Poli-Sci (Fi) Girl: On Gays and Marriage: Against Prop 8, California Elections
Nov 2nd, 2008 | 8 responses
In our galaxy, there is a place known as Brool-Yi, sometimes spelled Broolyi, also called The Isle of Peace.
There, they have automated priests and ministers made of wax, ala Madame Tussaud, who whir out of church portals built somewhat like cuckoo clocks.
These reverend-puppets perform all sanctioned services for the masses, including sanctioned marriage.
This came about in Broolyi, in part, because multiple interpretations and exegeses of church law and writings by various priests and ministers caused disagreement amongst the ranks of clergy and church hierarchies….so the Broolyians decided to do away with heroic human thought and feeling, and automate religion instead.
Thus, in Broolyi, Isle of Peace, all the churches, temples and other places of Godness, are run by humanoid machines dressed in vestments… all manufactured at an authorized ‘automated religion factory.’
Meanwhile, on planet Earth, one wonders, are some who are concerned with these matters of clerical uniformity of thought, considering the same?… importing from the ‘automated religion factory,’ standardized wax clerics who will only follow the diagrams soldered into their copper and wire innards….
PoliSci(Fi) Girl cannot claim to understand all these matters, perhaps because she’s just passed the van Allen Belt, but perhaps more so, from lack of large enough mind to comprehend all the complex customs of earth beings… yet, just as one small mind whirling through the galaxy, I wonder as I wander…
Wouldn’t such services, such as marriages by rote, not dehumanize all and any who marry under such automated rather than living, ever expanding philosophy?
Wouldn’t it be more Imitatio Cristi, for instance, to base the blessing of marriage on the inclusions of the earthlings’ God of Love, rather than on the minds of mere men? Or lack of minds in automatons?
Just asking.
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CODA
1. The Broolyians are written about by Sweven Godfrey in 1901 after one of the obviously clearest circumnavigations of odd outposts in our galaxy. His story was entitled Riallaro, The Archipelago of Exiles.
2. See too, this article today at TMV by Joe Windish: Urgent Call: Prop 8 in CA; Marriage Myths and Historical Facts
3. My views on Prop 8 in Calif, were shaped by being an activist on resisting Amendment 2 here in the Rockies, which passed and was declared finally, unconstitutional. Amendment 2 was also sponsored by a religious group. It attempted to exclude GLBT people from equal rights under the law.
If you’d like to know more about how I was involved with helping to fight Amendment 2 in the 1990s, (along with thousands of other good souls) you can go here and read the story… “Not a witch hunt — a treasure hunt: GLTB persons”
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8 Responses to “Poli-Sci (Fi) Girl: On Gays and Marriage: Against Prop 8, California Elections”
Hi Dr. E, I'm not quite following what this is about, but I saw the “No on Prop 8″ and am glad you're weighing in on that.
Dear Deb: Thank you for your comment. I hope I understand your implied question …if I misunderstood, please tell me.
I think I am called a “newfan?” that is, I come late to so many things in life, and one of them is having a recently discovered love of sci fi and fantasy as archetypal study. I never knew such stories existed other than the pop culture ones in film, and …. I find the sci fi and fantasy storylines deeply psychological and…. I think, often apt commentary on culture/ human nature on Earth, no matter how far from Earth the story is set, or how far 'out of this world.'
Prop 8* in Calif, as I understand it, seeks to change the Constitution of California by inserting into it a cut-and-dried idea from one religious group reflecting their sole viewpoint about marriage which, if passed, would constrain all persons regardless of others' differing religious views.
Though I support much in religiosity which defines social justice and Catholic principles, on this one, I don’t find parity. I believe that two people who sincerely love one another ought be allowed the ceremony, the respect, and the civil privileges that accompany marriage.
In the 'other worldly story' about Broolyians, a similar amendment to culture has already taken place, a cut-and-dried religiosity has been forced into place in culture… but it has somehow bypassed the flesh and blood of religiosity, that is, love and generosity and inquiry into the mysteries…. and instead made all religious matters mechanical.
I thought there was a parallel between the 'manufacture of religion' the Broolyians laid over their own culture and what stands before us in Calif at the moment.
