This week two events happened that made me do a double take! I've been following and supporting animal rights for years now in many different capacities (I was vegan for almost an entire year!), but these are headlines I didn't see coming.
PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is looking to add porn to it's list of activities. You read correctly. While many companies are buying up their .xxx names so others won't be able to use their likeness in ways that might not flow with their mission statements, Peta is looking to use this opportunity to get you think about saving the bunnies while you rub one out. According to announcements I've read, Peta will give you a small taste of fun before showing you more graphic images of animal slaughter. It's great to raise awareness, but at what cost? The people who might be willing to visit a site like this may have other concerns on their mind than reducing animal harm. As much as I'm ok watching porn and fighting for animal rights, these are not two venues I would combine to cut down on time. Frankly, I think Peta is going to attract more unscrupulous types than real activist.
In cool but probably not going to change the world news, the West Hollywood, CA city council has just voted to be the first fur-free city. That means the sale of furs will be illegal within this city limits which is comprised of less than 3 miles. This only includes sales for clothing and not for furniture or leather, also a huge impact toward animal deaths. Fur will still be sold in the next town over, Beverly Hills, so some activist aren't ready to cross the fur industry off their list. Nevertheless, CA and Hollywood specifically likes to be the driving force behind a lot of issues; this one may just be their next big hit.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Finding Church Without God
For the past 4 or 5 weeks I have been attending the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City. I found them the same way I locate most of the things I need/want in my life, through the internet. I had been looking for something familiar to believe in, without the familiar judgement I grew up with. Needless to say, a church without God was exactly what I was looking for.
The first time I attended a service, I made someone go with me. My best friend and husband worked well for this. We all took turns after the service talking about what we liked and didn't like. We each have very different worship and religious backgrounds that finding an outlet we could all appreciate seemed strange at first. The BFF is a devoted Lutheran, the husband a stanch atheist from the Catholic community. I was baptized Southern Baptist but had also walked away from the church. So what was so moving of a sermon on this day? It was nothing special, just the background and thoughts of the new interim minister. There wasn't even a moral to the story. The music was quite ordinary for church, a little Mozart and two non-descript hymnals. It was a comfortable atmosphere to partake in.
So I went back the next week. It was a little different and I didn't have a huge entourage with me. I only had the baby and she was asleep. I wasn't so moved the second week and thought my lack of friends was the problem. I was ready to through in the towel. However, my lovely BFF reminded me that not every week was going to be amazing and that I shouldn't give up so easy. I was looking to make friends and become a part of a community. One mediocre time was acceptable. And I went back the next week.
More people started to recognize or chat with me before services. I started learning the words to songs they sang every week. But every week was completely different. One week all the transitional music was instrumental Joni Mitchell. Sermons were given by church members, both young and old a
Non-church member with a very strange background talked about how Hula and the Hawaiian culture saved his life, and all the music that day was Hawaiian. The diversity is why I went looking for a church home like this.
I am not big on churches or worship or God. I don't even like to use those terms to describe anything I am planing to participate in. At first, I referred to it as "the-place-that-shall-not-be-named," making for some giggles from the hubby. More recently, a friend I have acquired through the church community told me to call it BYOG (Bring your own God). So here is why I keep going back.
Unitarians love everyone and only want world peace and social justice for all. No really, they do. What connects these people to each other is not what they believe, but in their actions for humanity. They are accepting of LGBT issues and Atheists are welcomed. God is never mentioned, but many people believe in one (or many or non). Readings have come from spiritual and non-spiritual works and the hymnals have songs about saving the planet. I didn't think it was possible, but this is the kind of worship I want. The loving, open, all-are-invited kind.
My past made me yearn for a church home; my intentions gave me peace of mind.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The first time I attended a service, I made someone go with me. My best friend and husband worked well for this. We all took turns after the service talking about what we liked and didn't like. We each have very different worship and religious backgrounds that finding an outlet we could all appreciate seemed strange at first. The BFF is a devoted Lutheran, the husband a stanch atheist from the Catholic community. I was baptized Southern Baptist but had also walked away from the church. So what was so moving of a sermon on this day? It was nothing special, just the background and thoughts of the new interim minister. There wasn't even a moral to the story. The music was quite ordinary for church, a little Mozart and two non-descript hymnals. It was a comfortable atmosphere to partake in.
So I went back the next week. It was a little different and I didn't have a huge entourage with me. I only had the baby and she was asleep. I wasn't so moved the second week and thought my lack of friends was the problem. I was ready to through in the towel. However, my lovely BFF reminded me that not every week was going to be amazing and that I shouldn't give up so easy. I was looking to make friends and become a part of a community. One mediocre time was acceptable. And I went back the next week.
More people started to recognize or chat with me before services. I started learning the words to songs they sang every week. But every week was completely different. One week all the transitional music was instrumental Joni Mitchell. Sermons were given by church members, both young and old a
Non-church member with a very strange background talked about how Hula and the Hawaiian culture saved his life, and all the music that day was Hawaiian. The diversity is why I went looking for a church home like this.
