The Pageless Book

Above Photo by Ibrahim Iujaz. Gun Photo by Jaqian. Ruins Photo by David Ohmer.

The last two verses of the first chapter of The Gated Emptiness refer to a kind of Apocalypse, called cryptically as “the day all eyes close.” I have to be honest and say that these are probably my least favorite passages in the whole text. Having been raised Christian, I am all too familiar with the story of Revelations and its negative impact on the Christian dogma. Religion that relies on fear of punishment as motivation for good is disingenuous at best and psychologically scarring at worst.

However, I do not believe that these passages are hinting at some punishment, but are rather offering a warning. Let me break down what these verses are talking about; they read:

The day on which all eyes close is ever upon us. Where faith falters, hope falls. Where reason replaces emotion, compassion becomes a rule of etiquette. Where love is abandoned for convenience, strange children conceive of dust for limbs and teeth for tongues. To see completely like a yearning beast, to understand with the seat of your soul, is to turn back that day.

On the day which all eyes shall close, there will be no prophets, no artist, no seers. The gardens shall fold, the wisest shall die in crowds of writhing idiots, and all angels shall pull away taking with them every newborn. No sacrifice shall be great enough, no prayer loud enough, no cause of significant enough to hold the tide of the hollowing back.

The first thing we are told is that the day “is ever upon us.” That is to say, that the day on which all eyes close could occur at any time. Where faith - or trust in something greater than ourselves - falters, hope - or the feeling that everything will turn out for the best - falls. When we have little faith in something greater than ourselves, whether that thing is humanity or God or something else, it becomes harder to face life’s challenges. If logic were to completely replace emotion, compassion and mercy towards one another would become meaningless. All of this is fine and well, but what exactly are these verses getting at?

“Strange children” hint at the problem being discussed. “Love abandoned for convenience” is a euphemism for broken or dysfunctional families. Children from dysfunctional families are more likely to be dysfunctional themselves. When these children inherit their parent’s society, the society becomes dysfunctional. A dysfunctional society will eventually fall - that is the day on which all eyes close.

The Gated Emptiness is issuing our society a warning. It isn’t a warning of some cosmic event in which the world in which we live will be destroyed, the good rewarded, and the evil punished. This is a warning about something that has happened to societies in the past and is happening to Western Culture right now. We are becoming a shallow people, arrogant, and short sighted. The Roman Empire fell not because of the outside pressures of barbarians, but because the foolishness of their society bred weakness into every level of their culture. The same is happening again, right now, in every English speaking country.

Are we doomed? Of course not. We are each given choices, yet most of us choose not to exercise those choices, effectively choosing to allow our society to decay. However, if we were to each choose to pay attention to the choices life affords us, and exercise that right to make up our own mind, we help rebuild the fabric of our society. But are we too late? No, we are not too late. The Gated Emptiness describes the death-throws of a society; art and spirituality are discarded, truth is ignored, and the freedom of choice becomes further limited by our inability to see or unwillingness to exercise those choices.

All we are asked to do is open our eyes…

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Faith, Freedom, Humanity, Spirituality

Image Above Heavily Modified Image From Photo by Stefan Kloo. Anime Image by Exiliados del Olimpo. Cereal Photo by Pam Beesley. Bottom Image by Stefan Kloo.

Now, I haven’t actually paid much attention to the rise and fall of cults in the recent years, if only because they all seem to be variations on similar themes. You know the qualities all cults have - charismatic leader, mind control substances, strange ritual, aliens, secrets, and tentacles. All religions should have tentacles, but that’s besides the point; it’s the same thing rehashed over and over again.

Well, I am just sick of the lack of imagination these people have. Where do these cult leaders get off claiming to be God incarnate if they can’t even come up with something original! If you have to be completely off your rocker, at least be creative about it - makes for better headlines.

As a free service to you, my impressionable would-be cult leaders, I am going to provide you with some great *original* ideas for your very own small secretive religious society. Keep in mind that milage may vary depending on the social demographic you might be targeting; there are no kangaroos in Ireland and most Americans fail to understand British humor. Also remember that this is not meant to be a definitive list, but rather the seeds of inspiration.

