Practical Religion

Coroner says death could have been prevented

2011-11-14T21:36:00.000-08:00

Well, when was the last time a religious doctrine was changed on the advice of a coroner? Oh - hey - didn't the Pope recently advocate for condoms - not for birth control, but for recreational sex?
Coroner says end ban on blood

Jehovah's posh diggs?

2011-11-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

This is an option I think all religions should have - free lodging, and not just primitive, in New York City?

Free Lodging in Old-Brooklyn Elegance

Sharing...

2009-09-27T11:20:00.001-07:00

hmmm... in my youth, it was the church potluck. As the secular world ventures into replacing those functions...

Nolo Press: The Sharing Solution

10% or 10:1 Social Contract

2009-08-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

How much more are one person's skills and labor worth compared to another's?

Ben & Jerry's corporate effort to keep salaries within the company at a 10:1 ratio were a failure. Their goal was that the highest paid executive would make no more than 10 times the lowest paid employee. Over time, they said they couldn't get qualified executives for that lowly amount (or couldn't make any money paying people higher than minimum wage?) I mean, how rich should someone get selling ice cream ? Or, do you need the most highly qualified financial wizards in the country to manage the sales of ice cream ? What's wrong with this picture?

Well, Ben & Jerry washed their hands of the idealistic failure, sold the financially successful company to a giant conglomerate, and feel they can do better by donating the millions they made to charity than they could by trying to run a company under higher principles. I've got news for anyone who thinks this is a great model: (secular) charity comes in a poor fourth to corporations, government, and religion.

Many sects mandate or recommend a 10% principle -- that is, you are required or should donate 10% of your income to the church. The churches have gotten wealthy this way.

What if a group of people tried to put Ben & Jerry's 10:1 ratio into real life practice. Let's call it a "social contract group." Individuals participating would form a group whereby the highest paid individuals would agree to assist in some way the lowest paid individuals. The amount of assistance would make their income levels 10:1 -- that is, any income an individual made that was over 10 times the wage of the lowest wage earner would be donated and used by the organization to either supplement the lower income wage or pay for their schooling, or whatever. Presumedly, people being helped could move up in the ranks to reduce their amount of assistance, and give back to the group. The group would seek to be representative of the surrounding socioeconomic environment, accepting new members as it was capable of managing the financial infrastructure.

2009-07-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting ad campaign by the United Methodist Church:

Ten Thousand Doors

Uncharitable comments

2009-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

belated listening to KQEDs forum "Uncharitable"

And my remarks, posted on the Uncharitable publisher's website:

Unfortunately, I listened to the show via podcast, so I could not present comments in a timely fashion. I agree with the basic premise that nonprofits should be allowed more of a performance-based "profit" incentive.

However, the MAJOR issue that I was disappointed was not asked was regarding market feedback mechanisms. Presumedly in the for-profit sector, a company has a product that is valued or not valued, and a CEO justifies his salary on the basis of the value of his product. If the product stops selling or declines in value, the CEO's salary is no longer justified, and the CEO either takes a salary cut or a golden parachute.

In the nonprofit world, there are two kinds of problems -- the problems that CAN be solved, and the problems that will NEVER be solved. Specific diseases can fall into the former, social inequity falls into the latter. There will always be social inequity, it's largely an issue of what degree of inequity or suffering is tolerable in a civil society.

In the for-profit world, a thriving company will continually improve their product or make an innovative new product, or another company will take their business. On the other hand, the profit motive in the nonprofit world is that the disease or inequity must NEVER be solved, because the "company" will be out of business. You could argue that the incentives must be carefully induced so that "solutions" are the goal, but that's not what you're arguing, or at least, that's not what I heard on KQED. What I heard on KQED is that higher salaries and more cash throughput is the goal, towards the end of more efficient discovery of solutions.

For solvable problems, the goal of a nonprofit should be to put themselves out of business, once the cure is discovered. The goal is not to create ever-higher salaries and job incentives for keeping the disease alive.

For non-solvable problems there are different issues. The goal is to arrive at a socially agreeable balance point, and maintain that balance point in a means that is (should have added "agreeable and") least expensive to the general public. You may employ high-cost methods to research and find the balance point, but part of the goal is to find the low-cost, low-salary means of maintaining that balance point. The goal is not to maintain the highest salaries or have ever-increasing salaries to maintain a social balance point (regarding inequity that will never be eliminated). Individuals employed in those sectors have to see their jobs as stepping-stones to something else, not as a career where their salary will continually rise.

