other people's vacation pictures
I'm babysitting Samantha, my Mom's miniature poodle, this weekend while she's in the Cities. And it cracks me up how, when you take a dog on a walk, they will wait until you're at the absolute busiest intersection before they decide to take a dump. I think dogs do it to get back at their owners. "Keep me locked up all day, huh?"
Kodak is now selling websites for people who want a virtual home of their own to post their pictures. For example, $25 buys you www.kodakpictures.com/mikewillis, or www.kodakpictures.com/kingkong, or what-have-you. I've been mulling this over, since I would like to create a site to post my photos, but don't necessarily want to hassle with creating one from scratch. To get a better idea of what I could expect, this evening I started checking out other people's sites. All you do is enter www.kodakpictures.com, and then add a name of your choosing at the end (the more common the name, the better). And lo and behold, suddenly you're looking at some stranger's vacation photos, out in the world for all to see! It's kinda strange, rooting through someone's memories. Like this chap Stuart. I hate to admit it, but I'm just a little jealous of this rich bastard who's jetting off to Germany, or Australia, or Tokyo at a moment's notice!
And while I'm in such a positive frame of mind, I also have to admit I'm saddened and dismayed by this New York Times article about the Catholic Church's proposal to bar gay men from the priesthood. I know this is an incredibly devisive issue, and part of your position will depend on whether you think that homosexuality is genetic or a lifestyle choice. Personally, I believe that anyone who knows a gay man or woman knows that very few would choose a lifestyle that would make them objects of ridicule, discrimination, misunderstanding and even hatred. I would argue that in this day and age, it's still acceptable to be prejudiced against gay people and overweight people - especially overweight women. Both of those groups grow up learning to hate themselves. Thank you, Holy Roman Church, for bolstering this prejudice against the men who have grown up in your house, devoted their lives to you, and ask for love and acceptance in return.
Yes, the stories about abusive priests are troubling, and yes, they should be held accountable for their actions. But is the answer to ban all gay men? Of course not. These are disturbed individuals who do not represent the whole. Perhaps if the church didn't teach that homosexuality was a sin, then these individuals wouldn't be in such dire conflict with themselves and feel compelled to seek out gratification or release in such inappropriate ways. If what you learn tells you that you should hate yourself for what you are, then of course there are going to be dire consequences.
Why do I care about this? Not because I'm gay (not that there's anything wrong with that! *smile*). It's because I abhor prejudice, plain and simple. I fully recognize that I entertain my own prejudices (especially against Wal-Mart!), so I am not perfect - far from it. But I frankly get angry when people I love are wracked with self-doubt and even hatred because their identity - who they ARE - is considered abhorrent. We all have enough trouble accepting ourselves without one of the largest religious institutions of the world drawing a line around one group and calling them unclean and unworthy. News flash: we ALL are. Get over it and starting practicing what you preach.
Kodak is now selling websites for people who want a virtual home of their own to post their pictures. For example, $25 buys you www.kodakpictures.com/mikewillis, or www.kodakpictures.com/kingkong, or what-have-you. I've been mulling this over, since I would like to create a site to post my photos, but don't necessarily want to hassle with creating one from scratch. To get a better idea of what I could expect, this evening I started checking out other people's sites. All you do is enter www.kodakpictures.com, and then add a name of your choosing at the end (the more common the name, the better). And lo and behold, suddenly you're looking at some stranger's vacation photos, out in the world for all to see! It's kinda strange, rooting through someone's memories. Like this chap Stuart. I hate to admit it, but I'm just a little jealous of this rich bastard who's jetting off to Germany, or Australia, or Tokyo at a moment's notice!
And while I'm in such a positive frame of mind, I also have to admit I'm saddened and dismayed by this New York Times article about the Catholic Church's proposal to bar gay men from the priesthood. I know this is an incredibly devisive issue, and part of your position will depend on whether you think that homosexuality is genetic or a lifestyle choice. Personally, I believe that anyone who knows a gay man or woman knows that very few would choose a lifestyle that would make them objects of ridicule, discrimination, misunderstanding and even hatred. I would argue that in this day and age, it's still acceptable to be prejudiced against gay people and overweight people - especially overweight women. Both of those groups grow up learning to hate themselves. Thank you, Holy Roman Church, for bolstering this prejudice against the men who have grown up in your house, devoted their lives to you, and ask for love and acceptance in return.
Yes, the stories about abusive priests are troubling, and yes, they should be held accountable for their actions. But is the answer to ban all gay men? Of course not. These are disturbed individuals who do not represent the whole. Perhaps if the church didn't teach that homosexuality was a sin, then these individuals wouldn't be in such dire conflict with themselves and feel compelled to seek out gratification or release in such inappropriate ways. If what you learn tells you that you should hate yourself for what you are, then of course there are going to be dire consequences.
Why do I care about this? Not because I'm gay (not that there's anything wrong with that! *smile*). It's because I abhor prejudice, plain and simple. I fully recognize that I entertain my own prejudices (especially against Wal-Mart!), so I am not perfect - far from it. But I frankly get angry when people I love are wracked with self-doubt and even hatred because their identity - who they ARE - is considered abhorrent. We all have enough trouble accepting ourselves without one of the largest religious institutions of the world drawing a line around one group and calling them unclean and unworthy. News flash: we ALL are. Get over it and starting practicing what you preach.
posted by Mike Willis @ 10:31 PM
1 Comments:
At 9:55 AM,
LeAnn said…
I can argue both sides of the issue, so I will attempt to counter your thoughts on the Catholic Church vs. "Mike's Stance on How the Catholic Church Should Feel About Homosexuality" (?).
First, let me sum up the way I feel about exclusive groups in general: They are formed because a group of like-minded people come together to celebrate their like-mindedness... and beer (in many cases). Maybe we should not set out to change these groups, but understand their uniqueness/differences, agreeing that we should all be free to choose our 'mindedness' (beliefs). If we don't agree with the beliefs of certain institutions, we are free to establish our own groups based on our mutual understandings.
Briefly, the Catholic sets its own 'rules for membership', and if you don't agree with them, don't choose to practice Catholicism.
Luther didn't agree with practices within the Catholic church and separated. His ideas spawned several other Christian denominations such as the Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, etc. These groups all have their differences, including whether or not they'll allow female pastors/priests, but they thrive on the fundamental principle that Christ is the Savior. Those who belong to a Christian church of any denomination are fundamentally linked, but choose to disagree on details and interpretations.
So maybe those who don't want to belong to a "club" - as it stands - should choose to change the destination and not the institution. Does that make sense?
Personally, I'm not sure that the Catholic Church is promoting prejudice, rather it's trying to preserve their unique interpretation of the foundation upon which it was established. To begrudge Catholics their freedom to belive what they want for the sake of social harmony is somewhat socialist in philosophy.
Generally, if group 'A' is 'anti-X', and group 'B' is 'pro-X', is it not any less justified for group 'A' to stand firm on their position than it is for group 'B' to do the same?
Anyway, that's my feeble attempt to counter your thoughts. :)
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