Anime-Based Cults

I truly don’t understand why no one has thought of this before; the following of Japanese animation is so fanatical that they almost qualify as a cult even without a leader. Rituals usually involve school girls with improbable hair colors worshiping large mean-looking robots or being kidnaped by demons. The best mind control substances available for an Anime Based Cult is Japanese animation. If you hunt down the right type of Anime, tentacles come included!

Mascot-Based Cults

We have all heard of various snake or spider based cults. While these mascot-based cults have become all too common, I don’t think this means that a mascot is out of the question. There has never been a kangaroo based cult, a platypus based cult, or a giraffe based cult, to the best of my knowledge. If you have problems envisioning such a cult, do yourself a favor and watch Conan: The Barbarian; any time you see a snake, mentally replace it with a kangaroo. Still not convinced? Suggest the same thing to an Australian friend and watch them freak-out.

Breakfast Cereal Character Cults

Did you ever think that spiritual enlightenment might be as close as your pantry? With the likes of Toucan Sam, Tony the Tiger, and Captain Crunch serving as saints, your following could grow exponentially in just a short period of time. Of course, your new found underlings would have to be home before dark, but this is a small price to pay. Again, mind control substances are built into this cult in the form of the repetitive mindless commercials and sugary breakfast cereals.

50’s, 60’s and 70’s Sitcom Cults

Some things just get better with age, like wine, cheese, and Barbara Eden in a skimpy genie costume. Why not create a cult centered around wisdom and doctrine as taught by Dick Van Dyke or utilize the moral workings of the Brady Bunch. Scripts could serve as your holy texts and actors could serve as your saints! Who wouldn’t want to bow before a statue of Lucille Ball? You may even be so bold as to focus on one or two 80’s sitcoms, but I advise you not to try to incorporate Seinfeld into your cult; one already exists and they are more fanatical than the Soup Nazi.

Kitch Cults

If you ever worn spandex biker shorts, a leopard print shirt/blouse, with leg-warmers, you may be interested in starting a kitch cult. Your bad taste in fashion, art, music, and decor need not be silent any longer! Hot pink faux leather flamingos wearing cheep sun-glasses serve as your angels. Above your altar is the image of The King on black velvet under a black light. You and your followers can meditate to the lyrical musings of Devo and They Might Be Giants, while pondering the significance of the life, death, and rebirth of tie-dye t-shirts. Yes, it is grand to be a member of a kitch cult! Your rituals would involve sacrifices of plaid golfing pants, pastel suits, and ridiculously large gold earrings. Bowling night would be sacrosanct, and limericks should be sung in honor of used car salesmen.

As I had noted above, these are just a few ideas. In no way should this list be considered complete, and you are encouraged to come up with your own inspiration for your new cult. Do you think your cult is the most unique? Well, then tell me about it! If I like the snake oil you’re selling, I might even join. But remember - and do take this seriously - to include tentacles in the design of your cult, lest you want to become ambrosia for the Great Old Ones when they finally awaken.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Humor, Religion, Ritual, Worship

Whether it is a corner of your bedroom or a whole room in your home, setting aside an area for personal spiritual practice is one of the most nurturing things you can do for yourself. However, knowing where you should have your sacred space, how to furnish that space, and what to do while in that space is often a challenge. Seeing as there is no one way to set up a sacred space, it would be easy to assume that just about any space would work. Throw furnishing and tools into the space for meditation or worship, and the sacred space is complete and ready to use, right?

Wrong. A sacred space is an area in which you commune with the Divine. Haphazardly cobbling a space together does not make it sacred. Spending some time and giving some thought to what your space will contain, where your space will be located, and when your space will be used helps sanctify the area. Meditation and worship are acts of mindfulness - it makes sense that we are mindful of the space we set aside for those activities.

• Find a Space - The first step, while being the most obvious, is also the most crucial. You need to know that you will not be disturbed when you are in your sacred space and that you will be comfortable with you spiritual practice in that space. If you want to chant, you need to know either that no one else will hear you, or that no one will mind. There needs to be enough space available for your worship. If the area is part of a common area, you should also think of how this space will look when not in use.

