This is Religion and this is Politics

Political-Engagement-07

 

Mahatma Gandhi is without a doubt one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Even if he had not succeeded in his role as a leader in the Indian independence movement, his revolutionary ideas regarding massive nonviolent protests would have inevitably ensured a lasting legacy. However, Gandhi did succeed. And he did so following his philosophy of Satyagrah. The term Satyagrah comes from two sanskrit words; satya meaning truth and agrah meaning insistence. From March to April of 1930, Gandhi led one of his most famous acts of civil defiance: the Salt March. To protest the British denial of salt to the Indian population, he organized a massive group of people to unite together and disobey as a marginalized society. Sure, they all united around the fact that eating salt was a part of their Indian identities. But what else were they were united around?

Pinterest, Anne Shirley, Romance, and Identity

 

anne-green-gables-wedding(pp_w600_h803)

On any typical weeknight, I often find myself browsing the great abyss that is Pinterest, dreaming and becoming inspired for my future endeavors. One of the things that I’ve noticed—and admittedly have considered—is the trend of a wedding themed after your favorite childhood book or movie.

Where Art Thou, Frank?

Photo: http://www.mtv.com/news/1978395/happy-birthday-frank-ocean/

The search continues as Frank Ocean fans desperately demand a mere sound byte of his musical genius. Almost any conversation I have with close friends and fellow music enthusiasts comes to the scandal of Frank’s disappearance from the music scene. Yet, I began to think differently (to the point that I actually might appreciate it) about Frank’s absence from the music scene.

The difference between Spirituality and Religiosity: Is there any such thing as “non-affiliated”?

religious diversity

With the upcoming election there have been many debates and discussions involving religion and how it factors in to the equation. This got me thinking, how does a candidate approach this topic or situation considering the frequently changing landscape of American Religion. Hearing some of their answers to questions regarding this topic, or topics similar to it, made me think about the rising number of people who claim to be just simply spiritual not religious. So many Americans today, especially young Americans, are claiming no religion and no belief in God. Whether or not it’s just the cool thing to do or these people actually believe what they’re saying is probably specific to the case. None the less, there has been a steady trend of declining belief in God or a supernatural power of any sort amongst American citizens in the last half century.

“Othering” within the “Othered”

“…’selfish’, ‘greedy’, ‘cheaters’…
– they are told that they don’t exist” 


In a time where sexual fluidity is becoming more accepted by society, new awareness is being raised for persisting issues within the larger movement. While the LGBTQI+ community is gaining traction in terms of civil right and awareness, as a “cohesive” entity, bisexuals are voicing their discontent about the exclusion they feel. With a lack of recognition, people who identify as bisexual are left to feel isolated by both the heterosexual and homosexual communities- left in a no man’s land of sexual orientation.

How Do We Say Who Is and Is Not Religious?

 

 

Trump:Hilary

 

Are Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton really religious? Recent polls show that voters are doubtful concerning the religious convictions of the two politicians. At a time so easy to find political articles, some written stories might tell us more about voters than they do about the candidates themselves, however.

When Athletes Speak Out, Does It Make a Sound?

Mathieu playing for the Arizona Cardinals. (credit: wikipedia.com)

Even if America is a free country, there is a legitimate question in our society concerning who has the platform to speak out. What societal players even have the effectiveness to create change in our sometimes rigid systems? On top of that, how far can those with celebrity status legitimately speak on behalf of the experience of the common person?

The American Dream

the american dream

In the United States people are often categorized by what is known as Social Class. Social Class is often thought as a large group of people, with similar economic, cultural and political status.  The classes range from Upper High Class to Very Low Class.  There is mobility within this system.  You can be born rich and end up destitute, and visa- versa.  Some believe that within this system there is boundless opportunity.  The boundless opportunities within these classes are often associated with the American Dream.

But, is this dream just a dream?  Are the same opportunities available to everyone?  Can a person born into a low income family really compete with someone born into a high income family?

Beauty is Pain

miss crimson

“Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart.” -Kahlil Gibran

Saturday I competed in the Miss Crimson Beauty Review, which to me is just a fancy way to say pageant. This was my first time ever participating in pageant and to be honest probably my last. I did not hate it, but I did not love it either. But as I got closer to the date of the pageant, I began to question the name “beauty review”.  What does it actually mean to have your beauty reviewed? Is it the beauty within your heart or is the beauty that we see when face to face? And how does one judge such a broad topic? Doesn’t everybody’s opinion of beauty differ. What is inner beauty contribute to a competition like this? Is the competition really based off what we look like on the outside thanks to cosmetic products or is it really about the beauty on the inside? 

The Religion of Wall Street

'The_Cathedrals_of_Wall_Street'_by_Florine_Stettheimer,_1939

Is economics really all that different from our current view of religion? Think about the rhetoric we use when discussing economics and religion.

“Capitalism is the saving grace to the world.” “All salvation comes through the Catholic Church.”

“The USSR was a corrupt form of communism and shouldn’t be how we judge it.” “ISIS is Islam gone wrong and we can’t consider them truly Muslim.”

“How about distributism?!” “Oh yeah, we forgot Jediism was a thing.”

The conflicts in economy are just as pronounced as in the religious world. People are willing to stand and die by their preferred system.