I am not big on churches or worship or God. I don't even like to use those terms to describe anything I am planing to participate in. At first, I referred to it as "the-place-that-shall-not-be-named," making for some giggles from the hubby. More recently, a friend I have acquired through the church community told me to call it BYOG (Bring your own God). So here is why I keep going back.
Unitarians love everyone and only want world peace and social justice for all. No really, they do. What connects these people to each other is not what they believe, but in their actions for humanity. They are accepting of LGBT issues and Atheists are welcomed. God is never mentioned, but many people believe in one (or many or non). Readings have come from spiritual and non-spiritual works and the hymnals have songs about saving the planet. I didn't think it was possible, but this is the kind of worship I want. The loving, open, all-are-invited kind.
My past made me yearn for a church home; my intentions gave me peace of mind.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day Revelations
There are two points of view you can have on Mother's day: as your mother's child and/or as a mother. Today, I realized, that I had achieved both perspectives.
I have been gone from the blogging world because I have been busy being pregnant. I am actually in my 9th month and my due date is just two weeks away (which means I could go into labor at any moment). So no, I am not getting hand written cards from little ones or presents brought by my husband with my child's name written on them. I am not recounting all the joys of motherhood with other mom friends of mine. I did not have a fun filled day of mommy pampering. However, I am now a part of a group that has or will care for a child. My husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby; not every woman is so lucky.
Today I woke up like it was any other normal Sunday. I laughed with my husband in bed while we procrastinated getting started on a day in which we had no plans to accomplish. I even made breakfast. All this while ignoring the pesky texts messages I had been receiving since 6 am (from people on the East coast during their breakfast time, me being on the West) that said "Happy Mother's Day." You see, people had actually been saying that to me all week, and I have just smiled and said a polite thank you. I have never been a mother before and until last Sunday, I really didn't think I was one now. But, no matter what happens, I will have a child and I will have to fit "mommy" into my daily life. But when do you really become a mom? And Is it anymore who has given birth or is taking care of children? Was I a mom when I conceived or at least when I hit 23 weeks, the point in which the fetus inside me could live potentially live outside of my womb (with the help of science of course)? Or what about now, two weeks from "due", my baby being addressed by the name we have decided to give her?
Maybe that day started today, at least for me. To see the admiration people have for their mothers (something I have for my mother) and to have that same pride bestowed upon me was sort of surreal. Have I even been able to prove that I deserve admiration? Some must think so. Enough people took time out of their day to send me text and Facebook messages for me to see maybe I should take another look at how I see myself. All this Mother's Day attention helped me step into my next big role.
Right now, all I can do is plan to be the best mother I can be, something I learned from my mom. And after today, even though I have never done some of the amazing things people thank their mothers for, I know that I will. Being a good or great mom is a state of mind, living for your children and teaching them to love themselves as much as you love them (or more in some cases)! Thank you mom for all your love, something I have been transferring to my new daughter, even before she knows what a "mom" is.
I have been gone from the blogging world because I have been busy being pregnant. I am actually in my 9th month and my due date is just two weeks away (which means I could go into labor at any moment). So no, I am not getting hand written cards from little ones or presents brought by my husband with my child's name written on them. I am not recounting all the joys of motherhood with other mom friends of mine. I did not have a fun filled day of mommy pampering. However, I am now a part of a group that has or will care for a child. My husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby; not every woman is so lucky.
Today I woke up like it was any other normal Sunday. I laughed with my husband in bed while we procrastinated getting started on a day in which we had no plans to accomplish. I even made breakfast. All this while ignoring the pesky texts messages I had been receiving since 6 am (from people on the East coast during their breakfast time, me being on the West) that said "Happy Mother's Day." You see, people had actually been saying that to me all week, and I have just smiled and said a polite thank you. I have never been a mother before and until last Sunday, I really didn't think I was one now. But, no matter what happens, I will have a child and I will have to fit "mommy" into my daily life. But when do you really become a mom? And Is it anymore who has given birth or is taking care of children? Was I a mom when I conceived or at least when I hit 23 weeks, the point in which the fetus inside me could live potentially live outside of my womb (with the help of science of course)? Or what about now, two weeks from "due", my baby being addressed by the name we have decided to give her?
Maybe that day started today, at least for me. To see the admiration people have for their mothers (something I have for my mother) and to have that same pride bestowed upon me was sort of surreal. Have I even been able to prove that I deserve admiration? Some must think so. Enough people took time out of their day to send me text and Facebook messages for me to see maybe I should take another look at how I see myself. All this Mother's Day attention helped me step into my next big role.
Right now, all I can do is plan to be the best mother I can be, something I learned from my mom. And after today, even though I have never done some of the amazing things people thank their mothers for, I know that I will. Being a good or great mom is a state of mind, living for your children and teaching them to love themselves as much as you love them (or more in some cases)! Thank you mom for all your love, something I have been transferring to my new daughter, even before she knows what a "mom" is.
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