• Find a Time - While not as obvious as the first step, it is important to consider the time of day in which you will worship. Evening worship may create lighting issues. Early morning worship may disturb the sleep of your family. Some times of day are going to afford you more privacy than others or you might find yourself more in the mood to make that spiritual connection during a particular day of the week. The exact time and duration could be over looked if you live alone in a single family home in the middle of nowhere, but few people have such luxury.

• Comfort & Furnishings - You will needs to consider your personal comfort while within this space, as well as storage for any items you set aside for your sacred space. For most people, this might consist of a small cabinet, a floor pillow to sit on, and perhaps a blanket in case you find yourself cold. Of course, if you have more space and are willing to go through the expense, you could always set up an elaborate altar, complete with statuettes of spiritual teachers and elaborate embroidered tapestry. Anything more than the bare essentials I would find distracting, but this is your space and you should make it for your comfort, not mine.

• Choosing Artwork - Although this isn’t a necessity, a little bit of artwork can go a long way to setting the tone for your sacred space. Again, this need not be anything elaborate or large; a simple painting or small inspirational photo is sufficient enough. You will want something soothing and neutral that expresses your particular spiritual understanding or world view. The main purpose is for it to serve as a reminder of the reason this space is set aside, and to put you in the mood for worship or meditation.

• Choosing Accessories - Finally, you will want to consider accessories for your space. These should be items that serve the singular purpose to which your space is dedicated and are stored in this space for that purpose. A few suggestions would be candles, incense, holy books, soothing music, or a note book for thoughts and reflection. If other items appeal to you, feel free to include them in your area. Personally, I would be inclined to include a deck of Tarot cards, but I know that doesn’t appeal to everybody. Incense gives my wife headaches, so I know in her sacred space she would forgo that particular element. I must again stress the importance of setting aside the items for use in worship or mediation only. Doing so creates a strong association with the sacred for that particular space, allowing you to separate this space from the rest of your every day life. With enough time, entering that space may become a psychological trigger that prepares your mind for mediation or worship, and you want to strengthen that trigger if possible.

With these considerations in mind, creating a sacred space for worship can become a rewarding experience. While there are no hard and fast rules, a little structure to your space can go a long way to creating the atmosphere, comfort level, and attitude needed for worship. The Divine, by what ever name you may call it, becomes more approachable and tangible in the right environment. Making an environment for just that purpose is a powerful way to make the Divine a regular part of your life.
Top Photo by Joi Ito. Middle Photo by The Wandering Angel. Bottom Photo by Kelly Cookson.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Inspiration, Meditation, Ritual, Worship

One of the things that some of the more hard-core atheists pride themselves on is being firmly placed in reality. The argument is that because theists choose to believe in something not verifiable by modern science, they are delusional. A delusional person is not in touch with reality. There are atheists who use this as a reason to argue that they are superior to theists. If by reality they mean “only that which is verifiable by modern science,” it would seem that they are correct. However, reality is more than just what is observable.

There is a great deal that can be experienced in the natural world that cannot be measured or verified by the scientific method. Just as much as the ground under you feet, your dreams, thoughts, and feelings are aspects of reality. Artwork, fiction, poetry, music, and acting each can illuminate truth that cannot be defined empirically, but can be felt. In our dreams and within any works of artistic endeavors there is a sense of “realness” that is immeasurable.

Reality is fluid - it takes the shape of the container in which you place it. The shape of your reality’s “container” is dictated by your paradigm. A paradigm is a filter through which you experience reality; it is the accumulation of preferences, prejudices, and protocol shaped both by physical ability and experience. Language is a key factor to an individual paradigm, as is childhood memories.

In the same way your paradigm shapes your reality, it also limits your reality. One bucket full of water is not an accurate representative of all the forms which water can take; in the same way your paradigm is not representative of the fullness of reality. Every paradigm is flawed or missing some aspect of reality. However, this does not mean that every paradigm is equal. To continue my metaphor, Lake Michigan is a lot closer to representing all the forms of water than a bucket of water. Broader paradigms, although still limited, are more accurate than narrow paradigms.

Science attempts to utilize one of the broadest paradigm possible by including only those ideas which can be tested and verified by a community of peers. However, this is still a paradigm, as it is limited to the scope of our ability to perceive the physical world, and does not include those phenomena that are immeasurable. One day science may progress so far as to be able to measure and understand even those phenomena which are currently outside its paradigm. However, to reject the fundamental reality of those things which remain untestable simply due to one paradigm’s limitations is short sighted.

