My neighbour mentioned that she is reading The Artist’s Way. "But I haven't found time to take myself on artist's dates. I always sacrifice the time that is supposed to be for me," she said.
I first read The Artist's Way about 10 years ago. I had become blocked, and I was struggling to get rid of some negative programming. The book's creative exercises (going on artist's dates with yourself and writing in a journal) helped me to reconnect with the creative side of myself. However, those come with a recovery belief system that you will need to ignore if you don’t view the world through that filter.
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Religion can be a convenient belief system (or framework) to help discuss some of life’s essential questions. How did we get here? What happens when we die? And it encourages people to obey their conscience. What is right and wrong? What is our responsibility to each other?
In the last decade, my belief systems have changed. I used to have a New Age outlook on spirituality. I thought there was a Higher Power, maybe a pagan or earth-centred female deity. Or that I could read my Tarot Cards and tap into the other realm. Then I was kind of a Buddhist who meditated and went with the flow.
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I was raised Protestant, but I didn't have a very religious upbringing. Adam is a lapsed Catholic. We still have not taken Five to a church. But once a week at Five’s public school, the kids study Religion (If parents do not want their kids to participate, they can opt out.)
Since Five is not being exposed to religion at home, I'm happy to have him learn about it at school. One less thing for me to do! Adam is not enthusiastic about the programme, but I have tried to persuade him that it’s not a big deal.
In Five’s class, Religion is mostly about doing crafts. Last week, Five brought home his artwork. On his paper, an adult had written, “Dear God, Thank you that you made me.”
A few other parents were irritated by this. It wasn’t God who made their kids! Adam also was annoyed because the sentence is grammatically incorrect.
"Don't be pedantic," I said. "You know what they mean."
The kids were asked to fill in the blank for “Today I ask you”. But Five seems to have confused God with Santa Claus. He asked for a yo-yo.
4 comments:
Yeah, that's how they get you. First you draw pictures and talk about yo-yo's, and then you're getting baptized.
:)
I think that would annoy me on both counts! I used to get a bit antsy when we had to sing a mildly religious song in Mainly Music. So I'd be opting Hazel out unless they were planning on doing art for Buddha and Ganesh too! Hazel asked me very loudly, in public, with people listening, what the Bible was. Ater I explained it in as neutral terms as I could she wanted to know if it were true. Why in public? I need to work on talking about religion in the home if only to forestall awkward questions in public. Not that it's such a huge deal here or anything but there are some things you need to know to make your way in society and make sense of lots of our culture!
See, that's exactly why I don't freak out that one of my kids believes in Jesus. Because she also believes in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.
I swear I am incapable of belief. Faith is something else. Squishier. But the gods of organized religions? Let's just say I would feel ridiculous praying. And that whole "personal relationship" with god thing? Bahahahahah! Besties with god seems to be missing that whole worship point.
Talk about atheism showing. Sorry.
I tell my kids to do what they want, think for themselves, learn all they can, question authority (even mine, damn it), never follow blindly, but to leave me out of it.
Seems to be working so far.
And I still haven't read The Artist's Way. Lame. I am lame.
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