Martin looked out the monastery window. He wondered how Reginald was doing- he always did. Every night. Every night since he left for the Ardennes.
He tried to convince him to stay. He asked Reginald 'Why? Why are you going?' Martin doesn't remember the answer. He remembers that Reggy said words- what they were he can no longer discern, they hurt too much. The image of his most dearly beloved, that he had secretly married, going to war was like a branding iron in his brain.
He awoke the next morning for matins, his book of chants in hand. He asked Joseph, his friend, and the priest who married them-
'Why? Why did he go?'
'I'm not sure, Martin. I know he loved you- none of us know why he left you. You were both safe here. Did he feel guilty? Maybe. Was he somehow ashamed? Possibly. I can only tell you know that you are safe. We care for you. We will pray for him.'
'Thankyou, but... I will miss him.'
'I know.'
Joseph sang, in a powerful voice, 'Deus in adiutorium meum intende...'
This is a completely made up story. Or is it?
The idea of Christian communities being safe spaces and sanctuaries for queer persons seems an odd one to many people- but it is a fact. Many queer persons in the past have found sanctuary in monasteries with other queer people, who share the same feelings. They sometimes fall in love. In many cases, they marry. Martin, Reginald and Joseph are made up characters, but their story is common.
So why is it that there is homophobic theology?
While this is not something I wish to deal with in this post, it can be traced to St Augustine or St Paul.
I want to deal with the fact that queer Christians like myself have a unique cross to bear. We now live in a world that denies these things happened- that is unaware of Pavel Florensky and Sergei Troitsky's existence, that is seemingly unaware that same sex marriages happened in secret in the church, far from the eyes of secular society.
Now, however, over a century later than the fictional story of Reginald and Martin, secular society has become more accepting of queer persons.
Yet, it seems that the queer Christians are still vilified- in their churches and in the queer community. As a bisexual Christian, I feel too gay for the church- but not gay enough for the queer community because of my precious and dear religion and my love for more than one gender.
Queer atheists don't seem to understand, as most of the queer community don't. 'Just leave...', one of them said. Yeah, because it's that simple.
Queer holy people exist, and they exist in droves. But they have been ostracised. A vicar who had a profound impact on me was a gay man, ostracised by the church.
I now feel ostracised by the queer community, for being 'too religious.'
J
Saturday 4 January 2020
Tuesday 10 May 2016
Why I no longer pray
Ever heard or read stuff talking about how it's possible to cure cancer with vegetables, or eating a vegan and/or glegan (gluten free and vegan) diet?
Well let me start by saying that aside from me thinking that is bullshit, a person with cancer wants only one thing- to survive. To live. When you think you will die, you want nothing else- to be assured that you will not.
When you are so out of hope, and it is so out of your control, sitting in a chaur and letting yourself get pumped full of chemo drugs doesn't feel like a fight. You feel totally helpless.
As someone who has worked in the church for over a decade, AND believes in God, there was one thing I thought. I had seen my stepfather die a horrible death of several aggressive brain tumours, and I was not too keen on having that same fate.
So on the feast of Candlemas, I asked God to grant me a second chance at life. If God gave me that, I would never ask for anything else again in my life.
I lived.
6 years later, I still say the offices. I still say the masses from time to time when I work. However I ask for nothing. I have not personally prayed to God in 6 years.
Some people ask me 'Well, why did God not give your stepfather a second chance?' That's not a question I can answer. I will never be able to.
--
So many Christians annoy me. there is so much they don't understand. They don't understand being in a desperate situation and asking God for your life. Asking God for a thing they understand, but then, it shows that they are of the world, not in the world and not of it.
Well let me start by saying that aside from me thinking that is bullshit, a person with cancer wants only one thing- to survive. To live. When you think you will die, you want nothing else- to be assured that you will not.
When you are so out of hope, and it is so out of your control, sitting in a chaur and letting yourself get pumped full of chemo drugs doesn't feel like a fight. You feel totally helpless.
As someone who has worked in the church for over a decade, AND believes in God, there was one thing I thought. I had seen my stepfather die a horrible death of several aggressive brain tumours, and I was not too keen on having that same fate.