The Divine is one of those aspects of reality which does not fit so neatly into every paradigm. It is so often reinterpreted and misunderstood as a result of our individual paradigms that no single broad paradigm can reach consensus with a majority of people. As a result, it is often easier to exclude that concept from our mutual paradigm. Could this be because the Divine truly does not exist? Is the Divine nothing more than myth?

It is true that one of the reasons why the concept of the Divine has not reached consensus could be due to the Divine not being real in a universal sense, but rather be real a limited individual sense. If this were the case, non-theists would have a valid argument against theism in all forms. Still, when the whole of human history is looked at in an honest manner, you cannot help but notice the consistency in which the Divine manifests itself in every culture. There is another possible reason why the Divine remains so consistent in human cultures, yet is so subject to individual opinion; it could be that when we talk about God or the Divine, we are really referencing to the ultimate reality which no single paradigm can adequately explain.

Might I be wrong? Of course, but I don’t think that is adequate reason to not expand my own paradigm beyond that provided by modern science. Albert Einstein had once said “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.” Limiting our paradigm to one branch of reality or another limits us as individual human beings and as a species. It is worth risking being wrong.

Temple Photo by Neal McQuaid. Blue Liquid Photo by Anticline. Bar Plaque Photo by Bruno Girin.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Atheism, God, Myth, Reason, Religion, Science

Photo above by Ibrahim Iujaz. Image below by “bdesignbe”.

During my middle school years, I was active in my school choir. When I say I was active, I don’t mean that I was the snot-nosed kid that missed half of the events and nodded off to sleep in music class. Actually, I was somewhat of a star student; I was the only baritone. More than that, I was chosen from all of my classmates to represent our school in a regional choir competition. I bet you didn’t even know there was such an animal!

Now, I don’t want you to get the impression that I can actually sing. It took a lot of voice training and effort on my part to sing on key and in harmony. If you asked me to try to sing now, I’m sure I’d shatter glass and make dogs howl. I point this aspect of my past out because it is one of the major reasons why I hate Christmas music and show tunes and yet never seem to get them out of my head. Singing in the Rain? Yes, it stuck in my head right now. Silver Bells? God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen? Oh, Christmas time was our big season! The King and I? The moment I wrote the title of this post, I began compulsively singing…

Yet, this is still apart of who I am. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for the experiences I have had in my past. Every day I post a new article, I’m revealing apart of who I am, what I believe, and where I am going in life. I’m sharing some of the most intimate details of myself. I think a bit of turn-around is only fair.

One of your number nominated my blog for the UU Blog Awards. While this is an honor, I think it is more important that you are showing me that I am doing something right. I want to know what that is so I can do more of it! As such I’ve written a list of questions below that I’d like you to answer as honestly as you can in my comments. This is to help me understand you, my readers, so I can make this blog a more welcoming place for all of you. I especially want to hear from my RSS subscribers! Please answer the following:

• Which religion or spiritual path do you identify with?
• Which of my articles is your favorite and why?
• Which of my articles is your least favorite and why?
• What would you like to see more of or less of?
• Are you an RSS Subscriber?

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Blogging, Individuality, Music, Questions, Readers

About a month ago, I had an idea to write a post regarding art and spirituality. I knew one of my frequent visitors was an artist, and had asked her for some input, and perhaps if I could use some of her art in my post. Her response was enthusiastic, but due to the Christmas season, she was unable to give the issue her attention. Earlier this week, she e-mailed me with an entire post’s worth of content! Well, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I would like to introduce to you Kelly Naylor. She is a true artist and I’m proud to have her as my first guest blogger here on The Pageless Book. The following article is written by Ms. Naylor, and each art piece used is her original art work. The above work is titled “Dragon Rising.”

In most of the places around the internet where I display my art, I mention that I create art because I can’t not create art. This compulsion, by the way, extends to my writing and singing as well. I do it all because I must. While reading a line in Autobiography of a Yogi about 15 years ago where Paramhansa Yogananda equates song to prayer, I realized the absolute Truth of that statement. It has always been true, and always will be true, that when I say “I will pray for you,” what I mean is “when next I finding myself singing, I will be holding you in my heart and mind and sending a request to Spirit to do the same.” (By the way, any song can be a prayer… from Shubert’s Ave Maria to The Beatles Lady Madonna to kd lang’s Crying.) So singing is my half of a conversation with Spirit.

