Anthropology

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Why Not Same-sex Marriage? (IV of X)

3. ‘One male-one female’ marriage is the historical cornerstone of civilization Uhm, again, no. We’re a far, far more imaginative and flexible species than this argument would imply. However, for the sake of fun discussion let’s take a look at the civilizations from which the US classically traces its inspiration. I do this for two…

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Why Not Same-sex Marriage? (III of X)

2. The Bible says homosexuality is a sin Lordy, I’m tired of this one. Why religious zealots feel they can pick and choose the parts of the Bible they think best support their own secular desires — and ignore the rest — is beyond me. Add to that the raging debates still on-going as to…

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Why Not Same-sex Marriage? (II of X)

List of Arguments So what are the arguments against gay marriage I’ve heard? These are the ones I’ve got so far, although if you know of others I’d be interested in hearing them as well. We’re a christian nation The Bible says homosexuality is a sin ‘One male-one female’ marriage is the historical cornerstone of…

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Why Not Same-sex Marriage? (I of X)

Originally posted May 2004 Credits: Thanks to Bob, clear-sighted as always, as well as to George for kindness, and Ian for perspective. Also, if this subject interests you, I recommend my “Firestarter” titled Tolerance FAQ, take II. I’ve been watching the joy and euphoria spreading through San Francisco and parts of the Bay Area as…

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Witches, Midwives, & Nurses: A History of Women Healers

by Barbara Ehrenreich & Deidre English A review of one of my textbooks: a tiny little pamphlet — less than 50 pages! – with a powerful message that’s both creepily and effectively illustrated with a few small woodcut reproductions. Operating under the premise that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it, the authors…

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Personal Meaning through Ritual

I’m reading a fascinating book for class. It’s titled “Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries” by Ruth Barrett, and the part I’m currently most enjoying is the deconstruction of several of this culture’s rituals. The issues with marriage, bridal showers, birthdays, and baby showers are not new to me; I’ve considered and mentally struggled with them for…

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Art as Sacred Practice

Enter Shiloh Sophia McCloud into the search box to see all the available books written by the instructor of this class. Amazon.com Widgets One of my classes in the Women’s Spirituality Master’s Program that I’m taking is called “Art as Sacred Practice.” It’s a curious oddity of most Western religious traditions that the creation of…

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Back to School Again… yay! :)

I’ve finished one of my required readings for class: Rita Gross’s fascinating Feminism & Religion. I wish I’d read this book years ago. One of the most critical points the book makes, which was a sort of “aHA!” moment for me when I read it, was that a religion which purports to welcome and offer…

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Genesis re-visioned

It’s always entertaining to re-read old college papers, especially when you’ve learned more since then. In the case of Feminism & the Bible: Examining the Christian Myth of Creation, the handful of later realizations or learnings I had were interesting enough to me that I thought I’d relate them here. For example, most people know…

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What Happened to Browser Standards?!

Originally written December 2003: more of a grumble than usual… As you probably don’t know, by profession I am a web site designer. I take pride in my work, as I assume most competent craftspeople do. However, recently I’ve had the most incredible frustration in my job — on this very web site! — due…