College grads in childcare

2009-01-24T00:56:00.000-08:00

This is not a "religious" issue except in the larger sense that many religions (including the Humanists of Palo Alto) have found that providing childcare (or quality schooling) is a great way to bring in converts...

Now for the question...

The Right Start Child Care and Education Act (S.210)introduced in the Senate would provide a tax credit of up to $2,000 a year for three years for college graduates who decide to enter the child care field.

Do we really need more college graduates in childcare? I suppose someone with a college degree might manage a larger childcare facility, but that's like, uh, a business degree? Is that what we really need in childcare? I DO agree with most of the other provisions of the bill, but I can't quite fathom the notion of urging someone to go to college for a job that is traditionally performed by someone without a degree, and at a lower cost. While going to college theoretically makes you a more rounded person, and a person specializing in childhood development might create better programs for the children in daycare, that would be the high-end, more expensive daycare option, for parents who CAN afford daycare and are willing to pay a premium for it. Those people don't need financial assistance, and we probably don't need more high-end daycare people; what we need is daycare more available to the average working parent, which generally means affordability is the issue.

Wall of Separation

2009-01-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Getting this from Dan Barker's book, "Losing Faith in Faith" page 304.

In 1947 (Everson v. Board of Education), they wrote:
Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pas laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force or influence a person to go to or remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or nonattendance. Not tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups, and vice versa. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State.'

page 310
And speaking of "Christian Nations" of which most Scandinavian countries are OFFICIALLY:
In 1536 Christian III, who had met Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, marched into Copenhagen and expelled the Catholics, appropriating the Roman wealth to pay off huge war debts, establishing Protestantism as the new faith of the area, not by any true religious revival, but by edict. (It is only fair that the Catholic wealth was confiscated for military purposes. After all, if the state and the church are allied, then can't religious donations be considered a governmental tax?) Since the middle of the sixteenth century, Scandinavia has been a stronghold of Lutheranism.

Much of Dan Barker's book is a compilation of "nontracts" and letters to the editor published under the auspices of the Freedom From Religion Foundation Also, since the author is a former fundamentalist minister, much of the book reviews bible verses often quoted by evangelists, and explores the actual context and historical meaning of the verses. He also reviews a surprising number of items often quoted that aren't actually in the bible.

Miracle of Christmas

2008-12-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

Awoke to look out and see the miracle of Christmas at my doorstep. The miracle didn't actually happen on Christmas, I just happened to notice it on Christmas morning. Over a month ago, when the first rains started, the building settled, causing my door frame to stick. Then, the building settled more, and the door frame unstuck.

Lo and behold, on Christmas morn, I realized that the miracle had occurred. Water no longer puddles outside my door -- it now puddles in front of my neighbor's door. Halleluja!

Flying Spaghetti Monster

2008-12-24T01:01:00.000-08:00

Impressive display of Flying Spaghetti Monster holiday lights!

link to the light

Social Security

2008-12-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

Recently watched the movie "Daughter from DaNang." This movie very well portrays the clash of lifestyles between the extended family, where all activities are moderated through the opinion of generations of relatives, and the American nuclear family, where each household is a kingdom in isolation.

But the greatest revelation to me was the earnest difference in thinking brought about by the invention of social security and pension plans. The American is shocked to be asked to help take care of the elder (FINANCIALLY, no less ?!) Before social security and pension plans, obligation to elders was standard fare. Now, it's every person for themselves (and work towards retirement, if you don't die first).

Families have varying degrees of this sentiment. Some pay for childrens college, even through advanced graduate degrees, some make children work for it. Some can't afford any of that. And when the government creates programs, it unquestionably alters the family balance. No family would obligate themselves for what the government might provide for free (or, that's why I paid taxes). There is a fine balance between the joy of independence (or the loneliness of isolation) and the excessive burdens of obligation to family/others.

The government would have us sink our retirement funds into the stock market with no guarantees, rather than investing in local businesses and people we know (still, with no guarantees). For the families without means, or families split apart, there is no security, other than that provided by the government. Certainly a mark of civilized society is to prevent starvation and large scale death from the elements, but drawing the line on social benefits is moving target.