My visual art, on the other hand, is what Spirit says to me. Very little of my art comes from my head (and the stuff that does isn’t really as interesting… to me, anyway). Most of my art comes from my heart. In fact, a lot of times I’ll put a DVD in the player and let my mind play “over there” while my heart and hands are playing “over here.” Half the time I’m not even sure what the paintings mean after I’ve created them. Perhaps the messages aren’t meant for me. I create abstract art because abstracts allow the viewer to see what they think is in the painting. On a mundane level, I could (and do) say it allows the viewer to become part of the art, part of the story. But more than that, it allows each individual to interpret the message of Spirit in their own way. Some of the pieces I create are profound, while others just flat out make me laugh. There are messages of hope, peace, love and joy… and yes, even a few about sorrow and mourning.

I think it’s important to note that I only started on this artistic path after my daughter Mackenzie died. She was born on Christmas Eve in 2000, and lived for four days. I sang (prayed) a lot, I wrote a lot, and I began dabbling with various artistic media. I went through all the stages of grief, some of them many times over. During the course of several years, I listened to Spirit. For Mackenzie’s fifth birthday, I was able to declare: I am an artist. My art honors and celebrates Mackenzie’s life.

I’d like to share one particular painting that has a powerful message for me; it’s one of those profound paintings. I was going through some employment-related difficulties at the time I painted it. Touchstone, shown right, emerged during an episode of The X-Files (where I had sent my mind to play). I was finishing up the painting just about the time Mulder tells Scully she is his touchstone (hence the name of the painting).

Looking at the painting later, I had a very clear, concise and powerful message from Spirit: You are not alone. You are loved. I am here. I love you. What is Spirit saying to you? I invite you to visit my galleries to see if Spirit has left any messages for you in other paintings.

Blessed be. Namasté.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Inspiration, Prayer, Ritual, Spirituality

Photo above by Britt Selvitelle.
Cross Tattoo Photo by Josh Parrish.
Tattooed Man Photo by Fabrice Koch.

I have this particular image of myself as a minister - clean shaved, short hair, confident in my own quiet way, and smiling. I’m wearing a short sleeved shirt with the ministerial collar all done up, a chalice embroidered on the left breast… and tattoos from the cuff of my short sleeved shirt to my elbow on both arms. Something about the juxtaposition of tattoos and ministerial-wear speaks volumes about the type of person I am.

To be honest, I do not yet have tattoos that covers the area between my elbow and shoulder (also referred to as a half-sleeve by tattoo artists); this is something I want to do in the future. So, how do I know I want this done to my body? Because I already have one tattoo…

My Tattoo

I know what I would be thinking if someone else had said that they wanted huge tattoos based upon one tattoo experience;“This guy thinks he’s tough as nails and probably only has a square inch worth of some poorly done tribal art. He’s just a foolish poser.” That doesn’t really apply to me, though. I have no delusions of being a macho manly-man; it’s just not in my personality. Further more, my first tattoo is 16 inches by 8 inches and is in the center of upper my back. It took two three-hour sessions to finish; I know the type and the intensity of pain involved.

It’s a tattoo of an abstract raven in flight, viewed from above. The raven, which is done in black and blue, has a red snake on its back biting it own tail. The snakes body forms an infinity symbol. I chose this tattoo because ravens are my totem animal - they symbolize me as a spiritual person. The snake symbolizes the fragment of the Divine within me.

Unprofessional Inclinations

Why would someone looking to get into a religious profession want tattoos? That’s a better question to ask. As usual, I have a surprising answer… Tattoos are spiritual. More ministers and preachers should have tattoos. They fuse into your flesh the story of your life in a way that serves as a constant reminder.

Not all tattoos are spiritual - but I would argue that tattoos without special meaning are the exception, not the rule. If you ask someone with a tattoo why they chose to have an image permanently etched into their flesh, most often they’ll tell you a story about an important event in their life or a belief that they hold dear. In my case, I wanted to memorialize my faith in something bigger than myself and my willingness to allow that to guide my life. For others, a tattoo may symbolize the emotional scars left from abusive relationships, an oath made to be the best parent possible, or the sorrow of the losing a spouse to disease.

