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Monday, 01 December 2008

Religion and Homosexuality - How they can coexist.

   I consider myself to be somewhat religious. In my youth, I went to Sunday School, church, and Bible study. I know the books of the Bible, all the prayers, and the way God wants me to be.

Maybe there was a flaw in my schooling - I was taught the God loved all people.

I'm not one to hide my religious curiosity. If I know a dedicated Christian or Catholic, I'm not shy about asking religious questions to better solidify my beliefs. I try not to be offensive as that is not my intention, but I am sincerely curious. It is, as I am told, a duty of religion to spread the faith.

   One of my favorite questions to ask is, "Do you believe in gay marriage? Why or why not?" Some of the answers I've received are a little unnerving. Here are a few of them, and why they don't really answer the question:

1. "I don't support their lifestyle"
This is probably the most popular one I've come across. It has a simple defense. I don't support your zealous lifestyle, but you don't see me telling you that you can't go to church every Sunday. You don't see me defining your individual rights. It's not your lifestyle - You don't have to support it.

2. "Marriage is a Christian institution"
It's been proven, marriage isn't just for Christians anymore. My mother and father don't go to church anymore, or pray before bed and meals, yet they got married. Atheists get married every day. I've even asked a few Jewish friends if they got married. They responded with a resounding, "Yes." Marriage is sanctioned and controlled by the state. You need a state license. It's not just for Christians anymore.

3. "Marriage is defined between a man and a woman"
If you look up the noun "Marriage" in the dictionary, that is so. However, have you ever bothered to look up the verb "marry"?

+ to perform the marriage ceremonies for (two people who wish to be husband and wife); join in wedlock.
+ to take as a husband or wife; take in marriage.
I really don't feel like listing them all.

4. Leviticus 20:13
Which, in case you were wondering, states, "And a man who lies with a male as one would with a woman both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon themselves."

This one is a tough one to defend, so I did some research. In an article here, I found a way. This article translates the Bible literally (as I always thought it should be translated) and found a few flaws. The first of which being there is no mention of lesbian sex. That fact alone proves that the Bible cannot defend a ban on all of homosexuality. Also, two men having sex while standing up is permitted. And, as anyone that had health class can figure out, it is anatomically impossible a man to have sex with another man as he would with a woman. That doesn't even include the fact that the Bible uses the word "abomination" quite a few times to describe simple things, like eating certain foods.

5. "It is a sin."
Yes, sadly, this was an actual answer. To defend this one, all I have to say is that if a homosexual is not Christian or religious - It's not a sin.

It's a shame that religious communities are so set on saving the world and helping people, yet they neglect roughly 15% of the world's population. A little disappointing, I think.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Monday, 17 November 2008

My Piercing Experience

                        Disclaimer: Not necessarily for the feint of heart.

"I'm afraid of needles" I said. "Then this really isn't the best place to be." He responded.

         Aside from having my earlobes double pierced, and one cartilage piercing, I decided to go for something a little more...exotic and crazy. So I got my lip pierced. I spent the entire Saturday putting up arguments to my mother (I'm only 17 - She needed to consent). Arguments that ranged from "I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, or go to parties like some people in my class. Don't I deserve something crazy?" to "It will force me to practice impeccable oral hygiene!" One way, or another, it worked.
         After doing my research (cost, healing time, procedure, care, etc) My mother and I made our way to a tattoo parlor in our area. The people there were very nice, my mother gave them her ID, and I gave them mine, and I sat right down in "The Chair". It was blue, vinyl, and looked like something out of a dentist-gone-awry movie. Oh well.
         I am terribly afraid of needles, but I'm trying to conquer my fear via piercings and donating blood (I don't do both at the same time - Don't worry). And after he finished sterilizing my lip, I caught a glimpse of the needle. It was literally the size of a fork prong. Oh, crap. (I later realized it was that big because it was hollow. Oh yes, they took a chunk OUT of my lip!)
        So I closed my eyes, and proceeded with the old "In through the nose, out through the mouth" trick. Then there was the pain: It was sharp and bad enough to make my eyes water, but it was quick, and soon numb. So there I sat with a needle through my lip. My mother jokingly asked if I wanted to see it, I said "NO!". The ring went in, the needle came out, and viola! Instant lip piercing.
         All and all, I'm extremely happy with the experience. The piercing looks really great. The only downside I would have to say is the fact that I can't quite kiss my SO like I used to until it heals. =]

Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Who Decides What's "In"?

     As you can tell, I'm a pretty liberal person when it comes to dress. I see nothing wrong with mohawks, piercings, tattoos, or anything else that's branded "unprofessional" and "reckless" in society. I'm curious, who is it that made all these beliefs true?

     Today in English class, we were discussing surrealism, and we watched an episode of the "Twilight Zone" where a woman underwent surgery to become prettier and fit in with society. When her bandages were finally removed, the audience was shocked to find the woman actually had a gorgeous face (by today's standards) and the society in which she lived in all had misshapen faces. How frightening.