In some respects, ones philosophy towards this falls into religion. Some who call themselves Christian seem to favor suffering masses and competition to the point of taking advantage of others (in order to teach them a lesson?) even within the family. Certainly the attitude towards how one raises ones children (and their education) would be considered a personal religious prerogative, but there are extreme differences even within religious congregations. This is an arena where the State relies on religious sentiments, and the religions are fairly vague. In the US, attitudes seem to be tied primarily to socioeconomic status more than anything.

Contradictions of Faith

2008-10-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest contradictions of faith is that while Christians believe the afterlife is what matters, they bring in new members by helping people out with the problems of this life. On the other hand, Atheists believe this life is all you've got, but they tend to be libertarian individualists who not only don't help others in order to bring them into the fold (saying "you're wrong about religion!" doesn't make them attractive), they in general, don't do much to help other equally independent atheists.

Case in point:
Faith-based effort to avert foreclosures SFGate

Wishful thinking

2008-10-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Ran into the mysterious ad campaign that preys on curiosity (can't even remember where I saw the sign)...

"You can live the life YOU choose by understanding how every single thing that happens to you --the good and the bad--is dictated by your own subconscious desires."

Yep, you have a subconscious desire to die in a plane crash, so I'd advise flying as frequently as possible. New Age wedges itself into the mainstream self-help section?

Oh, and a Reverend, as well ! Jesus wants you to be rich in this life.
Act as if...

Convert or flee !

2008-10-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

This would be just as likely to occur in some small towns in the Midwestern or Southern United States...

Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee

please notify if link doesn't work.

Religious Holidays

2008-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

So my co-worker complains that she's been feeling tired lately, maybe she should see a doctor.

"Well, haven't you been fasting every day for Ramadan ?"

"Yes, not only that, but getting up every day before dawn for prayers."

This co-worker calls in sick for the last couple of days of Ramadan, which I assume involves some religious festivities?

But in the larger picture, in the U.S., Christmas is a FEDERAL holiday, declared in 1870, so lots of people automatically get that one off.

Selling wombs and eggs

2008-09-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

I couldn't even read this entire article, the whole issue bothers me so.
In India, Surrogacy Has Become a Global Business

This article points out the need for a new religious infrastructure. Laws cannot take the place of personal moral guidelines and community infrastructure.

Connections must be established between individuals bearing children and the communities that will insure the safety, support, and livelihood of those children. While single parenting is common, even raising children with two parents requires a support infrastructure of trusted others. In the absence of that, greed, economics, and laws are no substitute. The fertility industry operating on its own economic incentives can be the equivalent of selling babies, which is pretty much universally disdained.

Many couples have children, and then search for the suitable infrastructure -- schools, churches, etc. Imagine the advantages of a group of people agreeing to mutual support *before* conception. A broader network would provide support even in the event of divorce. However, agreements would need to be made in advance on various decisions (including whether procreation is appropriate), otherwise, the burden is foisted upon others without their consent, based on legal obligation or emotional guilt. That is no way to bring children into the world.

Palin on Mission from God

2008-09-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

On June 8, 2008 in the Wasilla Assembly of God, her church of over 25 years, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin declared United States military forces in Iraq to be "out on a task that is from God." Head Pastor of that church, Ed Kalnins, has also made statements indicating that he views the current conflict in Iraq as part of an apocalyptic end-times struggle.
link Huffington Post

Hurricane Madness

2008-09-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to let people die (not the people on the freighter, the other guy) -- but public health demands a quick cleanup of their bodies...
--------------------
Ike's 105-mph winds and potential 50-foot waves stopped the Coast Guard from attempting a risky helicopter rescue of 22 people aboard a 584-foot freighter that broke down in the path of the storm

The National Weather Service warned residents of smaller structures on Galveston they could "face certain death" if they ignored an order to evacuate; most had complied, along with hundreds of thousands of fellow Texans in counties up and down the coastline.

But a stubborn few decided to stay. Emory Sallie, 44, said he had ridden storms out in the past and didn't think Ike would be any different. He didn't believe the dire warnings — he was more worried about the wind, not the flooding.

"If the island is going to disappear it has to be a tsunami," he said, as he walked along the block where his home is located, drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. "If it ain't your time you ain't going anywhere." SF Gate article

God is love

2008-06-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

...but God hates environmentalists, loves boys who get drunk in the swamp, and well, exactly how does God feel about hungry alligators?

Teen loses arm to alligator

Social Contracts - flake factor

2008-06-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Do you have plans for Friday night?

Your willingness to change plans might be known as your "flake factor," a flake being someone who makes plans but only shows up half the time.

