My apologies to everyone for not blogging in about a month. Over the past few weeks classes have been coming to an end and I had a few papers, labs, and classes that needed my attention. Now, I only have studying to do (and an essay due Monday).
There are two things I wish to tell you about. The first is being published in the The Saint (the student run newspaper at the university) and the second is attending religious events.
The article I wrote for The Saint was originally titled after a song by the Kaiser Chiefs, Love's not a competition (but I'm winning). However, after editing by the newspaper it was changed to Jack Attack. The article was written as a response to a piece written the week of Thanksgiving. In the piece the author, Jack, attacked love and all that it entails. He started off by stating how he was mistreating his girlfriend and then he stated his thesis. He claimed that love is a game and the person who liked the other less was winning and was in control. After thinking it out and seeing what examples I could come up with I wrote a response to this guy stating first how I thought he lacked evidence and support for his argument and second how from what I have experienced love is not a game. If it is, your probably not loving and rather just throwing a title on it that doesn't belong. The Saint published my article. So far I have received nothing but positive responses to my piece. If you personally wish for a copy of my article I will be more than glad to share by private email or facebook only.
The second thing, attending religious events, is much more complex.
Before I left Chicago I knew when I arrived here I would be conflicted with my religious beliefs and would look into finding the 'answer' for me. So far, I have none. I just know I am Jewish and have constantly identified myself as thus.
Within the past month I have attended a wide range of religious events and have had a wide range of religious conversations with my friends.
Last Saturday I attend Shabbat services hosted by the Jewish Society. The service was small, eight people, but the communal feeling was still there. After the service we had two discussions. The first discussion was about the Torah portion, Vayigdash. We discussion Joseph and Judah and how the two brothers interacted. Then we branched the discussion back to Cane and Abel. Eventually I concluded that through all the major male figures in the bible their is a hierarchy of brotherhood being presented.
1) Cane and Abel were the worst example of brotherhood as Abel's life was ended by his brother.
2) Then came Jacob and Asof. The two started off on the wrong foot as a birthright was stolen. However, at the end, the two were said to hug though Jacob was still weary of his brother.
3) Joseph and Judah follow. Each had their errors yet in Egypt they rejoined and forgave, establishing a homeland together
4) Aaron and Moses were the best example of brotherhood as the two worked as a team.
After services on Saturday I went to Sunday mass at a local church. It was quite the experience. The building was old and built of huge stones. The chapel was dark and massive. I felt as if I had reentered the 1500s.
The services proceeded with a choir, a celebrated priest and a bishop. Multiple readings from the bible were presented and incense was swung as the priest made his way up and down the aisle in procession. I can't fully describe the service to you, but I can tell you that Jesus was a recurring theme and so was the theme of patience. The bishop gave a beautiful sermon. I felt as if I was listening to a rabbi.
The last event I was privileged to experience was the University of St. Andrew's carol service. I want to say around two thousand students crammed into yet another old church. This time every one sang with readings in between each song. I have never heard so many people in unison at once with such focus.
All these religious experiences have landed me in numerous conversations about God and religion. One important thing I learned is the Jesus isn't necessarily seen as a man. When some Christians say Jesus they mean one part of God. As if God did a test trial on earth in the form of a man.
A wise idea, but I'm sorry this plan fell through (some sarcasm and seriousness here).
More to come as I think things through and my ideas develop.
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