Another old poem of mine has been springing to my mind, as of late. From one of my doubting, wandering phases, called "Pray for Me, You Wrote." [CC-licensed image by Steven Fernandez] Pray for Me, You Wrote Pray for me, you wroteUnawareOf my broken beads and lipsThat now only spit and chewSchmooze and curse
Category: The Spirit
Chosen One (a poem)
Thinking about nontheist Quakers has brought to mind some of my older writings during my spiritual meanderings over the years. Here's a poem I wrote in 1997 called "Chosen One" that questions the belief in an interventionist, personal god. In a related now, it's nice to see my piece on Quathiests was republished on the…
New study on Islam and virtual worlds releasing findings on January 29 in NYC
Speaking of Islam and virtual worlds, it looks like Joshua Fouts and Rita King of Dancing Ink Productions will be unveiling the findings of their study on "Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds" on January 29 in New York City, and then again in Second Life on January 30. Here's the info on the NYC event:…
First look at Muxlim Pal virtual world: shop, chat and pray
After registering almost a month ago, I finally was able to log into the new "Muxlim Pal" virtual world. As you will recall, the owners of Muxlim had restricted access to the new virtual world due to griefer attacks that started after the BBC published a story about Muxlim Pal. Now apparently they have dealt…
Menorah at Hudson NY Amtrak Station?
I saw this tiny menorah today in front of one of the ticket booths at the Hudson, NY Amtrak Station. Strange for many reasons. First off, Hannukah has been long over. Second, all the candles are still unlit. I don't get it. At least give out some chocolate gelt if you are going to display…
Learning to love and accept “Quatheists” (Nontheist Friends) at Powell House
For three days I have been at the beautiful Powell House Quaker retreat center, up in Old Chatham, New York. I have been attending a workshop on “nontheist Quakers” led by Robin Alpern and Zach Alexander with about 16 other Quakers from around the northeast area. I arrived with a good dose of skepticism about…
Reading List: Star Trek comics, Quaker mystics, b-girls, and small town drama
I've been trying to get caught up on my reading list. Here's some of the great stuff that's on my bookshelf: The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole by Stephanie Doyon A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly Star Trek New Frontier by Peter David We B*girlz by Martha Cooper and Nika Kramer More about each…
Learning about “nontheist Quakers” this weekend at Powell House
I'm going on a somewhat last minute trip up to the Quaker retreat center Powell House in Old Chatham, NY. I've been wanting to head up to Powell House for the past few months. Danielle from Brooklyn Meeting offered to get a car and drive up, so I jumped at the opportunity. The occasion is…
Responsible, Sustainable Holiday Shopping in NYC
I just got home from hopefully the last round of shopping for holiday presents this year. Yes, we are in a recession. But the stores and holiday markets are still packed with people busy stimulating the economy, as Mayor Bloomberg keeps telling us to do. I will be the first to admit that I probably…
A Quaker Christmas Tree?
This afternoon I was surprised to see that there is a Christmas tree in the "coffee hour" area of the Brooklyn Quaker Meeting that I attend. Apparently Brooklyn Meeting even holds a "Christmas Tree Festival" for our young people where Santa Claus makes an appearance! I find this all vaguely disconcerting and un-Quakerly. Historically, Quakers…