A good friend of mine, from the same small town in Indiana summarized the issue very well. His theory, everyone he knows in the Bay Area uses a social status or fun factor when deciding whether to change plans or not. If they make plans with you, average Joe, and then President Bush, or Brad Pitt, or Angelina Jolie asks them out, then you, average Joe, gets jilted. Of course you should understand, because how often are you going to get the opportunity with the famous person? But, "famous person" extends to anyone of higher social status or who is more physically attractive than you. So if you're low status, everyone always flakes on you. And you have to understand, because that's the way social status works; you'll only get yours higher by flaking on your loser friends.

But in our small town in Indiana, where there is little social flux, and your status is determined by several generations of reputation (and newcomers take several years to establish a reputation), your word is your honor. If you make plans for Friday night, and President Bush asks for an appointment, you say, "I'm sorry, President Bush, I have an appointment with my friend Joe."

In the small town, there is a binary system of right and wrong. Simple. In the urban world, there are forty shades of grey. The question is not whether one system is right or wrong; these are social conventions, thought to be understood by participants (except, those from different backgrounds, who "just don't get it." The crime is not differing social systems (social contracts), the crime is the misunderstanding of those social contracts which, unfortunately, are usually unspoken. Also, of course, is the spoken acceptance of a particular rule, but the underhanded action flouting the rule. Now we've ventured into the land of attorneys, where competition is the main game, and all rules and versions of reality are up for argument.

Politics and Religion

2008-06-11T01:23:00.000-07:00

Here's an article in the Economist that talks about church and state, specifically as it relates to Israel, but there are implications for all nations.

The next Zionist revolution

Level of Belief

2008-05-27T11:23:00.001-07:00

* I can levitate this bowl using my mental powers

*If I pray, something will happen a) if I'm a good person or b) if it's God's will

*Illness is God's revenge

*Don't ever say bad things because they might come true

*We are right and they are wrong

*They are wrong because they don't believe in/worship our god

*Our god is real and theirs isn't

*Our god is more powerful than theirs

*We will win because God is on our side

*God will smite our enemies

*When you sneeze, evil spirits may enter your body if you don't say "bless you!"

Right and Wrong

2008-05-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is working on a read-through of the ENTIRE bible, with his understanding of what he's reading. Quite a task!

After a recent trip to the mountains, and perhaps inspired by his Old Testament readings, I started thinking about the following...

Is it right that a parent should sacrifice their children ? I mean, let's say, a parent wanted to make a statement about cars going too fast down their residential street, or even in a parking lot. Would it be appropriate for a parent to let their child run out into the street and get killed, just to prove beyond a shadow of the doubt that yes, this is indeed a problem ? I mean, if the parent really CARED about this issue, and letting their child get killed might FINALLY get something done like installing speed bumps or something... would it be right to sacrifice the child for the greater good ?

Well, I think most of us would say that's pretty idiotic, and any parent who did this would be considered irresponsible.

AND YET -- this is what the bible is telling us that god did with his own son. God knew humans were nasty, back-stabbing brutes who would torture someone who was dangerous to the status quo, and yet, well, he urged his son to "play in the street." Oh ya, a loving god. Frankly, it reeks of irresponsible parenthood.

An entire religion based on feeding oneself and ones offspring to the wolves, for some "afterlife." Works for terrorists !

Intolerance

2008-04-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hey, here's an idea for making your religion "stick" and preventing strays... Tell your adherents that anyone who disagrees is the devil, and if you listen to them, they will trick you into going to hell forever.

I was reminded of this tenet while recently dealing with someone who clearly was not interested in hearing any viewpoint that disagreed with their own. There are clearly parts of the country that do not value learning.

Brazilian Pentecostal

2008-03-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Article on the rise of Pentecostals in Brazil.

If redemption fails, you can still use the free bathrooms!

Imbolc

2008-02-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

Just learned (sorry, my pagan friends hadn't enlightened me ?!) Do those Midwesterners know they're celebrating another pagan tradition ??
------------------

Imbolc is traditionally a time of weather prognostication, and the old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens is perhaps a precursor to the North American Groundhog Day.

George Carlin on religion

2008-02-06T00:10:00.000-08:00

Here's what George Carlin has to say about it LINK

musings about fire

2008-01-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Prompted by the Monte Carlo Hotel-Casino blaze... Doesn't it seem odd that with all of our technology, we still don't have a very good grip on controlling fire ? I mean, use of fire was probably one of the earliest tools that differentiated humans from other primates; we've had quite a long time to practice, and yet, we still don't have it right.

