MURICA-FOOBALL (Sumblog 11)

So this past week we took a look at religion and social change. One of the things that caught my attention we read by Yamane was religiosity and sports. Though a good portion of that part of the article was cut off (which was a shame by the way Prof Barry) it intrigued me nonetheless. The first person who pops into my mind (and probably most peoples) is Tim Tebow, a white, male football player for the Denver Broncos. He became highly beloved by many people when we began to have a prayer after getting a touchdown. He was praised by Christians around the nation, and people respected his love and dedication to his devotion to live a God filled life. So, there was a win for Christians everywhere. Now let’s take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Husain Abdullah, a black, male footballer who players for the Kansas City Chiefs was penalized for saying a Muslim prayer called a Sajdah. He got to his knees in celebration of getting a touchdown and was so thankful he said a prayer in gratitude. But unlike Tim Tebow, he was not acknowledged as a religious phenomenon or someone to look up to. He was penalized, and luckily thanks to a social media uproar, his record was fixed. But amazing how much privilege was extended to Tim Tebow versus Husain Abdullah? It’s both disgusting and frightening how differently they were treated. Amazing how one religion is found to be more socially acceptable. People can say this was a legitimate penalty all they want, but if they choose to ignore the discrimination involved in the decision process, then shame on them. 

Ba da ba ba ba i'm lovin it (Sumblog 10)

This week in class we discussed the relationship between globalization and religion. I was truly fascinated when the video we watched in class discussed that missionaries come to Western countries to bring back faith in religion. I guess when I think of mission trips I think of all the people who head to Africa with bibles. (I’m not too familiar with the process, but hopefully they bring more than the word of god to those places sine they seem to pick destitute countries and areas.)

I think the term I liked discussing the best was glocalization (the fact that it sounds hilarious is only eighty percent of the reason as to why I deem it the best.) I tried to think of other areas in which I have seen this concept at play. In my personal experience, having travelled to only two countries outside of the  United States of America, I first thought of soda pop, more specifically, Fanta. Both Costa Rica and their own flavours that were available in those countries. (The special flavour in Costa Rica was horrid tasting.)

               But then what ways can glocalization be applied to religion? I’m going to be completely honest and say I am not going to research this, but more think and question the idea of Christianity and glocalization. Are sects and denominations the effect of glocalization? Were they created as a way to make religion more approachable in different areas of the world, or different cultures? Much like McDonalds, are there local traits that can be taken in a religion in each different area? Kinda boggles my mind, but at the same time, I think of how many non-denominational or catholic services I have been forced to attend in the past, and how each of them gave similar but completely different values and morals. 

One thing I do know: they need to bring that McDonalds poutine here. Stop hogging it Canada!

I mean, just look at that sexy gravy goodness. 

America...do you even lift? (Sumblog 9)

This week in class we discussed nationalism and Heclo’s findings on whether or not the USA is a Christian nation. To be honest, this topic did not really catch my interest as much as I thought it would. Likely it was Heclo’s insanely boring writing style. (To be fair I hate academic writing, so it’s me, not him.) I did however agree with some of his points. Such as while many people say the USA is a Christian nation, we sure don’t act like one! Jesus was all about loving everyone, acceptance, forgiveness, caring for the sick and poor. Heck, he was the guy who brought booze to the party! He was a rebel! He went against the norm to help people even when higher powers tried bringing him down.

None of those cool and kind hearted deeds sound like the religion politicians throw in our faces during their attempts to get elected. It’s all “SCREW THE POOR. WE DON’T NEED PEOPLE SPONGING OFF THE SYSTEM!” “HELL NO GAY PEOPLE SHOULDN’T BE GETTING MARRIED!” “WE SHOULD HATE WOMEN AND MUST FORCE OURSELVES INTO THEIR VAGINAS BECAUSE THEY COULDN’T KEEP THEIR LEGS CLOSED. NO BIRTH CONTROL FOR YOU.” Seriously, it’s like they just sit there and try to find ways to oppress people. It’s all about who deserves more rights and privilege. Pretty sure if I was Jesus I would come back to slap some of these politicians silly for using my goodness and name to oppress the poor and minorities.

Now feel free to tell me we live in a Christian nation. Tell me how a country that thrives on capitalism and stepping on the poor shows any of Jesus’s teachings. That’s what I thought. 

The Ultimate Trollers (Sumblog 8)

                So this last week’s topics we covered secularization and de-secularization, which have probably been the topics to intrigue me the most. In this week’s rant (because I realized that is what my sumblogs have turned into) I would like to complain about de-secularization and corporate America. I am particularly angry about the fact that corporations are given more humanization and religious freedom that many of its workers (especially of the female variety.)

                In case you haven’t picked up what I’m hinting at, I’m thinking of the bullshit with Hobby Lobby that gave a non-human corporation more rights than the human beings that work for them. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard what went on; but basically what happened is that it was determined that giving women specific types of birth control (including the one I personally use) would not be covered by their insurance because the people of hobby lobby began claiming the plan B pill and certain types of birth control as a form of abortion. And despite those being very personal medical decisions that should only be held between a patient and doctor: hobby lobby was able to vouch as a person with religious issues and overturn the law that would have provided affordable family planning care to its workers.

                David Greene, the guy in charge of Hobby Lobby basically stated that his religious beliefs over-rode those of his workers, and lucky for him, we live in a capitalistic and patriarchal society that agreed with him. In this case, this was de-secularization at its worst. With this in mind, with an employer being able to deny coverage for certain medical procedures and medications, would that then make it possible for Jehovah’s witnesses to deny blood transfusions? Would another religious group be able to deny a lifesaving procedure because it was against their beliefs? Isn’t that a terrifying idea? I sure as heck think so given how terrible some of my previous employers have been.

 

And now to leave you with some of the best meme responses ever.