      This got me thinking. Who makes the rules here?

    When you go for a job interview, your are expected to arrive in a suit, looking all spiffy and cookie-cuttered out. No unusual piercings, and your tattoos can NEVER be showing. Oh no.

     But what I want to know is WHY. Who determined all this? How does one's appearance really give any hint of who they are? Aren't we taught from the beginning to "Never judge a book by its cover?" That's EXACTLY what society does anyway. What the heck?

       A student in my class today said that "reckless dressers reflect reckless personalities. I wouldn't want them handling my stocks." I have a mohawk, and a soon-to-be lip piercing. I'm organized, make honor roll every year, and participate in school clubs and sports. I consider myself to be an intelligent, respectable person who happens to enjoy bringing a little color do my days. I was insulted.

       Can someone help me out here?

Tuesday, 28 October 2008

The Short-Haired Curse

I have had short hair since about the seventh grade. I believe it suits my face and my personality and I would not trade it for anything. My current English teacher also has short hair, and during a free period, we discussed the definite CONS of having short hair. The curse of short hair, if you will. Here is the list we comprised:

1. The Man Part
I can honestly say I don't mind being stereotyped as a lesbian - Those who know me know that I'm happily straight. It is the people who take it one step further, and shove short-haired women into the "man" category. For example, in the eight grade a few classmates and I were to do a theatrical performance on King Henry VIII. Three guesses who got to play King Henry? They told me I had to because "I had short hair and it would be easier". Thanks, guys. Really.

2. The Matronly Stereotype
It is another stereotype that older women have short hair. I can't tell you why exactly this is, but it definitely exist. My proof once again comes from the theatre department at my middle school where I was constantly type-casted as the older woman. The one time I wasn't, I was cast as the fiery rebel. The reason? According to the director, "The hair fits! We wouldn't have to give you a wig." Wow. Really? I get to play a youthful, woman character!? I'm so excited.

3. The Creeps Who Feel the Need to Touch it
My English teacher and I prefer to spike our hair. Currently, I have a fauxhawk, and she chooses to spike hers in the back so it's crazy looking. For some reason, people think because my hair defies the laws of gravity, that gives them a right to touch it. THEY ARE WRONG. Really, how would you feel if some creep came up to you in the hallway and was like, "OMG I love your hair!" *Touch*. It's disturbing, and annoying. For real, keep your hands off my head.

Monday, 20 October 2008

Where have all the classics gone?

            So lately I have been going out to the movies a lot more than I ever have. Sadly, I'm beginning to realize why I stopped going in the first place - Movies are awful.
            Granted, every once in a great while I may come across the "diamond in the rough" sort of thing and be entertained when I expected to find nothing, but in general, movies just don't add up like they used to. I see no classics in the making - Nothing to rival the genius that was "Casablanca", "The Exorcise" or even the sheer comedy that was "Animal House". There is nothing.

Let's take time to look at the popular film failure in depth:

Horror

      My least favorite genre by far, it appears to me as if horror as fallen into a rift of "gore". The best example of this? The five trillion "Saw" movies that make their appearance every Holloween. Movie after movie of torture, gore, and terror. I confess, there may have been a plot in the first one, but after dragging it out for 4 more movies - it gets old. The old "shock" factor. Where's the creativity?
      Also, horror movies are probably the finest example of the "remake" theory. How many times can you remake "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"? Or the crap known as "Prom Night"? Really? Where's the originality?

Action

      This is probably one of the more prominent genres in my life at the moment (My boyfriend enjoys them the most). Even action movies seem to fall into a repeated pattern. The best example I can think of here - The "Bourne" series. How many more movies will I have to endure before he finally gets back at the men who stole his identity? How many more pointless sniper scenes will I have to endure?
     Then there are the comic book/video game remake movies. Don't get me wrong - Dark Knight was phenomenal, but in general, I find them lacking. Low budget, cliche remakes grow tiresome. How many batmen attempts have there been? How many remakes of "The Incredible Hulk"? I don't even consider myself a comic book lover, and I'm disappointed. My boyfriend - Who grew up reading comic books - often goes home in a sulk.
      Don't even get me started on the "Gone in 60 Seconds" Car-esque movies. I might scream.

Romance

       This appears to be the only genre with some hope - although the concept for "Unlikely love" seems to be running high, as well as the ever popular "I'm in love with someone I shouldn't be" scheme.
        That being said. If I have to watch one more "Sex and the City" promo, I don't know what I'm going to do. I promise you. Not all women are sex hungry whores who have nothing better to do but shop at Sacs and meet hunky men. Ugh.

So where's the passion? Where are the movies that really elevate the genre of film making?
Give me something that MY children will consider a classic.

If you know one - Comment it.