We've got heaters not separated very well from flammable buildings. We've got people smoking in bed. We've got stoves that don't turn off, and catch houses on fire. We've got poorly insulated electrical conduits that overheat and burn buildings.

We haven't improved much since people were still cooking over open flame in a fireplace. Which would improve the human condition more; everyone reading the bible, or spending the equivalent time getting properly oriented on fire safety, or improving situations where fire is likely ?

Church of Perfect Liberty

2008-01-16T22:21:00.000-08:00

I happened to drive by a "Church of Perfect Liberty" out near West Portal.

Seems they have 21 official precepts and a Patriarch... I'm not impressed.

Wikipedia entry

Colorful Religions

2007-11-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Whoa, here we go...
Bizarre Religions and Cults around the World

Chicken sez...

2007-08-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Chicken John, in an interview with RU Sirius, points out the absurdity of calling Burning Man a "green" event with a jab at Larry Harvey... though the context is actually about innovation and creative thinking, and complaining about doing things "the way they've always been done..." A problem, it seems, even on the bleeding edge.

short excerpt

full interview

Losing Faith

2007-08-15T23:56:00.001-07:00

An L.A. Times reporter requests the religion beat, but a few years of reporting the reality of religion turns him away from his beliefs LINK
One can't help but be angry after closely held beliefs are found to be very wrong. That's why there are many angry atheists and Humanists. Others are angry because such a large percentage of the population has such strong, unfounded faith. But who wants to join a bunch of angry, bitter people ?

Let's hear it for *happy atheists* ! uh, where are they?

Pentagon Access?

2007-08-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON - The Army and Air Force are considering disciplinary action against seven officers - including four generals - who violated ethics rules by assisting a Christian group in the production of a fundraising video. (link)

Curing a Ham ?

2007-08-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

After self-claimed male prostitute Mike Jones in 2006 alleged that former evangelical preacher Ted Haggard had indulged in gay sex and drug abuse, Haggard entered three weeks of counseling with four ministers - one of whom claimed, at the end of that period of time, that Haggard was "completely heterosexual." That claim suggests a conversion of record time that even reparative therapists would not support.

Says Robert-Jay Green PhD, Executive Director of the Rockway Institute, "It takes longer to cure a ham than it took to cure Ted Haggard of his homosexuality."
My Ex-Gay Life :: Reclaiming Homosexuality
===========================
This article touches on some issues regarding gays who don't want to give up on their religion, even if their religion has given up on them. Ouch on that photo.

Find Religion, Get out of Jail

2007-08-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

The old "I found Jesus in prison" is a familiar refrain for shortening one's sentence. Now, the new angle is "go to church, forego prison." What a bargain, if you can stomach all that.

The link below takes you to an article about a church offering rehab and escape from sentencing. Now, with the administration's funding of faith-based initiatives, the program can get even more money.

Of course, government funding of religious programs is essentially government sponsorship of religion. Some of us understand why that's a slippery slope, and why prohibition was specially written into the constitution. HINT: The pilgrims came to North America to escape governments who sponsored specific religions that weren't the ones the pilgrims happened to believe in.

I'd like to make two comments about this article, its subject, and the comments people make in response to the article.

First of all, religious institutions are uniquely positioned to deal with some issues. Take the wayward person who chooses church instead of prison. Essentially, that person needs a group of people to monitor them and help them steer clear of unproductive behavior. Unfortunately, a counselor working office hours, which is the state-sponsored method, doesn't quite provide the support a person needs 24/7. A group of people through a church can be more proactive. So the churches can tout how superior they are to government programs. Twelve-step programs ARE religious, though there is an alternative called Rational Recovery. I can't vouch for any of these, since I haven't had these issues.

The second point I want to make is that you should take the time to read the COMMENTS posted online in response to this story. What is blatantly obvious in these comments is that there are MANY people out there who are so immersed in the religious mindset, that they can't fathom what " separation of church and state" actually means other than "godless commies going hell in a handbasket." To these people, even a, say, a MORMON would be preferable to having an atheist or civil libertarian for president.