So on the feast of Candlemas, I asked God to grant me a second chance at life. If God gave me that, I would never ask for anything else again in my life.
I lived.
6 years later, I still say the offices. I still say the masses from time to time when I work. However I ask for nothing. I have not personally prayed to God in 6 years.
Some people ask me 'Well, why did God not give your stepfather a second chance?' That's not a question I can answer. I will never be able to.
--
So many Christians annoy me. there is so much they don't understand. They don't understand being in a desperate situation and asking God for your life. Asking God for a thing they understand, but then, it shows that they are of the world, not in the world and not of it.
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Bring to account
Hello!
So recently in the world of opera there has been lots of talk about the controversial Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri (pictured) and her comments on gay-folk. These hurtful comments have been taken very badly by the public and by the LGBT community. She has since been released from her contract at Opera Australia, and more articles fly around on social media sites about how the company was too slow to respond to her actions (well, words).
Tamar Iveri has been brought to account about these words- if you ask me, releasing these thoughts so publicly with this kind of influence was a pretty stupid idea, in any profession but especially opera. I don't understand why she made it so public- in the words of the chorus of police in The pirates of Penzance- 'This is perplexing!' 'We cannot understand it at all!'
All this leads me to a few thoughts. I found it weird that so many people who were fiercely pro immigration shouted 'get out of my country' at her when she said this, but my main beef is with something else.
There is another far more famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (pictured). It has been common knowledge that she is a supporter of Vladimir Putin. She has released a statement saying that "As an artist, it is my great joy to collaborate with all of my wonderful colleagues-regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. I have never and will never discriminate against anyone." So luckily she does not share Iveri's views.
Still, I just wonder why no one seems to care that she has endorsed him very strongly. It is a totally different kettle of fish, I know, but I can't help but wonder.
xx
So recently in the world of opera there has been lots of talk about the controversial Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri (pictured) and her comments on gay-folk. These hurtful comments have been taken very badly by the public and by the LGBT community. She has since been released from her contract at Opera Australia, and more articles fly around on social media sites about how the company was too slow to respond to her actions (well, words).Tamar Iveri has been brought to account about these words- if you ask me, releasing these thoughts so publicly with this kind of influence was a pretty stupid idea, in any profession but especially opera. I don't understand why she made it so public- in the words of the chorus of police in The pirates of Penzance- 'This is perplexing!' 'We cannot understand it at all!'
All this leads me to a few thoughts. I found it weird that so many people who were fiercely pro immigration shouted 'get out of my country' at her when she said this, but my main beef is with something else.
There is another far more famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (pictured). It has been common knowledge that she is a supporter of Vladimir Putin. She has released a statement saying that "As an artist, it is my great joy to collaborate with all of my wonderful colleagues-regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. I have never and will never discriminate against anyone." So luckily she does not share Iveri's views.
Still, I just wonder why no one seems to care that she has endorsed him very strongly. It is a totally different kettle of fish, I know, but I can't help but wonder.
xx
Monday 17 February 2014
Dramatic tenors... rare, but bullied.
Hello all. Long time no post!
In the business world, if there is a shortage of something, advertisements are made to the affect of 'skills shortage, we need a person who can do this' or 'person needed urgently'. This skills shortage, usually, is addressed; more people are trained in this skill, and the positions are filled.
Imagine now, a different market where skills shortages exist. Only this time, when people possess that skill, they are BULLIED, and told that it's bad.
This, my friends, is how young singers feel who might have a slightly larger voice than the rest of their colleagues and friends, and who potentially possess the required attributes in the skills shortage of dramatic singers.
--
Most operatically trained singers never fit in a choir. Dramatic or not, the partials/formants that we produce are not produced by the other choristers, so it looks and sounds like we are being louder. Actually volume is not the issue, it is the frequencies in the sound of an operatic voice (formants that orchestras don't/can't make, so that's why we can be heard over one) that stick out because the rest of the choristers aren't trained to tap into those. One would think, then, that if you move into a group of classically trained singers then things might change, and said singers would be able to sing at full voice and in the body. However, it's not always the case.
