religious attachments

i'm reading the Bible right now... like straight through. it's not a quick read, but it sure is interesting.

leviticus calls up some interesting images and philosophies.

first, all the sacrifices, especially the ones where they throw blood onto the altar, really remind me of voodoo practices in benin. they are so similar--it's like deja vu.

which leads me back to the always interesting question of religion's role in civil society. montesquieu would say something about how religious actions lead to religious attachments. the more you do to keep up religious traditions and trappings, the more you are bound to them and by them. and somehow that translates into order, reason and judgment... helpful components of society. if you're attached to something, you belong to it. if you belong to it, you belong to the community espousing it as well. belonging fights chaos. meaning even "false" religions have their place in creating and preserving civility.

so interesting.

identity: mine and God's

hmm. 7 months without posting. maybe i should give "phos" up and stick to my journal. but just in case...

i did a little exercise this week, discerning both my identity and God's. i basically answered two questions:

1. what have you learned about yourself as a result of your experience with God?
that i can withstand more than i think; that i'm extremely unique and unusual; that it's better for me to rely on God than on myself or others; that i can be quiet, be alone and be slow--and enjoy it; that lessons are harder and hurt more when i'm stubborn; that i like the sunshine; that affirmation doesn't satisfy me like God's love does; that in any given moment, i have enough; that i don't have all the answers--and that's okay; that i'm easily distracted by relationships; that i struggle with pride; that my worth is not determined by others; that i'm amazingly complex and beautiful all at once--a mystery.

2. what do you know about God as a result of genuine encounter with yourself?
that God loves me and lavishes blessings on me; that God hears me and knows my needs better than i do; that God thinks i'm special; that God will patiently challenge me again and again till i learn God's truths; that God is always present; that God loves me better than anyone; that God is sufficient; that i hear God best when i'm humble; that God is so much more interesting than i make God out to be; that God is not afraid to put me in danger; that God's dreams are bigger than mine are; that God is everywhere--but in my stillness especially; that i'm relieved God doesn't fit in a box; that nothing can shake God or take me from God; that God is big enough to cover all questions, hurts and losses; that God is freakin' hilarious at times.