Spiritual DiscussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
OMG we see him around the place all the time. Stores, pubs, shops, on the street. He is vicar about 20 min drive from us and it on the way to Brighton from here. We see him in the village all the way to Brighton. He is a humble guy and is kind of reluctant celebrity in that he is pretty shy.
Oh my goodness Katie I am so jealous. I think I could actually attend his church and not storm out in anger. I love how open he is to other religions and points of view. Those documentary series are some of the best I have ever seen. I would love to sit and chat with him. I have been on such a long journey of not knowing what I believe but not being able to stomach organized religion in any way. It is silly, but I somehow have this hang up that a long conversation with him would straighten it all out. Totally silly, I know!
I definitely pictured him as shy and humble and would never actually speak to him and yet I watch his shows and have even read his book all the time.
Nanci, I have no idea where to find more info on the two series. We get bbc when our satellite works. In around the world in 80 faiths, he literally visits with people in 80 faiths around the world and it was amazing. When he went to the US. he said something that really struck me. I can not remember the exact quote, but something like, we are a very religious country, but not very spiritual. It rang very true to me and my experiences and really helped me put into words why I stopped attending church altogether.
He is how you would think. Well, as much as we know of him anyway. Granted it is only in saying hello and telling him we enjoy his work. Dh is much better at chatting with people than I am and he did talk to him about his experience. He said that in some respects he regrets starting on that path because it really challenged his comfort zones. But he doesn't seem to have let any of it go to his head because if I hadn't seen him on the BBC he would just be that guy we see occasionally. When we do see him Axel will tell me "oh look, it's the Vicar!" which always makes me giggle. So British of us, don't you think? Our own village Vicar is usually called by Mr. Wolf by the children at school and Axel calls him by his first name. I don't think I have ever spoken to him truthfully, but I know him by site.
Ari - are they talking about Richard Dawkins? He does get a good amount of press, has a few shows on television and people talk about his themes. People love a good counter view to things here. And it seems like many of those who are religious are open to questioning and cultural examination of the institution of Religion. It is quite surprising to me that people here, where there is a State recognized faith, that state sponsored schools are often times C of E schools (that teach multi-faith education curriculum), and the history of religion as it is here - that it is the easiest place I have been to be openly anything besides the established faith here. It is as easy as being of the established faith. Fully open, not looking over your shoulder worrying about your job or your neighbors sort of way. Even the critics of this as the status quo are vocal, but in a very British, appealing to the highest ground sort of way. It is very funny in a cultural observation sort of way.
Postmen are working class to the core, but friendly, loyal and they work their arses off. And at least one of them, who is delivering in Oxted today is pretty hot too.
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Katie ~
Me and 2 of my 3 girls at the Sacre Coeur, Paris August 2009
I still know nothing about the original question, but the reference to a deep-friend twinkie made me think of deep-fried Mars bars. Yum, at least for the first couple bites, until you start to feel your arteries clogging.
Going to Philly next month. I'll get back to you on the yumminess of the real cheesesteak.
See, not Richard Dawkins, or Dennett, or the DNA guy. Just regular people. That's what was puzzling.
The first guess was insider site, but then it was other sites not focused on anything religious-seriously, skin care, knitting, sewing- everyday sort of things- so my first guess- introverts in the basement wasn't quite right.
the second guess was imagining a great many rude, inconsiderate,obnoxious people. And since I know atheists in my town, and they aren't rude or obnoxious....and I can't imagine Britain being a seething mass of rude inconsiderate people- honestly, even in the wretched BBC crime dramas that the library has here- there's, at best, two characters that are less helpful or thoughtful- almost as if they can't imagine real contemptuous rudeness--seriously, there's things they can't do well- like the dead bodies all breathe- so there's things outside of their imagination- like in the bone violations of decency- so I don't think that's right. Nobody travels to England and says " "Oh, my goodness, rudest place ever," so that was out.
So, I looked some more. And what I came up with was Bill Bennett's side comment about priests getting paid, and not particularly comforting people during the Blitz. Like I said, I'm not there, so it's like a remote viewing surgery- I'm poking around in the dark from far away.
And, then, I didn't post for a few weeks, b/c it's sort of an obnoxious, odd sort of question. And then I did, b/c I couldn't figure out how to find out, otherwise. And I want to know.
But your bit about how you know the village priest, and are familiar with him- that answers that question. If he's familiar, and known in an every day sort of way, and your family isn't of his church in some fashion, then, no, priests are'n't of the distant, despised and ineffective civil servant class. Possibly viewed that way in London, amongst the dinner party sort of class, but not elsewhere. Which is similar to the US, more or less, I think.
How did you meet and fall in love with, and run away to England with a hot, working class, information delivery services guy? A wonderful story?
You know, though, people joke about "going postal," but that doesn't mean postal workers are reviled. Everyone loves their postman/postwoman. I think that's the part people are scratching their heads over.
DMV workers... maybe.
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Dawn,
mama to Maxine Day(8/01) and brand new Ivan Wolfgang(6/08), partner to Jason.
I used to hear those types of comments in the UK about employees of British Rail, not Vicars or posties.
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Mama to Cole (9), Naomi (8), Adam (8), and Noah (5)
All adopted - All breastfed
Married to David for 12 years
Slowly earning a Bachelors Degree in Midwifery
We have moved to New Zealand to make it happen
I accept with information: Bill Bennett writes about the pastors being visibly cowardly during world war 2- because they were beholden to the government for a secure pension, rather than invited and supported by their parishes- and people noticeable falling away from such a contemptible group of people.
Hi! Welcome to Amity. Tell us a bit about yourself.
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Jonathan
Louisburg Cider Mill
October 2009
"Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Jesus said until him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And, the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments have all the law and the prophets."
And, lo, g-d says "Yea, they are both my servants, and neither shall be disrespected in any fashion." And "those that mock, or cast their eyes upon the mocker will be punished."
the post office just managed to misplace a letter to dh, with a check in it.
me
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