tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post8417907299393179883..comments2022-02-05T04:27:18.228-08:00Comments on LA Journal: Babe on the BeachSteven L. Denlingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16088987004394467971noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-84843498289270774892005-11-06T04:46:00.000-08:002005-11-06T04:46:00.000-08:00Writing about my spiritual beliefs and life was ve...Writing about my spiritual beliefs and life was very hard when I first started, but then the dam broke, and I couldn't stop. My move away from fundamentalism to a more liberal understanding of the Bible was a huge move for me, and I can only imagine the transition from conservative Mennonite. I've been accused more times than I care to count of not being a real Christian, but that comes with the territory. Your view on the commonalities of fundamentalism is very accurate, and that's because a woman who's not controlled by anything other than her own Spirit and that of her Deity is a scary, powerful thing. Teaching girls, haven't you felt the surge of transforming energy when they're totally into something? I didn't mean to turn this into a rant, but the fear of women and the fear of sexuality (which fundamentalists place squarely on women's beautiful shoulders) has come to me to be a sign of a weak spot in faith. Yeah, we women are potent, heady stuff, but God/dess is greater. Sorry about the length of this rant, you just got me thinking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-82223823264985168182005-11-06T08:02:00.000-08:002005-11-06T08:02:00.000-08:00I am glad that you are able to talk about your pas...I am glad that you are able to talk about your past like that. I remember the difficulty I had when I first attempted to confront mine, granted I have not had quite the life that you have had, but there are still things in my past I would rather bury and not talk about. It is a difficult task to do, especially in a forum such as this, but your ability to do so is inspiring. You had mentioned to me very vaguely brief bits about your upbringing, but I did not understand how difficult it must have been for you to leave the culture you were raised in, that takes true courage. Also, I am glad that there is a new addition to your family, there is nothing better than having a family that truly cares about you, and ther more of them, the better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-14569456998198895992005-11-06T08:55:00.000-08:002005-11-06T08:55:00.000-08:00The baby is quite beautiful, Steven. That's a...The baby is quite beautiful, Steven. That's a lovely picture of the two of you. YOu look very loving as you cuddle that little cutie with the scrunched up face.<br><br>This entry is very movingly written, Steven. You have come so far and understand so much, yet it is obvious the hurt is still there, as it probably will remain in some form or other. I hope it fades over time, and aches only occasionally, like an old war wound. I am glad for you that you have this warm relationship with your nephews and niece, and that you are creating a tribute to it in pictures and music. It is a wonderful gift to offer your family. And that your brother and sister-in-law are offering to pay for it surely shows their acceptance of you for who you are now. That is precious.<br><br>I am thinking of you and your father. May it go well on Tuesday, and may you feel at peace with him and the rest of your family.<br><br>Warmly, VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-34482233199299676462005-11-06T10:15:00.000-08:002005-11-06T10:15:00.000-08:00Thank you, Kelley and Vicky. It's good to kno...Thank you, Kelley and Vicky. It's good to know that people really do understand. Incidentally, I went to sleep last night and slept with glorious abandon. I think I needed to share this. It doesn't make everyone happy, but my keeping my mouth shut didn't make anyone happy either.<br><br>StevenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-56497766832829553282005-11-06T15:36:00.000-08:002005-11-06T15:36:00.000-08:00Wonderful entry, Steven. Thanks for sharing. Are y...Wonderful entry, Steven. Thanks for sharing. Are you familiar with the poet Julia Kasdorf? Try Sleeping Preacher first, then her next, which I can't quite recall the name off right off--I want to say The Body and the Spirit, or something similar. She was raised mennonite and writes about the two worlds she has lived in. <br><br>I've been unusually close to a number of Amish in my life, including dining and praying with one particular family I have in mind. In Indiana, my ex-husband's family was very close to their Amish neighbors and I respected their lives very much. Here in Ohio, my boyfriend's family has a very different and bitter attitude toward them. D's mother is highly educated and resents the very things you mention and there are many stories--on both sides of the coin--to illustrate both what's admirable and not so admirable about their lives and beliefs. <br><br>...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-76990363343800637632005-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:002005-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:00part 2my comment was too long so I cut it in half...part 2<br><br>my comment was too long so I cut it in half--here's the rest:<br><br>It does not sound too terribly different, at least in some ways, from my own experience of distancing myself from devout Catholicism. (When I lived in the south, though, I got to see real true fundamentalism and I found it shocking and horrific, and as you say, no different at all from the fundamentalism of any other sect. Though love is preached, I see little of it practiced...). My father recently visited me and we spent a lot of time talking about life and faith. Though a lifelong democrat, he voted for Bush last election for the sole reason that he could not support anyone who was "for" abortion. When we were driving across town one day and passed a Planned Parenthood, he waved his arms and boo'd and said "They're bad, those are the real bad guys. They make like they're good but they're real bad guys." I considered arguing what I knew from my own experience about the good they do, but I let it go. My arguments wouldn't change his mind, just like his wouldn't change mine.<br><br>I'm glad you've been able to open yourself to love and life and change; it will continue to be an ongoing process for all of us, no doubt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-14037910802289805622005-11-06T15:43:00.000-08:002005-11-06T15:43:00.000-08:00I didn't mean that entry to sound so political. I ...I didn't mean that entry to sound so political. I meant to emphasize philosophy and education and life learning and life experience. In trying to cite a couple of examples (which are recent and pretty fresh) it sounded like a political stance and I didn't mean it to be. Sorry...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-25691452332603455182005-11-06T19:50:00.000-08:002005-11-06T19:50:00.000-08:00Thank you, Paula, for sharing. Your insights are ...Thank you, Paula, for sharing. Your insights are always welcome. Thanks for the reading tip as well.<br><br>StevenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-6169422122780703082005-11-07T22:01:00.000-08:002005-11-07T22:01:00.000-08:00Steve,Hi! Brandon Mullet advised me of your blog ...Steve,<br>Hi! Brandon Mullet advised me of your blog awhile back. T'was interesting to hear (and see!) what you've been up to. You look real good with Patrick! There IS something about the innocence of babies; gives us a taste of transcendence. We have a 7 month old; I could eat her up every day!<br>I would agree that conservative leaders are being called to repent of all the ways they've used power, control, and position for selfish purposes, self-gratification, and for building their own kingdoms. In my work I've also seen how the suppression of healthy sexuality leads to a lot of unhealthy deviousness. It seems the more conservative, and the more suppressed and fearful people are of sexuality, the more deviance you find hidden.<br>I sounds like you've been influential in the lives of many people. Like other professions, teaching is a powerful position.<br>Planning to be with Brandon for Thanksgiving. Is Marlin ever on here? Mark<br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6732608909485672758.post-70777725211082463852005-11-07T22:16:00.000-08:002005-11-07T22:16:00.000-08:00Hello Mark,Thanks for the response. Yes, Marlin d...Hello Mark,<br><br>Thanks for the response. Yes, Marlin does occasionally look into the blog, based on his comments to me. He's in London right now -- working on an opera there, I think.<br><br>Nice insights.<br><br>StevenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com