Skip to main content

Shiva sits in the corner of my room.

Someone sent me a message regarding the picture I posted on Facebook. (I added it here for your viewing enjoyment.) The email was basically asking me why, as a Christian and a pastor, would I 1) have something that was clearly from a "pagan religion" and 2) why would I make fun of someone's religion by buying a doll? So after I did my best to not go into a rage emailing attack here's my response to those questions. Regarding the pagan religion comment - I don't believe that Hinduism is a pagan religion. The pantheon of gods in Hinduism is a reflection of who individuals relate to their Higher Being/Creator/the Divine. I'd consider it the same as there are how many different names there are in Christianity for God but it's all about knowing God. I also am a Universalist. Just because I choose to align myself with Christianity that does not mean that I do not study and learn about other faith traditions. I can become a better person because of the writings and teachings of other religions. I feel that there are many common themes throughout all of the world's religions and I'm just learning more about who I believe God is. Regarding the fact that this is a doll and may be considered making "fun" of someone else or another's religion - let me clear this up. I firmly believe that one needs to have a sense of humor about all of their lives, every part, including their religion. Having a sense of humor does not mean that I'm making fun it means that I can see the uniqueness in this representation of Shiva and for me it's something that I like. And for the record when I can get to the box that they're in, Shiva will be joining my Jesus, Buddha and Gandhi dolls. They're a good starting point for discussions and teachings. They remind me of things and teachings that are important to me and, flat out I like them. So judge me as you will but I will continue to have items from other religions and you better believe I will be adding to my "doll collection" when I find another one that resonates with me and when I have the cash to buy it.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2024 Wrap Up

 Happy New Year's Eve! 2024 is almost gone as I type this. And it's been ... a year. To whomever may be reading this know this: I'm glad you made it through 2024. You're you and you're here. That's enough. Whether you met your goal/goals or not, you survived. You're still breathing - even if it's hard to do sometimes. I'm proud of you. Keep going. Even if all you can manage is the next minute. Keep going.  Here is my updates and reflection on 2024. The biggest thing for me has been my move and new ministry in Wisconsin. I said goodbye to two lovely rural Nebraska churches in February and started my new ministry in Wisconsin March 1. It was funny that I was actually attending a UCCB meeting in Ohio when I officially met my new conference minister in person on March 1. God has a sense of humor. This past 9 months has been learning about the systems of the church and the community and trying to find my place. I haven't been perfect in this, but I...
Post a Comment
Read more

Political vs. Partisan in Preaching

For years now, I have heard in preaching and clergy circles about being political in sermons; the good, the bad and those who state that church shouldn’t be political. There are workshops, books, and podcasts talking about politics in the church with a variety of opinions. What do people mean when they make the statement that the church shouldn’t be political? The IRS has the most say about the rules for the separation of church and state/politics. If your church wants to be tax exempt, there are rules: don’t endorse any candidate or party, if you allow one party to use your space, other political parties also must be allowed to use the space, etc. The UCC’s general counsel, Heather Kimmell, has a webinar on this topic if you’d like to hear a more detailed explanation which can be found on the UCC’s YouTube channel. Churches have gotten “creative” in how to get around this, often partnering with another non-profit group to give support to a particular group. The UCC is proud to claim...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sermon based on Revelation 21: 1-6

Revelation 21: 1-6 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home* of God is among mortals. He will dwell* with them; they will be his peoples,* and God himself will be with them;* 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life." The book of Revelation is a book that has generate...
Post a Comment
Read more