Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (65822)	11/13/2004 7:18:23 AM
From: Crocodile	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

If people would just turn these things around a little, they would see how unsociable and coercive what they are doing is, but people forget to put the shoe on the other foot (imo, of course). Well, when it comes right down to it, most of these pre-event things are more ritualistic than anything else -- a chant or prayer of some kind spoken as an invocation to whatever ruling god there is that might reciprocate with good fortune. For example, Plains indians wrapping a Buffalo Stone (effigy of a buffalo) in grasses before a buffalo hunt; or a bunch of Roman soldiers slaying a bull and baptising themselves with its blood in hopes that Mithra will bring them victory in an impending battle. I expect that the actors in Greek and Roman theatre had their pre-show chants and prayers as well -- which is why, i suppose, the theatre prayer might not bother me so much... after all, it wasn't too clear "which" god it refers to... it might be some Greek god for all I know. However, the Lord's Prayer is something quite other. It isn't a standard theatrical pre-event invocation. It is identifiably Christian, and it seems very odd (to me) that it would be chosen as the pre-event invocation -- for the above reasons (it's not event specific at all), and also just as much, for the reasons which X has stated -- it is exclusionary to any of the students who are not Christian. That seems to me to be rather insensitive and, as I said, exclusionary of certain cast members. Not good. And btw, no, I'm not much for rituals of most types either.... I find them odd and occasionally rather disturbing. croc

To: epicure who wrote (65822)	11/13/2004 10:00:30 AM
From: Rambi	Respond to of 71178

Last night I asked the band director about this because she had been silent and I thought maybe I could talk to her about it, but she said she just didn't know the Lord's Prayer since she wasn't raised Catholic! I said, Protestants say the Lord's Prayer all the time. What are you? She said Baptist. Now I certainly thought Baptists said it. Methodists do, and Lutherans, and Presbys and Episcopalians, all churches I have sung in, so I was sort of surprised. It comes straight from the Bible. Anyway, that was why she was silent. But I bullied on, and said I was uncomfortable with the use of a Christian prayer. Her response was that it was a student-led activity and that the band kids often prayed before events but the teachers didn't do it with them. I mentioned the Muslim and she reminded me the student leader had said you didn't have to say it. I said it was a little difficult to suddenly let go of everyone's hands and walk away, so you were really forced to participate even if you were silent. She was obviously tired of me by this point and turned away. I said, you know, this is why we have separation of church and state, to avoid excluding and she said, no one has to pray. I felt as if she were irritated with me after that. Oh well. I showed her. I changed tempos without her in a couple of numbers. Actually with this group-- they are a great bunch of kids-- I think they would have been respectful if someone had offered a prayer from the Koran. And I am guessing her response to the LP is that she respects their Christian religion. (The pagan prayers wouldn't have flown though.) I believe the teachers should explain the exclusionary aspect of doing one type of prayer. Allow them a few minutes to do whatever they want on their own quietly and then have a "secular" circle. These are generous, thoughtful kids who would be very open to a shoe on the other foot talk. THis is when we need to teach it. I stayed backstage and didn't go into the dressing room last night so don't know if they did it again.

To: epicure who wrote (65822)	11/13/2004 10:46:09 AM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

You would be having a hissy over the Christmas concert music I was just handed. It's mostly religious for both schools. I make an exception for music, though,as you know. IMO, the greatest choral music came from the Church tradition. Without it, students would not be exposed to the best. I honestly don't think singers are being converted when they sing the Alleluia Chorus- unless- hopefully- it is to being classical music lovers. We are doing our share of schlock too, though. Cutsie stuff like It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like CHristmas. Hate that stuff. ANd speaking of Beginning to Look a LOt Like etc-- our neighbor put up all his lights and a giant inflatable snowman last weekend. It isn't even THanksgiving. It's so irritating. I bet they did their Christmas shopping last Jan. Christmas lights on Nov 6? That's just rude.