Teddy Anderson

FiIm and CuIture Mondays, Summer 2013 term

JuIy 31, 2013
What was my favorite cIass session of the term?















My favorite class session of this term was when we watched "Religulous and discussed
religion. Far from being a subject would have suspected would want to engage in openly with a
group of strangers, learned a lot about other people and a lot about myself during that
discussion.
To preface this discussion will start by saying that didn't specifically choose this class,
it just fit my schedule and requirements. had very little interest in film prior to this, and even less
interest in discussing sensitive issues with anyone. My experience of these discussions in the
past has usually been at my guiding job, in which as a professional can not be controversial, or
at dinner parties where the purpose is to enjoy ourselves and have a good evening. When
discussions do ensue, it is typically with people whom know am in 90 percent agreement with.
So while we may differ on an issue, our fundamental beliefs are the same. n this class it
seemed we enjoyed a much broader spectrum of political views than usually experience with
my friends.
also didn't feel particularly interested in the views of a bunch of young college kids, as
imagined my classes would be full of. Having just returned to school after a twenty year
absence, felt that my age and experiences with many different cultures around the world lent
me to better-formed opinions on most matters than a bunch of kids in Salt Lake City. was very
pleasantly surprised on this count. People in this class had invaluable input from which learned
a lot not only about the motives for their beliefs, but about where fall on the spectrum on many
different issues. Some issues were uncomplicated for me to sort through, but religion was not
so easy.
My parents were married as Mormons and since things didn't go so well for them, my
father left the church and allowed any of us kids to join him. This deeply upset my mother, whose
childhood experiences with Mormonism were much more positive than my father's, and she
remained a loyal believer. But was more than willing to jump ship as church had always been a
very uncomfortable and uninspiring place for me. was somewhere just before my early teens at
this point, though had never really been very actively involved in the church beyond my forced
participation on most Sundays. So stopped going, and when turned 18, during the heart of the
Mormons supporting another anti-gay measure in Oregon, sent an official, somewhat graphic
letter to the bishop about how as an adult was choosing to not be a Mormon anymore for the
following reasons... then listed them. was out, and found out from my mother on her death
bed that this was one of the most heart-breaking moments of her life.
My mother died a devout Mormon, as she was such a lovely person, that surely this has
helped shape my sympathetic view of Mormons today. think it really started when moved to
Salt Lake City and saw how readily they were castigated by the general non-Mormon public.
was mostly hanging out with the skier crowd, very few of whom would blink twice about hurling
the worst insults upon Mormons, challenging everything from their intelligence to their backwards
views. actually agree that many of those views are backwards, but was surprised to find how
readily people used phrases like " wish Utah had no Mormons at all, or "Mormons make this
state unlivable, and far worse insults than that. tried to imagine replacing any of those insults
with the word "Jew. Can you imagine? t would be totally unacceptable.
quickly realized that, almost especially among my most liberal friends, Mormon-bashing
was not only acceptable, but also seen as almost essential to establishing yourself as the vocal
minority in this state. But it was very uncomfortable to me, as could only picture my beautiful
mother and her strong belief in that church. She herself was very liberal, and just happened to be
indoctrinated into that culture. always enjoyed playing the "dead Mormon mom card whenever
people would get going, and 'm she would agree this was an acceptable use of her legacy.
So, knowing was sensitive to that attitude in this state, knew didn't feel strongly
anti-religion when starting this class. But have at times also very strongly defended my own
views which many might call atheism, though prefer to identify with what Sam Harris stated in
his book "Letter to a Christian Nation, that atheism no more needs a name than does anti-belief
in Elvis being alive, or anti-belief in aliens. t is just a non-issue for me. But somehow it seemed
in class that was more willing to defend religious beliefs than to defend atheism. just didn't see
much respect coming from the atheist viewpoint, or the understanding that other people have
their own reasons for believing what they do.
But am happy the discussion included several people in our class with anti-religious
views. The very point, think, of a democracy, both in the direct political process, and in private
discussions, is to share views and ideas and have all of them be listened to respectfully. felt
theirs was the most valuable input heard. They made many good points, such as that as tax
payers we are funding campaigns which we don't believe in, like the Mormon church's backing of
Proposition 8 in California. t is outraging, and this is exactly where we should stand up and fight,
as is the point of the democratic process. My point, or question perhaps, is how to do this with
respect, focusing on the issue itself.
And even more anti-religion was the film "Religious which takes an all-encompassing
derogatory view of religion, essentially suggesting that people who believe in religious doctrine