Sometimes, singers with louder voices than their friends and colleagues go into choruses at university and still get put down. Things like 'your voice is offensive' or a passive aggressive 'calm down' and a simple but frank 'you're too loud' are among some of the things that get said to them. A student with low self esteem (as we all know, this could be a direct result of the aforementioned bullying) and less confidence would leave opera altogether, because who needs to be bullied right?
Then further down the track, a company director says,
"Ok, so in 5 years I want to stage a new production of Lohengrin." The conductor says-
"So who will sing Lohengrin?"
"Well there is this person..."
"They are otherwise engaged."
"There is literally no one else in this country who can sing it."
...and they wonder where all the Heldentenors went. Your Lohengrin is probably in that country... but he's working an office job, because he was bullied out by YOU. Well done, opera world.
Regards
A Heldentenor, John Mitchinson, singing Rienzi's prayer. Someone like him would be bullied as a young singer.
In the business world, if there is a shortage of something, advertisements are made to the affect of 'skills shortage, we need a person who can do this' or 'person needed urgently'. This skills shortage, usually, is addressed; more people are trained in this skill, and the positions are filled.
Imagine now, a different market where skills shortages exist. Only this time, when people possess that skill, they are BULLIED, and told that it's bad.
This, my friends, is how young singers feel who might have a slightly larger voice than the rest of their colleagues and friends, and who potentially possess the required attributes in the skills shortage of dramatic singers.
--
Most operatically trained singers never fit in a choir. Dramatic or not, the partials/formants that we produce are not produced by the other choristers, so it looks and sounds like we are being louder. Actually volume is not the issue, it is the frequencies in the sound of an operatic voice (formants that orchestras don't/can't make, so that's why we can be heard over one) that stick out because the rest of the choristers aren't trained to tap into those. One would think, then, that if you move into a group of classically trained singers then things might change, and said singers would be able to sing at full voice and in the body. However, it's not always the case.
Sometimes, singers with louder voices than their friends and colleagues go into choruses at university and still get put down. Things like 'your voice is offensive' or a passive aggressive 'calm down' and a simple but frank 'you're too loud' are among some of the things that get said to them. A student with low self esteem (as we all know, this could be a direct result of the aforementioned bullying) and less confidence would leave opera altogether, because who needs to be bullied right?
Then further down the track, a company director says,
"Ok, so in 5 years I want to stage a new production of Lohengrin." The conductor says-
"So who will sing Lohengrin?"
"Well there is this person..."
"They are otherwise engaged."
"There is literally no one else in this country who can sing it."
...and they wonder where all the Heldentenors went. Your Lohengrin is probably in that country... but he's working an office job, because he was bullied out by YOU. Well done, opera world.
Regards
Sunday 20 October 2013
What I think of hard line Evangelicals
Im sure it’s all unbundantly clear to people around the world the political and societal wars that are happening between those who oppose same-sex marriage and those who support it. Sometimes these conflicts get quite violent- whether it is behind some sort of lectern, on a keyboard, or in some extreme cases, physical fights. These instances I have been lucky enough not to have witnessed, but I know all too well that the fights over whether being a homoseuxual is ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ happen.
I’m sure it is also abundantly obvious that various religious groups are involved in the fray. Among the most prevalent in western society are Christians of various denominations and traditions. In Australia, the ACL (Australian Christian Lobby), is possibly the most prevalent and powerful Christian group that is opposed to same-sex marriage. No, it is not the Roman catholic church. Believe it.
Now, I am an Anglican Christian. I am not from the same tradition as the ACL (although they say on their website that they have 'no denominational affiliations’ they take a very hard line Evangelical approach to Christianity). My approach to Christianity is very different. It is impossible to sum it up in one small article, and I am sure theirs is not so simple either. However, I have noticed one thing very distinctive about the theology of the ACL. They will readily name and point fingers, indiscriminately, and call all people sinners.
They seem to have been shouting ‘sinner!’ at homosexuals simply because they are homosexual.
But I wonder- if one day, out of the blue, the baptist stood before them and yelled ‘REPENT! For the kingdom of God is at hand’, would they face up to it? I’m not saying in any way if that happened to me I would, but I just wonder with all this finger pointing, what would they do if that happened?