Does this clarify further Deb?
Please also, if you'd like to read more about my views on rights for GLBT persons, click on the link at the end of this article, “Not a witch hunt — a treasure hunt: GLTB persons”
dr.e
I loved both posts doc.
Thanks for reminding people about what the word “love” is really about.!
I think sometimes people forget and begin prioritizing dogma, instead of the love and compassion that most religions hold as being essential to having a relationship with their God(s).
Ghostdreams
Dr. E, I think I understand now. Thanks for the clarification. It probably would have made more sense to me on the first reading if I had been familiar with the literature you referenced. It's nice to have you on TMV. I enjoy your views on things.
so agree with you on the prop 8. . .for me it is an attempt for a constitutional amendment that would protect the right to discriminate by fundamental christianity. . .with issues of separation of church and state and equal protection for the GLTB persons. . .
But once again when i read your article. . . am left with a question that my psyche has attempted to peel for years. . . It seems that for the GLTB person this issue has to do with tolerance, love, equality and equaminity. . . whereas when i listen to the religious right stance on this am always taken back by the “WAR” language as to how they confront the many social issues. . . it is like for the religious right prop 8 is the ARMAGEDDON of the culture WAR. . .
Here is an example: Charles Colson from Charisma magazine. . .” ALL is at stake here. . . This is where if we lose, it would be very hard to TURN THE SHIP right again. . . if we WIN, we might start rolling back the OTHER side. . . This is a MAJOR, MAJOR STRUGGLE, and we should SPARE NOTHING in DEFENDING marriage the way every civilization has, as the union of one man and one woman joined together in one flesh, as we believe in the SCRIPTURE in order to PROCREATE. . . ”
Why the War language DR. E.?. . . .
I am once again left with the question. . . What is going on in the psyche of the religious right that the language of war is utlized in the opposition of others that do not follow the dictates of their perceived interpetation of religious belief?
These are two pieces my mind often brings up when this question is pondered ?. . . .
The first comes from a mentor from Denver. . . .a Dr. C Kenner. . . near twenty years ago, heard him say, ” The inability to withstand ambiguity leads to splitting.”. . . i have found that sentence to contain powerful healing. . .
. . . .Dr. E. i can understand the need for SCI-FI to attempt to supply frame . . . I have a base belief that if i can understand a person or situation then there is an opening for compassion. . . have wanted to honor, understand and feel compassion for the religious right . . . The following story is where i find a soft spot where understanding can open to compassion. . .
” Jackie was the youngest son of four boys. He was a raised on a Texas ranch and the only life he knew was Cowboy. . . .When Jackie was five years old his Mom decided it was time for Jackie to go to Sunday School for the first time. . . it was Easter Sunday. . . .Jackie was a big little kid. . .and he loved everything Hoss Cartwright. . . he dressed like Hoss with the big ten gallon hat, scarf, and cowboy boots. . . The only way little Jackie would go to Sunday School was if he got to wear his boots and hat. . .
This is the account of the event as told by his Sunday School teacher, Melba. . . .little Jackie came in and she asked him if he wanted to take his hat off. . . Jackie decline and said, “No, i haveto wear my hat.”. . . .He sat down in the little pre-school chair and was really quite. . . Melba began the lesson. . .She told the story of the crucifixion. . . .how Jesus was beaten. . . how he had to carry the cross and people made fun of him. . .how his hands where nailed to the cross. . . then his feet. . .how a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus head. . . and how Jesus was given vinegar when he wanted a drink of water. . . at this place Melba looks at Jackie and notices the huge tears that are running down his cheeks. . . .Melba asked, ” Jackie what is the matter with you? ” . . . .Jackie then took off his hat and held it over his heart. . .(the way Cowboys do at funerals to show remorse ) . . . then he wiped the tears from his face. . .then said, ” Those G_D Da_n S O B's would not of done that if Roy Rogers would of been there.”