are idiots. find this very offensive. t is true there is no scientific basis to the Bible, and find it
disturbing that there is still a question of whether or not evolution can be taught in public schools.
But the very people who most readily bash religious people for their intolerance, seem to be
themselves the most intolerant of religious people. And that again is where the point really lies. f
we, as atheists, can't tolerate or even celebrate other beliefs, how can we blame them for
fighting back so vehemently?
There were a few people in our class who, after quite an extended discussion, revealed
their own Mormon backgrounds and beliefs, and they seemed to me to be the most calm and
respectful members of the general class discussion, myself included. This was interesting to
me, as hadn't really thought exactly whether there were Mormons in this class. 'm sure
Mormons have become aware, assuming they have been outside Utah county, of the
acceptance of Mormon-bashing in Salt Lake, and likely feel a bit sensitive to it, and therefore may
not "out themselves so readily in mixed company. But really appreciated their input, which
basically shored up exactly what like about many Mormons: We don't necessarily interpret the
scriptures literally, we just appreciate what we gain from our involvement in this group.
As for myself, found was taking a very adamant stance against religious intolerance,
and realized how strongly really feel about it now. was mixed on this issue for most of my adult
life, but my views started to shift about five years ago when read the book "A History of God by
Karen Armstrong. While focused in large part on religious history, her voice and feelings were so
gentle, and so all-encompassing, that couldn't help but be swept into her wave of acceptance of
beliefs different than my own. She made many good points.
The best point got from her was about the scriptures themselves, and the value they
have for people not as literal historical accounts, but almost as a form or poetry or music. She
spoke specifically about the power of the Koran being spoken aloud, and it's ability to carry
people into a spiritual space. Since it is now considered en vogue to dabble in Buddhism, drew
a parallel there. The same people who may readily chant at the beginning or end of their yoga
class may laugh away a devotion to Biblical scripture, and to me that doesn't align- it's the same
thing. myself love chanting, and poetry, and it is not a stretch for me to imagine that Christians,
Muslims and others find the same uplifting quality to their scriptures, and for one don't even
have the first idea what they are saying in Sanskrit.
The other thing learned to appreciate from Karen Armstrong is the value of stories to live
by. read the novel "Les Miserables nearly fifteen years ago, and since then have used the
Bishop of Digne, a character in the first part of the book, as an example to myself of how to live a
generous life. Here is a completely fictional character who found myself turning to for
inspiration. don't find this laughable, find it calming and like to think about him and his
unselfishness. Who am to deny the same pleasure to those finding guidance from the Bible?
As to whether or not they believe this is also fiction, why would care? don't laugh at
people like myself who are devoted to electronic devices whose inner workings are more
mysterious to me than the Koran itself. just accept these devices blindly as something useful in
my life and go about my day, finding better things to worry about than whether or not understand
how my smartphone works. suppose have the same magnanimous views about religious
belief. don't need someone to be able to explain to me about their beliefs, let alone
everything. f it brings them happiness, or connectedness, or simply has always been such a
part of life that they accept it without question, celebrate that alongside them.
Prior to this class session really didn't understand how these feelings had materialized
for me. But it all seemed to gain a sort of synthesis in this class. Not only did realize wanted
everyone's religious beliefs to be validated, gained an understanding of my own as well. The
essential point here is that my own religious beliefs are a very private issue, and one which no
more need to explain to anyone else, than need to clearly define and understand myself. doubt
will ever believe in or follow the teachings of any religious scripture, but may one day find
comfort in a group of people who might identify as a religion. And if that is the case, won't feel it
necessary to defend my views against some "atheist past. will celebrate what find uplifting,
just as do today.
f the point of spirituality is peace, and religious beliefs can fairly be categorized under the
banner of spirituality, then shouldn't all of us finding any sort of spiritual inspiration in life accept
how others find it for themselves? Whether it's skiing steep powder or watching a Grand Canyon
sunset while freshly bathed in river water, it brings us all the same thing- a sense of peace. Of
course people have mis-used religion, but backlashing against that extremism as the general
rule puts everyone on the same plane of misunderstanding and creates an even bigger divide.
So, after all that, that is the class enjoyed the most. appreciated that while having such
vastly different views, most people were eventually able to freely express their views and offer an
opportunity for others to learn by. hope that can take what learned from that class session
and apply it for the rest of my life, and sincerely hope others from the class gained as much as
did. Understanding each other better is probably the fundamental purpose of a class fulfilling the
diversity requirement. And for me it worked!