This meaning - these life changing moments - are what spirituality and religion are about. If religion is about wisdom, tattoos are about remembering the our lessons. If religion is about growing as a person, tattoos are about declaring your individuality. Finally, if religion is about living our lives to the fullest, then we can say that tattoos are the stories that prove us religious.

Bad Ink

The last thing I want you to think is that I believe tattooing is for everybody. There are several religions that frown upon permanent alteration of the human body - I respect those traditions. Some people are more sensitive to pain than others and there are people who just don’t see the need. Most importantly, there are medical conditions that can make tattooing hazardous. This isn’t for everyone.

What I am questioning is the negative stigma we give tattooing in this society - particularly in regards to liberal religions. The judgment we place upon someone with multiple tattoos is that they are dangerous, lived a hard life, cannot be taken seriously, or some combination of the three. It is those types of judgments that are dangerous, that make life harder to live, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Tattoos are nothing less than outward signs of an inner truth. If you want proof, all you have to do is spend a day at the tattoo parlor and ask the artists or patrons.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Career, Faith, Individuality, Ministry, Religion, Ritual, Spirituality

Yet again, I find myself tagged for a blogging meme; the “One Book Meme.” This time, I was tagged by Jerome from Under A Violet Sun… which means I can get back at the person who tagged me last time, as well as annoy a few other folks who leave me comments! I’ll also take this opportunity to link those books to Amazon through my associates account. If my list inspires you to buy, please consider doing so through my website. Let’s get this party underway, shall we?

One book that changed my life.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Not only did this book introduce me to critical analysis of literature, but also opened my eyes to the depth of other religions. If it weren’t for this book, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

One book that I’ve read more than once.
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. While criticized for being too political, I have to admit this book also had a positive impact on me. I like the poetic and social approach she has in regards to spirituality.

One book I’d want on a desert island.
SAS Survival Handbook by John Lofty Wiseman. No, I’ve never read this book. Yes, I’m being facetious.

One books that made me laugh.
Amphigorey by Edward Gorey. This was given to me by my brother-in-law for Christmas. We share the same, sick sense of humor. The humor isn’t always immediately obvious, and Edward Gorey’s style takes a some getting used to, but I find this book extremely rewarding.

One book that made me cry.
Nothing that I’ve read has ever really made me cry. That isn’t to say that I never read sad books, just that books don’t make me cry. I guess I’m a bit strange in that respect.

One book that I wish had been written.
My Eight Years by President Al Gore. I know I’m making a political statement in saying that, but it is the only thing that came to my mind. I think this country and the world would be a better place right now if he had taken the White House.

One book that I wish had never been written.
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. Do I really need to explain this one?

One books I’m currently reading.
The Language of God by Francis S. Collins. I plan on doing a review on this book, once I’m finished. I don’t agree with everything that Dr. Collins says in this book, but I am enjoying it.

One book I’ve been meaning to read.
The Christian Bible. If I’m going to be a Minister, I should at least read it once front to back. The problem is working up the will power to trudge through it. The genealogies and laws are probably the hardest part of the book to appreciate… they slow the whole narrative down.

Now I must tag five people: Cathy, Hafidha Sofia, Julian, Kelly, and Ms. Kitty.

Above photo by Faeryan.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Books, Humor, Meme, Review, Reviews

Photo by Rossina Bossio Bossa

Nothing inspires me more than a great song, but all too often the hymns sung at church leave me unmoved. Maybe it is because I’m looking for something different in my music; I like a sense of rebellion with my spirituality. Perhaps what I’m looking for is more like Imagine by John Lennon, or Land of Confusion by Genesis. I’m sure someone has already thought to include those songs in a worship service.