I’m sure it is also abundantly obvious that various religious groups are involved in the fray. Among the most prevalent in western society are Christians of various denominations and traditions. In Australia, the ACL (Australian Christian Lobby), is possibly the most prevalent and powerful Christian group that is opposed to same-sex marriage. No, it is not the Roman catholic church. Believe it.
Now, I am an Anglican Christian. I am not from the same tradition as the ACL (although they say on their website that they have 'no denominational affiliations’ they take a very hard line Evangelical approach to Christianity). My approach to Christianity is very different. It is impossible to sum it up in one small article, and I am sure theirs is not so simple either. However, I have noticed one thing very distinctive about the theology of the ACL. They will readily name and point fingers, indiscriminately, and call all people sinners.
They seem to have been shouting ‘sinner!’ at homosexuals simply because they are homosexual.
But I wonder- if one day, out of the blue, the baptist stood before them and yelled ‘REPENT! For the kingdom of God is at hand’, would they face up to it? I’m not saying in any way if that happened to me I would, but I just wonder with all this finger pointing, what would they do if that happened?
 |
| John the Baptist- one of the most powerful speakers in Christian history. Poor guy met a sticky end... |
Monday 23 September 2013
A liberal Christian against Bishop Spong
Hello all!
As I sit on the train, I am trying to look for someone on the Internet that is a liberal Christian, but dislikes Bishop Spong. Unfortunately, doesn't look like its going to happen.
John Shelby Spong is a retired Episcopalian bishop who is a prominent figure in progressive Christian circles. He is also prominent in conservative religious circles, not only because he is the polar opposite of them, but he is a publicly outspoken ENEMY of them.
His 'scholarship' (I use quotation marks not because it is not scholarship, but because he claims it to be infinitely intelligent in a nauseatingly arrogant manner) has made many people, religious or not, think about their traditions differently, among those people being myself. When I discovered his ministry I thought about my tradition of Anglicanism in a different way, and began to use more of my imagination with regards to theology.
I suppose, though, that the reason that I came across his ministry in the first place is because I was trawling through stuff on the Internet regarding fundamentalism and how bad it is. In this way, Spong's message is very attractive and accessible, because it puts forward an intense hatred for fundamentalism...
...but it is just that, HATRED.
He has become obsessed with fundamentalism, and how much he hates it. Subscribing to his weekly email column, I regularly receive paragraphs of '...I loathe fundamentalism because... I despise conservative Catholicism when...' and intense negativity that never seems to stop. I hate to break it to you, mate, but spewing hate at fundamentalism is not exactly a hard thing to do. It is the easy way out for a 21st century Christian ministry, and millions of people flock to him because of this easy bag of insults.
What is even worse, is that anyone who disagrees with the guy seems to be in his eyes, on par with a fundamentalist. Anyone who disagrees with him, in his eyes, is actually evil. Well, John, here's the thing... you don't seem to realise that in being obsessed with fundamentalism, you have absorbed their toxic traits. The same judgemental, vicious, vitriol rhetoric that perpetuates almost exclusively American circles, has become your style of religious attack dog politics all the while attempting to drag the whole world into American religious problems. Anyone who disagrees with you is an evil, vile human being who deserves to be sent to hell... (even though you don't seem to believe in it, that is well and truly the way you act).
Yet it seems that he has perpetuated the view that if you are not in 100% agreement with him, you must be some kind of lunatic. Great, how very like the grace of God!
Not.
I don't see God, that delivered his people out of slavery, condemning people publicly just for saying something a little bit left of centre. I don't see God, that delivered Elijah out of severe depression, being more concerned with peoples silly words than with their actions. I don't see God, who created YOU, Bishop Spong, spewing hate like post-hangover vomit all over slightly more conservative people.
Maybe it's only because he is a little bit senile that he is unbelievably arrogant and giving a toxic 'easy way out' ministry, but that doesn't excuse him from acting the way he does towards people he doesn't like. I thought that was exactly the mentality he was trying to eradicate...?
Well, honestly, I am glad I'm not an American and can distance myself from this bullshit because of that. In the meantime, remember that God loves him too...
... as well as fundamentalists...
...yeh I know. Didn't tell you I understood God's grace.
I shall attach a video that is completely irrelevant.