CousinJackie grew up to be a big Texas lawman that continues to notch his gun handle each time he draws fire. . . .Little Jackie at five only knew there where “good guys” and “bad guys” and i have wondered if the Cruxifixion narrative is too much for little psyches?. . . .Is the protection and defense of religious right, that cast good guys and bad guys a split from the inability to withstand the ambiguity of the message of the Cross?. . . When i heard the War language of the religious right i always see little Jackie and then i feel compassion and then can listen from a different place. . .Does any of this make sense Dr. E?. . .
tried to post this yesterday, but it did not go through. . .i decided too place initials rather than what Jackie actually said, and will see if it goes through this time. . .
To my mind, you're making sense dear river, and I think your question is a worthy one.
Re chronic war metaphors used by some Christians: I would suggest looking a bit more into some of the less savory history of Christianity, the Crusades in particular where a height of 'religious war' language was elevated as though it was given by Creator. It don't believe it was. And, I dont believe it is now. I'd look too at, say, Bernal Diaz' diary… a conquistador who wrote about the Conquest of Mexico in terms of glory of God, when in fact it was greed for land, slaves, money, fame, women, and fabulous riches to plunder and steal. In other words their God had an L in it: GOLD
I think the languagge legacy handed down by those very long campaigns, and others, has barely been examined in our times… in part because there would be a ton of apologizing to do and shameful confessions over matters that were anything but Xrist-like… and 'the hand me down' language from those long ago times continues.
Some of the early church 'fathers' also wrote of Satan as the Chieftain of the armies of demons and etc. I am not sure that given the state of constant incursions and conquests and slaughters between, among tribes of long ago that people who wrote the histories /inspired words had much other language, besides that of murder and mayhem, to express themselves.
Perhaps paucity of language and a paucity of experience of meeting/ seeing G!d that changes a person and leaves them for a time not knowing Anything, but to wander around half out of one's mind, is why the language sometimes continues to be tired and dull. lol. Viz: For instance, stories of Moses and his contacts with Yaweh gives us some idea of the disorganization of the ego and the re-seating of the soul after meeting the Ineffible.
I liked the story you put here. The profound mystery of the passion and resurrection is perhaps, for many, only understood at whatever depth one usually thinks. Some seem to have understandings beyond not only the literal and rote, but in a range of visceral contact with the Divine…cheek to cheek experiences, such as Franscis of Assisi wrote about… ones that cannot report in common language; such a person has often to move to poetry or music because the phenomena is irrepresentable in ego's language.
Also, the archetype of destruction, being saved by magical means, facing the demon, the imperfection of the hero/ heroine, the helping creatures and communities that the prtagonist meets along the way; the protagonists own demons etc, the great and ever more inclusive heart of the hero/ heroine, the sorrow of the hero/ heroine about their own failings, being loved by a force greater despite all foibles… all these are probably the far richer leitmotifs that underlie the language of 'war only.,' As though some have broken the archetype and only fondled and characterized a small part of it.
There is a reason why many persons understand Lord of the Rings innately. It is not only a 'war' story. Not only demons. But quest for consciousness, to know oneself and one's place in the mundane and divine worlds; a meeting of the mundane world of finding nourishment and shelter and like companions, but also seeking to master some of the mysteries.
this is just my two cents worth. And I am glad you can see the parallels between how I am writing about politics and culture— and science fiction and fantasy stories. I am ever wowed by human imagination; so so rich in wys that can bring so much good…
dr.e
Thanks Dr. E for your reply. . .so much richness. . .will continue to allow the depth of your insight on this long held question to take deeper root. . .as i read knew you had revealed a gestalt. . .Thank you Dr. E.. . .
Also really resonate with what you said about the Lord of the Rings. . .loved watching the movies. . .and seeing all the characters as internal dynamics. . . favorite is to view Gallum as ego. . .whew. . .
Thanks Dr. E for your reply. . .as i read knew you had shown a rich gestalt for the question i have often pondered. . . each of your points have such depth and clarity. . . so thankful for your writing and blogging for you truly have a gift of “re-inventing and bringing soul to the dominator's language”. . .
Only recently saw the movie, The Mission and it has lingered. . . much of what you wrote speaks to that context . . .also love the Lord of the Rings and viewing all the characters as internal. . .expecially seeing Gallum as ego. . . whew!. . .