What about more recent music? From the last 20 years or so? Personally, I’m a hard rock kind of guy; I know that doesn’t lend itself very well a family friendly service. By sifting through my CD collection, however, I have found a number of songs that might work in a more liberal service with little tweaking. I’ve ordered them from songs from least relevant to most relevant:

• Soon Forget, Pearl Jam - This is humorous parable about the foolishness of materialism over interpersonal relationships. The main character in this story focuses on immediate gratification, and ends up dying a rich but lonely old man whom we all will “soon forget”. It would need some lyric rewriting to make it family friendly, however.
• No Excuses, Alice in Chains - I enjoy this song as it exemplifies fellowship through hardship. It has a good up-lifting beat and two part harmony; we know how music directors love their harmony!
• The Distance, Live - By pointing out the impracticalness of so-called perfect spiritual attainment, this song earns a special place in my heart. This theme probably would appeal to the ministers more than to their congregation.
• Nothing Else Matters, Metallica - Concerning the sacred bonds of friendship and loyalty, this song has become a stirring anthem for my generation. If you are over forty, compare this song to Dream On by Aerosmith.
• The Great Below, Nine Inch Nails - This song is about the need for repentance from something greater than the self. Squeamish about that “repentance” aspect? Don’t worry; The Great Below is devoid of Christian implications. Some lyric editing would be needed, so not to be completely depressing, as this is still Nine Inch Nails. However, I feel that the music and the theme of the song more than makes up for that.
• Gravity, A Perfect Circle - About human failings and faith in the unknown to over come those failing, this song is my favorite on this list. That wouldn’t be because I idolize Maynard James Keenan… er, um, uh, I still maintain that implications by the media of altars and offerings being made on my part is unfounded rumor. Moving on.
• A Thousand Years, Sting - A love song to the Divine. Well, maybe it isn’t originally meant to be a love song to the Divine, but it certainly could be. This song is filled to the brim with mystical imagery, yet remains accessible. Very few changes needed to use as a hymn.

Well, that’s my list. I’m sure, looking deeper into my music collection, I could find more songs. However, if I tried, I’d probably end up spending the rest of the day listening to albums. I know my taste in music is far from universal, so I’d like to hear your opinion. What unorthodox music would you like to see incorporated into a worship service?

I look forward to reading your replies.

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written by John \\ tags: Art, Faith, Humor, Music, Spirituality, UU Emergent

Photo by Tom Woodward

I was driving home from hanging out with my brother - his words and ideas fading in my mind as I hurl myself down the road - when one of my favorite songs came on the radio. I started singing along with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Kind of Man” and then the thought occurred to me that this song was a part of American Mythology. In fact, a lot of songs have become part of American Mythology. Books, movies, art, and music are all woven together to create the stories that we as a people tell.

Before I had dropped my brother off, we had been discussing religion. I’m not entirely sure who brought the subject up, but seeing as I’m the one interested in seminary, it was probably me. He started telling me how he felt that the stories behind religion are all myths and that he wishes that all religions would simply wink out from existence. It’s a sentiment that I’ve heard before. I just kindly reminded him that I was working towards becoming a minister, and would appreciate not being winked out of existence just yet… but I understood what he meant.

There are some stories or myths that have been used to create division and strife for humanity. These stories were not understood fully or were intentionally misrepresented in order to manipulate the society from which the stories came. A good comparison to this would be to the Hollywood gossip rags found in your local supermarket check-out lines. Truth is taken out of context and paired up with incriminating evidence to suggest things that may very well be mere rumor. Trash-gossip papers also become a part of the American Mythology as well, albeit a much scorned aspect of that mythology

I have been slowly attempting to read the King James Bible from cover to cover, and the one thing that strikes me most solidly is that the society in which Abraham lived is nothing like the society in which we live. Because we no longer live in the historical context in which Abraham lived, it is hard for us to understand what is being said, and all too easy to misrepresent the story. I can see why non-theists would be so dedicated to cutting the Bible out of American Mythology - it is too much like yesterday’s gossip column. If I could rid the world of Hollywood gossip newspapers and television programs, I certainly would.

A society is defined not by the items it produces, but instead by the stories that it tells. Wanting to do away with the stories that weaken, rather then strengthen society is a noble cause, but an unrealistic one. It’s impossible to monitor all ideas; it is easier to just replace them with better stories. This is the natural selection of myth that society goes through. Better stories are told again, while poor stories are forgotten.

In the case of “Simple Kind of Man” it’s one of those stories I hope to hear again and again. The song represents the words a mother has for her