I've been in Western Australia for a week now and I've already managed to turn the Outback into a classroom of religious studies! The organization that I work for buys former bush that's been damaged by farming and then re-vegetates it with native plants, converting it back to its natural state so that all of the endangered animals and plants that live here have a larger habitat. I've been lucky enough to participate in a cultural mapping survey of one of the newly acquired properties this week with an archaeologist and a local Noongar elder.(Noongar is the broad term for the indigenous people of this region, encompassing many smaller clans). We looked for (and found!) artifacts indicating ancient activity all over the place!
I've actually gotten a lot of uncomfortable looks so far upon telling people that I majored in religion, so when Eugene, our Noongar guide, asked me about my interests, I was relieved to find someone so excited to share his traditions with me! I have not begun to grasp Noongar spirituality. It's impossibly intricate and many aspects of the “Dreamtime” can only be revealed to insiders. However, I can confidently say that nature and “religion” are deeply connected, making knowledge of indigenous spirituality crucial in forwarding the environmentalist objective. The Noongar have an intimate relationship with the earth and see themselves as the protectors of their land. Ideally, the Noongar and naturalists should be working together, but this isn't always the case. Fortunately, Gondwana Link, my sponsors, are really great about accepting indigenous input when restoring the bush. I'm really looking forward to furthering my understanding of this spiritually rich culture.
P.S. SUPER excited about this: The Noongar creation myth features a serpent creator-god! COMPS NEVER ENDS!
Love and miss you all!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Singing for Jesus
http://usreligion.blogspot.com/2010/08/stuff-that-makes-jesus-tap-or-just-cry.html
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Religion for the Summer
My family has a summer house in Maine. I know what you are thinking, very posh, but it's better than the Hamptons and my grandparents live here so it's nice to be close to them when we can. But this post is not about Maine or my family-it's about Seasonal Religion. I live near this old church. It is beautiful, made of round stones and sits right on the rocky edge over looking the ocean. There is even an outdoor pulpit for those who want to get married outside with the sea as the backdrop. Now when we went for a stroll and decided to go on, I was undeniably excited. I was expecting some church from early settlers time filled with coastal history.
I was severely disappointed. I mean, the church was old, but only about a hundred years or so. The church was built around the time when Maine became the "vacationland" that it still is today. Tons of mid-atlantic city folk coming up for the crisp summers and fresh air. Basically this is a summer church, a church for old vacationers. Nowadays, of course it's mostly full of weddings and pomp, but I still am intrigued about a church built for temporary practitioners, seasonal practitioners, if you will. At the same time it feels both "lived religion-y" and an extravagance. Maybe that's just my impression of old time vacationers who came to Maine. Anyways, it's a pretty church.
I was severely disappointed. I mean, the church was old, but only about a hundred years or so. The church was built around the time when Maine became the "vacationland" that it still is today. Tons of mid-atlantic city folk coming up for the crisp summers and fresh air. Basically this is a summer church, a church for old vacationers. Nowadays, of course it's mostly full of weddings and pomp, but I still am intrigued about a church built for temporary practitioners, seasonal practitioners, if you will. At the same time it feels both "lived religion-y" and an extravagance. Maybe that's just my impression of old time vacationers who came to Maine. Anyways, it's a pretty church.
Monday, August 2, 2010
JewishJobs.com
Posting for Adventure Rabbi, one of the many fun jobs i've found on jewishjobs.com
Qualified rabbi or student rabbi with strong background in outdoor and nature studies to conduct "adventure weekends" for locally based Jewish retreat center. Charismatic personality to attract nature-loving men and women to join him in hiking trips from a camp base with a kosher kitchen about 20 miles from Big Bear, California. Celebrate Sabbath in the mountains with a magnificent backdrop of San Gorgonio Mountains. Conduct services that can over reach sectarian issues and appeal to a wide variety of age levels and backgrounds. Help develop a new program from the ground floor. This is a part time activity that will occur as frequently as its popularity may indicate. Willing to be flexible in all matters in order to create a successful program.
Qualified rabbi or student rabbi with strong background in outdoor and nature studies to conduct "adventure weekends" for locally based Jewish retreat center. Charismatic personality to attract nature-loving men and women to join him in hiking trips from a camp base with a kosher kitchen about 20 miles from Big Bear, California. Celebrate Sabbath in the mountains with a magnificent backdrop of San Gorgonio Mountains. Conduct services that can over reach sectarian issues and appeal to a wide variety of age levels and backgrounds. Help develop a new program from the ground floor. This is a part time activity that will occur as frequently as its popularity may indicate. Willing to be flexible in all matters in order to create a successful program.
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