As I sit on the train, I am trying to look for someone on the Internet that is a liberal Christian, but dislikes Bishop Spong. Unfortunately, doesn't look like its going to happen.
John Shelby Spong is a retired Episcopalian bishop who is a prominent figure in progressive Christian circles. He is also prominent in conservative religious circles, not only because he is the polar opposite of them, but he is a publicly outspoken ENEMY of them.
His 'scholarship' (I use quotation marks not because it is not scholarship, but because he claims it to be infinitely intelligent in a nauseatingly arrogant manner) has made many people, religious or not, think about their traditions differently, among those people being myself. When I discovered his ministry I thought about my tradition of Anglicanism in a different way, and began to use more of my imagination with regards to theology.
I suppose, though, that the reason that I came across his ministry in the first place is because I was trawling through stuff on the Internet regarding fundamentalism and how bad it is. In this way, Spong's message is very attractive and accessible, because it puts forward an intense hatred for fundamentalism...
...but it is just that, HATRED.
He has become obsessed with fundamentalism, and how much he hates it. Subscribing to his weekly email column, I regularly receive paragraphs of '...I loathe fundamentalism because... I despise conservative Catholicism when...' and intense negativity that never seems to stop. I hate to break it to you, mate, but spewing hate at fundamentalism is not exactly a hard thing to do. It is the easy way out for a 21st century Christian ministry, and millions of people flock to him because of this easy bag of insults.
What is even worse, is that anyone who disagrees with the guy seems to be in his eyes, on par with a fundamentalist. Anyone who disagrees with him, in his eyes, is actually evil. Well, John, here's the thing... you don't seem to realise that in being obsessed with fundamentalism, you have absorbed their toxic traits. The same judgemental, vicious, vitriol rhetoric that perpetuates almost exclusively American circles, has become your style of religious attack dog politics all the while attempting to drag the whole world into American religious problems. Anyone who disagrees with you is an evil, vile human being who deserves to be sent to hell... (even though you don't seem to believe in it, that is well and truly the way you act).
Yet it seems that he has perpetuated the view that if you are not in 100% agreement with him, you must be some kind of lunatic. Great, how very like the grace of God!
Not.
I don't see God, that delivered his people out of slavery, condemning people publicly just for saying something a little bit left of centre. I don't see God, that delivered Elijah out of severe depression, being more concerned with peoples silly words than with their actions. I don't see God, who created YOU, Bishop Spong, spewing hate like post-hangover vomit all over slightly more conservative people.
Maybe it's only because he is a little bit senile that he is unbelievably arrogant and giving a toxic 'easy way out' ministry, but that doesn't excuse him from acting the way he does towards people he doesn't like. I thought that was exactly the mentality he was trying to eradicate...?
Well, honestly, I am glad I'm not an American and can distance myself from this bullshit because of that. In the meantime, remember that God loves him too...
... as well as fundamentalists...
...yeh I know. Didn't tell you I understood God's grace.
I shall attach a video that is completely irrelevant.
Sunday 7 April 2013
Sexist.
I have been a part of the choral tradition of the Anglican church for over 10 years. To be exact, 14. I started singing as a treble.
As you will notice with the above choir, it is all male. I bet you're saying one word- sexist.
Well, yes. Yes it is. I freely admit that. I also realise admitting it does not excuse it. Why, though, does the tradition of men and boys choirs still exist in the 21st century? More to the point, why do I think it should exist?
I just found out that in first year classical singing this year at WAAPA there are 3 men. THREE. Hardly any men. and SEVENTEEN women. Why does this happen? Well I don't know why in this day and age schoolboys think it's 'uncool' to sing. I really think that what happens in school choirs is that they have a surplus of sopranos and mezzos, and one tenor and one boy singing the bass part, but who really is a tenor. Honestly- an environment in which boys are told that it is good to sing (sing strongly, no less) around older men who are singing is extremely valuable.
Especially when opera companies are calling around for hours trying to find ONE tenor, because their audition panel saw 70 sopranos. Then you wish that there was a culture in which males are told that it is good to sing.
The all male choir tradition is what got me singing. I'm sure it will get a lot more men singing in the future.
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