sea squirts and tubeworms get shafted because they're gross. ------------------- mousepod ~ It does feel like I'm trying to fit into someone's dogmatic mold for me. I think I have to remind myself that it won't work. It's hard. I have thought about Buddhism from time to time. While doing research for three characters I played on stage who were Jewish, I thought a lot about Reform Judaism. I even told my mom once that I was going to convert just to give her a heartattack. It almost worked. I knew there was a reason I asked for advice at the LoT. So many cool, smart people here...
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