So here it is... if our country is to truly embrace its founding principles of separation of church and state, then the secular community must come up with programs to compete with human services provided by the religious community:

Evansville Church offers prison alternative

Jehovah's Witnesses

2007-07-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

Of all the religions, Jehovah's Witnesses can be particularly annoying due to their frequent visits to homeowners' doorsteps. In the healthcare field, Jehovah's Witnesses can be problematic, because they refuse blood transfusions -- and it sometimes comes down to receive it or die?

In the article linked below, I would say the tone of the article is a bit misleading. There has always been a drive towards using less blood in surgeries. It is not Jehovah's witnesses driving this, but the shortage of blood, and the complications that come with blood incompatabilities. Maybe the Chronicle is giving Jehovah's witnesses a bit more good press, since they're here in droves for a series of conventions in the Cow Palace. Stanford, and most hospitals, try to honor and find ways to work with, rather than against various religious and cultural belief structures.

At any rate, Jehovah's Witnesses are not the driving factor in reducing blood transfusions, but recalcitrant guinea pigs, since they are willing to die if the only thing between them and death is a blood transfusion. This means what could be a routine surgery becomes a harrowing gauntlet for medical staff -- first, will we actually need blood? (in some surgeries, it's nearly unavoidable); second, how close to death will the patient actually come without blood? (too close means it's too late); and third, will the patient or their family relent in their belief to allow transfusion to avert death at the last minute? (many do).

From the San Francisco Chronicle (announcement by way of American Association of Blood Banks newsletter):

Jehovah's Witness' religious beliefs have encouraged advances in "bloodless" surgeries and spawned a new push for bloodless medical programs at hospitals including Stanford University Medical Center, where transfusion experts note that the reliance on public blood supplies could be threatened during an epidemic or terrorist attack. San Francisco Chronicle (7/20)

The bigger picture here, though is that it is a hypocritical fad to say that we honor deeply held religious beliefs... that is, unless you happen to be a member of Al Qaeda ? We DO draw lines because we believe that some religions are just plain wrong. Of course, those are always "destructive beliefs of the enemy," never our own destructive beliefs.

Burning Man Religion ?

2007-07-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

For many people, Burning Man has become a default religion of sorts. For those needing a cult figure, it has that, though for those who think that's ridiculous, bowing before Larry is not required.

Many people plan their seasons around Burning Man activities.

The best thing about Burning Man, though, is that it only dictates some basic core rules that will insure its survival. You don't have to "believe" in Burning Man, you can just participate, and they hope you will follow their basic rules. Breaking some rules will get you thrown out (but mostly only after stern warning). Breaking other rules is common (Leave No Trace), but there is enough social stigma to have some force, even among transient strangers.

Though some religions are extremely strict and require banishment for lack of following the rules, most religions are pretty lax about these things. In this respect, Burning Man LLC could just as well be Burning Man, a religion, however, the founders felt that forming an LLC was the best way to promote their cause and livelihood. Calling something "a religion" automatically turns many people off, for fear they will have to sacrifice their babies and turn over all their finances. The other notion is that if it's "a religion" the rules are automatically "top-down." What about a democratic, grass-roots, or bottom-up religion ? It could be possible. Burning Man is close to this paradigm.

Mormons

2007-07-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Mormons have a few things right.

1. Promotion of a family unit (even though their version of the family is archaic).

2. Sending young adults on a "mission" to experience another part of the world/culture.

3. For those who need it, dietary guidelines and restrictions (no caffeine)...

Otherwise, they have a bunch of odd mystical stuff thrown in that makes no sense. But there's enough practical stuff in the mess that makes it a rapidly growing religion.

Am I Humanist ?

2007-07-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

First, I should put out there that I was raised Christian, and now consider myself a Humanist.

That said, I am not really that impressed with Humanists, because as a group, they have a long way to go. They are primarily intellectuals out to prove how smart they are. To someone who believes in religion, they would rather say, "let me prove how you are wrong" rather than "let me help you transition to a better paradigm in life."

Perhaps my attitude towards helping others leave the hindrance of religious belief is based in my Christian upbringing. Here is an important point: religions serve valid functions, and to attack them without offering useful, fulfilling replacement will never work. Furthermore, a belief structure cannot grow if it only attacks without offering replacement.

I am not a Unitarian, because although I believe all the religions perform valid functions in their adherents' lives, I cannot embrace those religions; I can only look at them to see what positive aspects they may have. In this respect, the new amalgam would allow patently absurd belief structures, but only in the sense that they are experimental, and a periodic assessment of their usefulness would occur.